AN INSTITUTION, NOT AN INSTITUTE

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)

LIVE REVIEW: THE SPECIALS

Cardiff International Arena

Sun 1 Nov

words: PAUL JENKINS

Harrington. Braces. Turn-ups. Pork pie hats. For once, it’s not just Bargoed that thinks it’s still 1981. Cardiff has turned back the clock and gone all 2-Tone on us with the trundling into town of The Specials reunion juggernaut. Many of the fans here tonight would have been skinheads 30 years ago, now they’re just bald.  What started out as a nostalgic exercise in improving the band’s pension funds has taken on greater significance of late – the rising profile of the BNP, increased unemployment, racial tensions simmering in inner cities etc has meant the Specials find themselves once again soundtracking national despair.

Joking nervously outside with friends I made the observation that there were a lot of arseholes present.  For a band so clearly influenced by a love of black music, the Specials attracted an unfortunate number of bigots in their heyday. The atmosphere at their gigs back then was confrontational and though the tension in the thousands present tonight owed more to a genuine sense of excitement than anything else, there was still definitely an edge of menace to proceedings.

Which made The Specials’ performance even more extraordinary. Opening with an exuberant Do The Dog, we saw a serious party band who still know how to entertain. Despite having a relatively slim back catalogue, they were still confident enough to dispense with Gangsters as a second song in the set. The hits came thick and fast. Highlights were the ennui-Morricone of Do Nothing, a frantic Too Much Too Young, a riotous Little Bitch and a joyous A Message To You Rudy.

Terry Hall remains the most laconic frontman of them all; he and Neville Staples were in great voice. Jerry Dammers may still be out of the fold but on tonight’s evidence he wasn’t particularly missed. Nor will the two sieg-heiling pricks who, in an overwhelmingly white crowd, prove the point that for all the wrong reasons, the Specials remain a vital and compelling force.

LADY GAGA: WANTED BY THE CIA

LADY GAGA

Cardiff International Arena

Wed 3 March

words: Sophie Lee

Yes, she’s coming. Controversial pop star Lady Gaga sets out on The Monster Tour as a chance to perform her revamped album The Fame Monster – a two disc repackage of Gaga’s four million selling debut The Fame – due for release on Mon 23 Nov. At the tender age of 23, Lady Gaga currently has the world at her feet, with obsessive fans watching her every move and a plethora of number one singles across the globe including Paparazzi, Just Dance, Poker Face and LoveGame. Her stage shows are renowned for sculptural costumes, outlandish performances and theatrical dance routines and, whether her music suits your tastes or not, you cannot deny the woman has caused quite a stir. Having released just one album she is already a household name and is the bestselling new artist of the year. Gaga has caught the eyes of many as a singing, songwriting, performing icon, mixing influences of vastly different artists such as David Bowie, Madonna, Queen and Michael Jackson to create a distinctive and memorable sound. Tickets are bound to sell quickly for this young maverick, so get in there quickly or you’ll miss out on a jaw-dropping performance.

Tickets: On sale 30 October at 9am. Info: 029 2022 4488

NOVEMBER’S BUZZ & THE STUDENT GUIDE

Bill Bailey’s harping on about orchestras in this month’s issue, and Gruff from the Furries  has made a magical realist Spaghetti Western called Seperado!. Oh, and Chuck Berry’s playing in Newport.

The student guide, meanwhile, features (among other things) boutiques, bars, exotic dancing and bacon misshapes.

(click the magazines to view online)

NEWTON FAULKNER

Brangwyn Hall, Swansea

Thurs 22 Oct

By Helen Jauregui

Newton Faulkner is softly spoken and articulate; recalling stories of touring life in a relaxed, self-assured manner. But despite his new album Rebuilt by Humans reaching number one in the iTunes chart, Faulkner is grounded about this achievement. “You never know how things are going to go,” he states modestly. “I was having lunch in London when I found out and got a text telling me to look at iTunes. It’s an amazing thing but I had no preconceptions. You don’t want to guess success!”

