One of my favourite thing about doing stuff for the Swansea Music Hub is discovery. Discovering new artists is exciting, but when you discover whole scenes within the wider Swansea music scene it's amazing. 

The Swansea underground house / techno is one of these scenes I've come across and it is thriving - and at the forefront of the this scene is Electronic / Techno / Minimal / Acid House DJ & producer Mikki James. 

A resident of (almost) 9 year old underground house and techno party Dogruff, Mikki has a wealth of experience and has perfected her craft as a DJ and producer. I'll have to admit that techno, house and acid isn't at the forefront of my musical tastes but Mikki's tunes really resonate with me and as a fan of other sub-genres of electronic music I can really appreciate the tracks that she's made. 

We're lucky enough to have Dogruff DJing at this year's Swansea Fringe Festival and we've featured a Dogruff party as gig of the week before - which subsequently put me onto Mikki's music and her most recent offering is my favourite. 

Hypnotic beats, lush textures and really nicely selected samples that wash over you as - I've also noticed that in the 6minutes that I've already listened to I haven't stopped tapping my feet and grooving in at my desk. There's a vocal sample cleverly placed just after the first third of the track and I was willing for it to return; (perhaps intentionally) it doesn't and that made me really appreciate the deeper textures and sounds within the track. 

Before this gets too much like a musicology assignment of me deconstructing Mikki's tune, I'll move on to two more tracks I'd like to highlight.

I guess it was the titles of these that drew me in to listening to these (in amongst Mikki's vast collection on her Soundcloud). I'm not sure if they're linked in anyway (the titles suggest that they are & there are lots of deep musical things I could say to delve into it - I won't...!) but I lost myself in both - definitely check them both out. 

Like I said at the start, I don't consider myself an expert in techno / house / minimal / acid - but I really enjoyed working my way through Mikki's stuff. The mix that she has up up on her Mixcloud is also superb - highlighting that Mikki's skills & selections as a DJ are also ace. 

Catch Mikki DJing at Dogruff's 9th birthday party - you can also catch a Dogruff party this weekend at the Last Resort or see them DJing at The Swansea Fringe Festival alongside Roughion on Friday 5th October. 

Mikki James Facebook | Mikki James Soundcloud | Mikki James Mixcloud

Written by Simon Parton

We focus on Creature Sound this week for an absolute master class in local punk music this week. Swansea legends (and former Swansea artist of the week) The Groundnuts & Independents headline a show brought to you by ERECT Music & Biscuit Bookings). 

The Groundnuts & Independents have been together since 1991, and if you’re ever seen them live, you can certainly tell. 

They’ll be joined by X Twenty-Two, described as “your favourite worst punk band ever”, South Wales punk rockers ILL FATE & Cardiff rock/punk band Throwing Knives. 

Listen to all four below & head to Creature Sound this Friday for 19:00! £3.00 entry.

There's been an absolute feast of local bands playing Sin City over the last month or so (massive big up to Gary and the team at Sin for this & for forever supporting the Swansea music scene) - and this weekend see's a proper good showcase of the young, up & coming talent in the city. 

Vanilla are one of the most exciting young bands we've come across over the last year. Their shows are always packed full of energy, sweaty and really good fun. Vanilla are Dan, Keiran, Osian and newly appointed bassist James and will be playing their first (and probably not their last at the rate they're going) headline show at Sin City. Check out their live recording of "See" below, recorded at Creature Sound. 

Joining them are previous artist of week String Theory, another young band we're really excited about, alternative South Wales Valley rockers Sssnakes (not to be confused with Swansea's Ssssnakes) and new female fronted band Vain. 

Over the years Swansea has produced some real gems that have grown out of our small but thriving music scene to go on to bigger things and our artist of the week this week is no exception. Dream State have had an ridiculous 2018 so far and rightly so, as they're absolutely amazing. 

I grew up listening to bands like Funeral For a Friend, Alexisonfire, BMTH etc... and now only really pay attention to similar bands that are really a cut above. After we started compiling artists for our artists directory back in December of last year, I contacted a few people to get their suggestions and BBC Radio Wales DJ Bethan Elfyn emailed me linking me to Dream State.

I then proceeded to check them out and was not disappointed. I thought to myself, this band MUST have a huge future ahead of them - every song I listened to I was like "that is a certified BANGER". 

And it seems like the WORLD agrees. Their track "White Lies has now reached a whopping 6+million views on YouTube and their recent EP 'Recovery' has received the highest of praise worldwide. 

I was lucky enough to have the chance to see Dream State at FOCUS Wales earlier this year.  In fact in a weekend of incredible bands (from all over the world and across many genres) it was genuinely the best sets I saw that weekend (and one of the best I think I've ever seen).

