Snow Patrol light up Cardiff Castle as summer season of gigs gets underway
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Snow Patrol lit up Cardiff Castle as they kicked off a summer of music in spectacular fashion, the first of 19 gigs set against one of the most beautiful backdrops in the UK. With the castle's imposing keep bathed in golden twilight, the surroundings were every bit as much a part of the experience as the music itself, a stunning venue that turned a concert into something truly atmospheric.
Despite thunderstorms circling the area for much of the day, the skies held and the rain stayed away, adding a touch of drama without dampening a thing as the TK Maxx presents Depot Live gigs got underway.
The Northern Irish-Scottish rockers – fronted by Gary Lightbody with longtime members Nathan Connolly and Johnny McDaid – performed a hit-packed set to a delighted crowd.
Take Back The City was the opener swiftly followed by Chocolate and Called Out in the Dark before Lightbody belted out the multi-award-winning Run. Open Your Eyes and You're All I Have also featured while an anthemic Chasing Cars was greeted with a roar from the crowd before the night ended with What If This Is All The Love and Just Say Yes.
Opening the night was alt-indie band The Florentinas followed by Freya Ridings with a powerful set, her distinctive voice soaring across the castle grounds.
A standout moment came when she performed her hit Castles, beaming as she told the crowd it was the first time she'd ever sung the song in an actual castle - a bit of poetic symmetry the audience clearly appreciated.
The acoustics at the open-air gig are excellent, with Ridings' voice reverberating around the castle walls.
But it was Snow Patrol who truly electrified the night. Frontman Lightbody was in his element from the moment he stepped on stage. Warm, animated and clearly thrilled to be there, his infectious energy rippled through the crowd.
He joked along with a persistent heckler shouting requests for Chasing Cars promising them that the hit would be played . When the band finally launched into their most famous song, it became a communal singalong, echoing off the ancient stone walls.
Lightbody told a self-deprecating story about the first time in the band's 31-year history he got a place name wrong, once welcoming an audience in Hull by accidentally calling it Cardiff — the night after a show in the Welsh capital. He told the crowd that on his deathbed, he would still be apologising..
It was a night full of heart, humour, and brilliant music - a perfect beginning to what promises to be a magical summer at Cardiff Castle continuing with Elbow tonight. If last night is anything to go by, this historic venue isn't just hosting gigs - it's becoming part of the show.
The other gigs are:
June 13 Elbow with The Coral and Billie Marten
June 20 Jamie Jones and Chris Stussy
June 25 Maribou State with Jitwam and Anish Kumar
June 26 The Script and Tom Walker
June 28 Sting and The Lilacs and Sophie Grey
July 8 The Human League with Thompson Twins' Tom Bailey and Blancmange
July 10 James and Shed Seven and Jamie Webster
July 13 Rag 'n' Bone Man and Elles Bailey
July 19 Rock the Castle - Funeral for Friend, The Blackout, Punk Rock Factory and more
July 20 UB40 Ft Ali Campbell with Bitty McClean and Reggae Roast Ft Mr Williamsz
July 26 Depot in the Castle Jess Glynne Maximo Park, Sigma, Kate Nash, Professor Green, GLC and Blue Dolphin Wranglers.
July 30 Fontaines CD with Kae Tempest and High Vis
July 31 Pet Shop Boys and Dave Pearce
August 1 Faithless with Kosheen and Chicane
August 20 and 21 Tom Jones with Stone Foundation
August 24 Basement Jaxx with Ezra Collective and Eats Everything
August 25 Will Smith with Nile Rodgers and Chic
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