Wales at EURO 2020 - Dare to Dream

(Photo: Evening Standard)

Like the majority across Wales on Thursday morning, I woke up with a sense of disbelief at the heroics of the night previous. After what was overall a disappointing display in Baku last Saturday vs Switzerland (Despite bagsman Kieffer Moore saving our skins), Cymru took to the stage in the Azerbaijani capital once again on Wednesday night – and what a night it was. 

Wales started the game positively, pressing high and working hard to break through the Turkish defensive line with intricate passing and smart attacking runs. Despite this, Aaron Ramsey failed to take clear-cut opportunities, with every fan around the country wondering whether we’d rue each missed chance. Thankfully, in the 42nd minute, Ramsey latched onto Gareth Bale’s 30-yard lofted pass, controlling the ball with his chest and slotting it past the keeper into the bottom left corner. The leadup right to the goal felt as if it were in slow-motion for Welsh fans, but the sheer sense of relief after Ramsey netted was a delight. 

 The game progressed and Turkey were looking far more threatening, but it was clear to see that they were finding little luck going forward. At 61 minutes, Bale cutted past Zeki Çelik and was tripped by the full-back inside the penalty area, winning a penalty. The much-needed pressure relief that Wales craved to ensure Round of 16 qualification was squandered when Bale stuck the ball high over the crossbar. 

 In the latter stages of the game, Wales began to sit back and absorb pressure from the Turkish forwards, but an aged Burak Yilmaz failed to truly threaten. Aaron Ramsey made a last gasp tackle to ensure that his performance would go down in history as one of Wales’ most impressive, and in the 87th minute, keeper Danny Ward pushed away Demiral’s thunderous header to keep Wales alive. After the superb Welsh defence survived wave after wave of Turkish attacks, Wales won a corner in Turkish territory to run down the clock. Instead of deciding to waste a few more seconds, Bale seized on a pocket of space and crossed the ball into the path of Connor Roberts, who hammered it home to all but secure Wales’ place in the Round of 16. 

 It was a night to remember for Wales and the hundreds of thousands watching back home. Although they found it difficult at times, Cymru produced another inspired performance in the EUROs, a real statement of intent. Despite the mountainous task facing Wales on Sunday in Rome vs Italy, this win alleviates pressure for Robert Page’s men, who wouldn’t have fancied their chances getting a result against the former World Champions – but with the pressure off, who knows?...

Credit - Rory Chapman

Persona B

Persona B

Jerome , Matthew , Tim , Alex , Niamh

Persona B began following the demise of Jylt.

Jylt were a band predicted for big things that were making waves across the UK including in the eyes of the late, great John Peel. The band grew up together and, on a life changing day, one founding member contracted a devastating condition know as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Nia George battled the condition for a year but eventually lost the fight and passed away at the age of 21. Without Nia, the band fell apart and could not imagine carrying on. One member, Sarah Howells eventually managed to regain creativity in a new project called Paper Aeroplanes (later to become Bryde).

Alex Cooper eventually started writing again and managed to convince Tim Ramsey to collaborate once more. The two joined with another old friend, Matthew Bearne on Bass and started messing with new creations never to officially release any music for 18 years.

Finally, one of the first songs created by the band and written about the loss of Nia has been completed. Though many attempts were made to find the right sound for the tune, it was never finished until now.

Niamh Macphail offered up her vocals to create the tone that was previously lacking and Jerome Davies with his many years of experience helped to glue it all together with his subtle yet massively complimentary counter melodies and production ideas.

The recording was all done internally from writing to recording and mastering.

The resulting “Next Best Thing” is now available across all major streaming services and available for download from I Tunes.

photo Jylt Nia, Tim, Sarah, and Alex

Retro Review -Californication

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This month marks 22 years since the release of Californication, the seventh studio album by Red hot chili peppers. The record hit stores on the 8th of June 1999. 

1998 marked the return of John Frusciante who had departed from RHCP in 1992 during the group’s tour of Japan.

Frusciante had previously played on the 1989 album mother’s milk and 1991’s Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik, but left the band abruptly midway through touring. 

The Peppers recorded their sixth album, One Hot Minute, in 1995 without Frusciante, replacing him with Dave Navarro on guitar.  But the record was a miss fire and it received mixed reviews. Meanwhile, Frusciante had developed a serious drug addiction and had taken up painting and had temporarily quit music altogether. 

However, in 1998 Frusciante got sober and re-joined the group. Solidifying the band’s iconic line-up once more.  

The band’s line-up consisted of Anthony Kiedis (vocals), Flea (Bass guitar), Chad Smith (Drums), and the before mentioned John Frusciante on guitar, for Califonication. 

RCHP had some serious ground to make up after the commercial failure of One Hot Minute. They needed to get this one right to get back on track. And they certainly did. 

Singles from the album, Scar tissue, Around The World, Otherside and Californication, let the world know that Red Hot Chili Peppers were back once again. 

