Chart-topping boyband JLS, known for their infectious pop hits and energetic performances, are set to ignite Cardiff Castle with their Summer Hits tour this July. Fans can anticipate an electrifying show packed with their favourite JLS tunes, promising an unforgettable summer evening filled with music, dance and nostalgia.
JLS – Aston Merrygold, JB Gill, Marvin Humes and Oritsé Williams – have sold more than six million records; two million live tickets; are the first X Factor act to win a prestigious BRIT Award (2010), five MOBO Awards, four Digital Music Awards and three Urban Music Awards. Their first four albums all went multi-platinum and they have headlined London’s 02 Arena 20 times.
We sat down with JB and Aston ahead of their Cardiff performance to delve into their excitement for the upcoming show and their connection to the city.
What does it mean to you to be performing at such an iconic Welsh venue like Cardiff Castle?
JB: “Exactly that, it’s iconic! We’ve never performed at Cardiff Castle before so it’ll be a first for us. We can’t wait to come down on the 7th July.
Ast will tell you, it’s always a vibe when we come down to Cardiff, so we are very much looking forward to more of the same. There’s always something a little bit spooky going on whenever we’re in Cardiff, but maybe that’s just the arena. We’ve had power cuts, the lot! Hopefully this time, the sun will be shining and we’ll be bringing the vibe either way.”
Aston: “Well I mean it’s a castle, so you have to bring your A-game. We’ve got our regal attire at the ready! For me, summer is the best time of year so hopefully, we’ll be bringing the sun with us.”
Have you explored Cardiff during your previous time here? Do you have any favourite spots or experiences?
Aston: “What’s nice about Cardiff is that you normally let us do more than one show, so we’ve had time to stay over. We’ve spent a lot of time in Cardiff; shopping, nights out. It’s high up on our list of the best times we’ve had as JLS for sure.
The craziest experience for us was when we went to the Michael Jackson tribute concert in around 2011 in the (then) Millennium Stadium.”
If you could sum up how you feel about heading back to Cardiff this June in 3 words, what would they be?
JB: “Triumphant, ecstatic…”
Aston: “…TIDY!”
Lastly, what’s that one song that never fails to get the crowd going?
Aston: “We can’t say Everybody in Love because that’s the obvious choice.”
JB: “I’m gonna say Eyes Wide Shut. When that beat drops, jheeze! It’s going off.”
Aston: “I’m gonna throw a curveball in there, because every time we’ve done Better For You, it definitely gets people going because there’s the jumping part.”
TK Maxx presents Depot Live at Cardiff Castle promises a stunning summer lineup, featuring Manic Street Preachers, Suede, Catfish and the Bottlemen, The Smashing Pumpkins, Weezer, Paul Heaton, IDLES, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Avril Lavigne, Tom Grennan, Madness, Rick Astley, Crowded House, Nothing But Thieves, and The National.
The double BRIT Award winners will head to the iconic Welsh venue on Sunday, July 7th. Click here to buy your tickets.
