On the scene since 2013, Yr Eira, meaning the snow, are more than familiar with Clwb Ifor Bach. It was Huw Stephens that gave them a C2 Live Session on his show back in 2013 as well as playing their single ÔÇÿTrysorÔÇÖ on his national BBC Radio 1 show. Yr Eira have since played at T in the Park and won WakestockÔÇÖs Battle of the … Continue reading Ten minutes in Clwb Ifor Bach with Yr Eira

  Away from the bustle and noise of Welsh Music Day in Castle Emporium is the relative sanctuary of Clwb Ifor Bach. Practising in the room next door is Eden, one of the biggest Welsh language bands of the 90s, gearing up for their nostalgic one-time reunion gig. ItÔÇÖs now at least possible to hear the voice of DJ Huw Stephens. Having worked for the … Continue reading Ten minutes in Clwb Ifor Bach with Huw Stephens

It would be ignorant to say that 2016 has been a good year. Without getting too political,┬áwe all know weÔÇÖre entering into darker times. It is not surprising this year was cursed, after it kickstarted with the┬ádeath┬áof walking angel, Mr David Bowie. The 10th of January marked┬áthe loss of a mystic being, who graced our earth with beauty and talent, and without whom, culture wouldnÔÇÖt … Continue reading 2016: In Review

  Following the release of their new album, ‘Open Book’, Fatherson were the penultimate Saturday night headliners, of S┼Án Festival’s tenth birthday at Tramshed, Cardiff. Showcasing a number of songs from their┬ánew album – through the Scottish-sounding, euphonious vocals of lead singer, Ross Leighton; the alt-rock trio brought lashings of energy and frantic drumming to the stage. This mix of emotive lyrics, and energetic anthems … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Review – Fatherson, Cardiff

Apart from being everyoneÔÇÖs favourite Christmas song (sorry Mariah, KirstyÔÇÖs got you beat) maybe you havenÔÇÖt heard much or any of the Pogues, and it is true they are a slightly acquired taste. Rarely in my experience do you need to get your ear in before listening to a band, if youÔÇÖre one to let music wash over you then maybe they arenÔÇÖt for you. … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: An Introduction To The Pogues

After a string of singles and EPs, London four-piece Palace have finally dropped their debut album, ‘So Long Forever’, and what an impact its had. The self described alternative blues-rock group have returned with their distinctively laid back sound. Many of the popular singles such as Break The Silence and Holy Smoke see a return as well. However, itÔÇÖs the rerecorded version of Bitter that … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Palace ‘So Long Forever’

  Bad Sounds have to be one of the most highly anticipated acts of 2017. The Bath quintet have already joined Rat Boy on tour while completing their own UK tour this year, with sold out dates. You can expect a high energy electro pop/synth sound which make their name very modestly ironic. The latest single Wages was debuted as Annie MacÔÇÖs hottest record back … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Introducing – Bad Sounds

As their last studio album before announcing their split, this solidifies The MaccabeesÔÇÖ place in musical history. And without a single bad song on this beautifully produced album, they certainly have left the marks to prove it. With a raucous scream the first song launches straight into a grunge rock theme that, in one way or another, permeates the whole album. Every song has a … Continue reading Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Review: The Maccabees ÔÇÿMarks to Prove ItÔÇÖ

2016 marks the ten year anniversary since Arctic Monkeys stormed onto the music scene, with their debut album ÔÇÿWhatever People Say I Am, ThatÔÇÖs What IÔÇÖm Not.ÔÇÖ┬á Following in the footsteps of Oasis, Alex Turner lyrically encapsulates working class life up North with his tongue-in-cheek songs, providing them with the title of true working class, musical heroes. Despite discussing ÔÇÿkids who like to scrap with … Continue reading Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Throwback: Arctic Monkeys ÔÇÿWhatever People Say I Am, ThatÔÇÖs What IÔÇÖm NotÔÇÖ

  This year has brought us two albums on being black in America by two Knowles women, Beyonc├® and Solange. If you were thinking that Solange would follow her big sisterÔÇÖs musical lead, you would be surprised, but you wouldnÔÇÖt be disappointed.   Whereas Queen Bey sang about being unapologetically black and proud with a visual album spanning many genres, Solange sheds light on what … Continue reading Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Review: Solange ÔÇÿA Seat At The TableÔÇÖ

