Neck Deep // Cardiff SU Great Hall // 05.02.16

From midday anyone who walked past the Cardiff University Students Union on Friday would have seen the mass of teenagers with snapbacks, band shirts, skinny jeans and foil blankets braving the February winds to get in the prime position for the gig later that evening. For them and many others 7pm couldn't come quick enough as tonight there was a stellar line up of bands. As the day rolled on the queue grew bigger and bigger and by the time doors were open it was most of the way down the street and the floods of emo kids poured in for the first band.

Light Years exploded on to stage with a tried and tested formula of aggressive pop punk, nothing special but a good old fashioned american pop punk band. They ripped through songs off of their new LP and the crowd nodded along appreciatively, but this was only the start of the show.

Light Years @ Cardiff SU Great Hall (Supporting Neck Deep)

Creeper came next, a band on the rise and who are quickly achieving cult status among fans , especially in their hometown of Southampton, they ripped through their set whipping the crowd into a frenzy; mosh pits broke out and the first crowd surfers of the evening made an appearance. They were everything you'd want in a support act; exciting, energetic and something a bit different. With a new EP on the horizon I really wouldn't be surprised if Creeper quickly shot up into popularity in the emo/ pop punk scene.

Creeper @ Cardiff SU Great Hall (Supporting Neck Deep)

With the capacity crowd riled up and ready to go State Champs hit the stage bringing their own brand of american pop punk to the stage. They rattled through songs old and new and some crackers from their latest album 'Around the World and Back' and had most of the crowd shouting a long, moshing or both. And with that the lights dimmed and a buzz filled the room, the anticipation for the next act, the shuffling of feet to get to the front as the lighta dimmed for Neck Deep.

State Champs @ Cardiff SU Great Hall (Supporting Neck Deep)

With an explosion of noise Neck Deep burst onto the stage smashing out the first parts of 'Citizens Of The Earth', the crowd bounced and swarmed in response. Known for degrading their own music on their album; "Neck Deep? They're shit mate", the crowd seemed to disagree with the pop punk band from Wrexham shouting along to every song, mostly from their new album 'Life's Not Out To Get You' but also some older tunes as well.

Neck Deep @ Cardiff SU Great Hall

Finishing the main set with the cracking 'A Part of Me' they burst into an encore, playing 'Head To The Ground' and a full-band version of 'December' before closing with fast paced hit 'Can't Kick Up The Roots' off of the latest album. Every fan left happy and sweaty from a mental gig. Neck deep  are only going to rise and rise in fame as they progress as a band, the future is bright for this band from Wales.

-Luke