We’ve Got You Covered: The Gig Calendar (First Semester)

Jasmine SnowSeptember 2, 2019May 23, 2020

Mini Series: The Evolution of LCD Soundsystem

By Mike O’Brien The music industryÔÇÖs indelible legends often share a clear journey. In youth, they are rambunctious, colourful, yearning for rebellion, demanding of change. Then age has a habit of mellowing spirit. ItÔÇÖs the difference between BowieÔÇÖs explosive 1971 classic Hunky Dory, whose premiere track Changes is an indictment of authoritarian adulthood, and 2016ÔÇÖs Blackstar, a sombre collection of deathbed reflections. But LCD Soundsystem … Continue reading Mini Series: The Evolution of LCD Soundsystem

Kate WaldockAugust 29, 2019

8 Things We Learned From Victorious 2019

By Max Modell Lewis Capaldi is as likeable as everyone says he is At 19:00 it appeared the whole festival headed to the Castle Stage to watch Lewis Capaldi in complete chaos. This wasnÔÇÖt exactly unexpected, since being booked for the festival Capaldi has blown up, becoming one of the biggest musicians in the world. Renowned for his dry Scottish sense of humor, he … Continue reading 8 Things We Learned From Victorious 2019

Kate WaldockAugust 28, 2019

Is streaming ruining the music industry? Our writers on the good, the bad, and the ugly of music streaming

We live in a world now that places streaming at the centre of music consumption. We look on as passive consumers as the digital and analogue giants that used to be at the centre of the music industry crumble into pop-culture relics and myths. CDs have all but died now. And while things like vinyl are making a ÔÇÿretroÔÇÖ comeback, tape machines are confined … Continue reading Is streaming ruining the music industry? Our writers on the good, the bad, and the ugly of music streaming

Kate WaldockAugust 25, 2019August 25, 2019

Quench Covers Victorious Festival

Merry summer to all you culture vultures! I hope you are filling your days with art, music and theatre (as well as sun, sand and sea) and I greet you with great tidings! This weekend, Quench will be covering Victorious Festival in Portsmouth! The Festival has an outstanding line up full of all your indie favourites, from The Zutons to The Vaccines and we cannot … Continue reading Quench Covers Victorious Festival

Josh OngAugust 23, 2019October 21, 2019

Taylor Swift – Lover Review – A True Songwriting Triumph

Josh Ong – Music Editor music@quenchmag.co.uk Swift has returned with her most pop-centric, yet mature album to date. ThereÔÇÖs nothing more mainstream than Taylor Swift. From music through to style, and now politics, SwiftÔÇÖs antics seems to be the topic of popular conversation no matter the magnitude. Alongside this fame comes a level of scrutiny that the majority of people cannot relate to; thereÔÇÖs little … Continue reading Taylor Swift – Lover Review – A True Songwriting Triumph

Interesting Sub-Cultures From Different Countries

There’s no doubt that media coverage of all musical related music is particularly eurocentric. In terms of what makes in into mainstream culture, the outer limits are very much limited to events happening on the other side of the English Channel, or the Atlantic. This article will seek to explore two of the more interesting cultures around music that have escaped the Western gaze. The … Continue reading Interesting Sub-Cultures From Different Countries

Josh OngAugust 22, 2019

Josh OngAugust 19, 2019August 19, 2019

Live Review: Royal Blood at Newport Centre, 10/8/19

By Emily Ricalton After breaking into the music scene in 2014 with their highly nominated album, ÔÇÿRoyal BloodÔÇÖ, which was released just a year after the duo had formed, Royal Blood have absolutely dominated the rock genre, showing original bands how simple, yet complex heavy music can be. They definitely proved this right when I was fortunate enough to see them live on August 10th … Continue reading Live Review: Royal Blood at Newport Centre, 10/8/19

Kate WaldockAugust 7, 2019

Album Review: ‘Television’, by City Calm Down

By Kate Waldock The Australian music scene strikes again. City Calm Down are about to release their newest album, ÔÇÿTelevisionÔÇÖ, on the 23rd August. The band is composed of vocalist Jack Bourke, Sam Mullaly on the keyboard, Jeremy Sonnenberg on bass, and Lee Armstrong on the drums. They have already released the singles, ÔÇÿFlightÔÇÖ, ÔÇÿStuck (on the eastern)ÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿTelevisionÔÇÖ from their album to … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Television’, by City Calm Down

