What was so great about the 1990s?
'They're selling hippie wigs in Woolworths, man… the greatest decade in the history of mankind is over,' laments Danny the Dealer of the 1960s at the end of Withnail and I. These days, given the apparently insatiable appetite for all things 1990s, you could be forgiven for assuming that they've pinched that title. Nineties fashion and music are back: Pulp have just released their first album in 24 years, while Oasis are reforming for a series of mega gigs. There's even been a Labour landslide.
The Face magazine, which launched the career of the ultimate 1990s supermodel, Kate Moss, is currently pulling in the crowds with its Culture Shift exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, while former Vogue editor Edward Enninful is curating The 90s, which will explore 'a decade characterised by its bold creativity and rebellious spirit', for Tate Britain next year.
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Wales Online
an hour ago
- Wales Online
Where to eat in Cardiff city centre near the Principality Stadium ahead of Oasis reunion gigs
Where to eat in Cardiff city centre near the Principality Stadium ahead of Oasis reunion gigs Just a stone's throw from Cardiff's Principality Stadium is a huge amount of places to eat - so if you're still to book for July 4 and 5 here are some suggestions Fat Hippo burger The countdown to Oasis kicking off their highly anticipated reunion tour in Cardiff has begun. With less than a month to go until the two gigs on Friday, July 4, and Saturday, July 5, at the Principality Stadium, you might be wondering where's near to the stadium, where you can book, or even where to grab a quick bite Excitement for the long-awaited reunion gigs is reaching fever pitch as fans plan where to stay, park and eat in the capital. But where should you go to fuel up before the show starts? With an electrifying set expected from the rock and roll icons, you'll need a big feed before you head to the Principality Stadium for a night of bopping and singing along. Cardiff has a vast array of restaurants, bars, and cafes to choose from, so we've narrowed down a few spots near the Principality Stadium for convenience, along with some indie eateries offering plated perfection and crafted cocktails to Michelin-approved spots. There's a bit of everything highlighted here. We also have everything you need to know about getting to the Principality Stadium for the Oasis 2025 concerts, here and if you still want to try to grab tickets, read here. From superstar gigs to cosy pubs, find out What's On in Wales by signing up to our newsletter here Here's where to eat before a big gig night out at the Principality Stadium, and if you haven't booked already, what are you waiting for? Go, go, go! Article continues below Westgate Street Perfectly positioned for pre-gig eats, Westgate Street has a selection of restaurants, pubs and bars where you can rock and roll straight into the Principality stadium after your dinner. Tidy. The Sorting Room Park Gate Hotel's Sorting Room Restaurant is a swish spot for pre-gig fine dining (Image: Wales Online ) Park Gate Hotel's Sorting Room Restaurant is a swish spot for pre-gig fine dining. Spoil yourself at this 2 AA Rosette Awarded and Michelin Guide-listed restaurant, housed inside the grand rooms of the old Post Office. On the Michelin Guide itself, The Sorting Room's profile reads: "Set within an impressive, modish hotel, this elegant, brasserie-style spot boasts leather banquettes, attentive staff and a wide-ranging menu of British dishes. Start with Welsh cold cuts or oak-smoked octopus and crispy pork, followed by Brecon lamb or beef Wellington – and don't miss the Taffy apple cider tatin, which is big enough for two to share. We particularly love the Lobster Thermador, served with a rich sauce accompanied by wild rice, spinach, and house fries. Check out our guide to The 50 best restaurants in Wales in 2025 here Bar 44 In the shadow of the Principality Stadium, Bar 44 is a local favourite for tasty tapas. Houses inside a former canal warehouse, the Bar is divided into four separate subterranean rooms with arched brick ceilings and stylish décor. Choose from a varied range of beautifully presented small plates, including cured loin of pure Ibérico pig, ex-dairy ox cheek in Rioja, slow-cooked shoulder of Ibérico pork, and roast caramelised Murcian peppers. Tiny Rebel Cardiff This red brick beauty is situated right across from the Stadium (Image: Mark Lewis ) This red brick beauty is situated right across from the Stadium and is perfectly positioned for pre-gig drinks and bar food. Chill out in hipster-fied surroundings, sipping one of their signature craft beers or ciders. Feast on a range of snacks and mains, including Jerk Chicken Fries, Rebel IPA Fish & Fries, burgers