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Month: November 2016

Why ‘sportsmanship’ isn’t in Conor McGregor’s vocabulary

Written by James Blower on . Posted in Sport.

Last weekend saw Conor ‘The Notorious’ McGregor make history, in becoming UFC’s first fighter to hold two belts simultaneously when he dispatched Eddie Alvarez with a Second Round knockout. It is impossible to have missed of course, after social media has been packed with lines from the outspoken world champion that take arrogance to new extremes. Whatever happened to sportsmanship? Or is this a practice impossible to associate with ‘sports’ which rely on an individual’s aggression?

Regardless of whether you are or are not a fan of the extreme violence inherent in this mixed martial art (MMA), you must admire McGregor’s never-ending sales pitch for the Ultimate Fighting Championships. Inside the octagon chain-linked cage, he encapsulates the adrenaline-fuelled entertainment that people pay to watch and outside, he sells himself and the sport like nobody else with his incessant, pre-fight ‘trash talking’. The man is his own brand.

It is McGregor’s rhetoric arsenal and barbed put-downs, combined with his extra aggressive combat style, that have drawn millions of viewers to the sport and who now pay big sums to stream fight nights when he is stepping into the Octagon. In lots of UFC fights, not much actually happens: as the sole aim of the sport is to render your opponent unconscious, fighters remain wary, bobbing and fainting out of each other’s reach. This is what is fantastically exciting about McGregor and undoubtedly why he has made viewing figures go through the roof — he makes things happen.

Two and a half years ago, nobody knew who this plumber’s apprentice, from a Dublin suburb, was. In this time he has risen to the top by physically and, more importantly, rhetorically outdoing his opponents. The UFC champion’s level of psychological warfare on his opponent has been likened to that of history’s greatest fighter and famously eloquent ‘goader’, Muhammed Ali. Such bold rhetoric has created an aura around these fighters which makes them and their fans feel like failure is not even an option.

MMA is the fastest growing sport in the world and UFC is becoming its most valuable franchise. Not only is it a sport, it is a form of entertainment and McGregor has found the equilibrium between the two. His rise to the top has seen him become a media phenomenon and internet sensation due to the multitude of arrogant lines that drop from his mouth every time he gives an interview. His outspoken persona has won him such a huge fan base that he has outgrown the sport: the Conor McGregor brand is now so large that it personifies UFC itself.

So it is probably fair enough that after this weekend’s historic victory he is demanding ‘shares in the company’. “You want me to stick around, let’s talk”, he joked rather threateningly after the fight. Although definitely not strapped for cash, McGregor knows the tables have turned. He now sits in the driving seat and he clearly plans to use it to his advantage. Even the wrestling federation, WWE are knocking on the star’s door offering him, like they did to Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather in 2008, an opportunity for a one off appearance in return for vast amounts of cash. It is certain he has the personality, skills, and the chat to pull that off too.

Although it is probably widely regarded as uncommendable to act and speak in the way McGregor does the majority of the time, as a sportsman with a wide fan base, who can blame him. His persona has got him to where he is now in an astonishingly quick time and entertained a fair few people along the way. I say all credit to the lad.

An insider’s account of Manchester Labour Students

Written by Jack Ashworth on . Posted in Features.

In the wake of the tumult surrounding the United States’ controversial decision to elect Donald Trump as President, the University of Manchester is set to be rocked by another hotly contested election — in the form of the Committee Elections for  Manchester Labour Students (MLS).

Members of MLS have recently cast their votes online, hoping their respective candidates will be victorious in securing positions on the Committee of what has been hailed the “biggest Labour Students Club in the country” — according to the Labour Students website. Running for positions included Secretary and Treasurer, Events Officer, Campaigns Officer, LGBT officer and many more, candidates campaignined in the run up to the election convince would-be voters.

The candidates were allegedly largely divided into two broad camps, the left and the Labour Moderates — who dominate the current Committee — which is reflective of wider divisions within the Parliamentary Labour Party itself, something which has been very much ongoing in the last 15 months, coming to a head with Corbyn’s re-election in September this year. Although a decisive victory for the left of the party, much of the grievances held by many Labour MPs and members have yet to be resolved — leaving many ongoing divisions in an already tense political environment.

