Author Archives: stephrowe

The Clinic: Troubles at Home

Posted in Show by stephrowe on December 17, 2018

This week on The Clinic, Michael and Steph talk about their experiences with troubles at home and share some advice on how to cope with them while at uni. Along with some guest’s stories and advice that the listeners sent in, this show offers support to help you cope with various situations: sick family members, falling out with friends and family and grieving over lost ones.

Here are some ways we found that helped us cope with issues at home:

1. Talk┬áto people: Don’t feel ashamed or embarrassed to talk to the people around you and ask for advice. Talking about personal subjects might make you feel vulnerable, but it is good to have a close support system of people who can be there for you and give you an outsiders perspective.

2.┬áDon’t ┬áfeel guilty leaving people behind: When you move away from home, it is common to gain a new found independence and maturity. If you find you grow apart from your home friends, or realise that someone from home is treating you badly, it is perfectly okay to decide you no longer want them in your life.

3.┬áUse university as a distraction: When things aren’t going well at home, throwing yourself into uni life and friendships can work as a good distraction to make you feel better. Ring home regularly to check up on things, but ultimately while you are at university try to keep life as normal as you can.

4. Call┬áyour parents: If you are having issues at home, be that family or friend related, don’t be afraid to call your family and talk it out. Ultimately they should care for you and want the best for you, and therefore will offer what they can to support you.

5. Take it one day at a time: While you are anxious about people at home you might feel absent-minded or helpless. It takes up a lot of energy to worry about something upsetting you, so take things easy. If you find it hard to concentrate on lectures, give yourself the afternoon off to rest. Don’t feel guilty about taking longer to re-charge.

6. Feel all the feelings: Give yourself time to process things. There will be different stages that you go through, so just let yourself go through the waves. ┬áIf you need to be alone and cry, don’t hold it back. If you need to talk about it with someone, don’t be afraid to be vulnerable. Being upset is not a weakness, and talking about it takes courage. Your friends and family will respect that.

7. Don’t feel guilty: When something bad is happening to your family at home, it is easy to let yourself feel guilty for not being with them to help. Just know that doing your best at uni and regularly checking up on your family will be massively appreciated. Your family will be proud of you and will look forward to your phone calls.

8. Release your emotions through art: Art therapy is an incredibly useful thing when it comes to understanding powerful emotions, be that through music, painting, dance, baking etc. Doing something productive that you enjoy will channel all your strong feelings and help distract you, making you feel more at ease.

9. Take time out if needed: If you are finding work and lectures too much, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Email your personal tutor and tell them about your circumstances and they can ask lecturers to send you notes and recordings, or the can give you advice on how to get extenuating circumstances on your deadlines and exams. For further advice on this please go to the University website page here.

10. Time will heal your wounds: When something sad happens, especially regarding people we have known most our lives, it can be overwhelming because once happy memories become tinted with sadness (much like in the Disney film ‘Inside Out’). When this happens, just know that it won’t last forever, and all you can do is look after yourself and focus on the future. Eventually the sadness and anxiety will begin to fade away. If you are struggling with the loss of a loved one, the student intranet offers some great advice here.

Disclaimer: We are by no means professions, and are giving advice based on our own experiences and opinions on what we would do in these situations. If you feel affected by anything we talk about on our show, please seek extra help via the university’s services or counselling.

If you are struggling, please look into the support services that the university offers here.

“Ladies, We Need To Talk”

This week Gemma and Steph talked about struggling with the absence of a mother/daughter relationship at uni and how to cope with a situation where you would ordinarily turn to your mum. Whether that be going through a break up, finding your first boyfriend or starting your first day at a new job.

Your time at university is a period in your life filled with massive change. You’ll experience so many milestones and firsts at uni that it can seem terrifying, especially when you have to go through them away from home. No matter how old you are, there are some times when you just need your mum to give you a cuddle and let you know everything is going┬á to be okay. But what do you do when you’re on the opposite side of the country from your mum at a time like this?

The first point of call would be to turn to your friends, they may not understand you like your mum does but they will most definitely try to. Living with people at university gives you the opportunity to build close relationships with your housemates who can then go on to be your support network here at uni and so leaning on them at a time like this can be a great place to look for advice. Go and speak to your housemates/friends them whats up and i’m sure they will do there best to help you out (even if they just give you a cuddle).