James McClementsJuly 25, 2019

Boomtown 2019 – why it’s not all about Glastonbury this year

This summer, there’s a not so new kid in town threatening the old dogs of music festivals like Glasto and Reading. But what is new to Boomtown Fair this summer is a whole new approach to your typical English fest. Promising ‘Radical’ change to the norm in regards to the Environmental standards of music festivals, Boomtown intends to be a sustainable city, reduce single-use plastics … Continue reading Boomtown 2019 – why it’s not all about Glastonbury this year

Kate WaldockJuly 19, 2019July 19, 2019

‘The Velvet Ditch’, by Slaves

By Emily Jade Ricalton Rating: 9/10 EveryoneÔÇÖs favourite punk dynamic duo, Laurie Vincent and Isaac Holman, are back with a four-track EP after the release of their third studio album just last year. And, I must say, what a short, yet sweet come back it is. In comparison to ÔÇÿActs of Fear and LoveÔÇÖ, SlavesÔÇÖ ÔÇÿThe Velvet DitchÔÇÖ screams with a powerful energy that … Continue reading ‘The Velvet Ditch’, by Slaves

Kate WaldockJuly 19, 2019

Album Review: ‘Tallulah’, by Feeder

By Craig Strachan ‘Tallulah’ is out on the 9th August 2019. Put it in your calendars! Craig’s rating: 3.5/5 The Welsh rock band Feeder have released their 10 th studio Album Tallulah this month and their first studio effort since the release of All Bright Electric in 2016. Originally from Newport, this effort has been described by vocalist Grant Nicholas as a ÔÇ£classic Feeder … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Tallulah’, by Feeder

Kate WaldockJuly 17, 2019

Album Review: IGOR, by Tyler, The Creator

By Ioan Lee Ioan Rating:┬á9.6/10 IGOR is Tyler, The CreatorÔÇÖs fifth studio album, and comes at a time where the California based artist is at his most popular ÔÇô the success of his previous record ÔÇ£Flower BoyÔÇØ propelled him into multiple end of year lists and increased his already apparent popularity internationally. So, what does Tyler release when all eyes are on him to … Continue reading Album Review: IGOR, by Tyler, The Creator

Kate WaldockJuly 17, 2019

Album Review: ‘Let’s Rock’ by The Black Keys

By Emily Jade Ricalton After five years since the 2014 release of their Grammy award winning album, ÔÇÿTurn BlueÔÇÖ, the Black Keys have made an anticipated return with their brand new album, ÔÇÿLetÔÇÖs RockÔÇÖ, but has it been worth the wait? Receiving a 7-rating from Pitchfork magazine, the album seems to have impressed fans of the Austin-based band, despite their lack of dedication to … Continue reading Album Review: ‘Let’s Rock’ by The Black Keys

Interview, Music

New Music Friday: We chat to The Goa Express

By James McClements Up and coming Indie-New Wave rockers┬áThe Goa Express┬áare a lively Manc bunch who shamelessly reek of Northern spirit and a carefree outlook on life.┬á Their new track┬áThe Day┬áis a fantastically upbeat tune featuring psych-laden keys, raw guitars and tight drums reminiscent of a group like Parquet Courts or Shame.┬áFrontman James Douglas Clarke revealed that the trackÔÇÖs┬áabout┬áÔÇ£moving out to university and getting caught … Continue reading New Music Friday: We chat to The Goa Express

James McClementsJuly 12, 2019July 12, 2019

Kate WaldockJuly 10, 2019

DMAs album review: MTV Unplugged Live

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

Culture, Live Reviews, Music

Hunter From Fremonte | PINK – EP Launch Review

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

mellynchMay 26, 2019

maxwellmodellMay 12, 2019

Live Review: Benedict Benjamin at Ocean Arts Centre, 04/05/19

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

maxwellmodellApril 25, 2019

Review: BearÔÇÖs Den – So That You Might Hear Me

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