Edward Rosier, a member of the MLS and Manchester Marxists, said in regards to the supposed split within the organisation that “there were clear divisions in the society last year — the scope of which varied depending on who you talk to” and went on to comment that  “this year  in the only open meeting that has been held so far the divisions were brought up repeatedly by certain members”. With the majority of positions seeing the incumbents  being challenged by people on what Mr. Rosier identifies as “the left” of the party, many of the challengers have called for an opening up of political discourse within the society, highlighting the limited amount of open discussion currently allowed.

Mr. Rosier highlighted the lack of open meetings and debates within the society. “The divide seems to be between Corbyn supporters who want to have open meetings and discuss change within the Labour party and those who were happy with the way the society was being run with little political discussion and a focus on unity (the kind of unity where they run the society at least)”.

This split between Corbynites and moderates is not something isolated to the student movement, but is reflected in wider political discourse within the Parliamentary Labour Party itself. Many Labour MPs have openly expressed contempt for Corbyn in the wake of his re-election as leader, indicating that there has been little reconciliation amongst warring factions.

This was exemplified by scores of Labour MPs abstaining from the Party’s own motion to pressure the government to withdraw support for the Saudi military invasion of Yemen, which can be seen as a concerted effort to rebel against Corbyn. Rosier agreed that there is a split within the Labour movement, citing “when Peter Mandelson called, immediately after the democratic election of Jeremy Corbyn as Labour leader, for him to be forced out”.

This open rebellion goes hand-in-hand with calls to reclaim the political centre-ground by many in the PLP. In the wake of developments within the global political climate, particularly the marked shift to the right in America and Europe, these cries for political moderacy have only intensified — calling for policies such as mild austerity, social welfare reforms, and a limited embrace of market economics.  Rosier however, rejects these cries for what he calls the “non-existent centre ground” and many of those within the Labour movement both in Manchester and nationally seem to agree with him, as can be seen by Corbyn’s increased majority in the recent leadership contest.

Rosier described this split as similar to the one between “those who see the need for a change and those who are resistant to it” within the society. Many are worried that the lack of unity within the left is something that may have a detrimental effect on the fight against the right, which has seen enormous gains since the last election — in particular with the advent of Brexit, the rise of UKIP and the aforementioned election of Donald Trump to the US Presidency.

While many within the Labour Party and the British Left at large have called for a more concerted effort at unity, to counter-act the resurgence of the right, some have instead called for a consolidation of leftist principles. Owen Jones, writing for The Guardian this month, called for a “new populism… rooted in working-class communities” — critiquing the very centrist-policies many in Labour are trying to return to, which he feels have failed to engage the majority of the working class both domestically and internationally.

Despite these divisions however, both sides would agree that Labour needs to progress as a unified party in order to stand a good chance in the next election. However, as both sides of the party have such different perspectives for how the left should progress, finding common cause will prove difficult. Mr. Rosier believes that the best option for the party would be to embrace “Corbyn’s vision for a more compassionate, socially democratic UK” and also advocates mandatory reselection and decries attempts by Labour centrists to “replace Corbyn with a leader no one has ever heard of so they can avoid listening to the members” —referring to Owen Smith.

Supporters of Smith, and others who would identify as being in opposition to Mr. Corbyn within the party, whilst supporting many of the positions held by Corbyn and his followers, would instead argue for a re-embracing of some of the policies prevalent within the New Labour years. Aiming to unify the party behind a more traditional, broad-church style leader — who they hope could reach out to all factions in the Labour movement.

This train of thought is something that has been largely adopted by past Committees of the MLS, who hope to avoid disagreement and internal dispute, by aiming to foster an environment of unity and consensus. This is evident in the lack of discussion that has been present in the last year, according to Mr. Rosier.

By contrast, candidates on the left claim they aim to challenge this and instead hope to find common cause through debate and discussion both within the society, whilst also endeavouring to engage with other activist groups — this could mean groups such as Socialist Students, or BME Manchester — both of which have acquired a substantial presence on campus.

We would like to state that we did reach out to many members of the Labour Students across the entire political spectrum, but with the exception of Mr. Rosier they all either refused to comment, or simply did not reply.

