The Aces @ CIA 01/12/2022

Words and photos by Ashley Thieme Although The Aces have previously undertaken their own headline UK tours, this was their first time performing for a Welsh audience. Originally The Blue Aces ÔÇô releasing a few extended play releases under that name since 2012 ÔÇô the band have been playing shows as The Aces since changing their name in 2016. Hailing from Utah, United States, the … Continue reading The Aces @ CIA 01/12/2022

Degendering Fashion: It's Not New

Degendering Fashion: ItÔÇÖs Not New

Words by Imogen Edmonds Marketing clothes as ÔÇÿgenderlessÔÇÖ has become a new selling point in the fashion industry, and whilst items of clothing obviously donÔÇÖt have a gender society has stitched gender into clothes, labelling them into the socially constructed gender binary. Whilst we are familiar with most high street shops having gendered clothing sections, the origination of gendered dress is relatively recent.  Up until … Continue reading Degendering Fashion: ItÔÇÖs Not New

Placebo @ CIA 24/11/2022

Words by Tabitha Murrell I was first introduced to Placebo by the┬áever-dramatic┬á1999┬áfilm┬áadaptation┬áof Pierre Choderlos de┬áLaclos’ 1782 novel┬áLes Liaisons┬ádangereuses. Cruel Intentions‘┬áopening scene streams┬áacross a graveyard and then up to the iconic┬áNew York┬ácity skyline. Ryan Phillipe (swoon) is seen driving over┬áBrooklyn┬áBridge in his┬ábeautifully┬árecognisable┬áblack┬ávintage┬áJaguar XK140 – the car is as much a plot device as the┬áfilm’s┬ásoundtrack, which of course begins with the blasting of Placebo’s┬áhit from the same … Continue reading Placebo @ CIA 24/11/2022

Unpacking The AIDS Crisis and The Continued Discrimination Against the LGBTQIA+ Community

The AIDS crisis gripped the world for most of the 1980s and 1990s, with an estimated 40.1 million people having died of HIV and AIDS by 2021. At the time, rather than being seen and treated as a serious pandemic that posed a threat to everyone, the perception of it was distorted to become a moral disease caused and spread by the LGBTQIA+ community. The … Continue reading Unpacking The AIDS Crisis and The Continued Discrimination Against the LGBTQIA+ Community

Interview with Bootysale: A Year On

Words and Photos by Laura Schjoett ItÔÇÖs been a whole year since Cardiff graduate Micha opened her fashion re-sell business Bootysale. Situated on the ground floor of the Cardiff StudentÔÇÖs Union, the clothing store has become a staple part of the arcade and is frequented by many students daily. It is hard not to be drawn in by the fabulous clothes, or by Bonnie ÔÇÿthe … Continue reading Interview with Bootysale: A Year On

Spear of Destiny @ The Globe 23/11/2022

Words and photos by Alice Lumley On potentially one of the coldest and stormiest nights in Cardiff, I had the pleasure of going to see Spear of Destiny at a beloved Cardiff venue, The Globe. The Globe is one of my favourite venues in Cardiff as the staff are lovely, the venue is small and intimate but not too crowded and the drinks are cheap … Continue reading Spear of Destiny @ The Globe 23/11/2022

Jamie T @ Great Hall 21/11/2022

Words and photos by Rubie Barker On the night that Wales played their first World Cup game in 54 years, Jamie T took to CardiffÔÇÖs Great Hall. While some football fans were clearly torn about where to focus their attention as we waited, they still showed up in vast numbers to see the Indie Rock icon.  86TVs are supporting Jamie on this tour, formed this … Continue reading Jamie T @ Great Hall 21/11/2022

Lauran Hibberd and Sea Girls @ Great Hall 22/11/2022

Words and photos by Poppy Atkinson Gibson The Great Hall of the SU was pretty full and getting fuller by the minute as Lauran Hibberd strode on stage with her statement pigtails and billowing pink dress. The crowd, who were steadily shuffling into position, were a mix of new out of the box fresher fans and clear long time lovers of Hibberd, which made for … Continue reading Lauran Hibberd and Sea Girls @ Great Hall 22/11/2022

Review: The Lightning Seeds @ Tramshed 18/11/2022

Anticipating The Lightning Seeds’ return to Cardiff after what feels like a lifetime, the Tramshed was filled to capacity with fans of the 80s rock band. Kicking off the night was a delightfully calming set from indie musician Badly Drawn Boy, creating a chill vibe throughout the entire venue. He was alone onstage but his gorgeous voice filled the room and was a great choice … Continue reading Review: The Lightning Seeds @ Tramshed 18/11/2022

