🔥 Introduction: A Night of Welsh Rock Majesty 🐉
Location: Utilita Arena, Cardiff
Date: December 14th, 2024
Headliners: Those Damn Crows
Support: Florence Black & Scarlet Rebels
Crowd Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Welsh Saying of the Night: “C’mon Wales!” roared louder than the amps!
On December 14th, 2024, the walls of Cardiff’s Utilita Arena trembled under the might of Those Damn Crows, as the Bridgend legends brought their biggest headline show to date to a thunderous, sold-out crowd. What followed was a celebration of Welsh rock at its absolute peak – a tidal wave of riffs, anthems, and pure emotional power. It wasn’t just a gig – it was a moment in history.
C’mon Wales… we showed the world how it’s done. 🏴🔥
🎤 The Band: On Fire and Unstoppable 🖤
From the moment the band hit the stage, the atmosphere erupted. With a wall of pyro and a scream of feedback, the Crows opened the night with “Who Did It”, instantly igniting the arena.
🕶️ Shane Greenhall – Vocals / Piano 🎹
Commanding, passionate, and on a mission – Shane’s vocals were world-class. From tender piano-led moments to explosive high notes, he delivered with the fire of a frontman at the top of his game.
🧢 Ronnie Huxford – Drums 🥁
Like a rolling thunderstorm, Ronnie drove every track with monstrous power. His primal beat in “Wake Up (Sleepwalker)” was enough to shake your pint loose. Bendigedig, butt!
🎸 David Winchurch – Lead Guitar 🎸
Searing solos? Absolutely. Emotion? Bucketloads. Winch melted faces with every lick, making “Blink of an Eye” feel like a spiritual experience.
🎸 Ian “Shiner” Thomas – Rhythm Guitar 🎸
Holding the storm together, Shiner’s razor-sharp riffs gave the band its solid backbone – all delivered with that unmistakable Valleys swagger.
🎸 Lloyd Wood – Bass Guitar 🎸
Heavy, groovy, and locked in – Lloyd’s bass thundered beneath it all, especially during “Send the Reaper” where the low-end shook the very core of the crowd.
🎵 Setlist Highlights:
Here’s the setlist that had the Cardiff crowd bouncing like the dragon was awake:
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Who Did It – An explosive opener that set the tone 🔥
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Send the Reaper – Crowd erupted. Fists in the air.
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Blink of an Eye – Emotional gut-punch. Lighters everywhere.
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Wake Up (Sleepwalker) – Huge chorus, massive energy.
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Be You – Shane’s message to the crowd hit hard – “be proud of who you are!”
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This Time I’m Ready – A sea of voices singing every word 🖤
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Man on Fire – Pyros, solos, and pure fire.
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Rock ‘n’ Roll Ain’t Dead – A nod to the fans and the old school 🤘
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Long Time Dead – The whole arena jumped.
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Sin on Skin – Filthy, furious, and a live staple.
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See You Again – Piano. Emotion. Magic.
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Sick of Me – One of their most intense live cuts.
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Go Get It – The ultimate closer. Fireworks. Flames. FURY.
Encore:
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Kingdom of Dust – One last haunting goodbye 💨
🧡 Crowd Energy:
From the front row to the back of the bleachers, this was a community. Crows fans came in droves – black feathers, t-shirts, flags, tears, and beers. The singalongs were spine-tingling, and the mosh pits were tidy chaos. Ych-a-fi to the toilets, but 10/10 for the vibe! 😅
🎉 Final Verdict:
Those Damn Crows didn’t just play a concert – they made a statement.
This was arena-level rock with heart, soul, and hometown grit. Every song hit like a freight train of emotion and energy. Whether you’re a diehard fan or a first-timer, you walked out changed.
C’mon Wales! We did Bridgend proud! 🏴🔥
⭐ Rating: 11/10 – Rock ‘n’ roll ain’t dead… it’s got feathers.
🖤 Crow fans – were you there? What was your highlight? Let us know below and give it a caw! 🐦💬
#ThoseDamnCrows #LiveInCardiff #CmonWales #RockNRollAintDead #Bendigedig #UtilitaArenaCardiff #CrowSquad #WelshRockLegends #YmaOHyd 🐉🎤
Michael is the founder, editor, and chief riff wrangler behind The Riff Report, an independent Welsh rock and metal publication built by fans, for fans. With a lifelong passion for loud guitars, unforgettable live shows, and the incredible community that surrounds rock and metal, he created The Riff Report to celebrate everything that makes the scene special—from legendary headline acts and grassroots venues to rising bands that deserve to be heard.
A familiar face at festivals across the UK, Michael spends much of the year covering events including Download Festival, Bloodstock Open Air, Steelhouse Festival, Firevolt, Plumpton Revival, and many more. Whether he’s battling the Welsh weather on a mountainside, surviving a weekend in a muddy campsite, or squeezed against the front barrier with thousands of fellow fans, he’s always searching for the next great story to share.
As editor of The Riff Report, Michael writes festival guides, breaking news, album reviews, gig reviews, interviews, opinion pieces, nostalgia features, and behind-the-scenes stories from across the rock and metal world. His writing combines honest opinions, humour, and a genuine love for live music, bringing readers closer to the bands, festivals, venues, and people that keep the scene alive.
Michael is particularly passionate about supporting independent artists, local venues, charities, and the wider UK rock and metal community. He believes every band deserves a chance to be discovered and every festival has a story worth telling. Through The Riff Report, he aims to shine a spotlight on both the biggest names in rock and the future stars waiting to break through.
When he’s not writing or interviewing artists, you’ll probably find him exploring festival campsites, photographing live shows, chatting with fellow fans over a pint, or planning the next road trip in search of more riffs, bigger crowds, and unforgettable moments.
Above all, Michael believes rock and metal are about more than music—they’re about community, friendship, and creating memories that last a lifetime. That’s exactly what The Riff Report exists to celebrate.
Proudly Welsh. Proudly Loud. Always chasing the next great riff. 🤘
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