or Vegan Katsu Curry. Brew Dog Opened in 2014, this uber-cool Cardiff bar serves decent craft beers from an impressive 25 taps, featuring some of the world's best craft breweries alongside their own brews. Situated just over the road from the Stadium, BrewDog Cardiff is a perfect location for pints and bar food before the big gig. Food-wise, expect stacked burgers, including plant-based burgers from Redefine Meat, Korean BBQ wings and a range of sides and salads. Between Westgate and St Mary Street you'll find Quay Street home to Donald's Pies (freshmade pies with brilliant fillings) and taco kings, La Pantera - who create the most imaginative taco fillings such as their homage to the Big Mac - sometimes they have Strongbow Dark Fruits slushes on too. High Street and St Mary Street This is one of Cardiff's main drags and is chocka with boozers and restaurants. We can't possibly name them all, so here's a selection of notable chains and popular indies. Parallel Cardiff A fab place to eat (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Brilliantly designed dishes and wicked flavour combos are executed expertly right in front of you if you're lucky enough to sit up at the Bar. There's an option for the chef's menu, featuring around 11 set dishes, which is great value for getting an overview of the talents and tastes on display. Alternatively, there is a regular menu with options such as rolled sirloin, lamb chop, and more. Or pop in for a glass of fizz and their fried chicken; it's totally worth it. Potted Pig Praised by critics and a dining spot for celebs, the popular Potted Pig has come a long way from being an abandoned cellar, once submerged in water. 'The Potted Pig is a gift to the city...' says Jay Rayner, and it's easy to see why with exposed brickwork and low lighting décor, whole suckling pigs and sharing meat feast platters. Typical menu offerings include Monkfish On The Bone, Pork Tenderloin, and Herb-Brined Kohlrabi with Truffle Purée. The Welsh House Cardiff Restaurant & Bar The Welsh House prides itself on its classy yet cosy interior, delicious food and focus on local, sustainable, Welsh produce and supporting Welsh produce whenever possible (Image: The Welsh House/Redefining Dining ) An independent regional restaurant and Bar serving the best Cymru has to offer. The concept focuses on "supporting local Welsh suppliers, sourcing predominantly Welsh produce, and creating core Welsh partnerships." Expect locally produced, fresh, and flavoursome dishes served in a comfortable and relaxed environment, with familiar Welsh dishes prepared well. Pendant lighting and an open kitchen allow you to catch glimpses of how your food will be prepared. The seating consists of tables and long booths, and there is also seating outside on High Street, complete with large plants and plant pots. Typical dishes include Gower Gold Beer-Battered Fish and Chips, Lamb Platter Sharer for Two, and Dry-Aged Welsh Steak. Tŷ Madeira Restaurant A Cardiff fave, Tŷ Madeira brings a slice of Portugal to the Diff' with generous portions of Portuguese eats. The family-run, award-winning spot is well known for its traditional Portuguese food, made with exceptional ingredients and utilising authentic recipes. Make sure to try the Caldeirada (traditional Portuguese fish broth) or Alentejana, comprising pork, potatoes, clams, chorizo cooked with peppers, garlic, onions and white wine. Both are incredible. Turtle Bay Another recognisable chain, Turtle Bay, is a go-to for Jerk chicken, one-pot meals, and Caymanas Rum Cake if you want a spicy feast before a big gig. (Image: Turtle Bay ) Another recognisable chain, Turtle Bay, is a go-to for Jerk chicken, one-pot meals, and Caymanas Rum Cake if you want a spicy feast before a big gig. Expect beachy décor, Caribbean-inspired food, 2-4-1 cocktails and a buzzing atmosphere at this centrally located restaurant. Pasture Set near Cardiff Castle, this grand steakhouse features an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work and dry-ageing cabinets displaying whole cuts of beef. Whilst the focus is superb on sharing steaks cooked over charcoal, their sides and starters don't let the side down, from short rib croquettes with gochujang aioli to four-cheese mac and cheese with bacon crumb. Order the awesome-looking (and tasting) Tomahawk, served on the bone. Connecting St Mary Street and The Hayes is Church Street, a hubub of burger places (Honest and Fat Hippo), ramen and rice joints (Pho), curry (Mowgli's) and Franco Manca for pizza, ripe for those wanted almost the shortest walk to the stadium. The Hayes This pedestrianised shopping hub is just a short hop from the Stadium and is home to several chains and indies. Gaucho Steak and Argentinian restaurant Gaucho is a popular spot (Image: Gaucho ) Argentinian steakhouse chain