The effervescent Eleanor Nelly put on quite the show on Saturday night. With support from Harry Miller and Ellis Murphy, the Liverpool trio brought quite the eclectic Country mix to Leaf on Bold Street. Performing to a mixed crowd of eager listeners and good-time Saturday nighters, their music split nicely between the reflective and theContinue reading “Eleanor Nelly – ‘Circles’ Gig @ Leaf, Liverpool”
Author Archives: Gareth Williams
Trouble in Butetown – Donmar Warehouse
To see the Wales-based play Trouble in Butetown performed on a London stage was a tantalising experience. This was a rare example of accent and language reverberating around a place not situated within the confines of its nation. To hear Welsh being spoken miles from home in front of a multicultural audience where English wasContinue reading “Trouble in Butetown – Donmar Warehouse”
Y Sŵn – A Swnllyd/Joio/S4C Co-production
What a fascinating film Y Sŵn is. No sooner has its writer, Roger Williams, struck gold with cult horror Y Gwledd than his Midas touch turns to the marking of forty years of S4C with this: a striking production that is as offbeat and realist, telling the story of how the Welsh TV channel cameContinue reading “Y Sŵn – A Swnllyd/Joio/S4C Co-production”
Ward Thomas – Music in the Madness
Ward Thomas are back with their signature sound and a familiar theme. ‘Music in the Madness’ is the fifth album from Catherine and Lizzy, and showcases the best of all that has gone before. The girls have really found their voice now, like flowers blossoming and blooming from the seeds of ‘From Where We Stand’Continue reading “Ward Thomas – Music in the Madness”
Amy-Jo – Shoulder Pads
With the release of her third single, ‘Shoulder Pads’, Amy-Jo is proving herself to be a shrewd marketer as well as writer of her own material. This is because each new song proves to be a step up in quality from the last, and her debut offering already provided a high point for which toContinue reading “Amy-Jo – Shoulder Pads”
Pijin / Pigeon – Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru / Theatr Iolo
Based on the best-selling novel Pigeon by author Alys Conran, this stage adaptation by Bethan Marlow sees Welsh and English subtly woven together, with every performance using integrated captioning in such a creative way as to lead me to undertake an experimental review in its honour: The show is currently on tour. Dates and ticketsContinue reading “Pijin / Pigeon – Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru / Theatr Iolo”
Falling Out of Love with Radio 2
I don’t know what Helen Thomas thinks she’s doing. The current Head of Radio 2 is not so much making a mark as scribbling over a largely successful blueprint. Taking over in lockdown and realising how much the station and its presenters meant to the millions of people listening should have been enough evidence toContinue reading “Falling Out of Love with Radio 2”
Reya Jayne – Bet She Doesn’t Know
Reya Jayne returns with a brand new single to kick off 2023, and it’s a real belter. ‘Bet She Doesn’t Know’ opens with a strong beat that has more and more of an impact as the song progresses. Borrowing from Carrie Underwood’s rockier back catalogue, it delivers a real punch in the gut to anyContinue reading “Reya Jayne – Bet She Doesn’t Know”
Vic Allen – Some Place I’d Rather Be
Vic Allen has been tantalising listeners with single releases over the last year or two. Now is the moment they come together on a debut album that promises much and delivers more. ‘Some Place I’d Rather Be’ is a title that perfectly summarises its theme. The final line of the final song proves an aptContinue reading “Vic Allen – Some Place I’d Rather Be”
Amy-Jo – Valentine’s Day
Amy-Jo is both celebrating and breaking stereotypes in her latest single ‘February 14th’. She puts Valentine’s Day firmly under the microscope by way of some astute storytelling. Observations range from the traditional guy ready to woo his girl with roses to the plucky man taking a risk on another who may actually be straight. Amy-JoContinue reading “Amy-Jo – Valentine’s Day”