Reviewed by Amy Pay If you look up “scary theatre” on a search engine, youÔÇÖll see that The Woman In Black is widely held as the most frightening show.┬á HeadlongÔÇÖs adaptation of 1984, though, is by far one of the most disturbing pieces of theatre created during our lifetime The success of the play is largely down to OrwellÔÇÖs inventive dystopian novel on which it … Continue reading Review: 1984, Sherman Cymru
Reviewed by Vaiva Seskeviciute To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the award winning National Dance Company Wales presented a dynamic programme created by Stephen Petronio, Angelin Preljocaj and Eleesha Drennan. Performed by a team of 12 international dancers, three exhilarating compositions – Virtual Descent, Noces and Water Stories – were brought to the stage in Wales Millennium Centre on the 5th of November. The first performance … Continue reading Review: National Dance Company Wales, WMC
At what point between┬áChelsea Dagger and now did The Fratellis lose it? A change of sound for the band has resulted in a mish mash of all the acts that have appeared in the charts over the last twenty years, and not in a good way. ÔÇÿWe Need MedicineÔÇÖ, third album and comeback after a five-year hiatus for the Scottish trio opens with ÔÇÿHalloween BluesÔÇÖ. … Continue reading Album Review: The Fratellis – ‘We Need Medicine’
A soft-rock ballad is probably the best way to describe the latest release from BirminghamÔÇÖs alt-rockers┬áEditors. In other words, itÔÇÖs incredibly dull. A strange choice of single from the band, the track results in not much more than a slight swaying of head and lowering of eyelids. The addition of a brass section gives the tune a slight glimpse of excitement but other than … Continue reading Single Review: Editors – ‘Honesty’
In 2010, Hunstanton-based band Deaf Havana lost their aggressive vocalist Ryan Mellor, and with that a substantial aspect of their post-hardcore sound; their future as a band was uncertain.┬á But the band had been through too much together to just give it all up; too much hard work had been put in and too many hours had been spent on the road to run away.┬á … Continue reading Album Review: Deaf Havana – ‘Old Souls’
Mille Manderson has always showcased a typical Chelsea girl style by wearing neutral colours, excess bling and probably showing a bit too much flesh. By teaming these styles, Millie delivers a young and immature attitude to what is fashionable, and what looks good. However since becoming Professor GreenÔÇÖs beau, she has tried to change her ÔÇÿtypical ChelseaÔÇÖ looks by opting for a classic style with … Continue reading Style Icon: Millie Manderson
Drugs. Rape. Suicide. Murder. Homophobia. Misogyny. There didnÔÇÖt seem to be a taboo subject that Eminem wouldnÔÇÖt tackle releasing ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ back in 2000. Having since opted for an altogether less angry sound on following releases, from the jokiness of 2004ÔÇÖs Just Lose It to the reflectiveness of 2010ÔÇÖs Not Afraid, could it be that ÔÇÿthe most meanest emcee on this earthÔÇÖ has … Continue reading Album Review: Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP 2
Firmly placing itself within CardiffÔÇÖs Fashion Calendar, Cardiff Fashion WeekÔÇÖs showcase revealed upcoming A/W 13 trends from high street retailers and independent brands. One key trend was modernism, reflected within the monochrome colour palette, but also more predominantly within the structured, clear-cut silhouettes. Leathers and Tartan were key textures, nodding to the current inherent A/W punk trend, but also adding a touch of luxury through … Continue reading A night at Cardiff Fashion Week
In an age where music is plagued by over-production, 808s and dwindling sincerity, Luke Sital-Singh provides an oasis of calm for the British music scene. His third release, ÔÇÿTornados EPÔÇÖ, is chilling and inspiring; a mellifluous soundtrack to a crisp November stroll, perhaps. With previous recognition from The Guardian heralding the 25-year-old as a potential ÔÇ£British Bon IverÔÇØ, his latest four-track offering could indeed propel … Continue reading Album Review: Luke Sital-Singh – ‘Tornadoes’
Reviewed by Amy Endacott Boing!, devised by companies Travelling Light and Champloo Dance, is a piece of theatre which invited you to relive the excitement and anxieties of one of the most treasured childhood memories: Christmas Eve. The forty-minute piece spanned the tense twelve hours before Christmas morning and showed us all the ways two brothers try to pass the time. Performed on a simple … Continue reading Review: Boing!, Sherman Cymru
