While our focus is sustainable fashion, much of our inspiration came from underground music events in Cardiff. We’ve even put a few epic parties on ourselves. Cardiff’s underground scene is unique and thriving. Lack of large, purpose-built venues mean we don’t have the consistent series of events that other cities do, like Manchester’s Warehouse Project, Bristol’s Motion, and London’s countless institutions such as Fabric, Printworks, and so on. That means it’s harder to find out about all the incredible underground events, because most promoters use several venues, and most venues host a wide range of events. Some might say there’s a lack of consistency.
To make it easier to find all the good stuff, we thought we’d compile a list of some underground nightlife brands to look out for in Cardiff.
These are alphabetically ordered, and include many underground genres. Is your Cardiff event missing from here? Message us on Facebook and we'll add it to the list.
Anything Goes
Expect ear-worm rarities and your favourite belters in the form of: disco - house - techno - garage - electro - breaks - jungle and everything in between.
Check their Facebook out here.
Breathe
We love Breathe. We’ve been with them since their first events and we’ll be at every one there is. Breathe bring deep minimal beats to iconic venues in Cardiff such as Buffalo (RIP), Undertone and beyond. Big things to come from this brand.
Breathe’s Facebook page.
Canopy
Hugely popular drum and bass promoter in Cardiff bringing warehouse parties at Frontal Lobe warehouse, vaults and beyond. Previous bookings include:
DJ Hype, Dub Phizix, Hazard, Serum, Bladerunner, Serial Killaz, Ed Solo, S.P.Y,
Benny Page, Sub Zero, Benny L, Limited, T>I, Upgrade, Kenny Ken, Annix,
Deekline, Run Tingz Cru, Kursiva.
Expect full scale production and epic line-ups.
Check them out here.
Delete
Delete are a cultural institution in Cardiff. Purveyors of house music in the city for many years, you haven’t lived the Cardiff scene until you’ve been to one of their events.
Facebook page here.
Disko Rekah
Bringing you some of the biggest drum & bass and jungle selectors alongside Cardiff’s best DJs on a weighty system in one of Cardiff's finest basements!
Their past events at Jacob’s and Undertone have been BIG. Their use of themed décor and solid selectors makes for a guaranteed good night. Popular with locals and students.
More info here.
E L E M E N T S
A new brand to the scene at the time of writing, E L E M E N T S is sure to make waves. The people behind it have been involved in Cardiff’s underground long enough to know exactly what Cardiff needs to have deep and moving parties.
Here’s what they had to say, ‘E L E M E N T S - The unique underground brand hitting Cardiff in Jan 2019.
Real connections are created on the dance floor by staying true to our underground E L E M E N T S of deep tech, tribal house and progressive electronic grooves.
Our carefully selected headline acts and residents will heighten your senses and transport your mind and body on a level of pure liberation and togetherness.’
Here’s their Facebook page.
Endgame
Endgame don’t do events very often, but when they do, expect mayhem. Their debut in Cardiff saw them converting iconic venue Vaults into 3 rooms of multi-genre madness. They were the first team to put festival level production in the banking hall, and a BIG line up including Bassboy and Redlight.
Flatline
Flatline put events on in several venues in the city. They cover all aspects of DnB, and with heavy hitting Cardiff residents such as ONI as well as solid well-known bookings, their sell-out events are not to be missed.
Fined Flatline’s Facebook page here.
Haŵs
Haŵs put parties on at a range of venues in Cardiff including Jacob’s Market, Undertone, and The Big Top.
Haŵs ≈ "house"
Cardiff based party series and record label.
Showing up here, there and everywhere in your record store of trust.
Cardiff. 180 gram. Vinyl only.
More info here.
Helium
Helium put events on all over the UK, their Cardiff events have taken place in Clwb Ifor Bach and Undertone featuring house, techno and disco.
More info here.
