ItÔÇÖs been almost exactly two years since Twin Atlantic sold out Y Plas in support of their high-charting ÔÇÿGreat DivideÔÇÖ release. That album and its singles solidified the bands place in British rock, and the high attendance tonight is testament to its success. That is despite a more low-key release around new record ÔÇÿGLAÔÇÖ, featuring a more truncated palette than the widescreen of ÔÇÿGreat Divide. … Continue reading Review: Twin Atlantic, Y Plas
New pop soul singer Adam Naas is a Parisian artist who has just recently released his debut eponymous EP in the UK. Gaining popularity in France, Adam NaasÔÇÖs career seems promising as heÔÇÖs just been signed to the Virgin/Mercury label. His first song Fading Away┬áis a ballad in which Naas shows off his contemporary style, his powerful voice never overshadowing the moody beats and bluesy … Continue reading REVIEW: Adam Naas
Today is the day that S┼Án festival takes over Cardiff for its 10th birthday! Bringing the hidden gems of music from all over the world to the streets of Cardiff. Although this sounds like an exciting time, it can be rather overwhelming narrowing down the endless line up into a weekend of your own. However, I got to chat to drummer, Nick from Pumarosa; one … Continue reading INTERVIEW S┼Án Special: Pumarosa
Album Review: James Blake, ‘The Colour In Anything’ After a three year absence, the arduous wait for the follow up to Overgrown is finally at an end. At long last, we have been gifted with The Colour In Anything – a highly anticipated, but surprisingly low key divulgence of James BlakeÔÇÖs new record. Although the artist has teased us with his new sound through his … Continue reading Album Review: James Blake, The Colour In Anything
Album Review: Michael Kiwanuka, ÔÇÿLove & HateÔÇÖ Four years ago, Michael Kiwanuka scooped up the 2012 BBC Sound of Music prize, and was mercury nominated for his debut album ÔÇÿHome AgainÔÇÖ. Since then however, Kiwanuka hasnÔÇÖt become the household name some might have expected, and in fact he debated giving up music altogether. Nevertheless, a new approach taken on by the 29 year old has … Continue reading Album Review: Michael Kiwanuka, ÔÇÿLove & HateÔÇÖ
INTERVIEW: Milburn @ Godiva Festival 2016 After being off the radar for almost a decade, a disappearing act better than a dynamo trick; Sheffield band Milburn are finally back! Storming back onto the scene with a hometown four date sell out gig, the lads were welcomed by fans with opened arms; old and new. Working with a local Coventry radio Hillz FM, we got to … Continue reading INTERVIEW: Milburn @ Godiva Festival 2016
Review by Mark Sweeney ÔÇÿSoÔǪ what would you little maniacs like to do first?ÔÇÖ ÔÇÿRelease a blinding single from our sophomore album, which will be even bigger than our 2013 debut, Bad Blood and propel us even closer to world dominanceÔÇÖ replies Bastille. Or at least thatÔÇÖs what the opening bars would suggest. ÔÇÿGood GriefÔÇÖ, which dropped yesterday, shows a developed but fresh sound from … Continue reading Single Review: Bastille, ‘Good Grief’.
Album: Catfish and The Bottlemen, ÔÇÿThe RideÔÇÖ Review by Louise Belcher Following on from the huge success of their debut album, The Balcony, Catfish and The Bottlemen are back with another set of pumping festival anthems, and unchanging tales of girls, and life on tour; told through the familiarly fervent vocals of Van McCann. Catfish’s straightforward brand of fast-paced, sing-along indie rock, has undoubtedly filled … Continue reading Album Review: ‘The Ride’- Catfish and The Bottlemen
In 2016 thereÔÇÖs plenty of reasons to be cynical about music, whether itÔÇÖs the impending disaster that is a cash hungry Guns NÔÇÖ Roses reunion or the pseudo-revolutionary hot air of Twenty-One Pilots and company.┬á Revel in that at your peril; itÔÇÖs a fast root to despair and if you dare to dwell on it too long youÔÇÖll have missed the unbridled enthusiasm and honest … Continue reading Interview: Creeper
Hot on the heels of last yearÔÇÖs fantastic sophomore, ÔÇÿMoth BoysÔÇÖ, Spector are hitting the road for a whistle stop club tour before festival season kicks in. The London four-piece visit Clwb Ifor Bach on 26th May for what is sure to be a wild and wonderful show if their festival performances are anything to go on. Headed up by talismanic frontman Fred Macpherson, the … Continue reading Preview: Spector – Clwb Ifor Bach – 26/05/16
Beach BabyÔÇÖs surf-y, summery vibes washed into Clwb Ifor last night. As relative newcomers to the music scene they made no delay in making their presence felt. With a punchy, yet concise set, the band were well received by the small, but warm crowd. Managed by the team behind Jungle, their debut single ÔÇÿLadybirdÔÇÖ, was released to warm ears last year on Chess Club. ItÔÇÖs … Continue reading Live: Beach Baby – Clwb Ifor Bach – 14/04/16
The thing about music in Cardiff, is that there’s always loads of it. Good gigs rudely continue to take place even when most students are home for Easter pretending to revise and eating fridges full of food that isn’t pasta. DimSwn is the daughter of Swn, the annual city festival that takes place every November. It’s been going for a few years, and showcases bands … Continue reading Live: DimSwn 2016 – Islands.
