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Day: 24 November 2016

Teenagers stabbed outside Manchester college

Written by Jennifer Sterne on . Posted in News.

Greater Manchester Police are appealing for information after two teenagers were stabbed outside Manchester college.

Police were called at around 11.10pm, Thursday 24 of November 2016, after it was reported that two teenagers had been stabbed on outside the college on Chorlton Street, North Manchester.

A 17 year-old boy was taken to hospital with a stab would to his chest and an 18 year-old was taken with stab wounds to his back. Both received treatment for their injuries and are now in stable conditions.

Eye-witnesses told the Manchester Evening News the violence broke out due to a ‘row over a girl’ during their morning break.

A 17 year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. He is currently in police custody for questioning. Greater Manchester Police are continuing to appeal for any witnesses to come forward.

Lisa O’Loughlin, principal at Manchester College, said on the day: “An incident occurred this morning at our Shena Simon campus in which two of our students were injured.

Students reported that some of the campus remained in lockdown for about an hour after the attack.

Others were advised to stay in their lessons, before the campus was eventually closed for the rest of the day.

Greater Manchester Police have said they recovered a knife from the scene and are appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

Chief Inspector Gareth Parkin, said: “We currently have two people with serious injuries in hospital so it is imperative that anyone with information comes forward and helps us with our investigation.

“We have recovered a knife from the scene, which will be forensically examined but we still need people to contact us with any information that they have.

“I’d like to reassure the community that we have a number of highly skilled officers working on this investigation and will continue to carry out extensive enquiries.”

Anyone with information should contact police on 101 quoting reference number 757 of 24/11/16 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

This article was updated on the 25th of November at 14.20

Live: The Front Bottoms

Written by Joe Casson on . Posted in Music.

22nd November at O2 Ritz

6/10

I missed the Front Bottoms at Academy 2 in February, something I have been sore about since: no matter though, because only a few months later the folk-punk four-piece have returned to Manchester, this time headlining the larger Ritz. From the outset, it is easy to see why they came back: it is not often you see that romanticised rock & roll image of arms in the air and strangers hugging, and it is even rarer to see such a scene a matter of seconds into the show.

The band opens with the punchy ‘Skeleton’ from 2013’s Talon of the Hawk. One of their catchier, more memorable songs, it is a fine choice, and captures the band’s ‘getting-stoned-and-crying-on-a-skateboard’ appeal. They continue by playing a lot of songs really fast, bolstering their teen angst credentials with lyrics like “I’m scared I’m gonna die as lonely as I feel” and “would you kick me in the face please, it’ll make whatever I say sound like poetry”. These relatably juvenile sentiments are reflected in the domestic scene on stage, decorated with lamps, sofas and a small television, bringing to mind a small-town small world where every emotional hurdle feels like the end of the world.

It is potent stuff, and despite the propensity of the Ritz to overwhelm bands of The Front Bottoms’ stature, Brian Sella and co. do it justice: the songs are bold, loud and clear, and the venue is packed with devout fans shaking the floor while howling every line back at the band. The Front Bottoms have clearly built a strong rapport with fans through extensive touring: Sella is confident joking around, responding sharply to the surprise appearance of a toilet roll tossed onto the stage (“if you hit me in the head, we’ll play ten more songs”).

It is just a shame that, despite their endearing presence, the Front Bottoms are let down by their choice of songs. Much of the set is pulled from last year’s disappointing Back On Top, which completed a move away from needly acoustic guitars and horns for a heavier, generic pop-punk sound. The songs sound better live than on record, but there’s little of the eclecticism which made cuts like ‘Maps’ and ‘Swimming Pool’ so charming. Save for the all-too-rare plinking of cheap keyboards or blaring trumpets signifying older cuts, the new material is dominated by straightforward drumming and swaggering riffs. It is also a shame the bubble machines and inflatable mascots associated with the band’s live show are absent.

This may be unfair: my dissatisfaction with the material clearly placed me in the minority, and it is hard to argue with the crowd’s rapturous response. It is testament to the band’s performing chops that they created an exciting performance and enjoyable atmosphere even from what I would consider to be a fairly uninspired setlist. Fair play to them – it is just an odd feeling to see a crowd lose it for songs I would receive as nothing more than a fine opportunity for a loo break.

Live: Tom Misch

Written by Will Baldwin-Pask on . Posted in Music.

