Gig Goin’ – The Now at Clwb Ifor Bach

As part of their mini tour in support of their upcoming album, The Now were back in the Capital at the Iconic Clwb Ifor Bach on Friday 4th September. Here’s what Stephen thought. 

First on the bill were Duno, a Pop/Punk trio from South Wales who have been making regular appearances across the South Wales live scene. Having released their debut single, Extra Terrestrial, in March, the band are beginning to make their mark on a thriving Welsh scene. 

From the moment they took to the stage, Duno delivered an energetic set that quickly won over an appreciative audience. Their blend of punchy Pop/Punk and youthful energy felt right at home in a scene that continues to produce some exciting new talent. 

With their live performance showing plenty of enthusiasm and their debut release providing a first taste of what they can offer, Duno look like a welcome addition to Wales’ ever-growing Pop/Punk community. There’s clearly plenty more to come from this promising young trio. 

Next up were Redchecks, the Manchester-based Welsh Indie Rock band who have been steadily building momentum since their first release in 2023. With a string of singles and an EP under their belt, alongside festival appearances and support slots with the likes of Himalayas and The Futureheads, the band have already established themselves as one to watch. 

Tonight, they demonstrated exactly why that momentum is gathering pace. Redchecks delivered a superb set that brought together familiar favourites with newer material, showcasing a band that continues to develop without losing sight of what makes them exciting in the first place. 

There was an added reason to celebrate, too, as lead singer Tomi was marking their birthday. The occasion provided the perfect backdrop for the band’s closing track, Matchbox, which sparked a huge singalong from the audience and brought the set to a suitably memorable conclusion. 

If tonight was anything to go by, Redchecks have plenty of exciting chapters still to write. Their combination of strong songwriting, confident musicianship and an increasingly impressive live presence suggests a very promising future. 

The headline act were The Now, recent guests on The Indie Show with Stephen and Dani, who had kindly given the show tickets for the evening. It felt like a fitting return, with the band having firmly established themselves as one of South Wales’ premier live acts. 

They’ve enjoyed a particularly busy summer, taking their energetic live show to festivals and sharing stages with major names including Madness. Tonight, though, the focus was firmly on The Now and what comes next. 

With their second album, Moments In Motion, due for release on 27th October, this was an opportunity for fans to hear some of the new material brought to life before its official release. The title track, Moments In Motion, was a particular highlight, while Did You Miss Me, the band’s next single, offered another tantalising glimpse of what the new album has in store. 

The set opened at breakneck speed including Infection before moving through a superb mix of old and new material, including Roll With It, Wild Curse, Breathe, Drug and Friendly Fire. The inclusion of a cover of Chappell Roan’s Pink Pony Club added another dimension to the set and showed the band aren’t afraid to have a little fun with their influences. 

But it was Get Out that proved particularly special. Lead singer Shane has described it as his favourite song to play live, and it was easy to see why. The band delivered a blistering performance of funk-infused rock throughout the evening, with the musicians locking together to create a powerful and infectious sound. 

Frontman Shane was brilliant, commanding the stage with the confidence and charisma you’d expect from a singer who knows exactly how to work a live audience. Behind him, the rest of the band were equally impressive, proving once again that The Now are a formidable live act. 

The mix of established favourites and tracks from Moments In Motion worked brilliantly, giving longtime fans plenty to enjoy while offering a tantalising preview of the band’s next chapter. If tonight was any indication, the release of Moments In Motion could be another significant step forward for a band whose momentum shows no sign of slowing 

Overall, this was a brilliant night. The support acts had been really well chosen, with Redchecks particularly impressing and setting the scene perfectly for the headline act. I’d been looking forward to seeing The Now live for some time, and they were everything I wanted — and more. 

Having now had an early taste of Moments In Motion in the live environment, I’m even more excited for its release. There is a real sense that this could be a massive album for The Now and another major milestone for a band that continues to go from strength to strength.

If Moments In Motion can capture the energy and excitement of tonight, The Now could have something very special on their hands.

Written by Stephen Howell