Film & TV

Review: Inside Llewyn Davis

The Coen brothersÔÇÖ latest offering follows a heavily fictionalized recreation of the New York folk scene of the 1960s, shortly before the great folk revival. Effortlessly hilarious without sacrificing poignancy, Inside Llewyn Davis explores life in a pre-gentrified Greenwich Village through the eyes of a failing folk singer in crisis. The career of Oscar IsaacÔÇÖs Davis is loosely modeled on the influential but commercially unsuccessful … Continue reading Review: Inside Llewyn Davis

Charlie919 Comments
Culture

Review: Buffalo Comedy, Buffalo Bar

A brand new, and very well-publicised comedy night has come to Buffalo Bar. Sitting right on the doorstep of Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs student populous, Buffalo comedy promised to bring a professional comedy night with value for money, and it has already delivered with its first instalment. The room feels like home for stand-up comedy; its capacity balances intimacy and gathering perfectly, and the acoustics make every … Continue reading Review: Buffalo Comedy, Buffalo Bar

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Music

Album Review: Skindred – ‘Kill The Power’

SkindredÔÇÖs take on alternative metal combined with dancehall, hip hop and electronica has proven to be one of the most exhilarating and entertaining live experiences around. All studio albums have had a good number of exciting anthems, but the band gives a sense that they are yet to deliver a consistently great┬áone that conjures up the same thrill of one of their live shows. With … Continue reading Album Review: Skindred – ‘Kill The Power’

Tom Connick213 Comments
Music

Spotlight: Undertone, Cardiff

There are three kinds of basement; that of creepy horror films, the pop-punk band and venues equipped for reams of mega-fun parties. Undertone is the latter, perhaps with a sprinkling of the second (fingers crossed). Undertone, you know, that door next to 10 Feet Tall thatÔÇÖs always blasting your favourite song out as you pass by, has recently had a compete re-vamp and it is, … Continue reading Spotlight: Undertone, Cardiff

Tom Connick54 Comments
Music

Album Review: Stallone – ‘Cardiac Black’

Stallone are amongst the ranks of the recent resurgence in brilliant UK hardcore; and what an addition they are! Their debut album, ÔÇÿMireÔÇÖ, was released last October and was received exceptionally well with a notable, thoroughly deserved 8/10 review from Rock Sound magazine, including this promising line, ÔÇ£theyÔÇÖll be turning heads soon enoughÔÇØ.┬á And that statement was not wrong! With their latest output ÔÇÿCardiac BlackÔÇÖ, … Continue reading Album Review: Stallone – ‘Cardiac Black’

Tom Connick255 Comments
Music

Album Review: Lewis Watson – ‘Some Songs With Some Friends’

Despite not being the most imaginative of titles, Lewis WatsonÔÇÖs fifth EP ÔÇÿSome Songs With Some FriendsÔÇÖ does exactly what it says on the tin. After launching his career on YouTube, WatsonÔÇÖs popularity and recognition has accelerated with each EP release, and ÔÇÿSome Songs With Some FriendsÔÇÖ documents his ongoing progression as an artist. The lead track ÔÇÿEven IfÔÇÖ was initially released on his second … Continue reading Album Review: Lewis Watson – ‘Some Songs With Some Friends’

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Culture

Book Review: ‘Why WasnÔÇÖt I Taught This At School?’ by Dave Reynolds

Although there is a focus on monetary success, Why WasnÔÇÖt I Taught This At School? aims to bring an all-round feeling of success which stretches from career to personal life. The central idea is that change is possible, but only if it comes from within; that thinking like a winner leads to acting like a winner, leads to being a winner. Reynolds adopts a Nurture … Continue reading Book Review: ‘Why WasnÔÇÖt I Taught This At School?’ by Dave Reynolds

Charlie311 Comments
Film & TV

Review: 12 Years A Slave

Imagine being abducted and forced to serve somebody against your own will. Imagine having to call somebody ÔÇÿmaster ÔÇÿ in order to keep your life.┬á You canÔÇÖt? After all, in a democratic country the idea of equal human rights for everybody goes without saying. At least thatÔÇÖs what most of us think. Based on the memoir of the same name by Solomon Northup, 12 Years … Continue reading Review: 12 Years A Slave

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Music, uncategorized

Live Review: Mayday Parade, Solus, 03.02.14

You can forgive people for thinking that pop punk is for kids. The steadily growing queue of fans that snakes its way around the streets surrounding Cardiff’s Student’s Union consists predominantly of 14 year olds who have just discovered hair dye. That aside, the sheer amount of people suggests the show deserves at least some attention. First to take the stage of the sweaty, beer-scented … Continue reading Live Review: Mayday Parade, Solus, 03.02.14

Tom Connick1 Comment
Music

Album Review: You Me At Six – ‘Cavalier Youth’

You Me At SixÔÇÖs long-awaited ‘Cavalier Youth’ has finally arrived. Touted as an album of epic proportions, the Weybridge quintet have delivered the album of their careers. Turning their back on both the pop-punk and post-hardcore scenes that had influenced them in the past, ÔÇÿCavalier YouthÔÇÖ could be the release that sees them become a band listened to by everybody. Striving for commercialism rarely makes … Continue reading Album Review: You Me At Six – ‘Cavalier Youth’

