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The True Rum Experience Tour
Mocka Lounge
Thurs 26 Nov
Last Thursday the True Rum Experience Tour came to Cardiff’s Mocka Lounge. This gave people the chance to try a showcase of 20 rums from the Caribbean, hosted by UK rum ‘ambassador’ Ian Burrell. Ian began with a bit of background on rum, followed by a tasting session. This was followed by lashings of neat rum and, once Ian had whisked out his equipment and rustled up some impressive cocktails, things soon loosened up. A pair of audience members got the chance to have a go at Ian’s craft too, grasping their mixers firmly and shaking them for all they were worth, desperately trying to beat their partners in a cocktail making contest. When the climax of the show had finally subdued, the relaxed throng stumbled out of the basement bar, and wandered off home, a smile spread across their faces and a belly full of Ian’s rum to warm them into the night.
PREVIEW: LILY ALLEN
Cardiff International Arena
Fri 12 Dec
words: NOEL GARDNER
This year has been largely fruitful for Lily Allen, featuring the release and subsequent high sales of her second album It’s Not Me, It’s You, the launch of a range of jewellery, and a guest appearance on Neighbours where she plays herself. Less enjoyably, her tendency to have loud and boisterous opinions on things, in public, has resulted in unwelcome attention from creepy men scribbling on the internet.
The wider read but less offensive of the two bloggings in question was by Will Buckley from the Guardian, who seemed to think that her August appearance in the commentary box for Jonathan Agnew-helmed radio show Test Match Special somehow demeaned cricket, of which Allen is a fan. The second, while written by a total nonentity, was more gruesomely misogynistic, using the singer’s vocal stance against illegal filesharing as a springboard for some measured observations like: “You’re a popstar, that’s all, good for nothing but drinking cocktails and wiggling around on Calum Best’s lap in some shit aftershow in the West End until he takes you home, ties you up and fucks you like a pig. You don’t really like it, but it’s Calum Best!!!”
Lily Allen possesses a magical ability to annoy people with appearing to be trying. Her public persona roughly combines a homely, Everyperson-ish love of the simpler things in life with the use of her celebrity to make her thoughts on certain issues heard. While this isn’t unreasonable in itself, it does leave her open to accusations of inauthenticity. This is something that Allen has been saddled with from pretty much the beginning of her music career. The implication that a mustard-keen young singer-songwriter set up a Myspace page, posted up demo songs and enjoyed the resulting organic swell of popularity was disingenuous to say the least, given that it bypasses her two previous record deals and many of her early songs being written by her father, celebrity pretend lout Keith Allen.
None of which matches up to her status of one of the most successful pop stars from the UK of recent times. In just over three and a half years, Lily Allen has become part of the British musical furniture, meaning that this gig (helpfully on one of the year’s key dates for getting pissed up) will be a large and ribald party for all attending.
Tickets: £23. Info: 029 2022 4488
James Cameron’s sci-fi epic takes hold of this month’s cover, as Avatar hits Cardiff’s brand new IMAX. We round up 2009 in our review of the year and catch John Barrowman in tights for Robin Hood at the New Theatre. Plus a gift guide, New Year’s Eve guide, Pete Lawrie interview and all you need to know about National Theatre Wales.
(click the magazine to view)
In these modern times where fame is determined by palatability to the public, even an inanimate beverage can go on tour (and, let’s face it, a bottle of Angostura has twice the charisma of Calvin Harris). In what must represent the Rum World’s equivalent of Live Aid, minus the self-important charity bit, 19 golden rums have clubbed together and are embarking on a UK tour hosted by rum expert Ian Burrell. Because the rums can’t speak, obviously.
The tour comes to Mocka Lounge on Thurs 26 Nov and you can win a pair of tickets. Includes a history lesson from Ian, a cocktail masterclass and a lengthy tasting session. Just answer this question:
Which crop is required to make rum? Sugar cane, barley, wheat or potatoes?
Please email your answer, name and contact number to competitions@buzzmag.co.uk by Mon 23 Nov.
words: BECCI GOULD
Cardiff is the location for the UK’s second Fenchurch store, set to open on 1 Dec 2009.
Fenchurch, famous for its streetwear, will open its doors in the St David’s Centre on Tue 1 Dec, boasting a modern, interactive decor that they hope will impress Cardiff shoppers.
The launch party is on Sat 5 Dec and features Radio 1 DJ Bethan Elfyn. There will also be an after-hours VIP party, exclusive to 100 lucky ticket holders, that features a DJ-set from Lost Prophets frontman Ian Watkins.
Tickets: free, available from the Fenchurch store from midday on Sat 5 Dec.
LIVE REVIEW: TURIN BRAKES
Buffalo Bar, Cardiff
Thurs 29 Oct
words: ANGHARAD BROWN photo: JAKE MORLEY
Turin Brakes: a band who, a few years ago, I would have stepped on a small child to see live. Each time I’ve seen them perform they have been nothing short of amazing. Their beautiful harmonies causing more than one hair-stand-up-on-back- of-neck moment. Therefore I couldn’t believe my luck when I heard they were heading to Cardiff as part of Pete Lawrie’s new set of gigs, upstairs in a room with only a 120 capacity.
