By Martina Merenda It was a lovely Saturday night at Ocean Arts. The crowd quietly chatted while waiting for the concert to start, and I couldn’t help but admire the tiny room that will serve as the venue for the night. Everything was so nice and cosy, and the intimacy of the place made me feel at home. Before we knew it, the first opening … Continue reading Live Review: Benedict Benjamin at Ocean Arts Centre, 04/05/19
By Max Modell ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà When BearÔÇÖs Den released Islands, in 2014, they had an immediate impact on me with their emotive acoustic sound. A well-crafted, nostalgic album, it was the beginning of a relationship with BearÔÇÖs Den which has defined my musical life. While Islands had the BearÔÇÖs Den identity, the sonic pallet of the album felt familiar. This changed with the release of Red … Continue reading Review: BearÔÇÖs Den – So That You Might Hear Me
By Polly Denny Benjamin Francis Leftwich has been a staple in the UK indie scene for the last decade after his first album, ÔÇ£Last Smoke Before the SnowstormÔÇØ, reached #35 in the UK charts upon its release in 2011. Since then, in his characteristic measured approach, he has had two more albums; ÔÇ£After the RainÔÇØ in 2016, and now most recently ÔÇ£GratitudeÔÇØ earlier this year. … Continue reading Live Review: Benjamin Francis Leftwich at The Globe, 08/04/19
By Alys Hewitt Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn ÔÇô AKA Sleaford Mods ÔÇô have over the last few years gained great credibility as an act through their pairing of beat-driven musical minimalism with cynical, tongue-in-cheek social commentary. Their live show at Y Plas is a reminder of their formidable presence as a duo, as they explore material both from past albums and their latest release … Continue reading Live Review: Sleaford Mods, Y Plas, 05/04/19
By Max Modell Barns Courtney is a rock star in the purest sense. He swaggered on stage in a velvet suit, with an open black shirt, before beginning to strut across the stage in a manner reminiscent of Mick Jagger. Like all the greatest rock stars, Barns is undeniably sexy in the way he owns the room with such ease. In an age of indie … Continue reading Live Review: Barns Courtney in Support of The Hunna, Tramshed, 01/04/19
By┬áAngharad May On the 22nd February, the Catalan band, Oques Grasses came all the way from Barcelona during their international tour to showcase their latest album, Fans del sol, in Chapter Arts Centre here in Cardiff.┬á It was the perfect location for a band who knew how to connect with the Welsh public.┬á As students of Catalan, my friend Dani and I, along with our … Continue reading Interview: Oques Grasses Bring the Sun to Cardiff
By Sam Cotter Created and crafted by the clubs of Lyon, Folamour released his highly anticipated second album ÔÇÿOrdinary DrugsÔÇÖ, at the start of February, on his newly founded record label For Heaven Use Only (FHUO). ÔÇÿOrdinary DrugsÔÇÖ, an 11 ÔÇô track soulful ÔÇô space ÔÇô Jazz ÔÇô house ÔÇô infusion, epitomises an artist with a fervent attitude and devotion towards his music. This latest … Continue reading Album Review: Ordinary Drugs by Folamour
By Max Modell I think everyone involved with the Cardiff music scene has heard stories of the legendary The Killers gig at Clwb Ifor Bach on 22nd November 2003. That night the indie rock legends gave fans a taste of future classics such as ÔÇÿJenny Was a Friend of MineÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿSomebody Told MeÔÇÖ, and of course ÔÇÿMr BrightsideÔÇÖ, prior to the release of their debut … Continue reading Live Review: Sea Girls at Clwb Ifor Bach, 06/03/19
By Alys Hewitt Since 2012, Jason Williamson and Andrew Fearn, who together make up Sleaford Mods, have been painting bleak, brash, honest, and often humorous portraits of a Britain ravaged by austerity and division, against a backdrop of relentless and minimal beats. I recently had the chance to speak to vocalist Jason about their new album, Eton Alive, the writing process and the state of … Continue reading A conversation with Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods
By Sallie Phillips ShakinÔÇÖ Stevens is back! The Cardiff-born singer, nicknamed ÔÇÿThe Welsh ElvisÔÇÖ due to his musical style, performed at St. DavidÔÇÖs Hall on Sunday 3 March. Backed by a 10-man strong band, this was one of ShakyÔÇÖs first performances back in his hometown, and certainly the first time I have ever seen him perform live. I like the music of ShakinÔÇÖ Stevens because … Continue reading Live Review: Shakin’ Stevens at St Davids Hall, 03/03/19
