The Christmas Chocolate Debate

words by Mia Coley Heroes are the superior Christmas chocolate box. Not only is it from Cadbury so its┬águaranteed to be good chocolate, with the recent addition of the dinky decker and crunchie┬ábits itÔÇÖs a perfect balance of textures and flavours. For something chewy thereÔÇÖs the ├®clair,┬áfor pure chocolate thereÔÇÖs the dairy milk block, for sugary sweet thereÔÇÖs the twisted cr├¿me┬áegg or for crunch thereÔÇÖs … Continue reading The Christmas Chocolate Debate

A Cult of Trauma: is ÔÇÿtraumaÔÇÖ overused in the age of social media?

In the age of social media more and more resources have been made available online surrounding ÔÇÿtrauma.ÔÇÖ These educational tools can be incredibly enlightening, gen-z seem to have acquired an acute awareness of trauma in terms of what it is and how we respond to it. More than ever we are able to conceptualise that childhood trauma can even stem from events that are deceptively … Continue reading A Cult of Trauma: is ÔÇÿtraumaÔÇÖ overused in the age of social media?

Living Abroad Series: Adelaide

Words and images by Martha Jennings I arrived at Adelaide International airport on the 22nd July 2019 with only a hiking rucksack and backpack (to say I had under-packed is an understatement). Riding the bus from the airport to my accommodation was an exciting paradise of blinding sun. In my student accommodation I was surrounded with students from all around the world, who taught me … Continue reading Living Abroad Series: Adelaide

Across the Pond – Kentucky

By Sarah Rawle   The United States is filled with endless incredible sights and things to do. I have been lucky enough to travel through twenty states over the past two years, ticking off classic tourist stops such as the Grand Canyon, Golden Gate Bridge, Yosemite National Park and the Empire State Building. Yet Kentucky, with all its more hidden wonders, is the state that … Continue reading Across the Pond – Kentucky

Soroptimist International

Soroptimist International is a global volunteer movement working to improve the lives of girls and women, spreading across all continents, with clubs in many towns and cities. It was founded in 1921 in California by a group of women to ÔÇ£Save the RedwoodsÔÇØ, the clubÔÇÖs first project, which was successfully lobbied saving the forest, creating a following and new clubs. Interestingly, during the same years, … Continue reading Soroptimist International

We spoke to ex-homeless people about what itÔÇÖs like to live on the streets in the yearÔÇÖs coldest months

By Eleanor Scales & Lindsay Smith Being homeless is never a great time – but the winter months are when people suffer the most, due to a lack of coats, clothes, blankets and shelter. Last year, it was reported that 78 homeless people died due to cold weather. We spoke to ex-homeless people – who are now living in free accommodation provided by homeless charity … Continue reading We spoke to ex-homeless people about what itÔÇÖs like to live on the streets in the yearÔÇÖs coldest months

Transgender experiences are incredibly diverse and subjective, so why donÔÇÖt we acknowledge that?

By Violet Thompson When people find out that IÔÇÖm transgender, the first question IÔÇÖm usually always asked is, ÔÇ£so, are you going to do the surgery?ÔÇØ It doesnÔÇÖt matter if itÔÇÖs someone IÔÇÖve known for a long time, or a complete stranger ÔÇô IÔÇÖm usually always asked about my genitals. It doesnÔÇÖt matter if itÔÇÖs in a public space, which makes the whole affair quite … Continue reading Transgender experiences are incredibly diverse and subjective, so why donÔÇÖt we acknowledge that?

Live Review | Architects @ Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

by Alex Payne Metalcore has found itself in weird spot in the last few years. As a genre itÔÇÖs garnered an undeserved reputation for being a little too cringe inducing and formulaic, shunned for existing in the awkward space between more accessible rock and heavier formats of metal. Clearly, it would be easier to embrace the stereotype, as many have done, to tap into the … Continue reading Live Review | Architects @ Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff

Introducing Milgi Sessions: a live music experience alike no other in Cardiff

by Dylan Graham Monday 3rd of December saw the launch of Milgi Sessions, a brand new live music experience alike no other in Cardiff. Based in a cosy yurt in the back-yard of Milgi Restaurant on City Road, the event will take place on the first Monday of every month, with each edition consisting of a studio session and a live performance from 3 different … Continue reading Introducing Milgi Sessions: a live music experience alike no other in Cardiff

Live Review | Skindred @ Tramshed

by Alex Payne Ragga-Punk legends Skindred descended on CardiffÔÇÖs Tramshed this Saturday, almost slap bang in the centre of their ThatÔÇÖs My Jam tour. With almost two months of back to back intimate gigs to promote their seventh album ÔÇÿBig TingsÔÇÖ, seemingly using a pitstop in Wales to recharge. Between the confetti-cannon wielding support, whose frontman claimed to be the ÔÇÿgayest man in the roomÔÇÖ … Continue reading Live Review | Skindred @ Tramshed

Winter Wonderland is Coming to the SU!

