Buzz Magazine October 2019

WHAT’S ON OCTOBER 2019

Amanda Palmer

“Nobody sticks my records on at parties”

IRIS PRIZE | BOSH! | ALICE COOPER | NICK ELPHICK | GRIFF RHYS JONES ART | CULTURE | MUSIC | FILM | FOOD+DRINK |

SPORT

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LIFESTYLE

DAVI D M AHON E Y A CHAN O LFA N M I LE NI W M C Y M RU Y N C Y F LW Y NO

MOVIE MIXTAPE DAVI D MAHON E Y AN D WA LE S M I LLE NNI U M C E NT RE P RE SE NT S

SONGS FROM THE SILVER SCREEN

ARWENIR GAN \ CONDUCTED BY

DAVID M AH O NE Y

IAN H WATKINS

NOEL SULLIVAN

LUCIE JONES

CONNIE FISHER

Y N C Y NN W YS Y C AN E U O N \ F E AT U R I NG SO NG S I NC LU D I NG

Time of My Life

Let it Go

Dirty Dancing

Frozen

Can You Feel the Love Tonight

Tragedy

The Lion King

Saturday Night Fever

I Will Always Love You

This is Me

The Bodyguard

The Greatest Showman

wmc.org.uk

TACHWEDD 17 NOVEMBER 2019

october 2019

buzz... publisher EMMA CLARK editor FEDOR TOT listings/music editor NOEL GARDNER advertising EMMA CLARK accounts TERESA CLARK design LEMONDOGCREATIVE.UK contributors KEIRON SELF (FILMS), CHRIS ANDREWS, ROSE BUCK, JOHN-PAUL DAVIES, SAM EASTERBROOK, EMILY EDWARDS, ELIN EVANS, MEGAN FROST, DAVID GRIFFITHS, JENI GOUGH, CHRIS HAMILTON-PEACH, ELOUISE HOBBS, RHIANON HOLLEY, BETTI HUNTER, MAB JONES, ALEX KEENE, GARETH KENT, DOMINIC LEWIS, JASON MACHLAB, CARL MARSH, SEREN MCKEEVER, JOHN MCLOUGHLIN, LYNDA NASH, HANNAH NICHOLSON-TOTTLE, DAVID NOBAKHT, ALEX PAYNE, ALISON POWELL, SAM PRYCE, RHONDA LEE REALI, OWEN SCOURFIELD, CHRIS SEAL, RUTH SEAVERS, KAIYA SIMON, JON SUTTON, CHARALAMBOS STYLIANOU, ISABEL THOMAS, SOPHIE 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 cover AMANDA PALMER contents TACTICLEBOSH

buzzmagwales

04roundup

42reviews

“With no equipment other than his mother’s clothesline”

12upfront

The crop of culture, harvested autumnally and crammed into this section, includes the Iris Prize, Amanda Palmer, Alice Cooper and north Walian sculptor Nick Elphick – who you’ll no doubt know from his appearances on Salvage Hunters. It’s a TV show about looking for antiques, on Quest. The TV channel. 167 on Sky, 12 on Freeview

32film

Keiron Self picks over a movie that, ahead of its release, has already generated concern that it might legitimise toxic behaviours by putting its protagonist on a pedestal, and with a famous Hollywood star as the lead create a swathe of imitators among society’s more impressionable members. I’m talking of course about Judy, the biopic of wreckhead-era Judy Garland. Not Joker, the biopic of the Joker off of Batman

34previews One culter-than-thou Detroit electro figure, two theatrical riffs on Frankenstein, two and a half bands who you might have found in Kerrang! magazine in the 1980s (Iggor from Petbrick/ Sepultura is the half), five – no, six! – mixed artist exhibitions, no partridges and even fewer pear trees

@Buzz_Magazine

The One Louder column isn’t a review, but it is part of that sequence of pages and, in this case, assesses a specific state of affairs as its writer sees it. He would like to add, to anyone for whom this is germane, that there are a bunch of other people who are still doing great work in the scene, and that his point is that without them it would be even more dismal

47lifestyle

Jon Sutton’s latest Mental Strength column mulls the world of employment, and how its vagaries can make or break our spirit. He also opens with an anecdote about listening to a hit single of the day while at a specific stage of his education, in case you were wondering how old he is

59listings

Worst band names in this issue, Swn Festival edition: Bloxx, Feet, Jerskin Fendrix, Lice, We Were Promised Jetpacks, County Line Runner, Working Men’s Club

78competitions

Twenty years ago we had Jamie Oliver on our screens, making food and saying his loveable catchphrase “bish bash bosh”. Then he disappeared never to be heard of again, his faux-oiky speech patterns having lost their lustre. Yet today, the hot-to-trot mooks cooking cockily are two men who call themselves Bosh!, make all-vegan recipes and whose book you can win in this issue

@buzzmagwales

buzzmagtv

www.buzzmag.co.uk BUZZ 3

What’s on our radar this month FRACTURED VISIONS FILM FEST

After a successful debut last year, the indie horror festival has risen again to showcase the very best short and feature-length horror films from around the globe. Celebrating the full scope of the genre, you’ll be treated to everything from high-tension thrillers to gruesome slashers submitted by the most exciting upand-coming horror filmmakers. If you’re brave enough, that is.

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Fri 25-Sun 27 Oct. Tickets: £4£7.90 per screening. Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org

GETTING THE THIRD DEGREE

In the late 1970s, West Bromwich Albion forward Laurie Cunningham made history as one of the first black stars of British football. This production, based on his life, has been commissioned by the Kick It Out campaign to mark their 25 years of fighting against racial discrimination, and is a celebration of how far the sport has come while considering how far it still has to go.

Pic: Alessandro Raimondo

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff, Fri 25 Oct. Tickets: £8-£16.

Info: 029 2064 6900 / www.shermantheatre.co.uk

BBC NOW: BRUCKNER MASS

A selection of three pieces for classical fans out there at the Wales Millennium Centre’s Hoddinott Hall: a Stravinsky symphony, Judith Weir’s Psalm 148, and two Bruckner pieces, including his famous Mass In E Minor, regarded as one of the finest examples of 19th century Romanticisim.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sat 26 Oct. Tickets: £15-£20. Info: www.bbc.co.uk/events

OTHER VOICES FESTIVAL IMPRACTICAL JOKERS

The US tricksters are going back to their stage sketch-show roots this autumn. The hilarious quartet of Joe Gatto, Brian Quinn, James Murray and Sal Vulcano are skilled improv performers who also just happen to be best friends with a talent for embarrassing each other. Only the very brave should sit in the front row.

Sailing over from Dingle in western Ireland to Cardigan in west Wales, the first Welsh edition Other Voices is a two-day celebration of music in all its forms. Welsh-native headliners include Gruff Rhys, Gwenno and Boy Azooga, who will be serving up Welsh pop, Cornish electronic psych-pop and indie rock, respectively. The gorgeous soulful music of Celeste and Lankum’s transcendental folk sounds are equally unmissable.

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Sun 13 Oct. Tickets: from £25.

Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

St Mary’s Church, Cardigan (other venues TBC), Fri 1 + Sat 2 Nov. Tickets: free with registration. Info: www.othervoices.ie

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EDDIE IZZARD

Rumoured to be his final comedy tour, Wunderbar is set to be an ambitious sendoff before Izzard takes the plunge into the world of politics. Expect a bit of everything, with topics ranging from board-games to his ‘theory of the universe’ told in the exquisitely surreal and tangential style that has made Izzard one of the UK’s greatest standup comedians.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 5 + Wed 6 Nov. Tickets: £30-£45.

Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk

BEN ELTON

Returning to the stage more than 30 years after hosting Channel 4’s groundbreaking alternative comedy series Saturday Live, this new show promises to be packed with the sharp, quick-witted commentary as audiences would expect. No topic is off limits, as Elton attempts to break down all of the different ways in which the modern world has lost the plot.

St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Thurs 7 Nov. Tickets: £32.

Info: 029 2087 8444 / www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

WILDERLAND FILM FESTIVAL

Tales dug up from the natural world and placed on the big screen, these short films are produced by independent filmmakers across the globe. Scenes will pan across different climates from snow leopards to humpback wales. The snappy Big Booom! will condense the history of our planet in four minutes, while others explore more intimate scenes such as human-animal relationships.

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Thurs 10 Oct. Tickets: £14.

Info: 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org

DOUG SCOTT: THE HARD ROAD TO EVEREST

Esteemed mountaineer Doug Scott CBE became the first Briton alongside Dougal Haston to reach Everest in 1975.

Since then, he has reached the summit of 40 peaks in Asia’s high mountains. He will be recalling, among other things, how his upbringing during WWII was a catalyst to him climbing the Black Rocks in Derbyshire with no equipment other than his mother’s clothesline.

Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan, Thurs 17 Oct. Tickets: £15/£13.

Info: 01239 621200 / www.mwldan.co.uk BUZZ 5

RUBY WAX: HOW TO BE HUMAN

Comedian – and, many moons ago, Buzz’s first cover star – hits up Cardiff on her How To Be Human tour. Here, she’s joined by Dr Ash Ranupra, a neuroscientist and Gelong Thubten, a mindfulness guru. Nope, this isn’t a new-age retreat, but a humorous look at how we can become better humans by recognising when our mind is playing tricks on us.

Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Thurs 10 Oct; Grand Theatre, Swansea; Fri 6 Nov; Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen, Sat 7 Nov. Tickets: prices vary. Info: rubywax.net

SWANSEA STORIES

To celebrate Swansea’s 50th anniversary as a city, Glynn Vivian Art Gallery presents a showcase of some of the art to have come out of and been inspired by the city. There are two sections to the exhibition: the first includes portraits of people who made Swansea, from miners to opera singers, while the second includes some of the treasures hidden within the Glynn Vivian bowels, which includes paintings by Claude Monet and Gwen John.

Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea, until Sun 15 Mar. Admission: free. Info: 01792 516900 / www.swansea.gov.uk/glynnvivian

SWANSEA SCIENCE FESTIVAL

The National Waterfront Museum is hosting a range of hands-on, family-friendly, and science-themed events including identifying animal species, participle physics within sports, nanotechnology, marine biology, exploding food and more. Music technology event Play That Funky Music will feature a synthesiser voice experimenting while interactive performance Cell features inflatable cells zooming into the hidden world of DNA. National Waterfront Museum / Dylan Thomas Theatre, Swansea, Sat 26 + Sun 27 Oct. Admission: free (booking essential; some events ticketed). Info: www.swansea.ac.uk

9 TO 5 THE MUSICAL

“Dolly Parton will not be appearing in this production,” clarify its host venue, the Wales Millennium Centre, but her powerful aura will illuminate 9 To 5 – based on the 1980 movie, a vehicle for Parton and Jane Fonda – from above like a diamante deity.

Its actual cast, however, features two notably Welsh leads: Amber Davies, who won Love Island in 2017 among other acting credits, plays Judy Bernly, while Caerleon’s Caroline Sheen is Bernly’s colleague Violet Newstead.

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Tue 29 Oct-Sat 2 Nov. Tickets: £19-£53. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk

BUZZ 6

KEVIN BLOODY WILSON Almost Awesome 16.10.19

CARDIFF PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA

AMANDA PALMER There Will Be No Intermission 19.10.19

WNO ORCHESTRA CERDDORFA OCC 27.10.19

LULU Still on Fire 26.10.19

THE MUSIC OF BOND feat / gyda London Concert Orchestra 31.10.19

RIP IT UP The 70s 22.10.19

LES MUSICALS Jai McDowall & Jonathan Ansell 07.10.19

OCEAN FILM FESTIVAL GŴYL FFILMIAU’R CEFNFOR 15.10.19

THE GREATEST LOVE OF ALL Celebrating Whitney Houston 21.10.19

PENGUIN CAFE 06.10.19

American Night 18.10.19

MOSCOW PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA CERDDORFA FFILHARMONIG MOSGO

09.10.19

Pic: David Evans

BOOK NOW SNOW PATROL

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Wed 13 Nov Tickets: £49.50 Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

SECRET SPACES: PETER DORAN Milford Haven’s Torch Theatre consistently produces top-drawer productions for the theatregoers of Pembrokeshire. Fedor Tot talks to its creative director Peter Doran.

What are the general plans for Torch coming up?

Well, it’s a slightly odd situation, because last year we did One Man, Two Guvnors which is an international success all around the world.

Unfortunately, about halfway through the run the lead actor tore his retina, so we had to cancel and refund about £30,000 worth of tickets. We still had the set, the costumes and it was popular – so I decided we would do it again this year.

Our Christmas show this year is Aladdin, which I wrote with musical director James Williams. After Christmas, we’re doing a piece of new writing called The Huntsman about a [real] double murder in Milford – two people were murdered on the coast path, then two people in a farmhouse. These murders went unsolved for years and only in the past decade have they convicted a local man for it, so for the past 25 years there’s been a lot of suspicion in the town – they all knew there was probably a killer in their midst. The play is really about living in that community rather than a retelling of the story of the murders.

The Huntsman sounds very interesting.

The title comes from the codename the police used for the killer in the late 80s. The case was so huge in the area because Pembrokeshire is such a tranquil place and perhaps one of the safest places to live in the country, so to have two double murders in such a short space of time, and then for them to then go unsolved for 20 years is just incredible.

BUZZ 8

The writer, Med Barker, is from Pembrokeshire and was about 18 at the time. He was actually picked up by the police because he looked so similar to the photofit they had released of the suspect, so he was technically involved!

What’s the challenge of running a regional theatre company in a place which is quite far out of the way?

I don’t see it as a challenge because it depends what you go there for. Some people see it as a challenge – you know you don’t get many reviewers to come down there, but I didn’t take the Torch on to promote our work to Cardiff. I went to live in London [for university] and I always thought I would love to go back to Pembrokeshire and show my community what theatre can be.

If you could recommend place in Wales to a first-time visitor that’s off the beaten tracks, where would it be and why?

There are so many beautiful beaches in Pembrokeshire, which often get voted the best beaches in Europe. I think if you go to any main beach in Pembrokeshire where all the tourists go, walk around the coast path a bit further and you’ll find another one which is quiet, so beaches like Swanlake or Church Doors [pictured].

One Man, Two Guvnors, Torch Theatre, Milford Haven, Thurs 31 Oct-Sat 16 Nov. Tickets: £8.50£18.50. Info: 01646 695267 / www. torchtheatre.co.uk

LES MISERABLES

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay Tues 26 Nov-Sat 4 Jan Tickets: £23-£75 Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk

THE NATIONAL

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Mon 9 Dec Tickets: £43-£51 Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

KILLER QUEEN

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Sat 25 Jan Tickets: £30.50 Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

KAISER CHIEFS

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff Fri 31 Jan Tickets: £27-£53 Info: 029 2022 4488 / www.motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

8 - 12 October

. Hydref

Music by JOHN KANDER

Lyrics by FRED EBB

Book by RUPERT HOLMES

Original Book and Concept by PETER STONE Additional Lyrics by JOHN KANDER & RUPERT HOLMES Directed by PAUL FOSTER

14 - 19 October . Hydref

28 Oct . Hyd - 2 Nov . Tach

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

q+a

GRIFF RHYS JONES The Brit comedy veteran’s new tour is titled All Over The Place, but chinwagging with Carl Marsh we find him sitting happily in the past…

You and Mel Smith set up your own production company, Talkback, and produced a who’s who of comedy: Da Ali G Show, I’m Alan Partridge, Smack The Pony, Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Celebrity Juice. Anyone reading this list may think that comedians make the best comedy shows themselves, wouldn’t you agree?

Not entirely, no – for the process of TV, it’s not the same as standing on a stage, it’s an altogether different process. There is plenty of television now like Live At The Apollo and things like that – but in the late 70s, there wasn’t any [comedy] circuit. There weren’t hundreds of comedians, it wasn’t like Edinburgh now which has over 6,000 comedians. When I first went there in 1974, there were only three comedy shows on the fringe!

Now I didn’t know that! You must have known all the people on that small circuit?

Yeah, obviously. There were the Bristol Revunions, Oxford Revue and there was Cambridge Revue [better known as Footlights]; and those three were all sketch shows really, so to a certain extent it was a different world to the club world. I worked in that scene a lot because I produced The Frankie Howerd Show and had to go and meet and talk with a lot of pub comedians. That is a world that has gone, but that was northern working men’s clubs, and there were a lot of brilliant comedians.

That is where Bernard Manning came from. It wasn’t a young man’s game. Young person’s comedy came along with Python, then took a rest, then 10 years later, Not The Nine O’Clock News came on.

What was it like to work with Frankie Howerd; there’s been some horror stories saying he was extremely hard work?

[Laughs] He was known for hard work! I met him quite late in his career, and we were making a radio variety show, which he didn’t particularly like because he didn’t like being amongst other comedians. We had a very entertaining year – no,

BUZZ 10

three years working! He was great. He was just moody, so sometimes he would be terrifically entertaining and fun to be around, and then at other times, well… He was like a giant sort of volcano, funnily, like a dormant volcano.

It does sound like the stories about the comedy legend were all true.

Frank had been the young man playing at the Stoll Moss, he’d been huge. He was one of the first comedians who went out and played big theatres – 2,000 seaters – and filled them. Then he went through a lull, but came back and had a tremendous career in the late 1960s and early 1970s when Peter Cook brought him back. Then he went into a lull again by the time he met us. He’d been up and down and had got to the point where he didn’t want to have to prove himself, all over again. He could be very naughty!

Is your new tour going to feature the same material every night? I know you do lots of Q&As at each show.

Well when I visited Cardiff the last time, which was at the Sherman Theatre, I said to my mother, “Didn’t you used to live around the corner from there?”, and she said, “No, no, no, no.” I said “Yes, you did!” as my godmother had told me this, so I started investigating lots and lots and lots about Cardiff. Then on the night, I looked up at my stage manager, and she was waving her hands as I had been talking for an hour about Cardiff, and I hadn’t even started the show!

Griff Rhys Jones, The Riverfront, Newport, Wed 30 Oct; Savoy Theatre, Monmouth, Thurs 31; Gwyn Hall, Neath, Fri 1 Nov; Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Sat 2. Info: socomedy.co.uk/artist/ griff-rhys-jones

celebrate christmas with glee christmas comedy specials on sale now! book at glee.co.uk/christmas superb stand-up comedians, delicious festive food & an after party to keep celebrations going into the night the glee club • mermaid quay • 0871 472 0400

NICK ELPHICK A SCULPTOR’S SECRETS Welsh artist Nick Elphick has spent 14 years attempting to understand form alongside with the human condition – particularly expressions and emotions – by intertwining his studies of fine art with anatomy. He has gained a reputation working alongside Damien Hirst and Jean-Paul Gaultier, with his most notable works including the Queen, Victorian explorer HM Stanley and Motörhead’s Lemmy.

One of the sculptor’s latest projects is a memorial statue of Tom Pryce, the only Welshman to win a Formula One race, in his home town of Denbigh. Buzz talks to Elphick about this and his other work.

In what way do you think art can influence the subconscious in viewers?

To me art is really personal to the individual. All I’ve got to do in my work is have an idea where I go, but after that I try to go into a ‘flow-mode’ where I let my subconscious sculpt and guide my hands, and I don’t know what I’m going to get until it’s finished.

And do you think that’s a more honest way of sculpting?

Absolutely. I don’t like to explain my work too much because I think it detracts from it. Everyone has led a different life and so we read things differently; we even see things like colours differently.

experiencing two opposite emotions at the same time – for example, the more you love something the more you have the capacity to hate something – that can stop us seeing our own self-worth. I’ve had issues in my life where I’ve needed to sculpt to really understand the truth of where I’m coming from. It’s kept me alive and given me meaning, and I’ve found that it also helps others. That gives me a reason to get up out of bed every morning.

Do you often revisit a piece once you’ve finished it?

My problem is that I’m never finished. I’m a perfectionist. I need a piece to say what I want it to say, and seeing it fresh can sometimes help you finish it, so yes I do. Except for a commissioned piece, which unfortunately I can’t revisit.

Elements of your work are reminiscent of Leonardo Da Vinci’s intensity and mathematical qualities, and the preoccupation with functions of the eye and how we view things. Are you constantly mindful of these things as you work?

I was obsessed with it when I was younger. I had a very formal teaching at university, learning the mathematical equations of beauty and those formal conventions. It’s like how maths was a language for Einstein; he was still able to be creative with it. You can’t write poetry without a language, and I think nowadays some of that formal training is lost.

Do you think conscious thoughts can change or even ruin the true meaning of a piece of art?

That’s why I sculpt and paint because I’ve learnt so much from it. If you are

Do you think the generation coming through lack the necessary skills to express themselves?

I constantly have young people coming to me for help because they’ve come out

BUZZ 12

of university with no skills. They have extremely creative minds but aren’t taught skills whatsoever, which must be extremely frustrating. It’s only practice that can give you those skills, and you can only practice when you’ve had a formal training.

I think I was almost lucky because I was so severely dyslexic – I felt as though there was only one direction I could really go in, which is the one I had a passion for. I also lived in my studio, which was basically a tin shed, for over 10 years to keep my costs down, so I could keep practicing my craft, and I didn’t start showing or selling my work until I was comfortable with my style. That was difficult because you are never taught how to creatively sell yourself as an artist at university, and it was something I had to learn myself.

Are there any particular materials or tools that you have used consistently across your projects and why?

Clay. Especially water-based clay because it’s fluid and organic so you can carve with it, sculpt with it and take away or add very quickly. I can do things like stone carving, but it just takes too long. If I can work quicker, it gives me more of a chance to be creative. I like finding shortcuts for getting to where I want to go because then I get more time to experiment.

I don’t have any patience, so any piece I do I have to have passion for. I can’t make work just for money. Obviously, I do get commissions, but I do sometimes find them quite frustrating and I also don’t do massive amounts of gallery work. I experiment as well, so sometimes I’ll work with the clay dry and let it crack, and then use a carving tool to carve into that. I’ll play with different materials.

Do new methods come around a lot?

With Entropy, I sculpted my ex-fiancée in clay and let her dry out, then wrapped her in material, soaked her, let that material dry out and slowly ripped parts of it off. I wanted to do this piece for a long time, but I was thinking “how am I going to mould this?”. I found photogrammetry, which allowed me to make a 3D model hundreds of pictures – I cast this in wax and then experimented with different materials. By the end of the process I found I was constantly using my own hands.

I prefer photogrammetry over scanning because it leaves in all the mistakes which I love, and the chaos theory which it stands for – nature makes its own mistakes, which are beautiful. I liked that, because in my own work and my own life I’ve found that letting go of control gives you a lot of strength and freedom.

There’s a passion for animals evident in your recent work.

I come from two places because I do absolutely love animals and how they have no ego, they’re just free – and when I was a kid and struggling at school, all I would do was sketch animals constantly as an escape. The Horse, who also represents my dad [who died in 2017], is basically a mix of both the graphic and expressionistic areas. Nature is something I’m very close to.

How long did the Horse sculpture take from conception to completion?

Months, and I think that’s because it was my dad. I kept destroying it and starting again. The hair, at one point, was very graphic and realistic, and took me about three days. Then I stood back and looked at it and thought “What am I doing?” It didn’t fit with what I was trying to do with the whole piece, so I had to destroy it.

Also, I originally thought I was just doing the portrait – I had no idea that I was going to make this big block as well. Now I realise that the block was imprisoning the sculpture, which is breaking through it. Like I said, I don’t know what I’m going to get until I’ve finished.

I found it cathartic to do – like I was able to connect with my dad. At first, I tried to do a sculpture of him but it was just too close to home; also, my professionalism wouldn’t allow me to believe that I had gotten close enough to capturing him, so I could have gone on forever. Then I thought that I would like to express him as an emotion, so a horse allowed me to capture him emotionally. I did two halves: one is more masculine and harsher and the other is soft and kind.

Which goes back to what you said about the honesty and freedom of animals, how they are able to encapsulate what you were trying to create.

Absolutely. He was called Horse as well. cont. on next page BUZZ 13

Having been involved with the statue in memory of F1 driver Tom Pryce, what message do you think memorial statues can convey?

I’m really proud to have been involved with that statue and I loved learning about him and his nature. He wasn’t in it for his ego, he just loved the sport. I just felt there was a real relevance to it, so I locked my doors up and carved on my own.

He wanted to be a perfectionist in what he did, and although there’s a difference in what we do I felt there was a similarity between him and me.

I got to talk to his friends and see what an important part of local history he was, so I felt a lot of pride in being able to do that – public statues are so important to local history. I really dislike when they are stuck up on a massive plinth, because it separates us from them, and as a child I never even noticed public statues because I didn’t connect with them or thought I could be anything like them.

Denbigh has a lot of job problems at the moment, and I think statues on ground level help people connect with the reality and history of the place, and to see that anyone can be anything. We’re all humans.

Who in the art world do you most admire? Who’s been the most influential?

When I was younger, I think Rodin because I loved the impressionism, the figurative masculine strength and his exaggeration of form – to the point where it’s almost absurd, but also looks right. Getting those two things are really difficult. But I also take inspiration from painters, people like Bacon and Munch.

Do you actually have the time to go and see any exhibitions?

At the moment I’m struggling to, but I need to. I’ve just been out to Rome on a long weekend, and also Prague. When I’m struggling for time to go out and get inspiration, I go to my books. I have thousands and thousands of books. One thing I do tend to do before starting a personal piece is research certain sculptors or painters like Bacon or Klimt and I’ll put up a large wall of their work for a while, then take it all down and not think about it for about a week until I start.

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Many creative or sporting people have go-to music when rehearsing or training – do you have anything you listen for inspiration?

I tend to listen to an absolute mixture, from The Chemical Brothers to classical.

It depends what mood I need to be in, like when I was sculpting Lemmy I was blasting his music. It’s a massive influence on a piece, so you have to be careful because it can really change your mood drastically.

Do you find that you swing between feeling very invigorated by what you do and also feeling trapped by it?

I get that a lot, especially at times when I’m working very prolifically because I’ll be working hard and feeling very passionate and proud – and then I’ll also have dark times where I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing or I’m not good enough. Basically, once your self-worth goes so does your passion for your work because you lose your motive. I find it a lot more difficult being in north Wales because you’re not always surrounded by other artists who are feeling the same way as you.

Do you know what you’re going to do next?

I’m going to go back to the piece of me [View Self Worth], now that I’m in a different place. I have loads of concepts that I want to do from it, and once it’s finished I’m going to develop different concepts from it and sculpt different pieces from it.

At the moment I’m experimenting with a few new techniques and materials, using different chemicals. I’ve started using gravity working and seeing how that can increase the speed of my sculpting – which means that I can sculpt large and then scan.

Nick Elphick is currently showing work as part of the By Invitation exhibition at Royal Cambrian Academy, Conwy until Sat 12 Oct. Nick also appears on Salvage Hunters – The Restorers, which will be back on the Quest channel at the end of 2019.

Info: www.nickelphicksculpture.co.uk

BUZZ 15

A M A N D A PA L M E R Erstwhile Dresden Doll, perpetual cabaret rocker and a poet who knows it, an evening with Amanda Palmer is epic in every sense. Ahead of her visit to Cardiff this month, Isabel Thomas got her ear bent about topics galore.

Hi Amanda, thanks so much for the interview. I’m going to launch straight into the gritty stuff, if that’s OK with you?

I mean... do you know who I am?! [laughs] Of course! Okay, so your song Oasis brings a sense of humour to the subject of abortion as a way to cope with the darkness. How does your newer song Voicemail For Jill compare to this?

Well, it’s less funny, for one. I actually talk about Oasis and [Dresden Dolls song] Mandy Goes To Med-School in my show, and the evolution of how to write the perfect abortion song. With these songs, I had to wrap it in a bunch of satire and sarcasm because that’s the only way I could deal with it. But I’m really proud of myself for now getting to the place where I always wanted to be, which is writing about abortion sincerely – because it’s a fucking hard thing to write about! I’ve had three experiences with abortion and have gone through three different circles of hell. I felt like a failure as a songwriter because I couldn’t write an abortion song that to me really captured the experience.

So you finally came round to being able to write about it in a different way?

Yeah, I took a lot of inspiration when I was in Dublin, right when the repeal vote happened, hanging out with all these really ballsy and brave Irish journalists. I got home, sat down almost immediately and wrote Voicemail For Jill because I felt like I finally had this moral songwriting responsibility to write a song that really captured the experience, especially given what was going on politically at that moment in America, and is still going on in America: the threat to legal and safe abortion being very, very real.

Also, I don’t take for granted that I now have a bunch of patrons [via the Patreon funding platform] supporting my songwriting. I knew that I wasn’t going to have to bring this song to a major label run by a bunch of dudes who were going to listen to it and go, “oh holy hell Amanda – how are you going to put this on a record?”

There’s an incredible amount of freedom in writing whatever I want, however I want, whenever I want – still getting paid for it and not having to send it through any filters, permissions or hassles with the middlemen. And trust me, having gone through the music business, it’s always men.

Drowning In The Sound – my favourite from your latest album There Will Be No Intermission – takes inspiration and comments from lots of your online patrons. Did this bring up any new topics or angles that you wouldn’t usually go for?

A little bit, yeah. I had an end-of-month deadline coming up for my Patreon, I had a video that I was supposed to put out and it wasn’t ready, so I decided to just write a song really fast, and I decided to write it with input from the patrons. In a way, I wound up sort of feeling like an emotional scribe for that entire group of people who commented. It’s a different way of writing.

I certainly had what I was going through and what I was feeling, but I also had what they were going through and feeling. I felt like my job was to synthesise all of that into some kind of offering, and that’s where the lyrics for Drowning… came from.

Some of them were literally cut-and-pasted out of comments from my patrons.

Although it’s not obvious, there are definitely hints towards the issue of climate change in the song. I don’t think you’ve written about that before; did it come from the patrons?

Mhm. I mean, there’s a constant slow-burning fear with pretty much nearly every human being I know right now. We can talk about whatever we want, we can make BUZZ BUZZ16 16

art about whatever we want, we can discuss abortion, we can discuss our children, and we can discuss anything and everything; but underneath it all there’s this brimming spectre. If the ocean levels actually do rise 15 feet in the next few years, we’re all going to be underwater, and a lot of it’s not going to matter.

There are a lot of difficult things you share on this record, and you said they were frightening but therapeutic to write about. Do you hope they’ll have the same effect on your listeners, or is there a risk that some people might find them too upsetting?

Oh wow. Well I don’t have any concern, honestly, about people finding my songs too upsetting. My music has never been easy listening, from day one of the Dresden Dolls. My songs have always been about challenging subjects, and really emotional experiences. Nobody sticks an Amanda Palmer record on at a party [laughs] – but that’s fine. If I wanted to make music like that, I could make it – and maybe someday I will – but right now I need music as an emotional connector between me and my audience, and I’m not ready to let that go yet.

I’ve had a really difficult past seven years of my life and music was my touchstone.

I know enough about being a touring performer and a writer to know that if I was able to put words to these experiences and sort through them using my songwriting, that those songs would not be unimportant or unhelpful to other people. But whether or not it’s going to be well received by an audience, or scare an audience, doesn’t concern me anymore. It never did, really.

Let’s talk about your tour. It’s very much piano-oriented. Are there any particular pianists that have influenced you?

That’s a good question. I actually talk about influence a lot during the show. I spent years of my life trying to figure out how to make a piano sound like bass, drums and guitars, which meant breaking a lot of strings and beating the shit out of it!

When I was a teenager I was scared to like Tori Amos, Elton John and Billy Joel, because I had such bizarre and ambivalent feelings about the piano – and it took me until my 20s to realise the genius of a lot of female singer-songwriters. But I listened to a lot of classical music: Beethoven, Chopin, Bach and Debussy. When I took lessons as a kid, that was the stuff that I was trying to play, and I think you can actually hear those influences on this record more than any of my others. I sort of get to show off my lame amateur classical chops on songs like The Ride and Death Thing.

You call this show your “most human and vulnerable stage show to date”.

Is there any danger of burnout from the emotional intensity that that involves?

Well, you shouldn’t come to this show expecting an entertaining night out, but, ironically, it’s the funniest show I’ve ever toured. It has to be – there’s no way that I could talk about these kind of topics without dousing them in standup comedy.

So it is, on the one hand, the heaviest show I’ve ever toured, but it’s also the most ridiculous – I mean, there are Disney songs and disco balls.

There are parts of this record that are really funny, and A Mother’s Confession is a perfect example: a really silly song, but it’s also dark as fuck. That combination seems to be my speciality lately, because I just don’t think you can do one without the other.

Amanda Palmer, St David’s Hall, Cardiff, Sat 19 Oct. Tickets: £26.

Info: 029 2087 8444 / www.stdavidshallcardiff.co.uk

“Challenging subjects and really emotional experiences”: five of Amanda Palmer’s most hard-hitting songs.

Mr Weinstein Will See You Now Written and recorded with Jasmine Power, a singer-songwriter from west Wales, this song depicts the sadness experienced by the victims of abusive men. Amanda Palmer’s unconventional income streams went to fund a video reinforcing the powerful message with impactful nudity, a year after the start of the #MeToo movement.

The Bed Song This follows the lifelong decline of a relationship, from sharing a sleeping bag through to an elderly couple sleeping at opposite sides of a largerthan-king-size bed, accompanied by a simple but incredibly moving video. It’s difficult to decide whether the dark twist at the end is sweet or heartbreaking.

Voicemail For Jill Amanda Palmer finally writes a sensitive abortion song, and every line cuts like a knife, as she lists the things expectant mothers get to enjoy which her friend won’t experience. Even on the last line, “We can throw you an abortion shower”, the singer manages to avoid delivering any hint of irony or jest, a rare thing for the queen of dark humour.

Zombie Dedicated to Dolores O’Riordan of The Cranberries, this cover draws at the heartstrings as the vocals range from fragility, on the verge of cracking, to full-throttle yelling over a string quartet.

In this interpretation, Zombie’s original lyrics, about the Troubles in Ireland, take on new dimensions in a lament to another singer’s untimely death.

Coin-Operated Boy On first listen, a jaunty song built around a euphemism. Listen closer, though, and underneath the double meanings (“he feels like a boy should feel”) you can hear levels of delusion, denial and loneliness. One of her most famous songs as half of punk-cabaret duo The Dresden Dolls, with drummer Brian Viglione, this song set the tone for much of Amanda Palmer’s career, combining light-heartedness and humour with difficult, emotional topics.

BUZZ BUZZ17 17

IRIS PRIZE As the Iris Prize dawns once again on Cardiff, the biggest film festival in Wales brings another high-flying selection of some of the best LGBT+ filmmaking talent the world over. Fedor Tot looks ahead to this year’s programme.

As usual, this year’s Iris Prize selection is truly international and eclectic, with 36 short films in the main competition – hailing from Bosnia to Brazil, China to Canada – alongside 15 British shorts in the Best Of British category, covering LGBT+ life in the UK, and 14 features, many of which are gearing up for international distribution.

Beyond that, there is a spread of talks and industry events aimed at getting those looking to get involved in filmmaking a close-up vision of what it involves.

This year, that includes talks about the value and strategies involved behind getting your film into film festivals (often the first step to getting a wider network of contacts); discussions on documentaries based around LGBT+ stories; and a panel on that key ingredient of almost any good film, acting. In this case, a look at the experiences of LGBT+ actors and how their careers differ from straight, cisgender actors.

The industry aspect of Iris has always been key to its success. Wales has gradually built itself into something of a filming hub, with many bigger productions using the variety of landscapes in a relatively small country for location shooting. By bringing all this talent to Wales, Iris flies the flag for Welsh filmmaking in general, bringing the Welsh industry in contact with the wider filmmaking world.

But of course, if you’re an audience member, you’re interested in whether the films are any good or not. Iris’ selection policy is to build relationships with similar festivals across the world – which will all nominate one or two shorts they believe to be the best from a given country that year. About 20 international shorts are chosen this way each year, with another 15 coming from Iris’ own selection team, slogging through submissions from the world over.

Programmed thematically, this year’s Iris Prize includes sections on the BUZZ 18

sweetness and magic of first love (Crush, Wed 9 Oct, 10am), the psychedelic possibilities of the nighttime (Because the Night, Wed 9, 12pm), and a look at LGBT+ life in America today (This Is America, Fri 11 Oct, 10am). In amongst these selections, you’ll find one of the sweetest prom dates this side of a Wes Anderson film (The One You Never Forget), Cronenbergian body horror (Estigma), and an dissection of the complexity of sexual identity when compounded with national identity (Outdooring).

Of the shorts that this writer has been privy to thus far, some of the most impressive are included in the Modern Love batch (Fri 11 Oct, 12pm), which looks at how technology and the changing pace of modernity affects romantic relationships. The astounding Carlito Leaves Forever (dir: Quentin Lazzarotto), only eight minutes long, tells of an indigenous native somewhere deep in the Amazon, and his journey away from his homestead to his love. It’s an exceedingly simple story, but effectively told in a short space of time: you wonder if it has a documentary background to it, so stripped-back is the storytelling.

As phones have become an inseparable part of our lives, filmmakers have often struggled to depict how our relationships have changed as a result, particularly with the ubiquity of messaging services. The standard format that most filmmakers have decided on is to have text messages pop up on screen. It’s never been the most convincing format but its one that ruok (dir: Jay Russell) has settled on. Nevertheless, this humorous romantic drama does provide a good laugh, poking fun at the way our interconnectedness has a habit of dragging us apart at times, indulging some of our less savoury aspects.

Brazil has long produced some of the world’s most vital and exuberant LGBT+ cont. on next page

IRIS CARNIVAL

Join Co-op & Iris Prize to celebrate

irisprize.org

& IRIS AWARDS CT O 4 1 SUN  12 - 6 ED SH TRAM

Featuring music from

BRIGHT LIGHT BRIGHT LIGHT LILY BEAU THESE BRITTLE BONES

and the Co-op Welsh Food Village

WITH EDWARDS OF CONWY SAMOSACO VILLAGE DAIRY AUTHENTIC CURRY CO VILLAGE BAKERY CALON WEN SIWGRASBEIS

IRIS POP-UP

Got a ticket or pass for any Iris Prize LGBT+ Film Festival event?

Join us after at the IRIS POP-UP upstairs at the Capitol Centre, Queen St

Including the Co-op Bar with Welsh producers FEATURING: BOSS BREWING BARTIRUM ABER FALLS RADNOR HILLS DAIONI

OPE

 - N 10.3 10 0

8.30

 - 13 OCT

Tickets & more info at irisprize.org

films (a feature from 2017, Body Electric has stuck in my mind ever since).

The election of fascist President Jair Bolsonaro has already done irreparable damage to the fabric of the country, from the destruction of the Amazon to the increased use of state violence. He has already censored LGBT+ filmmaking in Brazil, via tactics such as cuts to the federal film budget deliberately structured to defund LGBT+ and independent filmmaking.

The long gestation period of many films means we’re unlikely to see an immediate impact on these shores, but you do wonder how many more Brazilian gems like Renovation (dir: Fabio Leal) will appear. Evidently a personal film for director-writer-lead actor Leal, it tells the story of a shy gay man who is at odds with his hairy and pudgy body, flitting between being happy in the skin he’s in and desperately unhappy at its unruliness. It’s touching and empathetic and sweet and all sorts of nice adjectives, but it also feels true and personal in a way that’s hard to admit to underneath an audience’s glare.

Another strong standout is Terminally In Love (dir: Justin Black, Emily Jenkins), which on the simplest level tells the story of a woman in the midst of a breakup with the love of her life. But it thunders deep into her psyche, producing a work that’s more akin to a short-film version of David Lynch’s Inland Empire and a more thematically coherent mother!. Jumping from euphoria to grief to sheer depression, few films run the gamut of emotion in a way that’s this stylistically varied and exuberant. If it’s any hint as to what’s hidden in other corners of the Iris Prize programme, we’re in for a treat this year.

Iris Prize, Cineworld and various other Cardiff venues, Tue 8-Sun 13 Oct. Tickets: £85 weekend passes; £25 day passes; £5-£7 individual screenings. Info: www.irisprize.org

IRIS PRIZE 2019 THE AUDIENCE AWARD The decision is in your hands, again! This year Buzz will be continuing our collaboration with the Iris Prize by presenting the people’s favourite film with the Audience Award. We’ll be in the thick of it, distributing voting leaflets to audience members and asking them to vote for their favourite of the films they’ve just watched.

Like last year, the Best Of British Shorts category has been split into three themed screenings, with six films in the first category, five in the second and four in the third, so we’ll be doing some mathematical wizardry to make sure all the voting is fair and square.

You can attend any of the screenings, or all three if you’d like. The first, True To Life, are documentaries about LGBT+ activism against oppressive authorities; the second, We Are Family, is a collection of unique films about LGBT+ people and their families. Finally, Getting To Know You will explore the light and dark sides of modern dating as an LGBT+ person.

With all the votes collected, the winner will be announced on the final day of the festival, Sun 13 Oct. What’s more, if you fill your details in on the voting slip – which will be shared only with our Buzz representatives present at the festival – you will be entered into a competition with a prize yet to be confirmed. However, we are very democratic at Buzz, so voting isn’t mandatory and those who don’t wish to take part in the competition can simply fill in their slip without inputting any details. We hope we’ll see you there!

Best British Shorts 1: True To Life, Thurs 10 Oct, 7pm Best British Shorts 2: We Are Family, Fri 11 Oct, 3pm Best British Shorts 3: Getting To Know You, Fri 11 Oct, 7pm

BUZZ 20

THE TORCH THEATRE COMPANY PRESENTS

A TORCH THEATRE COMPANY PRODUCTION

THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER - SATURDAY 16 NOVEMBER BSL PERFORMANCE THURSDAY 7 NOVEMBER | INTERPRETER LIZ MAY

UPCOMING HIGHLIGHTS...

ALICE COOPER Aged 71, Alice Cooper is rocking like it’s 1971, except with mineral water and golf instead of drink and drugs. Heck, that’s how he’s still here – and chatting to Carl Marsh.

So you’ve got a concert in Cardiff coming up: will this be a new show or the same one you’ve been touring for a year or so, now?

Last year we did 193 shows in 193 different cities, so we decided that after two years it was time to change the show entirely. This new show will be the new production, and we will still do all the hits. I’ve probably got the best touring band out there as my drummer [Glen Sobel] got voted by Drum! magazine as the best drummer in rock’n’roll, and my guitar player, Nita Strauss, just won best female guitar player. So I’ve got a killer band, a great rock band.

How long have Glen and Nita been with this current make-up of the band?

Glen has been with me for about five years, Nita has been with me about three. She is 28 years old, she looks like a Victoria’s Secret model and plays like Eddie Van Halen! It is really hard to beat that combination, and she’s a great kid. She will jump up on stage and tear it up.

When you say this tour will be very different than the last one, what do you mean… or is it all a surprise for ticket buyers?

Well, it’s an Alice Cooper show, so you realise that there is going to be a grand opening and a great closing for the show because that is where all the theatrics all come in. The whole show is theatrical, but we go overboard with the theatrics about three-quarters through. I know that if I was in the audience and I had been watching the Stones, or any other classic bands like The Who, I want to hear the songs – listen to those songs that have brought me there. So we do everything – Under My Wheels, Poison, School’s Out, I’m Eighteen, No More Mr Nice Guy – but it’s just how you produce them on stage to make it visually different than the last time.

When did you come up with the theatrical idea in the first place?

Well, we couldn’t afford anything really expensive early on but we were always absolutely theatrical, it was in our DNA. Even when we were playing in bars, we still had something going on – I would find a bucket and a mop backstage and I’d say, “that’s going to be our prop today!” and turn that mop into 12 different things.

When we started making money, we could say things like “Let’s put Alice in a straitjacket! Let’s have a nurse come out! Cut his head off! Hang him!” – because he is the villain, so he needs to be executed – and then come back for the finale. Then he’d be all in white, like he’s been reborn. The audience loves that. They want Alice to be punished and to come back.

Do you think that you were destined to have the career that you’ve had?

I believe that I wouldn’t have been happy doing anything else. At 71, I am in better shape now than I probably was when I was 30! Because I was hanging out with Keith Moon and those boys, and I was going downhill pretty fast [laughs].

I quit drinking and drugs 37 years ago, and it added 40 years to my life – at 71 now, I’m in top shape. Now I can go up and do a two-hour show, no problem. With rock’n’roll there is always this idea that you are always active, and then you get onstage, and in our case, you have got to really produce something big because people are expecting it. And even though we don’t go with lasers and pyro, I want my show to be much more personal – almost like a vaudeville cabaret thing.

Alice Cooper, Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Sat 12 Oct. Tickets: £48 (sold out – check box office for returns).

Info: 029 2022 4488 / motorpointarenacardiff.co.uk

BUZZ 22

TS...

RUST PRESEN T E R U IS E L N TORFAE

M U I D A ST S K C O R

including;

HEADLINERS CWMBRAN STADIUM Saturday 26TH OCTOBER

£25 per ticket

*

Call our Box Office to book your tickets 01633 627100 or visit our Facebook page for online tickets:

Torfaen leisure trust

TACTILEBOSCH: UNDERTHECOUNTERCULTURE It’s safe to say that anything coming from Cardiff arts collective tactileBOSCH won’t be your mum or dad’s art exhibition. Their latest project UnderTheCounterCulture, curated in partnership with Creative Village and Blue Honey, follows on from several exhibitions and a stint of research in Berlin to bring Cardiff an art project which explores the “social contexts of night-culture”. In other words, everything that happens in town when the sun goes down: a fitting theme for tactileBOSCH’s tendency for provocative live performances and sprawling art installations.

The event will launch on Fri 1 Nov, with confirmed venues at press time including Shift in the Capitol Shopping Centre on Cardiff’s Queen Street, as well as other parts of the centre and The Vicarage on Cathedral Road. tactileBOSCH promises to reclaim other abandoned buildings throughout Cardiff to transform them into communal spaces in which to foster “connection, collaboration and participation” with visitors.

Part of tactileBOSCH’s appeal is their unpredictability, meaning the only thing to be said with any certainty about UnderTheCounterCulture is, whatever you do, don’t expect tradition. This ambitious multi-media exhibition has been designed with younger generations in mind (but welcomes all ages!) who might find conventional art museums and galleries too stuffy to enjoy. Vibrancy, colour and energy will define UnderTheCounterCulture as it hopes to engage all of the senses, so its visitors feel truly immersed in the spirit of night culture in all of its subversive glory.

Visitors can also expect participatory activities such as film screenings, live performances and discussion groups, as well as the mindbending art installations which tactileBOSCH are renowned for. What’s more, attendance is completely free as part of the collective’s aim to break down the elitist perception of art and inspire a wider, more diverse audience to give everyone the opportunity to join in an inclusive conversation. Unable to make it? Keep an eye out for online broadcasts and podcasts from the project which will ensure that it really is accessible for everyone. ELIN EVANS

Pic: Dan Wilton

Various venues, Cardiff, Fri 1-Sun 17 Nov. Admission: free (some events may be ticketed). Info: www.tactilebosch.co.uk

IBIBIO SOUND MACHINE London’s Ibibio Sound Machine began in 2010 as a production trio, lead singer Eno Williams subsequently joining and penning lyrics. Even now, the octet maximise creative input, with all members essentially songwriters. “We tend to jam on ideas rather than write individually,” Williams says. “Every element that makes up a song has its role to play.”

Being an eight-piece, multicultural band alternating between Ibibio and English lyrics has inevitably proved challenging, exemplified in the song Tell Me – a translation, form Ibibio, of their latest album Doko Mein. “Tell Me began as a playful reference to certain band members telling me what to do when we were writing a song. A lot of the songs are about female empowerment, so that moment seemed a fitting reference point for the album.”

Ibibio Sound Machine’s influences span far and wide, Williams says. “Some of the obvious ones might be people like Victor Uwaifo, Fela, William Onyeabor and other west African artists, as well as bands like LCD Soundsystem and Talking Heads.

We have many that we sound nothing in common with – Betty Davis, Isao Tomita, Shuggie Otis.” While listening to American R&B and soul while growing up in BUZZ 24

Nigeria, the young Williams absorbed other influences. “My grandad was also into country, and a lot of the local highlife and juju music. I feel like you can hear all that in what we do as a band now.”

Pondering the ‘live music v recorded music’ conundrum, Williams weighs their different impacts and concludes every musician’s goal should be to channel both.

“There’s nothing like the live energy you get, with interplay between band and audience. However, making records that really communicate something to the listener is equally important.”