Having recently recovered from a serious hand injury sustained on a family holiday in France, the popular guitarist now sports a metal plate in his wrist but has made a quick return to live performance. “Touring is my favourite thing in the world…a nice relaxing tour!” he says, enthused. “When I’m at home, promotional work is more complicated. On the road you wake up at the venue – you’ve slept on a bus – you walk straight in and do sound check. It’s a simplistic existence. All day you’re just consuming energy, ready for the evening.”

Building on his live reputation, Faulkner has also become a favourite at festivals such as Glastonbury and deems such occasions as an exciting opportunity to “ride your own wave” in an atmosphere where “music is everywhere”.  But ultimately, its support slots with big names such as James Morrison and Paolo Nutini which Faulkner most relishes: “My favourite gigs to play are support slots where no one knows who I am. You work your arse off to earn the crowd’s attention and have to step up, gradually chipping away at the crowd. I Supported John Mayer at the Royal Albert Hall…my sense of humour broke a kind of spell. I played “You Spin me round” by Dead or Alive and the crowd physically relaxed. It was a tangible shift. The room changed colour.” But touring isn’t always stress-free for the cheerful musician, “we’re pushing technological boundaries; using software that didn’t exist before and there’s a high chance it’ll probably break. New gear is dangerous!”

Describing the creative process behind his album, Faulkner claims that he “wanted to build on the influences and style” of his debut release Hand Built by Robots. “The first album had a narrower sonic backing,” he states. “This time, I wanted to push it further in every direction and make the big stuff really big.” Although Rebuilt by Humans may signal a move away from his previous “just me and a guitar” methods, the album retains all the intimate, personal qualities we’ve come to expect from Faulkner, whose music continues to portray a rare kind of honesty.

Tickets: £16. Info: 0871 2200 260 / www.newtonfaulkner.com

ARTISTS WITH GLASS & SOPHISTICATION

GATHERING LIGHT

National Waterfront Museum, Swansea

Sat 10 Oct-Sun 24 Jan

In celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the Women’s International Glass Workshop and the 75^th anniversary of the Welsh School of Architectural Glass, a critically acclaimed exhibition displaying the work of some of the world’s most successful contemporary female glass artists is being shown as part of a year-long international programme of exhibitions hosted by Swansea Met.

The exhibition has been created by 20 professional artists that come from 12 countries: Wales, England, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, United States and Canada. The exhibition offers a spectrum of stained glass sculptures constructed by a range of modern and unconventional techniques, creating designs that reflect the diverse cultures and influences of the artists. This adaption and manipulation of something so traditional breaks open the usual association of stained glass with Christian architecture, (a subject that not everyone is enthralled by), and creates a refreshing and vivid take on a material not often seen in modern art.

This innovative exhibition not only displays the talent and skill of these artists, but the possibility of reinventing a material that has, until now, has been restricted to primarily decorating the windows of churches. The exhibition will be shown at the National Waterfront Museum in Swansea from Sat 10 Oct to Sun 24 Jan.

Info: Swansea National Waterfront Museum / 01792 638 950 (FG)

WATCH BANDS, SAVE THE WORLD

OXJAM

Various venues, Swansea, Sun 25 Oct

Basement Jaxx, Fatboy Slim and Editors were amongst the host of household names that played out of a converted Oxfam shop in London to launch the charity’s month long festival on the 28 Sep. Volunteers have been running Oxjam every year since 2006 and have attracted over 750,000 people to almost 3000 events so far.

This year’s festival highlight occurs on Sunday 25 Oct, with 20 cities playing host to over 2000 musicians. Swansea’s leg sees a diverse frenzy of local acts take to the stage. There is a chance to relax at an acoustic afternoon at Moloko before more lively acts compete at Walkabout in a battle of the bands headlined by veteran rockers Hurricane Joe (formerly known as The Blims). The party then stretches well into the night with bands playing Sin City and Cookie Monsta DJing at Sigma.

Not only are the events on offer diverse and exciting but the money raised from them will contribute to a noble cause. This year Oxjam will be ‘helping poor people deal with the devastating effects of climate change’ and many of those attending will be continuing the trend from the summer’s festivals by painting their faces blue as part of a massive visual statement to urge the UK government to take more decisive environmental action. So, if you love music and want to end poverty, this is the place to be, with a day and night of acts that should leave you with a feeling of goodwill strong enough to repel any hangover.

