Review: Rosa’s Thai

In the heart of Cardiff you will come across Church Street, a lane of trendy eateries and chain restaurants, strung with fairy lights like something from a post card or a film. Among the twinkling lights and the bustling people, you can find RosaÔÇÖs Thai.  When you enter this intimate dinner spot, the first thing you notice is the cosy vibe theyÔÇÖve created. Wooden slats … Continue reading Review: Rosa’s Thai

Punk Rock Factory @ SWX Bristol

Punk Rock Factory started their ÔÇÿItÔÇÖs just a stage weÔÇÖre going throughÔÇÖ EU & UK tour with a bang last night in Bristol. Combining nostalgic throwbacks and childrenÔÇÖs music with a contemporary pop-punk sound, their innovative twist has opened new possibilities for alternative music. Whilst fairly new to the scene after gaining popularity through TikTok, IÔÇÖd argue their stage presence was nothing short of energetic, engaging, and … Continue reading Punk Rock Factory @ SWX Bristol

Llais Festival: Welsh Music Prize 2023

 A fun filled event promoting and celebrating the musical talents in Wales has yet again proved that the Welsh indie scene is one to watch. As part of Llais Festival, the awards ceremony for the ÔÇÿWelsh Music PrizeÔÇÖ was presented for the second time in front of a live audience presented by BBC Radio 1ÔÇÖs Sian Eleri on October 10th, at the Millennium Centre in … Continue reading Llais Festival: Welsh Music Prize 2023

Girls Pushing Buttons: A Celebration of Music, Community and Womanhood

Quench were lucky enough to be invited along to Girls Pushing Buttons, a celebration of South Wales-based electronic pop artists – Honey B McKenna, Millie Blooms and Femmebug. As well as a night of fantastic music, we also got the chance to sit down and chat with Honey and Millie about community, their musical journeys, and what they liked about South Wales’ rich and diverse … Continue reading Girls Pushing Buttons: A Celebration of Music, Community and Womanhood

Half Happy performing

God Is In The TV: 20th Anniversary Celebration

┬áI didnÔÇÖt actually know very much about God Is In The TV until they sent Quench a message inviting us along to the 20th Anniversary celebration. In hindsight this seems like a bit of a misstep, because God Is In The TV is like a showcase of everything I love about the South Wales music scene, and represents everything I think the music industry should: … Continue reading God Is In The TV: 20th Anniversary Celebration

Princess Goes performing

Review: Princess Goes

Princess Goes once said in an interview the perfect place to listen to music is ÔÇÿanywhere itÔÇÖs safe to close your eyesÔÇÖ – their music echoes this very premise, with every song encouraging an entire audience to pulse as one. Anyone who wishes they could have experienced the 80s and 70s club scene, where Blue Monday and Depeche Mode come to mind, fused with a … Continue reading Review: Princess Goes

Drumkit at Maisie Peters' gig

Maisie Peters @ Tramshed 23/04/2023

Maisie Peters is a name we should all be familiar with. She is taking the world by storm, with half a billion streams worldwide, a sold out UK tour and earning the approval of big names such as Phoebe Bridgers, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran and Sam Smith – and sheÔÇÖs only twenty two! Her tour, the final chapter of touring You Signed Up for This … Continue reading Maisie Peters @ Tramshed 23/04/2023

Review: Act One’s A Few Good Men at the Temple of Peace

Words by Genevieve Gunn I canÔÇÖt say IÔÇÖve always been the biggest fan of army/war-themed media. ÔÇÿRamboÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿSaving Private RyanÔÇÖ were never really my thing. But I have to say that Act OneÔÇÖs production of ÔÇÿA Few Good MenÔÇÖ blew it out of the water for me. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and it definitely proved to me that not all shows of the military … Continue reading Review: Act One’s A Few Good Men at the Temple of Peace

Review: Healthcare Drama Society’s The Addams Family at The Gate

The Addams Family have been having a bit of a moment recently, with the release of NetflixÔÇÖs Wednesday placing the iconically sardonic family front and centre onto the cultural stage once again. ThatÔÇÖs why I was particularly excited to hear it when CardiffÔÇÖs very own Healthcare Drama Society announced The Addams Family as their Spring musical.  Still a relatively new society, itÔÇÖs becoming increasingly apparent … Continue reading Review: Healthcare Drama Society’s The Addams Family at The Gate

In Conversation with Opera Director, Daisy Evans

It is an interesting time for Opera.┬á What audiences nowadays expect and desire from the arts has meant that the elitism associated with Opera, along with its outdated themes and morals, are no longer accepted by a new wave of arts fans.┬á The recent decision made by Arts Council England to slash funding of leading Opera organisations such as Glyndebourne and English National Opera proves … Continue reading In Conversation with Opera Director, Daisy Evans

Review: The Ivy Asia

words by Evie Lisk The Ivy is notorious for its lavish decoration and exceptional food, and its sister restaurant The Ivy Asia does not disappoint. The ambience of the Ivy Asia is next to none. The dim lit room with an extravagant, illuminating floor resembling uniquely intricate green gemstones stuns you the minute you step in. Staying in touch with its original roots as an Ivy restaurant but adding an … Continue reading Review: The Ivy Asia

Colleen Hoover – Worth the Hype?

