Into the Stream

There’s been a recent trend in broadcasting theatre, either live or recorded, on the internet or in cinemas. But people have been debating about whether this encourages people and shows, or discourages them and just allows them to stay at home. Jasmine Freeman tells us both sides of the story. The latest trend of streaming live theatre is breaking down the barriers between the masses … Continue reading Into the Stream

Fallen Women, Falling Myths

With the beginning of the Welsh National OperaÔÇÖs new season; ÔÇÿFallen WomenÔÇÖ, in Wales Millennium Centre next week, the subject of operaÔÇÖs place in the young adultÔÇÖs life is questioned. Jordan Nicholls takes us through some of the myths that have popped up around opera, and why theyÔÇÖre false. Many young adults are culturally curious, and enjoy activities such as trips to the museum and … Continue reading Fallen Women, Falling Myths

Review: Killzone: Shadow Fall

The Killzone franchise is seemingly to Sony what the Halo franchise is to Microsoft. Both are first-person shooters set in the future, with the first three main entries being centred on an intergalactic/interplanetary war and now they can add ÔÇÿfourth entry being a sequel-reboot’ to the list of similarities. Case in point, Killzone Shadow Fall, the fourth instalment in the Killzone franchise and PlayStation 4 … Continue reading Review: Killzone: Shadow Fall

Getting to Know your Community

Features editor Andy Love provides a quick guide to the Quench LGBT+ section and the wider Cardiff LGBT+ community, including the society, spots in town, and events. Hello, everybody! Welcome to the first LGBT+ page of the year! We would like to take this opportunity to clarify what to expect from both this section and Cardiff University as your chosen place of study in regards … Continue reading Getting to Know your Community

Spring Trend: Pastels

ItÔÇÖs a new year and that means some great new fashion trends!┬áAdmittedly, itÔÇÖs been a cold and wet start to the year, but contrary to the weather outside, the fashion forecast for 2014 looks brighter than ever.┬áFrom classic checked patterns to loud and proud slogan-bearing t-shirts, this yearÔÇÖs styles are diverse and there is something for everyone. Nothing says spring like soft pastel colours. True, … Continue reading Spring Trend: Pastels

Spring Trend (Editors Pick) – Tea Skirts with Cropped Tops

The length of a tea skirt falls between a maxi and a midi. Whilst the growing spectrum of hemlines may seem pedantic, the images conjured up of Alice in Wonderland style tea parties makes it all seem not so ÔÇÿmad hatterÔÇÖ. Although being pioneered as a spring trend by brand Alice + Olvia┬áthe tea skirt can be seen in many other S/S14 runways and is … Continue reading Spring Trend (Editors Pick) – Tea Skirts with Cropped Tops

Single Review: Radkey – ‘Feed My Brain’

Listening to RadkeyÔÇÖs new single ‘Feed My Brain’, it is clear to see that this punk-rock group are trying a different approach to their usual style of music. Gone is the fast paced tempo seen in tracks such as ‘Romance Dawn’, as instead we are introduced to a slower-paced, yet equally rocky sound. However, far from detracting from this bandÔÇÖs compelling music, ‘Feed My Brain’ … Continue reading Single Review: Radkey – ‘Feed My Brain’

Album Review: Whales In Cubicles – ‘Death in the Evening’

Taking their name from Andrew Bird song ÔÇÿPlasticitiesÔÇÖ, London-based indie rock four-piece Whales in Cubicles formed in 2010. ‘Death in the Evening’, recorded at Monnow Valley Studio in Wales with producer Nick Mailing, is their full-length debut album after two years of releasing singles. Stylistically, Whales in Cubicles donÔÇÖt seem to be bringing many new things to music on this heavily 90ÔÇÖs-influenced album. Short and … Continue reading Album Review: Whales In Cubicles – ‘Death in the Evening’

Album Review: The Destructors – ‘New York, New York’

The Destructors are a British punk band, formed on the back of the 1977 punk revolution.┬á They have attempted to re-live this heyday on more than one occasion, having reformed alongside a continually revolving line-up, name changes and a huge catalogue of releases.┬á One cannot deny their passion for the music that changed their lives. Their latest output, ÔÇÿNew York New YorkÔÇÖ is as close … Continue reading Album Review: The Destructors – ‘New York, New York’

Feature: Smartphones at Gigs

The way that we enjoy music has forever been subject to new media technology. From the compact disc to Spotify, and back again via music television, the music industry has altered in line with the new possibilities that technology has provided. Likewise, technology has provided new ways for fans to get hold of their favourite music with home taping and then illegal downloads making music … Continue reading Feature: Smartphones at Gigs

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

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

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’

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

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’

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’

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

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

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

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’