Bands from Wales: Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard (Photo Credit: Elijah Thomas)
With musical icons like Shirley Bassey and Tom Jones as well as indie legends like Catfish and the Bottlemen, Wales is home to some of the biggest British artists of all-time. From dirty blues rock to dream pop, here are our picks of the best modern up-and-coming bands from Wales.
Bands from Wales you need to check out
Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard
Beginning as a bedroom studio project of Tom Rees in 2016, and later recruiting the help of his brother and friends, alternative rock band Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard have become notorious for their buzzing Rock ‘N’ Roll live shows, with the style to match. Guitars drenched in fuzz and a glam rock tinged sound, they’re the Welsh answer to modern rock, with fans of Sports Team or the Blinders certain to obsess over.
Follow Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard on Facebook here
Alffa
Teen blues rock duo Alffa, from Llanrug near Caernarfon, were impressively the first band to have over a million streams in the Welsh language. For fans of Royal Blood and the Pale White, Alffa are here to make their mark on dirty blues rock whilst taking the Welsh language to a new audience on an international scale. With only a few years under the belt, they’re set for great things in the future.
Follow Alffa on Facebook here
Adwaith
Three-piece punk folk band Adwaith (meaning ‘reaction’) have kicked up a storm with their textural guitars, sleek bass and raw vocals. Having received the prestigious Welsh Music Prize in 2019, the band has gone on to play BBC Maida Vale sessions and have collaborated with legendary Welsh band Manic Street Preacher’s James Dean Bradfield. With elements of surf-rock, folk and post-punk, Adwaith are one of the most colorful and exciting bands from Wales to watch.
Follow Adwaith on Facebook here
Mellt
Punk rock band Mellt from Aberystwyth (now based in Cardiff) have been making their mark on the Cardiff scene, and we should expect far more from the trio in the future. Drawing on twee, Brit pop and 70s punk; full of jangly guitars and catchy hooks, their fresh sound makes them one of our favourite indie bands from Wales at the moment.
Follow Mellt on Facebook here
Candelas
North Wales’ rock band Candelas’ raucous blues indie rock resonates with bands such as Queens of the Stone Age and early Kings of Leon. Their second album, entirely in Welsh, features dual female-male vocals, bluesy riffs and slick bass and is certainly a direction we’d love to see the band explore.
Follow Candelas on Facebook here
Accü
Dutch-Welsh musician and visual artist Accü (Dutch for ‘accumulator’) creates psychedelic and electronic pop with mesmerising and moody vocals. Her debut album Echo the Red, described as ‘kraut-fuzz-pop’ was nominated for the Welsh Music Prize in 2019 with its diverse and eclectic textures and influences. This April, with the release of her single ‘Is There a World?’, Accü continues to explore rich textures and synths, echoing sounds of Davie Bowie and Stereolab.
Follow Accü on Facebook here
Kidsmoke
Kidsmoke’s dreamy indie pop has already caught the attention of television, with their track ‘Take Me to the River’ appearing on Black Mirror and Made in Chelsea. Their sound is uplifting melancholy, often dreamy but balanced with darker and moodier themes throughout. Their indie pop has seen them make waves beyond their native North Wales, with the likes of Huw Stephens and BBC introducing supporting the band.
Follow Kidsmoke on Facebook here
Flamingo House
North Wales’ Flamingo House’s post punk sound infused with dream pop meets the perfect balance of dark and uplifting. As a band their influences vary from Radiohead to Weezer, but it’s clear that they have found their own unique fragile yet moody sound. They are one of the most exciting bands from Wales to watch for sure.
Follow Flamingo House on Facebook here
Underground Soundwave presents an ongoing series of reports on emerging and established bands with close-up Q&As, new release reviews and gig reports with a special emphasis on supporting diversity in music, women in music, independent labels and venues and the local music scene.
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