Jazz in Wales

News about gigs, festivals, famous names, new artists and more compiled by DJ Andy Roberts in Cardiff, Wales. Send your updates to andy @ jazzinwales.co.uk

Thursday, January 17, 2008

Swell new venue for Cardiff

The Swell Bar is a brand new venue in central Cardiff promising jazz and blues every Friday and Saturday night plus Sunday lunchtime.

Swell Bar can be found at 4 Windsor Place, just off Queen Street - the former Benedicto's restaurant.

For more info call 029 2037 1130 or check out www.myspace.com/swellbar - co-owner John Maher confirms that they are still committed to staging live music despite some concerns about recent gig cancellations.

Click the Comments button below to read John's detailed response - it's comment number 34 in the list. Please note that comments about anything other than Swell Bar will no longer be published.

70 Comments:

  • At 11:20 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Bright new venue for blues in Cardiff - shame about the same tired old bands being booked...."Yawn"! Looking forward though to Jo Shaw Taylor in March.

     
  • At 2:43 pm , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    Same old bands, anon? If you know of any new bands that deserve to be seen, tell them to give the venue a call if they want a gig - and put them in touch with me if they want some airplay.

     
  • At 9:37 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Agree with anon, was there on Thursday night and Jack the Biscuit were playing their usual brand of insipid Blues. I'd just like to see great bands from within Wales and those from further afield playing the kind of Blues to get people flocking in to see this great art form.Eg Oli Brown, Sean Webster and the unboubted star of the Tenby Blues festival Virgil McMahon.

     
  • At 9:05 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Yep....agreed! Well you asked Andy...so what about thinking really bold - solo artists like Catfish Keith, Kent DuChaine, Michael Messer. Will Killeen certainly is worth making contact with as a starter. Up and coming acts like Kyla Brox, Charlene Mcgregor,and those 3 mentioned already by anon are well worth approaching. Let's not accept mediocrity in 'Swell'!

     
  • At 5:23 pm , Blogger Unknown said...

    Hello to all of the above commentators!
    John from Swell, here.
    First, we just got here!!!
    Second, we are most grateful to Tom Clode of The BluesDragons for compiling a gig line up at such short notice.
    Third, we will expand our live roster as we go on.
    Fourth, Catfish Keith, Kent DuChaine and Michael Messer, have all played in my old bar in Kinsale, many years ago! We will have them visit Swell, once I get sorted!
    Finally, thanks to Andy (Roberts) we're already building a decent roster. Please drop in a demo to the bar marked for my attention..
    Come visit, we will only get better.
    Cheers,
    John

     
  • At 5:49 pm , Blogger Gavin said...

    Hi, i guess this isnt the place to really say this but is the only forum ive found after searching for swell on google. id just like to express my relief that people are still commited to blues and want to provide such an outstanding venue. Nice to see Johnsaying that hell look to expand the acts already being booked. Ill look forward to that as it has become very stale on the blues scene in Cardiff. Seeing previous posts im certainly not alone in saying this. Id love to see Charlene Mcgregor and Virgil and the Accelerators down there at some point, sure there would be a good turn out. Is there any chance of swell having its own website/forums? or have i just missed them?

     
  • At 4:23 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    well done John and congratulations on the new venue. just dont forget the up and coming welsh blues acts - it would be good to finally see the amazing virgil mcmahon and his band the accellerators down here in cardiff and I know quite a few punters who want to check them out. another up and coming from west wales is Luke and J44. i'm glad i did a google search for swell now. keep up the good work.

     
  • At 4:50 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I was there on the opening night you guys obviuosly weren't there was aband called the numbers racket there they brilliant, what they are doing still doing the pubs i really don't know i've pay £10+ to bands half as good as them.
    i hope they are back there soon

     
  • At 11:22 am , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Talkin' Blues..not one of the 'tired old local bands' are playing Swell next Friday 1st Feb.We also did their first weekend...Not the normal 'insipid' blues but a mixture of self penned and obscure blues played with enjoyment, flair and vision. Not the normal self indulgent 20 minute boring guitar solo's covering inadequacy with volume. You wanna hear some hot guitar and great harp you will not be disapointed

     
  • At 10:44 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    well mr or mrs anonymous ? do you play in a band i dought it but hey if its like you say it is can i suggest you turn up with a few good friend and entertain the tired old bands and teach us some new tricks im sorry you feel that way but can i say these so called tired old bands are doing this week in week out for someones pleasure and for not a lot of money so if you can do better get a band toghther and im sure we would all love to come and see you play wherever

     
  • At 5:15 pm , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    Thanks for all your comments - it's not often that this blog prompts a debate! Just one thing - if you've got criticisms to make of venues or promoters, let's keep it constructive. Whether or not you like the bands on offer, at least they're trying to keep music live, and for that they deserve some credit.

