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

Degendering Fashion: It's Not New

Degendering Fashion: ItÔÇÖs Not New

Words by Imogen Edmonds Marketing clothes as ÔÇÿgenderlessÔÇÖ has become a new selling point in the fashion industry, and whilst items of clothing obviously donÔÇÖt have a gender society has stitched gender into clothes, labelling them into the socially constructed gender binary. Whilst we are familiar with most high street shops having gendered clothing sections, the origination of gendered dress is relatively recent.  Up until … Continue reading Degendering Fashion: ItÔÇÖs Not New

Marvel’s Obsession with the Mini-Series

Words by Ashley Thieme  Production of the mini-series has increased in the last few years, with lockdowns forcing people to stay home, cuddle up, and put the telly on. MarvelÔÇÖs new partnership with Disney+ during phase four of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has seen them release six mini-series from 2021 up to now, with two more series, Loki and What ifÔǪ?, getting second seasons coming in 2023.  WandaVision┬áwas … Continue reading Marvel’s Obsession with the Mini-Series

EuropeÔÇÖs Rich History of Architecture

words and images by Jess Margetson Architecture changes with society’s artistic tastes, available materials, modern technologies, and spiritual beliefs. With a deep and varied cultural heritage, Europe is a goldmine for architecture enthusiasts. From modern inventions to historical memorials, Europe has something for all tastes. Netherlands: Rotterdam vs Amsterdam Described as the ÔÇÿGateway to EuropeÔÇÖ, Rotterdam has rivalled its capitol, Amsterdam, for many years. The differences in … Continue reading EuropeÔÇÖs Rich History of Architecture

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

Unpacking The AIDS Crisis and The Continued Discrimination Against the LGBTQIA+ Community

The AIDS crisis gripped the world for most of the 1980s and 1990s, with an estimated 40.1 million people having died of HIV and AIDS by 2021. At the time, rather than being seen and treated as a serious pandemic that posed a threat to everyone, the perception of it was distorted to become a moral disease caused and spread by the LGBTQIA+ community. The … Continue reading Unpacking The AIDS Crisis and The Continued Discrimination Against the LGBTQIA+ Community

December to January: The CalendarÔÇÖs Only Mistake

IÔÇÖve always loved living with the seasons. I embrace the yearÔÇÖs constant cycle of change with welcome arms, from the cold sunrises in winter, to the daffodils in spring, reading on the beach in summer to drinking overpriced coffee on rainy autumn days. The seasons are so sensibly laid out, and I always find myself ready for the switch just as it arrives. There is, … Continue reading December to January: The CalendarÔÇÖs Only Mistake

Interview with Bootysale: A Year On

Words and Photos by Laura Schjoett ItÔÇÖs been a whole year since Cardiff graduate Micha opened her fashion re-sell business Bootysale. Situated on the ground floor of the Cardiff StudentÔÇÖs Union, the clothing store has become a staple part of the arcade and is frequented by many students daily. It is hard not to be drawn in by the fabulous clothes, or by Bonnie ÔÇÿthe … Continue reading Interview with Bootysale: A Year On

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

Lauran Hibberd and Sea Girls @ Great Hall 22/11/2022

Words and photos by Poppy Atkinson Gibson The Great Hall of the SU was pretty full and getting fuller by the minute as Lauran Hibberd strode on stage with her statement pigtails and billowing pink dress. The crowd, who were steadily shuffling into position, were a mix of new out of the box fresher fans and clear long time lovers of Hibberd, which made for … Continue reading Lauran Hibberd and Sea Girls @ Great Hall 22/11/2022

‘Tis The Season Of Cosy Meals And Comfort Foods

Nights are starting to draw in and you are trudging home from lectures in the dark, howling wind with wet leaves stuck to the bottom of your shoes. You find that all you want to do is curl up on the sofa and rewatch your favourite film, with an even better bowl of food to bring back that warm feeling that gradually disappeared with the summer weather. However, tempting as it may be to order in a pizza, nothing can compare to a … Continue reading ‘Tis The Season Of Cosy Meals And Comfort Foods

Review: The Lightning Seeds @ Tramshed 18/11/2022

Anticipating The Lightning Seeds’ return to Cardiff after what feels like a lifetime, the Tramshed was filled to capacity with fans of the 80s rock band. Kicking off the night was a delightfully calming set from indie musician Badly Drawn Boy, creating a chill vibe throughout the entire venue. He was alone onstage but his gorgeous voice filled the room and was a great choice … Continue reading Review: The Lightning Seeds @ Tramshed 18/11/2022

The Legacy of Meghan Markle

Words by Georgina Whitehead Meghan Markle is without a doubt one of the most talked about people in the world, and whatever your opinion of her may be, she is unavoidable and constantly trending on social media. Her interview with The Cut was released on the 29th August 2022, just over a week before the Queen died, since then other articles have been released alongside … Continue reading The Legacy of Meghan Markle

Last Night a DJ Ruined My Night: Profanity in Music

The ÔÇÿBitchÔÇÖ is a constant and repetitive figure within the music industry. Whether she is being denounced as a perpetrator of promiscuity, discarded as money-hungry and manipulative, or paving her way through life on her own terms, the message is clear: It always comes back to the Bitch. Listeners are now immune to a word that, may we remind ourselves, was originally used in the … Continue reading Last Night a DJ Ruined My Night: Profanity in Music

Review: Florence and the Machine @ CIA 16/11/22

Molly Openshaw On the 16th of November, Florence and the Machine kick-started their U.K. portion of the third leg of the Dance Fever tour at Cardiff International Arena. This is FlorenceÔÇÖs first tour back since the pandemic with their last tour being the High as Hope tour in 2018. Florence and the Machine released their fifth studio album, Dance Fever, in May 2022.┬á Despite the … Continue reading Review: Florence and the Machine @ CIA 16/11/22

Truss Broken: The Fall of Liz Truss

Words by Megan Huws On the 20th of October 2022, Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister, after the shortest premiership in British history. In the brief but eventful 45 days that she was in office, which is shorter than the leadership contest that allowed her to be Prime Minister, she mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II and celebrated the coronation of King Charles III. … Continue reading Truss Broken: The Fall of Liz Truss

Restriction or Responsibility: The Universities purging “challenging” books to protect student

Has cancel culture been taken a step too far with universities banning books from literature syllabuses? How do we differentiate between protection and censorship?┬á It seems that 1081 trigger warnings were not enough. During the summer, an investigation found that academic institutions are now excluding ÔÇÿchallengingÔÇÖ books from their literature syllabuses altogether.  The Times issued freedom of information (FOI) requests to 140 UK universities, and … Continue reading Restriction or Responsibility: The Universities purging “challenging” books to protect student