Adwaith – Solas

Adwaith are a three-piece all-girl band from South Wales. They were founded by Hollie Singer and Gwenllian Anthony, who were school friends in Carmarthen. With a couple of successful albums behind them, some appearances at Glastonbury, and support work for the likes of the Manics and Idles, they have done that thing that many newly successful bands do: spend two years in the studio.

The result has been a double album, Solas, which the band are now taking on tour. For their opening night they played the entire album straight through in front of their home crowd at the Lyric in Carmarthen. Jo, Chris and I went along, and were thoroughly entertained.

It was an interesting crowd. Because they are a local band, there were parents, grandparents, neighbours and so on. I was by no means the oldest person in the audience, which was unusual for a rock gig.

There was a support band: five lads who could certainly play but had little in the way of stage presence or an act. They were very shoegazy, but listenable. Hopefully they will learn to perform better in future. I never found out their name.

In stark contrast, Adwaith were very obviously A Rock Band. The core of their sound is provided by Gwenllian’s base guitar and Heledd Owen’s furious drums. Hollie, appropriately given her name, provides vocals, and also lead guitar. There was one number where Hollie and Gwenllian swapped roles and Gwenllian did a decent impression of Liza Minelli in Cabaret, but for the most part the pyrotechnics are provided by that classic base and drum sound.

I have the band’s two previous albums, but the songs on Solas were all new to me. Foolishly I ignored the queues at the Merch table after the gig, only to find out when I got home that the album is not yet on Bandcamp and their record label has sold out of the initial pressing. Argh.

Anyway, there were some really great songs. The one that opens side three was particularly memorable as it is a real head-banger. I’m looking forward to listening the album again when I can get a copy.

Adwaith’s lyrics are entirely in Welsh, which is why you have never heard of them. They are very good. Most of the tour will be over by the time you read this, but they are at the Oslo in London on March 6th and the Louisiana in Bristol on the 7th. Go see them, they are fabulous.