Cardiff artists and performers are celebrating the reopening of a popular live music venue. The Moon reopened on the first of February after being closed for nearly two months due to rising costs. It joined a long list of music venues, including Gwdihŵ, Buffalo and 10 Feet Tall which closed recently in Cardiff.
But a new grant from Cardiff Council has ensured the venue can reopen with a new musical direction. Unlike its predecessor, The New Moon will be showcasing live and electronic music, with live performances from soul, neo-soul and R&B and hip-hop musicians.
Cardiff born rapper, Razkid, 30, says venues like The New Moon is essential for emerging artists, “Artists when they’re only starting off, they need a place to cut their teeth so to speak, kinda get used to actually being in front of a crowd, performing their music, interacting with people.”
The New Moon benefitted from a grant from Cardiff Council for grassroots music venues. The Council launched the pilot scheme to address the reduction in the number of promoters working in Cardiff and the closure of music venues. The pilot scheme offers independent music venues grants of up to £10,000.
Malika Blu, 23, a neo-soul and R&B artist who performed at the launch welcomed the reopening, “The Cardiff music scene needed this so much, there are a lot of venues but I don’t think there’s a lot of venues showcasing the artists that need to be showcased.”
Other venues have also benefitted from Cardiff Council’s support. Porters have announced a new fringe theatre, following a similar grant. The City Centre bar is set to open a new 60-seat pub theatre in addition to its live music offering
Cardiff Council Cabinet member for Culture, Parks and Events, Cllr Jennifer Burke says they want Cardiff to be a city where music thrives. “I’m delighted we have also been able to support the opening of its (Porters) new fringe theatre, ensuring even more new and emerging artists in the city have access to opportunities to grow and develop their craft”.