Valentine’s Eve and a queue of cold, slightly soggy people
line the road of Cardiff University’s Student Union. No, they’re not all super
keen for the Student Union’s Speed Dating event the day after, they’re actually queuing
to see their favourite bands on this year’s Kerrang! Tour. It may be rubbish
weather but the queue is buzzing and quickly moving, eager to get into the
student’s beloved nightclub, Y Plas. Whilst not normally the home of
alternative music, it’s as fitting a venue as any for such an occasion. 1000
fans crammed into the small space in front of the small stage makes for quite the
view, plus, it’s close enough for the bands to do a bit of crowdsurfing
themselves!Opening the event are Ohio metalcore titans Beartooth. Tonight, they come with as much energy and furor as if they were headliners themselves; it is this aggression that they’re known for after all! The crowd are enthusiastic as the floor becomes a mosh pit and the lads from across the pond give one hell of an act to follow. This isn't problem however as next up are self-confessed metal kings Bury Tomorrow. The crowd are ready for more metal-onslaught and that is exactly what they get as lead vocalist Dani Winter-Bates preaches the ethos of metal through music and word. Arms wide open and an army of screaming girls in front of him, this man is a deity-esque image for all to feast upon.
Mid-gig, special guest’s Young Guns hit the stage with a three song special. The crowd just about have enough time to lap up the up-tempo pop rock before the stage is once again filled with crew to prepare for tonight’s fourth band, We Are The In Crowd. Fronted by possibly the only female on this whole tour, Tay Jardine, they pace through an array of bouncy pop tunes which closes the pit and unites the crowd into one giant jump-fest.
It’s been three and half hours since doors opened when headliners Don Broco burst onto the stage. Y Plas is suddenly one big party and all those who were stood at the back are suddenly flocking forward to get in on the action. The four of them give energy and smiles in abundance and take us through their classics, some old stuff and some new. It's by far the most exciting set of the night, complete with pyro and semi-naked crowdsurfers. Don Broco were made for the stage and they round off an amazing night on one of the most eclectic tours of the year.
This review is also available in condensed print in the February edition of Quench Magazine.
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