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Year: 2018

Photo: Evan Amos @ Wikkimediacommons

Put your jazz-hands in the air

Written by Sophie Marriott on . Posted in Opinion.

The University of Manchester Students’ Union (SU) has been doing jazz-hands at the centre of the media stage this week. What can we say – like all good soloists they have well and truly captured the spotlight. This unprecedented attention has come following a Senate vote in September which resolved clapping could be distressing for those suffering from anxiety or sensory issues, leading to the jazz-hands motion.

The motion explains that quieter forms of expression, namely British Sign Language (BSL) clapping, would be a more appropriate and sensitive alternative. The intention is undoubtedly positive, but if the goal was inclusivity then sadly they fell a long way short. They seem instead to be edging closer to the murky waters of condescension.

Although perhaps not condemning the whole country to lunacy, as the ever-concerned Piers Morgan felt moved to do, the Senate’s decision does raise questions about this goal of ‘inclusivity’. On paper it is making daily life more amenable to as many people as possible – something we should of course all strive towards. Following this train of thought however, we could start to question what prevision has been made for those who are visually impaired.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the ethos which strives to make SU democratic events open to as many people as possible. This however is not going to be achieved through such showy, but ultimately empty, actions. The SU have claimed that they have had a positive response from a number of deaf and autistic students. Yet for how many of these is it the sentiment which is important rather than the actual clapping?

Perhaps some of blame for this sort sighted policy therefore rests upon a lack of direction for the Senate. It is clear that the majority of students at the University do not necessarily support this policy, or its wording. If attendance at the actual voting had been greater and more representative of the student body it is unlikely that everyone would have jazz handed its implementation. This really strikes at the heart of the issue with striving for inclusivity; it only works if the decision-making process is entirely representative itself, and for whatever reasons, the SU senate is not.

If the SU were to genuinely dedicate themselves to becoming a safe space for those who suffer from anxiety, perhaps access to counselling and mental health services could be made easier. Encouraging “silent clapping” smacks (only figuratively of course) of a hollow spectacle made to win brownie points. That said, it is important to mention that for the moment, the exact wording of the policy states that the idea is “encouraged” and not actually fully enforced.This particular movement is currently intended for politically motivated events or decision-making conferences. If we are to encourage jazz hands at some SU events then surely it should be at all of them?

Such a scenario is clearly unrealistic. As crude as it may be to admit, to gaze upon an audience of enthused fully-grown adults, or indeed excited concert-goers, all doing jazz hands in complete silence would just be silly. When an incentive like this is exclusive to a single institution and subject to specific conditions, it comes across as blatantly peculiar and potentially even mocking. Although the sentiment should be praised, the idea is clunky and patronising.

Would it not be a better approach to create an atmosphere where people feel safe and comfortable enough to raise such an issue and ask for a quieter environment? This would make for a more sensitive method of mitigating the concerns raised, whilst simultaneously not enforcing it upon people and teetering towards the realm of mockery.

Photo: The Mancunion

Do students have a rubbish attitude towards waste?

Written by beccaknight on . Posted in Features.

Pulling up outside our second year house for the first time, it was hard not to notice the skip just along from the front door, heaped full of rubbish bags, and surrounded by an overflow of cardboard and takeaway containers. As representations of the student waste issue go, it’s a pretty appropriate one. Recent studies have shown that those between the ages of 18-24 have a tendency to waste more than any other age groups, and this throwaway attitude can be seen in the streets of Fallowfield.

Earlier this year, Manchester hit the news following resident’s complaints of rubbish left in the streets after students moved out. Manchester Evening News even nicknamed the crisis in Fallowfield ‘binmageddon’ as streets became filled with rotting food and unwanted electrical items. Many blamed the landlords, labelling them as “irresponsible” for not providing enough information on waste collection in the area. Some residents noted that instead of charging students with a cleanup bill, they were simply moving the rubbish from inside properties on to the streets. But is it fair to lay all the blame on landlords, when it is our mess in the first place?

The mountain of waste produced by young adults is clearly not just an issue when it comes to moving out. Walk along most streets in Fallowfield and you will be sure to spot signs of student life thrown out onto the pavement — cans, cardboard chicken boxes, and laughing gas canisters are all good examples.

There is clearly a problem, and as the skip in the street illustrates, it is not just how much we are throwing away, but also how we are throwing it away. The focus is on getting rid of rubbish as quickly, and with as minimal effort as possible. It’s easy to assume that someone else will sort out what is fast becoming a key issue, but it is time to take responsibility ourselves.

In University halls, the presence of huge, clearly labelled bins makes recycling a lot easier. Once out of the gates of Owens Park, however, it is less clear what can be recycled, which bin it goes into, or even if there is a bin at all. The University and the SU provide information regarding recycling and waste on their websites but this is about rethinking our attitude to waste and our throwaway culture.

Looking back over the heat wave of the summer, it is easy to disconnect the memories of time spent in the sun in Platt Fields Park with the mountains of rubbish that were left lying around after everyone had gone home. The question is, how do we get people to accept responsibility for their own waste and clean up after themselves?

Photo: The Mancunion
Photo: The Mancunion

Food waste is one of the biggest issues among students, but it is also one of the easiest to reduce. So much of what we buy ultimately gets thrown in the bin. It doesn’t make sense to spend your student loan on food that doesn’t even get eaten, so it is about taking a more active interest in what we are buying, cooking, and wasting.

The Guardian reported that the average UK household wastes £470 worth of food a year — and it’s not just at home that food gets thrown out. ‘Humanity Giving Back’ is a scheme started in the university that attempts to reduce the amount of food going to waste by redistributing packaged food to those in need. This shows just how much of what we get rid of is still edible.

In response to how they attempt to reduce food waste, some students said that they use their senses to judge when food is still safe to eat, rather than always relying on the best before dates. Others recommended shopping for one or two days at a time rather than for the whole week. Admittedly, this is more time consuming, but it prevents buying food that will ultimately end up in the bin. The Students’ Union website also has tips for minimising how much food students throw away, and recipes for using up leftovers can be found easily online.

It is impossible to ignore the fact that being a student produces rubbish. There are going to be cans and bottles left over from nights out and pizza boxes from hungover Sunday afternoons. But it’s about making more of an effort to control what happens to this waste, rather than just moving it from the kitchen table to the bin, or throwing it in the street. The university is trying to increase the source separated recycling rate on campus, and even just using the correct bins for waste helps. Being a student doesn’t mean your rubbish isn’t your responsibility.