Bethany Griffiths Tonight (Tuesday 4th December) Periods in Poverty will be hosting their first Winter Gala at the Student’s Union! Tickets are ┬ú5 online or on the door – this is an excellent opportunity to dress fancy and have a boogie with all your flatmates before Christmas – and it’s for a wonderful cause!! Cardiff-based charity ‘Periods in Poverty’ is run and organised entirely by … Continue reading Winter Wonderland is Coming to the SU!

Shimmer Sounds Review – a top notch night lineup full of gems

Jordan Allen by Kate Waldock Shimmer Sounds welcomed Jordan Allen on stage at 8:00. The crowdÔÇÖs anticipation was palpable as we waited for the Manchester indie band to begin. When the group finally walked onto the small set up of Room 2, a few boys at the front went wild immediately. The lead guitarist Danny QuinÔÇÖs mastery of the guitar is clear from the first … Continue reading Shimmer Sounds Review – a top notch night lineup full of gems

Live Review | Slaves at Cardiff’s Tramshed

by Kiana Stevens As someone that has previously seen Slaves live this year, I was thrilled to see them again at CardiffÔÇÖs own Tramshed. I had never visited Tramshed before and despite the bitter cold Welsh weather, the venue seemed friendly, had a great atmosphere and was a great size for a weekday concert. As I peeled off layer after layer of woolen jumpers, the … Continue reading Live Review | Slaves at Cardiff’s Tramshed

PB Performance: Cardiff’s new state-of-the-art performance gym

By Bethany Griffiths Last Sunday Quench was invited to the launch of CardiffÔÇÖs newest performance gym: PB Performance. Aside from tucking into all the wonderful food and drink that PB Performance had to offer, we also trialled some of the gymÔÇÖs new, state-of-the-art equipment and attended various workshops about the art of powerlifting and weightlifting. The equipment is not like your everyday gym setup, with … Continue reading PB Performance: Cardiff’s new state-of-the-art performance gym

Upcoming gigs in Cardiff | November – December 2018

by Rhiannon Humphreys Shimmer Sounds Festival 2018 ÔÇô November 17th At Tramshed. Full line up: Peace, Fickle Friends, The Night Caf├®, Anteros, The Howl & The Hum, Himalayas, Jordan Allen, Lauran Hibberd, Rainbow Maniac, and Al Moses. This is an amazing chance to see bands like Peace and Fickle Friends in a relatively small venue and to see stellar up and coming bands like Anteros … Continue reading Upcoming gigs in Cardiff | November – December 2018

What dropped recently – our picks

Part 1 – by Alex Payne 2018 has proven itself to be incredibly fruitful for hip hop fans, and the last few weeks have been no exception, with a wide range of diverse projects dropping almost daily. Perhaps the most consistent project for me has been from Californian lyricist Vince Staples, with his third full length release ÔÇÿFMÔÇÖ. At just 22 minutes long, itÔÇÖs a … Continue reading What dropped recently – our picks

A love letter to my favourite musical artist: Myles Kennedy

by Ashley Sterio Like many people in the early 2000ÔÇÖs, I was a huge fan of wrestling. Specifically, WWEÔÇÖs ruthless aggression era. IÔÇÖd tune in to every Smackdown and Raw showing I could, and if I was lucky IÔÇÖd watch the odd pay per view event. My favourite wrestler was Edge, his entrance theme ÔÇÿMetalingusÔÇÖ never failed to get me excited with its blistering drum … Continue reading A love letter to my favourite musical artist: Myles Kennedy

Live Review | Snail Mail performs a poignant set at Bristol’s Thekla

by Hannah Ryan ÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿàÔÿå Diminutive though Lindsey Jordan ÔÇô better known as Snail Mail ÔÇô may be, her stage presence at Thekla in Bristol this week was anything but. Bathed in a melancholy blue light, she appeared, alongside her band, with little fanfare and introduced herself in the briefest of terms before diving straight into the odd little guitar riff for which her ÔÇÿHeat WaveÔÇÖ … Continue reading Live Review | Snail Mail performs a poignant set at Bristol’s Thekla