A tour that started on 3 October 2024, in front of around 100 fans in Le Pub in Newport, comes full circle as Cardinal Black make a triumphant statement. A sold-out show in one of the Welsh Capital’s larger venues, no less, bookending the Welcome To The Valencia tour nicely with a final Welsh date.
Cardinal Black – The Rogues – Tom Jenkins
Tramshed, Cardiff – 18 January 2025
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
It Is evidence of how much their popularity is increasing that the tickets for the warm-up show in Le Pub sold out in a minute, and this 1000 capacity in the Grade II listed former tram depot in the shadow of the City’s Principality Stadium was sold out by late Autumn.
Search the pages of MetalTalk and you will find we have covered the band in many venues, from intimate shows at The Patriot in Crumlin, to headline performances at Chepstow Castle and full houses at Shepherd’s Bush Empire in London.
This tour, their biggest to date, has seen them wow audiences across the UK, as well as earlier trips to the US in summer 2024, where the band included a gig at the legendary West Hollywood Troubadour, something that frontman Tom Hollister gives a nod to during the spellbinding set, acknowledging the horrific images that we have been seeing from California for the past few weeks. 
The rise to fame of Cardinal Black has been well chronicled. They look like lads from your local boozer, the kind you would happily chat with over a pint of bitter, and indeed, Hollister and others are mixing with the audience before the show starts.
They have added a bit of glitz and sparkle with their first-ever VIP experience. Unsurprisingly, the 50 tickets were snapped up, and those fans who took advantage are seen clutching their goodie bags and VIP lanyards with pride as they get to the barrier for the prime positions. 
It is all about the music, though, and their mix of blues, rock, Gospel and soul is the ideal thing to start 2025. In a 14-song set that stretches over an hour and 45 minutes, Cardinal Black simply sweep the room with emotion.
At times delicately positioned, at others almost the full hard rock experience, the band are incredible at hitting you in the feels. All around the packed venue, and I mean packed, different songs prompt different reactions from individuals.
You can see the audience gasp at guitarist Chris Buck’s sonorous fretwork, something he makes look so easy that you can only dream of such talent. His sonic workouts are crafted, sculptured, never forced, and flow from the opening song, Ride Home, through to the extended and impassioned finale of Tied Up In Blue.
There is ample opportunity for Hollister to engage the audience with his usual banter, although I believe that his dry humour is more a reaction than part of the routine. Regardless, his affable personality is tempered by more tender moments, such as the introduction to Adeline, the song about his daughter, where he spars with brother/keyboardist Greg about his parenting skills.
Beneath it is a genuine heart-warming track about his absence from the family home. This is a band who have family, humanity and humour at their core, with an appreciation of each other central to their ethos, as is witnessed throughout the evening.
Laughter on stage is infectious, and this band have it in spades. This reflects on the audience, who are beaming from start to finish. There are many moments when Hollister, in particular, is caught in amazement at the musicianship of Buck and the band. It is a delightful element which warms the heart. 
Backing singer Tay Cousins is slightly hidden behind bassist Sam Williams, a sign of the band’s burgeoning popularity as they now have bigger stages to fill. Cousins adds a lovely layer to the band’s sound, emphasising Hollister’s gorgeously rich delivery. She is helped by Buck, who, as well as showing his incredible guitar work, can add backing vocals too.
Making up the sextet tonight drummer Adam Roberts, whose timing is like clockwork, whilst Greg Hollister’s thick Hammond keys are an essential part of the band’s sound.
With songs such as the glorious Terra Firma, the audience participation on Ain’t My Time, Your Spark (Blows Me To Pieces), and Where Do You Go, it all adds up to a glorious evening, a triumphant homecoming, and the confirmation of what we in Wales have known for some time.
Cardinal Black is a band who, with a good wind, will be playing venues far bigger than this in no time. 
The Rogues
Main support for the evening is Newport five-piece The Rogues. The indie rockers from just down the road are not overawed by a full house and whip through their 35-minute set with confidence. That may not be surprising, given that they have got over 100 shows under their belt since their formation in 2022 and have already played this venue in support to Rusty Shackle in another sold-out show. 
It’s not to everyone’s taste, and there is little movement on stage, although guitarists Rhodri Ely and Alex Ainsworth share some neat lead work.
Hollister explained why Cardinal Black chose The Rogues for this slot later in the main set, and you can see why they were picked. Full of youthful vigour, they have songs in the likes of 1963, She Wants Me Dead and Chemical Dream, which closes their short set.
All eyes sit on vocalist Andrew Flannelly, who adds to the band’s sound with his acoustic guitar work. There is a swagger about The Rogues that suggests much more to come. They receive a solid ovation from a rather partisan crowd, and that can only be good.
Tom Jenkins
If it is raw emotion you want, then long-time friend of Cardinal Black Tom Jenkins is your man. The passionate Welshman, sheep farmer by day, folk singer by night, carves out earnest and heartfelt songs that capture his roots, his farming history, and focus on the Welsh landscape and working environment that are central to him and many of those in the crowd.
It takes balls to stand in front of a crowd like this, but Jenkins is a hardy sort and takes great delight in his half-hour slot. Talented and confident but with a humble and very honest delivery, he is perfect for the opening role, and he ensures that many ease into the evening with some food for thought as well as a little humour. 