     
  • At 6:37 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Agreed Andy, It's seems people are missing the point here. On one hand you've got people dismissing other bands as rubbish and on the other there's people practically spoiling for a fight.
    It is refreshing to hear an open debate about music for once, I'm in the corner that does want to see some different bands, it can only add to the area and what is of course a city centre venue where they need top class acts to draw people in. It does have to be said that people do obviously want to see some variety, it's just the way that it is put across.

     
  • At 8:32 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Surely its brilliant to have a healthy debate about blues in Cardiff - and about time too Andy! I dont play (I only wish I did!)and I admire and envy those who can play and entertain us. But my friends and I love the blues, have been following it over many years, seen a lot of bands both locally and internationally, spent a lot of money on the blues, have become quite knowledgeable about it and are entitled to make informed judgments about is good, what is not good, what is worth seeing again and what isn't. Most of us non-players who turn up to blues gigs don't claim to be experts but we are the people who provide the audience and applause to the bands like the one that "stantheman" seems to play for. So maybe "stantheman" is being bit unfair when he challenges people like us to get it on and do it better. Perhaps he didn't mean it that way, but he needs to be careful not to criticise people who obviously avidly follow the blues for expressing their views. Its not just the musicians but it is also the audience who keep the blues going. So Andy please keep this blog going - debate is what needed and that can only be good for the future of blues in Cardiff and for Swell.

     
  • At 12:27 am , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    While is great to have another venue playing blues and I have seen comments about the same old bands playing etc. One of the problems is the lack of money to pay for tops artist all the time. People want them but are not willing to pay. Not many venues have the money to not charge for top acts so make the most of it now as I am sure they will start to charge after awhile. If people went and support the venues that put on the so-called local same old bands, there would be money in the pot to put on your bigger acts. Some of these names mentioned I have seen in a back street pub in Cardiff, Joanne Shaw Taylor played there a few years back when she was 17 or 18. Sadly the last time I went not many people were there maybe it is too much completion as there is lots going on in the live music scene on a Thursday and they are all chasing the same punters.

     
  • At 11:17 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Some of the names mentioned here have played at the Blues Dragon Club or cafe jazz. They have had Jo Shaw Taylor, Ian parker ,Sean Webster ,Oli Brown, Kent Duchaine ,also Eugene Hidaway Bridges, Eddie Martin, Jimmy Carl Black, Tam White and Todd Sharpville have all played at the club

     
  • At 8:25 pm , Blogger Unknown said...

    Hello again everybody,
    great to see such interest!
    Thanks for givin' a damn!
    As already pointed out, and further to the last Anonymous post, Todd Sharpeville,Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges, The Ian Parker Band...the late Dick Heckstall Smith, Ian Briggs, Honeyboy Hickling, the legendary Henry Grey even! and more I cannot even remember, have played my bars in Ireland. We aim to do the same in Swell Cardiff...but, will you pay to see them?? That's the question really. Sure there's an audience for good, great! Blues...will we get the support?
    One way or t'other, we're going to have a lash at providing the best of jazz and blues. Just give us time...Cheers, John
    p.s. everybody's welcome...once you behave and respect the place.

     
  • At 6:05 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Also coming up at the blues dragon are....... Jack The Biscuit, Panic Station, Talkin' Blues, etc etc. It's pretty obvious to me that people on the whole are seeking alternatives to these bands. I have no problem with them myself but it would be nice to see different bands there, and that is why the opening of swell was so exciting. It offers us the choice of seeing staple acts from the Dragon and to hopefully see an increase in the bands availabile for us to see elsewhere. I'd like to see a band at the T.B.D one night and then go to Swell the next and see someone else. Not just see the same bands shared between the same venues as quite honestly i'd rather save my money and travel further afield in search of some variety.

     
  • At 9:11 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Seems to me that some of the comments here are overly defensive and are looking to protect their own interests. Apart from one band appearing to knock another (sad really), I cant see that people are doing little than expressing their views about blues music in cardiff - and about time too. The local bands and venues have served the city and surrounding venues well - but have had it all their own way for so many years - so why not look to bring along some fresh faces and talent. And I saw Joanne Shaw Taylor play at Ronnie Scotts when she was 14, so there!