Gaucho serves up a solid lineup of classic Argentinian cuts, speciality steaks, and generous sharing options. The interiors are just as attention-grabbing, featuring an industrial-chic aesthetic with a stylish twist. Bronze framework and sleek metal features nod to the shared trading history of Argentina and Cardiff's Tiger Bay, while warm copper tones and fluffy pampas grass installations bring a softer touch. The star of the show? A striking island horseshoe bar, wrapped in blackened steel and bronze, with a dramatic rammed earth wall behind it, a homage to the layered rainbow mountains of the Andes. Giggling Squid This photogenic Thai restaurant, founded by husband and wife team Pranee and Andy Laurillard in 2002, is well known for its floral aesthetics and candy colour décor. Just five minutes from Cardiff Central, this cutesy restaurant is perfect for grabbing Thai eats after rolling straight off the train. There's a range of signature dishes on offer, from salt & pepper squid and hawker-style pork skewers to crowd-pleasing Sticky Chicken. The restaurant also offers a wide range of cocktails, including a mojito-style mango and chilli mosquito and a Thai espresso martini with coconut coffee liqueur. If you widen your search in The Hayes/St David's area you'll also find options like the fancy Ivy and Ivy Asia, Wagamama, The Banana Tree and Wahaca which are go-to options for many visiting the city for a big gig. Giovannis On The Hayes A true Cardiff institution, Giovanni's is a family-run restaurant that has been serving traditional Italian cuisine since 1983 (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) A true Cardiff institution, Giovanni's is a family-run restaurant that has been serving traditional Italian cuisine since 1983. The décor is charmingly retro, featuring faux-brickwork wallpaper and photos of Giovanni posing with various celebrities. Food-wise, expect warming plates of Homemade Italian meatballs, arancini, homemade pizzas and Penne. Miller & Carter Steak chain Miller & Carter is where you'll find 30-day-aged steaks, tender pan-seared scallops, succulent pork belly, and crispy duck and mango salads. Lush. Their popular steakhouse restaurants have been awarded 'The Masters of Steak' by the prestigious Craft Guild of Chefs for the way they rear cattle, age, and cook the steaks to perfection, which has led to this industry-leading award for Miller & Carter Cardiff Hayes. The Cardiff Townhouse Coppa Club , Cardiff Townhouse (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Located on The Hayes in the former David Morgan department store, bougie Cardiff Townhouse is in a prime spot for dinner and drinks before heading to the Stadium. Billed as an all-day destination akin to a members' club, this hybrid restaurant/ bar/co-working/event space features a selection of light nibbles, small plates, steak, chicken, and fish dishes, as well as pizza and pasta. Caroline Street Cardiff's infamous 'Chippy Lane' is probably where you'll want to head after an exhilarating gig, rather than before. A massive tray of chips slathered in gravy always seems like a good idea after you've been rocking out at a huge gig. Here are some of the best-known spots for a late night chippy tea. Dorothy's Fish Bar - A classic Cardiff spot that has survived all the major changes on Caroline Street. This is where you come for late-night chicken curry and chips, and a battered sausage. Prepare to queue this place gets very busy. Albany Fish Bar - this popular haunt won the best chippy in Wales in 2024 and has a Caroline Streeet branch for late night cod and chips. Five Guys - feast on fresh burgers cooked to perfection at this well-known chain. which is also opposite popular Wingstop if chicken is your bag, and around the corner from Nando's. Our other favourite indies across the city Curado Bar Curado Bar (Image: Curado Bar / Instagram ) This lively city centre restaurant and bar, which took over the old Burger King site on the corner of Westgate Street in 2016 and has become a firm favourite. It serves a great selection of Spanish tapas and wines and is the perfect place for light eats before rocking out. Curado Bar also expanded its presence in the capital with a new venue selling sherry and vermouth. Called Vermut - the Catalan for vermouth, a fortified wine - it's the latest expansion from award-winning Spanish deli Ultracomida and is definitely worth visiting as well. Asador 44 This Spanish restaurant specialises in sharing cuts of meat and whole fish cooked over charcoal. Run by siblings Tom and Owen Morgan, the Spanish grill is a must-visit in the city. It is delicious and transports diners to the southern coast of Spain, consistently receiving glowing reviews. Their ruby-red Spanish ex-dairy sirloin steak is a thing of beauty, and it's all the more delicious