Photo: MACFEST

An interview with Qaisra Shahraz: founder of MACFEST

Written by Liv Clarke on . Posted in Features.

This November a new event will be making its debut in Manchester; MACFEST is a ten day festival taking place across various locations within the city, including Whitworth Gallery and the Manchester Museum.

The aim of MACFEST is to celebrate Muslim arts and culture. But with the additional goal of involving the non-Muslim community in order to break down cultural barriers and start positive discussion between different communities within the city.

The mastermind behind this event is author and University of Manchester alumnus Qaisra Shahraz. Her novels include ‘The Holy Woman’ and ‘Revolt’, but Qaisra’s influence extends outside the world of writing. In 2017 she was named the most influential woman in Manchester by lovinmanchester.com and in 2016 was the winner of the National Diversity ‘Lifetime Achievement’ Award.

With a month to go until the start of the festival, I spoke with Qaisra about how the idea came about for MACFEST, and what she wants to achieve through it. She’s clearly thrilled about MACFEST, especially as it is something that has not been previously done in Manchester before, “It is the first if its kind,” she tells me, “why the first? Because it covers so many different areas of arts and culture, over different locations. It is not just for Muslims, it is for everyone.”

A key aspect of the festival is diversity. There will be over 50 events happening over the ten days, covering literature, art, music, food, comedy, film, performance and culture; led by people from various fields within the cultural sphere. Many of the people involved are from Manchester, and Qaisra hopes that students will get involved as well.

She said: “I want the message to get into schools and colleges, to get students celebrating MACFEST and promoting a positive image”.  It was at university that Qaisra became heavily involved with writing, so it is important for her to engage students with the movement. Some of the events will be free of charge, with just a reservation required, so there is not excuse not to get involved.

There is a lot of tension in the current political climate with xenophobia and right-wing extremist parties playing a significant role in several countries right now. Making an event like MACFEST essential in encouraging a positive message about multiculturalism. Since 9/11, the attitude towards Islam has frequently been negative in the media and society, but Qaisra wants to change this, “Spread honey, not hate”, is her motto. A rather fitting one here in Manchester, where a bee is used as a symbol of the city.

Manchester in particular is a significant location for MACFEST. “After the Ariana attack, why should they [the Muslim community] pay the price.” Qaisra declares, “I’m proud to be Muslim, I want to celebrate Muslims.” This festival will bring non-Muslims and Muslims together through the celebration of culture, as well as uniting groups within Islam.

The city itself is a great example of the benefits of multiculturalism. The famous Curry Mile for one thing, and Qaisra herself, who describes Manchester as “simply fab!”. She smiles when reflecting on what the city means to her, “[Manchester is] totally multicultural, well established, well integrated – a good example of diversity, it’s the best place. England is the best place for migrants. Britain is still the best.”

As a person of British-Pakistani dual nationality, she tells me that she could not have achieved what she has without the UK. “I am who I am because of England, because of the education, because of the services. I was allowed to flourish, as a woman and a migrant.”

MACFEST will cover not just arts and culture; but will also address more controversial topics within the Muslim community, such as the hijab. “I am fed up of the constant victimising of Muslim women. Get beyond the veil!”. Qaisra wants to explore what it means to be a Muslim woman, “what are the celebrations and challenges of being a Muslim woman?” she asks. Qaisra is a female activist, and she does a lot of work against domestic violence and gender inequality worldwide, therefore incorporating these topics within the festival is important to her.

As well as MACFEST, events will happen throughout the year, in order to engage with more people. The festival will be connected with the international community as well, through podcasts and livestreams. This festival will certainly have an impact here in Manchester and in the wider community. MACFEST will take place between the 17th and 25th of November. You can donate to MACFEST using via their fundraising page, and you can reserve tickets via Eventbrite.

Photo: Jim Summaria @Wikimedia Commons

Good Times Bad Times: Zeppelin’s 50th Anniversary

Written by Olivia White on . Posted in Music.

It has been exactly 1,228 years since the Vikings descended upon the British shores. It has been exactly 81 years since Tolkien began his fine LOTR works. It has been exactly 38 years since John Bonham, Zeppelin’s potent drummer, tragically passed. And now it has been exactly 50 years since the unveiling of Giants Walked the Earth.

2018 marks half a decade since prodigies Plant, Page, Jones and Bonham sat down in the Olympic Studio to record their metamorphic self-titled debut album, Led Zeppelin. The world just hasn’t been the same since. Simply ask any music management pioneers, concert promotion etiquettes, hotel owners, and even Barack Obama. Zeppelin not only transformed the rock and roll genre itself, but also its chaotic lifestyle.

Roaring Harley Davidson’s through hotel lobbies, mud-shark incidents and actually paying a hotel manager to throw one of his own TV’s out of his window. In fact, such behaviour has them all iconically enshrined in most of (if not all) the greatest rock movies such as Almost Famous, Dazed and Confused, and Spinal Tap.

Led Zeppelin only walked the earth for 12 years, but they shook the entire industry.  Can you honestly fathom being in a band for a mere 12 years and being nominated for nearly a thousand awards? Back in 2005, Zeppelin also won the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award as well as having an entire Kennedy Centre Honours evening with Obama dedicated to them.

Mythological references to elves, Valhalla and ominous stairways frame the works of this mighty quartet. But don’t dismiss Led Zeppelin as sad dad music; because there will never be another band that made such a huge impact in such a short amount of time ever again.

Think that’s a bold statement? Try 21 million people applying for tickets at their one-off and possibly last ever live show back in 2007. That’s 80,000 people per minute.

In celebration of their reign, Zeppelin have released a career-spanning 30-track digital gathering named Led Zeppelin x Led Zeppelin. Embellished with their unique and famed runic symbols, the sacred memoir kicks off with ‘The Immigrant Song’ and finishes with ‘In the Evening’.

Such a lengthy and bold statement without any subsequent tour announcement really does cement the fact that Zeppelin will remain an era. An era that does not seek an ending. Perhaps because there isn’t one.

Zeppelin will be immortalised.

Photo: Isla Den, Indigo League

Hot Right Now: Isla Den

Written by Jake Oliver on . Posted in Music.