Despite using electronic elements in their recordings, when playing live the band tried not to “dilute” their live instruments. “We wouldn’t really be happy being the type of band that plays along with backing tracks for example. With that in mind, it’s not easy fitting in all the sounds we might create in the studio if they’re all being played live.” MEGAN FROST Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union, Tue 15 Oct. Tickets: £14.

Info: 029 2078 1458 / www.cardiffstudents.com

C Y D - G Y N H Y R C H I A D G A N C A RY S E L E R I A C H A N O L FA N M I L E N I W M C Y M R U C O - P R O D U C E D B Y C A RY S E L E R I A N D WA L E S M I L L E N N I U M C E N T R E

Gwrando’r Gwreiddiau

Sioeau Gwych, Seiniau Byd-enwog ac Awyrgylch Braf

MARTIN SIMPSON

Nos Fawrth 10 Medi 2019 Tuesday 10 September 8pm

WESTERN MAIL

“Science meets love in a hilarious one-woman musical comedy” E V E R Y T H I N G T H E AT R E

JACKIE OATES

Nos Fawrth 19 Tachwedd 2019 Tuesday 19 November 8pm

1 1 L L E O L I A D - 1 C W T S H M AW R 11 VENUES - 1 BIG CW TCH H Y D 1 6 O C T - TA C H 3 0 N O V

Borough Theatre Abergavenny · Blackwood Miners’ Institute · Theatr Felinfach · Galeri Caernarfon · Torch Theatre · Theatr Clwyd · Volcano Theatre · The Riverfront / Glan yr Afon · Canolfan S4C Yr Egin · Aberystwyth Arts Centre / Canolfan y Celfyddydau Aberystwyth · Wales Millennium Centre / Canolfan Mileniwm Cymru

#cerigaru #lovecraftontour

wmc.org.uk/lovecraft

MARTYN JOSEPH

Nos Fawrth 28 Ionawr 2020 Tuesday 28 January 7:30pm (Awditoriwm / Auditorium)

Roots Unearthed Great Acts, Global Sounds & Relaxing Atmosphere

ROBYN HITCHCOCK After coming to prominence in the late 1970s with psychedelic folk-rock band The Soft Boys, Robyn Hitchcock went out on his own. Since 1981, he’s recorded 21 studio albums, with his style showing no signs of waning. “It’s the same genre as whatever the Beatles were playing in 1968,” he says. “Folk’n’roll? Psychedelic music hall?”

But it’s anxiety that drives him to create. “My father was an artist, then a writer – so my male role model was a self-absorbed, stay-at-home guy. He was always in the other room, painting or writing. I used to imagine that I’d walk into his studio and he’d be a skeleton, sitting at the easel. He probably felt like that himself, poor man.

Before he was wounded in World War II he’d been quite athletic…”

His father’s painting also inspired his own – a thematic style which also lends to surrealism. “My first memories of him was him coming home from his day-job as a communications engineer and working on his paintings in the room next to where I was drifting off to sleep. He conjured up primitive, slightly scary cartoon worlds... maybe processing his wartime experiences, but also populated with wedding scenes, wild animals, creepy moonshine, and odd, aloof women sitting as still as crockery on a barbed landscape. So I guess I’m just carrying on the family tradition, in my own style.”

Born in London, Hitchcock says that his real home is Nashville airport nowadays. “My tendrils stretch around the world. I’m based in Tennessee currently, but I still have a life in Britain, plus close friends in Australia and Norway.” The waiting, it seems, is the hardest part of being a musician. “The travel-to-performance ratio is about 10 to one – I never thought I’d spend so much time in airports, especially as a kindly old pensioner.”

Being around for so long, one wonders if Hitchcock still maintains an interest in contemporary musicians, but in response he lists acts such as Cass McCombs, Weyes Blood, King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard and Emma Tricca – who’s the opening act at his Cardiff show this month. RUTH SEAVERS Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff, Wed 30 Oct. Tickets: £16.50.

Info: 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net

PERFORMANCES FOR THE CURIOUS Wales Millennium Centre’s Performances For The Curious season returns this autumn, with an eclectic mix of 40 productions across the Weston Studio and cabaret bar Ffresh incorporating comedy, circus, burlesque, dance and drag.

Many of these Performances incorporate fairytales into modern-day stories. A rendition of Herman Hesse’s tale, I Wish I Was A Mountain (Tue 29 Oct-Fri 1 Nov) combines rhyme, live music and metaphysical philosophy; circus show Drudwen (Fri 25 and Sat 26 Oct) will be a modern-day fairytale telling the story of an enchantress and twins she encounters in the forest. Later on, indeed spanning Christmas, Red (Sat 14-Sun 29 Dec) will trail into wintry forests with a familyfriendly tale in the spirit of Little Red Riding Hood.

More far-reaching topics will be delved into, such as Hive City Legacy’s redefined narratives based around social activism, race, mental health, and sexuality (Thurs 7-Sat 9 Nov). A lot of weightier topics will be still be grounded in comedy: Amy Vreeke’s endometriosis-themed The Year My Vagina Tried To Kill Me (Thurs 7 Nov), or Leroy Brito’s standup show Stereotype (Sat 15 Nov) – an exploration of his identity and misconceptions following this.

The UK’s first deaf-launched and led theatre company, Deafinitely Theatre, will tackle mental health through a combination of British Sign Language and spoken English in 4.48 Psychosis (Wed 20-Sat 23 Nov). Likewise, community-orientated theatre company Hijinx’s The Curious Muchness Of Stuff And Nonsense (Thurs 5-Sat 7 Dec) will feature a cast of disabled and non-disabled actors.

Music will feature, too, particularly towards Christmas with swing-meets-pop ensemble 50 Shêd O Santa Clôs (Thurs 5 Dec) and laugh-out-loud Christmas carol singers Cabarela Nadolig (Thurs 12 Dec). Conjuring up pre-existing sing-alongs will be the Shirley Bassey tribute act Rachel Roberts (Thurs 24 Oct), and The Greatest Of Shows with its mixture of film and musical hits (Sat 14 Dec).

With such a wholly diverse assortment of acts, Performances For The Curious defines itself by leaving Cardiff eagerly awaiting what is to unfold. MEGAN FROST Tickets: prices vary. Info: www.wmc.org.uk/en/whats-on/ seasons/performances-for-the-curious BUZZ 26

KILIMANJARO BY ARRANGEMENT WITH UNITED TALENT AGENCY & JEM MUSIC GROUP PRESENTS

MONDAY 13 APRIL 2020

CARDIFF MOTORPOINT ARENA CRAIGDAVID.COM MYTICKET.CO.UK

A VIXEN’S TALE Accompanying the Welsh National Opera’s production of Janácek’s The Cunning Little Vixen is artificial reality (AR) experience A Vixen’s Tale, produced in collaboration with AR mavens Arcade and illustrator Xavier Segers. The opera is a tale of the adventures undertaken by a wild vixen who escapes her adopted home to live in the wilds.

Described by its digital producer David Massey as a “human-scale tunnel book” in which participants re-enact scenes from the opera, Massey highlights A Vixen’s Tale’s “five arches representing seasons that allows you to step inside and explore the opera’s themes and settings physically and through augmented reality.” A multi-sensory experience, A Vixen’s Tale also incorporates a gaming component through its implementation of AR. “The biggest challenge,” says Massey, “is making the piece accessible to all – this is what we really want to do with this piece.”

Massey notes that past projects The Magic Butterfly and Rhondda Rebel had age or content restrictions, A Vixen’s Tale is accessible to all audiences. “There’s two elements to it,” he says, “there’s the digital aspect which will give you the augmented reality itself, but we want to make it accessible to all. So, people who don’t want to use the digital element still get some sense of the experience just by seeing this beautiful set, and by exploring its beautiful illustrations.”

The integration of digital technologies with the arts, Massey assures us, is not for fleeting novel purposes. “Immersive technologies lend themselves well to opera because opera is itself an immersive experience. We had a good start with our successful VR piece, Magic Butterfly. For us, that was an interesting experience, that was us putting our toe into the water. Ultimately, our ambition is to move towards creating a fully-fledged digitalised opera that uses what we have learned from our previous projects.”

The Cunning Little Vixen is on Sat 5 and Fri 11 Oct at the Wales Millennium Centre, and on the first of those dates The Vixen’s Tale will complement it, with an Explore Opera day offering free activities and performances. GARETH KENT Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Sat 5 Oct. Admission: free.

Info: 029 2063 5000 / wno.org.uk

THE LION KING Whether or not you’re one of the 100 million people worldwide who have apparently watched Disney’s The Lion King in its stage musical incarnation, the show’s stage performance is being taken around the country once again, with a lengthy stint in Cardiff booked for next summer. But before the show reaches the stage, it must be created. Each time, a new venue for the build is selected – this time, in in Cardiff Bay. Local stage production company Bay Productions were tasked with creating the set. A team of 40 artists worked for three months, after nine months of planning, to create more than 25 sets, emulating the original 1997 set designs. Nothing is machine-made, as Disney theatre group production manager Spencer New explains. “Theatre is a human thing and this show has many elements of it that can only look like they’ve been built by humans.”

James Charlton, Scenic Art Manager at Bay Production, was tasked with deciding how to achieve each look. In a relatively young studio, only eight years old, the job is daunting. What rope should be used to transform Rafiki’s tree into an almost living thing? How should leaves be painted and attached for the jungle scenery?

Wherever confusion lies, Richard Hudson’s original designs are used as an absolute guide, just as they are in set production companies across the world.

Just as important as the set everybody in the audience can see are the moving pieces behind the stage which make the show possible. Bay Productions are responsible for wardrobe boxes, frames for sets and much more never to see the light of day. There are enough moving parts to make your head spin, and that’s only what is made at Bay. Puppets and costumes are shipped in from all over the world, before everything is separated and loaded into trucks ready to travel to theatres across the country.

After a year of production, of planning and creating, the show is finally ready to be viewed by the outside world. However long and arduous, everyone agrees the work is worth it, for a production like The Lion King. Spencer New adds, “It’s funny, it’s that kind of show: everyone is attached to it and loves it.” ALEX KEENE The Lion King, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay, Thurs 9 July-Sat 29 Aug 2020. Tickets: £22.50-£95. Info: 029 2063 6464 / www.wmc.org.uk BUZZ 28

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RANDOM THINGS THAT CONTAIN ANIMAL PRODUCTS MONEY Some banknotes around the world – including in the UK, Australia and Canada – contain tallow, an animal fat which is used to give notes their smooth texture.

CONDOMS Many latex condoms use casein (milk protein) in the manufacturing process to make them more comfortable. The ingredients have also often been tested on animals, and use some harsh chemicals in their production. Luckily, there are plenty of vegan-friendly condoms available now, including from the big brands. Phew! Look for The Vegan Society badge.

CRAFT SUPPLIES

BOSH! BOYS As the vegan revolution gathers pace, The Bosh! boys, or Henry Firth and Ian Theasby to their mums, chat to Carl Marsh about plant-based progress.

What do you say to people who think that veganism is just a fad?

When we went vegan four years ago, there was hardly any information out there on veganism. We had to relearn pretty much how to cook. Fast forward to now and not only has there been an enormous surge of veganism in the UK, with vegan ranges readily available in all major supermarkets and restaurants, but there’s also been a massive increase in flexitarians or mindful meaties!

Whatever your reason for cutting out more meat and dairy from your diet, be it your health or the environment, it’s not a fad. If anything, it’s the future. Many scientists have agreed that the single most important thing an individual can do to reduce their carbon footprint is to cut out meat and dairy from their diets.

Plenty of dieticians think that veganism is not necessarily a healthier lifestyle, with challenges involved in getting all the correct nutrients.

Do you find this to be a challenge?

You can be unhealthy on any diet or lifestyle! You can be an unhealthy vegan if you live on a diet of chips and pasta, just as it can be on any diet or if you eat a lot of processed meats. As a nation, we need to get better at nutrition, whether you’re vegan or not. We have a big green smoothie every day to make sure that we get all the good stuff we need for the day ahead.

From our experience of eating plants, we’ve seen so many health benefits – we lost excess weight, our skin became clearer, hair thicker, we sleep better at night and wake up feeling fresher and more energised.

Henry – was it just watching the Netflix documentary Cowspiracy that made you decide to make a change?

At that time in my life, I was very aware of climate change and wanted to do something that would have a positive impact on the environment. So when I watched Cowspiracy, it resonated with me, and I knew BUZZ 30

straight away that I had to cut out meat and dairy. My housemates made good use of any food I had left!

What made you vegan, Ian? I made a New Year’s resolution in 2015 to cut out alcohol for three months, which I found surprisingly easy. One month in, I upped the ante and trialed vegetarianism, which I found a lot more complicated.

After researching vegetarianism and veganism, I decided that veganism was right for me and cut out all animal products from my diet by March.

Climate change is real, but some people are still not convinced. Do you think we will ever get to the stage where it’s a no-brainer and everybody knows that the world needs fixing?

It’s inspiring to see the younger generation rallying for climate change, look at Greta Thunberg for example.

As individuals, we can make as many changes as we can, but ultimately we need our governments and organisations to act. We’re getting there slowly; we hope that the no-brainer doesn’t come too late.

By doing what you do with the books and YouTube, have you any success stories of people you have met, and how have they felt physically since changing what they eat?

We love meeting people at our book events and hearing how much they enjoy our food! The best ones are when we meet people who are a little bit sceptical and can’t believe our food is vegan – then the next time we see them they’ve bought a copy for the whole family…

Henry and Ian will be at Waterstones in Cardiff on Thurs 10 Oct (7.30pm) for a Q&A and book signing of BOSH! How To Live Vegan.

Info: www.bosh.tv

Paints and paintbrushes, glues, crayons and even paper can all contain products derived from animals. Most acrylic paints tend to be veganfriendly but do check online to make sure – there are some great vegan craft websites that list all the major brands and detail which are vegan and which aren’t.

CHLORINE Chlorine is an example of how it’s almost impossible to live completely, 100% vegan.

The main culprits are swimming pools, cleaning products and tampons. Choose organic or veganapproved tampons, as these will be chlorine-free.

VITAMINS Some vitamin pills are coated with gelatine, which is an animal product, so look for vitamins that are vegan-friendly. Obviously, avoid fish oils. Some children’s vitamins can be coloured, so make sure they use vegan-friendly dyes. Most of the big brands have products made with vegans in mind so it’s easy to find good alternatives.

CANDLES Beeswax candles are an obvious no, but beware that most candles contain some kind of animal fat to help them harden. And some even contain oils from whales and dolphins. Cheap paraffin wax candles contain high levels of toxic chemicals, though,. and some candles are made from palm oil, which is not a very animal-friendly ingredient, so try organic soy – which also burns for much longer too.

BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales Cerddorfa a Chorws Cenedlaethol Cymreig y BBC

Offeren Bruckner Mass Saturday Dydd Sadwrn 26/10/19, 3pm BBC Hoddinott Hall Neuadd Hoddinott y BBC Bruckner Ecce Sacerdos Magnus Stravinsky Symphonies of Wind Instruments Judith Weir Psalm 148 Maconchy And Death Shall Have No Dominion Bruckner Mass in E minor Offeren yn E leiaf – Adrian Partington Conductor Arweinydd

For information and tickets Am wybodaeth a thocynnau

bbc.co.uk/now 0800 052 1812

by Keiron Self

GEMINI MAN ***

Dir: Ang Lee (12A, 120 mins) Will Smith squares off against Will Smith in this technologically advanced if rather formulaic action sci-fi. A film that has been in various stages of development for over 20 years, Gemini Man now has the CGI skills to have a master assassin being pursued by his younger self. A massive ego trip for Smith, no doubt, but with an auteur like Ang Lee at the helm this should have had a bit more intelligence, despite its hackneyed plot. Smith plays Henry Brogan, legendary corporate hitman who finds himself on the run from a mysterious killer who can seemingly guess his every move, because, well, he is him: a 25-year-old clone of himself, Junior.

He’s been created by a scenery-chewing Clive Owen, who dreams of creating an elite force but just needs the original bumped off. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Benedict Wong aid and abet Smith as he tries to convince his younger self that he is being manipulated by his ‘father figure’ Owen, amidst some action-packed set pieces. There is some ruminating on the dangers of cloning and the CGI de-ageing of Smith is convincing, but this is still essentially a B-movie with a high-concept writ large, an 80s blockbuster with 2019 effects. Opens Oct 11

FARMING ****

Dir: Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje (18, 101 mins) A harrowing true story from writer/director Akinnuoye-Agbaje, based on his own childhood: he was ‘farmed out’ of his native Nigeria by his parents and fostered by an English couple, ending up in Tilbury, Essex mired in racism and self-hate. Eni (Damon Idris) is berated for his skin colour in a deeply racist community; despite the best, albeit insensitive, efforts of his foster mum (Kate Beckinsale), he finds himself beaten and abused on a regular basis until a skinhead gang lure him into their ranks. The idea is that this will stop his own beatings; instead he now doles out beatings on other black men. Idris and Zephan Hanson Amissah (who plays the younger Eni) are excellent, as is Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ms Dapo and John Dagliesh’s scary white supremacist. Powerful and disturbing, its message about the horrors of internalised racism and pointless, ill-informed hatred are depressingly timely.

Opens Oct 11

GOOD POSTURE ***

JOKER ****

Dir: Todd Phillips (15, 122 mins) The Joker, Batman’s arch enemy, gets a pared down, gritty origin story in this heavily Scorsese-esque drama, brilliantly anchored by a superb Joaquin Phoenix.

He plays Arthur Fleck, a wouldbe standup comedian in 1981 Gotham – a city where the rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. He’s very much an outsider, with a medical condition that causes uncontrollable bouts of laughter at inopportune moments. The system has forgotten him, the medication he’s on isn’t working and he’s on the path to becoming a villain. This is a slow-burn, unsettling character study, free from any superheroics, with Phoenix transcendant as Fleck – whom we initially empathise with as a victim of society, until events get darker and darker, the relevance to the world today ever more pertinent. Frances Conroy is excellent as his mother, Zazie Beetz provides some initial sympathy for the tortured clown and, to make the Martin Scorsese influences even more apparent, Robert De Niro appears as a late-night TV talk show host in a mirror of his King Of Comedy turn back in 1982. Todd Phillips’ film is designed to provoke, as Fleck starts a revolution in clown make-up, and Phoenix is mesmerizing as the villain in embryo.

Send in the clowns. Out Oct 4

Dir: Dolly Wells (15, 91 mins) The debut feature film from indie darling Dolly Wells, reteaming with her best friend Emily Mortimer once more in this intergenerational friendship drama produced by prolific Welsh filmmaker Jamie Adams.

Wells stays behind the camera to follow Grace Van Patten’s Lillian, spoiled, drifting and recently dumped.

She subsequently moves in with her parents’ best friends, successful novelist Julia Price and her husband, played by Emily Mortimer and Ebon MossBachrach respectively. Julia is a recluse, but following a chance encounter with her ex and his new love Lillian decides she will become a documentary maker, and Julia will be her subject – much to the latter’s unease. Lillian rediscovers a passion for creativity, making connections with a dog-walker (Timm Sharp) and a would-be cameraman (John Early). A low-key, character-based story about growing up and selfidentity that charms. Opens Oct 14

JUDY ***

Dir: Rupert Goold (12A, 118 mins) Renée Zellweger steps into some large ruby red slippers to play Judy Garland, as the starlet embarks on a series of sellout concerts in London in 1968.

Focusing largely on the tail end of her career, director Rupert Goold and writer Tom Edge have taken their lead from Peter Quilter’s smash hit play End Of The Rainbow. Garland was at a low point in her personal and financial life, though still iconic the world over thanks to The Wizard Of Oz. Zellweger certainly seems to be embodying the star with awards recognition inevitable, physically transforming for her interpretation of the damaged star. A strong supporting cast are there to help her through the tantrums and stagefright, including Jessie Buckley, Michael Gambon and Rufus Sewell. Fans of Garland will no doubt lap it up: let’s hope it can overcome its stage origins and that Zellwegger’s performance has life as well as imitation. Opens Oct 4

ALSO RELEASED OCTOBER 2019: DR SLEEP (15) Ewan McGregor stars in this adaptation of Stephen King’s follow up to The Shining. Redrum, anyone? BOMINABLE (PG) CGI Abominable Snowman hijinks.

Don’t eat the yellow snow! MALEFICENT: MISTRESS OF EVIL (12A) Angelina Jolie gets her horns on again in another outing for the Disney villainess. LADYWORLD (15) Claustrophobic thriller as eight teens become trapped in an endless birthday party following a disaster. THE ADDAMS FAMILY (PG) Another outing for the spooky, kooky family, this time in CGI and in time for Halloween, natch. THE LAST BLACK MAN IN SAN FRANCISCO (15) Drama following Jimmie Falls as he tries to reconnect with his city. MONOS (15) Disquieting hostage drama set on a mountaintop, with kids wielding guns, and a cow, beautifully shot with an BUZZ 32

TERMINATOR: DARK FATE ***

Dir: Tim Miller (15, 120 mins) Another year, another attempted Terminator reboot/re-imagining, but this latest attempt has one thing going for it: the return of Linda Hamilton as the original Sarah Connor. Written out of the third Terminator sequel and the misguided rehashes of Terminators Salvation and Genisys, Hamilton returns as lean and mean as she was in Terminator 2. Original writer/director James Cameron himself is back, taking a hands-on role as producer whilst Deadpool’s Tim Miller has been tasked with taking the reins of the flagging and oft-unnecessary franchise.

Mackenzie Davis is an enhanced human sent back from the future to protect another young woman played by Natalia Reyes, who has the fate of humanity in her hands. Not quite a Terminator but with Terminator qualities (i.e. quite good at fighting), Davis faces up against liquid robot Gabriel Luna and Hamilton herself, who thought she had saved the world – but, alas, no, because there’s always more money to be made from another sequel. Arnold Schwarzenegger also appears along with Edward Furlong as original offspring John Connor in what will hopefully be a satisfying continuation rather than the generic repetitive messes of the other sequels. And yes, inevitably, someone does say ‘I’ll be back’. Opens Oct 23

OFFICIAL SECRETS ***

Dir: Gavin Hood (15, 112 mins) A solid drama retelling the true-life tale of whistleblower Katharine Gun, who in 2003 discovered a memo from the American National Security Agency encouraging Britain to coerce the UN Security Council to vote for war with Iraq. Uncomfortable with this level of influence, she subsequently leaked the document. Although lesser known than some of the more high-profile intelligence whistleblowers like Chelsea Manning and Edward Snowden, this was nevertheless an act of bravery and defiance which will no doubt now get more attention. Keira Knightley is suitably outraged as Gun, trying to alert the world to the political chicanery; the film then segues into Matt Smith’s Observer journalist Martin Bright who needs to verify Gun’s claims, and finally to Ralph Fiennes’ lawyer, Ben Emmerson, who represents Gun when she appears in court. It’s a well-observed version of events, cleaving to the truth. Opens Oct 18

THE DAY SHALL COME ****

Dir: Christopher Morris (15, 87 mins) The caustic brain behind groundbreaking TV shows The Day Today and Brass Eye returns to the screen nine years after the brutal satire Four Lions with another incendiary look at hypocrisy. Based on ‘a hundred true stories’, Morris takes us to poverty-stricken Miami where self-styled leader Moses (Marchant Davis) is seeking a race war with his brigade of followers. He is no real threat: he has a handful of acolytes, no money, is off his medication and believes God and Satan speak to him through a duck. This does not deter the FBI from making him a fall guy, and careerist agent Anna Kendrick targets him for a sting operation, where he is coerced into even greater proclamations of violence despite his incompetence and mental health issues. What sounds on paper as a dark drama – FBI coerces individual to justify terrorism budget – is transformed into angry, frequently hilarious farce by Morris and co-writers Jesse Armstrong, Sean Gray and Tony Roche. The satire is focused and stark, culminating in a resonant climax, as Morris draws in his years of research, that shows how certain povertystricken groups are targeted and people imprisoned by the manipulation of others.

Essential satirical farce delivered with precision. Opens Oct 11

THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON ****

Dir: Tyler Nilson, Michael Schwartz (12A, 97 mins) A sweet-natured Huckleberry Finn-esque journey that allows Shia LaBoeuf to show his softer, less intense side, and boasts a great performance from actor Zack Gottasgen, who has Down Syndrome, as Zak. Zak is desperate to join a wrestling school he has seen advertised, so he breaks out of his care home with the aid of fellow OAP resident Bruce Dern.

Along the way he meets LaBoeuf’s Tyler, a downon-his-luck fisherman mourning his brother’s death who has crossed swords with stubborn local crabber John Hawkes. Together Zak and LaBoeuf make an unlikely but winning pairing, Zak’s guilelessness softening his grieving, angry counterpart. The pair of them are pursued by Dakota Johnson’s carer, as their picaresque quest to a ‘wrestling school’ continues by land and sea. Nilson and Schwartz shaped their film around Gottasgen, and as a result The Peanut Butter Falcon is truly inclusive. Opens Oct 18

ZOMBIELAND: DOUBLE TAP ***

Dir: Ruben Fleischer (15, 100 mins) A belated sequel to 2009’s Zombieland, which wore its B-movie credentials proudly and had a storming Bill Murray cameo, the makeshift family of Columbus (Jessie Eisenberg), Little Rock (Abigail Breslin), Wichita (Emma Stone) and Tallahassee (Woody Harrelson) are again roaming undead America, pitching up in the White House. Older but not really wiser, they are enduring growing pains as a makeshift group; Eisenberg still observes his rules, Stone snarks, Harrelson blusters and Breslin has now hit the teen rebellion phase and is swayed by a weed-dealing hippy, escaping with him and prompting a chase from her family. Along for the ride are new characters Madison (Zoey Deutch), Rosario Dawson’s hard-as-nails Nevada and Luke Wilson and Thomas Middleditch as carbon copies of Harrelson and Eisenberg. Much of what went before is repeated by Ruben Fleischer, but entertainingly so. Opens Oct 18

Apocalypse Now vibe. BLACK AND BLUE (15) Police thriller with rookie cop Naomie Harris catching something she shouldn’t on her body cam. WEREWOLF (15) Children freshly escaped from a WWII concentration camp have to fend for themselves in a forest. AMERICAN WOMAN (15) Sienna Miller is superb in this drama about a woman whose daughter goes missing. SUZI Q (15) Documentary about trailblazing 70s rocker Suzi Quatro. MYSTIFY: MICHAEL HUTCHENCE (15) Documentary about the tortured, tragic INXS singer. TALES FROM THE LODGE (15) A mismatch anthology of British comedy horror with the likes of Johnny Vegas and Mackenzie Crook. NON-FICTION (15) A Parisian comedy with Juliette Binoche set in the publishing world. Expect Gallic shrugging. SHAUN THE SHEEP: FARMAGEDDON (U) More plasticine baa-rminess.

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art

PHOTOGRAPHY SEASON

Snowdonia, Wales, 1989 Eryri, 1989 - © Martin Parr, Magnum Photos,

IRON MAIDENS II: MADE IN WALES / LINE AND FORM

Art Central, Barry Until Sat 19 Oct One of two distinct but conceptually related exhibitions in Art Central this month, Iron Maidens II features female sculptors using the medium of cast iron. FThe collective is Wales-based and work across various disciplines with a range of skills. Inspired by the definition of ‘iron maiden’ itself as synonymous with strength and resilience, they wish to remove the stigma of dullness, or greyness, associated with the metal in question.

Featuring four sculptors, Line & Form is an exploration of the natural work through carving, casting, and installation – using the line as a conceptual element via repetition of lines through flat or rounded surfaces to create form. Gwyneth Price is an avid mixer of materials with vertically piled forms often carved from wood and stone. Showcasing will be the Cardiff-based Dilys Jackson [pictured], influenced by landscape and the body, and Su Roberts, sculptor of bronze and cast iron who brings figures into existence via explorations of emotion and expression. Valerie Coffin Price’s studies of cultural environmental links to the interior self will also feature.

Admission: free. Info: 01446 709805 www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk/arts (MF) BUZZ 34

PORTAL & ONE YEAR ON 2019

Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre, Cwmbran Until Sat 16 Nov This exhibition will feature a selection of this year’s top graduates in applied arts, while also being a means of supporting new artists by promoting their work. An exemplification of this being Laura Quinn’s [pictured] sustainable and recyclable glass designs by using digital technology.

Recent graduates exhibited in Portal include Frederick Andrews’ intertwining of nature and sound; Andrews is known for creating a series of stringed instruments called Aeolus, played in a harmonic tone using wind. Ben Pusey, whose forged steel constructs create shapes and experiences of ‘relaxation’, will also be featured. Estelle Burton, a designer specialising in glass art, metalwork, and jewellery, will divulge her close details in captured fleeting moments.

The exhibition will also feature One Year On artists, who graduated last year. These will include Glasgow School Of Art’s Eve Campbell, who uses printed surface designs that capture colours, shapes, and patterns within Scottish architecture and nature. Also featured will be the morphing of compressed paper and silver into Alysia Freeman’s jewellery.

Admission: free. Info: 01633 483321 / www.lgac.org.uk (MF)

National Museum Cardiff Sat 26 Oct-Sun 1 Mar (Martin Parr section until Mon 4 May) Wales’ National Museum is to launch a photography exhibition running through winter and into spring, presenting work from four photographers who are variously hugely influential in the history of the medium: August Sanders, Bernd and Hilla Becher, and Martin Parr.

Sanders, a renowned German photographer during the early 20th century, was persecuted by the Nazis and lost a large percentage of his prints during World War II. The work being shown is from his People From The 20th Century collection, consisting of different types of people from different backgrounds and categorising them into groups of profession and social class.

Married couple Bernd and Hilla Becher’s photography portrayed different buildings and structures around the globe, with mining regions such as Manchester, Sheffield and the Rhondda featuring prominently. Their inventory of pictures focused on imposing industrial structures: blast furnaces, cooling towers, grain elevators and lime kilns. Sadly, the collection is also the last one that Hilla chose before her death in 2015, but it should be a worthy testament to a duo whose photography collected the physical memory of the structures and buildings around us that define and develop our social lives.

The season will also feature Martin Parr, showing in the gallery for a further two months. A professor at USW, Parr has long been fascinated by Wales and his style of photography has a tendency to approach the mundane from a new point of view.

His subjects include working men’s clubs to coal mining and his contribution to this exhibition explores many different aspects of Welsh culture and life, from national sports and hidden beaches to food and festivals.

The Photography Season looks to be a wide-ranging follow-up to the National Museum’s David Hurn retrospective in 2017, and their close-up look at female photographers last year. ROSE BUCK Admission: free. Info: 0300 1112333 / www.museum.wales

70TH ANNIVERSARY EXHIBITION

Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff Until Fri 1 Nov The Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, or RWCMD, is the UK’s only AllSteinway Conservatoire. Taking in only a select few students each year (they have just over 600 students at any given point), the college has made a name for itself by generating some of the best talent in theatre, film and music.

This year marks the 70th anniversary of the RWCMD’s existence, and to truly celebrate how far the college has come in the past 70 years – from their beginnings as the Cardiff College of Music in Cardiff Castle, to being one of the five royal Conservatoires in the UK – they’re holding an art exhibition.

Free for anyone to go along and view, the installation will include memories and recollections from some of the college’s previous students, alongside artifacts and items from the archives of the RWCMD. Making the exhibition extra special, there will also be an interactive timeline, allowing members of the public to add their own RWCMD-related experiences. With past alumni including the likes of Anthony Hopkins, Ruth Jones and Eve Myles, the exhibition promises to be an interesting look into the history of Welsh performance.

Admission: free. Info: 029 2039 1391 / www.rwcmd.ac.uk (SM)

THE TABLE

Oriel Myrddin, Camarthen Sun 19 Oct-Sat 28 Dec Numerous artists and makers are participating in Oriel Myrddin’s annual winter exhibition, featuring crafted ceramics, textiles, wicker, wood, and more. Ceramic artist Katrin Moye blends contemporary hues with historical Dutch Delftware pottery, also used for Paul Bommer’s handmade, quirky tiles. Delving deeper into Dutch still life, Raawii features its Strøm collection clad in block colours and a Cubist, form-meets-function style.

With its focus on the domestic, The Table will also feature segments of nature. For instance, new artists working in metals such as Alice-Andrea Ewing’s bronze fruit and vegetables and Rowan MacGregor’s countrysideinspired wreaths and sprigs. Using Welsh-grown hardwoods, David White amalgamates nature with his tableware, and Clare Revera’s Cyntell baskets are also made from sustainable materials from the countryside.

This exhibition will also feature some small food producers, such as writer and cook Anja Dunk with a selection of bottled goods and her books. Likewise, Jade Mellor from WildPickings will be returning with her local produce including hot chocolate from the Edinburgh-based Edward & Irwyn.

Admission: free. Info: 01267 222775 / www. orielmyrddingallery.co.uk (MF)

Rhaid archebu o flaen llaw

Advance tickets only

Sain Ffagan Amgueddfa Werin Cymru

St Fagans National Museum of History

Caerdydd, CF5 6XB amgueddfa.cymru/sainffagan

Cardiff, CF5 6XB museum.wales/stfagans

nmw-halloween-93x1355mm.indd 1

20/09/2019 00:07:41

ffotogallery.org

The Old Sunday School, Fanny Street, Cathays, Cardiff CF24 4EH

open from Thursday 12 September yn agored o Ddydd Iau 12 Medi

Wed - Sat / Mer - Sad 11:00 - 17:00

stage

THE INVISIBLE WOMAN

Various venues Thu 17 Oct-Sat 9 Nov The Invisible Woman, a new onewoman play from Cardiff writer Ailsa Jenkins and starring Nicola Reynolds (Ideal, Tracey Beaker), is setting out to prove that age really is just a number. Inspired by Jenkins’ own experiences, this dark comedy is about a middle-aged woman, Mari, who fights to reclaim her identity following her ‘disappearance’ from society. Mari does not disappear physically, but in the eyes of those around her; the play is a critique of our attitudes towards ageing, particularly towards women.

The play will chart Mari as she comes to terms with her past and embraces her future, rallying against the expectations and preconceptions of her local community. Not merely a rage against dying light, we can expect anarchic spirit from an invisible woman determined to be seen, refusing to be constricted by the narrow views of society.

The play opens at Cardiff’s Wales Millennium Centre (Thurs 17-Sat 19 Oct) as part of the Performances For The Curious season [see p.26], followed by a tour: Ammanford Miners Theatre (Wed 23), Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli (Thurs 24), Aberystwyth Arts Centre (Wed 30) and Newport (Sat 9 Nov).

Tickets: £10-£12.50. Info: invisiblealise.wordpress.com (JR) BUZZ 36

HEDDA GABLER

Sherman Theatre, Cardiff Fri 18 Oct-Sat 2 Nov Since its world premiere in 1891, Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler has been a much loved and revered play. This updated version of the classic, by Brian Friel, originally premiered in Dublin in 2008 and has since been performed around Ireland and the UK; now, it’s coming to Cardiff for the latest revival of this Norwegian classic.

The play follows the titular character of Hedda Gabler, a recently married woman who finds herself bored with her academic husband. Her escape from this reality come in the form of dangerous games she plays with the lives of her immediate family and friends. Heledd Gwynn, playing Hedda, is well known fomr TV roles including 35 Diwrnod, Ordinary Lies and Holby City; Marc Antolin, cast as Hedda’s husband George Tesman, is a Welsh actor whose musical theatre roles include Little Shop Of Horrors, Romantics Anonymous, Matilda and Singin’ In The Rain among many other well-loved stage productions. Confirmed to play Judge Brack is double BAFTA Cymru nominee Richard Mylan, known for roles such as Oliver Morris in the sitcom Coupling, Chris in Grownups and Joe Andrews in BBC drama Belonging as well as TV roles in Where The Heart Is, The Bill and Waterloo Road.

Brian Friel, a playwright best known for plays such as Dancing At Lughnasa and Translations, has been known to add a few original ideas of his own to the play – as well as taking some minimal, yet significant, liberties with Ibsen’s text. His reading adds a greater comedic dimension to an otherwise sombre play, the upshot being that even the melancholy ending is preceded by laughter from the audience.

Yet Friel uses the comedy well to create tension between the gags, increasing the audience’s growing sense of looming disaster for both Hedda and the people those around her. Director Chelsea Walker, having recently taken the reins for A Streetcar Named Desire on its UK tour, is set for the challenge of giving life to Friel’s version of the play. ROSE BUCK Tickets: £16-£26. Info: 029 2064 6900 / www.shermantheatre.co.uk

KAMIL AND FRANCIS

Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea Thurs 24 + Fri 25 Oct D.J. Britton’s second play after the funny and surprising The Wizard, The Goat And The Man Who Won The War should be a similarly joyful story that’s also historically based, for this year is the 800th anniversary of the meeting between Saint Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Kamil of Egypt in 1219. In the midst of battle during the fifth crusade, Saint Francis crossed the lines of fighting to sit with Sultan al-Kamil. It has been lost to history what words the two men spoke to one another, but it is recorded that both were profoundly affected.

Francis And Kamil shows how hate and prejudices can be overcome by strong friendships and love in all its form, perhaps offering hope on both current and future conflicts in the Middle East and elsewhere. Through all this, Britton aims to deliver a funny play that includes merry folk songs and competitive table football. Filled with rich history and hoping to provide an open discussion, the play sheds light on the ability for peace through healthy communication of sharing and listening.

Tickets: £12/£10. Info: 01792 602060 / www.taliesinartscentre.co.uk (RB)

THE CREATURE

Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Tue 1-Thurs 10 Oct; Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Wed 16 Oct Returning to Chapter after the success of last year’s The Wolf Tattoo, Lucy Gough and Company Of Sirens have come up with another poignant and shocking play that once again harkens back to current problems in our society. The Wolf Tattoo focused on issues of teen pregnancy and knife violence within the backdrop of a postapocalyptic world, and was described

by Buzz as “fantastic and thoughtprovoking”.

Taking inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, The Creature is set inside the head and prison cell of a young boy in a secure prison centre, as he tries to deny the need to take responsibility for what he has done, but also tries to understand it. The Creature hopes to explore the roots of criminal actions and behaviour and tries to discover what it truly is that makes people choose ‘bad’ decisions.

Company Of Sirens and Gough have worked with young offenders in prisons and secure units to develop the play, realising that many offenders saw school and their time in education as being at the root of many issues, the place where they first began to feel outcast.

Tickets: £12/£10. Info: 029 2030 4400 / 01970 623232 (RB)

FRANKENSTEIN

New Theatre, Cardiff Mon 28 Oct-Sat 2 Nov Mary Shelley’s 1818 gothic masterpiece Frankenstein has inspired just about every artistic field. Often interpreted as a cautionary tale regarding unbound science, Shelley’s text documents the perils of a creature rejected by its creator, Doctor Frankenstein. Dejected, and striving to find acceptance within society, Frankenstein’s creature is scorned by all, and the ensuing trauma from this incessant rejection refashions the creature into the monster society envisions it to be.

Shelley wrote her original novel at 18 and was renowned for spurning societal conventions. Here, writer Rona Munro (The James Play, My Name Is Lucy Barton) presents an alternative to the tale’s conventional Promethean reading by placing emphasis on its sociopolitical aspects. Munro achieves this by incorporating Shelley into the play as a character, depicted here by Scottish actress Eilidh Loan. While the story has seen innumerable adaptations since the publication of Shelley’s novel, Munro’s adaptation projects Shelley’s original vision, highlighting the author’s defiant spirit as she grapples with societal norms, and should provide a glimpse into the realities facing rebellious women.

Tickets: £13.50-£30.50. Info: 029 2087 8889 / www.newtheatrecardiff.co.uk (GK)

5.10.19, 7.30PM

BRANGWYN HALL, SWANSEA NEUADD BRANGWYN, ABERTAWE

AL ORCHESTR UP CLOSE & H SY’N CYFFWRDD ET CERDDORIA

OCTOBER 2019 just fill out this form and post it, along with a cheque to:

Buzz Publishers Ltd, 220c Cowbridge Road East, Canton, Cardiff CF5 1GY

bbc.co.uk/now 0800 052 1812

OCTOBER AT SHERMAN THEATRE MIS HYDREF YN THEATR Y SHERMAN AND SHE

1 & 2 Oct / Hyd

HEDDA GABLER 18 Oct / Hyd – 2 Nov / Tach By / Gan

Henrik Ibsen

In a new version by / Fersiwn newydd gan Brian

THE INTELLIGENCE PARK 8 Oct / Hyd

JOHN-LUKE ROBERTS 11 Oct / Hyd

GETTING THE THIRD DEGREE

Friel

25 Oct / Hyd

Director / Cyfarwyddwr Chelsea Walker

SHERMANTHEATRE.CO.UK Playful, unpredictable and dangerous – meet Hedda Gabler.

Chwareus, anrhagweladwy a pheryglus – cyfarfyddwch â Hedda Gabler.

029 2064 6900 Sherman Cymru Productions Ltd Registered Charity Number / Rhif Elusen Cofrestredig 1118364 Image / Llun: burningred.co.uk

clubs

DETROIT IN EFFECT

Pic: Sean Bell

Haws @ Jacob’s Antiques, Cardiff Fri 18 Oct Frozen, paranoid, derelict, lawless; the straight-up lampooning of the city of Detroit by its own residents is just another hand in its downfall for some. For Detroit musicians though (and there have been a lot), channelling all that grit and murk and misery is just a matter of more strings in the mix; everything from the murder rate, the drastic class gap, that time the city was almost levelled by a nuclear meltdown. All of it becomes just more angst in the sampler, and none of the city’s many musical exports was more angsty than the utterly unique Detroit techno.

Just like the adding of chocolate to milk, electro was added to house in Detroit to make something richer, sweeter, and with groovier bass modulation. Renowned for its frenetic sequencing, edgy melodies, and tasty new sounds, Detroit techno artists pulled straight in from the city’s turbulent persona when it came to producing, picturing how the city would look in a world of tomorrow, or its place as a new cybernetic Black nation under the sea. Detroit In Effect (sometimes D.I.E.) wallowed in the Motor City of the day, lapping up the edge and paranoia of the time and scene on tracks like R U Married (“Are you married? (No!) Are you occupied? (Oh, no!) You got kids? (No!) How ‘bout HIV? (Oh, no!)”) for his own place in the DT masters club.

With a turntable and a backlog of his peers and influences, D.I.E. headlines the Haws birthday celebrations at Jacob’s for a rigorous demonstration of that Detroit genome: the vocal licks, the Drexciya and Aux 88 deep cuts, the takes that started it all. DJ Aloka will be the one most likely to play just before; a South Wales local lad, Aloka is already established in the UK circuit and premiered some pacing tracks with DJ magazine earlier this year. Pi-Singer is one of Haws’ promising regulars and finds himself in their deepest mixes, while Tywi is a pacey electro DJ to underline the event’s major themes. JASON MACHLAB Tickets: £11.50. Info: management@hawsmusic.com

BENNY L

The Vaults, Cardiff Bay, Fri 25 Oct; Sin City, Swansea, Fri 8 Nov Two years ago, Benny L blew up with his track Low Blow, becoming one of the most talked about drum’n’bass producers in the UK, and the hype around the Londoner continues even after a year of teasing fans, dripfeeding them new releases but nowhere near enough to satisfy. He’s one of the freshest sounds at the moment, his unique ‘groaning’ style and snappy basslines making any room feel like a pressure cooker about to explode, but Benny is pretty old school when it comes to releasing his music.

A tour promoting new album Reactions is designed to get exactly that from you. In Cardiff, courtesy of promoters Dazed and Canopy, there’ll also be sets from Birmingham legend DJ Hazard, the innovative sounds of duo Annix, and high-energy vibes from Trimer and Clique. Supporting in Swansea’s Sin City early next month, again promoted

by Dazed, are 90s junglist OG Randall and Audioporn founder Shimon, while Gino and Traumatize will provide a mix of deep, soulful sounds and wobbly basslines for a weighty and diverse back to back set you don’t want to miss.

Tickets: from £10 Fri 25; £8-£12 Fri 8 Nov. Info: www.vaultspresents. com (Cardiff); 01792 468892 / www. sincityclub.co.uk (Swansea) (EE) BUZZ 38

O’FLYNN

Get Funky @ Vale Warehouse, Cardiff Fri 4 Oct People who like to stay in the city centre on nights out’s loss – yes, they are a recognised group – is Cardiff promoters Get Funky’s gain, as their initial plan to have London house hypemagnet O’Flynn headline in Kongs was nixed when the demand for tickets became apparent. It’s moved to Vale Warehouse, which is about halfway between Canton and Penarth and substantially bigger; tickets are running low at the time of writing nevertheless, so it’s surely a punterpleasing gesture.

The musical pseudonym of Ben Norris (it’s his mum’s maiden name), O’Flynn released his debut 12” in 2015 and has been stitching together an inspirationpatchwork of deep house, techno, ambient and African percussive sounds ever since, to increasing audiences. The patronage of people like Four Tet and Bonobo hasn’t hurt, and neither has his patience in releasing a well-crafted debut album, Aletheia.

Released in early September, as is often the case with club types’ artist albums it’s more downtempo and, hmm, cosmic than his singles. Will this DJ set echo its direction? Given that Norris is DJing for the entire night, 11pm-4am, I’d expect tempos to please varied tastes.

Tickets: £12. Info: 07880 327577 / getfunkypromotions@gmail.com (NG)

SECRETSUNDAZE

Altitude @ Hangar 18, Swansea Altitude are new club promoters debuting this month, and while their name could be interpreted as a nudge and a wink to the concept of ravers’ refreshments, there’s more to it than that: it’s a spinoff of Swansea Snowriders, the university’s snowboarding/skiing society. As such, anyone naïvely assuming that snowboarders only listen to Reef and Lenny Kravitz on a Sony Discman is in for a shock, as Altitude have booked London house duo Secretsundaze to headline their inaugural event.

If you recognise the name Secretsundaze, it might be more as club promoters than DJs or producers – James Priestley and Giles Smith do all three, but have been throwing parties since 2002, usually in London but sometimes abroad. The list of esteemed names who’ve played a Secretsundaze bash is longer than all your family’s arms laid end to end, with Priestley and Smith invariably booking themselves to warm up.

In 2017, the duo also branched into production together – the Stand Up 12”, released in July, came out on their Secretsundaze label, because obviously they have one of those too. At any rate, they should appreciate that everything starts small.

Tickets: from £7. Info: 07984 664008 / facebook.com/hangar18mv (NG)

SELECTA J-MAN

Fat Lace @ Laser Station, Carmarthen Fri 1 Nov Blasting some blood-curdling beats this November, the Laser Station in Carmarthen will be going fullon-spooky-mode with a Halloween Massacre hosted by west Wales party crew, Fat Lace. Selecta J-Man’s headlining set is bound to be a pick’n’mix ghoulie bag of junglistic ragga vibes and punchy tunes to bring the heat, with productions from his Born On Road cohorts Aries, Kelvin 373, Gold Dubs and Stivs.

With his repertoire of great tunes and his always-impressive command of the decks, this one is guaranteed to be no trick and all treat. Meanwhile, “friendly, fireball personality” Trafic MC will be spitting lyrics to getting you raving and misbehaving, cheeky and original prose with impossibly high energy.

Joining the lineup are the raw and heavy jungle vibes of Abstract Drumz as well as Fat Lace dons Optimystic, Brute Engine, and Fat Lace founders Jake Radar and Docta P, who’ll be banging out a back-to-back set. Expect high quality production, sick décor and lighting, plus a costume competition for the most monstrous among you. Just make sure you don’t wear your nice shoes, because you’re going to wear them out until the witching hours.

Tickets: £7-£9. Info: 01267 235648 / facebook.com/fat.lace.fat.soul (EE)

live

SWN FESTIVAL

Pic: Nick Pancorvo

Various venues, Cardiff Fri 18-Sun 20 Oct Swn Festival has cemented itself as a staple of Cardiff’s music calendar since 2007. Drawing inspiration from SXSW in Texas, Iceland Airwaves in Reykjavik, Brighton’s The Great Escape and Le Guess Who? in Utrecht, it highlights the city’s independent venues while showcasing local and international talent.

