Gig Goin’ – Eurekas at The Phyllis Maud

The Phyllis Maud has quickly become one of Newport’s most distinctive cultural spaces.
Once a disused public building, now a performance venue, it has spent the summer hosting a series of collaborations with Dirty Carrot Records and Goldtops Studios. On this occasion, the focus was firmly on Folk, Americana, Blues and Indie Rock – three acts that together showcased the breadth of South Wales’ independent scene.

Joe Kelly opened the evening in typically unguarded fashion, describing the set as if the
audience were “in my living room.” With just acoustic guitar, harmonica and voice, his songs filled the room with striking clarity. Tracks such as Holding On and There You Go Again carried emotional weight, enhanced by the venue’s resonant acoustics. Kelly used the opportunity to share new material, including Goodbye You Cruel Cruel World, delivered with his characteristic humour and self-deprecation. His willingness to test new songs in this setting, alongside his natural rapport with the audience, made for a compelling start.

The centrepiece of the night was a joint performance from Alys Hardy and Tom Emlyn. Both artists are familiar faces at the Phyllis Maud, and their collaboration is one that clearly
benefits each other’s work. Emlyn’s extensive back catalogue provided highlights such as Under The Streets and the sardonic Like A Cigarette, while Hardy’s vocal contributions added a new texture to the arrangements. Hardy’s own songs – Rain, The Travelling Band and the striking Do You See Me – drew on her blues influences, with the latter carrying the kind of cinematic sweep that could easily translate to the big screen. Together, their blend of sharp songwriting and contrasting vocal tones created a performance that was nuanced, engaging and memorable.

Closing the evening were Eurekas, a band who have grown rapidly since their formation in 2021. Their reputation has been built through consistent live performances, radio airplay and high-profile support slots, and their set here confirmed why they are increasingly seen as one of Wales’ most exciting young indie acts. Opening with Jeudi Soir and the high-energy Take It Away, they moved seamlessly between existing singles (Ivy, Shark Infested Seas, While The World Was Ending I Was In A Rock ’N’ Roll Band) and previews of forthcoming material,
including Telling On Me, The Bigger They Come The Harder They Fall and Midnight Dream.
The balance of familiar anthems and new songs kept the set fresh while underlining their momentum.

Eurekas’ live strength lies in their dynamic interplay: dual songwriters Dan and Jack trading lead vocals, underpinned by Pat’s driving bass and Morgan’s powerful drumming. Their influences – from The Who’s explosive energy to The Stooges’ raw edge – are clearly audible, yet the band channel them into songs that feel contemporary and distinctly their own.
By the time they closed with Made You Look and the emphatic Falling From Your Grace, it was evident that their trajectory is pointing firmly upwards.

The Phyllis Maud once again proved itself as a venue that brings the best out of performers. Across three very different sets, this was an evening that underlined the vitality and variety of
Newport’s live music community.

You can catch Eurekas next at Newport Food Festival, Saturday 11th October, Main Stage at John Frost Square.

Written by Stephen Howell