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Month: February 2012

Home comforts

Written by Tom Acey on . Posted in Sport.

It seemed an unlikely prospect at the beginning of the competition, but after witnessing Arsenal and Chelsea’s travails in Italy it appears likely that there will be no English teams in the last eight of the Champions League this season.
Manchester City can consider themselves unlucky to have been pitted against Bayern Munich, Napoli and Villarreal in the group stages, but they will nevertheless rue their underachievement in a first major European appearance. Neighbours United, meanwhile, had no such misfortune with the draw, yet seemed intent on sleepwalking their way through the group stages until they were humiliated in Basel. For the two London clubs, the competition has merely facilitated a continuation of the dismal league form that sees them fighting to retain their status at the top table for next season.
So what does this say about the current state of the Premier League? In all probability, the situation will be reversed next season, but there is no doubt that the English stranglehold on Europe’s premier tournament has been broken in recent years. In every year since 2005, at least one Premier League team has featured in the semi-finals of the competition (United, Chelsea and Liverpool all reached the last four in 2008), and there has been only one completely non-English final during this period. Until recently, the English dominance was matched only by four-times winners Barcelona, but the re-emergence of the historical superpowers of European football (Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, Real Madrid) alongside other, less-regarded but nevertheless highly talented young teams (Napoli, Benfica, Apoel) has served to challenge the complacency of the Premier League big guns.
In modern football, success usually correlates with substantial investment, and on this basis it seems puzzling that the top teams from the world’s richest league have failed to compete in Europe this time around. However, TV rights provide the most significant form of revenue to the major leagues, and it is of no apparent coincidence that Barcelona and Real Madrid, (arguably) Europe’s top two teams, come from a league where this money is distributed based on the amount of TV revenue each club generates, rather than it being shared out equally, as is the way in England.
Unsurprisingly, Real and Barça are now the two richest clubs in world football. Whether their joint-monopoly of La Liga is to be of its detriment in the long-term is another matter entirely, but their overwhelming financial dominance has clearly contributed to their on-field success. Distribution of wealth in England, meanwhile, may have done little to encourage the prospects of consistent domination of Europe by one or two extortionately rich English teams, but it has made the Premier League more competitive and certainly more entertaining to watch.
The Spanish monopoly has served the big two well, but their dominance has forced many of the smaller sides into administration, and the dour, routine nature of the La Liga season is of stark contrast to the current unpredictability of the Premier League. Though we may bemoan the failings of English teams in Europe this season (not least as Real or Barça go on to lift that grand trophy in May), perhaps there is some solace to be taken in the prosperity of our domestic game.

Han Han, the great inspiration

Written by Sam Boggis-Rolfe on . Posted in Sport.

Han Han is a best-selling author, singer, creator of Party, the world’s most popular blogger and also a professional rally driver which is what I find most interesting. Han Han is an inspiration to many and rightly so. His attitude towards life is almost greedy. Nothing it seems is out of his grasp.
He became a professional rally driver in 2003 and achieved sixth place in the N category at CRC Shanghai station. “I’ve loved driving and racing ever since I was a little boy,” Han said. “It is difficult to be both a racer and a writer, but I just have to have good time-management skills.” He went on to win first prize in the China Circuit Championship (CCC) 1600c category in 2007 and in 2009 he became the overall CRC champion in N category as a Shanghai FCACA racer.
This all in a country where dissent is frowned upon and his literary work is often censored. Han Han is someone who refuses to be beaten, refuses to let the establishment that he so hates interfere with his dreams.
Critics have claimed that his racing driving is merely a way for him to show off his wealth which he has accumulated from his books such as Triple Gate. He does have a sort arrogance about him that results in criticism. “I don’t have a head for business and stocks…Advertising opportunities would earn me more than RMB 3 million, but I’m afraid that once I get started in this, I would not be able to stop.”
This independent streak and resistance to following a ‘norm’ is what makes him so interesting for some and so hated by others. These critics however are missing the joy of Han Han. Critics claim that he is a symbol of the one-child policy that has created a nation of spoilt children born in the 1980s. He undoubtedly has a rebellious side to him that thrives off independence but to call it spoilt is to shed unnecessary negative light.
“My success comes from my judgment, which is my gift. Some people will never know what they are really capable of. They just waste their lives in something that they are not good at,” he says. Han Han is a symbol of an attitude in life that everyone would do well to have. He spent his own money on training and buying the rally cars at first but was then contracted to a professional team. He surprised the public by winning the 2007 China Circuit Championship. The greatest conundrum that many people have to deal with is what career to settle on; he tells us not to give up but to face the challenges that life throws at you and pursue whatever path you so wish.
Han Han is an eternal optimist. He realised that rally driving was a sport that would give him pleasure and a sense of achievement so he threw himself whole heartedly into it. Although my dreams of becoming a professional football player may have come to an end, my dream of having a life full of achievement and success has not. If ever there was a guiding light, it is Han Han.

British Cyclists on track for Success at London 2012

Written by Finlay Donaldson on . Posted in Sport.

