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’
In February Drenge were handed the accolade of ÔÇÿBest New BandÔÇÖ at the NME Awards, fittingly rounding off a year that had seen their stock rise thanks to string of spirited live dates and a critically acclaimed debut album. 24 hours later, and fans are queuing around the corner for doors as the Derbyshire brothers headed to Bristol and The Fleece. Given itÔÇÖs timing, this … Continue reading Live Review: Drenge, The Fleece (Bristol), 27.02.14
The misery of a wet and windy Friday night in Cardiff is lost as you walk into The Globe, a small venue that you hope no one else has turned up to when you arrive – so you can grab a seat on the balcony and lord over those standing below. This night is a showcase of some very solid new bands out of Brighton, … Continue reading Live Review: Royal Blood, The Globe, 14.02.14
Eleanor Wilson chats to upcoming singer-songwriter George Ezra about what 2014 holds for him. YouÔÇÖre currently in the middle of your first UK headline tour. How has it been going so far and how have your audiences been? ItÔÇÖs been brilliant! ItÔÇÖs really interesting because a lot of the people coming to the gigs have just heard the first EP, so theyÔÇÖve heard a handful … Continue reading Interview: George Ezra
Welcome to the second episode of ICFilm. Below you will find Charlie and Imran, the Film & TV Editors, talking about the week’s news in Film & TV. Stay tuned for future episodes of ICFilm in which the guys will talk about the topics you have sent in. In this episode, We talk about Game of Thrones Season 4, Flash, Constantine, Captain America 3, Batman … Continue reading ICFilm Episode 2: “The Week in Film and TV”
Warning! Spoliers follow First of all, MAJOR SPOILERS FOLLOW. This is because, while still finding the time for a slightly forced ÔÇÿromanceÔÇÖ on the sidelines, involving Porthos (it was his turn again, I believe, according to the rota), and a challenge between the Musketeers and RichelieuÔÇÖs Red Guards, this episode directly tackles many crucial ongoing threads. DÔÇÖArtagnan loses his farm in Gascony and becomes a … Continue reading The Musketeers: “The Challenge” Review
Sherlock is back after an agonisingly long wait. In anticipation for the seriesÔÇÖ return Film & TV Editor Charlie Andrews sat down with Colm McCarthy, director of the second episode ÔÇÿÔÇØThe Sign of ThreeÔÇØ, to talk about the show You have worked with the BBC before on programmes such as Spooks and Doctor Who, what was it like to work on a show such as … Continue reading Interview: Colm McCarthy, Sherlock
In a scene thatÔÇÖs saturated with jangly guitar riffs, and where everyone and their brother are the next big breakthrough act, it can be hard to take ÔÇ£indie rockÔÇØ seriously sometimes. Sifting out the good from the bad becomes tiresome and before you know it your Superfood have become your Splashh. Thankfully, northerners Nai Harvest donÔÇÖt seem to let this bother them. Following up to … Continue reading Album Review: Nai Harvest – ‘Hold Open My Head’
A Newport-based reggae/metal band. It sounds like two musical genres and a place name picked out of a hat at random. But as sure as Peter ToshÔÇÖs ÔÇÿLegalise ItÔÇÖ and Black SabbathÔÇÖs ÔÇÿSweet LeafÔÇÖ are about the same topic,┬áSkindred┬áhave both a sound that comes together seamlessly and the reputation of being one of the UKÔÇÖs top live bands. The Newport Centre (how many gig venues … Continue reading Live Review: Skindred, Newport Centre, 08.03.14
The Welsh music scene is one that many hold dear. Wales Goes Pop is just one of a number of festivals dedicated to the promotion of the talent held within these borders. Taking place at The Gate, Roath’s beautiful converted church venue, the weekend aims to promote the poppier side of the Welsh scene. Check out our Spotify playlist for a taster of the festival … Continue reading Win two tickets to Wales Goes Pop festival with Quench Music!
Louis Browne & Jack Glasscock spoke to Matt Healy of rising indie-pop sensations The 1975 before their sellout Cardiff show. (Photos: Louis Browne) Hey! Has the tour been cool so far? DidnÔÇÖt you smash up a guitar last night? [Laughs] No, that was an accident! It was AdamÔÇÖs guitar and he put it down with slightly too much vigour and itÔÇÖs a hollow-body so it … Continue reading Interview: The 1975
