"We're heading into another golden era"

Let's start the new year (belatedly) with a bit of positivity: this NME article about "Newport's resurgent music scene", written by my fellow Buzz contributor Tom Morgan.

Cynics might point to the way in which Sophie Williams' NME article of last year about Cardiff glibly overstated the health of that city's scene, drunk on Music City PR and failing to fully acknowledge the reality on the ground.

But the important difference along the M4 in Newport is that there venues are appearing rather than disappearing. Or, at least, the opening of the new 500-capacity Corn Exchange and the growing reputation of rough 'n' ready punk venue the Cab have bucked the general trend both in South Wales and elsewhere in the UK. I haven't yet been to either, but they are evidently welcome additions to Le Pub, which boasts a better beer selection than any of the principal venues in Cardiff (and is actually quicker and easier for me to get to than some, too).

Perhaps most importantly, the reported resurgence seems to have the firm backing of the city council, whose offer of financial support rather than merely fine words - in the form of cash from the Shared Prosperity Fund and rates relief - was vital in enabling the Corn Exchange to open. Other local authorities should take note.

In the vein of the proposed Sweaty Ceilings project in London, let's celebrate what we have now rather than only bemoaning what we've lost.