Day: 9 December 2015
Will Cameron’s claims over Syria be his undoing?
In 2003, a dossier was published in which Tony Blair had referred to Saddam Hussein, claiming “his military planning allows for some of the WMD [weapons of mass destruction] to be ready within 45 minutes of an order to use them.” The threat this had posed to British troops stationed in Cyprus, was one of the imperatives which had been put forward in the Labour government’s argument for the removal of the Ba’athists.
Later, it was revealed to be a spurious and possibly deliberately overstated claim—this ‘dodgy dossier’ became a black mark on Blair’s entire justification for military action. The Leader of the Opposition at the time, Michael Howard, had even asked for Blair to resign.
However, it was merely a small component in Blair’s larger argument, in which he had only mentioned twice in the House of Commons. He focused mainly on a moral criticism of Hussein, and on the legal justification which he had believed was given by ‘UN Security Resolution 1441’, giving Iraq “a final opportunity to comply with its disarmament obligations”.
By contrast, David Cameron’s plan in Syria has pretentions towards pure pragmatism—albeit, with severely moralistic underpinnings. He has emphasised the very real security risk posed by the so-called IS (Daesh), and the existence of 70,000 troops on the ground who can be coordinated with Western air assaults in order to roll back the pseudo-Caliphate. Although an accurate aggregate estimate of the total number of anti-Daesh and anti-Assad troops, this bloc includes amongst its ranks, the very extremists whom we seek to defeat in Syria. There are also many smaller factions who are not inclined to go beyond protecting their own localities, such as the Kurds.
If not a direct lie, the 70,000 troops claim is one of equal disingenuity to the one which had been made by the New Labour government, concerning the expediency of Hussein’s command over WMD. However, unlike Blair’s ‘45 minutes’ claim, the ’70,000 troops’ are a central part of the government’s argument. This will fundamentally undermine their Syria strategy, which was approved by the House of Commons on Wednesday 2nd December—by a majority of 174.
It is imperative to the mission that we coordinate with troops on the ground in Syria. As Iraq has shown, the military capabilities of Western air forces can be instrumental in taking land back from Daesh, such as what had happened in Sinjar last month. However, local allies on the ground who can secure the control of cleared land, do the bulk of the work.
We are lucky in Iraq to have credible allied ground forces—such as the Yazidi militia, the Kurdish Peshmerga, and the Iraq army itself. However, our operations to defeat the Daesh in Iraq will lend indirect support to those militias fighting the Sunni extremists in the name of Shi’a Islam, and will help to turn part of the country into a sphere of Iranian influence. These militias have so far been responsible for crimes akin to the worst of Daesh’s violations, and their activities will deepen the Sunni-Shia schism which motivates the rhetoric and actions of extremists on both sides.
The factional problems that we had faced in Iraq are even worse in Syria. Serious misgivings have been expressed on the allegiances, the cohesion, the integrity, and the competence of the 70,000 strong non-Daesh opposition—misgivings stemming from both within the MoD and the Conservative Party. The chairman of the Commons defence select committee, Julian Lewis, was one of the seven Conservative MPs who voted against the Governments plan. In his speech during the Commons debate, he claimed that in place of “dodgy dossiers, we now have bogus battalions.”
This is reinforced by a MoD (Military of Defence) source, who has claimed that the department had asked the Prime Minister to stop referring to this illusory army in his statements to the House of Commons, and called the 70,000 figure “misleading.”
It is shameful that the Prime Minister only admits now, that this group is less than unitary. He has reformulated this claim into a less inclusive form, saying that this group is made up of 20,000 Kurdish fighters, the rest being the Free Syrian Army. But what is the Free Syrian Army? A disparate group, allied with the Sunni extremist Islamic Front, whose core objective is to fight the Syrian government rather than the Daesh. Entire factions—and there are many—have been disbanded, such as the formerly US backed Harakat Hazzm, which had been broken up in March, with many of its members subsequently joining Al-Qaeda’s Syrian branch, the Al-Nusra Front.
The only alternative, Lewis and others conclude, is to support Assad. The German government has resolved to do this, albeit in a purely non-combative role. However, I am not entirely convinced this will work.
For one thing, it was Assad’s rule, and his mishandling of the situation in 2011, which had sparked this war in the first place. Why should he be trusted to take control of the situation once brought back into power? Also, once reinstated, he is likely to act as a primary conduit for both Russian and Iranian interests in the region. It is also worthy of mentioning that his forces are responsible for more civilian deaths than Daesh. Furthermore, he has used chemical weapons on civilian targets, challenging Lewis’ assertion that he is “the lesser of two evils”.
Clearly, there is no ground force in Syria from which we can expect a satisfactory result, which is what makes the idea of a unitary anti-Daesh and anti-Baathist force such an attractive one for the government.
In the absence of such a force, however, the government’s plan will come to nothing. In his likely failure to unite these ‘moderates’, Cameron will be undone in Syria. He has given those in the Opposition, who are unequivocally opposed to all intervention, an automatic talking point to reference in future criticisms of the government.
In the words of the MoD source: “It’s got 45 minutes written all over it.”
Preview: Inkheart
Manchester’s new international centre for contemporary visual art, theatre, and film have chosen an adaptation of Cornelia Funke’s worldwide best-selling novel Inkheart as its first Christmas production.