Californication picks up where Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magik left off. Singles like Give It Away and Under The Bridge, were the hits that transformed the group into superstars back in 1991. 

Flea’s legendary bass playing, Smith’s heavy drumming, Frusciante’s inventive riffs, and Kiedis’ wacky lyrics, all contributed to this iconic album’s unique sound. 

The lesser-known tracks on the album also pack a punch. Easily, Purple Stain, and Road Trippin, are all great songs that give me a strong sense of nostalgia. 

My personal favourite track is Get On Top. The intense drumming and aggressive lyrics make sure that the song stands out. 

A lot of the songs themselves are about the individual struggles that the band members had gone through in recent years. The Album was produced by Rick Rubin and the recording took place at Cello Studios in Los Angeles. 

Californication proved to be one of, if not the best Red Hot Chili Peppers album. The record went onto to sell 15 million copies worldwide and reached number 3 on the Billboard hot 100 chart. 

Californication proved to be the band’s biggest selling album. 

Joe Strong

Wales at EURO 2020 - Preview

(Photo: Sky Sports)

 Wales at the Euros… again!

After what has seemed an eternity for football fans across the continent, the delayed 2020 European Championship is just around the corner, with Robert Page’s Wales squad beginning their campaign on the 12th July vs Switzerland in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following this, Cymru take on a highly rated Turkey squad in Baku again next Wednesday, with the group stage concluding in Rome next Sunday against 2006 World Champions Italy. On 30th May, after months of speculation and anticipation, Page submitted Wales’ final 26-man squad set to compete in EURO 2020, which has been at the forefront of conversation among The Red Wall and beyond this past week. Despite an impressive start to Page’s tenure as Cymru caretaker manager, the roster of outstanding teams on display in this year’s tournament will prove to be his toughest challenge yet. 

Cymru’s 26 

Many players who were integral to Wales’ 2016 success will once again have their chance to shine on the European stage. Cymru star man and Real Madrid forward Gareth Bale finished the season strong after enjoying 11 goals in 20 appearances on loan at Spurs. Alongside Bale, Juventus midfielder and arguably Wales’ most valuable asset Aaron Ramsey is selected, despite only playing one game for the nation since EURO qualification. Joe Allen and Ben Davies are among the other members of the class of 2016 who were selected by Page to take part in this year’s tournament, hoping they can replicate the strong performances that helped Wales reach the semi-finals in France, 5 years ago. 

New Boys 

Wales are going into this year’s tournament with the 3rd youngest squad on average, yet despite the lack of experience, the new boys have relished their opportunities, putting in impressive performances in their respective domestic leagues. Swansea’s Ben Cabango and Liverpool’s Neco Williams, who have both broken onto the scene this season, will likely feature at important points throughout the tournament to help Wales progress. Despite not being among the younger players in Cymru’s 26, Cardiff ace Kieffer Moore played a pivotal role in propelling Wales to EURO 2020 qualification, as well as scoring 20 goals for Cardiff this season; the first player to do so since the late Cardiff City legend Peter Whittingham in 2010. Moore will likely lead the line in a preferable 4-2-3-1 formation, unless Page decides to play with a false 9, which will cause controversy among fans. 

The selection that took us all by surprise was the shock call-up of Cardiff City starlet Rubin Colwill; the 19-year-old that only made his debut for the club in February. Despite his international inexperience, Colwill has blown away Welsh fans (and bluebirds!), who have been following his career progression, and with the world watching, he perhaps won’t get a better chance to impress. 

The Verdict 

Although fans will be tempted to compare this year’s campaign to 2016, a clean slate must be established. The fact of the matter is that Wales’s EURO 2020 campaign will only be the country’s 2nd in 62 years, and the excitement of returning to the competition for a second time running is incomparable. Cymru am Byth! 

Credit - Rory Chapman

Supermarine

Finishing up our feature on Made At The Atrium Artists Today is Supermarine.

We would like to Thank all of The Made At The Atrium team who worked so hard to put this together.

Venues 4 - Sophia Gardens

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One of the larger venues in Cardiff was the Sophia Gardens Pavilion, with a seated capacity of 2,500.

Built in 1951 for the Festival of Britain, due to government restrictions on building materials during the post-war period, the framework of the building was adapted from a surplus aircraft hangar from RAF Stormy Down near Bridgend.

The building was host to many concerts, but during January 1982 the roof collapsed due to an estimated 4 ft (1.2 m) of snow,and the building was subsequently demolished. Just one month before the collapse, Cardiff Council had approved an extensive improvement programme, which would have cost approximately £100,000.

The pavilion was used for the boxing and wrestling competitions of the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games.

Many notable performers played at the pavilion, including Danny Kaye, Cliff Richard, Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and Slade.

Foxxglove

Continuing our Artists from Made At The Atrium today we feature Foxxglove.

Phoebe Ann

Our series of Artists who performed at Made At The Atrium continues today with Phoebe Ann