Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 28 November 1989, American country singer, songwriter, and record producer Lyle Lovett played Cardiff’s St David’s Hall. Lovett had earlier in the year released his third album, Lyle Lovett and His Large Band. Lovett won the Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance for the album. Lovett's cover of Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man" was later included in the soundtrack of the 1992 movie The Crying Game. He signed with MCA Records in 1986 and released his eponymous debut album. He sang harmony vocals on Nanci Griffith's The Last of t ..read more

Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 27 November 1984, gothic rock band Alien Sex Fiend played Cardiff’s New Ocean Club. Alien Sex Fiend were formed by Nicholas Wade (Nik Fiend), Christine Wade (Mrs Fiend), David James (Yaxi Highrizer) and Johnny Freshwater (Johnny Ha-Ha) in late 1982 at the Batcave club in London (where Nik worked). The band became known in the gothic scene for its dark, electronic industrial-leaning sound, heavy samples, loops, dub remixes and manic vocals. Nik Wade had previously been a member of the Alice Cooper-influenced bands the Earwigs and Mr & Mrs De ..read more

Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 25 November 1977, American band Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes played Cardiff University. From the Jersey Shore led by Southside Johnny. They have been recording albums since 1976 and are closely associated with Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band. They have recorded or performed several Springsteen songs, including "The Fever" and "Fade Away". Springsteen has also performed with the band on numerous occasions and in 1991 guested on their Better Days album. During the band's formative years Steven Van Zandt acted as the band's co-l ..read more

Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 22 November 1984, Synth legend Gary Numan played Cardiff St David’s Hall on The Berserker Tour. Support was provided by Hohokam and Larry Lieberman. Released on 9 November 1984, Berserker iwas his first album to be released under Numan's own record label, Numa Records. Gary Numan's recording contract with his previous record label Beggars Banquet had ended with the release of 1983's studio album, Warriors. Disillusioned with record companies, Numan decided to create his own record label, Numa Records, to give himself full control over his recor ..read more

Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 20 November 1993, American progressive metal band Dream Theatre played Cardiff’s St David’s Hall on their Music In Progress Tour. Support was provided by Damn The Machine. Formed in 1985 under the name Majesty by John Petrucci, John Myung and Mike Portnoy — all natives of Long Island, New York — while they attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. They subsequently dropped out of their studies to concentrate further on the band that would eventually become Dream Theater. Their current lineup consists of Petrucci, Myung, Portnoy ..read more

Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 19 November 1975, rock greats Queen played Cardiff’s Capitol Theatre on their A Night At The Opera Tour. The were supported by Mr Big. Formed in London in 1970 by Freddie Mercury (lead vocals, piano), Brian May (guitar, vocals), and Roger Taylor (drums, vocals), later joined by John Deacon (bass). Their earliest works were influenced by progressive rock, hard rock, and heavy metal, but the band gradually ventured into more conventional and radio-friendly works by incorporating further styles, such as arena rock and pop rock. A Night at the Oper ..read more

Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 17 November 1970, English folk rock band Fairport Convention played Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens. Formed in 1967 by guitarists Richard Thompson and Simon Nicol, bassist Ashley Hutchings and drummer Shaun Frater (with Frater replaced by Martin Lamble after their first gig). They started out influenced by American folk rock, with a set list dominated by Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell songs and a sound that earned them the nickname "the British Jefferson Airplane". Vocalists Judy Dyble and Iain Matthews joined them before the recording of their self-titl ..read more

Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 16 November 1985, punk rock band Siouxsie and the Banshees played Cardiff’s New Ocean Club on the band’s Tinderbox tour. Formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bass guitarist Steven Severin. They have been widely influential, both over their contemporaries and with later acts. The Times called the group "one of the most audacious and uncompromising musical adventurers of the post-punk era". Initially associated with the punk scene, the band including guitarist John McKay and drummer Kenny Morris rapidly evolved to create "a for ..read more

Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 14 November 1996, English synth-pop duo Erasure played Cardiff’s St David’s Hall on their Tiny Tour. Formed in London in 1985, consisting of lead vocalist and songwriter Andy Bell with songwriter, producer and keyboardist Vince Clarke, previously known as co-founder of the band Depeche Mode and a member of synth-pop duo Yazoo. From their fourth single, "Sometimes" (1986), Erasure established themselves on the UK Singles Chart, becoming one of the most successful acts of the mid-1980s to the mid-1990s. From 1986 to 2007, the pair achieved 24 con ..read more

Images may be subject to copyright On this day, 13 November 1978, American-English singer, songwriter and musician Lene Lovich and her band played Sophia Gardens on the Be Stiff Tour ‘78. Also part of the tour were Stiff artists Jonah Lewie, Mickey Jupp, Rachel Sweet and Wreckless Eric. Born in Detroit, Michigan, Lovich moved to England at the age of 13, where she met guitarist and songwriter Les Chappell, who later became her long-time music collaborator and life partner. She developed an interest in art and theater, enrolling at the Central School of Art and Design where she took saxophone ..read more