However, there are times when you do just need your mum. Times like this are when you just have to call her, Skype her or even try and arrange a visit if you really need it. There is absolutely no shame in calling your mum and asking for help because she will know you better than anyone. Set out time in your day to call your mum and have a proper catch up and don’t hold back, you’ll feel much better afterwards.

Read Gemma’s blog here:
Ladies, We Need To Talk

Chill Tune of the Week:

Family of Aliens by Teleman

Check out the rest of the playlist.
Catch The Clinic every Friday 2-4pm on Xpress Radio.

Rugby Internationals: WalesÔÇÖ Awesome Autumn

Posted in Sport by stephrowe on

By Patrick O’Brien

ItÔÇÖs difficult to review the Welsh international rugby teamÔÇÖs autumn series through anything other than a positive lens. The team has never managed to achieve a clean sweep in the autumn due to their struggles against the southern hemisphere teams, who boast impressively strong sides at the worst of times. However, not only did they overcome Australia and South Africa to complete their first autumn without a loss, they also finished the year with only two losses which came at the hands of Ireland and England in the six nations.

Against Scotland the team looked as solid in defence as always and in attack they managed to continue the type of expansive play we have started to see emerge from Six Nations. George North looked back at his best and Jonatan Davies ran excellent lines all game, leading to a try of his own. The defensive efforts culminated in the final minutes of the game when they didnÔÇÖt concede any points despite Elliot DeeÔÇÖs 10 minutes in the sin-bin

Then onto the Australians. Though by no means an easy game, The Scots were unable to field a full-strength side, missing Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw and Stuart Hogg, so most fans expected the Wallabies to pose a significantly greater threat. Rightly so when you consider the Australians had won every game against GatlandÔÇÖs men since 2009. The defensive effort from the whole team was particularly impressive in the close fought 9-6 victory, with relatively new player Josh Adams having a particularly good showing. In this game it really came down to the kickers. Despite Leigh Halfpenny missing two penalties, unexpected given his usually faultless kicking, Wales were able to overcome the odds with Dan Biggar stepping up to score the winner.

The Tongans were next, giving Warren Gatland the opportunity to rest some of the players who started against the Wallabies but 14 changes from the side that won the previous week was certainly more than I expected. I must admit I was a little bit concerned when they lost a 21-point lead in the final 10 minutes of the first half especially given the way the Welshmen had defended in the previous 2 weeks. Fortunately, they were able to come back with a vengeance in the second half with a beautifully placed kick by Dan Biggar to Steph Evans restoring the lead 5 minutes into the half. What followed that was one of the most convincing attacking performances from a Welsh side that I can remember. Tries from Tomos Williams, Tyler Morgan, Cory Hill, Aled Davies, Rhys Patchell and Liam Williams meant the game ended 74-24 with the Pacific Island team convincingly beaten.

The final game was another difficult one. The Springboks. Although in recent years they havenÔÇÖt been quite the same threat as the All blacks or the Australians they have remained a difficult side for wales to beat and had beaten the New Zealanders in September. The game started well with Tomas Francis crashing over for his first Wales try just before the 10-minute mark. Liam Williams extended the lead with a second try before Gareth Anscombe rounded the score up to 14 with his second conversion. The South Africans scored a well worked try in the second half through outside centre Jesse Kriel and despite missing the conversion got back within 3 points. Once again the Welsh team looked to Dan Biggar to help close out a close game and after coming on for the last quarter, he continually put pressure on the Springboks and kicked a further 6 points to guarantee the team a safe win.

This is the kind of form we havenÔÇÖt seen from a Welsh side for a while now and in the lead up to a World Cup year it is looking good for Warren GatlandÔÇÖs men. The squad has developed a strength in depth that we have arguably lacked in the past, let us not forget the 9 injuries in the lead up to and during the 2015 World Cup. Not only are the first team players such as Jonathan Davies and Leigh Halfpenny staying fit but a host of new talent such as Hadleigh Parkes and Josh Adams have been brought into the fold in the last year or so.

Having beaten the Wallabies and the Springboks, the teams behind their exit from the last world cup, I am optimistic for next yearÔÇÖs World Cup. This Welsh team looks just as capable as the one that reached the semi-finals in 2011 and with some luck could again reach those heights, or perhaps go even further.