Following the success of its change in management in 2018, the team at Clwb Ifor Bach have even more exciting additions in store: a fringe element featuring a music quiz and Hot Sauce Karaoke with local hot sauce god Double D; an afternoon at Jacob’s with Heavenly Recordings, featuring artists from their roster; and a nature and bird-themed afterparty in partnership with the RSPB. Gone are the Wednesday and Thursday gigs too, allowing punters to conserve their energy for a weekend full to the brim with new music waiting to be discovered.

Last year’s festival fell during Boy Azooga’s meteoric rise, so we asked Swn’s Steffan Dafydd who he predicted from the current lineup could follow in that band’s footsteps. “A local artist we think are on their way is Rosehip Teahouse; I feel like their snowballing success comes simply from having wonderful songs that people instantly fall in love with. Further afield, Black Country, New Road have been 2019’s hype band with only two releases – we can only see this growing with their future releases.

“Squid have been busy all year and have mastered this blend of jazz, Krautrock and postpunk that seems to have swept listeners across the UK. We brought Do Nothing to Swn’s announcement party back in April – they have the tunes, the attitude and the swagger to become a massive name in the next 12 months!”

With other highlights, among well over 100 acts billed, including HMLTD, Alffa, Wych Elm, Heavy Lungs, Eadyth and Chastity Belt [pictured] – to name a few – snap up your tickets, grab a pint of Cwtch, a sturdy pair of shoes, and support your local music scene. HANNAH NICHOLSON-TOTTLE Tickets: £65 weekend/£22.50 Fri 18 + Sun 20/£27.50 Sat 19. Info: swnfest.com

CRUSH HATE FEST 2019

Le Public Space, Newport Sat 19 + Sun 20 Oct South Wales gig promoters Crush Hate Fest started in early 2017, aiming to offer explosive punk and hardcore and a straight-to-the-point message on abuse and raising awareness on hate crime. Last year, they parlayed this into their first alldayer, headlined by Stoke’s hardcore punk gamechangers Discharge and relative upstarts Grove Street Families. Buoyed by its success, CHF have decided to expand this into a two-day event.

Hosted by Newport’s commendable Le Pub this time around, the festival will be headlined on Sat 19 by Strange Bones and one more name currently TBC – drafted in as double-dose substitutions for Raging Speedhorn, who had to pull out. Sun 20 is topped off by GBH, metallic punk legends originating in the same era and scene as Discharge. Other head-turning names across the two days – with doors at 12.30pm it’s that rare event, a proper alldayer – include positive hardcore newjacks Vision Quest, thunderous metalcore types Shallow Graves and west Wales sludge band Lifer on Saturday; Bristol HC trio SickOnes [pictured], original-era anarcho punks A-Heads and Disjoy’s noisy, gothic postpunk.

Tickets: £35 weekend/£20 per day.

Info: 01633 221477 / www.lepublicspace.co.uk (DL) BUZZ 40

THE CULT

Great Hall, Cardiff University Students’ Union Fri 18 Oct Sonic Temple by The Cult is a time capsule of the mullets’n’motorcycles age of 80s hard rock, soaring guitar solos and soaring guitar ballads, and a declaration of love to the American way. Powerchords, power lyrics, leather trousers, and song after song of Chevywith-the-top-down-on-the-highway swaggering rock anthems. Pretty goofy for a band from Yorkshire, or at least it would be if they hadn’t subsequently become global rock icons and made their millions then and there.

After releasing Love in 1985, a cracking goth guitar record, the group changed up their leather jackets for, well, leather biker jackets and started putting out the harder stuff. Sonic Temple was the record that properly broke that all-important US market and became the band’s biggest nest-egg, securing plinths for singer Ian Astbury and guitarist Billy Duffy in the eternal rock‘n’roll dogma.

Thirty years later, the band won’t have any trouble rousing a crowd along to Fire Woman, Edie (Ciao Baby) or Sweet Soul Sister at Cardiff Uni, not if that crowd have been near a pub jukebox, rock radio station or coming-ofage film in the past few decades.

Tickets: £37.50. Info: 029 2078 1458 / www.cardiffstudents.com (JM)

FAUSTUS

Pontardawe Arts Centre, Tue 22 Oct; Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan, Wed 23, Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells, Thurs 24 Here’s one, or indeed three, for those still bemoaning the premature death of folk’s behemoth big band Bellowhead: Benji Kirkpatrick, Paul Sartin and Saul Rose’s Faustus. Fretmaster Benji Kirkpatrick’s grin, as wide as his trademark stance, was always on ready display in Bellowhead’s many live gigs.

In contrast, multi-instrumentalist Paul Sartin took the role of the droll compere - a brilliant contrast to John Boden’s firecracker frontman persona.

Completing the super-group trio that is Faustus is melodeon player Saul Rose; adoptive (not literally) son and brother of the Waterson:Carthy clan.

Faustus have followed up the release of their third album, 2016’s Death And Other Animals with the Cotton Lords EP. This collection of 19th century texts from the Lancashire Cotton Famine briefly, yet poignantly, render an image of the hard-working community in fatal crisis.

What these five tracks show is the extraordinary talent of the trio who share lead vocal duties and harmonise with the faultless ease we’ve come to expect from all virtuosic folk instrumentalists as if it’s standard.

Tickets: £3-£15. Info: www. faustusband.com (JPD)

PETBRICK

Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff Fri 1 Nov With a history of destructive music between them, it was always going to be a force to be reckoned with when Wayne Adams (Big Lad, Death Pedals) and Iggor Cavalera (Sepultura, Cavalera Conspiracy) joined forces in a new project they’ve christened Petbrick. But how exactly did the paths of these two cross?

“I was at the Underworld in Camden,” recalls Iggor, “and Wayne’s band Shitwife [since renamed Big Lad] were playing. I really liked their show, so I got in touch with Wayne, found out that he had a studio and he invited me over.

We exchanged ideas and before you knew it, we had a demo.” Sepultura fan Wayne remembers getting the message, something of a surreal moment for him: “I was like, the dude from Sepultura just emailed me!”

There’s a definite punk vibe to Petbrick, as Wayne agrees. “The whole approach of the album is quite punk – the songs didn’t take a lot of time to write and that’s intentional. We weren’t going to over-polish and suck the life out of these songs.” If you are curious about what Petbrick are going to sound like, this Cardiff date arrives just after their debut album, and both promise to be unique and very noisy affairs.

Tickets: £8. Info: 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net (CA)

SUN

SUN

OCT

OCT

FRI O’NEILL 11 ANDREW 10 FEET TALL, CARDIFF

WED

OCT

OCT

OCT

THU

SAT 26 LULU ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF

WED

SWIM DEEP 06 THE GLOBE, CARDIFF

24 CAROLINES 10 FEET TALL, CARDIFF

PENGUIN CAFE 06 ST DAVID’S HALL, CARDIFF JOHNNY LLOYD 16 10 FEET TALL, CARDIFF

TUE 9BACH 22 CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF

30 SPECTOR 10 FEET TALL, CARDIFF

OCT

OCT

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TUE BLISS 05 CHARLY 10 FEET TALL, CARDIFF

THU

SAT SPEIGHT 23 TOM THE GATE, CARDIFF

NOV

07 LIFE CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF

NOV

NOV

THE STRUTS

FEEDER

AIRBOURNE

17 OCTOBER 2019 THE GREAT HALL, CARDIFF UNI

7 NOVEMBER 2019 THE GREAT HALL, CARDIFF UNI

24 NOVEMBER 2019 THE GREAT HALL, CARDIFF

SAM FENDER HYPERSONIC MISSILES UK TOUR ORCHARD LIVE BY ASSOCIATION WITH CAA PRESENT

31 MARCH 2020

MOTORPOINT ARENA CARDIFF TICKETMASTER.CO.UK MOTORPOINTARENACARDIFF.CO.UK 029 2022 4488 THE DEBUT ALBUM “HYPERSONIC MISSILES” OUT NOW | SAMFENDER.COM

TICKETS: TICKETMASTER.CO.UK | ORCHARDLIVE.COM

reviews WE'VE BEEN WATCHING...

HIP HOP EVOLUTION S3 (Netflix)

The return of Netflix’s hugely successful hip-hop documentary series is always welcome – highlighting as it often does some of the more obscure pioneers of the genre’s long and storied history. After focusing on specific eras and regions in the first two series, MC Shad now pulls back towards the wider cultural context – investigating the East Coast/West Coast beef, the impact of Biggie and Tupac, the arrival of Eminem and the rise of Outkast. It’s more focused than series 2 (which jumped around regions without really clarifying the chronology at times), though a lack of female presence still frustrates; only Lil’ Kim and TLC get any real attention, and you feel there could be more. Head-bopping stuff. ***FT

RABID

(Home release, 101 Films)

This very welcome re-release of early David Cronenberg feature Rabid is gruesome, grim and grubby. We follow a woman who has an emergency experimental skin graft after a horrible motorcycle accident; the graft looks like an anus with a penis sticking out of it (no other way to describe this) and lives under her armpit. The graft causes her to have an insatiable thirst for blood and she inadvertently starts a rabies-like epidemic across Montreal. It’s an ugly film, evocating a decaying lonely Canada, and easily one of Cronenberg’s best and most overlooked works, touching on social panic, paranoia and social anxiety, all with plenty of bodily yuckiness. Even early on, he was a genius. This reissue from 101 absolutely packs in the extras too. ****FT

OLDBOY (4-DISC LIMITED EDITION) (Home release, Arrow Video)

The film that announced South Korean cinema’s rebirth to the world is getting the deluxe treatment from Arrow. The four-disc treatment includes all three films from Park Chan-Wook’s Vengeance trilogy (that’s Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance and Lady Vengeance if you’re not aware). A fourth disc includes a doc on Oldboy’s making, and the actual Oldboy disc is itself loaded with extras. As for the film itself? Brutal, elegant and masterful – and looking sharper than ever thanks to the transfer. If you want to do a deep dive on the brilliance of Park Chan-Wook’s filmmaking, sucking up every last morsel of information about the Vengeance trilogy, you can’t go far wrong with Arrow’s boxset here. ****FT

THE CAPTURE BBC1 (iPlayer)

If you’ve been looking over your shoulder and giving CCTV cameras a steely glare a lot more than usual lately, then the chances are you’ve started watching The Capture. With only two more episodes to go at time of writing, the mindbending BBC drama has sparked conversations across the country about just how much we don’t know about surveillance, and whether people hidden behind computer screens really do have power over the truth. So far, viewers have been taken deeper and deeper down the rabbithole of a twisted international conspiracy, and quite frankly we can’t wait to see where it all ends up. ****EE

BUZZ 42

albums

s s

BLACK3LVIS **** See Love EP (Newsoundwales) Chuck a dusting of Cardiff grit over slick LA funk-pop and you’ll get Black3lvis, South Wales’ latest hot tip. The four-piece formed earlier this year and pumped out seven tracks of laidback licks and danceability in record time. Musically, See Love sits in a bizarrely enjoyable middle ground between the Chili Peppers and Larrikin Love, frontman Levi slipping effortlessly between rhythmic, staccato r’n’b and anthemic chorus-belting, best evidenced on NoDemon.

Such a fledgling band has no right to sound so polished, so fast. BH

DANNY BROWN **** U Know What I’m Sayin? (Warp) Detroit rapper Danny Brown’s seventh album, written as uknowhatimsayin¿ on the cover, abandons the hazy cacophonies that overwhelmed listeners on Atrocity Exhibition, and under Q-Tip and Paul White’s watchful eye readopts the jazz-influenced beats he left on previous releases. Armed with a handful of the freshest features, from JPEGMAFIA to Blood Orange, and free from the formulaic constraints of contemporary trap, Brown manages to constantly innovate while still remaining as a comfortable middle ground between old and modern hip-hop. AP

DIIV **** LOS BLANCOS ****

Deceiver (Captured Tracks)

Sbwriel Gwyn (Libertino) The title might translate as ‘white trash’, but this Carmarthenshire quartet’s debut album is anything but throwaway.

From the direct, propulsive opener Dilyn Iesu Grist, through heavy melody, grungey powerpop and fuzzed-out garage rock, to the slanted and enchanting slower-paced songs (Cadw Fi Lan, Clarach and the title track), Sbwriel Gwyn is a scuzzy triumph, frayed at the edges but full of joy – and another feather in the Libertino label’s increasingly feathery cap. BW

Where debut Oshin and follow-up Is The Is Are negotiated through slumbering shoegaze à la Wild Nothing and Real Estate, this first release in three years finds the Brooklynites dialling down dreampop ether in favour of murkier grunge grit. Deceiver exists in a soupy sea of static; anchoring between mellow Slowdive-esque fare and Dirty-era Sonic Youth for reference, notably on Between Tides and Lorelei. The quartet transcend on this heavier third album affair, defying expectation in a blitz of distortive strings. CHP

CLIPPING ****

FOALS ***

There Existed An Addiction To Blood (Sub Pop)

Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part Two (Warner/Transgressive)

The cultural distance between phenomenally successful Broadway musicals and phenomenally unlistenable musical projects is rendered temporarily trifling by LA’s Clipping, whose MC Daveed Diggs starred as Thomas Jefferson in Hamilton, and whose fourth album includes contributions from harsh noise act The Rita.

This is emblematic of the zeal for zapping rap tropes via sonic extremity: There Existed… doesn’t wildly advance their sound, but that was already pretty radical and thrilling. NG

Foals haven’t exactly made things easy for themselves this year.

Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost is an album of two halves, and when Part 1 came back in March, it conquered – Foals hadn’t ever sounded so incandescently vital. A tough act to follow, then. Though Part Two is bolder, denser and heavier than its predecessor, it feels blissfully incomplete, relying a little too heavily on its rock muscles. Perhaps it’s the sequel we wanted to see, but were hoping they’d never make. SW

JAIMIE BRANCH **** COTTON WOLF **** Ofni (Bubblewrap) Cardiff duo Cotton Wolf follow up their Welsh Music Prize debut Life In Analogue with Ofni, ‘fear’ yn Gymraeg. It’s an apt title for an album of pensive, precision electronic music. While mostly instrumental, the standout track is the title track, with Adwaith’s Hollie Singer adding sweet vocals to Cotton Wolf’s dark, driven sound. A solid sophomore to file next to Moderat and Rival Consoles. SE

Fly Or Die II: Bird Dogs Of Paradise (International Anthem) The initial volume of Fly Or Die, in 2017, shone a spotlight on Chicago jazz trumpeter Jaimie Branch, and this next chapter maintains its energy, range, sass and elegance.

Leading of a quartet, Branch boldly whisks her cohorts from mariachi swagger to folk intimacy to looming drone parts; her feelings towards her nation’s overlords can be inferred from the track Prayer For Amerikkka, but this is a sterling continuation of the USA’s creative spirit. NG

s

s

s

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JOHN ***

LAURIE ANDERSON, TENZIN CHOEGYAL & JESSE PARIS SMITH ***

RICHARD DAWSON *****

THIRD EYE BLIND ***

2020 (Domino)

Screamer (Megaforce)

Songs From The Bardo (Smithsonian Folkways)

Richard Dawson’s unique music draws on traditional English folk, the sea shanties of his native Newcastle, and other outsider influences. While this album sees him moving in a more conventional direction there is a hint of something like prog here, and the warped melodic sense that runs through all of his music is still there. Synths and electric guitars provide a wider sonic palette than on previous records, underpinning the twisted tales of everyday life that are Dawson’s lyrical matter. DG

“My current mood resonates with rebellion, energy, courage, and risk,” says Third Eye Blind frontman Stephan Jenkins, and that’s what you’re getting from their sixth album. Not as guitar based as you’d think, this, with innovative, risky sounds including multiple tone-altering tools amidst nods back to their 90s rock pomp. The Kids Are Coming (To Take You Down) has a Third Eye Blind vintage feel, while Light It Up and Who Am I drag the tempo right down. OS

Out Here On The Fringes (Pets Care) As UK punk enjoys a commercial resurgence with the likes of Idles, Sleaford Mods and Shame, a new addition to this movement arrives in the form of this duo, both of whom conveniently answer to the name John. Their second album quakes with the energy and rawness of a live performance, commanding a limited but powerful sonic palette of deafening drums, searing guitar and roaring vocals.

Immediate and unapologetic, this is music that’s best experienced in the flesh. SP

THE JOY FORMIDABLE *** A Balloon Called Moaning – 10th Anniversary Edition (Hassle) To commemorate the decade-and-a-bit since this three-piece from Mold released their debut album, The Joy Formidable are rereleasing it as a double CD or vinyl, with added Welsh language versions of the original songs. I wanted to like all of this but it’s actually these stripped-back, acoustic interpretations that are the most pleasing to the ear. Tracks in English are typical indie and lack oomph, although not understanding the words makes it easier to get lost in the soft rock sound. LN

KIZZY CRAWFORD **** The Way I Dream (Freestyle)

Definitely not Laurie Anderson responding “hold my beer” to the statement “your voice is so brilliant, you could read the phonebook and I’d love it,” Songs From The Bardo is 80 minutes of Anderson narrating sections of the Tibetan Book Of The Dead, backed by cello, Tibetan lute and the daughter of Patti Smith. Flippant arseholery aside, there’s great dedication here, a corollary to the group’s activism, lending SFTB – though it sometimes lands halfway between audiobook and mindfulness app – a quiet power. WS

SERAFINA STEER **** The Mind Is A Trap (Vitamin Concept)

MATANA ROBERTS ***** Coin Coin Chapter Four: Memphis (Constellation) Another inspiring force that’s wagged tongues in American jazz this decade, Matana Roberts’ work draws on her African-American identity and family tree: her grandma is the cover model for the latest in her Coin Coin series. Blues and gospel are consistent stylistic choices here, not just something to tip a hat at, and amidst an hour of deep, vital sound poetry, the choral piece Her Mighty Waters Run is five minutes of music as powerful as I’ve heard all year. NG

An intriguing suite of tunes fashioned from electronica, harp, spoken word and more.

The instrumental Whatsmystone shimmers symphonically, layers of harp cascade hypnotically on Time To Recover, and both weave through on Provides Common Ground and Say What You See, which isn’t a lament for Roy Walker, but a meditative echo of Björk’s Vespertine. The title track is arpeggiating Euro synthpop, stitching Arthur Russell with Bat For Lashes; Back On the Scene is Kraftwerkian and This Is My Emotion chomps Hot Chip. CS

demos CLWB FUZZ facebook.com/clwbfuzz Retroactively speaking, in that I only checked it out in the process of writing this review, the first song released by Cardiff four-piece Clwb Fuzz (Samurai, back in May) gives little indication of how heavy and lumbering their latest one is. High starts off with a Sabbath/ Blue Cheer proto-metal riff and crawls along in a blur of feedback, dandruff and indolent Mary Chain/Loop vocals. If they have more songs like this and access to big amps, a Clwb Fuzz live performance could be very good. NG

THE SHERLOCKS ****

PETTER RYLEN

MOON DUO ****

Under Your Sky (Infectious)

petterrylen.com

Stars Are The Light (Sacred Bones) The prolific Portland pair augment a psych-rock brew on their seventh LP, desert rock bleeding into the usual dub-doused density with nods to late 80s/early 90s rave rendered sporadically. Highlights such as Lost Heads bathe in a candied cocktail of guitar and synth, while Fall (In Your Love) lulls with gilded lustre akin to early Stone Roses. Helped by the production expertise of Spacemen 3’s Sonic Boom, this could pass as the progeny of Hawkwind and Happy Mondays. CHP

The Sherlocks’ second album is one of mellow optimism. It is fuelled by euphoric indie-rock anthems, bringing an upbeat context to grungy, tremoring riffs and thrumming drums. Magic Man is ironically not spellbinding, despite its intricately-weaved riffs; it’s bass-fronted in its overall buildup, but still breaks down into classic Brit-indie. Most of the tracks align to the guitar-bass-drums format, save for the ethereal synthesisers in Give It All Up and the twangy, echoing guitar in One Day. MF

Petter Rylen has already accrued a respectable CV as part of the Copenhagen jazz scene, but for reasons unspecified recently moved to Newport and is attempting to remodel himself as a solo concert pianist. So if, on the face of it, he’s surpassed the ‘demo’ stage, that’s essentially what these two new five-minute pieces are. Hyde is the jazzier of them, rippling and airy with subtle vocal interplay, while Poem is tonally sorrowful and seems to nod to minimal composition. NG

LAGWAGON ****

RACHID TAHA ****

SUGGESTED FRIENDS *****

Railer (Fat Wreck Chords)

Je Suis Africain (Naive/Believe)

Turtle Taxi (Fika)

There’s nothing new to report here, with the band admitting, in the opening line of lead single Bubble, “we’re not breaking ground.”

It’s same old Lagwagon.

But that’s not a barb on the band, because not many do it as well as Lagwagon. The Fat Wreck legends, now on their ninth album, sound as vital and energised as they ever on have on Railer. It’s awesome skatepunk – were you expecting something else? CA

Completed prior to Rachid Taha passing away last year aged 59, this is a fitting final showcase for a ideologically sussed and uncompromising musician. Je Suis Africain is a selection of politically charged tracks, mostly made with Middle Eastern instrumentation that inventively rubs shoulders with Morricone-infused bluesy rock. Easy to understand why Damon Albarn and members of The Clash became committed Rachid Taha followers and collaborators. DN

This UK indie-meetsfolk-meets-punk band’s music has a beachy, summer soundtrack feel, the lyrics are witty and relevant and the often emotional vocals compliment rather than demand all the attention. There are some beautiful guitar licks here that you wish were longer and make you press replay. More folk-pop than punk rock, this album deals with love, loss, death and landfill.

Turtle Taxi has personality and humour and I was hooked from the first track. LN

This debut LP from Merthyr Tydfil’s Kizzy Crawford is fleshed out in new arrangements with added instrumentation and shows a maturity, smoothness and effortless style that flows seamlessly from electro to folk to jazz to soul.

The Bajan/Welsh/English 23-year-old plays lovely guitar on tunes with subjects touching on growing up, being true to oneself, prejudice and global warming. The Way I Dream, Twenty Years, Golden Brown and Waiting Game rule, while the pop Real Love should bring fans from the mainstream. RLR

SEASIDE WITCH COVEN facebook.com/ihateswc Whatever makeup of identities I expected on first seeing the name Seaside Witch Coven, it wasn’t the three twentysomething blokes they turned out to be. Aside from this latest frowninducing variation on the ‘Girl Band’/‘male techno DJ using a woman’s name’ carry-on, this Cardiff trio’s debut song Splutter is decent in an overdriven, yearning indie-punk way – think No Age or Japandroids, perhaps, with a punchy instrumental section about two-thirds in. NG

BUZZ 43

music news EXTRA

Swansea is marking the 50-year anniversary of being granted city status this month (strictly speaking, this was in December 1969, but in two months’ time people will be preoccupied with Christmas things) with a series of events, including an exhibition focusing on its music scene over the last half-century. Held in Swansea Museum and on display until Sun 5 Jan, it features all manner of paraphernalia – records, photos, news clippings, tickets and suchlike – relating to the 70s rock and punk, 80s indie, 90s metal and 00s dance scenes, to give only a few examples. Additionally, Swansea DIY label Lavender Sweep have just released a compilation CD/ zine, Fragments Of Hope, featuring 20 bands from the region’s scene in the 80s

Stereophonics have a new album, titled Kind, out on Fri 25 Oct, with a UK tour also announced for next year. It marks the Cwmaman group’s first time working with George Drakoulias, producer of various earthy rock albums like Give Out But Don’t Give Up by Primal Scream, and is being touted as a back-to-basics type recording. Kind’s lead single, Bust This Town, finds the band in relatively laidback mode, a midpaced bluesy number in which Kelly Jones rhymes “funny”, “money” and “honey”; further outbreaks of audacity include a song titled Fly Like An Eagle which is not a Steve Miller Band cover. The group’s 12-date UK tour visits Motorpoint Arena Cardiff on Sat 14 and Sun 15 Mar

Bridgend venue Hobos has ceased hosting live music for the foreseeable future. Opening in 2009 and being effectively the only location in town for touring bands

to play during that time, a brief period of uncertainty in August saw a couple of gigs shifted elsewhere and the eventual announcement that, going forward, Hobos would operate solely as a nightclub. A glance at their Facebook page indicates that they’re easing into the role in the manner of many regional nightclubs, by posting grainy viral content relating to getting drunk

Thurs 10 Oct is designated World Mental Health Day, and one south Wales musician is marking this by launching an EP with a gig in a chapel. Bel Blue, a folk-rock solo artist from Cardiff, recorded The St Illtud’s Sessions [pictured] in St Illtud’s Church, Llantwit Major, and will perform it as part of a series of mental healthrelated events happening that week in the church.

Recorded with the help of Llwybr Llaethog’s Kevs Ford, Bel however states that save for some minimal postproduction, what you hear on the EP is the unadorned performance

Mid-Wales folk guitarist Toby Hay releases his third album on Fri 1 Nov. Music For The 12 String Guitar comes courtesy of The State51 Conspiracy label, who also did the instrumentalist an added kindness by getting a bespoke guitar made for him – an ebony and spruce 12-string, natch, with unique tunings. Another fully live, overdub-free recording (it seems to be the month for such carrying on) taped at the fabled Real World studios, Hay previews it on Sat 5 Oct with a gig at The Lost Arc, in his home town of Rhayader. He’s bringing fellow folk explorer C Joynes over to support, who should be well worth seeing too

ONES TO WATCH...

MASSA CIRCLES

In the interests of operating with as full a deck as possible, I decided to watch the Cardiff-based Massa Circles play their debut EP live before writing about it, and them. Luckily, I wasn’t disappointed. Granted, they’re an instrumental analogue synth duo whose compositions are sweeping, cosmic and patient in their evolution, so we’re not looking at any great theatrics as live performance goes. The main boon is the opportunity to hear this music unfurl through a decent PA in the manner that the pair surely intended.

Massa Circles’ EP01, a 12” containing four tracks and 23 minutes of music, is also the debut release for Touch Hand, a label founded by Daniel O’Reilly. As someone previously found promoting more upbeat, clubby stuff as part of the City Bass team, to launch with something largely beatless feels like a stall being set out. Hope so, anyway. EP01 opens with the arpeggiated intensity of Ausamat, consolidates via Torren’s bassy pulse and nods towards acid house, luxuriates in electro melodies and almost harmonium-sounding drones on Myiack before finishing with Setria, which quickens and slows its pace in enjoyably discombobulating fashion. If you like early 70s Tangerine Dream, Daphni, Lindstrøm’s Where You Go I Go Too or Emeralds’ Does It Look Like I’m Here, you may well like this, and should also check Massa Circles out at Cardiff’s M.A.D.E. gallery on Sat 12 Oct. Info: www.massacircles.co.uk BUZZ 44

one louder

DO you enjoy knowing how your sausages are made?

No? What if they are actually figurative sausages, and I am talking about the process with which Buzz magazine’s preview pages get compiled each month?

Yes that sounds wildly exciting please explain in full?

With pleasure! A month or so ahead of publication date, we attempt to whittle the various date-relevant events in the region across each artform down to five which we hope are interesting, different, inclusive or newsworthy for whatever reason.

That’s more or less how the art, live music and stage previews get chosen, anyway. Then there’s the clubs page, which is assembled in piecemeal fashion over the course of a few weeks by some very valued contributors and me, repeatedly combing ticketing sites and Facebook events until I’ve found five things worth covering. This is because clubbing in south Wales is in desperately poor shape at present, at least for anyone whose tastes fall outside populist drum’n’bass and Love Island house. Those are things that get daps on dancefloors – fair enough – but the scarcity of anything even slightly cutting-edge among it is glaring, and has been throughout 2019.

As far as I can tell, the main problem isn’t a lack of people who like interesting gubbins (although simultaneously gambling on DJs’ guarantees and local punters’ interest levels will always be potentially ruinous) or venues to host them in (although Gwdihw and Buffalo closing in Cardiff, plus Swansea spots being in constant flux, is less than helpful) – it’s that there are hardly any promoters to bring it here. There used to be, and over time most of them have packed it in – for good reasons, I don’t question. Some longerrunning party-throwers (Delete, Dogruff and Teak come to mind) still get something together every two or three months. It’s just somewhat dispiriting to be a fan of dance music which can pull hundreds-strong crowds in other UK cities, and go months without anything like it rocking up where you live. There hasn’t, by my reckoning, been a standout night of ruff techno in Cardiff since last August when Blawan headlined The Vaults.

Then there’s one of the few (briefly) positive recent developments in grassroots raving here, the Carpet Club: a temporary venue in a plum spot on the high street and inside a disused amusement arcade, which hosted ripper sets by Omar S and Neville Watson during its month open before being closed by the council who sanctioned it. Nothing took place in there for months and nothing replaced it elsewhere, plausibly because no-one was willing or able to take such a venture on rather than because of any specific wrongdoing on the council’s part. It would be great to see something like that again, but at present it would also be against the run of play.

I like “clubbing”, but “the live scene” is good too, and that’s what I round up at the end of these columns: BELL LUNGS (BBC Swansea Studios, Fri 4); THE MAU MAUS (Dolls House, Abertillery, Sat 5); JOHN and ZINC BUKOWSKI (The Moon, Cardiff, Thurs 10); N’FAMADY KOUYATE (M.A.D.E Gallery, Fri 11); ESTUARY BLACKS and THE DEATH OF MONEY (The Moon, Fri 18); some local punky types doing one-off cover bands in aid of The Wallich (Andrew Buchan, Fri 25) and HAG, BLACK SHAPE, BUSINESS DUDES and SALT BATH (Cathays Community Centre, Sat 26). NOEL GARDNER

Cynhyrchiad ar y cyd rhwng BLACK RAT PRODUCTIONS a SEFYDLIAD Y GLOWYR COED DUON o BLACK RAT PRODUCTIONS and BLACKWOOD MINERS’ INSTITUTE present a co-production of

G

n oh J eth ale r a B Gan / By

Yasmina Reza

Ri Tu cha nle rd y

Tri dyn; un paentiad; trychineb mawr!

Ke Se Iron lf

Three m one pain en; much dis ting; aster!

Wedi’i gyfieithu gan / Translated by

Christopher Hampton Wedi’i gyfarwyddo gan /Directed by

RICHARD TUNLEY

Wedi’i gynllunio gan / Designed by

SEAN CROWLEY

Dyluniad Goleuadau gan / Lighting Design by

ROBIN BAINBRIDGE

Taith Cymru / Touring Wales Hydref 1 October – Tachwedd 9 November www.blackratproductions.com

books

BOOK OF THE MONTH

CAR PARK LIFE Gareth E. Rees (Influx Press)

This is the type of book one picks up without knowing what it is about, opens it to read the first page, still unaware of its contents, and is compelled to continue reading out of pure curiosity. The desire to know where the author was going is what carries it, and the end result does not disappoint. Although not quite an adventure book, this witty, sarcastic and brutally honest novel explores the limitations of space itself – the space being car parks. How we use car parks, the laws that we abide by when we enter them, and the histories hidden within them are all brought to light through a slightly voyeuristic, childlike narration.

Gareth Rees answers questions that you never even knew you had about these all-toofamiliar places. While he takes us throughout Britain, exploring various random parking lots, he also reflects upon the realities of the capitalistic market logic from which their existence stems. He uses this seemingly mundane topic to cleverly comment on the current state of the world, laying bare the passive attitudes and conditioned behavioural patterns that most of us take on unknowingly.

This novel simultaneously takes us back in time and brings us firmly into the present, evoking the atmosphere of our age. These spaces are made to be shared, but the author adds a personal touch of nostalgia all through the creative storyline. Ultimately, Car Park Life follows a man on a unique adventure, allowing us to enter his psych and question the world alongside him. JENI GOUGH Price: £9.99. Info: www.influxpress.com

A FLAME OUT AT SEA Dmitry Novikov, trans.

Christopher Culver (Glagoslav) A Flame Out At Sea is full of neat character descriptions, and Novikov has an eye for effective metaphor.

The impacts of communism, Stalin, and Russia’s various 20th-century internal conflicts on these regions and their folk are elucidated thoughtfully, and with characteristically dour Russian wit.

Notwithstanding occasional typographical or grammatical errors – at parts where the nuances and idiosyncrasies of English might not be present in the original language – the book is a great way to get to know the character of the Russian Northerners, but the author’s true priorities as a writer are laid out relatively early on: “There is nothing in the world more beautiful than the shore of the White Sea… Here is the main freedom of Russia, trampled by the promise of freedom.” JM Price: £16.99. Info www.glagoslav.com LOST IN THE SPANISH QUARTER Heddi Goodrich (HarperVia) An evocative novel which transports the reader to the city of Naples and a love affair between two students spanning their time in the city. The story unfolds as Heddi receives communication from Pietro, her first love several years after departing the city and their romance had ended.

Goodrich who has translated this work from Italian, then conveys the journey of their passionate relationship and how external factors hope to derail their journey. As the novel built up to its climax I was expecting a bigger event to occur, yet on reflection the intensity within the different relationships Heddi experiences as different cultures entwined makes an honest and emotional account. The hazy and idyllic descriptions of Naples make it more than worth spending time lost herein. RH Price: £12.99. Info: www.harpercollins.co.uk BUZZ 46

THE EX-GIRLFRIEND Nicola Moriarty (Penguin) Aussie noir is all the rage at the moment and The Ex-Girlfriend is as grand guignol a slice as anyone could wish for. Georgia is a nurse heading fast to middle age and her hormones are screaming for a husband, a cosy home, and a baby of her own. She’s plugged into the Tinder dating site and a decent bloke named Brett seems a good bet for a date with drinks and dinner to follow. Bad luck. Brett stands her up, she’s hassled by a couple of drunks, and when a hunk named Luke frightens them off she almost falls onto his arms. Trouble is, he’s got a bunny boiler of an exgirlfriend, and Georgia’s becomes a target of her hate. No worries. Luke makes her feel it’s all worthwhile. He wants to make it a lifetime commitment. But when things seem to be too good to be true, chances are they aren’t. I’ll say no more, but this one races along, and twists and turns with the best of them. Well worth a punt. MTi Price: £7.99. Info: www.penguin.co.uk PUNCH Kate North (Cinnamon) Punch’s title summarises the spirit of these short stories: they are punchy, pack lots of it, and like the character of the same name seem to mock, subvert or otherwise satirise what we assume to be ‘real life’. The banal often takes a surreal twist here, and there are plenty of holes poked (or revealed) in our assumptions of normality. So an ornamental mask may actually bite; a hand may grow a tongue; but, also, we learn about the lost genitalia of the Sistine Chapel ceiling, and of the many unusual museums all around the world – because, as North makes plain, reality itself is imbued with an inherent strangeness. Insistently bizarre, wonderfully imaginative, and always beautifully written, this is a collection of quirky gems by a truly masterful writer. MJ Price: £10.99. Info: www.cinnamonpress.com

FLESH-COLOURED DOMINOES Zigmunds Skujinš, , trans. Kaija Straumanis (Arcadia) Fans of Bulgakov will have much to admire in this charming, playful novel, first published in Latvia in 1999. Though its English publishers have dubbed the book ‘Surrealist’ with a capital S, this term is somewhat inaccurate — anachronistic even — and overlooks the author’s distinctive literary style. The dual narrative jumps between the sexual misadventures of the 18th-century Baltic aristocracy and the life of a small, occupied Latvian town during WWII, with a narrator raised by his grandfather after his parents ran away with the circus. Told with humour and pathos, FleshColoured Dominoes is partly a carnivalesque romp, blending political allegory and magic realism to reveal the absurd nature of history. But it’s also about one man’s search for his national identity, as his country is ravaged by war. SP Price: £9.99. Info: www.arcadiabooks.co.uk THIS WAY TO DEPARTURES: STORIES Linda Mannheim (Influx) This story collection confronts the bleak realities of our urban milieu by stripping the world of its glossy veneer. Mannheim’s stories concern the desperate search for and loss of one’s home, highlighting the complexities of living in a shifting world where home is rarely permanent. Included within are stories of migrants from the Salvadoran civil war, a New York punk dreaming of London, and the devastating ruination of a student’s rose-tinted college life. While often cynical, these stories exude an air of warm compassion. They weave language, time, and place together with ease, in a compact form that is always readable. Home emerges through specific locations, other people, and particular moments in time. Sometimes, it’s the ceaseless desire for somewhere better – a ‘grass is greener’ fantasy that all too often crumbles. GK Price: £9.99. Info: www.influxpress.com

ECO-FRIENDLY FALL All the leaves might be changing colour, but that doesn’t mean you can’t stay green this autumn! Ditch the plastic tat on Halloween to save both the planet and your wallet from a bit of a fright – plus Buzz has some tips to help you stay (e)cosy as the weather starts to turn.

DIY Costumes

Thermos / Eco-cup

Why would you buy an itchy costume from the supermarket when you could take a trip to the weird and wonderful world of Re-Create? This place is an incredible resource where you can pick up all sorts of recycled bits and bobs which have the potential become killer decorations and outfits.

Ely Bridge Industrial Estate, Cardiff www.re-create.co.uk

Guilt-free glam

Winter is coming! Make sure your thermos or eco-cup never leaves your side once it does. If you still don’t have one, this adorable eco-cup from Oxfam would look pretty good filled with coffee or hot apple cider. What’s more, it doubles as the perfect hand warmer.

Moomins Reusable Bamboo Travel Coffee Cup – £7.99 www.oxfam.org.uk/shop

Foraging

If you asked someone to think of something scary, they probably wouldn’t say ‘the environment’ but perhaps they should. These might be a bit more of an investment than normal ones, but you can feel good that your costume gets bonus points for not leaving the planet in a scary state.

Eco-glitter rainbow set – £22 www.consciouscraft.uk

Swap sweeping the aisles for the hedgerows because there are plenty of treats to enjoy on our doorstep. Rosehips, sloes and hazelnuts are all ripe for the picking, and their being free only makes them taste sweeter. This book from Adele Nozedar gives you the lowdown on what to look out for.

The Hedgerow Handbook – £12.99 www.breconbeaconsforaging.com

Wildlife hotel

Wardrobe cleanse

Hedgehog, woodlice, bumblebees and ladybirds are looking for a cosy place to hibernate. Make a little hotel for them with clutter lying around the house and garden.

Plus, if the critters have their own house to live in, they might not try to invade yours!

Advice on how to make a ‘wildlife hotel’: www.rspb.org.uk

Keep warm

As it gets colder, the temptation to crank up the heating gets stronger but try to resist! Keep your house as cosy as possible by laying down rugs or putting on a chunky knit. This velvet draught excluder is so cute that you’ll probably be using it all year anyway.

Fox Draught Excluder – £42 www.etsy.com/shop/TheSherbetPatch

If when you take out your winter wardrobe you find a pile of moth-eaten jumpers, think before you chuck them on the bonfire. Get out a sewing kit, take them to a charity store or check online to see your local area’s clothing and textiles recycling options. www.recycleforwales.org.uk

Go wasteless

Green Squirrel is a not-for-profit Community Interest Company bringing Cardiff into the new era of wasteless living. They run affordable and friendly workshops, ranging from household repairs to how to ditch the plastic over the holidays, and offer advice to eco-novices getting started with becoming sustainable.

Prices start from £14 www.greencityevents.co.uk

BUZZ 47

NOOK

The early-September launch of Nook, a restaurant championing the small plates eating concept through innovative cooking, has quickly established it as a jewel in the Victoria Park region of Cardiff. Founded by two couples whose culinary CV includes pizza specialists Dusty Knuckle and gastropub the Lamb & Flag, Nook stands out visually with a wall-sized display of natural wines (another policy of the proprietors) and treats vegetables with as much reverence as meat and dairy.

Info: twitter.com/nookcdf

W H AT M A K E S A G O O D B R E A K FA S T ?

A few good ways to make a break for it, break your fast and do it fast, courtesy of Seren McKeever.

AVOCADO ON TOAST It seems a cliché, but there’s a reason that avocado on toast has become such a staple breakfast option: it’s very customisable. In a rush, simply smashing up avocado and putting it on a loaf of standard brown bread is enough to give you that great combination of carbs and vegetables. However, if you’ve got a little more time, poaching or soft boiling an egg adds even more protein and extra flavour. Or, if eggs aren’t your thing, then a sprinkle of something as simple as paprika, chili flakes or tomatoes can also elevate the meal to the next level.

BUZZ 48

OVERNIGHT OATS The best thing about overnight oats is that most of the prep is done the night before. All you need to do is mix some oats, milk and cinnamon together and leave them overnight. Then, in the morning, you can add whatever you want. A good place to start is by adding natural yogurt, nut butter, and some form of fruit. The combination is quick, super tasty, and really filling. Honestly, who needs old fashioned porridge when you can have this instead?

PEANUT BUTTER AND BANANA SMOOTHIE If you’ve got a decent blender, then this smoothie takes no time at all: you just blend three frozen bananas, along with a generous two tablespoons of peanut butter, and add some milk and natural yogurt in to thin it out. This is really high in fibre and protein, so it’s great if you’ve got a busy day ahead.

Plus, if you want a real treat, honey goes great in this and really enhances the sweetness of the bananas.

All of the above are just a few options to give you a starting off point. Really, breakfast can be anything you want it to be – as long as you’re keeping a balance of ingredients in mind. For example, a bowl of cereal is good, but why not make it even better by adding sliced banana? Toast is a staple, but have a glass of orange juice too, for those extra vitamins.

What makes a good breakfast? What you make of it.

HARD LINES

This reputable independent coffee shop, found in Cardiff Market, is to open a second branch in Canton. Hard Lines’ coffee is sourced sustainably, with a view to building long-term relationships, as opposed to simply good-quality coffee. They also sell their wares at various festivals such as Green Man. Currently working hard on creating the space – on Cowbridge Road East near Chapter Arts Centre – Hard Lines hope to be open in time for Christmas.

Info: facebook.com/hardlinescoffee Pic: Olle Svensson

Everyone knows that breakfast is one of the most important meals of the day – but not everyone knows how to make that meal ‘good’. It’s difficult, because it’s supposed to be nutritious, tasty, and quick enough for the busy morning.

When eating in the morning, carbohydrates are always a good place to start. Although they’ve gotten a bit of a bad rap on diet blogs, carbs are really important, as they help the body create enough energy to keep you going for the day.

Fruit and veg are should also be considered, for obvious reasons. If you can, incorporate them into breakfast, because they contain lots of vitamins and minerals which are essential to keep your body going.

It’s especially good if you use ones which are high in protein, because protein helps your body’s enzymes and hormone levels stay stable.

If getting all that into one meal seems a bit overwhelming, don’t worry – here’s a short list of options which check all of the necessary boxes for a good breakfast:

OF THE BEST MIDDLE EASTERN RESTAURANTS Dishing up diaspora delicacies from Syria, Turkey and beyond: the best food from that part of the world to be found in this part of the world, in the view of Elouise Hobbs.

SHAAM NIGHTS

Shaam Nights certainly lives up to its reputation as one of the best Middle Eastern grill houses in south Wales, serving amazing Syrian cuisine in ample portions. The meat platters, which include spiced meat and light flatbreads, are a real crowdpleaser and the lamb shawarma always comes highly recommended. Despite being alcohol-free, the drink options are amazing, especially the fruit cocktails.

City Road, Cardiff Info: 029 2048 2824 / www.shaamnights.com

MINA

Inspired by the hospitality of Lebanese culture, Mina’s menu combines European and Middle Eastern flavours. Their large range of ‘mezza’ dishes – appetizers including salads, stuffed grape leaves and traditional dips – and their main courses, consisting of meat and fish dishes, make for a hearty meal. And their authentic Turkish style coffee is the perfect way to round-off an evening.

Crwys Rd, Cardiff Info: 029 2023 5212 / www.minarestaurant.co.uk

KEYIF

Recently celebrating their first birthday, Keyif, located off Penarth’s high street, has quickly become a firm favourite. Their set lunch menu, which includes vegetable fritters, lamb skewers and moussaka, is a great budget-friendly option, while signature dessert dish Kunefe deserves a special mention: combining sweet and savoury by mixing shredded filo pastry with butter and cheese, and topping with pistachios.

Glebe St, Penarth Info: 029 2070 2429 / www.keyif.co.uk

ISTANBUL RESTAURANT

Mixing traditional and modern cuisine, this establishment has worked hard to get the balance right. Their Turkish pizzas are delicious, especially the Kiymali – which combines lamb with onion, peppers and parsley – and the Sucuklu, topped with spicy Turkish sausage. Vegetarian options are vast and the Black Sea speciality of lahana dolma, cabbage rolls stuffed with a dill and rice mix, are a real treat.

St. Helens Road, Swansea Info: 01792 654966 / istanbulswansearestaurant.co.uk

FALAFILO ISLAND

Falafilo Island is one of the finest restaurants in Newport, serving a mixture of Syrian and Lebanese food, which of course means plenty of grilled meats, fresh vegetables, and gorgeous fluffy rice. There’s also a fantastic story behind the restaurant too – it is run by two former Syrian refugees, who have since settled in Wales and built a new life for themselves, evidence of the sort of open, welcoming Wales we’d like to see in the world.

High St, Newport Info: 01633 904550 / www.falafiloisland.com

BUTTERNUT SQUASH & PARSNIP TAGINE Words Alison Powell I love the combination of sweet squash, earthy parsnip and spice in this warming dish. Both are in season at the moment so this is a great time to slow cook your way to a delicious autumn feast.

INGREDIENTS Serves 4 For the meatballs • 1 butternut squash, peeled and chopped into chunks • 4 medium sized parsnips, peeled and chopped into chunks • 2-3 tbsp olive oil • 2 large onions, peeled and sliced thinly • 4 cloves of garlic, peeled • A thumb of fresh ginger, or a heaped teaspoon of ground ginger • 2 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp ground coriander • 3 heaped tsp ground cinnamon • 1 tbsp pomegranate molasses • 1 heaped tsp chilli powder or fresh chilli (to your taste) • 300 ml water • 400g tin of chickpeas (drained) • 1 heaped tsp sea salt and a good grind of black pepper • Fresh coriander to garnish

HOW TO 1. Use either a traditional tagine pot or a heavy cooking pot with a lid. Pour in olive oil and thinly sliced onions and cook on a low heat for about 10 minutes until the onions are soft, slightly brown and caramel-like.

2. Crush in the garlic and stir in the ginger, cumin, coriander, cinnamon, chilli and black pepper.

3. Add the butternut squash and parsnip and move them around so that all of the veg is completely coated with the spice and onion mix.

4. Add the water and the salt, give the pot a mix and then bring to the boil. Add the pomegranate molasses, which gives depth of colour and also adds something both sharp and sweet.

5. Cover and reduce to a simmer for about an hour and a half, stirring every half-hour and checking the water level during cooking.

6. Add the drained chickpeas and simmer for another 10 minutes. Check the parsnip is cooked through by sticking a sharp knife into the centre of the biggest chunk.

7. You can serve straight away, tumbling over lots of chopped fresh coriander and dunking in warm flatbreads, or you can cool, cover and refrigerate and reheat gently the next day.

This will give the spices more time to work their magic and the flavours will deepen.

@ASPwriter BUZZ 49

Pic: Marco Verch

OCTOBER FOODIE FOCUS You’ve heard of ‘women and children first’, well how about ‘women second, children last, aspiring vegans first and foragers third’?

That’s Elouise Hobbs’ column this month.

BOSH! How To Live Vegan with Henry Firth and Ian Theasby, Waterstones, Cardiff, Thurs 10 Oct This night will hand the microphone to the highly successful duo behind BOSH! and BISH, BASH, BOSH! Giving away secrets from their third cookbook, Firth and Theasby will explain how they hope to make vegan living accessible to everyone, by exploring all aspects of vegan from food and toiletries to travel. Vegan cookbooks can be a great way to learn some simple recipes and begin living a plant-based lifestyle – while having the opportunity to hear first-hand from the authors themselves can really bring the recipes to life, and also answer any burning questions on mysterious ingredients and techniques.

Tickets: £5/£12 with book.

Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk 4 Week Women’s Wellness Course, Healthaspire, The Old Smoke House, Milford Haven, from Wed 16 Oct Keeping healthy in the summer, with long, bright days, is hard. Keeping healthy during the cold, dark winter nights is almost impossible.

This course has been designed to help keep not only your physical health - fuelled by food - but also your mental health in top condition, and help you reach your goals. This month, the evening event is focused on ‘superfoods’ and will include cookery demonstrations, tasters and recipes cards to take home, to help you to incorporate these foods into your diet. In addition to the starter night, participants will be given an example eating plan to follow throughout the month and an online group where you can share recipes ideas.

