Matt Maltese is back. This time empowered with another 10 track record, and it’s not one to miss. Riding off the success from ‘Bad Contestant’ released last year, Matt Maltese’s pithy one liners and self deprecative style is definitely one to watch. Ahead of his show at Clwb ifor Bach this weekend, we caught up with the 22 year old songwriter to chat about his … Continue reading Matt Maltese | Interview
The 2019/2020 academic year is about to begin. With that comes streams of artists and bands into Cardiff, and the announcements are all over the place. This gig list will help every fresher and returning student figure out which gigs they want to go too. Who knows, maybe you’ll even see a band you fancy checking out. There are some absolutely wicked artists visiting … Continue reading We’ve Got You Covered: The Gig Calendar (First Semester)
This summer, there’s a not so new kid in town threatening the old dogs of music festivals like Glasto and Reading. But what is new to Boomtown Fair this summer is a whole new approach to your typical English fest. Promising ‘Radical’ change to the norm in regards to the Environmental standards of music festivals, Boomtown intends to be a sustainable city, reduce single-use plastics … Continue reading Boomtown 2019 – why it’s not all about Glastonbury this year
Photo credit: press photo as seen on NME By Emma Murphy and Mike O’Brien Coming up to the release of her new album Good at Falling, we got a chance to talk to Amber Bain (or as you may know her, The Japanese House). Her eclectic dream-pop style had made her a fast favourite of ours. We watched her play back in November on the … Continue reading Interview: The Japanese House
by Emma Murphy A cold November night, the lights of neighboring moored vessels cast light on the Mud Dock and the growing queue. ÔÇ£ItÔÇÖs like Venice,ÔÇØ murmured Mike OÔÇÖBrien, ÔÇ£But not.ÔÇØ We made our way slowly onto the Thekla, the energy different to any other crowd IÔÇÖve ever encountered at a live show. The venue itself was warm, and seemed to emit a hazy blue … Continue reading Live Review – The Japanese House
by Kiana Stevens As someone that has previously seen Slaves live this year, I was thrilled to see them again at CardiffÔÇÖs own Tramshed. I had never visited Tramshed before and despite the bitter cold Welsh weather, the venue seemed friendly, had a great atmosphere and was a great size for a weekday concert. As I peeled off layer after layer of woolen jumpers, the … Continue reading Live Review | Slaves at Cardiff’s Tramshed
by Hannah Ryan ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå Diminutive though Lindsey Jordan ÔÇô better known as Snail Mail ÔÇô may be, her stage presence at Thekla in Bristol this week was anything but. Bathed in a melancholy blue light, she appeared, alongside her band, with little fanfare and introduced herself in the briefest of terms before diving straight into the odd little guitar riff for which her ÔÇÿHeat WaveÔÇÖ … Continue reading Live Review | Snail Mail performs a poignant set at Bristol’s Thekla
by Dylan Graham This yearsÔÇÖ S┼Án Festival started in style with a brilliant trio of acts playing CardiffÔÇÖs Tramshed, headlined by Welsh alternative pop artist, Gwenno. First up was French art pop group Halo Maud. The venue was half empty as they took to the stage, yet they managed to fill the empty space with their quirky psychedelic tones and catchy rhythms, effortlessly captivating those … Continue reading S┼Án Festival 2018 kicks off with a spectacular night of music at the Tramshed
by Rimant─ù Bivainyt─ù Early Wednesday evening I enter Clwb Ifor Bach and head upstairs. In the ÔÇÿgreen roomÔÇÖ I am introduced to a woman, she wears a vintage fluffy sweater with straight leg jeans and shiny shoes, reminiscent of the 90s. She leads me out of the room and through the corridor till we reach the emergency doors. Our conversation starts on the staircase near … Continue reading Brooke Bentham | Live Review + Interview, Clwb Ifor Bach
Interview by Courtney Moody So, if I can start by getting you guys to introduce yourselves and your position in the band? Mitch: Sure thing ÔÇô IÔÇÖm Mitch, I play guitar and I sing. Jack: IÔÇÖm Jack ÔÇô I play bass. Niall: IÔÇÖm Niall ÔÇô I play the synthesiser. Iain: IÔÇÖm Ian and I play the sax. Justin: IÔÇÖm Justin and I play the drums. … Continue reading “Our music develops from a positive attitude” – an interview with LYLO
by Courtney Moody ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿà Gwdih┼Á,┬áor more commonly referred to as the ÔÇÿcolourful pubÔÇÖ,┬áwith its rainbow┬áexterior and vibrant swirls – is a true reflection of the creative minds that perform there; whether that be in the form of poetry recitals or live music. The intimate bar is a home-from-home for many students; with plenty of beer bottles, comfy cushions and quirky d├®cor in sight. The vibe … Continue reading Review | LYLO, Gwdih┼Á
Interview by Rowan Lees After publishing a short summary piece for my Issue 168 of Quench, I have since sat on this full interview recording for almost two months. The conversation changed my life. I left the venue in a daze, my phoneÔÇÖs battery voice-noted to its death, and walked for a solid half hour stunned by the unreality of it all. I eventually began … Continue reading ÔÇ£Being an artist is fuckedÔÇØ – a conversation with milo (the rapper)
Words by:┬áLuisa De la Concha Montes Last Friday, Kele Okereke played at Clwb Ifor Bach with an acoustic set in an intimate environment, which is quite contrasting to what he is normally associated with, as the front man of Bloc Party. Many fans still remain unaware that for the last eight years, he has been quite invested in developing his solo career.During an interview back … Continue reading LIVE REVIEW: Kele Okereke @ Clwb Ifor Bach 26/04/18
What initially seems like an odd choice of venue becomes painfully clear upon entering SwanseaÔÇÖs Sin City. ItÔÇÖs packed. Perhaps something to do with the Birmingham quartetÔÇÖs recent appearance on E4ÔÇÖs hit ÔÇÿrealityÔÇÖ show Made in Chelsea? Certainly not. This crowd know exactly what theyÔÇÖre waiting for and it is by no means influenced by a controversial TV cameo. An echoing intro sets the mood … Continue reading Review: Peace – Sin City, Swansea 12/06/14
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
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
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
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
Chase & Status’ mixture of aggressive beats and influences from hip hop and reggae has enthralled audiences across the UK. The duo have gained a following that has rocketed them away from the genreÔÇÖs underground into arenas around the country. Fresh from the release of the Brand New Machine album last month, how would the Chase & Status live show translate to this arena environment? … Continue reading Live Review: Chase & Status – Motorpoint Arena – 7.11.13