when accompanied by one of their extensive selection of Spanish wines, sherries, cocktails, and beers. There's also, as expected, a great range of Spanish wines, beers, cocktails and sherries - understandable as one of the brothers is a sherry master in his own right. It's also the second Welsh restaurant featured in 'Remarkable Places to Eat ' on More4. Bacareto Bacareto's secret terrace on Church Street (Image: Bacareto Instagram ) Inspired by the laid-back bàcaris of Venice, Bacareto brings small plates, good wine and relaxed vibes to Cardiff. This informal bar and café is a fresh addition to the city's food scene, serving tasty tapas-style dishes alongside cocktails, beers and spritzes. If the sun's out on the day of a gig, head upstairs; there's a hidden rooftop terrace perfect for soaking up the rays with a crostini in one hand and a cold spritz in the other. Nighthawks Not only does Nighthawks specialise in amazing wine, and the odd cocktail, but they also offer delicious cheese toasties, nibbles and charcuterie platters. This independent wine bar is the place to go for enjoying a nice glass of white, red, or rosé if you want a chilled atmosphere before a noisy gig. Cafe Citta Seafood linguine at Cafe Citta in Cardiff (Image: Instagram/Bwyta ) Article continues below This tiny and buzzy city centre Italian restaurant is one of just a couple of independents on a street that's otherwise dominated by chains. If you give one of the big brands a miss, then you'll be rewarded with a delicious meal of hearty seasonal Italian cooking. Try the linguine Citta with sun-blushed tomatoes, ricotta cheese, cream, roasted pine nuts, chilli and rocket.
BBC News
8 hours ago
- BBC News
Glastonbury: Who are Patchwork and the festivals other secret stars?
After the full Glastonbury timetable was published this week, one band's name was on everybody's lips. Except no-one knows who they actually have a prime place on the festival's line-up - third from the top of the bill on the main Pyramid Stage on the Saturday night. The only thing is, there's no band called a fake name for a mystery guest - just as an unknown band called The ChurnUps were on the Pyramid bill in 2023, and turned out to be the Foo immediately went into overdrive to try to work out Patchwork's identity - part of the frenzied guessing game surrounding the festival's "surprise" sets. Who are Patchwork? The main theories include:Pulp - The Britpop heroes, who stepped in to headline in 1995 (and did a secret set in 2011), have just released their first album for 24 years and have a gaping hole in their tour schedule around Glastonbury. Plus, eagle-eared fans noticed that keyboardist Candida Doyle talked in a BBC Radio 2 interview this week about her patchwork hobby. Their spokesman has said it's not them. But is that a bluff?? Likelihood rating: 9/10 but because of the official denial, actually 3/10Haim - The singing US sisters also have a new album and have a UK show in Margate on the Friday of Glastonbury weekend - so it would make sense. Plus fans have discovered that Patchwork is the name of an obscure 2011 German novel by author Sylvia Haim (no relation) and an obscure 2015 film about three young women. Conclusive?! 7/10Mumford and Sons - The 2013 headliners are also on the comeback trail, but if they're Patchwork some might think it a bit underwhelming. 6/10 Oasis - It would be a bit overwhelming if the Gallagher brothers returned to Glastonbury to reunite a week before their first official gig. But they have categorically ruled it out. 0.5/10Robbie Williams - He has a new album called Britpop with artwork using a photo him at Glastonbury in 1995. 5/10Oasis and Robbie Williams - The name Patchwork could suggest a supergroup, so how about the real reunion we've all been waiting for, after they famously partied together in 95? 1/10 that Robbie plays and Liam rocks up to shake a tambourine for one conclusion: I don't know. "Radiohead also are in the mix of rumours because they've been teasing some tour action," suggests music journalist and broadcaster Georgie Rogers, who was a judge for Glastonbury's emerging talent competition this year and is DJing at the festival."Or could Elton John be returning to do something with Brandi Carlile?" Sir Elton headlined in 2023, and Carlile, his collaborator on his last album, is on the Pyramid Stage bill on the same day as Patchwork. The Patchwork slot is just one of several tantalising gaps in this year's mystery Pyramid performer is listed as "TBA" for Friday afternoon, while the smaller Park and Woodsies stages - which have hosted secret sets by big names in the past - each have an empty space on the line-up."They're quite prominent sets, and they do tend to put in massive artists," says Rogers. Unfinished business One group of fans think they know who will fill