It was a busy room filled with hard core Dream State fans and front woman CJ Gilpin made sure it was an unforgettable night. She spent the majority of the set in amongst the crowds and mosh pits, singing along cheek to cheek with fans, whilst the rest of the band played flawlessly (often resorting to maintaining the high energy by running around the room whilst playing complex riffs). CJ & the band then made a point of sticking around post show at the merch stand to sign autographs, take selfies and chat to the bands' fans. 

Their was so much love in the room and a real sense of togetherness and this appears to be present at every Dream State show.

I unfortunately missed their homecoming show at Sin City, but I've had multiple reports that the same love and energy was present (see the above video), with many saying it was the best gig they'd been to in our city. 

Their currently on a whopping European & UK tour with The Amity Affliction, they've just been on the road with Babymetal, they've been signed a worldwide deal with heavy music label legends UNFD , won a Kerrang Award for best breakthrough artist and have been putting and unbelievable shift in with music videos, live shows and more. But for CJ, guitarists Aled and Rhys, bassist Danny and drummer Jamie, this is definitely only the beginning.

Dream State Website

Written by Simon Parton

A little later than usual this week (sorry Joe's been busy busy busy preparing for the Swansea Fringe Festival and Simon's been in Berlin for 37d03d festival and his stag do) but we're back with an absolutely massive gig of the week, this week at The Vault! 

Three absolute giants in the Swansea indie / rock n roll scene - The Penny Drops, The Zinvandels and The Riff will be providing you with a superb night of original music from 20:00. Tickets are also an absolute steal at just £3.00 - which you can grab from No Sign Wine Bar. 

What better way to spend your bank holiday!! 

We're super excited about this one. The guys in Picsel have organised an absolute whopper of a one day festival at Cinema & Co this weekend - expect awesome music, great beer & great burgers (from Exist) this Saturday - and better still you can bag yourself a ticket now for just £5.00! 

So! Let's take you through the line up:

Picsel

Organisers of the event & noisey pop punk quartet Picsel have made a huge impact on the Swansea music scene after releasing only 3 tunes. Their songwriting game is superb, their live game is superb & they're the nicest guys too! Check out their latest video for "Alcohol & Drugs" filmed at Cinema & Co below:

People & Other Diseases

Noisey, post-punk, garagey, grungey Swansea legends People & Other Diseases will be making a wonderful racket too at Cinema & Co this Saturday. They were one of our highlights from last year's Swansea Fringe festival, and they were really ace supporting The Wytches at Sin City - we're super excited to see them again this weekend! 

French Alps Tiger

We caught French Alps Tiger at Cinema & Co back in April and we were blown away! Check out their tune The Floor is Lava below - proper good punky, post rock goodness that wouldn't be out of place on a Tony Hawks Pro Skater Soundtrack!! 

Luv Dot Got (NYC)

We'll also be graced with chunky guitars, sweet melodies & pop-punk bangers from New York this Saturday! Luv Dot Gov will be stopping by Swansea to deliver some top notch tunes and after listening to their latest release 'At Least We've Got This Madness', we're really excited! 

William Poyer

After a superb headliner show at Cinema & Co, Will's back for another stunning set at South West Fest this Saturday! Superbly written songs from this Welshman (via Mexico). His songs perfectly combine storytelling, strong rhythms and melodic hooks all wrapped in a unique blend of folk & americana.

Emilie Merry

Ahead of her EP release later this month, Emilie joins the lineup to deliver her stunning compositions. Her EP 'Not Your One' comes out soon and if the recent release 'Different' which was played on Adam Walton's show a couple of weeks ago is anything to go off, we're super excited to hear more! Here's an old one from Emilie that showcases her superb talents: 

Ben Luc

Completing this stunning line up is non other than former artist of the week and #SwanseaMusic legend Ben Luc. Expect wicked tunes draped in lusheous soundscapes, drenched in reverb, delay and all through Ben's awesome ability with his looping pedals. His ability as a producer is also superb: check out his most recent release Frequencies below: 

If you're not convinced that Cinema & Co is the place to be this Saturday I'm not sure what else you'd want!! Make sure you bag yourself a ticket early too because it'll be more expensive on the door! 

We're back at Sin City this week for our featured gig of the week as Swansea band Static Fires release their album 'Thirteen' following their 2016 debut EP. 

We really enjoyed the lead single from their album entitled 'Black Velvet' (that we suggest you listen to below) and couldn't ignore the lineup they've put together for what will be a great night of original live music - and for just £3.00 it's an absolute steal for your Friday night this week! 

