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Music of Newport, Wales
Welsh: Cerddoriaeth Casnewydd Cymru
Nickname: The New Seattle
Dennislyxzen.jpg
Swedish musician Dennis Lyxzen, performing at Le Pub
Location Newport, Wales
Genre(s) Including Alternative, Grunge, Metal, rock, Hip hop

Newport, a city in Wales, has a really cool and famous music scene! It's known for helping many bands and singers get their start. For a long time, since the 1970s, Newport was mostly a rock music city. But over the years, it has grown to include all kinds of music like punk, alternative rock, metal, and hip-hop.


Lots of musicians have come to Newport to perform or begin their careers. Some famous names linked to the city include Joe Strummer from The Clash, the band Feeder, The Darling Buds, Skindred, and Goldie Lookin Chain.

In 2001, a magazine called FHM even said that TJ's, a famous Newport music venue, was "one of the Top 50 best nights out in the world, ever." Newport is also home to Diverse Vinyl, the UK's biggest shop for new vinyl records, which opened in 1988.

In the 1990s, Newport became a hot spot for alternative rock music. People even called it 'the new Seattle' because so many great bands came from there. Bands like 60 Ft. Dolls, Dub War, Novocaine, and Flyscreen all started in Newport.

A filmmaker named Nathan Jennings announced in 2017 that he was making a documentary about Newport's music history. It's called The Rock of Newport.

Exploring Newport's Music History

Newport has played an important role in the music and culture of South Wales for many years. The Newport Art College, which is now part of the University of South Wales, attracted young photographers, musicians, and artists. They came from all over the UK to study in the city.

The college helped many students become successful artists. It also brought a lively cultural scene to Newport, especially for young people. For example, Joe Strummer from The Clash was part of this scene in the 1970s. He was involved with groups like The Vultures and The Gay Dogs, and later, many punk bands.

The 1990s saw a big rise in alternative rock and grunge music in the UK. Newport's music venues, like TJ's, started to attract many new and exciting bands.

Famous musicians like Kurt Cobain and the band Oasis either visited or performed in Newport. Bands such as 60 FT Dolls and Dub War were formed there. The city's reputation grew even more when famous radio DJ John Peel started talking about Newport's amazing nightlife.

Newport has its own radio station, Newport City Radio, which you can listen to online.

The Legendary TJ's Venue

See also: TJ's

TJ's opened in 1985 and quickly became a very famous rock venue. It was part of the 'toilet circuit', which is a group of small, independent music venues across the UK. John Peel, a famous radio DJ, called it "The Legendary TJ's." In 1997, FHM magazine voted it one of the top 50 'Big Nights Out' in the world.

John Sicolo first opened a restaurant with his wife Vivienne in 1971. He then bought the building next door to create a nightclub called "El Sieco's." This club hosted local folk music acts and other performers. In 1985, it was changed and renamed TJ's, after John and his partner Trilby Tucker.

TJs Newport 2010
TJ's Newport in 2010

TJ's became famous across the UK when it was featured in the music video for "Mulder and Scully" by the band Catatonia. It's also known as the place where Kurt Cobain proposed to Courtney Love.

Primal Scream 03 West Midlands 1989
Primal Scream performing in 1989

Many famous bands played at TJ's early in their careers. This list includes Oasis, Manic Street Preachers, Green Day, The Offspring, Iron Maiden, Sonic Youth, Muse, Primal Scream, and Skunk Anansie.

John Sicolo passed away in 2010. A special concert was held in his honor, with Goldie Lookin Chain headlining the show. In 2011, TJ's was sold.

In 2013, the building was damaged by a fire. The historic building has remained empty since then.

In 2012, John Sicolo's grandson, Ashley Sicolo, opened a new club called the 200 Club. It had lots of TJ's memories and posters. It later closed but reopened as El Sieco's on High Street in Newport city centre.

The Smiths' Only Newport Show

The famous UK band The Smiths only played in Newport once. In 1986, the lead singer Morrissey brought the band to the Newport Centre. This was after their popular album The Queen is Dead came out.

However, the show ended badly. Morrissey became unwell and had to go to the hospital. The audience was very upset and started to damage the venue. The band's sound engineer tried to apologize but was also hurt. The Smiths never played in Newport or Wales again after that night.

Newport's Music Scene Today

The 2000s brought many changes to Newport. Some of the city's old industries, like steelworks, started to decline. Even though the college and nightlife were still active, some venues like TJ's had to close. This was due to various problems, including financial difficulties.

