Liverpool, Manchester, Newport…. When it comes to indie music we are up there, with generations of bands cutting their teeth at the legendary and sorely-missed TJs. Our very own Manic Street Preachers, Goldie Looking Chain and 60ft Dolls played, Oasis and Green Day guested and the likes of Kurt Cobain came to listen.
Today Culture and music continues at the Riverfront Theatre, Newport Centre and other city venues .
The same independent spirit has infused our festivals, actors, poets and writers too, like Michael Sheen, the ‘supertramp’ poet W H Davies (‘What is this life if, full of care, we have no time to stand and stare’ ) and the cult Gothic novelist Arthur Machen, who lived in Caerleon. Tennyson came there too to give our other Arthur, the legendary king, a romantic Victorian makeover in Idylls of the King.
The Museum and Art Gallery tells the whole story of Newport. It’s at the heart of the city and right next to the brand new Friars Walk Centre. For a whistle-stop tour of Newport’s story through the ages then the Feibusch murals in the Civic Centre are worth a serious look. But Newport is also one big outdoor gallery with a high quality collection of public art which helps tell our story – Sebastian Boyesen’s impressive ‘Bell Carrier’ ox, linked to the legend of our patron saint Gwynllyw or Woolos, is just the latest of many – you may not love them all but they will make you think..
TJs Nightclub