Christmas Comes to Cardiff

If there were any questions over whether Christmas had begun in Cardiff, they’ve been answered now. 

Winter Wonderland has arrived in the ‘Diff. meaning Christmas mode has been fully activated and the festivities can begin! 

I don’t know about anyone else, but I find the annual arrival of the Christmas markets and Winter Wonderland one of the true green lights, signalling that Christmas can begin. The lights, snow machines, big wheel, festive treats, to name a few, create a festive atmosphere that lights up the city centre. 

Due to barely being able to contain our glee over the Christmassy arrival, we headed down swiftly and promptly to the grounds outside City Hall mid-November, to see what was going on this year.

After buying a hot chocolate for what seemed a small fortune, we took in the sights of lights and laughter, as Winter Wonderland provides such a joy to many, young or old.

Braving a fear of heights, we went around the big wheel, which provided a rare glimpse of the city from above. I found something quite magical about being able to oversee the going-on of Cardiff, all lit up and the hustle and bustle about town. After entertaining ourselves with, we did what most people do at these events, decided to waste a bunch of money at ill-fated fairground games.

Now I may have thought we’d have been totally useless, but we came annoyingly close to winning on several occasions. I don’t know what it is about these games, but they fill you with a sudden desire to win a giant stuffed toy, which any other time of the year would seem the most gigantic pile of rubbish not worth spending money on. My heart was set on a gigantic penguin (again, for reasons I cannot even fathom), but alas, it was not meant to be- which is probably for the best.

My face lit up when I started to see snow fall, only for my illusions to be shattered when I realised it was a fake snow machine producing little drops of icy foam over our heads. Still, in-keeping with the Christmas magic, it did just the job and still provided me with excitement. 

After another walkabout, a gander of the rides, a listen to the music and some obligatory photos, we headed back to reality. I have to say I do regret not booking the ice-bar, a new addition to the Winter Wonderland this year, although a hot chocolate quite sufficed.

Our reasoning for not going on the skating rink was a little self-explanatory for anyone who’s ever seen me try to skate- spoiler alert, it doesn’t usually end well. So even though we may not have done everything the attraction had to offer, we certainly ticked all our desired boxes.

Cardiff’s Winter Wonderland is a must for those wanting to get their festive cheer on and escape the mundane for a few hours. You can be in your own Christmassy bubble for an evening, and it’ll surely put a smile on your face.

Words by Gabi Page 

MARILLION ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF 17/11/21

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Marillion are one of those bands I just don’t get. 

It’s not that I don’t get their musical intricacies or their enduring success in the face of industry apathy and oh-so-cool music press snobbery. It’s not that I can’t get my head around the fact that they can’t really be defined (hard proggy emotional ambient avant-garde rock with a bit of added funkadelia?). 

No. I mean, I don’t get why they aren’t huge. 

They know how to write sparkly riffs and soaring soundscapes topped off with a band sound, lyrics and vocals that hit you right here. Their repertoire ranges from ready-made radio hits (demonstrated tonight with The Release and You’re Gone), to story songs that can bring an audience to tears (Runaway had someone a few seats away from me snuffling into a tissue… at least, I hope it was emotion and not the dreaded lurgi…). Their frontman, Steve Hogarth, crackles with charisma and sings with passion and power and faultless precision. The rest of the band are clearly virtuoso musicians. When you see the success of bands like Muse or Radiohead (clearly influenced by Marillion) or Genesis or Pink Floyd or Led Zeppelin (clearly influences on them), you just know they could’ve ruled the world. I don’t get it.

But after tonight’s gig at St David’s Hall, I’m glad I don’t get it. If Marillion had become the world-striding stadium act they could’ve been, the audience in Cardiff wouldn’t have been enraptured by the epic 10-minute (but still hugely catchy) new song Be Hard On Yourself from their fan-funded soon-to-be-released album An Hour Before It’s Dawn, or the breath-taking crowd favourite Neverland. Instead, they would probably have been confined to creating hits, feeding the industry monster.