Info: Oxjam site and Facebook group / 0300 200 1255 (JW)

WIN: MICHAEL JACKSON PROGRAMME

Click here for October’s competitions

POETRY TO WRITE HOME ABOUT

LANDEG WHITE AND JENI WILLIAMS

Various venues

Tue 6 Oct – Fri 9 Oct

It is often said that experiences make a writer and that would certainly explain Landeg White’s success. The Welsh born poet has worked in a steel band in the West Indies and at universities in Malawi, Sierra Leone and Portugal, where he now resides. Expertly crafted though ‘not restrictingly formal’, White’s poetry expels raw humanism with a natural poignancy as he searches for ‘a style so transparent you don’t hear any voice of mine’. White is also a published author and translator and his work is described by The Observer as ‘unflaggingly good’ with a ‘sensual vividness’.

This month, White returns to his homeland to make exclusive readings from his eighth collection. He will be accompanied by local poet Dr Jeni Williams, who is an established academic with a true passion for the written word. Her poetry is also deeply interested in people and she achieved critical acclaim for her collection, Being the Famous Ones. The pair will be performing in Cardiff, Swansea, Aberystwyth, and at Carmarthen’s Trinity University College, where Jeni Williams lectures. There they will celebrate national poetry day amongst other Welsh writers, in what is sure to be a highlight of the tour.

With a wealth of experience in life and literature, White and Williams’ impassioned voices are definitely worth listening to.

Tue 6 Oct – ATRiuM, Cardiff; Wed 7 Oct – Dylan Thomas Centre, Swansea; Thurs 8 Oct – Trinity University College, Carmarthen; Fri 9 Oct – The Bookshop, Aberystwyth Arts Centre

Info: 01267 676 633 (JW)

WOW: THAT’S WHAT I CALL A GAY BAR

Photo: Natalia Popova

WOW BAR & LOUNGE LAUNCH PARTY

4 Churchill Way, Cardiff, CF10 2DW

Well, it has been a long time coming. After 12 years or so since its inception back in the late 90s, when Wow Bar took the Cardiff gay scene by storm, Wow is back and promises to deliver over and above the successes of yesteryear.

The original club’s star-studded Saturday nights were infamous on the gay circuit back in the day, when everyone from Danni Minogue to Dana International took to their large stage.

The new Wow is much more intimate, however, and while the chart-toppers might not feature in the line-up here anymore, this new venture is altogether more sophisticated and visible than its older sister on Bute Place.

Following a successful launch night last week, with drag queen Marcia commanding proceedings, this bar has been pretty much packed out ever since. Its many themed nights; Monday’s Boylesque, Thursday’s PMSL and Sunday’s 2 Poofs and A Piano, are proving extremely popular indeed.

Food is served daily from noon, and if the canapés on opening night are anything to go by, then the menu here is well worth checking out.

Wow has a unique feel about it, that’s for sure. Having frequented the old Wow many years ago, this place has a buzz that you don’t get everywhere. It’s so much more than just a classy night spot on the gay trail, and Cardiff’s Scene needs this. While the staples of The Golden Cross, Exit and The Kings Cross do their thing well and the kids have the pounding Pulse, where do we young professionals go for a more sophisticated night out? Finally, Wow has filled the gap. Be it a drink with colleagues after work, a lunch or coffee date, or a hard-core Saturday night on the town, this place seems to deliver on all of these levels without alienating anyone. For a gay bar, that’s quite a feat!

Orange is the theme. And lots of it, like a Dutch shrine. The lighting is Italian Uto and the (obviously expensive) leather seating is so showroom that you almost don’t want to sit down – I did and they are très comfortable.

The real gem, however, has to be the white chill-out zone downstairs. Here the UV lighting against the white décor makes even the palest of persons look as orange as the seating upstairs. A good spot for us freckly Celtic types, then! This space is very well designed, as are the toilets and underground dance-floor, which was packed with the capital’s cuties last Saturday night.

Most venues will offer food, drink and a comfortable environment for the city’s gays, but Wow exceeds expectations with the unique, indefinable atmosphere that comes with the brand.

Words: Jamie Rees

Info: 029 2066 6247 / Wow Bar & Lounge