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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Words by Rubie Barker For those looking to start shopping more sustainably, Depop has long been a place to turn. With an interface designed for an app, for a long time, it dominated the second-hand clothing market among the younger generations, with a cleaner feel than eBay and far less hassle. But last year it was announced that the company, founded in 2011, would be … Continue reading Depop Is Getting Deleted: Why It’s No Longer Being Loaded
Words By Caitlin Evans IÔÇÖm Worried, Darling *THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS* The drama surrounding Olivia WildeÔÇÖs latest release, DonÔÇÖt Worry, Darling, has been unavoidable recently. It all began with the controversy over the casting decisions (Harry Styles, IÔÇÖm looking at you), and has since spiralled into a seemingly never-ending stream of negative claims, so-called arguments, and drama. This hasnÔÇÖt overshadowed the film itself, however, and … Continue reading Review: Don’t Worry Darling
Words and photos by Ashley Thieme The last time English alternative rock band Deaf Havana played in Cardiff was 2019, before live shows came to a standstill. However, this time around the previously four-piece band is now fronted by two brothers, James and Matthew Veck-Gilodi. In a statement put out by the band in November 2021 they revealed uncertainty surrounding the future of the band, … Continue reading Review: Deaf Havana @ Tramshed 08/11/2022
British rock giants Kasabian made an explosive return to Cardiff International Arena (formerly Motorpoint Arena), touring their new album The Alchemist’s Euphoria. Despite the awful weather that greeted us, we left the venue absolutely elated. Supporting Kasabian on this tour is The Lathums, a relatively young indie band hailing from Wigan; they were one of the best support acts I’ve ever seen. Their set was … Continue reading Review: Kasabian @ CIA 02/11/2022
words and photos by Rhiannon Farr and Zoe Price You wouldnÔÇÖt expect to find a tranquil piece of independence right in the middle of Splott, but the newly opened Railway Gardens is like the urban areaÔÇÖs Garden of Eden. Located just off Adeline Street (a stoneÔÇÖs throw from SplottÔÇÖs vaccination centre, if that jogs your memory), Railway Gardens is a community driven spot that repurposes … Continue reading Introducing Things on Toast
words by: Hannah Wild Living in Wales, we are lucky enough to have some of the UKÔÇÖs most spectacular landscapes on our doorstep. However, it is easy to become so wrapped up in city life that we forget to explore these incredible sights, and what Wales has to offer. Here are some of my favourite places to visit in Wales which arenÔÇÖt commonly spoken of, … Continue reading Welsh Wonders
Words by Francesca Manenti Marvel Studios recently unveiled the upcoming releases that will make up Phases 5 and 6 of the MCU, as part of the Multiverse Saga. Yet after a long string of underwhelming TV shows and disappointing films, I canÔÇÖt help but feel like Marvel are losing their touch and overwhelming us with mediocre productions. So far, there has been no cohesion. An … Continue reading Are Marvel Phases 5 and 6 Squeezing Too Much out of the Franchise?
Written by Elliot Morgan 25/10/2022 It has been four years since Arctic Monkeys divided their fan base with the drastic left-turn that was Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. Whilst some loved the record, which took influences from lounge pop and psychedelia, many were disappointed with the departure from the MonkeysÔÇÖ traditional guitar-driven music. Their newest record, The Car, is no different. Retaining some elements of … Continue reading Arctic Monkeys – The Car Album Review
