Live Lounge. If you are a student at Cardiff or if you’ve ever been in the radius of our city you’ve heard of Live Lounge. You told your mum, dad, and cat, “It’s not freshers’ flu”! You just spent Saturday night screaming to the best renditions of “Valerie” and “It Wasn’t Me” and “Good For You” that you’ve ever heard, who can blame you? Of course, you’re still classy and you can’t say no to the Old Fashioned and smooth jazz waiting for you at the Bootlegger. It’s a balance baby. Cardiff is a paradise for music lovers. Live Lounge, located in The Friary, is open 7 days a week with live music from midday until midnight and you really can’t go wrong.
Clwb Ifor Bach, or Welsh club: located just across from the Castle, this three-story building hosts a variety of music genres, from Welsh language bands to international acts such as Coldplay, Catfish and the Bottlemen and The Libertines to name a few. Clwb Ifor Bach also organises the Sŵn festival an annual showcase of new music from Wales and beyond.
The ground floor is a cosy pub with a stage for acoustic acts and DJs, the first floor is a larger room with a balcony for rock, indie, pop, and hip-hop bands. The second floor is a smaller room for mostly electronic, dance and experimental music.
Now for bigger fixtures the Utilita is THE venue: the largest indoor venue in Cardiff with upcoming shows from Fall Out Boy, Madness, The Prodigy, Anne Marie and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. You can expect a fantastic and thrilling experience at the arena, with amazing atmosphere. The arena is so popular that you might want to book your tickets in advance to avoid missing out. After all, even Elton John himself has played there. Need I say more?
The Dead Canary: You might think that Barrack Lane is just a boring backstreet, walk past a door that says, “Fire exit: Keep clear” and not give it a second glance. But if you are curious and adventurous, you might notice something unusual above the door, an empty birdcage. And if you look closer you might spot a golden feather on the wall next to it. A hidden entrance? Welcome to the Dead Canary.
A hidden gem, The Dead Canary is a secret speakeasy-style bar that serves its immaculate cocktails in teacups, flowerpots, cauldrons, and a roster of live music that includes jazz, folk, 50s and other songs throughout the ages. It is a cosy and intimate atmosphere with live performances usually at the weekend but in true secret speakeasy-style I can only tell you so much...you really do have try for yourself!
If jazz is your thing and this hits the spot The Bootlegger opposite the castle is another gorgeous little cocktail jazz bar to try!
Now, I have to mention the Glee Club. If you are looking for a night of comedy and music, then The Glee Club in Cardiff Bay is the place to go. It’s an award-winning venue that features some of the best musicians in the UK like Gregory Porter, KT Tunstall and Tom Odell, with an upcoming gig from The Fun Lovin Criminals!
So, whether you want to see your favourite band or discover new talent; whether you want to sing along or dance the night away; whether you want to be part of the crowd or a secret club, you can always find something that suits your taste and budget in this lively city.