What a lovely little EP from Emma Swindells. Listening to Radio Silence is like wrapping your hands around a warm mug of cocoa and luxuriating in the smoothness of its contents. If you want to kick back and get lost in some folk-infused tracks, this is the way to do it. It is easy listeningContinue reading “Emma Swindells – Radio Silence”
Author Archives: Gareth Williams
Christmas & New Year TV & Radio Highlights 2017
So, 2018 has finally arrived! And on this 2nd day in January, I thought I’d pick out a few personal highlights from the Christmas & New Year TV & Radio schedule that’s just gone. Here’s some of my favourites: Mary Berry’s Christmas Party (BBC1) This was a great way to warm up for Christmas. NotContinue reading “Christmas & New Year TV & Radio Highlights 2017”
Laura Oakes – Nashville Stole Your Girl
Having been snowed in and unable to attend the opening night of the pantomime Peter Pan, I thought I’d take the opportunity to cover myself in a bit of fairy dust, and fly off to the deep South for some country music instead. But in these economically-troubled times, where the cost of inflation rises fasterContinue reading “Laura Oakes – Nashville Stole Your Girl”
Fifth Floor – Heartbreak Talks
The debut album of Swedish duo Fifth Floor is a fine collection of tracks that draw together well-written lyrics and catchy musical arrangements. Imbibed with country-style riffs and rhythms, this selection of songs also features a fair bit of punkish attitude. Contrast that with some beautiful harmonies and you get an interesting overall sound fromContinue reading “Fifth Floor – Heartbreak Talks”
Heroine – Theatr Clwyd
“What an extraordinary piece of theatre Heroine is.” I just had to write this as my immediate response on Twitter after seeing Nessah Muthy’s one-act play. It has many of the ingredients that create a top-class production: powerful, emotive, provocative, and controversial. It centres on Grace, a former soldier looking for friendship and meaning inContinue reading “Heroine – Theatr Clwyd”
From the House of the Dead – Venue Cymru
As part of WNO’s Russian Revolution season, From the House of the Dead is a revival of David Poutney’s original production from some 30 years ago. Based on the writings of Dostoyevsky, it originally came into being as an opera through the work of Leos Janacek. It retains much of the observational style of Dostoyevsky’sContinue reading “From the House of the Dead – Venue Cymru”
The Mountaintop – Pontio
There is something incredibly sad about the fact that The Mountaintop is one of a rare number of plays in Wales featuring an all-black cast. Its director, Abdul Shayek, laments as much: “it is 2017 and the fact that this hasn’t happened more often makes me frustrated and sad”. There should be no reason whyContinue reading “The Mountaintop – Pontio”
Robbie Cavanagh – To Leave/To Be Left
Wow. What have you done to me Robbie Cavanagh? I did not expect that. The debut album of this Manchester musician, released this week, stunned me into almost complete silence. Titled “To Leave/ To Be Left”, Cavanagh’s first full-length feature may begin with a feel-good beat, but it gradually becomes a mystical, beautiful and hauntingContinue reading “Robbie Cavanagh – To Leave/To Be Left”
Uncle Vanya – Theatr Clwyd
Prepare yourself for an immersive experience in the Emlyn Williams Theatre as Uncle Vanya kicks off Theatr Clwyd’s Autumn season. Having experienced the wonderful space known as the Roundabout Theatre earlier in the summer, it was a pleasant surprise to walk into something very similar here. However, whereas the Roundabout relied simply on the castContinue reading “Uncle Vanya – Theatr Clwyd”
Journey Home – Nights Like These
It seems as if Country Music Week has largely passed me by. Living in North Wales, I’d like to think it’s the location – predominantly London – that is largely to blame. However, I have to admit that the reason for my failure to keep up with the action at this inaugural event is simplyContinue reading “Journey Home – Nights Like These”
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