 

Have Yourself a Merry Indie Christmas

Posted in music by stephrowe on December 16, 2018

By Bethan Willis

As Christmas is fast approaching you may find yourself unable to escape one thing, Christmas music! Love it or hate it, the same old songs get played every single year! If, like myself, you love Christmas music but tire of hearing ÔÇÿAll I Want For Christmas Is YouÔÇÖ blasting out of the speakers then here is the perfect alternative Christmas music guide!

This is a slightly sad representation of Father Christmas and I hope no one demands presents like this, even if you are a present receiver rather than giver.

If Christmas isnÔÇÖt the ÔÇÿmost wonderful time of the yearÔÇÖ for you, this track will be right up your street! ItÔÇÖs also opened with dialogue from Les Dennis, so what more could you want?

A controversial one. Some may argue Coldplay arenÔÇÖt alternative enough these days to make it onto such a list, but we will allow it just this once.

Love Christmas and The Smashing Pumpkins? Then this is your lucky day! This song proves that not all alternative Christmas songs have to be cynical, there are some joyful ones out there.

IÔÇÖm not here to criticise Fairy Tale Of New York, itÔÇÖs one of my favourite Christmas songs out there. However, if youÔÇÖve grown slightly tired of hearing The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl sing about a dysfunctional relationship why donÔÇÖt you listen to The Hives and Cyndi Lauper sing about one instead!

The alternative worldÔÇÖs version of I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday, definitely one for the Christmas lovers out there.

Like Walking In The Air but not Aled Jones? Understandable, have a listen to The MaccabeesÔÇÖ cover instead.

From their Christmas Album released in 1999, a timeless indie Christmas song. And pretty easy to learn the lyrics of.

Packed full of classic Christmas references and a sneaky double meaning if you can figure it out!

If you struggle to remember the characteristics of Santa just give this song a listen for a helping hand. (shout out to my Grandad for introducing this festive tune to me)

So, there you have it, my top ten alternative Christmas songs. Mix these in with the classics and youÔÇÖll never get bored of Christmas music!

Enjoy and Merry Christmas from the Xpress Music Team!

The Clinic: Breakups on Campus

Posted in Show by stephrowe on November 28, 2018

This week on The Clinic, Michael and Steph talked about dealing with breakups while at uni and all the challenges surrounding it like coping with heartbreak, telling your friends and family, managing work and all the services the university provides.

Here are some of our most effective ways of surviving through a break up:

1.  Talk to people: Most people will have experienced some form of heartbreak in their lifetime, so therefore will be able to sympathise and offer you some help and advice.

2.┬áDon’t feel embarrassed: It is common to feel shame or even guilt when telling friends or family about a breakup but DON’T. They want the best for you, and will be grateful that you have shared it with them so they can do what they can to help.

3.┬áDon’t worry about work: Often when a breakup is fresh, the last thing on your mind is work. If this is the case and your breakup is affecting your studies, you should email your tutor, who may suggest you apply for extenuating circumstances. Find out more about extenuating circumstances here.

4. Go at your own pace: Take things day by day by maybe writing a to-do-list to tick off throughout the day. Without your significant other, it will take a while to readjust to a new routine so take things slowly and eventually you will get back to your productive self.

5. Bad or good breakups, they are always hard: Even if someone has a good breakup, it is still difficult to get over someone, especially because you don’t necessarily want them out of your life. Allow yourself some space for a while, but don’t loose hope that you can’t get along again in the distant future.

6. What a time to be alone: Take this time to develop your sense of self; join a new society, start a new hobby, make some new friends. If you have been in a relationship for a while, it might be hard to imagine yourself without the other person. Now that you are by yourself, it’s a perfect opportunity to find out who you really are when you have no one else to worry about.

7. Self Care: Let yourself feel sad and don’t feel guilty if you don’t feel like being productive. Do things that cheer you up, like put on a soppy film, eat chocolate, go and see your friends, play video games or listen to music! If you guys have any other ways that you like to deal with breakups please let us know!

8. Don’t isolate yourself: As easy as it is to wallow in your sorrows and stay in bed, after you’ve taken some time to yourself go out and distract yourself by spending time with your friends. If you don’t feel like going out, try and get them to come join you and watch a film or have a board game night. Surround yourself with good people.