     
  • At 11:00 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    MMMMM…Some interesting comments…’Anon’ (why are you hiding) has hit
    the nail on the head naming the big problem. Us ‘local bands’ play for a
    pittance because we enjoy doing it and subsidise those ‘big’ names that we
    all want to see.
    Unless you Blues fans are prepared to drag yourselves away from the tele.
    Put bums on seats you may find that in the not too distant future there
    will be nowhere to hear any live music at all. Except the multitude of Rock
    covers bands and ‘singers’ with backing tapes all playing the same old songs.
    The biggest problem with ‘authentic blues!’ is that there is a very limited audience. Blues have evolved and I can see nothing wrong with the odd Gary Moore, SRV or self penned songs that still have a basis in the blues. We as a band do try and make the nights a bit more interesting by packing a lot of numbers into each set with a little bit of chat between. Always remembering that the punters are paying your wages. There are far too many self indulgent superstars around that have no concept of what ‘show biz’ is. Totally ignoring the audience, having a bit ‘what shall we do next guys’ between numbers. The Blues Dragon or Wembley the principal should be the same.
    Café Jazz and Swell will always be ok because there is so much passing trade. The Blues dragon is struggling a bit because as has been said there is a lot going on Thursday nights.


    Lets see if you Blues fans can put you money where your mouths are and turn up on the 14th of Feb at The Blues Dragon(Talkin’Blues)
    I know it’s Valentines night..but what could be better than treating your loved one to a dose of Blues and a Ruby Murray. Go on you know you want to…………………………………..

     
  • At 3:01 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I found this post on the Blues Dragon message website......

    "I wouldn't really want to knock any new venue for live music in Cardiff - we've got few enough - but do others like me think it's a shame when Swell puts on blues on the same nights as The Gower or Cafe Jazz? I tried it out last Friday night, the room is an awkward shape, long and narrow with the band at one end, and with no raised stage it means only perhaps the 20 or so people nearest to them can actually see who's playing. But with no cover charge, people tended to drift in and out anyway, and most didn't really seem too interested in the music. And there's no dance space. I was glad to move on to Cafe Jazz, where the £4 cover charge discourages the in-and-out brigade, so most people are genuinely there for the music. Also it's much easier here to find a good spot to see the band, and there's a bit of dance space too of course (even if it's a bit odd being on carpet)."

    ..........I couldn't disagree more, I love the fact that we now have quality venues vying for our custom, it can only lead to a higher standard of events put on.
    In response to the "in and out crowd" i'm more than happy to pay for entry into swell so long as we're seeing good quality music. Well done to the promotors, let's keep music live!
    Geraint, Splott

     
  • At 3:44 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Supplementary ( Talkin’ Blues )
    Another point, we go on ‘stage’ with approx. £15,000.00 of equipment. Get to the gig maybe 2 hours early, set up and do a sound check (every venue is different). Wait around till kick off, can’t have a drink, driving and working.
    Finish the second set ‘after a false tabs and 3 encores..not always’ dripping in sweat and emotionally drained.
    Then breakdown the gear, load into cars, take home and unload into house.
    Finally, in my case at 65, old free and single, collapse with a bacon sandwich and the Adult channel. Then up for work again the next day ( self employed carpet retail, Canton Carpet Centre…come and see me some time, you get felt free )
    Not everyone’s ideal night out but we do it ‘cos we love it and really appreciate the applause, it means a lot.
    Dai Carpet

     
  • At 3:45 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I agree with some of comments posted by the anon band member. The problem is that by not giving their own name or name of band then it weakens the impact of what they are saying and even makes them appear a bit precious - especially as he/she criticises another writer for being 'anon'. So why not let us know who you really are!

    The general message from this blog seems to be pretty clear to me John - do your best to put on some blues variety at Swell with fresh faces and give the deserving local bands we've seen so many times before their platform now and again - just not every week please! The danger is that if you continue to put on the same local acts all the time then we will end up watching the tv at home. But I can assure 'anon' we will never ever go to see tribute and rock covers bands! Good luck John! Dave

     
  • At 11:02 am , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    Thanks for all your comments - to make it clear who you are, you can give your name by clicking the Name/URL button and just filling in your name - you don't have to give a website address.

     
  • At 4:30 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi Dave…. To clarify the ‘anon’ signature on my entries I could not seem to get the piece accepted unless I did it that way…don’t know why’, probably my age.
    I thought I had made it fairly clear from my input that my band was Talkin’ Blues and was not intentionally hiding behind ‘anon’. I am widely known as Dai Carpet because of my business and assumed that they would be recognised from my first effort as Dai carpet. Far from hiding the name I have used it over and over here. We are proud of our music and welcome any constructive comments. Please come as see us…Mind you we do not expect praise from doing our job and are of the opinion that after our numerous gigs at Café Jazz and the Dragon with no adverse comments on the message board we assume that ‘no news is good news’
    Swell, I believe is now not having live music on Thursdays for a while.
    Any of you music lovers lucky enough to have a ticket For Joe Bonnamassa next Tuesday…see you there
    Dai carpet (Talkin' Blues)

     
  • At 9:50 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    hi really pleased to see real debate occuring on blues in Cardiff.At audience in the club level, opinion 4 some time has been that variety would be the spice of life. personally i dont think its the bands fault but if instead of just booking tried and tested bands, if nets were cast futher afield we would seeother bands.Cardiff bands also need test themselves playing other venues.