It was a golden week for British cycling as the Olympic team impressed at the UCI World Cup. Britain have a illustrious history in this Olympic discipline and after a post-Beijing hangover, it appears the team are on course for more Olympic glory, led again by the infallible Sir Chris Hoy who claimed two individual gold medals.
It has been a period of steady transition for Team GB after the 2008 Olympics. The success of the 2008 cycling team has been well documented and quite righty so. Not many would disagree with the opinion that cycling was Britain’s most successful Olympic sport four years ago. The statistics speak for themselves. Remarkably, in a discipline so competitive, out of the 14 riders named in Britain’s track cycling squad for the Beijing 2008 Olympics, 13 won medals. To follow on from this monumental haul was never going to be easy, and so it has proved.
Since Beijing, the British team have been matched and in some cases eclipsed at recent major events with the likes of France, Germany and Australia narrowing the gap considerably. Australia, in particular, our great Olympic rivals look well placed to push Britain all the way in London and this was shown by their performance at the World Cup, winning key events such as the Men’s pursuit and finishing with just one medal less than the home nation. Moreover, in Anna Meares, the Australians have a cyclist who has already proved that she can beat Victoria Pendleton, the pin-up girl of British Cycling.
In addition to Britain’s rival countries closing in on the times set by our Olympic athletes, new rules have been introduced which allow only one competitor per nation for each of the five events. This will inevitably make it more difficult for Britain to match their haul from Beijing where Britain often had several riders in the finals on their way to seven gold medals.
It wasn’t just the cyclists who lived up to their billing last weekend as the Olympic Velodrome passed it’s biggest test run with flying colours, receiving universal praise. Sir Chris Hoy highly commended the venue, especially the atmosphere it created. The Beijing medalist was quoted as saying ’’Honestly, I’ve never been to any venue, any track in the world, and seen any home nation get the support we’ve had today. The wall of noise when you’re on the track is unbelievable.’’
Whilst the past four years have been talked about as a transition period, in which the team has built upon the success of Beijing, the spine of the team remain. Of the fourteen squad members who went to China, eight are still here, fighting for their place at London 2012. The squad has experience. With the likes of Hoy, Kenny and Pendleton still very much part at the top of their game. Alongside youngsters such as Laura Trott and Ben Swift, the GB team has a good balance of experience and youth.
The World Championships in Melbourne in April are another chance for the riders to impress before the main event in the summer, but if last weekend’s performances are anything to go by, the golden era of British Cycling looks set to continue.

Live: Justice @ Academy 1

Written by Joe Goggins on . Posted in Music.

13th February 2012

Academy 1

6/10

Officially speaking, Justice’s debut record, released back in 2007, is untitled; only a glowing, neon version of the band’s trademark cross symbol adorns the album’s sleeve. That it duly became known as † (or alternatively, Cross) was fitting. With that release, the French duo became the first dance act since their countrymen Daft Punk to successfully cross over into the world of indie rock and if the amount of skinny jeans on show amongst tonight’s audience is anything to go by, it’s a section of their fanbase they’ve retained.

Taking the stage on a raised platform behind the obligatory giant cross and flanked by two striking walls of Marshall amps, the pair choose to frontload their set with new material from sophomore release Audio, Video, Disco, opening with lead single ‘Civilisation’, which is later worked into a number of tracks as a coda. As with most dance acts, the set is seamless and it’s to the band’s credit that when the poppier big hitters inevitably arrive later on – ‘Waters of Nazareth’, ‘D.A.N.C.E.’ and the commercially-successful Simian Mobile Disco collaboration ‘We Are Your Friends’ – they don’t sound at all out of place next to offerings more deeply rooted in the dance genre.

Whilst there’s no problem as far as crowd response is concerned – the sell-out crowd is worked into a ninety-minute fervour – it’s impossible not to raise questions about how ‘live’ a performance from two men with computers and decks really is, particularly for those in the crowd more accustomed to guitars and live drums. Whilst the light-show – glowing red amps included – is formidable for a venue of this size, it’s hard to shake the feeling that, as entertaining as the evening is, the ‘Justice Live!’ tag might be a tad off the mark.

Justice (live at Manchester Academy)

Album: Alex Under – La Maquína de Bolas

Written by Thomas Short on . Posted in Music.

Alex Under
La Maquína de Bolas
Soma Records
3 stars

Minimal Techno is often unfairly maligned in comparison to other styles of dance music but its influence on the electronic music of the past decade is remarkable. Dubstep DJs, such as Loefah, frequently drop minimal beats into their sets and artists like Nicholas Jaar are becoming popular enough to sell out venues such as Fabric and Manchester’s own Sound Control. Alex Under’s new album is unlikely to have the the crossover appeal of Jaar’s debut, Space Is Only Noise, but the Spanish techno prodigy makes a powerful argument for his genre, demonstrating an admirable ability to innovate within its narrow confines. Whereas minimal stalwarts like Richie Hawtin ground their music in harsh industrial sounds which only seem to make sense when being blasted at ear splitting volume in a sweaty Berlin superclub, Under favours a more organic approach, using tabla drums and bell chimes to craft a delicate sound that is far more listenable and carefully drawn.

Under’s decision to name all of the tracks ‘bola’ (spanish for ‘ball’) demonstrates his intention for the album to be considered as a whole and it is certainly more effective when heard in this way, with many tracks referencing each other rhythmically, such as Bolas 3 and 4. This degree of complexity is impressive, but the album is undoubtedly a difficult listen, particularly as the ominous Bola 1 is utterly bereft of the woozy sub-basslines and compelling melodies to come.

Yet perseverance is rewarded. The rattling spartan grooves which many of the tracks are built around may be initially unappealing but they acquire a kind of strange beauty after several listens, whether its in the flickering synth lines on Bola 2 which sound like rainfall or the haunting, skeletal steel drums of Bola 6.2.

Alex Under – El Encuentro

Live: The Twilight Sad @ Ruby Lounge

Written by Alexandre Briand on . Posted in Music.

The Twilight Sad
Ruby Lounge
10th February
4½ Stars

Having just kicked off the tour with a frenzied show in their native Glasgow, frontman James Graham reminisces: “…we came back to Scotland, and we played in a place called Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, and it was my Mum and Dad, and four of our friends that were at the gig, yet we were in New York the week before, playing to about a hundred-and-something people in a packed out venue”. The journey thus far has not been meteoric but with steadfast honesty and a clear dedication, The Twilight Sad have gradually built up a die-hard and adoring fanbase.

