By Alex Payne If youÔÇÖd like to introduce yourself IÔÇÖm Conrad, IÔÇÖm one of the singers in the band, and I play trumpet and acoustic guitar, and I was in the band from the beginning, with Ruth and Rosie, about seven years ago. HowÔÇÖs the tour going? Really well, weÔÇÖre three shows in and the tickets have sold way more than I thought they were … Continue reading Interview: Holy Moly and the Crackers
By Alex Payne While Folk in the mainstream has seemed to have found itself in an awkward spot in the last couple of years, it seems to have missed Newcastle rockers Holy Moly and The Crackers completely. Their return to Cardiff was greeted by a crowd as eclectic as the band themselves, an odd assortment of die-hard fans and old friends, of all ages and … Continue reading Live Review: Holy Moly and The Crackers at The Moon – 08/11/18
By Jeni Gough The first thing that I noticed about the event was the variety of age groups attending, considering that it took place Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Student Union. This was an audience that I felt shouted diversity and yet was united in music taste. The evening passed quickly but was definitely worth the price of a ticket, with a large enough venue that provided all … Continue reading Live Review: Courtney Barnett at The Great Hall – 18/11/18
Soul is long overdue a revival. Its sister genre funk has come back into fashion with Bruno Mars, Pharrell Williams and Draft Punk all of whom have incorporated funk into their sound. And the global mourning of soul legend Aretha Franklin proves soul is still a genre close to the hearts of many. Yet until recently, there was no face for any prospective revival. That … Continue reading Live Review: Leon Bridges at O2 Academy Brixton ÔÇô 17/11/2018
by Rhiannon Humphreys Shimmer Sounds Festival 2018 ÔÇô November 17th At Tramshed. Full line up: Peace, Fickle Friends, The Night Caf├®, Anteros, The Howl & The Hum, Himalayas, Jordan Allen, Lauran Hibberd, Rainbow Maniac, and Al Moses. This is an amazing chance to see bands like Peace and Fickle Friends in a relatively small venue and to see stellar up and coming bands like Anteros … Continue reading Upcoming gigs in Cardiff | November – December 2018
By Izzy Boulton Nottingham boy Callum Burrows, known better as Saint Raymond, returned to Cardiff for the first time for a number of years on Tuesday night. It was easy to see that he was overwhelmed by the Welsh welcome and you could feel the room glowing with excitement and anticipation, as if the audience wanted to reassure Burrows of their loyalty. Supported by the … Continue reading Live Review: Saint Raymond at Clwb Ifor Bach – 06/11/18
Part 1 – by Alex Payne 2018 has proven itself to be incredibly fruitful for hip hop fans, and the last few weeks have been no exception, with a wide range of diverse projects dropping almost daily. Perhaps the most consistent project for me has been from Californian lyricist Vince Staples, with his third full length release ÔÇÿFMÔÇÖ. At just 22 minutes long, itÔÇÖs a … Continue reading What dropped recently – our picks
by Ashley Sterio Like many people in the early 2000ÔÇÖs, I was a huge fan of wrestling. Specifically, WWEÔÇÖs ruthless aggression era. IÔÇÖd tune in to every Smackdown and Raw showing I could, and if I was lucky IÔÇÖd watch the odd pay per view event. My favourite wrestler was Edge, his entrance theme ÔÇÿMetalingusÔÇÖ never failed to get me excited with its blistering drum … Continue reading A love letter to my favourite musical artist: Myles Kennedy
By┬áZhang Mengyang (Eva) Not just known as a performer, rising pop star Emma Blackery is also known as a songwriter, youtube vlogger, and author. She released her debut album ÔÇ£VillainsÔÇØ on 31th August 2018. After announcing an extensive UK and European headline tour for October 2018, Emma graced the stage at Tramshed, Cardiff on 24th October, the same venue she performed at in May last … Continue reading Emma Blackery: Live Review and Interview at Tramshed
By Jeni Gough It was almost cathartic to see Car Seat Headrest perform live, an American indie/rock group currently on tour with their supporting act Naked Giants, a trio from Seattle. I use the word cathartic because despite how obnoxiously depressing the songs actually are, everyone was genuinely enjoying themselves. Admittedly, it was a little disappointing to wait an hour for the supporting band to … Continue reading Live Review: Car Seat Headrest at Tramshed, 05/11/18
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 Andrea Gaini Tom Walker is one of the most promising up-coming artists in Britain and in Europe, his scratched baritone voice and his high-intensity music has conquered the hearts of millions of people all around the world. Quench had the opportunity to sit down on the sofas of his dressing room recently before his gig at the Tramshed and have a chat about his … Continue reading An Interview with Tom Walker
Georgia Evans sat down with the contemporary folk singer, songwriter and guitarist Blair Dunlop to discuss everything from his latest album, Talybont South and his role in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. To someone whoÔÇÖs new to your music, how would you describe it?┬á I started off doing a lot of traditional folk music, now I donÔÇÖt do old folk songs, but IÔÇÖm very much … Continue reading An Interview with Blair Dunlop
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 Sam Cotter In recent years, the interest of electronic music in Cardiff has seen an exponential growth in student-led events springing up around the capital. None more so than Ha┼Ás (pronounced House), an event formed in the summer of 2016 and fronted by Eben Rees, Brynn Slater, James Wilkinson, and Thomas Piesinger. Built on an ethos to promote DJs who share their passion for … Continue reading Ha┼Ás establish a new record label for Cardiff house music
