Live Recap: Dutch Mustard @ The Louisiana
It’s been a hot minute since I last stepped into The Louisiana. Returning to one of Bristol’s most important venues is always a pleasure. At first glance, the Georgian building looks like a quirky yet unremarkable city-centre spot. It’s dressed up with a touch of New Orleans flair. Downstairs, there’s a cosy, run-of-the-mill pub. Upstairs, […]
Live Recap: La Sécurité @ Thekla
Despite legions of bands currently tearing through the festival circuit, the lure of Bristol’s floating venue, Thekla, remains strong. The beloved boat is still more than capable of delivering exhilarating midweek entertainment. Bella Union’s new recruits, La Sécurité—a Canadian dance-punk group from Montreal promising a funky treat—headlined Wednesday’s show. Kicking things off, however, was a […]
Album Review: The Beths, ‘Straight Line Was A Lie’
From The Beatles to The Byrds, jangly guitars have long carried the weight of complex human emotions. One of the latest torchbearers for the good old arpeggio is New Zealand’s The Beths, returning with their fourth studio album, Straight Line Was a Line. Their debut for ANTI- Records and first release since the year-end-list-topping 2022 […]
Festival Recap: Forwards, Saturday
Bristol is never short on opportunities for a good rave, but Forwards Festival has quickly cemented itself as a highlight of the city’s annual calendar. Taking place over two days and drawing up to 60,000, it’s the city’s biggest inner-city festival, blending electronica, pop, indie, and dance. Already renowned for its diverse lineup, Saturday’s bill […]
Album Review: Mac DeMarco, ‘Guitar’
Lovers of immaculate vibes, rejoice: everyone’s favorite slack rocker—or “jizz jazzer,” as he prefers—has returned. After 2023’s road-tripping instrumental Five Easy Hot Dogs, Mac DeMarco returns with Guitar. The Canadian singer-songwriter builds on that record’s tender touch, this time adding some heart-aching lyrics. Written and recorded in Nov. 2024 at his Los Angeles home, the […]
Festival Recap: Green Man Festival 2025
“Location, location, location” may be the slimy mantra of the real estate world, but boy, does it hold true. It’s one reason Green Man Festival has won numerous awards, including Best UK Festival on five separate occasions. Nestled in the stunning Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) National Park in Wales, the four-day festival offers a vibrant […]
IDLES Kick Off Bristol Block Party With Raucous Homecoming Show
IDLES returned to their hometown of Bristol on Aug. 1 for the first night of their sold-out two-day “Block Party” in Queen Square—their only UK dates of 2025. Set in the picturesque Georgian square in the city center, the outdoor show drew 15,000 fans and transformed the usually calm space into a full-blown punk festival. […]
Goodbye Ozzy Osbourne: My Farewell to the Prince of Darkness
I may be British, but I’m not one to get all worked up over royal weddings, state funerals, or jubilees. With that said, when it comes to our recently departed Prince of Darkness, Ozzy Osbourne—well, that’s another matter. The heavy metal legend and cofounder of Black Sabbath passed on July 22 at the age of […]
Album Review: Indigo De Souza, ‘Precipice’
Precipice is an album born in response to life hitting like a hurricane—quite literally, in Indigo De Souza’s case. In September 2024, Hurricane Helene devastated the songwriter’s North Carolina home and workspace. After raising over $30K on GoFundMe to rebuild her house and community space, she got to work on the follow-up to 2023’s warmly […]
Album Review, Disiniblud, ‘Disiniblud’
When an album named Disiniblud (pronounced Disney blood) lands in your inbox, you simply have to give it a spin. The title alone raises questions—will it be ethereal and transportive, or laced with chaotic maximalism? In this case, it’s both, and all the more captivating because of it. This self-titled debut marks the first collaboration […]