Have a guess at who was the most played band on the radio in 2006? Got a Feeling you know this oneÔǪ? It was of course The Feeling, who – after forming in the mid-90s – exploded into the British music mainstream in the mid-2000s with the smash hits, ÔÇ£Fill My Little WorldÔÇØ, ÔÇ£Never Be LonelyÔÇØ, and ÔÇ£I Love It When You CallÔÇØ. But their … Continue reading Preview: The Feeling & Yellowire, Solus, 3.11.12
With the Mercury and Welsh Music prizes both taking place this October, Joseph Ainscough takes a look at the relevance and intentions of music awards ceremonies, and who really benefits from them. The Mercury Prize – or The Barclaycard Mercury Prize to give it its full title – prides itself on recognising and rewarding the best of British music each year. Focussing on artists that … Continue reading Feature: And The Winner Is
Reviewed by Matthew Lee Schneider ÔÇ£This hotel does not belong to America. ┬áThere are no vacuum cleaners, no rules and shame. ┬áThe high spot of the surrealÔǪÔÇØ┬á – Arthur Miller. ┬á A stubborn weed in the garden of the American dream, the Chelsea Hotel was, is, and forever more will be a raw and true counter-cultural heartbeat behind the romantic fa├ºade that is Manhattan. ┬áIn … Continue reading Review: Chelsea Hotel, WMC
Sean Smith, the slightly more outspoken half of The BlackoutÔÇÖs vocal partnership, often jokes they are ÔÇ£the best live band in the world.ÔÇØ Taken seriously or not, the statement resonated during their 90-minute set on 24 October, as the post-hardcore sestet left CardiffÔÇÖs Solus throbbing, sweaty and in need of a lie down. The eager teens who had hours before scattered the steps of Cardiff … Continue reading Live Review: The Blackout, Solus, 24.10.13
The pumpkins are ripe and the ghouls are out; its Halloween and Quench Fashion are here to inspire your alter ego. Whether you are staying in watching Hocus Pocus, or are invited to a themed party, Halloween is a chance for you to leave the comforts of your make-up bag and experiment in some weird and creative designs. We have picked out a few of … Continue reading DIY Halloween make-up
Since letlive. broke into the UK hardcore scene following the release of their critically acclaimed album Fake History in 2010, they have never failed to impress, especially in the live arena.┬á The bands chaotic, visceral live reputation often precedes them; first arriving in the UK in the summer of 2011 for a few small support slot runs and a couple of festival slots, causing mayhem … Continue reading Live Review: letlive., Clwb Ifor Bach, 15.10.13
Remember Diana Vickers? Semi-finalist on The X Factor 2008? If not, perhaps you should, because take one glance at her impressive r├®sum├® and you’ll see a UK album chart-topper, original fashion line and acting roles in film, television and the West End marking her successes over the past five years. Back now with her second album Music To Make Boys Cry, Vickers claims it’s “the … Continue reading Album Review: Diana Vickers – ‘Music To Make Boys Cry’
Ahead of their return to Solus, Jack Glasscock and Louis Browne sat down with The Blackout‘s two vocalists to talk Merthyr and models. YouÔÇÖre almost halfway through your tour and yesterday you were back at home in Merthyr Tydfil, how was that? Sean Smith (Vocals): It was lovely ÔÇô 2008ÔÇÖs third roughest town in Britain. Gavin Butler (Vocals): Although, some of our crew spent the … Continue reading Interview: The Blackout
Words by Laura Carter IÔÇÖm sure I wasnÔÇÖt the only one to be absolutely horrified at the news that Helen Fielding had killed off Mark Darcy in her new book Mad About The Boy. The last time we read about dear Bridget, she was about to embark on married life with Mr Darcy himself. I know what youÔÇÖre going to say: ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs only a bookÔǪ … Continue reading Opinion: Why Burst Bridget Jones’ Bubble?
Adidas Originals x Stella McCartney SS14 After cladding out the GB Team for the London 2012 Olympics, Stella McCartney and Adidas have returned for another, perhaps unconventional collaboration. This time it is not McCartneyÔÇÖs lack of ÔÇÿBritishnessÔÇÖ that has caused up a stir, but her choice of runway. McCartney opted for a less conventional means of showcasing her Adidas collection, using aerial yoga, synchronised swimming, … Continue reading ItÔÇÖs fasercise, baby
