Mon the Biff! Cardiff Castle Survives a Two-Hour Scottish Rock Siege

Photo credit Dave Broome

Cardiff Castle, Cardiff - 30th July 2026

WORDS MATTHEW BARNS / IMAGES DAVE BROOME

The best of Wales hosts the best of Scotland

Way back in 2001 I saw Biffy Clyro at the Cavern in Exeter. 25 years on, they are playing Cardiff Castle and fill arenas for fun. The cult band of brothers that have done it all on their own terms. They could play any type of venue and feel at home, so a castle should be easy…

First on the bill is Glasgow rockers, Humour. I’m instantly struck at how perfectly they would have fit any Biffy bill back in the day. It feels like they’ve bottled some of the early Biffy/Hundred Reasons emo hardcore energy and brought into 2026. We were in for heavy start - good heavy. A band that would be perfect in a tiny, dark, sweaty room are winning new fans in the sun-drenched castle. There are Humour fans in the crowd letting out individual proclamations of love for the band. “Memorial” has all the markings of an emo anthem - catchy, screamy and instantaneously travelling to the good part of my brain.

Cosmic Dancer by T-Rex blares as English Teacher take to the stage, finding themselves in the middle of a Scottish rock sandwich. This maybe a slightly esoteric and unpopular opinion but I wanted to hear new material from ET. I’m buzzing to see what comes next for the Mercury prize winners. This is a tricky expectation to put upon a support act as they want to grab people’s attention and give them some they might know. English Teacher began with that very thing. No introduction was needed to “The World’s biggest paving slab” - a song that has been extensively toured but they seem to still be in love with. Their debut “This could be Texas” is now heavier – extended, reworked - with “R’n’B” being the perfect chaotic example of this. The level of musicianship all round is impeccable, it blows my mind for what’s to come next.

Thankfully they did give us a peek into the future with new songs “Dog Called Ohm” and “Man”, at which point front woman, Lily, admitted being nervous. It didn’t come across at all but only the band themselves will know if they nailed it technically. They sounded pretty great to me. “Blister My Paint” is a classic and always provides some contemplative calm as Lily takes to the keys and provides a virtuoso vocal performance. When in Wales, finish with “Nearly Daffodils” an apt ending to killer set. Next up for them is a spot playing with Nick Cave in Brighton. Can’t be bad.

IMAGES TO FOLLOW

Like a scene from the movies, William Orbit’s Barber Adagio for strings dramatically cuts through the smoke-filled air as the castle appears in a purple haze providing a stunning backdrop to thousands of fans clad in their orange Biffy FUCKIN Clyro!! T-shirts. The stage is three-tiered providing different levels and an excellent view of all the that is going on.

Biffy Clyro provide Hardcore Anthems that hit deep. I’m stood beside a man with his kids holding a sign that reads “Dad’s favourite band - LOUD ENOUGH FROM HEAVEN.” He explains that his dad sadly died a year ago and they were here to celebrate his life and his love for the band. This is what music is meant to do. I’m nervous, must be a big gig. Biffy Clyro start as they mean to go on with “The Captain”, hitting us with hardcore anthem after anthem that hit deep. Singer Simon Neil welcomes us with some very Scottish Welsh – and recalls days of old playing to eight people at the Barfly. He then hits us with cert barfly setlist stalwart and golden oldie “Just Boy”. The lyrics leap from my soul, from cult classic to stadium filler – says it all really. It’s a heavy bombarding start.

“A little love” gives us our 1st taste of the newest album Futique and vague respite. Simon Neil darts around the place with so much energy and precision – he swoops low like a magical musician, a demonic guitar hero. The shirts are off and flames are on! Neil brings to stage a flame throwing gun and isn’t afraid to use it and he shoot flames to the sky. The Clyrotechnics are in full on flow.

The strings play a essential role in proceedings and for “Living Is a Problem” they strike with incredible precision. The timing is something to behold. Theatrical and biblical with pure performance skill. The band all appear lit up surrounding a mic performing accapella in harmony facing each other. As we try to gather our breath and figure out what they haven’t played yet, “Wolves of Winter” closely follows.

Speaking to a few fans before the gig, this song was a clear favourite live track – no surprise as it amalgamates all eras of Biffy and has every ounce of how I would describe the essence of Biffy a song made to play live. It nestles near the end of a mammoth 28 song barrage of brilliance. It’s been brutal on my vocal cords. Simon Neil wisely leaves the choruses to the crowd as he slays the riffs in the diff. Two hours of euphoria down with two more big hitters to go. I am invited to join the barrier to form a rugby scrum - front row arm in arm sing-a-long for the last two songs. “Bubbles” and “Many of Horror” are last in a set that’s full of songs that could end any set. Mass sing along ensues as the band throw out towels, pic and setlist to their adoring fans. A night of fire and drama in a melodic wonderland. The castle still stands, but only just. MON THE BIFF.

SET LIST

1. The Captain

2. That Golden Rule

3. Match

4. Just Boy

5. Biblical

6. God & Satan

7. A Little Love

8. Booooom, Blast & Ruin

9. Instant History

10. Living is a Problem

11. Hunting Season

12. Space

13. Cop Syrup

14. Different People

15. Hunger in Your Haunt

16. Goodbye

17. Crasp

18. Jaggy Snake

19. Black Chandelier

20. Mountains

21. Machines

22. Wolves of Winter

23. Bubbles

24. Many of Horror

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