Last week I had the ultimate privilege of seeing the 25 year strong Blink-182. Supporting them on this tour are the Front Bottoms and Frank Turner and The Sleeping Souls.Sadly, in true university student style I ended up late to the Motorpoint arena, which still had a queue wrapping half way around the building by the time the first act had started, resulting … Continue reading Blink 182 Live Review- Cardiff Motorpoint Arena
Robbie Williams can entertain me anytime he likes after the amazing show he performed. On the 21st of June at the Principality Stadium, Robbie Williams wowed Welsh fans with his old hits as well as new tunes. ÔÇÿThe Son of WalesÔÇÖ gave an outstanding show which outshined any other concert I have been to ÔÇô and IÔÇÖve been to many! Williams reminded us all how … Continue reading REVIEW: Robbie Williams – The Heavy Entertainment Show
Pure and poignant: London GrammarÔÇÖs new album release reminded us they still mean business and proved that Truth isnÔÇÖt the only beautiful thing – their new music is also gorgeous. Hippodrome Nightclub, Kingston-upon-Thames 21:00, Monday 12th┬áJune 2017 After three and a half years since their platinum debut album, If You Wait, it had been a while since London Grammar had performed new songs live. Lead … Continue reading Review: London Grammar, Truth Is A Beautiful Thing Concert
Alt-JÔÇÖs first two albums cemented their reputation as being one of the freshest sounding UK groups of the decade, producing solid hits such as ÔÇÿBreezeblocksÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿLeft Hand FreeÔÇÖ. Their third album, Relaxer, retains their signature sound but lacks the direction of their previous offerings. Opening single ÔÇÿ3WWÔÇÖ is a fantastically moody track which takes its time in reaching a catchy crescendo. It seems to … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Alt J- RELAXER
Album review: Humanz by Gorillaz One of 2017ÔÇÖs most eagerly anticipated albums, Humanz heralds the bold return of the worldÔÇÖs leading virtual band, Gorillaz. The band (whose members are animated characters) is the brainchild of Blur frontman Damon Albarn and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett, who began the project in the late 90s as a tongue-in-cheek caricature of pop musicÔÇÖs falseness. Since then, however, … Continue reading Album Review: Humanz, Gorillaz
As Bombay Bicycle Club throw in the towel, bassist Ed Nash moves from the shadows of a bassist to centre stage with his new project Toothless. Providing a similar enchanting sound that comes with Bombay, Nash incorporates existential questioning in collaboration with melodic acoustics and electronic magicalness. DonÔÇÖt be fooled, this is not Bombay 2.0. Nash has brought the sound he has been a part … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Toothless
On the 15th February Spring King returned to The Diff to play a rescheduled date. Having previously played at Full Moon, ÔÇ£itÔÇÖs a similar vibe but a lot smaller than this venueÔÇØ therefore Clwb Ifor Bach is quite a change for the quintet. Tarek added ÔÇ£this whole tour has been amazing so farÔÇØ. As the band are supporting Kaiser Chiefs the following week Pete mentioned … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Spring King
HeÔÇÖs a man of many theories. I walked backstage in The Louisiana, Bristol, to have a chat to emerging artist Tom Grennan before the fifth night of his sold-out UK tour. Lying on the sofa in his matching red Adidas tracksuit, trainers, bomber jacket and cap just an hour before he was due to go on stage, he really did appear to be a star … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Tom Grennan @ The Louisiana, Bristol, 10/02/17
On the scene since 2013, Yr Eira, meaning the snow, are more than familiar with Clwb Ifor Bach. It was Huw Stephens that gave them a C2 Live Session on his show back in 2013 as well as playing their single ÔÇÿTrysorÔÇÖ on his national BBC Radio 1 show. Yr Eira have since played at T in the Park and won WakestockÔÇÖs Battle of the … Continue reading Ten minutes in Clwb Ifor Bach with Yr Eira
Away from the bustle and noise of Welsh Music Day in Castle Emporium is the relative sanctuary of Clwb Ifor Bach. Practising in the room next door is Eden, one of the biggest Welsh language bands of the 90s, gearing up for their nostalgic one-time reunion gig. ItÔÇÖs now at least possible to hear the voice of DJ Huw Stephens. Having worked for the … Continue reading Ten minutes in Clwb Ifor Bach with Huw Stephens