     
  • At 6:15 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Has Swell bar decided to stop doing live music as they do not seem to be showing up in
    www.gigall.co.uk and they were showing live gigs a few days ago.

     
  • At 7:15 pm , Blogger Tom Clode said...

    I thank John at Swell Bar for his comments in recognition of my help together with that of the Bluesdragon, with band bookings at his new city centre music venue. However, I must now disassociate myself and the Bluesdragon Club from any involvement in Swell Bar due to their treatment of Bands booked to play at this venue by individuals working at Swell Bar!
    Tom Clode

     
  • At 3:24 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Please note the Jo anna Shaw atylor gig in March has moved from the Swell bar to teh blues Dragon club. Just saw info the the Blues Dragon Messgae board.

     
  • At 8:59 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Andy or John - can somebody tell me what is happening with swell please. Have all your gigs been pulled? I can find no listings (as previously) on gigall - and see tonight that the Blues Dragons Club are now advertising Joanne Shaw Taylor for the night she was booked with you. I do hope you haven't stopped gigs -it would be a massive disapppointment to a lot of people who have wanted a fresh blues venue in Cardiff. Gavin.

     
  • At 11:55 am , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    I'm trying to find out myself what's going on at Swell - I went there on Saturday 18 Feb hoping to see Mumbo Jumbo and was told it was a private party.

    For info, I have no connection with any of the venues mentioned on this website, other than the occasional night when I'm hired as a DJ or I'm promoting an event e.g. A Night in Tunisia at Cafe Jazz.

    My main interest is helping venues find bands, and bands find venues, which I do for the love of the music. If I find out what's happening with Swell Bar, I'll let you know via this website.

     
  • At 5:02 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Crikey - it seems that both the Blues Dragons Club and Swell Bar messed-up with bands booked at their venues in the same week (eh..'llandaff boys'). Unlucky or what! But lets look a little deeper. At least people are allowed to express and respond to views about blues in Caridff on this Swell blog - but not on the TBD censored blues message board and I say this despite having some great nights there (eg Hamilton Loomis stands out). At least Swell are new to cardiff and can learn but by now after several years TBD should know far better than to restrict views, especialy in their message board where it seems perfectly ok for old men to 'letch', for 'approved' people to praise to the hilt or to slag off acts - but try and write anything which challenges 'their' status quo then it never gets seen. Is it 'da management who censors - if so its just not right?

    Please treat this as a plea for freedom of speech, for mutual respect and honest discussion on the blues music scene in cardiff - which will be far better off for it. It is all about as Andy says - matching venues with bands and vice versa and also I should add to us as the blues audience. Carol blues fan

     
  • At 5:03 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I am sad to read such negative feedback about hard working bands whose support since the opening of Swell has meant live music has been available to us. Not all gendre of music suits everyones taste and musicians appreciate this. As punters we have the choice to see the bands we like, particularly in a free venue like Swell. Pay money and you critics may get what you want in the mean time stop critising hard working local bands.

     
  • At 11:07 pm , Blogger Unknown said...

    Hello Everybody,

    John from Swell again...
    Glad to see that we've got everybody talkin' about us...and we didn't have to lift a finger!!
    Right, let's clear the air here, without wasting everybodies time...
    (in no particular order)
    1. we continue to play live gigs. Friday and Saturday and Sunday Jazz Brunchtime.
    2. Tom at BluesDragons pulled the gigs he had kindly organised for us, as a result of a perceived ill-treatment of a particular recent booking. He was not far wrong, but circumstances dictate and a decision was made. The incident was/is no way indicative of how we, at Swell, treat musicians. It was, simply, one of those things.
    We did not pull the particular gig. We simply asked that the gig take place on the ground floor, rather than upstairs, as a private party had been booked with their own d.j. Apparently the downstairs location was not acceptable and the gig was pulled by Tom at Bluesdragons as he felt that the band in question merited the 'better'(my quote) stage area, upstairs. That was Tom's call, as he'd booked the gig for us.
    3. As a further consequence of this 'ill-treatment' Tom felt obliged to pull all the gigs he booked with Swell, and has informed all bands of his decision.
    That was his prerogative and we bear no ill will.
    4. What it does do, is speed up the booking mechanic at Swell. Tom gave a lot of his own time and energy to booking gigs for us at Swell. (with scarcely a pint of stout for his trouble)Given that we are the new boys on the block, his help and contacts have been invaluable.
    5. We at Swell are more than happy to honour the bookings made by Tom.
    Please contact Steve at the bar or me by email, with biogs/demo cds, etc. If you've been booked, give us a call. Steve has the schedule and will happily re-confirm the gig!
    6. Further to various comments on the scarcity of new talent in the initial Swell booking schedule, could I offer that, while it appears to me that South Wales has a huge jazz & blues scene, we could hardly have been expected to open with all guns blazing, booking only the new talent. I just got here, it's all new talent to me! And, most of it's good too!
    7. We already run a very successful JimJam session on Wednesdays. Musicians, vocalist, chancers! are all welcome to try this Open-Mic session...get there early!
    8. We are about to launch the Soul Freedom Sessions in March on Thursday nights...we're very excited about that dimension too...
    9. We do expect to charge for gigs soon. We want to bring you some superb jazz & blues acts and sadly, someone's gotta pay! So, if you'll share that burden with us, we'll bring in good stuff. I promise!
    10. I asked, in an earlier post, for some patience. We'll get there.
    Tom and his friends at the BluesDragons have been hugely helpful in getting us started...we aim to continue in their excellent tradition.
    11. I am though very disappointed that the Joanne Shaw Taylor gig has been moved, but, hopefully we can book her in the future. The interest had already begun filtering through to us at Swell.
    12. When all this furore has died down, we would expect to look forward to working with Tom and The Bluesdragons, in providing all the jazz & blues you can use!
    13. Right, that's me done for tonight. Thanks Andy for the forum.
    Hope that this will answer some questions.
    Cheers! John, for Framk, Steve & John.

