A sound reaction

IT’S the enduring Cardiff venue that has played host to some of the biggest names in music.

Cardiff University Students’ Union this year celebrates 45 years of staging live music in the city.

To celebrate, the venue on Park Place has compiled a list of gigs held there – and at its original home on Dumfries Place.

So far the list includes more than 1,200 shows, including The Clash, The Jam, The Smiths, INXS, Oasis, Coldplay, Catatonia and The Killers, but it is now appealing to the public to see if they can add any shows that may have been missed to the ever-exapnding list.

The venue would also like to hear from anyone who has pictures, posters and memorabilia from any of the shows over the years.

“We’ve welcomed more than half a million music fans through our doors over the decades and seen some big names grace our stages on their way to the top,” said assistant head of venues, Nathan Walker.

“We’re proud to have hosted live music shows in the current building since it was constructed in 1975.

“Prior to that time, some legendary artists, musicians and bands performed in the old Cardiff University Students’ Union on Dumfries Place, including Deep Purple and Thin Lizzy.

“We’d love to hear from anyone who can help us add to the concert list and those people who may have photos, posters or any general memorabilia associated with shows here.”

The appeal comes as plans are under way to expand the venue’s Great Hall.

A business case is being created to redevelop the 1,500-capacity hall into a modern, high-spec venue with increased capacity.

The plan also includes investment in new lighting and sound systems, as well as fully incorporating the balcony spaces into the venue to increase space and enhance the customer experience.

The redevelopment will connect the Great Hall to The Taf, the student union pub on the second floor of the building.

In November, the face of the building on Park Place was changed when the Students’ Union steps were removed to make way for a new university building that will house welfare services to students on campus.

While the steps may be gone, the Students’ Union will remain in its curent location.

Over the summer, the first-floor area, which is also home to the Great Hall, was extended to include a breakout space featuring a new bar, dedicated cloakroom and area for tours that carry merchandise.

The students’ union’s current home includes the Y Plas nightclub, which also stages live shows.

The concert list can be viewed at: bit.ly/ livemusic CUSU

If you have any pictures, posters or memorabilia associated with the venue Nathan would love to hear from you.

You can contact him via email at WalkerN3@ cardiff.ac.uk