9. Focus on the future: Rather than thinking about the past, think about everything you have to look forward to- book a holiday with your friends, plan uplifting days out, organise a trip home to see your mum, go for a pizza with your housemates!

10. Numbing the pain is not an answer: Don’t turn to drugs or alcohol to distract yourself from your heartbreak. Repressing your feelings won’t help you move on healthily, so take your time, feel through the waves of sadness and go out and have fun when you feel happy to go out with your friends again!

Disclaimer: We are by no means professions, and are giving advice based on our own experiences and opinions on what we would do in these situations. If you feel affected by anything we talk about on our show, please seek extra help via the university’s services or counselling.

For more advice about breakups, look at the student intranet here.

“Ladies, We Need To Talk”

Gemma and Steph talked about what to do when youÔÇÖre in a relationship after your friend has just gone through a break up.

A friend getting broken up with is always a tough situation to navigate, never mind if you still have a relationship of your own to maintain. ItÔÇÖs difficult to find a balance between helping your friend through their break up and spending time with your s/o. However, there are some simple things you can do to help your friendÔÇÖs transition to single life as smooth as possible.

Firstly, do your best to not ignore your friend with they need you. If theyÔÇÖre struggling and need you around then reach out to your s/o and let them know youÔÇÖre going to spend the weekend with your friend. If theyÔÇÖre an understanding boyfriend/girlfriend then theyÔÇÖll see why you need to put your friend first for now. However, donÔÇÖt let your friend use you as their only support network or distraction from the break-up. If they lean on you all the time and donÔÇÖt spend time doing other things or on their own, then theyÔÇÖre probably not taking the time to process the break up properly, so make sure they take the time to do that.

ItÔÇÖs also important to make sure that when you do spend time with your friend you try not to ex-bash. ItÔÇÖs all too tempting to jump straight in to calling the ex foul things in an attempt to help your friend realise theyÔÇÖre better off without them. However, most of the time this doesnÔÇÖt work. If the break up is fresh your friend will more than likely still have a deep emotional tie to this person so hearing negative things about them will just upset them. Let your friend come to terms with whatÔÇÖs happened in their own time, theyÔÇÖll see the positives in the break up when theyÔÇÖre ready.

Read Gemma’s blog here:
Ladies, We Need To Talk

Chill Tune of the Week:

Autumn Love – Death Cab For Cutie

Check out the rest of the playlist.
Catch The Clinic every Friday 2-4pm on Xpress Radio.

THE SPECIALIST TAKEOVER IS BACK!

Posted in News by stephrowe on November 27, 2018


Join us as we explore 24 specialist shows all in aid of Cardiff Foodbank and the Xpress Radio Studio Upgrade starting at 5pm on November 30th

Whether you love the 80ÔÇÖs, want to try some psychedelic rock or kick back with some afrobeat, we have 24 specialist presenters broadcasting through the night to raise money for some amazing causes.

YouÔÇÖve probably heard of the amazing work Foodbanks do, and we are proud to be supporting Cardiff Foodbank for this years takeover. A food related crisis can happen to anyone – maybe your student loan is delayed, or youÔÇÖve lost your job and main source of income. When a food crisis hits, Cardiff Foodbank can help anyone, students included, to ensure they can take the worry of food off of their mind and instead focus on more important issues. Christmas is a particularly busy time for the Foodbank, and so far between April and September nearly 6000 emergency food supplies have been provided to those in the local area.

We were so thankful for the support given during the last takeover in order to upgrade our studio. The upgrade has been put in and makes such a difference to our broadcast (as youÔÇÖll be able to hear) but we still have a little to raise to pay off the studio.

Our goal is to raise at least £2000, split evenly between Xpress and Cardiff Foodbank, however if we raise over £2000, Xpress will donate all funds over £1000 to the Foodbank.

Please tune in between 5pm on November 30th and 5pm on December 1st (as well as a preview and rewind show before and after the Takeover!)