As for an actual review of the show… As a seasoned journalist, I believe it’s always important to remain critically impartial. But it’s hard to be critical of a show that’s this good. It was raw yet faultless; it made you want to dance and cry (not usually at the same time), but most of all it felt as if those of us in the audience had been invited into a secret society of musical brilliance. 

So, in a way, this review is a call to anyone who reads it not to give Marillion a go. Call me selfish, but those of us who have discovered their music are quite happy with them as they are, thankyouverymuch. We don’t need them to suddenly become too big to be allowed to write songs like The Party or Easter or The Leavers. So don’t try and catch them on tour or buy their new album when it’s out and for the sake of all that’s good and right with the world, please continue to ignore them.

Review by Craig Hooper

Review - Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri - The Long Road Home Tour - Acapela Studio - 13/11/2021

It’s been a year in waiting for the return of Kiki Dee & Carmelo Luggeri, and certainly, after their performance on a chilly Saturday evening, it was well worth the wait.

The Acapela Studio is fast becoming a beacon for live music in the area and a venue where you can get up close and personal to the artist in a quite chilled environment and something that no doubt attracts both performers and fans who find large concert halls both antiseptic and cold.

Yet the 13th proved rather prophetic for the duo as the gremlins struck during their opening number with a power issue, but they battled on gamely despite the false start with Kiki Dee casually annoucing that a glass of red wine would help calm the jitters, whereupon, a glass appeared at the front of the stage, courtesy of the management, and a very grateful singer.

If getting through the first number “What You Wish For” appeared a little traumatic, the rest of the evening was simply plain sailing with a lovely acoustic version of her biggest hit (with Elton John, his first No 1) “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart”, “Small Mercies” a song about appreciating life, and a quite stunning version of Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill”.

There were a few exceptional covers during the two-set performance. Leonard Cohen’s “Dance Me To The End Of Love” a heart tugging “Let It Be Me” by The Everly Brothers and best of all Sinatra’s “Very Good Year”, in a suprising, yet classy selection.

Dee’s voice, as strong as it ever, was supremely complimented by Luggeri’s virtuoso guitar, creating soundscapes that provided the perfect foil for Dee, who pitched in with some occasional keyboards .

It’s been a long and rewarding career for Kiki Dee, something which was emphasised by her hit “Amoureuse”, released in 1973 and performed so perfectly in 2021, as she turned back the clock in quite stunning fashion, a very youthful looking 74 years of age.

For those Strictly fans in the audience it was interesting to hear that she had turned down this year’s series, saying she was to be the ‘token’ oldie in the competition, but, declined her inclusion due to a family illness. On this evening’s performance, It was obvious she was quite capable of putting a few of the younger ones in the shade, had she been able to perform.

But, back to the music, and the highlight of the evening. “Until We Meet Again”, a touching song about her mother and how the death of her father affected her and having to re-invent herself and embrace her life without her husband and life partner.

Ending proceedings with another hit “I’ve Got The Music In Me” a big UK and American hit, it was a triumph after such a frustrating start for the duo. They say good things come to those who wait, so hopefully, for Kiki Dee and Carmelo Luggeri, an early, post-pandemic Acapela return will be on the cards.

Review and Pix - Tony Woolway

Skinny Lister- The Globe, 13/11/2021

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Little did I know about Skinny lister before encountering them at The Globe Cardiff, but the unexpected nights and unheard-of bands are always the best, and this was no exception.

Organised chaos is the best way of describing their performance. From the get-go the crowd were indulged in the music and matched the energy of the Lister members, who really showed their passion for their unique style of music.

Doing some research beforehand told me that their identity is heavily influenced by folk music, shown by their arguably unique use of accordions and the huge double bass. The sound created by the modern-day guitars, bass, and drums against these perhaps outdated and fewer mainstream instruments was something special, and it made for a great live experience.

