The University of Cardiff does not boast a particularly long list of famous bands in its alumni, and even then Los Campesinos! are perhaps not one of them. Formed at Cardiff University way back in 2006, their first gig came at a club night in the SU. 9 years and 5 albums later the band find themselves still making music around their life commitments. While the band may still not have returned to the fame that they were shot to when their second single, ÔÇÿYou! Me! Dancing!ÔÇÖ, was used as the theme for a Budweiser FA Cup advert in 2012, they can take pride in being perhaps the best semi-pro rock band in the world.

Campesinos came lumbering out of the annual hiatus to play the first show of their UK tour at the Exchange in Bristol, supported by the brilliantly talented in their own right, Bruising. Aided by their deep repertoire, an intimate sold out venue, and an adoring crowd of loyal fans, the band put on an electric performance without a hint of rust from their time away. The now somewhat portly Gareth Paisey, lead singer and chief self loather, is the charismatic centrepiece of a group of 7 who, much like their songs, and their shows, are so much more than their already fantastic individual parts. Starting with a well-rehearsed set list, the gig soon became a collaborative effort between musicians and audience, pausing at one point to discuss how to force an audience requested song into the set. The band reached crescendos of highs with their hits ÔÇÿWeÔÇÖve Got Your BacksÔÇÖ and their final song, ÔÇÿAvocado, BabyÔÇÖ while still fitting in their more low key and depressing work with ÔÇÿThe Sea Is A Good Place To Think Of The FutureÔÇÖ. Their encore was pieced together much like their set, polling the audience for their preferred choices, finishing on their third album song, ÔÇÿIn Media ResÔÇÖ. Although things may not get better for Los Campesinos, that doesnÔÇÖt mean itÔÇÖs going to get any worse, and playing a few shows a year to hundreds of adoring fans seems pretty fucking good.

JAMIE WILLIAMSON