Hailing from Toronto, Canada, are Isla Den, comprised of Ellie Manning and Michael Reale. The synth-pop duo (who dropped their debut EP Water Sounds back in April) deliver a flawlessly produced ethereal experience across five beautiful tracks.

Water Sounds presents a perfect amalgamation of nostalgia and futuristic escapism. Throughout, the duo employ tropical synths, delicately soft pads and haunting vocals (courtesy of Manning) to create a flowing sense of tranquility and stillness. With a heavy lyrical focus on detaching from technology and our hectic modern existence, the post-modern soundscapes manage to form a delightful juxtaposition.

The track ‘We’re All Leaving’ serves as a mesmerising welcome to an almost underwater world. Using clever sampling and ambience, the notion of separating from society is easy to get invested in. It’s an aesthetic maintained elsewhere, particularly on ‘Indigo League’, where hi-hats, snares and lusciously distorted guitar strokes are layered to create to create a truly enveloping atmosphere.

Isla Den are an act I randomly stumbled on, but have quickly become a firm favourite of mine. Still somewhat in their infancy, there’s plenty of room for progression and development, and this in itself is an exciting prospect. Just don’t expect a tour any time soon.

Photo: Caitlin Ison @ Flickr

Album: Hippo Campus – Bambi

Written by Jasmine Bennett on . Posted in Music.

Hippo Campus, the indie pop five-piece hailing from St Paul, Minnesota, have returned to the music scene with their eagerly-awaited second album Bambi. With their debut, landmark, so intrinsically associated with summer, the shift to an album released right at the beginning of autumn was an interesting choice in itself.

In terms of production, the album comes across a lot deeper and richer in sound. Opening with low, synthy tune ‘Mistakes’, the record seems to present a shift away from the bright, poppy sounds Hippo Campus are known for. The opening track rings with soft strings and low vocals, emphasising the instrumental flexibility of the band. This movement to the more serious reflects the rise of the band’s social conscience and a desire to edge away from the typical ‘indie pop’ sound they have become synonymous with.

The new emphasis on production is seen once again in track ‘Bubbles’ that appears to glitch and provide feedback halfway through. While definitely an interesting artistic choice, it can be debated whether it actually works. The track seems very chaotic, feeling more like a mistake than anything else. Besides this, the new development feels more mature and arguably melancholic in its lower, richer tones – judging from their close association with seasonal patterns in previous work, this isn’t necessarily a surprise.

While Hippo Campus have never been ones to shy away from tragedy in their music, previously touching down on issues such as divorce and grief, this album manages to go even further. Addressing concepts such as masculinity and mental illness, Bambi also draws influence from the #MeToo movement. This cultural shift helps lead to the overall feeling of maturity in this album. The growth is both interesting and remarkable given the short space of time that has passed since their debut.

Despite this change, fans of their trademark sunny tunes need not fear. Tracks like eponymous single ‘Bambi’, and eighth track ‘Honestly’ have the same brightness that seemed to drive the album’s predecessor. Powerful guitar riffs from the members are accompanied by lead singer Jake Suppen’s honeyed vocals, while also allowing drummer Whistler Allen to demonstrate his skills.

The thing that will always be the biggest testament to Hippo Campus is their lyrical perfection. In a manner similar to the first album’s ability to recreate nostalgic summertime memories, cast in the so-called “warm glow”, the lyrics of this album manage to do the same thing, but with a more dampened atmosphere. Upbeat track ‘Doubt’ is a particular highlight in which writer and bassist Zach Sutton rhymes “I think that it’s copacetic” with “I look pathetic”. These snippets of song-writing bring to the forefront what makes Hippo Campus so undeniably exciting: their ability to capture the familiarity of adolescence in sharp, clever lyricisms.

To sum up the new release, Bambi is experimental while also stamping itself with something that feels very trademark for Hippo Campus. It draws on familiar themes from their debut such as love and adolescence, while allowing for a new growth and focus in production. Despite being incredibly short at only thirty-three minutes, the ten-track record feels expertly woven together and brilliantly developed. Bambi is a beautiful follow-up album firmly establishing that Hippo Campus really are a band that stays in the brain.

8/10

Photo: Outside Time 'n' Place Kero Kero Bonito

Album Review: Time ‘n’ Place by Kero Kero Bonito

Written by Jack Burnett on . Posted in Music.

Kero Kero Bonito are not the type to follow more traditional record label release schedules. Despite launching their last LP to explosive success with Sony Japan, their newest endeavour Time ‘n’ Place formed on a Monday of all days. Although it leapt onto streaming services from thin air, some of the songs are re-releases from the TOTEP EP earlier this year; almost a premonition for the things we could come to expect from this new record – slushy and dreamy MIDI beats, walls of pop guitar and a mix of sounds and influences much more complex than the polished but homogenous Bonito Generation.

Stylistically, it’s a big turn for the group who have up to this point been refreshing but stuck tidily to a PC Music formula. Time ‘n’ Place has vocals more like Charly Bliss than Hannah Diamond. It has sections of ugly feedback in complete opposition to the digital age sanitation of the rest of the scene, which means even more when considering that Kane West, one third of the group, hosted his solo projects on the label before focussing on KKB. More artists like SOPHIE or Felicita are departing from PC Music’s trademark sounds to explore new avenues, but where those two found it in ambience or avant-garde, KKB have developed a totally different nostalgia to pop, now focused in on cutesy-garage rock, acoustic age digital artefacts, and an increasingly lo-fi approach (so much so that the first section of “Rest Stop” sounds more like a lost bedroom-pop bandcamp track).

This more lo-fi approach does not mean that the album is uncomplex or obvious. Many of the songs have multiple distinct sections. ‘Outside’ kicks off the album with garage rock but within a 2-minute run time also includes a jazzy chiming end section, ‘Time Today’ is a dreamy bedroom-synth ditty. ‘Only Acting’ mixes the two previous tracks: obtuse MIDI drums and bass in the first minute and probably the album’s catchiest refrain with a rock set-up the next. Not to mention the track has a glitched-out section with screamed vocals and a poppy, feedback-tinged guitar section right after, a quieter vocal-led part and a Daft-Punk-esque glitch and stretch section complete the song and all this fits in a tight radio length track under four minutes. This amount of genre-bending vibe-building variety is a massively welcome turn in the band’s sound – everything described above appears in just the first three songs.

