U.S. Regional and Local Music Scenes
Local Cardiff, UK Music Scene
Cardiff attracts tourists since it's the largest city in Wales. The city was formed in 1905 and became the capital of
Wales in 1955. At the peak of the industrial era, the port known as Tiger Bay was the busiest port in the world, since it
was a center for exchanging coal. It is now one of the most visited UK cities for tourism. One of the key landmarks is Spiller
Records, the world's oldest record store, which opened in 1894. Some of the notable artists from the
Cardiff area include Shirley Bassey, Manic Street Preachers, Stereophonics, Super Furry Animals, Lostprophets,
Charlotte Church and Feeder.
The Manic Street Preachers were formed in 1986 by singer James Dean Bradfield. They became a pominent UK band by
the mid 1990s. The band met with Cuba president Fidel Castro in 2001 while on tour. This concert was later released
on DVD called Louder Than War. The band continued to release albums throughout the 2000s. The band announced
in May 2013 that they had material for two albums, the first of which would be without electric guitars. The first
album Rewind the Wind made the top five in the UK. Bradfield and bassist Nicky Wire have each issued solo
albums as well.
The Stereophonics were formed in 1992 and explored a wide range of sounds, appealing to both classic rock and modern rock
music fans. Some of their hits that made them big in the UK were "Local Boy in the Photograph" and "A Thousand Trees."
The band had ten top ten hits including a number one hit called "Dakota" in 2005. They have established themselves as one
of the most successful Welsh rock bands, selling over 9 million units worldwide. A key to their success has been their live
act, in which they have appeared as headliners at top UK festival such as Reading, Leeds and Glastonbury.
Super Furry Animals have been one of the most unique bands to come from Cardiff. Their music encompasses
a mix of psychedelia and pop. The formed in 1993, led by vocalist Gruff Rhys. They released their debut album
Fuzzy Logic in 1996. Their followup album Radiator in 1997 was an even bigger hit for them. The band
moved away from guitars and became more experimental on their 1999 album Guerrilla. The band saved a collection
of their Welsh songs for an album to be released on their own label, Placid Casual. In 2005 they turned down an
advertising opportunity with Coca-Cola that could have paid them $1.8 million. The band's ninth studio album called
Dark Days/Light Years was released in 2009.
Cardiff is a place that still has many live venues including Bogiez, Clwb Ifor Bach, Buffalo Bar, Dempseys and Club Metropolitan.
Reverbnation in December 2013 lists the top local acts as Richard Staines, Demented Are Go, Callum Williams,
Sion Russell Jones, Cal Hillan, hilrant and Paul Butler. One of the best programs for music education can be found
at the School of Music at Cardiff University.
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