Review: Mary Poppins, Wales Millennium Centre

Mary Poppins,┬áFriday 16th December, Wales Millennium Centre. Reviewer:┬áHannah West Two words for Mary Poppins the musical – Practically Perfect. This is no scaled-down version of the timeless classic. Production values were quite literally through the chimney and out the roof.┬áVisually, the entire set was nothing short of stunning. The experience begins with the set unfolding like a story book – a subtle nod to the … Continue reading Review: Mary Poppins, Wales Millennium Centre

Christmas Countdown: Review – Fatherson, Cardiff

  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

Christmas Countdown: An Introduction To The Pogues

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

Review: A Chorus Line, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

A Chorus Line,┬áWednesday 21st December, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Reviewer:┬áHannah Stait.┬á This Wednesday I found myself in the beautiful Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama to watch Kinetic TheatreÔÇÖs winter production of A Chorus Line, the show that provides a glimpse into the personalities and lives of dancers auditioning to be a part of a chorus line, showing us each the … Continue reading Review: A Chorus Line, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

A Very Merry Vegan Christmas: Butternut Squash Banana Bread Recipe

By Dominika Kusnierska Who doesnÔÇÖt like banana bread? This one is so moist that no one can resist grabbing a slice! It is time-consuming but, at this time of the year, it is also a great excuse to get every helper in the family to the kitchen. Ingredients:┬á 2 cups plain flour 1 teaspoon baking soda ┬¥ teaspoon baking powder ┬¥ teaspoon salt ┬¥ teaspoon … Continue reading A Very Merry Vegan Christmas: Butternut Squash Banana Bread Recipe

INTERVIEW AND LIVE REVIEW: Beartooth @ Tramshed, Cardiff

  Metalcore/Hardcore band Beartooth, hailing from Columbus, Ohio, hit the UK and Ireland on a 9 date tour on the back of acclaimed album Aggressive, and winning Metal Hammer’s Breakthrough Band of the Year 2016. Catching the band at The Tramshed, Cardiff on the 14th of December, the band brought an apparent intensity. From the off, Beartooth perform with manic urgency, letting up only to … Continue reading INTERVIEW AND LIVE REVIEW: Beartooth @ Tramshed, Cardiff

An Interview with ‘Donnie Darko’ Director-Richard Kelly

Why Donnie Darko is still as relevant as ever ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs so easy to be complacentÔǪ take some risks and be boldÔÇØ Following itÔÇÖs 4K restoration exclusive to the BFI Southbank Cinema, we interview Richard Kelly on his noughties cult classic Donnie Darko. Wearing a smart navy suit, itÔÇÖs hard to believe that a man so calm and collected could have made a film so psychologically … Continue reading An Interview with ‘Donnie Darko’ Director-Richard Kelly

Jet Trash

Review: Jet Trash

On the 9th December,┬áJet Trash came to Cardiff VUE cinema┬áfor a screening and exclusive Q+A with Casper Lee. We sent Joe Fletcher and Maddy Steele along to give us their two cents on this new indie film. Check the trailer out here. A play on ÔÇÿjet setÔÇÖ, Jet Trash is definitely not a desired outcome for a seemingly tranquil holiday destination. The screenplay follows the … Continue reading Review: Jet Trash

Christmas Countdown – Review: Palace ‘So Long Forever’

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’

Christmas Countdown: Introducing – Bad Sounds

  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

Resistance

Foreign TV Review: Resistance

Walter IuzzolinoÔÇÖs series on Channel 4 ÔÇô Walter Presents ÔÇô selects the most popular, critically acclaimed television dramas from around the world, allowing anyone with a laptop and Wi-Fi in Britain to falsely feel like they are cultured through watching handpicked shows (such as SpainÔÇÖs Locked Up to Belgian black-comedy thriller The Out-Laws) for free on Channel 4ÔÇÖs streaming service All 4. Each week Sinead … Continue reading Foreign TV Review: Resistance

Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Review: The Maccabees ÔÇÿMarks to Prove ItÔÇÖ

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

Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Throwback: Arctic Monkeys ÔÇÿWhatever People Say I Am, ThatÔÇÖs What IÔÇÖm NotÔÇÖ

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

Christmas Countdown ÔÇô Review: Solange ÔÇÿA Seat At The TableÔÇÖ

  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

LIVE REVIEW: Biffy Clyro @ The Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

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

LIVE REVIEW: Pixies @ 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

INTERVIEW: Clay

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