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
ÔÇ£Craig Bellamy to turn up, or maybe Tom JonesÔÇØ, was the expectation Jaws held of their first live outing in Wales. The dream-pop four-piece arrived in the Welsh capital supporting fellow Brummie band, The Twang, the latest show in a long list that dates back to the beginning of summer. ÔÇ£Literally every weekend for two months it was either a festival or an all-dayer that … Continue reading Feature: Jaws
October 12th saw Tom Odell give an outstanding performance to a thrilled audience. The show was by anyoneÔÇÖs standards a musical feast of talent from beginning to end, playing a number of his singles and album tracks as well as a Beatles cover and some new material ÔÇô bliss! Despite waiting for two and a half hours from opening for Odell to actually appear. when … Continue reading Live Review: Tom Odell, Great Hall, 12.10.13
Back in the 1970s, the UK played a major role in the huge new genre punk-rock. Since then, punk has changed a lot, as the StatesÔÇÖ took hold of it with Green Day and Rise Against. But with the Burton-based Max Raptor, the UK showcases how it can still create some solid punk-rock, with their latest album ‘MotherÔÇÖs Ruin’. It must be said this is … Continue reading Album Review: Max Raptor – ‘Mother’s Ruin’
Following on from the release of their last EP┬á’Lust & Lies’┬áa few months back, The Ramona Flowers’ new single ÔÇÿBrighterÔÇÖ is something which echoes this up-and-coming bandÔÇÖs potential for success. There are few bands around today that can mix a hint of rock, indie and electronica successfully, with a sense of raw passion, talent and hauntingly infectious lyrics; The Ramona Flowers can pull that off … Continue reading Single Review: The Ramona Flowers – ‘Brighter’
If youÔÇÖre looking for a cross between everything you once found on MySpace and the Camp Rock soundtrack, then Australian ÔÇÿalt-rockersÔÇÖ The Getaway Plan are your guys. Self-produced EP ‘Lovesick’ goes from almost catchy to downright depressing as it burns through its four painfully samey tracks. Whilst the riffs in title track ÔÇÿLovesickÔÇÖ could be the making of something more, TGPÔÇÖs whiney teen-angst lyrics (ÔÇÿI … Continue reading Album Review: The Getaway Plan – ‘Lovesick’
Wave goodbye to ‘MMMBop’, kids, Hanson are back with a cleaner, more mature release┬á(you would hope so after nearly twenty years in the game) that could just send them into the charts once more. ThatÔÇÖs if the charts want something that sounds like Maroon 5 circa 2002 – ÔÇÿJulietÔÇÖ (complete with lyrical references to the play) and ÔÇÿTragic SymphonyÔÇÖ scream Songs about Jane. But then, … Continue reading Album Review: Hanson – ‘Anthem’
Just before they took to the Great Hall to support Bastille, Amy Endacott took a quick five to catch up with To Kill A King frontman Ralph Pelleymounter.┬á Hello Ralph, and welcome to very wet and miserable Wales! Have you been to the country before?┬á WeÔÇÖve been here a few times and we really like it. Everyone is very welcoming and weÔÇÖve just been round … Continue reading Interview: To Kill A King
Liam ‘Maccers’ McNeilly┬áhas a little chinwag with self-proclaimed “Drunk Folk Singer” Beans On Toast at Clwb Ifor Bach. You spend a lot of time on tour. How has this one been and have there been any highlights for you? This tourÔÇÖs been a bit of a game changer. ItÔÇÖs flown really well and itÔÇÖs been banginÔÇÖ every night. In terms of highlights, I really like … Continue reading Interview: Beans on Toast
Charlie Mock hits the streets of Cardiff to see what your are wearing this Autumn/Winter – a perfect way to get some fashion inspiration and who doesn’t love a style stalk! Emily made the most of the Student Lock-In and got a Vivienne Westwood bag. Her jumper and shoes are Topshop, which she has teamed with leggings from Aldi and a gorgeous Alexander McQueen scarf. … Continue reading Street Style
Menswear writer┬áJonathan Keys┬áreviews the streetwear store Street Casuals. Continue reading “Review: Street Casuals, Morgan Quarter”
Heading over the Atlantic for their first UK headline tour, Los Angeles’ self-confessed ‘soul punx’ letlive.┬ácaught up with Tom Connick ahead of their sold out show at Clwb Ifor Bach. How does it feel to be playing a headline show ÔÇô to be able to come over completely off your own back? Jason Aalon Butler (vocals): Dude, we talk about it like every day. ItÔÇÖs … Continue reading Interview: letlive.
Reviewed by Sum Sze Tam Sitting down at the stage of IÔÇÖm With The Band, youÔÇÖd think it was the set of a somewhat bland music gig. The actors come out and start playing their first song ÔÇÿWeÔÇÖre All In This TogetherÔÇÖ (not the finale from High School Musical), and though the show is premised as an allegory for the political state of the UK, … Continue reading Review: I’m With The Band, WMC
