Cardiff has a brand-new home for live music, and it arrived in style last night as Noah Kahan opened the first-ever Blackweir Music Series in Bute Park. With 25,000 fans packed into the back field behind the university buildings, the night marked a bold and emotional start for the city’s newest large-scale venue.
The site itself is massive, split between a main viewing area and an upgraded ‘Garden’ section — a premium space that cost an extra £20 for those wanting to get closer to the action. It’s a setup that’s become more common at live shows, with artists creating golden circles or VIP pens, but last night the extra cost did bring fans closer to a polished production.
Before Kahan’s arrival, support came from two very different but well-received acts. First up was SEBASTIAN SCHUB, who delivered a heartfelt opening set. Then came Djo, the psychedelic indie project fronted by Stranger Things actor Joe Keery. Doubts about his music credentials were quickly put to rest, this was a tight, confident performance packed with groove and emotion. “This is our first time in Wales,” Keery said, adding with a grin, “It won’t be the last.” The crowd clearly agreed.
As the sky began to dim and the field filled out, it was time for Noah Kahan. Dressed in his usual cornrows and poncho style robes and framed by long strands of fabric and a massive screen behind the band, his entrance was met with a roar loud enough to rival the reaction usually reserved for Principality Stadium shows across the river. Opening with All My Love, he got straight to it, thanking the crowd for “letting me sing my sad songs” — a self-deprecating nod to his lyric-heavy style that fans couldn’t get enough of.
From there, the set moved through favourites including Everywhere, Everything, Pain is Cold Water and Forever. Then, in a moment that caught the field off guard, Kahan disappeared from the main stage and reappeared on a smaller platform halfway up the field, right in the middle of the crowd. For those who hadn’t splashed out on a Garden pass, it was an up-close-and-personal moment with an artist known for emotional vulnerability and real connection. Alone with just his guitar, he played Growing Sideways, followed by Call Your Mom, a request taken directly from the crowd.
Back on the main stage, the mood shifted. As the sun dropped and a few light drops of rain fell, the tempo lifted. Great Divide, Orange Juice, and You’re Gonna Go Far got the field moving, but it was Northern Attitude that delivered one of the night’s biggest moments — a full-field chorus of 25,000 voices singing every word. It felt huge.
Of course, one song remained. When the band left the stage, chants of “Noah, Noah!” broke out instantly. After a short pause, the encore began with The View Between Villages, before closing , finally with Stick Season. Extended slightly for the live show, it turned into a full-field release: people dancing, hugging, crying, and singing every lyrics like they have been practicing this moment for months.
As far as first nights go, this was a huge successes . The Blackweir site proved it can handle large crowds, big names, and create something Cardiff can rival sites like Hyde park in London, Imagine Oasis in this field .A new outdoor venue right in the heart of the city has been born. Yes, the exits were a bit slow and the drive home slightly chaotic, but with shows from Alanis Morissette, Slayer and Stevie Wonder coming up, there’s time to tighten things up.
For those who came for Noah Kahan, though, none of that mattered. This was a night Cardiff will remember for a long time.
