Buzz Magazine - April 2019 by Buzz Magazine

WHATâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ON APRIL 2019

Festival Guide!

Your guide to the biggest and best festivals in Wales this year!

Perfformiadau Performances for the Curious iâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;r Chwilfrydig

EBRILL 10 - 13 APRIL 2019 THEATR GENEDLAETHOL CYMRU

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april 2019 44reviews

It’s the end of an era, as this is the first music reviews section in Buzz maybe ever (?) not to have a singles section. This is because hardly anyone sends us singles nowadays, so I’ve canned it. “Oh but individual tracks are the primary way that young listeners engage with music in 2019!” Good for them, if they have strong opinions about something they just heard on the radio they’re welcome to send them to us

buzz... publisher EMMA CLARK editor FEDOR TOT listings/music editor NOEL GARDNER advertising EMMA CLARK Buzz TV JAYDON MARTIN accounts TERESA CLARK design LEMONDOGCREATIVE.UK contributors KEIRON SELF (FILMS,) CHRIS ANDREWS, SIMON AYRE, DYLAN BELLIS, JUSTIN EVANS, GEORGE FOSTER, DAFYDD HAINE, ELOUISE HOBBS, RHIANON HOLLEY, EMMA JAYNE, JASON MACHLAB, OLIVER R. MOORE-HOWELLS, LYNDA NASH, DAVID NOBAKHT, BEN PARKER, ALEX PAYNE, CHARLIE PIERCEY, MEGAN POTTERTON, ALISON POWELL, CAMPBELL PROSSER, SAM PRYCE, RHONDA LEE REALI, JOSHUA REES, KATRINA REES, FFION RIORDAN-JONES, OWEN SCOURFIELD, CHRIS SEAL, RUTH SEAVERS, WILL STEEN, ALEX SWIFT, MEGAN THOMAS, AMY TIFFIN, MARK TIMLIN, HARRY TREND, STEVE TUCKER, RHIA WILLIAMS, BEN WOOLHEAD phone number 029 2022 6767 general enquiries info@buzzmag.co.uk editorial editorial@buzzmag.co.uk listings listings@buzzmag.co.uk accounts accounts@buzzmag.co.uk BUZZ MAGAZINE 220C Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1GY published EAC PUBLISHING contents BUZZ FESTIVAL ART cover GOTTWOOD FESTIVAL

buzzmagwales

49lifestyle 04roundup

“Why is this relevant or of any interest to anyone?”

10upfront

Of April’s many traditions, perhaps the most noteworthy is that of Buzz’s annual festival guide, as that’s when ‘the season’ starts, pretty much. Yet it wasn’t always like this: our archive includes festival guides carved in runes onto stone tablets, where an excited preview of the upcoming Winter Solstice sits next to an advert for the same

34film

More and more, people are saying to me, “What film has Keiron Self reviewed this month that sounds like something you would actually go and watch at the cinema, although ultimately you will not do so?” And I tell them, “That film is Wild Rose, about a Glaswegian single mother’s attempts to become a country & western star”

36previews

If I could only go to one art exhibition previewed in this issue I would choose the one at Castell Coch, mainly because there should be loads of wild garlic growing in the nearby woods at this time of year. If I could only go to one theatre production I would choose the one in a coffee shop, because it’s in a coffee shop and is about the legacy people leave on their social media when they die. Although they should have called it POSThumous

@Buzz_Magazine

Roll up, roll up for wheelbarrow competitions, the Nepalese royal family, asparagus out the ears, Hive Dine Fish Fizz, 100g of couscous and the yogi down the park. Do these things sound relevant to your lifestyle? Me neither. So I’m going to modify that lifestyle until it is

61listings

Farewell to our colleague Jaydon, who is returning to his native Australia this month – by choice, I might add – and will leave a hole in the shape of a baby. His baby, Buzz TV, that is. This doesn’t have any relevance to ‘the listings’ per se but serves a similar purpose to those notices in the Times announcing a healthy son named Peregrine Ffffarquar or whatever

78competitions

I’ve actually just noticed that as well as being able to enter these competitions via social media, there’s also an option to do so via email if you include “up to two sentences on why you think you should win the competition”. Ironic, then, that the only way I could muster two sentences to fill this space was by copying a passage of text from that page

@buzzmagwales

buzzmagtv

www.buzzmag.co.uk BUZZ 3

What’s on our radar this month ROBERT PLANT

GLÖWR VISUAL EP

Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, Tues 16 Apr. Tickets: £22.50. Info: 0845 2263510 / www.theatrausirgar.co.uk

Part I out now; part II out Fri 19 Apr; part III out Thurs 30 May. Info: www.glowr.co.uk

Something a little bit different for you now – this three-way collaboration between filmmaker Jessie Rodger, composer Sun Alexander and dancer John Kendall commemorates the hardship of the mining communities in Blaenavon (where the pieces were shot) and the surrounding valleys. Meaning ‘miner’ in Welsh, it’s being released online in stages until May, with the completed project forming something of a short film/EP/dance piece all in one.

The Led Zeppelin singer is making his way to Carmarthen, of all places, on a short, intimate tour with new band Saving Grace at the Lyric Theatre. The new group tends towards Plant’s folksier and rootsier impulses, but this is sure to be an electric gig.

DONNA MARIE MY GAGA LIFE

Few tribute acts have lived a life as surreal as Donna Marie, the Grangetown girl who’s ended up as the world’s No. 1 Lady Gaga tribute act. Mixing Gaga songs and tales from her own life, Marie’s putting together a show that’ll have you believe she was born this way. Look out for a full interview on the Buzz website too!

RICHARD ASHCROFT

The Lancashire-born singer/songwriter and ex-Verve frontman will light up the Motorpoint Arena later this month with his louche and rebellious brand of rock’n’roll. Expect performances from his fifth studio album Natural Rebel as well as a selection of songs from both his solo and Verve back catalogues. Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Sat 20 April. Tickets: from £38. Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

BUZZ 4

Pic: Robin Pope

Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sat 20 Apr. Tickets: £15. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk

WALES: LAND OF THE WILD

This month sees BBC Wales launching a new wildlife series going deep into the lives of the animals that we share our world with, from four-foot-long sea lampreys to the rare sand lizards who make their homes in the sand dunes of Ynyslas in west Wales. Michael Sheen narrates, with music composed by Sir Karl and Jody Jenkins. Broadcast on Thu 4 Apr, iPlayer thereafter. Info: www.bbc.co.uk

KATHERINE JENKINS

With new album Guiding Light recently released, pop-classical queen Katherine Jenkins hits up St David’s Hall this May, presenting an operatic odyssey with a setlist sure to be intimate and reflective. St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Tue 7 May. Tickets: from £31.50. Info: 029 2087 8444 / www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

SUEDE

Britpop legends Suede are back on the road. Their glam-inflected take on British pop music has inspired the likes of Bloc Party and The Long Blondes over the years. They’ll be performing songs from eighth studio album The Blue Hour, as well as the highlights from their string of classic albums in the 90s. Cardiff University Students Union, Fri 26 April. Tickets: £37.50. Info: 029 2078 1458 / www.cardiffstudents.com

CRAGEN SEA MONSTER A sea monster has been sighted on the shores of Wales – and no, it’s not a kraken, but Cragen, a 20ft monster created by Cardigan’s Small World Theatre to raise awareness about the damage that single-use plastics make to our seas. Cragen made a number of appearances around the coast last year, and is returning to Porthcawl. Harbour Quarter, Porthcawl, Tue 16 Apr. Admission: free. Info: www.cleanseascragen.wales

BUZZ 5

JERRY SADOWITZ It’s not too often that comedian/magician/misanthrope Jerry Sadowitz turns up on this side of bridge. Jerry hates interviews. But he was willing to talk so we ran some questions anyway. His answers reveal many things. Mostly that he hates interviews. Here is what followed as he shouts at Fedor Tot You don’t like it when critics quote your material in reviews. What’s your take on those who quote elements of other media, like a film critic quoting a film or a book critic taking lines from a novel? I don’t care what others do. Reviewers are as arrogant as they are ignorant and anyone reading a review is a dead man anyway. Have you ever wanted to be a gentler, fluffier comedian? You idiot. What’s the most banal magic trick you’ve ever attempted on stage? The card magic I do is definitely NOT banal. Unfortunately, the general public has no knowledge of magic so they cannot assess it properly. If they did, they would be paying over £100 a ticket for that bit of the show alone. Was there a moment, early on in your career, where you something ‘clicked’ and you realised you could ‘do’ standup comedy? Or has that moment Never happened for you? Why is this relevant or of any interest to anyone? You’re known for pushing the limits of what audiences might consider acceptable. Have you ever thought, “I’ve not gone far enough here?” Don’t know. What’s your worst gig ever? And your best? I’d rather not recall either. As someone born in New Jersey, that automatically makes you a Soprano, right? What Soprano character do you most resemble and why? Or are you more Jersey Shore? I’ve never watched the Sopranos or Jersey Shore.

BUZZ 6

Who’s your favourite murderous dictator and why? I don’t know. Good question though. Is there a question you always wished you’d have been asked in an interview but have never been asked? I cannot stand interviews, I don’t want to be asked questions, and I’m a firm believer that the public doesn’t really care what anyone has to say, and if they do, it’s none of their fucking business anyway. HOWEVER on this one occasion I will make an exception. The question I would like to be asked is “why hasn’t anyone in Wales, or Ireland for that matter, booked me to do a gig in decades?” The answer is “because you’re ignorant c***s.”. Jerry Sadowitz: Make Comedy Grate Again, The Riverfront, Newport, Wed 8 May. Tickets: £20. Info: 01633 656757 / tickets.newportlive.co.uk

Jon Ronson Tales from the Last Days of August 16.05.19

All You Need is Love 20.04.19

Stairway to Heaven Led Zeppelin Masters 03.04.19

The Songs of Queen 19.04.19

Tom Chaplin

Sing-a-Long-a The Greatest Showman 13.04.19

Beatrice Rana International Concert Series 25.04.19

The Guilty Feminist 15.05.19

Collabro & Kerry Ellis 05.04.19

Angharad Lyddon Welsh Singer Recital 09.04.19

BBC National Orchestra of Wales Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 2 11.04.19

Steeleye Span 50th Anniversary Tour 07.04.19

George feat. Rob Lamberti 24.04.19

Pic: Mario Sanchez Prada

BOOK NOW HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Fri 3 May Tickets: from £20 Info: 029 2023 4551 motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

SECRET SPACES: SARAH COLE

STRICTLY COME DANCING THE PROFESSIONALS

SC Productions organise the core logistics of many major festivals and events in Wales and the UK – all the behind-the-scenes stuff you don’t even think about when it goes right. George Foster speaks to company director Sarah Cole. What’s the most difficult aspect of event management? It can be very varied to be honest. Some of it can as basic as the ground and trying to make the event fit, but sometimes it can be about getting people there and the volume of people circulating. It takes quite a lot of thinking to make sure that that’s right.

Have you ever had any near-disasters? We’ve had some tricky times from Mother Nature. We had a particularly wet and windy weekend in 2012. Quite a lot of the site had taken a blow so it took quite a lot of hard work to get that back up and open. The customer is paramount.

What’s it like being in such a high position in a typically male-dominated industry? That’s a myth. There are lots of women working in events. There are many more men visible in the industry, but there are lots of women working in the industry. There were less women when I started but there are certainly more now. It’s about being good at what you do, being confident about what you do and it’s about not taking any shit from anyone.

How do you deal with huge temporary structures, such as the ones used for Massive Attack’s recent Bristol gigs? We were trying to replicate the idea of an aircraft hangar for the show so that structure jumped out at us. The time of year was a bit of a gamble, but we knew we had time and good ground to work on. We’re really proud.

SC Productions features a penguin as the logo. Why is that? They are a bird with wings but they can’t fly. They’re very equal in their gender roles. They live in some of the wildest and harshest places in the world. Of the 17 species of penguin, I’ve seen 12 in their natural habitat. It gets a little bit harder and a little bit more expensive to get to the rest.

If you could recommend one place in Wales to a first-time visitor that’s not on the tourist maps and off the beaten tracks, where would it be and why? Freshwater West is a favourite hidey-hole, particularly when the Pembrokeshire seafood van is there. You can sit on the little bench opposite the war memorial and look out across the bay and it is absolutely stunning.

Info: www.scproductionsltd.com

BUZZ 8

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Sat 25 + Sun 26 May Tickets: from £41 Info: 029 2022 4488 motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

RUM AND REGGAE FESTIVAL Depot, Cardiff Sat 1 June Tickets: from £16.68 Info: rumandreggaefestival.com

TAKE THAT

Principality Stadium, Cardiff Sat 8 June Tickets: from £50.65 Info: 0844 2491999 www.principalitystadium.wales

OPEN AIR THEATRE: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Cardiff Castle Sat 6 July Tickets: from £14 Info: 029 2087 8100 www.cardiffcastle.com

WORLD PREMIERE

OF A BRAND NEW BRITISH FARCE Starring

NICK HANCOCK with PAUL BRADLEY GILLIAN BEVAN CAROLYN BACKHOUSE and ERIC RICHARD



‘EXCELLENT’

9 — 13 April • Ebrill

Reviewsgate

design:feastcreative.com



‘A MUST SEE’ What’s On Stage

7 — 11 May • Mai



‘ROYAL STORY IS A FEAST OF BRILLIANCE’ The Guardian

Tue Tue 7–Sat 7–Sat 11 11 May May || Maw Maw 77 –– Sad Sad 11 11 Mai Mai newtheatrecardiff.co.uk newtheatrecardiff.co.uk Box Box Office Office 029 029 2087 2087 8889 8889

newtheatrecardiff.co.uk 029 2087 8889 Mae’r New Theatre yn eiddo i ac, yn cael ei rheoli a’i harinannu Gyngor Caerdydd · The New Theatre is owned, managed and funded by Cardiff Council

21 — 25 May • Mai

As the days stretch longer into the evening it’s now time for our annual festival guide! Covering every corner of Wales and with a right smorgasbord of variety, here is Buzz’s definitive guide to the best Welsh festivals in 2019! COMPILED BY: CHRIS ANDREWS, GEORGE FOSTER, DAFYDD HAINE OLIVER R. MOORE-HOWELLS, LYNDA NASH, ALEX PAYNE, MEGAN POTTERTON, JOSHUA REES, KATRINA REES. ABERGAVENNY WRITING FESTIVAL Kings Arms Hotel, Abergavenny. Thurs 11-Sat 13 Apr Three-day event full of workshops designed to give an insider’s insight into the writing industry. With professionals who specialise in poetry, journalism, novels, legal advice and publishing sharing their expertise, Thursday and Friday have been tailored for both casual and more serious adult writers alike, while Saturday will feature events for children of all ages. Who: Marianne Kavanaugh, Ed Gilbert (food blogger Gourmet Gorro) plus debates, masterclasses and workshops How much: varies – most events £7/£4 kids

MERTHYR COMEDY FESTIVAL Various venues, Merthyr Tydfil. Thurs 25-Sat 27 Apr After a successful first run last year, Merthyr Comedy Festival is back and bigger this time round, with a lineup including Craig Campbell, Jarred Christmas, Tanyalee Davis and Mock The Week regular Zoe Lyons. Fans of standup will be spoilt for choice, with acts in both English and Welsh over the weekend. Who: Zoe Lyons, Wes Packer, Ignacio Lopez, Steffan Evans How much: £5-£10 per show Info: facebook.com/merthyrcomedyfestival

RAWFFEST Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. Thurs 25-Sun 28 Apr True to its name, the projects showcased are all created and driven by the young emerging creators themselves, all Welsh and aged 14-25 – rawness made up for by energy, youthful smarts and creativity. Events range from music and poetry slams, to comedy, theatre, photography and circus performances. Some masterclasses may be ran by experts, but the festival is fundamentally about these emerging artists. Who: The best and brightest young creatives today How much: £20 weekend/£5 per day/£10 Saturday only Info: www.rawffest.wales

VALE OF GLAMORGAN FESTIVAL Various venues, south Wales. Sat 18-Fri 24 May Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and aiming as ever to bring innovative contemporary classical music to south Wales audiences. Along with performances from the BBC National Orchestra Of Wales and Graham Fitkin, this year’s festival will also feature the first ever New Music Mystery Tour: an intimate performance at a venue TBC, reached via a 30-minute coach journey from Cardiff Museum. Other venues include St David’s Hall, the Wales Millennium Centre, Penarth Pier Pavilion and Cardiff University School Of Music. Who: Graham Fitkin, Armida Quartet, Sandbox Percussion [pictured] How much: £14-£16.50 Info: www.valeofglamorganfestival.org.uk

BUZZ 10

Pic: Noah Stern Weber

Info: www.abergavennywritingfestival.com

HowTheLightGetsIn

FESTIVAL KEY - MUSIC - FILM - STAGE/COMEDY/LITERATURE - FAMILY-FRIENDLY - ACTIVITY

Info: www.wrexhamcarnivalofwords.com

LLANDUDNO VICTORIAN EXTRAVAGANZA Llandudno town centre. Sat 4-Mon 6 May Taking to the town centre streets, the three-day event will fill the May bank holiday with traditional entertainment: maypole dancing, street theatre, carriage rides, a teddy bears’ picnic and a Grand Victorian Ball. Last year was complete with a vintage car and bike rally; the event slightly changes each year, but is guaranteed to be easy-going. Who: History enthusiasts and fun-loving crowds How much: free

Pic: Irfon Bennett

THE CARNIVAL OF WORDS Various venues, Wrexham. Sat 27 Apr-Sat 4 May Over the past four years, Carnival Of Words has built a reputation for being an accessible yet impossibly insightful opportunity to learn from and interact with some of the veterans of the writing world. This year, names such as former government minister Alan Johnson and international bestselling author Amanda Prowse dominate the roster. Who: Alan Johnson, Clair Mulley, Peter Laws How much: £25 festival pass; individual events vary

Info: www.victorian-extravaganza.com

MACHYNLLETH COMEDY FESTIVAL Various venues, Machynlleth. Fri 3-Sun 5 May For one weekend only, this idyllic market town is completely transformed into a standup fan’s paradise, embracing hundreds of unique comedy shows in a number of intimate venues to create a warm party atmosphere. Devised by Henry Widdicombe and celebrated for its close-knit community and competitive lineups, since 2010 it’s functioned as an antidote to the rat race mayhem of the Edinburgh Fringe, with many comics using this as an opportunity to stretch their legs. Who: Bridget Christie, Mark Watson, Stewart Lee How much: varies depending on event; most performances £7-£10 Info: www.machcomedyfest.co.uk

WALES INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. Tue 7-Fri 10 May Now in its fourth year, 2019 being its first in the capital, WIDF is the only specialist documentary festival in Wales. It brings filmmakers and documentarians from all over the world to Cardiff, giving them the opportunity to meet, connect and watch films that are hard to reach via the more standard theatrical release route. The festival will include 50 film screenings (including shorts), networking events, masterclasses and training programmes. Who: TBC How much: TBC (2018 tickets were £15 for the full festival/£4 per screening) Info: www.widf.info

URDD EISTEDDFOD Cardiff Bay. Mon 27 May-Sat 1 June Although not as old as the National Eisteddfod, said to date back to 1176, the Urdd Eisteddfod – which first began in 1929 at Corwen – features thousands of children and young people, echoing its older sibling with its many competitive aspects. Furthermore, there’ll be hundreds of colourful stalls and activities – biking and climbing, a funfair, live music and children’s shows. Who: the sharpest cultural competitors amongst Wales’ schools How much: main festival free; entry to preliminaries and to the pavilion £15/£13 Info: www.urdd.cymru

AMSERJAZZTIME FESTIVAL TREDEGAR HOUSE FOLK FESTIVAL Tredegar House & Country Park, Newport. Fri 10-Sun 12 May A weekend of international and traditional dance, music and song at the Tredegar House Folk Festival. The festival is celebrating its 30th year this summer and has plenty of entertainment already lined up for visitors: concerts, children’s entertainers and free dance displays from a variety of local and international dance teams. Who: Alaw, Bob Fox, Calan, Patty Gurdy How much: TBC (festival site entry and dance displays free; concerts individually priced)

DEVAUDEN FESTIVAL Devauden Village Hall, Chepstow. Fri 17 + Sat 18 May Family-friendly event in the heart of Monmouthshire, featuring performances across three stages, including an acoustic stage and two more set in their Glastonbury-style big top. If you’re bringing young’uns along, take note of the music workshops, face-painting, circus skills, crafts and play area in the Kids Zone. Who: Rusty Shackle, Tankus The Henge How much: £6-£48 Info: www.devaudenfestival.com

Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff, Thurs 6-Sun 9 June With the RWMCD celebrating its 70th anniversary this year, its annual celebration of all things jazz has an extra edge to it this year, with the programme comprising of College alumni. With a mixture of events in the Dora Stoutzker Hall and in the foyer, highlights include Huw Warren’s collaboration with Jovino Santo Neto from Brazil – a fusion of jazz and Brazilian influences. Who: Hannah Grace [pictured], Snowpoet, Atlas ft. Sara Colman How much: some events free, others £6-£12. Info: www.rwcmd.ac.uk

Info: www.tredegarhousefestival.org.uk

GEEKEDFEST

FOCUS WALES Various venues, Wrexham. Thurs 16-Sat 18 May FOCUS Wales is a multi-venue showcase festival that platforms emerging Welsh musical talent in addition to sets from a selection of established and international names. This year’s edition will include over 200 live performances across 20 stages, plus conferences headed by music industry talking heads, film screenings, stand-up comedy and arts events. Who: Neck Deep, Boy Azooga, Kero Kero Bonito How much: from £40 Info: www.focuswales.com

Cate le Bon (Focus Wales)

BUZZ 12

THE HAY FESTIVAL

Newport Leisure Centre, Sat 18 + Sun 19 May; University Of Wales Trinity Saint David Campus, Swansea, Sat 3 + Sun 4 Aug Comic-Con event set to feature appearances and meet-and-greets with actors from Doctor Who, Buffy, Iron Fist and more. Previous Geekedfests have also featured props exhibits, comics stalls and retro games and even a cosplay area; a weekend ticket for the Newport show is just £18 (most details for Swansea are still TBC). Who: Simone Missick, Peter Shinkoda, Gareth David-Lloyd Tickets: £18 both days/£10 per day

Various venues, Hay-On-Wye. Thurs 23 May-Sun 2 June World-famous literature and arts event in the small market border town renowned for its extraordinarily high number of bookshops per person. Plenty of names have been confirmed, including Carole Cadwalladr, Stephen Fry, Stacey Dooley, Julia Donaldson and Michael Rosen, prior to the full lineup announcement in early April. There’s music too, of which The Waterboys are a highlight, performing a two-part concert on the first day of the festival. Who: Lucy Worsley, Sandi Toksvig, James Ellroy How much: varies per event

Info: www.geekedfestevents.com

Info: www.hayfestival.com

The Lovely Eggs (Focus Wales)

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MERTHYR RISING Penderyn Square, Merthyr Tydfil. Fri 24-Sun 26 May Celebrating, through music, art and political discussion, the famous workers’ uprising of 1831 in this town, Merthyr Rising promises to be a celebration of the working class whilst simultaneously challenging the inequality that blights towns such as Merthyr throughout the UK. With 2019 being its sixth edition, it has previously hosted the likes of Alabama 3, The Alarm and Francesca Martinez. Who: Black Grape, Cast, Neville Southall How much: From £25 (day pass) to £60 (weekend pass + camping); free under-15s Info: www.merthyrrising.uk

HOWTHELIGHTGETSIN Various venues, Hay-On-Wye. Fri 24-Mon 27 May Said to be the world’s largest philosophy and music festival, HowTheLightGetsIn encapsulates the saying, ‘Up there for thinking. Down there for dancing!’ Whether it’s engaging in talks from political speakers such as ex-Conservative MP Anna Soubry and Momentum founder, Jon Lansman, marvelling at the wonders of science with CERN theoretician John Ellis, laughing along with comics such as Phil Wang, or losing yourself in the dark musical artistry of Anna Calvi, HowTheLightGetsIn is likely to both engage and excite. Who: Tony Law, British Sea Power, Liz Truss How much: full weekend from £144; day tickets £38 Info: www.howthelightgetsin.org

THE BIG RETREAT Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire. Fri 24-Mon 27 May An event promising to excite the body and calm the mind in equal measure, while allowing you a chance to nurture your inner being via live music, comedy, talks, yoga, workshops, cookery demonstrations and, most importantly, spoon carving. With the Majical Youth Theatre Company, swing boat rides and trampolines, the kids will be impressed too. Who: Rusty Shackle, Matt Pritchard, Shahroo Izadi How much: weekend £149/£60 kids; day tickets £25£60/£15-£20 kids

FIRE IN THE MOUNTAIN Venue TBC on purchase, nr Aberystwyth. Fri 31 MaySun 2 June Barn dances, workshops, singalongs and campfires at this traditional, rustic folk fest. This year will also include a special feature celebrating the traditional music of Trinidad and Tobago, plus late night music sessions taking place at the Travelling Barn after midnight. Then there’s the Music Only ticket: functioning as a satirical protest of sorts against the tariff imposed on FITM by the Performing Rights Society, this costs £20 (covering the base royalties paid to the PRS) and sees the visitor blindfolded on entry to the festival and unable to enjoy much of its visual attraction, any of the food, or drink beyond water. Who: Bruce Molsky’s Mountain Drifters, Chance McCoy, The Po’ Boys Cajun Band How much: £5-£135

LET’S ROCK WALES Tredegar Park, Newport. Sat 1 June The UK’s biggest retro festival lands in Wales for the first time with a host of big names from the 1980s. Doors open at 11am and the entertainment will continue, non-stop, until 10.30pm. VIP and ‘Posh Toilet’ tickets are also available, usefully for those of us permanently scarred by festival facilities. Fancy dress is optional! Who: Billy Ocean, Midge Ure, Jason Donovan, Toyah How much: from £36/free under-12s Info: www.letsrockwales.com

Info: www.fireinthemountain.co.uk

Info: www.thebigretreatwales.co.uk

DEPOT IN THE CASTLE Cardiff Castle. Fri 12 + Sat 13 July Depot In The Castle was one of the highlights of 2018, turning the grounds of Cardiff Castle into one huge party with dance queens Sister Sledge, following on from that this year with a massive line up with Niles Rogers headlining the Friday night, Clean Bandit and Tom Odell already confirmed to headline the Saturday with more to come, we can expect an even better festival this year. Street food stalls include Brother Thai, The Pork Society, Winnies Icecream onsite to boot. Who: Niles Rogers, Tom Odell, Clean Bandit How much: £41.50 adult/£23.90 12-17-year-olds/ £6 under-12s Info: www.depotinthecastle.com/

BUZZ 14

Pic: Kristina Banholzer Tafwyl

GOTTWOOD FESTIVAL Carreglwyd, Anglesey. Thurs 6-Sun 9 June Nestled in the woods of Anglesey and on its 10th edition for 2019, this old-skool rave-style electronic music and arts festival aims to recapture the old days of jumping out into the darkness with your mates and avin’ it al fresco, albeit without the threat of imminent police shutdown. There’s boutique and public camping on site, so you won’t even have to get out of bed to join in the party. Who: Andrew Weatherall, Egyptian Lover, Margaret Dygas, Hunee How much: £192 Info: www.gottwood.co.uk

ZIP WORLD ROCKS 2019 Penrhyn Quarry, Snowdonia. Sat 15 June The slate quarry of Penrhyn holds an array of acts, all performing in aid of Mike Peters of The Alarm’s Love Hope Strength Foundation. The event is curated by Peters; VIP tickets let you hang out with him and the rest of the stars of the show backstage. Who: Cast, Mike Peters, Miles Hunt How much: £25

ROCK THE CASTLE Pembroke Castle. Fri 21 + Sat 22 June Now in its sixth year of rocking castle foundations, the two nights of the festival are set to include Sister Sledge, Status Quo and Bonnie Tyler. But be quick – Friday day tickets are already sold out. Who: Status Quo, Bonnie Tyler, Dr Feelgood, Sister Sledge How much: from £45 Info: www.pembrokecastle.co.uk

TAFWYL Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Sat 15-Sun 23 June Annual Welsh-language arts and culture festival, held in Cardiff Castle and subject to glowing reviews since debuting in 2006. If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the Welsh language, whether as a native speaker, a learner, or a curious face, then you can’t go far wrong with Tafwyl and its diverse bill. Who: TBC How much: free

Gottwood Festival

GREGYNOG FESTIVAL Gregynog Hall, Newtown. Sat 22-Sun 30 June World-class classical performances in the gorgeous settings of the Music Room at Powys’ Gregynog Hall. This year’s lineup includes an all-Bach programme from rising early music stars A Nocte Temporis and tenor Reinoud Van Mechelen, who will be making Welsh debut appearances. Who: A Nocte Temporis and tenor Reinoud Van Mechelen How much: varies per event Info: www.gwylgregynogfestival.org Puckin Poutine (Feels Like Summer)

Info: www.tafwyl.org

Info: www.zipworld.co.uk

FEELS LIKE SUMMER Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Sat 20 July A new event taking place in Sophia Gardens this July, Bananarama and Bonnie Tyler were first to be announced as playing. S Club and Liberty X have since been confirmed, ditto 90s exercise doyen Mr Motivator. If that wasn’t enough to entice you, there will also be a roller disco, karaoke and truck loads of street food stalls. Who: Bananarama [pictured], Bonnie Tyler, Liberty X How much: £49.50 Info: www.feelslikesummer.co.uk BUZZ 16

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STEELHOUSE FESTIVAL Hafod Y Dafal Farm, Ebbw Vale, Fri 26-Sun 28 July Returning for its ninth year, the Steelhouse Festival and its hardworking organisers have put together a stellar line up of classic rock and metal once again. After their triumphant 2016 set, Thunder make another trip up the mountain for a UK festival exclusive, while the latterday incarnation of Thin Lizzy close the weekend while toasting the 40th anniversary of their Black Rose LP. Special guests this year come in the form of funk-rock legends Living Colour and The Temperance Movement, with Massive Wagons heading up the opening night’s festivities. Who: Massive Wagons, Thunder, Thin Lizzy How much: £95 weekend/£60 per day Info: www.steelhousefestival.com

CARDIFF OPEN AIR THEATRE FESTIVAL Sophia Gardens, Cardiff. Thurs 27 June-Sat 3 Aug More than a month long, this year’s lineup includes runs of Hi-De-Hi!, Jesus Christ Superstar, Much Ado About Nothing, and The Little Mermaid. There will also be plenty of other cool stuff going on, too, such as Stand Up In The Park and Cinema In The Park. Who: Jesus Christ Superstar, Hi-De-Hi, open air cinema How much: £14-£18 Info: www.cardiffopenairtheatrefestvial.co.uk

FOLK ON THE LAWN Abbey Mill, Tintern. Thurs 11-Sun 14 July Fuelled entirely by the goodwill of the UK folk scene, for a small homespun festival Folk On The Lawn exhibits a strong lineup of signed and independent folk artists. With Abbey Mill in Tintern hosting the event, you’ll be well looked after with various shops and food stalls to take in alongside the music. Who: The Shackleton Trio, Whitehall Parade, Mud On The Tyres How much: Thursday TBC, Friday-Sunday pay-whatyou-want Info: www.folkonthelawn.com

GOWER FESTIVAL Various venues, Swansea and the Gower. Mon 1-Sat 13 July A stalwart of the Welsh classical calendar, the Gower Festival is now older than many of the musicians who take part in it. Each nightly event takes place in a distinguished building, most of them beautiful churches or chapels. These wonderful venues help to heighten the experience of the music, creating immersive, unique evenings you won’t want to miss. Who: Llyr Williams, Christian Li and Gordon Back, Ji Liu How much: £10-£25 per event Info: www.gowerfestival.org

LLANGOLLEN INTERNATIONAL MUSIC EISTEDDFODD Various venues, Llangollen. Mon 1-Sun 7 July The Llangollen International Music Eiesteddfod has been running since 1947 and now boasts 4,000 performers and thousands more visitors, including the prestigious Choir Of The World competition. It all culminates in Llanfest, a big shindig on the Sunday, which this year will feature such names as The Fratellis and The Pigeon Detectives. Who: Catrin Finch, Jools Holland, Rolando Villazon, Gipsy Kings How much: £12-£49 per event Info: www.international-eisteddfod.co.uk

BUZZ 18

THE BIG CHEESE Caerphilly Castle. Fri 26-Sun 28 July The Big Cheese has undergone a bit of a makeover for 2019 and promises to feature three huge food halls of street vendors, local food and drink and a dedicated cheese market. There will a full program of live music in the bar and, being as it all takes place in the middle of Caerphilly Castle, it would be rude not to have a medieval re-enactment too. Who: Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band, The Red Hot Pokers How much: free

GLASTONBARRY Romilly Park, Barry. Fri 26-Sun 28 July The great thing about tribute acts is that they present the best version of their subject matter. If you watch AC/DC at GlastonBARRY this year for instance, you aren’t watching four balding old fellas struggling to get around the stage. No, you’ll see a sprightly Angus Young skipping around stage as he did in his heyday. Close your eyes and believe you’re listening to Freddie Mercury, via Queen tribute Flash, or a reunited ABBA. Have the Gallagher brothers stopped feuding for a gig in a park in Barry, or is that Oas-ish? And so forth. This year, the kids can get involved on the Friday, with GlastonBARRY Juniors featuring the likes of Rhianna, Little Mix and Ed Sheeran. Who: ABBA, Oasis, Queen (homages to) How much: £34 weekend/£60 VIP Info: www.mackeventspresents.com

Info: www.bigcheesecaerphilly.co.uk

Glastonbarry

GREEN MAN FESTIVAL Glanusk Estate, Brecon Beacons. Thurs 15-Sun 18 Aug Set in the luscious dells of the Glanusk Valley, the festival sits between sprawling woodlands, babbling brooks, and the rolling hills of the Brecon Beacons, and plays host to a consistently diverse lineup of world-class artists and performers. Many of the festival’s 10 ‘areas’ are creatively geared around children and families, and make a conscious effort to showcase and celebrate local artists and businesses. If you fancy spending more than just the weekend in Green Man Land, the Settler’s Pass allows you to arrive from Mon 12 – check the website for more details. Plus Buzz will be there again this year with our own Green Man Mannequin, stall and festival competition, whoop! Who: Eels [pictured], Father John Misty, Four Tet, Caitlin Moran How much: £21-£236 Info: www.greenman.net

LLANDUDNO JAZZ FESTIVAL

NORTH WALES SOUL AND BLUES FESTIVAL

Bodafon Fields, Llandudno. Fri 26-Sun 28 July The Llandudno Jazz Festival is a great place to be for jazz fans and the 2019 edition is promising to be the best yet – already confirmed are Zoe Rahman, Tony Kofi and Ian Shaw with Dave Newton Trio. Overlooking Llandudno Bay, there are camping facilities if you are so inclined. Who: Zoe Rahman, Tony Kofi, Ian Shaw with Dave Newton Trio How much: £138 weekend/£50 per day

Theatr Clwyd, Mold. Fri 2-Sun 4 Aug Bringing esteemed international artists to north Wales, this festival has switched venues to Theatr Clwyd but still boasts street food, on-site camping, glamping and workshops. Who: The King Snakes, Delta Moon, Elles Bailey, The Stumble, Ruby And The Revelators How much: £10 per person per night to camp, other prices vary

Info: www.llandudnojazzfestival.com

Info: www.theatrclwyd.com

MONMOUTH FESTIVAL Chippenham Fields, Monmouth. Sat 27 July-Mon 4 Aug Changes afoot for this nine-day event, whose main stage is moving to Chippenham, or Chippy Fields as locals refer to it. With acts still to be confirmed, but expect a smorgasbord of pop and rock acts alongside the classical programme. It’s family-friendly, it’s fun and it’s free. Who: TBC How much: free Info: www.monmouthfestival.co.uk

LANDED FESTIVAL Argoed, Llandrindod Wells, Powys. Fri 2-Sun 4 Aug Located on an idyllic hillside in mid-Wales, Landed is an independent, family-friendly festival which showcases artists, poets and other creatives. Revitalise in a healing area containing massage, holistic therapies, crafts, and numerous stalls. And don’t forget a Landed highlight, the infamous annual ‘pimp your duck’ race. Who: TBC How much: £25-£70

THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD / MAES B Llanrwst, Conwy. Sat 3-Sat 10 Aug Following its stint in Cardiff Bay last year, the 2019 National Eisteddfod returns north to Llanrwst. Dance, music, literature, drama competitions and performances feature over eight days, with the main pavilion home to competitions and Gorsedd ceremonies such as The Crowning and The Chairing. However, the literary pavilion, science and technology village, Llwyfan y Maes, Y Lle Celf and Tŷ Gwerin are also well worth a visit. Once the day’s events in the pavilion are over, the fun continues into the night with Maes B, featuring performances by over 20 Welsh language bands. Who: TBC How much: weekly tickets from £50/day tickets from £8/free under-16s Info: www.eisteddfod.wales

Info: www.landedfestival.co.uk

MUSICFEST Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Sat 27 July-Sun 3 Aug Mixing learning with performance, Musicfest Aberystwyth combines a full programme of recitals with the opportunity to sign up for tuition in a multitude of instruments, all on the beautiful coastline of Cardigan Bay. Who: TBC How much: Prices vary per event Info: www.musicfestaberystwyth.org

BUZZ 20

James & Black (North Wales Soul and Blues Festival)

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THE BIG CWTCH

CASTELL ROC Chepstow Castle. Thurs 8-Mon 26 Aug Chepstow Castle plays host to the family-friendly Castell Roc and its variety of themed concerts. In addition to shows from The Shires and Los Pacaminos featuring Paul Young. Spandau Ballet’s Martin Kemp and S Club 3 will be going head-to-head in a 80s v 90s extravaganza whilst Reef, fresh from advertising the Sony MiniDisc in 1995, headline on Sat 24. Who: The Shires, Reef, Los Pacaminos How much: £21.50-£30.50 Info: www.castellroc.co.uk

SOLARSPHERE

BETWEEN THE TREES Candleston Campsite, Merthyr Mawr. Fri 30 Aug-Sun 1 Sept Arising from the minds of some of the contributors to Einstein’s Garden at Green Man Festival, Between The Trees made its successful debut in 2017 and aims to provide a welcoming organic playground for campers of all ages through workshops, activities and a focus on hands-on involvement. Music-wise, BTT enlists folk and roots musicians from near and far, and there is a good range of local vendors and on-site amenities. With low-to-no phone signal, this could be the perfect weekend to ‘unplug’. Who: Benjamin Francis Leftwich, Firewoodisland, Noble Jacks How much: £20-£280/£1-£30 kids Info: www.betweenthetrees.co.uk

BUZZ 22

Penmaenau Farm, Builth Wells. Fri 9-Sun 11 Aug Combining music and stargazing, Solarsphere is perfect for those curious about the cosmos. Attendees can learn about all things space through astronomical talks with speakers such as Professor Nigel Henbest, star camp and solar observing, planetary and galaxy walks, a cosmos planetarium and craft workshops. Live music comes from Access All Areas, Fireside Family, Haelon and Rachael Erica Shaw. Who: Nigel Henbest, Andy Green, Pete Williamson How much: £50/£25 13-16-year-olds/free under-12s Info: www.solarsphere.events

PRESTEIGNE FESTIVAL Various venues, Presteigne. Thurs 22-Tue 27 Aug Taking place over six days in the Radnorshire Hills, the Presteigne Festival is a much-loved cornerstone of contemporary classical music in the UK. Beginning over three decades ago, the festival aims to present a balance between modern compositions, 20th-century favourites, and established classics, and is also known for providing an important platform for upand-coming composers. Who: Cheryl Frances-Hoad, Hannah Lash, James Francis Brown How much: TBC Info: www.presteignefestival.com

HUB FESTIVAL Womanby St, Cardiff. Fri 23-Sun 25 Aug Womanby Street’s annual August bank holiday weekend extravaganza, celebrating Cardiff’s live music epicentre as Clwb Ifor Bach, The Moon, Fuel, Tiny Rebel, City Arms and more host dozens of artists across three days. Hub’s organisers release their own clashfinder, and you’ll likely need it. Who: TBC How much: TBC (£30 for a full weekend pass in 2018) Info: facebook.com/hubfestivalcardiff

THE BIG WEEKEND/PRIDE CYMRU Venue TBC, Cardiff. Fri 23-Sun 25 Aug So far, only the dates of 2019’s Big Weekend have been confirmed, but Pride Cymru’s website states that details are “coming soon”. Last year’s event took place on the City Hall lawns, with three days of music, comedy, cabaret and various other happenings such as a roller disco and ‘beach party’, all centred around the vibrant Saturday morning parade through the city centre. Who: TBC How much: TBC (£10 in 2018) Info: www.pridecymru.co.uk

THE BIG CWTCH Crugybar, Carmarthenshire. Fri 30 + Sat 31 Aug Billed as featuring the biggest lineup of emerging artists in a Welsh festival, this charity music event in Carmarthenshire directs its proceeds to Ski4All Wales, a charity which allows adults with physical and visual disabilities to ski. A beautiful little festival and one of our favourites. Who: TBC How much: £40-£60/ free under-5s Info: www.thebigcwtch.com

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BEST OF THE REST

THE BATH FESTIVAL FINALE

The Good Life Experience

ST FAGANS FOOD FESTIVAL National Museum Of History, St Fagans. Sat 7 + Sun 8 Sept Classic cuisine of Wales and family fun in equal proportions. This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the festival, so expect some extra goodies in store. Who: TBC How much: free (£5 parking charge) Info: www.museum.wales/stfagans

THE GOOD LIFE EXPERIENCE Hawarden Estate, Deeside. Thurs 12-Sun 15 Sept Launched by four friends (one of whom is Cerys Matthews) in 2014, this festival combines food from world-famous chefs, live music and a wealth of different activities. With both axe-throwing and archery, if you’re looking for a more active festival this could be the one for you. Who: TBC How much: £75-£180/free kids Info: www.thegoodlifeexperience.co.uk

PORTHCAWL ELVIS FESTIVAL Various venues, Porthcawl. Fri 27-Sun 29 Sept Where do you think the biggest Elvis festival in Europe is? If your answer was Porthcawl then you already know about the seaside town’s Elvis extravaganza. For 2019, the festival will feature even more Elvis Tribute Acts (“don’t call them impersonators” is a common word of warning) and thousands of Elvis fans all belting along to their favourite classics. Who: The First Kings, Rob Willis How much: £6-£19.50 per event Info: www.elvies.co.uk

IRIS PRIZE FESTIVAL Cineworld, Cardiff. Tue 8-Sun 13 Oct Far from just being another film prize festival, the Iris Prize Festival draws attention to the LGBT+ community and brings everyone together for one big celebration. Focusing predominantly on short-form filmmaking, the Iris Prize is a chance to get an early look at some of the brightest and sharpest LGBT+ filmmakers the world over. Indeed, the first ever Iris Prize winner was Dee Rees, now an Oscar-nominated filmmaker for her feature length film Mudbound. Who: TBC How much: TBC Info: www.irisprize.org

PENFRO BOOK FESTIVAL Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire. Fri 11-Sun 13 Oct PENfro book festival collects the best literature, publishers and booksellers across Wales into one big celebration weekend. It also has yearly competitions ranging from poetry to short radio drama, all found in beautiful Rhosygilwen, Pembrokeshire. Who: TBC How much: TBC

TRUEFEST Baskerville Hall, Hay-On-Wye. Fri 16-Sun 18 Aug Have you ever wanted your festival to feel like a three-day house party? Then Truefest is perfect, in a mansion near the Brecon Beacons with beautiful views, live acts and DJs to match. There’s an outdoor stage and another in the mansion itself; food and drink is also served in its dining hall. Who: DJ Yoda [pictured] + more TBC How much: £95/£75 Info: www.truefest.co.uk

Info: www.penfrobookfestival.org.uk

FRACTURED VISIONS FILM FESTIVAL Tramshed Cinema, Cardiff. September. Rising from the grave again for its second year, Fractured Visions highlights the best of horror across the globe, in both short and feature formats and to both creators and audiences. If you’re a fan of horror films both new and old, then the Tramshed will be as enticing to you as Camp Crystal Lake is to Jason. Who: TBC How much: TBC Info: www.fracvis.co.uk

BUZZ 24

Bath Recreation Ground, Sat 1 + Sun 2 June Topping off two weeks of events in the wellheeled Avon city, the Finale includes live sets by the likes of Clean Bandit and Mabel on Sat 1, then Van Morrison and Corinne Bailey Rae on Sun 2. Tickets: from £85 Info: bathfestivals.org.uk/ the-bath-festival