We really don’t need three months of Christmas

Written by Chloe Hatton on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Once again the streets are filled with the resounding chorus of ‘I swear they’re putting these things out earlier every year’. Yes, that’s right, it’s Christmas decoration season, which apparently occurs right after summer now. With Christmas decorations going up even before Halloween is over you have to ask yourself — is all this really necessary?

Does it actually make me feel any more Christmassy or am I just another pawn in the capitalist machine? Will all these shiny baubles fill the Christmas shaped hole in my heart any faster just because they’re delivered to me a good three months before? The answer is probably, no.

The fact is, nobody actually feels really Christmassy until around mid-November at the earliest, unless you’re really into Santa. It’s the same with every other holiday — who wants to eat Easter eggs in February?

Don’t get me wrong, I love holidays. I love Christmas, Easter, and Halloween, but there really is no need for them to fill up approximately half the year between them. The Christmas stock will just be left in a forgotten aisle, known only to the freakishly organised who do their Christmas shopping in August.

The obvious answer is that it’s all just a ploy by the retail sector to get us all to buy more products because they’re available so early. The joke’s on them, my Christmas shopping will still be done two days before.

The one really good thing about the holiday period, however, is the abundance of Christmas adverts. Long gone are the dull, insipid, regular adverts and out come the emotional roller coasters that will make ‘Marley and Me’ look like a walk in the park. These few minutes will have you laughing, crying, and everything in between and churn you out as a battered, emotional wreck. And yet we all love it.

We count down the days until John Lewis release theirs, waiting with bated breath as we try to watch every other major brand try to compete. They’ll never be able to. This is the saving grace of the long, tedious holiday period which leaves everybody sick of Christmas by the time it comes around, inevitably causing all the family arguments that ensue.

Do us a favour, retailers, and leave us alone until at least mid-November before you pull out the big guns; the spirit of Christmas really does not need to be around this long.

How to: Smokey Eye

Written by Bailey Petts on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

There is something very alluring about darkening around your eye and creating a shadowing effect. The interesting thing about the smokey eye is, it can really enhance your eye colour; by utilising colours from the opposite side of the colour wheel to your natural eye colour, you can make your iris appear even more striking.

After trying many different techniques and products to perfect the smokey eye, I feel I have found my favourite style.

Step 1.

I always prime my lids with a base to stop the shadow from creasing and to improve the pigmentation, my favourite primer is Laura Mercier cream shadow in Copper.

Step 2.

I usually wear a bronze colour on my lid but to show the effect of using an opposite colour to your eye colour I used a purple/red colour to bring out the green in my eyes. First push the darker eyeshadow onto your lid and then use a lighter shade of a similar colour to blend the shadow through the crease; this is what creates the ‘smokey’ effect. Normally I take the eyeshadow underneath my eyes too to recreate that grunge, Olsen twins look. I used the Charlotte Tilbury ‘Vintage Vamp’ palette.

Step 3.

Lining the waterline and the upper lash line is key to keep definition in your eyes, I occasionally draw on a winged liner but in the day I will just rub a brown eyeliner through my upper lashes. For me, there is nothing sultrier than kohl lined eyes. I use the MAC eyeliner in Teddy and the Eyeko liquid liner.

Step 4.

Apply lots and lots of mascara! I have tiny lashes so I like to clump my mascara, but that’s a personal preference. I usually use two mascaras, Rimmel Scandal eyes and then Charlotte Tilbury Legendary Lashes.

Step 5.

The final touch for the eyes is brows – for me, a natural brow is always the best, not a scouse brow but again, everyone has different tastes. I usually just comb mine upwards with a clear brow gel and voila! Your eyes should be looking smouldering and enticing.

To finish off the look, put on your favourite foundation and a nude lip to focus all of the attention onto your piercing eyes.

Review: Arrival

Written by Shema Begum on . Posted in Film.

Dennis Villeneuve, director of the highly acclaimed Prisoners and Sicario has redefined the sci-fi genre with his latest endeavour — Arrival. After premiering at the Venice Film Festival, both critics and viewers were praising the film for its unique take on what first seems to be another alien invasion film. It is no surprise that from the universal positive responses, Arrival is considered to be one to look out for at the Academy Awards.