High-Fidelity
High-Fidelity’s Cardiff debut event saw a packed Vaults dancing to house / tech / techno, it was banging. Their next was at Frontal Love (Fluidity) warehouse, and it was also banging. Their events aren’t always in Cardiff. Expect mind-blowing productions and quality dance music from residents and bookings.
Check their Facebook page for more info.
ILLUSION
ILLUSION is a student-run event night that showcases the finest selection of house and techno. Utilising some of Cardiff’s quirkiest small venues, Undertone and The Big Top, their events are intimate and lively.
Here’s their Facebook page.
Luna
At the time of writing, Luna are due to celebrate their first birthday with their seventh event, bringing the best in underground Techno, Acid and House to Cardiff's favourite basement. Join them for a very special night of the darkest, deepest and most delicious beats! Their focus is on letting talented local DJ’s thrive playing the Techno and variants they love most.
With low ticket prices and top tunes, you’re in for a treat at Luna events. Find their Facebook page and further events here.
Noise Makers 21
Full time party throwers providing opportunities for people to be creative. A collection of skilled djs that showcase a spectrum of drum & bass at events & festivals across Cardiff, Bristol, Swansea & the rest of South Wales.
More info here.
Paradox music and events
Another event new to the scene at the time of writing, Paradox boasts a heavyweight line-up of residents from South Wales, and is sure to make inroads on the scene. Expect hard hitting TECHNO vibes with a SPRINKLE of ACID on top.
Residents include:
- Ryan Ross
- Mathew Hart
- State of Minds
- Noralane
- Old as Dust
More info here.
Paranoize
Paranoize is a multi-genre night bringing you the best in grime, garage, bass & DnB. Well-established in Cardiff now, their events are packed and booming. Often in Undertone basement, but utilising other venues too, such as Kongs. Music brought to you by Cardiff’s talented locals and beyond.
Here’s their FB page for more info.
Rhetorik events
These are our own events. We go mad on the décor, venues with character and truly talented artists in all electronic genres. We can confidently say that everyone loves them. See you at the next one.
Here’s our Facebook page.
Rotary Club | Blue Honey | Groove Theory
These three movements do great individual events in themselves, but every now and then they team together to bring you the best in house, disco and beyond.
Make sure to check the Blue Honey Night Café out too. Good times and quirky vibes guaranteed.
Check them out here. Rotary Club - Blue Honey - Groove Theory
Robot Monkey
Robot Monkey are a recent production group from South Wales. From the creation of their unique sound at underground parties in the heart of the Welsh countryside in 2017 they offer a unique, organic twist to the underground dance scene. Expect deep house, live percussion and all the quirk and vibes therein.
Their past events have included a warehouse party at Cardiff Speaker Hire, a basement party at undertone, and more.
Spectrum
This techno event utilises some great venues in Cardiff, such as Buffalo (RIP) and Vaults.
They say, ‘Spectrum is a strictly techno event that will represent all elements of techno. Whether you like it minimal, tribal, industrial etc... We'll have it covered!’
Find their latest events on their Facebook page.
SUBMERGE CARDIFF
Born in 2013 from a love of bass music & soundsystem culture. SUBMERGE is the underground bass music collective pushing all things 140 in Cardiff.
Summit
Launched in 2019, Summit brings an exciting medley of bass, house, techno and garage to Cardiff. Their first event launches in Undertone, one of the most popular underground venues in Cardiff. We look forward to seeing Summit grow in the city. Multi genre events get us hyped.
Check their Facebook out.
Switch Up
Multi-genre events often held in undertone, ‘The City’s best selectas spinning a mixture of 140, Bass, Drum and Bass & Jungle.’
More info here.
Teak
TEAK is a DIY night and venue in Cardiff located under an antiques emporium. Their music is always well selected and they often bring immensely talented underground artists to join their residents, notably, names like MCDE. Their events are known to sell out fast. The feel is good-times and intimate. It’s all about the music for TEAK.
More info here.