CAMP BESTIVAL Lulworth Castle, Dorset, Thurs 25-Sun 28 July The younger, slightly more family-friendly sibling of Bestival itself is back, with sets from Nile Rodgers & Chic, Jess Glynne, Goldie and a rather conspicuously out of place Napalm Death as well as heaps more DJ sets, comedians and talks. How much: £11-£180/under-12 months free Info: www.campbestival.net

BOOMTOWN FAIR Matterley Estate near Winchester, Hampshire, Wed 7-Sun 11 Aug It calls itself a city, is literally the size and population of one for its five-day annual lifespan, and includes a lineup across dozens of stages and musical genres whose depth is as eyebrow-raising as the stories shared by attendees afterwards. How much: £229 Info: www.boomtownfair.co.uk

LAKEFEST Eastnoor Deer Park, Ledbury, Herefordshire, Thurs 8-Sun 11 Aug Venture to the Malvern’s rolling hills (and, presumably, lakes) for a weekend that prizes itself on being family-friendly and whose 2019 lineup includes Kaiser Chiefs, Happy Mondays, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Maxi Jazz. How much: £35-£105/free under-5s Info: lakefest.co.uk

DOWNS FESTIVAL The Downs, Bristol, Sat 31 Aug Fourth year for this knees-up on Bristol’s outskirts, and its most party-friendly lineup to date by any decent metric. Ms Lauryn Hill, as the ex-Fugee now styles herself, headlines over the likes of Grace Jones and Neneh Cherry. How much: £55/£15 5-12-year-olds Info: thedownsbristol.com

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TREDEGAR HOUSE FOLK FESTIVAL 10, 11 & 12 May 2019 Free Events: DANCE DISPLAYS FOLK TASTER CONCERT CHILDRENS ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS FOLK CLUBS & SESSIONS COTYLEDON FOOD & CRAFT MARKET GWENT CAMRA REAL ALE BAR

Cymdeithas Ddawns Werin Cymru Welsh Folk Dance Society

www.tredegarhousefestival.org.uk

A D A M K AY A fine bedside manner has clearly helped doctor-turned-comedian Adam Kay. His latest show, This Is Going To Hurt, details the trials and tribulations of life on the labour ward. He chats to Fedor Tot. You’ve been interested in standup for a long time, performing whilst in medical school, but when you quit being a doctor, did you intend to end up full-time in comedy and writing? There’s a long tradition of medical students putting on generally terrible end-of-year shows, making fun of the consultants and professors – I got involved with those a lot when I was at med school. I guess encouraging medical students to enjoy a bit of gallows humour is the closest thing we have to teaching them some kind of coping mechanism for the bad days at work. When I had my own extremely bad day at work and left medicine in 2010 – sorry, I’ve ruined the ending of the show! – I realised that writing jokes and getting up on stage was the closest thing I had to any kind of skillset beyond working on the wards, so I thought I’d give it a go. I fully expected it would end up being a failed six-month experiment, but to my ongoing surprise it’s still how I pay the gas bill. Your book and tour describe the ups and downs of being a junior doctor. Was there ever such a thing as a mundane day at work? I worked on a labour ward and, as anyone who’s ever been on a labour ward in any capacity knows, the days are never mundane – you end up with twice the number of patients you start with, which is unusual for any medical speciality. I guess on a mundane day you manage to leave within two hours of when you’re meant to, no one threatens to kill you, and you only throw away one pair of boxers following a tsunami of blood soaking through your scrubs. Aside from the anecdotes, is there much about being a doctor that helps in being a stand-up comedian? Dealing with the pressure? Late nights? I’m certainly very good at the late nights. I can stay up 48 hours writing a script that I’ve failed to do in time, and my body is now trained to just get on with it. I don’t get stressed or nervous these days either – my barometer for stress has been totally ruined by working on the wards. Obviously, the big difference on stage is that the stakes are zero. BUZZ 26

You’re not the only ex-medical comedian, with Harry Hill and Paul Sinha also former medical practitioners. Is there any particular reason why a number of you have made that journey? Rather than recruiting people who are psychologically fit for the job, which you might think would be a sensible approach, medical schools choose people who have lots of extracurricular activities – for example, I had a couple of Grade 8s in music and worked on the school newspaper. If you look at the Wikipedia entry for any famous doctor it’s always been the case: “He proved himself an accomplished rugby player in youth leagues. He excelled as a distance runner and in his final year at school was vice-captain of the athletics team” – and that’s Harold Shipman. It’s potentially not a totally rock-solid system. There are also huge numbers who’ve had hugely successful careers in sport, such Roger Bannister. If you recruit people with outside interests, I guess some of them will pursue them after their degree. By the time this interview comes out in print, Brexit will have happened. Or not. Who knows? How equipped is the NHS to deal with, well, any number of potential outcomes? Make no mistake, Brexit is a disaster for the NHS. The NHS simply couldn’t function without the staff who’ve come here from every country of the world, each one going far beyond the call of duty. The NHS is short of 100,000 members of staff across the UK – making a single member of staff feel unwelcome would be an act of madness. Making tens of thousands of them feel unwelcome is an act of utter self-destruction. The fact that Brexit was sold on the basis of extra money for the NHS was utterly disingenuous – and you’ll struggle to find a member of NHS staff who thinks that Brexit is going to be anything other than a nightmare for them at work. Adam Kay: This Is Going To Hurt, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Mon 8 (sold out) + Sun 28 Apr; Grand Theatre, Swansea, Tue 16 Apr; Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Wed 18 Apr. Tickets: £25. Info: www.adamkay.co.uk

GLEE BUZZ FEB 2019

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MERMAID QUAY • CARDIFF BAY • CF10 5BZ

SPECIAL EVENTS THU 25TH APR CHAD MICHAELS & FARRAH MOAN SUN 19TH MAY THE GILDED MERKIN WED 22ND MAY ROSS EDGLEY TUE 28TH MAY SAARA AALTO SUN 02ND JUN LADY BUNNY TUE 04TH JUN TRINITY THE TUCK MON 01ST JUL INSIDE THE MIND OF THE SERIAL KILLER

THE UNTHANKS This month Cardiff welcomes back vocalists and superb storytellers The Unthanks. The group has a close association with another port city, Newcastle. Rachel and Becky Unthank the two sisters whose vocals provide the core of the music, alongside multi-instrumentalists Adrian McNally (Rachel’s husband and musical arranger/ producer), Niopha Keegan and Chris Price. Older sister Rachel explains the lure of the sea to Buzz. “We grew up in Tyneside, so that big river has always been a part of our lives. We’re very close to the beautiful Northumberland coastline, full of wild and empty beaches. The sea isn’t ever that far away, so artistically, it comes up in lots of different ways.” Water is a subject that appears on The Unthanks’ newly released album trilogy, Lines, with music composed by McNally. Part One – Lillian Bilocca is adapted from a theatre piece by Maxine Peake, concerning the Hull Triple Trawler Disaster of 1968. Part Two – World War One was first presented in 2014 to mark the start of the Great War centenary. Part Three – Emily Brontë, commissioned by the Brontë Society, commemorates the author’s 200th birthday. “I didn’t know about her poetry at all, none of us did, so this was a new journey. There’s lots of themes that keep coming up – wild landscapes and lots about death and despair, and it felt familiar – the topics that often come up in folk songs were there. Her passion comes through strongly – really brave and bold and uncompromising.” The Society gave permission for McNally to use Emily’s piano at the Brontë Parsonage Museum in Haworth, West Yorkshire, where he wrote and recorded the music to which the 10 poems are set. Rachel and Becky joined him for recordings, with all this taking place at night. “I remember going there with school, dropping my pencil over the barrier and getting into trouble because an alarm went off… and now we were allowed beyond the rope! It was amazing to be stood in their house, to see the table where the three of them sat together and wrote and made these amazing worlds.” RHONDA LEE REALI The Unthanks, Tramshed, Cardiff, Tue 30 Apr. Tickets: £23.50. Info: 029 2023 5555 / tramshedcardiff.com

ANGELA BARNES Angela Barnes is a familiar face on Mock The Week, Russell Howard’s Good News and at the Edinburgh Fringe. This month she’ll be returning to the Glee Club, a place she has fond memories of. “I love gigging in Cardiff. They’re always up for good crack, as long as the rugby has gone well that day!” Barnes’ journey into standup is an interesting one: it was the death of her father in 2008 which spurred her on to pursue her dream career. “When you lose a parent, particularly when it’s sudden, you think ‘right, what do I want to do?’ So I did the Gil Edwards standup comedy course in Brighton in 2009, then started gigging the following year, and here we are.” After winning the BBC New Comedy awards in 2011, Barnes took things full time. The 42-year-old says the change in attitude toward female comics is the main differences she’s seen as a professional. “When I first started I would never get to gig with other women, it just wouldn’t happen. We were treated like we were a genre of comedy, so you couldn’t have more than one on a bill. But now young girls watching stand up on the telly have got loads of women to look up to, things will only get better too.” In 2018, Australian comedian Eurydice Dixon was raped and murdered in Melbourne when walking back to her home after a gig in the early hours of the morning. The shock of the news prompted Barnes to set up the Home Safe Collective, a fundraiser paying for transport and chaperones to help comedians of vulnerable groups get home safe from gigs. The scheme launched at the Edinburgh Fringe in 2018. “If you’re a new comic it’s already obscenely expensive, so you can’t always justify getting a taxi home after a gig. You end up putting yourself in quite difficult positions,” Angela explains. “We’ve set up a registered account with a taxi firm in Edinburgh, it’s the only one where all their drivers are police checked. The scheme is for everybody – we’d much rather people would never have to make an unsafe choice.” HARRY TREND Angela Barnes, Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. Tickets: £14/£12 NUS. Info: 0871 4720400 / www.glee.co.uk

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LIVE ART FROM WALES &

BEYOND

O 2019 PRESENTS | YN CYFLWYN 03.04 | 8PM K AT Z M U L K : V I TA L AT TA C H M E N T S

>> music fragments, found sounds, choreography: assemblage

06.04 | 8PM G R E G W O H E A D : C A L L I T A D AY

>> an unlikely encounter re-lived again, again and again and again

0 7. 0 4 | 3 P M G O O D N E W S F R O M T H E F U T U R E : W H AT L E G A R E W E O N ?

>> musical soundtracks created live, improvised movement

www.chapter.org 029 2030 4400 Buzz_Mock_Up_3.indd 1

25/03/2019 13:58:32

SAETHU CWNINGOD/ SHOOTING RABBITS PowderHouse are bringing to the stage their first production as a Company In Residence at the Sherman, Saethu Cwningod/Shooting Rabbits. Set during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), when some 300 Welsh people went into the International Brigades to combat fascism in Spain, it tells the tale of a passionate young man who travels to Spain to fight for his beliefs, unprepared for the choices he will be forced to make. The production focuses on the relationship between Wales and Europe in this time of tension and ambiguity. PowderHouse, founded by Chelsey Gillard and Jac Ifan Moore, came about with the intention to create intercontinental, relevant and contemporary theatre with a Welsh voice. Using vigorous imagery and dynamic storytelling paired with live music, writers/directors Gillard and Moore hope to create a potent political narrative. Saethu Cwningod/Shooting Rabbits also makes use of Welsh, English, Spanish and Basque languages. As Gillard says: “We are a little bit tired of this idea that you can only enjoy theatre or art that is in the language you speak. We always go and see plays that are in other languages, and it’s the strength of the story and performance that makes it clear enough to engage with.” Performers include Alejandra Bacelar Pereira, Gwenllian Higginson and Neal McWilliams; Gillard speaks of the importance of a flexible cast. “As we were selecting the cast it was really important that they can be convincing as characters with a script but also really physical characters as well.” Guitarist Sam Humphreys adds another voice to the production with live performance. Says Moore, “The music is another character/voice; it can be used to set the mood, directly in conversation. The musician is live with the other cast members, contributing like the actors.” The show premieres in Cardiff’s Sherman Theatre on Wed 1 May, continuing there until Sat 4 before moving on to Mold’s Theatr Clwyd (Tue 7), Aberystywth Arts Centre (Thurs 9) and the Miners Theatre, Ammanford (Fri 10). DYLAN BELLIS

PEPPERLAND Mark Morris and Ethan Iverson’s Pepperland is a tribute to the 50th anniversary of The Beatles’ totemic LP Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, created by the Mark Morris Dance Group and Ethan Iverson of jazz trio The Bad Plus, at the request of the city of Liverpool to kick off its Sgt. Pepper At 50 festival in 2017. Speaking to dancer Brandon Randolph, he explains that Mark Morris is well known for his musicality, creating movement that matches the music that you’re listening to. “In this case for new audiences, it’s visually and aurally pleasing, especially with Pepperland – vibrant, bright colours, 60s suits, the women are wearing dresses and skirts. And partnering that is the music – six songs from the Sgt. Pepper album and six original songs, making up the 12 sections that you’ll see. Morris really takes you on a one hour adventure with this particular album and what it meant to him.” Choreographing the show entirely himself, Morris collaborated with Iverson. “He was playing with this view of how he wanted things to work, shifting around sections and learning phrases for a very long time,” says Randolph. Morris drew on contemporary dance from the album’s late 60s release date, but mixes it up plenty in terms of style, genre and era for Pepperland. What kind of styles is he given to using? “All of the above! His background is in folk dancing so there are some remnants of that but it’s more town hall, West Side Story, jazz, his own style, the Charleston. He pulls from several different decades but he makes it cohesive how it’s presented.” The Mark Morris Dance Group started in 1980, with a few of Morris’ peers who believed in his work. “It started more in modern dance and he has certainly developed his style and aesthetic – he’s not very one-note, if you will.” Positive reviews thus far give a nod to the show’s costume design and its use of “psychedelic pastiche” – adding to the musical Beatles journey. Pepperland fits very well into the die-hard/fan mania category, but there’s still plenty that’s just as interesting to new audiences with a fresh reimagining of Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band live on stage. RUTH SEAVERS Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Fri 12 + Sat 13 Apr. Tickets: £16.50-£32.50. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk BUZZ 30

Pic: Mat Hayward

Various venues, Wed 1-Fri 10 May. Tickets: £10-£16. Info: www. shermantheatre.co.uk

BBC National Orchestra of Wales Cerddorfa Genedlaethol Gymreig y BBC

Mozart & BartÓk Thursday Nos Iau 9/5/19, 7.30pm St David’s Hall, Cardiff Neuadd Dewi Sant Caerdydd Friday Nos Wener 10/5/19, 7.30pm Brangwyn Hall, Swansea Neuadd Brangwyn, Abertawe

Beethoven Coriolan: Overture Agorawd Bartók Piano Concerto No. 3 Concerto Piano Rhif 3 Mozart Symphony No. 40 Symffoni Rhif 40 – Jac van Steen Conductor Arweinydd Lukáš Vondráček Piano For information and tickets Am wybodaeth a thocynnau

bbc.co.uk/now 0800 052 1812

Pic: Leif Laaksonen

profile

WILKO JOHNSON He was punk before punk existed and now he’s alive when he was supposed to be dead and buried. Former Dr Feelgood guitarist and national treasure Wilko Johnson talks to Steve Tucker. Guitar genius Wilko Johnson is in bullish mood, and why not? The guy has had the best comeback since Lazarus. Johnson, who brings his band to Cardiff’s Tramshed this month, was given 10 months to live due to pancreatic cancer six years ago, but the wily old gunslinger pulled himself back from the brink and has far weightier things on his mind than mere life and death. “Wilko, you gotta tell us, did Dr Feelgood invent punk?” It’s a valid question. Before the Ramones were surgically encased in drainpipe trousers or the Sex Pistols terrorised the Home Counties, Canvey Island’s finest had effectively begun the movement, in the UK at least, the seismic shocks of which still reverberate through music today. With Roxette and She Does It Right as cases in point, fronted by the late, great Lee Brilleaux and driven by Wilko’s oft-imitated, never-matched staccato guitar, in the early 1970s the ‘Feelies’ effectively were punk before the term even existed. Johnson considers the question at length: “Hmm, did Dr Feelgood invent punk?” before roaring with laughter: “Of course we bloody did!” Don’t take my word for it, or Wilko’s for that matter. The Stranglers have doffed their caps, Johnny Rotten nicked his act and there was even contemporary validation from one of punk’s high priests himself, as Johnson recalls.

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“Not long after I got chucked out of Dr Feelgood, I was walking along Oxford Street and this bunch of young blokes came up to me and one of them goes, ‘Wilko, how are you? You don’t know me, but I’m a big fan.’ And I said, “I know who you are, son, you’re Joe Strummer. I’ve seen you in the newspapers.’” Johnson was well aware of the effect Dr Feelgood were having at the time, too. “As soon as we started playing in London, we noticed a lot of young kids in the crowd and they were going off and forming bands of their own. I suppose that was where punk started. But we were bloody great, to be honest. No-one could touch us.” Fast forward to early 2013, when the guitarist was given the news that the swelling in his belly was a tumour and that he would be dead within 10 months. What happened next, though, is worthy of a TV series all of its own with Johnson – also known to Game Of Thrones fans for his role as an executioner in the first two series – playing himself. Reeling from the devastating news, he decided to die with his boots on and embarked on a ‘farewell’ tour. “The day I was told I was dying I was calm, I guess I was in shock. I walked out of the hospital and suddenly the sky was bluer, the clouds more beautiful, the birds were singing just that little bit louder. I just wanted to keep playing, it’s all I know,

I wanted to keep going until I was too sick to go on stage.” It was whilst playing a festival that what only be described as a miracle occurred. A man Johnson thought was a press photographer came back stage and told him, that for a dying man, he looked pretty well and urged him to visit a doctor friend of his. The upshot was a reappraisal of Johnson’s condition and an 11-hour operation which saw the tumour removed and the patient back in good health, with the cancer now seemingly beaten. He is phlegmatic now about his second bite at life, commenting: “I appreciate things more now. I think more deeply. You could say I’m more philosophical now.” You don’t need the wisdom of Socrates to know you should get down to the Tramshed and worship the altar of Wilko Johnson. After all, he’s 71 now and probably only has another 100 years left in him. The Wilko Johnson Band, Tramshed, Cardiff. Fri 26 Apr. Tickets: £28.50. Info: 029 2023 5555 / tramshedcardiff.com

‘THEATRICAL GOLD’ Metro ‘JOYOUS’ Evening Standard ‘INTOXICATING’ Time Out AW A R W INNE RD !

JAKE QUICKENDEN

DAISY WOOD-DAVIS

WORLD PREMIERE PERFFORMIAD CYNTAF ERIOED

LOSE YOURSELF 10 – 25 May / Mai

By / Gan Katherine Chandler Director / Cyfarwyddwr Patricia Logue Designer / Cynllunydd Carla Goodman

15 – 20 April · Ebrill

newtheatrecardiff.co.uk 029 2087 8889 Mae’r New Theatre yn eiddo i ac, yn cael ei rheoli a’i harinannu Gyngor Caerdydd · The New Theatre is owned, managed and funded by Cardiff Council

A wild and tragic ride into the darker side of our celebrity obsessed culture. Taith wyllt a thrasig i ochr dywyll ein diwylliant sydd wedi’i ganoli o amgylch enwogion.

SHERMANTHEATRE.CO.UK 029 2064 6900 Sherman Cymru Productions Ltd | Registered Charity Number / Rhif Elusen Cofrestredig 1118364

by Keiron Self

AVENGERS: ENDGAME ****

Dir: Anthony & Joe Russo (12A, 140 mins) Following the cliffhanger ending of Infinity War, where big baddie Thanos reduced half the universe (including some stars of ongoing superhero franchises like Spiderman and Black Panther) to dust, the remaining Avengers have some heavy lifting to do to set the universe right. Rest assured they will triumph, probably with the major help of new superheroine on the block Captain Marvel, but perhaps at a cost for a few older characters. The Marvel universe is an unstoppable behemoth that has played its super cards surprisingly well, marrying spectacle with wit and intelligence and characters you care about. The Russo brothers are again on directing duties after shuffling the massive casts of Captain America: Civil War and Infinity War with aplomb. Plot details are being kept very scant; all we know is that Robert Downey Jr’s Tony Stark is drifting in space, the Earth is reeling with loss and Captain America seems to be attending grief group counselling. Jeremy Renner’s Hawkeye also returns with a new haircut and a sword instead of a bow and arrow after being absent from the previous film. But this is likely to be another epic as Marvel ends the present Avengers lineup and begins another phase of superhero development. Avengers Reassemble! Opens Apr 25

DRAGGED ACROSS CONCRETE ***

Dir: S. Craig Zahler (18, 159 mins) An overlong but sporadically good bleak heist thriller from the director of the superb westerm Bone Tomahawk. This also has plenty of gut-churning violence, even if its story seems stretched. Its white male racism and sexism has meta levels added by the casting of Mel Gibson and Vince Vaughn as corrupt cops suspended by boss Don Johnson. Needing cash, they get wind of an opportunity to intercept a bank heist and seize the stolen money for themselves. Naturally, events do not go to plan, with bloody results. They cross paths with ruthless hardcase Lorentz Vogelmann (Thomas Kretschmann), getaway driver Henry Johns (Tory Kittles) and Kelly Summer (Jennifer Carpenter), a new mother going back to work for the first time on the day of the robbery. Zahler’s dialogue crackles, but the female characters are poorly served. Not for the impatient or fainthearted, but still a pointed look at toxic masculinity. Opens Apr 19

EIGHTH GRADE ****

PET SEMATARY ***

Dir: Kevin Kölsch & Dennis Widmyer (15, 100 mins) Stephen King’s unsettling horror gets another film outing, despite a perfectly creepy 1989 version from director Mary Lambert. Jason Clarke plays Louis Creed, who moves with his wife Rachel (Amy Seimetz) and kids Elllie and Jud (Jeté Laurence and Hugo Lavoie) to a rural home. It’s next to a creepy pet cemetery, complete with weird markings, strange traditions and rituals. Something else resides there, something the Native American tribes who used to live there feared. After their cat is run over by a truck, the family bury the moggy there and it comes back as a rather nasty CGI-augmented creature. An even greater tragedy strikes as young daughter Ellie is also run over chasing after said cat. Her father foolishly buries her in the same place, hoping that she too will come back. Much nastiness and jump scares ensue. Boasting a very dark tone, an 80s throwback vibe and some truly disturbing imagery, this version of Pet Sematary ticks all the same boxes as the original. The spinal meningitis endured by Rachel’s sister Zelda (Alyssa Brooke) has been given added uncomfortableness here by making her younger, whilst John Lithgow adds gravitas as the kindly neighbor tasked with heavy exposition duties. King’s disturbing examination of grief still unsettles. Opens Apr 4

Dir: Bo Burnham (15, 93 mins) Eighth Grade winningly captures the trials and tribulations of teenager Kayla in all their squirminducing glory. A superb Elsie Fisher plays Kayla, a girl glued to her devices who makes motivational YouTube videos that never get a thumbs up, attempting to put her imprint on a world she doesn’t understand. She can’t get in with the cool kids and retreats to rooms on her own at parties to glare at her screen-shattered smartphone, locked into a prison of self-criticism. Her father (Josh Hamilton) tries to understand her, getting to the root of her vulnerabilities as sensitively as he can whilst also facing a barrage of adolescent angst. Fisher makes us care deeply for Kayla; her painful awkwardness is brilliantly pitched, both funny and sad, thanks to Burnham’s writing and direction. A coming-of-age film that both struggling teenagers and their equally struggling parents can identify with. Opens Apr 26

GRETA **

Dir: Neil Jordan (15, 98 mins) A potboiler reminiscent of 80s and 90s psychological thrillers like The Hand That Rocks The Cradle, as Chloë Grace Moretz’s young grieving waitress connects with the apparently kindly Isabelle Huppert. Huppert, so great in Elle, The Piano Teacher, Amour et al, is rather wasted here playing Greta, a lonely widow who plays piano and leaves handbags on subways. Moretz’ Frances is trying to make her way in New York City, finding it a lonely and frustrating experience, until she finds Greta’s handbag and returns it to her house. The pair hit it off, but soon events turn all Fatal Attraction, with Greta becoming increasingly possessive and controlling. Tonally erratic, veering from high-camp melodrama to a near-enough exploration of grief, the dialogue is lazy, every twist is signposted and despite Huppert and Moretz’s best efforts, they can’t add more weight to this psychodrama. Opens Apr 19

ALSO RELEASED APRIL 2019: HOLY LANDS (15) James Caan stars in this offbeat drama about an elderly Jewish cardiologist retiring to Israel to raise pigs, alienating his family. Tom Hollander is the rabbi who helps him reconnect. MISSING LINK (PG) More CGI animation with a starry voice cast including Hugh Jackman as an intrepid explorer looking for myths, monsters and the missing link. PEPPA PIG: FESTIVAL OF FUN (U) It’s Peppa Pig. For like an hour and a half! Parents rejoice. THE KEEPER (15) German/English co-production telling the extraordinary true story of an English woman who falls for a German POW during WWII. He stays with her after the war to become a goalie for Manchester City, overcoming prejudice to play in the 1956 FA Cup Final… with a broken neck! BUZZ 34

SHAZAM ****

Dir: David F Sandberg (12A, 120 mins) Aiming to put more fun back into the DC Extended Universe after the high camp of Aquaman comes Shazam, which is essentially Big but with a kid put into a superhero’s body instead of an adult male’s body. Fourteen-year-old streetwise foster kid Billy Batson, played by an assured Asher Angel, is gifted the powers of six gods – Solomon, Hercules, Atlas, Zeus, Achilles and Mercury – put them together and what have you got? Shazam! Yes, all Billy has to say is a literal magic word – Shazam- and he gets turned into the flying, superstrong, lightning-throwing Zachary Levi playing his ‘adult’ superhero alter-ego. Young Billy has been chosen to have these powers after a wizard, in need of someone to inherit his powers, witnesses him standing up to bullies. Another had already been offered these powers, Mark Strong’s Dr Thadeus Sivana, but he proved himself morally unworthy and is now after the powers for himself. The stage is therefore set for a comic superhero origin story as Billy discovers his abilities, whilst also wrestling with being a teenager. After the upbeat heroics of both Wonder Woman and Aquaman, this looks set to continue DC’s upward trajectory after the messy gloom of the recent po-faced Batman vs. Superman and Justice League films. Opens Apr 5

HELLBOY ***

Dir: Neil Marshall (15, 91 mins) Guillermo Del Toro made two very good Hellboy movies starring the excellent Ron Perlman, capturing the monstrosity and wit of Mike Mignola’s comic book creation – a red half-demon with horns and a Right Hand Of Doom made of stone. After years of unsuccessfully attempting to get a third film underway, the comic book mantle has passed to Dog Soldiers and The Descent director Neil Marshall, with David Harbour from Stranger Things donning the crimson prosthetics. Playing the hellish offspring rather younger than Perlman, Harbour’s adversary comes in the form of Milla Jovovich’s Blood Queen. Ian McShane is on twisted mentor duties with Sasha Lane and Daniel Dae Kim as trusty sidekicks. This looks to be a CGI-heavy, jocular and gory installment in the stalled franchise, although whether it will boast Del Toro’s surreal bestiary and moments of heart is open to question. Opens Apr 11

MID90S ****

THE SISTERS BROTHERS ****

Dir: Jacques Audiard (15, 122 mins) Adapted from Patrick Dewitt’s Booker shortlisted novel, this melancholically funny western beguiles as successfully as its excellent source material. Set in 1850s Oregon, it follows assassins for hire Eli and Charlie Sisters, played by John C Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix. They have been tasked with dispatching Riz Ahmed’s Kermit Warm on the say so of The Commodore (a winning cameo from former replicant Ruger Hauer). Jake Gyllenhaal’s prissy, verbose private investigator John Morris has also tracked their prey down, discovering that Warm has a way of detecting gold. This becomes rather attractive to everybody, resulting in violence. Phoenix and Reilly make a great double act; Reilly is the world-weary peeved brother, Phoenix an alcoholic cynic, desensitized to the world around him. Jacques Audiard makes his English-language debut after the brilliance of A Prophet and Rust And Bone, showing a keen sense of character and a vision of an American West that feels raw and uncompromising. Ahmed, the idealistic voice of progress and Gyllenhaal the faux intellectual are good supports. There is a great sadness at work throughout; the two brothers are bereft of meaningful company. It may be a little languorous and the plotting skittish but this is an absorbing portrait of lost men in America. Opens Apr 5

Dir: Jonah Hill (15, 85 mins) A coming-of-age tale from the former Superbad actor, Jonah Hill has matured into an accomplished writer/director in this gritty, lo-fi tale of a teenage boy trying to find his place in life. Sunny Suljic plays Stevie, an LA kid trying to escape the bondage of an abusive home and the perpetual anger of older brother Ian, a dead-eyed and scary Lucas Hedges. He finds solace in the company of a band of skatepunks: the stoic Ray who wants to do something with his life, surfer dude Fuckshit, anxiety-ridden Fourth Grade and wasted Ruben. They become his surrogate family, his role models, helping him through with their apparently aching coolness whilst always being better at skateboarding than him. Shot through with raw, naturalistic performances, this is an authentic glimpse at a moment of transition, recreating the 90s with aplomb. It feels like a love letter from Jonah Hill to his younger self. Opens Apr 12

WILD ROSE ****

Dir: Tom Harper (15, 100 mins) An anthem to following your dreams, Wild Rose charms thanks to its lead, the excellent Jessie Buckley, so good in the recent Beast. Buckley plays country singing Rose-Lynn, a Glaswegian with an ankle tag and two small kids who dreams of making the big time. Julie Walters is her mother, rather more realistic about her daughter finding fulfillment, fame and fortune in London. She also reminds her daughter of her responsibilities with two kids to bring up. Luckily Buckley gets financial aid from the woman whose house she cleans, a tender Sophie Okenedo and her path is eased. Marrying social realism with feelgood triumph, director Tom Harper and writer Nicole Taylor manage to steer the film away from too much sentiment and formula, but it is a star-making vehicle for Buckley. She sings with conviction and an always sympathetic desire, despite some maddening character flaws. Opens Apr 12

WONDER PARK (PG) Not fab CGI animation about a girl who imagines an amusement park all of her own and it becomes a reality. LITTLE (12A) Body-swap comedy with grumpy tech boss Regina Hall wished into a 13-year-old’s body and learning some life lessons. RED JOAN (12A) Judi Dench stars in the fascinating true story of the KGB’s longest serving British spy in a handsome, timely production. BEL CANTO (15) Julianne Moore stars in this so-so drama based on the best-selling book by Ann Patchett about an opera singer taken hostage by South American rebels when she performs for a wealthy industrialist. THE WORLD IS YOURS (15) French crime comedy as a drug dealer aims to pull off one last job in Spain but hadn’t reckoned on his overbearing mother, Isabelle Adjani. BUZZ 35

art

CARL ARROYO: WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU’RE LOOKING AT?

The Drawing Room, Hay-On-Wye Thurs 11-Sun 28 Apr This raw and gritty new exhibit from mixed media artist Carl Arroyo combines urban vibes and fine art sensibilities, culminating in an exciting new showcase of the artist’s work in Hay-On-Wye’s Drawing Room. A carefully-considered selection of doodles, cryptic messages and a look behind the processes that channel and excite the artist’s works will be on full display. Through smaller gouache paintings, Arroyo hopes to showcase the vibrant and immense energy through each artform he explores. There is a strong emotional connection to the pieces, a portrayal of loss, conflict and displacement channeled through Carl’s own family history – including the impact of the Spanish civil war in the 1930s which affected his ancestors. Drawing on his Spanish background and raw energy from the explosive 1970s punk scene, Carl channels these influences into his work with a unique style and approach to artistic expression. The soundscape is supplied by 17-year-old producer and music student Sam Hughes, joining forces with Arroyo to capture the essence of these intricate works. Admission: free. Info: www. thedrawingroomathay.uk (BP) BUZZ 36

PAPER EXCHANGE

BayArt, Cardiff Bay Sat 6 Apr-Fri 3 May This cultural exchange is an exhibition of works on paper by 10 Chinese artists and 11 Welsh artists. All artists are part of Open Books, a creative collaboration between visual artists, started by Mary Husted in Wales in 2011 and developed in 2013 by a collaboration with Sanshang Museum Of Contemporary Art, Hangzhou, China. One of the aims of this project was to find common ground between both sets of artists in an ever-shrinking world. Originally, the plan was to send the Welsh artists rice paper, while the Chinese artists would be sent watercolour papers – swapping a commonly-used material to encourage creativity. Watercolour paper is, though, freely available in China, and Chinese artists were already used to working with it, so it was decided instead that they would send old maps, posters and book pages with a noticeably European flavour. Another aim of the project is to show how old traditions can still catalyse creative ideas. Materials are the lifeblood of the project. Zhu Chunhang, one of the creators, believes sourcing materials rooted in tradition can inspire artists to create. By tapping into our cultural heritage, we can produce new work even in an increasingly connected and fast-paced world. Both sets of artists are well-renowned in the art world. Zhou Jin Hua is one of them. An associate professor at the Fine Art Department in the Chinese University Of Hong Kong, Hau’s previous work has depicted people in struggle using oil on canvas. The 40-year-old from Deyang often uses a bird’s eye perspective for a traditional Chinese landscape painting. Maggie James is one to look out for in the Welsh half of the programme. James, who studied at the Royal College Of Art, has exhibited widely nationally and internationally and her work is held in public and private collections. In James’ 2017 Megalopolis Obscured project, she depicted grey city landscapes at night behind foregrounds of shrubbery. HARRY TREND Admission: free. Info: 029 2065 0016 / www.bayart.org.uk

RUTH MURRAY: GOOD MORNING, MIDNIGHT

Elysium Gallery, Swansea Fri 12 Apr-Sat 11 May The title of British painter Ruth Murray’s latest exhibition is inspired by the Emily Dickinson poem and the Jean Rhys novel of the same name. The latter work follows Sasha Jensen, a lonely and depressed alcoholic, as she wanders through a series of Parisian cafes, bars and hotel rooms. Her plight influenced Murray in the creation of the melancholy female characters that often inhabit her own portraits. Her paintings are often about the experiences of women, and the hidden thoughts and psychologies of the situations in which they find themselves. Murray’s work is characterised by a preoccupation with patterns and the vibrant colouring of light, which form vivid yet sensitive portraits of disenchanted teens with a story behind their enigmatic eyes. Alienation, adolescence and paranoia are the themes that come to mind when looking at Murray’s pictures, emerging out of suspicious glares and slight gestures. Brightly coloured and playful, but also mysterious and suggestive, her paintings sometimes depict cryptic, ritualistic scenes, laden with dark humour. Admission: free. Info: 07980 925449 / www.elysiumgallery.com (SP)

LAURA FORD: SQUATTERS

Castell Coch, Tongwynlais, nr Cardiff Until Mon 6 May Laura Ford’s new exhibit aims to take its medieval setting and reimagine it for a smorgasbord of anthropomorphic invaders, hence the name Squatters. This exhibit will debut a series of 20 different works from the artist, all of which will be on show inside the castle itself. Sculptures the size of small children will be strewn about different areas of the castle, acting as if they were really there and frozen in the moment. Despite a focus on imitating human movement, you shouldn’t expect to see anything too human in the exhibition – parrot-children and monkeys are the squatters of choice here. This is seemingly an attempt to combine the storied background of the site with something completely out of Ford’s own imagination, merging together the past with a fictional present of her making. Laura Ford’s previous work with sculptures shows her ability to merge the otherworldly with the mundane, creating a suitably bizarre atmosphere. With the gothic history of Castell Coch as a host and inspiration to her artwork, Ford’s work here should hopefully be at its most imaginative, and possibly at its very best. Admission: £4.10-£6.90 (inc. entry to Castell Coch). Info: www.gallery-ten. co.uk (GF)

TREES THAT MAKE…

Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay Sat 6 Apr-Sun 19 May Trees That Make… is an exhibition focused on the use of natural materials in the making of art, specifically trees. Each artist included in the instalment not only uses a range of wood materials, but has also been inspired by everything that makes up a tree, from root to bark to leaves. Contemporary art featuring only organic elements is nothing new, but Trees That Make… aims to take it to a new level simply by focusing on foliage. The heavy use of trees in each artist’s work evokes a connection to the natural that is hard to find in other forms of art. Take Kathleen Littler’s work: her art is crafted with wood engravings, and many of her pieces are wooden snapshots of countryside life. Artist Jane Bevan, meanwhile, limits herself to found materials in the crafting of her art, giving it an authentic, earthy look. Trees That Make… isn’t just focused on more ‘traditional’ forms of art either. The exhibition allows for a wide range of approaches to creation, including weaving, woodblock print and carving. This allows for a varied selection of art that celebrates the woods. In our always-online world, Trees That Make stands out as an attempt to connect us back to our roots. Admission: free. Info: 029 2048 4611 / www.makersguildinwales.org.uk (GF)

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Dyn y darluniau A life in drawing

stage

AS A TIGER IN THE JUNGLE

Various venues Tue 16 Apr-Sun 23 June If great art is borne of great suffering, this latest offering from NoFit State and Circus Xanti promises to be both a redemptive and life-affirming spectacle. As A Tiger In The Jungle tells the true story of two Nepalese children, Renu Ghalan and Aman Tamang, who were sold by their parents and trafficked into an Indian circus. Hungry, regularly beaten and forced to work for free, they were eventually rescued, going on to become respected members of Circus Kathmandu and seen by Ali Williams of NoFit State. As A Tiger... is not circus performance in the classic sense, incorporating theatre, narrative, dance and music, yet upholds the tradition of NoFit State shows. Furthermore, they’ve teamed up with prizewinning director and play-writer Sverre Waage of Norway’s Circus Xanti. The spectacle looks set to be a feat of imaginative storytelling with a mission: to draw attention to the plight of thousands of trafficked circus performers across India. This tour will make stops in Llanelli (Tue 16 Apr), Newport (Thurs 2 and Fri 3 May), Aberystwyth (Sun 12), Brecon (Fri 7 and Sat 8 June) and Cardigan (Fri 21-Sun 23 June). Tickets: £14/£12. Info: www.nofitstate. org (ORMH) BUZZ 38

THE STICK MAKER TALES

Various venues Tue 23 Apr-Sat 11 May Originally performed in Llandrindod Wells as part of National Theatre Wales’ NHS70 festival, The Stick Maker Tales is now being revived for a short tour of Wales in April and May. The one-man show, starring Welsh actor Llion Williams, is the touching tale of a lonely, ageing shepherd who is beginning to lose his sight, and as a result, potentially his farm and livelihood. It was one of five monologue plays commissioned by NTW last year and one of the strongest of the bunch, thanks to a very strong central performance, a brilliant script from Peter Cox and some stellar staging from Kully Tharai. The production won great and justified reviews last July for its affectionate take on Welsh hill-farming life and the challenges that agricultural communities face in today’s climate. As well as being an examination of those rural communities, the play is also an underdog story, an ode to the resilience of the human spirit in difficult times. It’s wonderfully-written, but like all one-man shows, it’s only as good as its actor. Williams inhabits the role of the farmer in a warm and nuanced performance that captures perfectly the humour and pathos of Cox’s script. One can’t help but feel that part of the reason this show has been re-commissioned is due to how resonant it seems given the current political climate and the tenuous state of the NHS. A line in the show that particularly strikes a chord in these austere times is “a good shepherd looks after the whole flock, not one or a few.” How apt. Now that time has passed since the original production, and the director and actor are possibly even more familiar with the material, we can expect an even more studied and nuanced performance of The Stick Maker Tales, and there will be plenty of opportunities to see the show as it visits Aberystwyth (Fri 26 and Sat 27 Apr), Abergavenny (Tue 30), Milford Haven (Wed 1 and Thurs 2 May), Newtown (Fri 3), Swansea (Sat 4) and Brecon (Tue 7), as well as a host of venues in north Wales. JOSH REES Tickets: £10-£13. Info: www.nationaltheatrewales.org

HAIR

New Theatre, Cardiff Mon 15-Sat 20 Apr Before Jesus Christ Superstar, Grease or Rent, there was Hair, the first big rock musical. Actors James Rado and Gerome Ragni enlisted composer Galt MacDermot to set their words to music. It premiered off-Broadway in 1967 and hit Broadway proper the next year. The world was on fire, and so was Hair. An immediate hit with the youth that generation, it had society matrons and parents reaching for the smelling salts. Not only did it have taboo-busting interracial, bi and gay free love as well as drug use, the musical stood against against materialism, monogamy, racism, pollution and the Vietnam War. While the nude scene wouldn’t cause any eyelash-batting today, back then it was groundbreaking. The show was the springboard for many careers including that of Diane Keaton (who declined to undress and collect her $50 bonus). Subsequently winning a Tony Award, {Hair} went on to tour worldwide; Elaine Paige and Tim Curry were in the original West End cast. Let’s not forget the fantastic tunes – Aquarius, Let The Sunshine In, I Got Life and Good Morning Starshine to name a few. No museum piece, Hair’s message is still relevant as it hits up Cardiff this month. Tickets: £17-£40. Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk (RLR)

USER NOT FOUND

Quantum Coffee Roasters, Cardiff Bay Mon 29 + Tue 30 Apr Today, social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram play a huge part in our lives. A survey by GWI reports that on average we spend 142 minutes a day on social media. But have you ever wondered what would happen to your social media accounts after you die? Would you want cat memes and pictures of your dinner to be your everlasting online legacy or would you choose to erase it all if you could? User Not Found, which first premiered at the 2018 Edinburgh Fringe before touring across numerous venues, explores contemporary grief and our digital lives after we die. Taking place at the intimate Quantum Coffee Roasters and performed solely by Terry O’Donovan, User... tells the story of a man who discovers that his former partner has passed away. Left in charge of their social media accounts, he is faced with the dilemma of keeping or deleting his partner’s online existence. Written by Chris Goode and produced by site-specific theatre company Dante or Die, User Not Found’s audience members are given a smartphone and a pair of headphones in order to fully immerse themselves. Each performance is also captioned. Tickets: £12. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk (KR)

OCTOPUS SOUP!