I have been witness to some enormous musical spectacles in the past, from The Stone Roses in the Etihad Stadium, to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ripping the stage apart at Reading to a vibrant live arena show from Lady Gaga, but with a hand on my heart I can honestly say I hadnÔÇÖt ever looked forward to anything as much as I did Goldie LookinÔÇÖ … Continue reading Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Live Review: Goldie LookinÔÇÖ Chain

‘An Awesome Wave’ is a cornucopia of mismatched, incongruous shapes and sounds that fit seamlessly together. Not all the lyrics rhyme, and Joe Newman’s vocals are creepy and insinuating. ItÔÇÖs a match made in heaven. While jazz, dubstep, indie, electronica and folk are just some of the influences that can be heard, Alt-J is a genre in its own right. Lyrics are deep, with layers … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Review – Alt J, ‘An Awesome Wave’

From the first seconds of ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ there is a sense of unease. As the ominous, woozy noises straighten themselves out into something resembling a song and the hypnotic, shuffling drumbeat busts through we find ourselves listening intently. When Jeff TweedyÔÇÖs bruised vocals utter the now iconic line: ÔÇÿI am an American aquarium drinker; I assassin down the avenueÔÇÖ we feel we know exactly … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Wilco ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’

After announcing their break up via a photo of a hand scrawled note upon toilet paper in 2014, the future of Sacramento-based hip-hop infused cyberpunk trio Death Grips was more than uncertain. A year later, however, the band released the second half of their double album ÔÇÿThe Powers That BÔÇÖ along with the enigmatic promise that they ÔÇ£might make some moreÔÇØ. Fast forward to 2016, … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Death Grips, ‘Bottomless Pit’

2112 by Rush, released in 1976, is something else. It contains Alex Lifeson creating riffs that you canÔÇÖt not headbang to, Geddy Lee reaching new heights in singing and bass playing (that I didnÔÇÖt realise was possible), and Neil Peart being a god on the drums. The main track, ÔÇÿ2112ÔÇÖ is about someone who discovers music in a dystopian future where music is forbidden; so … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Rush, ‘2112’

Oh this album. Oh this band. How I love thee. If I could describe this distinct, synth-y and eccentric album in one word, it would just be ÔÇÿgroovyÔÇÖ, if I was allowed one more, it would be ÔÇÿfunkyÔÇÖ. How to be a Human Being just makes you want to shoulder shimmy and lip sync whilst pulling funny facial expressions your whole life. A somewhat concept … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Glass Animals, ‘How To Be Human’

Tay Tay has come a long way since her love story Nashville days when she wrote romantic songs about how you get the girl. Country clean style music was expected, prior to 1989’s release. When we were out of the woods, a polished product of modern pop culture evolved, this love of 1989 was born. Shake (it) off the country days, our blank space was … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Taylor Swift, ‘1989’

I inherited a fondness for Irish rock band the Saw Doctors from my Dad. If you ask me, its criminal that the best known Irish Christmas song is the PoguesÔÇÖ Fairytale of New York. You canÔÇÖt beat the Saw DoctorsÔÇÖ Red Cortina (similarly, the 2010 acapella version). Few songs encompass the kind of melancholy that many feel at Christmas like Red Cortina. IÔÇÖve never seen … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: The Saw Doctors, ‘Red Cortina’

  Precarious jokes about his name aside (Will Joseph actually Cook?), this London-based musicianÔÇÖs wonderfully mature and unique offering of alternative pop music solidifies his place as most definitely a ÔÇÿone to watchÔÇÖ. I happened to stumble upon Will Joseph Cook on Spotify, along with many others so it seems. Infectiously good tracks such as ÔÇÿTake Me DancingÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿGirls Like MeÔÇÖ are amassing millions … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Introducing: Will Joseph Cook

  After selling out two shows at LondonÔÇÖs Eventim Apollo, and our very own Cardiff SU (along with many other venues on the way), Jack Garratt has had quite the year. Not only has he had a stellar tour that has seen him take on the world, but the young artist also won the Brits CriticsÔÇÖ Choice Award as well as the BBC Sound of … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Jack Garratt – ÔÇÿPhaseÔÇÖ