Stereophonics Review in The Great Hall Cardiff

In aid of charity GlobalÔÇÖs Make Some Noise, Stereophonics took to the stage at Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Great Hall for, perhaps, their most intimate show of the past twenty years. This twenty-year anniversary also celebrates the release of their first album ÔÇÿWord Gets AroundÔÇÖ and it seems that the hype that surrounded the Welsh rockers is as blatant as ever. Prior to the gig, the band … Continue reading Stereophonics Review in The Great Hall Cardiff

Bristol Sounds: Craig David

23rd June marks the day after the heatwave in Bristol. It was a very overcast day that felt like freezing temperatures compared to 32 degrees the previous day. However, Bristolians are completely un-phased by this geographical disappointment, because the legendary Craig David is in town, as part of Bristol Sounds Festival. The gig was overlooking the Bristol harbour-side which added a magic touch to Craig … Continue reading Bristol Sounds: Craig David

REVIEW: Robbie Williams – The Heavy Entertainment Show

Robbie Williams can entertain me anytime he likes after the amazing show he performed. On the 21st of June at the Principality Stadium, Robbie Williams wowed Welsh fans with his old hits as well as new tunes. ÔÇÿThe Son of WalesÔÇÖ gave an outstanding show which outshined any other concert I have been to ÔÇô and IÔÇÖve been to many! Williams reminded us all how … Continue reading REVIEW: Robbie Williams – The Heavy Entertainment Show

Review: London Grammar, Truth Is A Beautiful Thing Concert

Pure and poignant: London GrammarÔÇÖs new album release reminded us they still mean business and proved that Truth isnÔÇÖt the only beautiful thing – their new music is also gorgeous. Hippodrome Nightclub, Kingston-upon-Thames 21:00, Monday 12th┬áJune 2017 After three and a half years since their platinum debut album, If You Wait, it had been a while since London Grammar had performed new songs live. Lead … Continue reading Review: London Grammar, Truth Is A Beautiful Thing Concert

Live: Kate Tempest – Motion – 8/2/15

In a packed-out and jumper-worthy Motion, Kate Tempest holds court to the second date of her live tour, the largest venue she confesses to have played so far. Support act Loyle Carner rips out some mellow jams for the first half of his set, sticking blissfully to recorded material, making sure his presence is heard for the crowd-participation of the final minutes. Carner is new … Continue reading Live: Kate Tempest – Motion – 8/2/15

Live Review: Enter Shikari – Y Plas 17/2/15

Y Plas has always been home to weird and wonderful sights, but tonight it bears witness to a whole new one: a floor-wide mosh pit as hardcore madmen, Enter Shikari come out to play. Before the carnage begins, Fatherson play some whole-heartedly pretty songs, which lull the crowd rather than rile them. Following are the inherently strange Allusondrugs. Bizzare movements and faces galore, the boys … Continue reading Live Review: Enter Shikari – Y Plas 17/2/15

Live: Laura Marling – Thekla – 7/2/15

I recently suffered the indignity of going to the cinema completely alone on a Saturday night. Buying my tickets and popcorn, I could only grin sheepishly as I repeated ÔÇÿyes just the one adult ticket, thanksÔÇÖ. Not a half hour previously I was at BristolÔÇÖs Thekla enjoying a captivating, intimate performance by Laura Marling ÔÇô who is currently touring her as-yet unreleased LP Short Movie … Continue reading Live: Laura Marling – Thekla – 7/2/15

Live: Alvvays – Thekla – 31/1/15

In soft acquiescence with the melancholy, Alvvays soundtrack the adventures of post-teen life as if through an Instagram filter. A boat in Bristol is perhaps the perfect setting for the Canadian five-piece; you have to wonder if itÔÇÖs the water beneath you swaying the crowd or indeed lead-singer Molly RankinÔÇÖs crooning voice that undulates the bodies onboard The Thekla. Alvvays are captivating from the outset. … Continue reading Live: Alvvays – Thekla – 31/1/15

Live well: eat well

Review: ‘Eat Well: Live Well’ Event

Food writer, Imogen Byers, took a trip down to Cardiff City House of Sport to check out Wales’ largest health and fitness event. I had no idea what to expect when offering to write a review on the ÔÇÿEat Well: Live WellÔÇÖ event , ÔÇÿCardiffÔÇÖs largest Health, Nutrition and Fitness ExhibitionÔÇÖ held at Cardiff City House of Sport. ┬áI was picturing either a large hall … Continue reading Review: ‘Eat Well: Live Well’ Event

Live Review: Fear Of Men, Clwb Ifor Bach, 29/09/14

Tom Reeder reviews Fear Of Men at Clwb Ifor Bach Monday night, and as openers The Echo and The Always materialise on stage, the audience of Clwb Ifor Bach remain scattered, drawn instead to their beer and gossip. It doesnÔÇÖt take long for The Echo to steal their attention, though, and after the opening song, everyone is listening intently. ItÔÇÖs never easy to open a … Continue reading Live Review: Fear Of Men, Clwb Ifor Bach, 29/09/14

Live Review: Arcade Fire, British Summer Time (03/07/14)

Following a successful show at Glastonbury only a week earlier, Arcade Fire are set to headline the British Summer Time festival. The atmosphere within Hyde Park is relaxed with tinges of anticipation. Combined with a wide variety of stalls and amusements that you would expect at a festival, itÔÇÖs easy to think you were a world away from the capital, rather than at its epicentre. … Continue reading Live Review: Arcade Fire, British Summer Time (03/07/14)

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

Review: MIND Fest, 23.11.13 – Undertone & Four Bars

Is there any better way to raise awareness of mental health than to put on a multi-venue inner-city festival? No, is the answer. So, thatÔÇÖs exactly what Cardiff-based charity MIND did. For over 65 years MIND have been committed to ensuring that those experiencing mental health problems receive the help and support they deserve. Local promoters God Is In The TV Zine, Rockpie and Red … Continue reading Review: MIND Fest, 23.11.13 – Undertone & Four Bars

Live Review: Future of the Left – Thekla, 15.11.13

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

S┼Án Festival – Sunday

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

S┼Án Festival – Saturday

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

S┼Án Festival – Friday

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