By Max Modell On their Rebel Hearts tour, First Aid Kit came to CardiffÔÇÖs Motorpoint Arena and captivated the audience with their Americana folk sound which had the ability to make the audience smile, laugh and cry. From their trademark sad slow songs, to angry protest songs and a couple of more psychedelic numbers which really allowed the girls to rock out, First Aid Kit … Continue reading First Aid Kit Dazzle Motorpoint Arena, 06/11/18
By Rachel Nurse An 80s legend who famously sings ÔÇÿTogether ForeverÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿCry For HelpÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿTryÔÇÖ and a whole set list of songs youÔÇÖve probably never heard unless youÔÇÖre a die hard Astley-Admirer. Most of us were there for one thing – and thing only. The highlight of the show was when 5,000 fans belted out the lyrics to ÔÇÿNever Gonna Give You UpÔÇÖ in unison. … Continue reading YouÔÇÖve never been Rick Rolled like this before – Astley wows Cardiff
by Hannah Ryan ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå Diminutive though Lindsey Jordan ÔÇô better known as Snail Mail ÔÇô may be, her stage presence at Thekla in Bristol this week was anything but. Bathed in a melancholy blue light, she appeared, alongside her band, with little fanfare and introduced herself in the briefest of terms before diving straight into the odd little guitar riff for which her ÔÇÿHeat WaveÔÇÖ … Continue reading Live Review | Snail Mail performs a poignant set at Bristol’s Thekla
By Izzy Wright I didnÔÇÖt know what to expect of Echo and The Bunnymen when I signed up to see them. Although widely known as a post-punk 80s band, theyÔÇÖve been churning out music pretty consistently since their first album in 1980. Their new album The Stars, The Ocean and The Moon is mostly a revamping of their old songs, but also includes two new … Continue reading Live Review: Echo and the Bunnymen at St David’s Hall, 15/10/18
By Munro Page The palpable buzz that filled the air of The Globe as the packed room awaited the arrival of New York Hardcore band Turnstile was electrifying, as were the opening moments of their raucous, loud and thoroughly exciting set. The oval-shaped room was filled with music fans of all kinds – far beyond the punk influences the band are built upon, spectators sported … Continue reading Live Review: Turnstile at The Globe, 23/10/2018
By Max Modell There are few things more cathartic than dancing in a classical concert hall or somewhere you feel as if you shouldnÔÇÖt. However, these opportunities are few and far between, after all, if you felt you could dance there all the time it wouldnÔÇÖt provide the same thrill. Last night at St DavidÔÇÖs Hall Caro Emerald provided the audience with that opportunity, with … Continue reading Caro Emerald Gets St DavidÔÇÖs Hall Dancing
By Josh Ong The U.K has always found itself in a difficult position when it comes to country music. ItÔÇÖs seemingly marmite relationship with the general populationÔÇÖs musical taste has never permitted the genre to fully integrate into the nation’s mainstream music scene. Granted, youÔÇÖve had the early works of Taylor Swift that managed to slip through the cracks but even then, they were almost … Continue reading The New Front of Country Music – Kacey Musgraves Live at the Bristol Hippodrome
by Dylan Graham ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà On Tuesday 16th October, John Butler Trio (perhaps a more accurate name would be John Butler Quintet nowadays) played at BristolÔÇÖs O2 Academy – their first show in the city since 2014. The evening started with Australian solo artist Bobby Alu, performing his laid-back ukulele driven songs and sharing his stories from his life. Alu set the tone nicely for the … Continue reading Live Review | John Butler Trio perform an incredible set at Bristol’s O2 Academy
By Max Modell Guitar solos, the use of a sampler, hilarious gags, Joan Armatrading to be the support act, the new album to be played in full and a rainbow themed light show; these are all things I didnÔÇÖt expect from Joan ArmatradingÔÇÖs Cardiff solo show that she nevertheless delivered. In a meta-commentary on the standard gig structure, Armatrading appeared as her own support act, … Continue reading Live Review: Joan Armatrading Live at St Davids Hall, 17/10/18
By Georgia Mae Evans After listening to his album,┬áNotes from an Island, on repeat the week leading up to Blair DunlopÔÇÖs gig, I had high hopes for the performance. If youÔÇÖre after an evening filled with excellently executed British folk, you need a ticket for this tour; I was blown away┬áby┬áthe most intricate melodies, tongue in cheek lyrics and raw emotion with which the album … Continue reading Live Review: Blair Dunlop at Acapella Studios, 07/10/18
