Classic Concerts at Cardiff University Students Union.
Over the years Cardiff University Student Union has played host to some classic gigs. All of the biggest names in music have played here, from Oasis to Basement Jaxx from Coldplay to Queens of the stone age. Below we look back and remember some of the best ones.Chemical Brothers - October 1996
The Chemicals arrived hot on the heels of releasing their breakthrough, multi million selling album Dig Your Own Hole. A collaboration with Noel Gallagher on the track Setting Sun had also given them their first number one single. The Great Hall played host to one of the all time great Cardiff Students Union shows. Kicking of with a roof raising Block Rockin Beats and finishing with the dance epic Private Physchedelic Reel, The Chemicals reserved their place in Cardiff folklore forever.
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Chemies rock the Great Hall
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Oasis - October 1994
Once upon a time Oasis were the most exciting band of a generation. Definitely Maybe had just been confirmed as the fatsest selling debut album of all time. Before Knebworth, Maine Road, Wembley, Finsbury Park, Murrayfield, City of Manchester Stadium, Hampden Park and countless gigs at Earls Court Oasis played the Great Hall. Legend has it that after a barnstorming gig they befriended a student living in the local area and headed en masse to their house to continue partying! Awesome.
Coldplay - November 2000
Coldplay are currently global megastars. Chris Martin has come a long way. Once a long haired indie hero, just 2 albums later he has progeressed into superstar rock God who is married to Hollywood A list actress Gwyneth Paltrow. In November 2000 Coldplay played the Great Hall as part of a Radio 1 run event. The success of Yellow and debut album Parachutes had catapulted them into the big time and they proceeded to wow a capacity 1500 audience. Without doubt one of the best performances the Great Hall has ever witnessed.
Franz Ferdinand - February 2004
Franz were the opening band of the NME Tour in 2004. The other bands were the Von Bondies, The Rapture and headliners Funeral for a Friend. Franz only played for 25 minutes but blew all the others out of the water. They opened with Take Me Out and finished with Michael. Virtually unknown when they strutted on to the stage, less than a year later they are mega stars having won 3 Brits at the recent Brit Awards. And this it where the journey began.
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Franz celebrate making the big time.
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Basement Jaxx - March 2001
Shortly after the release of 2001 Rooty Basement Jaxx embarked on their biggest UK tour to date. Part of it included taking in the Great Hall. The gig sold out in record time with people coming from all over Wales to glimpse the dance heroes. Felix Button and Simon Ratcliffe were hailed as the saviours of truly innovative dance music. They were truly excellent and we hope they return soon.
The Killers - February 2005
The Killers headlined this years NME tour over a cracking bill that featured Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party and The Futureheads. Not only was the whole bill absolutely fabulous but The Killers were absolutely superb. Wearing a pink jacket Brandon Flowers took to the stage and confirmed The Killers stature as one of Britains biggest bands.The band finished with A ten minute version of All the Things That I've Done that was stunning. One of the greatest gigs i have ever seen.
Supergrass/ Libertines - October 2002
Back when Supergrass were big hitters they took a then little known band featuring a certain Mr Peter Doherty and Carlos Barat on tour as their main support. They had yet to release their barnstorming debut Up The Bracket. Before the concert Doherty was spotted in The Taf wearing a leather mini skirt and playing pool with Danny Goffey and Rob Coombes of Supergrass. Less than an hour later the Libs ripped through a barnstorming set that included I Get Along, What a Waster and Up the Bracket. Supergrass then came on and proved why they were one of the best british guitar bands of a generation. Soon after The Libertines claimed their place in rock folklore.
The Darkness - October 2003
What a show this was. Whatever your opinion of The Darkness now, back then they were the hottest rock band in Britain. They could have sold out this show 5 times over. Wearing his trade mark cat suit Justin took to the stage and ripped through the classics off Permission To Land. During Love is only a Feeling he mounted the shoulders of 2 security who proceeded to carry him through the crowd while he carried on playing the Guitar solo. In that moment a star was born. They finished with a storming cover of Radiohead's Street Spirit.
Fatboy Slim - October 2004
This was a cracker. Fatboy's stage was built in the middle of the floor. Meaning Fatboy had fans all around him. He walked through the crowd to get to his stage before playing for over 2 hours. Believe me, Norman Cook really knows how to get a crowd going.
Stereophonics - June 2003
Back in the days when Stuart Cable and his crazy afro were still part of the group, The Stereophonics rocked the Great Hall. Done as a show to preview their fourth album You Gotta Go There To Come Back, 1500 lucky fans were given the opportunity to witness one of the most popular bands of the last decade on their home turf. This was shortly before Cable's acrimonious departure from the band and ironically the biggest cheer of the night came when the big man took to the stage. The Phonics played for over 2 hours and were really very good. Welsh Wonders!
Queens of the Stage Age - October 2002
This was a very hot, very sweaty and very loud concert. Nick Oliveri took to the stage in a pair of pants with his usual trademark eccentric facial hair. Mark Lanegan formerly of Screaming Trees made a guest appearance. This gig was just after the release of the bands third album Songs for the Deaf and their breakthrough smash No One Knows. An excellent show that went down a storm.
