By Kate Waldock On the 12th┬áJuly, DMAs are set to release an album of their MTV unplugged set. MTV Unplugged had something of a reboot in 2017, after almost 20 years without the programme. DMAs are the latest among a line of great musicians to grace the series, and they did not disappoint. The Australian trio, made up of Tommy OÔÇÖDell, Johnny Took, and … Continue reading DMAs album review: MTV Unplugged Live
Words by Rhiannon Humphreys The launch night for Hunter From FremonteÔÇÖs debut EP ÔÇÿPINKÔÇÖ in the Moon club started promisingly with Tobias Robertson, a singer-songwriter of outstanding talent. Robertson performed several songs from his upcoming EP, building his set up from the hauntingly sad ÔÇÿBlack DoorÔÇÖ to more uplifting tunes, such as ÔÇÿForward, EverydayÔÇÖ. As the venue filled, RobertsonÔÇÖs intimate set, which really showcased his … Continue reading Hunter From Fremonte | PINK – EP Launch Review
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
Photo credit: Album cover for ‘Sucker Punch’ – Sigrid by Camille Stanley Admittedly, I arrived at the Motorpoint Arena in Cardiff on the 13th March knowing not all that much about NorwayÔÇÖs newest pop star Sigrid. Of course I was familiar with the song Strangers, which IÔÇÖm sure has been stuck in many more heads than just mine for the past few months, however … Continue reading Live Review: Sigrid at Motorpoint Arena, 13/03/19
Photo credit: press photo as seen on DIY Mag by Joe Cresswell It has been a long journey for Drenge; gone are the days of being under the radar (apart from being mentioned in a Labour MPs resignation letter in 2013) and merely being described as a ÔÇÿpunky indie racketÔÇÖ by the Guardian. For as Drenge let the dust settle from releasing their third … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Stranger Creatures’ by Drenge
Photo credit: press photo as seen on NME By Emma Murphy and Mike O’Brien Coming up to the release of her new album Good at Falling, we got a chance to talk to Amber Bain (or as you may know her, The Japanese House). Her eclectic dream-pop style had made her a fast favourite of ours. We watched her play back in November on the … Continue reading Interview: The Japanese House
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 Dylan Graham Anyone growing up in the noughties in the UK will undoubtably know and be a fan of Busted. Their anthemic pop punk tunes such as ÔÇÿCrashed the WeddingÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿAir HostessÔÇÖ are legendary to a generation of Brits, often causing mass singalongÔÇÖs in clubs across the country. Busted recently released their fourth studio album Half Way There, a title which references lyrics … Continue reading Busted: Tour Preview + Interview
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 Rowan Lees James Blake has returned with his fourth full length album in eight years, adding to the success of the previous with fresh musical ideas, solid songwriting and a welcome spark of joy. The release of the tracklist intrigued, with record breaking, rap producing powerhouse – Metro Boomin listed on two songs along with Travis Scott, Moses Sumney, and the elusive Andre 3000. … Continue reading Album Review: Assume Form by James Blake