A lot of KKB’s audience might find this an inconsistency with the record, a reason for their initial success was their tight sound and fun, simple productions of earlier singles ‘Flamingo’ or ‘Graduation’, but it’s also clear that the more scattered feel of the new album matches the higher thematic lyrical depth. The video for ‘Time Today’, as well as the lyrics of ‘Visiting Hours’ both discuss a hospital visit that is implicitly related to mental health, where ‘Flamingo’ presents a simple moral story. Here, Time ‘n’ Place holds up uncomfortable themes of illness, unfamiliarity and even death.

The final track, ‘Rest Stop’, seems almost like a mission statement of the album. It darts between cute melodies, bugged out dissonance and ends by interrupting the last lyric mid-word. It’s a soup of influences and makes us remember that Kero Kero Bonito is more than a one trick pony. They know exactly how to craft a good record and launch it at us to entirely remedy our Monday morning blues.

8/10

Photo: Andre van B @ Flickr

Review: ‘It’s a Wrap’ at Manchester Museum

Written by Theo Bennett on . Posted in Arts.

Generally, reviews here in the arts section serve to draw attention to events and exhibitions taking place in Manchester. They offer new and exciting opportunities to see and discover things which are coming to this city.

However, the circumstances of this review are, in fact, quite regrettable. It serves, rather, to draw attention to the very recent departure of one of Manchester’s most notable attractions for those fascinated by the past.

By the time this article is published, the Egypt Galleries of Manchester Museum will have closed their doors. The artefacts will not be accessible to the public from now until the grand reopening in 2021, by which time a sizeable new extension will have been added to the museum. Plans include a permanent exhibition of a newly amassed collection of artefacts from Ancient China.

This is tremendously exciting news for the history enthusiasts of Manchester, but it sadly does mean having to bid a lengthy farewell to the renowned Ancient Egypt collection.

The collection of Ancient Egyptian objects housed in Manchester is one of the largest in the UK, and is of interest to Egyptologists and ancient historians around the world. It also functions as a very valuable educational facility – virtually every schoolchild in Greater Manchester is taken there on a school visit at some point during their school years.

On Thursday 20th of September, an evening of celebrations was held at the museum. Free and open to the public, a considerable number of people, of all ages, came for a few hours of music, poetry, performance and film, as well as (naturally) a healthy dose of ancient history.

The event certainly saw people in good spirits. Elaborate, regal-looking costumes abounded. The proceedings began with a goodly impassioned speech from the curator of the Egypt Galleries, Campbell Price. If there’s anything to take away from the evening, it’s the infectious enthusiasm that so many individuals connected to the museum display for the treasures held within.

Seemingly all the evening’s performers were Mancunians. Including local virtuoso Paddy Steer, who played more musical instruments than you might think one person would be able to play whilst fully robed and hatted in the most outlandish golden pharaoh outfit of the night.

There was something truly wonderful in how particular to Manchester the night’s celebrations felt. It was as if despite the fact that the Egyptian artefacts come from a time and place that can seem incredibly distant from us, they were very much being celebrated as belonging to the city and its people, as one of the many diverse things that the ‘Mancunian identity’ can incorporate.

The Ancient Egypt Gallery will reopen in spring 2021 in a newly designed gallery space. For now, The Manchester Museum will be operating from the natural history side of the building, meaning visitors must enter via the Fossils Gallery entrance. 

Photo: Josh Physick

On the cusp of something new: The Chuck Gallery

Written by joshuaphysick on . Posted in Arts.

The Chuck Gallery is an art space that provides a platform for non-euro centric art, encouraging interaction between the public and the colourful joy of contemporary West African art.

With the gallery only being a short walk from Oxford Road, it offers yet another facet to Manchester’s local art scene and sets a precedent for standards in international art.

In speaking with the gallery’s director Chukwudi Onwudiwe, I realised how only recently Nigerian artists have been given attention on the International Art Scene. The Royal Academy of Art, only last year, put on an exhibition showcasing West African art – their first in quite some years. Brilliantly The Chuck Gallery, which once was a gym, is now creating a hub of curiosity, providing a new presentation of the West African experience as established by a new generation of Nigerian artists.

The significance of having a gallery exhibit West African art in Manchester is not lost. It is a part of young Nigerian artists’ efforts to reclaim their identity through acknowledging their shared history with Britain. This is demonstrated in the painting, ‘Panoramic London’ which depicts the London city landscape, and subsequently seems almost incongruous in a gallery for West African art. Although it is not to be forgotten that London was a key part of the slave trade, and therefore had its own role in shaping West African identity.

The artist Akhile Ehiforia places his name on the canvas, reaffirming how the West African identity is tied to their sense of ‘britishness’, as the artist literally places himself alongside the likes of St Paul’s Cathedral. It also conveys the artist’s agency in explo.

ring his past, as the painting is his own portrayal of British landscape. As such, Nigerian artists are reinterpreting the West African experience for themselves.

Exhibiting at The Chuck Gallery offer artists to display their own unique interpretation of how their history continues to influence them, and combine this with their a contemporary perspective of the world. Confidentially redefining the West African experience and providing a liberating form of identity that is rich in variety.

 

Photo: Mike Peel @ Wikimedia Commons

Artefact of the Week: Statue of Robert Owen

Written by patrickevans on . Posted in Arts.

The pompous statue of powerful white man: a medium both not in short supply nor short of controversy. The continued presence of such figures draws considerable criticism – as seen most famously in the case of the statue of Cecil Rhodes in Oriel College at the University of Oxford.

Fortunately, considerable progress has been made. The recent unveiling of the critically acclaimed bronze statue of suffragist campaigner, Millicent Fawcett, in Parliament Square is part of a wider move towards diversifying the art form. Old and new, the purpose of these statues today is constantly being put into question.

But where does Robert Owen stand in all of this? To me, this statue is something far more than a backdrop: an unnoticeable object one passes by without thought. Owen’s ambitious beliefs in progressive and philanthropic reforms captures more pressing ideas present in today’s politics, not to mention a century ahead of his time. In my opinion this makes his efforts worth discussing and celebrating.

Today, Owen is recognised as the founder of the wider co-operative movement; not least shown by his placement in front of the Co-operative Bank headquarters on Balloon Street. The statue was unveiled in 1994 and commissioned by The Co-operative group to commemorate the 150th anniversary of their foundation. The statue is a copy of the one designed by sculptor Gilbert Bayes, which was erected in Owen’s birthplace of Newtown in 1956. As a member of the ‘New Sculpture’ movement, Bayes’ work marks a departure from stylised neoclassicism, instead focusing on a naturalistic approach, favouring structure, dynamism and realism.