This festive production is very much a collaborative effort. As well as being directed by Walter Meierjohann, it has also been adapted by Stephen Sharkey and Meierjohann. Designed by Berlin-based French designer Stéphane Laimé, the production is complemented with music composed by Nikola Kodjabashia, who also worked on Romeo and Juliet last year.
This bestselling international children’s book tells the story of Meg, a 12-year-old who is thrown into a world of magic, mystery and adventure when the characters from her favourite books come to life. “Thrust into an epic battle with the baddest of bad guys, will Meggie and her team of unconventional allies be able to stay one step ahead and keep those they love safe from danger?”
Cast members include our protagonist, portrayed by Katherine Carlton, who graduated from LAMDA in 2013. Paul McEwan will also be joining the stage as Meggie’s father, Mo—his northwest credits at the Royal Exchange Theatre, Dukes Lancaster as well as the Royal Shakespeare Company. Meanwhile, Stockport-based Kelly Hotten will be playing the narrator of the story and Meggie’s mother, Resa. Hotten has made numerous appearances at the Royal Exchange Theatre, whilst her TV credits include Doctors and WPC56. Finally, Rachel Atkins and Griffin Stevens, who both appeared in HOME’s Manchester Theatre Award-winning production of Romeo and Juliet at Victoria Baths, return to HOME to portray Elinor, Meggie’s aunt and Flatnose, one of the evil villains, respectively.
HOME will be delivering two exciting schools’ projects during Inkheart, with the support of World Duty Free Group. The first project, Adopt an Actor, involved four year seven classes from three Wythenshawe schools—Manchester Enterprise Academy, The Manchester Health Academy and Newall Green High School. During the rehearsal process, actors and pupils will be exchanging weekly handwritten letters, each sharing what goes on behind the curtain. Each class will take part in two creative theatre workshops and will also visit HOME in December to see a performance of Inkheart, before finally coming face to face with their adopted actor.
As well as this, pupils across Wythenshawe have been encouraged to send HOME stories that are inspired by the magic of reading, as part of our World Duty Free Storywriting Competition. The winning pupil will receive a package fit for a star writer, including the opportunity to meet Cornelia Funke at HOME’s Family Day on Sunday 13th December.
Books are capable of transporting their readers to different worlds, but what happens if that world is full of dark magic and ferocious and forbidding villains, where secrets are revealed and stories come alive? If words printed on page can transport you so far, imagine the adventure that the stage will take you on.
Review: Lord of the Flies
The Lord of the Flies was first published in 1954. It tells the story of how a bunch of evacuated school boys find themselves stranded on a tropical island after their aeroplane is shot down. They try and establish order on the island by electing a leader, Ralph (in this production, played by Luke Ward-Wilkinson), but sightings of a beast and differing priorities leads to splintering into tribes led by Ralph and Jack (Freddie Watkins). The splinter group, spurred on by the desire for food, soon become a cult of death worshipping their first kill. This play depicts the departure of the morality of man when the constraints of civilisation and consequence are removed, and seeks to explore how the depraved resent salvation.
The set, consisting of the rear end of a crashed aeroplane and a wing, was thoughtfully and effectively used. Freeze frames were used in order to depict the synchronicity of events and were very effective. With rapid fire scenes of destruction interlaced with the ultra-slow, the play conjured up a sense of the frenzying and terrifying. The action depicted ideas of savagery carried out in homage to Ba’al or the “Lord of the Flies”. These moments were well choreographed, as was much of the play, with the fight between Jack and Ralph being believable as the vicious ‘to the death’ assault it is supposed to be.
However, the somewhat feeble attempts to ground the play in the present missed the mark for me. The allusions to Instagram, 3G, and banter, while humorous, detracted from the effect of the play given that in the modern day many of the religious symbolisms would be mitigated. They perhaps also interfered with the flow of the story.
The acting was fairly good from all points with Ralph, Piggy (Anthony Roberts), and Simon (Keenan Munn-Francis) being particularly well portrayed. Ward-Wilkinson’s portrayal of Ralph’s fall from grace was believable and his expression of despair for the latter half could almost have been genuine. Roberts’ Piggy was thoughtful and his delivery elicited empathy. And Munn-Francis’ confrontation with the Lord of the Flies was an excellent moment with the despair, anger, and subsequent fit being high points in the drama.
Despite the misses on the modernisation, this play contained interesting staging choices, and was certainly engaging and entertaining without losing the gravitas that such a dark story should evoke.
The conduct of the Syria debate belies its importance
The debate around the Syrian air strikes has not been treated with the seriousness it deserves. Both the media and politicians are once again twisting facts and reducing the extremely complex debate into a run-of-the-mill partisan fued.
“Corbyn’s ‘free vote’ puts UK on brink of war”, read the headline of the Metro on Wednesday 1st December. The media’s war against Jeremy Corbyn has never been so blindingly obvious. Using the matter of Syrian air strikes to take pot shots at the Leader of the Opposition exemplifies the complete lack of restraint the media shows in their relentless offensive on the Labour leader.
The linking of Corbyn’s name to a policy that he consistently opposed is indicative of a clear bias against him. David Cameron, who has been the one pushing for airstrikes, enjoys complete detachment from the controversial and contested issue. How can we expect the public to have an independent view on this issue if what they read in the media is so skewed?