Joining them are South Wales based The Caspiens, Swansea rockers In With The Jellyfish and last week's artist of the week String Theory! 

Music is Important

#SwanseaMusic 

Having a browse through String Theory's Soundcloud back catalogue is unbelievably reassuring; five tracks that show a consistent ability to develop their craft, their approach and their style while maintaining a core sound that is vibrant, relentless and exhilarating.

Their most recent offering is a noticeable step up in production quality from the more garage'y demos previously released, and it's here that you see these four "millennials from Swansea" really coming into their own.

'17' is a pounding journey through adolescence and tackles the burgeoning decent into adulthood with a rather apt hypnotic quality to the weaving, repetitive guitar lines and gruelling rhythm throughout - the latter of which is beautifully captured too. Kudos to the producer - whoever they may be!

There's a sneering quality about the track that is reminiscent of their contemporaries Pretty Vicious and a toying, playful bent throughout à la 'Dookie'-era Green Day. Going off on a slight tangent, but I find something in '17' that's comforting; in much the same way I might feel when listening to tracks I've grown up with - like a big, warm musical hug...

Back on track.

Simply put; String Theory make me excited about young music coming out of Swansea.

String Theory Soundcloud | String Theory Facebook | String Theory Twitter | String Theory Instagram

Written by: Joe Bayliss

We head to Sin City this week for our featured gig of the week and what a show you're in for!! It'll be loud. It'll be rocky. It'll want to make you move. It'll make you want to bang your head. And this is largely down to the three ridiculously good bands on the bill.

Headlining the evening are Swansea legends Heavy on The Ride - if you live in Swansea & haven't heard of these guys you must be living under a rock, because these guys have a firm footprint on the music scene. For fans of Queens of the Stone Age, Mastadon, Zeppelin, Foo Fighters etc... 

Joining them on this killer night are Blackburn based band Sky Valley Mistress (who have been described as "a cacophony of rock n’ roll excellence" and local hard rockers Fallen Temples (described by Adam Walton as "Intoxicatingly melodic and genre defying".)

Tickets for the show are £4.00 - alternatively they'll be £5.00 on the door. 

The spotlight is on Creature Sound this week for our gig of the week. Presented by Welsh Connections, we're treated to a superb line up featuring News From Nowhere, Bandicoot and Hobglin.

After their amazing debut album "...and the human had half" (released in December 2016), we're looking forward to catching News From Nowhere play some new material this Thursday! Joining them is a double whammy of superb support acts.

Bandicoot (who we hear have also been cooking up some new sounds) bring their party indie/alternative vibes alongside the heavy, funky, bluesy boys from Hobgoblin. 

Tickets can be purchased from Derrick's Records, Swansea or from Welsh Connections and Creature Sound.

We delve into the world (or should we say universe) of Dimer Ynni this week for our featured artist of the week. Dimer Ynni is Swansea electronic music producer Anthony Watkins who has the ability to make a significant impact on listeners with his emotive & atmospheric music.

Aside from making music (and making a mean coffee - go grab one from him at Square Peg, the boy knows his stuff!), Anthony has a keen interest in nature and science - and this translates through and is woven into the music he produces. 

His track Nocturnal has a hypnotic quality to it. It draws you in and allows you to dissect the textures that he’s created and if you listen carefully you’ll hear the sounds of a jungle from Thailand, that Anthony sampled on his travels some years ago. 

His second original track samples space itself (through audio recordings released by NASA). Aptly titled Galactic, it again has a superb quality to it that makes you really listen to the sounds created. 

You can tell that Anthony has many influences too. A self confessed lover of techno & trance music from his formative years growing up in Pontadawe matched with his newer musical discoveries including Bonobo, Radiohead, Nil’s Frahm & James Blake. 

A third production of his is a cover of a section of Hanz Zimmer’s score for Interstellar. One thing is for sure with Anthony’s music - it’s incredibly clever. The way he weaves science, nature and his musical influences in his music is great and contributes to a really unique sound. 

Even the name Dimer Ynni is clever and ties into his influences. Dimer is a scientific word (that I can’t even try and explain to you - something to do with oligomers and monomers???) and Ynni is Welsh for energy!

We’re really excited to see what’s next for Dimer Ynni. If it’s anything like the first three tunes he’s put out, we‘re in for a treat!

Dimer Ynni Facebook | Dimer Ynni Twitter | Dimer Ynni Instagram

Written by Simon Parton

** UPDATE ** Statement from WonkaVision:

"Due to unforeseen circumstances, this event has been canceled I will look into ticker refunds on Skiddle now, sorry to everyone. Watch this space as we will put another party later this year."

