Each year, as the summer’s festivals fade into a distant memory and the cold winter nights draw in, Sŵn is a beacon warding off impending winter blues by unleashing an onslaught of new music onto the streets of Cardiff, taking over venues both traditional and unusual across the Welsh capital. The only downside of this bountiful celebration of culture is that you can’t catch everyone.
Today, these bands, rappers and solo artists walk among us as faces in a crowd. Tomorrow they will find their way onto your playlists. Then they’ll be supporting your favourite band. Sooner or later, they will be your favourite band. Whatever your excuse for missing the crown jewel in the Welsh music calendar, allow us to fill you in on five of the most exciting, soul-affirming, tinnitus-inducing acts we saw across the course of the fest.
Getdown Services
Quickly making a name for themselves as Britain's favorite grassroots champions, Josh Law and Ben Sadler received a warm welcome from an audience that sang their songs back to them like they’ve been familiar with them for decades. After a pretty well-kept secret set at Porters a few hours earlier, the genre-bending, Minehead duo pile-drove through a triumphant Tramshed set featuring fan favourites Crisps, Evil on Tap, Eat Quiche, Sleep Repeat and Dog Dribble.
With a cover of Stereophonics’ Dakota and a deafening rendition of the Welsh national anthem thrown in for good measure, the dynamic duo could well be the most relatable and hilarious frontmen in the country. They know what their audience wants and are more than happy to deliver, as long as you promise you won’t stop bouncing until they’ve left the building.
After a year of painstakingly nurturing their cult following, there are no signs of this band slowing down, with mammoth shows supporting Viagra Boys, Super Furry Animals and the Courteeners to come in 2026. Above all else, this set proved they are ready for those bigger rooms.
PISS
Canadian noise-rock-hardcore-performance art outfit PISS walk a brutal, cathartic, ethereal tightrope of their own design. If you can handle visceral, razor-edged lyrics, powerful vocals, and unequivocal explosions of rage, then you’re invited to navigate it with them.
It’s like a scene from Clockwork Orange as the faithful dare not blink in fear of missing even a second of the spectacle unfolding before them. While the band rattled the very foundations of Clwb Ifor Bach, lead singer Taylor Zantingh’s harrowing storytelling clawed its way into our chests. With only a handful of songs released and an album expected next year, now is the time to peer into this particular abyss.
Moonchild Sanelly
One word review = queen. Whether she’s dishing out tequila, trigger-happy on the bubble machine, or bad mouthing the ex who had the nerve to try and dump her, the crowd revelled in showing their love for one of pop’s most underrated performers.
Riding the wave of breakout album ‘Full Moon’ and rightfully enjoying the fruits of her labour, the South African songwriter fiercely bounded across the stage, soaking up the love and praise she was always destined to receive.
As fans were pulled from the front row to take in the view from the top and dance the night away, not only is Moonchild having the time of her life but with an infectious, glorious energy in her arsenal, everyone else catches the party bug pretty quickly.
As the set draws to a close and the crowd wipes beads of sweat from their foreheads, Moonchild’s Self Esteem collaboration Big Man blares through the speakers and we revel in what can only really be described as a celebration of sisterhood and joy.
Angry Blackmen
Do not talk during their set. They will call you out on it! And if your plan was to chill at the back with a warm can of Red Stripe then, sorry, that doesn’t fly with the Chicago rap duo either. Stumbling into Jacob’s Basement for one of the last sets of the weekend, an exhausted, slightly day drunk audience quickly realises there is nowhere to run and nowhere to hide.
Reminiscent of sharks catching blood in the water, Briann Warren and Quentin Branch circle the crowd, singling out unsuspecting punters to land fierce and unforgiving lyrics while looking their targets dead in the eye. It’s as intimidating as it is unhinged — each verse lands like a shot to the temple.
If they hadn’t mentioned it, you would never have guessed this was the final date of their mammoth tour schedule. All that can be said is that every person in the audience will be keeping a close eye out for when they next roll through.
Tokomololo
As you walk into Fuel, you’re greeted by rock anthems blaring over the speakers and posters of metal heavyweights like Metallica, Iron Maiden and Slayer. But push your way to the back and there’s Tokomololo vibing to a sound unfamiliar to the venue, but adored by the audience.
Embracing a bizarre setting for a DJ set, the up and coming electronica artist showcases a uniquely serene range of styles to deliver a beautiful, hypnotic and, above all, dreamy sonic soundscape that held the crowd in a trance-like state.
Taking the element of surprise in his stride, the Anglesey native proudly celebrates his roots by incorporating Welsh language into his mixes. Such a beautiful pairing only serves to elevate the beats to a whole new dimension, much to the delight of the gleeful audience who are excited to discover a brand new talent.
With the roster of acts this festival attracts from across the UK and the globe, it’s moments like this one that remind you it is a showcase for Welsh talent. Tokomololo is a prime example of a scene that continues to thrive and, sooner or later, deserves to boil over. Until then, make sure you pencil in the dates for Sŵn 2026.
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