Tom Connick25 Comments
Music

Album Review: Warpaint – ‘Warpaint’

Four long years since their full-length debut ÔÇÿThe FoolÔÇÖ, Warpaint open their self-titled follow up with an apology. Seconds into ‘Intro’, drummer Stella Mogwaza makes a minor error, drawing attention to it with a scream and a ÔÇ£sorryÔÇØ, then shrugs it off and begins an impressive percussive performance, setting the tones for band and album. ÔÇÿIntroÔÇÖ has a rollicking drive and guitars that weigh ambience … Continue reading Album Review: Warpaint – ‘Warpaint’

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Culture

Review: La traviata, WMC

Culture are on a mission to debunk the myths that make opera seem boring and unapproachable. Vaiva Seskeviciute reviews the dramatic story of La traviata, where the courtesan ViolettaÔÇÖs rise and tragic fall is spellbindingly presented through dance, music and song. Images courtesy of┬áRoger Donovan A string orchestra, and the mysterious walk of Alfredo opened the scene of La traviata, VerdiÔÇÖs most famous opera. The … Continue reading Review: La traviata, WMC

Charlie1,599 Comments
Music

Review: East India Youth – Total Strife Forever

ThereÔÇÖs something very special about the construction of East India YouthÔÇÖs debut LP ÔÇô ÔÇÿTotal Strife ForeverÔÇÖ. Somehow, William Doyle has managed to make an album which is sporadic, indecisive and yet beautifully flowing all at the same time. With influences ranging from David Bowie and Sufjan Stevens to Factory Floor, any attempt to pigeon-hole this album into one given genre would be an insult … Continue reading Review: East India Youth – Total Strife Forever

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Travel

Top Travel Blogs

Like many final year students too scared to face up to real-world demands and find a job just yet, IÔÇÖve recently been planning a post-University gap year to Australia and parts of Asia. Whereas, in years gone by, I remember my parents pouring over endless brochures, atlases and travel guides before deciding on that years summer holiday, my first thought when planning my travels was … Continue reading Top Travel Blogs

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Travel

Travel Aspirations 2014

This month Quench Travel finds out which destinations are tempting our fellow students to explore different cultures in 2014!┬á Interrailing Following a pretty dismal summer of 2013, the winter-exam-January blues spurred on the adventurist within me and I have now planned to go interrailing around Europe this summer. Such a brilliant form of procrastination, I might add. With my best friend now residing up north, … Continue reading Travel Aspirations 2014

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Culture

Review: Fiddler on the Roof – The New Theatre

Paul Michael Glaser, star of ÔÇÿ70s cop thriller ÔÇÿStarsky and HutchÔÇÖ, leads the talented cast of Fiddler on the Roof as Tevye which is on at the New Theatre until Saturday 8th February. Set in Tsarist Russia in 1905, Fiddler tells the story of Tevye, the father of five daughters who attempts to preserve his family and Jewish traditions in the face of the Tsar … Continue reading Review: Fiddler on the Roof – The New Theatre

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Fashion

Keep The Faith ÔÇô Behind the Scenes

Behind the scenes at Burbidge Studios fashion shoot for Quench Magazine, shot at Keep the Faith Social Club Keep The Faith Social Club is neatly situated in Royal Arcade, just off the hustle of the Hayes. The bespoke barber-come-tattoo parlour provides a safe haven of vintage charm met with a modern twist.┬á Whether you are looking for a new haircut, a wet shave, tattoo or … Continue reading Keep The Faith ÔÇô Behind the Scenes

charliemock57 Comments
Music

Review: Eagulls – Eagulls

The Leeds-based five-piece will drop their self-titled LP on March 3rd, but is it more eagle or seagull? Perhaps someone has already come up with that, but this album feels like both across its 10 tracks, swaying between a sense of wonderful intrigue and ear-piercing doubt. There is a bunch of mysterious openings and dark riffs to get interested in, with opener ÔÇÿNerve EndingsÔÇÖ suggesting … Continue reading Review: Eagulls – Eagulls

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Fashion

Run-ing The World: A Day in a Runners’ Shoes

  Fashion weeks are an exciting time for any┬áfashionista, and Cardiff fashion week promised to be just that. Although┬ásmaller scale event to the more known London, New York, Paris, Milan fashion weeks, its locality offered something special and unique to those who live and work in Cardiff, showcasing not only major brands and designers but local boutiques and outlets. CFW, could not have been more … Continue reading Run-ing The World: A Day in a Runners’ Shoes

Jess Rayner996 Comments
Music

Interview: Frank Turner

Dillion Eastoe speaks to Frank Turner ahead of the first night of his arena tour at Cardiff’s Motorpoint Arena. Tonight is the first show of the tour, how are you going to translate the live show from the smaller venues youÔÇÖre used to, to playing in an arena setting? Frank: ItÔÇÖs a question I spend a lot of time thinking about actually. The reason weÔÇÖre … Continue reading Interview: Frank Turner

Tom Connick3 Comments