Swansea’s historic amphitheatre came alive with live music as the free two-day Amplitude festival welcomed crowds on 22 and 23 August.
The event featured an extensive programme of emerging and established acts from Swansea, across Wales and elsewhere in the UK.
Audiences enjoyed a diverse mix of soul-pop, surf rock, 1990s-inspired shoegaze and high-energy funk throughout the weekend.
Saturday night’s headliner M0LI delivered a set featuring creative choreography, powerful vocals and tracks including her debut single Suga Mama.
Originally from Gwaun-Cae-Gurwen, M0LI is regarded as one of Wales’s most exciting emerging artists.
The Pepperseeds brought the festival to a close on Sunday evening with a funk and soul performance.
Fronted by vocalist Dionne Bennett, the band entertained the crowd with the energetic performance style that has made it a favourite on the live music scene for more than a decade.
Swansea’s grassroots music scene was represented by local acts including alternative indie-rock outfit The Stray Pursuits, country band The Modern Rogues and genre-bending fusion rock band AKiMBO.
Americana-inspired Buttonsville and rising alt-rock act Zac and the New Men also appeared during the weekend.
The wider Welsh line-up included post-punk act Papa Jupe’s T.C., psychedelic rock six-piece Waterpistol and JD3, also known as the John Dignam Trio.
Birmingham blues-rock outfit Virgil and the Accelerators also performed as part of the festival’s commitment to supporting grassroots musicians from across the UK.
Councillor Elliott King, Cabinet Member for Culture, Human Rights & Equalities at Swansea Council said: “Amplitude is a shining example of how grassroots music and creative communities continue to thrive in Swansea.
“Swansea Council is proud to support events that not only provide high-quality free entertainment for residents and visitors but also create valuable opportunities for emerging artists from Swansea, Wales and across the UK to perform in front of new audiences.
“Events such as Amplitude also help showcase the strength of Swansea’s grassroots music scene and the important role it plays in the city’s cultural life.”
Amplitude’s celebration of grassroots music extended beyond the amphitheatre, with the festival and Swansea Council supporting additional events at independent venues in the city.
Down By Here hosted a performance from Celtic Vagabond on the Friday night before the festival, supported by Wild Eyed and Wicked & Obvious.
After Saturday’s amphitheatre programme, the celebrations continued at The Bunkhouse with Japanese psychedelic rock band HIBUSHIBIRE 秘部痺れ.
The band was joined by Swansea acts Stone Deaf, Creature Features and In With the Jellyfish for a late-night showcase.
A further grassroots music event will take place at Hippos on 30 August, featuring a multi-genre all-day rave.
Although separate from the free Amplitude programme, the supported events aim to connect audiences with the venues and artists at the centre of Swansea’s grassroots music scene. Tickets are available directly from the participating venues.
Amplitude forms part of Swansea Council’s summer events programme.
Further events include the Swansea International Jazz Festival, which will bring the summer programme to a close.
More information about upcoming events is available at Visit Swansea Bay.
