LIVE FROM THE PIT: Chroma, Bambees and Lady Garden

The night felt bigger than a typical gig from the very start. Celebrating the release of their second album 25 Forever, CHROMA’s hometown show carried a sense of occasion, one rooted not just in a new release, but in identity. With a lineup made up entirely of Welsh acts with LADY GARDEN, BAMBEES, and CHROMA, it became something more: a showcase of the country's thriving music scene, and a reminder of the depth of talent coming out of it right now.

LADY GARDEN opened the evening with the kind of confidence most new bands spend years chasing. Hailing from Cardiff, they may be the freshest name on the lineup, but you wouldn't know it from their performance. Having already headlined three sold-out shows thanks in part to a strong social media presence, but more importantly their undeniable musicianship, they're quickly cementing themselves as ones to watch.

Their rise through iconic local venues like Fuel, Le Pub, and now Clwb Ifor Bach feels well-earned. Despite only having one released single, Funny, it already plays like a greatest hit. The crowd sang words back to them and a cheer erupted when it was introduced. The song is catchy, sassy, and a perfect snapshot of who the band are as a whole. If you're a fan of LAMBRINI GIRLS or PANIC SHACK, LADY GARDEN should already be on your radar.

If LADY GARDEN warmed things up, BAMBEES had the whole place moving.They're the kind of band that thrives in small venues where energy matters. The five-piece band from Merthyr Tydfil delivered a set that was chaotic in the best possible way, raw, angry, and completely unfiltered. Their sound hit hard, but it was their presence that truly drove things forward. Heartbreak Kid emerged as a clear standout with an explosive chorus built around a single word "jump" , and that's exactly what the crowd did, moving in unison as the energy surged through the room. The response was instant and electric. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5KtQ3TtSeE

Frontman Rhys Davies was at the centre of it all, relentless from start to finish. Rarely still for a second, his energy poured into the room and came right back at him. At one point, the band even split the crowd in half, creating a buzz of anticipation just before the floor detonated with even more energy, it was messy, loud, and alive, everything punk should be.

Everyone was now ready and primed for CHROMA, people shuffled forward and the room filled, there was a clear sense of anticipation before they even stepped on stage. Emerging from the South Wales Valleys, CHROMA are a three-piece deeply embedded in the fabric of the Welsh music scene. From the cover art of their 2023 debut Ask For Angela being famously painted on a door in Le Pub, to appearing on major stages supporting the FOO FIGHTERS in Manchester and making an appearance at 2000 Trees Festival, their rise has been both grounded and expansive. Their second album, 25 Forever, marks a significant step forward, a coming-of-age record that captures the uncertainty and self-discovery of navigating your twenties with striking honesty.

Their sound is built on real experiences, and nowhere was that more evident than in Coalminer's Granddaughter. As the first song written for the album it carried a striking emotional weight. Katie Hall's voice was full of  passion, cutting through the room with clarity and conviction, all while Zac Mather's driving drums and Liam "Bev" Bevan's guitar worked together in an unstoppable, high-energy rhythm that powered the track from start to finish.

Reflecting on the night, Katie described the whole experience as "all my dreams come true," and it felt genuinely earned. There was a sense of a band fully stepping into their moment. CHROMA didn't just close the night, they elevated it, leaving the crowd with the sense that they had witnessed something both personal and expansive, a band turning experience into something shared and unforgettable. It didn't just feel like a celebration of a new album, but a celebration of the band as a whole.

Words and photos: Owain Morris