What's On in Cardiff

The Cure — One of the most iconic bands to ever grace a stage bring their singular blend of post-punk poetry and soaring emotion to Blackweir Fields at 5:00pm — an outdoor setting that feels almost dreamlike for a band whose music was practically made for dusk. Whether you have been a devotee since Disintegration or you are finally making good on a promise to yourself, this is the kind of concert that becomes a story you tell for years. Check the website for tickets and pricing, and consider arriving early to soak up the atmosphere before the light fades.

The Cure- Official Ticket and Hotel Bundls — Travelling from further afield for The Cure? This official bundle pairs your concert ticket with a hotel stay, taking all the logistical headache out of the evening and turning it into a proper overnight occasion. It is a smart option if you want to surrender fully to the afterparty energy without one eye on the last train home. Check the website for package options and pricing.

Lily Allen — Across town at the Utilita Arena, Lily Allen brings her trademark wit, warmth, and catalogue of stone-cold pop bangers to Cardiff at 6:30pm. From Smile to Fuck You, her songs carry the kind of emotional punch that makes a packed arena feel surprisingly intimate, and she is a performer who always shows up fully present and gloriously herself. Check the website for tickets — this one is going to be loud, joyful, and absolutely unforgettable.

Rufus Rice: Rice Age — If you are after something a little more personal and side-splittingly funny, Cardiff Glee Club hosts Rufus Rice and his show Rice Age from 6:45pm — a brilliant alternative to the arena spectacles happening elsewhere in the city tonight. The Glee Club is one of the best comedy venues in Wales, intimate enough that you can see every facial expression, and Rufus Rice is a performer with a genuinely original voice. Check the website for tickets and grab a drink before the show.

Koala Bar — Fuel Rock Club turns up the volume at 7:30pm as Koala Bar take to the stage — a cracking mid-evening option for anyone who wants live music with a rawer, club-venue energy rather than arena polish. Fuel is one of Cardiff's most reliably good rock and alternative spaces, the kind of room where the band is close enough to feel like they are playing just for you. Check the website for tickets and expect things to get wonderfully loud.

THE CURE AFTERSHOW PARTY CARDIFF — When the fields go quiet, Retro keeps Cardiff going with the official Cure aftershow party from 11:00pm — a chance to dance, relive every moment of the night, and share the collective glow with a room full of fellow fans. Expect the music to run deep into the catalogue and the atmosphere to be that rare blend of euphoria and community that only happens after a truly great gig. Check the website for entry details and make sure you pace yourself through the evening.