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

After announcing their break up via a photo of a hand scrawled note upon toilet paper in 2014, the future of Sacramento-based hip-hop infused cyberpunk trio Death Grips was more than uncertain. A year later, however, the band released the second half of their double album ÔÇÿThe Powers That BÔÇÖ along with the enigmatic promise that they ÔÇ£might make some moreÔÇØ. Fast forward to 2016, … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Death Grips, ‘Bottomless Pit’

2112 by Rush, released in 1976, is something else. It contains Alex Lifeson creating riffs that you canÔÇÖt not headbang to, Geddy Lee reaching new heights in singing and bass playing (that I didnÔÇÖt realise was possible), and Neil Peart being a god on the drums. The main track, ÔÇÿ2112ÔÇÖ is about someone who discovers music in a dystopian future where music is forbidden; so … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Rush, ‘2112’

Oh this album. Oh this band. How I love thee. If I could describe this distinct, synth-y and eccentric album in one word, it would just be ÔÇÿgroovyÔÇÖ, if I was allowed one more, it would be ÔÇÿfunkyÔÇÖ. How to be a Human Being just makes you want to shoulder shimmy and lip sync whilst pulling funny facial expressions your whole life. A somewhat concept … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Glass Animals, ‘How To Be Human’

Tay Tay has come a long way since her love story Nashville days when she wrote romantic songs about how you get the girl. Country clean style music was expected, prior to 1989’s release. When we were out of the woods, a polished product of modern pop culture evolved, this love of 1989 was born. Shake (it) off the country days, our blank space was … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Taylor Swift, ‘1989’

I inherited a fondness for Irish rock band the Saw Doctors from my Dad. If you ask me, its criminal that the best known Irish Christmas song is the PoguesÔÇÖ Fairytale of New York. You canÔÇÖt beat the Saw DoctorsÔÇÖ Red Cortina (similarly, the 2010 acapella version). Few songs encompass the kind of melancholy that many feel at Christmas like Red Cortina. IÔÇÖve never seen … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: The Saw Doctors, ‘Red Cortina’

Author: Kirby Evans Supporting Frank Turner on his UK tour, ├ësme Patterson welcomes the audience with some feminist┬ápunk-cross-indie-cross-country vibes. IÔÇÖve spent a while trying to compare her and her backing band to other artists but the truth of it is, sheÔÇÖs got a pretty unique sound. A seemingly delicate woman steps out on stage┬áand releases a powerful collection of empowering songs. This phenomenal woman has … Continue reading INTERVIEW: ├ëÔÇïsme Patterson

  Precarious jokes about his name aside (Will Joseph actually Cook?), this London-based musicianÔÇÖs wonderfully mature and unique offering of alternative pop music solidifies his place as most definitely a ÔÇÿone to watchÔÇÖ. I happened to stumble upon Will Joseph Cook on Spotify, along with many others so it seems. Infectiously good tracks such as ÔÇÿTake Me DancingÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿGirls Like MeÔÇÖ are amassing millions … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Introducing: Will Joseph Cook