Despite ditching the accordion because “it broke”, the new album does little to build on their trademark melancholy shoegaze, but this has never been a problem for Twilight Sad fans. In fact their consistency is their most impressive achievement, showcased in an ear-splitting and intensely heartfelt set. “One thing I’ve liked about what people have said about the new album is that it’s pretty much unmistakably a Twilight Sad album… I’m glad that it came across that way” says Graham. “People go through ups and downs, and you need to go through them to appreciate the ups, and I think dark music can be uplifting as well”.

Crowd-pleasers ‘And She Would Darken the Memory’ and ‘Cold Days from the Birdhouse’ from their stunning debut Fourteen Autumns & Fifteen Winters blended sweet vocals and solid drums with a fiercely distorted and amorphous guitar that surprisingly loses nothing in their reduced instrumentation onstage. The set is fraught and monumental, though judging by the crowd’s reaction it seems like they’re preaching to the choir.

On the band’s growing popularity, Graham says “I thought that was quite a cool thing, that people wanted to know who the fuck we were. Worse thing is they still don’t know who the fuck we are.”

The Twilight Sad – Another Bed

Opinion: Why I hate Murkage

Written by Hugo Nicholson on . Posted in Music.

It’s not a Murkage ting.

Dave Lewis, alias Murkage Dave, along with his merry band of Murkage Cartel members, has become something of a Manchester celebrity over the past year. Their night, every Thursday at club South, has become undeniably popular and sells out consistently while the music of the band itself is gaining significant publicity (as a recent feature in The Guardian might suggest) as well as a considerable number of fans. The question is, why?

“Fuck standing around posing like a dickhead” so reads The Murkage Club Facebook group and yet, as anyone who has been to Murkage can probably attest, this is exactly what the Murkage Cartel can be found doing every Thursday night (or any other night of the week, for that matter). Despite this, people still flock to Murkage. A text received from a friend last Thursday, informing me that the whole club was participating in a sing-along of Murkage’s ‘Torches’, confirmed to me that I’d rather be doing literally anything else.

‘Torches’ itself, their most recent release, is nothing short of absurd. “Set it off/Kick down doors/Leave your city in flames/Murkage is a freight train” goes the chorus. Stirring stuff. Some have misinterpreted the track as encouraging violence and an article on The Guardian’s music blog suggests that the contentious nature of the lyrics has meant that the track “has run into difficulty when it comes to radio play.” I would suggest that it’s not that the lyrics are controversial which has led to the track’s limited airplay but rather that because they are, along with the rest of the track, just a bit shit. Band member Gaika is quoted as saying “This is the exact opposite of inciting riots”. I’m inclined to disagree. This is a track which could quite feasibly bore people into rioting.

In ‘Paperweight’, released in early 2011, a voice commands “Play the music louder!” over and over again. That’s fine by me, so long as it’s not a song by Murkage. Perhaps it’s my fault- maybe it’s just too cool for me. Maybe I just don’t understand, but I get the feeling that I’m not the only one.

Opinion: Whitney Houston

Written by Tom Ingham on . Posted in Music.

Death – the perfect medicine for the dwindling performer.

For a musician, making it big in the charts is a moment to cherish, a time to bask in the recognition of peers and loving fans. However, if an artist really wants to make it big, it seems like the best thing to do is go ahead and kick the bucket. Of course, this isn’t an obligatory measure, but does seem to do the trick and this week’s sad passing of Whitney Houston rather proves the point. With arguably her best days behind her performance wise, Whitney was unlikely to ever storm the charts again.

Without meaning to sound crass, it’s provided a great opportunity for music industry fat cats to capitalize on the media frenzy surrounding her death. iTunes significantly increased the price of her Greatest Hits collection, following the album’s rise to number 2 in both the US and UK iTunes charts. And you can’t really blame them for cashing in on our reactionary, media driven culture. People who only came into contact with Whitney Houston songs at weddings are suddenly inconsolable, and feel the need to ‘pay their respects’.

There have been many famous examples of this, with the deaths of MJ, Amy Winehouse, etc. And is it a bad thing? Well, I think it highlights our need to follow trends, even in something as individualistic as music. It’s understandable for these events to bring revitalised interest to the artist’s career and legacy, but how that correlates with record sales is unclear. We will never get to see these performers do their thing live again, so why rekindle our love for them? The artists in question are all extremely successful – household names across the world- and in death they’re, of course, worthy of the respect and praise they receive. But it doesn’t mean that we should think feel obliged to line the pockets of opportunistic industry types.

Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You

Live: NME Awards Tour @ Academy 1

Written by Katie Shepherd on . Posted in Music.

NME Awards Tour
w/ Two Door Cinema Club, Metronomy, Tribes, and Azealia Banks
Academy 1
10 February
2 stars

One thing was missing from the annual NME Awards Tour at Academy 1 on February 11th – alcohol. The crowd, packed full of 15 year olds who listened to Two Door Cinema Club’s Tourist History during their first house party last year, at least made for seeing the stage amidst the sea of pre-pubescent males easy. In distress, I chugged my Jack and Coke while the out-of-her-element Harlem rapper, Azealia Banks sang, “What’s your dick like, homie?” straight into the face of the 14 year old boy who’d gotten there early for the front row of Two Door.