     
  • At 11:32 pm , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    Thanks for your response John - I know a number of people have been upset by recent events but I'm sure the pledge to honour all existing gig bookings will go some way towards rebuilding trust.

     
  • At 9:32 am , Blogger Tom said...

    Tom again,
    After the the latest of 'Short notice'cancellations, approx-15 Bands & Artist by Swell Bar, which involved 'Mumbo Jumbo' last Saturday,I did pull all bands that I have booked personaly, as I did not want them to fall foul of this practice and hold me responsible for their loses involved. I did however make it clear to all the artist who had gig's booked with Swell, they could re-negotiate the gig's with the club direct. They were all made aware of why this took place and that if they concidered playing at Swell to do it on a contract basis to protect their interest. I will add, in his defence, John Maher was more often than not in Ireland when these decsions at Swell were made and seemed as frustrated as myself at decisions made by individuals as Swell Bar.
    John now has his work cut out, Swell must regain some trust from Bands and Public as a "SERIOUS" Live Music venue, Swell must show some concideration for the Artist who, on times, go to so much trouble re-arranging their personal live's over a period of weeks sometimes, just to play a particular gig.Perhaps John could indicate "Will Mumbo Jumbo receive anything in the way of compensation for their lost gig?"
    they are a very busy band....

     
  • At 11:09 am , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    Thanks for all your comments - I'm amazed at the response this one story has prompted when few previous articles have attracted any comment.

    A few points for the future - I don't want to be a heavy handed censor but I reserve the right to reject comments which wander off the topic, are abusive, repetitive, nitpick about other people's grammar, or make unsubstantiated allegations.

    I'm also not a fan of people remaining anonymous, especially when they're not being constructive. Also, if we don't know who you are, how much weight can give your opinion? Please select the option to give your Name or Nickname when posting a comment - you don't have to submit a URL.

     
  • At 3:45 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    As a customer of both swell bar and the gower, can I just say how impressed I am with John's reasoned and fair explanation. In fact that is the view of a few others I have spoken to. Hopefully we will come to see many great nights of live blues there from now on...! Ceri Fenton-Pitt

     
  • At 5:32 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Oliver from Mumbo-Jumbo here. Seems we're at the centre of a storm of excited opinions - I'm impressed that you are all so enthusiastic about live music and the blues in particular.

    I have no particular take on the specifics of the situation. We were ready to travel down from the Midlands to play at Swell and looking forward to it when it was all cancelled. As with anything done at the last minute it all got a bit heated but the important thing now is that Cardiff clearly cares about and supports its venues and gets behind the people who give musicians and audiences somewhere to get together.

    Hopefully Mumbo-Jumbo (www.mumbo-jumbo.biz for more information) will be down in Cardiff soon and that every one of you who have been involved in the debate will come along and enjoy the gig.

