A Rundown of Glastonbury 2023’s Lineup

The Glastonbury line-up has been announced for 2023, making it the 53rd year running. The five-day festival is taking place this year between June 21st and 25th, at its normal location at Worthy Farm, Pilton, Somerset. After a two-year break due to the pandemic, Glastonbury returned in 2022 with headliners Billie Eilish, Kendrick Lamar, and Sir Paul McCartney. This year, the pyramid headliners are listed … Continue reading A Rundown of Glastonbury 2023’s Lineup

In Conversation with Opera Director, Daisy Evans

It is an interesting time for Opera.┬á What audiences nowadays expect and desire from the arts has meant that the elitism associated with Opera, along with its outdated themes and morals, are no longer accepted by a new wave of arts fans.┬á The recent decision made by Arts Council England to slash funding of leading Opera organisations such as Glyndebourne and English National Opera proves … Continue reading In Conversation with Opera Director, Daisy Evans

In Conversation with DMA’s Tommy O’Dell

The release of DMAÔÇÖs brand new fourth album How Many Dreams? is just around the corner. This 12-track album seamlessly fuses elements of electronic, rock and pop music to create a sensational album where every track is a hit in the making. Songs such as EverybodyÔÇÖs Saying ThursdayÔÇÖs the Weekend showcase the trioÔÇÖs ability to create something truly special with this upbeat, nostalgia-infused track that … Continue reading In Conversation with DMA’s Tommy O’Dell

Review: ‘All Things End’ by Hozier

In the early hours of 17th March, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier released his latest EP ÔÇÿAll Things EndÔÇÖ. The release day for this EP is very on-brand for Hozier, being both his birthday and St. PatrickÔÇÖs Day. Well-known for his soulful and reflective musical style, Hozier delivers a cluster of three tracks on this EP highlighting his distinct blend of evocative melodies, lyrical depth, and impressive … Continue reading Review: ‘All Things End’ by Hozier

Cardiff Bands @ Ale and Cider Fest

The Ale and Cider Festival (ran by CardiffÔÇÖs own Ale and Cider Society) was the perfect event for the Live Music Society to show off their finest acts in Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Student Union main stage. With drinks flowing throughout the day, the festival goers couldnÔÇÖt be happier to watch some fantastic sets. The Poached gave a powerful performance off the bat with a refreshingly eclectic … Continue reading Cardiff Bands @ Ale and Cider Fest

Cardiff Bands @ Tiny Rebel

The most immediate thing I noticed when entering Tiny Rebel Brewery was the quirky and uniquesetup. The entire room was illuminated by the soft red glow of the eye-catching Tiny Rebel neonlogo, front and center of the room, coupled with the vine leaves hanging from the walls, it left anethereal, pleasing aesthetic for the eye. The excellent mixing and acoustics provided an excellentdegree of clarity … Continue reading Cardiff Bands @ Tiny Rebel

Loyle Carner @ Cardiff SU 11/03/23

If youÔÇÖre a fan of Loyle Carner, youÔÇÖll know that he is not one to shy away from using hismusic and his platform to fight for what is right, carefully discussing hard-hitting topics likepolitics, crime, identity and race in a thought-provoking yet nuanced way. His gig in Cardiffwas no exception to this rule. As Loyle Carner took to the stage in Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Great Hall, … Continue reading Loyle Carner @ Cardiff SU 11/03/23

In Conversation with Safari Gold

Imagine the Welsh Valleys in the early noughties. Two teenage brothers and their neighbour are playing Blink-182 covers in a cabin at the bottom of the garden. ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs basically how it all started,ÔÇØ says Morgan, one of said brothers, and nowadays a lead singer in the alt-pop quartet Safari Gold. Fast forward a couple of decades and the band has just released their second album, … Continue reading In Conversation with Safari Gold

Album Review: Ten Stories High by The Bouncing Souls

Like many bands, The Bouncing Souls found themselves at a bit of a loose end at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Stuck at home and unable to continue touring, they turned to online fan-communities, and began to work on new material in an exciting new way: connecting with fans via Zoom, hearing their stories, and drawing on these in their song-writing process. The result … Continue reading Album Review: Ten Stories High by The Bouncing Souls

In Conversation With Anchor Lane

Words by Emily Williams ItÔÇÖs a quiet Friday afternoon as I log onto Zoom to speak to Anchor Lane, who have just begun theirUK headline tour starting in Bradford. It is their first time touring an album after the scheduled tourfor their debut album Casino was stopped due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We chatted about influences, image, and intentions for their new album Call This … Continue reading In Conversation With Anchor Lane