Price: £49. Info: www.eventbrite.co.uk BUZZ 50

Autumn Foraging Course, Bute Park, Cardiff, Tue 22 Oct Autumn is a time of abundance. Yet many people are surprised to learn about edible treasures hidden around. This course, based in Bute Park, is a good introduction to foraging and is a great example of how food is growing all around us.

The course involves a two-and-a-half-hour walk around the park, where participants will learn how to identify different plants and mushrooms, and includes identification cards to take home.

There will be stops along the way, with light refreshments including homemade hogweed and wild garlic soup and elderflower champagne.

Finishing with a wild lunch made with the food collected during the walk, this is the perfect chance to reconnect with nature and to learn something new.

Tickets: £45/£22.50 under-16s/free under-12s.

Info: www.wildfooduk.com Afternoon Tea With The Snow Sisters, New House Hotel, Cardiff, Mon 28 Oct Themed afternoon teas are becoming more popular, with an explosion of different themes – ranging from traditional to extravagant, and everything in-between. Afternoon tea with the Snow Sisters, more commonly known as Elsa and Anna from Disney musical Frozen, is definitely on the more extravagant side. The Wyndham Suite of the hotel will be transformed with snow crystals and ice decorations for the occasion. For the main course, there will a range of traditional finger food – everything you would expect from an afternoon tea, with a twist. Expect frozen tea, themed desserts and, hosted during half-term, a lot of young faces in attendance.

Tickets: £24.95 adults/£14.95 children.

Info: events@newhousehotel.com

KERALAN KARAVAN AND NOMAD KITCHEN TEAM UP

Keralan Karavan, a locally acclaimed South Indian street food and popup restaurant offering the best of Keralan cuisine, is setting up a permanent residency in Kongs in Cardiff, hosted in collaboration with Nomad Kitchen. The idea is to put together a new and deliciously tasty menu inspired by all manner of Asian cuisine styles.

Info: twitter.com/keralankaravan

BRECON GIN

Now for something a little stronger to keep you warm. The Penderyn distillery has extended their award-winning Brecon Gin series to include three gorgeous new flavours perfect for autumn: chocolate orange, rose petal and rhubarb and cranberry. Our G&Ts are about to get very, very festive.

Brecon Chocolate Orange Gin – £28 www.penderynstore.com

LONGA TURKISH CAFÉ

180 Whitchurch Rd, Cardiff. 029 2063 2082 / longacafe.co.uk Food ***** Atmosphere **** The recently opened Longa Café has got a lot of people talking – and on my visit there, I could see why. From the outside, Longa, with its white walls, pine tables, big windows and minimalistic décor doesn’t seem massively different from its competitors along Whitchurch Road. Yet, once you get inside, it is clear that this dining experience is going to be something different.

More than simply a bakery or café, going to Longa is a whole experience – with the food at the centre. This even stretches to decoration: freshly-made bread dresses the window in baskets, and tempting desserts fill the countertop.

Open for breakfast and lunch every day apart from Tuesdays, their menu which integrates lesser-known Turkish delicacies with well-known Western flavours succeeds in combining Turkish and Welsh culture, bringing a modern twist to classic dishes. For breakfasts, which come highly recommended here, we tried their speciality platter. We picked The Anatolian (£17.50 for two), which combined speciality eggs, a variety of salty and soft cheeses, olives and spicy meats. The vegetarian option, The Aegean, which included hummus, nuts and fruit, looked equally appealing.

For us, the highlight of the whole breakfast was the wonderful condiments: rose petal jam and wildflower honey. They were a great accompaniment to the fresh Turkish bread which came with breakfast and had been made in the inhouse bakery. Nearly full, we stretched to try a dessert and were not disappointed. We sampled the Lokma (£4.95), a deep-fried doughnut topped with wildflower honey.

Still hot from the oven, it made a perfect end to the meal.

In my experience, very few restaurants do authentic Turkish food, especially breakfasts, well. Though when they do, they get busy, as has definitely been the case for Longa. When we visited, we struggled to find a free table – I would recommend planning your visit ahead.

Overall, the whole Longa experience, from attentive friendly service which gave the café a real wholesome family feel to faultless food, makes Longa feel genuinely different and truly new and is certainly worth a visit – or two.

ELOUISE HOBBS

PHO

Church St, Cardiff. 029 2269 0020 / phocafe.co.uk Food **** Atmosphere *** The night we went to Pho saw rain in what can only be described as biblical proportions, which made the whole experience feel as if we were on the set of Blade Runner: neon signs, wet soggy people dashing past and a Vietnamese noodle bar.

Pho, the dish itself, is pronounced ‘fuh’, the restaurant ’foe’: the latter is a Vietnamese street food restaurant chain with nearly 30 branches across the UK. Despite being a chain, which we usually stay away from reviewing, it’s well done and authentic. Cardiff’s Pho has just opened in Church Street, which has filled its empty units and now hosts a plethora of good eateries: next door is the excellent, cheerful looking Mowgli’s and the other side Honest Burger.

Pho is bigger inside than it looks and is fairly unremarkable in its décor: basic wooden furniture, a quite dark interior and low ceilings, interesting artwork on the stairs but pretty much perfunctory as a space. The menu is very informative, and caters for vegans, dairy-free, gluten-free, under 50 calories and meat eaters – very much aware of their market, they have embraced all.

We went straight for mains, ignoring the varied starters options. My meat-guzzling friend chose Pho Tai, thinly sliced steak in a beef broth; I, a still on the fence veggie, had Pho Xao and prawn – wok-fried noodles with prawns and all the trimmings. The mission statement is very much all about fresh preparation at each branch – no packets or microwaves here.

There really is something for everyone at Pho. It’s pretty much no frills: pick what you want, get it fresh and sent to your table, by personable staff and off you go.

It’s not really an all-night, kick-back-and-relax experience; indeed, they also offer a pho to go, which is exactly what it says – takeaway and delivery service, which does work a treat. An interesting addition to Cardiff city centre, Pho serves a gap In the market and ought to do well. ANTONIA LEVAY

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eco

B E E F R I E N D LY W A L E S Emily Edwards speaks to Friends Of The Earth Cymru’s Bleddyn Lake about the campaign he founded, Bee Friendly.

Bees are in decline and without them, and specifically their pollination of fruit and vegetables, both our environment and economy are in peril. Bleddyn Lake, campaigns manager at the Welsh wing of Friends Of The Earth, spoke to Buzz; since 2016, he’s headed up the Bee Friendly campaign, with the overall goal of having the whole of Wales reach ‘Bee Friendly’ accreditation status.

There are ways that we as individuals can help, says Lake. “People can plant pollinator-friendly flowers and plants in their gardens, but don’t have to have big gardens to do this. People with smaller gardens can have small pots, shrubs and herbs, which are good. Having some wild areas in your garden, where weeds such as dandelions can grow, is also beneficial to the bees.”

Habitat loss is a big problem for bee decline, as so many wildflower meadows have disappeared having a huge effect on bees. “You could make a bee hotel using bamboo shoots tied together and hung up on the wall,” Lake suggests. “This is good for solitary bees. Most people think of honeybees, but most species in the UK are solitary bees.”

Another way we can help is by avoiding certain chemicals found in pesticides, and reading labels diligently. As Lake says: “Lots of focus has been on farming-scale pesticide use, but there are also issues around weedkillers that contain glyphosate – a specific chemical which, in research, has been shown to have a negative impact on bees and other sorts of pollinators.”

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To have a bigger impact on bee decline, whole communities can get involved in helping bees.

Lake explains: “The Bee Friendly scheme provides a way for communities to get together and help.

There are four different themes to the scheme.

Firstly, a provision of food sources for the bees such as shrubs, wildflowers and trees. Secondly, some sort of habitat for them. Thirdly, action on chemicals, such as stopping the action of harmful pesticides being used on school grounds, for example. And fourthly, talking about it to others in the community.” Ways in which a community can help are encouragingly diverse – a talk in a school assembly, a local village fete having a stall to talk about the plight of bees, or a film shown in a local community hall.

Pensychnant Beeday

as it is for a village out in the countryside, for instance. If communities act on those themes, it will go a long way to helping the future of the scheme.”

If you want to find out more about becoming a Bee Friendly accredited area, you can e-mail the Welsh Government. They will put you in touch with a regional Bee Champion who will help your community get involved.

Lake concludes that the problem of bee decline is attributable to a variety of factors. “Habitat loss, chemicals, climate change impacting on food availability, and monoculture farming affecting regular food sources all add up. I am encouraged to see that the Welsh Government have plans to provide more support to farmers in Wales for planting trees and encouraging pollinators.”

Yet Lake feels that it is realistic to aim Bee Friendly status. Wales has already succeeded in becoming the first ever ‘fair trade nation’, in 2008, and the Bee Friendly founder sees similarities for the prospective success of this scheme. “If 50 or 60% of schools in Wales became Bee Friendly and all local authorities could pass their own pollinator action plans, that would be beneficial when added together. It’s not just about the title but about getting it right, to see change.”

Info: www.foe.cymru/bee-friendly-wales

Lake notes that the scheme is designed so people can use the ideas then make it their own. “It’s equally applicable if you are an inner-city school

health

M E N TA L S T R E N G T H Jon Sutton’s recipe for relishing the rat race: one part ‘take this job and shove it’, one part ‘take this new job and love it’. Read on…

Bishop of Llandaff High School, 1992. Snap’s Rhythm Is A Dancer was blaring from a tinny Walkman speaker as a care-free crew of teenagers ran around on the football pitch, chasing, wrestling and laughing under the summer sun.

My fifth form stablemates, all hopped up on doughnuts, hormones and a shared cigarette that no one inhaled. Until it came. Somehow, this time, more brutal than the thousands of other times we’d heard the same roaring reprimand…

“That’s enough! Back to your classes! The bell has gone.”

Mr Robbins’ bellowing bark was enough to end our fun once and for all, reminding us that our GCSEs – and real life – were only footsteps away. And that was that. The rebels inside us were born. Down with school. Down with authority. Down with work...

Skip forward 30 years and not much has changed, most likely for the entire group. Because, if a recent Gallup poll is to be believed, only 15% of British workers are happy with their current career. Is it possible that our strict schooling conditioned us for a life of putting up and shutting up? The poll, detailed on returntonow.net, states that 62% of workers are “not engaged” in their jobs and a further 23% are “actively disengaged”, meaning they pretty much hate their jobs. That’s a staggering 85% of UK employees who spend eight of their 16 waking hours doing something they absolutely do not want to do.

So, out of the 10 fun-loving kids frolicking on the field that day, only one and a half of us are now happy in our careers. (Well, I’m half-happy so that leaves just one who’s fully happy. I’m guessing it’s James, builder of empires: he always seemed smug.) But why could this be? Granted, we can’t all make James’ income but surely covering the bills and an annual trip to the med is all we need to keep our plucky British chins pointing north?

Well, strange as it may seem in our money-orientated times, salary is not the top motivating factor driving UK workers closer to the door. According to hrmagazine.co.uk: “Lack of job satisfaction is cited as the number one reason for wanting to change roles, with almost half (48%) believing they would be more satisfied elsewhere. Pay is the second most common factor in wanting to BUZZ 56

move (44%), while feeling valued at work by leadership teams is also rated as important (30%).”

Believing the grass is greener, it seems, might be the real key to Britain’s unhappy workforce. But whilst these studies account for happiness levels within a given sector, what about those who want to leave their chosen sector altogether, opting for a career path previously alien to them?

Now, more than ever, perhaps due to the motivational (or irrational) influence of social media, workers are being tempted to rip off the headset or throw down the shovel and take off into the great unknown.

Flexjobs.com lists their four most popular job moves as being (into) information technology, nursing, property and teaching. This would suggest that roughly half of us are more interested in helping others than we are in helping ourselves (go us!), about a quarter of us are taking advantage of the property market to fill our days watching home makeover shows and the final quarter are making the move into IT. (Ironically, most IT workers I know are trying to make the move out.) But although these four career paths have tried and tested routes to success, there’s a whole array of other careers out there that don’t come with a course guide or a tutor. Just ask any barman who’s also an actor, any recruitment consultant who’s also a comedian, any business intelligence consultant who’s also a columnist for Buzz...

Indeed, whilst this study does address the wants and needs of the wider working population, perhaps it fails to gives us a window into the mind of the true dreamer, those looking to move into the world of art and performance and (thank you Instagram) celebrity. With the continuous growth of celeb-producing TV shows and social media platforms seeming to be on an endless trajectory to the stars, the next generation of British workers seem even less willing than my fifth form friends to bow down to the social norms of settling into a career simply to pay the mortgage. So what is driving this behaviour?

In an interview with the University of Michigan, Orville Gilbert Brim (author of Look At Me! The Fame Motive From Childhood To Death) was recently asked

Pic: Karen Lau Z

“Now, more than ever, perhaps due to the motivational (or irrational) influence of social media, workers are being tempted to rip off the headset or throw down the shovel and take off into the great unknown.” by to explain why nearly four million Americans currently define their career status as ‘trying to become famous’. “The fame motive,” suggests Brim, “has come out of the basic human need for acceptance and approval and when this need is not fulfilled because of rejection by parents or peer groups … a basic insecurity develops and emerges as the fame motive.”

Even those closer to 50 than 15 are getting in on the act, with more and more people in standard salaried careers defining themselves on social media as 40-plus ‘influencers’, ‘models’, ‘fitness gurus’ or ‘life coaches’ with little to no income generated from these pastimes. It wouldn’t be fair, however, to label all those dreamers looking to move from admin to arts, or finance to fitness, as celebrity wannabes. Many are simply following their dreams, based on genuine talent and drive, regardless of whether this flight lands them on the celebrity runway.

Fitness advice, after all, can physically improve the human condition. Art, music and sport can provide a massive boost to mental health and happiness. And these are dreamers that we need to cherish, to support and to push forward towards their goals. Not only the children, who made the decision early in life to dedicate their years to a non-standard career, with or without a parent’s hand

guiding them in the right direction – but also the grownups who realised their calling too late, or who fell into a career simply because they couldn’t afford the privilege of chasing their dreams any sooner.

If all of our film stars follow the same steady route from drama school to casting call, it will be to the detriment of our arts industry. If our singers haven’t battled with balancing the day job and the dream, perhaps they don’t build the strength to produce their next hit. Perhaps we miss out on their gift.

Surely the writer who’s lived a full life is more equipped to recount a story that genuinely hits us in the heart? Surely the musician who’s felt the agony of extreme poverty, pressure and pain through a struggling career is most likely to produce a work of true passion? Even the sportsman who gives up their job to ‘go pro’, will surely be the hungriest on the field, in the ring, or on the court?

And when it comes down to it, whatever outlet the average worker looks forward to on the weekend, it’s likely going to be performed by those dreamers, those outliers, those brave, free-thinking radicals who woke up one morning and decided that school had got it all wrong.

Were we conditioned to put and shut up? Maybe. But thank God that we were.

Because only when we set down rules… do we get the rule breakers.

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Pic: Paul

Pic: Viv Lynch

Pic: Couldsurfer UK

Pic: Ade Rixon

travel

THE MOST HAUNTED PLACES IN WALES Love a bit of sightseeing on a cold, dark, autumn evening?

Look no further than creepy Cymru during the Halloween period, reckons Kaiya Simon.

ROYAL INFIRMARY, CARDIFF

This hospital in the centre of Cardiff was built in 1822 and it’s no secret that there have been spooky sightings and paranormal experiences here for over a century. Although it’s been rebuilt, staff overseeing the largely abandoned building have seen sights that will send chills up your spine; claimed to see past matrons and soldiers who’ve come through the infirmary; and have even been ‘touched’ by the ghosts, to the point of calling in an exorcist.

PEMBREY WOODS, CARMARTHENSHIRE

Pembrey Woods has seen a human presence since at least 400BC and the village of Pembrey itself has history of the spooky kind. This ranges from ghosts of soldiers from World War II to cavaliers and deformed spectres roaming around the forest.

These woods have also apparently been home to a poltergeist who likes to grab people around the ankles, making them fall over. Many a camper has woken up to their equipment piled up or tossed into the woods, all of which has attracted the attention of TV show Most Haunted.

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CASTELL COCH, NR CARDIFF

Another attraction in Wales known for its ghostly cavalier, the initial castle (built in 1081) is long gone; what you seen now are the flights of fancy of John Crichton-Bute, the the medieval-mad 19th-century Marquess Of Bute. That relatively recent history doesn’t distract from its spookiness, with reports of a servant woken in the night to the ghost of a cavalier standing at the bottom of his bed. Another tale tells of the old Welsh noble, Ifor Bach, who apparently used witchcraft to turn two of his men into stone. After his death, two thieves broke into the castle to try and steal his treasure, but were met with the two stoned men who made sure the thieves had a grisly end. If you fancy it, Castell Coch often hosts ghost walks during the month.

MARGAM CASTLE, PORT TALBOT

Margam Country Park is home to Margam Castle, constructed in 1830, and believed to be home to many a spirit. So much so that Ghost Hunters International flew in from LA to make the grounds the star of one episode. One notable nightmarebotherer is the ghost of Robert Scott, a former gamekeeper who was murdered, seen scouring the grounds with anger and purpose.

LLANELLY HOUSE, LLANELLI

One of the most notable historic properties in the Carmarthenshire town, and thought to be haunted.

Its standout spectre is Mira Turner, believed to have committed suicide in her bedroom. She used to like dandelion and burdock to drink; the chefs working in Llanelly House often complained of bottles missing!

SKIRRID MOUNTAIN INN, ABERGAVENNY

By most accounts the most haunted place in Wales.

It is one of the oldest buildings in the area, dating back to Norman times, and has long been a drinking establishment. It had a dual use as a hanging spot in the 17th century, with rope marks still visible in some of the wooden beams from where the executions occurred. At the last count, four apparitions were believed to make their home within its walls, though plenty have been spotted over the years – many are believed to be those hanged, coming back to avenge their deaths.

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

STADIUM ROCKS

Cwmbran Stadium, Sat 26 Oct. Tickets: £25. Info: 01633 627101 / www.torfaenleisuretrust.co.uk With Cwmbran Town AFC away to Newport Civil Service today (don’t say we never tell you anything), their home stadium is hosting a stacked’n’heavy five-band bill calling itself Stadium Rocks. Headlining are Newport metal hybridists Skindred, a popular draw since the early 00s and who frequently blend reggae, ska, and hip-hop with their rock. Renowned for their energetic live performances, and with singalongs galore throughout their catalogue – most recent album, 2018’s Big Tings, is no exception – any given Skindred gigs is likely to be highly-driven, hooky and chaotic. Big Tings ramps up the electronic elements and hip-hop influences, heightening the virtue of strength through diversity.

Having played at Download festival this summer, Bridgend quintet Those Damn Crows will be showcasing their brash take on hard rock. Claiming an abundance of prior big gig experience via slots at events like Camden Rocks, their performance will be eagerly anticipated. Fellow hard rockers Fallen Temples bring absorbing live performance and enthusiasm for heavy riffs, while Pontypool-based classic rockers Who Knows Didley are for fans of the likes of Bon Jovi and Extreme.

In addition to these local sorts, there’s Chelmsford’s Tigress: compared to bands like Don Broco and You Me At Six, Tigress have toured the UK and Europe, landing a July support slot with Bring Me The Horizon, and scoring plum reviews from independent and major music publications alike.

CONTENTS pg 60 pg 61 pg 64 pg 67 pg 73

art clubs events live stage BUZZ 59

* – recommended

art ABERYSTWYTH ARTS CENTRE University Of Wales, Aberystwyth. Free. Mon-Sat 10am-8pm. 01970 621903 / www.aber.ac.uk/artscentre Catrin Davies New works combining paintings and drawings with digital media: landscape paintings converted to animated images. (Until Mon 14 Oct) Ruth Koffer ‘Observations From The Life Room’ Drawings, installation work and film intended to “celebrat[e] the human form, in all its beauty and awkwardness.” (Until Sat 2 Nov) Experimentalists Showcase of work by an experimental art group who meet here. (Until Mon 4 Nov) Indian Threads: Textile Inspirations Exchange project featuring new work by Rajiben M. Vankar, Champa Siju, Julia Griffiths Jones, Eleri Mills, Laura Thomas and Louise Tucker; produced by Ceri Jones of Fieldwork and cultural development organisation Khamir. (Until Sat 9 Nov) Glue Bats And Tissue Paper Printed ceramics from the University’s collection, including works by Paul Scott, Bouke de Vries, Lowri Davies, Vicky Shaw, Eric Ravilious, Sun Ae Kim and Stephen Dixon. (Until Sun 8 Dec) India Cymru Local schools and colleges respond to the Indian Threads exhibition by making their own art. (From Wed 23 Oct until Sun 1 Dec) ABERYSTWYTH UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF ART GALLERY Buarth Mawr, Aberystwyth.

Free. Mon-Fri 10am-5pm.

01970 622467 / www.aber. ac.uk Stuart Pearson Wright ‘Half Boy’ Work aiming to address Wright’s childhood, particularly relating to his father’s anonymity – the artist was a 1970s sperm donor baby.

(From Mon 7 Oct until Fri 22 Nov) Flora McLachan ‘In The Forests Of The Night’ Dark-hearted etchings and lithographs. (From Mon 7 Oct until Fri 22 Nov) ALBANY GALLERY 74b Albany Road, Cardiff.

Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 11am-4pm. Free. 029 2048 7158 / www.albanygallery. com Claire Beattie, Anna Perlin & Jenny Wheatley NEAC New work from three British artists, each with their own distinctive style of painting. This exhibition will also feature handmade glass vessels and bowls from Gregg Anston-Race. (Until Sat 12 Oct) David Tress Drawings and paintings with an almost scuptural approach to manipulating the canvas, from an artist who has worked from and been inspired by west Wales for over 40 years. Exhibition also features ceramic sculptural vessels from Paul Wearing.

(From Thurs 17 Oct until Sat 9 Nov) ANDREW LAMONT GALLERY (THEATR BRYCHIENIOG) Canal Wharf, Brecon. Open Mon-Fri 10am-5pm. Free.

01874 611622 / enquiries@ brycheiniog.co.uk / www. brycheiniog.co.uk Celebration Of Contemporary Welsh Painting Part of the second biannual COWCP, and featuring Pip Woolf, Kate Bell, Sue Hiley Harris, Jennifer Allan, Lucy Corbett, Robert MacDonald, Phillip Ross, Lee Wright, Meirion Jones and someone who is merely billed as “Congolese refugee” on the website, I am hoping with good cause. (Until Sun 17 Nov) ARCADECAMPFA Queens Arcade, off Queen Street, Cardiff. Usually open Wed-Sat 12.30-5.30pm. arcade-campfa.org A Brief History Of Healing In collaboration with Llandough Hospital Hafan

Y Coed Adult Mental Health Unit, Gail Howard curates a series of works showing here and the Hearth Gallery situated at the hospital. (Until Sat 12 Oct) How To Correctly Dismantle Scaffolding Expanding on a previous exhibition held at Cardiff School Of Art & Design, this will feature work by Thomas Lloyd, Meg Woodward-Hay, Jamie Walton, Maria Paraschidou and Aran Nelson. (From Wed 9 until Sat 19 Oct) Grrrl Zine Fair – Spread Portable exhibition space that’s been touring the UK since July, Spread invites artists “to create and submit artworks considering how we, as womxn, transgender and gender non-conforming persons, navigate, adapt to or build the spaces we occupy”.

(From Wed 30 Oct until Sat 23 Nov) ART CENTRAL Barry Town Hall, King Square, Barry. Tue-Sat 11am-4pm. Free. 01446 709805.

Iron Maidens II: Made In Wales A group of Wales-based female sculptors using cast iron as their medium. A Line And Form touring exhibition.

(Until Sat 19 Oct) We Make Art Too An exhibition of works by members of the Contemporary Art Society For Wales, established in the 1930s. (From Mon 28 Oct until Sat 16 Nov) ATTIC GALLERY 37 Pocketts Wharf, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Tue-Sat 10am-4pm. Free. 01792 653387 / www.atticgallery. co.uk Mike Jones, Aled Prichard-Jones & Alan Williams Work by these three Welsh artists. (From Sat 19 Oct until Sat 9 Nov) BARNABAS ARTS HOUSE New Ruperra Street, Pillgwenlly, Newport. Free.

01633 673739 / barnabasartshouse@ outlook.com / barnabasartshouse.co.uk

CROESO / THE PLACE I CALL HOME Ffotogallery, Cardiff, until Sat 12 Oct and Wed 25 Oct-Sat 21 Dec. Admission: free. Info: 029 2034 1667 / www.ffotogallery.org Ffotogallery has relocated from their long-term premises in Penarth to Cardiff, and to celebrate moving into their beautiful new space, located in a former Methodist Sunday School in Cathays, the photography agency’s launch exhibition, Croeso, raids Ffotogallery archives from their 41 years in business to find images showcasing the Welsh capital and its culture. Ffotogallery’s subsequent exhibition, The Place I Call Home, makes a stop in Cathays on its nomadic tour of both the UK and the Middle Eastern Gulf – which in itself emphasises the exhibition’s overarching theme of creating an emotional connection that goes beyond geographical or cultural divides. The work presented by a diverse mix of artists aims to explore the meaning of ‘home’ for people living in the Gulf and the UK in today’s turbulent, Faye Chamberlain fast-changing society.

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Consumersmith Newport artist, real name Antony James Smith, with an exhibiton of new mexied media/fine art work. (Until Sat 26 Oct) CAFFI SOAR Theatr Soar, Pontmorlais, Merthyr Tydfil. Mon-Thurs 9am5pm, Fri + Sat 9am3pm. Free. 01685 722176. www.theatrsoar.co.uk Gerhard Kress ‘Musicians’ German photographic artist, also exhibiting at Olive’s Attic in Treforest this month, displays his photos of musicians, mostly local folk, jazz and classical acts and many of his aquaintance. (Throughout October) 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 Garth Evans ‘But, Hands Have Eyes: Six Decades Of Sculpture’ Retrospective show for a significant British sculptor whose career began in the 1960s, and whose chief link with Cardiff is a largescale public work displayed in the city centre in 1972. (Until Sun 26 Jan) Jon Pountney ‘Waiting For The Light’ Photographic works by local photographer whose previous shows and collections have been more in the documentary vein; this however utilises a type of bright, low sunlight to add a specific colour and mood to images of everyday objects and settings. Art In The Bar exhibition. (Until Fri 14 Feb) CRAFT IN THE BAY The Flourish, Lloyd George Avenue, Cardiff. Mon-Sun 10.30am-5.30pm. Free. 029 2048 4611 / www. makersguildinwales.org.uk Wool Works Work created through a joint collaboration between Welsh textile makers’ group MaP and Finnish counterpart Modus. Notable artists (from the UK side) include Claire Cawte, Mandy Nash and Alison Moger, and there’ll be drop-in workshops and open events on the first two days. (Until Sun 10 Nov) LisaMarie Tann Maker In Focus show. (Until Sun 10 Nov) CWTSH COMMUNITY AND ARTS CENTRE 226 Stow Hill, Newport.

Thurs + Sat 12-3pm, Sun 1-4pm. Free. 01633 664498 / www.cwtsh.org Kamila Jarczak ‘Women Of Newport’ Photographic exhibitio, title more or less self-explanatory I would think.

(From Sun 13 Oct until Sun 10 Nov) CYFARTHFA CASTLE MUSEUM Cyfarthfa Park, Brecon Rd, Merthyr Tydfil. £2.20/£1.10 NUS or OAP/free under-16s.

01685 727371 / museum@ merthyr.gov.uk Robert Thompson Crawshay Victorian-era photography. (From Tue 8 Oct until Sun 1 Mar) Disability

Arts Cymru Showcase of work by this group. (From Tue 15 Oct until Mon 18 Nov) ELYSIUM GALLERY 210 High Street, Swansea.

Wed-Sat 12-5pm. Free. www.elysiumgallery.com Dear Christine A tribute to Christine Keeler, central figure in the Profumo affair of 1963, looking to reappraise her from a feminist perspective.

Curated by Fionn Wilson, it features work by Pauline Boty and Caroline Coon among others. (From Fri 4 Oct until Sat 9 Nov) 50fifty Elysium and Swansea College Of Art celebrate Swanse’s 50th anniversary as a city by showcasing 50 SCA artists from that period. (From Fri 4 Oct until Sat 9 Nov) Rhiannon Sian Davies ‘Underdog Plotting Revenge’ Paintings based on stills from the 1990 film The Match Factory Girl by Aki Kaurismaki. (From Fri 4 Oct until Sat 9 Nov) FFOTOGALLERY Fanny Street, Cardiff. WedSat 11am-5pm (Tue-Sat from late October). Free.

029 2034 1667 / www. ffotogallery.org Creoso Exhibition celebrating Ffotogallery’s new Cathays premises with images from various archives spanning the last 41 years and focusing on aspects of Cardiff culture.

(Until Sat 12 Oct) The Place I Call Home British Councilfunded exhibition, touring the UK and the Gulf until next February and exploring the idea of home related to the experiences of people living in those places at a time of rapid change and social mobility.

(From Thurs 24 Oct until Sat 21 Dec) FOUNTAIN FINE ART Rhosmaen Street, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire. Mon-Sat 10.30am-5pm. Free. www. fountainfineart.com Nick Holly and Penny Timmis Holly: naive peoplefilled scenes; Timmis: colourful landscapes, birds and flower studies. (Until Tue 8 Oct) Winter Group Exhibition Changing exhibition of new work from Fountain gallery artists; introducing Harriett Lloyd and Lucy Marks as new exhibitors, and welcoming back Sheridan Ward with new work. (From Fri 12 Oct until Fri 31 Jan) G39 Oxford Street, Roath, Cardiff. Saturdays 11am5.30pm. Free. 029 2047 3633 / post@g39.org Sprung Spring Work based on the overlapping concepts of “failure, exposure and humour” from artists Tim Bromage, Philippa Brown, Marcos Chaves, Rebecca Gould, George Manson and Night Shift International – working various in mediums including drawing, film and puppetry. Talks and Performances by Bromage, Sian Robinson Davies, Mel Brimfield will also feature.

(Until Sat 12 Oct)

u – repeated

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 Kim Colebrook ‘Inspired

By Our Past’ Ceramics from a south Wales maker whose latest work uses the faults and distortions of the coal measure below our feet as an analogy for the way that community memories are hidden or suppressed. (From Tue 17 Sept until Sat 19 Oct) Warren Williams New work from Neath-based artist who won Y Galeri’s Open Art Competition earlier this year. (From Tue 15 Oct until Wed 16 Nov; gallery closed Tue 22-Sun 26 Oct) THE GATE Keppoch Street, Roath, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 10am9pm. Free. 029 2048 3344 / www.thegate.org.uk Keith Hilton Niblett ‘A Brush With Jazz’ Paintings of musicians in The Gate’s monthly jazz sessions, by the recently retired drummer in the house band here. (Until Fri 25 Oct) GLYNN VIVIAN ART GALLERY Alexandra Rd, Swansea.

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Free.

01792 516900 / www. swansea.gov.uk/glynnvivian Sophy Rickett ‘Cupid And The Curious Moaning Of Kenfig Burrows’ Solo exhibition combining photography and text and inspired by the life and work of Thereza Dillwyn Llewelyn, a Swansea artist and astronomer active at the end of the 19th century.

(Until Mon 18 Nov) The Mary Rose: People And Purpose A selection of unique objects from one of the world’s most famous sailing vessels, brought to Wales for the very first time and previewed this month in Art. (Until Sun 1 Mar) Swansea Stories Works from this gallery’s permanent collection – the largest amount ever shown at once, supposedly – to mark Swansea’s 50th anniversary as a city. (Until Sun 15 Mar) HEARTH GALLERY Main Plaza Entrance, Ground Floor, Llandough Hospital, Llandough. 029 2071 1711.

Altered States On ICU In collaboration with Dr Martyn Stones and University Hospital Of Wales in-house artist Jan Sharp, Melanie Wotton curates these photomontage images showing visual hallucinations described by patients as part of the Cardiff Delirium Study.

(Throughout October) KING STREET GALLERY 33 King Street, Carmarthen. Free. 01267 220121 / gallery@kingstreetgallery. co.uk Helen Elliott New minimalist landscape paintings from one of this gallery’s most recent members. (Until Fri 1 Nov)

KOOYWOOD GALLERY 8 Museum Place, Cardiff.

Tue-Sat 11.30am-5pm. Free.

029 2023 5093 / www. kooywoodgallery.com Francisco Centofanti ‘The Lumiere Collection’ Graduate of the Florence Academy Of Art, now based in Swansea having gained international success as a painter, shows 20 oil paintings of Welsh landscapes. (Until Sat 5 Oct) LLANTARNAM GRANGE ARTS CENTRE St. David’s Rd, Cwmbran, Torfaen. Mon-Sat 10am5pm. Free. 01633 483321 / www.lgac.org.uk Portal & One Year On 2019 Joint exhibition featuring work by 15 top graduates in the applied arts this year, and six from the equivalent crop last year. (Until Sat 16 Nov) Fiona Wilson Craft showcase in which paper and wood work is illustrated using collage and print techniques.

(Until Sat 16 Nov) Bronwen Gwillim Jewellery showcase from a maker who uses recycled plastics and silver to make wearable objects influenced by nature and the weather. (Until Sat 16 Nov) Cerys Jackson & Coral Davies Work in the Oriel Cafe Gallery stemming from both artists’ use of art as a therapeutic approach. (Until Sat 16 Nov) M.A.D.E. GALLERY 41 Lochaber St, Cardiff.

Wed-Sat 10am-6pm. Free.

029 2047 3373 / facebook. com/cardiffmade Emily Unsworth-White ‘Ylime’ Solo exhibition of work made during the past year on trips to Portugal and North Africa. (Until Sat 2 Nov) MARTIN TINNEY GALLERY 18 St Andrew’s Crescent, Cardiff. Mon-Fri 10am6pm, Sat 10am-5pm. Free.

029 2064 1411 / mtg@ artwales.com Shani Rhys James Approximately 25 new pieces from one of the breakout successes of Welsh painting during the last few decades; this is James’ 10th solo show here since 1992. (From Thurs 3 until Thurs 29 Oct) MISSION GALLERY Gloucester Place, Swansea.

Tue-Sun 11am-5pm. Free.

01792 652016 / www. missiongallery.co.uk Kate Haywood ‘Traces’ Porcelain forms presented here as part of the Language Of Clay touring exhibition; previously in Craft In The Bay, Cardiff Bay. (Until Sat 9 Nov) Toni De Jesus Maker In Focus show from an artist whose work looks at the idea of ceramics, and the materials used, within the spectrum of fine art. (Until Sat 9 Nov) Lucy Donald Prints stemming from experiments with Mokuhanga, traditional Japanese woodcut techniques and Fukibokashi and Futa-iro bokashi applications of colour..

(Until Sat 9 Nov)

MONMOUTH MUSEUM Priory Street, Monmouth.

Mon, Tue + Thurs-Sun 11am-4pm. Free. 01600 710630 / monmouthshire. gov.uk/monmouth-museum/ The Arborealists ‘A Wye Valley Woodland Through Artists’ Eyes’ The Arborealists are an art group who were resident in Monmouthshire’s Lady Park Wood in 2016, making art inspired by their surroundings; this is the first full showing of the results, here on a longterm basis. (Until July) MUSEUM OF CARDIFF The Old Library, The Hayes, Cardiff. Daily 10am-4pm.

Free. 029 2034 6214 / cardiffstory@cardiff.gov.uk Memories Of Partition Stories, collected by community members, from people living in Cardiff who witnessed the partition of British India in 1947, or whose family members have passed down their memories of that time.

(Until Sun 20 Oct) The De Caversham Household Showcase for this independent living history group who have shared their love of medieval history with the people of Cardiff for over 15 years. (Until Sun 5 Jan) Cardiff’s Sound City Lab exhibition highlighting the different sounds and styles of music that are important to Cardiff’s communities.

(Until Sun 2 Feb) NATIONAL MUSEUM CARDIFF Cathays Park, Cardiff. TueSun 10am-5pm. Free except where noted. 029 2057 3500 / museum.wales/cardiff Photography Season Three conjoined exhibitions featuring work by photographers August Sander, whose work here is taken from his seminal People Of The Twentieth Century project; Bernd & Hilla Becher’s Industrial Visions, documenting industrial structures in Europe and the USA; and Martin Parr’s Wales-based documentary work, stretching back to the 1980s. (From Sat 26 Oct until Sun 1 Mar; Martin Parr section until Mon 4 May) NATIONAL WATERFRONT MUSEUM Oystermouth Road, Maritime Quarter, Swansea. Daily 10am-5pm.

Free. 029 2057 3600/ museum.wales/swansea Andrew Vicari ‘King Of Painters, Painter Of Kings’ Vicari was born and brought up in Port Talbot and went on to paint some of the most influential figures in modern history; this is a look at how that journey transpired.

(Until Sun 3 Nov) NORWEGIAN CHURCH ARTS CENTRE Harbour Drive, Cardiff Bay. Daily 10.30am-4pm. Free.

029 2087 7959 / www. norwegianchurchcardiff. com ICE Wales Photo Exhibition That’s the Instution Of Civil Engineers, members of whom are invited

to “take a photo of something that shows what engineers do and how we create the infrastructure to shape the environment”. (Until Sat 5 Oct) OFF THE WALL The Old Probate Registry, Cardiff Road, Llandaff, Cardiff. Tue-Fri 9.30am5.30pm, Sat 10am-4pm.

Free. 029 2055 4469 / art@ galleryoffthewall.com Sarah Jane Brown New exhibition of landscape paintings from this Pembrokeshire artist. (From Sat 19 Oct until Sat 16 Nov) OLIVE’S ATTIC 3 Fothergill Street, Treforest.

Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. 01443 400725 / facebook.com/ olivesattictreforest Gerhard Kress ‘Flowers’ German photographic artist with the second of his planned exhibitions at this cafe; this one is based on a book of the same title, as was the preceding exhibition here, Double Yellow Lines. (Until November) ORIEL CRIC

ORIEL MYRDDIN Church Lane, Carmarthen.

01267 222775 / www. orielmyrddingallery.co.uk Land Acts Work by five artists – Stefhan Caddick, Rebecca Chesney, Morag Colquhoun, Ella Gibbs and Owen Griffiths – collectively exploring the power of land and contemporary, rural experience. (Until Sat 12 Oct) The Table See Art for more on this gallery’s winter exhibition, with lots of things for sale should you have Christmas shopping in mind. (From Sat 19 Oct until Sat 28 Dec) 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 Nigel Talbot ‘The Periodic Table’ Installation by an artist who commonly works with salvaged materials, in this instance from the University Of South Wales’ sculpture workshop which is being

Bad news! The sculpture workshop at the University Of South Wales, in Treforest, is being decommissioned.

Good news! Onsite gallery Oriel Y Bont and artist Nigel Talbot have salvaged its materials and turned them into an installation, The Periodic Table (Mon 7 Oct-Fri 15 Nov).

Beaufort Street, Crickhowell. Mon-Sat 10am5pm, Sun 10am-1pm. Free.

01873 813669.

Autumn Exhibition A selection of painting, prints, sculpture, ceramics, glass and jewellery. including original work by Tim Rossiter, Tony Tribe and Kay Leverton. (Until Sun 10 Nov) ORIEL DAVIES The Park, Newtown, Powys.

Mon-Sat 10am-5.30pm.

Free. 01686 625041 / enquiries@orieldavies.org Eleri Mills ‘Egni: A Decade Of Creativity’ Powys-born painter, and a leading figure in Welsh art’s global profile in the last few decades, Mills’ last 10 years of work is curated here by Ruthin Craft Centre’s Phillip Hughes, with a strong emphasis on the mid-Wales landscape in the pieces. (Until Wed 18 Dec) ORIEL JOANNA FIELD Torch Theatre, St. Peter’s Road, Milford Haven. Free.

01646 695267 / www. torchtheatre.co.uk Milford Haven School Annual Art Exhibition Painting, drawing and sculpture using a range of media and materials. (From Mon 7 until Mon 27 Oct)

decommissioned. (From Mon 7 Oct until Fri 15 Nov) 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 Analog Cymru Work by online community of photographers from Wales who explore photography using traditional and experimental analogue processes. (Until Sun 24 Nov) QUEEN STREET GALLERY Queen Street, Neath. WedSat 10am-4pm. Free. 01639 631081/ www. queenstgalleryneath.co.uk Cas Holmes ‘Painting With Cloth’ Touring textile exhibition exploring the connection between landscape, people and place. (From Sat 5 Oct until Sat 2 Nov) REDHOUSE Old Town Hall, High Street, Merthyr Tydfil. Free. 01685 384111 / info@ redhousecymru.com Eric Malthouse Retrospective show for “the artist credited with introducing modern art to Wales”.

(Until Sat 9 Nov) ROYAL WELSH COLLEGE OF MUSIC & DRAMA Castle Grounds, Cathays Park, Cardiff. Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat + Sun 10am-4pm. Free. 029 2039 1391 / www.rwcmd.ac.uk Giant Paper Sculptures Annual exhibition made of used paper, located in the Linbury Gallery. (Until Sat 26 Oct) 70th Anniversary Exhibition Celebrating students’ experiences across the decades, this exhibition displays alumni’s recollections alongside objects from the archives. (Until Fri 1 Nov) THE SHO Castle Emporium (upstairs), Womanby Street, Cardiff. Tue-Sat 10am-5.30pm. Free. www. thesho.co.uk Body Of Art A diverse collection of tattoo-inspired artwork by artists of different backgrounds. (From Sat 12 Oct until Sat 16 Nov) SWANSEA MUSEUM Victoria Road, Swansea.

Tue-Sun 10am-4.30pm.

Free. 01792 653763 / www. swanseamuseum.co.uk 50 Years Of Music Part of the celebrations making half a century since Swansea became a city, a journey through its musical heritage since 1969: venues, influential people, and standout gigs as well as local and visiting musicians. (Until December) TENBY MUSEUM & ART GALLERY Castle Hill, Tenby. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, £4/£3/£2 kids.

01834 842809 / www. tenbymuseum.org.uk Graham Hadlow Paintings from a watercolour specialist who has lived in Pembrokeshire for nearly 50 years. (Until Sun 6 Oct) TOWER GALLERY 49 High Street, Crickhowell.

Wed-Sat 10am-5pm. Free.

01873 812495 / www. towergallery.co.uk Hannah Firmin & Philippine Sowerby Illustrator and printmaker Firmin shows lino and woodcut prints inspired by the Usk countryside. Sowerby’s wood sculptures celebrate nature’s irregularity. Also showing work by all members of the Usk Valley Artists’ Co-operative.

(Until Sat 23 Nov) VICTORIA FEARN GALLERY 6B Heol y Deri, Rhiwbina, Cardiff. Mon-Sat 9.30am5.30pm, Sun 10am-3pm.

Free. 029 2052 0884.

Paws And Prints Linocut prins plus a range of ceramics by various artists. (Until Sat 19 Oct) Christmas Mixed exhibition featuring handmade gifts from top designers, for sale natch. (From Fri 25 Oct until Tue 24 Dec) VOLCANO THEATRE 27-29 High Street, Swansea.

Mon-Fri 10am-4pm. Free.

01792 464790 / www. volcanotheatre.co.uk

50 Years A City Swansea Fringe exhibition looking at the half-century since the town was given city status, and compiled by The Last Foundation.

(Until Wed 16 Oct) Swansea Art Society Annual autumn exhibition from a group founded in 1886. (From Thurs 3 until Tues 15 Oct) WORKERS GALLERY 99 Ynyshir Road, Ynyshir, nr Porth. 11am-4.30pm Thurs-Sat and by appointment. Free. 01443 682024 / www.workersgallery.co.uk Warp Shift Experimental sculpture by Chris Williams MRBS, and new figurative drawings by Jane Walker. (Until Sat 19 Oct) Workers Open Exhibition Group show of selected artists, photographers and designers with prizes given for interpreting the theme ‘Drawn To Life’; celebrating the local community; and a People’s Choice Award.

(Until Sat 19 Oct)

clubs THE ATTIC 5-6 Castle Bailey St, Swansea. 01792 450850 / facebook.com/ theatticswansea Wednesdays Loose 9pm-3am, £4/£2. Lauching a new night here every Wednesday across four rooms (drum’n’bass/techno, house and disco, plus chart toppers/r’n’b and urban in Walkabout next door). Young T and Bugsey will both be doing sets here on Wed 2; TC on Wed 9. Thurs 31 TS7 10pm-4am, from £5. Bassline geezer on something called the Clockworks tour. Fri 4 Free Rave Swansea 9pm-3am, £4 adv. Drum’n’bass and bassline with DJs from the Rise, Heft, Got Bass, Incurzion, Swansea DJ Society and Concrete Junglists stables. Sat 5 The Deep 10pm-3am, from £5 adv.

Drum’n’bass from Lenzman and MC DRS, plus more TBC. Fri 11 Swansea Uni DJ Society 10pm-3am. Bassline night headlined by Taiki Nulight and another out-oftowner TBC, plus house and disco in room 2. Sat 12 Rise 10pm-4am. Fifth birthday bash for Swansea drum’n’bass promoters. Fri 18 My House 10pm-5am. DJ Ben Santiago and saxophonist Lovely Laura headline a night that’s already sold out.

BAMBU BEACH BAR 51 Wind Street, Swansea.

01792 651651 / www. bambu-bar.co.uk Thurs 3 UKG v D&B Garage Terrace Party 10pm-3am. Drum’n’bass and jungle on the top terrace, UK garage and bassline on the lower one. Fri 4 Full Moon Party 8pm-4am. EDM, hiphop and r’n’b plus lots of tat giveaways. Sat 12 Groove 9pm-3am, £4 adv. House headlined by Tommy Vercetti of Fabric.

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* – recommended THE BIG TOP / 10 FEET TALL 11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / thisis10feettall@yahoo. co.uk Wednesdays House Party 10pm-3am, free before 11.

Drum’n’bass, disco, house, techno, UK garage and bass, aimed at students and over this venue’s three floors every week. Thursdays Rock hits from DJ Andy Rhys Lewis. Thurs 10 Binary 10pm-3am, from £3. New club night brings house, techno, dub etc from Bllini & Badnew plus Jeeves, all from Bristol’s Canapé Records, plus Binary residents. Fridays + Saturdays Resident DJs playing soul and funk.

Fri 11 Global Sounds 10.30pm-3am, £5/£4 adv. Latin house, samba, bossa nova etc.

Saturdays Under A Groove 9pm-3am, £3 after 10. Funk and neo-soul.

BLIND TIGER 49 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 243500.

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.

BLISTERS 63-65 Hanbury Rd, Barboed. 01443 821500 / twitter.com/blistersbargoed Fri 25 10pm-4am, from £18.50. Big frothy hardcore action from Darren Styles, Kutski and Martin Dibble.

THE BRASS BAT St Mary Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 6802 / www. thebrassbat.com Fridays Team Up 10pm4am, £5/£3 adv. Emo, poppunk, alternative, metal, hardcore etc every Friday, with lots of drinks deals. Sean Smith, ex of The Blackout, is the guest DJ every last Friday of the month also.

THE BUNKHOUSE 24 Park Street, Swansea. info@bunkhousebar.co.uk / www.bunkhousebar.co.uk Fri 11 Grimecrafts 10pm5am, free. UK garage, grime, bassline and drum’n’bass for nowt. Sat 12 Dogruff 9pm4am, £10-£15. London-based Spaniard Unai Trotti headlines this 10th birthday party, also featuring Shaun Edwards, Mikki James and Amy Amor.

Additionally, there appears to be a pre-arranged afterparty somewhere until 1pm if you’re a ‘sesh gremlin’. Wed 16 Winger Records Takeover 8pm-2am. Hip-hop, dubstep, drum’n’bass from this west Wales collective, lineup TBC right now. Fri 25 Psycho Social 10pm. Three-room alt/ metal/rock night, on the last Friday of every month. Sat 2 Nov Heft Halloween Free Rave #2 9pm-5am, free before 11pm. Drum’n’bass over two rooms. Tag yourself on the event page wall to get in free.

