There is a tendency among activists and allies of the mainstream gay rights movement to treat marriage equality as the be-all and end-all of LGBT+ liberation. This is despite the fact that there are neighbourhoods across the UK where same gender couples risk violent assault if they dare to hold hands; some trans* people are still dependent on ignorant or unpleasant doctors for lifesaving medical … Continue reading Some Are More Equal Than Others
Solus is busy before Falling With Style even start.┬á Their sound is powerful, vocal driven, heavy rock ÔÇô not unlike Linkin Park ÔÇô and it definietly precedes their youth.┬á Singer Lucas Woodland performs confidently; itÔÇÖs refreshing to see a young band move on stage with such passion and energy (you can blame raging teenage hormones for that).┬á┬á Unfortunately, the band seem to have little understanding … Continue reading Live Review: Straight Lines, Solus, 09.03.14
Liam Havard shares his thoughts on the negative connotation of the word ÔÇÿgayÔÇÖ and the increasing popularity of the ÔÇÿgay best friendÔÇÖ Although prejudice against the LGBT+ community is dissolving, homophobia still exists today – even in the subtlest of forms. ┬áThere are several factors out there today that do this, such as how the word “gay” now has negative connotations associated with it and … Continue reading Always gay, never a person
Quench are going to be looking at some of the life-changing progress that has been made in the different areas of LGBT+ throughout history. From the new same-sex marriage bill to influential role models – we celebrate just how much has been done for the cause Lesbian & Gay Written by: Alexandra Howells Progress in Section: 2013 turned out to be a pretty exciting year … Continue reading LGBT+ Progress
MorrisseyÔÇÖs third solo effort post-Smiths-departure has recently been re-released. Recognised as his seminal album, ÔÇÿYour ArsenalÔÇÖ sent MorisseyÔÇÖs career on an upward trajectory. Including four chart singles and boasting an extra DVD of previously unreleased live footage, the Definitive Master edition will surely be snapped up by hardcore fans. Despite the randomness of the release, it is inevitably going to reawaken an interest in MorisseyÔÇÖs … Continue reading Album Review: Morrissey – ‘Your Arsenal’
Charlie Mock talks to the New Jersey pop punk crew about defending pop punk. You can ignore pop punk all you like, but New JerseyÔÇÖs Man Overboard – along with their ÔÇÿDefend Pop PunkÔÇÖ mantra – are making sure that itÔÇÖs one genre that wonÔÇÖt be disappearing any time soon. At least, not on their watches. ÔÇÿThroughout the years itÔÇÖs always been thereÔÇÖ vocalist Nik … Continue reading Interview: Man Overboard
Warning! Spoilers follow Hardly any spoilers are possible for the main plot of an episode called ÔÇÿKnight Takes QueenÔÇÖ, knowing the premise from last weekÔÇÖs preview: some of the Musketeers, Aramis included, are besieged in a convent, trying to protect the young Queen Anne. We already know, from previous not too subtle hints, that she has a weak spot for him, and Santiago Cabrera had … Continue reading The Musketeers: “Knight Takes Queen” Review
The California-based groove metal band return to the UK in support of their new album, Winter Kills, released last summer. Without a doubt, Devildriver have now hit their stride, with six studio albums under their belt, and a dedicated following of fans, they are without doubt one of the biggest metal bands to come out of America in the past decade. With an unrelenting, brutal … Continue reading Preview: Devildriver / Sylosis / Bleed From Within, Cardiff Solus, 03.04.14
Welcome to the third episode of ICFilm! In this episode, we are joined by a very special guest (Video Games Editor Rhian Carruthers) who helps us answer two questions that you, our viewers, kindly submitted to us. We kick things off by answering the question: “If you could have any film remade what would it be?”. This brings a variety of interesting answers, some including … Continue reading ICFilm Episode 3: “Remakes and Adaptations”
The word ÔÇÿelusiveÔÇÖ is often thrown about when discussing new, emerging bands, but in the case of Jungle, it couldnÔÇÖt be more appropriate. Despite revealing very little about themselves, the group have built up a large fanbase, including Radio 1ÔÇÖs Huw Stephens who called them, “One of the most intriguing and fresh sounding bands out there”. Further recognition for Jungle came when they found themselves … Continue reading Preview: Jungle at The Globe, Cardiff