New Theatre, Cardiff, Tue 9-Sat 13 Apr; Grand Theatre, Swansea, Tue 23-Sat 27 Apr Octopus Soup! is a quick-witted comedy show penned by writing duo Jack Milner and Mark Stevenson. Starring Nick Hancock (An Evening With Gary Lineker, BBC’s Room 101), joining him onstage is Paul Bradley of EastEnders and Holby City fame, as well as Gillian Bevan, Carolyn Backhouse and Eric Richard, all bringing their sharp charm to the show hitting Cardiff and Swansea. The uptight, all-business insurance consultant Seymour (Hancock) is labelled as the ‘safest man in Britain’. He has an urgent conference call, upon which his entire future rests. But then an unsuspecting Seymour comes into contact with a bumbling burglar, Marvin. With other colourful characters such as Seymour’s neurotic actress wife Gloria and a crazy crime boss thrown into the mix, will Seymour be able to land his share of the £30 billion insurance market at stake? With physical slapstick, impeccable comedic timing and a tour-de-force cast with some cracking one-liners, Octopus Soup! visits Cardiff’s New Theatre and Swansea’s Grand Theatre. Tickets: £13-£35 (Cardiff); £12-£21 (Swansea). Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk (Cardiff); 01792 475715 / www.swanseagrand. co.uk (Swansea) (DB)

clubs

JOURNEY 15 YEARS

Pic: Daniel Herendi

The Vaults, Cardiff Bay Sun 5 May “There were five of us who loved trance and the harder side of dance music, who were travelling hundreds of miles to attend the clubs we loved. We thought Cardiff deserved something similar.” Hywel Matthews, head promotor for Cardiff clubland institution Journey, is celebrating a significant milestone – its 15th anniversary with an impressive reputation maintained across that decade-and-a-half. “It’s the attention to detail and effort we put into each event. We install huge production and the crowd is always so up for it – when people come once, they come back for life.” Dedicated to the pulse-pumping sound of classic trance, Journey has cultivated a loyal following which Hywel puts down to their fanbase. “Trance fans are the most passionate out there, and it breeds a religious type following which has kept the scene alive when some of the superclubs shut their doors.” Since the early 00s, trance has largely been an underground concern, its popularity having diminished after a brief boom of pop chart-toppers and huge brands like Gatecrasher. “Historically, Time Flies, Bionic and Evolution all had huge lineups,” recalls Hywel of the old days in south Wales, “but since the scene went underground it left only us. The amount of venues in Cardiff that have closed has been alarming but this trend is thankfully reversing.” Maintaining a club event for 15 years is impressive, with both club nights and the live scene in Cardiff facing regular challenges, but passion for trance keeps Journey alight. “It was a passion of ours and as trance faded out of the public eye, it became better musically – we want to give it a platform in our hometown.” This passion is sure to charge the upcoming 15th birthday and its hypnotic lineup. “Three hours of the techy sound with John Askew, two hours of uplifting and melodic with the Thrillseekers, and Überdruck showcasing German hard trance. The full range of trance showcased in one event!” DYLAN BELLIS Tickets: £25/£21. Info: www.vaultspresents.com

ALAN FITZPATRICK

Con7rol @ Sin City, Swansea Sat 13 Apr Now, THIS is an event you can’t afford to miss. Swansea’s Sin City sees a plethora of DJs, huge or small, taking to their stage. Sin is known for getting huge talent through their doors, and now one of the most sought-after techno DJs of the moment is touching down in south Wales. Dubbed as the dark horse of techno, Southampton’s Alan Fitzpatrick has rapidly joined the greats with unstoppable gusto. The We Do What We Want mastermind is known for incorporating innovative elements in his work, whilst building upon the traditional foundations of the genre. His work with Adam Beyer’s infamous Drumcode label has seen Fitzpatrick produce outstanding EP’s, along with many, mighty collaborations with the likes of Wheats, Jon Gurd and Beckers to name but a few. It’s no surprise that Fitzpatrick tops the Beatport techno chart with ease, as he has captured the hearts of adoring techno fanatics far and wide. Solo and Con7rol have pulled out a mega headliner for their fourth birthday bash, a chance to see a world great in a venue smaller than his average. Tickets: from £10 (sold out – check online for resales). Info: 01792 468892 / www. sincityclub.co.uk (FRJ) BUZZ 40

DRUMSOUND & BASSLINE SMITH / DJ STORM

Function:al @ Kongs, Cardiff Sat 4 May Drum’n’bass nights in Kongs always go down a treat, where in May the variety on offer makes for a killer line up. With the merger of Function Records and Cardiff based Paranoize, Function:al proves to be a fierce night nationally, where the event aims to celebrate versatility in the scene. Heading the bill is Drumsound & Bassline Smith, whose riotous beats have been a crucial force in the international dnb circuit. Also in the dance is none other than Storm [pictured]. Now a heavyweight of bass, Strom has graced stages for years and garnered a reputation for mixing old-skool classics while flipping a modern twist into the night. She has been labelled the First Lady of d’n’b, and attendees’ll certainly be in the presence of DJ nobility. Paranoize residents Digital, Blackeye MC, Ransom Deejay and Lubi J will also be turning the night into a frenzy. Hosting the night, alongside Blackeye, is Cardiff’s formidable Missy G. Being a founding member of the Ladies Of Rage collective, Missy G embodies what it takes to front a rave with flawless skills. Tickets: £8-£12. Info: info@kongsbars.com (FRJ)

SEB ZITO

Hedone @ The Duke, Neath Sat 27 Apr Seb Zito is another DJ quick to point out his roots in the mid-90s when cornered with a bio. He does have more cachet than most fronting himself as a “self-professed raver”; his warm, pacey tech-house picks pang away at wholesome old-school urges for a bit of fun, sucking in those jaded from a life-time’s worth of moody drops and sombre drunken dancefloor reflections. Seb understands this. He’s a man of the people, a dancefloor resident. If he wasn’t behind the decks, he’d be out there with you. Being a true raver, having a knack for getting in the heads of his crowd has made Seb Zito a successful man. He’s also a high-profile resident at FUSE events in London and Ibiza, revered among those afore-mentioned jaded dancers for being a breath of fresh air in the dance music scene. His own stripped-down, punchy productions find themselves in many a DJ superstar’s repertoire (I saw the name Kerri Chandler somewhere), a safe bet for something raw with a rolling bassline that steps a crowd up a notch. From Ibiza to Neath, then, as Hedone bag Zito for their first major headliner of the year. Tickets: £10. Info: 01639 643892 (JM)

GOT BASS

The Vaults, Cardiff Bay Sat 4 May Wobbly basslines, growling MCs and the usual four-to-the-floor: bassline is a sound that isn’t widely appreciated by the masses but it’s relatives have been. Garage had its day in the sun, then it bore its darker offspring grime, but bassline sits somewhere in between. There aren’t a host of venues that are opening their doors to the bassline junkies, but The Vaults are not ones to shirk an opportunity to provide a night like this. May’s Got Bass hosts the likes of Flava D [pictured], Champion and Kanine. Each have their own unique sounds and have diversity in their sets. Flava D’s sound, in particular, seems rooted in classic grime and bassline, especially in that dark corner where the two overlap, propped side by side with Sir Spyro himself. Champion, meanwhile, has an innovative take on contemporary bassline with elements of UK funky and house, all layered on particularly low basslines. Kanine is slightly left of field in comparison with his counterparts, definitely further down on the tempo spectrum, with a lot of his tracks sitting over the 140bpm benchmark and more akin to drum‘n’bass and garage than the rest. It’s fair to say that lack of variety won’t be a complaint heard. Tickets: £15. Info: www. vaultspresents.com (CP)

Coming up at the Arena...

A BRAND NEW SHOW FOR 2019

motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk 029 2022 4488

CHAOUCHE

The Bunkhouse, Swansea Fri 12 Apr Aisha Chaouche brings her soulful, emotional vocals to The Bunkhouse in Swansea, the city where she grew up before moving to Bristol to study at BIMM music college. Chaouche, who’s featured on the BBC as well as the Green Man festival’s Rising stage, is relatively new to the live music scene, and has admitted it was something she had never really thought about when she started out. It’s fair to say the last 12 months have been a whirlwind for Chaouche, who released her debut album Safe in June 2018 with an EP, Progression, following in November. The tracks in Safe refer to negative memories she experienced in her childhood, with each song dedicated to helping bring peace to a different memory. The nostalgic tracks are supported by electronic drums which add a heartbeat to the melody. In I’ll Lose My Head, she layers her vocals to create a choir effect that highlights her creativity and musical nous – something she admitted sparked ideas for the rest of the album. Live, Chaouche is joined by Greg Stoddard and Ben Johnson who add synthesisers, trigger pads and loops to aid the drums and complement her fluid vocal intonations. Tickets: £6. Info: info@bunkhousebar. co.uk (HT) BUZZ 42

Pic: Derrick Kakembo

live

NUBYA GARCIA

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff Thurs 2 May Since her acclaimed release Nubya’s 5ive in 2017, saxophonist, composer and bandleader Nubya Garcia has leapt from the thriving London jazz scene to global audiences. Her unique tenor saxophone soars through an eclectic blend of influences from bebop, African and Caribbean styles to electronica and soul. Her approach is transformative in modern jazz and is winning her accolades left, right and centre. Last year saw her receive JazzFM’s Best Newcomer award (she’s a nominee in another category for 2019) as well as support from the Steve Reid foundation to help her complete her most recent record We Are Here, which, along with most of the material she releases, has sold out all physical copies. Indeed, the first pressing of her debut EP apparently sold out on the day of release. When not focusing on her solo material, Garcia can be found collaborating with London jazz musicians including Jake Long’s spiritual jazz six-piece Maisha, Tomorrow’s Warriors-curated septet Nerija and drummer Moses Boyd. Her contribution to the recent resurgence of jazz related music is undeniably powerful and as a band leader she promises a live experience the likes of which Cardiff has never seen. Tickets: £16. Info: 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net CPI

STEFFLON DON

Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union Thurs 18 Apr She may shrug off comparisons to her peers, but Birmingham born starlet Stefflon Don may just be Britain’s answer to Nicki Minaj and Cardi B, sharing their raucous energy and bold stage performances. Most fans will know Stephanie Allen for her calypso-soaked singing, but she also has a strong talent for rapping, never keeping her relentless machine gun flow holstered for long. It’s this flexibility that allows Steff to transcend genres, cherrypicking the very best elements from dancehall, r’n’b, trap and drill to create a sound distinctly her own. Her music manages to incorporate both her Jamaican heritage and British home, while infusing the sense of freedom she adopted growing up in the Netherlands. Steff’s notoriety may stem from her collaborations and remixes with some of grime and drill’s top artists, like Section Boyz and Lethal Bizzle, but she has managed to avoid becoming just another feature with her penchant for noholds-barred lyricism and tongue-in cheek put downs. Her music may be raw with a bold, independent sound, but it hasn’t stopped her from receiving a wealth of critical acclaim such as being chosen as one of MTV’s ‘Brand New’ artists for 2017, and being featured on the front page of the Guardian’s G2 magazine ‘Up Next!’ list the same year. Now signed to Quality Control Music alongside American trap artists Migos, Lil Yachty and Lil Baby, it’s not the first time Stefflon Don’s represented the UK on the international stage. As the first British artist on XXL magazine’s Freshman List, she has served as a trailblazer despite her very recent rise, bringing the best elements of the UK’s distinctive sound to the rest of the world. With a plethora of singles and two well-received mixtapes under her belt, both of which boast impressive features from industry veterans such as Future, Sean Paul and Popcaan, her setlist seems set to be full of some of her freshest hits. ALEX PAYNE Tickets: £16. Info 029 2078 1458 / www.cardiffstudents.com

TOPETTE

Pontardawe Arts Centre Tue 30 Apr Anyone interested in European folk music needs to check out Topette, an Anglo-French acoustic five-piece who will be visiting Pontardawe as part of their UK spring tour. The Bristol-based band features three-time Radio 2 folk musician of the year Andy Cutting on diatonic accordion along with James Delarre on violin, Julien Cartonnet on bagpipes, Tania Buisse on bodhran and Barnaby Stradling on acoustic bass. Cutting is a veteran of folk musicm having been on the scene since 1988. The 49-year-old from Harrow joined Blowzabella in that year before helping to release the album Vanilla in 1990. Topette’s coming of age moment came in October 2014, when Venture, a song featured on the album C’est Le Pompon with a lifting, upbeat rhythm, started to attract thousands of viewers on YouTube. One of the many attractions to Topette, and particularly C’est Le Pompon, is the experimentation of their music. For example, There We Are Then is subtly driven by Barnaby Stradling’s acoustic guitar, while in Venture James Delarre works his violin in tandem with Cutting’s accordion to produce a track that you can’t help but stamp your feet to. Tickets: £12. Info: 017792 863722 / www.pontardaweartscentre.co.uk (HT)

Le Public Space, Newport Sat 20 Apr Out of the original no wave scene in New York, the best and most interesting band were Ut. Developing a racket that synthesised experimental guitar noise, free jazz aesthetics and austere grooving, the trio switched between genres and vocalists while retaining a brutal fierceness of purpose. Adding spoken word and squawking sax improvisation to their guitars and drums, they were ostensibly a rock band in the same way Lionel Messi is just a bloke who kicks a ball around. Their move to London in the early 80s brought fruitful relationships with both John Peel (three sessions) and Blast First, the label that would release the three, very belting, Ut studio albums. Since reforming in 2010, a reissue programme has been giving the deluxe treatment to all the Ut albums and EPs, and this Newport date arrives at the same time as Conviction, their studio debut from 1986. Like being put through a mangle, in the most rigorously enjoyable way, it locates Ut in a great cosmology between Patti Smith and Sonic Youth, and leaning into PJ Harvey, Huggy Bear, Savages, and newer kids like Rakta. A great coup for Le Public Space, this gig is a terrific match of stellar band and fantastic venue, and is totally unmissable. Tickets: £10. Info: 01633 221477 / lepublicspace.co.uk (WS)

NOEL GALLAGHER

PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING

PETE TONG & THE HERITAGE ORCHESTRA

+ GAZ COOMBES + BOY AZOOGA

FRI 24 MAY CARDIFF CASTLE

SAT 6 JULY CAERPHILLY CASTLE

SAT 27 JULY SINGLETON PARK, SWANSEA

IBIZA CLASSICS

MON

BENJAMIN FRANCIS LEFTWICH 08 CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF

WED

APR

BAKER 10 JOEL 10 FEET TALL, CARDIFF APR

FRI THE BLESSING 19 GET CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF

FULLEE LOVE

MON

TUE BOYS 21 VIAGRA CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF

FRI

APR

I TRUST 13 MEN CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF

COLLECTIVE (J5’S SOUP) APR CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF

MAY

MAY SAT

WED

NICK LOWE 05 TRAMSHED, CARDIFF

JOAN AS

SAT

THE ALARM

JUN

POLICE WOMAN JUN THE GATE ARTS CENTRE, CARDIFF

A MIDSUMMER GATHERING JUN THE GREAT HALL, CARDIFF UNI

SUN

SU N

JUL

OCT

FRI MONDAYS 29 HAPPY THE GREAT HALL, CARDIFF UNI

GLYNNE 28 JESS SINGLETON PARK, SWANSEA

CAFE 06 PENGUIN ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF

SATURDAY 1 JUNE

JACOB BANKS

RALEIGH RITCHIE JAZ KARIS | ANOTHER SKY BALCONY | LITTLE THIEF

+SPE

CIAL

GUES

NOV

SUNDAY 2 JUNE

CORINNE BAILEY RAE | HOTHOUSE FLOWERS MF ROBOTS | TOM SPEIGHT RENEGADE BRASS BAND THE DESERT | MICHAEL CLARK

PLAYING ‘WHO KILLED...... THE ZUTONS?’ IN ITS ENTIRETY

FRIDAY 12TH JULY 2019

CAERPHILLY CASTLE *FULLY STANDING SHOW

TICKETS: WWW.ORCHARDLIVE.COM

reviews

albums

ÅRABROT SPECIALE *** Die Nibelungen (Pelagic) A soundtrack album for Fritz Lang’s legendary 1924 silent film of the same name, originally performed live at Tromsö. As a soundtrack, it fails – this trend for creepy, ultra-dark music for old silent movies seems to treat each one as if it were a horror like Nosferatu, and Die Nibelungen is many things but not a horror. Yet, as an album of dark, grinding distortions and nightmare music, it’s pretty good. The two tracks, each about 20 minutes, go through a variety of intensity settings, mostly pitched at piss-yourself nightmare levels. FT

DAMIEN JURADO **

FONTAINES DC *****

MILK ***

In The Shape Of A Storm (Loose)

Dogrel (Partisan)

Alpha EP (Wasabi Overload)

“There is nothing left to hide”, sings Damien Jurado on lead track Lincoln. On the altAmericana veteran’s latest LP, recorded in just two hours, there’s nothing left to hide behind: spartan arrangements of just acoustic guitar and vocals leave him naked and exposed, creating a sense of intimacy between performer and listener. However, while his plaintive voice has depth, the songs themselves are (with a couple of exceptions) slight and stale, and the album as a whole is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it disappointment. BW

Fontaines DC wear their hearts on their sleeves, but what else to do when The Velvet Underground completed the indie rock/punk template in 1967? You fly your stripped back, spluttering rocket ship to the planet genius, that’s what you do. Joy Division, The Cramps, Jerry Lee Lewis and John Cooper Clarke all get their arses kicked in a Dublin back alley. Standards stagger to fresh thrills, frontman Grian Chatten spits bruised verse and a new generation finds love in the strangest places. ST

Doesn’t get much rawer than this: the room Cardiff band Milk’s debut EP was recorded in should be listed on the credits for its leading role in sound design. Chock full of goofy 70s hard rock lyrics and aggressive overdriven guitar rhythm sections, the lovability factor for this one far outweighs the production and instead the whole thing sounds like a top-tier garage band playing in the hallway of your house. JM

DANIEL O’SULLIVAN **** Folly (O Genesis)

C DUNCAN ***** Health (FatCat) Say it: Duncan is a genius at delivering the most devastatingly beautiful music. The Scottish composer/multiinstrumentalist’s third album is the first done with other producers, engineers and musicians and like his previous ones, excellent. A more expansive work, some songs have a disco beat, but it’s in a style all Duncan’s own. Also using synthpop and classical sounds, he opens up musically and emotionally on themes of love, anxiety and sexuality – specifically about a recent relationship. Pure platinum. RLR

Involved in countless collaborations, it’s a wonder that Daniel O’Sullivan has found the time and headspace for a second solo release. Don’t be put off by a CV that includes out-there progsters Guapo, avant-metal luminaries Ulver and Sunn O))), and the reformed incarnation of post-punk legends This Heat. Folly is far more in keeping with the output of Grumbling Fur, O’Sullivan’s partnership with Alexander Tucker – a suite of lush, immersive, otherworldly pop reveries. A charm offensive rather than an intimidatingly experimental assault. BW

DEVIN TOWNSEND ***** CRAIG FINN ***

Empath (InsideOutMusic)

I Need A New War (Partisan)

Ambitiously combining glitzy synthpop, powerful theatricalism, and proggy metal, Empath boasts Townsend’s most varied and aspiring music to date. Genesis flaunts a celebratory tone, while Spirits Will Collide utilises inspiring choir melodies. Evermore is enticingly changeable, yet Sprite is hypnotically relaxed. Each new experiment is perfectly executed and an utter delight to hear. Consequentially, the 23-minute, four-part epic, Singularity, serves to culminate a mystifying journey through the mind of a creator whose skill is vast and whose creativity is unbridled. AS

You couldn’t accuse Finn of living off former glories in The Hold Steady, but a sprinkling of rock’n’roll wouldn’t go amiss, despite this fourth solo LP nestling into a nice country-soul niche between Oberst, Kurt Wagner and Springsteen. The guitar of Blankets shimmers throughout the tale of someone fighting destiny to find a lost love; side two becomes a tad torpid but Her With The Blues ascends to the astral peaks of Van Morrison. CS

THE CRANBERRIES *** In The End (BMG) Dolores O’Riordan had one of the most recognisable and unique voices in rock and this, the final Cranberries release after her death in 2018, is a fitting tribute. There are no Zombies or Lingers here – Got It is the most upbeat – but the album seems all the more poignant for its the subdued tone. Musically you can’t fault Hogan, Hogan and Lawler but it’s hard not to read into the lyrics, the title track seeming particularly like an emotional goodbye. LN BUZZ 44

ENZO SIRAGUSA **** A Decade of Rave (Fuse) Enzo Siragusa, founder of Fuse Records and lover of the early London rave scene, celebrates the label’s 10-year anniversary with A Decade Of Rave. Consisting of two ambient and eight dancefloor tracks from the label owner, the album flows with nice old school vibes, big breakdowns and driving basslines. Now firmly established as a London institution, there’s also a Fuse 10 tour coming up, and a 12-hour special at Fabric which will no doubt be full of likeminded party people. EJ

HEATHER WOODS BRODERICK *****

QUIET MARAUDER FEAT. MATHIAS KOM *****

Invitation (Western Vinyl)

The Crack And What It Meant (Bubblewrap)

Heather Woods Broderick deserves to emerge from the flotsam with this ravishing album. Its title inspired by a Thomas Moore quote (“To be a person means to accept the invitations for yet more vitality or to decline them out of fear or lethargy”), Broderick, with a vocal register between Kate Bush and Melanie di Biasio, paints a dreamspace between stasis and momentum, reflection and direction through luxuriant soundscapes of piano, electronica, guitar, found sounds (crickets) and soaring strings. CS

Quiet Marauder never do things by half and for that we must be thankful; on this conceptual tale of space and panic we are led into War Of The Worlds, Bonzos and Syd Barrett territory. Both Simon read’s voice sometimes veering into a country gent accent, and the running commentary of Burning Hell mainman Mathias, take you to another place. Speaking with Simon, he told me of his wish to turn the whole thing into a movie. Big dreams, big craic. JE

KEIFER SUTHERLAND **** Reckless & Me (BMG) Yep, you read right: the bona fide actor of 24 and Lost Boys fame, has now added country singer-songwriter to his repertoire, and in all fairness it’s not all that bad. This follow up to his 2016 debut album showcases an authentic edgy vocal mixed with a clear passionate nous for storytelling. The bluesy country twang of This Is How It’s Done and Agave lead the uptempo tracks, while the slower Saskatchewan and Song For A Daughter lighten the mood nicely. OS

LUKE SITAL-SINGH *** A Golden State (Raygun) Easy listening at its finest here, with some beautiful piano and acoustic guitar work to boot. After recently relocating from Bristol to LA, Sital-Singh’s new single Los Angeles couldn’t be more aptly titled. If you’re looking for a relaxing, simple ear full of music, this would be right up your street. Having already supported the likes of The Staves and Martha Wainwright, the move across the pond may be a step in the right direction for Luke. OS

RATSO **** Stubborn Heart (Lucky Number) Larry ‘Ratso’ Sloman Is a New York City-based writer, author and actor whose past endeavours include being Bob Dylan’s tour scribe, collaborating with Mike Tyson on his autobiography and writing lyrics for ex-Velvet Underground founder John Cale. Stubborn Heart is a moving account of Ratso’s life and a rewarding listen, one featuring Nick Cave and Leonard Cohen’s cowriter and producer Sharon Robinson. In fact, Stubborn Heart is on par with both Cave and Cohen’s best albums. DN

ROSE ELINOR DOUGALL *** A New Illusion (Vermillion) The third album from the ex-Pipette has a faraway quality, as if she were singing at the back of an empty room. In places it’s quite haunting, in others quite hollow and, like a lot of indie folk-rock, it never takes off like you wish it would. Track two, That’s Where The Trouble Started, would have made a more dynamic single. This album may be a slow burn for long dark nights. LN

WE'VE BEEN WATCHING... IRMA LA DOUCE

(Masters Of Cinema, Blu-ray)

SPARROW STEEPLE ****

LA YEGROS ****

Tin Top Sorcerer (Trouble In Mind)

Suelta (X-Ray)

Membership-wise, this Philadelphia group are essentially the Strapping Fieldhands, who I mainly associate with 90s music press snark about hyperobscure lo-fi indie. Thankfully, we have all grown up now, and Sparrow Steeple’s second album is delightful if whimsical psychedelic folk. I suspect they’ve internalised lots of Syd Barrett and, especially, The Incredible String Band over time, although large segments of Tin Top Sorcerer bear distinct resemblance to Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci, which was a pleasant surprise. NG

South American cumbia has always been a particularly urban type of folk music, brassy exhortations for working class dance parties, so it would be odd if it didn’t absorb influence from rap, EDM and so forth. Argentinian vocalist Marina Yegros heads up a breezily modern brand of cumbia on Suelta, her third album as La Yegros: whomping bass drops enliven numbers like Alegria, trap-y drums rattle hither and yon, but there’s plenty of mellifluous flute melodies like cumbia’s old days. NG

STUART A. STAPLES **** Music For Claire Denis’ High Life (City Slang) Hard to judge how this works as a soundtrack, having not yet seen High Life, but it certainly sounds like a Claire Denis film, and that’s always a good thing. Stuart A. Staples of Tindersticks, a long-time collaborator of hers has produced here a waking-dream of an album, as if perpetually opening your eyes into the bright morning. Though most of the album sticks towards the ambient end of the spectrum, the one vocal track (featuring Robert Pattinson no less), Willow is magisterial, sung almost at a whisper. FT

SUNDARA KARMA *** Ulfilas’ Alphabet (Chess Club) On this release, indie/ pop darlings Sundara Karma get old-skool with instrumentation that is every bit as colourful as the cover art. By trading their anthemic qualities for more psychedelia-influenced nostalgia, Ulfilas’ Alphabet has a more developed and fleshed-out sound than their debut. It’s a solid followup release that proves the band has more to offer than sun-soaked pop, and is hindered only by frontman Oscar Pollock’s baffling choice to adopt almost Bowie-esque vocals. AP

SUZI QUATRO ** No Control (Steamhammer) The Queen Of Noise is back with a new album that’s actually more of a whisper. The opening riffs make promises the songs don’t deliver, while the bluesy-bluegrass tracks are a welcome detour – but altogether the album is light on substance and lyrically repetitive. The energy from her earlier work is absent – it’s as if rock’s little sister has tried to grow up but hasn’t quite got there yet. LN

demos POSITIVE REACTION facebook.com/positivereactionhc This four-piece, featuring a stalwart Buzz contributor on drums, are effectively a rebadge of All Time Old Time, who also played breakneck thrashy hardcore but with more thematic emphasis on pro wrestling and being old. Certainly, Positive Reaction’s members were playing in south Wales HC bands over 20 years ago in some cases, and their enthusiasm for a yobbish racket has not waned. These seven songs barrel through early-80s NYHC, late-80s Britcore and youth crew with an Oi!like belligerence not a mile away from Arms Race. NG

DEFEATIST

Billy Wilder’s 1963 romantic comedy gets the deluxe Blu-ray treatment from Masters Of Cinema this month. Irma La Douce plays like a mish-mash of the screwball antics of Some Like It Hot and the gender politics of The Apartment, repeating the latter’s star pairing of Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine. At two hours and 20 minutes, Irma is unfortunately too slow-going to be the knockabout rom-com that it wants to be, but it still looks beautiful, and a film starring Lemmon and MacLaine will never be altogether bad. ***FT

OBSCURE OBJECTS OF DESIRE: THE FILMS OF LUIS BUÑUEL (Mubi)

Another superb season of films from Mubi, now focusing on the great surrealist Luis Buñuel – specifically his late-era works from the mid-60s onwards, Diary Of A Chambermaid, up to the Catherine Deneuve classic Belle De Jour and finishing with That Obscure Object Of Desire, his final film as director. Few understood the key to great satire as well as Buñuel – it works not just on its targets (in his case, religious dogma, bourgeois society, middle-class anxieties) but also on its audience, flipping the mirror back to our own prejudices and presumptions. *****FT

THE DISAPPEARANCE OF MADELEINE MCCANN (Netflix)

Essentially, a decent summary of every possible angle of the case of Madeleine McCann, who went missing from her hotel room in Portgual’s Praia Da Luz 12 years ago, aged three. Maybe its success illustrates society’s demand for closure on an undeniably tragic abduction case that swept the nation, and maybe it is feeding a borderline-delusional hopefulness in this case being ‘solved’ like some real-life, grand-scale CSI episode. Either way, whether we needed it or not, The Disappearance Of Madeleine McCann is wellmade and gives a comprehensive explanation and timeline of everything we need to know, offering no new insights but presenting the facts clearly. ***MTh

facebook.com/defeatistuk

FLEABAG S2

These two new songs from Cardiff quintet Defeatist are also taggable as hardcore, albeit from the opposite end of the spectrum: the one with slick, maximalist production, whooshing shoegazey guitar breaks and the impression of vocal anguish. You might call it emo or posthardcore instead; in a local context, Defeatist sit equidistant from Funeral For A Friend and Casey. Breath and Let Me… were not made with my taste in mind, clearly, but uphold the tropes of this style very well. NG

The second series of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s dark comedy is as hilarious and heartbreaking as the first. We follow the troubled title character as she struggles with unspeakable demons whilst trying to navigate a family of utterly dysfunctional characters and a crush on a foul-mouthed Irish priest (played by the razor-sharp Andrew Scott). It’s the trademark asides to the camera that are once again the shining point of the series, drawing you intimately into Fleabag’s world so you can’t help but root for her despite the carnage and bloody noses she leaves in her wake. *****AT

SHAWGZ facebook.com/shawgibear Cardiff MC, who forms part of the Ladies Of Rage collective and earned her spurs on the battle rap scene, debuts with the four-song BLK Tape. It’s fairly distinct in approach from that side of her oeuvre, in that Shawgz’ vocal style is singsongy-soulful and her lyrics are often introspective, but still retains plenty of defiance and self-belief when picking off crap exes and inferior MCs through a haze of (references to) weed. A fine EP bolstered by subtle production from Bristol’s Onesoul. NG

(BBC1, now on iPlayer)

AFTER LIFE (Netflix)

Tony, played by Ricky Gervais, was always a bit of a dick, but his lovely wife made it seem more endearing than offensive. Then she dies, and Tony takes it upon himself to inflict his despair on the people around him. Don’t let that deter you, though – the endearing good guy still seems to be in there somewhere, he’s just been clouded in grief and needs a bit of a kick in the right direction. It’s an unusually pleasant experience hosing yourself one minute, only to be confusedly wiping away a tear the next. Navigating the necessary balance of a tragic comedy, After Life seems to be walking that tightrope slow and steady. ****MTh

BUZZ 45

music news EXTRA

While news of future developments regarding Cardiff bar and venue Gwdihw has been conspicuous by its absence since late January, when the lease on their Guildford Crescent home ended and they closed the doors, the latter half of March saw two events of note relating to the saga. First, it was revealed that a group calling themselves the Guildford Peasants had broken into the shuttered building, owned by property developers Rapport, and were squatting it for the purposes of protest. However, shortly after a court order for their eviction was obtained, Rapport withdrew their application to demolish the short terrace which includes Gwdihw, due to take place at the end of April. This, though, does not safeguard against the possibility of demolition in the future, as hopes that Welsh heritage service Cadw would assign the terrace listed building status were not granted, and at present there is no indication Gwdihw might move back into the property Jazz music’s rich history as a vehicle of commentary, on issues contemporary or historical, is a matter of record, and the latest project by Tomos Williams upholds this legacy. The Welsh trumpeter, whose recent groups include Burum and Indo-Celtic sonic crossover Khamira, has assembled five other musicians and an onstage visual artist to perform the Cwmwl Tystion Suite. Aiming to “reflect on current political and societal ills, the Welsh experience and recent Welsh history,” fellow performers include esteemed pianist Huw Warren; Rhodri Davies, experimental harpist and member of odd-popsters Hen Ogledd; and Williams’ long-term bandmate Mark O’Connor. Citing contemporary figures such as Wadada Leo Smith as influences, the project will visit Cardiff on Tue 25 June and Swansea on Fri 28

Late June will also see the release of Joia!, the debut album by Carwyn Ellis & Rio 18. The latest project by Ellis [pictured] – a Welsh musician whose band Colorama preceded later work as a producer, arranger, soundtrack composer and live sideman – the inception of this group apparently came while on tour as a member of The Pretenders. Chrissie Hynde, noting Ellis’ voracious appetite for buying rare South American vinyl, suggested he make some music in this vein; a meeting with noted Brazilian studio bod Alexandre Kassin followed, likewise assembly of a band. Joia!, likely the first record to be recorded between Rio, London and Caernarfon, is preceded by psych-pop teaser track Duwies Y Dre A small clutch of commendable releases, all short-run and/ or self-issued, from the broad panoply of Welsh experimental music have emerged in the last three weeks, and each warrant bigups, so here they are. Peiriant is the debut album by a duo of the same name, married couple Dan and Rose Linn-Pearl; their music comprises FX-heavy improv guitar and violin, not wholly unlike early 00s Canadian band Hangedup. The first album since 2015 by Ratatosk, the solo project of Aberdare-based Rhodri Viney (also in Right Hand Left Hand), is titled Congregation Of Vapours, arrives in an attractive handmade card sleeve and maintains the project’s record of lush, mournful drone-folk ballads with musical saw aplenty. Jaxson Payne has released the fourth in his MIDI-Drum Compositions cassettes, where he plays various types of dance music live on an electronic drumkit – this one’s a wicked trip back to mid-90s drum’n’bass. And Ordeal By Roses, the solo noise project of Cardiff-based Alexander Evans, has a self-titled cassette released by the Outsider Art label – 19 minutes of intense, strafing power electronics crafted from synths and vocals

ONES TO WATCH... UNDERSOUND

Undersound isn’t so much a new name on the south Wales musical landscape as one making a fresh start. He has a lot of strings to his bow already, producing drum’n’bass of the more soulful, funk-leaning kind since the late 00s for a variety of digi-labels; before that, even, he contributed live instrumentation to Tough Guys Don’t Dance, the 2006 debut album by Wales’ preeminent d’n’b artist High Contrast. All this while also working as a music teacher under his given name, Gareth Evans. Fri 26 Apr will see the release of the No More Shooting Stars album – Undersound’s second, a decade after debut Calling All Bluffs which came out on a Russian drum’n’bass label of all things. Save for the odd breakbeat and production touch, there isn’t much evidence of his d’n’b grounding on these 10 tracks. There’s hip-hop, Party Arrangements layering brass and jazzy breaks and sounding like late-90s UKHH of the most wholesome kind; Welsh MC Redeye’s spot on Never Go That Way carries a bit more gruff menace. Cardiff blues crooner Bella Collins features on two numbers, No More Lies and Should’ve Known Better, providing a tidy foil to Evans’ trumpet parts. And the title track, also the first to be released from the album, is a swelling electro-ballad which is No More Shooting Stars’ most obvious signpost to potential commercial success. facebook.com/undersounduk

BUZZ 46

one louder

IMMERSIVE dining experiences. A horribly anodyne, corporate-sounding sequence of words, certainly, but a thing which has become increasingly popular of late. The concept is fairly simple: people pay to sit at a table and eat a meal of three or more courses while actors perform in close proximity to them, rather than on a stage, making the dinner part of the set and the diners unpaid extras of sorts. A regular visitor to this region is a show based on Fawlty Towers, a sitcom where meals were invariably disastrous, yet its success has spawned one based on Only Fools And Horses, a sitcom which had very little to do with food. Others are based on historical events, such as one taking place in Swansea this month, The Queen Of The Ocean. This is set on the maiden voyage of the Titanic and promises “a five-course meal based on what was served to the first class passengers in the dining saloon on April 14th 1912 (the night she struck the iceberg),” proving once again that you should always read words in parentheses to get the full facts. Attendees can, it seems, expect “drama” to “unfold all around [them]”, which sounds like an understatement given that the deaths of 1,500 or more people by drowning, exposure or injury is being portrayed in theatrical form. Presumably, the trick to making this event as entertaining as possible is not thinking about that bit too much. Moreover, we are now blessed with historical distance, as there is probably no-one alive who can actively remember the Titanic sinking, and if they can are unlikely to be capable of complaining about this show being in poor taste. Indeed, if I were to pitch an immersive dining experience set inside an elevator in the World Trade Center on September 11th 2001 (the day planes flew into the Twin Towers), where employees rushing to get to work on time are served a five-course meal of an egg McMuffin, Danish pastry, energy bar, filter coffee and two ibuprofen, then doubtless I would be accused of insensitivity by the politically correct lobby and/or relatives of the deceased. Equally, by the early 22nd century I fully expect to find myself adding an event suspiciously like it to the Buzz listings, devised by some spiv who’s calculated that long enough has passed for nearly 3,000 deaths to form the basis of a grand evening out. Some cynics might suggest that in using the spectre of 9/11 to ‘do a bit’ about the questionable judgement of others, the columnist is not only ‘having’ his cake but also ‘eating it’. To these people I would say: maybe so. But in doing so I stand on the shoulders of giants in the field of toffeenosed snark, such as The Onion whose response to 9/11 was a series of articles under the umbrella title “HOLY FUCKING SHIT”. Their book of pseudo-archive historical front pages also had a good one for the Titanic itself, “World’s Largest Metaphor Hits Ice-Berg”. Something to consider should you be planning to attend The Queen Of The Ocean as a result of having read about it here: one of the dates falls on what, at the time of writing, is the revised date for the UK exiting the European Union, so you and your awful friends might enjoy loudly demonstrating your basic grasp of metaphors as implied catastrophe takes place around you. April gigs: VILE SECT, VICTIM UNIT, HARPOON and BODYHACKER (Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff, Sat 6); DIRTY DIKE (The Globe, Wed 10); various heavy bands including THORUN, GRAND COLLAPSE, TIDES OF SULFUR and HAAST’S EAGLED for free (The Moon and Fuel, Fri 12 and Sat 13); STRAIGHT ARROWS and BEDFORD FALLS (Le Public Space, Newport, Fri 12); MILKY WIMPSHAKE (The Moon, Thurs 18), NEGATIVE SPACE, SCRAP BRAIN and four more (Cathays Community Centre, Sun 21); BIG LAD (Le Public Space, Fri 26) and DAVID IAN ROBERTS, TOBY HAY and HARESS (Lost Arc, Rhayader, Sat 27). NOEL GARDNER

17th March

The Allergies (Feat Andy Cooper)

SIN CITY 25th March

The Slow Readers Club

£15.00 || Doors 7pm

23rd March - 10pm 25th March - 7pm 30th March - 10pm 12th April - 10pm 24th April - 7pm 4th May - 7pm 10th May - 7pm 10th May - 10pm 17th May - 7pm 22nd May - 7pm 15th June - 10pm 27th July - 10pm

£10.00 Doors: 7pm

24th April

Bilk

£5.00 || Doors 7pm

10th May

Kyle Falconer (The View)

£15.00 || Doors 7pm

Dazed - Problem Central From £6.00 || 18+ The Slow Readers Club £15.00 || 16+ Bassline - Darkzy From £11.00 || 18+ Dazed - Hybrid Minds SOLD OUT || 18+ Bilk £5.00 || 16+ Bruce Springsteen Tribute £12.00 || 16+ Kyle Falconer (The View) £15.00 || 16+ Abba - Disco Wonderland From £5.00 || 18+ The Allergies (Feat Andy Cooper) £10.00 || 16+ Bullets & Octane £8.00 || 16+ Heft - DJ Hazard From £10.00 || 18+ Pete Tong - Official Afterpoarty £10.00 || 18+ *Terms & Conditions may apply

books CARADOC EVANS: THE DEVIL IN EDEN John Harris (Seren Books)

BOOK OF THE MONTH

In his compelling new biography of the writer once dubbed the “best-hated man in Wales”, John Harris allows us to view the life and work of Caradoc Evans through fresh eyes. During a career clouded in controversy, Evans gained literary notoriety due to his unglamorous, unflinching depiction of Welsh working-class life, most notably in his collection of short stories, My People. Many readers were upset by the grim view of Wales that Evans portrayed. It wasn’t all bad. Evans gained rave reviews for his stark, spare tales. Loved by some critics and loathed by much of the Welsh public at the time, his body of work is now worth reevaluating; you get the sense that part of Evans’ unpopularity was due to him cutting close to the bone. Dylan Thomas was a fan, even referencing Evans in Under Milk Wood. It is testament to Harris’ skill as a biographer that the public outrage surrounding Evans does not overawe the rest of the narrative. Harris creates a thrilling and convincing version of events: the story of a working-class boy who makes something of himself, charting Evans’ rise from a frustrated young draper to a Fleet Street journalist and famous novelist. Evans is a complex figure, and it takes someone of Harris’ talent to truly get to grips with him. The book is also an affecting love story. The last third covers Evans’ marriage to his second wife, fellow novelist Marguerite Barclay. Marguerite becomes the star of the show, as you feel she was for Evans. It’s surprising how quickly the 350 pages pass by, and it’s hard to see this book as anything other than a definitive biography. JOSHUA REES Price: £19.99. Info: www.serenbooks.com

A STRANGER IN PARIS Karen Webb (Impress Books) A Stranger In Paris is the first in Karen Webb’s three-part memoir, A French Life. The novel is a lovely hybrid between memoir and fiction, finding the sweet spot between rigorously sticking to memoir convention and a charming, believable story. It starts in Aberystwyth with a young girl whose life has been laid out in the form of endless Welsh rugby matches, pre-ordered wedding presents and the expectation to settle down and be married as soon as she’s finished wasting her father’s money on a degree. Yet she decides to end all that and chase her French ex-lover to Paris. With her is her English degree, a job lined up looking after the children of a wealthy Parisian family, no knowledge of how to cook or clean as per the job description, and a set of reasonably unrealistic expectations to see her through. What could go wrong? MTh Price: £12.99. Info: www.impress-books.co.uk FROM SEVEN TO THE SEA Jayne Joso (Seren) From Seven To The Sea delivers a story about the struggles of starting a new family, as told from the perspective of seven-year-old Esther. This is really what sets the book apart. Despite the weight of circumstances like a neglectful stepfather and the loss of her relationship with her mother, Esther views things with a naive, youthful optimism. As you’d expect from the title, the sea also plays a powerful role in the book, guiding Esther throughout the hardships and shaping her by the end. Esther’s tale is told so well and with such a unique perspective that it almost disappoints by not having more story to tell. GF Price: £9.99. Info: www.serenbooks.com

BUZZ 48

SHE LIES IN WAIT Gytha Lodge (Michael Joseph) Six teenage friends go out camping during a heatwave in July 1983, with Aurora, the younger sister of one, tagging along. All the male eyes are on her, yet only the six friends go home; of Aurora, there is no sign the next morning. Police flood the area, but she is never found. Thirty years later, a body is discovered, and Detective Sheen knows exactly who it is – he was a lowly constable back in the 80s, helping in the original search. The six friends are questioned. All lie, but Sheen knows there was a deadly side to the supposedly innocent party, pushing hard for the truth. The plot is ingenious, a real old-fashioned whodunit, with red herrings all over the place, as the suspects twist and turn under Sheen’s interrogation, before the dark truth is revealed. MTi Price: £12.99 Info: www.penguin.co.uk

LANNY Max Porter (Faber & Faber) Anyone who’s read Max Porter’s Grief Is The Thing With Feathers from 2015 will not forget it in a hurry. It’s one of the most haunting books in recent memory, brilliantly examining loss in startling scraps of poetic prose. Porter’s much-awaited follow-up, Lanny, is a more densely-populated work, but equally striking. The first half of the book grounds us in the life of the unusual Lanny through the voices of our eponymous hero, his parents, his creative mentor Mad Pete and the omniscient Dead Papa Toothwort – a shape-shifting spectre who stalks Lanny’s village. It’s a very good setup, allowing Porter’s imagination to soar during the second act. Just as we’d settled into its rhythms, Lanny goes missing, and what was left of convention goes out the window as the novel bursts into a riotous ‘play for voices’. Porter is one of the most exciting writers around, and this book is a sort of magic. JR Price: £12.99. Info: www.faber.co.uk

ANIMALIA Jean-Baptiste Del Amo, trans. Frank Wynne (Fitzcarraldo) Del Amo’s first work translated into English, Animalia follows the lives of a modest peasant family over the course of nearly a century, as they grow their rural smallholding in the backlands of France into a modern intensive pig farm. Mulling on man’s relationship to his environment and the other creatures in his ‘care’, Del Amo’s forte is how he creates a near tangible sense of the humdrum and filth of farm life through his dense, detailed descriptions. The prose is rich like the soil it is so strongly rooted within, and practically oozing with evocations of the grubby animal nature of the intensely interwoven lives of man, earth, and beast – something we often find all too easy to forget. Organic and unforgiving, this is rarely an easy read, but undoubtedly an absorbing and timely one. DH Price: £12.99. Info: www.fitzcarraldoeditions.com

THE STORYTELLER Pierre Jarawan, trans. Sinéad Crowe & Rachel McNicholl (World Editions) A masterful tale of family, friendship and love forms the basis for this epic novel from Pierre Jarawan. Set against the backdrop of the Lebanese Civil War, The Storyteller explores Samir’s quest to find answers after his father Brahim vanishes from the family home in Germany. Translated from the German, the story plays out much like an adventure, weaving together different strands of the tale. As the intricate relationships between each character are explored, I became thoroughly invested in the characters, particularly in relation to Samir and his father and fiancé, as the realities and aftermath of war and the lasting effects on each family member are investigated. A highly recommended heartfelt story that will have a lasting effect on the memory. RH Price: £14. Info: www.worldeditions.org

GREEN PARTY Festivals have always been a bit of a contradiction when it comes to the environment, with festival-goers leaving mountains of trash. Buzz looks at some items to help lessen the burden of this mountain. Lunatec Aquabot

Biodegradable Instant BBQ

Keep yourself hydrated, cool with the mister and even blast the grease off your plates with this multifunction water bottle. 100ml bottle – £29.99 lunatecgear.com

These instant affordable BBQ grills do away with the metal mesh trays that leave unsafe and useless leftovers. Made from charcoal, lava stone, bamboo and cardboard, giving an efficient cooking heat for an hour, it can be disposed of or burnt as it’s totally biodegradable. CasusGrill – £7.95 casusgrill.com

Glitter

Don’t forget your tent pegs

It wouldn’t be a festival these days without sparkly-faced revellers, but most glitter is polyester based and will be floating around in the local environment for years after the craze is long forgotten. Luckily, this eco glitter biodegrades after four weeks, so you can splash the sparkle all over yourself guilt-free. EcoStardust Clover Glitter – from £6.00 ecostardust.com

When packing up, sometimes the best intentions are often spoilt by rushing or bad weather, and tent pegs have a tendency to be left behind. These pegs are designed for turf and naturally biodegrade over time if left in the ground, so if you do forget them, no worries. Greenstake Biodegradable Pegs – £9.99 amazon.co.uk

Yes To Cucumbers Facial Wipes

Bamboo toothbrush

Most festivals now have half-decent showers but if you’re at a more rustic one, you shouldn’t be using traditional wipes as they don’t degrade. These are one of many new degradable wipes made purely from natural fibres, so they will. 30 Hypoallergenic Facial Wipes – £2.66 boots.com

You don’t have to jeopardise your gnashers while responsibly enjoying yourself. This perfect solution is made from bamboo and BPA-free nylon for the bristles; it’s 100% biodegradable, compostable and also vegan. Savesomegreen toothbrush – £2.50 savesomegreen.co.uk

Ohropax Classic Earplugs

Biodegradable Poncho

Save your hearing as well as the planet. Festivals can be loud when you’re trying to sleep and most earplugs are usually throwaway and made from plastic/foam. These are made from cotton wool and petroleum jelly, so are totally degradable. Pack of 6 – £4.16 amazon.co.uk

We imagine festivals with the sun beating down, a cold beer in hand listening to whatever floats our boats. In Wales, though, the chances of rain and sheltering under a binbag as you wish you’d packed your Gore-tex mountain kit is more the reality. If you have one of these packed, you’ll literally be covered and if left onsite will rot away with no trace. Eco-Friendly Rain Poncho – £6.99 samoa-rainponchos.com BUZZ 49

Pic: A L S Photography

VALE OF GLAMORGAN REAL ALE TRAIL

Taking you across the Vale Of Glamorgan in the search of the best ale and the best pubs to drink them in, each stop on the Real Ale Trail is marked by a different pub and a new real ale to try, and you don’t have to worry about driving – a bus runs a circular route all day throughout the region, appearing every half-hour. Various pubs, Vale Of Glamorgan Glamorgan, Sat 6 Apr. Tickets: £15.50. Info: www.realaletrail.co.uk/vale-of-glamorganreal-ale-trail/

A N G E L A G R AY ’ S C O O K E RY SCHOOL: SPRING RECIPES There’s nothing better than a home-cooked meal, especially when it comes from the pages of a renowned Welsh chef. George Foster chats to Angela Gray ahead of the launch of her seasonal cookbook. Not being much of a foodie myself, this writer didn’t expect to be made as hungry by Angela Gray’s latest cookbook as I ended up being. Part of that comes from the chef herself, whose excitement is very clear. Talking to her, she revealed more about her love of spring, the process behind selecting the recipes and what comes next for her. The inspiration behind having a series of seasonal cookbooks rather than one is clear. “I thought it would be really nice to showcase the seasons because it’s something we forget about. Seasonal food tastes better and it’s more affordable. That’s how it should be.” A cookbook focusing on spring lends itself to a careful selection of the recipes included, though it’s harder than it sounds to give everything its due. “It was a process of travel, well-received food and crowd-pleasers, and trying to narrow it down. There’s a lot of love for food and travel, all integrated and entwined. It kind of marries everything together.” Gray opened up her own cooking school in Llanerch Vineyard back in 2011, which has had its own role in the recipe selection. “We give tasters to everyone and try and get the thumbs up. We haven’t had a ‘we don’t like that’ yet!” she laughs. “We kind of know when it’s been a hit.” BUZZ 50

The spring season is often associated with greens, something underlined in the book. “It’s a reflection of fresh shades of green. I could eat British asparagus until it comes out of my ears.” When asked about what she might do next, Angela bubbles up with excitement. “There’s been ideas to start doing a BBQ book. It’s a whole new world, so I might explore that. Other than that, I do have up-mysleeve stories from my travels. I might like to put that in a little travel log and layer it with recipes from those places. It wouldn’t be a recipe book, but memoirs with funny stories and great food along the way.”