Tribes, who should have gone first, were forgettable, the one exception being when lead singer Johnny Lloyd did the obvious by jumping into the crowd singing “Oh no stranger, you’re just like me.”
Not surprisingly, the chorus of “The Look” was the only thing two-thirds of the crowd knew about Metronomy. Since their latest album, The English Riviera, made its huge impact on the electro-pop scene, they were the main band I’d come to see. They were quirky and chill, but unfortunately, lost on the crowd.
Two Door Cinema Club finally took to the stage and soothed the worries of the kids who were anxious about making curfew. The band’s set was average as they are better suited for festivals and have over-toured their own songs. Their best energy came from the sneak peek of their new track ‘Handshake’ as they are long overdue for a new album.

While the NME Tour did indeed bring some of the best music from the past year (because that is by definition what the tour is about), it also brought with it an awkward crowd. Personally, what it brought me was a Metronomy t-shirt and an intense desire to hit up the off-license afterward.

Column: The British Invasion

Written by Sam Flynn on . Posted in Music.

How the Brits sold rock’n’roll back to America

what: The British Invasion

when: 1964-1966

where: the USA

February 3, 1959, Buddy Holly is killed in a plane crash; immortalised in Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’ as ‘The Day The Music Died’. This was the same year Elvis left to join the army and Little Richard to join the church, while both Jerry Lee Lewis and Chuck Berry faced allegations of statutory rape. American rock’n’roll was dead.

However, in Britain, a youth revolution was underway. Mixing rock’n’roll, rhythm & blues and doo-wop harmonies; British ‘beat’ music took America by storm. The Beatles broke down the doors with their first performance on the Ed Sullivan Show, watched by a record-breaking audience of 74 million. Their hit songs, sharp suits and ‘mop-top’ haircuts induced hysteria in American girls, shaking the establishment. The next two years saw an invasion of British artists on U.S. shores, leading to the international identity of rock music we know today.

Playlist:

  1. ‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ – The Beatles
  2. ‘I Only Want To Be With You’ – Dusty Springfield
  3. ‘House of The Rising Sun’ – The Animals
  4. ‘You Really Got Me’ – The Kinks
  5. ‘She’s Not There’ – The Zombies
  6. ‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy’ – Manfred Mann
  7. ‘Downtown’ – Petula Clark
  8. ‘I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction) – The Rolling Stones
  9. ‘Wild Thing’ – The Troggs
  10. ‘Sunshine Superman’ – Donovan

 

Spotify playlist: The British Invasion

The Beatles – 1st Ed Sullivan Performance

Live: Niki and the Dove @ Islington Mill

Written by Hannah Mead on . Posted in Music.

Niki and the Dove
Islington Mill
8th February
1 star

It would be fair to say that I’m not quite sure what to make of Niki and the Dove. I’m also not sure whether that is a good thing or not, but my instinct tells me it is very bad indeed. On the one hand I think they are the most irritating, unmusical and unlikeable act on earth. However, there is a minute part of me that’s saying “C’mon dude, lighten up, maybe they ain’t so bad’. But on deeper analysis, I have realised that this was probably just down to the fact that nobody else in the packed out Islington Mill was openly objecting to a) the dreadful racket and b) what was going on on stage. Front woman, Malin Dahlström (no one in the band is even called Niki) was swaying and waving her arms around in a psychedelic manner that the cynic within just refused to accept.

I’ll admit that at times they sounded great – deep, moody bass filled the room, sending the crowd into a trance. But all too often it just reminded me of Jez and Superhans pissing around on keyboards but with a distinct lack of comedy. I can’t help but feel that if you’re going to piss around with electronic music, you at least need to be clever or funny about it.

When they arrived on stage, Dahlström’s voice was manipulated to sound like the Wicked Witch of the West. I think this was intended to be really profound and build up tension and atmosphere, but I was left wishing they would cut the theatrics and get on with it. The BBC may love them, but I don’t.

On a plus note, supporting act Patterns were excellent. Check them out if you can.

Niki and the Dove – DJ Ease My Mind

Interview: Speech Debelle

Written by Phoebe Clarke on . Posted in Music.

With her second studio album, Freedom of Speech, being released, I caught up with London rapper Speech Debelle to talk about the inspiration behind her work and plans for the future.

“Freedom of Speech is an album which represents the year in which it was written”, Speech tells me, and throughout the interview Speech shows herself to be an artist who truly wishes to express concerns and issues of our time through her music.  Describing the songs of the new album as being “heavily influenced by the student riots of 2011 and African uprisings worldwide”, Speech explains how the new album is an amalgamation of both her engagement of the world around her and experimentation with a new sound.  Together the two combine to give us a remarkable new album centred around themes of revolution and love.

Although Speech Debelle is no stranger to success, with her former album Speech Therapy winning the Barclaycard Mercury Prize for best album in 2009, the album had surprisingly low sales that led her to drop record label Big Dada.
Now reunited with Big Dada, Speech assures me that the same thing wont happen again.  “My new producer Kwez”, a young South London producer, “has really elevated my sound”, she explains and having listened to the album I’d have to agree. Freedom of Speech has the same sincerity of Speech Therapy with a more mature edge that Speech has gained in the past couple years.

Freedom of Speech was released on Monday 13th February.

Opinion: Lana Del Rey

Written by Tom Ingham on . Posted in Music.

We live in a world today where image affects everything. It’s just a sad fact. It’s what keeps former great David Beckham from slipping out of the public consciousness altogether. Stick him in a pair of underpants and sketch on a few ‘meaningful’ tattoos and suddenly the man needn’t kick a ball around for the rest of his life. In music, image is essential too with social media turning unknowns into viral superstars where standing out from the rest is key.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not criticising artists who carefully craft their image and use it to supplement their musical output. No, what gets on my tits is when people are blinded by the shiny packaging and don’t realise what they’re actually looking at.

