Category: Live Reviews

Arts Reviews, Live Reviews

Review: Welsh National Opera’s The Magic Flute at Wales Millenium Center

Words by Cyntia Sudomir MozartÔÇÖs fairy tale with subversive symbolism comes to life once again at the Wales Millennium Centre, this time with Daisy EvansÔÇÖ contemporary twist. In a nutshell, we follow Prince Tamino and the bird-catcher Papageno on a mission to retrieve Princess Pamina from Sarastro, the King of Day and PaminaÔÇÖs cerebral-celebratory father, who whisked her away from The Queen of the Night, … Continue reading Review: Welsh National Opera’s The Magic Flute at Wales Millenium Center

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Arts Reviews, Features, Live Reviews

Review: Welsh National Opera’s Blaze of Glory! at Wales Millenium Center

Words by Briana Ciobanu Blaze of Glory! is a beautiful presentation of the people of South Wales put into song by the castand crew of this magnificent piece of art. The opening night at first seemed to have a high rate of success, with a full theatre the atmosphere of the audience was transmitting only good energy and excitement for the opera. A wonderful opening … Continue reading Review: Welsh National Opera’s Blaze of Glory! at Wales Millenium Center

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Features, Live Reviews

Review: Act One Variety Night: A Night of Nostalgia

words by Eve Davies In aid of Ty HafanÔÇÖs ChildrenÔÇÖs Hospice, on Sunday 19 February, Act One held its annual Variety Night. Having attended a couple of Act One shows previously, I was delighted to be invited along to review their matinee performance of Variety Night ÔÇô and it certainly didnÔÇÖt disappoint.  Act One presented ÔÇÿA Night of NostalgiaÔÇÖ to match their chosen charity this … Continue reading Review: Act One Variety Night: A Night of Nostalgia

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews

Review: Healthcare Drama Society’s ‘Met By Moonlight’

Words by Francesca Ionescu Met By Moonlight is the Healthcare Drama SocietyÔÇÖs first production of the 2022/23 season. As I walk into The Gate theatre, the pamphlet sets out the story as a ÔÇÿQueer, musical retelling of ShakespeareÔÇÖs ÔÇÿA Midnight NightÔÇÖs DreamÔÇÖ. As the room starts to fill, I take in the set, the orchestra at the back setting up instruments, lights flickering on and … Continue reading Review: Healthcare Drama Society’s ‘Met By Moonlight’

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Live Reviews

Review: The A Cappella Society’s Winter Showcase in Y Plas

Words by Francesca Ionescu How many Pitch Perfect jokes can I fit in an A Cappella show review? Not many, havenÔÇÖt seen the film in years. Since watching it however, the CUAC Winter Showcase was my first interaction with acapella groups, and I went in unsure of what to expect. For the next one, IÔÇÖd know to expect a lot of young talented students, an … Continue reading Review: The A Cappella Society’s Winter Showcase in Y Plas

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Live Reviews

Review: Act One’s Jungle Juice at Pulse Nightclub

Words by Billy Edwards The Act One Society panto has become a mainstay of the run-up to Christmas in Cardiff. Laden with crude jokes and innuendo, itÔÇÖs for adults only, and this year it is entitled ÔÇÿJungle JuiceÔÇÖ, a hint towards itÔÇÖs reworking of the Jungle Book – I was very excited for the pantomime having already enjoyed the Wizard of Oz panto put on … Continue reading Review: Act One’s Jungle Juice at Pulse Nightclub

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews

Review: The Verdict at the New Theatre

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending Middle Ground Theatre CompanyÔÇÖs The Verdict at The New Theatre. For the opening night of its UK tour, the theatre filled the theatre to see how this interpretation of Barry ReedÔÇÖs courtroom drama would come to life. The audience was of an older demographic – nostalgic of the 1982 film adaptation starring Paul Newman, no doubt. The … Continue reading Review: The Verdict at the New Theatre

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Review: The 1975 @ CIA 16/01/23

Words by Charlotte Harris, photos by Alexa Price Kicking off their two-night stint in WalesÔÇÖ capital at Cardiff International Arena on Monday night, The 1975 treated us with the most recent performance of their tour, titled┬áThe 1975 At Their Very Best. A tour already spewing with media attention and internet interest, we were primed for a legendary evening. Would there be a guest star? Would … Continue reading Review: The 1975 @ CIA 16/01/23

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Features, Live Reviews

Review: Culture Cwtch

Words by Omo Ifabua Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Student UnionÔÇÖs sold out celebration – Culture Cwtch. The Great Hall was filled with students in their vibrant cultural attire and the aroma of delicious traditional delicacies from around the world. From tasty food and live music to Bollywood dancing and fashion shows, this is certainly an event you must attend. Having … Continue reading Review: Culture Cwtch

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Pierce The Veil @ Great Hall 01/12/2022

Words and photos by Maddie McCabe-Smith Kicking off the UK leg of their tour at CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall, Pierce The Veil made their iconic return to the punk rock scene with new music releases for the first time since their 2016 album Misadventures. Even from the queue outside before doors had opened, I could sense just how excited fans, including myself, were to see one … Continue reading Pierce The Veil @ Great Hall 01/12/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

