If it isn’t already on your radar, Sŵn Festival 2022 is gearing up for it’s best year to date. Running from October 21st to October 23rd and acting as the final bookend to festival season, the Cardiff city-based festival is often seen as the proving ground for countless fledgling artists looking to make waves on the indie scene.

Founded by BBC Radio 1 DJ Huw Stephens and Cardiff-based promoter John Rostron, the festival lives and breathes on the zeal of the independent music scene. With venues sprawling throughout Cardiff city centre, (antiques shops have historically played host to some acts), the festival has seen the likes of Self Esteem, The Murder Capital, Shame, Cate Le Bon and The Joy Formidable pass through, making a name for themselves at a festival that uplifts so many.

Whilst we’re sure you’ll catch heavy hitters including Grove, The Orielles, Lime Garden and the intoxicating Glaswegian pull of VLURE, we thought we’d throw a few more hats into the ring and recommend a handful of Gigwise co-signed acts that will undoubtedly elevate your weekend. From Peaness’ joyful indie-pop musings to DAMEFRISØR’s formidable soundscapes, there’s a fantastic show to catch at every corner.

DITZ

Releasing one of the most impressive debuts of 2022 in ‘The Great Regression’ after a string of vibrant yet uneasy singles, DITZ have been working hard. Ostensibly the poster people of Brighton’s post punk meets noise rock scene, their formidable guitar-driven fortress ushers an uproar everywhere they go. With nods to both Black Flag and METZ, they have earned a rep as unmissable live performers, and are sure to bring a sprinkling of mania to the Sŵn Festival lineup.

Plastic Mermaids

Surfing off the back of their second full length release ‘It's Not Comfortable to Grow’, Plastic Mermaids are carefully formulating homegrown, reverb-soaked love songs that draw comparisons to a dream-pop LCD Soundsystem. If any more convincing is needed, press play on the Tame Impala meets Hot Chip single ‘Disco Wings’, kick your feet up, close your eyes and daydream your way to the dancefloor. Wet Leg watch out, the Isle Of Wight has a new indie prodigy in the making.

DAMEFRISØR

Heralding from a unifying moment at a Bristol night club in 2019, Permanent Creeps signees DAMEFRISØR are making some of the most experimental, heady shoegaze in the South West. Nebulous by nature, there’s also a playful club nuance to their swelling passages, complemented by vocalist Kazhi Jahfar’s deadpan lyricism. Having played alongside contemporaries Walt Disco, Opus Kink and Divorce, the outfit’s colossal (and sometimes disquieting) sound has made them quite gem on any line-up.

SNAYX

Snayx are everywhere right now. Near impossible to miss following standout performances at 2000 Trees Festival and Download Festival this year, their kitchen sink approach to punk has conjured up a vicious live show that has resonated with crowds far and wide. With influences ranging from ska and reggae to brit-pop and Motörhead, the trio are outputting music that feels both fresh and memorable. Pairing the playful singalong sensibilities of pop punk with the harsh scuzzy riffs of Nova Twins, SNAYX are moving too fast to slow down.

Peaness

After the spectacular ‘World Full of Worry’ dropped halfway through 2022, Peaness have been unavoidably making waves in the indie-pop scene. Sweet but never saccharine, their musings on the commonalities of often boring life serves as the uplifting premise of many of their tracks, delightfully paired with sprightly power chords and creative dual harmonies. The Beths walked so Peaness could run, plus if there is one t-shirt to pick up this weekend, it’s the one with Peaness emblazoned in block capitals on the front.

Swn goes down this weekend, 21st-23rd October