Walking into a venue to see the mass of curly blondness that is Big Jeff in the front row is practically synonymous with great expectations of a night. With a reputation of attending only the best show of the day, Jeff and his unruly hairdo set the mark pretty high Bristol’s ‘most confrontational punksters’ The St Pierre Snake Invasion start the evening off on the … Continue reading Live Review: Future of the Left – Thekla, 15.11.13
The Moon Club feels like the queue for a Ryanair flight. ItÔÇÖs rammed, bursting at the seams with a mass of sweaty, excitable people. ThereÔÇÖs a lovely buzz; Rapper Skunkadelic and his DJ are warming up the Moon nicely as it waits for the self-proclaimed Black Shakespeare, Akala. This is, perhaps, the perfect setting. Psychedelic graffiti covers the walls, the stage is close enough to … Continue reading Live Review: Akala – The Moon Club – 5.12.13
SheffieldÔÇÖs emo-rock two-piece Nai Harvest popped in for a chat with Charlie Mock about their new record, Gnarwolves and Twin Peaks. Let’s start by getting down to the meaning behind your name. It’s a reference to the American band Saetia- have they been a big influence on your music?┬á Ben: Not really! When I first started writing stuff for this we didnÔÇÖt really have a … Continue reading Interview: Nai Harvest
Kirsty Fardell┬átakes a look at the best blushers for your money; whether it’s a long-lasting tint or classic powder, we’ve got something for you. Rimmel London Stay Blushed! – ┬ú4.49 at Boots This liquid cheek tint is great for long lasting colour ┬á- you wont need to use a brush or even top it up. The lightweight formula works by staining cheeks, but … Continue reading Student-Friendly Beauty – Blusher
If youÔÇÖre new to music in the mother tongue of Welsh then Gwenno is a great artist to begin and arguably end with, but letÔÇÖs not get ahead of ourselves. ÔÇÿChwyldroÔÇÖ, the first of three singles from the upcoming LP (Welsh for Revolution) is a beautifully relaxing infusion of synth and bass, topped by the angelic vocal acrobatics of CardiffÔÇÖs very own music producer, DJ, … Continue reading Single Review: Gwenno – ‘Chwyldro’
Indie rock quartet Wolf Alice popped in for a chat with Charlie Mock┬áto talk NME, touring and what they want for Christmas. Firstly, your name is a reference to an Angela Carter short story- do you particularly like the piece?┬á Ellie: Yeah, we copied it. Joel: We thought it sounded nice, but we donÔÇÖt like it now so much. Joff: I like it! Theo: … Continue reading Interview: Wolf Alice
You know those albums where every song is absolutely top notch? Those albums that you just canÔÇÖt stop listening to? Yeah? Well, this is one of them. ÔÇÿNo BluesÔÇÖ is the newest release from CardiffÔÇÖs very own sextet and itÔÇÖs a mighty good one, to say the least. DonÔÇÖt let the optimistic title get you too in the mood for the latest bubblegum pop though; … Continue reading Album Review: Los Campesinos!
