Author: Contributing Writer

Big Special band seated
Interview, Music

Black Country Boys Take The Big Stage: In Conversation With Big Special.

The last time I spoke with Big Special, it was the summer of 2022, when we played a small gig together in Birmingham. Since then they have skyrocketed, releasing their debut album Post Industrial Hometown Blues (2024) and its Deluxe edition (2025), as well as touring the world, not only headlining and supporting, but also playing big festivals like Glastonbury. On the back of their latest Deluxe album, and in the … Continue reading Black Country Boys Take The Big Stage: In Conversation With Big Special.

Contributing Writer
Features

The Final Countdown

University has been pivotal. All that talk of ‘character building’ and memorable times weren’texaggerated. From the second I arrived at my University Halls I was welcomed into the comfortablespace between freedom from parents and complete adult independence – I’m sad to leave it. Thememories of figuring out things for myself are ones that will always stick with me… housing billsespecially. It’s nice to play adult … Continue reading The Final Countdown

Contributing Writer
Features

Workloads, Deadlines, and Burnouts

I know better than anyone just how easy it is to get overwhelmed with deadlines and workloads piling up. Burnout often feels like a consistent state of being for me, with the odd week of relief dotted here and there. Whether it’s my ADHD or poor organisational skills, the rush of hyperfocus is always followed by the inevitable crash. Over time, I’ve learned that pushing … Continue reading Workloads, Deadlines, and Burnouts

Contributing Writer
Music

Resonant Frequencies: How Music Echoes Through Time

When considering our history, we can consider music as both a reflection and a catalyst. A response to the human experience: our emotional highs and lows, our technological advancement, social injustices, and more. While times and tastes may change, the lifeblood of music remains remarkably traceable. As such, today’s music is layered with the hits of past decades. A revival representing everything, from collective nostalgia … Continue reading Resonant Frequencies: How Music Echoes Through Time

Contributing Writer
Food

Picnic Bites: A Student’s Dream

The closest I’ve managed to a picnic this year is a spontaneous but hungover Thursday in Bute Park, cut short by an aggressive headache ignited by the sun. I am holding out for my post deadline freedom where I will eagerly await a window of hot weather to do this practice justice.  I think the enchantment of picnics lies within the slowness and the permission … Continue reading Picnic Bites: A Student’s Dream

Contributing Writer
Love

The Best Sex Toy Ever

One night stand? Nah, meet your lifetime lover! Some things in life are fleeting – crushes, trends, those fifteen unanswered messages on Hinge… But finding the one is a love story for ages – “the one” being a ride-or-die sex toy in this case. Replace those awkward Tinder hookups and questionable late-night texts (or sexts) with a good vibrator that will never ghost you or hit you … Continue reading The Best Sex Toy Ever

Contributing Writer
phones at a concert in a crowd
Music

The Highs And Lows Of Live Music

In my eyes, there’s nothing better than live music. The real-time, in-person connections shared between performers and audiences are something truly sacred and special. At their best, gigs and concerts can foster a sense of belonging, help you make friends for life, and bring you to tears for all the right reasons.  The highs are certainly high, but with rising prices and poor crowd etiquette, … Continue reading The Highs And Lows Of Live Music

Contributing Writer
Music

Chained to the Rhythm

The paradox of musical freedom and industry constraints has permeated various artists’ ability to perform authentic material. Chappell Roan, a queer popstar whose drag-inspired artistry propelled her popularity from an underground performer to stardom, was awarded Best New Artist at the Grammys this year. In her speech, she addressed how the music industry profits off artists’ work who don’t even earn a liveable wage. She … Continue reading Chained to the Rhythm

Contributing Writer
Literature

All-Time Favourite Romance Novels

André Aciman’s Call Me By Your Name is, at its heart, a novel about first love—the kind that consumes, unsettles, and lingers long after the last page. It is a romance, but not in the conventional sense. There’s no grand declaration, no sweeping resolution, and no clear line where love begins or ends. Instead, it’s an intimate, feverish portrait of desire and self-discovery, narrated through … Continue reading All-Time Favourite Romance Novels

Contributing Writer
Concert
Music

Can Cardiff Handle Big Concerts?

Cardiff has slowly paved its way to being a top-billing location on the tour posters of some of the world’s biggest artists. Long gone are the days of reminding your favourite band that Wales exists, or urging your favourite singer to add a show at the CIA to their already limited UK tour (consisting of three London dates and maybe Manchester if you’re lucky). Somehow, over the last few years, our capital has made a name for … Continue reading Can Cardiff Handle Big Concerts?

Contributing Writer
Live Reviews, Music

This Is How Tomorrow Moves: Beabadoobee Concert Review

From bedroom sessions to global sell-out tours, Beabadoobee released her third studio album This Is How Tomorrow Moves in August 2024 which preceded her Autumn U.K tour that I was lucky enough to attend in November 2024. Transitioning over the years from bedroom pop to a more alternative rock genre, ‘This Is How Tomorrow Moves’ is bursting with catchy guitar riffs, whimsical melodies and introspective … Continue reading This Is How Tomorrow Moves: Beabadoobee Concert Review

Contributing Writer
Literature

Literary Friendships: Bonding Through Books

Coming to university, I had only ever had two people to discuss books with. One was a friend from school with whom I lost contact, and the other was my Mum. Bonding with my mother through our shared love of reading is amazing – and not something everyone gets to experience. Nowadays, we read many of the same books and get to talk through theories … Continue reading Literary Friendships: Bonding Through Books

Contributing Writer
Culture

Spring Showcase – Embracing the Arts at Cardiff University  

It was my first time attending the Society Spring Showcase, but it was something I will never forget. The talent on display was unbelievable! A wide variety of acts showcased their talents, including a mixture of A Cappella, FAD extravaganzas, and a Brass Band with audience participation to conclude the show. It truly was a fantastic evening. Yet, the most heart-warming aspect of it all … Continue reading Spring Showcase – Embracing the Arts at Cardiff University  

Contributing Writer
Food

Spring-Time Recipes

An Ode to the Oatmeal Cookie I am here to champion the simple, somewhat elevated, oatmeal cookie. I myself have overlooked the oatmeal cookie in favour of the simple chocolate chip cookie, but there’s nothing like an oatmeal cookie in spring, when colder days are turning warmer and the nights are getting lighter. Thought to have derived from Scottish Oatcakes, oatmeal cookies date back to … Continue reading Spring-Time Recipes

Contributing Writer
Travel

A Coastal Reset: Digital Detoxing on the Gower Peninsula

Growing up in an increasingly digitised world has increased the importance of self care breaks and digital detoxes. When I want to unplug myself from technology and social media, I take myself to the Gower Peninsula, South Wales. Having been there every summer since I was born, there is no better sanctuary than the beautiful miles of beaches available. From a surfer’s haven at Llangennith, to tucked … Continue reading A Coastal Reset: Digital Detoxing on the Gower Peninsula

Contributing Writer
Travel

Roots and Routes

Being Bangladeshi was never an essential part of my identity. My connection to Bangladesh was mostly through stories from my parents, traditional (delicious) food my mum cooked at home, and the Bangla I spoke with them – though, to be honest, it’s more of a Bangla-English mashup that they’ve learned to understand after years of hearing their kids mix and match both languages. I finally … Continue reading Roots and Routes

Contributing Writer