And that brings me to the latest piece of marketing that’s got everyone talking – Lana Del Rey. The American singer songwriter-turned-internet phenomenon has finally released her first major label record Born to Die after months of hype and PR. For me, it just goes to prove what I thought all along- she’s got as much chance of lasting the test of time as a pasty in John Prescott’s fridge. As I’m sure most are aware, Lana’s (or Lizzie’s if you want) first record went pretty much un-noticed. However, with an image makeover, a stupid pout, masses of PR, and a list of influences that seem to consist of various cultural icons that can relate to all age ranges thrown together, she was ready to take over. And the sad thing is, it’s worked. Tragic, love-sick songs with delicately arranged strings are being hailed as the second coming. Nancy Sinatra, one of Lana’s many so-called inspirations, would have told her to stop being so limp and “urgh my boyfriend plays video games. Woe is me.”, and get on with it. What we’ve got is another case of style over substance. I’m afraid it is easy to criticise but it is deserved.

Her live TV performances make things even worse, exposing us to goofy, off pitch vocals, particularly evident on her controversial Saturday Night Live performance. Of course, best of luck to her, she’s making a living. But people of Britain, of the world, wake up! Please! The album isn’t anything special but if there was an award for the best looking music, she’d have my vote all day long.

Editor’s Note Issue 13 20/2/12

Written by Nick Renaud-Komiya on . Posted in News.

We’re fast approaching that time in the union calendar where the real fun begins: Student Media Week, obviously. From next Monday the Steve Biko Building will become a shining temple of all things media-related. While we encourage students to get involved with the student paper, radio station and online TV channel all year round, we will be flaunting our goods to show you all the opportunities that are available.

On Wednesday the 29th February we’ll be holding the Student Media Fair, think Fresher’s Week but less elbowing your way from one side of the room to the other. We’ll be inviting speakers from a number of different sectors of the media industry to give you all an insight into how to get ahead.

For a more comprehensive list of events for the week turn to page 10. In addition to the fair The Mancunion will be running a number of events at Platt Chapel in Fallowfield, including our inaugural ‘Speed Hating’ session, where speed dating gets turned on its head.

It’s never too late to see your name in print, so pop into our office on the first floor of the Steve Biko Building. We’re in the Student Activities Centre.

Turning our steely gaze back to this issue we have the intriguing story of the graduates who, in the spirit of enterprise, have sold advertising space on their faces and made a bomb. For more on this turn to page 11.

In a sad farewell, we say goodbye to the Student Eye column. Our columnist Lloyd has now migrated to the Food and Drink and can be found there from next week. Turn to page 28 for the last dispatch from the Cynic-in-Chief. This time it’s internet memes that have attracted his considerable ire.

Hate is something of a theme this week, as our Music team take aim at the artists that really make them choke on their own scorn.

As ever, we’re always glad to hear what you the reader thinks, so get in touch by writing to [email protected].

Feature: There’s more to Manchester than Pout

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Music.

The club scene in Manchester is both magnificent and terrible in equal measure – depending on what you’re into, of course. Unfortunately, as anyone who ever lived in halls will tell you, due to the promotional juggernauts cracking their knuckles menacingly behind a select few of Manchester’s nights, you tend to hear about some more than others. This means sadly, that some truly special nights are consigned to memory, whilst others somehow cling, year in, year out, to life – even though everyone thinks they’re shit (we’re looking at you, Gold Teeth). The Mancunion takes a look at some nights looking to make waves in 2012.

DUNK
What: Hip-Hop
Where: Jabez Clegg
When: Weekly Wednesdays
FREE before 12/£2 after

Trying to ensure people think of more than just BOP when they see Jabez Clegg are DUNK, who promise a unique brand of hip hop as well as free donuts to placate the hungry masses seeking take-aways on the way out. Launched by a small group of students, DUNK have it all to do on a Juicy-dominated Wednesday but are fast becoming a real alternative if cheap drinks, hip hop and good times are your bag.

UNDERGROUND EDUCATION
What: Deep, House, Tech, Future
Where: Sound Control
When: Weekly Wednesdays
£5

Also vying for your bad dancing on Wednesday nights is tech-house collective Underground Education. After a successful run at Red Rum, UE are making the leap to ‘big night’ status at Sound Control – a venue that has come a long way over the last year. Despite being the on the pricier end of the spectrum they boast some quality residents as well as guest DJs – giving those with the house bug that desperately needed weekly fix.

NINE LIVES 
What: Disco, Hip-Hop, House, Techno
Where: Joshua Brooks
When: Weekly Mondays
£2.50 (Advance Tickets) £1 o.t.d. before 11/£3 after

Nine Lives have the ability to call Manchester’s ‘Club of the Year’ Joshua Brooks their home – a fact that will surely stand them in good stead as they attempt to really stamp their authority on your Monday nights after a quiet start in 2011. With a broad selection of genres and a ‘vs’ format, whereby they invite other popular nights to play alongside them, Nine Lives are offering something a little different to Pout as the biggest Monday night.

POPULAR MANCHESTER 
What: Live Bands, DJs
Where: Trof Fallowfield
When: Last Thursday of every month
£3

Offering you something that few places are doing successfully are Popular, who showcase the best and brightest local bands every month for your enjoyment. Sporting CLUB.THE.MAMMOTH DJs, as well as a typically quirky and alternative Trof atmosphere, Popular is growing. Love live music but don’t know where to head? Popular is presenting a compelling case.

HANG LOOSE 
What: 90’s
Where: Deaf Institute
When: Weekly Thursdays
£3 (Advance), £4 o.t.d

Nobody’s pretending that there aren’t one million 90’s nights on offer in Manchester, but Hang  Loose could easily be the most pleasing. With everything from House of Pain to Blue to Nirvana, everybody should be smacked in the face with nostalgia. Slap on a backwards cap and make sure you head along before the noughties come into fashion.