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CARDIFF UNIVERSITY STUDENTS UNION Park Place, Cardiff. All listings apply to term time only. 029 2078 1458 / www. cardiffstudents.com Mon 14 Cirque Du Soul 10pm-3am, £8-£14. Another gimmicky touring clubnight for students which insists you dress up like a jemble to get in. DJs include Artwork, the Weaver Bros, Clique and Luke Wolfman. Wednesdays YOLO 9pm-2am, £4/£3 adv/ free before 11. Midweek club night promising both your favourite tunes and great offers. Good name, really on trend. Fri 1 Nov Bedlam Mega Rave 9pm-5am, from £20. Four rooms of big. Great Hall: Andy C, Dimension, Culture Shock b2b 1991, Critical Soundsystem, Indika and hosts Tonn Piper, ID and XL. Y Plas: Holy Goof, Skepsis, AMC & MC Phantom, Distress Signal, Jungle Cakes and Bushbaby. Y Plas side room: Spectrasoul, Technimatic, Rizzle, Ransom, Stygian and hosts Texas and XL. Stiwdio 2: Sammy Virji, Mind Of A Dragon, Woo & Comfort, Mango and Maxwell.

Saturdays Juice 10pm3am, £5/£4 NUS. Chart, dance and pop.

CATHAYS COMMUNITY CENTRE 36 Cathays Terrace, Cardiff. 029 2037 3144 / www.cathays.org.uk *Sat 5 Electric Soup 6.3010.30pm, £15 adv/£13 NUS/ NHS. A night of live electronica headlined by veteran (and still dead good) duo Plaid, with Boris A Bono, Jaxson Payne and Alfie Swan also featuring.

CHAPTER ARTS CENTRE Market Road, Canton, Cardiff. 029 2030 4400 / www.chapter.org Fri 1 Nov Silent Disco 8-10pm, £5. Halloween-themed evening hosted here by the venue’s Young Programmers.

CLUB ICE Broadway, Pontypridd.

07771 920726 / www. clubiceponty.com 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 LOGIC 12 High Street, Gorseinon, Swansea. 07763 000382 / www.the-rainbowrooms. com Fridays Open Mic Night 9pm-4am. With resident DJ Trixta plus guests each week.

Saturdays 9pm-4am. With residents Rob Rees, Jay P, John Hughes and Dip-E, plus guests each week.

CLUB OXYGEN 1 Northampton Lane, Swansea. 0844 8849171 / www.globaloxygen.co.uk Fridays Dance Anthems 11pm-4am, free. House, house & bass and tech-house 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 Womanby St, Cardiff. 029 2023 2199 / www.clwb.net Tuesdays Nuke 10.30pm, £3/£2 NUS. Pop, r’n’b, hip-hop, indie etc. Tue 1 Souljam Lost In Music 11pm-4am, £6-£8. Funk, soul and disco party. Tue 8 Vice City Fleetwood Mac Night 11pm-4am, £4-£8. Retro disco evening with an hour dedicated to playing ‘the Mac’ exclusively. Thurs 10 Bring It All Back One Direction Party 11pm-4am, £4-£6. Cool how literally everything on offer in Cardiff after the pubs close is now dictated by the tastes of students. Fridays (bottom) Yum! 11pm-3am, £3-£5. Indie and pop. Fri 4 Dazed Disco 11pm-4am, £4- £8 adv. Disco and house from Burno, Elianne, Oh My Rosh b2b Kemba, Izaak b2b Conor Vincent, Controls, Rob Walker and BMI. Saturdays Dirty Pop 10pm-4am, £5.

Three floors of fun: Grltlk and Andrew Rhys Lewis’ top floor resident indie shindig; Dirty

CREATURE SOUND Ken Bu Kan, 1 Bethesda Street, Swansea. 01792 301178 / www. creaturesound.com Sat 26 Tribe Of Swan Halloween Ball 10pm-4am, £5. Psytrance madness from Mark Black, Psyperactive, Sizey and Zulus.

CWMBRAN STADIUM Henllys Way, Cwmbran.

01633 627101.

Fri 11 Clubland Classix 7pm-1am, £19.50 adv. Irregular series of chart dance/happy hardcore bigness, this time with Cascada (live), Alice Deejay, Sash!, Ultrabeat, Friday Night Posse and Cally & MC Shocker. Plus local support acts and host Clubland’s MC Keyes.

DE VALENCE PAVILION Upper Frog Street, Tenby.

01834 218228 / www. devalencepavilion.com Fri 18 Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club 7.30pm-12am, £18 adv.

THE DUKE Old Market Street, Neath.

01639 643892.

Sat 26 Hedone 8pm-2am.

Korean pop, or Kpop, fandom in the UK is very much a growing sector, and Swansea club Fiction & Vinyl reckon it’s in their interests to host a night dedicated to it. Named Soju after a type of Korean booze, it’s on Thurs 24 Oct. Pop; and Mr Potter’s proper disco.

COTTON CLUB 54 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 213161.

Fridays Rock & Rum 9pm, £2-£4. Rock, indie, alt and pop from Aaron Lillie and Jaivinder. Selected drinks from £1.50. Saturdays Whatever® 10pm. Indie, rock, alt and pop. I am doubtful that this venue actually do hold the registered trademark for the word ‘whatever’. Sat 12 Rise Up And Rave 10pm-5am. Charity night in aid of MIND, featuring house, techno and trance from DJs Mike James, Fisky G, Nick The Kid, Nick Manning, Madame Screech, James Evans, Rabbit and host DMC. COURTYARD 48 Cambrian Road, Newport. 01633 213161.

Fridays Let’s Go Deep 10pm-6am. Three rooms ofd urban with Flipz and Matt Kirke; dance anthems with Matt Smooth; techno and house with Beekay. Part of the NPCLUBHOP price deal.

Saturdays Mista Ifsta’s Block Party Dance/commercial music as part of a multi-venue deal.

House and techno residents’ night.

EDDIES 4 Quay Street, Haverfordwest. 01437 779595 / www.eddies.co Fri 11 Drum Therapy v Backtobassix 9.30pm-4am.

Two local promoters soundclashing with drum’n’bass, jungle, neurofunk and hardtek the soundtrack.

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. Mon 7 has a special guest appearance from ‘The Beast’ off the show The Chase; Mon 14 from Dani Harmer, who played the character Tracey Beaker on TV. Wednesdays Underground 11pm-3.30am, £3.50/£2 before 1. House, chart, r’n’b and cheese across two rooms.

Wed 2 has a set from Varski.

Thurs 3 Bassboy 11pm3am, from £2. Bassline don comes to gee up the midweek sambuca drinking set. Thurs 24 Soju 11pm-3am, from £4.

Kpop party which originated on the English south coast but is here for the first time

and is named after a type of Korean booze. Fridays 11pm3am, £5/£3 adv. Drinks offers and, uh, music I guess. Fri 4 has a live set from Tinchy Stryder. Saturdays Agenda 10.30pm-3am, £3.50/£2 before 1. Fiction: house, r’n’b, EDM. Vinyl: pop and party. Sat 5 is a UV Rave; Sat 19 an Abba v Queen faceoff in some way; Sat 26 features The Stickmen and Sat 2 Nov features Nathan Dawe.

FRONTAL LOBE WAREHOUSE Unit G, St Catherines Park, Cardiff. otis@flevents.co.uk / www.flwarehouse.co.uk Fri 4 15 Years Of Shogun Audio Cardiff 10pm-4am, from £8 adv. Drum’n’bass from Break, Pola & Bryson, Deadline, Mascot and hosts SP:MC and XL. Sat 26 NRG Presents 25 Years Of Dread Recordings 10pm4am, £5-£18. Drum’n’bass from Ray Keith, Bryan Gee, Critical Impact, T>I, Mascot b2b Ebbens and NRG residents, plus hosts Navigator and XL FUEL 5 Womanby Street, Cardiff.

07970 063107 / facebook. com/fuelcardiff 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.

THE GLOBE 125 Albany Road, Cardiff.

07590 471888 / www. globecardiffmusic.com Fri 25 Club Tropicana 9pm-2am, £6 adv. Eighties night.

THE GREEN ROOMS Unit B29/B30, Treforest Industrial Estate, Treforest.

01443 841133 / www. thegreenroomsonline.co.uk Sat 5 Curfew 7pm-12.30am, £5/£3. Techno from Incus, Agenda, Otski and Matthew Hughes.

HANGAR 18 50 Plymouth Street, Swansea. 07984 664008 / facebook.com/hangar18mv Sat 5 + Sat 2 Nov Dead Of Night 9pm-3am, £3. Goth/ alternative club night, on the first Saturday of every month.

Fri 11 Altitude 10.30pm4am, from £7 adv. New night organised by Swansea Uni’s snowboarding society of all things, and headlined by London DJ/promoter duo Secretsundaze.

JACOB’S MARKET West Canal Wharf, Cardiff.

029 2039 0939.

Sat 5 Teak 10pm, £13.50 adv. With Optimo as out of town headliner, plus David J Bull and James Teak. Sat 12 Lamerica 10pm-5am, from £20 adv. Local house veterans return with sets

by Shapeshifters (of Lola’s Theme chart hit fame), Craig Bartlett, Gareth Hopkins and Darren Stewart. *Fri 18

u – repeated

Haws 10pm-5am, £7-£11.50 adv. Great headline booking in the form of D.I.E., aka Detroit In Effect, a fella from the eponymous city who has made some class techno/electro records. Tywi and Pi-Singer also DJ here. See Clubs.

LASER STATION Bridge Wharf, Carmarthen.

01267 235648 / www. laserstationwales.com Fri 1 Nov Fat Lace Halloween Massacre 8pm4am, £7-£9 adv. Drum’n’bass, dubstep and hip-hop from J-Man with Trafic MC, Abstract Drumz, Optimystic, Brute Engine, Jake Rader, Docta P, a Wonkcrafts takeover from AK b2b Pie-Fi plus MCs LRB and Syphr and a Winger Records showcase featuring Culture Vultures, Boofy, Zhubat, Cyanne and Doc Teej.

LE PUBLIC SPACE High Street, Newport. 01633 221477 / www. lepublicspace.co.uk Sat 5 Thnks Fr Th Mmrs 11pm-3am, free. Emo, poppunk and nu-metal from the previous decade, here on the first Saturday of each month.

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 Cheapskates 10pm-4am, £2 before 11. Pop and alternative old and new.

Fri 4 The Sleepless Club 10pm-4am, free before 11.

New monthly night hosted by this local ‘electro-punk’ band, further details currently TBC. Fridays Meltdown 10.30pm4am, free before 11. Punk and rock anthems. 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 Tue 1 Roll Safe 8.30pm2.30am. New drum’n’bass night. Wednesdays Rum & Reggae 10.30pm-2.30am, free. Reggae, dub, ska, hiphop and jungle. Wed 30 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; email k.sillah@svcymru.org for more info. Thursdays One More Time 10.30pm-2.30am, 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.

THE NEON Clarence Place, Newport.

01633 533666 / www. theneon.co.uk Sat 5 Journey Through Reggae Music 10pm-3am, £7.50 adv. An evening hailing and indeed utilising the soundsystem, with those belonging to Countryman, Ecko Vybz, Love And Harmony and Crystal Clear all featuring.

Hosted by Scorpian and Sam Shawty. Sun 20 Raver Tots Halloween Party 2-4pm, £8-£12 adv. Afternoon rave for babies, toddlers and their adults, this month with DJ Vinylgroover and MC Wotsee.

Thurs 31 The Murkage Show 7-11.30pm, £12/£10 adv/£20 VIP. Grime and hiphop from DJ Tension, DJ Lee, Sonny Double, Local, Starvz, Fernquest, BWritten, Elro, Mace, Skamma, Livewire, Lucas J. Rowe, J. Speakz and more TBC. OCEAN ARTS CARDIFF Unit 2, East Moors Business Park, East Moors Rd, Cardiff Bay. 029 2132 0030 / www.oceanartscardiff. co.uk Fri 4 All Accessible Club Nights 7.30-11.30pm, £3/ free for carers. 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. First Friday of every month.

PATTI PAVILION Mumbles Road, Swansea.

01792 475444.

Fri 1 Nov The Craig Charles Funk & Soul Club 7.30pm, £16.50-£18.50 adv.

Sold out.

PITCHER & PIANO Wind Street, Swansea.

01792 461312 / www. pitcherandpiano.com Sat 2 Nov Groove Halloween Garden Finale 4-11.30pm, from £5 adv. House on the terrace, in the daytime, with a special guest TBC. PLATFORM 11 High Street, Pontypridd.

Fri-Sun 7.30pm-2am. www. platform11.co.uk Sat 5 029 6pm-4am, £10/£8.

Featuring two sets by Paul Skelton, who plays club classics on piano. Incus, Lashout, Joey Rich and Dean Hawker also feature. Sat 19 030 7pm-4am. Featuring DJ/sax duo Ben Santiago and Lovely Laura. This sold out ages ago though.

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. Wednesdays Top Banana 10pm-3am.

Retro gaming, giveaways and DJ Giggsy playing the songs.

Thursdays Top Of The Pops 10pm-3am. Discounted drinks, free entry and a chance to party the night away. Fridays Reflex 7pm3am. 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 Cheapskates 9pm-3am. With DJ Rubell “spinning the mixes on the decks” in the slightly confusedsounding words of Popworld itself. Wednesdays Quids In 8pm-3am. 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. Sundays SIP 9pm-3am, That’s short for Service Industry Party.

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.

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. Fri 11 Thnks Fr Th Mmrs 11pm-3am, £5 adv. Emo revival night.

Saturdays Sink 10pm-3am.

Hip-hop, drum’n’bass, dubstep etc, with special guests plus resident DJs Dubman, Swiss Elf and South. Sat 5 Treatment & Cure 10pm4am, £12.50 adv. Two promoters (I just realised that their names probably reference each other) bring proggy big room houser Christoph to Swansea.

Sat 12 Bassline 10pm4am. Headlined by mersh drum’n’bass type Dimension.

Sat 19 Dazed 10pm-4am, from £10 adv. Room 1: My Nu Leng & Dread MC, Spectrum, Friends On Benefits b2b Clique and Llew. Room 2: Esigra, Sam Coady, Dayo and Cellan Eynon. Sat 26 Abba Disco Wonderland 10pm-4am, from £6 adv. Abbathemed touring tribute night.

“Disclaimer: we are in no way affiliated with Abba or polar music.” What is polar music?

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 10pm4am, £4/£6 VIP. R’n’b and house from the 90s and 00s.

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. Sundays Soda Sundays 9pm-3am, £4/£8 VIP. Three floors of music for students and industry workers.

PRYZM Greyfriars Road, Cardiff.

029 2023 3854 / www. pryzm.co.uk/cardiff Fri 4 Fix Presents The Afterparty 10pm-3am, £4. With guest headliner Mason Maynard. Saturdays Agenda 10pm-3am, £5. Three music arenas, VIP booths, other stuff.

STORY Greyfriars Road, Cardiff. info@storynightclub.co.uk Mondays Quidz 10pm3am, from £1. Student night.

Fridays Smack. 10pm-3am.

Student night across four rooms, poached back from Pryzm who I guess poached it from some other crap student club. Sat 4 is the night’s ninth birthday and there’s a guest appearance from ZieZie. Fridays Antisocial 11pm4am, £4 adv/£6 VIP. Weekly student night with special guests.

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.

TIGER TIGER Friary House, Greyfriars Rd, Cardiff. Open Mon-Fri 12pm-2am, Sat 12pm-3am, Sun 12pm-12.30am. 029 2039 1944 / www.tigertigercardiff.co.uk Every Day Lucky Voice

UNAI TROTTI Dogruff @ The Bunkhouse, Swansea, Sat 12 Oct Tickets: £10-£15. Info: facebook.com/dogruff1 A decade of decadence not out for Dogruff, SA-postcode promoters of connoisseurs’ deep house and hypnotists’ minimal techno.

Swansea nightlife being what it is, they’ve been at more clubs than Roy Hodgson in their 10 years active, Park Street’s Bunkhouse being the latest. Headliner Unai Trotti got the house music bug in Madrid, moved to London in 2008 and has been tweaking EQs and stylistic finesse alike since then, with his brand of dark, rhythmic wormhole techno soundtracking many a sunrise party in Hackney, where he’s made his home. Speaking of late ones, the Bunkhouse kicks out at 4am but Dogruff have promised an afterparty elsewhere until lunchtime.

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.

TITAN WAREHOUSE Titan Road, Cardiff. titanwarehouse.co.uk Fri 4 Camelphat 4-11pm, £30 adv. Big room dance faves play a very big room, the UK’s largest warehouse venue it says here, and are joined by Solardo, Cristoph, Del-30 b2b Alisha and Will Easton. Sat 5 Chase & Status 2-11pm, £27.50 adv. Ditto, but more drum’n’bassy. Shy FX, Jaykae, Macky Gee, Hybrid Minds, Darkzy & Window Kid, Notion, B:Wild, Woo and Comfort also feature.

TRAMSHED Clare Road, Grangetown, Cardiff. 029 2023 5555 / www.tramshedcardiff.com Thurs 31 Triple Cooked – Disco Of The Dead 11pm, £6. Disco, house, decor, stalls, art and bass, apparently.

UNDERTONE (BASEMENT OF 10 FEET TALL) 11a + 12 Church Street, Cardiff. 029 2022 8883 / www.undertonecardiff.com Tue 1 Tremmah 10.30pm3am, £5/£3 befoire 11.

Dubstep and bass music from ManGo, OCG, Plethora, Sarki and Cell. Thurs 3 NxtGen Drum’n’bass. Wednesdays House Party 10pm-3am, free before 11. Drum’n’bass, disco, house, techno, UK garage and bass, aimed at students and over this venue’s

three floors every week. Fri 4 Spectrum 10pm-4am. Techno from Daniel Waite, Andrew Powell, Iolo, JaMo and J-Tech.

Fri 5 Labyrinth 10pm4am, £5.50 adv. “Cardiff’s newest drum’n’bass event!” except, inevitably, it’s not now. Thurs 10 Last Tribe 10pm-4am, £5. Techno from Luke Greenhaf, Nomad, Ellie Wenger, Brett Williams, Noralane and Conor Smillie.

Fri 11 Tukan Techno 10pm-4am, £5 adv. Techno from Tom Gatley, Innerkey and Milio, with proceeds going to the Amazon in some way. Sat 12 Darth 10pm-4am, £6-£10.

Drum’n’bass from Hexa, Obsidian, Stygian, Mumble B, Ejay, Raudi TT, Leighdon, Low and Shellerz. Fri 18 Robot Monkey 10pm-4am, £7/£5 adv. Deep house with live percussion, flute and “tribal chanting” plus a different dress code for each night. This time it’s “winter Nordic”, so beards, sweaters, big coats etc. Seems like this’ll just make everyone uncomfortably warm. Sat 19 Junction 10pm. Drum’n’bass. Thurs 24 Summit 10.30pm-3am. Bass, house, techno and garage. Fri 25 Switch Up 10pm-4am.

Drum’n’bass, jungle, bassline and UK funky.

Benny L, who is touring his new album Reactions, plus DJ Hazard, Annix, Trimer, Clique and hosts Pastry Maker and MC XL. Sat 26 Journey 1.30-10.15pm, £15 adv. Daytime trance party from Cardiff’s number one in that field. Main room: Solarstone, Activa, Robert Nickson Pres.

RNX, Hywel Matthews and Richie Knight. Room 2: Robert Nickson, Joe Byrne, Rhys Thomas, Paschy and Rob Davies & Rhys Williams and PH & Lam. Sat 26 Delete 11pm-5am, £19.50 adv. Right after the above, time for some good ass house from Sonja Moonear, Marc Parsons, Matt Owen and Lee Graves.

VALE WAREHOUSE Cambria House, Penarth Road, Cardiff. 07955 270870 / info@valewarehouse.com Fri 4 Get Funky 11pm-4am, from £8. Jazzy techno kindanewcomer O’Flynn headlines this one, having released his debut album at the start of September. This was previously in Kongs but has sold well enough to warrant moving.

WOW BAR 11 Windsor Place, Cardiff.

Gay venue. www. wowbarcardiff.com Mondays Mysterious Mondays Free. Music from DJ Chris, hosted by Dixie Normous. Wednesdays Gypsy’s Jaunty Wednesdays Free. Music from DJ Craig, hosted by Gypsy Divine with a guest artist every week. Thursdays Krazy Karaoke Free. Music from DJ Chris, hosted by Dominique Trix and with a free shot for everyone who does a song. Fridays Campilicious Cabaret Free before 11.

Hosted by various members of the WOW Showgirls, plus special guests every week.

Saturdays Double Trouble Free before 10. Pop and party with DJs Gypsy, Krys and Craig. Sundays Fundays 12pm-1.30am, free. DJ Krys and Chris play the tunes until late, plus there are guest artists every week.

THE VAULTS / PORTLAND HOUSE The Old Natwest Bank, 113-116 Bute Street, Cardiff Bay. www.vaultspresents. com Fri 4 Tibu 10pm-5am, £10/£8. Room 1: house and tech-house from Dale, Tevini, Tomcept, Willis, Felix De Rijk and more TBC; room 2: garage from Danny D, Otis, Leeson, Bandit, Matt Kirke and more TBC. Fri 25 Dazed & Canopy 10pm-5am, from £10 adv. Drum’n’bass from

WALKABOUT SWANSEA Castle Bailey Street, Swansea. 01792 450850 / www.walkaboutbars.co.uk/ venues/swansea Wednesdays Loose 9pm3am, £4/£2. New night here across four rooms (chart toppers / r’n’b and urban, plus drum’n’bass / techno, house and disco in the Attic).

Fri 4 Your Gran’s House 10pm-3am, from £2. Featuring a DJ set by Paul Chuckle of the Chuckle Brothers. Exactly a fortnight after this date it will be his 72nd birthday.

BUZZ 63

events EVERY MONDAY uEscape Reality Cardiff Escape Reality, John Street, Cardiff. Mon-Fri + Sun 1.309pm; Sat 12-9pm, £16-£20 per player. Info 029 2132 3120 / cardiff@escapereality.com.

Escape room setup where players have an hour to solve puzzles and exit the room in question. Offers each day for hen/stage parties, corporate events etc. uNoFit State Circus Classes And Courses Four Elms Road, Adamsdown, Cardiff. £1-£15 per class. Info 029 2022 1330 / www. nofitstate.org. Classes for various age groups on every day; check the website for full details. The Beginners Mixed Aerial course starts on Tue 29 Oct and finishes on Tue 17 Dec. Qi Gong Tai Chi Carnegie House, Bridgend. 1.30-2.30pm, £3. Info 01656 815757. With tutor Geoff Cheetham. 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 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.

Caban Sgriblio Brecon Library. 4-6pm, free. Info 01873 811579. Drop-in creative writing sessions led by Uschi Turoczy. Running throughout summer but with no set finish date at present.

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. uSeeWales Sightseeing Day Tour National Museum Cardiff (pickup point). 9am5.30pm, £5 off if you present BUZZ 64

this magazine. Info 029 2022 7227 / www.seewales. com. Tuesdays and Fridays: Mines & Mountains, visiting Big Pit Mining Museum and Brecon Beacons National Park. Wednesdays and Saturdays: Romans & Ruins, visiting Caerleon, Caerwent, Tintern Abbey, the Wye Valley, Abbey Mill Craft Centre and Raglan Castle. Thursdays and Sundays: Golden Gower, visintg visits the Gower, Swansea Bay, Parc-Le-Breos, the Dylan Thomas Centre and more.

Uplift Singing Sessions Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

12.30-1.30pm, £5/£4. Info 01874 611622.

EVERY WEDNESDAY Circus Academy Carnegie House, Bridgend. 6.30-8pm, pay by donation. Info 01656 815757. Open to all ages.

Welsh Conversation For Learners M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 10am, free. Info 029 2047 3373. Led by a qualified Welsh language teacher.

EVERY THURSDAY Carnegie House Samba Band Carnegie House, Bridgend. 6.30-8pm, pay by donation. Info 01656 815757.

Open to all abilities.

FAN Group Meeting Cardiff Central Library. 5.30pm, free. Info www.thefancharity. org. Meet new people, make friends and get to know your neighbours.

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, Cardiff. 1.05-1.55pm, £5. Info facebook.com/yinyasacardiff.

Yoga First Floor, 3 Assembly Square, Britannia Quay, Cardiff Bay. 12.30-1.15pm, £5.

Info elliecoptor@hotmail.com.

With Mat Roblin.

EVERY FRIDAY English Conversation Group For Advanced Adult 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.

TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER uArt Club Carnegie House, Bridgend. 6.30-8.30pm, £8 per class/£10 annual membership.

Info 01656 815757. Open to all abilities and ages; every Tuesday during autumn.

Art History Lectures: Joseph Wright Penarth Pier Pavilion. 7-9pm, £15. Info 029 2071 2100. Lecture by Stella Lyons. Price includes a glass of wine. uExplore Books National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Also on Tue 8, 15 and 22 this month. uPiggy Walking With A ‘Pig-Nic’ Senni Valley, Brecon Beacons. £30/£20 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 6, Tue 8, Sun 13, Tue 15, Sun 27 and Mon 28 this month.

WEDNESDAY 2 OCTOBER 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. Every Wednesday this month.

An Evening With Dick Johns Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £11/£5.50.

Info 01792 863722. Reading from his short story collection Dignity And Other Stories. uDrink And Draw The Gate, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2048 3344. First and second Tuesday of every month; also on Wed 9 in October.

Jason Plato Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £9. Info 01600 772467. Show titled How Not To Be A Professional Racing Driver, by someone who is that thing (currently on the touring car circuit) and also does some Top Gear spinoff.

Pallet 003 Porter’s, Cardiff.

7.30pm, free. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Art and live music chosen by submission.

Reminiscence Monthly Museum Of Cardiff, 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 16 and Wed 30 this month.

THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER uArt Class Carnegie House, Bridgend. 10am-12pm, £8.

Info 01656 815757. Open to all abilities and ages; every Thursday until 19 Dec. Booklaunch: Jodie Bond Cameo Club, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 0466. Launch of midWales writer Bond’s debut novel The Vagabond King, in the fantasy genre and inevitably described as a Welsh Game Of Thrones by publishers Parthian.

Bridgend Writers’ Circle Carnegie House, Bridgend.

7pm, £8 for a year’s membership. Info 01656 815757.

Meeting here on the first Thursday of every month. uFinn’s Weekly Hootenanny Gentileza, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info gentilezacdf@gmail.com.

Planned to be every Thursday, this is an multi-disciplinary open mic night upstairs in this Duke Street Arcade cafe.

First Thursday Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £3/£12 with book and CD. Info 029 2030 4400. New poetry and fiction, this month from Robert Minhinnick and Steve Griffiths.

Life Drawing Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 6-8pm, £8.50.

Info 01685 384111.

Little Lambs: Autumn National Wool Museum, Drefach Felindre. 10.30am-12pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Crafts and story sessions for under-5s. uSt Fagans Museum Ghost Tours National History Museum, St Fagans. 8-10pm, £16. Info 029 2057 3500.

Hosted by Dark Wales Tours.

Also on Fri 4, Fri 17, Sat 18, Fri 24 and Sat 25 this month. uThe 25th Carmarthen Beer & Cider Festival St Peter’s Civic Hall, Carmarthen.

5-11pm, £5 adv per day/free CAMRA members. Info 07771 547786. With over 40 real ales and live music from ESP (tomorrow) and The Blue Street Band (Sat 5) Open from 12-11pm tomorrow and Sat 5.

(Until Sat 5) Words Art Music Workers Gallery, Ynyshir, nr Porth.

7-9pm, free. Info 01443 682024.

Words from Patrick Jones, art from Stephen Inkpen and music from Irish Tom. uYin Yang Yoga: Lunchtime Yoga Class Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 1-1.50pm, £5. Info facebook.com/ victoriauceleyoga. Every Thursday this month.

FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER 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. Also in Newport on Sat 26.

Brazil Night Carnegie House, Bridgend. 6pm, £5. Info 01656 815757. Celebration of

the ACW Take pART project that’s been going on here, with a guest samba band and a carnival night 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.

Dandiya Dancing National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

7-10pm, £3.50/£2 kids. Info 029 2057 3600. Hindu dancing led by Indian Kathak Dance professional Sarita Sood.

Green Up Your City St John The Evangelist Church, Canton, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £10 adv/£5 unwaged. Info 07960 820645. A night of music and dance raising funds for Canopy Caerdydd tree planting project. uKotatsu Japanese Animation Film Festival 2019 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2pm. Info 029 2030 4400. Annual weekender festival, taking place here since 2010; in Aberystwyth this month also (Sat 19 and Sun 20). Today features a screening of Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Resurrection at 6pm and a reception/launch at 8pm followed by an anime-themed disco. Sat 5 features masterclasses and signing events plus screenings of Birthday Wonderland (11am), Tamako Love Story (4pm), Fate / Stay Night (6pm) and Calamity Of A Zombie Girl (8.30pm).

Sun 6: workshops, a raffle and screenings of Penguin Highway (11am), Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution (2pm) and A Silent Voice (5pm).

(Until Sun 6) Lino Printed Greeting Cards Workshop M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 1-3pm + 6.308.30pm, £25 per session. Info larkdesignmake@gmail.com.

Hosted by Lark Design Make.

Little Mice Club: Harvest National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 10.30am-12pm, free.

Info 029 2057 3600. Monthly event for preschool children and their parents/carers.

Patricia Ann Bevan Congress Theatre, Cwmbran.

7.30pm, £15. Info 01633 868239. Clairvoyant.

Superstars Of Welsh Wrestling Town Hall, Maesteg. 7pm, £12/£9 kids.

Info 01656 815995. uUcele Yoga: Yin Yoga Class Natural Health Service, Swansea. 7.30-9pm, £8/£4 for your first class. Info facebook. com/victoriauceleyoga. Quiet, mindful yoga open to all. Here every fortnight; also on Fri 18 this month.

SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER Cardiff University Festival Of Running 2019 Civic Centre, Cardiff (starting point). £2-£9 to enter. Info 029 2166 0790 Precursor to the Cardiff Half Marathon, which is on tomorrow, this is a more informal family event orgainsed by Run 4 Wales.

Craft Fair Community Hall, Neath. 10am-3.30pm, £22.50 to set up a table. 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. 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 Tue 7, Sun 13, Sat 19, Sat 26, Sun 27 and Mon 28 this month.

Dragondaze Games Convention & Mini Comic Con Newport Centre. 10am5pm, £7.50/£5 kids or NUS. Info 01633 656757.

Enfys Craft Fair St. Francis Millennium Centre, Barry.

10am-4pm. Info 01446 792149.

Every first Saturday of the month. uHedgehog Experience West Wales Hedgehog Rescue, Lampeter. £45. Info 01874 749092. Be a volunteer at a hedgehog rescue for three hours as part of a very small group. A Good Day Out event.

Also on Wed 9, Wed 16, Sat 19 and Wed 23 this month.

Jesmonite Coaster Workshop M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 1-3pm + 6.30-8.30pm, £25 per session. Info larkdesignmake@gmail.com.

Hosted by Lark Design Make.

Kidsmarkets Family Sale Howells School Sports Hall, Llandaff, Cardiff. 11am12.30pm, £1.50/kids free. Info 07760 802088. Featuring great quality new and pre-loved baby and children’s items.

Life Hack The Factory, Porth. 2-10pm, free. Info 01443 687080. Alldayer aiming to give south Wales youths opportunities to meet professionals and artists working in the creative industries via workshops and networking. Part of the Together Stronger partnership between the Wales Millennium Centre and Valleys Kids.

Made It Market St David’s Church, Neath. 10am-3pm, from £15 to set up a stall. Info 07971 242730. Quarterly craft and produce fair.

Newport Food Festival Newport city centre. 9am5pm, free. Info 01633 656656.

Featuring some 75 food stalls plus chef demos and live entertainment.

Rare & Unusual Plant Sale Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff. 10am-2pm, free. Info 029 2116 7920.

Revue Lindyhoppers Dance Class Carnegie House, Bridgend. 4-6pm, £5.

Info 01656 815757. Open to all abilities; every first Saturday of the month.

Swansea Before Industry Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 2.30-3.30pm, £3. Info 01792 516900. Talk by historian Gerald Gabb.

The Fringe Family Twmpath National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

12-2.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Hosted by Coppercaille.

The Official Oktoberfest Cardiff 2019 Vale Warehouse, Cardiff. 2-11pm.

Info 07955 270870. The ‘official’ part of the title refers to the beers here being the same ones they serve at the real thing in Munich. Plus there’s all the authentic dress, competitions, sausages etc.

Vegan Festival Merthyr Tydfil Shopping Centre. 10am4pm, free. Info 01685 384468.

Food, crafts and gifs, plus live

music from someone calling himself Deano Martini.

West Wales Wool Show 2019 The Queens Hall / Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth.

2pm, £6. Info 01834 861212.

Annual event presented by the Pembrokeshire Guild Of Weavers, Spinners And Dyers. uWomen’s Archive Wales Annual Conference National History Museum, St Fagans. £30/£25 unwaged (Sat 5 £24/£18 unwaged; Sun 6 £12/£10 unwaged). Info 029 2057 3500. The programme for this two-day event (on tomorrow also) can be found at www.womensarchivewales.org.

Young Writers Squad Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea.

10am-12pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 463980.

With Jonathan Edwards. For ages 8-11.

SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER Cardiff Half Marathon Cardiff Castle (starting point).

9.50am, from £10 to enter. Info 029 2166 0790 / www. cardiffhalfmarathon.co.uk.

Annual 13.1-mile slog, usually held on the first Sunday of October. Most entry places are filled but at the time of writing you can still run for the NSPCC, if you raise £300 or more of sponsorship.

Cardiff Storytelling Circle Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

7pm, £5. Info 029 2030 4400. uCraft Night M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 6-8.30pm, free/£2 to take part. Info larkdesignmake@gmail. com. Hosted by Lark Design Make. Also on Thurs 17 and Thurs 31.

James Bond Night The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil.

7-10pm, £7.50 adv. Info 01685 387925. Featuring blackjack and roulette tables, a quiz and a tribute act.

MONDAY 7 OCTOBER uGrangetown Community Choir Cornwall Street Baptist Church Hall, Grangetown, Cardiff. 7.30-9.30pm, £10 per session/£80 for 12 sessions.

Info paulinedown7@gmail. com. With Pauline Down, every Monday this autumn.

Music Networking: Introductions, Collaborations, Advice The Moon, Cardiff. 7-9pm, free.

Info info@themooncardiff. com. Register via Eventbrite.

Tin Roof Swing! St Catherine’s Church Hall, Cardiff. 8-11pm, £5. Info 07539 553918. Swing dance session soundtracked by Matt Cox and with a BYOB policy. The number there is for the church itself, I think, so they may or may not give you helpful info.

TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER uArt Babas Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 10.3011.30am, free. Info 01792 516900. Relaxed sensory craft session for parents/carers and children from six months to three years. Book in advance please. Also on Tue 22 and Tue 29 (10.30am-12.30pm).

Booklaunch: Write On Cardiff Senedd Building, Cardiff Bay. 6.30-8pm, free.

Info 07586 447541. Write On Cardiff is a “collection of stories and poems from the heart of the city,” compiled by

Cardiff Writers’ Circle.

Cardiff Left Bookclub Beelzebub’s, Cardiff. 7-8pm, free. Info events@ craftydevilbrewing.co.uk. This takes place on the second Tuesday of each month and talks about a book which is left-wing in its outlook or has relevance to that ideology. This month it’s Capitalist Realism

by Mark Fisher. Is there no alternative? Yes, but they’ve decided to talk about this one. uContemporary Conversations Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 1-3pm, free. Info 01792 516900.

Meeting up twice a month (also on Tue 22 this month) this group discuss ideas and themes from current and recent art exhibitions. uIris Prize 2019 Various venues (Cineworld except where noted), Cardiff. £125 full pass/£85 Fri 11-Sun 13/£30 per day Wed 9-Sat 12/individual events various prices. Info www.irisprize.org. See Upfront for more on Cardiff’s annual LGBT+ film festival, and see the Iris website for full listings.

Today has an opening party in Cineworld at 7pm, then the Iris Festival Club at 9pm. Wed 9-Sat 12 is a mix of screenings, shorts, talks, producers’ forums and parties later on (in the Golden Cross, Eagle, Mary’s, Minsky’s and the Festival Bar). Sun 13 features the Iris Carnival and Awards, starting at the Tramshed at 12pm. (Until Sun 13) Masterpieces From The Barber Institute Of Fine Art The Queens Hall, Narberth. 10.30am. Info 01834 861212. West Wales Decorative And Fine Arts Society lecture.

The History Of The Celtic Harp Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 2.30pm, £8. Info 01874 611622. Brecknock Art Society lecture.

WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER Art History Lectures: Hieronymus Bosch Penarth Pier Pavilion. 7-9pm, £15. Info 029 2071 2100. Lecture by Stella Lyons. Price includes a glass of wine.

Booklaunch: Parthian Poets M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. Free. Info 029 2047 3373. Heralding not one but two books published

by Parthian: Kittie Belltree’s Sliced Tongue And Pearl Cufflinks, and Hey Bert by Roberto Pastore.

Bridgend & District Local History Society Carnegie House, Bridgend. 7pm. Info 01656 815757. Meeting here on the second Wednesday of every month. uCreative Textiles Club Carnegie House, Bridgend.

10am-12pm, £8. Info 01656 815757. Every Wednesday and open to all abilities.

Household Repairs & DIY Little Man Coffee, Cardiff.

6.30-9pm, £11/£14 with donation. Info hannah@ greencityevents.co.uk. Hosted

by Green City. Book in advance please.

Lipstick & Lip Balm Making Workshop M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 10.30am12.30pm + 6.30-8.30pm, £25 per session. Info larkdesignmake@gmail.com.

Hosted by Lark Design Make.

KOTATSU FESTIVAL Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff, Fri 4-Sun 6 Oct; Aberystwyth Arts Centre, Sat 19 + Sun 20 Oct Admission: prices vary per event. Info: kotatsufestival.com Japanese animation – revered and misunderstood in equal measure by the west, but very much its own aesthetic and cultural phenomenon – is celebrated and showcased annually by the people behind Kotatsu. This year marks their 10th such time of doing so, and as with previous years they’ll be screening and discussing films in Cardiff for three days, followed by two in Aberystwyth. A total of eight productions will be screened in both venues, in any given case a rare opportunity for Welsh audiences to see them in the cinema, with titles including Tamako Love Story, Penguin Highway [pictured] and A Silent Voice among those selected. Workshops, discussions, a Japanese marketplace and the ominous ‘anime-themed disco’ are also set to feature.

Max Porter Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8. Info 01792 602060. Dylan Thomas Prize event in which Porter reads from and discusses his novel Lanny.

Seasons In The Garden National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-1pm, £35/£26.

Info 029 2057 3500. Autumnal gardening course. uSheepdog Experience Venue TBC, nr Crickhowell. £25. Info 01874 749092. Learn how to command a collie moving sheep around a field with a young local shepherd. A Good Day Out event. Also on Sun 13, Sat 19 and Sat 26 this month. uSkills Cymru Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 9.30am-3pm, free. Info 029 2022 4488.

Careers, jobs, skills and apprenticeship showcase event. On tomorrow also.

THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER An Evening With Sam Warburton Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7-10pm, £22.50 adv/£45 VIP. Info 01495 243252.

Arts Society Cardiff Lecture Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 2pm, £7. Info 029 2030 4400. Claire Walsh discusses 1920s-era painter Tamara de Lempicka.

Greg Minnaar Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £18.50. Info 01874 611622.

Champion mountain biker talks about his career.

It Wil Glow The Depot, Cardiff. 5-11pm, £18/£15 NUS. Info www.depotcardiff.co.uk.

Evening of creative talks with some extra stuff (food, a market, live music from Iversen) thrown in. Speakers: Dylan Griffith from branding agency Smörgåsbord, artist/director Greg Barth and designers the Yarza Twins. uTuneless Choir Cardiff Pontcanna Scout Hall, Cardiff.

7.30-9.30pm, £10 first session/£7 drop-in/£40 for eight weeks. Info 07745 683723.

Choir, led by Laura Woodford, for people who want to sing

but can’t carry a tune. Also on Thurs 24 this month.

FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER uCardiff Prosecco Festival & Gin Portland House, Cardiff Bay. 6.30-11pm, £12.50 adv/£35 VIP. Info 029 2048 7602. Syntactically awkward name (reflecting gin being a new addition to the booze on offer), on tomorrow also with two sessions: 12.305pm and 6.30-11pm.

Beginners Sewing: Make A Tote Bag M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 10am-1pm, £30. Info larkdesignmake@gmail.com.

Hosted by Lark Design Make.

Derek Acorah Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £22. Info 0300 3656677.

Eric Ngalle Charles: This Is Not A Poem Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 6pm, £6. Info 01970 623232. Screening of Cardiff-based Charles’ ‘filmpoem’, followed by a discussion with the writer.

Yin Yoga & Mindfulness Urban Zen Yoga & Movement Studio, Swansea. 7.30-9pm, £10/£5 unwaged or for your first class. Info facebook.com/ victoriauceleyoga.

SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER uAutumn Food Festival Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. Info 01792 371206.

Lots of stalls selling stuff. On tomorrow also.

Booklaunch: Tim Cundle / David Gamage Bang-On Brewery, Bridgend. 3-10pm, free. Info 01656 760790.

Cundle’s book is titled Compression, Gamage’s Punk Faction: BHP ‘91-‘95. The launch will feature live music from Who Are The Monsters, Migraines, System Reset and They Live We Sleep. uBook Swap National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Also incorporating LPs and CDs. On tomorrow also. uCraft Fair Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 10.30am-4pm. Info 029

2087 7959. On tomorrow also, plus Sat 19 and Sun 20.

David Gower Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £22. Info 01600 772467. Ex-cricketer and possible n*tional tr*asure.

Family Fun Day: Swansea Stories Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free (suggested donation £3).

Info 01792 516900. Art and craft activities.

Funky Craft Fayre Ostreme Centre, Mumbles, Swansea.

10am-4pm. Info nigel.mason@ ntlworld.com. Second Saturday of every month.

Intro To Enamelling National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, £65/£55.

Info 029 2057 3500. Course led

by Sophie Buckingham.

Nimble Fingers Craft Fayre Victoria Hall, Mumbles, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free. Info 07790 298913. On the second Saturday of every month.

Spoken Word Saturday Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 3pm, £3. Info 0845 2263510.

Street Food And Live Music Kings Road Yard, Pontcanna, Cardiff. 4-10pm, free. Info 07773 348655. Every second Saturday of the month, although this is the last one of the year.

Strictly With Stories Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire.

7.30pm, £25 adv. Info 01239 841387. Featuring food, storytelling by Bethan Robers and dancing to live jazz music by Afternoon In Paris.

Super Science Saturday National Museum Cardiff.

11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951. Drop-in activities all day.

Swingin’ At The Pavilion Penarth Pier Pavilion. 7-11pm, £10 adv/£15 inc class. Info 029 2071 2100. Lindy Hop Cardiff present a sweing dance class followed by a dance with live music from Ruby Jazz.

The Proud Valley, Paul Robeson And Wales Big Pit National Coal Museum, Blaenafon. 1pm, £3. Info 0300 1112333. Screening of Robeson-starring film The

Proud Valley preceded by a talk by Professor Daniel Williams.

Things That Go Bump – Murder Mystery Night Bedwellty House & Park, Tredegar. 7pm, £32.50. Info 01495 355945. Price includes a three-course meal.

Three Wine Men City Hall, Cardiff. 1-4pm + 5-8pm, £28 afternoon/£30 evening. Info 07969 429620. The return of these wine experts, Olly, Tim and Tom no less, who tour the UK doing onstage tastings like this one. They also now have a friend, Susy, who writes for the Daily Telegraph and perhaps as a consequence of this has cultivated an expertise in gin.

Wales And The KhasiJaintia Hills, North East India: Cultural Dialogues National History Museum, St Fagans. 10am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500. One-day event with various family-friendly activities.

Watercolour Workshops Carnegie House, Bridgend.

10am-4pm, £12. Info 01656 815757. Hosted by Bryan Shambler.

Welsh Wrestling Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 6.30pm, £12.50/£9.50. Info 0845 2263510.

Ynyswen Craft Show Ynyswen Welfare Hall, Treorchy. 9am-4.30pm, £5 to set up a table. Info 01443 520299.

SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER BAFTA Cymru Awards 2019 St David’s Hall, Cardiff.

6pm, £98/£68 BAFTA members/£53 BAFTA NUS members. Info 029 2087 8444.

Graft Harvest Supper National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 6.30pm, £10. Info 029 2057 3600. Veggie food using ingredients from the aforementioned garden. Book in advance (via Eventbrite) please.

Marina Market Dylan Thomas Square, Swansea.

10am-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Monthly event selling BUZZ 65

ROOTS UNEARTHED OCTOBER 2019 Regular readers of this column will know that trying to define ‘roots music’ is like herding cats: it can’t really be done. If there is a rule of thumb, however, it would be that somewhere in the music there has to be a traditional element – whether in the source material, the instrumentation or the compositions.

While some bands wear their ‘roots’ influences for all to see, others are more subtle. Take Arthur Jeffes’ remarkable Penguin Cafe, for example.

The music they write and perform defies any simple pigeonholing, but listen carefully and a whole world of roots music is revealed.

To fully appreciate Penguin Cafe, it’s necessary to step back in time to 1972 when Arthur’s father, renowned musician and composer Simon Jeffes, suffering from a bad case of food poisoning, had a fever dream where he saw people living in large concrete tower blocks. Mostly alone, he saw them staring at screens or listening to music on headphones. He also envisaged The Penguin Cafe, a place where people could gather for pleasure and music – and, because he wanted to hear that music, he formed The Penguin Cafe Orchestra to perform it.

Simon Jeffes died in 1997, and in 2009 Arthur took up the reins with a new group, Penguin Café, inspired by his father’s original ensemble.

Arthur’s Penguin Cafe, too, create music that brings together sounds from across the musical sphere and from around the globe. Listen carefully to their music and you’ll hear pianos influenced by Philip Glass’ minimalism, string arrangements from Western classical music, Brazilian rhythms, Asian harmoniums, African percussion and kalimbas (thumb pianos), British folk music and a whole lot more all brought brilliantly together.

Simon Jeffes would probably be appalled to discover that what he dreamt has, to a large extent, come to pass. He would, however, surely be delighted that the Penguin Cafe is still open for business – as it will be at Cardiff’s St. David’s Hall on Sun 6 Oct. You should book a table.

BUZZ ALSO RECOMMENDS: Riccardo Tesi & Anne Niepold.

Two solo performances from two superb diatonic accordion players.

(Pontardawe Arts Centre, Sun 6) Nathan Bell. Excellent American singer-songwriter. (Cwtch Coffee, Pembroke Dock, Fri 11) Rowan Rheingans. Rising star of the UK folk scene. (Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells, Wed 30; The Tabernacle, Machynlleth, Thurs 31) Please send your folk and roots listings to listings@buzzmag.co.uk or phone them in to 029 2022 6767

BUZZ 66

handcrafted goods and fresh food.

St Hilary Foragers Produce Market St Hilary Village Hall, Vale Of Glamorgan.

12-3pm, free. Info 07811 159800.

Wrestling: Sunday Slammasters 2 Beddau RFC, Pontypridd. 3.30-7pm, £10 adv/£5 kids. Info www. slammasterswrestling.com.

Featuring appearances from Big Grizz, Dani Luna, High & Mighty, Kat Von Kaige, Necrófago, Big D, Jay Joshua and more.

MONDAY 14 OCTOBER Storytime With Louby Lou Bedwellty House & Park, Tredegar. 11am-12pm, £6.50.

Info 01495 355945. Suitable for kids aged six months and up.

Science Cafe Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, free.

Info 01970 623232. Featuring Heather McClure on food waste.

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER uLife Drawing Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 2-4pm, £5. Info 01792 516900. Also on Sat 26.

Ocean Film Festival World Tour St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14.50/£11.50.

Info 029 2087 8444. Presented

by Banff, who also do a mountain-based film tour that regularly visits south Wales.

RNIB Art Group Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea.

1-3pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 516900.

Tutor-led class for people with visual impairments.

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER An Evening With Alice Roberts Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £15-£22.

Info 01792 602060. TV historian/archaeologist with a show titled Digging Into Britain’s Past.

A View On Wildlife 2019 Torch Theatre, Milford Haven.

7pm, £8/£6. Info 01646 695267.