Angela Gray’s Cookery School: Spring Recipes is published by Graffeg on Thurs 25 Apr. Price: £9.99. Info: www.graffeg.com

BELLE VUE PARK ARTISAN FOOD & CRAFT MARKET

Held on the first Sunday of every month, everything from Welsh cheese and steak burgers to homemade cakes and fresh eggs are available at this market. Stalls showcasing arts and crafts are also featured, which could make a nice distraction from all of the fresh food. Admission is also free, so it should be perfect for a peaceful Sunday, Belle Vue Park, Newport, Sun 7 Apr. Admission: free. Info: facebook.com/ bellevuetearooms

Pic: Jeremy Segrott

OF THE BEST: CATHEDRAL ROAD

BELLY PORK AND BUTTERNUT SQUASH ROAST Words Alison Powell Comforting, juicy pork with sweet butternut squash, all cooked in one dish meaning minimal washing up – a tasty, easy midweek dinner.

With its proximity to Cardiff’s stadia, Cathedral Road bustles with new and exciting food opportunities. Megan Thomas picks out the best spots amidst the old Victorian houses.

THE PONTCANNA INN

Formerly the Cayo Arms, The Pontcanna Inn does a little bit of everything. Whether it’s a hearty Sunday lunch and a few craft beers you’re looking for, or a spot to watch sporting events with a barbeque on the terrace, the Pontcanna Inn keeps things simple whilst still offering impressive, healthy and unique standard of food. 36 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff. Info: 029 2023 2917 / www.pontcannainn.com

BRAVA

In the morning Brava, a café just off Cathedral Road, is an ideal breakfast spot. Throughout the day, more options become available, with specials that change daily. Then, after 6pm, the star of the show: out comes the stone-baked artisan pizza. 71 Pontcanna Street, Cardiff. Info: 029 2037 1929 / www.bravacardiff.co.uk

ELGANO

Italian restaurant Elgano’s kitchen is the flavour-fuelled workspace of Chef Pietro, one of Cardiff’s most renowned masters of Italian cuisine. Elgano is suitable for satiating the simplest of needs, like a craving for a delicious bowl of pasta. But it is also available for private dining experiences, with special menus and the opportunity to meet the chef. 58 Cathedral Road, Cardiff. Info: 029 2034 4060 / www.elgano.co.uk

THE CONWAY

Just off Cathedral Road sits The Conway, another example of pub-gone-posh. However, though it appears almost as if dining in a beautiful, cosy living room, it retains all the strengths of a traditional pub. Though the chef has put his own twists and flairs into the dishes, you’ll still find your favourites, like a hearty fish and chips or a pork pie. The produce is seasonal and delicious, and the environment is comfortable and quaint. 58 Conway Rd, Cardiff. Info: 029 2022 4373 / www.knifeandforkfood.co.uk/ venue/the-conway/

KIN+ILK

An unpretentious gathering spot for whatever it is you need, be it a glass of wine, a quick coffee or a delicious sandwich. Embracing the spirit of community and relaxation, the environment is perfect for meeting up with friends, or even just sitting by yourself without feeling alone. It’s very reasonably priced, too. 31 Cathedral Rd, Cardiff. Info: 029 2078 9842 / www.kinandilk.com/places/ pontcanna

Serves 2-3 (although these numbers depend on so many factors, not least how hungry your diners are…)

INGREDIENTS • 500g belly pork strips • Butternut squash, peeled and chopped in to chunks, seeds discarded • 2 tablespoons olive oil • 1 small red chilli (or a teaspoon of lazy chilli) • Good pinch of salt and grinding of black pepper • 4 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed • 1 red onion, peeled and sliced in to large segments • 500g spinach • Two heaped teaspoons of dried sage • Black olives (to taste)

HOW TO 1. Pre-heat the oven to 160˚C/180˚C fan/gas mark 4. 2. In a jug, mix together the olive oil, chilli, sage, crushed garlic and salt and pepper. 3. Lay the belly pork and butternut squash in an ovenproof baking dish and smear everything in the herby-chilli-garlicky oil. 4. Pop it in the oven for half an hour. 5. After half an hour, remove carefully and sprinkle over the chunks of red onion. Flip the pork over, move the squash around and pop back in the oven for another half an hour. 6. Remove once again and sprinkle the spinach on top. 7. Check after 15 minutes. The spinach should be wilted, the pork should be brown with the fat crisping and the butternut squash should look gooey with caramel-coloured tips. If it needs a little longer, pop back in for another 5-10 minutes. 8. Remove from oven and sprinkle over the black olives and another grind of black pepper. Leave it for 5 minutes to let the meat relax. 9. Dish up, curl up and enjoy. @ASPwriter

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MARGAM PARK CHILLI FESTIVAL 2019

APRIL FOODIE FOCUS As the days get longer and the chance to eat outdoors again presents itself, Elouise Hobbs has the lowdown for the month. Monday Club Pop-Up Supper, Dusty Knuckle Pizza, Cardiff, Tue 23 Apr Born out of a love of the culinary experience, from the food and ingredients to presentation and atmosphere, this club helps to bring not only dishes but experiences from all around the world to dinner. The idea came from two friends, who wanted to discover new food and develop their passion for cooking. This month, the theme of the three-course meal is Southeast Asia, and each course will use traditional techniques to create authentic and beautiful dishes. Tickets: £22. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk Hive Dine Fish Fizz Friday, Kings Road Yard, Cardiff, Fri 19 Apr Cardiff’s seasonal slow food enthusiasts make their Pontcanna bow, bringing food from both local and specialist producers to Kings Road Yard. The star of the night will be the lobster rolls, served with Japanese mayonnaise, french fries and champagne, while a Filet-No-Fish will also on the menu for vegetarians. The evening will be stocked by Cardiff’s The Bottle Shop and Rival Brewery, Kingfisher Brixham (who specialise in sustainably caught fish) and west Wales’ Blaencamel Farm. Shadow Kats will soundtrack the evening, playing speakeasy versions of modern pop classics. Tickets: £30. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk

BUZZ 52

A newcomer to Margam Park’s schedules, this aims to put the spice back in food festivals by focusing entirely on chilli. Cooking sauces, chilli jam and chilli chocolate are just a few of the chilli products that you can expect to see at the festival, ranging from mild heat to the extremes of the ghost pepper. Margam Park, Port Talbot, Sat 27 Apr. Admission: free. Info: www.chillifest.net

Caribbean Night, Naval Social Club, Port Talbot, Sun 21 Apr Even if the first bank holiday of the year is destined to be rainy, this night is sure to bring the sunshine back to south Wales. Jamaican Jill’s specialises in simple and tasty Caribbean food, paired with a great atmosphere. For this special event, they’ll be cooking up their jerk chicken and curried goat for the main course, while steel drummer Wahda plays reggae tunes to get everybody into the Caribbean party mood. Tickets: £11. Info: facebook.com/jamaicanjills Madhatters Afternoon Tea, The Exchange Hotel, Cardiff Bay, Sat 20 Apr Alice’s Adventures In Wonderland has inspired all sorts of people, from artists to poets, but for anyone who has read the book, or seen the multiple film adaptations, the one thing that will always be remembered is the food – from the size-altering ‘eat me’ cake to the infamous tea party. If you’ve ever wanted to experience Lewis Carroll’s vision in real life, you can at the Exchange Hotel. Performances, music, and food purport to transport you through the looking glass to another world. Tickets: £29.99. Info: www. exchangehotelcardiff.co.uk

THE GOWER CHEESE & CIDER FESTIVAL

Live music, fresh cheese and newly brewed cider: what could possibly be better? Held in the Gower Heritage Centre over May bank holiday, this three-day event will also feature live music and stalls throughout the day. Apple juice and cider-making demonstrations will also be held alongside a roast and a BBQ so this is one for the big eaters. Parkmill, Gower. Sat 4-Mon 6 May. Tickets: £7. Info: www.gowerheritagecentre.co.uk

Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea

ÂŁ29.99pp Saturday 20th April | 13:00 - 16:00 Step into wonderland this spring at The Exchange Hotel in Cardiff! An over 16s event, find yourself transported back to the magic of wonderland as you indulge in a delicious afternoon tea served in style.

A glass of fizz on arrival | Indulgent afternoon tea | Live performances

Book now on 02920 107 050

Pic: Jonothan Ooi

SAUSAGE REVOLUTION

Unit 1, Atlantic Trading Estate, Barry. 01446 739525 / www.thesausagerevolution.com Food **** Atmosphere ***** Listen. Any Cuban-themed restaurant with Che Guevara on the walls is going to get an instant thumbs-up from this die-hard Yugoslav, Titoist, and paid-up member of the non-aligned movement, even in today’s era of pseudocommunist kitsch (bound to have Karl Marx rolling in his grave, like a hot dog). Situated off to the outskirts of Barry on an industrial estate (strangely enough, near the Barry dump – perhaps that’s where the capitalism goes!), Sausage Revolution might take a bit of effort to get to, with our party having to take a car, aka the primary mode of transport for the bourgeoisie, though I imagine cycling is an option as we saw plenty of cyclists make a point of stopping here. But the effort is absolutely worth it, so don’t let the location put you off. For starters, it’s ridiculously cheap – a group of three of us found ourselves well-fed for a grand total of about £12 between us. The method behind Sausage Revolution is simple; it’s a choose-your-own deal, going from type of sausage (standard, bratwurst, spicy, falafel etc.), to the sausage’s receptacle (bun, mashed potato, panini-style) and onto fillings, sauces and so on. There’s pizza versions of most of the meals too, so with a few relatively simple ingredients all based around the humble sausage, there’s a large amount of variety. In my instance, I had spicy diablo with mashed potatoes, and the result was beautiful. I’ve always been so-so on mashed potatoes – too many know how to make average mash, few know how to make great mash – but this was superb in consistency and flavour, and the sausage was surprisingly spicy without it overtaking the quality and succulence of the meat itself. If there was a drawback, my partner’s falafel choice was not nearly as tasty, so perhaps there’s still a bit of work to do on the vegetarian-friendly side of things. But for these prices and the variety on offer, it’s hard to complain. It’s cheaper, for example, than a foot-long Subway, but just as filling, with all the ingredients and sauces locally sourced. Socialism with a sausage face! FEDOR TOT

BUZZ 54

GURKHA CORNER

12 Glamorgan Street, Brecon. 01874 610781 / www.gurkhacorner.co.uk Food *** Atmosphere *** We were staying in the Wellington Hotel, a few doors away from this restaurant, and the reviews sounded interesting enough to try it out. Run by ex-Gurkha soldiers, it had attracted very positive comments. We hadn’t booked; it was packed, leaving us unable to get in until 9.30pm, which as it happens was fine, as we spent the intervening two hours in the lovely Brecon Tap Bar across the road. When we ventured back it was still heaving and we were shown upstairs, to a room I can only describe as odd. It reminded me of a charity shop back room, with mismatched tables and long forgotten sofas. We ordered drinks and a few poppadums while we waited for a table downstairs. The art dotted around featured various Gurkha imagery and – I guess – the Nepalese Royal family. Not the most comfortable or luxurious, but by now we were tired, hungry and the menu looked appealing enough to stay, and nowhere else was open. As a duo of veggies plus a token fish eater, we went for it. Momos – vegetarian steamed dumplings with sesame sauce – had been recommended, and were joined by kalo daal (black lentils fried with jimmu); aloo zeera (boiled potato with fried cumin seeds and spices); bhindi bharjees, a Nepalese speciality; bhuteko bhat (wok fried rice with mustard seeds, onions and veg) and a king prawn kosheli cooked with coconut milk, garlic sauce and Nepalese spices. Despite the strange start to the experience, the food was good: fragrant, light and different and the momos an added new culinary delight. Gurkha Corner’s staff and owner were lovely and polite, while pricewise the meal was reasonable. However, it does need a facelift, and the upstairs room completely redecorated and preferably not used as a waiting room/dining area until there has been an overhaul. Leaving aside the creepy upstairs bit, I would go back if in Brecon. ANTONIA LEVAY

Pic: Artem bulbfish Pexels

health

NEWTRITION This month, Jonathan Sutton looks further into the science behind diets, this time looking at how they affect our mental health. Until recently, the link between diet and depression has been considered... well, kooky. Our local herbalist or the yogi down the park might have preached on the power of prandial positivity, but food for thought was unlikely to come from the trusted family doctor, let alone the psychiatrist. But if Instagram has taught us anything lately it’s that everyone is eating açai salads while absolutely bursting with positivity. And for those looking for a little more evidence than misspelled memes, salad-based selfies and perfectly posed plates, the science world has finally backed up claims of a strong link between your food and your mood. Felice Jacka, president of the International Society for Nutritional Psychiatry Research, told a reporter from WebMD, “A very large body of evidence now exists that suggests diet is as important to mental health as it is to physical health ... a healthy diet is protective, and an unhealthy diet is a risk factor for depression and anxiety.” Psychiatrist Drew Ramsey takes this logic even further, having analysed the effects of the ‘Western diet’ (high on unhealthy sugars, trans fats and bad carbs; low on quality protein and vitamins) on a group of teenagers. “The risk of depression increases about 80% when you compare teens with the lowest-quality diet to those who eat a higher-quality, whole-foods diet. The risk of attentiondeficit disorder (ADD) doubles.” So what exactly is the correct diet to meet our mental requirements? Veganism? Carnivore? The Baby Food Diet? Proponents of pretty much all diets have laid claim to improved mental health, but what has now been proved for certain is that each of the elements below are capable of boosting the brain’s ability to cope with stress, anxiety and depression. Zinc: this anti-stress nutrient helps to control the body’s stress response. Omega-3s: these are the good fats which can aid memory and, almost certainly, mood. B vitamins: most severe illnesses, both mental and physical, are caused by

inflammation; B12 reduces brain inflammation, depression and dementia. Iron: iron deficiency, anaemia, has long been thought to have a direct link to depression. However, other studies looking into the link between what we eat and what we think have found that food itself might not be as important to mental health as avoiding that food. Intermittent fasting has helped civilisations from cavemen (admittedly, not through choice), who managed to survive for days without food whilst staying lucid enough to navigate animal attacks, right through to the Ancient Greek thinkers who understood that fasting massively improved their cognitive ability. This is likely due to the presence of ghrelin, which is thought to have moodenhancing effects once the dieter’s initial hunger pangs have worn off. “High levels of the ‘hunger hormone’ ghrelin have an antidepressant effect,” BBC News reported in 2008. Intermittent fasting, usually working on the principle that you avoid all food for 16 hours per day, leaving only eight left to consume calories, has reportedly helped many celebrities – Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Lopez and professional MMA fighters among them – to stay in shape while retaining seemingly superhuman levels of energy and positivity. So, whilst it’s entirely possible that the food we eat can have a medicinal effect on the mind, helping to keep cognitive connections healthy and strong, it’s also possible that the real benefit to mental health is found by simply having a healthier body thanks to a lower calorie intake. Further to this, if we’ve decided to opt for a new eating pattern, it’s also likely we’ve decided to correct other parts of our life that we’d been putting off and secretly dwelling upon, often without even realising. But whether we end up feeling happier because of the healing effects of food, because of the ghrelin being produced by hunger or simply because we’ve made a big change in life – happiness is happiness. BUZZ 55

RIPPLE ZERO-WASTE LIVING

RHS FLOWER SHOW: FEELGOOD GARDENING When we get bogged down in the unfavourable aspects of our existence, we don’t always think of gardening as a solution. But this year, the RHS Flower Show is championing mental health as its latest show blossoms in Cardiff’s Bute Park this April. Speaking with show manager Anna Skibniewski-Ball, she explains why health, wellbeing and gardening are symbiotic. “It’s just the combination of all the scientific studies praising what we have always known – that gardening has a positive impact on your physical and mental health.” Several shows and displays promoting wellbeing are being exhibited in 2019. Gardd Lles (Welsh for ‘Wellbeing Garden’) promotes contemplation and the idea that being near plant growth benefits personal growth. Wellbeing gardens are a concept being shared to bring mindfulness to communities, says Skibniewski-Ball. “People who attend will hopefully realise that there are so many options to help you with your health and you don’t need to be an expert to reap those benefits.” After the show, the garden is being transported to Morrison Hospital so that patients there can benefit from it: “We always encourage the gardens to be a permanent contribution to a community after a show.” Grow Cardiff are a charity who promote the power of community by getting the patients of their Grow Well BUZZ 56

project to curate a display at the show. “They prescribe gardening as a medication. We are just trying to show that it isn’t just once a year these things happen, it’s the whole year round.” Further on that theme, the ‘Wheelbarrow Competition’ returns, where local schoolchildren craft gardens within a wheelbarrow based on a theme (this year’s being ‘discovery’). It’s as vital as ever to get children mucking around in the mud. “You don’t have to give detail as to why it’s good for them to be out there gardening – they come up with these beautiful narratives about their very small gardens and wheelbarrows. “The effect [the competition] has on adults has gives them an outside-of-the-box way of thinking and they then start to think they can replicate this on a bigger scale. It provides inspiration for any age, but it comes from the minds of a younger generation.” DYLAN BELLIS Bute Park, Cardiff, Fri 12-Sun 14 Apr. Tickets: £15/£12 (discounts for RHS members) Info: www.rhs.org.uk

The name – inspired by the saying “from one ripple comes a mighty wave” – draws you in like a lasso. What is Ripple? The answer, it turns out, is a zero-waste shop in Cardiff’s Roath district, and about time too. As a capital city, Cardiff has been rather behind with popular trends that have been cemented in cities elsewhere, including Next Bikes and eco-friendly metal water bottles. There’s even a sprinkling of zero-waste in Crickhowell. As a nation, Wales has become more conscientious in its collective daily life in the last few years – indeed, in 2017 the country was rated the secondbest household waste recycler in the world. If you want to look out for the planet and give a little back, Ripple, a non-profit venture founded by Sophie Rae, is a great place to start. Ripple’s modus operandi is BYOB – Bring Your Own Bottle/ Bag. Amongst the nuts, pulses, seeds, pastas, flours etc. you can bulk buy in sustainable bags (if you have no containers), you have eco-friendly soaps, shampoos, conditioners, washing up liquid and cleaning products. All of this is refillable and affordable, with everything priced on how heavy the contents are alone. This means you only pay for the weight of your product and not any of the packaging – for example, 48p for 100g of couscous. Beyond that, Ripple is an advocate of locallysourced products, stocking Cardiff’s Big Moose Coffee and myriad Welsh food produce, but also fashion items such as jewellery and ethicallycreated clothing including dungarees, t-shirts, jackets and babywear. When you consider that the multi-billion dollar fashion industry has a sizeable impact on the environment, with microfibres from polyester clothing entering into our water sources and 20% of industrial-level water pollution worldwide arising from the fashion industry, it’s these kind of small but considered changes that help kickstart the changes from day one, and that’s the ethos of the entire venture. After all, from one ripple, right? EVE ROWLANDS Ripple, Albany Rd, Cardiff. Info: www.rippleliving.co.uk

welcome to where it all happens fun, food and designer fashion for up to 60% less

mcarthurglenbridgend.com

sport

S PA N D E X A N D S P O T L I G H T S – AT TA C K ! P R O W R E S T L I N G A real-life underdog story has been making waves in Cardiff for a few years now. Rhys Fisher reports on the success of Attack! Pro Wrestling. When you think of Cardiff as a sporting city, most would not in all likelihood picture an ensemble of half-naked, spandex-clad wrestlers hurling each other around a community centre in Cathays. Yet Cardiff is swiftly becoming a wrestling city. At the heart of this is Attack! Pro Wrestling, a touring promotion started by Pete Dunne and Jim Lee, which found its home in Cardiff. Mark Andrews, who is currently signed with the WWE but still co-runs Attack!, explains how the company first started as a means for him and a group of other aspiring wrestlers to practice their craft. “Back in the day the British wrestling scene wasn’t booming like it is now, and there weren’t really many opportunities. People weren’t happy booking younger dudes on shows, and we really struggled to break out. So I bought a 10-foot boxing ring and we rented out Cathays Community Centre. We ran shows, but it wasn’t for the public – it was just for each other, really.” After honing their skills privately, the group began regular public shows in Cardiff, which soon became one of the hottest tickets in the city, routinely selling out within hours. Andrews attributes this following to the company’s decision to eschew “traditional family shows that only really appealed to kids” in favour of an American-influenced independent style of wrestling “that could genuinely appeal to all ages”. Alongside a desire to produce a more universally inclusive product, Andrews also highlights the company’s mantra: “showing tomorrow’s talent today”. He speaks candidly of wanting to provide for others, the opportunities that he was denied, and which forced him to start as a promoter in the first place. “We were always the company that took a chance on young, unnoticed talent, and that’s proved to be the right decision. If you look at myself, Eddie Dennis, Pete Dunne, Wild Boar, and Flash Morgan Webster, we’re now all signed to the WWE and we were the main five in Attack!, back in the day”. BUZZ 58

The current crop of talent looking to emulate the achievements of those main five will feature in Attack!’s next two Cardiff shows: Walkabout on St Mary Street on Sun 7 Apr and Cathays Community Centre’s main room, a former bingo hall no less, on Sat 18 May. Whilst Andrews mischievously suggests that both shows will be full of Attack!’s trademark surprises (they’ve secured unannounced appearances from internationally renowned talents such as Will Ospreay, Pete Dunne, and Moustache Mountain in the past), it’s clearly the April show he’s most excited about. “We’ve been running the Walkabout show for a few years now, and it’s always one of our biggest shows of the year. It’s the day of Wrestlemania, the crowd have all got drinks in their hands, everyone’s looking to have a good time. I really urge everybody to come along, and anyone who’s thinking of going to your first show, this is a great one to come to.” In many ways, Attack! Pro Westling is a classic underdog story: a group of shunned kids, refusing to give up on their dreams, who eventually rise high up the ranks of their profession. So whether you’re looking to get up close and personal with potential future WWE superstars without the inconvenience of a transatlantic flight, or to break up the weekend monotony of a night in Cardiff, an Attack! show may well offer you a chance to be witness to Welsh sporting history in the making. Attack! Pro Wrestling, Walkabout, Cardiff, Sun 7 Apr; Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff, Sat 18 May. Tickets: 7 Apr £16; 18 May TBC. Info: attackprowrestling.bigcartel.com

S I O E F L O DA U ’ R R H S / F L OW E R S H OW

C A E R DY D D / CARDIFF

l o l f a

l o u n g e

WHAT’S ON/AR FYND April/Ebrill 2019 – May/Mai 2019

12–14 Ebrill / April 2019

TŶ CERDD @ NIGHTMUSIC: BERKELEY ENSEMBLE 09.04.19 – 8pm

FLOOK 30.04.19 – 8pm

Plant am ddim / Kids go free* LIAM BYRNE & NASDUO 14.05.19 – 8pm

Gerddi, planhigion a blodau Sgyrsiau a gweithdai gyda’r arbenigwyr Cyfle unigryw i siopa Bwyd a diod lleol

Gardens, plants and flowers Expert talks and workshops Unique shopping Local food and drink

ALAW 20.05.19 – 8pm

Archebwch yn / Book at rhs.org.uk/cardiff Supported by

*Telerau ac Amodau’n berthnasol, ewch ar y wefan i gael manylion. Terms and Conditions apply, see website for details.

Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig yr RHS 222879 / SC038262 RHS Registered Charity no. 222879 / SC038262

CAPITAL CITY JAZZ ORCHESTRA & Special Guest/ Gwestai Arbennig ALAN BARNES 28.05.19 – 8pm

sport

SPORTS ROUNDUP With plenty on offer for sports fans across April, Harry Trend has the roundup on the most exciting events of the month. TEIFI VALLEY 10K

Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, Sun 7 Apr Races don’t get more picturesque than the Teifi Valley 10K. You can walk, jog or run the event in the beautiful countryside of Carmarthenshire. Contestants start in the town of Newcastle Emlyn, but then you’ll be making your way along quiet tracks and fields to the charming Cenarth Falls, the halfway point. After which, the route heads back to the town via a river path and some woodlands. You can tackle this race individually or in teams of four or eight. Tickets: entry from £22, free to spectators. Info: facebook.com/hydrodragonevents

UNIBET PREMIER LEAGUE DARTS

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Thurs 18 Apr The Unibet Premier League returns to the Motorpoint Arena Cardiff as the sport’s top stars continue their battle for the prestigious title. You’ll be treated to four matches on the night as world number one Michael van Gerwen, colourful Peter ‘Snakebite’ Wright, current world champion Rob Cross and two-time Premier League winner Gary Anderson do battle. So far in the competition, van Gerwen has been earning the plaudits with three wins out of three. However, Welshman Gerwyn Price might be worth an outside bet. The 34-year-old from Caerphilly came 10th last year but has unfinished business after losing to Gary Anderson last year in his home country. Tickets: sold out (check box office for returns). Info: www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

CAGE WARRIORS 104

Viola Arena, Cardiff, Sat 27 Apr Conor McGregor and Michael Bisping made their way to MMA through Cage Warriors, and undefeated world champion Jack Shore from Abertillery could be the next name on that list. Shore will defend his bantamweight title against BUZZ 60

Scott Malone in Cardiff at Cage Warriors 104 – the 24-year-old won’t have it easy, though, with Malone on a six-fight winning run. Several other promising Welsh fighters are due to appear on the undercard, including Mason Jones, Aaron Khalid and Jordan Peake. Tickets: from £30. Info: cagewarriors.com

JUDGEMENT DAY VII

Principality Stadium, Cardiff, Sat 27 Apr Four of south Wales’ five professional rugby union clubs will be battling it out at the Principality Stadium for the seventh edition Judgement Day. First off, the Dragons will be looking to get revenge over the Scarlets after a 33-8 hammering last year. Then it’s over to the Cardiff Blues, who take on the Ospreys of Swansea in what will surely be a tight game. In January, the Ospreys got the better of John Mulvihill’s side with a 20-11 victory, completing the double will be an impressive feat for Allen Clarke’s men. After the success of the Grand Slam, any fans hungering for more Welsh rugby are in for a treat. Tickets: from £10. Info: www.principalitystadium.wales

HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Fri 3 May The Harlem Globetrotters have played over 26,000 exhibition games in 123 countries and territories, and here’s the latest chance to see them in Cardiff. Bamboozling ball handling, rim-rattling dunks, insane trick shots, hilarious comedy and unsurpassed fan interaction, plus the chance to meet and have photos with the Globetrotters players with the Bench Seat and Meet And Greet packages. If that doesn’t satisfy your cravings, you can get the Magic Pass and take part in the pre-show event with Globetrotters members – shoot, pass and dribble on court! Tickets: £20.50-£34.10. Info: www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

listings

Inclusion in Buzz listings is free. Send via email (listings@buzzmag.co.uk) or post (220c Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1GY) by the 17th of the previous month. Buzz takes no responsibility for material sent or any errors made after this date.

recommended *–u – repeated

BUZZ EXHIBITION @ DIFFUSION FESTIVAL Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, throughout April. Admission: free. Info: www.buzzmag.co.uk Buzz magazine has its own exhibition in the Wales Millennium Centre as part of the 2019 Diffusion Festival, showcasing our 27 years of archival material. This display is a mixture of past images used in the magazine as well as press shots, slides and previous Buzz front covers. We will also have our own mannequin mascot on display, dressed as a different music icon each week as part of the exhibition’s ‘fandom’ theme. We’re not stopping there, either. We want you to write on our music memory board – filling it with your first, or favourite, music memory. In doing so, you’ll enter into our competition to win a pair of tickets for some of this summer’s best festivals, including GlastonBarry, Depot In The Park, Black Deer and Feels Like Summer. To be in with a chance of being picked, come down, say hello, Take a picture alongside the Buzz mannequin and send to competitions@ buzzmag.co.uk or post on your social media with the hashtag #buzzmagman listing your preferred festival. Winners will be notified by Wed 1 May. Joining Buzz in the Wales Millennium Centre takeover are two exhibitions which explore the history of music and fandom in different ways: Lisa Brunzell’s Let The World Adore You, a homage to tribute acts, and Zara Mader’s i-D, documenting the punk movement over time and toasting X-Ray

Spex vocalist Poly Styrene. Other picks from the festival include a live performance by Slowly Rolling Camera, who pair their latest album Juniper with moving images by 4Pi, and Michal Iwanowski’s Go Home Polish, accompanied with a live set from Gwenno for its Thurs 4 Apr launch at Penarth’s Ffotogallery.

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art clubs events live stage BUZZ 61

art ABERYSTWYTH ARTS CENTRE University Of Wales, Aberystwyth. Free. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. 01970 621903 / www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre Rivers Of Gold International exhibition and exchange curated by Judy Macklin and looking at the human and environmental cost associated with the prospecting, extraction and processing of gold. (Until Sun 7 Apr) Tucker Church Ceramics showcase in the Craft Shop. (Until Sat 27 Apr) Can I Gymru Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Welsh TV show of this name, featuring portraits of past winners and audio of their songs. (Until Sun 28 Apr) Linda Jane James ‘Indefinity’ A single work – not actually certain of its medium – created over one year and commenting on waste, accumulation and productivity. (Until Mon 6 May) In My Shoes Arts Council touring show examinng how British artists – notable names featured including Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas and Rachel McLean – have presented their own image in their work. (Until Sun 12 May) ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ART GALLERY Buarth Mawr, Aberystwyth. Free. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. 01970 622467 / www.aber. ac.uk Print Rebels: Haden, Palmer, Whistler & The Origins Of The RE Touring exhibition from The Royal Society Of Painter-Printmakers

and Bankside Gallery. (Until Fri 3 May) ALBANY GALLERY 74b Albany Road, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Free. 029 2048 7158 / www.albanygallery. com Gwyn Roberts Dramatic Welsh mountains and landscapes created using Roberts’ recognisable bold impasto painting-knife technique in oil. (Until Sat 6 Apr) Dai David, Peter Morgan & Robert Sawtell Three artists with very different painting styles, all however inspired by the beaches and harbours of the Welsh coast. (From Thurs 11 Apr until Sun 4 May) ANDREW LAMONT GALLERY (THEATR BRYCHEINIOG) Canal Wharf, Brecon. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Free. 01874 611622 / enquiries@ brycheiniog.co.uk / www. brycheiniog.co.uk Tessa Waite ‘Wild Things’ large scale constructions, handmade books and installations of made and found objects; examining our relationship to wildness, in nature and within ourselves. (Until Tue 23 Apr) ARCADECARDIFF / CAMPFA GALLERY Queens Arcade, Cardiff. Usually open Wed-Sat 12.305.30pm. arcadecardiffcic@ gmail.com / www. arcadecardiff.co.uk

Jessica Akerman Artist and maker whose work is inspired by social histories; this show will be located in the Campfa gallery and will feature all-new work, responding to the shopping centre location. (Until

Sat 4 May) ATTIC GALLERY 37 Pocketts Wharf, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Tue-Fri 10am-5.30pm, Sat 10am4.30pm. Free. 01792 653387 / www.atticgallery.co.uk Brenda Hartill Solo show by London-born artist known for her collagraph, etching and watercolour printing, especially her heavily embossed landscape forms. (From Sat 6 until Sat 27 Apr) BARNABAS ARTS HOUSE New Ruperra Street, Pillgwenlly, Newport. Free. 01633 673739 / barnabasartshouse@ outlook.com / barnabasartshouse.co.uk Alex Arnell ‘Human Conditioned’ New work from a London-based artist known for his street art in and around Brick Lane; here he presents a selection of unconventional portraits. (Until Fri 31 May) BAYART 54 B/C Bute Street, Cardiff Bay. Free. 029 2065 0016 / www.bayart.org.uk Paper Exchange Drawingbased show borne of crosscultural dialogue between British and Chinese artists, namely Chen Xujiang, Chen Yan, Guan Huaibin, Gu Rong, Huang Jun, Hua Jun, Shi Bing, Xi Wang, Zhang Hao, Zhou Jin, Iwan Bala, Richard Cox, Ifor Davies, Dave Gould, Mary Husted, Sue Hunt, Maggie James, Philip Nicol, Valerie Coffin Price, Lois Williams and Sue Williams. (From Sat 6 Apr until Fri 3 May) BLACKWATER GALLERY Pendeen House, Prospect

THE JOURNEY BEGINS Blackwater Gallery, Cardiff Bay, until Sat 13 Apr Admission: free. Info: 029 2034 9819 / hello@blackwatergallery.co.uk Launching with this a highly anticipated mixed exhibition, Blackwater Gallery in Cardiff Bay are promising to bring visionary artists from across the Globe to Wales’ capital. Founder Jamie Aherne hopes his art gallery will help in standing with powerhouse art cities such as London and Paris. Sourcing emerging modern and contemporary artists chosen for their originality and unique, thought-provoking art, the delightful, accessible location and artists being showcased (Cathy Lewis, John Wragg and Nico Klein to name a few) suggest a promising start for the Blackwater Gallery.

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Place, Cardiff Bay. Free. 029 2034 9819 / hello@ blackwatergallery.co.uk The Journey Begins Inaugural show at this new gallery which aims to offer “an eclectic mix of modern and contemporary art from UK emerging talent through to Royal Academy artists”. Cathy Lewis, Dairo Vargos, John Wragg, Nico Klein Allerman and Patricia Volk are featured artists here. (Until Sat 13 Apr) CARDIFF STORY

Sat 6 Apr until Sun 19 May) CWTSH COMMUNITY AND ARTS CENTRE 226 Stow Hill, Newport. Thurs + Sat 12-3pm, Sun 1-4pm. Free. 01633 664498 / www.cwtsh.org Conor Elliott ‘Babble’ Surreal photographic takes on old Dutch still lifes. (From Sun 7 Apr until Sun 5 May) CYFARTHFA CASTLE MUSEUM

The Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff. Daily 10am-4pm. Free. 029 2034 6214 / cardiffstory@cardiff.gov.uk

Cyfarthfa Park, Brecon Rd, Merthyr Tydfil. 01685 727371 / museum@ merthyr.gov.uk

The History Of Table Tennis In Cardiff You heard. This exhibition has been organised with the help of Cardiff Community Table Tennis Club and will also give you the chance to play said sport in the museum over the Easter holidays. (Until Sun 28 Apr)

Open Art Exhibition 2019 First show of this type in this gallery, promising a wide range of professional and amateur artists. (From Mon 8 Apr until Sun 23 June)

CASTELL COCH Tongwynlais, nr Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am-4pm. 02920 810101 / castellcoch@gov. wales Laura Ford ‘Squatters’ A series of over 20 new sculptures in bronze, jesmonite and ceramic, and clothed in wool and felt; located inside this castle, created in partnership with Cadw and presented by Gallery/Ten. See Art. (Until Mon 6 May) CHAPTER GALLERY Chapter Arts Centre, Market Road, Canton, Cardiff. Tue, Wed, Sat + Sun 12-6pm; Thurs + Fri 12-8pm. Free. 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org Freya Dooley ‘The Song Settles Inside The Body It Borrows’ Multi-screen audiovisual work which explores how music can affect the mind and takes as its starting point the 1876 short story A Literary Nightmare by Mark Twain. Dooley also has work featured as the Art In The Bar artist at the moment, I believe, but I don’t have any further details. (Until Tue 28 May) CHEPSTOW MUSEUM Gwy House, Bridge Street, Chepstow. Daily 11am-4pm. Free. 01291 625981 / www. monmouthshire.gov.uk/ chepstow-museum Stuffed, Pickled & Pinned A delightful-sounding (assuming you can stick taxidermy and the like) collection of natural history objects compiled from other museums across Wales. (Until July) CRAFT IN THE BAY The Flourish, Lloyd George Avenue, Cardiff. Mon-Sun 10.30am-5.30pm. Free. 029 2048 4611 / www. makersguildinwales.org.uk Trees That Make... Artworks created from elements of trees – carved from tree trunks, printed from leaves or constructed from bark, thorns and seeds. (From

DARE VALLEY COUNTRY PARK Ferndale, nr Aberdare. Free. 01685 874672 / www. darevalleycountrypark. co.uk David Winwood ‘Face to FaCE’ Pointillist and hyperrealist art from a painter who works digitally due to spinal/ nerve damage. (Throughout April) THE DRAWING ROOM 10 High Town, Hay-On-Wye. 07781 871120 / www. thedrawingroomathay.uk Carl Arroyo ‘What Do You Think You’re Looking At?’ Abstract mixed media paintings, buildt up through applying layers of overpainting and expressively scrawled and scratched mark making. See Art. (From Thurs 11 until Sun 28 Apr) ELYSIUM GALLERY 16 College Street, Swansea. Wed-Sat 12-5pm. Free. www.elysiumgallery.com Ruth Murray’ Good Morning, Midnight’ See Art for more on this show by British painter Murray. (From Fri 12 Apr until Sat 11 May) FFOTOGALLERY 29 Castle Street, Cardiff. Tue-Sat 11am-5pm. Free. 029 2070 8870 / www. ffotogallery.org Jonna Kina ‘Foley Objects’ Diffusion Festival exhibition containing collected objects from various Foley artists and sound designers. (Throughout April) Kurt Laurenz Theinert ‘Timeshifts / Before the Content’ Diffusion Festival exhibition described as “a series of photographs taken without a camera”. (Throughout April) The Nemesis Machine Diffusion Festival exhibition by a collective, Stanza, a large installation described as “representing the complexities of the real time city as an ever shifting and morphing system”. (Throughout April) FFOTOGALLERY Turner House, Plymouth

Road, Penarth. Tue-Sat 11am-5pm. Free. 029 2070 8870 / turnerhouse@ ffotogallery.org Michal Iwanowski ‘Go Home, Polish’ Diffusion Festival exhibition by Cardiffbased photographer, whose reaction to seeing the xenophobic graffiti of the title was to explore notions of ‘home’, nationality etc on a journey from Wales to Poland. The official launch for this is on Thurs 4 Apr and features a performance by Gwenno; on Tue 11 Apr, Iwanowski will be in conversation at this venue. (Throughout April) FOUNTAIN FINE ART Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm. Free. www. fountainfineart.com David Grosvenor & Duncan Johnson North and south Wales landscapes described in oil and watercolour respectively. (From Sat 6 until Sat 27 Apr) FUTURES GALLERY / ORIEL GALLERY Pierhead Building / Senedd, Cardiff Bay. Daily 10.30am4pm. Free. 0845 0105500 / www.pierhead.org Ayesha Khan ‘Standing Up’ Photographic project exploring the identity of Muslim women in the context of Islamophobia and their high rates of reported physical abuse. Diffusion Festival exhibition. (Throughout April) Richard Jones ‘The Coal Face’ Diffusion Festival exhibition featuring close-up 3D portraits of former Welsh coal workers. (Throughout April) Sebastián Bruno ‘Songs From ‘The Family’’ Diffusion Festival exhibition unearthing an unfinished, amateur musical by George & Martha Lowman. (Throughout April) Timothy Gwyn John ‘Intimate Distance’ Diffusion Festival exhibition comprised of bird houses made from sweet chestnut wood, supported on copper poles and fitted with ultrasonic sensors. (Throughout April) Y GALERI, CAERFFILI Lower Ground Floor, The Visit Caerphilly Centre, The Twyn, Caerphilly. Tue-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2132 2570 / www.ygalericaerffili. co.uk Drawn From Life Drawings and paintings of the human form by Neil Burridge, Lesley Dearn, Emlyn Hole, Sandra Wintle and Maureen Carlson. (Until Sat 27 Apr) GALLERY AT HOME Llancayo Court, Usk. 07725 830195 / facebook.com/ galleryathomeuk Annalisa Hayes ‘Transitions’ Self-taught visual artist from Usk, currently living and working in London, whose work focuses on abstract expressionist portraiture and themes which depict emotive human experience. (Until Sun 7 Apr)

THE GATE Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am9pm. Free. 029 2048 3344 / www.thegate.org.uk Phrame Collective ‘As We See It’ Diffusion Festival exhibition showcasing this new female photography collective. (Until Fri 17 May) GLYNN VIVIAN ART GALLERY Alexandra Rd, Swansea. Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Free. 01792 516900 / www. swansea.gov.uk/ glynnvivian Then & Now: 80 Years Of CASW Since 1938, the Contemporary Art Society For Wales has acquired around 900 works by 500 artists, now held in public collections across Wales. This exhibition will include works including David Jones and Glenys Cour. Curated by Dr Peter Wakelin. (Until Sun 12 May) Phytopia Film, photography, sculpture and painting based on the concept of the ‘tree of life’. Includes pieces by Derek Jarman, Paul De Monchaux and Rasheed Araeen alongside 19th century nature orints (Until Sun 26 May) INSOLE COURT Fairwater Road, Llandaff, Cardiff. Daily 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2116 7920 / www. insolecourt.org David Sinden & Kate Woodward ‘Altered Ego’ Diffusion Festival exhibition led by Sinden and Woodward but also featuring Sara Christova, William Craig, Paul Leyland, Zosia Krasnowolska, Rachael Smith, and Tim Williamson – artists who have been given carte blanche to create new identities for themselves. (From Sat 13 until Sun 28 Apr) KING STREET GALLERY 33 King Street, Carmarthen. Free. 01267 220121 / gallery@kingstreetgallery. co.uk Viv Mullett, Jenny Mynett & Jo Taylor ‘Paper Print Paint’ Three-pronged exhibition by artists working respectively in the media of the title. (From Tue 2 until Wed 10 Apr) THE LITTLE MAN COFFEE COMPANY Ivor House, Bridge Street, Cardiff. 07933 844234 / www.littlemancoffee.co.uk. Adam Whitmore ‘Expired By Cardiff’ Photography documenting the city of the title, with Whitmore – exhibiting his work for the first time – using a range of vintage cameras. (Until Sat 25 May) LLANTARNAM GRANGE ARTS CENTRE St. David’s Rd, Cwmbran, Torfaen. Mon-Sat 10am5pm. Free. 01633 483321 / www.lgac.org.uk Ingrid Murphy ‘Seen And Unseen’ Sculptural/ceramic work in clay, as previously

seen in Swansea’s Mission Gallery (and this magazine’s Art pages). (Until Sat 11 May) Jin Eui Kim Pieces showing the development of tonal clays and techniques towards new artworks. (Until Sat 11 May) Janine Partington Craft showcase exploring mark making through the carving and painting of leathers. (Until Sat 11 May) Monique JeffreyJones Jewellery showcase inspired by the Cornish moorlands. (Until Sat 11 May) Cerys Jackson Prints inspired by native wildflowers. (Until Sat 11 May) M.A.D.E. GALLERY 41 Lochaber St, Cardiff. Wed-Sat 10am-6pm. Free. 029 2047 3373. Artifex Group exhibition by Lauren Marshall, Evie Banks, Io Krina, Molly Stride, Alex Browning, Tiancong Zhang, Matt Drew, Patrick Sullivan, Hollie Ursell, Rosie McDonald and Philip Davies, whbo are all third year Fine Art students from Cardiff School Of Art & Design. (Until Sat 6 Apr) Viridis Group exhibition of selected emerging and established artists from South Wales in celebration of spring. (From Thurs 11 Apr until Sun 5 May)

(Until Wed 1 May) Leonardo Da Vinci: A Life In Drawing £5/£4/free under16s. Twelve drawings from the Royal Collection’s... collection of Da Vinci works, also part of a year-long commemoration of 500 years since his death. See Art. (Until Mon 6 May) NATIONAL WATERFRONT MUSEUM Oystermouth Road, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Daily 10am-5pm. Free. 01792 638950 / museum.wales/swansea Richie Crossley ‘Warrior Face’ A Roots Foundation Wales exhibition featuring portraits of individuals who have been a part of the care system. (Until Sun 28 Apr) Welsh Music Legends Exhibition charting the making of an interactive book by pupils from Ysgol Pen-y-Bryn school and Cwmrhydyceirw Primary, featuring both feature famous Welsh musicians and songs recorded by the pupils. I would like to hear the songs. (Until Mon 6 May) Pobl Discover the stories of people who have shaped the way in which this museum has evolved and its role as a community space. (From Sat 13 Apr until Sun 29 Sept)

ORIEL DAVIES The Park, Newtown, Powys. Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm. Free. 01686 625041 / enquiries@orieldavies.org Anna Falcini ‘In Between The Folds Are Particles’ New work by Falcini featuring film, drawing, photography, sound work and object-based installation borne out of five years of researching late Welsh artist Gwen John – presented as a ‘conversation’ between the two. (From Sat 6 Apr until Wed 5 June) ORIEL JOANNA FIELD Torch Theatre, St. Peter’s Road, Milford Haven. Free. 01646 695267 / www. torchtheatre.co.uk Maggie Tweed ‘Beyond The Blue’ New work inspired by the landscape of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park makes up Tweed’s fourth solo exhibition. (Until Fri 26 Apr) ORIEL MYRDDIN Church Lane, Carmarthen. 01267 222775 / www. orielmyrddingallery.co.uk Angela Maddock: ‘Sometimes All You Can

MARTIN TINNEY GALLERY 18 St Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff. Mon-Fri 10am6pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 029 2064 1411 / mtg@ artwales.com John Macfarlane ‘Swan Lake And Other Works’ Esteemed set designer for theatre and opera, who is also a painter of repute and indeed has exhibited here before. (Until Thurs 11 Apr) Gallery Artists Changing exhibition with all work for sale. (From Sun 14 until Thurs 25 Apr) MISSION GALLERY Gloucester Place, Swansea. Tue-Sun 11am-5pm. Free. 01792 652016 / www. missiongallery.co.uk Thibault Brunet Jane Phillips Award International Residency show for a French artist who looks here at photography’s role in an increasingly digitalised world. (From Sat 6 Apr until Sat 1 June) Sian Addicott [...] Space exhibition taking an activistlike approach to curation, aimng “to enhance the volume of voices that rarely get heard in contexts like public galleries.” (From Sat 6 Apr until Sat 1 June) NATIONAL MUSEUM CARDIFF Cathays Park, Cardiff. TueSun 10am-5pm. Free except where noted. 029 2057 3500 / museum.wales/cardiff Kyffin Williams: The Artist And Amgueddfa Cymru Arguably Wales’ most popular landscape painter of the 20th century, Williams had a long history with Amgueddfa Cymru and was a member of its art committee for many years. This display explores that relationship through artwork and archival material.

