The thing about music in Cardiff, is that there’s always loads of it. Good gigs rudely continue to take place even when most students are home for Easter pretending to revise and eating fridges full of food that isn’t pasta. DimSwn is the daughter of Swn, the annual city festival that takes place every November. It’s been going for a few years, and showcases bands you’ve probably not heard of yet but will have in six months time, a thing which the guys behind Swn are expert at. We unfortunately couldn’t cover the whole day-long festival, but Erin Brown headed down to some of it and here is her verdict…

A week and a bit later and I have still got post Dim-Swn blues. Last weekend, Swn festivalÔÇÖs baby sister put on quite the show with the likes of the Estrons, The Big Moon and Kieran Leonard taking to the streets of Cardiff!
For me, London band ISLAND were the highlight. This hairy foursome were my personal favourite with bluesy sounds and melodic riffs, ISLAND delivered an enticing set. Their riffs are flowery and dreamy and yet their sound is dark and deep. Lead vocalist Rolo DohertyÔÇÖs rusty voice adds such depth to their sound and at times leaves you a little goose bumpy, particularly in track ÔÇÿStargazerÔÇÖ.

I guess you could compare them [to The Kooks] in a way where Island have ate them up, shit them out and sprinkled glitter on them until the point where it is not comparable at all.

I went to this set with low expectations as the band have previously been compared to The Kooks. After seeing the boys play live, I am in fact offended that this comparison has even been made. I guess you could compare them in a way where Island have ate them up, shit them out and sprinkled glitter on them until the point where it is not comparable at all. Despite a slight similarity in vocals, ISLAND deliver a much more powerful set, with more thought out tracks. I have had them on repeat ever since!
They create an atmosphere where youÔÇÖre all tied up in the moment, itÔÇÖs dreamy and enticing and you just canÔÇÖt resist it.

Swn festival takes place every November & you can catch our coverage of last years festival here.