Pembrokeshire Coastal Forum host an evening raising awareness of local projects, from wildlife photography to upholding the Pembrokeshire Marine Code.

Breaking The Cycle Of Domestic Violence & Abuse The Muse, Brecon.

7pm, £5/£2 members. Info 01874 611529. Cheryl Clark from Calan DVS talks about working in partnership to achieve change through education, prevention and empowerment.

Seventh Quarry Poetry Evening National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 7-9pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Including readings from Jim Gronvold, an American poet.

William Feaver Art Shop & Chapel, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info 01873 852960. A Talk by/with a recent biographer of Lucian Freud.

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER Circle Of Words Little Man Coffee Co, Cardiff. 6.30-9pm, £4. Info 07830 381930. Open mic poetry night presented by Company Of Words.

Doug Scott Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7pm, £15/.£13. Info 01239 621200. Mountaineer

talks about climbing Everest NES, Nibbles & Boardgames Night Ocean Arts Cardiff, Cardiff Bay. 8-11.30pm, free. Info oceanartscardiff@gmx.co.uk.

Retro social event – other consoles are available (Xbox and Gamecube, specifically).

Open Mic Poetry Night Imperial Hotel, Merthyr Tydfil.

7.30pm, £5. Info 01685 722555.

Featuring guests poets Jazz Gerrard and Tim Richards.

Open Space: Black History Month – Life And Work Of Neil Sinclair Central Library Hub, Cardiff. 5.30pm, free.

Info 029 2038 2116. Readings from the work of late Tiger Bay historian, author and activist Sinclair, with memories from the community. Book in advance please.

Thrifty Sew ‘n’ Sews Club Ocean Arts Cardiff, Cardiff Bay. 7-11.30pm, free. Info oceanartscardiff@gmx.co.uk.

Sewing and altering social event, aiming to stop people buying sweatshop clothes and generally be more sustainable.

Wool To Cloth Day National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre. 10.30am-1pm, free.

Info 029 2057 3600. Showcase from the Ceredigion Guild Of Weavers, Spinners & Dyers.

Young Art Force Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea.

11am-2pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 516900.

Open art class exploring and responding to the Gallery’s exhibitions and collection displays.

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER Doug Allan Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £18.50/£16.50. Info 0300 0040444. Wildlife doco cameraman talks about his work.

Fundraising Night The Orangery, Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. 7pm-12am, £25.

Info 07758 710844. In aid of the Lymphoma Leukaemia Myeloma Fund; price includes a drink upon arrival, buffet, DJ and music from MissUnderstood. uGreat Welsh Beer & Cider Festival 2019 SSE SWALEC, Cardiff. 11am, £9 adv per day/£7 CAMRA members. Info gwbcf.info.

Annual weekender orgainsed

by CAMRA’s Wales branch, in the cricket ground this year.

(Until Sat 19) uInternational Fair Trade Towns Conference City Hall, Cardiff. 6pm, free£100. Info elen@ fairtradewales.org.uk. Hosted

by Fair Trade Wales, this will feature panel discussions, workshops, fair trade stalls and networking opportunities over three days. Pricing ranges from free, if you’re genuinely skint (and can prove it in whatever fashion) to £100 if you’re atending on behalf of some big shots. (Until Sun 20) Llandovery Folk Dancing Rhys Pritchard Hall, Llandovery. 7.30pm, £10/£5 under-17s. Info 01550 720232.

Monthly night, this time with caller Mic Spenceley.

Nikki Kitt Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7.30pm, £12.

Info 01446 738622. Spirit medium.

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER Bingo Boogie Vale Sports Arena, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv.

Info 029 2240 4901. Another of the many ‘young persons’ bingo’ events knocking about.

Brecon Craft Fair Market Hall, Brecon. 9am-4.30pm.

Info 01495 753782. Every third Saturday of the month.

Caroline Coon: I Am Whore Elysium Gallery, Swansea.

5-6.30pm. Info www. elysiumgallery.com. Talk by artist/old skool music journo related to the Christine Keelerthemed Dear Christine exhibition currently showing here. uCwrw Fest Caerphilly Castle. 12-10pm, £10/£8. Info 0300 0256000. Beer festival held in the Great Hall here, with live music on both days.

On tomorrow also.

Dear Christine Elysium Gallery, Swansea. 7-9pm.

Info www.elysiumgallery. com. Poetry night, again Dear Christine-related.

Diwali Decorations – Rangoli National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am-2pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Make Rangoli patterns using powder dye. uHave A Go Archery Caldicot Castle & Country Park. £1.50 per four arrows.

Info 01291 420241. On tomorrow also, plus Sat 26 and Sun 27. uKotatsu Japanese Animation Film Festival 2019 Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 10am. Info 01970 623232. Screenings of Penguin Highway (10am), Birthday Wonderland (12.30pm), Miss Hokusai (3.15pm) and Fate / Stay Night (5.15pm), plus a raffle at 7.45pm. Tomorrow: Eureka Seven Hi-Evolution (2pm), Tamako Love Story (4pm) and Code Geass: Lelouch Of The Resurrection (5.30pm) followed by a raffle.

Lombard Rally Parc Bryn Bach, Tredegar. 2.30-4pm. Info 01685 844475. Showcase of classic Lombard rally cars.

They zoom around a bit and then you can look at them.

Meet Dippy National Museum Cardiff. 1.30 + 3pm, £2. Info 029 2039 7951. Familyfriendly talk by palaeontologist Caroline Buttler.

Natural Dye Demo National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre. 10.30am-3.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. The people who tend the garden here show you how plants can be used to dye things various colours.

St Fagans Real Food Market National History Museum, St Fagans. 11am4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500.

The Cardiff Postcard Fair Penylan Community Centre, Cardiff. 10am-3.30pm, £1. Info 029 2069 3040. Presented by the South Wales Postcard Club.

Welsh Folklore Surrounding Halloween National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 11am, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Swansea Historical Association talk by Beverley Roger.

Welsh Wrestling Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 6pm, £12/£9. Info 01633 868239.

Willow Reindeer Workshop Carnegie House, Bridgend.

9.30am-4.30pm, £25. Info 01656 815757. Hosted by Mel

Bastier.

SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER Aberystwyth 5k Color Run Vicarage Fields, Aberystwyth.

10am, £5-£10. Info 01970 623232. In aid of Bobath Wales.

Car Less Car Boot NosDa, Cardiff. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. New event on the third Sunday of every month, hosted by Twin Made.

Craft 10k Series Margam Park, nr Port Talbot. 11am, £24 to enter. Info 01639 881635.

Running races suitable for all abilities.

Diwali Mela National History Museum, St Fagans.

11am-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3500.

Ron Skilton Memorial Half Marathon The Square, Llanwrtyd Wells (starting point). 11am, £10 to enter. Info 01591 610666. Annual event in memory of Green Events’ former treasurer, featuring an offroad and sometimes mountainous course.

The Reciepts Uncut Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, £18. Info 0871 4720400. Live version of a podcast which is, it is stated, about “being a millennial woman in the world today”.

MONDAY 21 OCTOBER Soap Making M.A.D.E. Gallery, Cardiff. 1-3pm + 6.308.30pm, £25. Info larkdesignmake@gmail.com.

Hosted by Lark Design Make.

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER Autumn Foraging Courses Bute Park, Cardiff. 11am2.30pm, £45/£22.50 under-16s.

Info www.wildfooduk.com.

Hosted by Wild Food UK, this course teaches you how to identify various plants, fruits and mushrooms. Also on Sat 2 Nov. WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER uGhost Tours Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr Tydfil.

7-8.30pm + 9-10.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01685 727371.

On tomorrow also. Book in advance please.

THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER Apples Of Wales: A Social History Of Apple Growing In Wales Swansea Museum.

7.30pm, free. Info 01792 653763. Royal Institution Of South Wales lecture by Carwyn Graves.

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER An Evening With John Hartson Merthyr Town FC. Merthyr Tydfil. £25 adv. Info 07746 556455. One-time centre forward of several clubs and one national team (Wales), now a TV pundit and doing the chatty ex-pro thing here.

Exposure Wrestling Tynant Club, Pontypridd. 6pm, £8 adv/£5 kids. Info www. exposurewrestling.com. First of three evenings hosted by Exposure in the three days, tomorrow being in Newport and Sun 27 in Merthyr.

Glynn Vivian At Night Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 5-8pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 516900. Workshops, films, poetry, live music and performance.

SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER All Hallows Autumn And Christmas Vintage And Craft Fayre All Hallows RC Church, School Road, Miskin, nr Pontyclun. 12-4pm, £15 to set up a table. Info 01443 204830.

Annual Local History Book Fair Swansea Museum.

10am-4pm, free. Info 01792 653763. Hosted by the Royal Institution Of South Wales.

Back To Basics Course The Printhaus, Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 10am-4pm, £60. Info 029 2022 0349.

One-day course, on the last Saturday of every month (Sat 21 in December).

Bingo Lingo The Neon, Newport. 6pm, £7 adv. Info 01633 533666.

Booklaunch: Hanan Issa G39, Cardiff. 6-9pm. Info 029 2047 3633. Actually described as a pamphlet, titled My Body Can House Two Hearts; the evening also features writers Adrian Earle and Caroline Smiling.

Charity Craft Fair The Twyn, Caerphilly. £15 to set up a table. Info smiley271283@ hotmail.com. In aid of a muscular dystrophy charity.

Craft & Vintage Fair Bethel Hall, Whitchurch, Cardiff. £15 to set up a table. Info lnddawes54@gmail.com.

Craft Fair St David’s Church, Neath. 10am-4pm, £22.50 to set up a table. Info ariancrafts@hotmail.co.uk.

Dylan Thomas Walking Tour – Uplands National Waterfront Museum, Swansea (starting point). 11am, £5 adv.

Info 029 2057 3600. Led by Peter Thabit Jones.

Exposure Wrestling: Massacre Venue TBC, Newport. 6pm, £8 adv/£5 kids.

Info www.exposurewrestling. com. uHappy Birthday Dylan Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea. 10am-4pm, free (£3 suggested donation). Info 01792 463980. Family-friendly activities for half-term. On at 10am-12pm and 1-4pm on Tue 29 (afternoon session is called Dylan’s Big Birthday Bash!) and 10am-1pm on Thurs 31.

(Until Sun 3 Nov) Medieval Family Fun Day Museum Of Cardiff, The Hayes, Cardiff. 10.30am-3pm, free. Info 029 2034 6214. Dropin event.

Open Screen Night Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 7pm.

Info 01239 615952. Short film showcase, having a fifth birthday celebration at this one in fact.

Pig Street Craft Fair The Queens Hall, Narberth. 10am4pm, free. Info enquiries@ pigstreetcrafts.co.uk. Selling original arts and crafts here every month until Christmas.

Ring Of Honor Wrestling Kingsway Centre, Newport.

5.30pm, £30-£70. Info www. slammasterswrestling.com.

Debut Welsh show (I think?) for respected indy wrestling franchise.

Roaring Twenties Evening Exchange Hotel, Cardiff Bay. 7pm-1am, £20. Info 029 2010 7050. A night of live jazz, cocktails, street food etc with a 1920s theme. uSwansea Science Festival Various venues,

Swansea. 10.30am. Info swan. ac.uk/swanseasciencefestival.

Annual event, with shows all day in the National Waterfront Museum today and tomorrow (go to the link above for full listings), then some Fringe Festival events after that, including After Dark (Kyle Evans, Robin Ince and Lizzie Daly, Uplands venue TBC, 5.30pm Wed 30); a guide to the science behind witchcraft (Cinema & Co, 2.45pm Thurs 31); and A Star Over Burma, a live radio recording by Rhodri Hugh Thomas (Taliesin Arts Centre, 7.30pm Fri 1 Nov).

(Until Fri 1 Nov) Talk At 4 Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 4pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. This month concerning the exhibition currently running here, Gareth Evans’ But, Hands Have Eyes. uThe South Wales Steampunk Halloweenarium! Penderyn Square, Merthyr Tydfil. 11am4pm, free. Info 01685 384111.

Hosted by Wee Crafty Folk and featuring stalls, activities, catering, entertainment and music. Unclear how much of it will be specifically steampunkthemed. On tomorrow also.

Unknown Wales National Museum Cardiff. 10.30am3.30pm, free (£5 deposit). Info 029 2039 7951. Annual conference about the nation’s flora and fauna.

Weekend Adult Workshop: Swansea Stories Illustration Workshop 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. uWhere’s Wally? The Big Museum Hunt Museum Of Cardiff, The Hayes, Cardiff.

Free. Info 029 2034 6214.

Drop-in event lasting for eight days, a promotional tie-in for a new Where’s Wally? book which appears to be set in a museum. (Until Sun 3 Nov) SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER Dragon Pro Wrestling: The Eye Of The Storm The Neon, Newport. 5.309pm, £9-£20. Info 01633 533666. Crikey, there’s a glut o’grappling in Newport this weekend isn’t there.

Dylan Thomas Walking Tour – Marina National Waterfront Museum, Swansea (starting point). 2pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Led by Peter Thabit Jones. Book in advance please.

Exposure Wrestling Willows Youth Club, Merthyr Tydfil.

6pm, £10 adv/£5 kids. Info www.exposurewrestling.com.

Finding Atlantis – The Patterns Of Prehistory Small World Theatre, Cardigan.

3-5pm, £5 adv. Info 01239 615952. Illustrated talk by author and researcher Robin Heath.

Pontcanna Brocante Kings Road Yard, Pontcanna, Cardiff.

10am-4pm, free. Info 07773 348655. Vintage flea market, every last Sunday of the month– this is the final date this year in fact.

The Revenge Of Arthole Kongs, Cardiff. 1-6pm, free.

Info info@kongsbars.co.uk.

Popup illustration/makers mar-

ket showcasing local artists.

MONDAY 28 OCTOBER u3 Cool Things to Make With A Rubber Band National Waterfront Museum, Swansea . 12.30-3.30pm, free.

Info 029 2057 3600. (Until Wed 30) uCardiff Castle In The Second World War Cardiff Castle. 6pm, £8.50. Info 029 2087 8100. Lecture by Matthew Williams. On tomorrow also, although that one’s sold out.

Digital Planetarium Experience Carnegie House, Bridgend. 10.30am, £3. Info 01656 815757. Hosted by Dark Sky Wales, with sessions every hour until 2.30pm. uHalloween Half Term Fun Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 10am-5.30pm. Info 01792 371206 .Crafts, drawing, quizzes etc for kids. (Until Fri 1 Nov) Russell T Davies: In Conversation Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7pm, £8/£7. Info 029 2039 1391.

The Gay Men’s Book Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

7.30pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. This month it’s a discussion of Cannery Row by John Steinbeck.

TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER

6-11pm, £8.50. Info 01656 815995. Five hour-long tours, on the hour.

THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER Halloween Spooky Funday National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 12-4pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600.

Family activities. uScrappy Sheep Crafts – Spiders National Wool Museum, Dre-fach Felindre.

12-3pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Make a pom-pom spider for Halloween. On tomorrow also.

Taith Iaith National Museum Cardiff. 12.30pm, free. Info 029 2039 7951.

Witches And Wizards Fundraising Event Carnegie House, Bridgend.

10am-12pm, free. Info 01656 815757. Family activities for half-term.

live TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER Acoustic Tuesday The Apothecary, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6. Info 029 2030 4400.

Regular event led by pioneering local musicians and singers. Recently moved from its long-term one in Riverside to

The annual Great Welsh Beer & Cider Festival is in a new venue this year, the SWALEC stadium in Cardiff’s Sophia Gardens, and from Thurs 17-Sat 19 Oct will serve up some 130 cask ales and a few dozen craft beers and ciders apiece. uHalloween Nights National History Museum, St Fagans. 6-9pm, £13/£10 kids/ free under-2s. Info 029 2057 3500. Family activities. (Until Thurs 31) WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER Craft And Family Film Time Museum Of Cardiff, The Hayes, Cardiff. 11am-2pm, craft £1/film free. Info 029 2034 6214.

CSI Swansea – Halloween Murder @ The Museum National Waterfront Museum, Swansea. 7pm, £7.50 adv. Info 029 2057 3600. (Until Wed 30) Halloween Family Festival Day Glynn Vivian Art Gallery, Swansea. 12-4pm, free (£3 suggested donation).

Info 01792 516900. uHalloween Party Nights Gower Heritage Centre, Swansea. 6-9pm. Info 01792 371206 . Wholesome family activities. On tomorrow also.

Oriel Science Cafe National Waterfront Museum, Swansea.

7.30pm, free. Info 029 2057 3600. Chris Pak looks at the enduring poularity of The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy.

The Curse Of Megan Pritchard Ghost Tour Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

this wee cafe in Canton.

Capital City Jazz Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2087 8444. With special guest Stan Sulzmann. uChamber Tuesdays Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 6-7pm, free.

Info 029 2039 1391. Showcase of chamber ensemble work, in the foyer every Tuesday (apart from Tue 22 Oct) until Tue 26 Nov. Kenneth Hamilton Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7-9pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Eric Hodges Lecture Recital performance. 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.

Red Rum Club Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199.

Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama Showcase Flute & Tankard, Cardiff.

9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com.

Jazz. Two sets by the Ross Hicks Trio and Rosewater.

Solarek Piano Trio St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5-£7. Info 029 2087 8444.

Lunchtime concert.

Static Fires + Solcura + Hobgoblin + Urfe The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7.30pm, £3 adv. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk. The first of 31 gigs here during ‘Rocktober’, as they’re calling it. Well done on supporting live music, typed the listings editor before including the details of each one with a smile on his face.

The Old Malthouse Jazz Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

WEDNESDAY 2 OCTOBER Aeddan Williams 7 Wind Orchestra Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz.

Bella Collins Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.

Bruce Watson Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £3. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.

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. Lo-Pan + Peter Greene The Bunkhouse, Swansea.

7.30pm, £8 adv. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk. Ohio stoner rockers headline.

Man + Edgar Broughton Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 029 2062 6015. Welsh prog veterans headline. I want to know more about Edgar Broughton, specifically what kind of resemblance they bear to the band who did hard rock bangers galore in the early 70s, but no info forthcoming here.

Phoenix Morby + Kezia Gill Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. UK country acts Pulled Apart By Horses + Baba Naga Le Public Space, Newport. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. Boisterous Leeds rock band headline.

Royal Welsh College Chamber Winds Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391.

Say Sue Me + My Name Is Ian + Pagan Wanderer Lu Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff.

7pm, £12. Info 029 2023 2199.

Headliners are Korean and sound a lot like Yo La Tengo from what I recall.

Sinfonia Cymru Wind Trio The Riverfront, Newport.

1pm, £5. Info 01633 656757.

Lunchtime recital.

St Pierre Snake Invasion + Cassels Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £8. Info 029 2023 2199. Noisyish rock band from Bristol who have been around for ages headline uSwansea International Jazz Festival 2019 Various venues, Swansea. Info 01792 475147. Annual event hosted

by Swansea Jazzland.All gigs at the Garage unless specified.

Tonight The Alan Barnes Octet (8.30pm, £15). Tomorrow: Nicholas Meier World Group (8.30pm, £10). Fri 4: Jakatak (7pm, free); Hamish Stuart

Band (9pm, £20). Sat 5: Welsh Guitar Duo (Bar Saint James, 12pm, free); Ray Taff Williams Band (2pm, £10); Dick Hamer Quartet (Noah’s Yard, 4pm, free); Li Harding/Gary Phillips band (Uplands Tavern, 4.30pm, free); Chris Ingham Quartet (6.30pm, £12.50); Tristan (9.45pm, £10). Sun 6: Saxes 4 You (Bar Saint James, 12pm, free); Daniel Martin & Dave Cottle Trio (2pm, £10); Sarah Meek Quartet (Noah’s Yard, 4pm, free); Albino Frogs (Uplands Tavern, 4.30pm, free) and Laurence Cottle Big Band (8pm, £25). (Until Sun 6) Teen The Moon, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £9/£8 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Tell Tale Tusk Burnett’s Hill Chapel, Martletwy, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £10.

Info 01646 651725. Folk trio.

The DB Big Band with Lee Gilbert & Clare Hingott Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. A South Wales Big Band Society gig, on every Wednesday.

THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER An Audience With Lesley Garrett Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £26. Info 01656 815995. Songs and chat.

Band Of Friends + The James Oliver Band The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16 adv. Info 07590 471888.

BBC NOW St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5-£43. Info 029 2087 8444. Richard Fames conducts a performance of Verdi’s Requiem.

Gary Numan Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £32.50. Info 029 2023 5555. Back in Cardiff, this time on a tour called (R)evolution which uses a truly nasty font on its poster.

Georgia Paterson The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042.

Jane’s Calamity Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Monthly singalong around the piano.

Lyerr + Kid Reddy & The Features + Hang11 + King Ibex The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£6 adv. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Presented by This Feeling.

Mike Peters Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £18. Info 0300 0040444.

Acoustic solo tour from Alarm frontman. In Crickhowell on Fri 18 and Sat 19.

Ocean Mic Ocean Arts Cardiff, Cardiff Bay. 8-11.30pm, £5/£3. Info oceanartscardiff@ gmx.co.uk. Monthly open mic night with a different guest each month – for October it’s Francesca’s Word Salad.

Richard Hawley Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £27.50. Info 029 2078 1458. See last month’s issue of Buzz for an interview with this Sheffield native.

The Blackheart Orchestra Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff.

8pm, £14 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Trip-hoppy duo, have played Cardiff before.

Two Door Cinema Club + Sports Team + Fuzzy Sun Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

6.30pm, £30. Info 029 2022 4488.

BUZZ 67

* – recommended FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER 2 Rude Riverside Sports Bar & Kitchen, Newport. 9.30pm, £8 adv. Info 01633 439166.

Ska/2-tone covers. uAmserJazzTime Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 5.30pm, free.

Info 029 2039 1391. Weekly jazz sessions in the foyer, every Friday until 6 Dec. Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Feat The Hi Riders Soul Revue Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

7.30pm, £25. Info 01874 611622. In Porthcawl tomorrow; Blackwood on Thurs 24; Pontardawe on Fri 25.

Bandicoot + Sock + Mellt + Clwb Fuzz Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199. Various local indie upstarts.

Bell Lungs + Truly Kaput BBC Hall, Swansea Studios.

7-10pm, £8/£6 adv. Info rwan.cymru. Ambient vocal loop type fare from Scottish headliner, plus queer folk-pop from TK. Blur2 + Pulp’d Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £10 adv.

Info 01685 879491. Tribute bands, both playing in Cardiff tomorrow.

Bute + Jack Perrett + Class Violet + Glue Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £4.

Info 029 2023 2199. More local indie upstarts.

Cadence The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592.

Calypso The Plough, Cardiff.

9pm, free. Info 029 2062 3017.

Candy Mountain + Josh Beddis The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

David Ford Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £14 adv. Info 029 2089 0862.

Singer-songwriter.

Deference + Dreameater + Downfall The Green Rooms, Treforest. 7pm. Info 01443 841133. *Gassed Up + MTXS + Instruments Of Torture + Grief Ritual + Positive Reaction + Youthanasia The Moon, Cardiff. 5pm, free.

Info info@themooncardiff. com. This was going to be two gnarly hardcore gigs, one here and one in Fuel, but they smushed them together instead of having them clash.

Nice.

Marc Davies Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026.

Mynd I’r Gap Ceilidh Constitutional Club, Blaenavon. 7.30pm, £3. Info Paul Ashton Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767.

Reflections The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free.

Info 029 2021 2509. Rock and pop covers.

Rhodri Davies Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391. Skronky harp geezer performs music by Yoko Ono among others Second Chance + Grooveline + Black Angus + Tumbling Dice + The Hindenburgs Barry Island

Sports & Social Club. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 07595 497225.

This is the Neil Lewis Annual Memorial Concert.

Superjam The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 8.30pm.

Info 01685 387925. Reggae.

The Fugitives Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Blues. uThe Swansea Fringe Various venues, Swansea. £25 weekend/£12.50 per day.

Info www.theswanseafringe. com. Previewed in Music last month, here’s the full lineup.

Today: Sin City: Trampolene and The Riff; Elusium: Hvnter, Dead Method, Agiris and Mogan; No Sign Wine Bar: Ellis Thomas, Rory Clark, Catherine Elms and Samuel Owens; The Perch: Double Or Nothing and Ade Owen; Cinema & Co (comedy): Alex Love and Paul James; Hangar 18: Carolines, The Stray Pursuit, Zepher, Red Telephone, My Girlfriend’s A Zombie and Jonathan Nicholas; Bunkhouse: Estuary Blacks, Prosperina, Suns Of Thunder, Breichiau Hir, Sybs and Cities (main stage); Lifting Gear Engineer and Synchronymous (Parlour stage); Crowleys: Motel Thieves, Miki Dollarude, Taxi Rank, 100% Rabbit and Cactus Haus; YMCA: Noname Cabaret; Basekamp: Live Poets Society; Bar Americanos: The Matt John Band; Crosskeys: Katie & Co; Pump House: Ragsy; Creature Sound: Jspeakz with Starvz, Murkage and AKA Chkz; The Swigg; The Rubies. Sat 5: Glynn Vivian: Georgia Fearne; Elysium: The Balkaneers, Lost Tuesday Society; Rag Foundation, Little Folk, Tommy Jenkins, Coppercailie, Danielle Lewis, Sarah Birch, Frankie & The Yetis, Eleri Angharad, Aiden Keryn, Orphan Dinosaur and Daisy Birch-Jones; The Hyst: Endar, Kidsmoke, Codewalkers, Rosehip Teahouse, Esther, Gwilym, Y Cledrau and Hana2k. Volcano (comedy): The Scottish Falsetto Sock Puppet Theatre, Jake Baker, Simon Caine, Dylan Jones & Dai Davies, CJ Hooper, Rough As and Sheep & Mash; Bunkhouse: Vanilla, Soundwire, The Sandinistas, Fire Fences, White Riot, Patrick Jones & Quark, Dominic Nation & The Dirty Dead, Geraint Rhys, Bloom, Pierre Donahue, Kikker and Two Til Twelve (R*E*P*E*A*T stage); Christian Sayers, Dunkie, Sarah Birch, Chris Stringer and Rhys Williams (Parlour stage); Crowleys: Iron Gosling, Keys, Crystalline, Windshake, Oblong, Only Fools & Corpses, Kim Hon, Que Asco!, Pete Greene, Blue Amber, Papur Wal and Lazarus Moon (Crowleys); Jam Rock: Badaboom Soundsystem; The Perch: Soulskunks and Laura Benjamin; No Sign Wine Bar: Tom Emlyn, Dunkie, The Last Southern Ghost and Desert Life; The Cross Keys: Elphies Kingdom; The Queens: Off The Record. Sun 6: Elusium (comedy): Jeff Japers, Michael Brunstrom, Andy Barr and

The Ministry Of Absurdism; No Sign Wine Bar: The Warbirds, Point Of View and Hawthorn Avenue; Volcano (comedy): Drew Taylor, Sarah Bridgeman, Daf Rhys & Zach Williams and Paul Scoble; The Perch: King Goon and Darren Eedens & The Slim Pickins; Hangar 18: Pearler, Heavy Flames, Hang11, The Rusty Nutz, Nigel, Greenmailer, Sweet Ignitions, Swamp Thief and Trep; The Bunkhouse: Colours Of One, Inscape, All Dead All Dead, Calling Apollo, Drip Fed Empire, Sydney Fate, Wynt, Smile at Strangers, Icantdie and The Midweek Revival (main stage); Benluc, Liv Kneath, Rhys Williams, Tom Emlyn and Melody Shaddick (Parlour stage); Crowleys: Hawthorn Avenue, Tanglejack, Matthew Frederick, Lunar Bird and Nigel Davies & The Good Companions; The Swigg: Fonz & The Poet; Jamrock: open mic. (Until Sun 6) The Whiskey River Boys Cathays Conservative Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5. Info 07940 004958. Blues band hosted by the Blues Dragon Club, promoting their first gig for a good few years (and with more planned if this goes well).

Three O’Clock Club El Siecos, Newport. 9pm, free.

Info twitter.com/esiecos.

Ultimate Bowie The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tribute show. uUWC Atlantic Cafe Concert St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan.

3-4pm. Info 01446 799100.

Also on Fri 11 and Fri 18 this month.

Year Of The Dog Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Feat The Hi Riders Soul Revue Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

7.30pm, £25.50. Info 01656 815995.

Anonymous Iconoclasts The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff.

8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.

Ant-Trouble + Addiciton Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd.

7.30pm, £5. Info 01443 491424.

Adam Ant tribute band headline.

Blodau Papur Ceredigion Museum, Aberystwyth. 7.30pm, £12. Info 01970 633088. Welsh language rock band, promoted here by Clwb Ifor Bach. In Clwb itself on Fri 11; Cardigan on Sat 12.

Blur2 + The Verve Experience + Pulp’d The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £14 adv. Info 07590 471888. Three tribute bands touring as The Britpop Reboot.

CVC + Holiday In The Mind + Rainbow Maniac Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199. Single launch for headliners. uFrankie Wesson Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 8pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Every Sunday this month.

Gwyl Werin Soar Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil. 10am, £3-£10. Info 01685 722176.

Welsh folk alldayer with music

from Vri, Kizzy Crawford, Deuair, Gwilym Morus Baird, Olion Byw, Y Daplas, Hen Gan, Rhiain Bebb & Huw Roberts and Avanc. Plus clog dancing, info stalls, kids’ activities etc.

Hashtag Acoustic The Pheasant, Bridgend. 9pm, free.

Info 01656 653614.

Hue & Cry Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £22. Info 0300 3656677.

Indigo May Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 6pm, £12. Info 01685 384111. Vocal duo. Price includes a drink. uJon Crespo Quartet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Funk and Latin tunes, every Saturday this month.

Jumpin’ Jimmy & The Nice Guys Porter’s, Cardiff.

8pm. Info info@porterscardiff. com.

Kit & Aaron The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7. Info 029 2048 3344. Folk duo who both also play in Sheelanagig.

Lindisfarne Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £25.50. Info 0845 2263510.

Miss June Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8. Info 029 2039 9557. American punk band promoted here by Clwb Ifor Bach.

The 501s + Heavy On The Ride + Split DeathThe Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2.

Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

The Mau Maus + Picture Frame Seduction The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7pm, £6 adv.

Info 01495 213300. Early 80s UK punk bands, reunited. The Mau Maus were (are!) from Sheffield and were super fast for the time, like US hardcore fast. What are they like now?

No idea.

Rhiannon Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2062 6015.

Fleetwood Mac tribute band.

Sold out.

Richard & Adam Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £19£39.50. Info 0300 0040444. In Newport tomorrow; Neath on Sat 19; Carmarthen on Sun 20.

Rocky Road Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194.

Samuel Walters The Mariners, Laugharne. 8.30pm, free. Info 01994 427688. uSteve Tarner Jazz Hen & Chickens, Abergavenny. 2pm, free. Info 01873 853613. Every Sunday this month.

Super Marine Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £6 adv. Info 01495 227206.

Blackwood indie band launch a single, Decadent Flowers.

That title and their promo photo (all four members wearing shades, snapper lying on the floor to take the pic) gives off a proper Fast Show Indie Club vibe.

The Dualers Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20. Info 029 2023 5555. London reggae ensemble who are playing arenas next year and as such have already sold this out.

Suspect that someone thinks they’re going to be the new Madness.

The Fugitives The Albion, Penarth. 9pm, free. Info 029 2033 0743.

u – repeated

The Red Hot Pokers Cwmbran RFC, Pontnewydd, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £14. Info 01633 483238. Borough Blues Club gig.

The Ultimate Classic Rock Show The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 8pm, £16. Info 01639 843163.

Thunder: Unplugged & Unscripted Town Hall, Maesteg. 7.30pm, £24.50.

Info 01656 815995. Danne and Luke from UK hard rock faves do a Q&A type session and play some Thunder songs acoustically.

Tiny Leaves + Sharron Kraus + Tyler Keevil + Ivan Moult + Phil Jones Le Public Space, Newport.

7pm, £6 adv. Info sam@lepub. co.uk. Combo of musicians (Leaves, Kraus, Moult) and writers (Keevil, Jones).

Toby Hay + C Joynes The Lost Arc, Rhayader. 8pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 01743 860246.

Instrumental folk guitarist Toby has a new album, being launched here.

Tool Shed + Scarsun Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 07970 063107. Tool tribute band headline.

Trystan Llyr Griffiths The Queens Hall, Narberth.

6.15pm, £16. Info 01834 861212. Welsh tenor doing a charity concert for this venue itself, which is looking for a cool half-million to do refurb.

Unite Against Hate Jac’s, Aberdare. 5pm, £10/£7 adv.

Info 01685 879491. Featuring Häxan, Pelugion, Peaks, Deadaudiosaints, Cosmic Ninja, Ironvolt, Surrge and The Angry Badgers. A similar alldayer is in Swansea on Sat 26.

Wannabe Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7.30pm, £25.

Info 01446 738622. Spice Girls tribute band star in musical theatre show.

What’s Love Got To Do With It? Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli.

7.30pm, £25. Info 0845 2263510. Tina Turner tribute show.

Whitehall Parade The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm, £3 adv. Info 01685 387925.

Zervas & Pepper Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2089 0862.

SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER Anne Niepold & Riccardo Tesi Pontardawe Arts Centre.

7pm, £15.40/£5 under-25s. Info 01792 863722. Accordion duo.

Arcade Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £16 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Edinburgh folk duo.

Cardiff Polyphonic Choir & Sinfonie Orchester Schöneberg Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, £22/£11 NUS. Info 029 2063 6464. Featuring a performance of Mendelssohn’s Elijah, and the vocal of Welsh operatic star Anagharad Lyddon. In St Davids on Sat 12.

Eclectic Shed Experience Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free.

Info 01994 427688.

Jack The Biscuit Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

MOCSA Young Welsh

Singer Of The Year Great Hall, Bay Campus, Swansea University. 4pm, £12. Info 01792 602060. Competition final, also featuring performances by the Morriston Orpheus Choir.

Penguin Cafe St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £32/£29.

Info 029 2087 8444. Minimalist classical ensemble, founded by the son of Simon Jeffes of Penguin Cafe Orchestra to carry on his legacy.

Richard & Adam The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £23.50-£46.50. Info 01633 656757.

Swim Deep The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07590 471888. Indie.

The Great Unknown The Windsor, Penarth. 9pm, free.

Info 029 2070 8675.

Wolfpeake + Tom Auton + Lazy Machine + Fly

By Night The Moon, Cardiff.

7pm, £5/£4 adv or NUS. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

MONDAY 7 OCTOBER Daniel O’Donnell + Mary Duff Grand Theatre, Swansea.

7.30pm, £37-£46.50. Info 01792 475715.

In The Cards + Scavenger + DTT The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5/£4 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk.

Les Musicals St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25/£57.50 VIP. Info 029 2087 8444. Singing musical faves, a duo of Jonathan from G4 and Jai McDowall from Britain’s Got Talent. In Newtown on Fri 11; Swansea Sat 12. uLive Jazz Noah’s Yard, Swansea. 8pm. Info 01792 447360. Here every Monday, schedule TBC this month TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER A Burial At Sea + Fort + Excuses Tiny Rebel, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £5/£3 adv. Info 029 2039 9557.

Jazz Torque Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

Raymond Clarke Cardiff University Concert Hall.

7-8.45pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Recital of three Rachmaninov pieces.

Rockers Reunion Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 8pm.

Info 029 2062 6015.

Thunder & The Giants + Static Fires The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7.30pm, £3 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk.

Vella The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm.

Info info@themooncardiff. com.

Will Young St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £37.50-£52.

Info 029 2087 8444.

WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER Alessi’s Ark + Natty Paynter + Alice Meixner The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £7/£5.50 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Dan Newberry Quintet The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £7-£12.50. Info 01792 475147.

A Swansea Jazzland night.

Focus Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16 adv.

Info 029 2062 6015. Dutch proggers, come to south

J U S T ANNOU NC E D FO R N OVEM BER: LIFE (Clwb I f o r B a c h , C a r di f f , T h u r s 7 ) S Q UEEZ E + H EAV EN 1 7 ( S t D a v id ’ s Ha l l , Ca r d i ff, Wed 13) TE MPLES (Tr amshed, Car di ff, Sat 1 6 ) T H E Q UI REB O Y S ( S i n C i t y, S w a n s ea , S u n 1 7 ) GENO WA S HN GT O N BUZZ 68

Wales oftenish. In Pontardawe tomorrow.

Hvnter + Dead Method + Agiris Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm.

Info info@porterscardiff.com.

A Forte Project gig.

Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10-£43. Info 029 2087 8444. Yuri Simonoc conducts a programme of Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninov and Khachaturian.

Passionate About Piaf Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff.

8pm, £18 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Edith Piaf tribute show

by Gwenno Dafydd.

Phoebe Rees Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5 members. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.

Royal Welsh College Harps Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391.

Sugar Thief + The Estevans + Hourglass + The Kicklips Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £6. Info 029 2023 2199. Presented by This Feeling.

Superglu + Killjoys Le Public Space, Newport.

7.30pm, £7 adv. Info sam@ lepub.co.uk. uThe Bay Rum Hounds Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Also on Wed 23.

The Boalch / Beraha Quartet Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz.

These Thrilling Lies + Livin’ Cheap + Miki Dollarude The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £3 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk.

The Siglo Big Band MD Matt Lush & Vocalists Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. A South Wales Big Band Society gig.

THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER Bel Blue & Friends St Illtud’s Church, Llantwit Major. 7-9pm, free (donations welcome). Info 01446 792439.

This is taking place on World Mental Health Day and is a benefit show for youth suicide prevention charity Papyrus.

Carwyn Ellis & Rio ‘18 The Gate, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12.50.

Info 029 2048 3344. Colorama founding member indulges his taste for Brazilian music.

Previewed in last month’s issue.

Chloe & Friends The Pod, Newport. 9.30pm. Info 01633 535440.

Focus Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £22. Info 01792 863722.

Gender Roles Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £7. Info 029 2023 2199.

Jack PC Quartet Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2039 9557. Jazz group who live in London but formed in Cardiff.

Jamie Smith’s Mabon Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

7.30pm, £20/£18. Info 01873 850805. Welsh folk ensemble. *John + Zinc Bukowski

+ Think Pretty + Godbomber The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £7/£5.50 adv. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Cosmic Carnage with a noisy rock bill. Headliners’ album is reviewed in this issue.

Kris Drever Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2089 0862.

Scottish folk-rocker.

Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £25/£23.

Info 01792 475715. uLooped 2019 NosDa, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Not two but three days of loop pedal-using musicians, following on from a similar event last year timed with a weekend of gigs by Ed Sheeran, inventor of the loop pedal. Starts from 2pm on Sat 12. (Until Sat 12) Mark Lockheart & Guests Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7.50-£15. Info 029 2039 1391.

UK jazzer with an ensemble including Alice Leggett and Laura Jurd.

Rachel Taylor-Beales: Stone’s Throw Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12.50. Info 0845 2263510. Gig-theatre adaption of Welsh folk-rock artist Taylor Beales’ recent album Stone’s Throw. In Cardiff tomorrow and Sat 12; Haverfordwest on Wed 16.

Ross Gurney The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042.

Smile At Strangers + Cease to See The Sun + Dead Crow + DTT + Swim + Hayleigh Smith The Bunkhouse, Swansea.

7pm, £5 adv. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk.

Songwriters Network Ocean Arts Cardiff, Cardiff Bay. 8-11.30pm, £5/£3. Info oceanartscardiff@gmx.co.uk.

Meetup and jam type night, every second Thursday of the month.

Tankus The Henge Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £12.

Info 029 2023 2199.

The House & Garage Orchestra Tramshed, Cardiff.

7pm, £20.50. Info 029 2023 5555.

The Rheingans Sisters Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2087 7959.

Folk duo. uTobias Robertson The Stable, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 1721. Acoustic session in the pizza joint under the Admiral building. Also here on Thurs 17, Sat 19 and Sat 26 this month.

Wonderbrass Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER Amber Run + Stereo Honey Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union.

7pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Wimp-pop band from Nottingham who have just released a thematic album all about... love. Heavy concept!

American Hitmen Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm, from £3.

Info enquiries@ hangar18musicvenue.co.uk.

Salt Lake City band who played Swansea a while back.

Their main selling point seems to be that they’re squaddies.

Big Boy Bloater & The Limits Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £11 adv. Info 07970 063107. Blues-rock guy.

Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band The Met, Abertillery.

8pm, £15. Info 01495 355945.

Blodau Papur Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £12. Info 029 2023 2199.

Bruce Anderson The Plough, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 3017.

Calypso Vivian Arms, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 516194.

Chroma + Melly + Sybs + I Fight Lions Jac’s, Aberdare. 7pm, £3 adv. Info 01685 879491. Menter Iaith night.

ELO Again Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £17/£16. Info 01633 868239.

ELO tribute band.

F.Emasculata + Rotting Monarchs + Positive Reaction + Throwing Knives The Dolls House, Abertillery. 7pm, £6 adv. Info 01495 213300. Headliners are Cornish and their songs are about the X Files, so get 50% of my approval.

Flash Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2089 0862. Queen tribute, sold out.

Issues + Lotus Eater Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £15.

Info 029 2023 2199. Headliners are an Atlanta band “known for their combination of metalcore, nu-metal, pop and r’n’b”. They called it crabcore in my day.

Jimmy Mac’s Blues Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3.

Info 029 2038 7026.

Lee Gilbert Miners Institute, Blackwood. 1pm, £7.50. Info 01495 227206. Rat Pack renditions for this dementia-friendly lunchtime concert.

Les Musicals Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £23. Info 01686 614555.

Megan Dixon Hood The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762.

Midge Ure Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £27.50. Info 029 2023 5555. Playing Vienna by Ultravox and bits of Visage by Visage, apparently.

Nathan Bell Cwtch Coffee, Pembroke Dock. 7.30pm. Info 01646 687635. Folk. *N’famady Kouyaté’s The Successors Of The Mandingue M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. Info 029 2047 3373. Kouyaté is from Guinea and plays the xylophone-like balafon, which he’ll be doing here as leader of a band he assembled after moving to Wales. Tomorrow daytime he’ll also be playing solo at the Roath food market which is a couple of streets away from here.

Nikki Pope The Stable, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 1721.

Open Night Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 8pm, £3. Info 01792 425231. A Valley Folk Club night.

Organsm Porter’s, Cardiff.

THE STRUTS Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union, Thurs 17 Oct Tickets £19.50. Info: 029 2078 1458 / www.cardiffstudents.com If, asked to name some iconic rock’n’roll elder statesmen, you namechecked The Rolling Stones, The Who, Mötley Crüe or Guns N’ Roses, they would all have something other than sold-out stadium tours in common, as it turns out.

They’ve all had The Struts as their opening act. Since forming in 2012, the Derby four-piece has developed an unapologetically glam-rock sound and captivating stage presence lead by Luke Spiller’s Mercury-esque swagger. If that’s not enough to convince you, Dave Grohl said the band was the best opening act Foo Fighters has ever had. Keep an eye out for these boys, because when it comes to rock’n’roll The Struts might be next in line to the throne.

8pm. Info info@porterscardiff. com.

Paul Ashton The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. uRachel Taylor-Beales: Stone’s Throw Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12/£10.

Info 029 2030 4400. On tomorrow also.

Rocket Man Celtic Manor, nr Newport. 7pm, £35. Info 01633 413737. Elton John tribute.

Price includes a three-course meal and a drink on arrival.

Ross Gurney Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767.

Savitri Grier & Yundu Wang Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff.

1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391.

The Icicle Works The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £21 adv.

Info 07590 471888. Alt-pop Scousers from the 80s back playing.

The Jackson Pollock The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Italian garage punk band.

The John Hackett Band Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 7.30pm, £15. Info 01982 552555. Prog rock fella, brother of Genesis’ Steve.

This River City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913.

SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER A Band Called Malice The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £10 adv. Info gigs@ thedragonffli.com. Jam tribute.

Alice Cooper + The Stranglers + MC50 Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

6.30pm, £48. Info 029 2022 4488. See Upfront for an interview with Alice. Gig be sold out tho! MC50 is Wayne Kramer doing MC5 songs with a backing band including Brendan from Fugazi, who would be great to meet in 1987 via a

time machine and tell him he’d be touring with Alice Cooper in the future.

A Night With The Stars Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 6.30pm, £15/£13. Info 0845 2263510.

Back To Bacharach Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

7.30pm, £23. Info 01873 850805. Tribute show.

Beatles For Sale Jac’s, Aberdare. 7pm, £10 adv. Info 01685 879491. Tribute band.

Big Girls Don’t Cry Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £24.50/£22.50. Info 01495 227206. Frankie Valli tribute.

Black Flag + Total Chaos Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20.50. Info 029 2023 5555.

American hardcore progenitors, or rather guitarist/crazy cat man Greg Ginn plus an assembly of younger ringers, play Cardiff for the first time.

Blodau Papur Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 8pm, £12.

Info 01239 621200.

Bright Shiners The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 01497 821762. A capella singing group.

Cardiff Polyphonic Choir & Sinfonie Orchester Schöneberg St Davids Cathedral, Pembrokeshire.

7.30pm, £22/£11 NUS. Info 029 2034 4626.

Cagework + Icehead Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7/£5 adv. Info 029 2039 9557.

Deadwood + The Ginger Lizards Hangar 18, Swansea.

7.30pm, from £4. Info enquiries@ hangar18musicvenue.co.uk.

Headliners are doing a dual Metallica/Iron Maiden tribute set.

Duppy Busters Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Reggae and ska.

Eleri Angharad The Mariners, Laugharne. 8.30pm, free. Info 01994 427688. In sister venue Browns tomorrow.

Frenzy Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2062 6015.

Psychobilly.

Gimme Some Lovin’ The Garage, Swansea. 8pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 01792 475147. Soul.

Gindrinker + The Perverts The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 8pm, free.

Info 029 2021 2509. Two longrunning arch shouty noisy rock bands from Cardiff and Bristol respectively.

Hollie-Anne The Red Dragon, Bridgend. 8.30pm, free. Info 01656 654753.

Kast Off Kinks Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £20. Info 01874 611622.

Tribute band.

Les Musicals Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. 7.30pm, £17.50£65. Info 01792 475715. Top price is VIP shenanigans.

Made In Liverpool Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2089 0862. Beatles tribute band. Sold out. *Massa Circles + Lecu M.A.D.E. Gallery & Shop, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5.50 adv/£12 with EP Info 029 2047 3373.

See One To Watch in this issue for a writeup on Massa Circles.

Motörized UK The Dolls House, Abertillery. 8pm,. Info 01495 213300. Motörhead tribute band.

N’famady Kouyaté Mackintosh Sports Club Car Park, Roath, Cardiff. 11am1pm, free. Info 029 2022 7982.

Playing here for two hours while the weekly market is on.

Nick & Cheryl The Pod, Newport. 9.30pm. Info 01633 535440.

No Violet + Clt Drp + Twisted Ankle The Moon, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Ross Gurney Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319.

Sidewinder The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, free. Info 01495

& T H E R A M JA M BA ND (Ear l Hai g Club , W hi tchur ch, C a r di f f , Wed 2 0 ) T RI ALS O F CAT O ( Ta li es i n Ar t s C en t r e, S w a n s e a , T h u r s 2 1 ) EM E LI SA ND É (St Davi d’s Hall, Fri 22) JUST AN NO U N CED F O R D ECEM B ER : B EAK > ( C lw b I f o r B a c h , Wed 4 ) B R U TA L I T Y BUZZ 69

* – recommended 247178. Rock covers.

Smiling Tigers The Duke, Neath. 8pm, free. Info 0300 3656677.

Sounds Of Simon St Donats Arts Centre, Vale Of Glamorgan. 7.30pm, £15.50.

Info 01446 799100. Simon & Garfunkel tribute.

Stanley Strong Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748.

The Fleetwood Mac Songbook The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 9pm. Info 01685 387925. Tribute band.

The Rotanas + The Luka State + Papa Jupe’s Taurus Club The Big Top, Cardiff. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2022 8883.

The UB40 Experience The Neon, Newport. 7pm, £14 adv. Info 01633 533666.

Tribute act.

The Undecided Riverside Sports Bar & Kitchen, Newport. 9pm, free. Info 01633 439166.

Universal Translators + Paul Keddle & Calling Card The Lost Arc, Rhayader. 8pm, £4 adv. Info 01743 860246.

Warlord + In Which It Burns + Excursia Creature Sound, Swansea.

8pm, £5. Info 01792 301178.

Headliners are a thrash/death metal band who originated in early-90s Birmingham.

