From popcorn dreams to AI songwriting: BILL BAILEY embarks on THOUGHTIFIER tour
A man of many enviable talents, household comedy fave Bill Bailey is on the road once more for his latest tour, Thoughtifier.
Interviews
Inside THE WAY: Michael Sheen’s dystopian drama that hits close to home
At a panel discussion in Port Talbot, first-time director Michael Sheen and other production members talk about the making of BBC drama The Way.
National Theatre Wales is giving chaotic queer teens in rural Wales a voice with FERAL MONSTER
Two of the creators of Feral Monster, an explosive new musical from National Theatre Wales, tell us what it was like penning the queer and chaotic show.
“The beauty of this album is not thinking too deeply” – DECLAN MCKENNA on the inspirations & process behind new album
Third album What Happened To The Beach? finds Declan McKenna in creative cruise control, trusting his instincts more than ever.
Director Juliette Manon on navigating consent & comedy in Welsh adaptation of IE IE IE
Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru continues its run of innovative remounts this month with Ie Ie Ie, helmed by one half of Wales' first non-binary directing team, Juliette Manon.
Identical twins front an excitingly eclectic ensemble – Ones to watch: NOOKEE
Step into the creative universe of Nookee, led by identical twins Gemma and Violet Hunt-Humphries, and get a sneak peek into their upcoming live album.
“After 40 years, I finally think of myself as a singer” – MARTIN FRY on heading up ABC and an orchestra
ABC have stood the test of time better than most of their peers, and are touring a set built around 1982 LP The Lexicon Of Love. Vocalist Martin Fry took a call from Buzz’s Billy Edwards.
“What’s happening to comedy is exciting!”: ROSS NOBLE celebrates a new stand-up era
Welcome to Ross Noble’s Jibber Jabber Jamboree! The Newcastle comic may be an old hat on the touring circuit, but with lockdown in his rearview mirror, he’s fixated on the future.
THE LIBERTINES’ bassist John Hassall on their new album, intimate grassroots venue tour
Libertines bassist John Hassall talks about his band’s new album, All Quiet On The Eastern Esplanade, and an intimate grassroots venue tour that comes to Cardiff.
KATE PANKHURST on FANTASTICALLY GREAT WOMEN musical: “Nobody told me there was a Suffragette in my family!”
Fantastically Great Women Who Changed The World writer Kate Pankhurst was inspired by global and personal history when she penned the kids' book turned musical.
From the kitchen to the arena: SOPHIE ELLIS-BEXTOR is set to light up Cardiff
25 years into her pop career, Sophie Ellis-Bextor is arguably even more successful than ever in the 2020s. Now, she's due to regale Cardiff with a pre-Christmas arena gig.
“Doing good in any capacity is important”: WILL YOUNG on raising awareness of animal testing in Britain
Will Young spoke to Buzz about a cause close to his heart – the breeding of puppies for medical science purposes, and his petition to outlaw it.
PENDERYN distillers, blenders and managers explain why Welsh whisky is women’s work
Three Penderyn Distillery staff – master blender Aista Phillips, distiller Bethan Lewis and general manager Laura Davies – discusspuncturing the spirit’s blokey image.
CARLY-SOPHIA DAVIES on acting with Tilda Swinton under Joanna Hogg’s directorial gaze
Port Talbot actor Carly-Sophia Davies speaks to Keiron Self about her feature film debut The Eternal Daughter, alongside Tilda Swinton and directed by Joanna Hogg.
“I struggle with ego a lot” – MINAS debuts WAITING ROOM: a two-day theatrical showcase in Cardiff
Ahead of a weekend that sees Waiting Room, an ambitious two-day theatrical showcase of some of his favourite new acts (plus himself…), in Cardiff’s Cultvr Lab venue, James Minas tells Buzz’s Teresa Delfino about it all.
Don’t call it a comeback: SKINDRED ride again
From a tour with US rock gods Kiss to the upper echelons of the UK album charts, 2023 has been one to remember for Newport ragga metallers Skindred.
“It’s all or nothing”: EMPIRE STATE BASTARD aren’t resting on legacy
Empire State Bastard, passion project of Biffy Clyro’s Simon Neil and Mike Vennart offer a visceral attack on the aural senses, and play their first ever Wales show this month.
“I’m so proud of our little band” – HAIRCUT 100: Nick Heyward & Les Nemes reflect on 40 years of PELICAN WEST
Haircut 100 blazed into the early 1980s. Now on their first tour in 40 years, Billy Edwards speaks to frontman Nick Heyward and bassist Les Nemes on their revived fortune.
“Our name means lightning and it never strikes twice” – one to watch: MELLT
Titled Dim Dwywaith (Not Twice), slacker rockers Mellt's new record features accounts of adulthood, Welsh identity and technological development. The band told Emma Way more about it.
From SMACK THE PONY to stand-up: FIONA ALLEN’s “hectic” career renaissance
Fiona Allen tells Billy Edwards about her journey from TV to stand-up comedy in the midst of a "hectic" run of successful Fringe shows.
Unmasking the surreal: Manon Steffan Ros & Steffan Donnelly on first Welsh translation of Ionesco’s RHINOCEROS
Discover the surreal world of Rhinoceros as Manon Steffan Ros and Steffan Donnelly share insights into the play's modern relevance and transformation.
“It’s the holy grail” – WILLIE J HEALEY on the soul of his music, supporting FLORENCE + THE MACHINE, playing Cardiff
Willie J Healey's vintage-sounding musical combo of pop, funk and soul is taking him places – most immediately Cardiff’s Sŵn Festival, where he kicks off his UK tour.
Things that made me: JULIAN MARLEY on his go-to meal and favourite of his father’s songs
One of Bob Marley's many musical sons, the philanthropic Julian Marley answers our trademark Things That Made Me questions ahead of two Welsh live dates.
“We didn’t want our first show back to be a fast failure” – KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES’ ALED PHILLIPS on band’s unlikely big comeback
15 years since their debut album’s release, Kids In Glass Houses are getting the band back together. Vocalist Aled Phillips tells us what the experience has been like.