There was quiet sense of anticipation in the small crowd at Clwb Ifor Bach as they waited for Ought to take the stage. Idle chatter filled the air; some were discussing the nuances of the newest album, others just knew the band from their hit song ÔÇÿHabitÔÇÖ, one guy just came along because he thought the name was ÔÇÿpretty radÔÇÖ. The pre-gig chatter evaporated as … Continue reading Live: Ought ÔÇô Clwb Ifor Bach ÔÇô 20/04/2016
***EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT*** What are you doing tomorrow night? Another ropey party on Miskin St? We feel vile just thinking about it. Cringe no more, for Xpresstival is here to save your drunken soul. Save crying to your Record Store Day stash for Sunday’s hangover. Xpress is Quench’s more experienced oldersister, best mate & faithful lover. This year it is celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary and doing … Continue reading ***emergency announcement***
Matt and Kim pull in big numbers. At the time of writing, ÔÇÿDaylightÔÇÖ has pulled in just over 44 million streams on Spotify. Having seen their online presence, they sure make a lot of noise for a two piece. TheyÔÇÖve supported Fall Out Boy and are embarking on another European tour. So when the chance came to see them play Bristol ÔÇô why not? From … Continue reading Live: Matt & Kim – The Fleece, Bristol – 7/04/16
The album art for the sophomore record of Frankie Cosmos ÔÇô the solo recording moniker for Porches member and Bandcamp connoisseur Greta Kline ÔÇô is, much like KlineÔÇÖs music, deceptively simple. The unpretentious sketch, in some ways, acts as a microcosm for KlineÔÇÖs attitude towards art and helps contextualise her music from the outset. ÔÇÿNext ThingÔÇÖ is miles apart from her first project ÔÇÿMuch Ado … Continue reading ALbum: Frankie Cosmos – ‘Next Thing’
FallonÔÇÖs first solo album ÔÇÿPainkillersÔÇÖ opens with the bouncing ÔÇÿA Wonderful LifeÔÇÖ, a stark contrast to its opposite number on The Gaslight AnthemÔÇÖs last release ÔÇÿGet HurtÔÇÖ. Where ÔÇÿStay ViciousÔÇÖ barrelled in on a grungey riff and desperate lyrics, ÔÇÿA Wonderful LifeÔÇÖ drips with optimism and sees a return to FallonÔÇÖs trademark 50ÔÇÖs references. Perhaps partly a reaction to the criticism of the bleak themes … Continue reading Album: Brian Fallon – ‘Painkillers’
Quench chatted with Mark Daman Thomas, founder of Shape Records, member of psychadelic band Islet and curator of Cardiff’s experimental music festival From Now On. After it’s third year filling Chapter Arts Centre, Jack Boyce caught up with Mark to ask about his experience putting on the event. You can read Jack’s review of From Now On Festival here 1) What is your vision for … Continue reading Interview: Mark Daman Thomas – From Now On Festival
From Now On: Curated by Shape Records, From Now On is a hidden gem of a festival that showcases the finest experimental music from the Cardiff music scene and further abroad. Situated over three days at Chapter Arts Centre, the venue becomes as integral a part to the festival as the musical acts. Art projects litter the festival line-up, with the interactive exhibit Arc Vertiac … Continue reading Festival Review: From Now On
For their first arena tour, genre-bending Enter Shikari bring together polish that belies this fact with the raw energy of a front-room show. They manage to make the 7,500 capacity Motorpoint Arena feel intimate. Impressive for a band who pride themselves on being independent, and by their own admission play music that isnÔÇÖt exactly middle of the road in a set that slips seamlessly between … Continue reading Live: Enter Shikari – Motorpoint – 23/02/16