All 6 band members were excellent, but Maxwell Thomas was a standout performer, not only because of his energy and enthusiasm that got the crowd going, but also because of his ability to mix up his chosen instrument; the accordion, the piano, and the banjo being the three he used on the night.

The vocals were mainly passed between Daniel Hepinstall and Lorna Thomas who both have really strong voices that complement each other well when they sang together. All members did have a microphone though, and they harmonised well throughout the set.

They featured a large number of new tracks from their latest album release “A Matter of Life & Love”, the name of the album also being one of their songs which was a more indie-pop hit, with a catchy off-beat guitar riff and upbeat drums reminding you of summer days.

“Bonny Away” was a nice mellow track that allowed the crowd to take a short break from headbanging and gave the longer serving fans a recall to one of their first released songs.

It was also nice to see the support band (The Longest Johns) join them on stage for a few songs including “Damn the Amsterdam”, Listers most streamed of their newest album, demonstrating their roots in the folk genre.

As I said before, I wouldn’t usually choose to go and watch bands of this particular genre, but Skinny Lister’s gig really opened my eyes and proved that anyone can enjoy any kind of music, no matter your taste.

Review Sam Haskins

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China Crisis - Acapela 05/11/2021

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It’s been very nearly 40 years, yet for China Crisis, what’s a few years amongst good friends.

80’s bands and their music can be a little cheesy to the discerning listener and whilst many rave about that particular era, which without doubt saw some amazing talents, quite a few bands never seem to get the credit their music deserved and who still very much inspire. One such band is China Crisis.

Despite achieving some considerable hits and critically acclaimed albums, when compiling lists of the great and the good during those times, China Crisis rarely get acknowleged and it’s a frustration that, no doubt the band, as well as their die hard fans would love to correct.

But what China Crisis do, as opposed to their contemporaries is continue to produce the goods both writing and performing at times new material, as well as performing songs from a quite stunning back catalogue.

If I’m sounding very much like a fan, then I admit to being hooked from their earliest begins with the release of their debut album, Difficult Shapes & Passive Rhythms, Some People Think It's Fun to Entertain, which was released in December 1982 and the singles "African and White" and "Christian". All seeming so fresh and different at the time.

Fast forward 40 years and I’m still getting that buzz with each performance, and trust me, I’ve seen quite a few!

The China Crisis of today is certainly a different animal, and whether seeing them as a duo, quartet, or full-blown band, they never fail to produce an evening of sublime music and hysterical chatter, something to a newcomer, is totally unexpected.

Fronted by the genial Eddie Lundon and Gary Daly, it’s Daly in particular who lifts proceedings to another level with his good natured and whimsical account of the band’s career and recordings as well as hilarious name-dropping the good and not-so-good people they’ve met during their considerable career.

But, it’s the music we initially came for and the four-piece band were in quite excellent form as they played a selection of singles and album tracks in between Daly’s side-splitting anecdotes.

Songs from the band’s Walter Becker (Steely Dan) produced album Flaunt the Imperfection and the Langer/Winstanley What Price Paradise sounded as fresh as the day they were released with “Arizona Sky” in particular, with it’s catchy refrain still reverberating days/weeks later.

It would be unfair to not mention the contribution made by Jack Hymers (keyboards) and Eric Animan (sax) who completed the band and are indispensable to the China Crisis ‘sound’

Unfortunately/fortunately, with all the chat, the band lost sense of time leaving them rushing to beat the Acapela curfew yet still managed to squeeze in the wonderful “Christian”- before sheepishly ending yet another quite fabulous evening.

For those who haven’t yet had the pleasure then the band are out on tour next year celebrating their 40th Anniversary and with luck, coming to a town near you.

Tony Woolway

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DMAs Review- Cardiff University Student Union, 6th November 2021

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Managing to escape Covid secure Australia, the 3-man band led by Tommy O’Dell, with the addition of 3 other live band members, really put on a spectacle at the Cardiff University Student Union.

