Christmas Countdown – Review: Wilco ‘Yankee Hotel Foxtrot’

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’

Review: Lab 22

By Emily Turner Cocktails have been around for centuries, are drank by almost everyone and are especially popular among young adults either on a more sophisticated evening, or just looking to get drunk (after working in a bar for a while now, the question ÔÇ£which cocktail has the most alcohol in?ÔÇØ is an easy way to let the bartender know your intentions for the night). … Continue reading Review: Lab 22

LIVE REVIEW: Raye @ The Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, 1/12/16

Rocking up on stage in a Louis Theroux t-shirt and baggy jeans, Raye could be mistaken for a Cardiff University fresher. That is, if your average fresher has been suggested to hold the same sassiness as Rihanna but with blonde curls bouncing across the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena with such energy that you felt compelled to dance alongside her. As an audience you could only marvel … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Raye @ The Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff, 1/12/16

Don’t Miss… Pixies tonight @ Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena!

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!

LIVE REVIEW: Gengahr @ The Louisiana, Bristol

The 23rd of November, brought Gengahr to Bristol’s legendary Louisiana. The Stoke Newington four-piece arrived on stage half an hour late, better late than never I suppose. They appeared at the back of the room and squeezed through the sold-out crowd to enter the stage, classic Louisiana style. There is no separate entrance for the artists to get onto the stage. Although itÔÇÖs a bit … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Gengahr @ The Louisiana, Bristol

Christmas Countdown – Review: Death Grips, ‘Bottomless Pit’

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’

Christmas Countdown – Review: Rush, ‘2112’

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’

Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them After the CGI shambles of ÔÇÿThe HobbitÔÇÖ, the endless swathe of Marvel and DC releases, and the largely likeable ÔÇÿStar WarsÔÇÖ sequel, the Harry Potter franchise made its lurch into the age of the reboot this week with ÔÇÿFantastic Beasts and Where to Find ThemÔÇÖ. J.K. Rowling had so far focused only on a narrow sliver of the … Continue reading Review: Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

Christmas Countdown – Review: Glass Animals, ‘How To Be Human’

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’

A Very Merry Vegan Christmas: Skinny Cut Out Biscuits Recipe

By Dominika Kusnierska Christmas is that time of year when we indulge so much we can hardly step away from the table. By the time we get to eating a dessert, weÔÇÖve already devoured tonnes of Pinterest-worthy appetisers and filling mains. Or maybe it is just me? Nonetheless, it is a great idea to incorporate some healthier alternatives for those fatty snacks loaded with refined … Continue reading A Very Merry Vegan Christmas: Skinny Cut Out Biscuits Recipe

Christmas Countdown – Review: Taylor Swift, ‘1989’

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’

Christmas Countdown – Review: The Saw Doctors, ‘Red Cortina’

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’

Review: The Borrowers, The Sherman Theatre

On Tuesday 29th November, the Sherman Theatre opened its doors to a heart-warming and lovable family story. The Borrowers is brought to life by a vibrant and endearing cast with the perfect story for Christmas. As one of those iconic tales from everyoneÔÇÖs childhood, you never outgrow the thrill of The Borrowers, of tiny people living under the floorboards and a whole new world which … Continue reading Review: The Borrowers, The Sherman Theatre

INTERVIEW: ├ëÔÇïsme Patterson

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

Christmas Countdown – Introducing: Will Joseph Cook

  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

Review: The Snow Queen, Wales Millennium Centre

The Snow Queen, Thursday 1st December, Weston Studio at Wales Millennium Centre. Reviewer: Hannah Hopkins.┬á Photography: Jonathan Dunn Last night was the opening night of Hijinx OdysseyÔÇÖs The Snow Queen, directed by Jon Dafydd-Kidd. Hijinx Odyssey is an inclusive community group for adults, brought together by their passion for performing, as well as the amateur arm of the Welsh theatre company, Hijinx. This was a … Continue reading Review: The Snow Queen, Wales Millennium Centre

T┼À Celf 2016/17

Calling all creators: do you want an opportunity for your work to be in print!? Each year Quench publishes its annual arts supplement magazine; T┼À Celf, and we are now looking for submissions! We are after contributions from Cardiff University students (both undergrad and postgrad) in the form of photography, poetry, prose and artworks (both digital and traditional mediums). If chosen your contribution will be … Continue reading T┼À Celf 2016/17

Christmas Countdown – Review: Jack Garratt – ÔÇÿPhaseÔÇÖ

  After selling out two shows at LondonÔÇÖs Eventim Apollo, and our very own Cardiff SU (along with many other venues on the way), Jack Garratt has had quite the year. Not only has he had a stellar tour that has seen him take on the world, but the young artist also won the Brits CriticsÔÇÖ Choice Award as well as the BBC Sound of … Continue reading Christmas Countdown – Review: Jack Garratt – ÔÇÿPhaseÔÇÖ