Let’s look at what actually happened. After unambiguously arguing against the use of air strikes in Syria on various platforms, Jeremy Corbyn took the sensible decision to give his MPs a free vote. Given the highly exceptional and divisive issue at hand, he would have been foolish not to do so. If he had decided to whip the vote, however, the media would have had a field day. The backbencher that rebelled over 500 times becomes leader and demands his MPs follow his lead? Understandably, cries of hypocrisy would of followed.
But this is not what happened. The fact that Corbyn did the exact opposite, yet still appears to have been held responsible for the imminent “war” that is approaching, shines a light on the bias against him in the media.
A day later, on Wednesday the 2nd of December, the growing dichotomisation of the debate around Syria accelerated. The Prime Minister, in a speech to the 1922 committee trying to persuade MPs to vote in favour of further airstrikes, urged members of the Labour Party to vote for him instead of “Jeremy Corbyn and a bunch of terrorist sympathisers”. This language is far outside what is acceptable.
In this debate, there should not be two sides hurling such extreme insults at each other. Not only was this insult from the Prime Minister offensive, it was profoundly undemocratic; attempting to dismiss, degrade, and belittle the Leader of the Opposition is completely counterproductive to meaningful democratic debate. Rightfully so, Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, remarked: “David Cameron’s comments trivialise the decision MPs have to make. MPs from all parties are treating that decision with the seriousness it deserves. The Prime Minister should retract and apologise for these remarks, which are disrespectful to those MPs who have a different view to him.”
Here we see the complete lack of respect the Prime Minister has for his opposite number, something reminiscent of the continuous laughs drowning out Corbyn in various Prime Minister’s Questions. Politicians and the media, ideally, would deal with a matter of life and death such as how to combat the threat of Daesh respectfully. Unfortunately, we do not live in such a world. Instead, there are not two equal sides to the debate around air strikes in Syria. The anti-air strike argument, which has been defended by Corbyn and others consistently, has been bulldozed by the political establishment.
The debate around Syria is being framed in a way that disregards scrutiny and deliberation. Instead of receiving facts and deliberation from those in power, the public is receiving rhetoric. We as members of the public must not allow ourselves to be drawn into the divisive approach taken by Prime Minister and backed up by much of the media. George W. Bush famously said during the aftermath of 9/11: “You are either with us or you are with the terrorists”.
Hopefully, after observing the failed War on Terror, we can recognise that language like this gets us nowhere.
A presidential Pope is unhelpful
A rock album, grand speeches on climate change, a favourite subject of memes, and various criticisms of capitalism and inequality. Particularly for those on the left, what is there to not love about the Pope? I agree with much of his politics, and in particular I admire the role he has played in the climate movement. However, it is easy to forget that the man heads up the Catholic Church: perhaps the epitome of certainly European, if not global, organised religion. Therefore, his role in international politics needs some examining.
Most recently, his African tour has stirred up some controversy. In the sectarian war-torn Central African Republic, he claimed to be the “apostle of hope”. Yet, the contradictions are awkward to say the least. The district of PK5, Bangui—known as the most dangerous in the capital—he visited whilst Christian militias prevented Muslims from leaving the area during his visit. Then, after he removed his shoes and faced Mecca in a local Mosque, he preached, “Christians and Muslims are brothers and sisters”. These are kind words, but to Muslims who all likely know relatives or friends murdered by Christian militias, this message is perhaps edging on being naïve.
The trip included Uganda, a country renowned for its persecution of LGBT* communities. Here, he utilised a mass to again preach the word of peace. But then, amidst the loving and caring, he became unstuck, refusing the opportunity to condemn the aforementioned persecution, much to the disappointment of the LGBT* protesters. At least the bulletproof glass-covered Popemobile was ditched for this trip, although it was replaced by a fleet of UN Kevlar-coated troops. But the sense is still that he is somewhat removed from the people to whom he is preaching, and the realities of their lives. Of course, this isn’t profound; how could a non-democratic representative of God be truly in touch with the people?
The tradition of the separation of religion and state is a founding principle of western democracies. When the Archbishop of Canterbury, for example, made a comment about the immorality of austerity, he was largely criticised (although praised by some on the left). If we are attempting to build a democratic world through institutions such as the UN, should this rule not apply at an international level? Therefore, the Pope’s comments on international politics should be brought into question. His approach to the African tour, whilst having good intentions and perhaps positive outcomes, has a whiff of ignorance
His actions might seem good and proper from our western and ‘Christian’ nations, but perhaps many Muslims don’t see it that way. Although the Pope has been on a mission of drawing peace between his church and Islam—he kissed a Quran in the US, and paid sympathies to the Hajj victims—I am not so sure that these efforts will chime so well with the Fundamentalist, conservative sections of the faith. In times of such religious divide, it is hopeful that the Pope is seeking to bring peace. But I question whether he can be one of the figureheads for the peace movement.
When it came to the topic of the upcoming festive period, the Pontiff urgently pointed out that this year’s Christmas would be ‘a charade’. While the ‘whole world’ is at war, he claimed, the celebrations of Christmas will be a veil to the current conflicts in the world. Here again, the weakness in the international prominence of a religious leader is shown. He mentioned no other celebrations of the world—the recently-passed Diwali, for example. The Pope spoke about international affairs with a veil, not dissimilar to the one he was criticising, cast over his eyes.