The statue towers above the viewer: Owen reaches limply to a young child as she gazes up at him in awe. Below, his name affixes the base in harsh capital letters, clearly emphasising his significance. Despite the somewhat saccharine nature of the pose, the statue effectively summarises his paternalism as a factory owner turned reformer.

This piece, unlike many other public statues, lacks the immediacy of Generals or Kings. Robert Owen didn’t win any great battles, he wasn’t the son of royalty, nor did he kill any Frenchmen: all credentials great people usually require to be cast in bronze.

He was instead a seminal figure in the co-operative movement, a belief in people working together in pursuit of mutual benefits. Fair wages, a decent work/life balance, a better quality of life; these buzzwords are active in our political discourse to this day and we owe much to his individual actions.

I wonder what purpose do representations of these great individuals have in today’s society, for me it’s an acclamation of their life and how they benefit us today.

Credit: Emery PR

James Richardson explains how podcasts are the future

Written by James Gill on . Posted in Sport.

James Richardson is a football broadcaster and journalist known for hosting the iconic Football Italia in the 90’s as well as the Champions League Goals Show more recently. When his face isn’t on your screen his voice is in your ears as the host of several podcasts, from The Totally Football Show to Truth and Movies.

Richardson began his journey into podcasting as the host of The Guardian’s The World Cup Show, covering all the highs and lows of the 2006 World Cup. Following its huge success the show evolved into The Guardian’s Football Weekly; a twice-weekly show featuring Richardson as host and a selection of journalists discussing the week’s football news.

It was during his 11 years there that he cemented his reputation as a broadcaster who can seamlessly integrate puns and humour into his work. This ability was a major factor in building the large following the show amassed, allowing the team to play several sellout venues across the UK. In 2017 he decided to call time on his time at The Guardian to start his own production company, Muddy Knees Media. Along with long time producer Ben Green, and former guest Iain Macintosh. Their first podcast topic? Football, obviously, entitled The Totally Football Show.

Richardson said: “It was a little bit of a leap in the dark although we weren’t reinventing ourselves particularly. I guess we felt that people would still be listening but we have been really happy with the response and the number of listeners we get.

“The world cup made a big difference, we threw a lot at it and our listenership seems to have grown. I’m really happy with how things are going. Not just with listenership but also after a year of doing this we have met and been able to bring in lots of different kinds of people and some fresh ideas.

Will he expand his empire to cover the top 5 European leagues? Perhaps not. “I’m not sure you would have the same kind of built in audience for say a La Liga show or a Bundesliga show. We get about 60,000 an episode for Golazzo which is a very healthy listenership. As much as podcasts have grown I think we are still very much at the tip of the iceberg in terms of their potential and the way that people can use them as a forum and a way of covering different sports and leagues.”

“In the same way that we have shifted across from watching linear TV to basically sitting on things like Netflix, Apple TV, and streaming boxsets, I think increasingly people won’t be tied down to radio schedules but instead just pick up audio on demand. It is much easier if you are commuting or making a car journey rather than listening to whatever happens to be playing on the radio, so you can follow things that you are interested in. Or even things that you have no interest in at the start but in half an hour or an hour will give you an understanding of a subject you’ve never previously known about.”

“The potential of podcasts is huge. They’re so cheap to make and they tend to be free to download. The percentage of the population that is even aware of them or let alone used them is still relatively small. It is a huge area of growth that we are going to see.”

There’s the crux of the problem. Podcasts have the potential to change the way people listen to audio shows, but how to advertise them in a way that would attract new listeners? “For our podcast we don’t particularly advertise it, it’s more of a word of mouth thing.”

“I think for podcasts in general it’s something that more and more people are becoming aware of like ‘what is that icon on my home screen saying podcasts?’. I guess it’s a generational thing as well as more young people are into them. Generally though people are becoming more and more aware of the potential that they have. The new ways of enjoying content.”

“In the same way that years ago nobody knew what an Apple TV was or downloadable TV content was and now it’s become completely normal. Even my mother will watch boxsets. It takes time. There was such a traditional way of consuming television and radio content that it takes time for people to switch across.”

“In terms of how we advertise that’s a tricky one. I don’t know how you do it. We don’t particularly have an advertising budget – we rely, as I say, very much on word of mouth. At a guess I would think that you’ll start to see a lot more podcasts advertising on other podcasts. This happens already I know we have had adverts for another show on our podcast. I think there will be a lot more cross-pollination that way.”

“While advertising one podcast in particular, we will be advertising the whole idea of podcasting in general. For example Serial’s huge success woke a huge section of the population up to what podcasts are, what their potential is, and the sort of stories you can tell. Maybe people thought it was just a sports thing or like a blog, but the fact that you can get drama which is almost unputdownable really pushed the whole field forward.”

Credit: Flickr @Omar Rawlings

Europe comfortably beat US to regain Ryder Cup

Written by James Gill on . Posted in Sport.

Francesco Molinari beat Phil Mickelson 4 & 2 for the winning point as Europe regained the Ryder Cup on an exciting final day at Le Golf National.

The Italian golfer and Open champion became the first European to achieve a perfect haul of five points in one Ryder Cup as he took Europe to the 14.5 point mark. Following the victory, he was drenched in beer by the celebrating European fans and said that it “means more than winning majors”.

It was not always so comfortable for the European team though. Having come into the final day with a 10-6 lead, and needing just four and a half more points out of 12 to win, they lost three of the first five singles matches. The lead now stood at a single point, and the USA could almost taste their first Ryder Cup win on European soil since 1993.

One of those matches was Justin Thomas vs Rory McIlroy. McIlroy was favourite to win the matchup and led for large spells until his ball landed in the bunker on the 18th hole. His first bunker shot went nowhere positive and his second, with increasing desperation, went into the lake. The Northern Irishman looked dejected as the point went to the United States.

The European team needed to bounce back quickly if they wanted to be victorious and that’s exactly what they did. Rookie Thorbjørn Olesen shocked pundits by beating Jordan Speith in a comfortable 5 & 4 win for his first point, leading the charge as the blues got six points out of a possible final seven to regain the Ryder Cup.

