After clearing out all the 10p slot machines and mopping up the sticky floor after many a spilt slush puppy from the excitement that is Weston Super-MareÔÇÖs grand pier, the venue was ready to be filled with an avid pack of Alt-J fans. After a great opening set from Hampshire trio, Blaenavon, Alt-J took to the small ┬ámake-shift stage as the final show of their … Continue reading Alt-J- Live Review, Weston-Super-Mare
On the 27th September 2017, exactly four years after her debut album Pure Heroine came into the world, the New Zealand singer/songwriter Lorde has returned to London, to perform at a sold-out Alexandra Palace. I have been a fan of LordeÔÇÖs music ever since I first heard the song ÔÇÿRoyalsÔÇÖ in 2013. The minimalist instrumentation, the focus on the voice and the poetry-like lyrics felt … Continue reading Lorde- Live Review
Heart-warming, emotionally captivating and equal parts darkness and light, Joe StephensonÔÇÖs feature debut film Chicken is, conversely to the title, not solely about farm animals. Originally a play by Freddie Machin, it follows Richard (Scott Chambers), an optimistic and sunny teenage boy living in a caravan with his volatile brother Polly (Morgan Watkins), dealing with both PollyÔÇÖs changeable moods and his own undiagnosed learning difficulties. … Continue reading Interview & Review with Chicken director Joe Stephenson
The Magic Gang are heading out on tour with Sundara Karma this Autumn. The Magic Gang are no strangers to touring with other big names including Wolf Alice, Swim Deep and Spring King. It has been a busy summer for the Brighton boys having a headline set at Tunbridge Wells Forum and playing many festivals, including Latitude, Truck, Tramlines and Reading and Leeds on the … Continue reading The Magic Gang- UK Tour
If you know Maggie RogerÔÇÖs 2016 song Alaska, youÔÇÖll know itÔÇÖs groovy, funky and youÔÇÖll know its the perfect shoulder-shimmy-head-bop track. Amber RunÔÇÖs opening cover of Alaska to their EP of the same name, is just a lil bit different. ItÔÇÖs laid back and angelic, giving the track a sense of purity. Maggie RogerÔÇÖs voice is no doubt angelic too, but in usual Amber Run … Continue reading Amber Run’s Alaska EP Review
Behind the scenes at this yearÔÇÖs Barn on the Farm festival, we chatted to brotherly duo Callum and Ewan, the leading-men from indie hip-hop group Bad Sounds, to see what they had been up to recently and their plans for the very near future. Sitting on a dubious looking old armchair perched on a stack of wooden planks, Callum says ÔÇ£Our set here was super … Continue reading A chat with Bad Sounds
Edinburgh Fringe favourite┬áCarl DonnellyÔÇÖs style of comedy has landed him nominations for the Edinburgh Comedy Award in 2013 and for Best Newcomer in 2009 and The Guardian have even referred to him as an “observational genius”. ┬áHannah Hopkins and Becca Moody got the chance to interview him just before he embarks on the UK tour of his eighth show ‘Bad Man Tings’.┬á Are panel … Continue reading Interview: Carl Donnelly
Love Steals Us From Loneliness, Thursday 8th December, Chapter Arts Centre. Reviewer: Sarah Harris and Khuram Mahmood.┬á If youÔÇÖve ever been to see a play at Chapter Arts Theatre, youÔÇÖll know theyÔÇÖre not the typical type you would come across at say CardiffÔÇÖs New Theatre or Millennium Centre. Often acted out within a small room, with slightly over a dozen audience members and usually a … Continue reading Review: Love Steals Us From Loneliness, Chapter Arts Centre
Some People Talk About Violence, Wednesday 23rd November, The Other Room. Reviewer: Bob Wigin The word ÔÇÿperformanceÔÇÖ may more suitably describe Barrel OrganÔÇÖs most recent play as, if you go and see Some People Talk of Violence, expect much on-stage improvisation, audience participation and lots of JacobÔÇÖs Cream Crackers being shoved in to mouths. We are presented with a mother, brother, daughter and narrator, each … Continue reading Review: Some People Talk About Violence, The Other Room
The Rocky Horror Show, Monday 21st November, The Other Room. Reviewer: Rachel Nurse The Rocky Horror Show is one of the most iconic musical theatre shows, performed each year around the globe and is seen by thousands, maybe even millions. Yet, it still never fails to amuse me and it was an outstanding show by all the cast members at the New Theatre on Monday. … Continue reading Review: The Rocky Horror Show, New Theatre
