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

After a string of singles and EPs, London four-piece Palace have finally dropped their debut album, ‘So Long Forever’, and what an impact its had. The self described alternative blues-rock group have returned with their distinctively laid back sound. Many of the popular singles such as Break The Silence and Holy Smoke see a return as well. However, itÔÇÖs the rerecorded version of Bitter that … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Palace ‘So Long Forever’

  Bad Sounds have to be one of the most highly anticipated acts of 2017. The Bath quintet have already joined Rat Boy on tour while completing their own UK tour this year, with sold out dates. You can expect a high energy electro pop/synth sound which make their name very modestly ironic. The latest single Wages was debuted as Annie MacÔÇÖs hottest record back … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Introducing – Bad Sounds

As their last studio album before announcing their split, this solidifies The MaccabeesÔÇÖ place in musical history. And without a single bad song on this beautifully produced album, they certainly have left the marks to prove it. With a raucous scream the first song launches straight into a grunge rock theme that, in one way or another, permeates the whole album. Every song has a … Continue reading Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Review: The Maccabees ÔÇÿMarks to Prove ItÔÇÖ

2016 marks the ten year anniversary since Arctic Monkeys stormed onto the music scene, with their debut album ÔÇÿWhatever People Say I Am, ThatÔÇÖs What IÔÇÖm Not.ÔÇÖ┬á Following in the footsteps of Oasis, Alex Turner lyrically encapsulates working class life up North with his tongue-in-cheek songs, providing them with the title of true working class, musical heroes. Despite discussing ÔÇÿkids who like to scrap with … Continue reading Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Throwback: Arctic Monkeys ÔÇÿWhatever People Say I Am, ThatÔÇÖs What IÔÇÖm NotÔÇÖ

  This year has brought us two albums on being black in America by two Knowles women, Beyonc├® and Solange. If you were thinking that Solange would follow her big sisterÔÇÖs musical lead, you would be surprised, but you wouldnÔÇÖt be disappointed.   Whereas Queen Bey sang about being unapologetically black and proud with a visual album spanning many genres, Solange sheds light on what … Continue reading Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Review: Solange ÔÇÿA Seat At The TableÔÇÖ

Their status as one of the UK’s top live acts cemented, and with cult heroes Brand New in tow, Biffy Clyro brought their festival experience to Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena. Brand New, playing a mix of songs from fan favourite albums Deja Entendu┬áand The Devil and God…┬ápower through a 45 minute set barely saying a word except to thank Biffy Clyro for taking them on tour. … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Biffy Clyro @ The Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Grunge aficionados might sometimes wistfully tell you the tragedy of Kurt CobainÔÇÖs early death was made only slightly better by the inevitability of his musical decline, had he still been around. Look to a band so influential to him, Pixies, and itÔÇÖs crystal clear that such a musical decline is no foregone conclusion. Touring new album Head Carrier, the Boston quartetÔÇÖs second release since reforming … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Pixies @ The Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

After an outstanding debut to Cardiff, supporting Jess Glynne on her UK tour, Raye wowed the ears of many with a mind blowing performance. Being a hotly tipped artist of 2017, we thought we would grab a chat with Raye after her set at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena. You have appeared on BBC Radio 1, MTV and Apple ‘Ones to watch for 2017’. That’s quite the … Continue reading Introducing…Raye

Commencing on their second UK tour, ┬áI was lucky enough to chat to GengahrÔÇÖs front-man Felix previous to their set at BristolÔÇÖs Louisiana. Felix talked about how the band formed in school. He mentions how he always thought the four would end up playing music together but never thought it would get quite as big, ending up with sell out dates on the second UK … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Gengahr

Coming into being since 2014, brothers Joe Harvery and Jack Harvey created Clay┬áwith fellow members,┬áRob Gration and Danny Armitage. Since then, the band have received appraisals from radio legends such as Zane Lowe and Huw Stephens┬áwhilst also being sub-headliners on the Reading and Leeds BBC introducing stage in 2015. However, with the release of debut EP┬áHeaven,┬áthe band stumbled into headlining Leed’s first BBC introducing showcase. … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Clay

I have been witness to some enormous musical spectacles in the past, from The Stone Roses in the Etihad Stadium, to Macklemore and Ryan Lewis ripping the stage apart at Reading to a vibrant live arena show from Lady Gaga, but with a hand on my heart I can honestly say I hadnÔÇÖt ever looked forward to anything as much as I did Goldie LookinÔÇÖ … Continue reading Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Live Review: Goldie LookinÔÇÖ Chain

‘An Awesome Wave’ is a cornucopia of mismatched, incongruous shapes and sounds that fit seamlessly together. Not all the lyrics rhyme, and Joe Newman’s vocals are creepy and insinuating. ItÔÇÖs a match made in heaven. While jazz, dubstep, indie, electronica and folk are just some of the influences that can be heard, Alt-J is a genre in its own right. Lyrics are deep, with layers … Continue reading Christmas Countdown: Review – Alt J, ‘An Awesome Wave’

From the first seconds of ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’ there is a sense of unease. As the ominous, woozy noises straighten themselves out into something resembling a song and the hypnotic, shuffling drumbeat busts through we find ourselves listening intently. When Jeff TweedyÔÇÖs bruised vocals utter the now iconic line: ÔÇÿI am an American aquarium drinker; I assassin down the avenueÔÇÖ we feel we know exactly … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Wilco ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’

Nineties indie icons and leaders of phenomenon; Pixies take to the stage tonight at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena and it is not one to miss. Currently touring their second post reunion album Head Carrier,┬áPixies are not ready to throw in the towel just yet. Returning in 2004 with much anticipation, Pixies fulfilled the expectations of the indie kids, with endless touring and an ode to the … Continue reading Don’t Miss… Pixies tonight @ Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena!

The 29th of November could only mean good things; that little bit closer to the end of a cold and depressing semester, an extra step to Christmas. But most importantly, it brought us a visit from Fickle Friends. I was lucky enough to grab a chat with Natti(Lead vocals) and Jack(Keys) before their show at CardiffÔÇÖs Clwb Ifor Bach. Bringing funky beats and upbeat riffs … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Fickle Friends