I was familiar with a few of their songs prior to going to the gig, admittedly mainly due to their appearance on one of the FIFA games but I can now say I will keep track of their new releases and consider myself a new fan. 

I was captivated from start to finish as were the other couple of thousand participants in the venue, and didn’t want to miss a single song, word, or chord. The crowd on multiple occasions, led the vocals of tracks whilst O’Dell stood back and admired the experience of performing live again. 

For me, their standout songs were their most streamed hit ‘Silver’ which caused an oddly pleasant, restricted view due to the number of fans on shoulders singing their hearts out, an extended version of ‘Play It Out’ with some awesome drum fills not heard in the recorded version, and ‘Appointment’ which showcased the bands’ vast musical ability by slowing it down too.

The venue was perfect and ensured that even if you were to be standing near the back your view and experience of the music wouldn’t be hindered, and the band themselves set up nicely on the wide stage, with cool light poles behind them which they regularly lit up red for Wales, a nice touch to show their connection to the audience.

So overall, if you ever get the chance to see them on tour or at any festivals they play at, I highly recommend attending. Their energy on stage is matched by their musical talent that will get you moving in a good two step, but also a few mosh pits if you’re in the thick of it! 

Review Sam Haskins

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MARILLION @ ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF – PREVIEW

A legendary rock band who risked losing £500,000 because insurers wouldn’t cover their tour due to Covid have turned to their fans to make sure they stay on the road.

Marillion will play in St David’s Hall in Cardiff on November 17th – but only because their fans have put up the cash to cover most of their costs if Covid strikes and they’re forced to cancel the tour.

Lead singer Steve Hogarth told Keep Cardiff Live that the band could have been left destitute if they’d toured without insurance.

He said: “If any of us in the band test positive for covid during the tour then we’re done - you’re not allowed in the next building. We’d have to cancel the tour, as Genesis have just done. 

“If we have to cancel this tour it will cost us about half-a-million quid. There’s not an insurance company that will touch artists at the moment, thanks to Covid. 

“It hadn’t even occurred to the band how much money we’d lose if one of us tested positive, so we’d already put the tickets on sale before that was pointed out to us. 

“So we had a crisis meeting and our genius manager, Lucy Jordache, said ‘Why don’t we crowdfund the insurance?’”

Marillion all-but invented crowdfunding, with fans pre-funding tours and albums in 1997 - well before Kickstarter or Indiegogo were a cheeky glint in the internet’s eye. The first time they did it they revolutionised the music business – now they’re looking to do it again with their Lightsavers campaign, literally saving the Light at the End of the Tunnel tour. 

Fans can pledge money which gets put into an escrow account – a kind of ‘holding’ account. If the tour plays out as planned, they all get their money back and if they don’t, it gets used to cover the costs. But every fan who pledges gets a ‘money-can’t-buy’ item in return, whatever happens.

Steve said: “So far we’ve raised around £150,000. That’ll pay for the bus, the trucks and most of the sound and lights if we have to cancel. Of course we don’t want to cancel so we’ve got to be super careful to get through this tour and give everyone their money back. 

“We’ll be effectively in quarantine. Even on the days off we can’t go into a shop or café. It’s going to be well weird because we love coming to Cardiff and enjoying what it has to offer.

“The band will be in a total bubble. We’re not even going to be able to mingle with the crew. No friends and family backstage. Nothing.”

Marillion last played Cardiff two years ago and their unique blend of Pink Floydian prog, Zeppelinesque riffs, soaring melodies and poetic lyrics means their loyal army of fans will be desperate to see them return.

Steve added: “It will be incredibly exciting being back in front of that crowd and walking onstage and listening to the response of the fans because they’re like a family and it will feel like a homecoming.

