Tag: Cardiff

Film & TV

The Importance of The Bechdel Test in Films

While the Bechdel Test was only ever meant to be a jokey, tongue-in-cheek way of showing a lack of female representation in the media, it really took off as a measure of female agency in TV and film. However, our contemporary media landscape is wildly different from that of the test’s origin in the 80s, and many criticise the Bechdel test for being over-simplified, minimum requirements for diversity which overlook other problems around underrepresentation in the film industry such as race and sexuality.┬á Continue reading The Importance of The Bechdel Test in Films

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Album Reviews, Arts Reviews, Music

Album Review: Call This A Reality? – Anchor Lane

Words by Emily Williams Up-and-coming Glasgow rock band Anchor Lane released their second album entitled,┬áCall This A Reality? on 27th January 2023.┬áThe album follows their first successful album┬áCasino┬áwhich reached Number 9 on Official UK Rock Albums Chart in its 2020 release.┬áCall This A Reality?┬áembraces indie undertones and showcases heavy guitar work that complements the vocals from Conor Gaffney. The guitar work is really what stands … Continue reading Album Review: Call This A Reality? – Anchor Lane

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Creative Writing, Literature

Dragonism

By Haris Hussnain The primaeval age saw the rise and fall of the dragon empire.  Scarlet dragons stood for justice and leadership.  They sought to unite the other fighting mortals of the primaeval era with their pacifistic beliefs, peace, and harmony. Other creatures marvelled at the sight of their scarlet scales and the sound of the melodic language they spoke. Dragons lived in a golden … Continue reading Dragonism

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews

Review: The Verdict at the New Theatre

Last night, I had the pleasure of attending Middle Ground Theatre CompanyÔÇÖs The Verdict at The New Theatre. For the opening night of its UK tour, the theatre filled the theatre to see how this interpretation of Barry ReedÔÇÖs courtroom drama would come to life. The audience was of an older demographic – nostalgic of the 1982 film adaptation starring Paul Newman, no doubt. The … Continue reading Review: The Verdict at the New Theatre

sophierevell
Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Review: The 1975 @ CIA 16/01/23

Words by Charlotte Harris, photos by Alexa Price Kicking off their two-night stint in WalesÔÇÖ capital at Cardiff International Arena on Monday night, The 1975 treated us with the most recent performance of their tour, titled┬áThe 1975 At Their Very Best. A tour already spewing with media attention and internet interest, we were primed for a legendary evening. Would there be a guest star? Would … Continue reading Review: The 1975 @ CIA 16/01/23

charlotteharris
Travel

TripAdvisor Top Travel Destinations 2022

words by Megha Roy Ever since the pandemic came over the globe in 2020, travelling halted for millions of people for over a year. People seemed to have been caged in their homes, but in 2022, the scenario has seen a change. The world is recovering now and that has given the travel lovers the time and freedom to plan holidays. Trip Advisor, one of the leading travel websites, unveiled ÔÇÿThe Best of the … Continue reading TripAdvisor Top Travel Destinations 2022

evedavies
Film & TV

Our Favourite Jane Austen Adaptation

Clueless Words By Katie Brosnan Clueless, the 1995 adaption of Jane AustenÔÇÖs Emma stands the test of time as the perfect adaption of a classic novel. Clueless offers a relatable, fun, and modern revision of Jane AustenÔÇÖs beloved novel, allowing for younger audiences to access the message of the original text, forgiving people for their mistakes. Cher, the protagonist, is a 15-year-old, blonde, valley girl … Continue reading Our Favourite Jane Austen Adaptation

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Film & TV

Our Favourite Niche Christmas Films

It’s easy to get stuck in the repetitive routine of choosing Home Alone for the fifth time this month, but we have some Christmas films to get you in the festive mood that you may not have seen before. Carol┬á Words by Lana Davidson Flood When it comes to niche Christmas films, my favourite is definitely Todd Haynes’ Carol, a film adaptation of the book of … Continue reading Our Favourite Niche Christmas Films

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Music

Study Soundtracks: What Gets You Through Deadline Season?

As deadline season of first semester swiftly approaches at Cardiff University, we asked some of our contributors what they listen to whilst typing away in the ASSL.    Words by Alice Lumley As someone with ADHD, it is essential for me to have music playing whilst I attempt to study. It must be music without lyrics, or there may end up being accidents (like the time … Continue reading Study Soundtracks: What Gets You Through Deadline Season?