Breakfast at TiffanyÔÇÖs is somewhat of a classic. The LBD, pearls, gloves and hat combo, all paired with perfectly manicured nails and not a hair out of place, were styled so sophisticatedly by Audrey Hepburn at the height of her career that they formed arguably one of the last centuryÔÇÖs most timeless looks. Of course, aesthetics alone arenÔÇÖt what cemented Breakfast at TiffanyÔÇÖs as among … Continue reading Review: Breakfast at Tiffany’s, New Theatre
Award winning director Ellen Kent graced Cardiff with her tour of VerdiÔÇÖs Nabucco this week. The storyÔÇÖs libretto is studded with themes of jealously, revenge and suffering, amid both a romantic and a political plotline. The audience followed the opression of the Jews through their exile by King Nabucco, whilst his oldest daughter Abigaille struggled with unrequited love, and is handed her true origins as … Continue reading Review: Verdi’s Nabucco, St. David’s Hall
Everyone knows Ghost as a classic. The iconic 1990 film not only catapulted Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze even further into the public eye, where theyÔÇÖve long enjoyed a reputation as among the industryÔÇÖs biggest talents, but arguably also set the pace for romantic movies for years to come. So understandably, the announcement of it being adapted into a musical, touring UK theatres from launching … Continue reading Review: Ghost, New Theatre
This year Cardiff has witnessed the celebration of 100 years of our favourite childrenÔÇÖs author, Roald Dahl. The city has been transformed into a fantastical world full of giant peaches and exciting exhibitions for all. Some of these have included the ÔÇ£Quentin Blake: Inside StoriesÔÇØ exhibition in the National Museum, which features until the 20th November, CardiffÔÇÖs ÔÇ£City of the UnexpectedÔÇØ in September and ÔÇ£The … Continue reading Cardiff- a Creative City
Sam Saunders takes a look at the last, great swansong of Projekt Red’s longstanding Witcher, Geralt of Rivia. When I sat down to play the latest (and sadly, last) expansion for my favourite game of 2015, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, I was feeling a little apprehensive. After the amazing base game, the excellent character-driven story of Hearts of Stone (the first expansion, released last … Continue reading Review: The Witcher 3: Blood and Wine DLC
Whether you’re a budding first year, eager to explore your new home, or a long term resident of our glorious city. Here is a run-down of the best day trips in and around Cardiff! St Fagans St Fagans is a pretty village in the west of Cardiff, a humble 5 miles from student domain Cathays. If youÔÇÖre living in Cardiff (and you probably are if … Continue reading Exploring Cardiff
Beauty writer┬áEm Gates joined in with Superdrug’s Beauty Studio’s first┬ábirthday celebrations. Here is┬áwhat she got up to…┬á If the allure of a free goody bag for being one of the first 50 people into the store doesnÔÇÖt bother most people, that was probably the reason I was first in the queue for the Superdrug Beauty Studio 1st Birthday Party. Not feeling guilty at all for … Continue reading Superdrug Beauty Studio’s 1st Birthday
DESIGN TEAM In 2015/16 we are keen to continue the great work of our design team at Quench. If you are passionate about design and believe you have the imagination to create layouts that jump off the page then apply by sending a cover letter to editor@quenchmag.co.uk┬áby Saturday 30th┬áMay detailing: your motivations for applying what you believe you could bring to the team your current … Continue reading We’re Recruiting for 2015/16!
Biffy ClyroÔÇÖs B-side compilation album, ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ, is not a waste of time. ItÔÇÖs not a cheap money spinner that tides keen fans over until the next album cycle. It’s a demonstration of the hugely prolific and profound songwriter, frontman Simon Neil, and an exceedingly professional band doing exactly what they do best. The very nature of a compilation dictates that ÔÇÿSimilaritiesÔÇÖ is not as coherent … Continue reading Review: Biffy Clyro – ‘Similarities’
International tensions are increasing, conflict has provoked much political debate, and whatÔÇÖs more, the UKÔÇÖs general election is fast approaching. It is the time for celebrity cynics and anarchists to force their views upon us, increase their tabloid exposure, and make some money. Unsurprisingly, Morrissey has released a new album. While the opening lyric, ÔÇÿWorld Peace is None of Your BusinessÔÇÖ, does not provide the … Continue reading Review: Morrissey – ‘World Peace Is None Of Your Business’