By Alex Payne Veteran tastemaker Annie Mac, known primarily for her immensely successful BBC Radio 1 shows, has announced that she will become the figurehead of the Equalising Music Pledge. The pledge, which is endorsed by industry watchdog Keychange and Coda Agency, is the latest effort from Smirnoff Equalising Music, a three-year project launched in 2017 to tackle gender imbalances in the music industry. With … Continue reading SMIRNOFF EQUALISING MUSIC APPOINTS ANNIE MAC TO SPEARHEAD THE EQUALISING MUSIC PLEDGE
By Eva Zhang The band logo is pretty cool (black TF in the yellow background), it reminds me of the racing car. Is this why you chose this logo? Stephen (Bass player): Yeah, thatÔÇÖs true. Yeah, like the logo, We wanted something thatÔÇÖs because you know If the logo is like quite simple, which is like The TF, and as our music is so diverse, … Continue reading Interview: The Faim
By Max Modell Every time I go to a gig downstairs at Clwb Ifor Bach, I am always overcome by a feeling that I wish more people were in attendance. It is a small room; however, it never seems to be full, despite always proving great music. Sean McGowan was no exception to this rule, with him and his band providing the energy needed to … Continue reading Live Review: Sean McGowan at Clwb Ifor Bach, 14/02/19
By Max Modell Frank Turner has been a prominent feature in the soundtrack of my life for years. Scoring heartaches, holidays and some of my happiest memories. Yet, until last Saturday I hadnÔÇÖt been blessed with the opportunity to see him perform with his band, The Sleeping Souls. I saw him perform an acoustic solo performance at Victorious Festival 2017, which while incredible felt like … Continue reading Live Review: Frank Turner at Motorpoint Arena, 02/02/19
By┬áMartina Merenda With their almost-all sold out UK tour, The Vaccines make their explosive comeback to Cardiff University’s own Students’ Union. The sold-out concert took place in the Great Hall, and words cannot fully explain what I had the honour to witness on the evening of the 1st February. The expression “times flies by when you’re having fun” was undoubtedly coined after a gig, because … Continue reading Live Review: The Vaccines, Hatchie and Jesse Jo Stark at The Great Hall, 01/02/19
By Max Modell When I spoke to Beans on Toast last month, he promised at his Clwb Ifor Bach he would be coming out bright eyed and bushy tailed, and he wasnÔÇÖt wrong. The energy levels of him and his band were off the chart and it was very clear they were all good mates, sharing a laugh between songs and flashing look during many … Continue reading Live Reviews: Beans on Toast at Clwb Ifor Bach, 31/01/19, ÔÇ£It is rare for a gig to have such a positive impactÔÇØ
By Eva Zhang Set up in high school, Australian rock bandÔÇöThe Faim came from Perth Australia, ambitious to win the global audiences. The band name means ÔÇ£the hungerÔÇØ in French. The boys confess their desire in this name. They are inspired by bands such as Fall Out Boy, Panic! at the Disco and Metallica, and an array of musical influences, from indie rock to jazz, … Continue reading Live Review: The Faim, at The Globe, 27/01/19
By Sam Cotter Cardiff residents, at the start of the new year, were issued with an unwelcomed statement from those at Gwdih┼Á that they would be closing their doors for good at the end of January. Gwdih┼Á the distinctive and decorated music venue, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in November and had become a foundation for the Cardiff music scene to be expressed and enjoyed, … Continue reading Gwdih┼Á Closure
By Izzy Boulton Independent Venue Week 2019 kicked off on Monday 28th January and runs until Sunday 3rd February. Supported by BBC Music, BRIT Awards and Arts Council England alongside others, itÔÇÖs going to be a jam-packed week up and down the country as independent venues showcase a range of gigs and comedy nights. It aims to be a ÔÇ£celebration of small music venues around … Continue reading Independent Venue Week 2019
By Indigo Jones The music of The 1975 creates a sense of nostalgia for fans, as it brings back memories of 2013 listening to ÔÇÿChocolateÔÇÖ during break time before having to prepare for double science lessons. This nostalgia is what makes the band so popular. Although IÔÇÖve been a fan for years I havenÔÇÖt listened to their newer music as much. I didnÔÇÖt originally book … Continue reading Live Review: The 1975 at Motorpoint Arena – 14/01/19