Thibault Brunet examines photography’s analogue v digital relationship with technology. Work created on his residency at Swansea’s Mission Gallery is showing from Sat 6 Apr-Sat 1 June. NEWPORT MUSEUM & ART GALLERY John Frost Square, Newport.Tue-Fri 9.30am5.30pm, Sat 9.30am-4pm. Free. 01633 656656 / museum@newport.gov.uk James Milne ‘II’ Project responding to Newport’s George Street Bridge and other infrastructure in South Wales with the same designation. (Until Sun 13 Apr) NORWEGIAN CHURCH ARTS CENTRE Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay. Daily 10.30am-4pm. Free. 029 2087 7959 / www. norwegianchurchcardiff. com The Gallery Gift Shop A collaboration of artists, artisans, crafters and photographers from around South Wales offering their products at this exhibition-cum-pop-up. (Until Sun 12 May) ORIEL CRIC Beaufort Street, Crickhowell. Mon-Sat 10am5pm, Sun 10am-1pm. Free. 01873 813669. Spring Exhibition Annual mixed exhibition showcasing the work of regional and visiting artists. (Until Mon 20 May)

Do Is Walk’ The results of a challenge undertaken by Maddock, namely to walk to Middlesbrough from somewhere in the Midlands; she sent material seen or collected during her journey back to the gallery at regular intervals. Really hoping this isn’t some corny ‘Brexit psychogeography’ thing (opening date invites that possibility) but not going to try and find out. (Until Sat 11 May) ORIEL Y BONT University Of South Wales, Ty Crawshay Building, Llantwit Rd, Treforest. Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm. Free. 01443 480480 / gallery. southwales.ac.uk 1SSUE International Collaborative artist books made over 2 decades, witrh a focus on 1SSUE 41 containing work by artists working with film, soundscapes, textiles, paintings, prints, drawings and experimental creative writing. (Until Fri 7 June) ORIEL YR ARDD National Botanic Garden Of Wales, Middleton Hall, Llanarthne, Carmarthenshire. Daily 10am-6pm. £10.50/£8.75 concessions/£4.95 under17s/free under-5s. 01558

667149 / botanicgarden. wales Mike Danford ‘Daffodils’ Photographs of the eponymous flower, commissioned by the National Botanic Garden to raise both interest in, and knowledge of, daffodil varieties. (Until Sun 7 Apr) QUEEN STREET GALLERY Queen Street, Neath. WedSat 10am-4pm. Free. 01639 631081/ www. queenstgallery.co.uk Eloise Govier ‘Committed. Ymroddgar.’ Paintings offering a “vivid and unmistakable take on Wales” from an artist dedicated to doing just that. (From Sat 6 until Sat 27 Apr) REDHOUSE Old Town Hall, High Street, Merthyr Tydfil. Free. 01685 384111 / info@ redhousecymru.com Alan Perry ‘From Aberfan To Grenfell’ An exhibition of illustrations by Perry, accompanied by poems in Merthyr dialect by Mike Jenkins. (From Thurs 4 Apr until Sat 4 May) SHIFT Basement unit NSU7, Capitol Centre, Queen Street, Cardiff. Free. shiftcardiff@gmail.com / www.shiftcardiff.org Alina Kisina ‘Children Of Vision’ Diffusion Festival exhibition studying children in the Kiev Special School Of Art, undertaking activities attempting to overcome their disabilities. (Throughout April) Brian David Stevens ‘Notting Hill Sound Systems’ Diffusion Festival exhibition featuring the various mighty rigs used in the notting Hill Carnival and elsewhere, captured by Stevens in 2004. (Throughout April) John Rea ‘Atgyfodi’ Lost voices and recordings from the sound archives of St Fagans’ National Museum Of History, where this installation previously appeared. Diffusion Festival exhibition. (Throughout April) X-Ray Audio Installation by The Bureau Of Lost Culture displaying some of the infamous bootleg Russian pop records pressed onto discarded X-rays in the mid-20th century. Diffusion Festival exhibition. (Throughout April) STIWDIO 3 3 High Street, Cardigan. Mon-Sat 9am-5pm. Free. 01239 758088. Phillip Alder ‘I Come To My Garden...’ Paintings about the pleasure of being in sunlight and gardens. (Until Fri 12 Apr) SWANSEA MUSEUM Victoria Road, Swansea. Tue-Sun 10am-4.30pm. Free. 01792 653763 / www. swanseamuseum.co.uk Cefn Coed Remembered Subtitled An Exhibition Exploring The Working Life And Patient Care At Cefn Coed Hospital From 1932 To Present Day, which should

cover it for this listing’s purpose. (Until Sun 9 June) TENBY MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Castle Hill, Tenby. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, £4/£3/£2 kids. 01834 842809 / www. tenbymuseum.org.uk 100% Tenby Works from the collection of Tenby-born Jan Regemortel. (Until Sun 7 Apr) TOWER GALLERY 49 High Street, Crickhowell. Wed-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. 01873 812495 / www. towergallery.co.uk Robert Macdonald Painter, printmaker and current president of the Royal Watercolour Society Of Wales. Also showing work by all members of the Usk Valley Artists’ Co-operative. (Until Sat 18 May) VICTORIA FEARN GALLERY 6B Heol y Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 9.30am5.30pm, Sun 10am-3pm. Free. 029 2052 0884. Lustre Multi-artist, mixed media show whose theme is also the title of the exhibition. Easter-themed gifts will also be for sale. (From Fri 5 Apr until Sat 11 May) WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE Bute Place, Cardiff Bay. Free. 029 2063 6464 / www. wmc.org.uk Don’t You Wonder Some Times? Diffusion Festival exhibition looking at developments in music technology from production to methods of consumption. (Throughout April) Lisa Brunzell ‘Let The World Adore You’ Diffusion Festival exhibition based around the proliferation of those things which haunt my waking and sleeping hours alike – tribute bands. (Throughout April) Peter Finnemore ‘The Groove’ Diffusion Festival exhibition displaying Welsh pop singles from the late 50s until the late 70s. (Throughout April) Zara Mader ‘i-D’ Diffusion Festival exhibition, a photobased project focusing on late punk vocalist and general l;egend Poly Styrene, and the impact she had on other women. (Throughout April) WEST WHARF GALLERY Jacobs Market, Cardiff. Thurs-Sat 10am-5pm. Free. westwharfgallery@gmail. com 4 x 4 Drawings by four sculptors – Dilys Jackson, Sue Roberts, Gwyneth Price and Valerie Coffin Price – whose works explore the natural world through carving, casting and installation. The exhibition is, additionally, in celebration of International Women’s Day. (Until Sat 6 Apr) Shirley Anne Owen Paintings showing in the side gallery, concurrently with the 4 x 4 exhibition. (Until Sat 6 Apr) WORKERS GALLERY 99 Ynyshir Road, Ynyshir, BUZZ 63

* – recommended nr Porth. 11am-4.30pm Thurs-Sat and by appointment. Free. 01443 682024 / wood4tt@gmail.com Paul Cabuts ‘Chapel’ Photographic exhibition, part of the Diffusion Festival, which looks at how the chapels near the Workers Gallery have played a significant role in the lives of individuals and the local community. (From Thurs 4 Apr until Sat 18 May) Selected Artists Group Show Featuring Chris Griffin, Chris Williams, Louise Collis, Melanie Honebone and Luz Erika Chick. (From Thurs 4 Apr until Sat 18 May)

clubs THE ANGEL INN 57-59 Great Darkgate Street, Aberystwyth. 01970 617878 / facebook.com/ theangelinnaber Fri 5 Buzz 11pm-4am, £5. Drum’n’bass from Traumatize plus more TBC, celebrating the birthdays of Giorgi G and Litty Lito. Fri 26 Brexit Strategy 10pm-4am, £3/£2 before 1. Jungle, breakbeay and dub from Jah-W, Dan-K, Codify b2b Flow, Replicant, Giantsbunk and Spectrum. Not sure why the night has been given that title. THE ARCH 11 Commercial Street, Neath. 07791 923214 / jack. thearchneath@gmail.com Sat 6 90s Rave 10pm-3am, £8/£6. Acid house, classics, disco, house, garage, techno and trance courtesy of DJs who this nationally-touring club brand does not consider significant enough to name THE ATTIC 5-6 Castle Bailey St, Swansea. facebook.com/ theatticswansea Sat 13 Heft 10pm-3am, £10/£8. Drum’n’bass from Nicky Blackmarket, MC Fatman D, DJ Low, 4K and the Swansea DJ Society, plus Heft residents. Sat 20 100% Old Skool 9pm-4am, £10 adv. House, speed garage and funky house in room 1 from Chris Dutton, Greg P, Nicky G, Newman & Steins and John Steffanick; UKG anthems in room 2 from Kai, Greg P, Lloyd-e and Dan Thomas. Sun 21 90s Rave – The Prodigy Edition 9pm-3am. Paying tribute to Keith Flint, natch, through the medium of inflatables and bucket hat giveaways. Sat 4 May Slide Away 11pm-3am, £4-£6. Britpop club night with a focus on Oasis. BAMBU BEACH BAR 51 Wind Street, Swansea. 01792 651651 / www. bambu-bar.co.uk Fri 5 Con7rol Rooftop Part 2 8pm-3am, £5. Local techno folks offer sets from guests (State Of Minds, Sam Kitt, Smiley, Tom Murray and Nico) and residents (Taz Meah, Jamie Morgan, Vedra, Dan Martin and Nicky Cursio). BUZZ 64

Saturdays Tropical 5pm3am. New night that promises “chilled, disco, soulful, jackin’ and funky grooves” from DJs Leon Atolagbe, Laidback Lew and Dan Purcey plus weekly guests. BAR COCOA Broad Street, Barry. facebook.com/cocoabarry Fridays + Saturdays 10pm-3.30am, £3. With DJ Lou Ross (Glastonbarry) playing various chart/cheese/etc in room 1; James Bourne with dance and r’n’b in room 2. THE BIG TOP / 10 FEET TALL 11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / thisis10feettall@yahoo. co.uk Mondays Junction :: Liquid Mondays 9pm-1am, free. New weekly night of liquid drum’n’bass, the genre with a strange idea of how colons work. Thursdays Rock hits from DJ Andy Rhys Lewis. Fridays + Saturdays Resident DJs playing soul and funk. Fri 5 Paradox 10pm-4am, £8/£6 adv. New techno night which debuted in February and this time around has sets from Jason Edwards, Old As Dust, Mathew Hart and Ryan Ross. Saturdays Under A Groove 9pm-3am, £3 after 10. Funk and neo-soul. BLIND TIGER 49 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 243500. Wednesdays Wild Wednesdays Cocktails, drink deals and tunes as part of a cross-city midweek session. Fridays Beekay & Friends 11pm, £3-£5. House, techno and bass music with guest DJs, breaking producers and residents from Wales’ freshest nights. Saturdays Re:work 11pm, £5. Underground and cutting edge club music promised. THE BUNKHOUSE 63 The Kingsway, Swansea. info@bunkhousebar.co.uk / www.bunkhousebar.co.uk Sat 20 Wonkcrafts x Heft 420 Free Rave 9pm-5am, free. Don’t tell a policeman or parent but today is the special marijuana day!! And to subtly commemorate it these two promoters are offering “two rooms packed with all flavours of bass music”. Sat 4 May Dogruff Basement Party 8pm-4am. Held, as per the event name, in the venue’s basement, this will feature Mikki James b2b Clare James, Alex Taylor and Callum Davies. CARDIFF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION Park Place, Cardiff. All listings apply to term time only. 029 2078 1458 / www. cardiffstudents.com Wednesdays YOLO 9pm2am, £4/£3 adv/free before 11. Midweek club night promising both your favourite tunes and great offers. Good name, really on trend. Saturdays Juice 10pm-3am, £5/£4 NUS. Chart,

dance and pop. Sun 5 May Shangri-La 10pm-4am, £30 adv. House and techno from Jamie Jones, Yousef, Senzala, Lucas Alexander and Nico Balducci. CATHAYS SPORTS & SOCIAL CLUB 152-156 Cathays Terrace, Cardiff. 029 2022 0906 / cathayssportssocial.co Sat 13 Solid Sounds Of Jamaica 8pm-12am, £3. “An evening of ska, rocksteady and boss reggae all on original vinyl,” promise the evening’s promoters, Gingerino’s Boss Sounds. CHAPEL 1877 Churchill Way, Cardiff. 029 2022 2020 / www. chapel1877.com Fri 5 Starving Artists present Confession Sessions 8pm-1am, £5/£3 adv. Rare grooves, disco, hiphop, funk and soul from Chris Conroy, Miles Day, Triz, Mansfield Green Monsieur Gp and Joe Northwood. CLUB ICE Broadway, Pontypridd. 07771 920726 / www. clubiceponty.com

from £7. Liquid drum’n’bass headlined by SpectraSoul. Fri 19 Riddim 11pm-4am, £6-£12. Drum’n’bass from Technimatic ft. LowQui MC, Benji, Wink, Plethora, Psybrations and hosts MC XL and Lowqui. Saturdays Dirty Pop 10pm-4am, £5. Three floors of fun: Grltlk and Andrew Rhys Lewis’ top floor resident indie shindig; Dirty Pop; and Mr Potter’s proper disco. COURTYARD 48 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 213161. Wednesdays Wild Wednesdays Upfront dance anthems and “Urban Vibes”. Fridays Spotlight Sessions / The Kickstart 5pm, £3/ free before 9. Urban and club anthems and drinks deals. Part of the NPCLUBHOP price deal which also includes entry to Blind Tiger, Meze Lounge and Labamba. Saturdays Mischief Beat-driven anthems is the ambiguous description for tonight’s music policy. Sundays Good Time Social Club 8pm, free. DJs til late and the weekend’s sports highlights. CREATURE SOUND

Logic, regular pushers of hard dance mayhem at Gorseinon’s Rainbow Rooms, return there on Sat 4 May with a pledge to be not just hard but Xtra Hard. There’s even some gabber and Frenchcore promised for you serious BPM freaks. Fridays Flashback 10pm3am. Retro hits from the 80s, 90s and 00s. Saturdays Gravity 10.30pm-3am, £7/£5 before 11. House, techno and dance every week on the club’s Void soundsystem. CLUB OXYGEN 1 Northampton Lane, Swansea. 0844 8849171 / www.globaloxygen.co.uk Fridays Dance Anthems 11pm-4am, free. House, house & bass and techhouse all night. Saturdays 11.30pm-5am, £5/free before 1. Upstairs: deep house, commercial house and tech-house. Downstairs: urban, chart, classics, r’n’b, hip-hop and UK garage. CLWB IFOR BACH

Ken Bu Kan, 1 Bethesda Street, Swansea. 01792 301178 / www. creaturesound.com Sat 20 Wonkcrafts x Crossfaded 7-11pm, £3. Jungle and other bass-driven music from local DJs TBC. Wonkcrafts seem to have two promos tonight, the other being in Swansea’s Bunkhouse.

house from George Smeddles, ADR, Tomcept, something that I think says Pipes but has a really hard to read logo, Dale Rankmore, Toby Ellis, Kyle Waters, The Dog, Antwon&NTM, Lewis John, Callum Bergin, Kailo, Scott Phillips, Locomote and Kinley. Sun 5 May We Like To Party 90s Dance Classics 9pm-5am, £11 adv. Live PAs from Rozalla, Sonique, Urban Cookie Collective, Baby D and Dario G. THE EXCHANGE HOTEL Mount Stuart Square, Cardiff Bay. 029 2010 7050 / www.exchangehotelcardiff. co.uk Fri 26 Poison Heart Disco 8pm-2am, £20/£15 adv. Held in the main hall at this venue which was previously the Coal Exchange, this features DJs Jon Pleased Wimmin, Andy Carroll, Paul Bleasdale, Craig Bartlett, Dave Mills, Simon Quinn, Gareth Hopkins and Darren Stewart – but, contrary to the 90s house pedigree of the first of those names at least, will be on an 80s pop/ postpunk/new wave tip. FICTION & VINYL The City Gates, Little Wind Street, Swansea. 01792 828777 / www.fictionclub. co.uk/swansea Mondays Quids In 10.45pm-2.30am, £3.50/£2 before 11. Chart, cheese, r’n’b, dance and house. Wednesdays Underground 11pm-3.30am, £3.50/£2 before 1. House, chart, r’n’b and cheese across two rooms. Fridays 11pm-3am, £5/£3 adv. Drinks offers and, uh, music I guess. Saturdays Agenda 10.30pm-3am, £3.50/£2 before 1. Fiction: house, r’n’b, EDM. Vinyl: pop and party. Sun 21 Young T + Bugsey 11pm-3am, £3.50. Grimey newjack MCs tip up here for Easter Sunday, the lucky sods. FUEL 5 Womanby Street, Cardiff. 07970 063107 / facebook. com/fuelcardiff

Henllys Way, Cwmbran. 01633 627101.

Thursdays FUBAR 10pm2am. Rock, metal and alternative clubnight. Fridays + Saturdays Rock and metal anthems each weekend, plus special guests when such types are in town.

Fri 3 May Stadium Anthems 7pm-1am, £21.75 adv. Featuring Example, DJ Sammy, Nancie, Big Al, Racy and host MC Shocker.

47 Uplands Crescent, Swansea. 01792 213200 / www.whitez.co.uk

CWMBRAN STADIUM

THE DUKE

THE GARAGE

Womanby St, Cardiff. 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net

Old Market Street, Neath. 01639 643892.

Tue 9 Carnival 11pm, £3-£5. Dancehall, reggae and bashment. Thurs 4 Brooklyn Zoo 11pm-3am. Hip-hop, trap, grime and drill, timed to coincide with the end of term. Fridays (bottom) Yum! 11pm-3am, £3-£5. Indie and pop. Fri 5 Dazed Disco 11pm-4am, £3-£7. Disco from Oh My Rosh b2b Kemba, Clockwork and Izaak b2b Conor Vincent. Fri 3 May Dazed 11pm-3am,

Sun 21 Resurrection 10pm3.30am, £8.50-£12. Garage, house and disco from Andrew Hartley and Robb The Garage.

Sat 27 Hedone 8pm-2am, £10. House and techno, headlined by Zeb Zito of the Seven Dials label. Dale Williams and Hedone residents also feature.

125 Albany Road, Cardiff. 07590 471888 / www. globecardiffmusic.com

EDDIES 4 Quay Street, Haverfordwest. 01437 779595 / www.eddies.co Fri 19 Housewerk 4pm-4am, £7 adv. This is subtitled The Road To Su Casa and features

THE GLOBE

Sat 27 Club Tropicana 9pm-2am, £6 adv. Eighties night. HANGAR 18 50 Plymouth Street, Swansea. 07984 664008 /

u – repeated

facebook.com/hangar18mv Wednesdays Propane 10pm-3am, free before 11. House and techno spun by members of the Swansea University DJ Society. HAVERHUB 12 Quay Street, Haverfordwest. haverhub. org.uk Sat 6 The Allergies 8pm, £10/£8. Hip-hop/breaks/ funk DJ duo, presented here by Span Arts. Sat 13 Dub Soundsystem Sessions 9pm-5am. Soundclash night between Bristol Firmly Rooted Soundsystem and London’s Real Roots Sound System. THE HEFTY CHEST The Strand, Swansea. facebook.com/kingshandbar Sat 6 Dead Of Night 9pm3am, £3. Goth/alternative club night, on the first Saturday of every month. Relocated from The Last Resort which closed in January. This place, meanwhile, is a pirate bar. INKSPOT The Old Church, Newport Road, Cardiff. 029 2049 0254 / www. inkspotartsandcrafts.com Sat 6 Cellar Door 10pm4am, £10 adv. First April event for CD, who are in this venue for the first time. Sat 13 Instincts: Spirits Trance Gathering 10pm-4am, free. Semi-regular psytrance type night wibbling and boshing for free entry! JACOB’S MARKET West Canal Wharf, Cardiff. 029 2039 0939. *Sat 6 Blue Honey: Deep In The Loft 8pm-2am, from £9. As the name implies, this is upstairs in the gallery area rather than the larger downstairs basement, and is headlined by Welsh deep techno DJ and Freerotation regular Leif. Sat 13 Teak: Another Thought 10pm-5am, £11 adv. Promoters’ annual tribute to disco pioneer Arthur Russell, with guest headline DJ Luigi Di Venere. KARMA CLUB 75 St Mary Street, Cardiff. 07722 523192 / karmaclubcardiff.wix.com/ karma-club Sat 6 Freebass 10pm-6am, £8/free before 11. Welsh free party/rave veterans with a night of house, techno, breaks and drum’n’bass from Jake Radar, Justin and Jonny T from Fatlace, Circus Warp and Lazyhouse. Fri 19 Darth 9pm-6am, £6-£10. Drum’n’bass headlined by Jayline (Rough Tempo, Incurzion etc). LE PUBLIC SPACE High Street, Newport. 01633 221477 / www.lepublicspace.co.uk Fri 5 Return Of Drop Your Pants 11pm-3am. Drop Your Pants was an indie/alternative disco that used to be resident in various grotty Newport

venues. Now it has returned, presumably for nostalgia reasons, to this less grotty one. Sat 6 Thnks Fr Th Mmrs 11pm-3am, free. Emo, poppunk and nu-metal from the previous decade. LEVEL 2 @ KONGS 114-116 St Mary Street, Cardiff. info@kongsbars. com / www.kongsbars.com Fri 5 Get Funky 10pm3am, £8. Housey stuff with headliners Brame & Hamo. Sat 6 Stickylemons v Circle Eight Soundclash Sessions 10.30pm-3.30am, £5-£15 adv. Two local drum’n’bass promoters with a night whose premise is 90-minute soundclashes between two DJs: Low Down Deep v Playaz, Ego Trippin v Tyke and Stickylemons v Circle 8 themselves. Sun 21 Easter Bank Holiday Kongs Takeover 9pm-4am, £9 adv. That takeover being by Rotary Club, Blue Honey and Groove Theory, who also collectively did NYE here. House, disco and techno is supplied by Denmark’s Anastasia Kristensen, FYI Chris and the Boogie Cartel. Sat 4 May Function:al 10pm-3am, £8-£12. Drum’n’bass from Drumsound & Bassline Smith, DJ Storm (“the First Lady of d’n’b is no lady on the turntables!” add the promoters, witlessly), Missy G, Digital, Blackeye MC, Ransom and Lubi J. See Clubs. MARY’S 89 St Mary Street, Cardiff. Mon-Thurs 4pm-2am, Fri 4pm-3am, Sat 12pm-3am, Sun 12pm-1am. 029 2066 8647 / www.maryscardiff. co.uk Wednesdays Wednesday Club 8pm-2am. Dance and chart toppers with DJ Chris. Thursdays Mixxet 8pm2am. Fun, games, and cabaret with Amber Dextrous and Alphaa Heart. Fridays Non Stop Party 8pm-2am. DJ Lee plays tunes from the 90s

onwards. Saturdays 8pm2am. Dance, pop and chart with DJ Billy Joe. Sundays Service 5pm-2am, free. Bingo with Aunty Ade and Aunty Betty from 5pm, with cash prizes; DJ Mary Golds until 9pm; guest cabaret at 9pm and DJ Billy Joe on the tapes (this is an odd turn of phrase but I like it) until 1am. METRO’S Baker’s Row, Cardiff. 029 2039 9942 / www. metroscardiff.com Wednesdays Meltdown 10.30pm-4am, free before 11. Punk and rock anthems. Fridays Havoc 10.30pm4am, free before 11. Mismatched alternative tunes from Hywel. Saturdays Lose Yourself 10.30pm-4am, free before 11. Stereo Brain playing indie, beats, treats and pop-punk. MINSKYS SHOW BAR Cathedral Walk, St David’s Centre, Cardiff. 029 2023 3128 / www.minskysshowbar.com Fridays & Saturdays 8pm1am. Dancing and cabaret with regular drag acts including Tina Sparkle, Miss Babs and Jolene Dover. MOCKA LOUNGE Mill Lane, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 11am-late. 029 2022 1295 / www.mockalounge.com Thursdays Iqos Social Club / Intuition 7-9pm: Iqos Social Club; 9pm-late: Intuition with DJs Monique B and Dan Willow. Fridays Feeling Soul, funk, disco, rare groove and r’n’b with resident DJs and happy hour from 5-8pm. Saturdays House Of Play House and r’n’b from resident DJs. Sundays Secret Resident DJs play 90s music. THE MOON Womanby Street, Cardiff. 029 2037 3022 / info@

themooncardiff.com Wed 24 Womanby’s Clubbing 5-8pm. Monthly clubbing events for adults with learning disabilities, physical disabilities and mental health conditions. Run in partnership with Student Volunteering. Thursdays One More Time 10.30pm-3am, free. Music from the 90s and 00s. Fridays Gigantic Until 4am, free. Funk, punk, rock’n’roll, hip-hop, indie, reggae and soul after bands finish playing. Saturdays Five Dollar Shake Until 4am, free. Bebop, funk, soul, Motown, hip-hop, reggae, ska and everything in between, after bands finish playing. MUSIQUE BAR & LOUNGE Market Street, Newport. 01633 533666 / theneon. co.uk/neon-bar-lounge Fridays + Saturdays 9pm-2am, free. Soul, funk, old skool hip-hop, reggae, house, UK garage, lovers rock etc. Sun 21 Perc 6pm-4am, free. Newport’s top technoheads serve up 10 hours of tunes for no fee, the DJs being Paul Cahill, Oliver Harvey, Greg Baker, Mike Gallivan, Paul Blandford, Richie Moulton, Jon Williams and Chris Cain. NATIONAL MUSEUM CARDIFF Cathays Park, Cardiff. 029 2057 3500 / www. museumwales.ac.uk/cardiff Fri 5 Hush Silent Disco 8pm-12am, £14 adv. The return of an event which sold out in 2017 and 2018, offering you the chance to don headphones and shuffle among the art, fossils etc in this storied building. This one is sold out too. NO.3 The Old Warehouse, Bridge Street, Haverfordwest. no.3entertainment@ outlook.com / facebook.com/ no.3nightclubhaverfordwest

POISON HEART DISCO The Exchange Hotel, Cardiff Bay, Fri 26 Apr Tickets: £15. Info: 029 2010 7050 / www.exchangehotelcardiff.co.uk If you know of the names on this new club night’s inaugural lineup, you will know them for their dedication to good-time house music and its attendant culture. There’s headliner Jon Pleased Wimmin [pictured], whose sets of handbag house pumpers and bewigged garb made him a widely recognisable face in 90s UK clubland; from these parts, meanwhile, the likes of Lamerica founder Craig Bartlett and Cool House’s Dave Mills can both claim two decades-plus of DJing experience. However, Poison Heart Disco’s twist is in their music policy: a 1980s-centric playlist taking in pop, new wave, postpunk, synthpop and the like. Held in the main hall of what used to be the Coal Exchange, host to raves aplenty in the 90s and 00s, expect this to generate all kinds of nostalgia.

Sat 13 Groove 10pm-5am, from £4. House from Lucas Alexander, Joey Rich & Disco Deano, Scott Phillips and Locomote. Fri 19 Autarchy 10pm-5am. Not certain what sort of music is at this night but it’s a benefit for Clib Sargent and celebration of someone named Finn who has recovered from bone cancer. Sat 20 Lost Cove Pre Party 9pm-5am, £10-£15. Lost Cove is a surf festival with some music in the mix also, I think, on nearby the weekend after this. This preemptive night features Ed Solo, Deekline and Freestylers, plus Bassix residents and more TBC. Sun 5 May Boogie Nights: Alfresco 9pm. This is hosted by Dai Die Fünf and takes place in the smoking area outside this club. OCEAN ARTS CARDIFF Unit 2, East Moors Business Park, East Moors Rd, Cardiff. 029 2132 0030 / www.oceansrtscardiff.co.uk Fri 5 All Accessible Club Nights 7.30-11.30pm, £3 adv. In the venue’s words, a gentle club night with music, a bar and chillout area, accessible toilet and friendly staff. Also open to under-18s until 9pm. THE PHILHARMONIC 76-77 St Mary Street, Cardiff. 029 2132 0740 / www.thephilharmoniccardiff. co.uk Sun 21 Cream Cardiff 9pm-4am, £20 adv. Pretty large lineup of trance, prog house, hard house etc over three rooms, not sure of the breakdown in that regard but here’s who’s here: Eddie Halliwell, Tall Paul, Argy, Anthony Probyn, Ed Mackie, Big Al, Andy Joyce, Hamton & Collard, Tekno Tom, Jonny Griffiths, PH & Lam, Richie Knight & Hywel Mathews, Rui J & Dean Angel, Sarah Louise and Stu Grady. PITCHER & PIANO Wind Street, Swansea. 01792 461312 / www. pitcherandpiano.com/ Sat 6 Sonik 4pm-2am, free. Backwards baseball cap techhouse from Lindsey Matthews, Marco Strous and Cellan Eynon. Sun 21 Groove Garden Opening Party Part 1 4pm-3am, £7 adv. House al fresco with headliner Eli Brown. PLATFORM 11 High Street, Pontypridd. Fri-Sun 7.30pm-2am. www. platform11.co.uk Sun 21 026 9.30pm-3.30am, £11/£9. Techno duo OC & Verde will be playing all night long. The given time here is off the poster but the event page and ticket page have different ones. Just FYI. PLAY 20 Market Street, Abertillery. 07973 777717. Fridays 9pm-2am, free. DJ Momo plays house and techno.

POPWORLD 96 St Mary Street, Cardiff. Mon, Tue + Thurs 9pm3am; Wed 8pm-3am; Fri 5pm-3am; Sat 1pm-3am. 029 2023 5825. Mondays Pop Rocks 9pm. A night of what they call alternative pop but their examples (Green Day, Blink, Linkin Park) seem to suggest will be pop-punk and nu-metal. Ah, it’s all just names at the end of the day. Thursdays Top Of The Pops 10pm-3am. Discounted drinks, free entry and a chance to party the night away, all advertised using the logo from defunct TV show Top Of The Pops which, as a national brand of venues, I assume Popworld are using with the full permission of the BBC. Fridays Reflex 7pm-3am. Drinks deals until 11pm. Saturdays Popworld Party 1pm-3am. Drinks deals from 3-6pm. POPWORLD 2-5 Wind Street, Swansea. Mon-Fri + Sun 8pm-3am; Sat 3pm-3am. 01792 470676. Mondays Pop Is A Drag 9pm-3am. With Drag host Opal Fruits and DJ Chris Toole. Wednesdays Quids In 8pm3am. Student night where drinks are £1. Thursdays Neon Disco 9pm-3am. Dance r’n’b, pop, chart and punk. Fridays #WTF 9pm-3am, £2-£4. Tunes, games etc. Saturdays Pop Party 8pm3am, £2-£4. PRYZM Greyfriars Road, Cardiff. 029 2023 3854 / www. pryzm.co.uk/cardiff Mondays Quids In 10pm3am, £1 adv/£6 VIP. Student night featuring various special guests. Thurs 11 Sugar And Spice 10pm-3am, £15-£25 adv. Featuring a set by Zack Knight, a multi-award-winning Britsh Asian artist, plus DJs Ams, Mista Bibs and Raj. Fridays Smack. 9pm-3am, £4 adv. Weekly student event described by one enthusiast as “lit Friday nights with chilled fam bams and regular bants”. Saturdays Agenda 10pm3am, £5. Three music arenas, VIP booths, other stuff. PULSE 3 Churchill Way, Cardiff. 029 2064 1010 / www. pulsecardiff.com. Gay venue. Wednesdays Kapow! 10pm-4am. Student night with Jolene Dover and DJ Warren. Fridays Full On 10pm-5am, £4/£3. DJ Craig downstairs, Opal upstairs. Saturdays The Sound Of Saturday 10pm-5am, £5/£4 b4 11. The very best chart remixes and classic hits all night long. THE RAINBOW ROOMS 12 High Street, Gorseinon, Swansea. 07763 000382 / www.the-rainbowrooms. com Saturdays 9pm-4am. With residents plus guest DJs each week: Sat 6 has Trixta, Sat 13 is Big Al’s 50th Birthday Bash,

Sat 20 has Rob Rees and Sat 27 has John Hughes. Sun 21 House Of Bassline 10pm4am, £10 adv. With Kissy Sell Out, Tengu and residents. Sat 4 May Logic Xtra Hard 8pm-6am, £15 adv. Hard dance that even tips into gabber and Frenchcore, with sets from Destructive Tendencies, DJ Thera, Ed ET, Deimos, MCP, Toxic, Kujin FU, Jason P & Rob Rees, Onyx, Angel Eyes, Rusty Nuttz, Odd-S-E b2b Patchy & Vandellio, Delgado and hosts K-NER and Twisted RUM & FIZZ Coffee Barker, Castle Arcade, Cardiff. 029 2022 4575 / facebook.com/ rumandfizz Fri 5 + Fri 3 May The Shakedown 8.30pm12.30am, free. Funk, jazz, R&B, boogaloo etc from DJs Lee, Matt and Andy, newly in this venue on the first Friday of every month. SIN CITY Dilwyn Street, Swansea. 01792 468892 / www. sincityclub.co.uk Tuesdays Hustle 10pm3am, £3/£2 before 12. Motown, r’n’b and hip-hop. Thursdays Sin Savers 10pm-3am, £3. Student night. Fridays Monsters Of Rock 10pm3.30am, £4/£2 before 12.30. Indie in room 1, metal in room 2. Fri 12 Dazed 10pm-4am, £15. Drum’n’bass from Hybrid Minds with MC Tempza, Ben Snow, Clique and Ebbens. Saturdays Sink 10pm-3am. Hip-hop, drum’n’bass, dubstep etc, with special guests plus resident DJs Dubman, Swiss Elf and South. Sat 13 Solo & Con7rol 9pm-5am, from £10. Techno from big hitter headliner Alan Fitzpatrick plus more TBC. See Clubs. Sold out mind. SODA St Mary Street, Cardiff. 029 2037 3363 / www. sodacardiff.com Wednesdays Replay 9pm4am, £4. Chart, cheese and r’n’b for students. Fridays Guilty Sounds 10pm-4am, £4/£6 VIP. R’n’b and house from the 90s and 00s. Fri 8 features a guest DJ set from Charlie Sloth. Saturdays Soiree 9pm-4am. Three rooms including the Attic which is “the social playground for the high flyers and social elite, the only place to be seen.” Imagine catching your reflection in the mirror just after writing that. Sat 6 The Official Marbella Warm Up 7pm. Hosted in conjunction with Tibu, a club in Marbella, and featuring DJs Wendale De Jesus, Mista Bibs, Team Litty, DJ T, Jigga and DJ Veejay. If you see any other Marbella warmup events they are unofficial and you should phone the police. Sundays Soda Sundays 9pm-3am, £4/£8 VIP. Three floors of music for students and industry workers. TIGER TIGER Friary House, Greyfriars Rd, Cardiff. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2am, Sat 12pm-3am, BUZZ 65

Sun 12pm-12.30am. 029 2039 1944 / www.tigertigercardiff.co.uk Every Day Lucky Voice Karaoke From £2.50 per session. The UK’s leading private karaoke experience each day of the week. Mondays Dolla Dolla 10pm-3am, £5/£2. Student night with special guests. Tuesdays Sync 10pm-3am, £3. R’n’b and hip-hop from DJ Sole and Alex Davies; disco, house and bass from Lewis Disson, Kyle Thom and Jordan Witts. Wednesdays Shotgun Rules 10pm-3am, £5/£3.50. Exclusive midweek student party. You don’t need NUS to get in though. Fridays Tic Toc 10pm-3am, £4. “Forget the DJs who play the stuff you’ve never heard of, ours will be playing your favourite tracks all night long.” Saturdays Kanaloa Polynesian style area with cocktails, VIP booths, dancers etc. TRAMSHED Clare Road, Grangetown, Cardiff. 029 2023 5555 / www.tramshedcardiff.com Sat 6 Human Traffic 20th Anniversary Celebration 8pm-3am, £18.50 adv/£25 VIP. This will feature a screening of the 1999 rave-themed movie plus DJs playing music from that rough era. Does anyone who wasn’t in Cardiff 20 years ago give a shit about this movie? Don’t get that impression. Sun 7 Raver Tots 2-4pm, £10. Club event for babies and toddlers with DJ Nicky Blackmarket. Fri 12 Triple Cooked 10pm-3am, £12 adv. Touring club night whose subtitle this time is ‘Groove Arcade’, heralding some sort of video game theme. Not sure what sort of music will be played as this isn’t deemed important enough to mention. Sat 4 May Hed Kandi 9pm-3am, £19/£15. Funky house brand, DJs TBC right now. UNDERTONE (BASEMENT OF 10 FEET TALL) 11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / www.undertonecardiff.com Fri 4 Elevate 10pm-4am, £3. Liquid drum’n’bass/ jungle. Sat 6 Temple Of Boom 10.30pm-4am, £6. Drum’n’bass/jungle from Apollo, Benny Bootleg, Blokeye, Flow, Huntu and host T-Motion. Tue 9 Future Beats 11pm-3am, £5/£3 adv. New night playing trap and halftime, with DJs Beeson, Palms High, Zuubek and Cesco. Event page has a long list of the sort of artists you can expect to hear, some of them have follower counts into six figures and I’ve heard of almost none of them. Getting old sucks! Thurs 11 Pull Up! Blend Game 10pm3am, £10/£8. Drum’n’bass from Ego Trippin, Vital, Noise Makers 21 and residents, plus hosts Pablow and Hustle MC. Fri 12 Haws 10pm-4am. Eclectic selections, maybe leaning towards house as that’s what you normally hear at this night, from Cardiff’s own Earl Jeffers. Sat 13 BUZZ 66

Nu:Clear 11pm-4am, £5 adv. Drum’n’bass from Obsidian, Benji, Beanieguy, Wrekka, ADHD, Shed and host Pablow. Fri 19 Curfew 10pm-4am, £10/£8. House and techno featuring Nicolau from Realgang Soundsystem, Mikki James, Agenda, Otski and Matthew Hughes. Sat 20 Junction 10pm-4am, £5-£12. Drum’n’bass from 1991, Walbeoff, Mascot, Raudi TT, Plethora, Leightdon and MCs XL and Supa Darkaz. Sat 4 May Gas Mark 10 10pm-4am, £10 adv. “Cardiff has a new drum’n’bass event” – oh thank god! – “aiming to rock the socks off any raver.” A noble aim indeed. DJs: Terrence & Phillip, Jaydan, Riddim 68, Ransom, Lowgli, Dekane b2b Shellerz, Dox and an MC competition winner. Hosts: Basher, Comma Dee, XL, Vizable and Pablow. THE VAULTS / PORTLAND HOUSE The Old Natwest Bank, 113-116 Bute Street, Cardiff Bay. www.vaultspresents. com Fri 5 Canopy 10pm-5am, £12.50-£15.50. Drum’n’bass from Kings Of The Rollers, who are on an album tour, plus Inja and more TBC. Sat 6 Applebum 11pm-4am, £10/£8. Hip-hop/rap from multiple eras, courtesy of what is apparently the UK’s biggest urban club night. Sat 4 May Got Bass 2nd Birthday 10pm-5am, £15/£12.50. Featuring Flava D, Kanine, Champion and more TBC. See Clubs. Sun 5 May Journey 15 Years 9.30pm-5am, £25/£21. Cardiff trance stalwart’s decade-and-a-half milestone, and I think their biggest bash yet! Main room: John Askew, The Thrillseekers, Sam Mitcham, Hywel Matthews, Joe Byrne and Arran Roberts. Room 2: Überdruck, Richie Knight, Rhys Thomas b2b Dan Mcshane, Callan Christie, Fattman & Slug and Ben Dursley. WAREHOUSE 54 54 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 213161. Wednesdays Hump! 7pm. Cocktails, drink deals and tunes over two floors. Fridays Sunset Havana 9pm, £2-£4. Rock, indie, alt and pop from Aaron Lillie and Jaivinder. Saturdays Raise The Roof 10pm. Funk, disco, r’n’b and classics. WOW BAR 4 Churchill Way, Cardiff. Gay venue. Free all day Sun-Thurs; before 11pm Fri + Sat. 029 2066 6247 / www.wowbarcardiff.com Thursdays Throwback Free. DJ Lee soundtrack nonstop fun and games, hosted by Gina Grigio. Fridays Kitty’s Ditties Free before 11. With WOW Showgirl Miss Kitty, plus special guests every week. Saturdays Devilishly Divine Free before 10. Pop and party upstairs, chart and dance downstairs. Sundays Fundays 12pm-1.30am, free. DJ Krys and Chris Army play the tunes until late.