During a time called Cool Britannia, Welsh bands like Manic Street Preachers, Feeder, and The Darling Buds became very popular. This movement was known as Cool Cymru.

One of the most iconic successes for Newport was the hip-hop group Goldie Lookin Chain. They became famous for their funny songs about life in South Wales.

In recent years, independent music venues have seen a comeback. Le Pub moved to a new location on High Street. It's now run as a community project. TJ's was briefly brought back at El Siecco's, but it didn't last long. The old TJ's building on Clarence Place is still empty. McCann's Rock 'n' Ale Bar also opened nearby.

The reopening of The Neon, an old cinema, has given the city a much-needed venue for arts, music, and events. It's especially good for urban and hip-hop performances, which didn't have many places to play in the city center before.

The increase in vinyl record sales has also been great for Newport. Diverse Vinyl has grown to become the UK's largest shop for new vinyl records. Many music studios have also opened, helping new bands record their music. One example is One Louder Studios in Shaftesbury.

Idles lead singer Joe Talbot was born in Newport in 1984. His father was friends with Joe Strummer when Strummer was at Art College, before he formed The Clash.

The Rock of Newport Documentary

Newport Bridge cherub
The cover for The Stone Roses' song Love Spreads shows the city crest, which you can see on Newport Bridge

Nathan Jennings, a filmmaker from Newport, announced in 2017 that he was raising money to make a documentary about the city's music past. The film will cover many topics, like Newport's connection to The Stone Roses' song "Love Spreads." It will also talk about the many famous bands who played in Newport, from Bowie and Blondie to Oasis and Ozzy. The documentary aims to show why it's important to support new music talent in Newport.

Music Scene Highlights

Famous Music Acts

Liam gallagher
Liam Gallagher of Oasis

Many famous acts have performed in Newport:

Bands and Artists from Newport

Goldie Lookin Chain at the Pyramid (323797528)
Goldie Lookin Chain

Here are some groups and solo artists who started or are linked to the Newport music scene:

Groups

  • High Contrast (studied in Newport)
  • Goldie Lookin Chain
  • Manic Street Preachers (recorded in Newport)
  • The Darling Buds
  • Feeder
  • 60 Ft. Dolls
  • Dub War
  • Skindred
  • Desecration
  • Raindancer
  • Terris
  • The Vandals
  • Chain of Flowers
  • Novocaine
  • Flyscreen
  • Cowboy Killers
  • Pizzatramp
  • XY&O / Skip Curtis
  • Jump the Underground

Solo artists

  • Joe Talbot of Idles
  • Donna Matthews of Elastica
  • Grant Nicholas (singer)
  • Nigel Pulsford of Bush
  • Nick Evans (trombonist)
  • Mai Jones
  • Holly Holyoake (classical singer)
  • Jon Langford (musician)
  • Jon Lee (drummer)
  • Jon Lilygreen (singer)
  • Maggot (rapper)
  • Mink-C (rapper)

Music Festivals in the Area

Newport and the surrounding area host several music festivals:

  • Tredegar House Folk Festival
  • Colour Clash
  • Let's Rock Wales
  • Portstock
  • Green Man Festival (in the nearby Brecon Beacons)
  • Caerleon Arts Festival

Local Radio Stations

You can listen to music and news from these local radio stations:

  • Newport City Radio
  • Gwent Radio
  • Energize Media CIC

Music Venues in Newport

Newport has a variety of places where you can enjoy live music:

Independent Venues

Former Venues

Arts Centers

Larger Auditoriums

Pubs and Bars with Music

Nightclubs

  • Atlantica Bar & Club
  • The Courtyard
  • Breeze

Chain Venues

  • Hogarths Newport
  • The John Wallace Linton
  • The Tom Toya Lewis
  • The Queen's Hotel

Recording Studios

Bands can record their music at these studios in Newport:

  • One Louder Studios, Albany Street
  • Le Mons, Albany Trading Estate
  • Record One, St Vincent Street
  • Kane Audio
  • Ty Du Recording Studio
  • Pentastar Studios

Record Labels

These companies help artists release their music:

Current Labels

  • Junta Records
  • Country Mile Records
  • Diverse Records
  • Madcap Records
  • Kriminal Records

Former Labels

  • Cheap Sweaty Fun
  • Words Of Warning Records
  • Rockaway Records

See also

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Music of Newport Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.