Column: Keeping the Faith

Written by Daniel Jones on . Posted in Music.

Northern Soul is arguably one of the greatest cultural gifts that America has blessed us with. The term, coined by journalist Dave Godin, describes the soul scene that emerged in the late 60s / early 70s in the north of England. It was heavily influenced by the smoother, up-tempo sound that came out of cities like Detroit and Chicago in the mid 60s. As a movement, it effectively flicked a middle finger towards the charts, disregarded the impending popularity of funk and disco and allowed feel-good soul music to carry on reigning supreme.

The vast majority of the records were old demos, imported over after they didn’t make the cut in America. Labels such as Motown, Okeh and Ric-Tic had their back catalogues raided by DJs looking to find the next big floorfiller. Clubs like Wigan Casino, The Torch in Stoke and the Twisted Wheel – which used to be just by Deansgate – became places of pilgrimage for soul fans from every corner of the country. Outside they’d trade records, avoiding bootlegs where possible, before heading in to dance up until 8 in the morning. It was a classic case of go hard or go home.

It’s quite funny how the ‘Mod’ look of Ben Sherman shirts and Levis gradually gave way to vests and extremely baggy trousers. This allowed guys to attempt speculative high kicks, front splits and countless spins – with varying degrees of success. To put it into perspective, the level of endurance required at one of these all-nighters would be the equivalent to getting on it at Warehouse or Sankeys. And more often than not, these clubs weren’t licensed to serve booze after 12, so it must have been a pure love of soul music that kept the crowd going. Well, that and the punters pushing ‘pep pills’.

The records themselves were, and still are, extremely collectible. Frank Wilson’s ‘Do I Love You’ was recently sold for £15,000, it being one of only two known copies made. It’s hard to believe the actual rarity of some records and how close some songs came to never being heard. For many though, the most amazing thing about the music is how even on the most miserable of wank weekdays you still can dive in your front door, turn up the volume and jive about like you’re some kind of James Brown reincarnation. It’s just pure passion, from the slower tracks (‘Nobody But You’ – Willie Hightower) to the stompers (’25 Miles’ – Edwin Starr).

The raw process of recording, despite being primitive by today’s standards, is the perfect complement to gritty brass sections and soaring harmonies. People will keep listening to these records for years to come, regardless of their age, because the sound is so unique that is impossible to replicate. I do admit I am gutted that I will probably never experience an atmosphere quite like the nights back then – but the spirit is definitely still out there. It’s just a matter of keeping the faith.

Tell Tanya…

Written by Lily Howes on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Lonely boy

Tanya,

I’m currently in halls and in a flat with 4 other boys. We’ve been a bit lazy in sorting out a house for next year but are finally getting round to looking. Problem is, there is one boy that I really, really do not want to live with. The other boys feel the same but they’re not likely to be the ones to say anything. I don’t think this lad has got any other options but to be honest I don’t care, living with him for the last 6 months has been hell and I don’t want another year of it. How do I tell him?

– Rick_rulez, Withington

 

Well Rick you’ve got yourself a bit of a conundrum there and one that many students face year upon year! What are the particular reasons for you not wanting to live with him? Because you’ll need these to back up your point. If it’s because he’s messy or lazy, have a good justification – “I just don’t like you” gets a bit too personal and immature. It’ll be better to just speak to him one on one, otherwise it might be pretty intimidating. Be straight with him, Rick, don’t beat around the bush but be sensitive. Balance is key! After the deed has been done give the poor boy some space and then maybe buy him a consolatory pint. It’s not going to be pretty but it’s got to be done especially if he’s as bad as you’ve said. Good luck!

T x

 

A picturesque parting

Hi Tanya,

Last semester I was sleeping with a boy off my course, it was pretty casual and fun while it lasted but we both knew it was short term and in the end it just sort of phased out. However, during this “fling” we frequently exchanged ‘sexts’ that got a bit racy and I ended up sending him some nude pictures of myself. I’m worried that he’s now going to freely show them to his friends, or even worse, send them round. If I ask him to delete them will that just make it worse? I’ll be mortified if other people see them! Is there anything I can do?

Embarrassed in Fallowfield

 

Right well, as silly as it was for you to send pictures of this sort to somebody that you clearly didn’t trust too well there’s no point dwelling on the past. My advice would be to send a casual text to this guy simply saying you’d appreciate it if he could delete the pictures you sent him and keep them to himself. Be breezy, keep the exclamation marks and pleading to a minimum. But then I’m afraid it’s out of your hands. If these pictures do emerge there’s not a whole lot you can do except try to ignore any backlash from it. Fingers crossed it won’t come to that!

T x

 

Crossing boundaries…

Tanya I need your help! Me and my housemates went out to celebrate the end of exams and needless to say we drank a lot and I mean a lot. Heavy pre drinking and eight shots of Sambuca later…my memory is vague. Next thing I know I wake up stark bollock naked with a banging headache and roll over to find my housemate, and one of my closest friends, next to me. Still not completely sober and absolutely panicked, I legged it and made myself scarce for the rest of the day. Since then we’ve skirted around each other and avoided the subject entirely. I have no idea what happened that night, I’ve never really been attracted to her before I mean she is attractive but what does this mean? Who made a move on who? And what the hell do I do now?!

Troubled and traumatized in Rusholme

 

I’m not surprised that you’re troubled my dear! Now I’m afraid that I can’t answer any of your questions about what happened that evening but regardless of what happened or who initiated it what you need to focus on now is what you’re going to do. You’re at risk of letting a good friendship go down the drain if you don’t do something quick. No matter how terrifying it might be you need to sit down with your housemate and talk, put the event behind you and make sure you’re on the same page. Sort it out and quickly because it doesn’t sound like a comfortable living environment for you or anybody else.