Album Review: Jaws of Life – Pierce The Veil

Words by Laura Mae After an almost seven year long hiatus, American rock band Pierce The Veil have come stomping backonto the music scene with their new record Jaws of Life. This release is the bandÔÇÖs fifth studio albumsince they made their beginnings in 2006, and the first since their 2016 album Misadventures. Pierce TheVeil are a well known name in the alternative music scene, … Continue reading Album Review: Jaws of Life – Pierce The Veil

Album Review: Call This A Reality? – Anchor Lane

Words by Emily Williams Up-and-coming Glasgow rock band Anchor Lane released their second album entitled,┬áCall This A Reality? on 27th January 2023.┬áThe album follows their first successful album┬áCasino┬áwhich reached Number 9 on Official UK Rock Albums Chart in its 2020 release.┬áCall This A Reality?┬áembraces indie undertones and showcases heavy guitar work that complements the vocals from Conor Gaffney. The guitar work is really what stands … Continue reading Album Review: Call This A Reality? – Anchor Lane

Review: The 1975 @ CIA 16/01/23

Words by Charlotte Harris, photos by Alexa Price Kicking off their two-night stint in WalesÔÇÖ capital at Cardiff International Arena on Monday night, The 1975 treated us with the most recent performance of their tour, titled┬áThe 1975 At Their Very Best. A tour already spewing with media attention and internet interest, we were primed for a legendary evening. Would there be a guest star? Would … Continue reading Review: The 1975 @ CIA 16/01/23

The Best Albums of 2022

Words by Elliot Morgan This year, compared its predecessors, has been remarkably strong in terms of new music releases. Iconic artists in the pop and hip-hop genres released critically acclaimed albums after hiatuses of nearly half a decade. Across the indie scene, new bands rose to prominence and released their debut records, meanwhile, old favourites continued to add to their accomplished discographies. Although difficult select … Continue reading The Best Albums of 2022

Study Soundtracks: What Gets You Through Deadline Season?

As deadline season of first semester swiftly approaches at Cardiff University, we asked some of our contributors what they listen to whilst typing away in the ASSL.    Words by Alice Lumley As someone with ADHD, it is essential for me to have music playing whilst I attempt to study. It must be music without lyrics, or there may end up being accidents (like the time … Continue reading Study Soundtracks: What Gets You Through Deadline Season?

Pierce The Veil @ Great Hall 01/12/2022

Words and photos by Maddie McCabe-Smith Kicking off the UK leg of their tour at CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall, Pierce The Veil made their iconic return to the punk rock scene with new music releases for the first time since their 2016 album Misadventures. Even from the queue outside before doors had opened, I could sense just how excited fans, including myself, were to see one … Continue reading Pierce The Veil @ Great Hall 01/12/2022

The Aces @ CIA 01/12/2022

Words and photos by Ashley Thieme Although The Aces have previously undertaken their own headline UK tours, this was their first time performing for a Welsh audience. Originally The Blue Aces ÔÇô releasing a few extended play releases under that name since 2012 ÔÇô the band have been playing shows as The Aces since changing their name in 2016. Hailing from Utah, United States, the … Continue reading The Aces @ CIA 01/12/2022

Placebo @ CIA 24/11/2022

Words by Tabitha Murrell I was first introduced to Placebo by the┬áever-dramatic┬á1999┬áfilm┬áadaptation┬áof Pierre Choderlos de┬áLaclos’ 1782 novel┬áLes Liaisons┬ádangereuses. Cruel Intentions‘┬áopening scene streams┬áacross a graveyard and then up to the iconic┬áNew York┬ácity skyline. Ryan Phillipe (swoon) is seen driving over┬áBrooklyn┬áBridge in his┬ábeautifully┬árecognisable┬áblack┬ávintage┬áJaguar XK140 – the car is as much a plot device as the┬áfilm’s┬ásoundtrack, which of course begins with the blasting of Placebo’s┬áhit from the same … Continue reading Placebo @ CIA 24/11/2022

Spear of Destiny @ The Globe 23/11/2022

Words and photos by Alice Lumley On potentially one of the coldest and stormiest nights in Cardiff, I had the pleasure of going to see Spear of Destiny at a beloved Cardiff venue, The Globe. The Globe is one of my favourite venues in Cardiff as the staff are lovely, the venue is small and intimate but not too crowded and the drinks are cheap … Continue reading Spear of Destiny @ The Globe 23/11/2022

Jamie T @ Great Hall 21/11/2022

Words and photos by Rubie Barker On the night that Wales played their first World Cup game in 54 years, Jamie T took to CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall. While some football fans were clearly torn about where to focus their attention as we waited, they still showed up in vast numbers to see the Indie Rock icon.  86TVs are supporting Jamie on this tour, formed this … Continue reading Jamie T @ Great Hall 21/11/2022