events EVERY MONDAY uNoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £4-£12 per class. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Classes for various age groups on every day; check the website for full details. uUp Side Down Circus Classes Cave Venture Workshops, Tremorfa Industrial Estate, Cardiff. Info 029 2048 8854 / info@ upsidedowncircus.co.uk. Classes for various skill levels on every day; check the website for full details. EVERY TUESDAY uAdult Give It A Go Climbing Session Boulders, St Catherine’s Park, Cardiff. 6.30-7.50pm, £15. Info 029 2048 4880. Every Tuesday to Thursday. Beginners Ballet Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.157.30pm, £6. Info 029 2063 5614. Covering key ballet principles including developing core strength, improving

029 2047 3373. Led by a qualified Welsh language teacher. EVERY THURSDAY Learn To Roller Skate Cardiff Central Youth Club, Cardiff. 6-7.30pm, £4/£40 for eight weeks at two sessions per week. Info www.brawlers. co.uk. With Cardiff roller derby team Tiger Bay Brawlers; fully coached and with veteran skater lead. Also on every Sunday. Mid Wales Dance Academy Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info 01874 623219. Singing For Lung Health Bridges Centre, Drybridge House, Monmouth. 11am12pm, £3. Info 03000 555555. New singing group set up by the British Lung Foundation and open to anyone living with a lung condition. Yinyasa Yoga Class Cathays Community Centre. 1.05-1.55pm, £5. Info facebook. com/victoriauceleyoga. EVERY FRIDAY Bingo Lingo The Depot, Cardiff. 6pm, £5. Info www. depotcardiff.co.uk. Features street food, a wheel of fortune and “rubbish prizes”. English Conversation Group For Advanced Adult

Resembling a sentient, sexist walnut more and more each year, Francis Rossi out of Status Quo has a new autobiography out. Titled I Talk Too Much, his tour to promote it takes him to the Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl on Fri 5 Apr. posture, basic steps, flexibility and coordination. Hosted by National Dance Company Wales. Beginners Contemporary Dance Dance House, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30-8.45pm, £6. Info 029 2063 5614. Exploring the basic principles of contemporary dance through a set of exercises. Hosted by National Dance Company Wales. English Conversation Group For Beginners M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 11am, free. Info 029 2047 3373. Led by a qualified English language teacher. Mid Wales Dance Academy Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info 01874 623219. With Lesley Walker. Also on Thursdays, Fridays aand Saturdays. Open Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. EVERY WEDNESDAY Djembe Drumming Workshops Ocean Arts Cardiff, Splott, Cardiff. 6.309.30pm, £5/£3. Info oceanartscardiff@gmx. co.uk. 6.30-8pm: beginners (£3); 8.15-9.30pm: intermediate/ advanced (£5). Drop-in classes. Welsh Conversation For Learners M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 10am, free. Info

Learners M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 11am, free. Info 029 2047 3373. Led by a qualified English language teacher. Mid Wales Dance Academy Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info 01874 623219. Rhiwbina Farmers Market The Butchers Arms, Rhiwbina. 10am-1pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982. EVERY SATURDAY Mid Wales Dance Academy Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. Info 01874 623219. Roath Real Food Market Mackintosh Sports Club Car Park, Roath, Cardiff. 9.30am1pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982. EVERY SUNDAY Cooper’s Quiz Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, £1 to play. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Hosted by Ben Cooper. Draw Somebody’s Sunday Body Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 1.30-3.30pm, £7.50. Info 07830 381930. Hosted by Cardiff Life Model. Learn To Roller Skate Cardiff Central Youth Club, Cardiff. 12-1pm, £3/£40 for eight weeks at two sessions per week. Info www.brawlers. co.uk. Uncoached session hosted by Tiger Bay Brawlers. Riverside Farmers’ Market Fitzhammon

Embankment, Cardiff. 10am2pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982. Always worth a trip. Sunday Board Games Cardiff Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 3pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Weekly session featuring a mixture of competitive and co-operative games. MONDAY 1 APRIL uCardiff Children’s Literature Festival Various venues, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, £5 for most events (some free). Info 029 2087 2087. Annual multi-venue, activitypacked celebration of words returns. It takes place in Cardiff Story, City Hall, Cardiff Central Library and the Old Library Gallery. Full listings are at www.cardiffkidslitfest. com, and include readings, workshops, interactive sessions, guest appearances from authors etc. The majority of events are on today and tomorrow, with one to three per day from Mon 1-Fri 5. (Until Fri 5) uCoedlan: High Ropes National History Museum, St Fagans. 10.15am-4.30pm, £10. Info 029 2057 3500. Obstacle course for anyone over six years old and 110cm tall, here until the autumn. (Until Thurs 31 Oct) uDrums For All Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 12.301.30pm, £5/£4. Info 07875 090946. Dementia-friendly music making sessions. uHave Fun / Meet New People Grangetown Community Choir Cornwall Street Baptist Church Hall. Grangetown, Cardiff. 7.309.30pm, £10 per session/£80 for 12 sessions. Info paulinedown7@gmail.com. With Pauline Down, every Monday until 8 Apr. TUESDAY 2 APRIL An Audience with Anfield Legends Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £32/£31/£67 meet and greet. Info 01792 475715. Anecdotes, banter and implacable accents from medal-winning ex-Liverpool FC players John Barnes and Jan Molby, plus Neil Ruddock who also played for Liverpool. In Cardiff tomorrow. Board Games The Gate, Cardiff. 6.30-11pm, £3.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Hosted by Rules Of Play on the first Tuesday of every month. uLife Writing Peak, The Old School, Crickhowell. 2-4pm, £55 (six weeks). Info 01873 811579. Course hosted by Renée Stanton, teaching people how to write about their own experiences. Every Tuesday until 9 Apr. uPiggy Walking With A ‘Pig-Nic’ Senni Valley, Brecon Beacons. £25/£10 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Take a pair of friendly Kune Kune pigs (from New Zealand, look a bit like Ewoks) for a walk, then return to the smallholding for refreshments. Also on Sun 7, Fri 12, Tue 16, Sat 20, Tue 23 and Fri 26 this month. Swansea Learning Festival Event: Guided Tour Of The Dylan Thomas Exhibition Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 11am-12pm, free. Info 01792 463980. Book in advance please. uUplift Singing Sessions

Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 12.30-1.30pm, £5/£4. Info 01874 611622. With Tanya Walker. Every Tuesday this month. WEDNESDAY 3 APRIL uAdult Workshops Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 1-3pm, free. Info 01792 516900. A class for people of all abilities to create art in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Also on Wed 10 this month. An Audience with Anfield Legends Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £32/£31. Info 029 2063 6464. Sold out. uDrawing And Painting with Daisy Penarth Pier Pavilion. 10.30am-12.30pm, £30 (two sessions). Info 07852 824393. Taster sessions; also here on Wed 10. All details also apply to the Caerphilly evening classes, listed below uDrawing And Painting with Daisy The Old Library, Caerphilly. 7-9pm, £30 (two sessions). Info 07852 824393. Also here on Wed 10. Drink & Draw The Gate, Cardiff. 8pm, £3.50. Info 029 2048 3344. Learn drawing skills with artist Rachel Rasmussen, every first Wednesday of the month. uMuseum Yoga National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 6.30pm, £7.50. Info 029 2057 3600. Every Wednesday this month. Psychic Sally Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7.30pm, £22 adv. Info 01639 763214. Spirit medium. Reminiscence Monthly Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 11am-1pm, free. Info 029 2034 6214. Come to the museum and share your memories of Cardiff, on the first Wednesday of every month. uScriveners Writers’ Group The Badminton Club, Ebbw Vale. 8pm. Info 01495 309863 / burningcanary@ aol.com. Also on Wed 17 this month. THURSDAY 4 APRIL A Woman’s Work Symposium Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 9.30am-12.30pm, £10. Info 029 2063 6464. Diffusion Festival event. Bridgend Writers’ Circle Carnegie House, Bridgend. 7pm, free. Info 01656 815757. Meeting here on the first Thursday of every month. uDinky Donkey Walking Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Spend a couple of hours with a pair of Miniature Mediterranean Donkeys. Also on Sat 6, Sun 7, Tue 16, Sat 20, Sun 21 and Wed 24 this month. Introduction To Geology National Museum Cardiff. 1-4pm, £90. Info 029 2039 7951. Five lectures, every Thursday until 4 Apr (ie finishing today). Kemi’s Storytelling Suppers Kemi’s, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7pm, £14. Info 029 2037 2055. Monthly gathering starting up again after summer, this edition featuring guest storyteller David Pitt talking about tea. Price includes food. Lowri’s Little Lambs National Wool Museum, Dre-

FRIDAY 5 APRIL uBingo Lingo The Depot, Cardiff. 6pm, £5. Info www. depotcardiff.co.uk. Features street food, a wheel of fortune and “rubbish prizes”. Every Friday this month. Cardiff Inter Varsity Club Meeting Park Plaza Hotel, Cardiff. 8.30pm, £5 (threemonth trial membership). Info 07526 141392 / www. cardiffivc.org.uk. Meeting here on the first Friday of each month. Diffusion Launch Party Shift, Cardiff. 7pm-12am, free. Info shiftcardiff@gmail. com. Featuring performances from Kurt Laurenz Theinert, R. Seiliog and X-Ray Audio. Book in advance on Eventbrite please. Francis Rossi Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7pm, £25.50. Info 01656 815995. Spoken word show titled I Talk Too Much, the sort of top shelf humour you will have come to expect from the waistcoat-wearing Status Quo man. Sold out! Of course. Glynn Vivian At Night Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 5-8pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Afterhours activities with a licenced bar. uLaugharne Weekend Various venues, Laugharne. £100 (three days). Info laugharneweekend@gmail. com. Annual literary and culture festival, taking place across several venues in this small Carmarthenshire town. Will probably be sold out by the time you read this but here’s who’s performing: Tracey Thorn, Annie Nightingale, Robin Ince, John Lanchester, John Cooper Clarke, Stephen Morris, Jackie Kay, Alan Johnson, Hollie McNish, Damo Suzuki, Jeremy Dyson, Luke Wright, Deborah Frances White, David Kynaston, Kate Hamer, Nikesh Shukla, Gwenifer Raymond, Carys Eleri, Stuart Cosgrove, Fiona Banner, Will Ashon, Ed Vulliamy, James Hawes, Martin Rowson, Charlie Connelly, David Stubbs & Stephen Mallinder, Rhys Mwyn & Alan Holmes and Nick Revell. (Until Sun 7) Little Mice Club: Springtime National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am-12pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Drop-in activities for small children. uYin Yoga Class Natural Health Service, Swansea. 7.30-9pm, £8/£4 for your first class. Info facebook.com/ victoriauceleyoga. Yoga class designed to balance out the stresses of the modern world. Here every fortnight; also on Fri 19 this month. SATURDAY 6 APRIL AbFab Vegan Fayre Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 3.30-7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 3144. Cruelty-free food, clothes, makeup etc. Launch event in this venue I think. Ar Lafar National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. National festival for Welsh learners and their families with quizzes, crafts, tours and film. Ar Lafar National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre. 11am-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. As above. Art About Town: Urban Sketching And Printmaking Carnegie House, Bridgend. 10am-3pm, pay what yuu can. Info 01656 815757. Monthly art workshops with Claire Hiett. Botanical Illustration Peak, The Old School, Crickhowell. 10am-3pm, £45. Info 01873 811579. Debbie Devauden will guide you through the various techniques to achieve detailed and accurate botanical painting. uBy Order Of... The Depot, Cardiff. 5-11pm, £22.50 adv. Info www.depotcardiff.co.uk. New night which jumbles together various 1920s cultural signifiers (Peaky Blinders, Prohibition, flapper girls) with little apparent interest in historical accuracy. You have to dress up appropriately and then pay extra on top of the ticket price for “traditional newspaper-wrapped fish and chips” etc. Every Saturday until 20 Apr, then on Sun 21 Apr also. Craft Fair St Mary’s Church, Swansea. 10am-4pm. Info ariancrafts@hotmail.co.uk. Dewch i Ganu National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Join musician Delyth Jenkins and learn Welsh through song. Enfys Craft Fair St. Francis Millennium Centre, Barry. 10am-4pm. Info 01446 792149. Every first Saturday of the month. In Conversation BayArt, Cardiff Bay. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2065 0016. Participants in the Paper Exchange exhibition that opens here today talk about their work in both English and Mandarin. Introduction To Textiles Mission Gallery, Swansea. 11am-4pm, £25. Info 01792 652016. Adult workshop featuring processes such as hand stitching, fabric manipulation, feltmaking, printing, weaving, applique, embroidery and tapestry. Mini Mono Workshop The Printhaus, Canton, Cardiff. 1-5pm, £35. Info 029 2022 0349. One-day course on the first Saturday of every month this year. PAN-musicale 2.0 / Afro The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff.

5pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Second in a series of events in which attendees will “focus upon the music of a particular territory or genre, share authentic food together and engage in open cultural conversation.” Bring your own playlist of (I assume) African music if you like. uSheep Trekking Crai, Brecon Beacons National Park. £35/£25 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Take a sheep for a walk on a lead in a 200acre organic farm. A Good Day Out event. Also on Sat 13 and Wed this month. Swansea Comic And Gaming Convention Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 10am-6pm, £5 adv. Info 01792 475715. uTalk At 4 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 4pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. This month concerning the exhibition currently running here, Freya Dooley’s The Song Settles Inside Of The Body It Borrows. Also on Sat 20. Vintage Kilo Sale Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 10am-6pm, free. Info 029 2037 3144. Designer labels at £15 a kilo. SUNDAY 7 APRIL Attack! Pro Wrestling: My Sacrifice III Walkabout, Cardiff. 6.45-10.30pm, £16 adv. Info 07896 999546. The return to Walkabout for wild and woolly wrestling venture, plus after it’s done you can watch Wrestlemania on the big screen in here. See Sport for a chat with some Attack! bods. Illustration & Indie Publication Fair Milk&Sugar, Cardiff. 11am5pm, free. Info www. pigeonmakesart.co.uk. Billed as a celebration of the independent arts, underground print, small presses, journals and illustration; presented by Pigeon, who is a Cardiff-based artist and not a real pigeon. Parent & Child String Art M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 12-2pm, £20. Info larkdesignmake@gmail. com. Lark Design Make craft workshop. MONDAY 8 APRIL Cardiff Humanists Event Cardiff Quaker Meeting House, Charles St, Cardiff. 7.30-9.30pm, £2/£1. Info www. cardiffhumanists.co.uk. A talk on mindfulness by Dr Stephen Stanley from Cardiff University. TUESDAY 9 APRIL uContemporary Conversations Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 1-3pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Session to provide a supportive environment for people with an interest in creating art work and discussing contemporary issues. Book in advance please. Also on Tue 23 this month. Kumihimo Jewellery M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 1.303.30pm, £20. Info larkdesignmake@gmail. com. Lark Design Make craft workshop. Leonardo – Anatomical Mindfulness Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 2.30pm, £8. Info 01874 611622. Arts Society Brecknock lecture by Daniel Evans.

Pic: Paul Blakemore

fach Felindre. 10.30-11.45am, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Monthly activity sessions for under-5s. Marcus Du Sautoy Great Hall, Bay Campus, Swansea University. 7.30pm, £8/£5. Info 01792 602060. Lecture about AI and related topics by someone who is Oxford University Professor For Fhe Public Understanding Of Science. uT-Shirt Printing The Printhaus, Canton, Cardiff. 6-8pm, £140 (four sessions). Info 029 2022 0349. With Tom, every Thursday this month. Words Art Music Workers Gallery, Ynyshir, nr Porth. 7-9pm, free. Info 01443 682024. Words from the RCT Creative Writers Group, art from Lucy Jane Purrington and music from Christian Punter.

EXPERIMENTICA PRESENTS Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Wed 3-Sun 7 Apr Tickets: £8-£12 Wed 3 and Sat 6; free Sun 7. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org Chapter’s live art festival Experimentica is due to return in full in 2021, but in the meantime will maintain a presence via individual events. April features three of those, indeed, by way of introduction. First up on Wed 3 are Katz Mulk, a Manchester group who present sound art in pop-cultural contexts; their Vital Attachments performance will also feature local artists and is inspired by cult sci-fi author Ursula K. Le Guin. Greg Wohead’s Call It A Day [pictured] follows on Sat 6, a performance that improbably folds Cyndi Lauper into a yarn about the Amish people, before over-60s improv dance troupe Good News From The Future finish on Sun 7 with What Leg Are We On, a collaboration with Cardiff musician Sam Barnes. Music Networking The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info info@themooncardiff. com. Book in advance (via Eventbrite) please. Quantum Physics For Beginners The Vaults, Portland House, Cardiff Bay. 7-9pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2048 7602. Funzing talk by <ichael Brooks. Smut Slam Cardiff: Bloom AJ’s Coffee House, Cardiff. 8pm, £7-£10. Info 029 2045 1588. This is a “dirty storytelling open mic – based on real life, real lust, real sex” and is hosted by “professional perv” Cameryn Moore. I recently watched a clip of an elderly man with a big white beard at an open mic in a cafeteria, reading what sounded like pornogrind lyrics to a confused audience, so maybe this will be like that. The World of Graham Sutherland & John Piper Queens Hall, Narberth. 11am. Info 01834 869323. Lecture by Valerie Woodgate with the West Wales Decorative & Fine Arts Society. WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL Ant Middleton St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7pm, £37/£30/£87.50 VIP. Info 029 2087 8444. The return to Cardiff of ex-SAS TV tuff guy is already sold out, although if a no-deal Brexit has transpired by this date, perhaps some people will return their tickets in light of Ant’s galaxy brain prediction (“it would force us into hardship and suffering, which would bring back British values of loyalty”) and what this would actually mean in reality.

Bridgend History Society Carnegie House, Bridgend. 7pm. Info 01656 815757. David Ryland Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 6.30pm, £10. Info 01633 868239. Floral demonstration. How To Profile A Serial Killer The Vaults, Portland House, Cardiff Bay. 7-9pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2048 7602. Funzing talk by Glenn Wilson. Title relates to the forensic psychology type of profile, not the sort you might find in a broadsheet Sunday supplement. Strong Young Minds The Muse, Brecon. 7pm, £5/£2 friends and members. Info info@breconmind.org.uk. Brecon & District Mind present a talk by Kaye Berry, chief executive of Herefordshirebased mental health charity the CLD Trust.

Steen’s Cafe, Windsor Place, Cardiff. 2-4pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2023 1723. Every second and fourth Friday of the month. Also on Fri 26 in April, although the topics for both events are TBC at the time of writing, and the Fri 26 one will be in a different venue (also TBC). Pop Up Ponty Streetfood Market Pontardawe Arts Centre. 8pm, free. Info 01792 863722.. uRHS Flower Show Cardiff Bute Park, Cardiff. 10am-5.30pm, £11-£15. Info 029 2087 8100. Annual celebration of plants and flowers and shrubs and blooms and so on. (Until Sun 14) Volunteer Open Day City Hospice, Whitchurch Hospital Grounds, Cardiff. 10am-12pm, free. Info volunteer@ cityhospice.org.uk.

THURSDAY 11 APRIL uAbergavenny Writing Festival Various venues, Abergavenny. 10.30am, pricers vary per event. Info abergavennywritingfestival. com. Various lectures, discussions, workshops etc, from authors, publishers etc, for adults, kids etc. Full details at the festival website. (Until Sun 14) uTuneless Choir Cardiff Aspire Fitness, Canton, Cardiff. 7.30-9.30pm, £10 first session/£7 drop-in/£40 for eight weeks. Info 07745 683723. Choir, led by Mei Gwynedd, for people who want to sing but can’t carry a tune. Also on Thurs 18 this month.

SATURDAY 13 APRIL An Older Swansea: The Town Before Industry Transformed It Swansea Museum. 2.30pm, free. Info 01792 653763. Royal Institution Of South Wales lecture by Gerald Gabb. Charity Craft Fair Community Hall, Neath. 10am4pm. Info ariancrafts@ hotmail.co.uk. In aid of Neath Port Talbot Cancer Challenge. Diffusion 2019 Markers’ Fayre Shift, Cardiff. 11am4.30pm, free. Info shiftcardiff@gmail.com. Artists, producers, makers and designers given a chance to showcase their work. Dino – After Hours National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 4.30-6.15pm, £7.50. Info 029 2057 3600. Follow-up event to

FRIDAY 12 APRIL uPhilosophy In A Cafe

BUZZ 67

ROOTS UNEARTHED APRIL 2019 In December 2008, popular Anglo-Irish folk band Flook sent a message to their friends and fans. “We wanted to wish you a very Happy Christmas and also to share some news with you,” said their press release. “After 13-plus years, hundreds of gigs, millions of miles travelled together and countless brilliant times, we’ve decided to call it a day. It might be forever or a prolonged pause, who knows?” That message marked the end of a band that was originally formed in 1995 by three fluteplaying friends, Sarah Allen, Brian Finnegan and Michael McGoldrick. Briefly known as Three Nations Flutes, Flook gradually evolved to their settled line up with the addition of guitarist Ed Boyd and, replacing McGoldrick (who left to join Capercaillie), bodhran player extraordinaire John Joe Kelly. With each member of the band regarded as a virtuoso of their chosen instrument, Flook’s recordings and live performances proved that they were definitely more than the sum of their parts, something that the Shetland Times summed up when reporting on a festival appearance. “They looked for all the world like four people – until they started playing when they became as tight as one while producing a sound as rich as 10.” Fortunately for music lovers everywhere, Flook regrouped in 2013 for a few gigs and proved to be as popular as ever. Since then they’ve gigged intermittently but, due to the constraints of work and family, never fully committed to reforming permanently. That changed, however, in early 2018 when they posted a photograph together with the news that they were working on new material, with a new album in the pipeline. That album, Ancora, has just been released and it’s the sound of a band who have lost none of their creative energy and which sees them once again at the top of their game. That’s something you can witness for yourselves when they hit the stage at Cardiff’s St David’s Hall on Tue 30 Apr for what promises to be one of standout gigs of the year. Miss it at your peril. BUZZ ALSO RECOMMENDS: Mairearad Green & Anna Massie. Two of Scotland’s finest multi-instrumentalists. Llantrisant Folk Club, Pontyclun (Wed 17) Martin Carthy. The godfather of British folk. Valley Folk Club, Pontardawe (Fri 19) Sheelanagig. Foot-stomping folk tunes. Acapela Studios, Pentyrch, Cardiff (Sat 27)

Please send your folk and roots listings to listings@buzzmag.co.uk or phone them in to 029 2022 6767 BUZZ 68

the one listed below, for older kids by the sounds. Dino Day National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Various dinosaurthemed activities. uEaster Fun! Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5.30pm. Info 01792 371206. Featuring various Alice In Wonderland-themed kids’ activities plus lots of Histor’s Eye-esque egg puns. (Until Sun 28) Exhibition Talk: Paul Cabuts Workers Gallery, Ynyshir, nr Porth. 1-4pm, free. Info 01443 682024. Talk relating to Cabuts’ Diffusion Festival exhibition (see Art listings for this gallery), also featuring a discussion by the South Wales Project documentary photography collective. Funky Craft Fayre Ostreme Centre, Mumbles, Swansea. 10am-4pm. Info nigel.mason@ntlworld.com. Second Saturday of every month. uGolden Egg Trail National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Kids’ activity featuring the task of finding eight golden eggs around this galleries here. (Until Sun 28) uGood Morning Family Yoga National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am, £4/£1.50 kids. Info 029 2057 3600. Also on Sat 27. uHere In This Spring Self-Led Activities Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 463980. Including creative writing activities, make a mini comic, puppets, games, reading corner, crafts and dressing up costumes. Also on Sun 14, Wed 17, Thurs 18 (10am1pm), Fri 19-Sun 21, Tue 23, Wed 24, Thurs 25 (10am1pm), Fri 26 (1-4pm), Sat 27 and Sun 28. Macramé M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 10.30am-12.30pm, £25. Info larkdesignmake@ gmail.com. Lark Design Make craft workshop. Nimble Fingers Craft Fayre Victoria Hall, Mumbles, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 07790 298913. On the second Saturday of every month. Saturday Workshop Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 10.30am-1pm, free (suggested donation £3). Info 01792 516900. Family workshop, on this occasion with a Victorian explorer theme. Sounds colonialist and problematic to me frankly! Sing-a-long-a The Greatest Showman St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 2 + 7pm, £18/£14. Info 029 2087 8444. uSt Fagans Makers Market National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am5pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. Meet the makers and find out more about their crafts (they’d probably like it you buy something too) as they run workshops and demonstrations. (Until Sun 28) Street Food And Live Music Kings Road Yard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 4-10pm, free. Info 07773 348655. Every second Saturday of the month until October. uTraditional Fairground

National History Museum, St Fagans. From £1 per ride. Info 029 2057 3500. (Until Sun 28) Tribe Peak, The Old School, Crickhowell. 2-4.30pm, £3. Info 01873 811579. Monthly workshop for young artists (age 7-11) and their families. Ynyswen Craft Show Ynyswen Welfare Hall, Treorchy. 9am-4.30pm, £5 to set up a table. Info 01443 520299. Young Makers Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 2-4pm, free. Info 01792 516900. Turn your drawings into professional quality animation puppets and three-dimensional theatre sets. Book in advance please. Watercolour Workshop Carnegie House, Bridgend. 10am-4pm, £12. Info 01656 815757. With Bryan Shambler. Welsh Wrestling Maes Manor Hotel, Caerphilly. 6.308.30pm, £10 adv. Info 0121 472 6688. Charity evening aimiung to raise money for a local child named Awstin who needs money for surgery unavailable on the NHS. SUNDAY 14 APRIL An Audience with Mark ‘Billy’ Billingham Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £22. Info 01646 695267. Ex-bodyguard to celebs and SAS bloke talks about those things. Oh and it’s hosted by an endurance challenge guy for good measure. Sold out. Balloontastic Science Show National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 1 + 3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Hosted by Becky Kitter from Cbeebies. Beginners Basketmaking National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4.30pm, £75/£60. Info 029 2057 3500. With Clare Revera. Coptic Book Binding M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 12-2pm, £20. Info larkdesignmake@gmail. com. Lark Design Make craft workshop. Marina Market National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10am-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Monthly event selling handcrafted goods and fresh food. Open Spine With Decorative Stitch Bookbinding Workshop Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am-4.30pm, £85. Info 029 2048 4611. With Carole King. The Collective Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 01873 853613. Poetry session with Philip Rush, John Cloves and John Nicol. Also here on Tue 30, with different poets. MONDAY 15 APRIL uArt About Town: Easter Holiday Workshops Carnegie House, Bridgend. 10am-1.30pm, pay what yuu can. Info 01656 815757. (Until Thurs 18, then from Tue 23-Thurs 25) uCraft It, Sow It, Grow It! National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12.30-3.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Decorate a plant pot and sow a seed ready for the summer. (Until Mon 22) TUESDAY 16 APRIL Anna Pavord Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 7.30pm,

£10 adv. Info 01873 852960. Talk by Dorset-based gardening writer. Birds Of Prey Flying Demonstration St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 10.30am + 1.30pm, £9/£7.50 kids. Info 01446 799100. Book Club The Gate, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2048 3344. Third Tuesday of every month. Easter Craft Club M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 10am3.30pm, £35/£30 per extra sibling. Info 029 2047 3373. Half-terms workshop for ages 7-12, hosted by Lark Design Make. Here In This Spring Stationery And Cards Family Workshop Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 1-4pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 463980. Jack The Ripper: The Real Truth Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01873 850805. Another lecture by retired copper Trevor Marriott, who has been looking into this case since 2002 and also coming to places like this to talk about it. Museum Guided Tour National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Self-Led Activities Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 11am-4pm, £5. Info 01792 516900. Drop-in family sessions. Also on Thurs 18-Sat 20 and Tue 23-Sat 27. Synaptic Island Listening Session #11: Earworms Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 6-9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Spinoff event from the Freya Dooley exhibition currently showing here (see Art listings). Hosted by London DJ collective Synpatic Island, this event is open to women, trans and non-binary people. Book in advance please. WEDNESDAY 17 APRIL Art Festival Day Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 11am-3pm, free. Info 01792 516900. uFamily Crafts Cardiff Story, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £1. Info 029 2034 6214. Easter holiday activities, also on Wed 24. uLambing Day Venue TBC, Brecon Beacons National Park. £90/£45 under-16s. Info 01874 749092. Spend a day on an organic Welsh Hill Farm at lambing time. A Good Day Out event. Also on Mon 22 and Wed 24 this month. THURSDAY 18 APRIL Darts: 2019 Unibet Premier League Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6pm. Info 029 2022 4488. All sold out, think you can get VIP tickets though. It Will Glow – Fools Paradise The Depot, Cardiff. 6pm, £23.50 adv. Info www. depotcardiff.co.uk. The return of an event featuring talks by creatives, music and street food. The music is by Iversen and the ‘creative’ is Oobah Butler, aka the fella who gamed Tripadvisor’s rating system with a fake restaurant in a shed and has since done various other banterous lawof-diminishing-returns type stunts. LBT+ Speed Dating Night Beelzebubs, Cardiff. 7pm, £5

adv. Info events@ craftydevilbrewing.co.uk. Charity night in aid of Cardiffbased LGBT+ domestic violence service Rainbow Bridge. Open Space: Kate North & Gareth Davies Central Library Hub, Cardiff. 5.45pm, free. Info 029 2038 2116. Booklaunch for North’s short Davies’ story collection Punch and novel Humans, Being. Book in advance please. uSock Bunnies National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre. 12-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Kids’ activity where you can make a rabbit from a sock. On tomorrow also. FRIDAY 19 APRIL uCivil War Comes To... Caerphilly Castle. 11am-4pm, £5.30-£8.90/free members, disabled people and their companions. Info 0300 0256000. Family-friendly battle reenactments and so forth. (Until Mon 22) Llandovery Folk Dancing Rhys Pritchard Hall, Llandovery. 7.30pm. Info www.llandoveryfolkdancing. co.uk. An International Circle Dancing evening with caller Chris Yemm. uThe Big Museum Easter Trail National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am3pm, £3.50. Info 029 2057 3500. Clue-solving activities for kids ages 4+, as is the case with the two Easter Trails listed below. (Until Mon 22) uThe Big Museum Easter Trail National Museum Cardiff. 10am-3pm, £3.50. Info 029 2039 7951. (Until Mon 22) uThe Big Museum Easter Trail National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am4pm, £3.50. Info 029 2057 3600. (Until Mon 22) The Cardiff Postcard Fair Penylan Community Centre, Cardiff. 10am-3.30pm, £1. Info swpcc@hotmail.com. Annual event hosted by the South Wales Postcard Club. SATURDAY 20 APRIL u15th Century Life Tretower Court, nr Crickhowell. 10am-4.30pm, £4.40-£7.30/free members, disabled people and their companions. Info 01874 730279. Spend a day in the life of the Tudors. (Until Mon 22) Brecon Craft Fair Market Hall, Brecon. 9am-4.30pm. Info 01495 753782. Every third Saturday of the month. Easter Market Caldicot Town Centre. £15 to set up a pitch (£20 indoors). Info www. caldicottownteam.co.uk. Life As A Monk Tintern Abbey, Monmouthshire. 10am-4.30pm, £4.40-£7.30/free members, disabled people and their companions. Info 01291 689251. Tour of the abbey hosted by Brother Thomas. uPig Street Craft Fair The Queens Hall, Narberth. 10am-4pm, free. Info enquiries@pigstreetcrafts. co.uk. Selling original arts and crafts here most months until Christmas. uReenactment Event Tretower Court, nr Crickhowell. 10am-4pm, £4.40-£7.30/free members, disabled people and their companions. Info 01874 730279. Fashion shows, sing-

ing, historical crafts, medieval justice, archery and people fighting for your entertainment. Sounds like modern day life in a damned nutshell!! (Until Mon 22) Vintage Kilo Sale YMCA, Swansea. 10am-4pm, £3/£1.50 after 12. Info 01792 652032. Designer labels at, again, £15 a kilo. SUNDAY 21 APRIL Pontcanna Plant Fair Kings Road Yard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, free. Info 07773 348655. Rare and unusual plants and flowers. Also here on Sun 19 May, Sun 16 June and Sun 15 Sept. uTeenage Electronic Music Making M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 10am-3pm. Info 029 2047 3373. Hosted by PYKA, participants will use sampled field recordings, play and develop soundtrack compositions into performed works. Nice. (Until Tue 23) MONDAY 22 APRIL Jurassic Dinosaurs In The Park Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. £7.65/£5.95 kids. Info 01639 881635. TUESDAY 23 APRIL Ekphrastic Writing Group The Gate, Cardiff. 7-459.30pm, free. Info 029 2048 3344. Readings and discussions. On the fourth Tuesday of every month. uHow To Make A Cloud In A Jam Jar... And Other Cool Experiments! National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11.30am, 1pm + 3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. With Jon Chase from Cbeebies. Book in advance please. (Until Thurs 25) uLord Bute’s Extraordinary Clock Tower Cardiff Castle. 6pm, £8.50. Info 029 2087 8100. Lecture by Matthew Williams, in the tower’s 150th year. Onm tomorrow also. WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL Oriel Science Cafe National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Welsh Wrestling Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £12/£9. Info 01633 868239. The Grand Pavilion in Porthcawl also have this listed as being there on this date. I guess in theory they could do two promos in one evening but not sure they would? In Barry on Sat 27 anyway. THURSDAY 25 APRIL uCloud Collages National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre. 12-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Drop-in craft session. On tomorrow also. uRawFfest Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. £20 (weekend pass). Info 029 2063 6464. Wales’ national youth arts festival, in Cardiff for the first time and promising live music, theatre shows, art installations, radio, broadcasts, opinions and debate, filmmaking, dance workshops, writing den, body art, blogging, opera, drama workshops,

poetry, film screenings and fashion. Go to www.rawffest. wales for the full programme. (Until Sun 28) Taith Iaith National Museum Cardiff. 12.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Welsh learners session. FRIDAY 26 APRIL An Evening with Robbie Fowler Vale Sports Arena, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £25-£50 VIP. Info 029 2240 4901. Following on from Jimmy Bullard’s ‘evening with’ here last month, here’s former Liverpool and Cardiff player Robbie, although the two have nothing else in common of course. uCamera Workshops National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11.30am + 2pm, £3.50. Info 029 2057 3600. Build a basic camera, and learn the art of taking pictures and darkroom techniques. Aimed at ages 8+; on tomorrow also. Exposure Wrestling Pontnewydd Workingmans Club, nr Cwmbran. 6pm, £8 adv/£5 kids. Info www. exposurewrestling.com. Featuring Lucky Bowden, Casey Wild and more. The first of three straight nights from this franchise; tomorrow they’re in Llantwit Fadre, Sun 28 in Caldicot. The Cellar Bards Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3. Info 07818 056599. Poetry night. SATURDAY 27 APRIL All Hallows Spring And Easter Vintage And Craft Fayre All Hallows RC Church, Miskin, nr Pontyclun. 12-4pm, £15 to set up a table. Info 01443 204830. uA Medieval Weekend Caerphilly Castle. 11am-4pm, £5.30-£8.90/free members, disabled people and their companions. Info 0300 0256000. Archery, swords, armour etc. Hosted by Bowlore. On tomorrow also. Back To Basics Course The Printhaus, Canton, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, £60. Info 029 2022 0349. One-day course, on the last Saturday of every month this year. uBook Swap National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. On tomorrow also. Craft Fair St David’s Church, Neath. 10am-4pm. Info ariancrafts@hotmail. co.uk. Exposure Wrestling Tynant Club, Llantwit Fadre. 6pm, £8 adv/£5 kids. Info www. exposurewrestling.com. uLeonardo, Bodies & Bones... National Museum Cardiff. 12-4pm, £3.50. Info 029 2039 7951. Have a go at drawing your own skeleton and chat with medical students from Cardiff University School of Medicine. On tomorrow also. Life Drawing Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 2-4pm, £5. Info 01792 516900. Also on Sat 30. Margam Park Chilli Festival Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. 10am-5pm, free. Info 01639 881635. Miss Inspiration 2019 Congress Theatre, Cwmbran.

6.30pm, £15/£12 under-12s. Info 01633 868239. Beauty pageant. Rugby Union: Judgement Day VII Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 1.30pm, £15-£25. Info 08442 777888. See ther Sport section for a brief preview of this one. uRulesCon Board Game Festival Angel Hotel, Cardiff. 10am-10pm, £14/£8 per day. Info rulesofplay.co.uk. Hosted by Rules Of Play and on tomorrow also. Sid Kidwell Memorial Lecture National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3600. By Gerald Gabb and titled ‘Swansea, The Little Town By The Tawe’. St Fagans Real Food Market National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. With Riverside Real Food. Vintage Kilo Sale St Catherine’s Church Hall, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 10am5pm, free. Info 07923 142285. Designer labels at £15 a kilo, on monthly here. Vintage Kilo Sale Treforest Community Centre. 10am4pm, free. Info 07923 142285. Selling vintage gear at £15 per kilo. Wedding Fayre St Donat’s Castle, Vale Of Glamorgan. 11am-3pm, free. Info 01446

029 2063 6464. Panel discussion presented by the Clod Ensemble and held in the Preseli Room. TUESDAY 30 APRIL Explore Books National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Discuss authors and books old and new, the theme this month being biographies. The Collective Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 01873 853613. Poetry session with Mike McNamara, Ann Drysdale and Gareth Writer-Davies. Willow For The Garden Carnegie House, Bridgend. 10am-12.30pm, £8. Info 01656 815757. Learn how to weave an obelisk plant support for climbing plants.

live MONDAY 1 APRIL Aubrey Parsons Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688. Cold Hard Truth + Splitknuckle + Nihility Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 07970

There’s a Free Music Festival in Newport on Sat 13 Apr, coinciding with Record Store Day. It takes place across five venues and is organised by Diverse, the record store involved in this instance. 799100. Weekend Adult Workshop: Floriography Etching Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 10am-1pm, £5. Info 01792 516900. A class for people of all abilities to create art in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Welsh Wrestling Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7pm, £12/£9 under-16s. Info 01446 738622. SUNDAY 28 APRIL Exposure Wrestling Severn View Social Club, Caldicot. 6pm, £8 adv/£5 kids. Info www.exposurewrestling.com. Pontcanna Brocante Kings Road Yard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, free. Info 07773 348655. Vintage flea market, every last Sunday of the month until October. Seedling Swap Bute Park, Cardiff. 11am-2pm, free. Info hannah@greencityevents. co.uk. Hosted by Green City. Book in advance please. Vertigo Pro Wrestling: Perfect Storm 3 Jac’s, Aberdare. 2.30pm, £9/£6 kids. Info 01685 879491. MONDAY 29 APRIL Caring For The Carers Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6pm, £5. Info

063107. Mean muggin’ hardcore bands presented by Nuclear Family. Check out the headliners’ Bandcamp page if you enjoy unfathomably stupid misogynistic lyrics. Daoirí Farrell Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £12. Info 029 2089 0862. Irish folkie. Dick Hamer Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Playing the jazz night on here every Monday. Native Harrow + Eleri Angharad + Natalie Jones The Hyst, Swansea. 7pm. Info 01792 654366. Only Boys Aloud Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 6.30pm, £8. Info 01633 868239. The Hunna Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £25 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Looks to be sold out. Yak + Mush + Sssnakes Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £12. Info 029 2023 2199. TUESDAY 2 APRIL Acoustic Tuesday South Riverside Community Development Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 029 2030 4400. Regular event led by pioneering local musicians and singers. All That Jazz Café Jazz,

Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Banshee Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz jam session. Mekons Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. Postpunkinto-alt-country legends play their partly-native city for the first time in... a really long time, I think. Previewed in last month’s issue but already sold out! uOpen Jam Session NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Presented by Pi & Hash, every Tuesday this month. uOpen Mic Night Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Every Tuesday. Russell Watson Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £48.38. Info 0300 3656677. The Quireboys + FM + Bad Touch + Vega Tramshed, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £28.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Large bill of hard rock Brits. Thomas Gaynor St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5-£7. Info 029 2087 8444. Organ recital. WEDNESDAY 3 APRIL Bad Manners + Cartoon Violence Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £25. Info 01970 623232. In Cardiff on Thurs 11; Maesteg on Wed 24. uBandaoke Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. “Sing with a fully rehearsed band and become the Popstar you always dreamed of being.” Also on Fri 26. uBella Collins Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Also on Wed 17. Bob Reynolds Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £15. Info 029 2023 2199. Jazz saxophonist who is also in the band Snarky Puppy. Coolies + Boxcat The Moon, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £7/£6 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Indie punky band from New Zealand. DB Big Band with Clare Hingott Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, free. Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. A South Wales Big Band Society gig, on every Wednesday. Donnie Joe’s American Swing Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Penarth. 7.30pm, £5/£4.40 adv. Info feelgoodmusicorg@gmail. com. Also featuring swing DJ The Medicine Man. Get The Blessing The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8.45pm, free. Info 01600 712767. Bristolian rockin’ jazz combo featuring two of Portishead. The biggest act to appear at this stalwart jazz venue for a good while, I think, and still for free! In Cardiff on Fri 19, not for free Groucho Club The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £10. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night. *Katz Mulk: Vital Attatchments Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12/£10.

Info 029 2030 4400. Katz Mulk are here on a residency as part of Experimentica, which seems to be limited to a few performances this year although no-one at Chapter has actually sent me any listings so if anything is missing, that’s why. They combine music, performance and sound art and are inspired by Ursula K. Le Guin, which all sounds pretty neat to me. Lona + The Collier The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk. Lucie Jones Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £18. Info 01646 695267. West End actor and former Eurovision representative sings some songs she likes. In Abergavenny tomorrow. Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is Joe Kelly. Sinfonia Cymru The Riverfront, Newport. 7pm, £6-£17. Info 01633 656757. uSlowly Rolling Camera & 4pi Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7-8pm, £10. Info 029 2063 6464. Diffusion Festival event where Welsh jazz group SRC play along to 4pi’s visual score. (Until Fri 5) South Powys Youth Music Gala 2019 Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7pm, £7.50/free under-18s. Info 01874 611622. Stairway To Heaven: Led Zeppelin Masters St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £32-£47. Info 029 2087 8444. Tribute show, not a ‘band’ as such in that it also features a 35-piece orchestra. The Fishguard Folk Singers Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5 members. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night. Vein Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz. THURSDAY 4 APRIL Bob Log III The Globe, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. Punk blues zaniness from an American fella who is always a popular draw in these parts. Classic Rock USA Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £16.50. Info 01495 227206. Triple-threat tribute to Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi and well-known American Bryan Adams. Ex Cathedra: Monteverdi Vespers St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£25. Info 029 2087 8444. conducted by Jeffrey Skidmore. uFrankie Wesson Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 8pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Every Thursday and Sunday this month. Gethin Liddington / Ian Poole Quartet Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Miles Davis tribute set. Hannah Grace + Dan Bettridge Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199. Jack Lukeman + Lucas

JUST ANNOUNCED FOR MAY: ANA POPOVIC (The Globe, Cardiff, Fri 3) MAX ROMEO + EEK A MOUSE + MIGHTY DIAMONDS (Tramshed, Cardiff, Fri 3) OMAR SOULEYMAN (Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Sat 11) ECHOBELLY (Clwb Ifor Bach, Fri 17) LEMAR (St David’s Hall, Thurs 23) SAARA AALTO (Glee Club, BUZZ 69

* – recommended & King Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £16.50 adv. Info 029 2038 7026. Jane’s Calamity Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Monthly singalong around the piano. Jodie Daniels + The Roselles + The Bug Club NosDa, Cardiff. 9-11pm, £3. Info 029 2037 8866. A Live By The River night presented by U&I Radio. Lucie Jones Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £18/£14. Info 01873 850805. Mal Pope Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 0845 2263510. In Carmarthen on Fri 12; Swansea on Sat 13; Llanelli on Fri 26. Nadia Sheikh + Fire Fences + Laissez Faire + Just Drive The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£6 adv. Info info@themooncardiff. com. Presented by This Feeling. Ocean Mic Ocean Arts Cardiff, Splott, Cardiff. 8-11.30pm, £5/£3. Info oceanartscardiff@gmx.co.uk. Monthly open mic night with a different host each month; April’s is James Bower and the special guest is Kymo. uOpen Mic Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 8pm, free. Info 07818 056599. Every Thursday this month. Open Mic Night Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm, free. Info 01685 384111. First Wednesday of every month. Ross Gurney The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042. Tyhai Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 01873 852960. Indo-Celtic folk trio who include Dylan Fowler among their number. In Llanelli on Sat 6. uWinter’s End Festival The Drill Hall, Chepstow. £85 weekend/£12 Thurs 4 only (£10 with weekend ticket)/£18 Fri 5 only/£38 Sat 6 or Sun 7 only/£72 Sat 6 + Sun 7. Info www.winters-end.co.uk. The return of this prog rock festival which seems to favour the melodic/80s-flavoured side of the genre. Today is a pre-party with tributes to Fish-era Marillion (All The Best Freaks) and Thin Lizzy (The Lizzy Legacy). Fri 5 features RPWL, Midnight Sun and Aaron Brooks; Sat 6 features Threshold, Abel Ganz, Cyril, Weend O and Exploring Birdsong; Sun 7 features Kayak, ZIO, Godsticks, Crystal Palace and L’Anima. (Until Sun 7) FRIDAY 5 APRIL Afternoon In Paris Carnegie House, Bridgend. 8pm, £8 adv. Info 01656 815757. Jazz. Aiden Hatfield Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info crowleysrockbar@ hotmail.com. Aubrey Parsons Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Bandicoot + Red Telephone + Vanilla The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £7/£5 adv. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk. Blaze Bayley + Vice Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm,

£412.50/£10. Info enquiries@ hangar18musicvenue.co.uk. Former Iron Maiden frontman who looks like a right bear these days. As in a gay man with a big beard. Bloxx + On Video + The Pitchforks Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 029 2039 9557. Grungy indie band from Uxbridge headline. Chew Cardiff Speaker Hire, Cardiff. 8pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2009 5590. The Hold Up present an album launch gig for Welsh rapper. Apparently it’s a double-CD job, not heard it though. Clean Cut Kid Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £12. Info 029 2023 2199. Collabro + Georgia & The Vintage Youth St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £27/£25. Info 029 2087 8444. Musical theatre vocalists/Britain’s Got Talent alumni headline. In Aberystwyth on Fri 12. Côr Merched Cwm Llynfi Town Hall, Maesteg. 7pm, £8. Info 01656 815995. Annual concert. Everyday Heroes + Fallen Temples + Foreigner’s Son The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, £5. Info 01495 247178. Fragment Duo The Plough, Whitchurch, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 3017. Idge Logan City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913. Keith James Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8-9.45pm, £12 adv. Info 01239 841387. Performing his Leonard Cohen tribute set. Magic – A Kind Of Queen Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £22. Info 01873 850805. Mangata The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Never 42 Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £17. Info 029 2089 0862. Level 42 tribute. Nifty Stringz Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 2pm, £6. Info 01633 868239. Ukulele group perform in the lounge. Night Flowers + Homecomings The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info info@themooncardiff.com. Open Night Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 8pm, £3. Info 01792 425231. A Valley Folk Club night. Papur Wal + Pasta Hull The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Brace of Welsh-language indie bands. Penelope Isles + Rosehip Teahouse + 100% Rabbit Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £7.50. Info 029 2023 2199. Re:make + Death Ingloria + The Fangs Of The Dodo + Shyly Virus Creature Sound, Swansea. 7pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 01792 301178. This gig is an opening party for the Swansea Comic And Gaming Con, and all the bands have gaming/anime themes. Siobhan McCrudden + Jack Ellis St John The Evangelist Church, Canton, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 07960 820645. Cardiff-

based folk-rocker headlines. Sleaford Mods + Lines Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £19.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. S’mods were interviewed in last month’s issue. Sleeper The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20 adv. Info 07590 471888. Britpop C-listers, reformed and popular enough to sell this venue out. uStudents Of Atlantic College St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 3pm, £5. Info 01446 799100. Afternoon cafe concert; price includes tea/coffee and cake. Also on Fri 12. The Fugitives Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. The Italics Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. uThe Super Sounds Of The Sixties Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01646 695267. Locals cover pop songs from those decades. On tomorrow also. The Zoots Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £17. Info 01834 869323. Sixties tribute. Torqued + Trep + Sydney Fate The Green Rooms, Treforest. 7pm, £5. Info 01443 841133. A Meddwlfest gig.