As Pete Lawrie came on stage, it was clear that he had a big support base with him. As he began to sing, I looked around and noted that I was one of the few who didn’t know every word. His songs are three-minute bursts of soulful, radio-friendly music that sees him destined to do well. As his set came to its conclusion there was a bit of banter with the late-arriving Turin Brakes, who told the audience they’ve been enjoying listening to their back catalogue in The Promised Land. This sets the tone for the rest of the evening, friendly, unpretentious musicians, performing in a friend’s lounge after a couple of beers.
Finally, after what felt like decades of waiting for some live dates, Turin Brakes opened with The Door, soon followed by Pain Killer – their biggest hit to date. After a few tracks it became obvious that Gale and Olly were warming into their live performance. These two seemingly shy, grounded and perhaps slightly awkward musicians almost seemed a bit embarrassed to see the enthusiastic crowd embrace their music. Following a large number of their biggest songs from each of their four albums, they announced that their new album would be out in March 2010.Their set also included a cover of Chris Isaak’s Wicked Game, which beautifully suited their voices and gave it a folk twist, moving the song away from its country origins, before they closed on Save Me.
After an encore was demanded (one that was faintly protested by the band), they hesitantly sang Red Moon – a song that wasn’t on their set list, but was insisted upon by an over-enthusiastic Craig David lookalike who promised to buy them a pint if they sang it.
This last minute gig – only scheduled two weeks before due to a last minute cancellation – pleased the audience and hopefully sees the resurgence of a beautiful folk band. Despite their obvious lack of live performances and practice, I feel it is the best time I’ve seen them yet.
DOCTOR WHO: DREAMLAND
Online/Red Button
Sat 21 Nov
After months of speculation and gossip, the BBC has finally confirmed that this coming weekend will at last see the new incarnation of the Doctor taking to the screen. However, Dreamland is Doctor Who with a difference. Instead of live action, the series is an animated adventure that will be available to watch on BBC2 via the Red Button and on the official Doctor Who website.
The 45 minute animation is written by Phil Ford, who has also written for Doctor Who, Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures. It sees David Tennant return to voice the famous Doctor, and alongside him are characters Cassie Rice, the Doctor’s new companion, voiced by Georgia Moffet, and the evil Viperox, voiced by David Warner. The plot for the first of the six episodes is sure to excite all fans. During a visit to a local diner in Roswell, USA, the doctor stumbles upon a mysterious alien artefact that leads him on a mission to rescue Rivesh Mantilax from the threat of the Viperox and the clutches of the American military.
Executive producer and creator of the original Dr Who series, Russell T Davies is also looking forward to seeing the Doctor in his latest manifestation: “Dreamland is a remarkable project and I’m thrilled with it. Phil Ford is a wonderful writer and promises to send the Doctor into a whole new visual dimension.”
Info: www.bbc.co.uk/doctorwho (HL)
REVIEW: CARDIFF ARTS INSTITUTE
It was the launch of Cardiff Arts Institute this weekend. So how did they do?
There’s been a lot of hype around Cardiff Arts Institute. Seen by many as a rival to Buffalo and 10 Feet Tall, its cheeky interior and attractive, original design gives it a much less sober, more playful feel than its obvious competitors. By youthful we mean like the designers spent the entire decorating period listening to Hudson Mohawke and reading back issues of Whizzer And Chips, because they’ve poured a lot of imagination into this place. On the outside its windows are blocked out with big, colourful squares, making it look a bit like a nursery. And inside there’s cartoons, chintz and a lego wall:
Cardiff illustrators Designer Violence are behind most of the artwork visible all around CAI, and there are lots of neat little jokes dotted around, although the biggest one has been lost on a few people. Cardiff Arts Institute isn’t really an institute, y’see – for all its kitsch design touches, it’s still a bar, canteen and occasional live music venue. Huh. On the topic of live music, it’ll be interesting to see how it works in the main live area which is down some stairs (although Cate Le Bon was magnificent on launch night on the ‘acoustic stage’ by the doors).
On the down side, the cringey manifesto and ‘Nothing Special’ wallpaper are two mildly masturbatory touches that didn’t quite hit the mark. Still, the CAI is unlike anywhere else in Cardiff and all the better for it. The launch party was a lovely affair and the breadth of names they’ve pulled in makes for an impressive resume. CAI is extremely well connected, not least because it’s part owned by the Lock Tavern in Camden, London, and as well as featuring residencies from locals like John Rostron & Jen Long, Kruger DJs and Batucada Basics, it will also host a handful of juicy one-offs that include Rob Da Bank and 1920s hip-hop chaps The Correspondents.
Good for: Guardianistas, hipsters, hippies & Lego enthusiasts
Bad for: those looking for somewhere to watch the rugby
(BB)