You Win Again The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £25. Info 01633 656757. Bee Gees tribute show.

SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER Convictions + Familiar Spirit + Glass Heart +

Exit To Main Menu + Boxing Day Rage The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk.

Eleri Angharad Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688. uFolk Music & Song Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells. 4pm.

Info 07477 627267. Every second and fourth Sunday of the month (also on Sun 27 in October), with an extra acoustic session on the third Sunday (Sun 20) too.

Funke & The Two Tone Baby + Isembard’s Wheel + Alcie Bella The Moon, Cardiff. 4pm, £8/£7 adv. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. More acts TBC. Headie One Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union.

7pm, £15.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. North London newjack rapper.

John Hackett Band + The Kentish Spires Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff.

8pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2089 0862. Prog from Steve Hackett out of Genesis’ brother.

Junior Hacksaw Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff.

6-8pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

Rachel Starritt Trio Café Jazz, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £3-£5.

Info 029 2038 7026. Playing as part of the Hot Club Swing monthly gypsy jazz jam night.

Shu-hua Chen & Jennifer Ku Cardiff University Concert Hall. 3.4.30pm, £10/£8/ free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Performing Schubert,

Schumann, Brahms, Chopin and Milhaud.

MONDAY 14 OCTOBER Ben Luc The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk.

Cut Glass Kings The Moon, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £4.50 adv.

Info info@themooncardiff. com.

Supreme Queen Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £21-£25. Info 01792 475715.

Tribute band.

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER uAlbert Lee Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2089 0862. Blues-rocker, on tomorrow also and sold out both days.

All Dead, All Dead The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Banshee Therapy Session Flute & Tankard, Cardiff.

9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard.com.

Jazz improv open session.

Clare Hammond Cardiff University Concert Hall.

7-8.45pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Recital of piano pieces by Mendelssohn, Schumann, Gubaidulina, Hilary Tann, Rhian Samuel and Rachmaninov.

Ibibio Sound Machine + Rina Mushonga Y Plas, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £14 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. London-based band who do kinda Afrobeat with a modern sheen, and who are somwwhat surprisingly signed to uber-indie US label Merge. See Upfront.

Keifer Sutherland

Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £30. Info 029 2023 5555.

Hollywood actor tries this ‘music’ thing out and sells out this gig while doing so.

Nicholas McCarthy St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 1pm, £5-£7. Info 029 2087 8444.

Lunchtime concert from someone billed as a “lefthanded pianist” here, as a one-handed pianist in most other places – that being rather more to the point – and “the one-handed gay concert pianist” by Attitude magazine.

NOLA’s Legacy Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

PP Arnold Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £25 adv. Info 029 2062 6015. UK soul mainstay.

The Hip Fire + Wine Morals + Ginger Jam The Bunkhouse, Swansea.

7pm, £3 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk.

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER Andy Collins Open Mic Night Cockett Inn, Swansea.

8pm, free. Info 01792 588748.

Augmented Capital City Jazz Orchestra Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10.

Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. A South Wales Big Band Society gig, with the Orchestra performing film, radio and TV themes.

Bang Bang Romeo Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £8.

Info 029 2023 2199. This band were in Cardiff a while back, supporting P!nk in the

u – repeated

stadium. I don’t know much about them though.

Bloodshot Dawn + Infected Dead + Becomes Astral Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £10 adv.

Info 07970 063107.

Easy Street Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.

Hession / Beck / Lash Trio The Queens Head, Monmouth. 8pm, free. Info 01600 712767. Skronky jazz improv trio featuring three UK musicians who appear here in various forms quite often.

Hope & Social Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £14/£12.

Info 01970 623232. In Abergavenny on Sat 19.

Johnny Lloyd The Big Top, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £8.50 adv.

Info 029 2022 8883. Solo fella who used to be in Tribes.

Karen Sharp Quartet The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £8-£15. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.

Lighthammer + The Ninety One Two Threes The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Tonight’s host is Alcie Bella.

Paul Booth Quartet Flute & Tankard, Cardiff.

9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz.

Rachel Taylor-Beales: Stone’s Throw Ysgol Caer Elen, Haverfordwest. 7.30pm, £8/£6. Info 01834 869323.

Presented here by Span Arts.

Reverend James And The Swingtown Cowboys

Ex-Servicemen’s Club, Penarth. 7.30pm, £5/£4.40 adv. Info feelgoodmusicorg@ gmail.com. Also featuring swing DJ The Medicine Man. Sixties Gold 2019 Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £37. Info 01792 475715.

Featuring Herman’s Hermits, The Merseybeats, The Marmalade, Wayne Fontana And The Mindbenders and Steve Ellis. In Cardiff tomorrow.

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER Akmi Duo Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £12 adv. Info 029 2039 1391. Sax/piano duo performing the Swiss Ambassador’s Award Concert, which takes place here every October.

Anna Ryder Newport Fugitives Athletic Club, Rogerstone, Newport. 8pm.

Info 07837 288096. Newport Folk Club night featuring an auxiliary Fairport Convention member. Talking of convention, she writes her name annA rydeR but I frown on that sort of thing I’m afraid.

Cantorin Creigiau Singers Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 6pm, free. Info 029 2089 0862. Playing as part of Pizza Night here Dave Jones Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £6/£5. Info 029 2038 7026.

Dub Pistols The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv.

Info 07590 471888. Lairy live dance act, popular in the 90s. *Eyehategod + Billyclub + Tuskar Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £16.50. Info

live review

PIXIES

Motorpoint Arena Cardiff, Fri 13 Sept

The convention that a band doesn’t open an hour and 45-minute set with their two biggest hits is torpedoed by the Pixies this evening, who segue Where Is My Mind? straight into Here Comes Your Man. As a bold way to get a packed arena crowd fired up, it’s brilliant – and with a back catalogue as heavy on hits as the Pixies’, they nearly get away with it.

Nobody expects a lecture from imposing frontman Black Francis. Indeed, nobody’s in the least surprised that neither he, nor his bandmates (original members Joey Santiago and David Lovering, plus bassist Paz Lenchantin, who has been filling Kim Deal’s shoes admirably for a few years now) utter so much as a hello to the crowd, most of whom look like they were around to pick up a copy of breakthrough record Surfer Rosa when it hit the shops in 1988. Instead, the Bostonians pummel relentlessly through a 30-plus song setlist that shows off the breadth of a long career, taking in numbers from 1987’s Come On Pilgrim all the way up to brand spanking new LP Beneath The Eyrie.

The trouble is, and at the risk of sounding curmudgeonly, there’s a marked difference in quality between this newer material and the old stuff. Numbers like Catfish Kate and On Graveyard Hill are fine tunes, lyrically evocative and possessed of decent hooks, but it’s hard to escape the sense that if a band with less pedigree than tonight’s headliners had put them out, they’d have vanished without trace into rock’n’roll’s void.

So, when they’re good, they’re stellar; nobody is going to watch Pixies, in the flying form they display tonight, rip through a lacerating Debaser and not feel awed.

But for every Caribou or Gigantic, there’s a dawdle through Daniel Boone or Los Surfers Muertos. Still, the sweet taste left by a warmly delivered and rabidly demanded encore of Hey is worth the cost of admission alone. words HUGH RUSSELL photos KEVIN PICK W I L L P R E VA IL (C l wb Ifor Bach, Sun 8) AGAINST T HE C U RRENT ( C a r di f f U n i ve r s i t y S t u den t s Un i o n , Tu e 1 0 ) GO L D I E L O O K I N C H AI N (Newport C en tr e, Sat 21) JOOLS HOLL AN D & H I S RH Y T H M AND B LU ES O RC H ES T RA ( M o t o r p o i n t Ar en a Ca r d iff, S a t BUZZ 70

029 2023 2199. First Welsh gig in forever for chaotic sludge metal headliners, brought here

by Snuff Lane from Bristol.

Lionel Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £20. Info 01633 868239. Lionel Richie tribute act.

Oddity Road + Hunter From Fremonte + Parish Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £7. Info 029 2023 2199.

Sentry + I Am Gravity + I Fight Bears + Scottcantswim + Youthana$ia The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £4 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk.

Sixties Gold 2019 St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £37.50.

Info 029 2087 8444.

The Italics The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042.

The Roselles The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

The Struts + King Nun Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £19.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Retro rock type lads headline.

Treorchy Male Choir Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £15/£12. Info 0300 0040444.

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER Bandaoke Porter’s, Cardiff.

8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. “Sing with a fully rehearsed band and become the Popstar you always dreamed of being.”

Bardd Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £14/£12. Info 01970 623232. Welsh quartet featuring a former young poet laureate, a champion beatboxer and two multi-instrumentalists. In Newtown on Sat 19; Llanelli on Fri 25.

Big Mac’s Wholly Soul Band + Ellie Rose McGuire The Village Hotel, Cardiff. 7pm, £20 adv. Info 07493 773407. In aid of the Follow Your Dreams charity.

Bruce Anderson Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767.

Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £6.50-£25.

Info 029 2087 8444. American special with Copland, Bernstein, Gershwin etc.

Cathryn Craig & Brian Willoughby Glais Rugby Football Club, nr Clydach, Swansea. 7.30pm, £7. Info 01792 425231. Valley Folk Club night.

City Of London Sinfonia & Llandaff Cathedral Choir Llandaff Cathedral, Cardiff.

7-8.30pm, £5-£20. Info 029 2056 4554.

Dansette Café Jazz, Cardiff.

8pm, £4/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Classic soul.

Diamond Head + Pearler + Traitors Gate Patti Pavilion, Swansea. 7pm, £15 adv. Info 01792 475444.

NWOBHM sorts headline, Big Day promote.

Die! Chihuahua Die! + Dusteroid + Lighthammer + That Which Ate The Moon Tiny Rebel, Cardiff.

7pm, £5 adv. Info 029 2039 9557. *Estuary Blacks + The

Death Of Money + Obey Cobra The Moon, Cardiff.

7pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com. Three good and heavy bands for £0.

European Union Chamber Orchestra Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £18.

Info 01873 850805. Performing works by Grieg, Mendelssohn and Dvorak. Keep your bad patter to yourself please.

Goose The Pod, Newport.

9.30pm. Info 01633 535440.

Idge Logan The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592.

In Which It Burns + Greywall + Led By Lies The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, free. Info 01495 247178. Topbilled two bands are in Neath on Fri 25.

Ladies Love A Superhero Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 7pm, £4 adv. Info 01443 491424.

Leaether Strip + DrakenWerks Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm. Info 07970 063107. First ever Welsh gig for headliner who’s been going for 30 years and is big on that EBM goth fetish scene. Never checked him out TBH. Lleuwen + Kizzy Crawford + Eädyth + Delyth A Bethan Theatr Soar, Merthyr Tydfil. 7pm, £12.

Info 01685 722176.

Los Blancos + Sybs Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7pm, £8 adv.

Info 07818 056599.

Madassa Soul Band The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £11 adv. Info 07590 471888.

Mason Hill + King Kraken + Who Knows Didley? + Scavengers The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 6pm, £12 adv. Info gigs@ thedragonffli.com. uMike Peters Clarence Hall, Crickhowell. 7.30pm, £18 adv.

Info contact@ woodfiredsummit.com.

Presented by Woodfired Summit. On tomorrow also; today’s date was added due to demand.

Miss Kill + Boxcat + Faster On Fire + Ignitemares + Stay Voiceless Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm, £5 suggested donation. Info sam@lepub. co.uk. Benefit show for Solidarity Not Silence.

Peter Moore Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391. Trombonist.

Re-Take That Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £25.50. Info 01792 475715.

Tribute band in a “fully interactive singalong experience” which means they have the lyrics on a screen.

Ross Gurney City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913.

Rumney Folk Club St Augustine’s Church, Rumney, Cardiff. 7.45pm. Info derek@ rumneyfolkclub.co.uk. Monthly session with regular and guest performers.

Rusty Shackle Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £15.

Info 029 2089 0862.

Sarah Brown The Stable, Cardiff. 7pm, free. Info 029 2022 1721.

Skalet Earl Haig Memorial

Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2062 6015. Ska covers. uSwn Festival Various venues, Cardiff. £65 weekend/£22.50 Fri 18 + Sun 20/£27.50 Sat 19. Info www. swnfest.com. Taking place in Clwb Ifor Bach, Jacob’s Market, Kongs, 10 Feet Tall, The Moon, Tramshed, Fuel, O’Neills And The Old Market Tavern, the day-by-day breakdown is like this. Today: Bloxx, Charlotte Adigery, The Comet Is Coming, Cruelty, Easy Life, Flamingods, Gruff Rhys, Himalayas, Josiah Konder, Just Mustard, Krush Puppies, Nilufer Yanya, Rainbow Maniac and Sunshine Frisbee Laserbeam. Sat 19: 3 Hwr Doeth, Alien Tango, Big Joanie, Big Thing, Bilge Pump, Black Country, New Road, Bodyhacker, Brand New Friend, Bryde, Campfire Social, Chroma, The Claque, Clwb Fuzz, Conchur White, Darren Eedens & The Slim Pickins, Dehd, Denuo, Devon, Dylan Cartlidge, Eadyth, Egyptian Blue, Elsa Hewitt, Emma McGrath, Fatherson, Feet, Foxxglove, Free Love, Grace Lightman, Gwilym, Haze, HMLT, Hotel Lux, Housewives, The Howl And The Hum, Hyll, Indian Queens, Jack Perrett, Jerskin Fendrix, Jockstrap, John Mouse, Kidsmoke, Lauran Hibberd, Lice, Liz Lawrence, Lunar Bird, MR, Obey Cobra, Owain Felstead, Papur Wal, Pengshui, Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs, Porridge Radio, Ritual Cloak, Rosehip Teahouse, Ruthie, Sam Calver, Scavengers, Self-Esteem, She Makes War, Sick Joy, Silverbacks, Skating Polly, Skinny Pelembe, Social Contract, Sonny Winnebago, Super Marine, Swimming Tapes, Tacet, Telgate, Threatmantics, Thyla, Tiny Deaths. Tom Ravenscroft, Trudy And The Romance, We Were Promised Jetpacks, Ynys and Zooni. Sun 20: Alffa, Amber Arcades, Ani Glass, Asha Jane, Audiobooks, Bambara, Bess Atwell, Bill Ryder-Jones, Casi, Chastity Belt, County Line Runner, Creatures, Do Nothing, Dry Cleaning, Elis Derby, False Hope For The Savage, Far Caspian, Francis Lung, Gaffa Tape Sandy, Ghostlawns, Heavy Lungs, Honest Thieves, Katy J Pearson, Kim Hon, Lazarus Kane, LMNC, Macy, Melin Melyn, Modern Habits, The Murder Capital, Natty Paynter, Orchards, Pagan Wanderer Lu, Patawawa, Plastic Estate, Pozi, Raf Rundell, Rosie Lowe, Rozi Plain, Saint Agnes, Scalping, Seazoo, Shadowlark, She Drew The Gun, Slagheap, Squid, Stats, Twin Peaks, Vistas, Working Men’s Club and Wych Elm. (Until Sun 20) Tangerinecat + Clusterfuck + Saint Bernardette The Big Top, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £4 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Presented by Cute Owl. Will Cardiff police once again take umbrage at a band with a naughty word in

their name playing this venue?

Time will tell.

The Cult Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union.

7pm, £37.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. See Music.

The Italics The Plough, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 3017.

The John T Davies Singers Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire.

8pm, £15 adv. Info 01239 841387. Performing at the first first of three events in the Schubertiade series of concerts here.

The Simon & Garfunkel Story Town Hall, Maesteg.

7.30pm, £20.50/£19.50. Info 01656 815995. Tribute show.

The Zinfandels + The Penny Drops + Scott Howell The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £5 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk.

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER 9bach Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £15/£14.

Info 01239 621200. Welsh folkies. In Cardiff on Tue 22; Aberystwyth on Wed 23 Affinity Choir Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 029 2039 1391. A performance of American music.

All Dead, All Dead + Cease To See The Sun + Twotiltwelve + Gen And The Degenerates The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £4 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk.

Amanda Palmer St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £26. Info 029 2087 8444. See Upfront.

Bardd Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 8pm, £11. Info 01686 614555.

Brian McFadden Soul Jam + Bryony Sier The New Crown Inn, Merthyr Tydfil. 7.30-10.30pm, £16 adv.

Info 01685 387925. As in your man from Westlife, here to sing an extra soulful version of his song Just The Way You Are (Drunk At The Bar) and perhaps others also.

China Crisis Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2089 0862. Sold out.

Chris Roberts St Edward’s Church, Cardiff. 11am, £3. Info stedward.roath.org.uk. Guitar recital.

Crannog St Mary’s Hall, Canton, Cardiff. 7pm, £8/£5 kids. Info ruffceilidhs.org. A RUFF Ceilidhs night, the first of a new season and in a new venue for them.

Crawlback The Mariners, Laugharne. 8.30pm, free. Info 01994 427688. uCrush Hate Fest Le Public Space, Newport. 12.3011pm, £35 adv/£20 per day.

Info sam@lepub.co.uk. See Music for more on this one.

Today features Strange Bones, Street Soldier, Strike Back, Lifer, Fatal Blow, Wolf Cellar, Shallow Graves, Vision Quest, Sentry, Fangs and Kold War; Sun 20 has GBH, SickOnes, Rash Decision, A-Heads, Instruments Of Torture, Nigel, Disjoy, Positive Reaction, That Which Ate The Moon, Lesser Known Character and Ill Fate.

Dr Diablo And The Rodent Show + Doghouse +

Unquiet Dead, Instincts + Kitsch N Sinc Inkspot, Cardiff. 9pm-4am, £10 adv.

Info 029 2049 0254. Billed as a gothic horror night.

Ed Force One The Patriot, Crumlin. 8pm, £3. Info 01495 247178. Iron Maiden tribute.

Forever Sabbath Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 01443 682388. Black Sabbath tribute band.

Frith Piano Quartet Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire. 8pm, £17 adv. Info 01239 841387.

Second of three Schubertiade concerts here.

From The Jam + The Vapors Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union.

7pm, £27.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458. Jam tribute band, focusing on the Setting Sons album on this tour, headline with new wave one-hit wonders in support.

Hells Bells Memorial Hall, Newbridge. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 01495 243252. AC/DC tribute band.

Hope & Social Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £18/£14. Info 01873 850805.

James Arthur Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, £29.50£99. Info 029 2022 4488.

Sold out.

James Kennedy Three Horse Shoes, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2069 4630.

Jenny Sturgeon + Jonny Hardie Bluestone Brewing Company, Newport, Pembrokeshire. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 01239 820833. Two solo folk artists.

John Fairhurst The Lost Arc, Rhayader. 8pm, £6 adv.

Info 01743 860246. Blues-rock guitarist.

Morriston RFC Male Choir Great Hall, Bay Campus, Swansea University. 7pm, £25.

Info 01792 602060.

Paul Cowley Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7pm, £8 adv. Info 07818 056599. Acoustic blues.

Paul Simon’s Graceland Live Grand Theatre, Swansea.

7.30pm, £32. Info 01792 475715. Tribute show with the part of Paul played by “viral YouTuber” Josh Turner.

Retrospect Riverside Sports Bar & Kitchen, Newport. 9pm, free. Info 01633 439166.

Richard & Adam Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £23/£48 VIP. Info 0300 3656677.

Ross Gurney The Twelve Knights, Port Talbot. 9pm, free.

Info 01639 882381.

Royal British Legion Charity Gala Concert Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 6.30pm, £18. Info 0845 2263510.

Simon Trigg Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319.

Smash Mouse Sessions The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff.

8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.

S.O.S Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 9pm. Info 029 2062 6015. Rock covers.

The Big What!? Band Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@porterscardiff.com.

The Luke Doherty Band The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £6. Info 01497 821762.

The Rocket Man Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £21. Info 01495 227206. Elton

John tribute.

The Valli Boys Cardiff Bus Transport Club. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2023 3658.

Frankie Valli tribute.

Yasmine & The Euphoria + The Brwmys + Alcie Bela NosDa, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866.

SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER Acoustic Session Arvon Ale House, Llandrindod Wells.

4pm. Info 07477 627267.

Ben Frith & Heidi Rolfe Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire.

2.30-4pm, £15 adv. Info 01239 841387. Final of three Schubertiade concerts here with this piano duo.

Chapter Four Jazz Quartet Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2030 4400. Jazz in the bar.

Coast To Coast + Lapyear + The Camel Show + Boxcat The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £7 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk.

Debashish Bhattacharya Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 2pm, £7.50£15. Info 029 2039 1391. Slide guitarist who takes a raga approach to folk/blues, or perhaps vice versa. I like him!

Jack Mac Quintet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £5. Info 029 2038 7026.

Jubal’s Lyre St Edward’s Church, Cardiff. 3-5pm, £5.

Info stedward.roath.org. uk. Concert performance of Handel’s pastoral opera Acis And Galatea.

Judith Owen Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £20.

Info 029 2089 0862.

Panic Station Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 6-8pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

Paul Hayes Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7-10.30pm, £8/£6.

Info 07818 056599. Folk.

Richard & Adam Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £20-£45. Info 0845 2263510.

The Best Of John Williams St David’s Hall, Cardiff.

3pm, £17-£49. Info 029 2087 8444. The London Concert Orchestra perform a bunch of film scores.

The Jukes The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 2pm, free. Info 01497 821762. Lunchtime jazz.

The Slocan Ramblers Hang Fire Southern Kitchen, Barry.

6.30pm, £10 adv. Info 07561 143114. Roots N All gig featuring Canadian bluegrass band, sold out however.

Wishbone Ash Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £25. Info 0300 0040444.

MONDAY 21 OCTOBER Gilad Heksalmann Trio Flute & Tankard, Cardiff.

9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz.

Ike Willis & Zappatika Rhondda Hotel, Porth. 7pm, £12 adv. Info 01443 682388.

Frank Zappa tribute band lead

by Willis, singer and guitarist in his actual band from 197888. Might be sold out by the time you read this.

Pay The Man + Heartwork + Christian Sayers + Callum James + Jazz Phelps The

2 1 ) J U ST ANNOU NC E D FOR JAN UARY: SLIPK NOT + B EH EM O T H ( M o t o r p o i n t Ar en a C a r di f f , Wed 2 2 ) B O M B AY B I CY L E CLU B + T H E BIG MOON (C a rdi ff Uni ver si ty, Fr i 24) T HE I NT ERRUP T ERS ( Tr a m s h ed, M o n 2 7 ) M ART Y N J O S EP H ( S t D a v id ’ s Ha l l , BUZZ 71

* – recommended Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk.

The Greatest Love Of All St David’s Hall, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £37.50-£47.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Whitney Houston tribute show with the National Philharmonic Concert Orchestra.

The Sherlocks Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16.50. Info 029 2023 5555. UK indie band whose album is reviewed in this issue.

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER 9bach + Adwaith Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £14. Info 029 2023 2199.

Aquilae Trio Cardiff University Concert Hall.

7-8.45pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816.

Performing pieces by Ravel, Debussy, Arlene Sierra, Max Mitchell, Gubaidulina, William Frampton and Saint-Saëns.

Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama Showcase Flute & Tankard, Cardiff.

9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz. Two sets by the Tom Harvey Trio and Whatthehelliwell.

Faustus Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £14. Info 01792 863722. UK folk trio who have all been in other noted folk combos. See Music. In Cardigan tomorrow; Builth Wells on Thurs 24.

John Davies Quintet Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

Ma Bessi’s Blues Troupe Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £16/£14. Info 01970 623232. A narrated show with live music about blues legend Bessie Smith. In Rhos Y Gilwen tomorrow.

Rip It Up The 70s St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25.50-£42.50. Info 029 2087 8444. Clunkily titled evening of decade-specific singing and dancing from gymnast Louis Smith, Rachel Stevens, Lee Ryan and Melody from the Pussycat Dolls. Only Rachel was alive in the 70s, for just over 18 months.

Sarah Morrow & Dave Cottle Castle Hotel, Brecon.

8pm. Info info@breconjazz. org. Brecon Jazz Club gig.

The Music Of Cream The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £25 adv. Info 07590 471888. Tribute band.

WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER 9bach Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £14.50. Info 01970 623232.

Black3lvis + Hang11 + Lazy Machine Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com. Presented

by The Forte Project.

Coltrane Dedication The Queens Head, Monmouth.

8pm, free. Info 01600 712767.

Faustus Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £3-£13. Info 01239 621200. *Kapil Seshayee + Kate Wood The Moon, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £7/£5.50 adv. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Headliners is Scottish and

makes folktronica for want of a better term.

Ma Bessi’s Blues Troupe Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire.

8pm, £15 adv. Info 01239 841387.

Michael Blanchfield Trio Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 12.30pm, £5 adv. Info 0845 2263510.

Concerts & Cakes lunchtime show.

Mike De Souza Trio Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www. thefluteandtankard.com. Jazz.

Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Tonight’s host is Sophie Crabtree.

Peatbog Faeries Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2089 0862. Techno-folk from Skye. Sold out.

Roy Orbison & Buddy Holly Motorpoint Arena Cardiff. 6.30pm, £52. Info 029 2022 4488. Back, in hologram form.

Sarah Morrow with DC Trio The Garage, Swansea.

8.30pm, £7-£12.50. Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.

Swingcopation Big Band with Phil Lee Thomas & Diana Horan Hill Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10. Info malc@dancebands. plus.com. A South Wales Big Band Society gig.

The Goldhawks Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £24. Info 01792 475715.

Performing all of Tommy by The Who. The Selecter Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £36. Info 029 2023 5555. Icons of 2-tone on a 40th anniversary tour also featuring a DJ set by Rhoda Dakar.

The Survival Code + Embers + Idle Crooks & Englishmen + Luna Kiss + Kayleigh Morgan The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £6 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk.

Van Morrison St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £48-£78.

Info 029 2087 8444.

Youngblood Brass Band + CVC Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff.

7pm, £15. Info 029 2023 2199.

THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER All Strung Out Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 6.30pm, free.

Info 029 2089 0862. Playing as part of Pizza Night here.

Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Feat The Hi Riders Soul Revue Miners Institute, Blackwood.

7.30pm, £23.75. Info 01495 227206.

An Evening Without Jake Thackray Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £16/£14.

Info 01600 772467. Tribute to Thackray himself, from John Watterson.

A Night Of Melody & Song The Met, Abertillery. 7pm, £10.

Info 01495 355945. Featuring Katy Treharne, Abertillery Male Voice Choir and Blaina Town Band.

A Time Remembered: Bill Evans 90th Anniversary Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.45pm,

£7.50-£15. Info 029 2039 1391.

Tribute to jazz pianist who would have been 90 in August.

Black Star Riders + Stone Broken + Wayward Sons Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £29.50 adv. Info 029 2078 1458.

Popular hard rockers.

Carolines + Make Friends Music + Tracy Island + Big Character The Big Top, Cardiff. 7pm, £4 adv. Info 029 2022 8883.

Dave McPherson + Lego Man + Elastic Bandit The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £8 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk. InMe singer headlines.

Faustus Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 8pm, £15/£13.

Info 01982 552555.

Festival Evensong Brecon Cathedral. 6pm, free. Info 01874 611622. Opening event of the annual Brecon Baroque Festival, runing until Mon 28.

Hang Massive The Globe, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20 adv. Info 07590 471888. Anglo-Swedish duo who play the hang, or handpan, with an electronic backing.

Killjoys + Idle Crooks & Englishmen + The Survival Code + Luna Kiss + Sweet Ignitions Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm, £6 adv. Info 07970 063107.

Brecon Cathedral. 6.45pm, £15/free under-18s. Info 01874 611622. Brecon Baroque Festival concert.

Bruce Anderson The Twelve Knights, Port Talbot. 9pm, free.

Info 01639 882381.

Clive Gregson The Angel Hotel, Llandeilo. 7.30pm. Info info@llandeiloacoustic.com. A Llandeilo Acoustic Club night.

Clusterfuck + Lovely Wife Le Public Space, Newport.

8pm, £6 adv. Info sam@ lepub.co.uk. This is promoted

by The Shonk and claims to celebrate 60 years of the Noise Abatement Society, however at least one of these bands are very loud so I think this may be a cheeky gesture.

Fat Barry’s Ghoul Band Gwyn Hall, Neath. 8pm, £11.

Info 0300 3656677. Local soul covers ensemble with a Treehouse Of Horror-esque rename for the Halloween period Glas Ty Newydd, Barry. 9pm, free. Info 01446 407767.

Harriet Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £20. Info 029 2089 0862. UK singer. *Hotel De Marl Halloween Covers Show II The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff. 6-11pm, free.

Info 029 2021 2509. Gig in aid of the Wallich with one-off bands covering Bowie, The

It’s only taken 40 years, but American hardcore punk pioneers Black Flag have made it to Cardiff – the Tramshed, specifically, on Sat 12 Oct. Also, it’s just guitarist Greg Ginn left from the old days, with a skateboarder on vocals and some lesser known hired guns, but them’s the breaks.

Livin’ Cheap The Moon, Cardiff. 7pm. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Sarah Morrow & Dave Cotle Trio Plas Hyfryd Hotel, Narberth. 8pm, £5-£11. Info 01834 869323. Spanjazz night.

Shanghai Shuffle Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 8pm, £9.50. Info 01656 815995. Jazz.

Stanley Strong The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042.

Wildwood Jack Crindau Constitutional Club, Newport.

8pm, £8/£5. Info 01633 858636.

A Lyceum Folk Club night.

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER Ailsa Tully + Gillie The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5. Info 01497 821762.

Andy Fairweather Low & The Low Riders Feat The Hi Riders Soul Revue Pontardawe Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £27.50. Info 01792 863722.

Bardd Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli.

7pm, £12/£8. Info 0845 2263510.

Bella Collins Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £/£3. Info 029 2038 7026. Sold out.

Brecon Baroque: Zelenka

Jam, the Beach Boys, The Buzzcocks, The Beatles, Minor Threat, Bruce Springsteen and Gwen Stefani. The 2018 edition of this was lots of fun FYI! Idge Logan Beaufort Arms, Swansea. 8pm, free. Info 01792 234447.

In Which It Burns + Greywall + Infernal Diadem The Duke, Neath.

8pm. Info 0300 3656677.

Just Bongo The Hyst, Swansea. 8pm, £6. Info 01792 654366.

Leather & Lace Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £22.50/£21.50. Info 01656 815995. Power ballad covers.

Les McKeown’s Bay City Rollers Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £23.50. Info 0300 0040444.

London African Gospel Choir Tramshed, Cardiff.

7pm, £25. Info 029 2023 5555.

Performing Graceland by Paul Simon.

Lulu Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

8pm, £40/£35. Info 01970 623232. In Cardiff tomorrow.

Margarita Garcia Escarpa Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm,

u – repeated

£8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391.

Classical guitarist.

Organ Recital National Museum Cardiff. 1pm, free.

Info 029 2039 7951.

Pom Poko + Orchards Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £10. Info 029 2023 2199.

Ross Gurney The Plough, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2062 3017.

Royal Welsh College Symphony Orchestra & Chorus St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15/£6 under-25s. Info 029 2087 8444. Performing works

by Tchaikovsky, Fauré and RWCMD graduate Sarah Jenkins, a recent composition titled And The Sun Stood Still.

Sean Maloney The Duke Of Wellington, Cowbridge. 9.30pm, free. Info 01446 773592. Meat Loaf tribute act, in Swansea on Thurs 31.

Stanley Strong City Arms, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2064 1913.

Tenacious G + Portraits The Bunkhouse, Swansea.

7pm, £5-£10. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk.

Tenacious D tribute.

Terry Neason Norwegian Church Arts Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info 029 2087 7959. “Ballads, belters and poetic banter” in the words of the poster. Not wholly familiar with Terry but she has played here before I think.

The Bella Collins Band Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4/£3.

Info 029 2038 7026. Blues, jazz and soul.

The Carpenters Experience Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 8pm, £17.50. Info 01600 772467.

The Caspiens + Sober The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £2.

Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

The Communicators Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff.

7pm. Info 029 2062 6015. Ska covers.

The King Duo Carnegie House, Bridgend. 8pm, £8. Info 01656 815757. Acoustic guitar.

The Kut The Moon, Cardiff.

7pm, free. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

Tom Hingley & The KarPets Jac’s, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £8 adv. Info 01685 879491.

Inspiral Carpets fella rocks on.

Who’s Next The Queens Hall, Narberth. 7pm, £18. Info 01834 861212. Who tribute band play a Quadropheniathemed club night, also featuring a DJ set by Drew Stansall of The Specials.

SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER Addictive Seagull Inn, Porthcawl. 9pm, free.Info 01656 785420.

A Foreigner’s Journey Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare.

7.30pm, £15. Info 0300 0040444. Folks... it seems to me that in the era of Brexit and Trump, we should spend less time thinking about tribute bands covering the music of Foreigner and Journey, and more time thinking about actual foreigners and actual journeys.

BBC NOW: Bruckner, Mass Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 3pm, £5-£20. Info

029 2063 6464.

Bohemian Rhapsodies The Plough Chapel, Brecon.

1pm, £10/free under-18s. Info 01874 611622. Brecon Baroque Festival concert. uCaffe Bohemia Brecon Cathedral. 10.30am-4.30pm, free. Info 01874 611622.

Brecon Baroque Festival dropin event, on tomorrow also.

Clive Gregson Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 7pm, £8 adv.

Info 07818 056599. Singersongwriter who founded the band Any Trouble in the early 80s.

Elio Pace’s Billy Joel The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £31/£29. Info 01633 656757.

Tribute show.

Filthy/Gorgeous Porter’s, Cardiff. 8pm. Info info@ porterscardiff.com.

Fire Fences + Tom Auton + Plastic Estate Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £5. Info 029 2023 2199.

Fleetingwood Mac Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £17.

Info 029 2089 0862. Tribute band.

Gilbert O’Sullivan Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm.

Info 01656 815995. Pleasant folk-rocker of old. Sold out!

Goldie Lookin Chain Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7pm, £15. Info 01970 623232.

Grace Petrie + Evrah Rose + Sarah McCreadie The Moon, Cardiff. 2 + 7.30pm, £14/£12 adv. Info info@themooncardiff.com.

Two shows for folky rabblerouser Petrie, the evening one having sold out well in advance. Rose is the matinee support act; McCreadie the evening one. *Hag + Black Shape + Business Dudes + Salt Bath Cathays Community Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5.

Info 029 2037 3144. Cosmic Carnage and Lesson No.1 with some weird noiserock of varying shapes and sizes. BYOB! Hailbails Pyle Royal British Legion Club, Bridgend.

7.30pm. Info 01656 740210.

Playing the monthly Pyle Rock N Roll Club night.

Henry’s Funeral Shoe + Buzzard Buzzard Buzzard + Dead Shed Jokers Priory Centre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £10 adv. Info contact@ woodfiredsummit.com.

Presented by Woodfired Summit.

Hoodoo Blue The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £5.

Info 01497 821762.

Huw Warren & Mark Lockheart Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7.15-8.45pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Piano/sax jazz duo.

James Kennedy Birchgrove, Cardiff. 9pm, free. Info 029 2031 1319.

Link N Park The Dragonffli, Pontypool. 7pm, £10. Info gigs@thedragonffli.com.

Tribute band.

Luke Philbrick And The Solid Gone Skiffle Invasion NosDa, Cardiff.

8pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866.

Lulu St David’s Hall, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £35-£45. Info 029 2087 8444.

Metal Gods Rhondda Hotel,

Tue 2 1 ) R A G ING SP E EDHORN (The Bunkhouse, Swa n s ea , Tu e 2 8 ) F I V E F I NGER DEAT H PU NC H + M EGADET H ( M o to r p o in t Ar e na , Th u rs 30) JA H W OBBLE (The Glob e, Cardi ff, T h u r s 3 0 ) KAI S ER C H I EFS + RAZ O RLI GH T ( M o t o r p o i n t Ar e n a , F r i 3 1 ) BUZZ 72

Porth. 7pm, £4 adv. Info 01443 682388. Tribute to NWOBHM and other 80s metal.

My Name Is Ian + Sock The Andrew Buchan, Cardiff.

8pm, free. Info 029 2021 2509.

Pete Way Band + Burnt Out Wreck Hangar 18, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12 adv. Info enquiries@ hangar18musicvenue.co.uk.

One of the guys from UFO headlines.

Punchline Hen Dderwen, Swansea. 9pm, free.Info 01792 203631.

Sinfonia Cymru Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £12£18. Info 029 2039 1391. With guest soloist James Crabb, who plays the accordion would you believe. Give him a quarter and he’ll be dancing for hours!

Skindred + Those Damn Crows + Tigress + Who Knows Didley? + Fallen Temples Cwmbran Stadium.

4-11pm, £25 adv. Info 01633 627101. An afternoon/evening big gig here, titled Stadium Rocks and presented by Torfaen Leisure Trust.

Stars In Their Eyes: The FFAF Fundraiser Le Public Space, Newport. 7pm. Info sam@lepub.co.uk. One-off cover bands playing to raise money for a terminally ill Funeral For A Friend fan – see tomorrow’s gig listings for that band’s own shows.

SYML Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £12. Info 029 2023 2199.

The Bloodshake Chorus + Man Bites Zombie Jac’s, Aberdare. 7pm, £5 adv. Info 01685 879491.

The Crackers Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 9pm .

Info 029 2062 6015.

The Navarones Clwb Y Bont, Pontypridd. 8pm, £7. Info 01443 491424. Ska covers.

The Three Bohemians Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

7pm, £18/free under-18s. Info 01874 611622. Brecon Baroque Festival concert.

Unite Against Hate Festival The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 4-11pm, £10/£7 adv.

Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk. Featuring Lifer, Dead At 27, King Kraken, Scarsun, Inscape, Stay Voiceless, WelterWeight, InAir and Scavengers.

SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER Cascade + Basement Club + Super Marine + Jetski Babylon Fuel Rock Club, Cardiff. 7pm. Info 07970 063107.

Echoes Of The Danube Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

7pm, £20/£18/free under-18s.

Info 01874 611622. Brecon Baroque Festival concert.

Festival Eucharist Brecon Cathedral. 11am, free. Info 01874 611622. Brecon Baroque Festival event. uFuneral For A Friend Great Hall, Cardiff University Students Union. 7pm, £25 adv.

Info 029 2078 1458. Two of three sold-out reunion gigs, the other being in London,

by Bridgend rock faves, back together briefly and on tomorrow also.

Gary Hall Browns, Laugharne. 3pm, free. Info 01994 427688.

Henge + She Robot The

Lost Arc, Rhayader. 5.30pm, £10 adv/£6 under-16s. Info 01743 860246. Popular-atfestivals type band who dress up as wacky space aliens.

NSG Tramshed, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £17.50. Info 029 2023 5555. New UK rap collective of some sort.

Radio Banska Melville Theatre, Abergavenny. 8pm, £10/£8/£3 NUS. Info 01873 853167. Black Mountain Jazz gig for Spanish-influenced fusion jazz outfit.

Oxjam Cardiff 2018 The Moon / Bootlegger / Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 5pm-1am, £6 adv. Info 07891 580349. Annual multi-venue charity alldayer in aid of Oxfam. Confirmed so far, schedule TBC: Blossom Caldarone, Cactus Haus, Crystalline, Codify, Clique, Doc & The Headshrinkers, Frakard, Jack Mac’s Funk Pack, Ladies Of Rage, Lubi J, Missy G, Oh My Rosh, Orikal, Point Of View, Ransom, Risorius, Slipped Disco, The People The Poet and Yasmine And The Euphoria.

Richard Digance Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £17.

Info 029 2089 0862. Comedy folk singer type.

The Crawling + Tides Of Sulfur + Mines The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm.

Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk. Sludge and doom metal..

The Welsh Guitar Duo Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 8pm, £8/£6. Info 07818 056599.

Treppenwitz Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026.

Whitchurch Jam Session #120 Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff. 5.30-8.30pm, free. Info 029 2062 6015.

WNO Orchestra St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 3pm, £10-£43.

Info 029 2087 8444. Tomáš Hanus conducts a programme of Smetana, Debussy and Dvorák.

MONDAY 28 OCTOBER Al Stewart Tramshed, Cardiff. 7pm, £38.50. Info 029 2023 5555. Folk-rocker type.

Following The Danube Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

7pm, £20/£18/free under-18s.

Info 01874 611622. The final Brecon Baroque Festival concert for 2019, featuring music

by Benda, Zelenka, Biber and Mozart.

Like Giants + Angerona The Bunkhouse, Swansea.

7pm, £4. Info info@ bunkhousebar.co.uk. *Ty Cerdd St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 8pm, £10/£3 NUS. Info 029 2087 8444. Experimental composition from Rhodri Davies, Angharad Davies and Tim Parkinson.

TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER Grangetown Bumps Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm, £4.50/£4 members/£2 NUS. Info 029 2038 7026.

Inglorious Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16. Info 029 2023 5555. Hard rock..

Lakes + Brightr + Solstice CC Tiny Rebel, Cardiff. 7pm, £5/£4 adv. Info 029 2039 9557.

Primrose Quartet Cardiff University Concert Hall. 7-9pm, £10/£8/free NUS. Info 029 2087 4816. Performing various Brahms and Schumann

pieces.

Quentin Collins Sextet Flute & Tankard, Cardiff.

9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz.

WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER Andrew McKay & Carol Etherton Pontyclun Institute Athletic Club. 7.30pm, £8/£5 members. Info 01443 226892. A Llantrisant Folk Club night.

Blanket + Estuary Blacks + Peter Greene The Vault, Swansea. 7pm, £7 adv. Info 01792 465300. Presented by Pity My Brain.

Brightr + Lakes The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm.

Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk.

Bunker The Garage, Swansea. 8.30pm, £7-£12.50.

Info 01792 475147. A Swansea Jazzland night.

Gethin Liddington’s Twelve Ten Quintet with Sarah Meek Rogerstone & Bassaleg Social Club, Bassaleg, Newport. 8pm, £10.

Info malc@dancebands.plus. com. A South Wales Big Band Society gig.

Marky Dawson Café Jazz, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2038 7026. Rock’n’roll piano thumper in a Jerry Lee style.

Martha Tilston Acapela, Pentyrch, Cardiff. 8pm, £14.

Info 029 2089 0862.

Mojo Phono + Lazarus Moon + Ben Luc The Hyst, Swansea. 7pm, £6. Info 01792 654366.

Open Mic Night NosDa, Cardiff. 7.30pm, free. Info 029 2037 8866. Tonight’s host is Dr Bland’s Bad Batch.

Rob Smith’s Breadmakers Flute & Tankard, Cardiff.

9-11.30pm, £7/£5 NUS. Info www.thefluteandtankard. com. Jazz.

Robyn Hitchcock Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £16.50.

Info 029 2023 2199. UK psych whimsy ledge. See Upfront.

Rowan Rheingans Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells.

7.30pm, £15/£13. Info 01982 552555. UK folk artist, also in the band Lady Maisery. In Machynlleth tomorrow, and in Abergavenny on Thurs 7 Nov. Royal Welsh College Wind Orchestra Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 1.15pm, £8/£6 adv. Info 029 2039 1391. Performing two pieces by John Mackey.

Soft Machine Earl Haig Memorial Club, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £15. Info 029 2062 6015. How did I not know until now that Karl Jenkins, as in the big cheese Welsh composer, was in Soft Machine in the 70s? Well, he’s not in this lineup, but all the other members who played on some live album with him are.

Spector The Big Top, Cardiff.

7pm, £10 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Bookish indie band who I’d not thought about for some time.

The Albion Quartet Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7.50£15. Info 029 2039 1391.

Weeed The Moon, Cardiff.

8.30pm, £5. Info info@ themooncardiff.com.

THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER Capital City Jazz Orchestra Porter’s, Cardiff.

8pm. Info info@porterscardiff. com.

Georgia Clwb Ifor Bach, Cardiff. 7pm, £9. Info 029 2023 2199.

Ian Poole Quartet The Pear Tree, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2025 2042.

Llyr Williams Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £20-£24. Info 029 2039 1391. Piano recital.

Mr Ben & The Bens + Sun Drift + Bedface The Moon, Cardiff. 7-10pm, £7/£5.50 adv.

Info info@themooncardiff. com. Indie..

Rowan Rheingans The Tabernacle, Machynlleth.

7.30pm. Info 01654 703355.

Sean Maloney Cockett Inn, Swansea. 9pm, free. Info 01792 588748.

Sons Of Pitches Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.30pm, £22.50. Info 01686 614555.

Popular a capella quintet.

The Extons + Motel Thieves + The Stray Pursuit The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7.30pm, £7/£6 adv.

Info info@bunkhousebar. co.uk. Presented by This Feeling.

The Flyboys The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £20. Info 01633 656757. Swing group who cover modern pop hits.

The Music Of Bond St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £19.50-£42.50. Info 029 2087 8444. All the themes you know and maybe love, performed by an orchestra.

stage TUESDAY 1 OCTOBER uAnd She Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.45pm, £8-£16. Info 029 2064 6900. Feminist gig theatre from Bonnie And The Bonnettes, a trio from Newcastle. Previewed in last month’s issue; on tomorrow also. uArt Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14.75/£12.75. Info 01495 227206. Black RAT present a comedy starring Gareth John Bale and Buzz’s Keiron Self.

In Milford Haven on Tue 8; Aberdare Thurs 10 and Fri 11; Newtown Sat 12; Cwmbran Tue 15; Pontardawe Wed 16; Carmarthen Thurs 17; Cardigan Fri 18; Porthcawl Mon 28; Aberystwyth Tue 29.

(Until Thurs 3) Crafty Laughs The Cambrian Tap, Cardiff. 8pm, free. Info 029 2064 4952.

Standup comedy here on the first Tuesday of each month; lineup currently TBC. Daniel Sloss + Kai Hmphries Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £16.50. Info 0871 4720400. Scottish comedian.

Sold out. uOn Bear Ridge Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10£20. Info 029 2064 6900. New National Theatre Wales drama starring Rhys Ifans and Rakie Ayola. On at 2pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 3 and Sat 5. (Until Sat 5) Peggy’s Song Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01874 611622.

New National Theatre Wales production concerning

the relationship between a hospital patient and a DJ at the radio station there. In Porthcawl tomorrow; Newtown on Thurs 3, Swansea Fri 4, Cardiff Sat 5; Abergavenny Mon 7; Blackwood Tue 8; Milford Haven Wed 9; Llanelli Thurs 10; Carmarthen. uSay When Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12.50/£10.50.

Info 0845 2263510. Oneman show featuring Robert Bowman, presented by Living Pictures and looking at the fitness/diet industries and the food he consumes. On tomorrow also. uThe Creature Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 8pm, £12.

Info 029 2030 4400. New play inspired by Frankenstein and presented by Company Of Sirens. See Stage. On at 2pm and 8pm on Sat 5. No performances on Sun 6 or Mon 7. In Aberystwyth on Wed 16. (Until Thurs 10) uThe Mousetrap New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13.50-£31.50. Info 029 2087 8889. Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap, no less. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wed 2, Thurs 3 and Sat 5. £12.50£26.50 at 2.30pm on Thurs 3 and Sat 5; £14.50-£33.50 on Fri 4 and Sat 5 7.30pm. (Until Sat 5) You Will Laugh Le Public Space, Newport. 8pm, pay by donation. Info youwilllaughcomedy@gmail. com. Monthly open mic comedy night with guest acts Brendan Common, Chris Rio, Jack Davey and Alex Perkes (MC).

WEDNESDAY 2 OCTOBER A Tidy Boy Preseli Room, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2063 6464.

Scratch performance of a play devised by Dirty Protest and the Gwyn Hall in Neath.

It Will Come Later Montgomery Town Hall.

7.30pm, £15. Info 01686 614555. Dance production from International Contemporary Dance Collective, touring Wales as the last stop on an international jaunt. Features performances

by Lee Brummer, Mui CheukYin, Eddie Ladd, Joseph Lee, Weronika Pelczynska and Imre Vass. In Carmarthen on Fri 4.

Murmur Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £12-£15. Info 01970 623232. Double bill of contemporary dance presented

by Ransack. In Maesteg on Fri 11.

Peeling The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01639 843163.

Kaite O’Reilley’s play, presented here by Taking Flight Theatre.

Peggy’s Song Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £12.50. Info 01656 815995.

When In Roam Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01792 602060.

Music, dance and spoken word combine in this production from Orphaned Limbs Collective. uY Cylch Sialac Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £7.50-£15.

Info 0845 2263510. Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru with a Welsh language version of Brecht’s Der Kaukasische

Kreidekreis, or The Caucasian Chalk Circle in English.

