Culture

Review: Beauty and the Beast

Ballet CymruÔÇÖs adaptation of the classic fairy-tale hit Riverfront Theatre, boasted a packed audience and outstanding cast and is a must see for anyone venturing to the Ballet this Christmas. There was definitely no hint of Disney in the Welsh ballet companyÔÇÖs performance, with Jeanne-Marie Leprince de BeaumontÔÇÖs French version shining through. The haunting music and absence of dialogue made for interpretation, as some scenes … Continue reading Review: Beauty and the Beast

elouisehobbs
Mexican tapas
Food

Review: Wahaca

  Co-founded by 2005 Masterchef winner Thomasina Miers, Wahaca promises a Mexican eating experience with a street-style twist. Situated on the outskirts of the St DavidÔÇÖs Centre opposite John Lewis, the restaurant oozes modernity yet with a hint of Mexican liveliness. The many lights hanging from the second floor ceiling create an intimate yet sophisticated atmosphere, bringing street-food into the realms of the restaurant and … Continue reading Review: Wahaca

emmagiles
Music

Interview: Honeyblood and Superfood

We chat to Superfood and Honeyblood about the 1990s, being the ÔÇÿones to watchÔÇÖ and exactly what they think about music magazines ÔÇÿWe didnÔÇÖt take it very seriously, we were quite bored at the time.ÔÇÖ It seems a pretty devil may care attitude, the way Ryan Malcom – ┬águitarist of Superfood – speaks of his early days in the band. ÔÇÿWe actually booked a gig … Continue reading Interview: Honeyblood and Superfood

charliemock
mallory knox press
Music

Interview: Mallory Knox, (Part One)

On Thursday 20th November, Danii Penny caught up with the lovely Sam Douglas, bassist and songwriter of Mallory Knox, for a chat ahead of their incredible headline show at Bristol’s O2 Academy. He talks about how MK formed and have progressed, and even gives us a little exclusive about a song from their new album, Asymmetry. Danii: IÔÇÖm not as nervous as I mightÔÇÖve been … Continue reading Interview: Mallory Knox, (Part One)

indiathomas
group photo at the gutsy goose restaurant
Food

Quench Food Evening: The Gutsy Goose

  Another month and therefore another chance for us to explore CardiffÔÇÖs independent eateries as we head to The Gutsy Goose on Crwys road for the second of QuenchÔÇÖs food evening. Despite having to battle the elements to get to the restaurant, everyone remained lively, eager to be let loose on the sizable menu and see what The Gutsy Goose had to offer. Dominating the … Continue reading Quench Food Evening: The Gutsy Goose

emmagiles
Christmas Dinner
Food

Cardiff Christmas Dinner Guide

Attending University is good for many things; earning qualifications, gaining quality life skills and learning about ÔÇÿthe real worldÔÇÖ, but even more importantly, it provides us students with the excuse to celebrate the jolliest time of the year twice. Christmas wouldnÔÇÖt be Christmas without stuffing yourself silly, and studying away from home usually means you get to indulge in some serious festive food with your … Continue reading Cardiff Christmas Dinner Guide

kathrynlewis
Music

Album: Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind

Words To The Blind sees two of LondonÔÇÖs most exciting alternative bands, the post-punk institution Savages and Japanese noise rockers Bo Ningen, perform simultaneously. At the heart of this 38 minute long experimental track is the early 20th century art movement Dadaism, in which artists valued and expressed irrational thought through visual chaos and unconventional structures. Words To The Blind finds the practice of automatic … Continue reading Album: Savages & Bo Ningen – Words To The Blind

charliemock
Travel

The UKÔÇÖs Top Islands

Island holidays are usually associated with white-sand beaches full of palm trees, endless sunshine and exotic places. Be it the Canaries, the Caribbean islands or the Philippines, the word ÔÇÿislandÔÇÖ itself gets people excited. However, we shouldnÔÇÖt forget that the UK holds an array of beautiful islands too, perhaps not rewarded with as much sunshine as the others but no less charming. Here are five … Continue reading The UKÔÇÖs Top Islands

oliviawaltho
Travel

Animal Tourism: Is it ever right?

