Day three of Llais Festival brought a chance to slow things down, with singer-songwriter Bess Atwell taking to the stage in the West Wing at the Wales Millennium Centre for an evening of intimate, quietly captivating songwriting.
There was something particularly lovely about watching Atwell perform, with a room full of people sitting back and giving her their undivided attention. No unnecessary fuss, no big theatrics, just an artist and her songs.
Llais, Cardiff’s international arts and music festival celebrating the power of the human voice, felt like a fitting home for Atwell’s introspective sound. Best known for her 2021 album Already, Always and her most recent record, Light Sleeper, the singer-songwriter has a knack for turning deeply personal experiences into something that feels strangely familiar to everyone listening.
There’s a softness to Atwell’s demeanour that immediately draws you in. She’s particularly understated between songs but never lacking in confidence. She doesn’t need to demand the room’s attention; she seems to know she already has it.
The evening felt like a reminder of what live music can be when you strip everything back. Usually accompanied by synths, this time it was just her and her guitar, with the occasional appearance of an egg shaker for good measure. There was no need for anything more. Without the layers of production, every lyric felt that little bit closer.
Atwell’s songwriting is deeply personal, often exploring relationships, identity and the complicated business of being a person in the world.
Elsewhere, songs touching on her relationship with her disabled sibling brought another layer of vulnerability to the performance. There’s a real honesty to the way Atwell approaches subject close to home, allowing the emotion to speak for itself rather than spelling everything out.
That openness also extended to the newer material. Having released her first new music in some time just last week, Atwell gave the audience a taste of what’s to come, prompting a little, excited whoop from the room. It was a lovely reminder that even in a set built around reflection and stillness, there’s plenty to look forward to.
And there’s more on the horizon. Atwell revealed that a new album is on the way, although she remained tight-lipped about its title and release date. Instead, she offered up the next single, Overshare, a song exploring what happens when you give so much of yourself away.
It’s an idea that feels particularly suited to an artist whose music often asks listeners to sit with uncomfortable feelings rather than rush past them.
Atwell’s set was full of those little moments that make live music feel personal, even when you’re sharing it with a crowd.
And that’s perhaps what stayed with me most about the evening. Most artists aim to grab our attention, yet there was something refreshing about an artist who trusts her songs to hold it.
With a new album on the horizon and Overshare offering a first glimpse of what’s to come, there’s plenty of reason to keep Bess Atwell on your radar. But her set was also a reminder of the beauty in simply being present, something that feels particularly fitting for a festival celebrating the power of live music.
There’s still plenty more to come at Llais. Running until the 11th of October at the Wales Millennium Centre, the festival continues to bring an eclectic mix of music and arts to Cardiff Bay, with plenty more opportunities to discover your next favourite artist.