T x

 

Experimenting or humiliating?

Dear Tanya,

I’ve never done anything particularly adventurous in the bedroom, but lately I find myself becoming more and more curious about something which I never dreamed I would want to do before: urinating during sex. I am far too nervous to bring the subject up with my girlfriend, but but have recently been fantasizing about urinating on her. I would also be happy for her to urinate on me, but mainly want to try me on her. How can I tell if it’s the kind of thing she might be willing to do without the risk of being humiliated?

New-adventurer-92, Fallowfield

 

Experimenting sexually when you’re in a relationship can be a really good thing and can often refresh things when they become a bit mundane. What you’re suggesting isn’t actually as uncommon as you might first think, a lot people refer to this act as ‘golden shower’. However, it’s not for everybody and you need to make sure that it is something that your girlfriend is willing to try. Whatever you do, do not surprise her make sure it’s something that you discuss beforehand. Don’t put her under any pressure but if it is something she’s up for trying perhaps do it in the shower or bath the first time? This might make things less awkward and easier to clean up! If, however, she’s not up for it then there’s plenty more you can try.

T x

 

Government rejects student loans fine

Written by Gareth Lewis on . Posted in News.

Students are not to be penalised for paying back their student loans early, it emerged last week.

The government has indicated that it will not follow Business Secretary Vince Cable’s plan to charge a five per cent fine on early repayments.

The plan was designed to discourage richer students from avoiding interest rate charges over the 30-year repayment period.

The academics union UCU has criticised the move as further Tory pandering to the wealthy. Sally Hunt, UCU general secretary said, “Government should be prioritising how to make it easier for poorer families to afford university rather than focusing on yet another policy designed to make life easier for the wealthiest in our society.”

But a report from CentreForum, a think-tank closely linked to the LibDems, suggests that it is poorer students who would suffer more.

“Debt aversion, not affluence, is the biggest cause of early repayments”, the report states. Instead, it suggests, the average income of those graduates who repay their debt early is only £18,400 per annum.

“There is little sign that high earning graduates are repaying their debts early to escape interest payments.” report author Gill Wyness says. Instead to clear debts early, “it appears that young, lower earning graduates are doing so”.

Wyness also points out that the fine is counterproductive as the very rich, “bypass the student loan system in its entirety. They simply pay the fees upfront.”

But NUS president Liam Byrne has criticised the government’s lack of clarity on the issue. He said the Government must “ensure those on low and middle incomes are not duped into chipping away at their outstanding debt even when it rarely makes financial sense to do so”.

The issue reveals deep divisions within the Cabinet and the Liberal Democrats themselves over the future of student loans, which will likely flare up again over the impending Lib Dem choice of Les Ebdon, vice-chancellor of Bedfordshire University, as the new director of the Office for Fair Access.

“I am pleased that we have won this minor battle,” said Conservative MP Brian Binley, “but if this is a trade-off for the furore caused by the decision of Vince Cable to appoint Les Ebdon in spite of the concerns of members of the Conservative Party, it’s a pretty feeble gesture.”

BOOK CLUB DELUXE EDITION

Written by Stephen Jones on . Posted in Books.

For months Book Club has been confined to the dusty corner of the Literature section, begging for proper attention and desperate to host more uninformative, moronic questions. Well, Book Club, today is your day: watch yourself sprawl mightily across the page in a lavish and carefree manner! Watch as I ask several students several questions about various novels they’re reading! Watch as I bring the news to the people! Watch as I shamelessly plug my correlating tumblr account which regularly updates you with further interrogations!: http://stevienicholas.tumblr.com/

Bill Knowles

What are you reading, who’s it by and what’s it about?

‘The Sun Also Rises’ by Ernest Hemingway.

If you left this book on the bus, how much would you care?

Quite a lot. It’s pretty good, you know. It’s got everything I look for in a novel: drunkenness, Spanish bullfighting & a girl called Brett.

What is the ratio between feeling like you should read this book and actually wanting to?

Before I’d opened it – 10:90. In the first few chapters – 65:35. While our protagonist was on a train, sobre – 72:28. But right now… Well, all the characters are either out of their minds, fighting, having sex or being killed by bulls, and I’ve got dissertation stuff that I should be doing, so I’ll say – 0:100.

Are you one of those douches who, when handing someone your book, tells that person ‘not to bend the spine’? Someone did that to me once, with a copy of the Iliad. Like I’d ever bend the spine of the Iliad. It made me think she was a twat.

No. I hope the Literature Editor isn’t, though. I borrowed this book off him at the start of term, and know for a fact he’s forgotten I have it – but wants it back – because he mused about its whereabouts in my presence. I hadn’t even started it then, though, so there was no way I was going to admit to having it. A little later I felt kinda bad, so I asked myself “What would Hemingway do in this situation?”
Turns out he’d go to Revolver.

Isabelle Dann

What are you reading, who’s it by and what’s it about?

I’m re-reading Paradise Lost by John Milton. It’s about how very, very naughty mankind is.

Does the blurb end in ellipsis? Does this make you want to find out all the shit that happens?

No ellipsis – how rude, I was expecting a titillating piece of mystique! Still, I am left wanting to find out about all the shit involving “the clash between God and his fallen angel, Satan”, coupled with promises of “profound meditation on fate, free will, and divinity” – who could resist such faecal temptation?

Does the structure more closely resemble Homer’s or Dante’s? You have to pick one, and give several reasons why.