Based on the short story “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang, Arrival follows mysterious alien aircrafts called “shells”, which land on Earth, scattered across continents. America goes under a state of emergency as chaos ensues. Linguistics professor Dr Louise Banks (Amy Adams) is approached by Colonel Webber (Forest Whitaker) who plays a recording of the aliens, seeking Louise to translate whether they come for war. The only way for Louise to do this is to see the aliens for herself. Joined by Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), the pair attempt to break down the language barrier, and communicate with the aliens.

The only thing sci-fi about this film are the aliens, otherwise Arrival would easily pass as an intense drama. It focuses on humanity and emotive elements, which makes the film successful. The aliens are these strange octopus/dementor like creatures, which use some sort of ink to communicate with Banks and her team. The wondrous cinematography captures the inside of the shell beautifully, and coupled with Johan Johannson’s chilling score, Arrival immerses you into the suspense of what lies ahead.

At the very start of the film it is established that Banks has suffered an emotional trauma, this goes on to haunt her dream/nightmares but serves a greater purpose, which provides an incredible, yet heart-breaking twist at the end. Amy Adams and Jeremy Renner both give brilliant performances, their characters hold very different views, with Banks having a focus on language, and Donnelly preferring science. Despite this the pair undoubtedly have a connection that drives them to unravel the cryptic extra-terrestrial messages, no matter what the consequences.

Arrival is perhaps one of the most relevant films of modern day. It tackles a prevalent issue in society —communication. The film captures this global detachment, as all countries faced with the alien threat turn off their phone lines, and there is an all round lack of co-operation between them. Though ultimately it is only through working together can they solve the conundrum. Arrival is a powerful, and thought provoking film that you will continue to think about after coming out of the cinema.

4/5

Introducing the University of Manchester’s UniSlam team 2017

Written by Jake Piazza on . Posted in Books.

Tuesday the 15th of November marked the night of The Creative Writing Society’s poetry slam which would choose the team off to the prestigious nationwide Slam competition in January. UniSlam started in 2013 and is a Slam Poetry competition where each university enters a team of four or five members, plus a mentor, and performs throughout the weekend, as well as taking part in workshops and finally competing for first place. First place will get to go and compete internationally in Chicago. The event will take place on the weekend of 29th and 30th of January at the University of Leicester, and Manchester are sending a team.

The highlights of Tuesday’s Slam, which saw 7 poets compete alongside several short non-competitive open mic slots, were poems about race and exploitation through conflict and a bellowed poem about love and ballet dancing which made frequent use of romanticism through details of an anonymous girl.

Judging the event was treasurer of The Creative Writing Society and playwright Beth Woods, head of the UoM Feminist Collectives, Writers Collective Seevana Raghubeer, local poet and Roundhouse slam finalist Bob Horton, poet and co-founder of the poetry collective group Young Identity — a group who run regular events at Contact Theatre — Shirley May, and finally mentor for Young Identity and famous poet Isaiah Hull, who also performed during the evening.

First to perform as a contestant was Stella Ryley who performed a lucid and soft performance: ‘Seamstress’ about depression, which featured frequent use of imagery; performed through a very contemplative and serene tone. The second performer was Jake Piazza who performed an abstract, psychological poem about the damaging nature of mental illness and its destructive effect upon one’s own body, mind and their identity through a crawling pace and irregular delivery. Third performer and Chair of The Creative Writing Society, Roma Havers, performed a rap-like poem ‘Blood in The Water’, which was both a creative, engaging and optimistic poem about identity and performed with a free-flowing pace and clever use of wordplay.

After a short break with comedy and entertainment provided by the MC Ola Youssef, poet Alle Bloom performed an optimistic and highly comedic poem concerning the nature of existence with a lively delivery. This was followed up by Damani Dennisur, who performed an intense and dynamic spoken narrative about a boy who becomes involved in gang culture, which combined the socio-political themes of poverty, gang violence, alongside questions of identity and race together with an intense and painfully tragic narrative.

After this explosive and highly emotive performance, Kayleigh Jayshree Hicks added a political slant to the evening with ‘British Value for Money’, a poem condemning the racism and discrimination faced by ethnic minorities in British society, largely through questioning the impact of said discrimination upon a sense of both personal and national identity.