Amongst all of this, it must be remembered that the Pope’s well-meaning does not entirely represent the Roman Catholic Church entirely. Since his appointment in 2013, much uncovered information about sex abuse has come to light. The Church has gone about trying to change this. Increasing transparency and reform of the Vatican Bank, after an alleged widespread money laundering history, are amongst the changes being made. A new face in the selection of Pope (an Argentinian one) has been important too, as the Church looks to the population of Latin America as a strengthening and youthful base for global Catholicism. But the image of the Church remains tarred. As long as cases of historical or current scandal keep surfacing, Pope Francis will find it very hard to move on from the popular image that many outside the faith hold.
In these times where religion is such a dividing line, the Pope should not take such a forward role in international politics. At the international level, religious leaders should not campaign for these issues to such a grand extent, that role lies with national democratic representatives and field experts. Furthermore, the Church and the Vatican should look to reform itself fully before it goes out into the world claiming to be an ‘apostle of hope’. But this might just be an atheistic bias: Others might say that in such times, it is important to stand strong with faith and to show pride and unity to build peace, particularly if the leader of that faith is advocating such good causes. However, in times of division and adversity, it is wise for religion to be kept as private as possible.
Live: Of Monsters and Men with Highasakite
Manchester Academy
18/11/15
5/10
Norwegian band Highasakite opened the night, and proved to be a strong support. ‘Since Last Wednesday’ and ‘Leaving No Traces’ from their 2014 album Silent Treatment went down especially well, starting as minimal compositions before building up to epic horn-fuelled sounds. Despite having a small UK presence, they were well received by the crowd, and in many ways their support slot overshadowed the disappointing main act, Of Monsters and Men.
New material was the cause of OMAM’s downfall; dark, electric and uninteresting, it simply alienated much of the crowd. The combination of big choruses and simplistic chord structures on tracks like ‘Wolves’ (that unfortunately was characteristic of the direction that the band took on recent album Beneath the Skin) is utterly middle of the road. I would be over exaggerating if I said that all of their new material was weak. The piano-driven ‘Organs’ was heartfelt and intimate, and was a reminder of why the band achieved such a global fandom. It’s just a shame that the rest of Beneath the Skin couldn’t have been as imaginative as this. ‘Black Water’ sounded fantastic, probably because it tried to avoid the bigger chorus route taken by most of the other tracks, and ‘I of the Storm’ was also enhanced by the live setting.
However, it’s the older material where Of Monsters and Men really excelled. While the heavy infusion of natural imagery in much of their lyrics is frustrating for some, for me it is a reminder of the breath-taking landscapes of the band’s native Iceland, and the folklore so present in the culture. Early singles ‘Little Talks’ and ‘Lionheart’ unsurprisingly received the biggest response from the crowd.
It feels like OMAM are going through a difficult transition period. They are rightly trying to move on from their hugely successful first album, but the new material simply isn’t strong enough. In addition, the whole gig just felt a bit safe; as testament to their entry into the mainstream, the whole audience seemed full of mums and dads, and stank of a Mumford and Sons gig. Maybe this is just a blip before a third album, but I hope that the next time I see Of Monsters And Men, they have returned to their previous form.
All I want for Christmas is…
Dear Santa,
Considering how superbly I’ve been behaving, I’ve decided that all I really want for Christmas this year is this sapphire cocktail jacket courtesy of Tom Ford, fresh off the SS16 runway. Waking up to this generous gift underneath my tree would inevitably empower me to live my fantasy as the Black Card boasting editor of the world’s most fabulous magazine. This scintillating piece, which incorporates an ink-black satin shawl and regal collar detail, would certainly put a twinkle in my eye. Unfortunately, I was unable to locate a price tag—I’ve deduced that the reasoning behind this is that if one has to ask, then one definitely cannot afford. But, please, don’t let this tarnish my shining moment, Santa—I take an Italian size 46.
Kyle Zabawa
Photo: Tiffany £1,700
Ever since I laid my eyes on you, I can’t stop thinking about; the way you sparkle, your delicate chain, your metallic glean, your simple elegance. It isn’t every day that you stumble upon something so perfect, especially when enjoying a casual browsing session while procrastinating. What I am really trying to say is: Tiffany bow bracelet with diamond embellishment, all I want for Christmas is you. After all, diamonds are a girl’s best friend.
P.S. Santa has a budget of £1,700 for a poor, stressed, third year student, right? Good. Just checking.
Kate Murray
Photo: Selfridges £23
At the top of my beauty Christmas wishlist this year is Charlotte Tilbury’s Matte Revolution Lipstick in ‘Glastonberry’. This is a shade I’ve seen on the lips of what seems like every blogger this year, and it’s one I haven’t stopped thinking about since I first laid eyes on it. It’s on the rather pricey side of the lipstick scale, at a jaw dropping £23 (my boyfriend’s jaw actually dropped when I hinted at this for my Christmas present), but it looks worth every penny. With rose gold packaging and a beautiful dark blackcurrant shade, what’s to not love? This is the ultimate luxury product, and if it doesn’t end up under my Christmas tree this year, it will be my new partner in crime come next loan instalment.