HereÔÇÖs what you can expect to hear:

Syml concert in Paris

Posted in Live Music by stephrowe on

Written by Agathe Dijoud

Discovering an artist two weeks before the concert was my lucky moment of the month! Brian
Fennell is an American singer, who has been writing indie music for several years, first with the band
Barcelona, and then went solo in 2016. He is now Syml, which means ÔÇÿSimpleÔÇÖ in Welsh, due to his
roots before being adopted. He just ended his Where Did We Go tour around the US and Europe,
and had a show in Paris, at the Point ├ëph├®m├¿re concert venue on November 9th. And since French
trains are so fast now, I could get there from Bordeaux without missing my Friday lectures (it’s a big┬ádeal, trust me). The concert started with Harrison Storm as the opening act, who was great, with
only his guitar and voice. Then, Syml came to the stage, with another musician, and they started
playing beautiful music. It was both similar to the studio version, and very genuine at the same time.
Brian Fennell’s voice was on point to get the audience emotional when needed. He would let us ask
him questions in between songs, such as if he liked cheese (which he does), or if he was planning on
covering Britney Spears (which he was not). He also told us stories for some of his songs, such as
Girl, which he wrote for his daughter. He did not, however, sing any of his Christmas music, such as
Christmas lights. All in all, it was a great night, with an audience made of both teenagers and adults,
and a really authentic musician. I recommend listening to Fear of the water, Mr Sandman, or Hurt
for me. My personal favourite song is The War, which he sang because somebody from the audience
asked him. And he aced it, it was also my favourite part of the concert!

Nothing But Thieves Conquer Cardiff

Posted in Live Music by stephrowe on

Nothing But Thieves at the Motorpoint Arena ÔÇô 19/11/18

By Tom Luton

Nothing But Thieves stratospheric rise over the last three years has been truly impressive to watch.
Since the release of their promising self-titled debut in 2015, the band have well and truly begun
their ascent into the upper echelons of UK rock music, playing to huge audiences across the world
whilst supporting the likes of Muse and Biffy Clyro and having their follow up album (2017ÔÇÖs
excellent ÔÇÿBroken MachineÔÇÖ) chart at number 2 on the UK album charts. The release of their 4-track
stop-gap EP last month, the blistering ÔÇÿWhat Did You Think When You Made Me This WayÔÇÖ, and the
commencement of this UK wide arena tour only further cement their status as one of the countryÔÇÖs
finest bands. Based off the performance I witnessed in Cardiff, the only way is up for the
precociously talented 5-piece.

However, the night got off to a fairly muted start, with the Brighton based trio Demob Happy failing
to truly ignite the Cardiff crowd. On record, there is much to admire about the bands hard-hitting
blend of the relentless stoner-rock of bands such as Queens of The Stone Age; the bass riffs off Royal
Blood, 90ÔÇÖs grunge, and 60ÔÇÖs psychedelia. However, live it largely fell flat, descending into a
monotonous, sluggish cacophony of guitar, drum and bass; that was devoid of melody, personality
or charm. They were followed by the Anglo-Australian surfer trio Sunset Sons, who despite the
inherent likeability of their laidback, keyboard-centric take on indie rock, once again failed to truly
connect with the crowd, their presence providing an awkward fit for the event and putting a damper
on the energy of the crowd.

However, any misgivings I had about the choice of support soon dissolved as the stage-obscuring
smoke evaporated and the headliners took the stage. From the opening kick beat of ÔÇÿI Was Just a
KidÔÇÖ to the closing synths of ÔÇÿAmsterdamÔÇÖ, the band held the crowd in the palm of their hand,
delivering an enrapturing and fierce performance with a strong setlist that drew tracks from both of
their studio albums, whilst also giving the more recent singles such as the thunderous ÔÇÿForever and
Ever MoreÔÇÖ and sweeping ÔÇÿTake This Lonely HeartÔÇÖ a chance to shine. The bandÔÇÖs unique ability to
distil their multiple influences (Jeff Buckley, early Muse, Radiohead, Hot Fuss era Killers, The Pixies,

