The doorstep toast While searching for a Cardiff cafe, I was stopped by the phrase “doorstep toast” and knew I needed to visit whatever establishment served this. So off I headed to The Bike Lock, with its miss matched tables and chairs and mellow lighting. All which emulate cosy, Gilmore girl vibes, and the pleasantness of everyone makes it one of the friendliest cafes around. With a system for storing bikes … Continue reading Cardiff’s Bike Lock: a review
The 2023 ‘clean girl’ has been pierced. Make-up influencers are putting down their sad beige palettes, and painting themselves in layers of colour and gel face masks. From aloe-vera, honey, vaseline, to even egg-whites, make-up lovers have been experimenting in an attempt to achieve Pat McGrath’s iconic shiny finish. This collection marks a dramatic semantic shift for what we once thought of as ‘glass skin’, … Continue reading Galliano and McGrath: Weird Girl Couture
Ahead of the release of their fourth studio album Smitten, I had the opportunity to speak to Pale Waves guitarist Hugo Silvani. We spoke about the inspirations of the new album, the writing process, and discussed Silvani’s passion for the sonic side of the musical world. We then delved into details of the upcoming 2024 Smitten tour. Talk me through your writing process as a … Continue reading Pale Waves: In Conversation with Hugo Silvani
A New Discovery As a third year student, I’m a little ashamed to say that I have never actually been to Bricks cafe, nor any of their other establishments… and I can’t believe I waited so long to do so! Bricks has a lovely open atmosphere, with lots of light and welcoming faces, it makes a perfect spot for a quick yap, or an afternoon … Continue reading Brodies Coffee Review
Words by Megan Philip We have all heard the phrase toxic masculinity often used to describe men displaying aggressive behaviours and in relation to sexual harassment. However, what is rarely discussed is the internal, negative effects it has on menÔÇÖs mental health and the ways in which it influences how men view their own masculinity.┬á What is toxic masculinity?┬á The dictionary defines toxic masculinity as … Continue reading Toxic Masculinity vs Movember
Words by Sadie Smith┬á Autumn has gone and taken strategically layered outfits with it, leaving behind bundled-up students stumbling their way through windy Cathays. Puffer coats, joggers, and oversized scarves have seized the Cardiff student population; famed for their ability to provide cozy vibes in a way that a trench coat simply canÔÇÖt. If you choose to venture out to Lidl, a life hack predominantly … Continue reading Paris, Milan, Cathays: Current Fashion Trends In The Student Centre Of Cardiff┬á
Tucked away at the back of Cathays is Bl┼Ám; an independent coffee shop that was first introduced to me ago by my third-year housemates. I remember my first visit vividly; I was battling the hangover from hell, and only an iced oat latte would revive me, and revive me it did. Since then, it has become a firm favourite of mine, with their oat dirty … Continue reading Cardiff Cafe Crawl
Eradication Festival is a 3-day extreme metal event which takes place in Cardiff every year. This year I was lucky enough to attend SaturdayÔÇÖs show to celebrate its 10-year anniversary, and I have to say; it must have been one of the best shows IÔÇÖve ever been to. IÔÇÖve been into the extreme subgenres of metal since my early teenage years but never attended many … Continue reading Eradication Festival ’23 @ Fuel
Words by Hansa Tote Diwali is known as the ÔÇÿfestival of lightsÔÇÖ (coming from the Sanskrit word ÔÇÿdipavaliÔÇÖ┬ámeaning row of lights) and is celebrated by over a billion people all over the world, all gathering to honour the triumph of good over evil and the victory of light over dark.┬á The significance of Diwali in religion It is the biggest festival in India, being observed … Continue reading Celebrating Diwali
On both occasions where I have been lucky enough to attend their shows, I have left in complete and utter awe of the raw, unrefined talent displayed by Fall Out Boy, regardless of it being some 20 years since they started out. The band honoured their pop-rock roots upon the release of their eighth, and most recent, studio album in March of this year ÔÇô … Continue reading Fall Out Boy @ Utilita Arena