Aled Rheon – The Hayes┬á Aled Rheon represents what S┼Án Fest is all about. Performing his carefully written songs in both Welsh and English, the musician broadly appeals to all while standing up for his heritage. Peaceful and soothing melodies filled The Hayes during his performance on the circular stage. Reminiscent of Dallas GreenÔÇÖs side-project, City and Colour; the artist demonstrated how minimal production can, … Continue reading S┼Án Festival – Sunday
Rhodri Brooks Rhodri BrooksÔÇÖ electric guitar remained muted and mellow as the inevitable rain hit The Hayes at the start of his set. However, the unassuming singer soon turned things around. The minute that ÔÇÿYour Head Was Full Of TroubleÔÇÖ and its finger-picking melodies floated to the crowd gathered beneath the trees, a smile flitted across the performerÔÇÖs face. Toe-tapping and head nodding, the audience … Continue reading S┼Án Festival – Saturday
Samoans┬á ThereÔÇÖs a sense of trepidation floating around Four Bars as the clock strikes 11. CardiffÔÇÖs prodigal sons Samoans have returned from an almost yearlong absence, bringing with them arguably the South Wales sceneÔÇÖs most anticipated debut album. As they shuffle onto the stage with all the nerves of someone introducing their new spouse to a gaggle of drunk mates, it soon becomes clear that … Continue reading S┼Án Festival – Friday
Chl├Âe Howl ÔÇô The Angel Hotel At just 18 years of age, Chl├Âe Howl writes the sort of brutally honest, cynical lyrics about what it is to be young that youÔÇÖd expect from someone whoÔÇÖs lived through it already. Her talent as a synth pop artist was clear from the outset, with opener Rumour from her EP of the same name: high energy and a … Continue reading S┼Án Festival: Thursday
Smoky, super sleek or smudged; eyeliners have an ability to reshape the eye, making them appear larger and more animated.┬áKirsty Fardell has investigated three of the best eyeliners in the student market. L’Oreal Superliner Gel Intenza in Pure Black – ┬ú9.99 in Superdrug This gel eye liner comes in a small glass pot with the perfect eyeliner brush. Gel liners are great for creating the … Continue reading Student-Friendly Beauty – Eyeliner
Tom Connick┬ágot the lowdown on S┼Án from the Father of the festival, John Rostron.┬á For the uninitiated, can you explain what S┼Án Festival is and why they should take note? S┼Án is a 4-day multi-venue new music festival which takes place in Cardiff this year from Thursday 17th to Sunday 20th Oct. You buy either a day or a 4-day wristband, then go and see … Continue reading Interview: John Rostron
Charlie Mock caught up with Rob Damiani, lead vocalist of Don Broco ahead of their headline UK tour to chat trending on Twitter and new releases. If people havenÔÇÖt heard of Don Broco, how would you describe yourselves to them? A rock band! We like playing loud rock music, but weÔÇÖve got melodies too so youÔÇÖre going to find a tune in there. The best … Continue reading Interview: Don Broco
Charlie Mock┬átakes to the streets to search out what we should be wearing this winter in order to keep warm and stay on trend without drowning under a mountain of knitwear.┬á Will’s a charity shop scavenger so found his outfit at bargain prices. Knitwear is essential as the temperatures are dropping and, who doesn’t love a good pair of Doc Martens to finish of a … Continue reading Street Style
NorwichÔÇÖs Olympians popped in to the Quench base to catch up with Charlie Mock ahead of their S┼Án Festival set. Warning: contains puns.┬á First of all welcome to Cardiff! You’ve got a lot of live dates at the moment- how are they going for you? Dan: Totally mixed. WeÔÇÖve had some totally good ones. But, we played in Norwich with Focus and all … Continue reading Interview: Olympians
Amy Endacott┬ácaught up with Playlounge ahead of their main support set at Fuel on the Sunday of S┼Án Festival.┬á You describe your sound as noise pop and soft core punk, explain that a little more. What is it you want your fans to take away from your gigs?┬á Soft core punk is like a joke because we both love hard core punk but just arenÔÇÖt … Continue reading Interview: Playlounge
Aimee-Lee Abraham examines the myths of pornography and the impact the industry is having on society and the student psyche.┬á This season, a housemate remarked, Channel 4 ÔÇÿhas gone a bit mental with all the sexÔÇÖ. This is not coincidental; the broadcasterÔÇÖs ÔÇÿcampaign for real sexÔÇÖ is well underway, with shows like Date My Pornstar and Diary of a Teenage Virgin dominating post-watershed airtime. Channel … Continue reading Girl Meets Porn
Study China is a programme open to UK undergraduate and postgraduate students which is designed to grant successful candidates a unique insight into China, its language and culture. Funded by the department of Business and Innovation, Study China offers successful applicants 3 weeks tuition and accommodation at a Chinese university as well as organising a selection of cultural trips and activities for participants. I, along … Continue reading Student in a Strange Land: Study China
Jessie JÔÇÖs final stop on her ÔÇÿAliveÔÇÖ tour went out with a bang on Monday night at the Motorpoint Arena, however it did seem like a bittersweet farewell for the soloist who clearly thrives from performing live. Support act Lawson were a good choice for the pre-concert warm up and it was obvious that it wonÔÇÖt be long before theyÔÇÖre headlining their own shows. But … Continue reading Live Review: Jessie J ÔÇô Motorpoint Arena ÔÇô 11.11.13
