Food

Review: Zi’s Cafe, authentic Chinese in Cardiff – Tan Wen Min

Tan Wen Min┬átells us┬áabout one of her favourite Chinese restaurants in Cardiff, Zi’s Cafe. If thereÔÇÖs one thing you can learn┬áfrom eating Chinese food, itÔÇÖs that you’ll never get tired of it! Zi’s Cafe is a family-run restaurant has been in Cardiff since 2009; its extensive menu covers everything from a multitude of meat and seafood dishes, to even Chinese desserts. An undisputed favourite amongst … Continue reading Review: Zi’s Cafe, authentic Chinese in Cardiff – Tan Wen Min

Zenn Wong
Culture

Review: American Idiot, New Theatre

Review by Dillon Eastoe AMERICAN IDIOT The New Theatre welcomed a variety┬áof people into its doors for the opening of American Idiot this week. ┬áTeenage fans here for their favourite Green Day songs, their curious parents chaperoning them, and a few who seem like regular theatre goers (you wonder if theyÔÇÖre aware what theyÔÇÖre in for). As the cast make final preparations backstage, a TV … Continue reading Review: American Idiot, New Theatre

georgecaulton
Live Reviews, Music

Live: DimSwn 2016 – Islands.

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.

Erin Gillespie
Ought
Music

Live: Ought ÔÇô Clwb Ifor Bach ÔÇô 20/04/2016

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

jackglasscock
Mirage
Film & TV

CIFF 2016 Preview

Cardiff Independent Film Festival (CIFF)┬áis a showcase for┬áindependent filmmakers to exhibit both features and shorts. This year’s festival, between the 21-24th April at Chapter Arts Centre, will have a focus on some of the best independent animations from around the world, as well as documentaries, dramas and experimental film. Quench Film editor Sadia Pineda Hameed gives you a preview of just some of the exciting … Continue reading CIFF 2016 Preview

Sadia Pineda Hameed
Fashion

Review: YSL x Elle Beauty Masterclass

  To celebrate the launch of YSL’s fresh off the boat┬áTouche ├ëclat Le Teint foundation, Elle Beauty School and Debenhams beauty got on board and created a masterclass for the public to have some fun and test out their new formula. After no hesitating on the Golden VIP tickets kindly offered to us, off we went and what a fun day it was indeed, with … Continue reading Review: YSL x Elle Beauty Masterclass

jamilagandhi
Music

***emergency announcement***

***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***

Erin Gillespie
Fashion

Review: Vintage Kilo Sale

The Cardiff Vintage Kilo Sale was just as expected. The old rustic smell, the clutter and chaos and the hundreds of attendees all in hope of grabbing some bargains. The event took place in Portland House situated in Cardiff Bay on Saturday 9th April – perfectly timed for a spring closet refresh! The building was swarming with clothing enthusiasts carrying the bright purple plastic bag … Continue reading Review: Vintage Kilo Sale

jamilagandhi
Matt and Kim
Music

Live: Matt & Kim – The Fleece, Bristol – 7/04/16

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

jackglasscock
Frankie Cosmos - 'Next Thing'
Music

ALbum: Frankie Cosmos – ‘Next Thing’

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’

jackglasscock
Before Sunrise
Film & TV

Spotlight: Richard Linklater

Each month, Quench looks at a different director’s selected filmography. We take a look at Richard Linklater┬áfor MarchÔÇÖs online feature. Born in Houston Texas, Richard Linklater came to filmmaking later than some. He discovered filmmaking as his creative art form around his early twenties, initially writing short stories and plays. LinklaterÔÇÖs early films and many of his larger subsequent releases are often situated in and … Continue reading Spotlight: Richard Linklater

Sadia Pineda Hameed
Culture

Review: Hairspray, The New Theatre.

Reviewed by Ellie Philpotts LetÔÇÖs face it ÔÇô sometimes everything can seem like a bit of a stressor. So what better way to mark the start of the Easter holidays after a good few weeks of essays, deadlines and maybe attempted revision than by boogying your way into the 1960s? ┬á Hairspray is somewhat of a classic ÔÇô even if musicals arenÔÇÖt your scene, you … Continue reading Review: Hairspray, The New Theatre.

georgecaulton
Culture

Review: Chronolust, Act One, YMCA Theatre

Review by Molly Wyatt Chronolust is ChronoMUST! Last spring at Act OneÔÇÖs ÔÇÿStaging a CoupÔÇÖ I was lucky enough to watch a fifteen minute play called ÔÇÿChronolust.ÔÇÖ Amazed by the compact production, and mesmerised by the concept, we all left wanting more ÔÇô and last night I was fortunate enough to have that fulfilled. Both written and directed by Sam Walker himself, ÔÇÿChronolustÔÇÖ is a … Continue reading Review: Chronolust, Act One, YMCA Theatre

georgecaulton
Brian Fallon - 'Painkillers'
Music

Album: Brian Fallon – ‘Painkillers’

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’

jackglasscock
Music

Interview: Mark Daman Thomas – From Now On Festival

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

Emily Giblett
Culture

Review: Betrayal, St David’s Hall.

Review by Dimana Markova The central theme of Harold Pinter’s ‘Betrayal’ is, as the title suggests to some extent, the betrayal in the relationships between a woman, her husband and his best friend. Beginning from the end of the chronological story, the play starts with the moment when Emma shares that her marriage with Robert is over to Jerry- Roberts best friend and also the … Continue reading Review: Betrayal, St David’s Hall.

georgecaulton
Video Games

A Horse, a Horse! My Video Game for a Horse!

Canines have to take the back seat when it comes to manÔÇÖs best friend in video games. All dogs can do is look cute and barkÔǪ you canÔÇÖt even use them as a means of transportation. This is where the domesticated horse comes in. With an average top speed of 30mph, horses can outrun hoverboards, sloths and provisional license holders. This makes them the perfect … Continue reading A Horse, a Horse! My Video Game for a Horse!

Saman Izadyar