Photo Credit: Adamross Williams
On the crisp evening of November 30th, Cardiff Utilita Arena became a sacred ground for an unforgettable musical journey. With its intimate capacity of 5,000, this venue provided the perfect setting for an evening that felt more like a shared ritual than just another concert. Worshippers of both Bilmuri and Sleep Token gathered in anticipation for a night of musical transcendence, each performance uniquely capturing a different facet of the human experience.
The night was opened by Bilmuri, a solo project led by Johnny Franck, who is also a former member of the band Attack Attack! from Ohio. The name Bilmuri itself is a humorous and playful abbreviation of the name of actor and comedian Bill Murray, which aligns with the project’s quirky and experimental style. Bilmuri blends genres such as post-hardcore, alternative rock, post-jazz, and pop, injecting humour and a fresh, experimental edge into its music. This fusion has gained the project a cult following, as Franck’s ability to balance wit with authenticity and musical complexity resonates deeply with fans. Bilmuri’s success exemplifies how independent artists can carve out their own space in the modern music landscape.
The set began with the emotionally charged song EMPTYHANDED, a track that captures themes of self-doubt and inadequacy. The song builds slowly, combining soaring vocals with a powerful instrumental arrangement that moves from soft introspection to explosive catharsis. The American-themed undertones in the music give it a unique edge, enhancing its reflective and emotional depth. As the set continued, Bilmuri’s more playful and quirky side emerged through songs like ABSOULUTELYCRANKINGMYMF’INHOG and FLUORIDEINTHEHARDSELTZERWATER. Brimming with upbeat rhythms and infectious melodies, these tracks were delivered with a fun, carefree attitude, embracing life’s chaos with a tongue-in-cheek approach. These tracks are a nod to living in the moment, unrestrained and unapologetically, reflecting the band’s ability to mix humour with musical innovation.
Throughout the set, vocalist and saxophonist Gabi Rose added a distinctive and memorable touch to the performance. Her appearances were timed to perfection, particularly in moments when the songs called for an unexpected twist or a soulful infusion. Rose’s contributions elevated the emotional impact of the set, with her saxophone and vocal talents adding a richness that enhanced the overall performance. One notable highlight was the track BOUTTA CASHEW, which, on the surface, might seem nonsensical but carries deeper, more introspective meanings. The funky and experimental instrumentation at the end of the song, combined with the cryptic lyric “you stain everything around me,” creates a warped tone that underscores the complexity of Bilmuri’s music. Another standout was THE END, a solemn track that provided a moment of introspection amidst the energetic set, exploring themes of closure and personal transformation with gradual builds of layered melodies and swelling instrumentals.
Perhaps the most poignant moment came with STRAIGHT THROUGH YOU, a song introduced by Franck as an open and vulnerable expression of a difficult time in his life. Franck explained that 2016 had been a particularly hard year, a time when he didn’t see much purpose in life. This moment of raw honesty allowed the audience to connect on a deeper level, reminding everyone that it’s okay to be vulnerable and express mental health struggles openly. As he demonstrated, music can be a powerful outlet for such emotions, offering a therapeutic space for those dealing with their own challenges. Franck’s bravery in sharing such personal thoughts made the performance even more special, as it showed that his art is not only about entertainment but also about connecting with others on a profoundly human level.
The set concluded triumphantly with BETTER HELL (Thicc boi), a track that balances heavy sounds with self-aware humour. The song’s discussion of finding beauty in hardship, mixed with its light-heartedly titled “Thicc boi” and the signature reverb-heavy instrumental tones, perfectly encapsulated Bilmuri’s unique ability to blend wit, chaos, and genuine emotion. The “HOO” in the song added the texture of a reverb tail, delivering a distorted vocal style and reverberating through the instrumentation. This formed a playful yet powerful texture to the song, creating a sense of fun even within its heavier themes. It was a fitting end to Bilmuri’s set, leaving the audience joyful yet contemplative, eager for the next chapter in the evening.
As the night transitioned to Sleep Token, the British experimental metal band known for their mysterious and otherworldly aesthetic, the energy in the venue shifted. Sleep Token has developed a reputation for their ability to seamlessly blend contrasting musical styles, such as metal, R&B, ambient, and progressive rock, creating an ethereal and powerful sonic atmosphere. The band’s music resonates deeply with listeners, helping them navigate their emotions and reminding them that it’s okay to experience complex feelings such as grief, love, heartbreak, and joy. Their songs remind us that these emotional experiences make us human, and they offer a sense of catharsis and connection to listeners who may feel isolated in their struggles.
