Text & The City!

This is a view out of one of my friends student halls in Cardiff’s city centre. This actually sums up Cardiff to me as it’s over looking the city. Personally this is a ‘typical city view’ as it shows traffic and busy people, as well as a train track. The Cardiff International Arena, or CIA holds memories for me as I’ve been there to see Blink 182, Incubus and Madness. The CIA is usually where the ‘bigger’ bands play when they come to Cardiff and through experience it isn’t very often sort after bands even ‘bother’ coming to Wales. I think the fact that the weather is dull and miserable reflects Wales.









This image is of the stage when Capdown did their last tour supported by The King Blues at Clwb ifor bach which translates as ‘little ivory‘s club and known to non-welsh speakers as ‘the welsh club‘ which is located at 11 Womanby Street, Cardiff.
Clwb ifor bach came about in the 1970s it was founded by Owen John Thomas, a Welsh politician. It is actually named after a local rebel (ifor bach), fighting about the English rule during the 12th centaury.
The club used to follow a strict rule of members-only and the only people membership was granted for were those who could speak the Welsh launage. This rule was changed in the 1990’s yet during international rugby games Clwb Ifor Bach tends to be a members-only to be loyal to the members and avoid disappointment.
Not only were the rules changed in the 90s but the place got a make-over, it has three floors, of different sizes yet they all contain a stage, dance floor and a bar.
Musically it has played a big part in Cardiff’s music scene. There is often up and coming welsh bands performing in the club. Clwb ifor bach also holds different nights for different genres of music, for example reggae and hip-hop nights.
When finding out about the history behind clwb ifor bach I thought it was actually quite interesting as coming from Wales I can speak Welsh yet most people I’ve met who are from Cardiff can’t speak no welsh what so ever.
This image sums up Cardiff to me as the gig was amazing and as it was Capdowns last ever gig in Wales on their last tour ever it holds good memories for me.




















Despite this being an ‘obvious’ image of Cardiff, it is how most people get to and from Cardiff. It’s the Cardiff Central railway station translated into welsh as Caerdydd Canolog. South Wales Railway opened the station in 1850, before 1973 it was known as Cardiff general. It’s the largest station in Wales. Without including London, it’s the 6th busiest station in the UK. I took this photo whilst I was standing on the platform waiting for my train home. When I return to Cardiff I always know it‘s ‘home‘ when I see that sign so that‘s why this image symbolises Cardiff to me.