those gaps."Of the four main slots, I think we've got three of them, maybe four, nailed down," says Ad, one of the people behind the Secretglasto social media account."I think it's definitely people who have got relationships with the festival who will be doing the big slots. An emotional return for one or two, I think. Some unfinished business." Ad doesn't say any more, but that could point to Lewis Capaldi, who struggled to finish his set in 2023 before announcing a break from touring to get his "mental and physical health in order". He made a tentative comeback last month, and would be a popular Del Rey also has unfinished business - her 2023 set was cut short after she breached the curfew. She's back on tour in the UK, with free days on the Friday and Sunday of Glastonbury stars who have been rumoured include Lady Gaga, who hasn't played Glastonbury since earlier this year what it would take for her to return to the festival, she replied: "Not much". Gaga has already played Coachella and been on tour this isn't on the bill either, but told BBC Radio 2's Jo Whiley this week she's "pretty keen" to be."The album's gonna be coming out right around that time," she said. "I am quite tempted by what's going on because I've got lots of friends playing as well. We'll see if I can pull some strings and get there." The Secretglasto team have gathered and posted information about secret sets for more than a decade, and interest in their tips has gone "a bit crazy" in recent - who doesn't want to give his full name - says they have built up a network of reliable sources. "We've got loads of contacts at different stages and record labels and whatever else. And people trust us to be sensible with the information," he says."And the bands themselves don't want empty secret sets do they? So we have had occasions where they have come to us."The six people who work on the account aren't music industry insiders themselves. Another team member, JB, says they sometimes approach acts directly to seek confirmation. Hype machine "Now that we've been around for 10 years and have a decent bit of clout, we will contact some of the artists via their inboxes, and quite often they're happy to confirm."Sometimes they don't. Sometimes they block us. But generally we're able to piece all that together fairly quickly."He adds: "By the time the gates open, there aren't many things we don't know."In the past couple of years, some acts have begun harnessing the buzz about secret sets for PR purposes for their album or tour, Ad believes."It used to just be friends of the festival, whereas now people are like, 'If we do the secret set we're going to get loads of hype and media attention'." Ad was among the lucky few to see Lady Gaga play an after-hours set in Club Dada following her main appearance as her career was taking off in 2009."She did three or four hits and then disappeared," he recalls."Because the phone signal was so bad, you couldn't ring or text your mate to let them know. So only the people who happened to be there got to experience it, which was a few hundred."I'm surprised she hasn't come back. Yet."That was one of the more exclusive secret sets in Glastonbury history. Others draw huge crowds when the word gets out - which it usually was in the right place when she a rumour swept the site that Radiohead would play in 2011."We were over that side of the festival anyway, so on a wing and a prayer, just in case it was true, we dashed over to the Park Stage in good time, and we got pretty close to the stage," she says."There are reports that it was the biggest crowd on the Park Stage for a secret set ever. I'd waited my whole life to see Radiohead live, and then suddenly here we are, and they did this amazing set."As my first ever time seeing them, and being in prime position, and it being a genuine surprise - it was just pure glee. I was just so happy, and I couldn't believe it." Secret sets have been a feature of the festival for 1992, the line-up poster wasn't topped by a star name but the promise of "a special guest that we can't announce". That turned out to be Welsh pop stallion Tom Glastonbury's greatest ever secret set didn't happen at the festival at 1995, indie gods The Stone Roses pulled out of headlining after guitarist John Squire broke his by the time organiser Michael Eavis threw his annual low-key autumn gig in the local village to thank residents for putting up with the main event, Squire was back in the band played their first UK gig for five years in a marquee on a Somerset playing field to a couple of thousand lucky still haven't appeared at the festival itself, business? Tick. Emotional return? Tick! Could Patchwork in fact be The Stone Roses making a long-awaited and triumphant appearance?Who cares if the likelihood rating is -100/10. Add them to the list!
