Issue 154

Summer Ball Lineup

12th March 2007

It is Swansea University's biggest annual event, and this year promises to be better than ever. Waterfront music editor, Pete Hayman, takes a look at the headline acts who will be raising the temperature this year.

The Automatic

The Automatic are the superstar quartet that hail from the fashionable rock 'n' roll citadel that is Cowbridge, smack bang in the middle of the Vale of Glamorgan. The band that gate-crashed the Top Ten with Monster in 2006 formed through a love of Blur, Radiohead, and fellow Welsh rockers, Manic Street Preachers.

Since signing to B-Unique in 2005 they've brought to the UK chart their unique sound of electric-disco punk and last year saw the release of the critically acclaimed debut album, Not Accepted Anywhere, which made the Top Three.

After wowing crowds across Britain as part of the Shockwaves NME Awards Indie Rock Tour, The Automatic can be guaranteed to provide an electric performance when they come down to Swansea.

LibertyX

The Brit Award winners, Liberty X, have been filling dance floors for over six years now and are still going strong. Despite failing to win a place in the band Hear'Say on Popstars, the five members formed a rival group and went on to cram the charts with pop classics such as Just a Little and Got to Have Your Love.

Even the most cautious pop fan has heard a Liberty X hit, and when it's cheese you're looking to hear, they're not afraid to provide it, with some decent dance moves thrown in too. Their talent has been taken around Europe, Australia and America, and for just one day only, they will be honouring Swansea with their pure pop presence.

Pendulum

Pendulum first met in their home-town of Perth, Australia in 2002 with their individual formative roots ranging from producing breakbeat, trance and hardcore to playing in metal and punk bands.

Their comparable talents proved an unstoppable force, managing to conquer the world within a year, confirmed by chart topping hits and numerous awards. After selling 100,000 units in the UK of their debut album Hold Your Colour, remixing for such respected artists as The Prodigy, and featuring regularly on BBC Radio 1.

Whilst continuing to DJ in recent months, Pendulum have decided that it's time to take things to the next level, making their appearance at the Summer Ball one to savour.

Pete Hayman