Laura Mills
Photo: Jo Malone £193
In the upper echelons of the candle and fragrance brands is Jo Malone; the inevitable star on top of the fantastically-scented Christmas tree. All I want for Christmas is this indulgent quartet: a body cream, body wash, candle, and cologne in the scent Wood Sage and Sea Salt. A perfume that is ‘alive with the mineral scent of the rugged cliffs’ may not form part of your usual criteria in the selection process for your new eau de parfum, but the fresh and woody notes mean that it’s subtle enough and versatile for all year round. After all, a signature scent is for life, not just for Christmas…
Millie Kershaw
Photo: Daniel Wellington £159
Daniel Wellington’s Classic Sheffield watch with rose gold detailing has been bookmarked on my laptop for as long as I can remember. With its humble design and elegant leather strap, it would be the perfect addition to my every day wardrobe. Worn with a striped tee, a pair of classic blue jeans, chelsea boots, and a tartan scarf, this watch would complete my simple ensemble. Despite being in the mid-range of the watch market, with a high-end Michael Kors watch averaging around a whopping £210, it is definitely a luxury that my measly student budget can’t quite afford. Here’s looking at you, Father Christmas!
Kassi Allcock
What to Wear in a Winter Wonderland: The Christmas Menswear Edit
Although much too thin to stand in for Santa Claus as the invader of young children’s homes this Christmas, at a height of 5 foot 8 (on a good day, in a good boot), comparing myself to a helpful elf-like character, albeit a better dressed one, should not be too far a stretch for the imagination. So, with a flute of champagne in one hand and a canapé in the other, get yourself into the swing of the holiday season with a little winter wisdom and indulge in the following fantasies of my handy holiday guide.
As Christmas is a time when one is expected to leave the house looking well groomed at various hours of the day in order to visit friends and family in faraway lands (typically a short journey down the M6), it makes sense, at least in my mind, to offer to you a versatile compilation of clothing in order to combat any weather or style-related woes. As we dash through the snow in my one horse open sleigh, expect the usual blend of social commentary followed by my exclusively hand-selected, versatile collection of the season’s finest.
Winning In White
Christmas can be a stressful time and social occasions located indoors can get pretty warm—in order to remain dapper and debonair, always plan ahead to be able to remove a layer or two. There’s nothing worse than overheating in public and to combat this troublesome sensation, a versatile look should be high on your agenda.
Remember, the goal is to be neither the red-faced teetotal hypochondriac host, fussing over whether there are enough Marks and Spencer vol-au-vents to go around the room, nor the rowdy, red-faced uncle with a penchant for binge drinking who inevitably passes out due to mulled wine-related causes by approximately 10:30pm.
While remaining the perfect choice for those with a deep-rooted mistrust for the ornamental, a crisp white shirt, elegant yet relaxed, should always be a traditionalist main stay in the capsule wardrobe of the style conscious millennial. (Far from revolutionary, but that’s exactly the point.) Minimalist and modern, always opt for a tailored finish – neat and cut close to the body. Avoid the heat of the dance floor in a both lightweight and comfortable, timeless piece such as this excellent Topman offering.
Photo: Topman
Santa Baby, Slip a Blazer Under the Tree (for Me)
This year, expect to get back into the groove of party dressing with disco deluxe influences across the sartorial board. Finding the perfect blazer can often feel like an impossible task. In order to achieve your aims of catching eyes instead of door handles, the fit has got to be correct – the perfect cocktail jacket should never resemble a well-worn cast-off from a male relative.
Colour is also a very important consideration—arguments have even broken out at the usually tame Zabawa Towers when certain individuals (who shall remain unnamed) could not agree on the exact terminology for a shade somewhere along the navy-black spectrum—so my advice is to always stick to darker tones.
So, when the novelty of the festive season has worn off, but a bitter chill still lingers, channel the vibes of Tom Ford and Dolce & Gabbana—without the eye-watering price tag—this winter with the hypnotic sheen of this smart, black velvet blazer courtesy of Zara.
Photo: Zara
The Khaki Knit to do the Trick
Want to make an impression this winter but bored of seeing the same old pillar box red and pine green jumpers often sported by the average Joe or plain Jane? (My apologies in advance to any above-average Joes or even drop dead gorgeous Janes out there, offended by my generalisations.) Incorporating a festive touch to your ensemble without a sartorial compromise has never been easier.
Forget the headache-inducing tacky tinsel and gaudy bauble prints and instead effortlessly elevate your style by embracing a little tasteful knitwear. Avoid loud patterns and instead opt for softer pieces in neutral tones such as this lightweight olive sweater by River Island.
Photo: Asos
An Ode to Black Skinny Jeans
I love these black Topman jeans almost as much as the Santa who visits my home enjoys a Chatwins mince pie and a white wine spritzer. In fact, I can’t believe I’ve not written about them sooner—I even own two copies of the same style. If you don’t already own a pair of your very own, then it’s never too late to open your heart, mind, and wardrobe to the holy grail of denim.
With a tapered leg and a not too skinny hem, survive the party season in style by finding the perfect fit to instantly streamline your silhouette. Ideal for either a night out on the razz or even for a festive visit to the nearest Costa or Starbucks, black skinny jeans are a guaranteed, fail-safe statement.