By Max Modell My anticipation for Dermot KennedyÔÇÖs Cardiff date has been clear to see for months. The gig made the Local Music Watch section in our first print editions of Quench this year on my instance. I canÔÇÖt say whether that article had an influence on attendance, but to my delight, Y Plas at Cardiff Student Union was sold out with a young and … Continue reading Dermot Kennedy Live at Cardiff Student Union, 15th October 2018
By Max Modell WestmanÔÇÖs music offers a thoughtful, meditative look at the world from a singular, slightly off-kilter perspective, placed on a backdrop of electronic, atmospheric pop. This often creates a contrast between the louder moments in the production and WestermanÔÇÖs quieter delivery and performance. It feels at moments as if Westerman has retreated fully inside the music and the sound is the only thing … Continue reading Westerman: Live Review and Interview at Clwb Ifor Bach
By Laura Stevens ÔÇ£YouÔÇÖre coming home when itÔÇÖs light from the night before…ÔÇØ the room moves in unison as The Sherlocks erupt into sound.┬á The bandÔÇÖs opening track ÔÇ£Last NightÔÇØ sets the mood for an evening of uplifted voices and spirits in the Cardiff venue, forming the second night of The Sherlocks current UK tour. Following the bandÔÇÖs sellout success of their debut album Live … Continue reading Live Review: The Sherlocks Live at Cardiff StudentsÔÇÖ Union, Thursday 11th October 2018
By Max Modell To be able to carry a gig on your own is a unique skill. The limitations of this set up can lead to the set becoming stale due to stylistic similarities, it takes a true craftsman to keep an audience engaged despite this great hurdle. This is the task Nick Mulvey set himself on his current In Your Hands Solo Tour, where … Continue reading Live Review: Nick Mulvey Solo show at Tramshed
by Dylan Graham ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå My first reaction to hearing about Big Boy Bloater and the Limits was that of sheer amusement. What a wacky name for a band, I thought. However, the title stuck with me and I wasnÔÇÖt surprised to find out that they had been booked to play in a similarly eccentrically named venue in Bristol – Mr WolfÔÇÖs Noodle Bar. As I … Continue reading Live Review | Big Boy Bloater + the Limits at Mr Wolf’s Noodle Bar, Bristol
No Violet seemed completely at home at┬áGwdihw┬á- quirky caf├® by day and creative hub by night. The supporting acts set the tone; from wacky tunes recalling the tales of microwaves courtesy of Head Noise to heartfelt indie punk rock perfectly executed from Adelaide. By the time the up and coming No Violet graced the stage, you would struggle to swing a cat in the venue. … Continue reading Live Review: No Violet at Gwdih┼Á
by Rimant─ù Bivainyt─ù Early Wednesday evening I enter Clwb Ifor Bach and head upstairs. In the ÔÇÿgreen roomÔÇÖ I am introduced to a woman, she wears a vintage fluffy sweater with straight leg jeans and shiny shoes, reminiscent of the 90s. She leads me out of the room and through the corridor till we reach the emergency doors. Our conversation starts on the staircase near … Continue reading Brooke Bentham | Live Review + Interview, Clwb Ifor Bach
By Max Modell While it is complex to sum up my feelings about my evening watching Catherine McGrath perform the first night of her first ever headline tour at The Wedgewood Rooms in Portsmouth every trail of thought leads me to one word, cute. From the set design with fairy lights and paper lanterns, to McGrathÔÇÖs unbelievably cute Irish accent and stories of night terrors … Continue reading Live Review: Catherine McGrath at The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
by Rowan Lees ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå Kendal Calling returned to Lowther Deer Park for another year of drinking, dancing, music, and general festivities. The line up saw acts as varied as The Libertines, Bugzy Malone, and Super Hans of Peep Show fame (ÔÇ£IÔÇÖve accidentally run to the Lake DistrictÔÇØ). Sadly a few of the promised and anticipated acts, including Hans and pioneering rap group Run DMC, were … Continue reading Review | Kendal Calling, Lake District
by Courtney Moody ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Gwdih┼Á,┬áor more commonly referred to as the ÔÇÿcolourful pubÔÇÖ,┬áwith its rainbow┬áexterior and vibrant swirls – is a true reflection of the creative minds that perform there; whether that be in the form of poetry recitals or live music. The intimate bar is a home-from-home for many students; with plenty of beer bottles, comfy cushions and quirky d├®cor in sight. The vibe … Continue reading Review | LYLO, Gwdih┼Á
