Like a colossus striding through the Pembrokeshire gig wilderness, once again the Sickofantic team prove that they are at the forefront of local event and myth making. This warm July Friday was indeed the stuff that legends are made of. Let's look at the clues: A documentary film that showcased eight local acts (Dogzuki, Jylt, Krane, Kald, Preseli Pete and The Bluestone Boys, Guy Maile, Grind and Kid Zero); storming impressive sets by all the groups that played; organisation that was as tight as the squirrel's proverbials; a whopping attendance rate that saw the West Wales punters out in force; the sheer style of the evening.
Guy Maile kicked proceedings off in a relaxed low key way that would see the night start from a slow simmer to boiling over. Ambling on stage looking like Chas without the Dave, he busked through a set of acoustic pluckings with forceful abandon. Penny for the Guy? I'd give you a fiver mate.
Preseli Pete and the Bluestone Boys brought an air of carnival to the show, all sharp and dandy. With tea chest bass, acoustic guitars and mandolins, they sang and swung through fun covers (Rawhide, Does your chewing gum?) and their own quirky originals in a Lonnie Donagan meets King Louie razzamatazz.
The sublime and sophisticated Kald were next, with their unique brand of soulful dance music. The grooves were sultry, the lighting moody and the band slipping in and out moods like a Picasso. The only criticism that could be levelled at the band was a lack of a uniting image, as all the others had 'a look'. However, Sarah's breathless vocals and Pete's guitar dynamics carried the songs to their dramatic closure.
As if all this wasn't already enough, Sickofantic's next trick was to turn the Queen's Hall into a cinema. As the Pembrokeshire Unsigned documentary film was given its world premiere, the audience really appreciated the film, applauding their favourite acts as each promotional video took its turn.
It's a really positive thing to see local music documented like this, and I hope this trailblazing effort by the Sickofantic team inspires many more out there to give local music the exposure that it deserves.
The film itself? Slick, flattering, interesting and shot through with a sense of humour, my particular favourite bit being the antics of Kid Zero doing their stuff on a cold night-time Service Station forecourt.
After the movie, it was time for some balls-out-rock-n-roll in the form of Krane. The band hit the stage full of bluster, and more than a few adoring females instantly flock to the feet of frontman Steve Ewing as he snarls and struts through the obligatory rock moves while the band give it some welly.
A different animal follows. Milford Haven's Jylt wow the Queen's Hall with their sweetly sour power-pop melodies and wonderful vocal harmonies that envelope the audience with a sense of the sublime. All the soon to be hits are here; 'Retrospect', 'Time to Go', and the fabulous 'Life Like Dream'. A great set by a great band.
All too soon, the night was nearly over, but still one more Wurlitzer to go. Those perennial travellers Dogzuki land in Narberth and the place goes, well, 'Space Monkey'.
The band are on assertive form tonight. Propelled by a new beast of a drummer, Matt, the band follow his lead and whip the audience up into a frenzy that at the end of their set sees singer Geraint whirling around attempting to take off and take us all to the mothership.
Seminal in every sense of the word.
C.R.