Sŵn Festival features live music at multiple venues in Cardiff on Thursday evening, Friday evening and all day Saturday.
Arriving by train at Cardiff Central from Swindon on Thursday 16 October, the first task was to visit The Canopi and show my ticket to get a festival wristband.
Next, a walk to check in at the Travelodge passing the Principality Stadium, festival venues in Womanby Street and the southern wall of Cardiff Castle.
There was time for beers in a couple of pubs featured in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, The Flute and Tankard and The Central Bar (Wetherspoon), both in Windsor Place, before the festival start at 6pm.
Behind the statue of Aneurin Bevan, there was a good position for a photo of the setting sun beyond the walls of Cardiff Castle, during the walk back to Womanby Street.
Tiny Rebel Cardiff was the venue for the opening act. The downstairs bar had some cask ales including 'Juicy'.
Pushbike
Exeter based band Pushbike were already playing upstairs when I arrived with my half pint and found a standing position at the back of the room. Regretting missing the start of their set, the opportunity was taken to record their final song 'Bet you know' which can be heard via the link below.
It was a short walk up Womanby street from here to Clwb Ifor Bach, with the mural of Gwenno on the side, which was the only other venue I visited on this evening.
AKA had been on stage since 6.15pm but I was able to catch some of their set in the downstairs room. Listen to their sound below.
Brown Horse
The band I wanted to see most tonight was Brown Horse, having seen them play previously at Ramblin' Roots Revue and End of the Road festivals in 2024. The merch table included their albums Reservoir (2024) and All the Right Weaknesses (2025). Their slot was 7pm upstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach.
From a position near the stage, it was a treat to watch their performance at close range.
A video clip of the opening for Reservoir can be viewed above.
Press play above to hear an audio recording of All the Right Weaknesses that starts after Patrick Turner mentions that the last time the band played in Wales was at the Green Man Festival in 2024.
Their set finished with Shoot Back and Leslie Knott has posted a video of this performance on YouTube.
After finishing their set at 7.45pm they faced a long drive back to Norwich.
Pale Blue Eyes
Now based in Sheffield, Pale Blue Eyes was the next act in the upstairs room at Clwb Ifor Bach. The video clip above includes their appreciative audience for the trio. More of their sound can be heard from the audio recording below.
Buddug
A couple, who had recognised me as a fellow Sŵn Festival goer at the Flute and Tankard earlier, recommended Buddug whose slot was at 8.45pm downstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach. By missing the end of Pale Blue Eyes set I was in time to catch most of her band's slot that began at 8.45pm downstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach. Wearing a red dress, the young singer from North West Wales was in fine voice and sang all of her songs in Welsh. The video clip above features part of the song Trio (Try) and the audio recording below is of TynnuFi’nÔl (Pull Me Back), a recent single release.
Moonchild Sanelly
The 9.30pm finish downstairs was also the start time for Moonchild Sanelly upstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach.
An expectant audience enthusiastically greeted the flamboyant South African singer and her scantily clad accompanist as they took the stage.
She has called her music 'Future Ghetto Funk' and it features her distinctive vocal style. The stage act featured both performers in lively movements. While singing 'Big Man' she deployed two bubble-blowing guns for further effect. Members of the audience were invited to join her on stage during another song. The video above features an extract from Undumpable and the audio below is the start of Demon featuring some audience singing for the chorus.
Adult DVD
On stage at 10.45pm, Adult DVD a six man band from Leeds, were the final act upstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach on Thursday night. Their setlist included Yacht Money, Dogs in the Sun (audio clip below), Because I like it, Doomsday Prepper (video clip above) and Bill Murray.
GANS
Heading down the familiar stairs at Clwb Ifor Bach for the last time, the downstairs room was also set for the final act before the midnight close. The merchandise table had GANS clothing and the Black Country duo's debut CD - Good for the Soul. Formed by friends Euan Woodman and Tom Rhodes and they are signed to Pete Doherty's label Strap Originals.
Their high energy set with Tom on keyboards and bass guitar and Euan on drums featured 'In Time' and parts of this song, were caught on the video and audio clips below.
Venues
Apart from Tiny Rebel and Clwb Ifor Bach, bands played in two other venues on the opening night: Fuel Rock Club in Womanby Street and Boho beneath Cardiff Market.
Friday 29 August 2025 Miranda Sawyer - Talking Heads stage Talking to Julian Mash about her book 'Uncommon People: Britpop and Beyond in 20 Songs' 'I love Liam' (Gallagher) , 'I underrated Suede', 'Pop stars should look like cartoons' [ Link to an edited extract from the book from The Guardian ] John Harris - Talking Heads stage Talking to Holly Dawson about his book 'Maybe I'm Amazed: A Story of Love and Connection in Ten Songs' which also features his son James. 'I love Somerset but they all clap on the on beat', 'James played I am the Walrus 37 times a day'. [ Book review by Tim Clare in The Guardian link ] Good Looks - Woods stage Setlist included ' If it's gone ' - click on play button below for a live recording of this song made here. Your browser does not support the audio element. Cubzoa - Big Top stage The setlist of Cubzoa, featuring Brighton based Jack Wolter, included ' Choke ' - cl...
Sunday 31 August, 2025 A day for wellington boots after Saturday's rain and to guarantee blue skies for Sunday evening at least. Heading to the Garden stage , the footpath passed the Piano stage where Christopher Owens was playing a secret set. Reaching the Garden stage, Jake Xerxes Fussell was seated on stage playing guitar and singing The River St Johns . Press play to hear the end of this song. Your browser does not support the audio element. A standing position at the side of the Woods stage for the 2.15pm was a good vantage point for Ryan Davis & The Roadhouse Band . The lineup includes pedal steel guitar and the song lyrics were elaborate. Flashes of Orange is an elaborate song lasting over ten minutes and is available for listening below. Your browser does not support the audio element. As clouds gathered, a move to the The Folly stage marquee seemed sensible. New York City based Slow Fiction were already on stage but there was a vantage point from th...
Saturday 30 August, 2025 Having worn wellington boots and carried an umbrella around all day on Friday, these were left at the tent on Saturday for easier movement. This strategy did not turn out well, more about the weather later. Talking Heads stage - Stuart Murdoch It's always a pleasure to listen to writers / musicians talking about their latest books at the Talking Heads stage with views of a field beyond the stage from its wooded setting. Arriving at 11.30am, it was just in time to hear Stuart Murdoch in conversation with Julian Mash about his first novel Nobody's Empire , set in Glasgow , which features three people affected by ME , Stephen, Carrie and Richard. Stuart also read a section from the book and agreed to perform a song. A recording of part of Dog on Wheels can be played below. Your browser does not support the audio element. The Folly Stage - The Sophs, Lily Seabird, Scott Lavene Leaving the Talking Heads stage too late to catch Muireann Bradley ...
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