British rock giants Kasabian made an explosive return to Cardiff International Arena (formerly Motorpoint Arena), touring their new album The Alchemist’s Euphoria. Despite the awful weather that greeted us, we left the venue absolutely elated. Supporting Kasabian on this tour is The Lathums, a relatively young indie band hailing from Wigan; they were one of the best support acts I’ve ever seen. Their set was … Continue reading Review: Kasabian @ CIA 02/11/2022
words and photos by Rhiannon Farr and Zoe Price You wouldnÔÇÖt expect to find a tranquil piece of independence right in the middle of Splott, but the newly opened Railway Gardens is like the urban areaÔÇÖs Garden of Eden. Located just off Adeline Street (a stoneÔÇÖs throw from SplottÔÇÖs vaccination centre, if that jogs your memory), Railway Gardens is a community driven spot that repurposes … Continue reading Introducing Things on Toast
words by: Hannah Wild Living in Wales, we are lucky enough to have some of the UKÔÇÖs most spectacular landscapes on our doorstep. However, it is easy to become so wrapped up in city life that we forget to explore these incredible sights, and what Wales has to offer. Here are some of my favourite places to visit in Wales which arenÔÇÖt commonly spoken of, … Continue reading Welsh Wonders
I had a nightmare recently – not about being chased down a hallway or loosing all my teeth – but about a phone call from my parents: the house was being sold. As stupid as it might sound, the idea of a house going on the market left me shaken with a sort of pre-emptive grief. I realised that my foundations: my hometown, my family … Continue reading Childhood’s Second Death
Words by Rume Otuguor and Priscilla Appiah (n.b. This is an extracted version for the purpose of readability) If you donÔÇÖt know already, October is Black History Month in the UK. ItÔÇÖs a month that means a lot of different things to many different people, but its essence lies in the memorialisation of past events in black history which shape our present. Quench Features sat … Continue reading In Conversation with: ACS President Priscilla
The Little Mermaid A lot of the classic Disney stories that we grew to love as children originate from much darker folk tales. RapunzelÔÇÖs prince was thrown into thorns and blinded, CinderellaÔÇÖs stepsisters cut off their toes and heels to fit into the glass slipperÔǪthe list goes on. Hans Christian AndersonÔÇÖs original stories were more frightening tales with warnings, rather than happy ever afters. But … Continue reading How Was This For Kids?
Words by Francesca Manenti Marvel Studios recently unveiled the upcoming releases that will make up Phases 5 and 6 of the MCU, as part of the Multiverse Saga. Yet after a long string of underwhelming TV shows and disappointing films, I canÔÇÖt help but feel like Marvel are losing their touch and overwhelming us with mediocre productions. So far, there has been no cohesion. An … Continue reading Are Marvel Phases 5 and 6 Squeezing Too Much out of the Franchise?
After a thrilling last match in Arthur Ashe stadium, with tears in her eyes and diamonds in her hair, Serena Williams waved goodbye to the cheering crowd and her beloved tennis -a game which she has changed for a long time to come. When it came out that she would be evolving away from professional tennis, it was a bittersweet feeling that prompted me to … Continue reading An Ode to Serena: Icon, Mother, Tennis Supremo
By Ashleigh Adams The character of the witch has been a mainstay in literature for centuries, with depictions ranging from menacing to aspirational. In modern media there is a wide variety of witchy stories; traditional portrayals present a sort of transgressive femininity, showcasing women who are old, vain, and power-hungry. Spectators have long enjoyed the witch as the ultimate horror, the abject woman. Old, ugly … Continue reading Toil and Trouble: The Character of the Witch in Literature
words by Laura Hughes As we begin to head into the colder months of late-autumn and winter, evening barbeques, weekends in pub gardens, and ÔÇÿpicky-bitsÔÇÖ dinners slowly become obsolete. The darkness and drop in temperature as nights draw-in earlier encourage us to bustle back home after uni, bypassing the coffee shops where weÔÇÖd meet our friends for a post-lecture coffee back in May. The upside … Continue reading The Ultimate Night-in Spread