In the process Sergio Garcia surpassed Sir Nick Faldo as the all-time Ryder Cup points scorer with 25.5 and shed a few tears in the celebrations. “I don’t usually cry, but I couldn’t help it, what a week,” he said. “It’s been a rough year, but we fought hard. I’m so thankful to Thomas Bjorn for believing in me.”

This year’s competition, despite being labelled “the top one” by European captain Thomas Bjorn, was not a joyous occasion for all. 49 year old Corine Remande, who travelled from Egypt to watch the action, got hit by a Brooks Koepka tee shot. She praised Koepka for making sure she was okay but said she downplayed her injuries to make sure he “would stay concentrated”.

Koepka said that “it’s hard to control a golf ball, especially for 300 yards, and a lot of times the fans are close the the fairway. You can yell ‘fore’ but it doesn’t matter from 300 yards, you can’t hear it.”

After thanking Koepka, Romande took a moment to criticise the Ryder Cup organisers for not reaching out to make sure she was okay. The Egyptian is seeking legal advice to help cover the cost of the medical treatment she needs.

Talking about the incident she said: “It happened so fast, I didn’t feel any pain when I was hit. I didn’t feel like the ball had struck my eye and then I felt the blood start to pour. The scan on Friday confirmed a fracture of the right eye socket and an explosion of the eyeball.”

City Move Top As Brighton Brushed Aside

Written by jamesbootle on . Posted in Sport.

In a match that was considered by many a forgone conclusion, a difference in class was clearly evident, as champions Manchester City easily defeated a well organised Brighton side 2-0. The notable highlight from the game being a fantastic second half goal from club legend Sergio Agüero.

Manchester City fans had already enjoyed rivals Manchester United’s defeat at West Ham in the lunchtime kick off and the two clubs fortune’s could be more contrasting right now. City currently sit top of the league, looking to retain their title, while United have made their worse start to a campaign in almost 30 years.

Naturally, City made mass changes from their 3-0 win against Oxford City in the league cup, with only David Silva, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Nicolas Otamendi surviving. Brighton made only two changes from their game against Spurs last week with Jurgen Locadia and Beram Kayal coming into the side.

Brighton did well to contain City in the opening exchanges, with an audacious overhead effort from Agüero well blocked, however an opening goal for City was always a case of if, rather than when. Ultimately that moment came in the 29th minute, when a mistake in Brighton’s midfield was punished, with Raheem Sterling easily finishing after some clinical build-up play from David Silva and Leroy Sane.

Brighton keeper Matthew Ryan did well to prevent the Citizens from doubling their lead before half time. First, an effort from Sterling produced a good save from the Australian international, before Fernandinho’s 25 yard effort was kept out seconds before the half time whistle.

Brighton seemed unable to get out their own half in the second 45, shown by their 21% possession in the second period. This constant pressure eventually resulted in City’s second goal as Agüero picked the ball up near the halfway line, exchanged passes with David Silva, before beating several defenders and calming slotting in a one-two with Raheem Sterling, for his 5th goal of the season.

As convincing a 2-0 as you will see this season,  Chelsea and Liverpool splitting the points in their game meant City moved to the top of the table, a position many expect them to be in the end of the campaign.

However, a trip to last season’s bogey team Liverpool could prove to be City’s toughest challenge of the season and an early 6-pointer in the race for the Premier League.

Hamilton’s victory spells disaster for rivals

Written by James Gill on . Posted in Sport.

Lewis Hamilton is now 50 points ahead of rival Sebastian Vettel in the battle for a fifth drivers’ world championship after a victory in the Russian Grand Prix.

The Brit’s race was shrouded in controversy as Mercedes ordered teammate Valtteri Bottas to let him past on lap 25 in order to secure a Hamilton win. With only five races left, the championship is no longer Vettel’s to win, only Hamilton’s to lose. The Ferrari driver could come first in all remaining races but still come second in the standings.

The beginning of the race saw intense battling at the front of the grid but no major positional changes. Hamilton had a slow start but managed to use Bottas’ slip stream to avoid being overtaken by Vettel. Further back in the grid both Torro Rosso cars retired in the opening laps after independently spinning out.

Aside from Verstappen storming through the field after a back row start, the excitement died down until the first pit stops. On lap 12 Bottas came into the pits, followed by Vettel a lap later. During this time Hamilton began setting fastest sector times and it seemed he could move into the lead, but the Williams of Sergey Sirotkin held him up, wasting valuable seconds.

When Hamilton did pit on lap 14 the question was no longer ‘would he come out in the lead?’, but ‘would he come out third to Vettel?’. As the Mercedes emerged from the pit lane he saw the Ferrari of Vettel next to him, and then ahead of him as they went into the first corner. “How did that happen?” he asked. Was Ferrari’s strategy finally coming together?

Hamilton is not a driver to sit back and watch as important points go to his biggest rival and immediately began attacking the German. On lap 16 the Mercedes went to move down the inside but the defence from the Ferrari almost led to a collision, the lightning reactions of Hamilton the only thing preventing one.

Several corners later he finally managed to get the better of Vettel and moved into third place, behind his teammate and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who had yet to pit. As the laps progressed the Mercedes team began to notice blistering to Hamilton’s tires and gave orders to Bottas to let him through on lap 25 to protect the team’s interests.

Verstappen pitted on lap 43 and the top three stayed in those positions for the remainder of the race. Bottas asked towards the end if they were going to finish in these positions, hoping to be given back the place he gave up. In response he was told: “Affirm, we will talk about it afterwards.”

After the race Hamilton said: “Valtteri did a fantastic job all weekend and he was a real gentleman to let me by. It has been a great weekend for the team. Usually I would be elated, but I can understand how difficult it was for Valtteri.”

The next race will take place on 7th October at the incredible Suzuka circuit in Japan. If Vettel cannot take significant points from Hamilton, the championship is all but over.

Unknown @ Wikimedia Commons

Black History Month: Exploring Manchester’s influential black athletes

Written by Harry Deacon on . Posted in Sport.

The arrival of Black History Month brings the inevitable coverage of the most famous black sportsmen and sportswomen in history from around the world – but there is also a rich history of Black representation in Mancunian sports, too.

Manchester has a rich football history producing England’s most successful club in Manchester United. However, it is perhaps the unheard-of names such as Arthur Wharton that are vital in both footballing and black history. Wharton earned the title of the world’s first black professional footballer and is entrenched in Mancunian history after ending his career playing with Stockport County in 1902.