By Mia Coley Colleen Hoover. If you are on TikTok or have any interest in books you will have heard her name. She is a number one New York Times bestselling author of seventeen novels and novellas (as of Jan 2023) and has sold millions of copies globally. Her books tend to fall under the romance genre, filled with steamy sex scenes complete with intimate … Continue reading Colleen Hoover – Worth the Hype?

In Conversation with DMA’s Tommy O’Dell

The release of DMAÔÇÖs brand new fourth album How Many Dreams? is just around the corner. This 12-track album seamlessly fuses elements of electronic, rock and pop music to create a sensational album where every track is a hit in the making. Songs such as EverybodyÔÇÖs Saying ThursdayÔÇÖs the Weekend showcase the trioÔÇÖs ability to create something truly special with this upbeat, nostalgia-infused track that … Continue reading In Conversation with DMA’s Tommy O’Dell

Review: ‘All Things End’ by Hozier

In the early hours of 17th March, Irish singer-songwriter Hozier released his latest EP ÔÇÿAll Things EndÔÇÖ. The release day for this EP is very on-brand for Hozier, being both his birthday and St. PatrickÔÇÖs Day. Well-known for his soulful and reflective musical style, Hozier delivers a cluster of three tracks on this EP highlighting his distinct blend of evocative melodies, lyrical depth, and impressive … Continue reading Review: ‘All Things End’ by Hozier

Review: Rhostio Speciality Coffee

words by Jessica Fotheringham Rhostio speciality coffee definitely takes the┬áÔÇÿspecialityÔÇÖ into consideration when making more than just their coffee.┬áThis gem of a coffee shop sits in the centre of Cathays,┬ájust an eleven minute walk from the Cardiff University Students Union building, and is certainly hard to miss.┬á Their modern exterior┬ácreates the allure that leads to their beautiful interior of open-brick┬áwalls, plant-potted greenery, and┬ácushioned wooden┬áseating.┬áIn addition, … Continue reading Review: Rhostio Speciality Coffee

Cardiff Bands @ Ale and Cider Fest

The Ale and Cider Festival (ran by CardiffÔÇÖs own Ale and Cider Society) was the perfect event for the Live Music Society to show off their finest acts in Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Student Union main stage. With drinks flowing throughout the day, the festival goers couldnÔÇÖt be happier to watch some fantastic sets. The Poached gave a powerful performance off the bat with a refreshingly eclectic … Continue reading Cardiff Bands @ Ale and Cider Fest

Cardiff Bands @ Tiny Rebel

The most immediate thing I noticed when entering Tiny Rebel Brewery was the quirky and uniquesetup. The entire room was illuminated by the soft red glow of the eye-catching Tiny Rebel neonlogo, front and center of the room, coupled with the vine leaves hanging from the walls, it left anethereal, pleasing aesthetic for the eye. The excellent mixing and acoustics provided an excellentdegree of clarity … Continue reading Cardiff Bands @ Tiny Rebel

Loyle Carner @ Cardiff SU 11/03/23

If youÔÇÖre a fan of Loyle Carner, youÔÇÖll know that he is not one to shy away from using hismusic and his platform to fight for what is right, carefully discussing hard-hitting topics likepolitics, crime, identity and race in a thought-provoking yet nuanced way. His gig in Cardiffwas no exception to this rule. As Loyle Carner took to the stage in Cardiff UniversityÔÇÖs Great Hall, … Continue reading Loyle Carner @ Cardiff SU 11/03/23

Review: Welsh National Opera’s The Magic Flute at Wales Millenium Center

Words by Cyntia Sudomir MozartÔÇÖs fairy tale with subversive symbolism comes to life once again at the Wales Millennium Centre, this time with Daisy EvansÔÇÖ contemporary twist. In a nutshell, we follow Prince Tamino and the bird-catcher Papageno on a mission to retrieve Princess Pamina from Sarastro, the King of Day and PaminaÔÇÖs cerebral-celebratory father, who whisked her away from The Queen of the Night, … Continue reading Review: Welsh National Opera’s The Magic Flute at Wales Millenium Center

In Conversation with Safari Gold

Imagine the Welsh Valleys in the early noughties. Two teenage brothers and their neighbour are playing Blink-182 covers in a cabin at the bottom of the garden. ÔÇ£ThatÔÇÖs basically how it all started,ÔÇØ says Morgan, one of said brothers, and nowadays a lead singer in the alt-pop quartet Safari Gold. Fast forward a couple of decades and the band has just released their second album, … Continue reading In Conversation with Safari Gold