Emma Forbes investigates the truths behind South-East AsiaÔÇÖs tiger and elephant tourism industries. When heading off on an ÔÇÿepicÔÇÖ trip around Southeast Asia, it is easy to get caught up in the fun, eagerly handing over money to those who promise to give you the ultimate experience of a life time. Lying down next to a fearsome tiger or riding a majestic elephant are unsurprisingly … Continue reading Animal Tourism: Is it ever right?

oliviawaltho
Culture

Backstage: Arabian Nights, Sherman Theatre

The Sherman TheatreÔÇÖs production of Arabian Nights is set to storm the Christmas Stage. Quench Culture got a sneak peak in the rehearsal room to see how preparations are going. The performance of Arabian Nights strikes the audience in its difference. This exotic tale of love, mystery and the joy of spoken word originated from folk tale to be translated into English published novel in … Continue reading Backstage: Arabian Nights, Sherman Theatre

elouisehobbs
Music

Album: Parkay Quarts – Content Nausea

Parkay Quarts – Parquet CourtsÔÇÖ offshoot consisting of Andrew Savage, Austin Brown and a few friends ÔÇô return with Content Nausea, juxtaposing the last Parquet Courts release, Sunbathing Animal, which heavily featured ideas of freedom, with the idea of ÔÇÿcontent.ÔÇÖ Content Nausea is a slower, plodding release compared to the more up-beat, aggressive albums previously released, but the characteristics of a sharp punk band are … Continue reading Album: Parkay Quarts – Content Nausea

charliemock
Music

Album: One Direction – Four

Despite their meteoric rise to fame and global success, Four does nothing to cement One DirectionÔÇÖs status as the most successful boy band since The Beatles. The aptly-titled fourth album from the band boasts a more sophisticated 70s pop-rock sound with Fleetwood Mac-esque guitar riffs and layered choruses reminiscent of EaglesÔÇÖ Hotel California. On paper, this sounds like a step in the right direction (pun … Continue reading Album: One Direction – Four

charliemock
Music

Live: The Kooks – The Great Hall – 22/11/2014

ItÔÇÖs been a bit of a musical rollercoaster for The Kooks; with a slippery on-record slope since finding an incredible debut inInside In/Inside Out, theyÔÇÖve been hanging by a thread for the past few albums. But, having ownership over the odd tune to keep them in contention has helped with 2014 seeing them pick up the slack with their fourth LP┬áListen.┬á Walking On Cars bring … Continue reading Live: The Kooks – The Great Hall – 22/11/2014

charliemock
Music

Live: The Gaslight Anthem – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 22/10/14

On a night where they’re competing with the Welsh rugby team for punters, there’s a worry that The Gaslight Anthem could play their joint largest ever show to a half-full room. Indeed, during openers BaysideÔÇÖs angst-punk set, the throng was barely ten deep with many electing for the seating at very back of the arena. The veteran New Yorkers pound through a half-hour set characterised … Continue reading Live: The Gaslight Anthem – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 22/10/14

charliemock
Film & TV

Genre in Review: Musical

Continuing Film & TVÔÇÖs exploration into narrative film genres; this instalment tackles the spectacle that is the Musical. Dating back to when our parents were growing up, musical movies inspired images in our minds of nuns running through the mountains or a boy and his grandpa singing about their impending trip to a chocolate factory. These classics of the genre have stayed strong with children … Continue reading Genre in Review: Musical

Aaron Roberts
Gingerbread latte cupcakes
Food, uncategorized

Recipe: Festive Gingerbread Latte Cupcakes

There’s no better way to get into the real festive spirit than rolling up the wooly sleeves and getting stuck into some seasonal baking. Here’s a great little recipe, inspired by winter lattes and Christmasy coffee shops, that’s a little more challenging but will look mega impressive to the housemates. For the Cake: Pop┬á150g of butter┬áin the microwave for 20 seconds, just until it’s soft … Continue reading Recipe: Festive Gingerbread Latte Cupcakes

kathrynlewis
Music

Review: Simple Things – 25/10/14

We review Bristol’s premier electronic and alternative music festival, Simple Things… How To Dress Well ÔÇô Colston Hall 1 The Colston Hall has an unwelcome habit of swallowing up anything that steps inside it; itÔÇÖs no secret that it takes something, or someone, special to counteract its consuming capabilities. Tom Krell is an unassuming man, not the sort youÔÇÖd expect to kill a crowdÔÇÖs chatter … Continue reading Review: Simple Things – 25/10/14

charliemock
photo of the chicken pastina soup
Food

Winter Warmer: Pastina Chicken Soup Recipe

Italian soul for the winter Ripped straight from the words of House Stark, ÔÇ£Winter is ComingÔÇØ. And thereÔÇÖs no better way to spend the cold nights than huddled up under a blanket, eating a luscious warm meal and maybe even reading a book (ÔǪnot necessarily the Game of Thrones books though). Being a student living on a tight budget, it doesnÔÇÖt necessarily mean that you … Continue reading Winter Warmer: Pastina Chicken Soup Recipe

emmagiles
Film & TV

Review: Nightcrawler

After a somewhat lacklustre summer for major blockbusters in terms of originality, the winter seems to be providing us with what we needed. After the release of films such as Fury, Interstellar and The Imitation Game;┬áNightcrawler slots neatly into the mix of these outstanding cinematic experiences. Set in Los Angeles, Louis Bloom (Jake Gyllenhaal) survives by scavenging and petty theft. He quickly stumbles on to … Continue reading Review: Nightcrawler

Aaron Roberts