Definitely Dante – y’know, because of all the punishment in hell, allegorical or otherwise. However, I genuinely believe most of the punition in Paradise Lost revolves around psychological incarceration within an enormous and suitably horrific vagina (“dark depths”, anyone?), whereas Dante’s punishment is mostly physical / meted out / actually real, i.e. not a pretend vagina. That’s the difference.

Does it have any sweet plot twists? Does someone turn out to be someone’s father, or that Bruce Willis is actually dead or something?

I was surprised when Satan didn’t win the world and humanity was forgiven for its filthy “amorous play”. Otherwise, however, no; I was most saddened to find no official confirmation of Bruce Willis’ death.

Ruth Wildman

What are you reading, who’s it by and what’s it about?

I’m reading Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates. It’s about the Wheelers, an almost middle aged couple living in 1950s suburbia bored of their lives and of each other.

What are you using as a bookmark? Is it pretty?

I have two bookmarks in this book, one is a used envelope and the other is the receipt from when I bought the book. This is my second attempt at reading it. The receipt is a marker of my first failure; I’m a masochist like that.

Is there a black and white picture of the author on the inside cover, resting his chin in one hand with his signature scrawled diagonally across the photo? Knew it.

Well no, there isn’t a picture on the inside of the book. I bet you feel stupid. There is a dedication to a lady named Sheila though. Come to think of it it’s not much of a dedication is it? It’s like: “Here’s a book I wrote about a boring couple and guess what Sheila? You were the inspiration. Congratulations.” Yes, well done Sheila. Poor boring Sheila.

Is it scary? Books generally aren’t scary are they. I don’t think I’ve ever been scared by a book. Apart from Stephen King’s… no wait, his books are just scarily BAD! Can you think of any scary books you’ve read if this one isn’t scary?

Au contraire, this book is terrifying. This book is about a couple living an indistinguishable and non-extraordinary life in suburbia; it’s every modern hipster’s nightmare! It doesn’t even mention hazelnut lattes once. Not kidding. I was also terrified of Roald Dahl’s The Minpins for about fifteen years, mini people living in trees in a monster and smoke infested forest?? No thanks.

Philip Copley

What are you reading, who’s it by and what’s it about?

‘The Corrections’ by Jonathan Franzen. It’s about a dysfunctional failing to come together for one last Christmas before they all drift apart. I’ve been meaning to read it for years but never got around to it.

You must always judge a book by its cover. Does it have a pretty cover?

S’alright. It’s got a boat or something, and it has smoke coming out of it which forms part of the title. I didn’t understand the boat at first but I’ve just read the part of the book that features the boat. I won’t ruin it for you but the same part also involves a talking turd.

Concisely liken three of the characters to those from either Star Wars or Lord of the Rings.

The family’s daughter Denise is Princess Leia, cos they’re both sexy. There’s an anarchist called Billy who’s like Boba Fett i.e. such a bad-ass. Finally the patriarch Alfred is like Ecthelion, cos he’s senile and is a bastard to his sons.

Do the characters ‘come of age’? I hear that’s trendy at the moment.

No, they don’t, they’re all either too old or too young to come of age. But that’s good though, cos I’m 23 and still haven’t come of age.

Rupert Rhodes

What are you reading, who’s it by and what’s it about?

I’m reading Please Kill Me, a self-proclaimed “uncensored oral history of punk” compiled by Legs McNeil and Gillian McCain. It’s basically a 500 page definition of hedonism.

Is it un-putdownable or un-pickupable?

Pickupandputdownable

Who does the author share his name with? Anyone funny?

No humorous namesakes spring to mind but Legs himself is quite a character – his other works include an uncensored oral history of the porn industry and a Joey Ramone memoir entitled ‘I slept with Joey Ramone’.

How did you happen upon this book? Sighted across a crowded room? Recommended in a letter? Discussed on a street corner?

I’d love to say it was given to be by a beautiful heathen on a New York subway train but, alas, I found it on the internet just like every other chump.

Blind date: Sam and Amy

Written by Lily Howes on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Sam, First year, PPE

What were your expectations for the evening?

An uncomfortable discussion with a strange woman over steak.

First impressions?

She seemed nice, pleasant surprise that she knew Brighton quite well.

What did you talk about?

A variety of things; her trip to Zambia, our skepticism of Hastings, the Wikileaks and how we lived quite near to each other (Brighton and Tunbridge Wells respectively)

Best thing about them?

Well she was pleasant throughout and the stuff about going to Zambia was rather interesting.

What did you eat?

Sweet Potato Chips and Steak with a green salad.

Any awkwardness?

At one point I went to tell a joke, but it didn’t come off and I had to explain it for a couple of minutes…

How did you part ways? (Mouth-to-mouth action/heavy petting/friendly hug?)

I received a peck on the cheek on the bus home.

Out of 10?

7

Would you see them again?

I’ll probably see her around the Uni.

 

Amy, Second year, Social Anthropology

What were you expectations for the evening?

This is going to be awkward.

First impressions?

This is awkward.

What did you talk about?

Pretty much everything and anything possible.

Best thing about them?

Hmm his politeness.

What did you eat?

The steak and sticky toffee pudding with some cocktails and wine!

Any awkwardness?

When he ordered red wine moments after I said I didn’t like red…

How did you part ways?

Kiss on the cheek and an awkward hug.

Out of 10?

5 and a half

Would you see them again?

Probably not I’m afraid.

 

Sam and Amy ate at The Deaf Institute, Grosvenor Street, Manchester. Thanks to the guys down at Grosvenor Street for getting involved. To check out their menu, gig listings and have a look at what club nights are coming up visit their website www.thedeafinstitute.co.uk

To sign up for blind date please e mail your name, year of study and course to[email protected] with ‘blind date’ as the subject