***EMERGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT*** What are you doing tomorrow night? Another ropey party on Miskin St? We feel vile just thinking about it. Cringe no more, for Xpresstival is here to save your drunken soul. Save crying to your Record Store Day stash for Sunday’s hangover. Xpress is Quench’s more experienced oldersister, best mate & faithful lover. This year it is celebrating it’s 20th Anniversary and doing … Continue reading ***emergency announcement***
We sent Jack Boyce to have a chat with JAWS and review their show at Clwb Ifor Bach.┬á Second album syndrome is quite a real anxiety for many up-and-coming bands. The initial explosion of raw emotion on the first release is hard to follow up, ideas that sounded amazing on first impression are now being overthought about and thereÔÇÖs added pressure not to bomb on … Continue reading JAWS – Feature
JAWS; one of the initial bands that fronted the promising, yet never fully realised, ÔÇÿB-TownÔÇÖ music scene early in the decade, alongside Swim Deep and Peace, travel to Cardiff at the tail end of their 21-date UK tour. Taking residence in Womanby StreetÔÇÖs Clwb Ifor Bach, or the affectionately nicknamed ÔÇÿWelsh ClubÔÇÖ, alongside support from Nai Harvest, expect to be faced with hazey, atmospheric indie … Continue reading Preview: JAWS – Clwb Ifor Bach – 14/12/15
After bouncy pop-rock openers WITTERQUICKÔÇÖs cover of ÔÇÿWrecking BallÔÇÖ that went down surprisingly well with the crowd, and an aggressive set from Merthyr teen rockers Pretty Vicious that was somewhat impaired by technical issues, Nothing But Thieves hit the stage for the Cardiff leg of their sold out UK tour. Just a fortnight after the release of their self-titled debut album, the crowd were up … Continue reading Live: Nothing But Thieves – Clwb Ifor Bach – 1/11/15
ThereÔÇÖs only so much hype that music media can use to convince you that a bandÔÇÖs worth their salt. Yet, on the last date of a tour with both Frank Carter & The Rattlesnakes and Blackhole, the real proof is right there in the flesh. ItÔÇÖs a cold October evening, a fine mist of rain in the air, itÔÇÖs an hour before the doors open … Continue reading Live: Creeper – Clwb Ifor Bach – 28/10/15
Cardiff’s much beloved Clwb Ifor Bach is playing host to its first ever BYW HAF and it looks like itÔÇÖs going to have a pretty sweet set up. With live music from Welsh favourites Houdini Dax and Zefur Wolves, the event will certainly deliver a friendly local crowd ready to enjoy some classic Clwb tunes. As well as this, Yak return from a blistering festival … Continue reading Preview: Byw Haf – Clwb Ifor Bach
The jewel in Cardiff’s independent venues crown is slightly under packed on this monumental Friday night. It’s been four years since Johnny Foreigner have graced the stage of Clwb Ifor Bach and their committed following seem committed to them and them alone. Those who have bothered to arrive early for the supports mingle around the bar as Totem Terrors take to the stage, boasting lovely … Continue reading Live Review: Johnny Foreigner and Radstewart, Clwb Ifor Bach
Charlie Mock speaks to indie-pop heroes Johnny Foreigner following the release of ‘You Can Do Better’ and ahead of their show for Jealous Lovers Club at Clwb Ifor Bach on March 28th. ÔÇÿYou Can Do BetterÔÇÖ was released just over a week ago now. How does it feel to finally get it out there?┬á It feels excellent. Like, now we can back up the last … Continue reading Interview: Johnny Foreigner
Armed with the modest means of just two guitars and a collection of skillfully crafted songs, George Ezra embarks on his first headline UK tour. Ezra satirically humoured Clwb Ifor BachÔÇÖs crowd by suggesting that his two guitars granted him ÔÇÿprofessionalÔÇÖ status, yet it is clear that Ezra can captivate an audience despite such an economical production. Support came from Geordie powerhouse Eva Stone, whose … Continue reading Live Review: George Ezra, Clwb Ifor Bach, 16.02.14
Your music has been described as ÔÇÿThe Stone Roses flapping at Echo and the BunnymenÔÇÖs long coats and mussing Robert SmithÔÇÖs hairÔÇÖ. How close in general would you say critical perception of your musical style has been in relation to the bands you are influenced by? Ben Romans-Hopcraft (vocals/guitar): ItÔÇÖs all over the placeÔǪ I think some elements are correct, bands like The Stone Roses … Continue reading Interview: Childhood
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
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
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
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
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
HUB Festival: 23-26 August 2013, Cardiff With new drinking holes and achingly hip ÔÇÿflea marketÔÇÖ Cardiff Fashion Quarter opening, Womanby StreetÔÇÖs alternative image became official at the end of August with the first ever HUB festival taking over 8 venues in the area. HUB presented an impressive line-up of 150 acts over the weekend, with an opening and very exciting closing party at The Full … Continue reading Festival Review: HUB 2013