Photo: Topman
Go Beyond the Fringe In Lavish Loafers
If, like me, you’re always looking for a boost in the height department, these shoes could be the answers to your prayers. A polished, easy-going classic; let your seasonal spirit shine with a stealthy footwear upgrade. The most feared phrase in the style lexicon ‘smart-casual dress code’ need no longer hold you hostage with a pair of luxurious loafers at your disposal.
Treat your feet to a festive facelift and head to the forefront of fashion in one polished step with these River Island loafers. Comfortable enough to dance all night without passing out in, and certainly worth hanging on to for many more midnights to come, they perfect a rich, retro aesthetic that translates from day to night at the mere flick of a switch.
Photo: Asos
The Perfect Pin
I could easily write an entire dissertation on why every single fashion follower should own at least one of these next pieces of regalia. Attach a unique finish to your lapel with a flash of silver and stand out from the crowd with a dash of glorious glitz. Your very own heirloom in the making (maybe even worn, perhaps, with the blazer featured above) could add a touch of discothèque twinkle and flair to an otherwise understated look.
These accessories du jour from leading menswear jeweller, Robert Tateossian, come in a whole host of styles ranging from whimsical woodland creatures (see the Swarovski-encrusted hedgehog pictured) to hardy perennials. Even the most reserved gentleman should be unafraid to embrace a little sparkle at Christmas time—a high level of attention to detail always turns heads.
Photo: Tateossian
Final Festive Thoughts
And so ends this wintery wonder of an article. Here’s to the most glamorous of celebrations, whatever they may be (flimsy paper party hats entirely optional). All I ask is that when those familiar first few chords of ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ begin to ring at your festive events, you follow my advice to make sure that you look your best for your very own Mariah Carey moment.
Curate your winter wardrobe carefully, and I can almost guarantee that crackers aren’t the only things you’ll be pulling this holiday season. A very Merry Christmas to you, indeed.
Feature: LDN Recordings
Independent record labels have played a vital role in the past 65 years, providing new, innovative music. From Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, to the likes of The Smiths, Joy Division, New Order and many other Manchester greats had all signed on to independent record labels. But given the dramatic fall in the music industry’s revenues since its peak in 1999, independent record labels and major ones alike have needed to adapt to this difficult digital age. I spoke to the founder of independent record label LDN Recordings, Iain Gore, in hopes of understanding the role of an independent in the modern day.
Music producer Iain Gore set up LDN Recordings in 2014, after a break from the music scene following a setback whilst working as an engineer for Metropolis Records. During this break, he set up a successful business, but his yearning to get back into music did not die. Self-funded, Gore went about setting up LDN Recordings and stated that he wanted to be involved in creating and marketing music at every level. More importantly, Gore wanted to set up a label which cared more about the art than making money. This is one point that sets apart major record labels from the independent ones—it’s not that major ones don’t care about making good music, but it’s worth remembering that they have shareholders to think about when signing any acts. However, Gore impressively went about signing and producing with very little help.
Gore had connections in the industry from having been able to work with various labels prior to LDN. He used these to help him when starting out, signing his first act Joe Fox, who would go on to teach him a lesson in the legal side of the music industry. After recording a series of tracks, Fox decided to go his own way and work with ASAP Rocky. This subsequently led to a lawyer calling Gore, informing him that since no contract was signed, all of Fox’s tracks with LDN Recording would be pulled off of the internet. A rather irritating bump in the road, Gore saw it as an important lesson and a mistake that he won’t make again!
The second LDN Recordings signing was to be a band known as False Nines. Gore discovered them from simply listening to BBC 6 Music. Liking what he heard, Gore managed to get in contact with them, sign them up to his label and produced their recently released debut single ‘Can’t Afford to Wonder’. As a small label, LDN recordings is limited by a lack of funds and infrastructure, relying on in-house marketing. Testament to them however, was the fact that False Nines’ first headlining gig was sold out. Also recently signed are Sister Wanzala, who Gore had accidentally stumbled upon them when he had listened to SoundCloud on shuffle and loved their sound. Still working with them, Sister Wanzala are yet to release a single.
Iain Gore showed me the struggles and restraints of a small and newly formed independent record label, whether it is the legal issues that come with it, or a shortage of money and infrastructure. However, this clearly hasn’t stopped LDN Recordings, who continue to stay true to themselves. Signing acts based on a liking for their music and wanting to work with them rather than reckoning how much they’ll sell. This process have been a learning curve for Gore who doesn’t know what the future holds but is excited at the prospect of taking LDN Recordings forward and helping small bands achieve their potential.
Live: False Nines
8/10
False Nines, whom I had the pleasure of interviewing earlier this month for The Mancunion, took to the stage with spectacular results! This, their first headline gig, was a celebration of the release of their debut single ‘Can’t Afford to Wonder’’ released through LDN Recordings. They established this party atmosphere by throwing out party-poppers, balloons, giving out cupcakes, and providing the music to which to dance.
Taking place at the cosy venue of Castle Hotel in the Northern Quarter, False Nines played to a sold-out crowd. The audience was made up mostly of young, hip gig-goers with a high proportion of bearded men! Although, due to the nature of a small up and coming band, huddled into a corner were a few family members, selling singles and merchandise for the band. The beautiful design on the album sleeve was created by Italy-based designer Riccardo Sabatini.