Words by Amy Wild With the success of films such as Parasite and Squid Game, it is a good time to be in the business of dubbing and subtitles. As the global market grows, streaming is expanding the reach TV and films in foreign languages. English is no longer the sole domain of the industry, and to watch films and TV in languages you can’t … Continue reading Subs or Dubs
With many stories being adopted by the film industry and transformed into movies or TV shows, we can find excitement in discovering that our favourite book will soon be on screen. However, the disappointment can be all too real when we realise the producers failed to bring the novel any justice. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring ÔÇô J.R.R Tolkien J.R.R. … Continue reading Novels that Truly Outweigh their Film Adaptations
Written by Elliot Morgan 25/10/2022 It has been four years since Arctic Monkeys divided their fan base with the drastic left-turn that was Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. Whilst some loved the record, which took influences from lounge pop and psychedelia, many were disappointed with the departure from the MonkeysÔÇÖ traditional guitar-driven music. Their newest record, The Car, is no different. Retaining some elements of … Continue reading Arctic Monkeys – The Car Album Review
Written by Rubie Barker It sounds like a dream: one less day working and one day more to the weekend. For so many who work 9 to 5, Monday to Friday, we dream about what we would do with an extra day off work each week. With Iceland being one of the first countries to trial the 4-day working week back in 2015 and Belgium … Continue reading The Four-Day Working Week (Is It Working?)
Words and photos by Billy Edwards The audience at the Students’ Union waited with bated breath for The Feeling’s first appearance in Cardiff in some years. This was responded to very well on stage ÔÇô it began with a special harmony-laden fanfare of Fill My Little World rich with atmosphere. It sounded like an off cut from The Beach BoysÔÇÖ Smile Sessions, a piece of … Continue reading Review: The Feeling @ Cardiff Students’ Union 21/10/2022
18th October 2022 Joe Murphy puts a modern, relatable spin on a classic tale, and celebrates the magic of the Welsh Language in his adaptation of ShakespeareÔÇÖs A Midsummer NightÔÇÖs Dream. A story of mischief, trickery, and love triangles, ShakespeareÔÇÖs iconic play follows Hermia, Lysanna and Demetrius caught up in a love triangle, complicated further by the fairiesÔÇÖ playful love spellsÔǪ and a donkey! A … Continue reading Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Sherman Theatre
Words and photos by Harry Taylor A chilly night in Cardiff is felt most bitterly when standing, waiting for the doors of the wonderfully intimate Clwb Ifor Bach to open. Descending upon these doors, equally eager and expectant, were fifteen to twenty people, displaying their identification with this music scene through various skull t-shirts, chains, hats, piercings and badges. I felt like the odd one … Continue reading Ocean Grove @ Clwb Ifor Bach 18/10/2022
18th October 2022 Words by Omo Ifabua Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of seeing Stephen DaldryÔÇÖs An Inspector Calls at the New Theatre. Having studied JB PriestleyÔÇÖs original play at school 5 years ago and watching both film adaptations, I was definitely excited to see how this version would live up to my expectations. This was my first ever theatre trip in Cardiff and … Continue reading Review: An Inspector Calls at The New Theatre
Written by Harry Taylor Little Simz – Sometimes I Might Be Introvert Little Simz released her ground-breaking album Sometimes I Might Be Introvert (SIMBI) in September 2021, seeing her receive the second Mercury Prize nomination of her career. After she finally broke into the consciousness of music fans with her 5th album Grey Area in 2019, SIMBI sees her express similar themes through a wider … Continue reading The Mercury Prize Award 2022: Who Should Take It Home?
2nd October 202 at Wales Millenium Centre IÔÇÖd had my eye on Migrations since its world premiere in June and so was excited to see it had been reprised for Welsh National OperaÔÇÖs autumn season. With a diverse cast and creative team, and powerful subject matter, it promised progression away from the stereotypical white stuffiness associated with the opera world. Migrations dramatises six different stories … Continue reading Review: Welsh National OperaÔÇÖs Migrations