“Audiences in Wales tend to listen more. They tend to be much quieter in the show and then erupt at the end. I learned that the first couple of times we played St David’s Hall. I thought we were dying until the end when everyone went nuts.”  

Preview by Craig Hooper

Marillion’s ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’ tour arrives at St David’s Hall on November 17th and you can find out more about the Lightsavers campaign at www.marillion.com

Dial M for Murder.

The opening night of Dial M for Murder at Cardiff’s New Theatre was a fantastic experience as soon as you walk in through the doors of the majestically beautiful new theatre which was a first for me and I am itching to get back to. The guest experience from collecting the tickets to sitting down was absolutely fantastic. As soon as I got my tickets, I headed to the bar and enjoyed a nice pre show drink in a cosy environment where you can tell everyone was excited to enjoy the night's entertainment. Heading to my seat and I was awestruck by the amazing set design of the apartment in which the play takes place in, created by David Woodhead and realistically lit by Lizzie Powell it was so so easy to forget that you weren't in an isolated theatre and not transported to the warm glow of London in the 60’s.

The story started with Margot Wendice (Diana Vickers) amidst a year long affair with Max Halliday (Michael Salami) who has just returned from america. The two try their best to keep their love for each other a secret from Margot's husband, Tony Wendice (Tom Chambers) the two lovers exchange letters and burn them after reading to ensure Maximum secrecy except Tony manages to find a letter in Margot's handbag. All seems well in their lives until Margot leaves the flat with Max and we truly see what this affair is doing to Tony as his plans start to work in his favour.

Tony tricks an old school friend of his, Captain Lesgate (Christopher Harper) to come over to his flat and through a series of exchanging private information about Margot, Tony now has lesgate under his spell and asks him to kill Margot as to stop the heartbreak of his wife cheating on him behind his back. Lesgate manages to enter the house and attacks Margot nearly killing her but Margot manages to attack lesgate instead, thus putting a spanner in Tony's plan.

This was a great place to  have the interval as it had me in suspense for the 2nd part and to ask myself what is the outcome now? What will Tony do to fulfil his plan?

Still in the same set as the first half, we are introduced to the inspector who is dealing with the murder of lesgate. Inspector hubbard (also christopher harper) is a totally different character both in body language and in mannerisms to lesgate despite being played by the same actor. Harper does a fantastic job as the inspector. He knows his work and knows the procedures and yet he’s comedic too. For me I would watch the play again just for Inspector Hubbard as his dialogue is so beautifully performed and his energy across the stage/room is reminiscent of Benedict Cumberbatch's Sherlock with a childish hint of Matt Smith's Doctor Who. 

Through a fantastic manouvre of red flashing lights and psychedelic soundtrack, we learn that Margot is charged with the murder of lesgate and is immenintly sentanced to hang for her crimes. Tony, back at the flat is chipper as he can see out his plan and the blame is shifted from a quick little murder to under the influence of the law. Inspector hubbard manages to reacquaint himself with Max and he also manages to sneak Margot back home as hubbard is convinced he has the right master plan that Tony used to kill his wife. The soundtrack when Tony approaches the front door really had me on the edge of my seat and I had no idea what to expect when the cast confronted each other. The play ends on Margot walking out the door as a free woman. No worries about her past but confronting life one step at a time.

I had only seen a trailer for the film of Dial M for Murder which left me fresh to experience what the plot had to offer me. In order to get the full 5 stars from me I would've considered microphones for the actors as a lot of emotion was lost from trying to project their voices to the top row of the audience. Tony Wendice for me could have done with a little bit more of a sinister edge to his character as he is planning a murder after all. Or maybe that adds to the character that he can so quickly and energetically plan a murder. Who knows who is really safe around Tony. Overall I was surprised how brilliant this production was. A brilliant theatre, cast and environment mixed with an intricately planned murder and how quickly the master mind must think of lies when the initial plan goes wrong was a fantastic joy of an evening and this production is surely one to see on its UK tour

Review by Jordan Simmons