The sun is shining & regardless of the weather there will be nothing but summer vibes at the Last Resort this Saturday. The legend that is Wonka~Vision is returning once more to Swansea and brings with him an incredible line up to the Last Resort. 

Totally Tropical Yard Party I at the Last Resort - May 2018

After the amazing success of their first Totally Tropical Yard Party they're back for round two with non-other than UK Hip Hop / Reggae / Drum & Bass / Club legends The Nextmen. And if that wasn't big enough - The Nextmen are bringing North London reggae artist Kiko Bun with them. 

Also playing during the day (which is set to be an absolute belter) is Wonka himself, Syn, Active, Jared, Swansea's own old skool legends Survival Soundsystem, Golobnaize & a whole room of music curated by the legendary Dogruff!!! 

And if that wasn't enough of a reason to buy a ticket (here) there will also be a rum shack, a Jerk BBQ, palm trees, Pina Coladas & so much more! Fancy dress is also a must!!! 

Keep up the summer vibes this Saturday!!!! Remaining tickets are currently at £7.00 - so grab em quick before they increase to £10.00 / sell out! Click here to bag yours!! 

We're doing our best to keep on top of the live original music happening in Swansea and it's really encouraging to see so much incredible stuff happening every week!! This week is no exception and it's hard to ignore this absolute whopper at Sin City this Friday. 

Maria Owen will be launching her new album at Sin City this Friday in a night of original Post- Rock and electronica music. As a multi-instrumentalist and post-rock/electronic inspired artist, Maria will be treating ticket holders to a special intimate acoustic show and as the below video proves, you won't want to miss it: stunning compositions & gorgeous vocals will make you instantly fall in love with her music: 

The evening also sees the long awaited return of Cities, who will be supporting Maria in playing a full band. With new music set to come later this year, and after listening to their debut release "Manning Alaska" over and over we are very excited - this is one show not to miss. Read more about Cities here.

This gig is present by Hobos Swansea & sponsored by CRA Mediation

On a side note - you're absolutely spoiled for choice on Friday this week - you also have Lost Tuesday Society playing in The Garage with Neil pulling on his organ & Rag Foundation and Godbomber, The Malefic Grip, State of Decay & Salvador Sanchez playing live in Cinema & Co! A ridiculously good Friday night of original live music in the city - all of which could be gig of the week!!!

Some bands are timeless, others burn out, creatively, like a flash in the pan. It takes something truly special to stand the test of time, and there are few, if any, acts in Swansea who have remained as vital, vibrant and relevant as The Groundnuts & Independents - they are a constant, perpetual and necessary force of nature.

The Groundnuts & Independents are Greg Fabb and Jason Williams, playing bass and guitar respectively, who share vocal duties throughout, finishing off the trio with Lee Thomas beating the skins.

They’ve a healthy (for the soul, if not for the ears) menu of releases on Bandcamp - something that always excites me, so I dove right in to Hellish Tidy with wild abandon. Hellish Tidy is a solid collection of traditional punk tunes with a few quirks that exemplify what make The Groundnuts & Independents such a lasting exponent of Swansea music.

Album (for lack of a better term - with Hellish Tidy clocking in at a metronome defying 13.82 minutes long) opener ‘Oh Shit’ lulls you into a false sense of security with it’s ‘found audio’ introduction before launching into a ferocious, musically manic audio assault that doesn’t let up throughout ‘Spread The Word’ and ‘Draw The Line’. ’Bosina No. 3’’ is perfectly timed within the collection for a small reprieve from the carnage with it’s central riff that beautifully bastardises ‘60s surf melodies before launching back in to the unflinching ‘FBR’. ‘Cock Rock’ is a modern day ‘King Rocker’ whilst ‘One Shot’’s acoustic introduction and half-time rhythms caught me off guard before launching into a solid, neatly-worked album closer that left me wanting more!

Bite size releases, perfectly penned with production that’s snappy, in no way convoluted and captures the essence of the act. Full marks from me!

The Groundnuts & Independents Facebook | The Groundnuts & Independents Bandcamp

Written by Joe Bayliss

Mozarts is the place to be this Saturday. Black Wolf Shows have curated this incredible line up of rock & punk for their all day festival By The Bay. Over 15 bands, pirate themed and a reward of a free pint if you come dressed as pirate - what's more of a reason to go!! 

Confirmed bands playing are as follows: The Murderburgers / Jake and the Jellyfish / Tim Holehouse / Crooked Little Sons / Peachfuzz / Deadlines / Ocean View Sunset / The Groundnuts & Independents / The Boneless Ones / Iron Gosling / Low Blows / Richie Smith / Jebbers / .....But Pirates? / Shy Lizard / & more... 

