Playing in Cardiff for the first time since the release of mini album ÔÇÿCome What May’ in December, alternative folk quartet Clutching At Straws headline TRMMusic Agency’s new event Sway in Soda Bar on this February Thursday evening. With dimmed lights, silver silk across the ceiling and sparkling circles hanging around the bar’s logo, this isn’t the typical venue for a group used to playing at country pubs and beer festivals. But the three bands on the bill this evening seem determined to prove that this is a venue that suits live bands just as well as nightclubbing.

The May Duo begin the evening, and the small amounts of people in attendance at this point are treated to the soulful vocals of Helena-May and the dynamic acoustic guitar of Gareth Evans. They show some engaging and well-interpreted covers of the likes of Duffy and Charlotte Church, playing as tightly as if they were performing to a full room of people.

Using the same stage with no changeover time at all come quartet Life in Cold Climates, who give an animated and enthusiastic full band performance as the Soda Bar crowds build up to listen to both covers and their own songs.

Following on from packing out The Vulcan last April, Clutching at Straws have people reacting seconds after Life in Cold Climates’ final notes have rung out on the opposite stage, the singing and dancing greeting original material, covers of new folk favourites and some interesting reinterpretations of the likes of David Guetta and Guns N’ Roses being highly impressive for such a new event. Getting as much audience participation in their own ÔÇÿMeredith’ as in The Lumineers cover ÔÇÿHo Hey’, the multi-instrumentation and vocal harmonies give everyone in the club a smile on their face. TRMMusic Agency’s Rhys Morris claims “Soda’s the perfect venue because we can get that Jools Holland feel and vibe to it”. And based on performances like this, maybe it isn’t unrealistic to suggest that one day we’ll be hearing “Ladies and gentlemen, the magnificent Clutching at Straws!”