It is another wet and rainy night in Merthyr. I seem to have a habit of visiting during storms, but the spirits of those attending the sold-out hometown show of locals Florence Black are all in high spirits.
Florence Black – Celtic Pride
Clwb Crown, Merthyr Tydfil – 6 September 2024
Words And Photography: Georgia Brittain
The doors are not open yet but new-comer to the live music scene Clwb Crown is packed out for pre-drinkers. Since I last visited in February, the venue has changed its outdoor gazebo stage area to a huge beer garden, and the stage has moved into a new indoor area.
Since the sudden closure of old favourite The Redhouse, Clwb Crown is a fantastic addition to the Merthyr music scene, helping to contribute to keeping Merthyr on the map.
Celtic Pride
First up tonight, we have much loved local lads Celtic Pride, who I have yet to get myself acquainted with. Conversations around me are discussing how “Daddy Florence Black” is the drummer – the drummer being the father of Florence Black’s Perry.
I am told by a friend Celtic Pride are primarily a cover band, however they plan to play some originals for this sold-out show. The indoor area is packed out already, and I am pleased to see it so busy for an opening band. These boys have a classic rock sound about them, and I find myself thoroughly enjoying them even though I’m not much of a classic rock person.
I’ll be honest, I am not sure if they are playing covers or originals, but whatever they are playing sounds pretty damn good to me. The band are thoroughly engaged with the audience, providing a good warm-up before our headliners.
Unfortunately for the venue and also Celtic Pride, the aircon is not on yet. It gets pretty hot pretty quickly, resulting in fans leaving the room to get some air in the beer garden outside. Thankfully, by the end of the set, I can feel the breeze from the ceiling, and I can continue to enjoy them comfortably, without worrying about me needing a can of deodorant.
The band play through their set and gives their goodbyes, only to be told they still have some time. So they throw in Metallica’s Seek And Destroy. A great choice for this crowd, as everyone who left to get some air comes flooding back in.
Florence Black
It is time for the main show, and it becomes impossible to move through the crowd before Florence Black take to the stage. The boys have not played a show in Wales since February, and it is obvious all of us Welshies have missed them.
I see two pages of a setlist being taped to the floor and get myself feeling excited, having recently asked the boys to start playing The Forest from their latest album, Bed Of Nails. I resist a peak, though, trying to keep the show a surprise for myself.
They take to the stage with Start Again, a great choice to open up the show. I have not seen them take to the stage with this much energy before, so you can tell they are excited for this sold-out show tonight.
They go into The Deep End straight after, and any member of the crowd stupid enough to not have listened to their latest album appreciates a previous album song so soon in the set. This is what I like about Florence Black. They are not always playing their new songs; they are always happy to throw in a couple of old ones, too.
The song ends and there are some technical difficulties with Tristan Thomas’ guitar, which requires him to leave the stage briefly. Bassist Fozzi and drummer Perry keep the crowd entertained with a couple of beats and notes, and it’s not long before the show continues.
Unfortunately, this soon becomes a bad omen.
Old favourite Grove Street is thrown in the set somewhere, with Tristan Thomas dedicating it to someone in the crowd. Unfortunately, I can’t hear who, as I’m standing right by the PA system and thanking God for my ear protection. It’s a slow song mixed in with some new fast favourites, including Solid 9 and Back On The Ropes. The crowd sings along to each song like they have known them for years.
Look Up proves to be their new crowd favourite (including mine), with everyone jumping, singing or dancing along. We soon go into Rockin’ Ring, and the mosh pit opens up. Right as we are at the breakdown, the crowd are going insane, and the entire band cuts out. All you can hear is Perry’s drums from the stage.
It’s an absolute killer, though the band laugh it off. They clearly went too heavy here and killed the electrics. As the band walk off stage to figure out what’s going on, the crowd start chanting, “Let Them Play, Let Them Play”.
All the sound crew suddenly flood the stage, crawling under the stage, and it’s not looking hopeful. The sound is out for approx 20 minutes, and the crowd has either stayed at the front for their spot, hopeful the band can continue to play, left to grab a quick drink, or run out for a selfie with the boys as they wait outside the venue.
After what seems like a horrible end to the show, we hear “check check one two,” and the sound of a guitar, and the boys are back onstage to a roar of fans who were almost ready to be disappointed.
Do you think we are left with Rockin’ Ring ending the way it did? Absolutely not. They start it again, and the crowd goes just as hard as when it got cut out.
Unfortunately thanks to these difficulties, the set is cut short, and I’m not in luck to hear The Forest tonight. After blasting their way through the new single Bed Of Nails, we are ending with classic Sun And Moon.
Suddenly, all the lights are out, and we all assume it’s part of the show. Except, when the chorus kicks in, no lights come back on, and we all laugh at the irony of the shitshow. The band never stop playing, even in darkness, and the entire crowd gets their torches on their phones out to help them see what they’re doing.
I absolutely love the unity and support, and I cannot help but appreciate Florence Black for getting through the set no matter what.
It’s a shame we didn’t get the full set planned, but the night was absolutely fantastic, and I cannot wait until the next time I get to see these boys. Hopefully, without any technical difficulties.
