Live Review: As Everything Unfolds, South Arcade & Darlah | Clwb Ifor Bach | 10/02/2024
As Everything Unfolds embarked on their headline tour last month, a triumphant parade of the progress made for a band that have jumped from strength to strength. In support of independent venues, this very much feels like an evening belonging to As Everything Unfolds, one of wholesome and humble realisation.
Darlah
Openers Darlah understand the task at hand as they enter the stage with faultless intent. Rattling through their five track EP (Human Nature, released at the end of last year) the band quickly deliver this energetic Cardiff crowd a slice of their brilliant blend of refreshing nu metal/heavy rock. Opening with the raucous big hitter ‘Differ’ vocalist Danni Hicks asks “Are you shy Cardiff… open the pit” with a fantastic response. The likes of “Trials” and “Landslide” further showcase Darlah’s ability to balance ferocity with melody and it resonates with this growing crowd. As the room begins to fill the band cover the incredibly popular ‘Bring Me To Life’ from the legendary Evanescence. The band deliver a tight rendition supported by the fact it is well suited to Hick’s vocal style. Any stragglers are quickly roped in by the sound of familiarity and the response from the crowd is to scream their lungs out, back at the band. ‘Willow Tree’ and ‘Sequel’ close out the band’s set with a buzzing and raucous crowd now in the palm of their hand. Mission complete!
South Arcade
South Arcade enter the stage with their impressive arsenal of arena-ready hits locked, loaded and ready to go. The Pop/Alt Rock newcomers have made quite the dent with their latest string of singles, releasing hit after hit. The band unashamedly share their love for the Y2K era of anthemic pop rock bangers and use this to shape their fresh take on the genre. Opening with ‘Silverlight’ there is an instant response from a gaggle of fans clearly here for them. The song holds all the bounce and pomp of an established banger and Vocalist Harmony Cavelle looks as though she was born to command a stage. A departure from the rest of the bill sonically but by no means less impactful, the band swap out crunchy metal riffs for supercharged melody and hooks. The likes of ‘Nepo Baby’ and ‘DANGER’ firmly get the crowd and band in sync whilst the infectious hooks in ‘Unaware’ make it impossible for anyone in the audience not to at least surrender a toe tap. A cover of ‘Kissed a Girl’ hits a nostalgic vein for the crowd and the energy and excitement hits its peak. Cavelle strolls the stage with all the demeanour of an established and seasoned professional. There is an instant likability and encapsulating nature to her performance that provides instant connection. It is both refreshing and striking to see South Arcade operate like a seasoned band and the idea that this is a band yet to break through is a crazy concept to get your head around as the buzz and excitement of ‘Sound Of An Empty Room’ lingers beyond the band’s exit. It is hard to consider that it will be more than a year or two before you are seeing South Arcade on way bigger stages.
As Everything Unfolds
As Everything Unfolds released their sophomore album ‘Ultraviolet’ last year which was met with positive critical acclaim. It is no wonder then, that they have seen this boost their profile and push them into some of the biggest and best-selling venues they have headlined to date. Playing a solid collection of their back-catalogue from both of their albums, the band waste no time in ensuring the crowd is riled and ready to go. Opening with ‘Slow Down’, the subliminal messaging seems to have hit because the crowd are pitting hard from the outset. They follow this with ‘Saint Or Rogue’, ‘Blossom’ and ‘Hiding From Myself’ which all provide reminders that As Everything Unfolds have been churning out songs to command and tear apart big venues for some time. The band’s balance of melody and grit evoke a huge response from the crowd, notably during ‘Flipside’ which garners the biggest circle pit of the night. Managing to squeeze in many of the songs from the latest album, the title track ‘Ultraviolet’ and ‘Twilight’ and keep the momentum and the crowd are reminded at the sheer power of Charlie Rolfe’s vocal capabilities. Melodic screams and soaring cleans are consistently delivered throughout the band’s set with all the prowess of a now seasoned outfit. Recalling the shows they have played in Cardiff and noting their support slot for Holding Absence a few years back, vocalist Rolfe asks how many fans discovered them there to a strong response. Rolfe goes on to reflect on the trajectory of the band considering this tour and an upcoming support slot for Skindred at Wembley. The sheer pride on the band’s faces carries them through the final parts of their set with an added layer of passion and energy.
Re-entering the stage for a two-song encore and leading with the out and out banger ‘Felt Like Home’ followed by favourite ‘On The Inside’ these two songs are enough to get the exhausted yet energised crowd over the line with the lasting reminder that this could very easily be the last time you see As Everything Unfolds play such a small room. Polished, professional and growing into a band that are on the cusp greatness, As Everything Unfolds are cementing their place in rock and metal.