Nirvana) into anthemic slices of modern rock without losing their own distinctive sound translates
perfectly in a live setting, the crowd screaming every word back to them. Connor MasonÔÇÖs
spellbinding vocals are somehow even more powerful in person, his voice as effective when belting
out the ferocious electro-rock anthem ÔÇÿLive Like AnimalsÔÇÖ( a searing take down of the rise of the
modern right wing, with Mason venomously spitting out lines such as ÔÇ£WeÔÇÖre gonna make ÔÇÿem build
a wall/weÔÇÖre gonna live like animalsÔÇØ) as when stripped back for raw and deeply moving ballads such
as ÔÇÿParticlesÔÇÖ and the heart-breaking ÔÇÿIf I Get HighÔÇÖ. After a rapturous sing along to the soaring
ÔÇÿSorryÔÇÖ, the band briefly left the stage, making way for an encore that descends into a crowd
rendition of Bruce ChannelÔÇÖs party classic ÔÇÿHey BabyÔÇÖ. The band soon returned for a three-song
encore, closing with a heroic performance of ÔÇÿAmsterdamÔÇÖ, a song surely destined to be a set closer
for years to come, such is its visceral power and effectiveness as a crowd sing along. As the band left
the stage for the night, Cardiff was left buzzing with the realisation they had witnessed a band at the
height of their powers. Should Nothing But Thieves continue to develop their sound and reputation
as a live band, major festival headline slots and number 1 albums surely await.

Setlist:
1) I Was Just a Kid
2) Ban All the Music
3) Wake Up Call
4) Take This Lonely Heart
5) Soda
6) Broken Machine
7) IÔÇÖm Not Made by Design
8) Live Like Animals
9) Number 13
10) You Know Me Too Well
11) Particles
12) If I Get High
13) Trip Switch
14) Forever and Ever More
15) Sorry
Encore:
16) Afterlife
17) Itch
18) Amsterdam

Xpress’ new show on Radio Cardiff

Posted in News by stephrowe on November 18, 2018

What is ÔÇÿOpen HouseÔÇÖ?

Open House is a show Xpress radio produces for Radio Cardiff every with the hope of helping and building the RAS (Refugees and Asylum seekers) community within Cardiff. We work very closely with the charity ÔÇÿOasisÔÇÖ to gather pre-recorded content from members of the RAS community and use this as the base of the show when we present it live on Radio Cardiff.

 

When is ÔÇÿOpen HouseÔÇÖ?

Xpress present ÔÇÿOpen HouseÔÇÖ 13:30-15:00 every Monday live from the Radio Cardiff Studio and we gather the pre-recorded content throughout the week prior.

 

What do you do on ÔÇÿOpen HouseÔÇÖ?

The show consists of three main segments:

 

  1. Cardiff Through My Eyes ÔÇô This is the segment of the show where an RAS can reflect on their life in Cardiff and what it is like for them living within the Cardiff community. ItÔÇÖs a great segment of the show because it allows this person to talk about the positives of their life now rather than the difficulties they have faced in the past.
  2. ┬áCharts from Home ÔÇô This is a round-up of chart hits/popular music from an RASÔÇÖ country of origin. Here we have an interview from a member of the RAS community talking about their favourite music from home and we then play a couple of these tracks on the show.
  3. Interview of the week ÔÇô This section differs from week to week, depending on who the interview is with. It could be a personal story from an RAS, someone discussing RAS support and the services offered or an academic/politician/journalist discussing a topic that would be of interest to RAS communities.

 

Along with the three main segments we also discuss the support services and events that are on offer for the RAS community in Cardiff.

 

How can I get involved?

To get involved with the show join the Facebook group (Xpress Radio ÔÇô Open House on Radio Cardiff), here we post about the interview opportunities we have on offer for the upcoming show. We will be asking for people to go out to these RAS communities and charities to record interviews, stories or anything else you think would work well on the show. We then need two people to go and present live and play the pre-recorded content at Radio Cardiff on MondayÔÇÖs 13:30-15:00.

 

If youÔÇÖd rather work behind the sceneÔÇÖs we also have opportunities to help create with show branding, station sound and background research. There are plenty of ways to get involved and itÔÇÖs a really great opportunity to produce a professional journalistic programme on a community Radio Station.

Click here to see the Radio Cardiff website!

ENGLANDÔÇÖs TOUR OF SRI LANKA – 1ST TEST REVIEW

Posted in Blog by stephrowe on November 15, 2018

By Pranav Kanade

Having beaten Sri Lanka 3-1 in the ODI series, England approached the Test series full of confidence. Side-lined by an ankle injury, Jonny Bairstow was replaced by Ben Foakes, for what would be his maiden Test cap. Following the retirement of Alistair Cook, Rory Burns was also given a maiden test cap and tasked with opening the batting and was called straight into action by the skipper Joe Root, who won the toss and elected to bat.