Opening track ‘Call It Wrong’ is a cool mellow tune, and as a great foot-stomper was a good choice to begin. Song ‘Light a Fire’, however, with its hard hitting guitar, exploded the band and crowd alike and more than foot tapping took place! ‘Can’t Afford to Wonder’ came as False Nines’ penultimate track on their setlist, and the crowd were quite rightly into it. Full of energy, lead singer Aaron put in a great performance for this song, and from the audience’s reaction it was clear why this was their ‘single’ choice. Hindered by their lack of songs, False Nines didn’t bother with an encore, yet I’m certain they would have got one. Before playing the upbeat final track ‘Greater Things’, False Nines joked that this will definitely be their last song because they literally had no more to play.
All of these factors culminate together to make this a very solid first headline gig for the boys. With what they were given, they did excellently, and are well deserved of an eight out of ten.
Debut EP Can’t Afford to Wonder is now available to download from iTunes.
Screen Theory
“You know that building full of screens? Let’s attach a giant screen onto it!”
So went the talks months ago, when connecting a huge display screen to the Learning Commons was nothing more than an idea, a thing unattempted yet, projected into the mind’s eye as from above.
The plan’s fruition follows many failed proposals, including suggestions to attach a 10 metre tall book onto the main library and a towering ice skate above the entrance to the ice skating arena. The former idea was abandoned for its regressive nature, whilst the latter came with the safety problem of a large overhanging blade and the logistical problem of the university not having an ice skating arena.
The screen has now settled in and it is honestly difficult to take an irreverent look at it. This is especially true at night, when looking at it risks temporary blinding. When considering how this light is spent, some call the screen a waste of energy. The rumoured intention was that it would mesmerise the masses at the open day. I fear however that it was presented to prospective students with all the confusion and misplaced effort of a pet dragging a dead pigeon into its owner’s front room in the hope of impressing them.
Some compare the screen to that of Manchester Metropolitan. This comparison falters when you remember that MMU’s screen displays information relating to their university that extends beyond the name of their university. This, and the fact that ours is bigger, sets the two apart. Man Met, trying to think outside the box, say: “It’s not size that matters, it’s how you use it.”
They fail to grasp the real point of our screen: the longer this screen exceeds the tyranny of traditional classifications of what is deemed ‘useful’, the more these outdated notions can be subverted and reassessed. About time, if you ask me. Step aside Bentham.
With screen’s narrative now involving young people, visual display and unclear aims, Dazed and Confused magazine are already (maybe) expressing both interest and disinterest in a recorded interview with the screen, which will simultaneously be screened on the screen—at which point we will all forget which university we go to.
TV Binge: Fargo
Okay then… How does one go about reviewing a TV show like Fargo? Well to put it bluntly, Fargo is the best show currently on TV. When it was announced that FX would be developing a show based on the 1996 Coen Brothers’ film of the same name, there was much concern over what route the writers would take. Would this be a straight remake with a new cast, or had TV fallen into the same dull, sequel factory that is choke-holding mainstream Hollywood?
Once the true intentions of the show’s creators became clear, that there were no direct connections with the film, and that the Coen brothers themselves were in full support of the show in the capacity of producers, all anxiety was lifted. Fargo does take much of its inspiration from the Oscar winning film.
The main similarity that is cleverly retained is the distinctive humour; ever-present is the black, deadpan comedy that made the film such a hit amongst cinema-goers.
The same central plotline is built upon in both seasons of the show; a somewhat accidental murder is committed by a seemingly innocent and unsuspecting individual. This leads to ever-growing suspicion befalling said character as he/she must deal with the consequences of their action. Throw into the mix an array of shady criminals, earnest cops, ruthless hit-men, and you have one heck of an adventure, which manages to twist and turn in the most unexpected directions.
All the mayhem is set against the winter landscapes of Minnesota, providing a stark juxtaposition of cinematography. The sight of red blood mixed with white snow never loses its elemental power. The film itself won the Academy Award for best writing directly for the screen, and that same original and creative writing is evident in the small screen counterpart by Noah Hawley. The first season was rightly adored by critics, and went on to win best mini-series at both the Golden Globes and the Emmys. What’s most impressive about Fargo is the assured sense of storytelling. The ten episode anthological structure has allowed for greater depth, permitting characters to be fully fleshed out, and most importantly, a fitting climax is achieved to each story. The writing would not be the same, however, if not delivered so perfectly by the fine ensemble cast. The star turn in the first season belonged to Billy Bob Thornton’s inscrutable antagonist Lorne Malvo. The second season has no clear stand-outs, but has, instead, an eclectic collection of exceptional performances across the board.
Now two seasons in, Fargo has already established its own identity; achieving the unthinkable and surpassing the film in quality. So, is FX renewing Fargo for a third season? You betcha!
Live: Molotov Jukebox
27th November
Deaf Institute
8/10
Molotov Jukebox came on in a frenzy of Hawaiian shirts, glitter and bright colours. The front woman, who you may recognise as Tonks from Harry Potter or Osha from Game of Thrones, took to the stage in a wonderful tropical outfit and headdress, while also supporting an accordion. It was great seeing such a strong female musician heading up the band and doing it well! She added so much character, direction, and smiles to the band, while also supporting the other members to be a cohesive unit throughout the gig.