     
  • At 6:25 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi
    This is one of the so called "Da Management" at the Bluesdragon Club" and hope "Andy" that you will allow this to go on the board.
    Re the message board on the blues Dragon site it is moderated, but only as we have been threatened with having it removed due to personal or inappropriate comments, the more the merrier we say.
    alos re bookings we are between a rock and a hard place. we do not have a cash surplus so what we make on the door goes to the club and bands. We cannot afford the bigger bands if people don't turn up and pay on the door. EG Kent Duchaine in front of 30 people? We cannot afford Hamilton Loomis every week and we took a punt on that one to help him out of a cancelled booking.
    I feel somewhat aggreived that in trying to help establish another live music venue we are appearing to be the "Baddies" in this situation.please don't forget that the Blus Dragon club is run by Blues enthusiasts and was set up originally to provide a place for bands to play this genre of music. I'm hoping that people out thre undertsand the time and effort it takes to keep a venue going we don't have bottomless pockets and if everybody out there wants good bands at good veues then please show us all by turning up and paying on the door.
    That's my rant over so please support you local venues before they shut, it will be no good bemoaning the closure of venue if you haven't been for a few weeks.

     
  • At 9:19 pm , Blogger Bry said...

    From Bryan. Goodness, you blues people do talk and talk! I don't think I've seen a single comment in this JAZZ and blues club blog from a jazz fan or player. My jazz trio, Ad Lib', played at Swell on Valentine's evening, and we have no complaints. Management and bar staff were courteous and helpful, and we look forward to the next gig. Bryan

     
  • At 9:29 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hi. I would agree with Ceri.John has provided a reasoned rational explanation. His lack of posturing is also commendable. However if anything it has highlighted a need for staff training. Swell has been largely welcomed by the blues community but dont make the mistake of resting upon this goodwill for ever. So grab the bull by the horns book ADVERTISEand deliver the kind of kick ass blues we so long for. As for future working relations with TBD perhaps instead of working together Swell work alongside but independantly,in a climate of mutual respect and co-operation. Swell could explore and book from the plethora of excellent blues bands from within Wales and the UK as well as the bigger names. TBD could continue to book the local bands as well as the occasional bigger names. SO COME ON JOHN GET YOUR STAFF UP TO SPEED AND ONTO IT! Thanks. Bladder

     
  • At 11:43 am , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I received a phone call tonight to check out this site. Well worth it as someone who lives in Swansea and travels extensively in pursuit of blues i commend all efforts. I have however to agree with previous comments about the need for other bands to be seen in Cardiff. I agree that of course local bands are hard working Meryl but all bands are. Howevr the same bands have been used too often. I tend to only travel to Cardiff for well known artists. Last sat however a bunch of us hired a mini bus and travelled to Aberystwyth to see Virgil and the Accelarators. Man oh Man a star in the making. I WAS TOLD HE IS ONLY 15.The band was tight. The place was electric. So fellow blues fans if we dont see this band in Swansea or Cardiff, TRAVEL.

     
  • At 4:14 pm , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    Thanks again for all your comments - at the risk of causing disappointment, I have to say that it's not my intention to run an open-ended message board or forum about jazz and blues in Wales, so from now I'll only publish comments about the subject of the article, in this case Swell Bar. Thanks for your co-operation.

     
  • At 10:39 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I have heard a rumour that Swell are lining up blues bands for sat nights, which will fit in really well in Cardiff. Come on John get your staff to use Andy's site and the gigall site to advertise who they are. Looking forward in anticipation. Dave

     
  • At 11:48 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Theyve had blues bands on a Saturday night since they opened.

     
  • At 3:13 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    fao john of swell -
    saw ca great ska band there last night,really enjoyed the ska version of summertime which ive never heard before,also a great version of the classic track - mosaic.
    i have a question ? do you ever promote soul/blues/jazz dj,s there ?
    the venue is excellent btw !
    cheers and respect .

     
  • At 6:07 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Would be nice to have some Northern Soul djs at the venue.

     
  • At 6:07 pm , Blogger Unknown said...

    Hello Andy,
    further to all the talk re: Swell, I have a question for your listenership/readership...
    we have a Jazz Brunch running on Sunday mornings with the superb Chris Gilligan Group...but, it could do with some more support! You don't have to eat! We are a bar too! Any suggestions on how to improve the uptake for the gig??

     
  • At 9:03 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Anyone know where the gig listings for the Swell bar are now after the break up with the BluesDragon, nothin seems to be on gigall!

     
  • At 9:57 am , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Keep music live will you please! Sandy

     
  • At 1:40 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    agree about live music, but maybe a dj night might work aswell ??
    northern soul,jazz,rnb etc.
    would there be any interest ?
    mark

     
  • At 12:08 am , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    There are already many places , especially in town that put DJ's on. There are very few places left that put on live music and even less for Live Blues and Jazz. I think that one of the things that got people excited on this forum , was the Fact that Swell bar were booking live bands. It was seen as a refreshing change.

