Sound Garden is not just a band from Seattle, it’s a live music event in Llanelli!

By Trudi Goldsmith

Llanelli is bustling with live music and not everyone knows about what’s on or where to go. Through word of mouth I got to hear about an Event called Sound Garden that takes place in North Dock Llanelli.

In order to find out more about Sound Garden, I started with a search on the internet that led me to their Facebook page and I discovered that they had a live music event arranged for Saturday 2nd March 2013.

I decided Sound Garden would be the place for me to go on that night and I planned to watch the musicians perform and find out exactly what it is all about.

The venue for Sound Garden is at the far end of the lake in the World Horizons Building in North Dock, Llanelli. The room is a large warehouse type space with various tables and sofa’s scattered about the room with lit candles on each table to add atmosphere.

The musicians performing space is well lit up and is at a focal point in the room which means that wherever you sit you can see the musicians’ performing.

Even though I was older than the average person at the event( the age range appeared to be around 14 -20), I felt comfortable and relaxed and the atmosphere was very good.

Everyone present appeared to be having a good time enjoying the music, food and also had the opportunity to have henna tattoos or to buy a Sound Garden T shirt.

The event started at about 7.30pm and numerous solo artists, duos, trios and bands of varying abilities entertained the crowd.

The first act was a four piece band named Borderline who stated that their usual singer was not available so the bass player and guitarist shared the singing. They played a mixture of cover songs including Hot Stuff by Donna Summer, Poison’s Talk dirty to me and Everlong by the Foo fighters.

Second on was Steve on guitar and Alex on vocals and they entertained the crowd with two cover songs including a well performed version of Valerie by The Zutons.

Third act was Charli Bicknell who angelically sung and played acoustic guitar whilst performing her own original songs, which were also available on cd to buy on the night.

Next up was a trio who introduced themselves as Dean, Shawn and Lauren who said that they had just made up the name ‘Volume of Revolution’ for themselves. They played some cover songs including an uplifting version of Mr Brightside by the Killers.

Next up was a boy and girl duo that played a Young Guns and a You Me at Six song

They were followed by Jonathan and Max who made use of an acoustic guitar and a cardboard box to obtain their soulful original sound.

The closing act was a band called the Zookeepers who played four original songs and 2 cover songs.

At the start of their set the guitarist started playing, followed by the bass player and then the drums kicked in to present a tight, melodic, polished indie rock sound topped by powerful vocals which finished off their very impressive live sound.

This band was most definitely a great choice of acts to top the bill for the night and they were well received by the crowd who appeared to appreciate their live bubbly stage presence and great sound.

This band is most definitely a band to watch out for around the Llanelli Music Scene and beyond.

The Sound Garden event provided a safe, well organised and free night for young people who live in the Llanelli area and a platform for first time performers and more experienced ones to display their musical talents to a warm and responsive crowd.

For more about Sound Garden check out their Facebook page and watch out for our interview on the Llanelli Music Scene page with one of the organisers of Sound Garden, Rhosanna Lowe.

I would also recommend checking out the sounds of Charli Bicknell via her facebook page

Photograph courtesy of Sound Garden’s Facebook page.