It's been quite a number of years since freshers' week really spanned a seven day period. For at least the last five years, the thoroughly British rite of passage, head down the toilet, feet on the dance floor, body in a strange bed has been getting longer and longer – remarkably, the lengthening of freshers' week has correlated with an all time high in unemployment, and although the two are probably not linked, perhaps it's time for a new rite of passage. Gig Month.
Colorama -Buffalo Bar, Friday 3 September
We can get stuck in to Gig Month almost straight away in Cardiff. Psychedelic pop-rock band Colorama (Cardiff) will appear at Buffalo Bar on Windsor Place on Friday 3 September. Colorama are best described as a band quietly tipping their hats to the early period of Kinks' music while they pass on an afternoon waltz, hand in hand with Harry Nilsson. They'll be supported by Bensh, a Berlin based band who have been described, quite rightly, as 'the lovechild of Beck and Syd Barrett.'
Sweet Baboo - Clwb Ifor Bach, Sat 4 September
Continuing on the theme of bands based in Cardiff, Shape Functions present the launch of the third album from North Walian, adopted by the Capital city, Sweet Baboo. Having a rich history of playing in other well-known bands from the city, Stephen Black (Sweet Baboo) brings his new musical offerings covering subjects such as turning 30 and what he likes to call 'quantisizing' (joining two brains together to make a superperson). Classically trained, Baboo is one of the most talented musicians performing regularly in Cardiff. His music is a beautifully crafted, ramble through the hopes, fears and insecurities of a musician trying to live up to his own dreams, or else it's just a collection of lovely songs. He's supported by Truckers of Husk and former bandmate Ceri Frost.
Whyteleaf - Cardiff Arts Institute, Tues 14 September
After watching the phenomenal Sweet Baboo, you can afford a ten day rest to recuperate and listen to his new album 'I'm a Dancer/ Songs About Sleepin' on repeat for an apt period of time before going to another record launch. Whyteleaf release their new EP at Cardiff Arts Institute on 14 September. That said, it's the support act that come highly recommended this month. Samoans have been playing the live music circuit in Cardiff for quite a few months now and are a progressive-rock group with space age echoes and ethereal guitar riffs thrown in for good measure. Although I've previously frowned upon the screaming involved in their live performances, they're still a great choice to watch live.
Kutosis - Clwb Ifor Bach, Friday 24 September
Recently, SWN put on a show at Buffalo Cardiff with headliners as Harlem and support from local trio Oui Messy (ones to watch over the coming months) as well as Kutosis. A google search into the name yields no clue as to its definition, but it does not matter when Kutosis sound as good as they do. Their infectious brand of rock, not too distant a relation to Samoans, but with only the best genes inherited, Kutosis present an intelligent and engaging songwriting in a genre where intelligence is altogether too often mistaken for drivel. The vocals of 'the man is a ghost…' call to mind the howling genius of David Bowie on the track 'Queen Bitch.' Kutosis are certainly one of the best new bands in Cardiff and almost definitely one of the best new bands in Britain – if you have not heard them play live, you are missing out on a loud but fantastic show.
Diane Cluck - Ten Feet Tall, Sun 26 September
After a month of relatively heavy music, Cardiff offers a delightful way to close out Gig Month and a way for all of those students who drank too much during freshers' week to work off their awful headaches in the calm of an anti-folk gig. Diane Cluck, along with touring buddy Anders Griffen, is at Ten Feet Tall on Sunday 26 September. She's famous for working with folk hero and indie legend Jeffrey Lewis, As far as I am concerned, this is one of the highlights of the musical year for Cardiff and is sure to be a beautiful evening of witty, sometimes sad, sometimes sublime folk music. Catch her before she disappears on her travels again – this is a rare opportunity.
So while everyone else is doing things they will probably regret in two months and spending their student loans on drink, perhaps you'll be watching some good music at a lovely venue with a new found friend. Go on, be alternative.
Today's guest blogger is Marc Thomas is editor of online culture magazine Journal of Plastik.
Update: Friday 3 September: Anders Griffen will be playing at Ten Feet Tall with Diane Cluck, who is known among folk fans in Britain for her collaboration with Jeffrey Lewis which was recently covered by Johnny Flynn and Laura Marling.
