Archive for the ‘Music’ Category
Cardiff greets the mop-heads
Bootleg Beatles - Rex Features
By Sophie Clissett. Cardiff saw the return of legendary tribute band the ‘Bootleg Beatles’ last night for what is their thirty-year anniversary tour. The band, which started life at a student party in Tiverton, Devon played to a packed out venue at St Davids Hall, to the delight of 2000 fans.
Using film footage of the period and ‘with a little help from’ their regular brass and string ensemble the show traces the history of the Beatles from the Fab Four, to the Revolver period, Sgt Pepper years and finally Let it Be phase.
Viva la Spillers. Spillers am byth
Spillers Records
By Rowena Wilcox. Chipped paint work, dirty windows and an overwhelming stench of dust get buried in the back of your mind when you spot vintage records from your childhood or a poster advertising Wales’ finest new talent in the world’s oldest record store. Read the rest of this entry »
Whole Lotta Led eat up their veg
Ben Holley interviews tribute band Whole Lotta Led, in Cardiff. They are without doubt one of the most successful Led Zeppelin tribute acts around, and are as close as most people are going to get to the real thing. I caught up with drummer Graham Twist to get an insight in to their life on the road, to chat and to ask them about their own “red snapper”. Read the rest of this entry »
Fleetwood Mac: alive and kicking
Stevie Nicks - Rex Features
Review by Ben Holley. They say that the oldies are the best, and clichéd as that may be, it was certainly true in Birmingham as Fleetwood Mac took to the stage to produce yet another cracking example of why they are still held in such high regard as a live act.
The band, members of which all now over 60, are enjoying the autumn of their musical careers. However, as guitarist Lindsey Buckingham put it, “without an album to promote, we can just play what we like”. For Mac, this is clearly a formula that works, and one that enables them to bash out classic after classic.
Festival is anything but square…
Duffy - Rex Features
Planning for next year’s festivals? Try a bijou event in Arras instead of a big name British one, writes Adam Hartland.
During the summer, while most Brits where hastily packing their wellies into the smallest confinement of their rucksacks, I was doing similar but spending longer locating my passport. This is because me and three friends where heading to another major festival but not actually one in Britain. Read the rest of this entry »
Student gig from a star-studded college
Funeral For a Friend (Rex Features)
By Matthew Orefice. Students from the course at Bridgend College that gave the world Bullet for My Valentine and Funeral for a Friend have hosted a gig at Sapphire’s club in the town centre. The students performed an array of songs by artists such as Lady GaGa, Michael Jackson, Chuck Berry and Metallica as well as some original material.
Among the fans was Cai Loughran, 18, from Cowbridge Road, Bridgend, who said: “The sound was very good, and there was a fantastic atmosphere. These kids know how to perform!”
The gig was organised by course leader, Paul Jones, as a way of “putting theory into practice”. He teaches the students a wide range of skills, from recording, performance and live sound to musical theatre, drama and musical history. The purpose, as Mr Jones said, is: “To show the students that it’s not all about the rock star lifestyle and [that] there are many different avenues to take in the creative industries”. Read the rest of this entry »
Battle of the bands
By David Varty. Bands from across South Wales have just battled it out for a chance to win £500 cash and a professional recording opportunity. Competitors from Swansea, Cardiff, Neath and Port Talbot were showcasing their talents in front of special guest judges and a packed crowd in Swansea venue The Milkwood Jam. Read the rest of this entry »
Spillers’ gig
By Robert Johnson. The oldest record store in the world is still gathering a crowd after 115 years. Spillers Records welcomed the public to a free gig recently, to celebrate the store’s continuing success. Read the rest of this entry »
Music tech student’s debut
Atrium - home of Creative and Cultural Industries
By Adam Cheung. An Atrium student has made his music debut at the Swn festival. Thomas Mason, who studies music technology at the Cardiff based school of Creative and Cultural Industries, premiered his acoustic alter ego “Denuo” at the Welsh music festival alongside other up and coming acts. Swn promoter John Rostron named him one of the acts he was most looking forward to over the weekend.
Not such a Cheesy Rascal after all
Dizzee Rascal Tour, The Forum, Camden Town – review by Jessica Howells. Since the number one hit and cheesy video to match, I half expected this gig to be a rather commercial affair. As an old skool fan and lover of the underground material Dizzee once produced…I was pleasantly surprised. Read the rest of this entry »