Much has been made of Tom Misch, the young Londoner who cross breeds infectious blues guitar riffs with hip-hop rhythms to create the soothing Afro-chill-sound mastered on last year’s album Beat Tape 2. His sixth form good looks alone should be enough to warrant a ticket to his first Manchester live show at Gorilla. There is however an underlying ‘niceness’ to Misch’s music comparable to someone like Ed Sheeran – not that this is anything to spit at the floor about, but there is an almost hazardous level of underage girls in attendance tonight and one cannot help but worry that Misch could end up playing it somewhat safe if he so chooses.

As he does on the album, Misch opens with the guitar-gasm hair-raiser ‘The Journey’, but unlike on the record a violinist messes incongruously with a loop pedal whilst the singer pulls all sorts of faces through his sphincter-gripping solo. The jazzier surprise of it sets the standard for the night and thankfully, Tom keeps his feet firmly in the blues elements of his music throughout.

Following up with the mellow funk of ‘Colours of Freedom’ and ‘Wake Up This Day’, one thing is made clear — Misch adores his guitar. The tone on his Strat is as clean as his note-hitting, his moments of flourish feeling as good for the audience as they do his flashing fingers. At times it seems he has less confidence in his actual voice than that of his instrument, especially on softies like ‘Sunshine’, but when you can rip a blues scale apart like this guy it matters not. Any fears of a somewhat safe set are dispersed without further notice and Misch continues to trump himself solo after sweet solo.

The success of tonight lies with Misch’s faith in organic instrumentation. The small Gorilla staging is as tight as the band inhabiting it; every musician takes at least one cue to improvise seamlessly, providing the crowd with a fireworks display of soulful sounds and mouth-gaping moments. At times it’s jazzier than Jools Holland’s wet dream and at no point does the band seem to struggle. If anything, the worst chord of the night is the cacophony of screams that invariably meet the singer’s grins and winks between songs. But he has earned this level of arousal has young Tom. In dressing his bedroom production in a roots-ier outfit Misch has smashed his live task and made his poppy Sunday-afternoon-chill songs glow with all sorts of new colours.

The singer pulls a string of features to give us even more talent to chew on. The featherweight lilting of Carmody compliments his East London crooning gorgeously in one instance. Meanwhile the presence of Zac Abel for the pair’s first ever live performance of the banger ‘Beautiful Escape’ is worthy of all the Snapchat story views it will inevitably get. The absence of artists like Loyle Carner and Jordan Rakei sadly does mean some of the best songs get neglected. This is made up for entirely however when Tom’s sister Laura takes to the stage for a blistering saxophone display at the end of the night on ‘Follow’, a showstopping moment made sweet by the chemistry and affection displayed by the siblings.

The highlight of the night without a doubt though is a twelve minute mash-up of instrumentals described by the singer himself as a “sort of medley of 90’s hip-hop”. Introduced with a nod to the J.Dilla influence on his music, Tom tears off pieces of tunes like ‘Come Back’ and ‘Hark’ to remind everyone of the lounge-y beats and keys that power his production style. One cannot help but get lost in the smoothness of it all. Above everything, the jazziness of the delivery adds clarity to what it is that links the traditional black genres Misch borrows from, something not every artist can do.

What is most evident and most satisfying though is the challenge Misch sets himself. Not just in the free flowing hip-hop homage, but throughout the set the young man resists complacency to reveal the depth of his talent. In 2016, a year that seems to be intent on reviving ways of old for arguably wrong reasons, nothing is more comforting than hearing so many cheers for something as outdated as a guitar solo.

Some songs certainly deserved inclusion, particularly Carmody feature ‘Wander With Me’ which is disappointingly absent, but between a cover of Patrick Wilson’s ‘Man Like You’ and exhibiting a brand new song, it is understandable that he tries to make room for new ideas. With more space and more time – both of which it is hard to imagine won’t come to him eventually – Misch’s live set could one day be a life affirming experience for many people.

If you are someone who gets excited about the blues, jazz, modern soul, hip-hop or chiselled blonde bombshells, Tom Misch has a song to perform for you. When he almost certainly appears at a festival near you next summer, do not miss it.

9/10

Preview: Messages to Palestine event

Written by Yinka Oyetade on . Posted in News.

In honour of the United Nations International solidarity with Palestine day on the 29th of November, three university societies: the University of Manchester Action Palestine society, BDS Campaign society and the Recognise Refugee Rights society will be hosting a ‘Messages to Palestine’ event in the Students’ Union.