Gwenno does a live soundtrack as well. In Cardiff from Tue 8-Thurs 10; Aberystwyth on Mon 21 and Tue 22. (Until Fri 4) THURSDAY 3 OCTOBER Beefy’s Comedy Club Wolf’s Castle, Llanishen, Cardiff. 8pm. Info 029 2075 4349. With seven acts TBC. Bevin Boys Town Hall, Maesteg. 1pm, £6.50. Info 01656 815995. Lunchtime theatre presented by Fluellen.

Count Arthur Strong The Riverfront, Newport. 8pm, £23.

Info 01633 656757.

Michael Fabbri + Mike Wilmot + Jamie Dalgleish Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10/£6 NUS/£16 with a pie. Info 0871 4720400. Pie Face Comedy night. All three comics are here tomorrow and Sat 5 also.

Peggy’s Song Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7.45pm, £12/£9.50.

Info 01686 614555.

Shane Shambhu Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea.

7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01792 602060. Standup show titled Confessions Of A Cockney Temple Dancer, conccerning his childhood in East Ham and his aim at that time to be an Indian dancer. In Cardiff tomorrow.

FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER uAberystwyth Comedy Fest Various venues, Aberystwyth. Info abercomedyfest.co.uk. Second edition of this three-day bonanza arranged by Little Wander. Here goes! Today: Suzi Ruffell (Old College, 7pm, £15); Goose (Arad Goch Studio, 7pm, £8); Kiri Pritchard-McLean (Arad Goch Theatre, 7pm, £8); Jake Lambert (Old College Council Chamber, 7pm, £8); Mark Watson (Commodore Cinema, 8.15pm, £16); Tarot (Arad Goch Theatre, 9pm, £9); Sara Barron (Old College Council Chamber, 9pm, £9); Jessica Fostekew (Arad Goch Studio, 9pm, £9); Comedy Festival Showcase (Commodore Cinema, 10.30pm, £12). Sat 5: Pappy’s (Old College, 3.15pm, £9); Sean Morley (Old College Council Chamber, 3.30pm, £8); Sunil Patel (Arad Goch Studio, 3.30pm, £8); Rose Matafeo (Arad Goch Theatre, 3.30pm, £8); Eleanor Tiernan (Old College Council Chamber, 5.30pm, £8); Tony Law (Old College, 5.30pm, £10); James Acaster (Arts Centre, 7.30pm, £18.50); Tudur Owen (Old College, 7.30pm, £10); Mike Bubbins (Royal Pier, 7.30pm, £10); Jordan Brookes (Arad Goch Theatre, 7.30pm, £10); Yuriko Kotani (The Cambria, 7.30pm, £9); John-Luke Roberts (Arad Goch Studio, 7.30pm, £9); Annie McGrath (The Cambria, 9.30pm, £9); Tom Parry (Old College Council Chamber, 9.30pm, £9); Sian Docksey (Arad Goch Studio, 9.30pm, £8); Jonny & The Baptists (Arad Goch Theatre, 9.30pm, £14); Amusical (Arts Centre, 9.30pm, £14). Sun 6: Comedi I Blant (Arad Goch Theatre, 1.30pm, £5); Elis James (Aberystwyth Uni Studio, 3.30pm, £8); BUZZ 73

BAFTA CYMRU OCTOBER 2019 October is AWARDS MONTH here at BAFTA Cymru! We’re gearing up for our 28th ceremony celebrating the excellence of Welsh film, games and TV with doc feature Anorac, Welsh drama Enid A Lucy and Netflix feature film Apostle leading the nominations. The big names in film and TV are competing in the key categories, including names like Michael Sheen, Matthew Rhys, Sir Anthony Hopkins in the actor category.

You can find out will pick up the awards in 24 categories and the two Special Awards in person and be part of it all – either by purchasing tickets for the whole evening (including the party), watching red carpet arrivals or watching our live streams on Facebook or Youtube. We’ll be announcing who is attending on Wed 9 Oct so keep your eyes trained on our social media channels!

October will be a busy month for our ongoing events programme – many of which are open to the public. We continue with the theme of celebrating Welsh talent and content made in Wales and highlighting the breadth of production taking place.

You can join us and partners Iris Prize Festival for a special screening and celebration of multi-BAFTA winning producer Pauline Williams on Wed 9 Oct at the ATRiuM in Cardiff. We’ll also be hosting a screening of War Of The Worlds, which was shot in Cardiff last year, on Wed 23 Oct in Chapter Arts Centre – with some of the creative talent behind the new FOX series starring Gabriel Byrne (Usual Suspects). And watch out for our announcement of a very special event, with a very special A-list actor in London later in November that you might want to make a trip up to BAFTA in Piccadilly to attend!

If you are working in film, television or games in Wales, or a student interested in joining the industry, you can take a look at the benefits of joining BAFTA Cymru via our website below. Our various membership fees cost less than £15 a month and offer free cinema amongst a range of other benefits.

If you are new to Cardiff and starting college or university – croeso! And look out for our team at your freshers’ fair, which will be a chance to ask us questions about what we do and how you can get involved.

Info: www.bafta.org/wales

BUZZ 74

Ray Badran (The Cambria, 3.30pm, £9); Pat Cahill (Old College Council Chamber, 3.30pm, £9); Ahir Shah (Arad Goch Theatre, 3.30pm, £10); Comedy (Translation Provided) (Old College, 5.15pm, £9); Fern Brady (Arad Goch Theatre, 5.30pm, £12); Jack Barry (The Cambria, 5.30pm, £9); Stuart Laws (Arad Goch Studio, 5.30pm, £9); Matt Forde (Old College Arts Lecture Theatre, 5.30pm, £13); Jayde Adams (Royal Pier, 7.30pm, £12); Spencer Jones (Old College Arts Lecture Theatre, 7.30pm, £9); Sarah Keyworth (Arad Goch Studio, 7.30pm, £8); Laura Lexx (Arad Goch Theatre, 7.30pm, £9); Rhod Gilbert (Arts Centre, 8pm, £27.50); Adam Hess (Arad Goch Theatre, 9.30pm, £9); Justin Moorhouse (Royal Pier, 9pm, £15). Plus some free street events across the weekend around town.

Comedy Club Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £12.50. Info 0845 2263510. With comedians TBC. Dear Zoo Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 1.30 + 4.30pm, £11.50. Info 01656 815995.

Kids’ show. uDrones Comedy Club Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

8.30pm, £3.50. Info 029 2030 4400. Also on Fri 18. uDrowning On Dry Land Mike Barlow Theatre, YMCA, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £10. Info 07703 056088. Alan Ayckbourn play, presented by Cardiff Players. On tomorrow also, at 3pm.

Gareth Thomas & Friends The Welfare, Ystradgynlais.

7.30pm, £10. Info 01639 843163. Comedian, not the exrugby player, with a standup show in aid of MIND. It Will Come Later Parry Theatre, UWTSD Campus, Carmarthen. 7.30pm, £10/£5 NUS. Info 01267 237794.

Jonny & The Baptists Small World Theatre, Cardigan. 8pm, £10 adv. Info 01239 615952. Leftie comedian troupe who do songs, on a tour called Love [x] And Hate Bastards, where [x] is the town they’re playing on that day.

Max Boyce Pontardawe Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £30.80 adv.

Info 01792 863722. Sold out. In Caldicot tomorrow; Treorchy on Sat 12; Cardiff Sun 13. uMichael Fabbri + Mike Wilmot + Jamie Dalgleish Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.50/£8.50 NUS/£24.95 with food. Info 0871 4720400. One more comic TBC. On tomorrow also, with Maisie Adam headlining (£19/£10 NUS/£27.95 with food).

Peggy’s Song Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01792 602060. uRigoletto Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.15pm, £14-£50. Info 029 2063 6464. Welsh National Opera’s production of Verdi’s opera. Also on Wed 9 and Sat 12 (3pm Sat 12).

Shane Shambhu Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2039 1391.

‘Stute Comedy Nights Miners Institute, Blackwood.

8pm, £13/£12 adv. Info 01495

227206.

Thunder Road The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £5-£13.25. Info 01633 656757.

Dark comedy by RedCape Theatre.

SATURDAY 5 OCTOBER Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs: The Magic Cutlass Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 2pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 0300 0040444. Kids’ theatre. In Milford Haven tomorrow.

Count Arthur Strong Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 8pm, £21.50. Info 01600 772467.

Magic Of The Musicals Theatr Hafren, Newtown. 7pm, £12/£7. Info 01686 614555.

Musical Arts Stage School showcase.

Mark Watson Wyeside Arts Centre, Builth Wells. 8pm, £19.

Info 01982 552555. Comedian with a show about empathy. In Pontardawe on Fri 11.

Max Boyce Caldicot Leisure Centre. 7.30pm, £28. Info 01873 850805.

Musicality Mashup The Riverfront, Newport. 2 + 7pm, £16.50. Info 01633 656757.

Dance showcase by the Studio One Dance Company.

Peggy’s Song Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2039 1391. uResident Magicians The Small Space, Barry. 7.30pm, £20. Info info@thesmallspace. co.uk. Notably small (only 20 seats!) magic-centred Vale venue. Also on Fri 11, Sat 12, Fri 18, Sat 19, Fri 25 and Sat 26 (sold out) this month. uThe Cunning Little Vixen Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £14-£50. Info 029 2063 6464.

Janácek’s opera, presented

by Welsh National Opera. Also on Fri 11. uThe Dreamboys Pulse, Cardiff. 6.30pm, £40/£30. Info 029 2064 1010. Male strippers of renown, on here every Saturday night until the end of November.

SUNDAY 6 OCTOBER Adam Rowe Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £14. Info 0871 4720400. Liverpudlian comedian.

Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs: The Magic Cutlass Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 2 + 4pm, £9/£7.50 kids. Info 01646 695267. uCarmen Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 4pm, £14£50. Info 029 2063 6464. Welsh National Opera’s production of Bizet’s opera. Also on Thurs 10, at 7.15pm.

Crimes On The Coast Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

4pm, £15.50. Info 01656 815995. Murder mystery in the classic Agatha Christie style.

In Brecon on Tue 15.

Family Show The Small Space, Barry. 6pm, £12.50.

Info info@thesmallspace. co.uk. Magic for ages 8+. uLive Cabaret Market Street Club, Barry. 8.30pm.

Info 01446 733863. Every Sunday.

The Dreamboys Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 7.30pm, £21.50-£27.50. Info 01600 772467.

Tom Taylor + Jake

Baker + Lorna Prichard Tramshed, Cardiff. 7.15pm, £7. Info 029 2023 5555. Howl Comedy night held in the cinema here.

MONDAY 7 OCTOBER Peggy’s Song Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £7-£14. Info 01873 850805.

Two Faces + 100 Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 2 + 4pm, £15. Info 01633 868239. Two plays in succession, respectively by Manon Steffan Ros and a trio of Christopher Heimann, Diene Petterle and Neil Monaghan.

TUESDAY 8 OCTOBER uA Midsummer Night’s Dream New Theatre, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £13.50-£28.50. Info 029 2087 8889. Shakespeare, presented by Watermill Theatre. On at 1.30pm on Sat 12. No performance on Wed 9.

(Until Sat 12) Art Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £14.50/£12.50.

Info 01646 695267.

Captain Flinn And The Pirate Dinosaurs Grand Theatre, Swansea. 2.30 + 5.30pm, £13/£7.50 schools.

Info 01792 475715. Kids’ theatre, presented by Les Petitts Theatre Company.

Fly Half Miners Theatre, Ammanford. 7pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 0845 2263510. New play by Gary Lagden, about a rugby-playing steelworker from south Wales.

Right Place! Wrong Time!

The Riverfront, Newport.

7.30pm, £24. Info 01633 656757. Comedy play starring Cannon of ‘& Ball’ fame, plus Crissy Rock who I believe is a superstar African-American comedian.

Romeo A Juliet Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £7-£14. Info 0300 0040444.

Ballet, presented by Ballet Cymru. In Llanelli on Fri 11.

Peggy’s Song Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14.75/£12.75. Info 01495 227206.

The Intelligence Park Sherman Theatre, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £12.50-£25. Info 029 2064 6900. Gerald Barry’s opera, set in 18th century Dublin and premiered in 1990. uThe Story The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £5.

Info info@otherroomtheatre. com. New production by Tess Berry-Hart, directed by David Mercatali and inspired

by Berry-Hart’s work with refugees from Assad’s jails and Libyan prison. Today and tomorrow are preview prices; it’s £8 from Fri 11-Sun 13, £10 from Tue 17-Sat 20 and £12 from Mon 22-Sun 27. On at 3pm and 7.30pm on Sat 12, Thurs 17, Sat 19 and Sat 26; 5.30pm only on Sun 13 and Sun 20. No productions on Thurs 10, Mon 14 or Mon 21.

(Until Sun 27) uY Cylch Sialc Portland House, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £22. Info 029 2063 6464. On at 10am and 7.30pm on Wed 9; 2pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 10.

(Until Thurs 10) WEDNESDAY 9 OCTOBER Bob’s Comedy Funhouse Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £20. Info 0871 4720400.

Klub Kids show headed up

by Bob The drag Queen and also featuring Jackie Beat, Karen From Finance and The Vivienne.

Cabaret At The College Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 6-7pm, free.

Info 029 2039 1391. Songs from the musicals etc.

Elis James Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 7.30pm, £12/£10.

Info 01239 621200. New standup show, all in Welsh. He got to advertise it in the medium of a Guardian opinion piece the other day I noticed.

In Llanelli on Tue 15.

Frank Sinazi & The Iraq Pack Bar Amber, The Ivy Bush, Newport. 7pm, £10.

Info 07592 298323. Riot Act with a show by a guy who is like Frank Sinatra, right, but he’s Hitler. He is joined here

by Saddam Davis Jr and Dean Stalin, who are like ah look you get the idea. uGods And Kings The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £5-£14.25. Info 01633 656757. Four In Four and the Riverfront with a play about living with bipolar disorder. On at 1pm and 7pm tomorrow.

In Aberystwyth on Thurs 17; Llanelli on Fri 18; Blackwood on Tue 22; Porthcawl on Wed 23; Swansea on Fri 25. (Until Fri 11) Justin Moorhouse Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £14.50. Info 0845 2263510.

Comedian with a show titled Northern Joker. uMacbeth New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13.50£28.50. Info 029 2087 8889.

Shakespeare, presented by Watermill Theatre (see Tue 8).

On at 1.30pm on Thurs 10. No performance on Fri 11. (Until Sat 12) Peggy’s Song Torch Theatre, Milford Haven. 7.30pm, £8.50£13.50. Info 01646 695267. uThe Three Musketeers Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £13-£16. Info 01970 623232. Comedy presented

by Le Navet Bete. On tomorrow also. uTrivial Pursuits Paget Rooms, Penarth. 7.30pm, £12/£8. Info 029 2070 0721.

Frank Vickery comedy presented by Penarth Operatic & Dramatic Society. (Until Sat 12) THURSDAY 10 OCTOBER uArt Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7.30pm, £7-£14. Info 0300 0040444. On tomorrow also, at 1pm Frank Sinazi The Duke, Neath. 8.30-10.30pm, £7. Info 0300 3656677. Hosted by The Clown’s Pocket.

Paul F Taylor + Andrew Vincent Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10/£6 NUS/£16 with a pie. Info 0871 4720400.

Pie Face Comedy night, one more act TBC. Both comics are here tomorrow and Sat 12 also.

Peggy’s Song Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £13/£11. Info 0845 2263510.

Ruby Wax Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £22. Info 01970 623232. Show based on a book, titled How To Be Human.

FRIDAY 11 OCTOBER Andrew Lawrence Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £16. Info 01873 850805.

Comedian with a show titled Clean, which purports to be intentionally benign in light of recent discussions about offensiveness in standup.

Lawrence’s self-styled position is that of the brave non-leftie maverick being marginalised by the PC lobby, so this is all very passive-aggressive and a bit silly.

Andrew O’Neill The Big Top, Cardiff. 7pm, £13.75 adv. Info 029 2022 8883. Another comedy Andrew, this one’s selling point is that he likes metal rather than that he thinks the snowflakes are out to get him.

John-Luke Roberts Sherman Theatre, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £13.50. Info 029 2064 6900. Comedian with a new show whose title would sully my listings if I printed it here.

Mark Watson Pontardawe Arts Centre. 8pm, £20.90. Info 01792 863722.

Murmur Town Hall, Maesteg.

7.30pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 01656 815995.

Othello The Gate, Cardiff.

7pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2048 3344. Shakespeare, done here

by The Pantaloons. uPaul McCaffrey + Paul F Taylor + Andrew Vincent + Micky Overman Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.50/£8.50 NUS/£24.95 with food. Info 0871 4720400. One more comic TBC. On tomorrow also (£19/£10 NUS/£27.95 with food).

Peggy’s Song Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £13/£11.

Info 0845 2263510.

Richard Alston Dance Company Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £8-£14. Info 01792 602060.

Farewell tour featuring four pieces set to classical music.

Alston is also doing a talk here at 6.30pm.

Right Of Entitlement Cellar Bar, Cardigan. 8.30pm. Info 07818 056599. Play about a troubled schoolgirl, by the Hags Ahoy Theatre Company.

Robert Temple The Queens Hall, Narberth. 7pm, £20.50/£22.50 first five rows.

Info 01834 861212. Comedy hypnotist. In Barry tomorrow.

Romeo A Juliet Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £18/£15. Info 0845 2263510. uRomesh Ranganathan Grand Theatre, Swansea. 8pm, £25. Info 01792 475715. On tomorrow also. uSpanish Lies Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £13.50. Info 01656 815995.

Comedy presented by Phoenix Theatre. On tomorrow also.

Steffan Evans + Sandro Ford + Nathen Webb + Luke Biddle + Kris Davies YMCA, Bridgend.

7pm, £5. Info 07864 103518.

Comedy night in aid of South Wales Homeless Walkabouts.

The Bells Of Rhymney Rhos Y Gilwen, Pembrokeshire.

7.30-10pm, £10 adv. Info 01239 841387. Semi-staged production in both Welsh and English, featuring actors, soloists, choral singers and folk musicians and directed by Helen Blackburn. uThe Rest Of Our Lives Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

7pm, £10. Info 029 2030 4400.

Dance theatre by the duo of Jo Fong and George Orange. On tomorrow also.

CASSIE WORKMAN The Riverfront, Newport, Wed 23 Oct Tickets: £13.25. Info: 01633 656757 / tickets.newportlive.co.uk London’s Soho Theatre has partnered with the Riverfront for an exciting show from RAW comedy award winner and 2011 Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Best Newcomer, Cassie Workman. Her new one-woman show, Giantess, is the allegorical fairytale of a little girl who is captured by a troll and must find her own inner strength to escape. Through heartfelt comedy, music and illustration, Workman will take her audience on a deeply personal journey into the dark inner-world of someone whose gender identity doesn’t match their body – an experience the Australian comic understands very well. Her evocative storytelling and whimsical flair is sure to capture the hearts and imagination of her audience and what’s more, she’ll make them laugh while doing it.

SATURDAY 12 OCTOBER Art Theatr Hafren, Newtown.

7.45pm, £12/£9.50. Info 01686 614555.

Glenn Moore Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 7.30pm, £14. Info 01792 475715. Debut UK tour from one of those panel showy comedians. In Cardiff tomorrow.

Max Boyce Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £28. Info 0300 0040444.

Robert Temple Memorial Hall Theatre, Barry. 7.30pm, £21.50/£18. Info 01446 738622.

UK Pleasure Boys The Queens Hall, Narberth.

7.30pm, £25. Info 01834 861212. Male strippers.

SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER Glenn Moore Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £12. Info 0871 4720400.

Impractical Jokers Motorpoint Arena Cardiff.

7.30pm, £25. Info 029 2022 4488. Hidden camera comedy quartet also known as The Tenderloins.

I Wish I Was A Mountain The Welfare, Ystradgynlais.

4pm, £10/£6 kids. Info 01639 843163. Show for ages 8+, presented by Theatr Iolo and based on the Herman Hesse fairytale Faldum. In Abergavenny on Tue 15; Cardiff from Tue 29-Fri 1 Nov. Max Boyce Portland House, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £28.50£38.50. Info 029 2063 6464.

The Box Of Light & Dreams The Lost Arc, Rhayader. 4pm, £10/£8. Info 01743 860246. Storytelling theatre with live music, presented here by Emergency Turtle.

MONDAY 14 OCTOBER uCurtains New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £21-£39. Info 029 2087 8889. It’s the latest #PlayAboutAPlay, specifically a Broadway musical where the star is slain onstage, sparking a murder mystery. Jason Manford is in it. On at 2.30pm

and 7.30pm on Thurs 17 and Sat 19. £19-£27 on Thurs 17 2.30pm; £27-£45 on Fri 18 and Sat 19. (Until Sat 19) Menywod / Women / Kadin Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2063 6464.

Scratch performance of a play written and presented by women.

Scratch The Mic The Hyst, Swansea. 7pm, free. Info 01792 654366. Open mic theatre night.

Tension The Other Room at Porter’s, Cardiff. 7pm, £5.

Info info@otherroomtheatre. com. Part of the Seen series of 10-minute script-in-hand performances responding to a particular theme, followed by a Q&A/discussion between writers and the audience.

TUESDAY 15 OCTOBER Aftermirth The Riverfront, Newport. 11.30am-1pm, £10/£8 adv. Info 01633 656757. The premise of this horridly-titled event is that it’s an afternoon comedy club you’re invited to bring your baby to.

Art Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £14/£12.

Info 01633 868239. uBlack Adder II Dolman Theatre, Newport. 7.15pm, £12.50/£8.50 NUS. Info 01633 263670. Sitcom, stage-ified here by Newport Playgoers Society. On at 2pm and 7.15pm on Sat 19 (£11 at 2pm) (Until Sat 19) Crimes On The Coast Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon.

7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01874 611622.

Elis James Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm. Info 0845 2263510. Sold out. uEye Of The Storm The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £25. Info 01633 656757. Theatr na nÓg’s musical about an ambitious young tornado hunter from Wales, with music

by Amy Wadge. On at 10am and 1pm tomorrow and Thurs

17; 7pm on Fri 18; 11.30am, 2.30pm and 7pm on Sat 19. In Aberystwyth on Fri 25 and Sat 26. (Until Sat 19) uGrease Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, £17.50-£42.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Musical. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wed 16, Thurs 17 and Sat 19. £19.50-£46.50 on Fri 18 and Sat 19. (Until Sat 19) I Wish I Was A Mountain Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

10.30am, £8.50/£6 schools.

Info 01873 850805.

Kevin Bloody Wilson + Jenny Talia Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £31.50. Info 01792 475715. Rude Australian comedian. Sure I remember this guy doing a farewell tour before. And his unlikely-named support act for that matter. In Cardiff tomorrow Silent Lines Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.30pm, £13-£16.

Info 01970 623232. Dance production by the Russell Maliphant Dance Company.

WEDNESDAY 16 OCTOBER Angela Barnes Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £14/£12 NUS. Info 0871 4720400. Show titled Rose-Tinted, which I believe has been rescheduled from April .

Art Pontardawe Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £5.50-£13.20. Info 01792 863722.

Ceri Dupree Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £16. Info 01633 868239.

Cer I Grafu... Sori...

Garu! Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £7-£14.

Info 01873 850805. This is a Welsh language version of the play Lovecraft (Not The Sex Shop In Cardiff), which is on here tomorrow in English.

Fabulous Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, pay by donation. Info 029 2063 6464. Scratch performance of a one-man play.

Kevin Bloody Wilson + Jenny Talia St David’s Hall,

Cardiff. 7.30pm, £31.50. Info 029 2087 8444. uLondon Wall Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.15pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2039 1391. The Richard Burton Company present John Van Druten’s play set in a 1930s typing pool. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Tue 22 and Thurs 24. No performances on Sun 20 or Mon 21.

(Until Sat 26) uStifyn Parri The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £13.25. Info 01633 656757.

Comedic celeb/thesp anecdote showin Welsh today (titled Cau Dy Geg!) and English on Fri 19 (titled Shut Your Mouth!).

The Creature Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 4 + 7.45pm, £12/£10. Info 01970 623232.

The Witching Hour Gwyn Hall, Neath. 7.30pm, £11. Info 0300 3656677. One-man ghost story type show.

THURSDAY 17 OCTOBER Art Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm, £15/£13.

Info 0845 2263510.

Dolly Chicken Comedy: Fun At The Flute Flute & Tankard, Cardiff. 7.3010.30pm, £7.50/£6 adv. Info dollychickencomedy@gmail. com. Featuring Will Duggan, Costas Lukaris, Sarah Bridgeman, Sam Lloyd, Burt WIlliamson and MC Anita Shaw.

Gods & Kings Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 7.45pm, £12/£10.

Info 01970 623232. uHarlequinade + Black Comedy Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli.

7.30pm, £10 adv. Info 0845 2263510. Two plays by Shaffer and Rattigan, performed by the Phoenix Theatre Group.

(Until Sat 19) In And Out Of Chekhov’s Shorts Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £812/£10.

Info 01792 602060. Adaptions of works by noted Russian writer, previewed in last month’s Stage section.

Lovecraft (Not The Sex Shop In Cardiff) Borough Theatre, Abergavenny. 7.30pm, £7-£14. Info 01873 850805. In Blackwood tomorrow; Milford Haven on Wed 30. uStupid F***ing Bird Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2039 1391.

The Richard Burton Company present a remake of Chekhov’s The Seagull. The asterisks are not Buzz’s, or those of playwright Aaron Posner from what I can tell, so I guess the RWCMD’s. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wed 23. No performances on Sun 20 or Mon 21.

(Until Sat 26) uThe Invisible Woman Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 8pm, £12. Info 029 2063 6464. Onewoman dark comedy written by Ailsa Jenkins. In Ammanford on Wed 23; Llanelli on Thurs 24; Aberystwyth on Wed 30.

(Until Sat 19) Tom Taylor Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10/£6 NUS/£16 with a pie. Info 0871 4720400. Pie Face Comedy night, more acts TBC. Taylor is here tomorrow and Sat 19 also.

FRIDAY 18 OCTOBER Andy Parsons Pontardawe

Arts Centre. 8pm, £16.50. Info 01792 863722.

Art Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan.

7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 01239 621200. uBus Stop Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 8pm, £7-£14. Info 029 2039 1391. The Richard Burton Company present William Inge’s famous mid20th century American play.

On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Fri 25. No performances on Sun 20 or Mon 21. (Until Sat 26) Cardiff Cabaret Club: Halloween Horror Whitchurch Rugby Club, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £15 adv. Info www.cardiffcabaretclub.com.

Featuring performances from Paulus, Persephone Pitstop, Hadria Hellbound, Luna C Fur and Goldie Luxe.

Gods And Kings Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7.30pm, £12.50 adv.

Info 0845 2263510. uHedda Gabler Sherman Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £16£26. Info 029 2064 6900. New Ibsen play of renown, specifically the Brian Friel adaption of it, is directed by Brian Friel and presented by the Sherman itself. On at 2pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 24, Wed 30 and Sat 2 Nov. No performances on Sun 20 or Sun 27. (Until Sat 2 Nov) James Acaster Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen. 7pm.

Info 0845 2263510. Sold out.

Lovecraft (Not The Sex Shop In Cardiff) Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £14.75/£12.75. Info 01495 227206.

Mario Morris The Globe At Hay, Hay-On-Wye. 8pm, £10.

Info 01497 821762. Titled The Spirit Wizard Show, this features mindreading and psychic experiments etc.

Murmur Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7.30pm, £12.50/£10.

Info 01874 611622.

Contemporary dance double bill also featuring live music and film backdrops. uOur Friends Imaginary Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

5pm, £10/£5 kids. Info 029 2030 4400. Bilingual show for kids about imaginary friends, presented by Bombastic. On tomorrow also, at 11am, 2pm and 5pm Powys Montgomery WI Centenary Variety Show Theatr Hafren, Newtown.

7.30pm, £10. Info 01686 614555. uPaul Pirie + Tom Taylor + Craig Murray Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.50/£8.50 NUS/£24.95 with food. Info 0871 4720400.

On tomorrow also (£19/£10 NUS/£27.95 with food). One more act TBC on both nights. uThe Sound Of Music Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

7pm, £8-£14. Info 01656 815995. Presented by Performance House. On tomorrow also, at 2.30pm and 7pm.

SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER Andy Parsons Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 8pm, £15.

Info 01600 772467.

Crimes On The Coast Town Hall, Maesteg. 7.30pm, £15.50.

Info 01656 815995. Whodunit presented by New Old Friends.

Dave Gorman + Nick Doody Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £27.50. Info BUZZ 75

01970 623232.

Lucent Dreaming Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, pay by donation.

Info 029 2063 6464. Scratch performance by people from a creative writing magazine of the same title as this event.

Marty McDonald’s Toy Machine Redhouse, Merthyr Tydfil. 12 + 3pm, £10/£8. Info 01685 384111. Show aimed at ages 2-7.

SUNDAY 20 OCTOBER Steal The Show Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 6pm, £8-£12.50. Info 01656 815995.

Dance showcase.

The Performance Factory’s Got Talent 2019 Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 5.30pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510.

Musical theatre.

MONDAY 21 OCTOBER Novello & Son Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £10.75. Info 01495 227206.

Play centring on Ivor Novello’s mum Clara, whose own musical career was cast into the shadows as a result of her son’s success. uOn Your Feet Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, from £18.50. Info 029 2063 6464. Apparently a Gloria Estefan musical? Fair enough. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Thurs 24 and Sat 26. (Until Sat 26) uY Cylch Sialac Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £13-£16. Info 01970 623232. On tomorrow also, at 10am and 7.30pm.

TUESDAY 22 OCTOBER Dygwyl Y Mierw Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 1.30 + 4.30pm, £8-£12. Info 01970 623232. Creepy puppet theatre in time for Halloween. In Llanelli on Sat 26; Porthcawl on Tue 29.

Gods & Kings Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £12.75. Info 01495 227206. uPavilion The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £5-£17. Info 01633 656757. New comedy about smalltown Wales by Emily White, presented by Theatr Clwyd. (Until Fri 25) uPlayhouse Creatures Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff.

7.30pm, £14/£12. Info 029 2030 4400. Everyman Theatre with a play about the era in the mid-17th century when King Charles II permits women to act on stage. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Sat 26. (Until Sat 26) Shakespeare Schools Festival 2019 Coliseum Theatre, Aberdare. 7pm, £7-£9.95. Info 0300 0040444.

WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER Cassie Workman The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £13.25. Info 01633 656757.

Australian comedian with a show titled Giantess, concerning gender dysphoria and her transition. This sounds good! uDrudwen Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 6.30pm, £12/£8. Info 0845 2263510. Pontio and Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru’s circus-based comedy. On tomorrow also, at 10.30am (schools performance) and 6.30pm. In Cardiff on Fri 25 and Sat 26.

Gods And Kings Grand BUZZ 76

Pavilion, Porthcawl. 7.30pm, £8.50. Info 01656 815995. uIn The Night Garden New Theatre, Cardiff. 1pm, £17-£21. Info 029 2087 8889.

Kids’ TV, onstage. On at 10am and 1pm from Fri 25-Sun 27.

(Until Sun 27) uJim Davidson Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7.30pm, £23.50. Info 01633 868239.

On tomorrow also, as part of a tour that finds Jim playing Evesham the day before and the day after the presently scheduled Brexit date. Any suggestion that he plans to spend Oct 31 itself removing all the stitching from a lifesized Norman Tebbit body pillow using only his tongue is, I must remind you, entirely speculative.

Playlist The Gate, Cardiff.

8pm, £5. Info 029 2048 3344.

Play by Tuesday Night Writes, based around a mixtape in some way.

The Invisible Woman Miners Theatre, Ammanford.

7pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 0845 2263510. uThe School That Can Rock Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 7pm, £12. Info 01874 611622. Presented by Gwernyfed High School, “this two-act musical will bring back memories of a well-known movie from 2003”. Amazing bit of retitling here, sincere kudos.

On tomorrow also.

THURSDAY 24 OCTOBER Ahir Shah Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £14. Info 01792 475715. Comedian, as seen on all the usual TV spots.

Alistair Barrie + Robert White Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10/£6 NUS/£16 with a pie. Info 0871 4720400. Pie Face Comedy night, one more act TBC. Both comics are here tomorrow and Sat 26 also. uChitty Chitty Bang Bang Theatr Hafren, Newtown.

7.30pm, £15/£12.50. Info 01686 614555. Musical presrnted

by NMTC. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Sat 26. (Until Sat 26) uKamil & Francis Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 01792 602060.

New play by D.J. Britton, marking the 800th anniversary of the meeting between Saint Francis of Assisi and Sultan al-Kamil of Egypt in 1219. On tomorrow also.

Louder Is Not Always Clearer Park & Dare, Treorchy. 7.30pm, £5-£10. Info 0300 0040444. Play about the experience of deafness, presented by Mr And Mrs Clark.

Ray Badran + Athena Kugblenu + Annie McGrath + Robin Morgan Cardiff Castle. 6.30pm, £12.

Info 029 2087 8100. Comedy presrnted by Little Wander and held in the Undercroft here.

The Invisible Woman Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 7pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 0845 2263510. uThe Scarecrow’s Wedding Grand Theatre, Swansea. 5pm, £13/£7.50 schools. Info 01792 475715.

Kids’ show from the producers of Stick Man. On tomorrow also, at 11am and 4.30pm.

This Is Me, Shirley Bassey Ffresh, Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm,

£15. Info 029 2063 6464.

Actually it’s someone called Rachael roberts doing a tribute show.

FRIDAY 25 OCTOBER uAlistair Barrie + Robert White + Tom Wrigglesworth Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £16.50/£8.50 NUS/£24.95 with food. Info 0871 4720400. On tomorrow also (£19/£10 NUS/£27.95 with food). One more act TBC on both nights.

Comedy Club Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 8pm, £10/£20 with curry and a drink. Info 01874 611622. With acts TBC. Comedy Shed The Riverfront, Newport. 7.45pm, £13.25. Info 01633 656757. uCowbridge Comedy Festival Various venues, Cowbridge. 6pm, £40 weekend pass/£15 Fri 25/£25 Sat 26 or Sun 27. Info 01446 775000.

Debut weekend of standup in this small and well-heeled town. Kicks off tonight in the Duke Rooms with Drew Taylor, Alex Perkes and Hales Corney from 6-8pm; from 9-11pm it’s Paul James, Gilly Webb and Costas Lukaris. Duke Rooms, Sat 26: 12-2pm Paul Dennis, Carl Jonjo Morgan, Paul Hilleard and Nig Lovell; 3-5pm Leroy Brito, Kris Davies, Lorna Pritchard and Dylan Jones; 6-8pm David Tsonos, Neil MacFarlane, David Davies and Josh Elton; 9-11pm Stefan Alun, Andrew Rutledge and Chris Chopping. Duke Rooms, Sun 27: 3-5pm Dan Thomas, Sandro Ford, Esylt Sears and Luke Tiberiouos Biddle; 6-8pm Noel James, Dean Aldridge, Gareth Thomas and Thomas Evans; 9-11pm Keith Farnan, Simon Emmanuel, Ignacio Lopez and Steffan Evans.

Horse & Groom, Fri 25, 6-10pm (these are in chronological order): Elizabeth Flower, Costas Lukaris, Tim Sergent, Gilly Webb, Sug Wallace, Paul James, Josh King, Drew Taylor, Huw Davies, Chris Rio, Hales Corney, Aled Richards and Alex Perkes; Sat 26, 3-10pm: Paul Dennis, Anthony Bozzola, Mark Phillips, Jorden Haste, Carl Jonjo Morgan, Paul Hilleard, Nig Lovell, Dai Rhys Towler, Leroy Brito, Dylan Jones, Lorna Pritchard, Kris Davies, Steffan Alun, Andrew Rutledge, Chris Chopping, David Tsonos, Neil McFarlane, Josh Elton and David Davies; Sun 27, 4-10pm: Keiren Morrell, Kirsty Davies, Esylt Sears, Sandro Ford, Dan Thomas, Ignacio Lopez, Stephen Rigo, Simon Emmanuel, Luke Tiberious Biddle, Noel James, Thomas Evans, Gareth Thomas and Dean Aldridge. Plus there’s family comedy in Waitrose’s cafe (Sat 26 and Sun 27 only), drag in the Town Hall and Welsh comedy in a venue TBC. (Until Sun 27) uDrudwen Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £7.

Info 029 2063 6464. On tomorrow also, at 2pm and 7pm. uEye Of The Storm Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £10-£14. Info 01970 623232. On tomorrow also, at 2.30pm and 7.30pm. *Getting The Third Degree Sherman Theatre,

Cardiff. 7.45pm, £8-£16. Info 029 2064 6900. Play commissioned by antiracist football body Kick It Out and concerning the story of the late Laurie Cunningham, the first black player to play for the England first team.

Gods And Kings Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7.45pm, £11. Info 01792 475715.

SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER Dygwyl Y Mierw Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 11.30am + 2pm, £6.

Info 0845 2263510.

Milkshake! Live Grand Theatre, Swansea. 12 + 3.30pm, £17/£26 VIP. Info 01792 475715. Kids’ show.

Reflections Insole Court, Llandaff, Cardiff. 7-9pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2116 7920.

An evening of playback theatre

by Golden Thread.

The Man Who Planted Trees Theatr Mwldan, Cardigan. 2pm, £9.50/£8.50.

Info 01239 621200. Show

by Puppet State Theatre Company. In Ystradgynlais tomorrow.

Up Next Halloween 2019 Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 6.30pm, £14.50/£12.50. Info 0845 2263510. Theatre showcase by Jermyn Productions.

Waiting For Gordon Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea.

12.30pm, £6.50. Info 01792 475715. Lunchtime theatre presented by Fluellen.

World Cup Comedy Miners Institute, Blackwood. 7.30pm, £15.75 adv. Info 01495 227206.

Featuring four comedians, one from each home nation, plus host Gareth John Bale.

SUNDAY 27 OCTOBER Glee Family Comedy Show Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 1pm, £10/£7 kids. Info 0871 4720400. Comedian with a new show titled End Of Watch.

Nick Helm Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.30pm, £13.50. Info 0871 4720400. Comedian.

The Man Who Planted Trees The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 2pm, £10/£6 kids. Info 01639 843163.

MONDAY 28 OCTOBER Art Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl.

7.30pm, £12.50/£10.50. Info 01656 815995.

Flo & Joan Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 6.45pm, £14. Info 0871 4720400. Musical comedy duo. uFrankenstein New Theatre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £13.50-£30.50. Info 029 2087 8889. See Stage for more on this adaption by Rona Munro.

On at 2.30pm on Thurs 31 and Fri 2 Nov. £12.50-£25.50 on Thurs 31 2.30pm; £14.50£33.50 on Fri 1 and Sat 2 Nov. (Until Sat 2 Nov) Milkshake! Live St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 12 + 3.30pm, £10-£17. Info 029 2087 8444.

Kids’ show, on twice this afternoon.

Ned And The Whale The Welfare, Ystradgynlais. 11am + 3pm, £6/£5. Info 01639 843163. Kids’ show presented

by Flossy & Boo. TUESDAY 29 OCTOBER u9 To 5 The Musical Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 7.30pm, from £19. Info 029 2063 6464. Dolly Partonthemed musical. On at 2.30pm

and 7.30pm on Thurs 31 and Sat 2 Nov. (Until Sat 2 Nov) Art Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

7.30pm, £13-£16. Info 01970 623232.

Dygwyl Y Mierw Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl. 11.30am + 2pm, £6.50. Info 01656 815995. uI Wish I Was A Mountain Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff Bay. 11am + 7pm, £7. Info 029 2063 6464. On at 11am only all other days. (Until Fri 1 Nov) uKing Congress Theatre, Cwmbran. 7pm, £12.50/£11.50.

Info 01633 868239. Dance showcase presented by the Charlotte May Academy. On at 2pm and 7pm on Sat 2 Nov. (Until Sat 2 Nov) Matt Price + Chris Chopping + Beth Jones + Nik Coppin The Bunkhouse, Swansea. 7pm, £10 adv. Info info@bunkhousebar.co.uk.

Comedy night.

Our Friends Imaginary The Queens Hall, Narberth.

2pm, £6. Info 01834 861212.

Family theatre show presented

by Span Arts. uThe Addams Family Borough Theatre, Abergavenny.

7pm, £12. Info 01873 850805.

Musical, presented by AAODS Juniors. On at 6pm on Sat 2 Nov. (Until Sat 2 Nov) uTim Minchin St David’s Hall, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £41.50.

Info 029 2087 8444. Pianoplaying comedian. On tomorrow also, both dates sold out.

WEDNESDAY 30 OCTOBER A Halloween Circus Memorial Hall, Newbridge.

2-5.30pm, £5 adv/£4 adults.

Info 01495 243252. Subtitled ‘A Creepy Pantomime’ so I assume that is what this is..

Baba Yaga Miners Institute, Blackwood. 1.30pm, £6.25. Info 01495 227206. Kids’ show. In Llanelli tomorrow.

Griff Rhys Jones The Riverfront, Newport. 7.30pm, £20.50. Info 01633 656757.

Performing a new whimsical anecdote-y show titled All Over The Place. In Monmouth tomorrow. See Upfront. uHorrible Histories: Terrible Tudors Grand Theatre, Swansea. 7pm, £11.50-£20. Info 01792 475715.

On tomorrow at 11am, 7pm on Fri 1 Nov and 3pm on Sat 2 Nov. (Until Sat 2 Nov) Lovecraft (Not The Sex Shop In Cardiff) Torch Theatre, Milford Haven.

7.30pm, £15/£13.50. Info 01646 695267. uThe Addams Family Lyric Theatre, Carmarthen.

7pm, £12/£10. Info 0845 2263510. This one is done by Carmarthen Amateur Operatic Society. On at 2pm and 7.30pm on Sat 2 Nov. (Until Sat 2 Nov) The Bear Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea. 3pm, £9.

Info 01792 602060. Kids’ show based on a Raymond Briggs book. In Aberystwyth tomorrow and Fri 1 Nov. The Invisible Woman Aberystwyth Arts Centre.

7.45pm, £12/£10. Info 01970 623232. uTic Toc Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff. 7.30pm, £12/£10. Info 029 2030 4400.

Musical, written by Valmai Jones, about a group of women factory workers. On at 2.30pm

and 7.30pm on Fri 1 Nov. (Until Sat 2 Nov) THURSDAY 31 OCTOBER Baba Yaga Y Ffwrnes, Llanelli. 2 + 4pm, £7/£5. Info 0845 2263510.

Comedy Club Grand Theatre Arts Wing, Swansea. 8pm, £11.50. Info 01792 475715.

Damian Clark + Thanyia Moore Glee Club, Cardiff Bay. 7pm, £10/£6 NUS/£16 with a pie. Info 0871 4720400. Pie Face Comedy night, one more act TBC. Both comics are here tomorrow and Sat 2 Nov also.

Frankenstein For Kids Miners Theatre, Ammanford.

1.30pm, £5/£3.50. Info 0845 2263510.

Gordon Southern + Sian Docksey + Rich Wilson Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 8pm, £12/£10. Info 01970 623232.

Little Wander Comedy Club night.

Grange For A Laugh The Grange, Cardiff. 7.45pm, free.

Info 029 2025 0669. Standup in pleasant Grangetown pub on the last Thursday of every month.

Griff Rhys Jones Savoy Theatre, Monmouth. 8pm, £19/£17.50. Info 01600 772467. uHorrible Histories: Awful Egyptians Grand Theatre, Swansea. 3pm, £11.50-£20. Info 01792 475715.

On tomorrow at 3pm and 7pm on Sat 2 Nov. (Until Sat 2 Nov) uOne Man, Two Guvnors Torch Theatre, Milford Haven.

7.30pm, £8.50-£18.50. Info 01646 695267. In-house production of this much-liked Richard Bean play. On at 2.30pm and 7.30pm on Wed 6, Wed 13 and Sat 16 Nov. BSL performance on Thurs 7 Nov. (Until Sat 16 Nov) Oskar’s Amazing Adventure Theatr Brycheiniog, Brecon. 2 + 4pm, £10/£8. Info 01874 611622.

Kids’ show. uThe Bear Aberystwyth Arts Centre. 11am + 2pm, £8-£12.

Info 01970 623232. On tomorrow also.

The Mystery Of The Raddlesham Mumps Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, Cardiff. 7pm, £8.

Info 029 2039 1391. Murray Lachlan Young, once a poet with a million-pound recording contract (?) in the gakked-up late 90s, has now written a play for kids about a sevenyear-old who inherits a house.

What A Wonderful World Miners Institute, Blackwood. 2 + 4pm, £6. Info 01495 227206.

Space-based kids’ show.

What’s In The Box? Beelzebub’s, Cardiff. 7pm, free.

Info events@ craftydevilbrewing.co.uk. New 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.

live review We love

Fri 30 + Sat 31 Aug

Big Cwtch!

This quaint gathering in mid-Wales is always a pleasure and a gem of a festival, set in beautiful grounds. Every year the dedicated team create a magical weekend of good music, local food, loads of events for kids and plenty of relaxing activities for adults – all in the beautiful backdrop of the Glanrannell Park House, with all proceeds going to local charities and Ski4all Wales. Big Cwtch is one of our favourites! www.thebigcwtch.com

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.

ONE SIGNED COPY OF BOSH! HOW TO LIVE VEGAN The Facebook foodie phenomenon has reached over half a billion people but now the Bosh! boys have put all their plantbased hacks on paper in this gorgeous book that would look great in your kitchen. This signed copy is full of delicious and fun meals to impress your friends with minimal effort. Helping the environment is an added bonus!

TWO TICKETS TO THE IRIS PRIZE CARNIVAL AT TRAMSHED, CARDIFF Be part of the fiesta at the Tramshed on Sun 19 Oct! The grand finale will be a celebration of all the LGBT+ films shown and award the films that won in their category, with TV writing legend Russell T Davies announcing the winning film. After that, treat yourself to food and drinks while listening to live music from Black3lvis.

TWO VIP TICKETS TO THE BAFTAS Get glammed up and ready for the paparazzi because these tickets include red carpet and party access! You’ll be given the full star treatment with free bubbly to sip while you mingle with the stars and take in all the glamour of the evening.

Warning: your friends are going to be very jealous. Closing date: Fri 4 Oct. TWO TICKETS TO SKINDRED AT CWMBRAN STADIUM On a day they’re calling Stadium Rocks, Sat 26 Oct will see Those Damn Crows, Tigress, Who Knows Didley? and Fallen Temples getting the crowd hyped before headlining Welsh rockers Skindred take to the stage. Their always-enthralling live show is sure to set your pulse rate racing through the stadium roof.

TWO TICKETS TO ON YOUR FEET! AT WALES MILLENNIUM CENTRE Gloria Estefan! Latin pop-dance legend of the 80s and 90s.

But behind every great woman there’s a great man, as the saying almost goes, and in Gloria’s case it was her husband Emilio. Their journey together took them from Cuba to Miami to the pop charts, and now to immortalisation in this musical about their life. Win a pair of seats at the opening night of the Cardiff run, Mon 21 Oct.

The name for jack-o’-lanterns originates from the Irish folk legend Stingy Jack, an evil man who bargained for his soul with Satan. Tricked, his soul was doomed to wander the Earth for all eternity. He is said to hold a lighted turnip to coerce travellers into straying from their path.

Vending machines are so commonplace in Tokyo that you can find one at a rough distance of every 12 metres, stocked with items such as bananas, burgers, and “mystery” boxes.

The idiom ‘when pigs fly’ alludes to a 19th-century pig farmer who reportedly awoke from a frightening dream where his pigs developed the ability to fly, costing the farmer his livelihood.

Halloween originates from a Celtic festival called Samhain, a day the dead were believed to return to the land of the living. The festival featured people lighting bonfires and sacrificing animals to their Pagan deities in an appeal to ward off evil spirits.

Rugby balls were originally made from pig’s bladder.

Tokyo is the smallest prefecture in Japan, yet it also has the largest density with a population of over 6,158 per square kilometre.

In ancient Greece, the owl was a sign of victory in battle, whereas the sighting of an owl was a harbinger of death in Rome.

A Welsh inventor by the name of William ‘Bill’ Frost is believed to have flown his flying machine in 1895, eight years before the Wright Brothers.

New Zealand beat Japan by a record-breaking 145 points to 17 in the 1995 World cup in South Africa.

A Hawaiian legend tells of a giant pigeon entrapped within the Earth’s core. Volcanic eruptions are said to be the manifestation of the beast’s sweltering rage.

The smallest dog known was a Chihuahua, Milly, at the height of just 3.8 inches.

(Disclaimer: some of these may not in fact be true)

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