Preview: Top Gigs in Cardiff // July-December

Earlier this year we looked at 10 live music events to check in Cardiff and they've now all occured so here's some more which we will definitely be catching and hence you should too!


Throwfest 2016 // Clwb Ifor Bach & Fuel // 21.08.16

Cardiff's prime metal festival Throwfest takes place in August this year. Taking place across Fuel Rock Club and Clwb Ifor Bach and boasting an excellent line-up featuring established acts I Killed The Prom Queen and Hacktivist as well as a rich vein of local and national talent, this is one festival you don't want to miss.






Black Peaks & Heck // Clwb Ifor Bach // 15.09.16


Black Peaks and Heck (Formerly Baby Godzilla) have got to be two of the best up & coming bands in the UK scene. Having both released brilliant debut albums in 2016 a joint headline tour has our, and many people around the country's, mouth watering.







Pretty Vicious // The Globe // 17.09.16


Another young band making waves are Pretty Vicious; the teenagers from Merthyr recently released the accomplished 'Cave Song EP' and this tour is set to be their biggest & most raucous yet.






Moose Blood // Y Plas // 06.10.16

With their second album 'Blush' on the way, Moose Blood head on a UK wide tour boasting a growing fan base. The band will be looking to impress with their new material as well as songs from their acclaimed debut.








Swn Festival // Cardiff // 21 - 23.10.16

Going into it's 10th year, Swn is bigger and better than ever. With the brilliant Spring King & Lonely The Brave already announced amongst an array of excellent local and national artists this weekend is a highlight for any music fan in Cardiff.




Jack Garratt // Great Hall // 19.11.16

Jack Garratt's rise as been an impressive one, having won the acclaimed BBC's Sound Of 2016 award and released a stunning debut already this year, the one man band sets of to tour the UK this autumn. With an impressive performance at Glastonbury to back up the hype, this gig will be one not to miss for fans of something a little different.

Artist Spotlight // Hacktivist

Members:
Tim Beazley, J Hurley, Ben Marvin, Josh Gurner, Richard Hawking

Location:
Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire

Description:
Nu-metal or grime punk, whichever you prefer, but aggressive and in your face with a message that needs to be heard.

Songs To Get You Started:
N****s in Paris (2013), Elevate (2013), Hacktivist (2012), Taken (feat. Rou Reyenolds) (2016), Hate (2016)

Discography:
Studio Albums:

1. Outside The Box (2016)

EP's & Singles:

1. Hacktivist EP (2012)
2. Elevate (2013)
3. N****s In Paris (2013)
4. False Idols (2014)
5. Decieve and Defy (2014)

Social Media:

Hacktivist Twitter
Hacktivist Facebook

Find more articles on Hacktivist HERE

Find more artist spotlights HERE

Review: Hacktivist // Outside The Box

Formed just over 4 years a go, Hacktivist have been slowly working their way into popularity in the metal scene. Their debut album seems like it couldnt be better timed for release for the rap-metal band from Milton Keynes. With punk and grime both in the public eye a band like Hacktivist is exactly what is needed to bring the two genres together.

That's exactly what they've done with the release of their debut LP. With tracks varying in style from post - hardcore to what could be a track from a grime album, it's hard to put a definitive stamp on it. However, there's no doubt that this is a quality album.

One of the best tracks on the record, released just before the album 'Taken', which features Rou Reynolds of Enter Shikari, covers the difficulty of letting someone into your life It is fantastic musically and lyrically with a classic Hacktivist and hard hitting lyrics.

The rest of the album has less emotional lyrics but musically is just as stunning while incorporating a more politic punk lyric. With parts which could be off an Architects record and other parts which could be from Stormy or Jme,  it's a mix which sounds odd, but works fantastically.

This is a great debut from the band from Milton Keynes, this coupled with a formidable live reputation could see them rocket up in 2016. A great modernisation of the nu-metal of previous decades but something better described as grime-punk.

8/10

-Luke