http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/ Read our columnists' articles. Great comment and discussion on the latest news and sport in Wales. en-gb WalesOnline http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/18/keep-the-kids-happy-over-the-holidays-91466-21364681/ Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/18/keep-the-kids-happy-over-the-holidays-91466-21364681/ TODAY’S the day that children throughout Wales have been eagerly anticipating for weeks – and, it’s probably fair to say, many parents have been dreading. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/18/wales-has-come-a-long-way-91466-21364687/ Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/18/wales-has-come-a-long-way-91466-21364687/ WHEN Manic Street Preachers announced their August 21 gig at Newport Centre this week I got to thinking about how they used to be the only band of real stature in Wales – and of how far we have come since as a musical nation. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/11/i-d-hardly-call-myself-an-abba-fan-but-91466-21322280/ Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/11/i-d-hardly-call-myself-an-abba-fan-but-91466-21322280/ ONE of my first introductions to music was via my mum’s Abba album, Super Trouper. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/11/sorry-but-live-hip-hop-still-bores-me-91466-21322285/ Thu, 10 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/11/sorry-but-live-hip-hop-still-bores-me-91466-21322285/ I ARRIVED back from Belgium’s Rock Werchter festival on Wednesday with a bagful of wet clothes and a mind full of memories. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/04/wild-about-dolly-91466-21225689/ Thu, 03 Jul 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/07/04/wild-about-dolly-91466-21225689/ PEOPLE may assume that here at Box Office we get to rub shoulders with celebrities on a regular basis but it’s not often that we get to meet a real star. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/27/laid-low-by-glastonbury-gig-loss-91466-21157697/ Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/27/laid-low-by-glastonbury-gig-loss-91466-21157697/ YOU know that feeling you get when you miss a gig because you are either too knackered/skint to attend or are double-booked – I call it gig-loss. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/27/karen-price-inside-track-91466-21157703/ Thu, 26 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/27/karen-price-inside-track-91466-21157703/ LAST Friday I left my desk behind and headed up to London for the day. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/22/alex-is-history-and-less-said-the-better-91466-21132459/ Sat, 21 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/22/alex-is-history-and-less-said-the-better-91466-21132459/ Nick Rippington’s keeping an eye on the BB house – so you don’t have to! http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/20/daunting-task-for-hollywood-star-91466-21108600/ Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/20/daunting-task-for-hollywood-star-91466-21108600/ AS The Edge of Love was being filmed in West Wales last summer, here at Box Office we enjoyed scouring through the press photos at the end of each day’s shoot. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/20/after-bruce-it-s-time-to-think-small-91466-21108602/ Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/20/after-bruce-it-s-time-to-think-small-91466-21108602/ AFTER a week that brought me a Bruce Springsteen awakening at the Millennium Stadium I can’t help but feeling that the next few days will be a little anti-climactic. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/13/a-springsteen-first-for-wales-91466-21066345/ Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/13/a-springsteen-first-for-wales-91466-21066345/ IT’S not very often you get to see a legend – so take the chance while it’s there. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/13/loving-the-long-evenings-91466-21066347/ Thu, 12 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/13/loving-the-long-evenings-91466-21066347/ WHILE some people are already looking forward to the dark winter nights, no amount of log-burning fires, glowing candles or hot toddies could persuade me to trade in the long summer evenings. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/06/theatre-of-the-future-91466-21030587/ Thu, 05 Jun 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/06/06/theatre-of-the-future-91466-21030587/ JUST a month ago, the National Theatre of Scotland (NTS) made their Welsh debut with the acclaimed production of Black Watch. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/30/thank-god-the-album-is-still-going-strong-91466-20994835/ Thu, 29 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/30/thank-god-the-album-is-still-going-strong-91466-20994835/ ANOTHER week, another doom-laden portent for the major record labels. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/30/the-sofa-s-the-best-venue-for-me-91466-20994838/ Thu, 29 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/30/the-sofa-s-the-best-venue-for-me-91466-20994838/ I CAN hardly believe it’s the festival season once again. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/25/fake-tan-dolly-birds-replace-amazonian-warriors-91466-20970007/ Sat, 24 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/25/fake-tan-dolly-birds-replace-amazonian-warriors-91466-20970007/ On the other hand, the return of Gladiators is something I’ve been expectantly clenching my buttocks about ever since it was originally dragged flexing and screaming from our screens in the late ’90s. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/23/i-m-standing-in-for-jo-whiley-so-who-knows-what-you-might-hear-91466-20962229/ Thu, 22 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/23/i-m-standing-in-for-jo-whiley-so-who-knows-what-you-might-hear-91466-20962229/ ONCE again this year the Tapestry Festival will take place at Port Talbot’s Margam Park on August 8 and 9. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/23/one-step-forward-two-steps-back-91466-20962233/ Thu, 22 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/23/one-step-forward-two-steps-back-91466-20962233/ DURING the last three years I have previewed more than 500 shows across Wales – many out of duty, but mostly out of a genuine interest and a view to promote what I consider to be the most interesting work out there. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/16/heading-for-the-bright-lights-of-brighton-91466-20917935/ Thu, 15 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/16/heading-for-the-bright-lights-of-brighton-91466-20917935/ THE sun shone down on 30,000 people in Maidstone in Kent as we all enjoyed Radio 1’s Big Weekend. http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/16/taking-a-bite-of-the-big-apple-91466-20917937/ Thu, 15 May 2008 23:00:00 GMT http://www.walesonline.co.uk/whats-on/columnists/2008/05/16/taking-a-bite-of-the-big-apple-91466-20917937/ WELL I am back from my trip to New York and what a place it is. Everyone told me I would love it and they were right.