This poem was delivered with an increasingly harsh delivery, the tone of which can be deduced merely from the continually repeated mantra about receiving ‘value for money yet the hate for free’. The final performer, Liv Barnes, performed a contemplative and sombre poem about alcoholism and explored the tragic figure of the individual alcoholic as being merely one in a slow and painfully silent collective.

This theme was accompanied by frequent use of Christian symbolism and iconography to explore the nature of dependency and the nature of alcohol as means of relief, as well as vivid descriptions of setting to evoke mental imagery, the poem serving to create a highly vivid mental painting of this solitary scene.

Overall, it was a brilliant evening of seriously talented poets and performers showcasing their ability. The winners and now UniSlam team are the following people: Roma, Damani, Kayleigh, Alle and Liv.

After the event Seevana said “It was awesome to hear the unique styles and judging was fun when there was so much variation in speed, rhythm and content. Thoroughly enjoyed listening and being a part of it, the team is gonna be ace” with Beth stating “I just would like to say that it was a privilege to judge such a fantastic event, the performances were all wonderful and showed off the creative talent at The University of Manchester, and I wish the team the very best of luck at UniSlam.”

Last night we raised over £100 but still have a long way to go, in order to make sure we can get to Leicester and stay overnight, we need to raise more money. The committee is working very hard to get funding from the Union but we will also be putting on another Slam on the 8th of December to raise more funds. There will also be a crowdfunding page with rewards such as a personal poem written just for you. The team will be working very hard over the upcoming months to represent your University at UniSlam.

If you would like to support the society or get involved with any of our events we meet every Tuesday, all the details are on their Facebook page and you can contact Roma Havers for more details.

How to: do sixties

Written by Jennifer Knowles on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

The 1960s saw the beginning of a revolutionary change in the history of fashion. I visited the Gallery of Costume to view an exhibition depicting the influences of Mary Quant, the name that resonates most when we think of trends brought into play in the era.

Although original inventors of such designs are a topic of dispute, Quant popularised many features of the 60s in vogue dress among women. The most obvious and perhaps iconic garment in fashion of today is, of course, the mini skirt, which marked the sexual liberation of the women wearing them at that time in history, as it coincided with the arrival of the contraceptive pill and therefore the ability to bare flesh without shame or public condemnation. The hot pants did a similar job, the idea was to create clothes for women that they could run and jump in without the restriction of long heavy skirts tangling your legs together, allowing a physical freedom as well as a social one.

You can find pieces of original 60s clothing hiding in your local charity and vintage shops. If you are looking for a unique and truly authentic look, a trip to the Northern Quarter is definitely awaiting you. But if you are short on time or simply don’t think you can muster the effort it takes to root through endless piles of musty treasures, then take a closer look at your local high street stores. There may be more classically 60s garments strewn across the clothes rails than you might think. Take the Topshop MOTO Cord V-Neck Dress — a simple black A-line dress that comes to mid-thigh length and can be layered over t-shirts for a classic preppy 60s look.

Knee high boots were also a key feature of the era and with winter in full swing we see a lot more of these stocked on store shelves. For example, team the Black Suedette Stiletto Knee High Boots with a colourful swing dress.

Currently gripping the fashion society is the comeback of the turtleneck. A classic example of a quintessential element of 60s style, the high neck gives a certain modesty that allows for, in turn, a higher hemline, as unlike eras prior to the 60s, 2016 does not frown upon flaunting your pins once in a while. Dressed up or dressed down this garment is a winner and can be found at almost any online or high-street fashion store for as little as £12 (Boohoo.com) so you don’t have to break the bank to show off your new 60s-inspired style.

The Mary Quant: Fashion Icon exhibition at the Gallery of Costume runs from 3rd November 2016 — 5th November 2017

The Crown

Written by Imran Bukhari on . Posted in Film.

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown” from Shakespeare’s Henry IV, Part 2 seems an apt starting point for this review. Not only does this quote demonstrate the symbolic and literal weight that rests upon the head of Queen Elizabeth II, but it also resembles the apprehension amongst Netflix executives ahead of release of The Crown. Following the pop culture success of recent shows like Stranger Things, Netflix are now acutely aware that original content is the provider’s greatest selling point.

Regardless of this, one can not diminish the fact that Netflix’s investment into The Crown is still a high risk gamble. With a budget of £100 million — a figure more associated with that of a tent pole summer blockbuster — The Crown represents a landmark moment in the shift towards TV streaming.