Although Wharton may not seem to have had the most glittering career, it is his legacy of facilitating increased black participation football that assures his place in sports history. His involvement in football is ever-present, and has been immortalised in a small statue at the FIFA headquarters.

Football today may seem multi-cultural but it is still crucial to re-enforce inclusive nature of the beautiful game. Nobody does this better than Marcus Rashford. Born in Wythenshawe, Rashford is both a Europa League winner with Manchester United  and a semi finalist at this summer’s World Cup proves to all young athletes that anything is possible.

Manchester’s black sporting history is not only limited to football. The story of Leonard ‘Len’ Benker Johnson is a fascinating one. A boxer from Clayton, Johnson won 92 out of his 127 professional fights between 1921 and 1933.

Sadly, however, prejudice inhibited Johnson from achieving what should have been possible. He was not able to fight in British championships due to black competitors being barred at the time, and thus had to fight in Australia to win the equivalent of the British Empire middleweight title. Johnson asserted his influence at home as an avid community leader in Moss Side and civil rights activist, despite the barriers that stood in the way of his boxing career.

A more recent and prominent black sportswoman is Diane Modahl. Born to Jamaican parents in Manchester, her athletics career is worthy of admiration, winning three medals at the Commonwealth Games, including gold in the 800m at Auckland 1990. Modahl is now using her own experience as one of Britain’s finest athletes to give back to the community. The Diane Modahl Sports Foundation gives opportunities such as sporting coaching and mentoring for all children. The Manchester-located charity to give chances to all aspiring athletes, with extra opportunities to those from under-privileged backgrounds.

Modahl has shown determination throughout her whole career, having faced the tough ordeal of being falsely accused of failing a drugs test. However, speaking to the PFA this August she revealed the significance of her upbringing, she said, ‘But I’m a Mancunian, and we are made of tough stuff’ – who could argue with that?

Sephora’s “Witch Kit” appears to be a curse to minority groups

Written by Jack Sedgwick on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

In the last month, the multinational beauty brand Sephora has faced heavy criticism from minority groups around the proposed launch of their ‘Witch Kit’ product. Capitalising on the ‘#instawitch’ trend, which has resulted in witchcraft and Wiccan aesthetics and customs becoming popularized on the social media platform, Sephora announced that they would be selling a “Starter Witch Kit”. This contained a rose quartz crystal, a bundle of white sage, a deck of Tarot cards, and nine vials of perfume. The product looked inviting, with a vibrant colour scheme and captivating imagery. As playful and trendy as it appeared, however, some were convinced that there was darkness in the product.

White sage, the plant that is present in the kit, has a spiritual meaning for many of the indigenous tribes of the USA. To them, the issue was with the commercialisation of a part of their culture by a non-affiliated group. In their eyes, the acquisition and sale of this plant by multinationals actively robbed the indigenous people of the potential to responsibly, and mindfully, farm and sell it themselves.

We have already seen numerous cases of the danger posed to small businesses by big-name exploitation in the fashion and beauty world. Some Native Americans and allies have used the debate to address the need for social change in the fashion and beauty industries. One Twitter user commented: “I *highly* recommend a focus group with at least one indigenous person present. Just… one.” With one of the major buzzwords in the industry at the moment being “sustainability”, is it not time for us to look at how the brands we support can think of ways to safeguard not only the health and beauty of the planet but also the cultural diversity and visibility of its people?

Another issue was raised with the white sage by environmentalists, as some believed it to be an endangered plant. In their apology letter, wherein they expressed regret for the concept and wished to clear up any concerns, Pinrose, the company who manufactured the kit, said: “the sage that was planned to be used in this kit is… grown in the wild in California and is sustainably harvested and sold by Native American owned and operated businesses”.

While it seems now difficult to justify the outrage, seeing as much of it appears to be misguided, the story breaking did intensify the discussion over sustainability and global awareness in fashion. Even if potentially misdirected, it got people talking about how we can make room for everyone’s voice in the future of the industry.

Photo: Bono @Wikimedia Commons

Fashion Player of the Week: Stella Mccartney, an ethical pioneer.

Written by Nicole Lloyd on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Stella McCartney understands that ethical fashion is highly important in our socially aware climate. Due to this awareness of the need for sustainability, the brand is our ethical pioneer of today. According to Stella, “Man-made constructed environments are disconnected”. Therefore, she has tried to do something about this through her clothing by tackling social, environmental and commercial issues. Stella McCartney is our ‘fashion player of the week’, as it’s the first 100% vegetarian, 0% animal cruelty free fashion brand. The brand also does this by using leather alternatives in their collections.

Before you go high-street shopping, do you think about the impact that ‘fast fashion’ has on the environment? Maybe you didn’t know, but the industry’s focus on speed and low cost has a devastating impact on our environment. This process’s negative environmental impact includes the production of toxic chemicals, textile waste and water pollution. This is because the pressure to reduce costs and lead time means that environmental efficiency is always cut.

Many people aren’t conscious of the impacts of ‘fast fashion’ because many people don’t understand the scale of the issue. Certain appealing features of garments such as vibrant colours, prints and fabric finishes are achieved using toxic chemicals. Textile dyeing is the second largest polluter of clean water globally, after agriculture. The most popular fabric used for fashion is polyester. However microfibres that pollute our water and eventually our oceans are shed when polyester clothes are put in the washing machine.

Now it’s not necessary to completely boycott the fashion industry, but instead we should be more aware of the brands who are unethical in their processes and those brands who move with integrity. Some of our favourite high fashion brands are becoming more sustainable, for instance H&M in 2013, launched a garment collection movement which allows customers to hand in unwanted clothing and materials as well as their annual ‘Conscious’ collection of clothing. Inditex – the parent company of Zara also welcomes shoppers to drop off their old clothing to be recycled.

The theme of sustainability and the trend of vintage and reworked clothing used by fashion giants in big campaigns, works to be induce more conscious consumption by customers. It has also inspired me personally to create my own clothing brand called neunoir.customs. Reworked clothing bought from thrift shops which is then customised and resold is the concept of my brand. This process in turn works against damaging patterns of fashion consumption. In a profit driven industry, it is nice to see that ethics and changes toward sustainability is starting to be the hottest trend, driven by brands like Stella Mcartney.

