By David O’Neill
Cardinal Black’s most recent ÜK tour ended with as close at they could get to a “hometown” gig which was a lesson in modern rock-soul mastery, supported by the warm-toned, story-rich opener Nathan O’Regan. Right from the outset, the show both promised and delivered a night that underlined Cardinal Black’s reputation as one of the country’s most expressive and confident live acts.
Belfast’s Nathan O’Regan opened with a set drawn from his debut ‘Olive Branch,’ winning new fans with his soulful and textured delivery. His mix of introspective lyricism and rootsy, melodic guitar was the perfect foil — a rich blend that warmed up the Cardiff crowd for Cardinal Black’s onslaught.
Accompanied by his witty reflective storytelling (especially about ‘Baby Steps’ had the audience warming to his style.
The unexpected, abridged cover of AC/DCs ‘Thunderstruck’ displayed his guitar playing ability and had the crowd cheering, (although the absence of the ‘Thunder’ chants by the crowd did disappoint a bit).
Kicking off with ‘Ride Home,’ Tom Hollister’s soulful vocals soared over Chris Buck’s honeyed, emotive guitar lines, setting the stage for a set that struck a rare blend of intimacy and grandeur. As ‘Falling’ and ‘Keep On Running’ pulsed through the venue, the tightly threaded rhythm section anchored every groove, allowing melodies to ebb and flow with palpable energy. The audience responded with the kind of reverent focus reserved for artists at the top of their craft.
Mid-set, ‘Adeline’ and ‘Morning Light’ showcased the band’s unique dynamic—restraint giving way to powerful explosions of sound, each phrase from Hollister and Buck loaded with purpose. ‘Your Spark (Blows Me to Pieces)’ shimmered as a late highlight especially as Tom dedicated it to his wife in the gallery. This illustrated the group’s nuanced use of tension and release.
The encore felt inevitable: ‘Where Do You Go?’ wrapped the night in a glowing, communal high, Chris’ explanation of the reason for his writing of ‘Push/Pull’ (being the passing of his father) obviously touched many in the crowd and being a “hometown” gig, it was obvious that it affected him too. ‘Tied Up In Blue’ provided a lingering sense of closure for both band and audience.
A night of soulful rock, flawless execution and genuine connection — Cardinal Black once again proved, with substance and style, why live music still matters.
- All photos © Bandtogs/Über Röck 2025.
- Cardinal Black return to Cardiff on Saturday 27 June as part of the Alter Bridge curated Blackbird Festival.
