Sandwiched between Samhein and Bonfire’s Night, the start of November hangs like some awkward teenager at a family party. It’s not Autumn, but it’s not properly winter. The weather today has been brutally winter-like in feel, with sleety rain mixing with occasional sunshine in the Valley, where some of Cardinal Black hail originates.
Cardinal Black – Nathan O’Regan
The Great Hall, Cardiff University, Cardiff – 1 November 2025
Words And Photography: Paul Hutchings
The weather has not stopped 1,200 hardy souls packing out what I believe is the second biggest open music venue in Cardiff. Yes, the New Theatre and Millennium Centre hold more, but they do not host this type of show.
Only the cavernous International Arena stands bigger, and it is highly likely that Cardinal Black will be considering booking that in a couple of years, such is their rise to fame in recent times.
Tonight, Marilyn Manson is playing the aircraft hangar just a stone’s throw away, chalk and cheese indeed. 
We have covered Cardinal Black consistently here at MetalTalk, from The Patriot, Chepstow Castle, through to the Tramshed in Cardiff, under a year ago, when they wowed a home crowd with a moving and emotional gig.
How things have escalated in 2025, with the release of their glorious second album Midnight At The Valencia and a sold-out US tour under their belts.
They have been dipping across the UK for the past few weeks, and tonight is the culmination of this tour, before a few days breathing space and a smattering of European dates in the run up to Christmas.
With the band now back to their core three-piece of Chris Buck, Tom Hollister and Adam Roberts, there is a curiosity on my part as to who fills in the extra pieces.
For as rich as their sound is, there is a need live for some rich harmonies, the backing vocals of Tay Cousins, and maybe a bit of ivory tinkling to flesh out their sound. Whilst Cousins is absent, bassist Sam Andrews and keyboardist Michael Blanchfield are here, and the band’s live sound is assured.
My only disappointment is the absence of Cousins, whose backing vocals add so much to the band’s live sound. But it is a minor quibble on a night where pretty much everything else fits the plan.
Photos from the tour by their excellent ‘tog Marty Moffatt show the band’s progression. Packed audiences with smiles on their faces are all any band can ask for, and as they open with Ride Home the vibe is already one of celebration.
They are playing a home fixture after all, and there was never any doubt that the partisan crowd would be onside. I think they could have played a selection of nursery rhymes, and the audience would have lapped it up.
Alas, no Humpty Dumpty tonight, just most of Midnight At The Valencia and six cuts from January Came Close, stretched over nearly two hours.
It is an opportunity to catch your breath and marvel at the velvet smoothness of Hollister’s vocals, Buck’s exceptional fretwork and the tightness of a band who are hitting full stride.
As expected in Cardiff on a Saturday night, there are several for whom the lure of the overpriced bar is more of an attraction, and the stream of punters back and fore to the bar is likely to be distracting for a few.
But despite the inevitable chatter that exists around the venue even during some of the calmer moments, such as the tender Adeline [written by Hollister for his daughter, who he laughs, hates it and prefers Taylor Swift], Terra Firma and Jump In, most are engaged in the show.
Hollister’s between-song chats remain honest and endearing, his sparring with Buck and Roberts highlighting a genuine friendship. It is Buck’s guitar work that sets Cardinal Black apart, though, and when he starts to shred during Keep On Running, it’s difficult to keep the camera focused on anything other than the man’s fingers.
Plenty of audience participation is essential and happens as anticipated. Hollister embarrasses his wife when talking about the writing of Your Spark (Blows Me To Pieces), whilst opening act Nathan O’Regan also joins the band to showcase his breathtaking vocals one more time.
Warm Love combines the laid-back bluesy swagger that is the band’s trademark, with Buck on blistering form, and the crowd ready to sing along. It is difficult to knock, and instead, it is far more enjoyable to just allow the talent on display to wash over you.
So, a triumphant homecoming for a band whose star is in the ascendency.
Underneath the warmth of these local boys lies a steely determination and business drive that pushes them forward. It is going to be interesting to see how they push on again from here, but do not be surprised if their next show in the Welsh Capital is in a bigger venue than here.
Nathan O’Regan
Introduced by Tom Hollister as one to watch, Irishman Nathan O’Regan provides a watchable warm-up for the evening. His country blues is aided by a strong and impressive voice, which those who had already seen shows on this tour prompted me to listen to.
There is no doubting his talent, and his between-song storytelling makes him more comedian than musician, as he tells stories about introducing a song to his six-month-old son only for said baby to fill his nappy in response.
A country version of AC/DC’s Thunderstruck does not do any harm to this crowd, who happily clap along. 
Perhaps a little less talk and more music, though, would help dispel the rising buzz of chatter around the room as he moves through his set. It is a challenge, though, for this is his biggest crowd to date, and it is one here for Cardinal Black and Cardinal Black only.
An entertaining if not compelling 35 minutes leaves me undecided. But he gets a great reception, and that is all that matters.
