One of Wrexham’s most popular bands has celebrated its first full-length album with a jubilant night of live music. Baby Brave played to a packed house at much-loved local venue The Rockin’ Chair. It was, as lead singer Emmi Manteau put it, “one huge, mad family celebration”.
Who Are Baby Brave?
Baby Brave combine soaring pop melodies and disco rhythms with gut-wrenching guitars. On top of that, they add new wave, post-punk and psychedelia. The result is a sound that’s impossible to stand still to.
Their debut album, Sugar To The Tongue, was released in October. It has already earned a host of rave reviews. It has also enjoyed regular plays on local and national radio, including BBC Radio Wales and BBC 6 Music.
To mark the launch, the band organised a special hometown gig at The Rockin’ Chair. Wrexham is renowned for the diversity of its grassroots music scene. So, it felt right to share the night with some of the city’s best bands.
A Genre-Spanning Line-Up
Three other local bands joined Baby Brave on the bill. Emerging four-piece alternative rockers Roadside Assistance got things going. They were followed by fuzz/folk band Fleece and Welsh folklore-inspired wizard-grunge outfit Groom the Giant.
A huge crowd gathered to dance late into the evening. Together, they enjoyed an ecstatic, energetic show celebrating the album. It added yet another memorable night to Wrexham’s history as a thriving hub for local bands.
The range of styles summed up what makes the scene so special. Alternative rock, folk, grunge and disco-pop all sat happily side by side. And everyone in the room seemed to love every minute.
“My Cheeks Hurt From Smiling So Much!”
Emmi said, “The gig felt like one huge, mad family celebration, with everyone bringing their own energy and letting their hair down. There was headbanging, hand jiving and a whole lot of pogoing! I even ended up in the crowd getting everyone doing the Macarena before we played.”
She added, “What makes Wrexham so special is the genuine love between bands. We really do have each other’s backs, and there’s a real team spirit here. It just felt right to celebrate the release of our debut album with the people who’ve been part of our journey all along.”
“We felt so much love and support that it genuinely brought a tear to my eye,” said Emmi. “My cheeks hurt from smiling so much! It was one of those nights that makes you remember exactly why we do this.”
“Wrexham at Its Best!”
Fleece guitarist Gareth Thomas said, “We knew this was going to be a great night, but I think it really exceeded all expectations. Wrexham has had such a phenomenal grassroots music scene for so many years. I think tonight we saw it at its very best.”
He also praised the people behind the scenes. “It’s not just the bands; it’s sound engineers, technicians, photographers, artists, designers, promoters, staff, volunteers and of course the venues,” he said. “When you see it working so well, it’s no wonder we’re one of the favourites to win City of Culture.”
For Gareth, nights like this show how much talent the city has. They also show how much the community cares about live music. It’s a big part of what makes Wrexham’s cultural life so rich.
“I Never Felt a Stranger in This Community”
Roadside Assistance lead singer Igor Konieczny said the night felt magical. “Every time I’d look at the audience, on or off stage, they were filled with the same energy and eagerness they had at the start of the night,” he said. “When you see this kind of support as an artist, it just sparks a flame inside you.”
“Musically, Wrexham is very diverse,” he added. “But despite our differences in sound or style, I never felt like a stranger in the community. We’re all just like a big family here.”
Bassist Joel Evans agreed. “The Wrexham music scene has always been very welcoming to us and our growth as a band,” he said. “We’re very happy and proud to have played alongside some of the greatest Wrexham bands.”
“Glorious”
Groom the Giant opted for some grander wordage to sum up the evening. From behind a nest-like beard, one of the band’s grunge wizards spoke. “The crowd writhed and gyrated like a cursed, sweaty sponge encrusted with human hair, the bands wailed like alley cats driven mad by the horn, and a shiny new album was birthed into the world, kicking and screaming like sugar to the tongue. Glorious.”
We couldn’t have put it better ourselves. It was clearly a night that everyone involved will remember for a long time. And it was a fitting launch for a long-awaited album.
Where to Buy Sugar To The Tongue
Sugar To The Tongue by Baby Brave is available from the band’s website, babybrave.co.uk. You can also pick up a copy locally from Revibed Records at Tŷ Pawb. Either way, you’ll be supporting a brilliant local band.
If you missed the launch, keep an eye out for Baby Brave’s next gig. Their live shows are well worth catching. Meanwhile, the album makes a great soundtrack for the long winter nights.
With Christmas on the way, a copy could make a perfect present for a music fan. It’s a great way to support Wrexham’s grassroots scene. So, why not treat someone to a taste of Sugar To The Tongue?
We hope you enjoyed reading about the Baby Brave album launch. Click here for more articles about music and performing arts.