Daily Mail
11 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Sex Pistols legend John Lydon reveals he 'hates' Oasis' music and finds it 'difficult' to go to other people's gigs
has revealed he 'hates' Oasis' music and finds it difficult to enjoy himself at other people's gigs. The legendary rocker, 69, best known as the lead vocalist of the punk band the Sex Pistols, said he's likely one of the only British music stars who won't be attending the highly anticipated Oasis reunion shows. When asked if he would be going to see Noel, 58, and Liam Gallagher, 52, perform, he told The Sun: 'No. They're my mates but I hate their music. He added: 'It's very difficult for me to go to other people's gigs. People don't leave me alone and let me enjoy myself. 'I knocked it on the head a few years ago. I love dancing, you're enjoying yourself and some a*****e will stand right in front of you and waffle banal nonsense which is distracting you from the point and purpose.' From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Speaking to the publication from his UK tour with his band Public Image Ltd, John added that he loves Noel because he just 'says it like it is'. He also said that the Gallagher brothers make him laugh during interviews, describing them as 'witty' and 'on it in a working-class, quick-as-you-can way'. The interview comes after he opened up on the loss of his wife last month. The singer lost his beloved spouse of 44 years Nora Foster in April 2023 after a five-year battle with Alzheimer's disease. John, who was known as Johnny Rotten during his Sex Pistols days, had drawn an incredible amount of public sympathy following her death having selflessly cared for Nora full-time until her final hours. Now over two years after she passed, the extravagant singer has opened up on the 'agony' he felt as Nora suffered a painful death. In an interview with The Daily Telegraph, the 69-year-old said: 'The pain will never go away. She died painfully, suffocating. They call it the death rattle.' Recalling the moment doctors asked him whether they should prolong Nora's life, he added: 'I couldn't say "yes, stop". No, I fought for her life as hard as she fought for it. 'It's insane, and you don't know how to handle it (the death of a partner). And you can end up being really aggressive with people mollycoddling you. But you have to be full of rage to break out of it, or you'll end up as that sympathetic doddering old idiot that you know you would hate yourself.' The singer had previously admitted he 'always loved' Nora having met her in 1975 at a Vivienne Westwood clothes shop - 'there was an instant attraction,' he said. Following her death, John had 'wallowed in alcohol and sadness and self-pity,' he told Metro, but the singer has since come out of that struggle. He insists however that the agony of losing Nora will never go away. John is currently on his Not The Last Tour with his post-Sex Pistols band PiL (Public Image Ltd). Despite his grief, the artist insisted that the 28-date tour isn't a farewell but more a tongue-in-cheek dig at bands who falsely claim they're bowing out. 'The industry is riddled with artists claiming they're on their final tour but have already booked themselves for five years after,' he quipped. But while John is on his tour, his old band - consisting of Steve Jones, Paul Cook and Glen Matlock - are enjoying their own with new frontman Frank Carter. John previously blasted the Sex Pistols recent tour as 'karaoke', branding the group 'impossible to deal with'. The singer revealed he is indeed no longer on speaking terms with his old bandmates after they fell out over a Disney+ TV series he opposed. The dispute resulted in a High Court battle between John and the Sex Pistols over the use of the band's music in the series - which Rotten ultimately lost. John said he 'won't forget' that his old bandmates 'dragged him through the courts' while Nora was seriously ill. The Sex Pistols shot to fame after forming in 1975, but just three years later they had split up. Their only album together, Never Mind the B******s* - a UK number one - is now a staple of punk rock. The band - whose controversial legacy rests upon their anti-establishment values - famously called the Royal family 'fascists' in 1977's God Save The Queen. But in 1978, John formed Public Image Ltd, with the first line-up of the band including bassist Jah Wobble and former Clash guitarist Keith Levene. The group's lineup has changed several times over the last 40-plus-years with John remaining a constant member.
