Clean Cut Kid: Review & Interview

From sleep talking and breastfeeding to new tracks and being on tour; we got to catch up in an interview with Mike, Evelyn, Saul and Ross from Clean Cut Kid on their tour with Fickle Friends at The Louisiana Bristol. HereÔÇÖs what they had to sayÔǪ ON THEIR NEW SINGLE ÔÇÿPICK ME UPÔÇÖ Mike: ItÔÇÖs seemed overwhelmingly positive. We have had almost 100,000 views on … Continue reading Clean Cut Kid: Review & Interview

Bowling For Soup

Live: Bowling For Soup – Great Hall – 14/02/2015

ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre not going to make any sheep fucker jokes tonightÔÇØ; a comment by Jaret Reddick that sums up the whole of his band, Bowling For SoupÔÇÖs, puerile but light-hearted set at CardiffÔÇÖs Student Union. Three years since they last played in Cardiff, on their alleged Farewell Tour, itÔÇÖs time for the ÔÇÿHow About Another Round TourÔÇÖ. This time, itÔÇÖs ValentineÔÇÖs Day, so there are hearts … Continue reading Live: Bowling For Soup – Great Hall – 14/02/2015

GWDIHW

Live: Bass Twelve – Gwdihw – 15/01/16

Gwdihw, much like the little owl from which it takes its name, is one Cardiff venue that comes into its own in the late hours of the evening. In contrast to the 7,500-capacity Motorpoint Arena towering above it just over the road, itÔÇÖs a great low-key setting for DJs, singer-songwriters and tonight, ÔÇÿriot jazzÔÇÖ. Bass Twelve bring up a few questions: When did brass bands … Continue reading Live: Bass Twelve – Gwdihw – 15/01/16

Lonely The Brave

Live: Lonely The Brave – The Globe – 20/11/15

Coming off the back of a well-received debut album and a growing reputation as a spellbinding live act, Lonely The Brave arrive at the Globe on the final victory lap of ÔÇÿThe DayÔÇÖs WarÔÇÖ before they finish up their sophomore release in the New Year. Openers Black Peaks slightly startle the Friday night crowd with their abrasive hardcore, held down by Liam KearleyÔÇÖs machine-gun drumming … Continue reading Live: Lonely The Brave – The Globe – 20/11/15

Los Campesinos!

Live: Los Campesinos! – Exchange, Bristol – 18/11/15

The University of Cardiff does not boast a particularly long list of famous bands in its alumni, and even then Los Campesinos! are perhaps not one of them. Formed at Cardiff University way back in 2006, their first gig came at a club night in the SU. 9 years and 5 albums later the band find themselves still making music around their life commitments. While … Continue reading Live: Los Campesinos! – Exchange, Bristol – 18/11/15

Nothing But Thieves

Live: Nothing But Thieves – Clwb Ifor Bach – 1/11/15

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

The Ordinary Boys

Live: The Ordinary Boys – 5/11/15 – The Globe

Remember, remember the 5th of November the memorable saying goes, and frankly it would be impossible to forget the evening spent watching Preston and the boys rock out spectacularly at little cult venue, The Globe on Albany Road. ItÔÇÖs always enjoyable watching music here, as the atmosphere is intimate and personal, and itÔÇÖs easy to nab a great position in the crowd to view the … Continue reading Live: The Ordinary Boys – 5/11/15 – The Globe

Skindred

Live: Skindred – Tramshed – 31/10/15

Hothouse Flowers had the honour of opening CardiffÔÇÖs new Tramshed earlier in the week, but Skindred have just as enviable a date to play at the venue: Halloween. Ticket holders in costumes ranging from Captain Jack Sparrow to Wayne & Garth pack the venue the day after the release of SkindredÔÇÖs sixth album ÔÇÿVolumeÔÇÖ. Kicking off ÔÇÿNight of the Living DredÔÇÖ are support bands The … Continue reading Live: Skindred – Tramshed – 31/10/15

Killing Joke

Live: Killing Joke – Y Plas – 25/10/15

ItÔÇÖs the first day of the clocks going back and the first day of Killing JokeÔÇÖs UK tour. The early darkness is appropriate for a band like them, whose gothic sensibilities provided inspiration to many of musicÔÇÖs darker artists, be that Metallica or LCD Soundsystem. Two days after the release of new Killing Joke album ÔÇÿPylonÔÇÖ, Cardiff Student UnionÔÇÖs, Y Plas, fills up with an … Continue reading Live: Killing Joke – Y Plas – 25/10/15

Spector

Live: Spector – Thelka, Bristol – 13/10/15

A gig at the Thekla is always a treat to behold; there is something unique about seeing a band perform in the bilge of a boat. ThereÔÇÖs a buzz when embarking, an excitement in the air. It says something however, when a band formed in 2011 and once hailed as ÔÇ£the UKÔÇÖs answer to The KillersÔÇØ is just selling out shows for 500. When Spector … Continue reading Live: Spector – Thelka, Bristol – 13/10/15

Sweet Baboo

Live: Sweet Baboo – The Globe – 03/10/15

Sweet Baboo and Co. provide somewhat of a Welsh homecoming as they round off a long and successful string of live performances celebrating the release of fifth studio album, ÔÇÿThe Boombox BalladsÔÇÖ. Stephen Black (as the front-man is also known) thanks everyone for turning up and showing their support. The night had been generously coordinated by Shape Records and a great deal of warmth and … Continue reading Live: Sweet Baboo – The Globe – 03/10/15

Review: Augustines – The Globe, 04/12/14

Jade Attwood reviews Augustines at The Globe… With both floors of The Globe packed to the rafters from the outset, support act Arkells start the evening off. Procuring a distinctly mixed age crowd, the Canadian rockers have a task on their hands to get the mood right. But, with constant witty interaction and angsty enthusiasm, the band certainly create a buzz in the previously sombre … Continue reading Review: Augustines – The Globe, 04/12/14

Live: The Kooks – The Great Hall – 22/11/2014

ItÔÇÖs been a bit of a musical rollercoaster for The Kooks; with a slippery on-record slope since finding an incredible debut inInside In/Inside Out, theyÔÇÖve been hanging by a thread for the past few albums. But, having ownership over the odd tune to keep them in contention has helped with 2014 seeing them pick up the slack with their fourth LP┬áListen.┬á Walking On Cars bring … Continue reading Live: The Kooks – The Great Hall – 22/11/2014

Live: The Gaslight Anthem – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 22/10/14

On a night where they’re competing with the Welsh rugby team for punters, there’s a worry that The Gaslight Anthem could play their joint largest ever show to a half-full room. Indeed, during openers BaysideÔÇÖs angst-punk set, the throng was barely ten deep with many electing for the seating at very back of the arena. The veteran New Yorkers pound through a half-hour set characterised … Continue reading Live: The Gaslight Anthem – Cardiff Motorpoint Arena 22/10/14

Review: Peace – Sin City, Swansea 12/06/14

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

Live Review: Johnny Foreigner and Radstewart, 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

Live Review: Manchester Orchestra, The Fleece Bristol

ItÔÇÖs been 3 years since Manchester Orchestra have hopped across the pond, and the excitement is palpable in the sold out crowd packed into the Fleece for tonight, the first show of their tour promoting new album ÔÇÿCopeÔÇÖ. The Fleece is a curious venue, with its metal struts jutting up from ground to ceiling at every few metres, and to begin with you wonder how … Continue reading Live Review: Manchester Orchestra, The Fleece Bristol