     
  • At 5:11 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Was just thinking that a jazz,soul,blues dj might compliment what is allready on there.not wishing to replace live music in anyway.
    but great music is great music in whatever form that is.
    cheers, mark

     
  • At 8:10 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Agreed with Dave Thomas! There are so few live music venues in Cardiff and certainly even fewer for blues and jazz. The demand is there without the need for duplicating once again all the other DJ'd clubs and pubs in the city. There's a real niche for live music in the city centre and we hope that Swell can provide that.
    Re John's comments about take up for jazz on sunday - might be an idea to have somebody really clued on marketing blues/jazz gigs dealing with this? Music lover Sal.

     
  • At 12:15 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I've been to Swell for live sunday lunch jazz twice in the last 4 weeks - both times there was no live music. Very disappointing

     
  • At 9:27 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    John - could we have advance notice of bands playing at swell please both on this site and on gigall would be a fair start! James

     
  • At 4:24 pm , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    The only gigs at Swell I know about for certain (cos I go to them myself) are the JimJam Moondog open mike sessions which take place every Wednesday night - very entertaining. See www.thejimjam.co.uk for details. I don't have any information on who's playing on other nights of the week.

     
  • At 10:55 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    As i can't seem to find any sort of what's on at the Swell bar can some one confirm It The young lad caled Jay T is still playing there at the end of this month.

     
  • At 10:43 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Swell started off so well.It seems that the venue has lost interest.If Swell wants to be taken seriously as a live music venue it has to buck its ideas up and start advertising whats on etc.

    Over to you Swell

     
  • At 12:47 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Hey there! if you want to see a different blues/rock band then come down to the Swell Bar 29th March & check out Jay Tamkin & The Crackers. See www.thecrackers.co.uk for more details - check out also www.myspace.com/jtbluesband

     
  • At 11:17 am , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    So I went to swell bar for the first time last night to see Jay Tamkin. After all the hassle with bands being cancelled etc I was worried that when I got there a disco would be playing instead.

    No there was no disco the band were there, and very good they were. Jay does not look very old I would say early 20's and the bass player looked even younger, with an older drummer. They are a tight little band and went down very well.

     
  • At 12:44 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    PLEASE BEWARE ALL BANDS IF BOOKED BY SWELL BAR....My Acoustic Jazz Duo were booked to play Sunday lunchtime at 1 pm and I was contacted at 4 pm the day before saying that they were now closing on a Sunday as their boss had just decided .No offer of compensation either.
    I did say to the gentleman that rang me that their reputation as a Music Venue is seriously being jeopardised by lack of respect and thought for bands and musicians playing there.To be fair to the gentleman that rang me he was very apologetic and said he had literally just found out himself.

    As anyone running a music venue would realise building up a trade takes time and it has to be the case where you take the quiet moments with the busy until people know that every Fri/Sat/Sun whenever they know where they can go to see a band.

    WHAT IS GOING ON AT SWELL - MUSIC VENUE OR NOT....by the looks of things NOT.

    Jane - Omega Two , Jack the Biscuit,The Outta Sites

     
  • At 9:08 pm , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    DJ Andy Powell will now be running the live music at Swell on Fridays and Saturdays, starting next Saturday 6 April when funky jazz band Funhouse will be the main attraction. The plan is to have blues on Friday and jazz on Saturday, though there may be some crossover between the nights. Andy Powell or others will do a DJ set before and after the live music providing entertainment from 9pm till 2am with no door charge.

     
  • At 10:37 am , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I have kept my distance from this SWELL BAR debate...until now.
    My name is Jim Margetts and I own and run of the UK's largest band websites called www.gigall.co.uk

    Before I start I want you all to know that I wouldn't normally add any comments to this type of platform. However, I think it is about time that gigall (I) should add something to this discussion.


    FACT
    The SWELL BAR has more hits on gigall than any other venue. What is strange about this fact is that they have not posted any gigs for months. As of 12.00pm 13th April 2008 the statistics for the top 5 venues on gigall (based on hits) were as follows.

    1. Swell Bar - Cardiff (1450 hits)
    2. The Engineers Arms - Newport (1379)
    3. The Boars Head - Brecon (869)
    4. Cross Keys Hotel- Llantrisant (772)
    5. The Harvester - SOLIHULL (605)

    So, during the last couple of months potential customers of the SWELL BAR have visited SWELL Bar’s page on gigall 1450 times and are presented with NOTHING, which could imply that there is nothing on at the SWELL BAR.

    I know that is not the case.

    So...what does this say to me?

    Well is says to me that the management of the SWELL BAR are not that interested in advertising live music and aren’t concerned about others who have asked them to list their gigs on gigall. It only takes a couple of minutes to list a number of gigs on our website.

    If they were truly interested in marketing their venue then they would surely take advantage of any free listing sites like gigall. But they don’t…simple as that!

    Now there are many venues listed on gigall that do not regularly advertise their gigs on our pages. So why am I bothering to write this comment? What makes this venue so different?