Kendal-based indie rock band and Mercury Prize nominees Wild BeastsÔÇÖ fourth album ÔÇÿPresent TenseÔÇÖ sees the light of day following a full year of studio work, after experiences of ÔÇÿburn outÔÇÖ from the two year touring cycle for previous album ÔÇÿSmotherÔÇÖ. The album title is in many ways a reflection of the style; their aim for this body of work is reflecting their identity in … Continue reading Album Review: Wild Beasts – ‘Present Tense’
Charlie Mock speaks to indie-pop heroes Johnny Foreigner following the release of ‘You Can Do Better’ and ahead of their show for Jealous Lovers Club at Clwb Ifor Bach on March 28th. ÔÇÿYou Can Do BetterÔÇÖ was released just over a week ago now. How does it feel to finally get it out there?┬á It feels excellent. Like, now we can back up the last … Continue reading Interview: Johnny Foreigner
Armed with the modest means of just two guitars and a collection of skillfully crafted songs, George Ezra embarks on his first headline UK tour. Ezra satirically humoured Clwb Ifor BachÔÇÖs crowd by suggesting that his two guitars granted him ÔÇÿprofessionalÔÇÖ status, yet it is clear that Ezra can captivate an audience despite such an economical production. Support came from Geordie powerhouse Eva Stone, whose … Continue reading Live Review: George Ezra, Clwb Ifor Bach, 16.02.14
A one-woman, one-dog show has come like a whirlwind into Cardiff, and itÔÇÖs a story of celebrity culture and the consequences of putting yourself in the public eye, all wrapped up with plenty of sparkling, simple humour Major Tom is an original one-woman show created and performed by Victoria Melody, detailing her and her bassett houndÔÇÖs (the title character) adventures in beauty pageants and dog … Continue reading Review: Major Tom, WMC
It is truly remarkable that in a matter of years, CardiffÔÇÖs electronic music community has grown from one or two niche club nights, to a plethora of burgeoning events, each with their own sounds and styles, comfortably putting it as one of the most interesting in the country. The scope of size and breadth of the venues facilitating this kind of music is, also, remarkable. … Continue reading Feature: And The Beat Goes On – Cardiff and Underground Dance
Kirsty Fardell gives us a run down of the best foundations on a student budget.┬á M.A.C Studio Fix Fluid -┬ú21.50 at M.A.C ┬á This is a great, flawless foundation for a natural matte finish complete with buildable medium coverage. It helps to absorb and disperse oil for combination or oily skin, as well as containing moisturising ingredients. The colour matches M.A.C provide are also suited … Continue reading Student-Friendly Beauty – Foundations
Kirsty Fardell talks us through the best powders on the market for a student budget.┬á Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder – ┬ú3.99 at Boots This is a great product to keep a shiny face at bay. There is little worse than seeing club photos with a bright flash highlighting your oily face from the night before, so this saviour is a must-carry product. It doesnÔÇÖt … Continue reading Student-Friendly Beauty – Powders
Julien MacdonaldÔÇÖs Autumn/ Winter and Spring/Summer 2014 collections both featured many standout pieces. Unlike many other collections, which stuck to simple black and white, Julien injected nudes, gold, silver, green, blue and red tones to make distinctive pieces. He also incorporated longer hem lines with most dresses knee length or full length, with the sleeve length also following suit. The clothes are clearly not designed … Continue reading LFW 2014: Best Collection
Following on from performances around Cardiff, at the Ale Festival and Koko Gorillaz, Hopscotch Sundays are going just downstairs from previous gig venue Ten Feet Tall for a show at Undertone. There is a healthy attendance at the venue, with its intimate nature and dark lighting. But the headline act at tonightÔÇÖs Kenyan Orphan Project is anything but dark. The smart/casual-dressed ska sextet, led by … Continue reading Live Review: Hopscotch Sundays, Undertone, 11.03.14
Olsen officially came on the scene with EP ÔÇÿStrange CactiÔÇÖ, a not displeasing clash of sparse, eerie echoes and voice oscillating between registers. The touch of folk that crept its way in was fully unleashed in first album ÔÇÿHalf Way HomeÔÇÖ, released in 2012. Angel Olsen went from resonance-in-the-rough to crisp vocals over guitar picking; from songs entitled ÔÇÿIf ItÔÇÖs Alive, It WillÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿCreator, … Continue reading Album Review: Angel Olsen – ‘Burn Your Fire For No Witness’
