Author Archives: Gareth Williams

Sabine – Heart of Mine EP

I hate feeling down. For the most part, lockdown has served me well. As an introvert, I’ve been quite happy cooped up in my room for long periods, enjoying the simple life: reading, writing, contemplating. Today though, I seem to have hit a brick wall. In an attempt to lift me out of my lowContinue reading “Sabine – Heart of Mine EP”

Alan Finlan – Big Man, Small Town EP

If ‘making your mark is what living is for’ then Alan Finlan has certainly done that with his debut EP Big Man, Small Town. With classic country tropes emerging in the lyrics to songs that have a contemporary honky-tonk feel, Finlan certainly announces himself as a major player on the UK scene. I immediately putContinue reading “Alan Finlan – Big Man, Small Town EP”

35 Diwrnod: Parti Plu – S4C Series Review

There is nothing like a dining table to expose a series of lies and untold truths. Many would point to Mike Bartlett’s terrific 2015 drama Doctor Foster as the epitome of that. Yet there is a scene in the latest series of 35 Diwrnod that comes close. After four episodes cranking up the tension, thisContinue reading “35 Diwrnod: Parti Plu – S4C Series Review”

Buckle & Boots Online Festival 2020

After my first visit to Buckle & Boots Festival twelve months ago, I was expecting to find myself making another trip to Whitebottom Farm again this year. But of course, like so many others, the event succumbed to the lockdown restrictions imposed by the coronavirus and was initially cancelled. However, some hard work behind theContinue reading “Buckle & Boots Online Festival 2020”

Rachel Jane – Hustle and Hope EP

With a powerful voice liquefied in soul, flavoured with RnB and packaged in pop, Rachel Jane is one of the most talented and inspiring young artists I have had the pleasure to come across in recent times. Having been reminded of her vocal quality during the Big Church Day In, I was delighted to hearContinue reading “Rachel Jane – Hustle and Hope EP”

Charlotte Young – Blown Away EP

The first thing that strikes me about Charlotte Young’s EP is how American it sounds. The production on Blown Away is so identifiable with the kind of modern country coming from across the pond that one could easily think she is part of the US scene. It is only a recognisably British accent that givesContinue reading “Charlotte Young – Blown Away EP”

The Big Church Day In 2020

Sundays have been proving to be quite makeshift for me as a Christian, dipping into different services each week to check out what different churches are doing and how they are managing to connect and engage with people online. This Sunday was no different, though my focus turned from the weekly service to an annualContinue reading “The Big Church Day In 2020”

Soul in the Machine – Saltmine Theatre

Let’s hope the spirit of George Williams lives on. For the founder of Christian social organisation YMCA could be speaking directly into the current zeitgeist. More specifically, his concern for the welfare and rights of ordinary workers in 1844 sounds fairly familiar to some of the observations arising out of the coronavirus crisis in theContinue reading “Soul in the Machine – Saltmine Theatre”

Hers – A Short Film by Alexa Morden (with Katie Elin-Salt)

In Alexa Morden and Katie Elin-Salt are two actors determined to change the industry. Through their excellent podcast ‘The 98%’, they give a warts-and-all account of what the #actorslife is truly like. It is an insight that will prove particularly valuable to recent graduates; and for other creative types like me there is plenty toContinue reading “Hers – A Short Film by Alexa Morden (with Katie Elin-Salt)”