The event which is being run from 2pm to 9pm will allow students to create video messages in which they can express their solidarity with Palestine, those who may not want to speak can also hold cards and pictures with solidarity messages too.

Part of a nation wide project, the University of Manchester and other universities will be making these videos which will later be compiled together and sent over to students in both Gaza and the West bank. A banner will also be placed outside the SU from the 28th – 31st of November on which messages can be painted on, it will also be sent to a University in Palestine.

A spokesperson from the BDS Campaign society has said that “through the event they hope to show Palestinians that the international community has not forgotten them and that they are not alone”.

The society says they will also be using the event to educate students on the BDS Campaign. The Boycott, Divest and Sanctions (BDS) Campaign is a call from the Palestinian Civil Society in 2005 for the international community to boycott Israel, this is seen as a means to place non-violent pressure on it to comply with international law and the Universal Principles of Human Rights.

One of the society’s demands is that the university in support of their cause “pledges to boycott the security firm G4S” and it has already received support from students and lecturers.

The ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict has claimed 237 Palestine lives and 36 Israelis since October 2015 according to an AFP count.

The Messages to Palestine event is going to be open to students and members of the local community alike.

Government urged to not use EU university staff as “bargaining chips”

Written by Shivani Kaura on . Posted in News.

Academics and MPs have issued a warning to Theresa May to stop using EU researchers as ‘pawns’ in Brexit negotiations.

A protest held in London on the 19th of November organised by the National Union of Students to protest the Higher Education Bill, which could allow tuition fees to rise above the current cap of £9,000 per year, was also attended by academics, students and scientific researchers from several institutions to call out May’s recent claim that EU nationals “cannot expect to be protected without reciprocal arrangements”.

Academic leaders,  such as the General Secretary of the University and College Union (UCU) Sally Hunt, called out May at the protest and told her to “stop using EU staff and students as pawns in Brexit negotiations”.

She added that May needs to “show some humanity. Do the decent thing. Give our people the right to stay”, and critiqued the way in which “people’s lives” were being used as “bargaining chips in a broader political landscape”.

Figures suggest there has been a significant decrease in those applying to UK universities and for jobs in academia this year following the referendum.

Since the EU referendum, it has been reported in The Independent that pro-remain Scientists for the EU have been “collecting evidence that many EU researchers and lecturers have been turning down or withdrawing their applications to work in the UK”.

However, scientists in favour of Brexit, speaking to The Telegraph, think that “Brexit simply offers a far brighter future for research and education. The vote also means that we shall escape deeply detrimental present and planned expansions of the EU’s power”.

The Science and Technology Committee however has announced that immediate action is needed, releasing a report on the implications for science and research following the EU referendum result.

Proffessor Ottoline Leyser, representing the Royal Society, has said: “There has been a lot of discussion about non-UK EU nationals currently working in the UK and what guarantees can be provided to them.

“I think it is absolutely not the way we should be proceeding – to use people’s lives as bargaining chips in a broader political landscape.

“I do not think that is a constructive way to arrive at a negotiation table either.”

The committees report, calls for “an immediate commitment to exempt them [EU researchers working in the UK] from Brexit negotiations on any reciprocal immigration controls for workers already in post”.

According to Professor Philip Nelson of Research Councils UK, “the biggest risks to the research base in the UK are around the people involved”.

The committee has revealed that it has evidence that researchers are turning down offers of work in the UK, due to the levels of uncertainty after the vote for Brexit.

“It is not really a question of us allowing talented scientists and engineers to come here; it is about us fighting for them to come here.

“There is an international competitive market for these fantastically talented people”, according to Dr Sarah Main of the Campaign for Science and Engineering.

Dr Main adds that in order for the UK to remain within this competitive market, the government needs to clearly state its priorities “for the place of science in our future” and “how it feels about the people that it wants to come here”.

University vice-chancellors have said it is crucial that international students and staff are free to come to the UK without unnecessary restrictions.

Jo Johnson, the Universities and Science Minister has stated that the government “intend to secure the best possible outcome for our research base as we exit the European Union. The excellence of our research and the attractiveness of the UK as a place to do it are fundamental to our continued success.

“Our international relationships make us a global centre of excellence.”

Nicola Dandridge, University UK chief executive has supported the report’s recommendation that a chief scientific advisor needs to be appointed to the Department for Exiting the EU. “This would help to ensure that the significant implications of leaving the EU for science and research were adequately reflected in the government’s post-exit plans.”

