Ynys, Sybs, Lafant – Y Cwps, Aberystwyth
Another gig night in Aberystwyth to see three Welsh bands. It’s my second visit to the town for live music, and to this venue, the Coopers Arms (Y Cŵps). An hour and 10 minutes each way from home – even though it was dark and drizzling, it’s not a bad drive. I think I saw about 10 cars on the way home.
Aberystwyth is an odd town – quirky, great bar on the pier, but nowhere to park and very few places to eat. Well, lots of places to eat but most are terrible, and the good ones have signs up saying they’re full! And it rains every time I go there. I still kind of like it though.
First band up were Lafant who were pretty good. Don’t seem to have any social media or streaming presence at all! I think they are from Carmarthen but that’s all I can tell you.
Next band were Sybs (pronounced “subs”). This was the first time I had seen them live and was looking forward to it as they had recorded my favourite track of 2020, Anwybodeath (ignorance). Their debut album – Olew Nadroedd (snake oil) took another 4 years to appear! They’re a noisy, choatic and melodic band in the mould of The Fall, Elastica and Gang Of Four. I had a chat with singer Osian after their gig and a second album is ready to record. Tonight’s set had a lot of new tracks.
This was the third time I’ve seen headliners Ynys and it was definitely the best. I always struggle to explain what they sound like so I’m going to go with their blurb – “a rich collection of melancholic harmonies, over a soundtrack of 80’s sequencers, 70’s string machines, and fuzz guitars”. Both of their albums – Ynys (island) and Dosbarth Nos (night class) are well worth getting and they sound even better on stage.
It was also a good opportunity to try out my new phone, a OnePlus 13. I forgot to take my old phone, a S21 Ultra, so I couldn’t compare. I was quite close to the stage and the lighting was very good so hard to tell, but pleased with last night’s results.
-
Setlist:
- Hi Sy’n Canu
- Newid
- Dosbarth Nos
- Môr Du
- Shindig
- Welcome Back To The Island
- There’s Nothing The Sea Doesn’t Know
- Wild Waves
- Gyda Ni
- Aros Amdanat Ti
- Caneuon
- Aros Am Byth
Saturday 15 February 2025, 210 views
Next post: Melys, Yr Anghysur – Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda Previous post: Sultans of Ping FC – Saint Luke’s & The Winged Ox, Glasgow
Gigs
- Gigantic Indie All Dayer – Marble Factory, Bristol
- HMS Morris, Pictish Trail – Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham
- The Others – The 100 Club, Soho
- Stray Tracks: White Gates Band, Mystery Team, Basharan, SNM, Monumental – Pink Toothbrush, Rayleigh
- Franz Ferdinand, Master Peace, Great Leslie – Empire, Shepherd’s Bush
- Melys, Yr Anghysur – Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda
- Ynys, Sybs, Lafant – Y Cwps, Aberystwyth
- Sultans of Ping FC – Saint Luke’s & The Winged Ox, Glasgow
- Franz Ferdinand, Permanent (Joy) – Grand Central Hall, Liverpool
- Half Happy, em koko – Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff
- My Life Story – The Quarry, Liverpool
- Melys, Osgled – Y Cwps, Aberystwyth
- They Might Be Giants – The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm
- Darling Buds, Simon Love and the Loves – 229, Great Portland Street, London
- Fightmilk, Tugboat Captain – Paper Dress Vintage, Hackney
- Bugeye, Lucky Number You – The Victoria, Birmingham
- Art Brut – The Castle & Falcon, Birmingham
- Sultans of Ping FC, Meryl Streek – The Ritz, Manchester
- Chroma, Baby Brave, Lila Zing – Tŷ Pawb, Wrexham
- Melin Melyn, Ynys, Pys Melyn – Town Hall, Llangollen
- Antarctic Monkeys – The Buttermarket, Shrewsbury
- Bloc Party – The Institute, Digbeth, Birmingham
- Urdd Gobaith Cymru: Achlysurol, HMS Morris, Llareggub Brass Band – Mathrafal Field, Meifod
- Echobelly, Camens – Live 45, Kidderminster
- Futureheads, Adult Play – Shrewsbury Castle, Shrewsbury
- Adwaith – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham
- Melys, Pys Melyn, Sophie Kilburn – Neuadd Ogwen, Bethesda
- Sea Power, Callum Easter – Town Hall, Birmingham
- Dydd Miwsig Cymru: Morgan Elwy, Tew Tew Tennau, Mynadd – Y Institwt, Llanfair Caereinion
- Bikini Beach Band – The White Hart, Stoke Newington
- Pacifica, House of Women – Academy 2, Islington
- Fonda 500, Bugeye, Hurtling, Colossus – Amersham Arms, New Cross
- Snow Coats, Toodles and the Hectic Pity – Signature Brew, Haggerston
- Snow Coats – Tunbridge Wells Forum
- Darling Buds, Keeley – The Thunderbolt, Bristol
- Fightmilk, Feeble Strength – Signature Brew, Haggerston
- Thousand Yard Stare – The Lexington, Islington
- Thousand Yard Stare – Prince Albert, Brighton
- Be Your Own Pet – Rough Trade East, Whitechapel
- Brian Butterfield – Bush Hall, Shepherd’s Bush
- Pulp – Apollo, Hammersmith
- Blur, Self Esteem – Wembley Stadium, Wembley
- Blur, Wu Lu – City Hall, Newcastle
- Salad, Repetitive John – Arts Club, West Hampstead, London
- Salad – The Hope and Ruin, Brighton
- The Others – The Garage, Highbury
- Fightmilk – Signature Brew, Haggerston
- Ynys, Gillie – The Victoria, Dalston
- Republica, Freya Beer – Powerhaus, Camden
- Pop Will Eat Itself, Sigue Sigue Sputnik – 229, Great Portland Street, London
Leave a Reply