Big Love, New Music

What an incredible experience Big Love was this year! When a festival goes well it really is magical, and given the huge issues facing the events industry this year, it’s an extra bonus when everybody seems to leave happy. It was certainly touch and go, the weather predicted was apocalyptic but proved to just be a few passing showers with plenty of sunshine. I told the festival I couldn’t help them with the music this year, but somehow they managed to get me to programme most of it still. Not one act let me down with their performance, everybody gave their all and what a talented bunch theyare. I’ve tried for days to summarise it all but if you were there you know, and if not then you probably don’t need to read all about it. So instead I’m going to focus on bringing you some brand new music from a few of the great acts that were there, as they all deserve your attention, and where possible your support. 

Funke & The Two Tone Baby - Shake It Up

The amount of sweat that came off this man, you could tell he was putting in work! Let’s face it he’s doing the job of a whole band by himself, and as you can tell by this new single from his forthcoming ‘Reacclimate’ album, he doesn’t cut any corners. 

Minas - All My Love Has Failed Me

The title track from his incredible debut album. The beautiful juxtapositions of frustrated angst ridden vocals and powerful, uplifting electronic beats which bring to mind both Mount Kimbie and Chemical Brothers. Minas’ music and live performances are an emotional rollercoaster, but they’re well worth the ride. This video has the added bonus of having me in it, as well as many cameos from exciting artists in the Welsh music scene. 

CVC - Sophie

Although this video came out a little while back, CVC have just released it as a new single and what a tune it is. If you missed their ‘Get Real’ album from the start of the year then it’s also worth a visit. Live these guys proved they have all the class and quality to make it big and just like Adwaith from last year’s Big Love line up, if they don’t get onto the Park Stage at Glastonbury next year then there’s been a gross miscarriage of justice. 

Mr Phormula - Tir

When rappers have been going for well over 20 years, you kind of expect there to be a dip in their quality but Mr Phormula only seems to get better and better with each passing year. It’s perhaps due to the fact that Welsh rap, let alone Welsh language rap, has never gotten its full props so nobody in the scene has ever gotten complacent, and they continue to pour passion and creativity into their work. That said, by rights his new album A.W.D.L. (Artist With Dual Language), which features rappers from Detroit (Guilty Simpson) and Los Angeles (Akil The MC), should most definitely be a global hit. Even as a non Welsh speaker, I think he’s an incredible rapper, producer and beatboxer, plus he has the tunes to back that up. 

Luke RV - Platinum

I’m a sucker for Jersey Club music so I’m loving the little touches here. This is one of Luke RV’s liveliest jams and the summer vibes are off the charts here. It was great to hear him perform this live, especially with Kiddus (who also shot the video) in tow to hype the stage with him.

ManLikeVision - Own Wave 

One of the most impressive new bands we had at Big Love this year were Guilty By Association, a full live set up with ManLikeVision, Truth, Rhi ‘N’ B and local soul legend Leighton Jones on the vocals. They;re just starting out but there’s so much promise in their show. Sadly there’s no live recordings yet so instead here’s the new single from Vision, who has been prolific on a multitude of different beats, flexing different styles. Here he remains laid back and reflective, definitely on his own wave. 

Tara Bandito - Unicorn

What an explosion of energy and colour to kick off the festival. She seemed to match the stage perfectly too. A born performer and it shows, with tracks in both Welsh and English language. She’s made a big impact on the scene already and I have no doubts that we’ll be seeing a lot more of her.

Here’s a few more to check out too…