Tickets are £10.00 on the door and the event will also be supporting Many Tears Dog Rescue! 

Support Swansea Music & support our incredible Punk scene by getting down to Mozarts at 13:00 this Saturday! Here's a very quick teaser of just a few of the bands that will be playing:

Something a little different for our featured gig this week, but something we feel very passionate about supporting - the Swansea Hip Hop Scene. 

If someone asked me about the hip hop scene in Swansea before we started the Swansea Music Hub - I would have answered with "little to non existent", but the fact is, there is a really strong underground hip hop scene in the city that needs to be celebrated & supported by a wider audience. With acts and producers like Craze The Jack, Rufus Mufasa, Ananas, T-Rev, F Dot Xtra, Lewis Cullen & Neezo listed on our artist directory and leading the way, you immediately get a sense that our city's hip hop scene is thriving. (I'm sure there's so many more amazing acts missing here too - if so get in touch & let us know!!)

And what better way to celebrate and support it then by heading to Cinema & Co this Saturday evening! With live performances from the artists at the forefront of the scene - Rufus Mufasa & Craze The Jack, this is one night not to miss. 

Your ticket will not only provide you with live sets from these two, but there's also

• a graffiti exhibition featuring the works of Smak, Skroe, Over, Sadsak, Unity & friends
• Breakdance from B-boy 'Rickie the Spin' & friends
• a screening of STYLE WARS: THE ORIGINAL HIP HOP DOCUMENTARY (1983)

Tickets available here: 

Doors open at 19.00

**Age Restriction: 12 and up**

We're super thrilled to announce that we have curated two days worth of live music across three stages at this year's Wales Airshow. The three stages are located across the main airshow site:

Main Stage: On the front near the cenotaph

Other Stage: Near the Civic Centre

Acoustic Stage: On Oystermouth Road opposite the BayView. 

The event, which is free to attend, will see music running between 12:00 and 17:00 on both Saturday and Sunday - allow yourself enough time to make it through the crowds if you'd like to see any specific acts! 

Be sure to share your experience with us tagging us on social media (@swanseamusichub) and using the hashtag #SwanseaMusic. 

Hopefully catch you on the weekend!! 

Joe & Simon x

In our first "proper" music event we're bringing you one of Swansea's finest contemporary exports returns for his first homecoming show in many a moon. William Poyer brings his own brand of Americana-infused, rootsy and gutsy folk to Cinema & Co.

William left the Uk in 2013 to live in Mexico, which has really contributed to his unique sound. His songs perfectly combine storytelling, strong rhythms and melodic hooks all wrapped in a unique blend of folk & americana. Described as: "The sound of Americana from a boy from Wales via Mexico". 

One you'd be silly to miss, support on the night comes from Emilie Merryand Flipsy McCaw. We're super super excited. 

£3 OTD | 7pm Doors.

To make a music scene thrive, you need passionate, talented and hard working musicians. One of these musicians in Swansea is Ben Luc - and we're very lucky to have him! 

Like many of the musicians I have discovered in Swansea, I first heard Ben play in Cinema & Co, during the open mic that Horizons/Gorwelion held. I was really blown away & watched him intently - not only because of Ben's ability to create amazing soundscapes using his voice, guitar and looping pedal but also because I was thinking "man, this is the sort of music I'd make and love - and it's drenched in reverb!"

Awesome vocals & melodies, really interesting looping work and guitar playing that Jonny Greenwood would be pleased with!

All you need to do is check out Ben's most recent live EP, recorded in Creature Sound in April to see where I'm coming from:

Every time I see Ben live I'm left in awe - and it's not only his service to the music scene he provides through his own music - he's always at gigs supporting other musicians in the city and he also organises an open mic at The Last Resort on a Wednesday and is always supporting the Sonic Youth Sessions and open mic sessions at Creature Sound. 

Nice one Ben - we hope you know your hard work and passion for music in the city doesn't go unnoticed! 

Ben Luc Facebook | Ben Luc Twitter | Ben Luc Website

Written by Simon Parton

Our Swansea gig pick of the week this week this week is Static Fires' single release show at Creature Sound this Wednesday.

Static Fires are Sam Randles, Jack Clements, Thomas Gibbins & Jack Piper and are a band that have firmly stamped their name and signature heavy / alt rock sound on the music scene. This Wednesday, their next single and music video for 'Black Velvet' will be debuted on New Noise Magazine and they'll be celebrating the launch at Creature Sound alongside Wine Morals & Hobgoblin! 

This is one night of local rock music that you don't want to miss!