The Mary Wallopers

The Mary Wallopers play The Great Hall at Cardiff University Students' Union on Friday 16 October, as part of the SJM Concerts run. It's a single-act bill, so the whole night is theirs.

The band started as brothers Charles and Andrew Hendy, an Irish ballad group who spent their early days touring Ireland, singing and collecting songs. They've since grown into a six-piece, adding bass, drums, tin whistle or pipes, and accordion to the mix. They're known for their raw live energy and play a blend of Celtic punk and Irish folk, so it's a set that sits somewhere between a traditional session and a proper gig.

The Great Hall is a heritage hall with stained-glass windows and a 250-capacity, which puts it on the smaller side for a Students' Union venue. It's also got a reputation for its acoustics, so it's a good fit for a band that relies on a full range of instruments.

Doors are 19:00 to 23:00, and the show is strictly for ages 14 and over, with under-16s needing to be accompanied by an adult. The venue is The Great Hall, Cardiff Box Office, Senghennydd Road, CF24 4AZ.