Watching Art School Girlfriend was multisensory experience. The Wrexham-born Polly Mackey delighted the mostly dungaree-clad, girlfriend-accessorised audience. Her set had a soft and gentle sort of melodic feel, vocally, which was flanked by a strong bass line and synth undertones, giving it the atmosphere of a DnB rave; this unlikely combination provided something truly unique and fresh. In fact, it felt like there were influences … Continue reading Art School Girlfriend @ Clwb Ifor Bach
After a band or artist takes time off, it can be difficult for them to maintain loyal and passionate fans. However, that was not the case for JLS. On the 30th of October, JLS made their anticipated return to Wales, with their first night of two in the Utilita Arena Cardiff. After the phenomenal success of their comeback tour in 2021, I had very high … Continue reading JLS @ Utilita Arena
Words by Rhiannon James Picture this: sunny blue skies, students lounging on picnic blankets on pristine lawns in front of a stately manor house with an entrance hall filled almost entirely by a glittering chandelier looking down from above. You duck as the overbearing-yet-motherly receptionist tries to smother you with a hug and a ÔÇÿgood morning dearÔÇÖ as you pass through into a grand dining … Continue reading Communal Living: growing up, moving out, and moving in with others
Punk Rock Factory started their ÔÇÿItÔÇÖs just a stage weÔÇÖre going throughÔÇÖ EU & UK tour with a bang last night in Bristol. Combining nostalgic throwbacks and childrenÔÇÖs music with a contemporary pop-punk sound, their innovative twist has opened new possibilities for alternative music. Whilst fairly new to the scene after gaining popularity through TikTok, IÔÇÖd argue their stage presence was nothing short of energetic, engaging, and … Continue reading Punk Rock Factory @ SWX Bristol
A fun filled event promoting and celebrating the musical talents in Wales has yet again proved that the Welsh indie scene is one to watch. As part of Llais Festival, the awards ceremony for the ÔÇÿWelsh Music PrizeÔÇÖ was presented for the second time in front of a live audience presented by BBC Radio 1ÔÇÖs Sian Eleri on October 10th, at the Millennium Centre in … Continue reading Llais Festival: Welsh Music Prize 2023
Ahead of her performance at this year’s S┼Án Festival, I had the opportunity to sit down with Welsh electronic musician Ani Glass, and chat all things South Wales, creative processes, and the genius of the late, great Martin Rushent. You released your debut solo album, Mirores, in 2020, but you were in a lot of bands before that; whatÔÇÖs your musical journey been like, and how has … Continue reading S┼Án Festival 2023: In Conversation with Ani Glass
Words by Ellie Young It is an indisputable fact: drinking is embedded in our university culture. Week after week of society events, StudentsÔÇÖ Union nights and irrefusable pub deals foster a social life rotating around alcohol. Of course, it feels like the natural path to follow: a new place, new people and complete freedom are reason enough to point one towards the ÔÇÿsocial lubricantÔÇÖ of … Continue reading Sober October vs Oktoberfest: Drinking Culture at University and Alcohol-Free Things To Do in Cardiff
Quench were lucky enough to be invited along to Girls Pushing Buttons, a celebration of South Wales-based electronic pop artists – Honey B McKenna, Millie Blooms and Femmebug. As well as a night of fantastic music, we also got the chance to sit down and chat with Honey and Millie about community, their musical journeys, and what they liked about South Wales’ rich and diverse … Continue reading Girls Pushing Buttons: A Celebration of Music, Community and Womanhood
Words by Holly Hostettler-Davies Imagine this: ItÔÇÖs 2022 and you and your partner decide to live with your best friends, who are also a couple. YouÔÇÖve been on countless meals out, days at the beach, shopping trips, walks in the park – many double dates. YouÔÇÖve even been on trips together, shared living spaces for a short time. But now youÔÇÖre going to share a … Continue reading The Endless Double Date
Words by Anushka Kar Whether itÔÇÖs in Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility or any of her other novels, you can always rely on Jane Austen to advocate marriage, love, and the intermingling of the two in a taboo-esque manner of the nineteenth century. For Austen, marriage could not simply be an economic ordeal; it had to have that mutual attraction in order for it … Continue reading (Not So?) Happily Ever After: The Depiction and Evolution of Marriage in Literature