The band’s music is shrouded in mystery, and each listener is invited to interpret the lyrics in their own way, with the ambiguity surrounding their music adding to its allure. Sleep Token’s music has become more than just sound; it’s an emotional experience, one that fans connect with for deeply personal reasons. While each person’s interpretation of the songs may differ, the shared passion for the band’s music creates a strong sense of community among their fanbase. The performance was not only a concert but a journey through intricate musical soundscapes, with each song telling its own story. The band’s ability to convey complex emotions through their music is part of what makes them so special.
The setlist spanned across Sleep Token’s entire discography, beginning with The Night Does Not Belong To God from their 2019 album Sundowning. The song atmospheric intro, tinged with reverence and haunting undertones, drew the audience in, exploring themes of spiritual longing and the search for something greater. This sense of invocation permeated the performance, creating a deeply immersive experience. Tracks like The Offering and Dark Signs introduced a sense of internal conflict and tension. The Offering symbolised devotion, potentially referencing self-sacrificial love or commitment to a higher power. During this song, the band’s playful stage presence added a flirtatious energy to the performance, teasing one another while delivering the powerful message. Dark Signs, in contrast, explored themes of doubt and disconnection, with its layered grooves and dynamic rhythms underscoring the darker aspects of attachment.
The band continued with songs from their 2021 album This Place Will Become Your Tomb. The track Atlantic stood out as one of the band’s most poignant moments, a ballad about loss and the search for solace. With a delicate, piano-driven intro and Vessel’s tender vocals, the song was a deeply emotional reflection of grief and longing. The mood shifted with Hypnosis, a heavier track that explored the cyclical nature of obsession and passion. Similarly, Like That showcased the sultry bass-driven groove of the band from bassist III, while Alkaline examined the magnetic pull of another person, blending vulnerability with awe. The raw emotion of Missing Limbs brought the audience back down, with sparse guitar arrangements amplifying the song’s emotional weight as Vessel’s voice carried the raw yearning for an unfulfilled connection.
The Take Me Back to Eden (2023) album contributed Chokehold, a track about the overwhelming grip of love and dependency. This intense theme was mirrored in the music’s beautifully dangerous tension. The Summoning featured a masterful display of drumming by II, whose snare work during the song was compelling. The interlude became a moment of pure drumming excellence, with II’s technical proficiency adding a new dimension to the music. The guitar work by IV was a standout moment during the song, with a sophisticated solo that added another layer of depth and emotion. IV’s solo was technically impressive and emotionally charged, with its sweeping melodies creating an intense contrast to the heavier, more aggressive sections of the song. This guitar solo captured the essence of Sleep Token’s style, blending heaviness with moments of melodic beauty, giving the performance an unexpected but fitting layer of complexity.
Ascensionism seamlessly fused electronic influences with the band’s metal foundations, incorporating pulsing synths and layered production that created a hypnotic atmosphere. The collective recitation of the lyrics “You make me wish I could disappear” with Vessel created an unspoken connection. This feeling resonated in unison throughout the crowd. The night culminated with Take Me Back to Eden, which featured sweeping arrangements and cinematic crescendos. Vessel poured all his energy into the final lines, shouting with abandon, “I have travelled far beyond the path of reason… Take me back to Eden.” This dramatic release left the audience in a state of catharsis, wholly immersed in the emotional power of the performance. The final song, Euclid, brought the set full circle with lyrical nods to The Night Does Not Belong to God. As the crowd sang along to “So Give Me the Night, The Night, The Night,” it was as if they had all come together in the collective power of hope, ending the ritual on a note of shared yearning and anticipation.
Overall, Sleep Token’s performance was a journey through emotional landscapes, offering introspection, transcendence, and a deep sense of connection. Each song served as a chapter in a cohesive story that unfolded throughout the night, allowing the audience to experience a powerful ritual of emotional highs and lows. Through their intricate blending of metal and soulful melodies, Sleep Token crafted a ritual that left a lasting impact on all who were fortunate enough to witness it. Bilmuri, with its humour, innovation, and emotional depth, provided the perfect opening act to set the stage for the spiritual and emotional journey that Sleep Token took the audience on. Both acts demonstrated how music, whether through humour, vulnerability, or sheer energy, has the power to connect us in meaningful and lasting ways.
