LIVE REVIEW: Florence Black @ Tramshed, Cardiff

Hometown shows are always special for both the band and the audience attending. It’s a celebration for both the musicians, returning to the place that supported them since the beginning, and a treat for longtime fans to witness their favourites return to where they began, especially for those who have been fans since the very start of their career. It’s like the Championship winners returning home on their open-top bus surrounded by screaming and cheering fans, except this time it’s along to the music the band is playing. For Welsh rockers FLORENCE BLACK, the final date of their Bed Of Nails tour in promotion of their upcoming album of the same name took place in Cardiff’s own Tramshed, along with fellow Welsh bands JAMES AND THE COLD GUN and BLACK LAKES. Would this last night of their tour be as exemplary as the fans hoped for, or was it as hurtful as lying on a bed of nails? 

Beginning the night was the hard rock outfit, BLACK LAKES kicked off the set with their exceptional style and virtuosic anthems that decorated their setlist. Including songs from their debut album For All We Left Behind, the band performed them flawlessly through each song and gave every song that special touch to show the crowd they loved the music they performed. From Fragments to Verity In Flames, the blend of hard rock and melodic metal presented a unique sound for all the audience to enjoy, including moments where they included the crowd to sing along to one of their songs. Overall, BLACK LAKES showcased so much potential, especially on a large stage like Tramshed, and with a second album on the horizon, people should keep their eye on this band as their future is incredibly bright. It’s worth keeping an eye on them – if they deliver at this level of performance at this stage of their career, from here, the sky is their limit, and any music fan should not miss out on what comes next.

Rating: 9/10

Next onto the stage was the alternative rock group JAMES AND THE COLD GUN, named after the KATE BUSH song of the same name, and beginning their set with the recording of that song playing before the band took to the stage. Once they took to their instruments, the group began an energetic set that brought out only the best in each member, including an appearance from NIGHTLIVES vocalist Taf Richards as the band’s keyboardist. The dynamic between the members on the stage was incredible to witness, they played off each other well and off the audience, who received their music with glee. Delivering songs like Chewing Glass, Cheating On The Sun, and the new song, Fragile, to the best of their ability, giving a fresh and vibrant take on their alternative rock sound. Their style is reminiscent of YOU ME AT SIX, but also uniquely themselves with their iconic sound and style. It’s hard to keep up the momentum of a stacked sound like that, but JAMES AND THE COLD GUN managed to keep it up as long as they could throughout their set to make it memorable and fun to watch. It’s obvious the band love the music they make and making music in general. They’re worth the watch should anyone get the chance to do so.

Rating: 8/10

Finally, the hometown heroes themselves, FLORENCE BLACK, took to the stage and greeted the packed-out venue by kicking off their set with the title track, Bed Of Nails to great fanfare. With the whole of the South Wales rock scene out in full force to celebrate the band and their new album, the whole of Tramshed was alive with the sound of hard rock, and the stadium-level sound and scope the band delivered their songs. A lot of their setlist was made up of songs from this new record, but also included songs from their debut record, Weight Of The World, including songs like Black Cat, On The Ropes, The Deep End, and more. Whilst what they created that evening was a true celebration of their work and their journey thus far in music, and there was no denying their musicianship, skill, and showmanship that was on display with every song, it was difficult to truly differentiate one song from another as the style blended into one. It was as if at times you were listening to one never-ending song.

Whilst there are times within the set where the music blends into each other, there are some notable songs within the setlist that should be highlighted. These include a cover of Breadfan, originally by BUDGIE, the addition of a popular early track of theirs, Bird On A Chain, as well as rounding off the night with an encore track, Sun & Moon. With their varied setlist that expanded across their two albums, the band have really designed a show that celebrates their journey thus far and readies fans new and old for whatever is in store for the next chapter of the band.

Although there were points in their music that were left to be desired and not of note, the band’s energy, and dynamic between each other and the audience, in addition to their stage presence and tenacity no matter what happened on stage more than made up for it. Perhaps with some twists and shakeups within the music itself, FLORENCE BLACK can truly make a statement within rock music and push themselves further to the larger venues they deserve. As it stands, their presentation and audience interaction within their creative space will carry them through anything, and the band can only go up from here. A successful hometown show that any fan, no matter how long they’ve loved the band, would call an incredible party for the ages.

For anyone else in attendance, it was clear the support outshone them, but FLORENCE BLACK delivered an entertaining set. It will be interesting to see where they go from here, but at least they know they have the whole South Wales scene behind them no matter what.

Rating: 7/10

Check out our photo gallery of the night’s action in Cardiff from Courtney Monroe here: 

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