The Legacy of Meghan Markle

Words by Georgina Whitehead Meghan Markle is without a doubt one of the most talked about people in the world, and whatever your opinion of her may be, she is unavoidable and constantly trending on social media. Her interview with The Cut was released on the 29th August 2022, just over a week before the Queen died, since then other articles have been released alongside … Continue reading The Legacy of Meghan Markle

Review: Florence and the Machine @ CIA 16/11/22

Molly Openshaw On the 16th of November, Florence and the Machine kick-started their U.K. portion of the third leg of the Dance Fever tour at Cardiff International Arena. This is FlorenceÔÇÖs first tour back since the pandemic with their last tour being the High as Hope tour in 2018. Florence and the Machine released their fifth studio album, Dance Fever, in May 2022.┬á Despite the … Continue reading Review: Florence and the Machine @ CIA 16/11/22

Truss Broken: The Fall of Liz Truss

Words by Megan Huws On the 20th of October 2022, Liz Truss resigned as Prime Minister, after the shortest premiership in British history. In the brief but eventful 45 days that she was in office, which is shorter than the leadership contest that allowed her to be Prime Minister, she mourned the death of Queen Elizabeth II and celebrated the coronation of King Charles III. … Continue reading Truss Broken: The Fall of Liz Truss

Is OnlyFans The New Uni Side Hustle?

In the wake of the cost-of-living crisis that is ever present in this country, people are struggling more and more to heat their homes, put food on the table and pay their rent, and it doesnÔÇÖt get much better for students here in the UK. Aside from racking up thousands of pounds in debt from tuition fees and various loans, students are also expected to … Continue reading Is OnlyFans The New Uni Side Hustle?

Image of a phone with the second-hand clothing app Depop being deleted.

Depop Is Getting Deleted: Why It’s No Longer Being Loaded

Words by Rubie Barker For those looking to start shopping more sustainably, Depop has long been a place to turn. With an interface designed for an app, for a long time, it dominated the second-hand clothing market among the younger generations, with a cleaner feel than eBay and far less hassle. But last year it was announced that the company, founded in 2011, would be … Continue reading Depop Is Getting Deleted: Why It’s No Longer Being Loaded

Review: Don’t Worry Darling

Words By Caitlin Evans IÔÇÖm Worried, Darling *THIS REVIEW CONTAINS SPOILERS* The drama surrounding Olivia WildeÔÇÖs latest release, DonÔÇÖt Worry, Darling, has been unavoidable recently. It all began with the controversy over the casting decisions (Harry Styles, IÔÇÖm looking at you), and has since spiralled into a seemingly never-ending stream of negative claims, so-called arguments, and drama. This hasnÔÇÖt overshadowed the film itself, however, and … Continue reading Review: Don’t Worry Darling

Review: Deaf Havana @ Tramshed 08/11/2022

Words and photos by Ashley Thieme The last time English alternative rock band Deaf Havana played in Cardiff was 2019, before live shows came to a standstill. However, this time around the previously four-piece band is now fronted by two brothers, James and Matthew Veck-Gilodi. In a statement put out by the band in November 2021 they revealed uncertainty surrounding the future of the band, … Continue reading Review: Deaf Havana @ Tramshed 08/11/2022

Review: Kasabian @ CIA 02/11/2022

British rock giants Kasabian made an explosive return to Cardiff International Arena (formerly Motorpoint Arena), touring their new album The Alchemist’s Euphoria. Despite the awful weather that greeted us, we left the venue absolutely elated. Supporting Kasabian on this tour is The Lathums, a relatively young indie band hailing from Wigan; they were one of the best support acts I’ve ever seen. Their set was … Continue reading Review: Kasabian @ CIA 02/11/2022

Are Marvel Phases 5 and 6 Squeezing Too Much out of the Franchise?

Words by Francesca Manenti Marvel Studios recently unveiled the upcoming releases that will make up Phases 5 and 6 of the MCU, as part of the Multiverse Saga. Yet after a long string of underwhelming TV shows and disappointing films, I canÔÇÖt help but feel like Marvel are losing their touch and overwhelming us with mediocre productions. So far, there has been no cohesion. An … Continue reading Are Marvel Phases 5 and 6 Squeezing Too Much out of the Franchise?

An Ode to Serena: Icon, Mother, Tennis Supremo

After a thrilling last match in Arthur Ashe stadium, with tears in her eyes and diamonds in her hair, Serena Williams waved goodbye to the cheering crowd and her beloved tennis -a game which she has changed for a long time to come. When it came out that she would be evolving away from professional tennis, it was a bittersweet feeling that prompted me to … Continue reading An Ode to Serena: Icon, Mother, Tennis Supremo