There could hardly have been a better way to begin a huge weekend of rock and metal in Cardiff.
Earlier in the week, I had been photographing The Cure during one of the hottest spells of the year, where simply standing outside all day felt like a challenge. By comparison, Saturday’s conditions at Cardiff Castle couldn’t have been much better. The sun was still shining, but the heat had eased just enough to make it the perfect setting for the inaugural Blackbird Festival.
There was already a real buzz around the city before the first band took to the stage. With Blackbird Festival opening the weekend and Metallica due to take over the Principality Stadium the following evening, Cardiff had become the metal capital of the world, if only for a weekend. That feeling was only reinforced by the unexpected sight of Metallica bassist Robert Trujillo casually backstage, one of those surreal festival moments that reminds you just how connected these events can become.
Opening a brand-new festival always comes with a degree of expectation, but Blackbird settled into its stride quickly. Cardiff’s own Cardinal Black provided a smooth, measured start to the day, before fellow South Wales outfit Florence Black raised the tempo with a typically energetic set. Fresh from releasing their latest album, the trio were clearly enjoying the occasion, and the home support responded in kind as the castle grounds continued to fill.
Mammoth, fronted by Wolfgang Van Halen, followed with an assured performance that showcased just how far the band has come in recent years. Their songs carried plenty of weight, but there was also a confidence and polish that never felt forced, keeping the momentum building as the evening approached.
If one performance truly captured the atmosphere of the day, it was Skindred. Benji Webbe remains one of the most charismatic frontmen in British rock, and from the moment the band arrived on stage, the energy shifted up another level. Tracks including Nobody and Kill the Power kept the crowd moving, but it was the sense of collective participation that defined the set. As Warning began, Benji once again orchestrated the famous Newport Helicopter, transforming Cardiff Castle into a sea of spinning T-shirts in what was easily the most memorable visual moment of the festival. The surprise appearance of Florence Black frontman Tristan Thomas for the closing song only added to an already unforgettable finish.
Headlining their own festival, Alter Bridge closed the evening with the kind of polished performance fans have come to expect over the last two decades. Myles Kennedy sounded superb throughout, while Mark Tremonti’s guitar work echoed around the castle walls as the band worked through a set that balanced heavier material with some of their best-known songs. There was also a lovely moment when the band paused to sing Happy Birthday to a fan celebrating in the crowd, a simple gesture that brought a smile to thousands watching. By the time Metalingus brought the night to a close, it felt like a fitting end to a day that had delivered from start to finish.
For a first edition, Blackbird Festival rarely felt like a festival finding its feet. Everything ran smoothly, the setting of Cardiff Castle provided a spectacular backdrop, and the lineup struck a strong balance between established international names and some of the best rock talent Wales has to offer.
As the crowds drifted away into the Cardiff night, attention naturally began to turn towards Sunday’s Metallica show. Blackbird Festival had done exactly what it set out to do, launching a weekend that briefly made Cardiff feel like the centre of the metal world. For a first edition, it couldn’t have asked for a stronger start.
