By David O’Neill
Here at Über Rock we are constantly on the lookout for new bands not necessarily on anyone’s radar in the grassroots music scene around the ÜK. We frequently attend smaller venues and Fuel on Womanby Street in Cardiff can definitely classify itself as a small stage with big sounds, which is why I headed to this Midnight Tornado promoted gig to see what would prevail.
From the opening chords, Break The Day’s show was a thrilling showcase of Welsh hard rock’s new generation. The anticipation in the venue was palpable, largely thanks to the presence of former Raiders members Matt Platt and James Went, now leading the charge with a fresh lineup and renewed energy.
Launching into ‘Shoulda Known Better,’ the band immediately established their chemistry – Platt’s vocals soared above Went’s melodic guitar work, backed by a tight rhythm section. Platt’s spikey studded black glasses, reminiscent of Benji Webbe from Skindred, added an extra edge to his stage presence.
‘Stone Cold Lover’ brought a gritty groove, allowing Platt’s bluesy delivery and Went’s tasteful soloing to shine. The dynamic shifted with ‘Remedy,’ a song marked by brooding verses and anthemic choruses, before ‘Crazy Nights’ erupted with contagious rock spirit—a nod to classic GnR in its vocal style.
The set hit its stride with ‘Dynamite,’ a punchy anthem defined by thunderous drums, razor-sharp riffs, and a chorus made for singalongs. The crowd responded in kind, feeding off the band’s infectious energy. ‘Black Magic Woman,’ an original inspired by a mysterious encounter in New Orleans, brought a touch of dark mystique, with sinuous guitar lines and evocative lyrics.
By night’s end, Break The Day had not only justified the buzz, they’d surpassed it. Their debut album promises a bright future, and shows like this suggest their star is only beginning to rise.
From the moment James Kennedy And The Underdogs took the stage the atmosphere crackled with anticipation. Launching into ‘Mind Revolution,’ the band’s signature blend of ferocious riffs and incisive lyrics immediately set the tone for a night of cathartic, full-throttle neo new punk rock. Kennedy, ever the compelling frontperson, commanded the crowd with unwavering charisma, weaving together raw emotion and searing social commentary.
‘Autopsy’ followed, its biting hooks and relentless drive whipping the audience into a frenzy, before the haunting ‘Ghosts’ enveloped the venue in a darker mood – Kennedy’s vocals shifting from powerful to plaintive with impressive dexterity. The defiant anthem ‘We Fight Dirty’ saw fists pumping and voices raised, the room united by its rebellious spirit and infectious chorus.
‘Algorithm’ brought a jagged, modern edge, showcasing the band’s ability to fuse hard-hitting classic rock with contemporary urgency. On ‘Behind These Lies’ Kennedy’s introspective lyrics resonated deeply, the melody lingering long after the final note.
Throughout the night, the Underdogs proved themselves more than capable sparring partners, delivering thunderous grooves and tight musicianship. A highlight came when Kennedy dove into his back catalogue, unearthing ‘The Power’ for a rousing finale that left the crowd buzzing.
With a setlist balancing new fire and fan favourites, James Kennedy And The Underdogs reaffirmed their status as one of Wales’ most vital live acts – bold, unfiltered, and unforgettable. I also found out he has a book published on Amazon called ‘Loud Medicine’, about the everyday life of a musician: could be a good read for many budding musicians out there!
- JKATU tour in July and August.
XIII Doors brought a heady surge of Irish firepower to Fuel in Cardiff, delivering a debut album showcase that left the crowd breathless and hungry for more. From the opening chords of ‘Unleash The Beasts’ it was clear the band meant business – raw riffs, pounding drums, and a frontperson whose commanding presence seized the room’s attention. The album title track, ‘Into the Unknown’, followed, its sweeping choruses and driving rhythms inviting the audience on a journey through XIII Doors’ distinctive blend of melodic hard rock and anthemic hooks.
‘Face The Truth’ saw the energy intensify further, building from simmering verses to a soaring chorus that had fists in the air and voices raised. The heavy groove laden edge of ‘Sorceress Of Lies’ brought a touch of the dark rock and serious heavy basslines—a testament to the band’s willingness to experiment beyond classic rock formulas and one that reminded me of Alter Bridge!
‘Show How You’ve Come So Far’ was a standout, its uplifting message landing with real emotional heft, while ‘Make a Life Again’ demonstrated the band’s knack for balancing anthemic sound with introspective songwriting. The pounding groove of ‘Inside’ kept the momentum high, before ‘Lead The Way’ closed the set with a statement of intent: bold, optimistic, and unifying.
XIII Doors proved themselves not just as a promising new act, but as a band ready for bigger stages. Their musicianship, chemistry, and ability to captivate a crowd mark them as rising stars on the rock circuit—one not to be missed as they carve their path into the unknown and definitely one that I will be following closely.
Shiraz Lane opened their headline set with the explosive energy of their new single, ‘Glass Heart’ (likely a reference to the recent ‘Plastic Heart,’ given the similarity and promotional context), a track that roars with classic Shiraz Lane swagger—fierce riffs, a pounding rhythm section, and a chorus built for crowd participation. The band’s chemistry was palpable, and the crowd responded with a wall of sound every time the chorus hit.
‘Tidal Wave’ followed, its acoustic roots reinterpreted for the live setting with a heavier, more dynamic arrangement than the studio version. The song’s tempo shifts and lush melodies allowed vocalist Hannes Kett to showcase his impressive range and emotive delivery. There were moments—especially in the soaring, soulful passages—where Kett’s tone recalled the clarity and pop sensibility of Michael Jackson, a surprising but welcome parallel that added a unique flavour to their hard rock foundation. This comparison was most evident during the more melodic, falsetto-driven moments, which stood out against the band’s heavier backdrop.
‘Broken Into pieces’ and ‘Carnival’ kept the energy high, the latter’s carnivalesque (sic), hard-rocking bombast proving a crowd favourite. Both tracks highlighted the band’s knack for blending catchy hooks with muscular riffs and intricate harmonies—a signature of their sound. ‘Dangerous’ and ‘Hard To Breathe’ further demonstrated the group’s versatility. ‘Hard To Breathe,’ in particular, was a standout, its bluesy, stripped-back arrangement on recent releases here given a full-band treatment that emphasized its emotional weight and dynamic shifts.
The biggest surprise of the night was a cover of Savage Garden’s ‘To The Moon And Back’ as an encore but they have been covering it for several years. The band re-imagined the pop classic as a hard rock anthem, retaining its melodic heart while injecting it with their trademark energy. The crowd sang along to every word, a testament to the band’s ability to connect with their audience and make even the most unlikely covers feel natural in their set.
Throughout the night, Shiraz Lane proved why they’re one of the most exciting bands in modern rock, their performance a fantastic demonstration of modern hard rock – energetic, polished, and brimming with the kind of raw magnetism that turns a concert into an event. Their musicianship, songwriting and stage presence are world-class, and their willingness to experiment – both musically and vocally – sets them apart and they should be appearing at much larger stages than Fuel. The gig also drew a fiercely partisan crowd, their enthusiasm matching the band’s onstage intensity every step of the way.
For fans of hard rock, melodic hooks and unforgettable live performances, Shiraz Lane is a must-see act.
Nights like this are what going to see bands in a Grass Roots Music Venue is all about. You never know what future superstars you are likely to encounter.