EnglandÔÇÖs first innings started poorly, with Lakmal picking up two wickets in the 3rd over of the match, sending Burns and Moeen Ali back to the pavilion. Keaton Jennings and Joe Root tried to rebuild the innings but were dismissed before reaching half-centuries, and the wicket of Ben Stokes brought debutant Foakes to the crease at 103-5. Despite a few shaky overs, Foakes grew in confidence and reached his first ever test century on his debut. 50+ partnerships with Buttler, Curran and Rashid helped Foakes take England to 342, before being dismissed.

Sri LankaÔÇÖs poor batting form continued as they collapsed to 40-4 after only 16 overs. Thanks to an 8-wicket haul by EnglandÔÇÖs spinners Rashid, Ali and Leach, and despite a solo Angelo MatthewsÔÇÖ knock of 52, Sri Lanka were bundled out for 203. EnglandÔÇÖs second innings began much better than their first, with Burns and Jennings taking England to 60 for no loss. However, a trio of wickets in short succession by the Sri Lankan spinners rocked the English to 74-3, but a brilliant knock of 146* from Jennings and 62 from Ben Stokes helped England recover to 319-6 before declaring and setting the Sri Lankans 461 runs to win.

Unfortunately for Sri Lanka, EnglandÔÇÖs bowlers picked up where they left off, with the three spinners claiming another 8 wickets. Unlike the Sri Lankan first innings, all the established batsmen got themselves settled at the crease, but poor shots and decision making meant they couldnÔÇÖt capitalise and extend their thirties into hundreds. As a result, they were bowled out for 250, meaning England won the test by 211 runs. Having picked up 8 wickets in this match alone, Moeen Ali was a clear contender for Man of the Match, but FoakesÔÇÖ debut century when England were in a hole in the first innings was deemed to be more of a match winning performance.

The first test match in EnglandÔÇÖs tour of Sri Lanka ended in a comprehensive victory for the visitors, albeit thanks to some poor batting by the hosts. With two more tests to be played, the Sri Lankans have plenty of time to turn it around, but it would seem England would have to play extremely badly to throw away the 1-0 lead.

 

Bad Sounds Review

Posted in Blog by stephrowe on November 12, 2018

Review by Andrew Locke Scobie

With a distinct sound, crowd engagement like no other and theatrics that create a feel much like that of Bowie or other cult musicians, Bad Sounds are beginning to cement themselves as a firm jewel in the crown of up and coming UK Indie Music. Recently they performed in their home town of Bristol and Benny Wu and I were lucky enough to experience this instalment of their ÔÇÿGet Better MovementÔÇÖ.

The stage opened with two very talented warm up acts: Dylan Cartlidge and Indoor Pets and once both of their sets had finished, we were left eagerly awaiting the main show. Bad Sounds set opened with a very minimalist sketch of a lone light bulb flashing on stage accompanied by a voice booming through the speakers explaining how we would leave the gig as ÔÇÿgood peopleÔÇÖ and it was their aim to help us ÔÇÿget betterÔÇÖ. This was very in keeping with the general essence and charm of their debut album ÔÇ£Get BetterÔÇÖ and so the show started.

Opening with such a well-loved song like ÔÇÿWagesÔÇÖ was the perfect choice as the crowd cheered and danced throughout, when it comes to this band, the audience atmosphere seems just as important as the set they are playing. Dressed in their classic ÔÇÿGet BetterÔÇÖ overalls the band continued reeling off hit after hit from their album with songs such as ÔÇÿEvil PowersÔÇÖ and ÔÇÿCouldnÔÇÖt Give It AwayÔÇÖ among others. We were then treated with a short interval with another get better speech as well as a costume change for the band, this time losing the overalls and donning clothes from an array of their music videos.

The fans screamed as Bad Sounds treated the second half playing one of their older hits ÔÇÿMeat on My BonesÔÇÖ. They continued with an incredible set eventually ending with the perfect final song ÔÇÿNo LuckÔÇÖ and, as the front runner brothers Ewan and Callum wrestled around on-stage, confetti and balloons covered the crowd and the show came to a triumphant close. This might have been the best gig IÔÇÖve ever been to and anyone that cares at all about this band would be greatly missing out if they did not see them live.