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
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
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
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
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
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
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
words and photos by Rhiannon Farr and Zoe Price You wouldnÔÇÖt expect to find a tranquil piece of independence right in the middle of Splott, but the newly opened Railway Gardens is like the urban areaÔÇÖs Garden of Eden. Located just off Adeline Street (a stoneÔÇÖs throw from SplottÔÇÖs vaccination centre, if that jogs your memory), Railway Gardens is a community driven spot that repurposes … Continue reading Introducing Things on Toast
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?
Written by Elliot Morgan 25/10/2022 It has been four years since Arctic Monkeys divided their fan base with the drastic left-turn that was Tranquility Base Hotel and Casino. Whilst some loved the record, which took influences from lounge pop and psychedelia, many were disappointed with the departure from the MonkeysÔÇÖ traditional guitar-driven music. Their newest record, The Car, is no different. Retaining some elements of … Continue reading Arctic Monkeys – The Car Album Review
Words and photos by Billy Edwards The audience at the Students’ Union waited with bated breath for The Feeling’s first appearance in Cardiff in some years. This was responded to very well on stage ÔÇô it began with a special harmony-laden fanfare of Fill My Little World rich with atmosphere. It sounded like an off cut from The Beach BoysÔÇÖ Smile Sessions, a piece of … Continue reading Review: The Feeling @ Cardiff Students’ Union 21/10/2022
18th October 2022 Joe Murphy puts a modern, relatable spin on a classic tale, and celebrates the magic of the Welsh Language in his adaptation of ShakespeareÔÇÖs A Midsummer NightÔÇÖs Dream. A story of mischief, trickery, and love triangles, ShakespeareÔÇÖs iconic play follows Hermia, Lysanna and Demetrius caught up in a love triangle, complicated further by the fairiesÔÇÖ playful love spellsÔǪ and a donkey! A … Continue reading Review: A Midsummer Night’s Dream at The Sherman Theatre
Words and photos by Harry Taylor A chilly night in Cardiff is felt most bitterly when standing, waiting for the doors of the wonderfully intimate Clwb Ifor Bach to open. Descending upon these doors, equally eager and expectant, were fifteen to twenty people, displaying their identification with this music scene through various skull t-shirts, chains, hats, piercings and badges. I felt like the odd one … Continue reading Ocean Grove @ Clwb Ifor Bach 18/10/2022
18th October 2022 Words by Omo Ifabua Yesterday evening, I had the pleasure of seeing Stephen DaldryÔÇÖs An Inspector Calls at the New Theatre. Having studied JB PriestleyÔÇÖs original play at school 5 years ago and watching both film adaptations, I was definitely excited to see how this version would live up to my expectations. This was my first ever theatre trip in Cardiff and … Continue reading Review: An Inspector Calls at The New Theatre
2nd October 202 at Wales Millenium Centre IÔÇÖd had my eye on Migrations since its world premiere in June and so was excited to see it had been reprised for Welsh National OperaÔÇÖs autumn season. With a diverse cast and creative team, and powerful subject matter, it promised progression away from the stereotypical white stuffiness associated with the opera world. Migrations dramatises six different stories … Continue reading Review: Welsh National OperaÔÇÖs Migrations
Words and photos by Tabitha Murrell TW: Mental Health, Suicide Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls’ performance was as potent as it was political. Kicking into gear the consciousness of the onlookers, the band invited the audience to join the anarchy not for just one night, but indefinitely. The sound of Frank Turner is composed not only from heavy drums fused with head-banging melodies, but folksier … Continue reading Review: Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, Tramshed 12/10/22
Words by Millie Thomas┬á At the end of May this year, heads were turned, and the season for binge-watching commenced as the fourth season of Stranger Things was released on Netflix. This new season did not disappoint, providing a powerful storyline with the work of amazing actors and actresses such as Winona Ryder, Millie Bobby Brown, Joseph Quinn and many more. Though as the series … Continue reading How have Stranger Things brought back songs from the 80s?
25th September 2022 at Wales Millennium Center Words by Billy Edwards I was at first nervous about seeing La┬áBoheme┬ábecause of┬áitÔÇÖs very nature as an opera. As I had never seen one before,┬áyou could forgive me for feeling nervous about it. The public perception of the form signifies a certain stuffiness, held only in esteem by the oldest generations and ÔÇô daresay ÔÇôconsisting of long, boring … Continue reading Review: Welsh National OperaÔÇÖs La Boh├¿me
Words by Billy Edwards One of AmericaÔÇÖs greatest heroes has finally got the awe-inspiring cinema treatment he deserved. ÔÇÿELVISÔÇÖ is an electric tribute to a masterful showman, flying by despite its well-over two-hour runtime. Directed by Baz Luhrmann in his colourfully kaleidoscopic style, it is very much as theatrical as ElvisÔÇÖ awesome performances ÔÇô it looks ÔÇÿWalk HardÔÇÖ or ÔÇÿSpinal TapÔÇÖ dead in the eye, … Continue reading Review: Elvis
Written by Lily Croft Pale Waves have released their 3rd studio album titled ÔÇÿUnwantedÔÇÖ. An album which is the antithesis of its title as fans were yearning for new music. After 2 successful albums, Pale Waves are back with their melodies fuelled with anger and angst, as their 13-track album transports you back to the 2000ÔÇÖs from the very first second. They leave you feeling … Continue reading Pale Waves: ‘Unwanted’ LP Review