While their musical style was quite similar all the way through, it is one not very explored in the wider music industry. Calypso, gypsy, pop, pounding dubstep rhythms—it’s somewhere in there, a bizarre concoction that somehow works. The use of violin, trumpet, and accordion in conjunction with the typical band instruments lifted the tone and the crowd’s spirits to the point of dance competitions, salsa and microphone-wobbling on stage. Her vocal style also added another edge to the performance; the only way to describe it is Lily Allen meets Amy Winehouse.
The band seemed to have just as much fun as the audience did, and their obvious good relationship with their support act made the show all the more enjoyable. It feels like it is only the beginning for them as they teeter on the verge of soaring popularity and stardom, which they thoroughly deserve.
Their support act, The Church, was full of fun, stereotypical gospel Americanisms and controversial “Jesus came inside me” theology. Their primary aim is to put on a show, not produce their own music, hence why their repertoire consisted of the Sister Act soundtrack, ‘Hey Ya’, and ‘Gangster’s Paradise’, all performed in wonderful harmony.
Baby it’s cold outside
Who says that you can’t take beauty to bed? With Christmas all around us, what better a time to start looking for some fancy nightwear. You don’t have to look like a Christmas pudding to get into the spirit of Christmas—our selection of nightwear will make you look nothing if not angelic.
Here are our top picks for Christmas pyjamas this year:
Photo: ASOS £24
Our first pick is the classic snowman. These pyjamas are fab, festive, and fun! Great for sleepovers and for chilling out in. Pair them with some cute booties to carry the festive fun down to your toes.
Photo: Very £20
Our next pick is keeping it retro with these comfy Coca Cola PJs. You can even wear the top as a casual Christmas jumper with a twist (although you’ll probably want to layer up; December is definitely not T-shirt weather!)
Photo: Debenhams £20
Third time is always the charm with this festive nightdress. This satin delight not only makes you feel fabulous when you sleep but, paired with an elegant nightgown, you won’t be short on comfort either. Who said you can’t be glam when you sleep?
Photo: Dorothy Perkins £22
Our fourth night time delight brings us the elegance of the Christmas onesie. You could really be Santa’s baby with this ensemble! This Christmas night piece does all the talking, so accessorising is the last thing you need to think about.
Photo: Next £26
And last, but by no means least, the humble elf pyjamas. We can’t forget to complete our looks without considering Santa’s Little Helpers. You wouldn’t be in the full Christmas spirit without a great pair of Christmas socks to complete this look.
Photos L-R: Marks & Spencer (£7), Debenhams (£15), ASOS (£10)
Remember your night-time ensemble doesn’t begin and end with pyjamas; here are a few ways you can make your comfy look even more festive. From socks to slippers, you can easily pair these necessary extras to complete your night time look. Mix and match your PJs with you choice of accessories and you’ll feel like a new person every time you sleep.
Enjoy these dreamy pyjamas and have a very merry Christmas!
The Magic of Children’s Literature
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
We all have a soft spot for our favourite children’s books, despite the fact that we barely remember them being read to us all those years ago. However, the books we vaguely remember can be powerful triggers of nostalgia, and they often illuminate a whole host of vivid memories from our childhood.
Recently I came across a large box full of old books in the loft of my house. As I rummaged through the box, a bright yellow cover of a book entitled I’ve Lost My Yellow Zebra caught my attention. It told the story of a girl who, surprisingly, had lost her favourite stuffed zebra. At the end, we discover that the zebra had been in the washing machine the whole time, and the girl is reunited with her freshly cleaned toy. As I flicked through the book, helping the girl look for her toy by lifting the flaps on each page, I felt a strange sweet melancholy—the feeling you sometimes encounter when you look at old photographs of yourself or smell a familiar perfume.
I also found my collection of Dr. Seuss books, and turned to a story called What Was I Scared Of?, which, I remember, used to give me nightmares. It was centred on a character who, walking alone in the woods after dark, encounters an animate pair of “pale green pants with nobody inside them”. Sinister stuff. But at the end, the pants start crying and they are said to be just as scared of the main character as he is of them.
Then I came across my favourite, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt, which describes the journey a group of children take as they search for a bear. The ending is full of suspense, as the children are chased home by the bear and hide under their bedcovers until he goes away. But it’s the final page that I remember most distinctly: the image of the lone bear, head down and shoulders slumped, as he trudges along a gloomy beach at sunset, back to his dark, empty cave…
I remember crying every time I turned to this page, wishing I could reach through and comfort him. It seems strange that I was able to empathise with such a ‘bad’ character; one who I was afraid of just one page before. But now, with this final image, my fear had morphed into sadness. Perhaps the bear didn’t want to eat the children after all, but just wanted some company.
These are just three examples of books that fall into the category of children’s literature. But already we have encountered some heavy themes for a young child to grapple with: the reassurance that things we lose often find our way back to us; the fear of encountering something strange; and the idea that our first impressions of people often turn out to be false. Books like these help children to tackle serious issues from the safety of their beds, ingraining in their minds important social and moral values, which they will carry with them through their lives.
Perhaps that’s why we remember our favourites with such warmth. Unbeknownst to us at the time, the fun and colourful stories that lulled us to sleep when we were small actually helped to develop our empathy and our ability to deal with our own fears and anxieties. They moulded not just our imaginations, but also our characters, shaping who we are today.