Clwb Ifor Bach. Bloodstock Metal 2 The Masses South Wales Heat 6 Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info 07970 063107. Featuring sets from In Which It Burns, Throwing Knives, From The Depths, Trombonoscopy and Epic Fail. Cardiff Ukulele Festival St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1-5pm, free. Info 029 2087 8444. Annual event where ukulelebased groups from across the ‘UKe’ (UK) perform in the Level 3 Lounge. Cardiff University Jazz Ensemble Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7-9pm, £5/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Directed by Huw Warren. Catfish Cwmbran RFC, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01633 483238. Borough Blues Club gig. Chris Kelly Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Christian Punter + Harvey Jones + Laura Power Ferndale Imperial Club, Rhondda. 7pm, £4. Info 01443 730433. EP launch for headliner Côr Cymru: Cynradd Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Info 01970 623232. The final of the choral competition for primary schools in Wales.

A double dose of intense Brazilian psychedelic punk is at The Moon in Cardiff on Tue 23 Apr: Rakta and Deafkids, both touting new albums. Welsh gothic heroes Artefact also feature on the lineup. UB40 Featuring Ali Campbell & Astro Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £39.50. Info 029 2022 4488. Ali was interviewed in the last issue but this gig was already sold out. In that interview there’s a quote – I asked the writer to check the transcription – where Ali dunks on the other UB40 by saying that they play House Of Blues while his band play state fairs. Be that as it may, I looked at the lineup for some of the state fairs they’re doing and it’s all awful old carcassdragging rubbish, hardly something to brag about. Unplugged Club Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3. Info 07818 056599. Acoustic night. Whitehall Parade Le Public Space, Newport. 8pm. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. Wöd St Fagans Village Hall. 7.30pm, £8/£6/£4 kids/free under-12s. Info 029 2023 2970. Playing the Pentreffest Noz folk night. SATURDAY 6 APRIL Acoustic Sinners Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2069 4630. Adwaith + Ani Glass Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 01970 633088. Presented by

Chube + Arkocean + Moon Biscuit Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 029 2039 9557. Dead Hands + Rash Decision + Hold Tight + Voidcaller Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £6 adv. Info 07970 063107. Hardcore and metal bands, presented by Crush Hate. Dreadzone Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £19.25. Info 01792 863722. Live dub veterans of the circuit. Duppy Busters Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Reggae. Hullabaloo Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 01443 682388. Muse tribute band. In Swansea on Sat 27. uJon Crespo Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Funk and Latin tunes, every Saturday this month. Kill 66 The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm. Info 01495 213300. Rock covers. Mentallica Ebbw Vale Institute. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 01495 708022. Metallica tribute band. Mike Tramp + Pearler Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info enquiries@ hangar18musicvenue.co.uk. Acoustic show from White

u – repeated

Lion frontman. Moretallica The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, £5. Info 01495 247178. Metallica tribute band, but with their lyrics replaced by letters from the problem page of old issues of More! magazine. At least I hope that’s what this is. Never The Bride Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2089 0862. Nick & Cheryl The Pod, Newport. 9.30pm. Info 01633 535440. Oakdale Singers Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7pm, £7.50/£5. Info 01495 227206. Multi-generational choir. Paraskenia The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Rachel B The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Sam Beiley + Côr Curiad Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 6.30pm, £28. Info 0845 2263510. In aid of Marie Curie Wales. Sara Ashley The Pheasant, Bridgend. 9pm, free. Info 01656 653614. Sean Taylor West End Club, Barry. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01446 735739. Singersongwriter presented by Roots N All. Sepulchre + Garuda + Infernal Diadem The Duke, Neath. 7pm, free. Info 01639 643892. Metal. Solana The Lost Arc, Rhayader. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 01743 860246. Also featuring a DJ set from Les EarthDoctor. South Wales Gay Men’s Chorus Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13. Info 029 2039 1391. Also featuring the Songbirds Choir and the Cardiff Trans Singers this evening. St Donats Chorale All Saints Church, Barry. 7.30pm, £10/£5 NUS or under-16s. Info www.stdonats.org. Performing Karl Jenkins’ The Armed Man and John Rutter’s Requiem. SU Performing Arts Student Showcase Great Hall, Bay Campus, Swansea University. 7.30pm, £10/£5. Info 01792 602060. Suzi Quatro + David Essex + Bay City Rollers + Showaddywaddy Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, £55. Info 029 2022 4488. Seventies glam/pop titans calling themselves Legends Live for this fourpronged tour. Tenplusone + Liabilities AD + Social Experiment + Ill Fate The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Punk. The Drowning + Tor Marrock + The Shallow Souls Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4. Info 07970 063107. Headliners are a gothic doom type affair with a new album out. The Marley Experience The Rainbow Rooms, Gorseinon. 7pm, £15/£12.50 adv. Info 07763 000382. Bob Marley tribute show. Tom Williams Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12. Info 029 2023 2199. Singersongwriter type. Tyhai Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £11. Info 0845

2263510. Woven Man + State Of Deceit + Rapture’s End + SuperNaut Creature Sound, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info 01792 301178. *Vile Sect + Victim Unit + Harpoon + Bodyhacker Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5 suggested donation. Info 029 2037 3144. Cosmic Carnage and Lesson No.1 with a wild lineup of grind, powerviolence, DIY techno and noiserock. SUNDAY 7 APRIL Colin Blunstone + Bruce Sudano Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16 adv. Info 029 2062 6015. Zombies vocalist, plays Cardiff a fair bit but not sure he’s been in this venue before. Côr Cymru: Final Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Info 01970 623232. The winners of the children’s, youth, equal voice, show and mixed choirs compete for the Côr Cymru 2019 title and a prize of £4000. Girli + Ashnikko + Jemma Roper The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 07590 471888. Keith James Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £14. Info 029 2089 0862. Luke Sital-Singh The Moon, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £15 adv. Info info@themooncardiff.com. MORish singer-songwriter whose new album is reviewed in this issue. Open Mic with Dave Kenwrick The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.30pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Rare Americans + Getrz Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £12/£10 adv. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. Rootsy indie stuff. Headliners are actually Canadian. Steeleye Span St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £27/£24. Info 029 2087 8444. uSteve Tarner Jazz Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 2pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Every Sunday this month. The Great Unknown The Windsor, Penarth. 9pm, free. Info 029 2070 8675. The Sessions Little Man Garage, Riverside, Cardiff. 10.30-11.30am, £8 adv. Info 07933 844234. Musicians from the BBC National Orchestra Of Wales and the Orchestra Of Welsh National Opera with a Sunday morning concert raising money for TAVS. MONDAY 8 APRIL Afternoon In Paris Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Benjamin Francis Leftwich The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07590 471888. Chuggaboom + Pioneers + Icantdie The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk. Pinegrove + Tom The Lion Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15. Info 029 2023 2199. Sold out. *Sarah Angliss + Good News From The Future + Cath & Phil Tyler BBC Hall, Alexandra Road, Swansea. 7pm, £7/£5 adv. Info www. rwan.cymru. Really interest-

Cardiff Bay, Tue 28) INSIDE OUT FESTIVAL (Bute Park, Cardiff, Fri 31 + Sat 1 June) JUST ANNOUNCED FOR JUNE: IMPERIAL WAX (Clwb Ifor Bach, Fri 7) HONEYBLOOD (Clwb Ifor Bach, Mon 10) CLUTCH (Cardiff University Students Union, Sun 16) EDDIE READER (Tramshed, Tue 18) THE KILLERS (Cardiff Castle, BUZZ 70

ing looking gig of avant-garde folk and performance art, presented by Nawr. TUESDAY 9 APRIL Angharad Lyddon St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5-£7. Info 029 2087 8444. Mezzo soprano recital. Berkeley Ensemble St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £3-£10. Info 029 2087 8444. Presented by Ty Cerdd. Composition Showcase Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7-9pm, free. Info 029 2087 4816. With the Cardiff University School Of Music Singers & Instrumentalists. Cyngerdd Ysgolion Ceredigion Aberystwyth Arts Centre. Info 01970 623232. Local pupils’ schools recital concert. Dave Jones Quartet The Muse, Brecon. 8pm, £12/£10 members. Info info@ breconjazzclub.org. A Brecon Jazz Club event. Jacky Naylor’s Meraki Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz. Phil Wall’s Jazz Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Sturla Eide & Philip Miles Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £12-£16. Info 029 2087 7959. Norwegian-English folk duo who feature the Hardanger fiddle, courtesy of Eide. I don’t know who this fella is but I love the sound of this fiddle. WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL Alex Goodyear Septet The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night. Andy Bennett + Chris King The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm, £7 adv. Info 01685 387925. Headliner also plays in Ocean Colour Scene. Blackhawk Big Band Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. A South Wales Big Band Society gig. CoDI Chamber with The Berkeley Ensemble Cardiff University Concert Hall. 6.459pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Continents Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199. Local metalcore band play their last show ever, I think, or possibly their last one at this venue. Crescent Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz. Dirty Dike The Globe, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £15 adv. Info 07590 471888. UK hip-hop MC who I guess must be one of the scene’s bigger names at this point. Flight Brigade + The Malago Ballroom + 100% Rabbit The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£5.50 adv. Info info@themooncardiff.com. His Way – The Frank Sinatra Story Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 2.30pm, £12.50. Info 01646 695267. Tribute show by

Robert Habermann, who talks about Frank as well as singing some of his songs. In Abergavenny on Fri 12 Joel Baker + Natty Paynter + Harvey Jones The Big Top, Cardiff. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. EP launch for headliner, whose press bio is a rollercoaster of offputting details. Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is Sophie Crabtree. uThe Bay Rum Hounds Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Also on Wed 24. The Often Herd Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £10. Info 01646 651725. Bluegrass group from Newcastle. UB40 Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £38.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Contra to the UB40 in Cardiff on Fri 5, this is the version fronted by Ali Campbell’s brother. According to Ali they sound more like country & western than whatever UB40 is supposed to be, and don’t even get booked to play state fairs alongside Sugar Ray and Night Ranger. THURSDAY 11 APRIL All Strung Out Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2089 0862. Playing as part of Pizza Night here. Bad Manners The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £19.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. BBC NOW: Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No.2 St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£41. Info 029 2087 8444. Conducted by Alexander Vedernikov Charlie Says + Miss Kill + Iota + Fioled + Peachy The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £4. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Geko Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £16.50. Info 029 2023 2199. Manc grime MC promoted here with the ‘Norfolk’s youngest butcher’-esque title ‘Youngest Rapper To Record A Fire In The Booth Session’. High Climbers + Jo-Jo O’ & The Woods + Frankie Wesson + Seaside Witch Coven Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm, £3. Info sam@ lepub.co.uk. Varied bands preszented by The Shonk. Jo Harrop Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. Peggy Lee tribute set. Kathy Davies Quintet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £5. Info 029 2038 7026. Lucy Rose The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16. Info 029 2048 3344. Indie-folky sort. Mangata The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042. Songwriters Network Ocean Arts Cardiff, Splott, Cardiff. 8-11.30pm, £5/£3. Info oceanartscardiff@gmx.co.uk. Meetup and jam type night, every second Thursday of the month. uSteve Edmunds The Lime Tree, Chepstow. 8pm, free. Info 01291 620959. Also here on Thurs 25 this month.

The Bootleg Beatles Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £27.50-£32.50. Info 01792 475715. The Ensemble Vocal Of The Conservatoire De Rouen National Museum Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. This French choral group will perform in the museum next to Monet’s painting of Rouen Cathedral – incredible brand synergy! They will also perform thrice, in Cardiff and Penarth, over the following two days. The Rotanas + Arcades + The Mondaines Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £4.50. Info 029 2023 2199. Indie bands presented by Hoyfest. Wonderbrass Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. FRIDAY 12 APRIL Acoustic Sinners City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913. Art Garfunkel St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £39.50£59.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Not only performing songs but also reading bits from his new waffly-titled autobiography. Carcer City + Last Hounds Hobo’s, Bridgend. 7pm, £9/£7 adv. Info www. hobosmusicvenue.com. This is apparently the headline band’s final ever tour. RIP, heaven needed a band whose name I always momentarily mistook as saying Cancer City. Cardiff University Chamber Choir National Museum Cardiff. 7-9pm, £5/ free NUS or under-18s. Info 029 2039 7951. Music by Italian 18th-century composers who worked at the court of Catherine The Great. Chaouche The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £6 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk. Swansea-originated, Bristolbased minimal electro-soul type. See Music. Ciconia + X Twenty-Two Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 7pm. Info crowleysrockbar@ hotmail.com. Collabro Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £21.50£44.50. Info 01792 475715. Darren Eedens And The Slim Pickins Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199. Album launch gig. Faith – The George Michael Legacy Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £23.50. Info 01874 611622. Tribute show. His Way – The Frank Sinatra Story Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £15/£14. Info 01873 850805. Jagger & Kenzie The Plough, Whitchurch, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 3017. Jimmy Mac’s Blues Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. Jo Harman Band The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night. Krissy Matthews The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £5 adv. Info 01685 387925. Blues-rock guitarist. Laura Power + Bryony Sier + Stacey Darie The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £3. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

KYLE FALCONER Sin City, Swansea, Fri 10 May Tickets: £15. Info: 01792 468892 / www. sincityclub.co.uk Best known as frontman for Scottish lad-indie types The View, whose hits include Same Jeans, Superstar Tradesman and Shock Horror, Kyle Falconer released his debut solo album last summer. Carrying the Spinal Tap Shark Sandwich-esque title No Thank You, the tousle-haired Dundee man will doubtless be showcasing his latest artistic efforts as well as scattered View favourites. Continuing his role as frontman, Falconer’s music touches on indie, punk and rock, delivered with his trademark onstage charm. A solo performance delivered with the strength of a full band – Kyle Falconer’s date in Sin City next month should definitely be worth a view. Legend: The Bob Marley Experience Portland House, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2048 7602. Tributye band. Liberty Lies The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm. Info 01495 247178. Like A Lion The Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. Linda Guilala + Perfect Body Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £7. Info 029 2023 2199. Spanish group, none of who are called Linda Guilala, headline. Mal Pope Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 0845 2263510. Martin Turner (Ex Wishbone Ash) Town Hall, Maesteg. 8pm, £18. Info 01656 815995. Saddled with one of the more awkward ‘legal dispute-related obligation’ names I’ve come across, WA vocalist Turner plus band of ringers perform 1976 LP New England. News From Nowhere + The Roselles + Kikker Cinema & Co, Swansea. 8pm, £3.50. Info 07982 624959. uReplacement Weekender The Moon / Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 6pm, free today/£5 tomorrow. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. This was going to be a two-day show of doom, sludge etc but the promoter had to pull out, however most of the bands still wanted to play so it’s still on! Nice. Tonight, in the Moon: Pizzatramp, Thorun, Zinc Bukowski, King’s Alias

and BloodSlugs. Tomorrow, across both venues from 2pm: Grand Collapse, Kurokuma, Lacertilia, Haast’s Eagled, Tides Of Sulfur, Made Of Teeth, Kong Lives and Positive Reaction. Ross Gurney The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Rumney Folk Club St Augustine’s Church, Rumney, Cardiff. 7.45pm. Info derek@ rumneyfolkclub.co.uk. Monthly night, usually on the third Friday. Skacasm + High Voltage + Shovelface + Ceri Haggett Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01685 879491. Cynon Valley Memorial Garden fundraiser gig. Space The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16 adv. Info 07590 471888. More Britpop relics, though Space have been ‘back’ for years now to be fair. Spectrum Singers + The Ensemble Vocal Of The Conservatoire De Rouen All Saints Church, Penarth. 7.30-9.15pm. Info 029 2070 3170. Performing Mozart’s Requiem. In Cardiff twice (Llandaff and Roath) tomorrow. Stanley Strong Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. *Straight Arrows + Bedford Falls Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info sam@lepub. co.uk. Aussie garage/punk band headline, promoted here by Cheap Sweaty Fun

who are doing their first gig in years and have even made a cut’n’paste flyer that looks like the ones they did three decades ago. Ahhhh. The Bloody Frights + Monsterometer Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 07818 056599. The George Michael Story The Neon, Newport. 7.30pm, £16-£20 adv. Info 01633 533666. Tribute act. The West End At The Movies The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £18/£16. Info 01633 656757. In Brecon on Sun 14. White Riot + Parish + WYNT Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3. Info 07970 063107. Y Daplas Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 7.30pm, £7. Info 01792 425231. Twmpath band playing a Valley Folk Club night. SATURDAY 13 APRIL Abba Mania Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £25/£23. Info 01970 623232. Tribute show. Accü Tangled Parrot, Carmarthen. 10am-5pm, free. Info 01267 231012. Instore gig by Welsh electro champ as part of Record Store Day; the given times are Tangled Parrot’s opening hours, so it’ll be at some point during them. And The Sky Darkened Hangar 18, Swansea. 7pm. Info enquiries@ hangar18musicvenue.co.uk. An Evening with Elvis

Fri 28) AVERAGE WHITE BAND (Tramshed, Sat 29) JOAN AS POLICE WOMAN (The Gate, Cardiff, Sat 29) CARRIE UNDERWOOD + THE SHIRES (Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Sun 30) JUST ANNOUNCED FOR JULY: WESTLIFE (Motorpoint Arena, Mon 1 + Tue 2) GLADYS KNIGHT (Motorpoint Arena, Thurs 4) THE BUZZ 71

* – recommended 2019 Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £12.50. Info 01873 850805. Here’s my impression of Elvis if he was alive in 2019. “HELP! HELP!! Someone get me out of this coffin!!!” Anonymous Iconoclasts The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8.3-pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. Black Angus Hobo’s, Bridgend. 8pm, £10/£8 adv. Info www.hobosmusicvenue. com. AC/DC tribute band. Both Sides Now Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16.50. Info 029 2089 0862. Joni Mitchell tribute act, or as the venue put it, “this is no mere tribute act”. Bowie Experience – The Golden Years Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £24.20. Info 0300 3656677. Tribute show. Calypso Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Claire M Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Eleri Angharad + Asha Jane + Christian Punter Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 8pm, £5. Info 07830 381930. Album launch gig for headliner Flew Fighters The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £6. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Foo Fighters tribute. Gogs + Petra Taylor NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Henry Marten’s Ghost Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 07818 056599. Jack Mac’s Funk Pack Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Jeremy Dutcher The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £14.25. Info 01633 656757. Operatic tenor with pop crossover elements.

Levianth + Fluff Tongue + Hate:System + Grym The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £3 adv. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk. Mal Pope Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.45pm, £10. Info 01792 475715. Off The Record Hen Dderwen, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 203631. On The Edge The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, free. Info 01495 247178. Pama International The Lost Arc, Rhayader. 8pm, £12.50/£10 adv. Info 01743 860246. Trad ska band, rescheduled from January. Record Store Day: Newport Free Music Festival Various venues, Newport. 9am, free. Info 01633 259661. Followup to a launch event in 2018, where Newport record shop Diverse booked lots of bands and other music/ poetry acts around town. This year things will be in Le Public Space, McCann’s Rock N Ale Bar, Slipping Jimmy’s Bar&Grill, Ye Olde Murenger House and Tiny Rebel Newport, with Diverse itself opening at 9am for all the RSD bollocks. Confirmed as playing: Adwaith, Burning Ferns, Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard, Campfire Social, Christina Thatcher, Chroma, David Llewellyn, Deathtraps, Dingus Khan, Eitha Da, Emily Gwyrdd, Finding Aurora, Francesca’s Word Salad, Gemini Anderson, Gintis, The Hard Aches, Joe Kelly, Los Blancos, Mass Envy, Oxygen Thief, Queen Zee, Rainbow Maniac, Red Telephone, Richard Milward, Tequila Slammers. Resurrection + Oas-is The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14

adv. Info 07590 471888. Stone Roses and Oasis tributes. Snatch It Back Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 9pm. Info 029 2062 6015. Spectrum Singers + The Ensemble Vocal Of The Conservatoire De Rouen Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff. 5.30-6.30pm. Info 029 2056 4554. Evensong performance. Spectrum Singers + The Ensemble Vocal Of The Conservatoire De Rouen St Edwards Church, Roath, Cardiff. 11.30am-12.30pm. Info stedward.roath.org.uk. Stanley Strong The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Streetwalking Cheetahs The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7.30pm. Info 01495 213300. Swansea Philharmonic Choir Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10-£20. Info 01792 475715. Jonathan Rogers conducts a programme headed by Haydn’s Creation (also in Aberystwyth on Sat 27 if you can’t get enough of it). The Apple Tree Theory The Pod, Newport. 9.30pm. Info 01633 535440. The Bohemians Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £22.50/£20.50. Info 01792 475715. Queen tribute band. The Good, The Bad & The Queen Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £30 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Drummer Tony Allen plus three less talented sidemen tour their long-awaited, or at least long in production, second album. The Navarones St Peters RFC, Roath, Cardiff. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 01685 387925. Ska, 2-tone etc tribute band. Ticket price includes dinner curry specifically.

The New Jersey Boys Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £17. Info 01633 868239. Frankie Valli tribute act, supported by an unnamed Showaddywaddy tribute band also. Whitesnake UK The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £9/£7 adv. Info 01685 387925. Tribute band. SUNDAY 14 APRIL Band Of Skulls Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Indie-bluesrock band with a new album imminent. DMA’s + Belako Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £18.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Australian indie band, who have become increasingly popular in the last two years or so without making any impression on me at all, headline. uFolk Music & Song Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells. 4pm. Info 07477 627267. Every second and fourth Sunday of the month (also on Sun 28 in April), with an extra acoustic session on the third Sunday (Sun 21) too. Gary Wale Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688. Noble Jacks The Big Top, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Folk-rockers who wear waistcoats, as reliable a warning sign as the tie once was with blues singers. Outback Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8pm. Info 029 2062 6015. Rock covers. Steve Williams Trio Café Jazz, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £3-£5. Info 029 2038 7026. Playing the monthly Hot Club Swing night.

u – repeated

The Men That Will Not Be Blamed For Nothing The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Comedy nerd metal. *The Nightmares + Private World + Hippodrone + Horrible Men Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm, free. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. EP launch gig for headliners, profiled in last month’s issue. The Trials Of Cato Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £12. Info 029 2089 0862. Folk-rock. The Washboard Resonators Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 07818 056599. Old timey jazz band from Leeds. The West End At The Movies Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £16/£14. Info 01874 611622. Ysgol Theatr Maldwyn + Cwmni Theatr Maldwyn Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01970 623232. Oratorio performances of, respectively, Gair Yn Gnawd and Myfi Yw. MONDAY 15 APRIL Chloe Foy + Bryony Sier + Georgia Fearn Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 7pm, £4/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 9557. Dominic Norcross Quartet Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Easy Street Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8.30pm. Info 029 2038 7026. TUESDAY 16 APRIL Black Cat Jazz Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. Followed By Thirteen Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm,

£7/£5 NUS. Info www. thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz quartet built around bassist Henrik Jensen. Indoor Pets + Gender Roles + Laissez Faire Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £8.50. Info 029 2023 2199. Buzz editor Fedor used the phrase “laissez faire” at the exact same time as I was typing this listing. Cosmic, man! Er, I think these are some indie bands. Loss Leader + Punch On! + Enouement + Useless Eater The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Emo and punk bands presented by DIY Cardiff. Mavron Quartet St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5-£7. Info 029 2087 8444. Saving Grace Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £22.50. Info 0845 2263510. This is Robert Plant’s new band, I guess along folk-rock kinda lines, and seems to have been trialled for a couple of months in venues about this size. At the time of writing I don’t think hardly anyone had noticed it had been announced but that might change. WEDNESDAY 17 APRIL Andy Collins Open Mic Night Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748. Capital City Jazz Orchestra Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info malc@dancebands.plus. com. A South Wales Big Band Society gig. Concerts And Cakes Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 1pm, £4.50. Info 0300 0040444. Concerts And Cakes Y

live review

ÓLAFUR ARNALDS

St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Tue 19 Mar Ten years since his last visit, Icelandic composer Ólafur Arnalds returned to Cardiff for the final leg of his current tour promoting his latest album Re:member. The familiar surrounds of St David’s Hall were subtly embellished with tasteful stage lighting, but walking into the already smoky atmosphere, it was easy to underestimate the light show, which turned out to be as strikingly beautiful to look at as the music was to listen to. Lulled into the performance by an intriguing display of synchronised piano and illuminating flourishes, the room dimmed and the audience were immersed, often in darkness which proved equally effective. Intermittent spotlights introduced a string quartet and a drummer with additional electronic percussion; a modest lineup for such an all-encompassing sound. Arnalds’ sparse, poignant melodies, mesmerising rhythms and otherworldly, ethereal tone and imagery fixed the attention of every set of ears and eyes in the place over the course of the following two hours. You get the sense that the intricate lighting might in some way mimic Aurora Borealis, as visible in the composer’s homeland; stereotypical national touchstones aside, it was similarly majestic. The likeable, quietly comical Arnalds occasionally engaged in cheerful dialogue with the audience, going as far as to record crowd vocals and incorporate them live into a piece of music. One process he explained in passing was the use of the phantom pianos either side of the stage, which appeared to be playing themselves. They are in fact pre-programmed to respond live with unexpected, harmonious replies to chords and notes he plays on his principal piano. This setup is called Stratus and was created by Arnalds and his friend Halldór Eldjár – it effectively saved him from a writer’s block experienced in the years before releasing Re:member. Arnalds professed that he didn’t always lean toward classical music and has his grandmother to thank for his flirtation with the genre. Closing the evening with a moving tribute to her, you could hear a pin drop. words CHARLIE PIERCEY photos SIMON AYRE

BUZZ 72

Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 12.30pm, £5. Info 0845 2263510. Etienne Manchon Trio The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night. Keith Little Quartet feat. Jane Williams Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Penarth. 7.30pm, £5/£4.40 adv. Info feelgoodmusicorg@gmail. com. Also featuring swing DJ The Medicine Man. Kevin Grenfell Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 8pm, £9.50. Info 01656 815995. Jazz trombonist with band. Mairearad Green & Anna Massie Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5 members. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night. Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is Christian Punter. Two Til Twelve The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5/£3 adv. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk. Young Garbo + Rubber Jaw The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. This Feeling and Creation23 present a fundraiser for Musicians Against Homelessness. THURSDAY 18 APRIL Alex Goodyear Trio Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026. BBC NOW: Easter Oratorio Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £5-£20. Info 029 2063 6464. Conducted by Jonathon Heyward and Jonathan Cohen. Ben Haenow The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 07590 471888. Fes + Peaks + Hops Undertone, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Fetty Wap + Peter Jackson Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £30.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. New Jersey rapper, still a bit of a one-hit wonder really but does get points for describing his own music as “ignorant r’n’b”. Fleetwood Bac Workmen’s Hall, Caerphilly. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07512 237983. Tribute band. In Carmarthedn on Sun 21. Georgia Paterson The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042. Hear Lies + Wine Morals + Cease To See The Sun + Callum James The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £4 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk. InDynamics + Hypophora Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2039 9557. Headliners are from Sussex and feature a drummer, Jack Wrench, who shares his name with a tool whose instructions for use include some of the most homoerotic turns of phrase I’ve ever seen. John Gibbon All Stars Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth. 8pm, £11/£10. Info 01834 869323. Spanjazz night. Jungle Rot + UltraViolence Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv. Info

07970 063107. Wisconsin death metal band headline. Lowkey + Awate Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £15. Info 029 2023 2199. British wokerap don Lowkey, having booked then postponed dates here in July and September, tries for the third time. Midge Ure Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £22.50/£21.50. Info 01656 815995. Performing songs and talking about his life etc also. Milky Wimpshake + My Name Is Ian + Pagan Wanderer Lu + The Metatrons + Schande The Moon, Cardiff. 6pm, £5 adv. Info info@themooncardiff. com. Warmup gig for Wales Goes Pop!, which starts tomorrow in The Gate. Milky Wimpshake are good and I think this is their first Cardiff gig in 20-something years active. Stefflon Don Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £16 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. UK dancehall/grime/pop MC on a tour rescheduled from last November. That’ll Be The Day St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £24-£28.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Rock’n’roll nostalgia revue. The Americas + CVC + Beano Naboo & The Real Keepers The Big Top, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Presented by Hoyfest. The Feel Good Factory Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@porterscardiff.com. The Little Mix Experience Grand Theatre, Swansea. 6pm, £17 adv. Info 01792 475715. Tribute act The Meadows Newport Fugitives Athletic Club, Rogerstone, Newport. 8pm. Info 07837 288096. Newport Folk Club night. Tim Holehouse + Thomas Vincent + The Uptown Portrayer Punk Poet + Robo Chomo + Mr Grizzly Creature Sound, Swansea. 7.30pm, £3 suggested donation. Info 01792 301178. Punky folk type stuff. Whenyoung Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £8. Info 029 2023 2199. FRIDAY 19 APRIL Agrona + Cerebral Enema + Anal Floss Is Boss + Cranial Separation + Blind Divide Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info 07970 063107. Bronwen Lewis National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 2-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Claire M The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Claire Taylor City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913. Coda Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £13/£10 adv. Info 01685 879491. Led Zeppelin tribute. Creeds Cross Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £20.50. Info 01646 695267. Celtic trad/ pop crossover fodder. Curtis Lee + Harri Pain + Lily Webb + Sam

Tomlins The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Presented by Pi & Hash. uDementia Awareness Festival The Dolls House, Abertillery. 5pm, £10 Fri 19 and Sat 20/£8 Sun 21. Info 01495 213300. Three-day event in aid of Dementia UK. Today features The Midnight Dogs, Psycho Kiss, The Electric Shakes, This Elegant Chaos, Scarlet Rebels, Smithgrind and Kinstrife. Sat 20: A Joker’s Rage, Tarot Rats, Tomorrow Is Lost, Beneath The Divine, Weston RD, Electric Rebels, Lazarus Moon and Excursia. Sun 21: Steve Ignorant’s Slice Of Life, Ambition Demolition, The Bitten, Dead Objectives, Deathtraps, Drunken Marksmen, Hacksaw, State Of Decay, TenPlusOne and Terminal Rage. (Until Sun 21) Get The Blessing Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199. Ida Wenøe & The Wren

free. Info 029 2062 3017. Sarah Birch + Joel Morgan + The Warbirds Cinema & Co, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 07982 624959. Album launch gig for local indie/folk artist Birch, also a member of Lost Tuesday Society. uSteve Harley Acoustic Trio Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2089 0862. On tomorrow also but sold out on both dates. The Heavy Quartet Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Local rockin’ jazz combo who I thought had stopped playing live, and on further investigation this is in fact billed as their last ever gig! The Oasis Experience Queens Hall, Narberth. 7.30pm, £15. Info 01834 869323. Tribute band. The Riff The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk. The Solid Silver 60s Show

The latest bill presented by NAWR in Swansea’s BBC Hall arrives on Mon 8 Apr. Sarah Angliss and Cath & Phil Tyler both experiment with the folk form, while Good News From The Future follow up their Experimentica performance in Cardiff the previous day. Songbook Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 8-10.30pm, £10. Info 01239 615952. Indiefolk stuff. Jukebox Bandits Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Kearney’s Jig + System Reset + Stitched Up + That Which Ate The Moon Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2037 3144. Punk type bands, presented here by Crush Hate. Mangata Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Martin Carthy Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 8pm, £8. Info 01792 425231. A Valley Folk Club night with a bona fide legend of the game. Mike Platt And The Noise Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm. Info enquiries@ hangar18musicvenue.co.uk. Rock vocalist who was on The Voice apparently. Nick Byrne + Lazarus Moon + The Revelators The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm. Info gigs@ thedragonffli.com. Nova Blinkin Owl, Cwmbran. 9pm, free. Info 01633 484749. Quay Street Band Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 07818 056599. Restorations + Tom May & Roger Harvey + The Violent Hearts Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £10. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. Pop-punkish band from Philly headline. Ross Gurney The Plough, Whitchurch, Cardiff. 9pm,

Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £22-£34.50. Info 01792 475715. Featuring Peter Noone, Brian Poole and Dave Berry with Vanity Fare The Songs Of Queen Starring Tom Chaplin St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £42.50-£62.50. Info 029 2087 8444. While I had already taken on board the news that the guy out of Keane had managed to reinvent himself as a faux Freddie, it wasn’t until now that I knew he (well not him specifically, I guess) was attempting to charge north of £60 for it. The Stevie Wonder Experience The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tribute show. uTMR Rockfest The Patriot, Crumlin. 7pm, free. Info 01495 247178. Three days of live bands for no entry fee. Today: Gorilla Riot, The Black Hands and Black Whiskey; Sat 20: Skam, Revival Black and The New Breed; Sun 21: Scarlet Rebels, Fugitive and Hatfield Rising. (Until Sun 21) Treorchy Male Choir + The Parc & Dare Band Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7pm, £13/£11. Info 0300 0040444. uWales Goes Pop! The Gate, Cardiff. 1.30pm, £48 weekend/£17 per day/free under-12s. Info 029 2048 3344. Bringing indie’s best and brightest to this venue as with every Easter weekend, 2019 goes like this. Today: a headliner TBC (replacing Estrons), She Drew The Gun, Bryde,

Say Sue Me, The Wendy Darlings, Mr Ben & The Bens, Kidsmoke, Tugboat Captain, Kermes and Asha Jane Music. Sat 20: The Nightingales, Vic Godard & Johnny Britton With The Subway Sect, Go-Kart Mozart, Charmpit, Simon Love & The Old Romantics, Big Thing, The School, Oh Peas!, Rosehip Teahouse, Live, Do Nothing and She’s Got Spies. Sun 21: Tracyanne And Danny, International Teachers Of Pop, Virginia Wing, Tigercats, The Cornshed Sisters, Accü, Mikey Collins, All Ashore! and HANA2K. Kids under 12 are free but you need to book their ticket. (Until Sun 21) SATURDAY 20 APRIL Airrace + Psycho Kiss Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info enquiries@ hangar18musicvenue.co.uk. All You Need Is Love St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £31.50-£49.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Beatles tribute featuring the National Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Big Girls Don’t Cry Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £21-£34.50. Info 01792 475715. Frankie Valli tribute. BoxCat The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509. A birthday gig for someone called Beth. Darkside Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £20/£18. Info 01970 623232. Pink Floyd tribute. Democratus + State Of Deceit + Trep + Stitched Up + Infernal Diadem Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 07970 063107. Eden’s Curse + Mob Rules + Degreed Ebbw Vale Institute. 6pm, £15 adv. Info 01495 708022. AOR hardrock/metal stuff, sadly not heralding the return of Leeds hardcore band Mob Rules to action. Fastlove Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £26.50/£25.50. Info 01656 815995. George Michael tribute. Glas Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2069 4630. Ian Shimmin Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. John Fairhurst The Moon, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £10/£8 adv. Info info@themooncardiff. com. Presented by Pi & Hash. Lemondaze + Picsel + The Sandinistas + Tundra + Soundwire The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7.30pm. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk. These bands, minus Soundwire, all feature on a Record Store Day flexidisc released by the R*E*P*E*A*T label. Mangata The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753. Neckbrace The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm. Info gigs@ thedragonffli.com. South Wales metal band from the early 00s (if my memory is right), reunited. Novana + Bottlekids The Globe, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Nirvana tribute band headline. Oxbowlake Ocean Lounge,

Porthkerry, nr Barry. 7.30pm. Info 01446 711538. Punchline Black Boy, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 299469. Quo-No UK Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 01443 682388. Status Quo tribute band. Richard Ashcroft Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £38. Info 029 2022 4488. Style Councillors + Ska Monkeys Barry Island Sports & Social Club. 7pm, £11 adv. Info 01446 735173. Tribute/ cover bands. uThe Big Sesh NosDa, Cardiff. 2pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Two days of live music for nowt. Today: Rainbow Maniac, Charlie Says, Hang 11, Fioled, Night Lives, Sophie Crabtree & Beatbox Hann, Esio, Lucy Atkins and Vinna Bee. Tomorrow: Jo Jo & The Woods, Joe Kelly & The Royal Pharmacy, Elliot Oakley, King’s Alias, The Freeway, Bryony Seir, Ben Dain-Smith, Ruby Kelly and Kid Reddy & The Features. The Drystones Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £16/£14. Info 01873 850805. Folk duo. The Marc Davies Band Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 9pm. Info 029 2062 6015. The Spectrums Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £5/£3 adv. Info 01685 879491. Eighties electropop cover band. The Troggs Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8pm, £15 adv. Info 01239 841387. British r’n’b protopunks play big posh house out in the wilds. Appear to feature no original members, although the band did form 55 years ago in fairness. *Ut + Disjoy Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. See Music for more on this gig, headlined by UK-via-NYC no wave clanging veterans. This is a great booking, don’t sleep on it! Zero Talent + Last Tree Squad The Lost Arc, Rhayader. 8pm, £5. Info 01743 860246. Ska, punk, dub etc. SUNDAY 21 APRIL 360 Degrees The Seagull Inn, Porthcawl. 9pm, free. Info 01656 785420. Acoustic Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells. 4pm. Info 07477 627267. Dead Ringers Blinkin Owl, Cwmbran. 9pm, free. Info 01633 484749. Evil Turkeys Chatterton Arms, Pencoed. 9pm, free. Info 01656 860293. Fleetwood Bac Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £18/£16. Info 0845 2263510. Jack Mac Quintet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4. Info 029 2038 7026. Ka’s Ska Souls Band West End Club, Barry. 5-8pm, free. Info 01446 735739. Ska and soul covers, reasonably. *Negative Space + Scrap Brain + Basic Dicks + Disjoy + Glib + Slow Murder Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5 suggested donation. Info 029 2037 3144. Punk, hardcore

STRANGLERS (Caerphilly Castle, Fri 5) PUBLIC SERVICE BROADCASTING (Caerphilly Castle, Sat 6) CLOUD NOTHINGS (Clwb Ifor Bach, Wed 10) SISTER SLEDGE + T’PAU (Tredegar Park, Newport, Fri 12) CHIC FEAT. NILE RODGERS (Cardiff Castle, Fri 12) THE ZUTONS (Caerphilly Castle, Fri 12) BLACK STONE BUZZ 73

* – recommended and noise, the headliners from London and debuting in Cardiff. Six out of six great acts! One Eighty Two + Green Haze The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £10 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk. Blink 1982 and Green Day tribute bands. Panic Station Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015. Primo Duo The Pod, Newport. 6.30pm. Info 01633 535440. Showhawk Duo The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £18 adv. Info 07590 471888. Trance/rave hits played on acoustic guitars. Kill me. Tattsyrup + Mike Dennis + Imprints The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. The Big Gospel Choir At Easter Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £20 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. The Navarones + Inner City + The 5:15 + Aeddan Jac’s, Aberdare. 4pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 01685 879491. Ska and mod bands. The Specials Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £40 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Titans of 2-tone return to Wales in a slightly smaller venue than previously. Weybourne Chester Bingley Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688. MONDAY 22 APRIL Arms Aloft + The Penske File + Guerilla Poubelle + Hot Mass + Honest Thieves Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 6-11pm, £8 adv. Info 029 2039 9557. Punk and indie presented by DIY Cardiff and STHC. Dream State + Parting Gift + Nightlives Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199. Slicker-thanyer-average Swansea metallic rockers headline. Gypsy Jazz Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Lolfapalooza Open Mic Afternoon Caffi Lolfa, Burry Port. 3pm, free. Info 07532 062010. Teleman The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07590 471888. Indie. The Carpenters Story The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £22/£21. Info 01633 656757. Tribute show. The Troubadours Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 4-7pm. Info 029 2062 6015. Rock covers. Woven Man + Urfe + Sunnylea + Windshake + Static Fires The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7.30pm, £3. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk. TUESDAY 23 APRIL Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. With a different guest host every week this month; tonight’s is The Freeway. *Rakta + Deafkids + Artefact The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8/£7 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Hotel De Marl present two brilliant psychedelic punk bands from

Brazil and the first gig in ages by Welsh goth legends Artefact. Richie & Rosie Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 01873 852960. Multi-genre folk duo. Stella Donnelly + Sofia Bolt Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £9. Info 029 2023 2199. Sold out. The Keith Little Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL Bad Manners Town Hall, Maesteg. 7pm, £20. Info 01656 815995. Bilk Sin City, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 01792 468892. Youthful Essex indie band. Cardiff University Big Band Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info malc@dancebands.plus. com. A South Wales Big Band Society gig. Diane Cluck The Moon, Cardiff. 8.30-10.30pm, £9/£7 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. American folk-rock sort who I’d not thought about in a while. George St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £39.50-£49.50. Info 029 2087 8444. As in Michael, as in a tribute, backed by the National Philharmonic Concert Orchestra. Seems to be a tribute act trend (based on this month’s listings anyway), getting an orchestra in so you can charge opera-type prices. Jake Morrell Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Country rock type from Norfolk. Kelly Sisters Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01874 611622. Harp duo. Nick Byrne + Taffy Was A Thief + The Mondaines The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9-11pm, £3. Info 01685 387925. A U&I Radio night. Simon & Tom Gardner with Dave Cottle Trio The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night. Todd Sharpville & Friends + Bella Collins Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 9pm. Info 029 2062 6015. British bluesman whose biblically long bio includes a bit where he gets banned from seeing his kids, consequently winning the support of Fathers 4 Justice before being let out of the psychiatric ward early thanks to an intervention by Leo Sayer. White Riot + Finding Aurora + LoveButter + Motel Thieves The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £3 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk. THURSDAY 25 APRIL 7am + French Alps Tiger + Fuzz Club The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. This weekend marks two years since this venue reopened as a co-op type setup, and they have three free gigs starting

with this one. Alabama 3 The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £17.50 adv. Info 07590 471888. Acoustic set. Beatrice Rana St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£25. Info 029 2087 8444. Concert pianist performs works by Chopin, Ravel and Stravinsky. Ian Poole Quartet The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042. Si Barron Crindau Constitutional Club, Newport. 8pm. Info 01633 858636. A Lyceum Folk Club night. Tina May Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Jazz vocalist. FRIDAY 26 APRIL *Aleighcia Scott Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Welsh reggae vocalist, class in this reporter’s opinion. *Big Lad + Sans + Monics Le Public Space, Newport. 8pm, £6. Info sam@ lepub.co.uk. The Shonk present London noiserock-meets-