Live: Bastille

Written by Katie Shepherd on . Posted in Music.

6th November, Manchester Arena

9/10

If I am being totally honest, when I first heard that Bastille were playing Manchester Arena I was a little sceptical. I had seen them perform at Reading Festival the year before and had been disappointed, it had lacked that electricity that ignites a crowd into being part of it. I enjoyed it, but I just did not really feel it.

Any doubts I had, however, dissolved the minute the foursome filled the arena with the invigoratingly joyful ‘Send Them Off!’ No time was wasted in pulling the seated to their feet and the standing into the air as the crowd and band threw themselves into the show.

Vocalist, Dan Smith, successfully captured every member of the audience no matter how far back from the main stage they were. During hit track ‘Flaws’ he walked straight through the entire standing crowd, and though this, unsurprisingly, impacted on his vocals the impact on the room was incredible.

One of the most unique parts of the show was the dystopia-inspired concept running behind it. A politician introduced the bands on screen, opening and closing the show and TV screens throughout showed ‘broadcasts’ from WWCOMMS, a corporation invented by the band and runs behind the theme of the entire Wild World album. It was intelligent, both captivating and unsettling and ultimately set to raise the standards of arena shows.

Bastille have risen to heights that so few bands do, and yet their performance at Manchester Arena made it undeniably evident that they are exactly where they deserve to be. None of this felt even remotely lost on the band either; I lost count of the number of times Dan exclaimed “Thank you so much!” throughout the set and joy seemed to emanate through every track.

They delivered tracks spanning across their career, from the recent ‘Good Greif’ to the defining and ever brilliant ‘Pompeii’. However, some of the greatest moments came from their lesser-known tracks such as the powerful ‘The Draw’ and ‘Glory’, the track Dan named as being the explanation behind the album concept.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable and truly exciting show that determined Bastille as a band set to define the standards of live performances from now on.

Top 5: Films and TV shows currently on Netflix

Written by Eliza Slawther on . Posted in Film.

I often find UK Netflix to be a source of much frustration, containing a plethora of low-budget horror films and uninteresting health food documentaries, relying too heavily on its wide selection of hit-and-miss original sitcoms which make subscribing just about worth the money. However, if you trawl through the masses there are a few must-see films and TV shows — and with the Christmas break coming up it is the perfect time to binge-watch all the best that Netflix has to offer.

5.) Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey

More than just a science documentary, this fascinating look into life on Earth as well as the workings of the universe itself is both a visual and educational treat. Neil deGrasse Tyson is the perfect presentor, combining the real world of scientific discovery with the made-up ‘Imagination Ship’. Each episode is captivating and varied, with the subject ranging from microscopic algae to the workings of the milky way. The show also pays homage to important scientists and discoverers, such as Isaac Newton and Giordano Bruno.

4.) Requiem for a Dream

Darren Aronofsky’s cult classic is a must-see film exploring the dark horrors of drug addiction, combining dark comedy with the tragic reality of life for addiction sufferers of all types. Perhaps most famous for its dramatic, instantly recognisable score, Requiem for a Dream is perhaps one of the most powerful and moving films of all time. This being said, it can be very emotionally draining so best to have a few episodes of Arrested Development lined up to lighten the post-viewing mood.

3.) Arrested Development

A four-series show which just keeps giving, Arrested Development is hilarious on all levels. Although each episode is a brilliant comedy in itself, the best jokes are the more subtle, self-referrential ones which have gifted the show with the cult-following and critical acclaim it deserves. For this reason it is crucial to watch the show in order and pay attention — this is more than your average cheap-pun sitcom.

2.) The Lobster

Featuring an absurd world in which humans must find love or be turned into an animal of their choice, The Lobster brings to light complicated questions about relationships, the individual and humanity. The beauty of the film lies in it simplicity, there is no need to question the premise or plausibility of the film — instead the cinematography, humour and characterisations speak for themselves.

1.) Pan’s Labyrinth

A beautiful fantasty film about a young girl called Ofelia in post-Civil war Spain, this film combines the horror of war with a dark fantasy world. Featuring striking cinematography and a gorgeous colour palatte alongside a captivating tale which truly captures the twisted, surreal fairytale world which becomes Ofelia’s reality, Pan’s Labyrinth really is one-of-a-kind.

Notable mentions: Bojack Horseman Dazed and Confused, The Thin Red Line, Slow West, Boyhood, Clerks, Gone Girl, Under the Skin, Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia