Faithless Bring Cardiff Castle to Life in Emotional, Euphoric Return

Faithless returned to Cardiff for the first time since the passing of the iconic Maxi Jazz and what a powerful homecoming it was. A night of nostalgia, energy, and celebration in the heart of the city, with support from Kosheen and Chicane, it proved once again why electronic music still hits hardest when it’s live.

Kosheen opened the show, and for frontwoman Sian Evans, it was clearly something special. Back on home turf, playing to a packed Cardiff Castle crowd, she looked genuinely moved — spotting familiar faces in the crowd and soaking up the moment. You could feel how much it meant. The band even snuck in an extra song, a rare thing for an opener, but the crowd were loving every minute.

Next up was Chicane, working solo behind the decks with a stripped-back setup. No frills, just a masterclass in golden-hour anthems. The crowd was bouncing as he rolled out track after track of sunset-drenched classics. He couldn’t resist a cheeky dig at Calvin Harris either, suggesting this is the original, referencing their recent spat over similarities to his track Offshore. It was a smooth, nostalgic set that really hit in that perfect light as the sun dropped behind the castle.

Then, Faithless. With a slightly reworked lineup, the show kicked off with Forever and quickly ramped up with the likes of Insomnia, God Is a DJ, and We Come 1. The energy was full-on from start to finish — lasers slicing through the castle grounds, smoke pouring from the stage, and thousands of hands in the air. It felt like stepping back into the late ‘90s, and for a few hours, time stood still.

Though Maxi Jazz was deeply missed, his presence was felt. His image lit up the screens during key moments, and his spirit was clearly woven into every beat. It was an emotional, powerful reminder of how much he meant — not just to the band, but to us, the fans.

This wasn’t just a gig; it was a proper experience. Three acts, one unforgettable setting, and a night that had the older ravers (and plenty of new ones) dancing like it was their first festival all over again. What a show. What a tribute. Cardiff Castle you have done it again, how lucky are we to have this venue in the centre of our city were we come 1 .