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Pierce The Veil @ Great Hall 01/12/2022

Words and photos by Maddie McCabe-Smith Kicking off the UK leg of their tour at CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall, Pierce The Veil made their iconic return to the punk rock scene with new music releases for the first time since their 2016 album Misadventures. Even from the queue outside before doors had opened, I could sense just how excited fans, including myself, were to see one … Continue reading Pierce The Veil @ Great Hall 01/12/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

The Aces @ CIA 01/12/2022

Words and photos by Ashley Thieme Although The Aces have previously undertaken their own headline UK tours, this was their first time performing for a Welsh audience. Originally The Blue Aces ÔÇô releasing a few extended play releases under that name since 2012 ÔÇô the band have been playing shows as The Aces since changing their name in 2016. Hailing from Utah, United States, the … Continue reading The Aces @ CIA 01/12/2022

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Degendering Fashion: It's Not New
Fashion

Degendering Fashion: ItÔÇÖs Not New

Words by Imogen Edmonds Marketing clothes as ÔÇÿgenderlessÔÇÖ has become a new selling point in the fashion industry, and whilst items of clothing obviously donÔÇÖt have a gender society has stitched gender into clothes, labelling them into the socially constructed gender binary. Whilst we are familiar with most high street shops having gendered clothing sections, the origination of gendered dress is relatively recent.  Up until … Continue reading Degendering Fashion: ItÔÇÖs Not New

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Placebo @ CIA 24/11/2022

Words by Tabitha Murrell I was first introduced to Placebo by the┬áever-dramatic┬á1999┬áfilm┬áadaptation┬áof Pierre Choderlos de┬áLaclos’ 1782 novel┬áLes Liaisons┬ádangereuses. Cruel Intentions‘┬áopening scene streams┬áacross a graveyard and then up to the iconic┬áNew York┬ácity skyline. Ryan Phillipe (swoon) is seen driving over┬áBrooklyn┬áBridge in his┬ábeautifully┬árecognisable┬áblack┬ávintage┬áJaguar XK140 – the car is as much a plot device as the┬áfilm’s┬ásoundtrack, which of course begins with the blasting of Placebo’s┬áhit from the same … Continue reading Placebo @ CIA 24/11/2022

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Fashion

Interview with Bootysale: A Year On

Words and Photos by Laura Schjoett ItÔÇÖs been a whole year since Cardiff graduate Micha opened her fashion re-sell business Bootysale. Situated on the ground floor of the Cardiff StudentÔÇÖs Union, the clothing store has become a staple part of the arcade and is frequented by many students daily. It is hard not to be drawn in by the fabulous clothes, or by Bonnie ÔÇÿthe … Continue reading Interview with Bootysale: A Year On

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Spear of Destiny @ The Globe 23/11/2022

Words and photos by Alice Lumley On potentially one of the coldest and stormiest nights in Cardiff, I had the pleasure of going to see Spear of Destiny at a beloved Cardiff venue, The Globe. The Globe is one of my favourite venues in Cardiff as the staff are lovely, the venue is small and intimate but not too crowded and the drinks are cheap … Continue reading Spear of Destiny @ The Globe 23/11/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Jamie T @ Great Hall 21/11/2022

Words and photos by Rubie Barker On the night that Wales played their first World Cup game in 54 years, Jamie T took to CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall. While some football fans were clearly torn about where to focus their attention as we waited, they still showed up in vast numbers to see the Indie Rock icon.  86TVs are supporting Jamie on this tour, formed this … Continue reading Jamie T @ Great Hall 21/11/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Lauran Hibberd and Sea Girls @ Great Hall 22/11/2022

Words and photos by Poppy Atkinson Gibson The Great Hall of the SU was pretty full and getting fuller by the minute as Lauran Hibberd strode on stage with her statement pigtails and billowing pink dress. The crowd, who were steadily shuffling into position, were a mix of new out of the box fresher fans and clear long time lovers of Hibberd, which made for … Continue reading Lauran Hibberd and Sea Girls @ Great Hall 22/11/2022

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Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Review: The Lightning Seeds @ Tramshed 18/11/2022

Anticipating The Lightning Seeds’ return to Cardiff after what feels like a lifetime, the Tramshed was filled to capacity with fans of the 80s rock band. Kicking off the night was a delightfully calming set from indie musician Badly Drawn Boy, creating a chill vibe throughout the entire venue. He was alone onstage but his gorgeous voice filled the room and was a great choice … Continue reading Review: The Lightning Seeds @ Tramshed 18/11/2022

rhiannonfarr
Arts Reviews, Live Reviews, Music

Review: Florence and the Machine @ CIA 16/11/22

Molly Openshaw On the 16th of November, Florence and the Machine kick-started their U.K. portion of the third leg of the Dance Fever tour at Cardiff International Arena. This is FlorenceÔÇÖs first tour back since the pandemic with their last tour being the High as Hope tour in 2018. Florence and the Machine released their fifth studio album, Dance Fever, in May 2022.┬á Despite the … Continue reading Review: Florence and the Machine @ CIA 16/11/22

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