THE LAST time punk-rock duo Slaves played in Wales they appeared at a 1,500-capacity venue in Cardiff.

Next week though they are to visit Pontypool to play in front of a crowd of just 100 at a gig which sold out in under a minute.

In a bit of a coup for the Dragonffli, Pontypool they are to perform as part of their latest tour ‘I Would Drive 500 Miles And I Would Drive 500 More And Then Drive 126 More Tour’.

Venue owner Nick Byrne said: “This is massive for a little venue like The Dragonffli. I think one of the band came here to see Wonk Unit and that’s how they knew about us.”

Wonk Unit are a London based punk group.

“Last time Slaves were in the area they played Cardiff University’s Great Hall, which has a capacity of 1,500.

“I have always wanted to see them so I’m lucky I’ll be there - the tickets sold out in 45 seconds.

“I really hope it brings people of Pontypool to the venue. People commute to the city to work and end up doing things there instead of locally - they don’t like taking a chance on music and places they aren’t familiar with.”

Mr Vincent, who plays guitar and sings back up, said: “The whole point is we picked four seemingly random locations.

“We really wanted to go to venues that bands like us don’t go to. It’s four dates. We approached the Independent Venue Week people and Music Venue Trust and asked them for a list of endangered venues.”

Mr Byrne works in retail during the week and usually only opens the Dragonffli on Friday and Saturday, but has made an exception for Slaves’ Monday gig.

“We wanted to go to where people don’t normally get gigs,” Mr Vincent added.

“We have noticed people in Pontypool and Dunfermline say it is nice not to have to travel for a gig for once.

“These towns aren’t synonymous with gigging. As a band we haven’t played any of those places. Independent venues are really struggling and are a dying breed. Sometimes events like this can help areas, kickstart them.

Mr Holman, the vocalist and drummer, said: “In small towns it’s the talk of the town for a day which is nice. Without places like that there is no chance we’d be where we are now.”

The event is sold out and starts at 7pm.

The pair are playing four small venues across the country, kicking off in Colchester at the Arts Centre on July 22, 2018, and ending in Dover’s The Booking Hall, July 28, 2018.