    Over the last couple of months I have heard reports that the SWELL BAR have cancelled gigs with numerous bands that I regularly stay in contact with. I know of one band that has had a gig cancelled twice in a row for no apparent good reason.

    People visit websites like gigall to find out who is playing and where. They don't tend to visit us to confirm a gig. So if they see that a band is playing in five days time on a Friday night then they should expect to see that band, baring of course illnesses and other exceptions that could not be predicted. But if a venue cancel a gig because they would rather host a more profitable private function instead (which I know is the reason for the start of this debate) then I do get upset about it.

    It was even mentioned that the SWELL BAR had a Jazz Brunch running on Sunday mornings. Is it true that the musician/s were not being paid?

    If a band was behaving like this, and I got to hear of it, I would DELETE that band from the gigall database without any hesitation. Because I would like to think that all bands and venues on gigall share the same professional integrity to their jobs that I do.

    I have now heard enough complaints about the SWELL BAR to delete them from the gigall website. They are no longer listed on gigall.

    I will only allow them to relist themselves once I know that they have cleaned up their act AND I start to hear good and positive things about them. But judging by what I have heard recently.... don’t hold your breath.

     
  • At 3:15 pm , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I think that the lack to respond by Swell speaks volumes!
    Tom

     
  • At 3:29 pm , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    Thanks again for all your observations. Respect to the individuals who tell me about their gigs at Swell, but I haven't heard directly from the venue for several weeks. Personally I've been there once too often expecting to enjoy live music and not finding any, and there are other venues I can visit with more certainty of what's on offer.

     
  • At 4:58 pm , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    Having said that, DJ Andy Powell has just sent me this list of gigs at Swell Bar for May:

    2nd May: Jones O'Connor Group are headlining this opening night celebrating the work of photographer Dan Green. The exhibition continues throughout the
    weekend all over Cardiff. Supporting the Jones O'Connor Group will be Johnny Cage + The Voodoo Groove

    3rd May: Cardiff Funk Experiment: Saxophonist John Farrow leads this 4 piece Jazz Funk quartet. Over the years John has contributed much to the live Welsh music scene and can be seen regularly blowing his pipe with bands such as The Root Doctors.

    9th May: Jonny Ned Band - American Roots Music, Ned played with Van
    Morrison for years. This Trio offers a real Gumbo of Rhythm Blues + Funk.

    10th May: Junior Hacksaw, 3 piece Blues Soul RnB band with a smidge of Country thrown in for good measure. This fantastic trio comprises on drums - John Turner, on bass - Pete Hurley, and fronting the band, on guitar and vocals - Pete Matheson.

    16th May: Freak Unique. 3 piece Jazz Funk Band from Porthcawl. This young band offers the listener a truly exciting mix of what's old and what's new. To miss it is to miss out.

    17th May: Buena Risca Social Club: "One of the Best up-and-coming Latin Bands in the UK!" Mooka Music '07 . This hotbed of young local talent are guaranteed to get the party started. Their firey grooves and burning solos
    make for the hottest Latin band night in Cardiff.

    23rd May: Supernatural Blues Band; 5 piece blues band who give it plenty of welly. Their influences include the likes of Ray Charles and BB King.

    24th May: Fun House. Piano player Steve Hawkins leads this must see 6 piece New Orleans influenced band playing a melting pot of Ska Afro-Beat and JazzFunk Groove. Bring your own beads!

    30th May: Osabi, 4 piece band playing a fusion of African World Music. You may recognize bass player Asheel from past projects such as Wase - amazing talent!

    31st May: Compadres, Latin Funk band with musicians from Colombia, Chile, Uruguay and England mixing Salsa, Rumba and Cumbia to a strong funk beat, so if you want to get up and dance, Compadres will get you grooving 'Latin Style'!

    In addition to these, the JimJam Moondog acoustic open mike sessions continue on Wednesday nights.

     
  • At 11:27 am , Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I saw Virgil & The Accelerators down at Swell on Saturday. Well done for getting such a great band down there, the best yet by a long way. That boy sure plays some mean geetar. Looking forward to seeing more of the same please.

     
  • At 5:58 pm , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    A couple of updates - Andy Powell is no longer involved in booking bands at Swell Bar but he says he's been assured by the management that all existing bookings for June will be honoured.

    Also, the venue has set up a myspace site at www.myspace.com/swellbar - they've promised to post gig listings there but at the time of writing there's no info there.

     
  • At 10:01 am , Blogger Andy Roberts said...

    Just to let you know that the JimJam Moondog sessions on Wednesday nights have now finished. The Swell website and myspace site have not been updated for several weeks so there's no indication of any forthcoming events. Unless someone can convince me otherwise, I conclude Swell is no longer marketing itself as a music venue and we can draw this conversation to a close.

     

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home