Wiley @ Cardiff students Union 5/2/17 As NME have just hailed Wiley as 2017’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to Music’ we thought we would reflect on his trip to Cardiff this month to see if he really is the real deal. Ladies and Gentlemen, the truth about Wiley from a hardcore metal head and grime novice… YouÔÇÖre chatting to your best mate on the SU balcony in … Continue reading Outstanding Contribution to Music? WILEY
As the UK music scene assembled for Independent Music Venue Week 2017, we speak to Cardiff’s most eccentric independent music venue Gwdihw about the trials and tribulations of being an independent venue. This much cherished club has been running for eight years now all thanks to owners, Tom and Duncan with the motive of creating a “flourishing, friendly and chilled new independent space for alternative … Continue reading INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUE WEEK SPECIAL: Gwdihw Interview
┬áFor Independent Music Venue Week Jay, better known as Beans on Toast, is back on tour with a gig each night of the week, at his favourite venues around the country. I caught him at Clwb Ifor Bach on 25th January. After two supports Jay arrived on stage perfectly on time, on his own with a guitar in hand and bare foot with his trainers … Continue reading INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUE WEEK SPECIAL: Beans on Toast
Last week saw┬áIndependent Music Venue Week┬átake to the stages of 120 venues across the┬áUK, with Tim Burgess leading the event as this years ambassador. The week saw artists from the likes of CABBAGE, Richard Hawley ┬áand even Tim Burgess rising to the occasion to support our independent music venues across the UK. Here in Cardiff, we had Beans on Toast, Rhain, Dream Wife and more … Continue reading INDEPENDENT MUSIC VENUE WEEK
ÔÇÖFor a Moment, I Was LostÔÇÖ, proves a welcome relief to those with hungry ears and a hankering for raw ingenuity of sound. Holistically, Amber Run do very well at creating an introspective listening experience. The singles released so far, including ÔÇÿFickle GameÔÇÖ, and ÔÇÿHazeÔÇÖ, are a tease to this. Paying homage to their previous works, a cinematic dynamic is maintained in each of the … Continue reading ALBUM REVIEW: Amber Run- ‘For a Moment, I Was Lost’
Decade old rock-quartet Lower Than Atlantis are putting out their fifth album Safe In Sound on the 3rd of February, before heading out on an eight day nationwide tour, which will conclude in our very own Students Union. I was given the (rather nerve wracking) opportunity of speaking with frontman Mike Duce, who had tweeted only a few minutes before our conversation saying ÔÇ£I have … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Lower Than Atlantis
Grime king pin Wiley is heading to Cardiff on the 5th February fresh of the back of his new album ÔÇÿGodfatherÔÇÖ; which has been lauded in the press and reached number 9 in the UK album chart, his highest charting album to date. Joining him is President T of Meridian Crew fame and CardiffÔÇÖs own Astroid Boys. Expect to see a mix from WileyÔÇÖs back … Continue reading Cardiff’s biggest grime night… WILEY
It would be ignorant to say that 2016 has been a good year. Without getting too political,┬áwe all know weÔÇÖre entering into darker times. It is not surprising this year was cursed, after it kickstarted with the┬ádeath┬áof walking angel, Mr David Bowie. The 10th of January marked┬áthe loss of a mystic being, who graced our earth with beauty and talent, and without whom, culture wouldnÔÇÖt … Continue reading 2016: In Review
Following the release of their new album, ‘Open Book’, Fatherson were the penultimate Saturday night headliners, of S┼Án Festival’s tenth birthday at Tramshed, Cardiff. Showcasing a number of songs from their┬ánew album – through the Scottish-sounding, euphonious vocals of lead singer, Ross Leighton; the alt-rock trio brought lashings of energy and frantic drumming to the stage. This mix of emotive lyrics, and energetic anthems … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Review – Fatherson, Cardiff
Apart from being everyoneÔÇÖs favourite Christmas song (sorry Mariah, KirstyÔÇÖs got you beat) maybe you havenÔÇÖt heard much or any of the Pogues, and it is true they are a slightly acquired taste. Rarely in my experience do you need to get your ear in before listening to a band, if youÔÇÖre one to let music wash over you then maybe they arenÔÇÖt for you. … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: An Introduction To The Pogues