The Aces @ CIA 01/12/2022

Words and photos by Ashley Thieme Although The Aces have previously undertaken their own headline UK tours, this was their first time performing for a Welsh audience. Originally The Blue Aces ÔÇô releasing a few extended play releases under that name since 2012 ÔÇô the band have been playing shows as The Aces since changing their name in 2016. Hailing from Utah, United States, the … Continue reading The Aces @ CIA 01/12/2022

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Placebo @ CIA 24/11/2022

Words by Tabitha Murrell I was first introduced to Placebo by the┬áever-dramatic┬á1999┬áfilm┬áadaptation┬áof Pierre Choderlos de┬áLaclos’ 1782 novel┬áLes Liaisons┬ádangereuses. Cruel Intentions‘┬áopening scene streams┬áacross a graveyard and then up to the iconic┬áNew York┬ácity skyline. Ryan Phillipe (swoon) is seen driving over┬áBrooklyn┬áBridge in his┬ábeautifully┬árecognisable┬áblack┬ávintage┬áJaguar XK140 – the car is as much a plot device as the┬áfilm’s┬ásoundtrack, which of course begins with the blasting of Placebo’s┬áhit from the same … Continue reading Placebo @ CIA 24/11/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Spear of Destiny @ The Globe 23/11/2022

Words and photos by Alice Lumley On potentially one of the coldest and stormiest nights in Cardiff, I had the pleasure of going to see Spear of Destiny at a beloved Cardiff venue, The Globe. The Globe is one of my favourite venues in Cardiff as the staff are lovely, the venue is small and intimate but not too crowded and the drinks are cheap … Continue reading Spear of Destiny @ The Globe 23/11/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Jamie T @ Great Hall 21/11/2022

Words and photos by Rubie Barker On the night that Wales played their first World Cup game in 54 years, Jamie T took to CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall. While some football fans were clearly torn about where to focus their attention as we waited, they still showed up in vast numbers to see the Indie Rock icon.  86TVs are supporting Jamie on this tour, formed this … Continue reading Jamie T @ Great Hall 21/11/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Lauran Hibberd and Sea Girls @ Great Hall 22/11/2022

Words and photos by Poppy Atkinson Gibson The Great Hall of the SU was pretty full and getting fuller by the minute as Lauran Hibberd strode on stage with her statement pigtails and billowing pink dress. The crowd, who were steadily shuffling into position, were a mix of new out of the box fresher fans and clear long time lovers of Hibberd, which made for … Continue reading Lauran Hibberd and Sea Girls @ Great Hall 22/11/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Review: The Lightning Seeds @ Tramshed 18/11/2022

Anticipating The Lightning Seeds’ return to Cardiff after what feels like a lifetime, the Tramshed was filled to capacity with fans of the 80s rock band. Kicking off the night was a delightfully calming set from indie musician Badly Drawn Boy, creating a chill vibe throughout the entire venue. He was alone onstage but his gorgeous voice filled the room and was a great choice … Continue reading Review: The Lightning Seeds @ Tramshed 18/11/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Review: Florence and the Machine @ CIA 16/11/22

Molly Openshaw On the 16th of November, Florence and the Machine kick-started their U.K. portion of the third leg of the Dance Fever tour at Cardiff International Arena. This is FlorenceÔÇÖs first tour back since the pandemic with their last tour being the High as Hope tour in 2018. Florence and the Machine released their fifth studio album, Dance Fever, in May 2022.┬á Despite the … Continue reading Review: Florence and the Machine @ CIA 16/11/22

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Review: Deaf Havana @ Tramshed 08/11/2022

Words and photos by Ashley Thieme The last time English alternative rock band Deaf Havana played in Cardiff was 2019, before live shows came to a standstill. However, this time around the previously four-piece band is now fronted by two brothers, James and Matthew Veck-Gilodi. In a statement put out by the band in November 2021 they revealed uncertainty surrounding the future of the band, … Continue reading Review: Deaf Havana @ Tramshed 08/11/2022

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Live Reviews, Music, uncategorized

Review: Kasabian @ CIA 02/11/2022

British rock giants Kasabian made an explosive return to Cardiff International Arena (formerly Motorpoint Arena), touring their new album The Alchemist’s Euphoria. Despite the awful weather that greeted us, we left the venue absolutely elated. Supporting Kasabian on this tour is The Lathums, a relatively young indie band hailing from Wigan; they were one of the best support acts I’ve ever seen. Their set was … Continue reading Review: Kasabian @ CIA 02/11/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Review: The Feeling @ Cardiff Students’ Union 21/10/2022

Words and photos by Billy Edwards The audience at the Students’ Union waited with bated breath for The Feeling’s first appearance in Cardiff in some years. This was responded to very well on stage ÔÇô it began with a special harmony-laden fanfare of Fill My Little World rich with atmosphere. It sounded like an off cut from The Beach BoysÔÇÖ Smile Sessions, a piece of … Continue reading Review: The Feeling @ Cardiff Students’ Union 21/10/2022

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