2064 1913. Kingson The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Little Thief Warehouse 54, Newport. 9pm. Info 01633 213161. Bristol indie band. Lost In Thought + Fractions + Boxing Day Rage The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5/£3 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk. Mal Pope Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 0845 2263510. Metallica Reloaded Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 8pm, £8 adv. Info 07970 063107. Tribute band. Nikki Pope Academy Espresso Bar, Barry. 8pm, free. Info 07557 773723. Organ Recital National Museum Cardiff. 1pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Ramnastax + Mango Factory The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Rhythm Of The 90s The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 07590 471888. Old

Reliably fun, nice, good value and on Easter weekend, Wales Goes Pop! returns to The Gate Arts Centre in Cardiff from Fri 19-Sun 21 Apr. Highlights from a few dozen acts include Vic Godard, Say Sue Me, Go-Kart Mozart, Traceyanne & Danny and Virginia Wing. breakcore duo Big Lad, who played Cardiff twice last year and were class both times. Bringing In The May: Songs And Stories For Summer Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff. 8-10pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2116 7920. Folk music by Blanche Rowen and Mike Gulston; poetry by and Cath Little. Cadence The Plough, Whitchurch, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 3017. Capital City Jazz Orchestra Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@porterscardiff.com. Cats In Space Ebbw Vale Institute. 6pm, £15 adv. Info 01495 708022. People from UK hard rawk bands do powerpop type stuff. Charlie Landsborough Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £26. Info 01792 475715. Gig by a fella billed here as Britain’s premier country singer, and who is retiring after this tour. Appears to have had most success in Ireland, not totally surprisingly. Daz Cortina Globetrotters, Pontypridd. 7pm, free. Info globetrottersbar@gmail.com. Faers + Tom Auton NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Presented by Pi & Hash. Ian Shimmin City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029

skool dance anthems covered by a live band. Second Chance Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767. Soup Presents Fullee Love Collective Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £16. Info 029 2023 2199. Soup is one of the members of Jurassic 5, who individually seem to find their way to this venue quite often. Suede + BC Camplight Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £37.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Swyn St John The Evangelist Church, Canton, Cardiff. 7-10.30pm, £5 adv. Info 07960 820645. EP launch gig for Welsh folk-rock duo. Teddy Hunter + Beresford/Hammond + Peiriant + Jenn Kirby The Globe At Hay, Hay-OnWye. 7.30pm, £5. Info 01497 821762. Welsh, or Wales-based, experimental artists hosted here by Nawr. The Bella Collins Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Soul. The Shakes The Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194. The Wall Of Floyd Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £18 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Pink Floyd tribute. Thrill Collins + My Name Is Ian + Sophie Crabtree + Beatbox Hann Tiny

u – repeated

Rebel, Cardiff. 7pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 9557. T. Rexstacy Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 8pm, £23. Info 01873 850805. T. Rex tribute band Wilko Johnson + Glen Tilbrook Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £28.50 adv. Info 029 2023 5555. Two survivors – in a very real sense, in Johnson’s case – of the southern English 1970s pub rock scene. See Upfront for an interview with Johnson. SATURDAY 27 APRIL Aberystwyth Choral Society Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £2-£12. Info 01970 623232. Performing Haydn’s Creation. All Dead, All Dead + The Biggest Thing Since Powdered Milk + String Theory The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk. Gig in aid of Parkinson’s UK. An Orchestral Rendition Of Dr Dre: 2001 Tramshed, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £21.90/£20.90. Info 029 2023 5555. “Note: Dr Dre will not be attending this event.” The people who do these orchestral gigs always add this disclaimer but it never fails to amuse me. Bon Jovii The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £6. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com. Tribute band. Claire M The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753. *David Ian Roberts + Toby Hay + Haress The Lost Arc, Rhayader. 7.30pm. Info 01743 860246. Leftfield folk type stuff, particular recommendation for Haress who are from Shropshire and whose new album is superb. Hullabaloo Hangar 18, Swansea. 8pm, £5 adv. Info enquiries@ hangar18musicvenue.co.uk. I Am Drug + Hippodrone + Nigel + Dactyl Terra + Comfort State The Moon, Cardiff. 5pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Incursion + Blind Divide + In Which It Burns + Beyond Oblivion Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm, £5. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. Jake And The Jellyfish + Toodles & The Hectic Pity Crowleys Rock Bar, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info crowleysrockbar@hotmail. com. Jumpin’ Jimmy & The Nice Guys Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Kamikazee Millionaires The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 8pm, free. Info gigs@ thedragonffli.com. Pizzatramp + Grandmother Suplex + Stitched Up + No Pulse + Positive Reaction Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm, £5. Info 01443 491424. Punk and hardcore bands from south Wales, Bristol and the Peak District. Radio Platfform Presents Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Local talent showcase, not sure exactly what kind of thing we’re talk-

ing though. Rhys Davis & The Liberators + Six Sided Men + Christian Punter + Aiden Keryn NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Rodney Branigan Snails Deli, Cardiff. 7pm, £22.50 adv. Info 029 2062 0415. American singer-songwriter. Price includes a buffet. Serenata Italiana Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8pm, £12 adv. Info 01239 841387. The John S Davies Singers present an evening of Italian songs. Session Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319. Sheelanagig Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £14 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. The Hold Up: Inner City Cypher Oner Signs, Cardiff. 1-5pm, free. Info 029 2037 1231. Monthly hip-hop session inviting MCs, beatboxers, DJs etc down to jam. The Now Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 07818 056599. New local band who seem like wholly generic MOR ladrock but that rarely stopped anyone getting popular. The Point The Pod, Newport. 9.30pm. Info 01633 535440. Tootinskamoon + Nik Turner & His Fantastic All Stars Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £7.50. Info 01239 615952. Night titled Captain Rik’s Memorial Bash and also featuring DJ sets from Marc Daf, Uncle Funk, Shanna, Sparx and Vinyl Richie. SUNDAY 28 APRIL Chris Rees Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688. Cor Aduniad Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 6pm, £8. Info 01633 868239. Welsh choir. Gareth Roberts Quartet Melville Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £10/£8/£3 NUS. Info 01873 853167. Black Mountain Jazz gig. Indian Queens + Inscape + French Alps Tiger + Dirty Flamingos The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk. Headline band are seemingly named after a village which I used to drive through on the way to the beach as a kid. Jason Staddon + Ben Huws + Pay The Man + Craig Johnson + Ben Blance The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Harmoni Cymru fundraiser for music performances in hospital wards. Kid Ink + Big Tobz + Rory Fresco + Julian Alexander Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £26. Info 029 2023 5555. National Youth Wind Orchestra Of Wales Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 3pm, £10/£8. Info 029 2063 6464. The Blackheart Orchestra Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £14 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Trip-hoppy type duo, played Cardiff last year I

CHERRY (Caerphilly Castle, Sat 13) GARBAGE (Cardiff University, Sun 14) ROLLING BLACKOUTS COASTAL FEVER (Clwb Ifor Bach, Thurs 18) THE PIGEON DETECTIVES (Cardiff University, Fri 26) PETE TONG IBIZA CLASSICS (Singleton Park, Swansea, Sat 27) JESS GLYNNE (Singleton Park, Swansea, Sun 28) BUZZ 74

think. Whitchurch Jam Session #117 Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 5.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015. MONDAY 29 APRIL Flook The Druidstone, Haverfordwest. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 01437 781221. UK folk band, in Cardiff tomorrow.. Nick Mason’s Saucerful Of Secrets St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £47.50/£41. Info 029 2087 8444. Pink Floyd man plays Pink Floyd’s early stuff with the help of non-Pink Floyd men. Sold out. uThriller Live Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15-£40. Info 01792 475715. West End-popular theatrical Michael Jackson homage, proof were it needed that absolutely nothing – nauseating testimony, the tide of popular opinion – can stop this venue’s hunger for booking tribute acts. On at 5pm and 8.30pm on Fri 3 May; 4pm and 8pm on Sat 4 May. (Until Sat 4 May) TUESDAY 30 APRIL Amber Cross + Blind River Scare + Ilana Held Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £6. Info sam@lepub. co.uk. Country and folk-rock. Flook St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £5-£19. Info 029 2087 8444. Presented by Roots Unearthed. Jazz Cafe The Gate, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2048 3344. Johanna Warren The Moon, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £6/£5 adv. Info info@themooncardiff. com. Joe Webb Trio Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www. thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz. Russell Watson Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £35/£30. Info 01970 623232. The Panama Jazz Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026. The Unthanks Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £21. Info 029 2023 5555. See Upfront for more on this latterday folk family. Topette Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01792 863722. See Music.

stage MONDAY 1 APRIL uFame Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15-£36. Info 01792 475715. Musical of the film, this being the 30th anniversiry of the former. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wed 3 and Sat 6. (Until Sat 6) uMotown The Musical Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £15-£64. Info 029 2063 6464. West End hit with people playing Berry Gordy, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross etc. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 4 and Sat 6. £21-£77 on Fri 5 and Sat 6. (Until Sat 6) Standup Comedy Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. uThe Mirror Crack’d New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13-£30. Info 029 2087 8889.

Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple vehicle, with Marpz played by Susie Blake. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 4 and Sat 6 Apr. £14-£33 on Fri 5 and Sat 6. (Until Sat 6) TUESDAY 2 APRIL 5 Soldiers Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8-£16. Info 029 2064 6900. Dance piece by Rosie Kay, who spent a period of time ‘joining the army’ for research purposes. Previewed in the March issue. Così Fan Tutte Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 01970 623232. Opera, presented by Swansea City Opera. In Abergavenny on Tue 9. Peeling Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5.50-£11. Info 01792 863722. New Welsh language production of this Kaite O’Reilly play by Taking Flight, with English captions and audio description. Based on Eripides’ The Trojan Women. In Llanelli on Wed 10; Cardiff on Tue 30-Sat 4 May. T42 Dolman Theatre, Newport. 2pm, £7. Info 01633 263670. Variety entertainment. WEDNESDAY 3 APRIL 1940s Dad’s Army Variety Show Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 2pm, £16. Info 01633 868239. Adore Delano Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £25. Info 0871 4720400. Drag queen presented here by Holy Trannity. uBroadway & Beyond Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12. Info 0845 2263510. Songs from the musicals, presented by the Curtain Up Theatre Company. On tomorrow also. uGuys And Dolls Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £8-£15. Info 01600 772467. Musical, presented by Monmouth Music Theatre. (Until Sat 6) uLegally Blonde Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 0300 0040444. Musical presented by Sioe Gerdd Performing Arts Society. (Until Sat 6) Noel James + Jeff Japers + Gill Webb + Daf Rhys + Sian Fisher + Dai Davies The Albion, Penarth. 8pm, free. Info 029 2033 0743. Comedy night. uSeussical The Musical The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £9.50. Info 01633 656757. Presented by The Children’s Academy Of Stage Training. On at 1pm and 7.30pm on Sat 6. (Until Sat 6) The Enfant Terrible Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £3-£5. Info 01970 623232. Script-held reading of a new play by Catrin Fflûr Huws. The Time Machine Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £7-£14. Info 01873 850805. HG Wells’ time-travelling novel adapted for the stage by Dyad. THURSDAY 4 APRIL Awakening Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8-£14. Info 01792 602060. National Dance Company Wales with three pieces: Afterimage, Revellers’ Mass and Tundra. In Aberystwyth on Wed 24. Dau Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0300 0040444. Jim Cartwright’s play, presented here in

Welsh by RCT Theatres. In Pontardawe on Wed 10; Ammanford on Fri 12; Carmarthen on Sat 13; Blackwood on Mon 15; Aberystwyth on Wed 17; Brecon on Thurs 18; Cardiff on Fri 19. John Cooper Clarke Paget Rooms, Penarth. 7pm, £18 adv. Info 029 2070 0721. A lot of his publicity material calls him Dr John Cooper Clarke, but looking it up this appears to refer to an honorary doctorate he was given in 2013, so I feel I can ignore that. In Monmouth on Sun 7. uLaura Lexx + Christopher MacArthurBoyd + Dave Fulton + Jack Barry Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10/£17 with a pie/£6 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Tonight is Pie Face Comedy and features both comedians and food offers. On tomorrow also (£16.50/£8.50 NUS/£24.95 with food and a drink) and Sat 6 (£19/£10 NUS), with Barry replaced by Glenn Moore on both those nights. Machynlleth Comedy

Saturday this month (Sat 20 sold out), with a special guest on Sat 27. ‘Stute Comedy Nights Miners Institute, Blackwood. 8pm, £12.50/£11.50 adv. Info 01495 227206. SATURDAY 6 APRIL Aladdin Jr Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 2.30 + 7pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. Presented here by The Performance Factory. Greg Wohead Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. Experimentica solo theatre show based on a meeting between Wohead and an Amish couple. Henning Wehn St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £22.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Likely to be sold out by the time you read this. Little Red Riding Hood Talent Shack, Cardiff. 10.30am, £5/£4. Info 07886 020923. First of six performances until Sat 13 showcasing the work of Shelley Norton’s Stage School classes – this one is the Mini Musical

In 1926 Agatha Christie was in a car accident, went missing for a bit then refused to tell anyone what happened. What’s that all about then? A one-woman drama, Where Is Mrs Christie?, mulls this very question at Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre on Thurs 4 Apr. Festival Preview Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Said festival is in a month’s time, acts at this preview are currently TBC. The Sound Of Music Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £15/£12.50. Info 01686 614555. Musical, presented by Newtown Musical Theatre Company. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Sat 6. (Until Sat 6) Where Is Mrs Christie? Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £13/£11. Info 01646 695267. One-woman show based on the time Agatha Christie crashed her car in 1926, went missing and then said she couldn’t remember anything about it when eventually found. FRIDAY 5 APRIL Comedy Club Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £12. Info 0845 2263510. With comics TBC. Henning Wehn Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7.30pm, £22 adv. Info 01639 763214. Standup comedian whose USP is that he’s German. In Cardiff tomorrow. MHT Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £19.50/£15. Info 01633 868239. Drag troupe. Not sure what MHT stands for. uResident Magicians The Small Space, Barry. 7.30pm, £20. Info info@thesmallspace. co.uk. Notably small (only 20 seats!) magic-centred Vale venue. On every Friday and

Theatre show. Mamma Mia Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7pm, £6-£9.50. Info 01239 621200. Musical presented by Dynamix Performing Arts. On at 1pm tomorrow. (Until Mon 8) Paul James Gwyn Hall, Neath. 8pm, £8.60. Info 0300 3656677. Welsh comedian. Paulus: Beta Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. One-person drag musical, the person being cabaret sort Paul R Martin in a new genderfluid incarnation. Steffan Evans & Drew Taylor + Sheep & Mash Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 01443 491424. Clwb Comedy present the final show in the headline duo’s Tales From Wales series. Theatre In Focus: Thornton Wilder Grand Theatre, Swansea. 12.30pm, £6.50. Info 01792 475715. Fluellen present a talk about this playwright followed by a script-held reading of one of his plays. Held in the Circle Bar. The West End At The Movies The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01639 843163. SUNDAY 7 APRIL Good News From The Future Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 3pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Improvised performance troupe perform in the foyer here, set to a soundtrack by Sam Barnes of Boy Azooga.

GNFTF are in Swansea tomorrow. John Cooper Clarke Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 8pm, £18. Info 01600 772467. uLive Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm. Info 01446 733863. Every Sunday. Mosaic Of Musicals Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 01656 815995. Musical theatre. Senior Musical Theatre Dance Show Talent Shack, Cardiff. 5pm, £7/£6. Info 07886 020923. Shappi Khorsandi Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £15. Info 0871 4720400. With her latest standup show Skittish Warrior. WillNE & Stephen Tries Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £22-£42. Info 029 2063 6464. YouTube personality duo whose ‘thing’ appears to be commenting on other things that are popular online. Based on a quick look at Stephen’s Twitter I’m expecting a vanilla lad banter type vibe. MONDAY 8 APRIL uAdam Kay Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Comedian who draws on his time in the medical profession for much of his material. I think we have an interview with him in this issue that probably doesn’t ask him about his Tory-esque song about striking tube drivers, but should do. In Cardiff on Tue 16, Aberystwyth Wed 17 and back here on Sun 28. Today’s show is sold out but Sun 28 currently isn’t. uMerched Caerdydd + Nod Satwrn O Hyd Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. Two new plays based in Cardiff, by Catrin Dafydd and Roger Williams respectively. On tomorrow also; in Cardiff from Wed 10-Sat 13. Rubicon Dance The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £8.50. Info 01633 656757. Showcase performance. TUESDAY 9 APRIL Così Fan Tutte Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £22/£19. Info 01873 850805. uDeath Of A Salesman Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12.50/£8.50 NUS. Info 01633 263670. Presented by Newport Playgoers Society. On at 2.30pm (tickets £11) and 7.15pm on Sat 13. (Until Sat 13) Edith’s Wartime Scrapbook Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 5.30pm, £6. Info 0845 2263510. Theatre performed by the children of Halfway School. uFive Green Bottles Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £12.50. Info 029 2064 6900. Play by Spilt Milk Theatre, part of a new night called Get It While It’s Hot whose price includes a pie and a pint. As such I assume it is a rebranded version of A Play, A Pie & A Pint which used to run here. (Until Sat 13) uOctopus Soup! New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15£31. Info 029 2087 8889. New comedy starring Nick Hancock which, from the exclamation mark in its title onwards,

sounds very much like it’s been beamed in from 1978. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 11 (£13-£26 in the afternoon) and Sat 13. £18£35 on Fri 12 and Sat 13. In Swansea from Tue 23-Sat 27. (Until Sat 13) Rough As Comedy The White Swan, Swansea. 8pm, £8 adv. Info whiteswanswansea@gmail.com. Hosted by Dylan Jones with more acts TBC. uThe Producers Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 7pm, £14 adv. Info 01639 763214. Port Talbot Amateur Operatic Society presents Mel Brooks’ Hitlertastic musical comedy. (Until Sat 13) WEDNESDAY 10 APRIL Dau Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £5.50-£11. Info 01792 863722. Drama Devised Show Talent Shack, Cardiff. 5pm, £5/£4. Info 07886 020923. Hairspray! The Musical Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7.15pm, £14. Info 0300 0040444. Presented by Selsig Musical Theatre Society. On at 5pm on Sat 13. (Until Sat 13) uMerched Caerdydd + Nod Satwrn O Hyd Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. (Until Sat 13) uNight Must Fall Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.15pm, £13.50/£11.50. Info 01792 475715. Fluellen production of classic thriller. On tomorrow also; in Maesteg on Sat 13. Peeling Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. uThe Government Inspector Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01792 473238. Swansea Little Theatre present Nikolai Gogol’s farcical comedy. (Until Sat 13) uThe Queen Of The Ocean The Hyst, Swansea. 7pm, £42 adv. Info 01792 654366. This is billed as an immersive theatre experience in which you eat a five-course meal on the Titanic. Crikey. (Until Sun 14) THURSDAY 11 APRIL Acting LAMDA Showcase Talent Shack, Cardiff. 5.30pm, £7/£6. Info 07886 020923. uAndy Askins + Susie McCabe Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10/£17 with a pie/£6 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Tonight is Pie Face Comedy and features both comedians (one more act TBC) and food offers. On tomorrow also, (£16.50/£8.50 NUS/£24.95 with food and a drink) and Sat 13 (£19/£10 NUS), with Stephen Grant and Allan Havey also featuring on both dates. uButtons Undone Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £18.50. Info 01656 815995. It’s a panto, but sort of rude, and Owen Money is in it. On tomorrow also. In Blackwood on Fri 26 and Sat 27. Ignacio Lopez + Steffan Evans + Calum Stewart Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30-10.30pm, £7 adv. Info 01685 879491. Kiri Pritchard-McLean Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12.50/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. Comedian with a show titled Victim, Complex. BUZZ 75

BAFTA CYMRU APRIL 2019 For all you creatives out there, start to get your entries ready for our 25 competitive award categories – we are open for entries and close on 11 April. We welcome entries from Welsh or Wales-based individuals who have worked on eligible international, UK and Welsh productions – so please put yourself forward. We’re especially interested in hearing from professionals working across craft categories such as make-up and hair and costume as well as those who would qualify for our Breakthrough Award (which is free to enter for the first time this year). The Awards themselves take place on Sun 13 Oct, so make a note in your diary now! Events-wise, on Wed 24 Apr we’ll be hosting a special screening of Jessica Hynes’ (Shaun Of The Dead, Spaced) directorial debut The Fight, followed by a Q&A with Jessica and her Cardiff-based DOP Ryan Owen Eddleston. Eddleston, who won a BAFTA Cymru Award for Timeshift: The Poet Who Loved The War: Ivor Gurney in 2014 and was nominated for his work on American Interior with Gruff Rhys, will also be offering a Career Clever session on cinematography. Both events will take place at Chapter Arts Centre in Cardiff. On Fri 26 Apr we’ll be hosting An Audience with Siân Grigg, a makeup designer from Cardiff who has worked on Titanic, The Revenant, The Aviator, Ex Machina and many more. Siân will join us at Cardiff Metropolitan’s School Of Art & Design for a discussion about her career to date and the craft of make-up and prosthetics. The event will also be the culmination of a special photography exhibition, being brought to Wales for the first time as part of the Diffusion festival, also hosted at CSAD and which will be free entry. Most of these events are open to the public (at a cost) or members for free and we’d love to see you. We’re also still accepting membership applications and you are able to join now for 17 months at special rates. Have a look at all the benefits of membership, including free cinema, on our website.

Info: www.bafta.org/wales

BUZZ 76

Noel James + Jack Campbell + Matt Stellingwerf Narberth Rugby Club. 8pm, £12/£10. Info 01834 869323. Comedy Club night hosted by Span Arts. uThe Young Artists Festival The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5 adv. Info info@ otherroomtheatre.com. Performances of specially commissioned scripts by Lisa Parry, Owen Thomas, Isley Lynne, Brad Birch, Nerida Bradley and Roger Williams. (Until Sat 13) Tickles & Tarts The Big Top, Cardiff. 7.30-9.30pm. Info 029 2022 8883. Standup and sketxhes hosted by Joe Granville. FRIDAY 12 APRIL An Evening Of OneAct Plays The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 7pm, £8.50/£7.50. Info 01639 843163. Presented by the Glantawe Theatre Company. A Night At The Musicals Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £16/£15. Info 01633 868239. Dau Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7pm, £14/£12. Info 0845 2263510. Dreaming The Nightfield Theatr Y Gromlech, Crymych, Sir Benfro. 8pm, £10/£8. Info 01834 869323. Presented by Span Arts. uGodspell: The 2012 Broadway Revival YMCA Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2046 5250. Musical, or a version of a musical, presented by AndGO. On tomorrow also. House Of Broadway Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Musical theatre. uMagical Journey Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £8-£11. Info 01970 623232. Aberystwyth Arts Centre Dance School present their biennial modern and tap dance showcase. On tomorrow also, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. O Go My Man Talent Shack, Cardiff. 7pm, £7. Info 07886 020923. uPepperland Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £16.50-£32.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Dance-based tribute to Sgt. Pepper, devised by Mark Morris. See Upfront. On tomorrow also. Rod Woodward Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £20.50 adv. Info 01495 227206. uStuff Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £8-£11. Info 01970 623232. Tom Wells’ play based around a troublesome surprise birthday party. On tomorrow also. uSU Dance Society Annual Showcase 2019 Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £10/£7. Info 01792 602060. On tomorrow also. SATURDAY 13 APRIL A Royal Birthday Surprise Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 2.30pm, £8. Info 01495 243252. Kids’ theatre in which a princess named Belle and her friends have to prepare for a birthday party. Dau Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 0845 2263510. Days Of Significance Talent Shack, Cardiff. 5pm, £7/£6. Info 07886 020923.

Emerald Academy: Don’t Stop Believing Miners Institute, Blackwood. 6.30pm, £7.50 adv. Info 01495 227206. Scenes from films and musicals. Night Must Fall Town Hall, Maesteg. 7.30pm, £9.50. Info 01656 815995. Séayoncé Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. A seance, but in drag, and also something to do with Beyoncé, I guess. uThe Girl With Incredibly Long Hair Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 11am + 2pm, £8. Info 029 2030 4400. Kids’ show based on Rapunzel but set in those ‘modern time’ we know and love. In English at 11am today; Welsh at 2pm. Sun 14 (relaxed performances): Welsh 11am, English 2pm. Tue 16: 11am and 2pm, both English. Wed 17: 11am and 2pm, both in Welsh. Thurs 18: 11am and 2pm, both in English. No performances on Mon 15. In Brecon on Fri 26 and Sat 27. (Until Thurs 18)

0300 3656677. Singalong kids’ theatre. Sooty’s Magic Show Grand Theatre, Swansea. 11am + 2.30pm, £14/£12 kids. Info 01792 475715. Tarzanna Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2pm, £8/£6. Info 01970 623232. Kids’ theatre with puppetry and acrobatics. TUESDAY 16 APRIL Adam Kay Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £25. Info 01792 475715. uCarol Goode School Of Dance + Expressions School Of Dance Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £9.50/£8.50. Info 01633 868239. Performing The Nutcracker, The Greatest Showman and more. (Until Fri 19) uThe Bodyguard Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £19-£64. Info 029 2063 6464. Return of a West End hit which was previously here in 2015, starring Alexandra Burke – as indeed it still does. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 18 (£19-£59

The Small Space in Barry, so called as it’s very small, specialises in magic theatre, and on Sat 27 Apr hosts top UK magician John Archer. His biggest fillip was fooling Penn & Teller on TV, either because they know lots about magic or are just always suspicious. SUNDAY 14 APRIL Lee Nelson Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £20. Info 0871 4720400. Shine Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £9. Info 01792 602060. Musical presented by The Rising Stars Theatre Company. ShowTime 2019 St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 12.30 + 5pm, £12. Info 029 2087 8444. Dance showcase from the Mandy & Shirley Morris School Of Dance. MONDAY 15 APRIL Dau Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £12.50/£10.50 adv. Info 01495 227206. uHair New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20-£37. Info 029 2087 8889. Musical celebrating the hippy idyll of 1967, as well as its own 50th anniversary. Although I think that was actually two years ago and this version is still touring. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 18 (£17-£25 in the afternoon) and Sat 20. £23-£40 on Fri 19 and Sat 20. (Until Sat 20) uHorrible Histories: Barmy Britain Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 1.30 + 5pm, £16/£8 under-16s. Info 029 2064 6900. A new version of this enduring family history show. On at 2.30pm and 7pm tomorrow; 11am on Wed 17. (Until Wed 17) Pongo’s Party Gwyn Hall, Neath. 1.30pm, £7.82. Info

evening show), Sat 20, Thurs 25 and Sat 27. £22-£71.50 on Fri 19, Sat 20, Fri 26 and Sat 27. No Alexandra on the afternoons of Thurs 18, Sat 20 or Thurs 25. (Until Sat 27) uYou’ve Got Dragons Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am, £7. Info 029 2063 6464. Kids’ theatre presented by Taking Flight. (Until Sat 20) WEDNESDAY 17 APRIL Adam Kay Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £25. Info 01970 623232. Will probably be sold out by the time you read this. Dau Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01970 623232. Egg And Spoon Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 11.30am, 1.30pm + 3.30pm, £9. Info 029 2064 6900. Interactive theatre aimed at ages 1-9 The Odyssey The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2048 3344. Rock musical version of this Homeric work, performed by Pantaloons. In Aberystwyth on Tue 30. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly Miners Institute, Blackwood. 2pm, £9/£8.50 adv. Info 01495 227206. Kids’ theatre. In Narberth on Wed 24. THURSDAY 18 APRIL Angela Barnes Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £14. Info 0871 4720400. Comedian performing a show titled RoseTinted. See Upfront. Bump + Bully Ffresh, Wales

Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. Readings of two new plays by Kelly Jones and Tom Wentworth respectively. County Youth Dance Company Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8.75/£6.75. Info 01792 602060. Three new contemporary dance works. Dau Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £7-£12. Info 01874 611622. Dolly Chicken Comedy: Fun At The Flute Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 7.3010.30pm, £6.50/£5 adv. Info dollychickencomedy@gmail. com. Featuring Ignacio Lopez, Sarah Breese and Good Kids plus MC Anita Shaw. Eleanor Conway Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.45pm, £13. Info 01792 475715. Standup show based on Conway’s previous life as a ‘party girl’. She is more clean living now but still described in the PR blurb as a “filthy firebomb”. Who writes this stuff? Family Dance Festival 2019 Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 12, 2 + 4pm, free. Info 0845 2263510. Two hour-long popup sessions featuring dancers from Bombastic, Coreo Cymru and Wales Millennium Centre. In Barry on Thurs 25; Newport on Sat 27. Haka Musical Evening Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7pm, £10-£12.50. Info 01970 623232. Musical theatre. Noel James Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £10/£9. Info 01970 623232. Comedian who performs various in Welsh and English – today it’s the latter, next month the former. Studio Comedy Club Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£9 early bird. Info 029 2064 6900. With acts TBC. The Amazing Bubble Man Miners Institute, Blackwood. 11.30am + 2pm, £12.50/£10.50 kids. Info 01495 227206. Louis Pearl makes some of his trademark giant bubbles in a theatrical science stylee. The Dock Town Hall, Maesteg. 1pm, £6.50. Info 01656 815995. New IRAthemed drama (could be good timing?) by Emily Darcy. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 2pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 0845 2263510. Kids’ show presented by The People’s Theatre Company. FRIDAY 19 APRIL Dau Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. uMike Wilmot + Alistair Williams + Jarred Christmas + Paul McCaffrey Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.50/£8.50 NUS/£24.95 with food and a drink. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also (£19/£10 NUS) and Sun 21. Noel Sullivan Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £20. Info 029 2063 6464. Hear’say member turned musical theatre fixture with his debut solo cabaret show, titled – and fair play to the big man here – If You Don’t Noel Me By Now.

SATURDAY 20 APRIL Donna Marie Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2063 6464. See the Buzz website at some point in April for an interview with Welsh Lady Gaga impersonator who came into the Buzz office at the exact moment I was writing this listing! Cosmic, man. MONDAY 22 APRIL Little Meerkat’s Big Panic Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 12 + 4pm, £7. Info 029 2063 6464. Multisensory kids’ show set in the Kalahari desert. On tomorrow also. TUESDAY 23 APRIL Aliens Love Underpants Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 12 + 3.30pm, £14. Info 01656 815995. Kids’ theatre based on a book. In Aberdare tomorrow. Dinosaur World Live The Riverfront, Newport. 1 + 3.30pm, £14. Info 01633 656757. Interactive educational theatre. On at 11am, 2pm and 4.30pm tomorrow. (Until Fri 26) Myths & Monsters Pyle Library, Bridgend. 2pm, £6. Info 01656 815995. Greek myths for kids, told here by Craig Johnson. In Maesteg tomorrow. uOctopus Soup! Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12-£21. Info 01792 475715. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 25 and Sat 27. (Until Sat 27) Swan Lake Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £15/£14. Info 01239 621200. Ballet, presented by Ballet Theatre UK. In Builth Wells tomorrow. WEDNESDAY 24 APRIL Aliens Love Underpants Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 1.30 + 4pm, £12/£10. Info 0300 0040444. uAnnie Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £12. Info 0845 2263510. Famous musical presented by the SA15 Stage School. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Fri 26 and Sat 27. (Until Sat 27) Awakening Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £12-£15. Info 01970 623232. uBing Live! Princess Royal Theatre, Port Talbot. 1 + 4pm, £19.25/£17.25. Info 01639 763214. Kids’ show. On tomorrow also. Comedy Club Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 8pm, £11.50. Info 01792 475715. uLegally Blonde The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £8/£7. Info 01495 355945. Presented by AYDMS Juniors. On at 2.30pm on Sat 27. (Until Sat 27) Myths & Monsters Maesteg Library. 3pm, £6/£4.50 library members. Info 01656 815995. Pongo Party Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 11am + 2pm, £10/£8. Info 01685 384111. Family show aimed especially at ages 2-7. There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed A Fly Queens Hall, Narberth. 1.30pm, £6. Info 01834 869323. uThe Wonderful World Of Disney On Ice Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, from £28. Info 029 2022 4488. On at 2.30pm and 6.30pm on Fri 26; 10.30am, 2.30pm and 6.30pm

on Sat 27 and Sun 28. (Until Sun 28) uTom Gates Live On Stage! New Theatre, Cardiff. 7pm, £10-£14. Info 029 2087 8889. Stage version of popular series of kids’ books. On at 2pm and 7pm from Thurs 25-Sat 27. £9.50-£19.50 on Thurs 25 and the afternoon of Fri 26; £11-£22 on the evening of Fri 26, Sat 27 and Sun 28. (Until Sun 28) uTonto Evans Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £12. Info 0845 2263510. Frank Vickery comedy about a retired miner who dresses up as a Native American for reasons I daresay are explained in the play itself. (Until Sat 27) THURSDAY 25 APRIL Al Murray Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £27.50. Info 01600 772467. “Actually Al Murray is really quite leftwing. It’s funnier because some of his audience actually have the same kind of views as his Pub Landlord character.” This was a thing we used to think and say. Animalcolm Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 2pm, £10-£14. Info 01970 623232. Speaking of comedians with mediocre political opinions, here’s a kids’ musical written by David Baddiel, about a boy who doesn’t like animals yet finds himself on a school trip to a farm. uCarl Hutchinson Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 8pm, £12.50 adv. Info 01656 815995. Comedian, sold out this evening but on tomorrow also. Chad Michaels + Farrah Moan Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £25/£55 VIP. Info 0871 4720400. Drag/burlesque show with Michaels and Moan playing Cher and Christina Aguilera respectively. Family Dance Festival Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 2 + 4pm, free. Info 01446 738622. uFaulty Towers: The Dining Experience The Orangery, Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. 7pm, £55. Info 01639 881635. Price includes a three-course meal, canapes and prosecco. On tomorrow also. Forbidden Nights Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £23.65. Info 0300 3656677. Male strippers. Ignacio Lopez + Leroy Brito + Simon Emanuel Hardie’s, Merthyr Tydfil. 8.30pm, £8. Info facebook. com/merthyrcomedyfestival. Merthyr Comedy Festival event, second of two today – see below. Karen Sherrard + Andrew Rutledge + Col Howarth Woodfired, Merthyr Tydfil. 6.45pm, £6. Info facebook. com/merthyrcomedyfestival. Opening show of this year’s Merthyr Comedy Festival, featuring eight standup gigs in the town between now and Sat 27. This one is in a pizza restaurant. uNational Theatre Connections 2019 Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 12pm, £10 full pass/£5 per performance. Info 029 2064 6900. Annual festival of new plays for/by youth theatres and schools, with three here each day for the next three days. See www. shermantheatre.co.uk for the

full listings. (Until Sat 27) Noisy Holiday The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 1pm, £6. Info 01639 843163. Children’s theatre presented by Kid Carpet. uThe Ebbing Hour Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.30pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 01633 263670. David Martin’s play about a chilling hillside encounter and a therapy session. On tomorrow also. The Girl Who Couldn’t Pretend Bettws Library, Newport. 2.30pm, £3.50/£2 members. Info 01656 815995. Kids’ theatre, taking place after the one listed below (for alphabetical reasons). The Girl Who Couldn’t Pretend Sarn Library, nr Bridgend. 10.30am, £3.50/£2 members. Info 01656 815995. What’s In The Box? Beelzebub’s, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info events@ craftydevilbrewing.co.uk. Newe improv comedy night which is scheduled to be on the last Thursday of each month and will feature three-minute slots on a topic chosen by the audience. FRIDAY 26 APRIL Adam Hess + Garrett Millerick Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 8pm, £10. Info 01874 611622. Comedy Club night. uButtons Undone Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £18.50 adv. Info 01495 227206. On tomorrow also. Comedy Shed The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £13. Info 01633 656757. With standups TBC. uEd Gamble Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £15. Info 029 2030 4400. Standup comedian who seems like he’s been around forever but is six years younger than me. To be fair I also seem like I’ve been around forever. On tomorrow also. uMaureen Younger + Mickey Sharma + Henry Paker Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.50/£8.50 NUS/£24.95 with food and a drink. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also (£19/£10 NUS) with one more comic TBC on both nights. Morgan & West’s Utterly Spiffing Spectacular Magic Show For Kids Town Hall, Maesteg. 1pm, £9.50/£8.50. Info 01656 815995. uThe Girl With Incredibly Long Hair Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 6pm, £9.50/£8.50. Info 01874 611622. On tomorrow also, at 11am (in Welsh) and 2pm (in English). uThe Stick Maker Tales Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £10/£8. Info 01970 623232. A National Theatre Wales production of a oneman show about an elderly shepherd, played by Peter Cox. On tomorrow also; in Abergavenny on Tue 30. Wes Packer + Matt Rees + Chris Chopping Hardie’s, Merthyr Tydfil. 10pm, £8 adv. Info facebook.com/ merthyrcomedyfestival. Merthyr Comedy Festival event. Zoe Lyons + Jarred Christmas + Drew Taylor + Daniel Glyn Merthyr Tydfil Labour Club. 6.30pm, £12.50/£10 adv. Info facebook.

DAU Various venues, Thurs 4-Thurs 18 Apr Tickets: £10-£12. Info: rct-theatres.co.uk Arts Council Wales comes together with Gareth John Bale and RCT Theatres to present this witty and endearing group of people and the emotional paths that we are taken through with them. A Welsh-language adaptation of Jim Cartwright’s Two, about the interrelated tales of couples in one quiet pub. Accessibility is the key to the humour in this play before it reaches a dramatic end; be prepared for clever meandering, the hijinks of the working-class and complications of intertwines lives. Here in the beating heart of the community, weaknesses, secrets, loves, friendships play out. Catch Dau in Treorchy (Thurs 4), Pontardawe (Wed 10), Ammanford (Fri 12), Carmarthen (Sat 13), Blackwood (Mon 15), Aberystwyth (Wed 15) and Brecon (Thurs 18). com/merthyrcomedyfestival. Merthyr Comedy Festival event. uZog St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 4.30pm, £10-£15.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Theatre version of much-loved Donaldson/ Scheffler kids’ book. On tomorrow at 11am, 2pm and 4pm; Sun 28 at 11am and 2pm. (Until Sun 28) SATURDAY 27 APRIL Craig Campbell + Tanyalee Davis + George Rigden + Carrieanne The Redneck Comedian + Paul James Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 8pm, £12.50/£10 adv. Info 01685 384111. Final Merthyr Comedy Festival show of 2019. Family Dance Festival The Riverfront, Newport. 12, 2 + 4pm, free. Info 01633 656757. With standups TBC. Fidelio Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 01970 623232. Beethoven’s opera, performed here in Welsh. Jarred Christmas + Simon Emanuel + Beth Jones Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 1.30pm, £3.50 adv. Info 01685 384111. Merthyr Comedy Festival show aimed at ages 6+. John Archer The Small Space, Barry. 7.30pm, £25. Info info@thesmallspace. co.uk. Uk magician performs his full 90-minute show, very rare this is apparently.

Cafficadabra Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8-10pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Magic from Josef Badman in the bar. Roy Chubby Brown The Neon, Newport. 7.30pm, £24 adv. Info 01633 533666. Steffan Evans A Ffrindiau Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil. 4.30pm, £6 adv. Info facebook. com/merthyrcomedyfestival. Merthyr Comedy Festival event, this one in Welsh. The Man Whose Hair Grew Back + Hannah E Phillips Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 5pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 01685 384111. Merthyr Comedy Festival show featuring a play by Anthony Bunko (The Man...) and a standup show by Phillips titled Topless In Treorchy. Sold out though. SUNDAY 28 APRIL Craig Campbell + George Rigden + Tom Evans + Drew Taylor The Lion Hotel, Treorchy. 6-9pm, £10 adv. Info 01443 777603. Comedy. Wahala Comedy Clash Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, £20. Info 0871 4720400. Kojo, Kat MTV, Dizzle and more in the latest Jamaica v Africa face-off to take place here. MONDAY 29 APRIL Josh Widdecombe Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 6pm, £14. Info 029 2023 2199. Little Wander present work in progress gig from Devonian comic.

uUser Not Found Quantum Coffee Roasters, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £20. Info 029 2063 6464. A play about death and the digital legacy people retain posthumously, presented by the Wales Millennium Centre with Dante Or Die. On tomorrow also. See Stage. TUESDAY 30 APRIL uCalendar Girls Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £19.50-£42.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Musical about old women taking their clothes off for a charity calendar, devised by dirty old Gary Barlow. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wed 1, Thurs 2, Sat 4, Thurs 9 and Sat 11 May. £21.50-£47.50 on Fri 3, Sat 4, Fri 10 and Sat 11 May. (Until Sat 11 May) Elmer The Patchwork Elephant Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 1 + 4.30pm, £9/£8. Info 01792 602060. Kids’ show based on a book by David McKee. uPeeling Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £14/£10. Info 029 2030 4400. On at 2pm and 8pm on Thurs 2 and Sat 4 May. (Until Sat 4 May) The Odyssey Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £10-£14. Info 01970 623232. The Stick Maker Tales Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £12/£7.50 NUS. Info 01873 850805. BUZZ 77

COMPETITIONS HOW TO WIN: Unless otherwise stated, our competitions are generally shared on our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. To enter a competition, keep an eye on our social media channels and click ‘like’ and ‘share’ when published. Alternatively, email competitions@buzzmag.co.uk with the name of the competition in the subject line and up to two sentences on why you think you should win the competition. The more original you are, the better your chances. TWO TICKETS FOR PEPPERLAND AT WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE, CARDIFF BAY A unique tribute to the classic Beatles album Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Mark Morris brings you Beatles dance numbers, choreographed to perfection with Pepperinspired pieces and costumes. Bringing 60s flare to the Millennium Centre in this psychedelic homage on Fri 12 and Sat 13 Apr, it’s sure to be groovy. TWO TICKETS FOR THE RHS FLOWER SHOW IN BUTE PARK, CARDIFF This year’s RHS Flower Show is encouraging plant growth and personal growth by championing mental health, as well as several other unique, fun and exciting displays for people of all ages to get stuck into from Fri 12-Sun 14 Apr. With the Wellbeing Garden, Nature’s Takeover, Blossoming Beds competition being some of the few standouts there has never been a better time to get green fingers. TWO TICKETS FOR DEPOT IN THE CASTLE With headliners like disco king Nile Rodgers and singersongwriter Tom Odell set to light up the Cardiff Castle grounds in the summer, this year’s Depot In The Castle festival – helmed by the folks behind Depot – is set to be bigger than ever. We’ve got two tickets to the shindig on Sat 13 July. FOUR TICKETS TO GLASTONBARRY IN ROMILLY PARK, BARRY Stay one step ahead of the cool kids at Glastonbury by getting down to Glastonbarry, a celebration of the best tribute acts touring the UK right now. This year’s lineup includes Oasis, Abba and Queen, or at least more youthful versions of them, and we have two pairs of tickets for the weekend in Barry’s Romilly Park on Fri 27 and Sun 28 July. FOUR TICKETS TO THE GREEN MAN FESTIVAL IN CRICKHOWELL The big daddy of the Welsh festival calendar arrives in the hills of the Brecon Beacons from Thurs 15 to Sun 18 Aug. This year’s lineup – with Father John Misty, Eels and Sharon Van Etten all making appearances – is as effortlessly varied and versatile as ever. We have not one, but two pairs of tickets to this year’s festival but for this one you’ll also need to get a selfie with one of the Green Man posters dotted around South Wales. T&Cs: WE DO NOT GIVE PERMISSION FOR T H E S E C O M P E T I T I O N S T O B E R E P L I C AT E D ANYWHERE ELSE

BUZZ 78

The sand dunes at Merthyr Mawr near Porthcawl are over 200ft (60m) tall, making them the second highest dunes in Europe. The first being The Great Dune of Pyla in South-West France. Frogs are the only amphibians known to go on holiday. Since the rabbit is known as a pest in Australia, the official Aussie animal of Easter is the Bilby. It takes 23 hours, 52 minutes and 4.2 seconds for the earth to make a full rotation. MartinPuzzle’s collage of animals is the jigsaw puzzle with the most pieces. The puzzle is 14 metres squared and contains 52,110 pieces Aberdaron, a village in Gwynedd, is further away from a railway station than anywhere else in England and Wales. Fredrick Plot, the most successful professional sunbather of all time, died of hypothermia in 1985. The town of Bournemouth banned Monty Python’s ‘The Life of Brian’ 1979 after councillors gave it an X rating. However, in 2015 the authorities relaxed their stance and Paul Whitehouse, who runs a cinema under a café, laid on a special screening. Carrots contain vitamin A which is required for your body to synthesise rhodopsin. Rhopsin is a pigment in your eyes that operates in low-light conditions. So yes, carrots do help you to see in the dark. The Easter Act, passed by John Simon in the UK in 1928, established a fixed date for Easter. (Disclaimer: some of these may not in fact be true)

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