LFW. Photo: Farrukh@Flickr

The trend of sustainability in S/S 2018 collections

Written by maddierodbert1 on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Sustainability and fashion are an interesting pair.  In an industry that is defined by constant change, how can it be sustainable?  The effect the fashion industry has on the environment is massive.  Most critics focus on the use of natural products and sheer amount of fuel used for transportation.  As such, I’m sure ‘eco-friendly’ is not your first reaction when you think of the fashion industry.  Despite this, many brands have approached their spring-summer 2018 collection with the idea of sustainability in mind.  In their August issue, i-D ran a series of articles along the theme of fashion’s first movements into a new, ecological future.

When you see an article in a popular magazine like i-D titled “Burberry will no longer burn their unsold clothes”, it’s not surprising to hear about protests happening across the fashion world.  So how has the industry reacted to the new demand for ‘slow fashion’?  London Fashion Week declared itself “fur free”, a statement hugely supported by Stella McCartney.  It was the first main fashion week where none of the shows would have animal fur involved.  This was following the series of protests and support of anti-animal cruelty actions.  Christopher Raeburn’s collection threw the “spring and summer” brief out of the window and instead focused on the growing issue of climate change.  Raeburn used clothes to show how desperate the situation of climate change is.  His goal was to make people sit up and take notice, and it was a hit during the fashion week.

On the negative side however, Chanel came under fire for chopping down one hundred year old oaks to use in their show.  The official statement from Chanel claimed that for every tree they cut down they were going to plant another.  However, few were convinced and as such they are still unpopular amongst the sustainable fashion movement.  It seems as though despite the move towards a new, eco-friendly future, many luxury brands are still ‘behind the curve’, so to speak.  This raises the question: how long can unsustainable brands last? Will customers leave them behind? Will ignoring these issues lead to a shortage? Or does it even matter? However, as of now, the future looks unpredictable.

Moses Namkung @ Wikimedia Commons

Review: Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.

Written by madeleinepeden on . Posted in Film.

Steve Loveridge’s fast-paced documentary certainly shares similarities with other tributes to female pop stars, namely a recognition of the subject’s musical ingenuity. But when it comes to his examination of electronic hip-hop artist M.I.A, this recognition goes beyond music and art to enter a distinctly political sphere.

Early on we learn that M.I.A. studied fine art film making, and had ambitions of becoming a documentary film maker, which made it quite disappointing to learn during the closing credits that she was not heavily involved in the film’s production.

She is, however, responsible for providing a significant amount of the footage that establishes the narrative of her early years, in which she lived through the beginning of the Sri Lankan civil war and fled to England as a refugee with her mother and brothers. Her father was a founding member of the Tamil Tigers who fought for Tamil rights during the Sri Lankan civil war.

A deeper delve into the history surrounding the Sri Lankan civil war and this liberation organisation would have created the potential for a greater overall understanding of our subject’s motivations. This in turn would enable a greater challenge to her label as a trivial troublemaker that has been perpetuated by the mainstream media throughout her career (the deceitful application of this label by the New York Times is explored in the film).

However, the lack of context largely highlighted the stark knowledge gap that ultimately demonstrated the validity of M.I.A.’s activism even further. Her presence in pop culture makes her an ideal candidate to bring these particular political issues to the fore.

We also get to see M.I.A.’s perspective of some of the controversies she’s been embroiled in (including flipping off the United States of America during Madonna’s performance at the Super Bowl half time show). The narrative framework contextualises these moments and allows us to see her as a passionate human being with genuine activist intentions.

Whilst this documentary is primarily a positive acknowledgement of M.I.A.’s political activism, she is not placed on an unreachable pedestal that makes her completely unrelatable. On the contrary, we get to see the good and not so good aspects of her character which make her a very human subject. The narrative created by Loveridge is an examination of identity that goes beyond the individual focus of the typical pop documentary.

We see M.I.A.’s struggle as a first-generation immigrant to establish her identity within the labels of Tamil Sri Lankan, British, controversial activist and pop star. A struggle that is reflected in the film’s title. The visuals and soundtrack of M.I.A.’s back catalogue that accompany and enhance this examination of identity makes for a very interesting and informative viewing experience.

4/5

 

 

 

Lily James. Photo: Eva Rinaldi @Wikimedia Commons

Review: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again!

Written by emilywain on . Posted in Film.

With an even larger star-studded cast than our first visit to the gorgeous Greek island of Kalokairi; Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again delivers on its long awaited promise of a feel good, sing-along worthy experience.

While the first film was loved by many in 2008, it was also criticised for being too clichéd lacking a plausible storyline. Ten years later, the director Ol Parker has succeeded in providing fans, and converting more, with her thought-provoking and gripping story. Amanda Seyfried, who plays Sophie, even described the film as “quite sad and emotional at some points” during an interview on This Morning. The film is intermingled with famous ABBA favourites, providing the joy that leaves audiences wanting to watch it again.

As we begin eating our popcorn, we are transported into 1979 where Sophie’s mother, Donna, played by Lily James, is giving a graduation speech to her peers, which inevitably turns into a sing-song and a party. Throughout the entirety of the film, scenes flick between the life of 25 year old Sophie in the present and looking back on the life of her late mother Donna at that same age.

Viewers can see all the returning cast acting and singing alongside new additions, who play the younger versions of the main characters, such as the old and young version of Rosie, played by Julia Walters and Alexa Davies. Many moviegoers are even left blushing at the handsomeness of young Bill Anderson, played by Josh Dylan – even in those crazy 1970’s inspired costumes.

Those extra keen members of the ABBA Fan Club can also see former ABBA member Björn Ulvaeous make an appearance in random scenes throughout. His involvement in the film is praised as we discover he suggested and re-worded his favourite, yet lesser-known ABBA songs such as ‘My Love, My Life’ and ‘I’ve been waiting for you’ to fit with the film.

Despite the light-heartedness of this musical, viewers can feel emboldened by the positive messages within the film. These include feeling free just like a ‘dancing queen’. Furthermore, Lily James has also remarked about the sex-positive message during an interview with Cosmopolitan. The non-judgemental tone throughout helps to de-stigmatise this topic and make women feel more comfortable. As the majority of viewers are female, arguably, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again could be seen as a movie about and in favour of female empowerment.

The next time you need cheering up or a good time, go and watch this ‘Super Trooper’ of a film.

4/5.