This same poignancy in moments is also poetically the main thematic core of the show, as the conceit of The Crown is to shed light and provide insight into the key touchstones at the beginning of the reign of Queen Elizabeth II. The viewer watches as a young Elizabeth inherits the throne in an untimely manner and must come to grips with the complexities of her new role. She soon learns the harsh reality that her responsibilities as Queen must always come first, above her natural duties as a mother and as a wife.

Inevitably this leads to growing conflicts amongst family members, which allows the show to humanise the Royal family, in order to make them as relatable as possible. At first it may seem far-fetched to seek a connection between the viewer and a Sovereign, but The Crown truly excels in accentuating the personal relations between these immortal figures.

This attempt to instil a deep sense of humanity is most evident in King George VI, played by Jared Harris, who gives a jewel of a performance. He presents a man riddled with pride, but also love for his family and country. His imprint and early guidance for Elizabeth have a profound and long lasting impact on her Monarchy which imbue the early episodes with a beating heart.

Elizabeth herself, played by a fresh faced Claire Foy, does her best to convey the growing strength of a woman constantly questioned and moulded by others. And Matt Smith gives his best work post Doctor Who as the perennially reluctant Prince Philip. On the disappointing end of the scale however, John Lithgow never fully convinces as Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The seasoned American actor always seemed a peculiar choice for the role and despite the best efforts of the hair and make-up team, it is impossible to see beyond the cosmetics.

With the lavish sets, opulent dresses and gorgeous cinematography it is clear the costly budget has been put to effective use. Historic sites like Westminster Abbey, 10 Downing Street and Buckingham Palace seem entirely authentic. The attention to detail by the costume and production designers allow for an immersive fly on the wall experience of post-war Britain.

The show is also exquisitely well written by its creator Peter Morgan, who has previous experience in bringing past events to life, being the writer of The Queen. Morgan manages to elicit unexpected drama from matters of royal etiquette and courtly protocol. Nevertheless there are intimate moments of The Crown which are more fascinating on their own than the series as a whole. As a result the show does suffer from pacing issues and can test the engagement of its audience. Ultimately this first series may not be the crowning achievement Netflix were aspiring for, but it comes awfully close to ruling them all.

Album: Leonard Cohen — You Want It Darker

Written by Cassie Hyde on . Posted in Music.

Released 21st October via Colombia

9/10

In hindsight, You Want It Darker seems like the most appropriate album title of Cohen’s work. With his roster including Songs of Leonard Cohen, Songs of Love and Hate and Popular Songs, Cohen has never felt the need for grandiose titles. Yet, You Want It Darker is in keeping with his dark sense of humour, almost begging you to call his bluff. You want it darker? Well, do you?

The album is stripped back, with Cohen’s rasping voice front and centre. It has only eight tracks — nine if you count a reprise — and lasts a mere thirty-five minutes. Despite its brevity, this album still manages to be an intense experience. Cohen has always been a very spiritual man with one foot on stage and the other in the pulpit, but this is especially so here.

The opening title track, backed by a sorrowful choir, feels like a funeral. Singing the chorus in Hebrew, “Hineni, hineni (“Here I am”), I’m ready my Lord”, you get the sense of what the album is going to be about. Overall, Cohen has produced yet another album of beautiful lyrics about faith, love and loss. They stand up to deep analysis, yet can also be enjoyed on a first listen; the beautiful couplets he rattles, as ever, simply draw you in.

Despite Cohen recording his vocals in his living room due to ill health, including several broken vertebrae incurred over his final five years on the road, you could never tell. The production of Patrick Leonard and Cohen’s son Adam is simple yet stellar: blues song ‘On The Level’ feels like a Southern Baptist hymn, propelled by piano arpeggios, an electric organ and a choir. ‘Leaving The Table’ is a lullaby played on Cohen’s standard flamenco guitar, contrasting beautifully with the rich darkness of his voice. ‘Travelling Light’ flows on sad mandolin and optophone work, yet manages to seek in light drum machines without being distracting from the lyrics.

In many ways, You Want It Darker is a bittersweet experience. Though his final record, Cohen has been saying farewell his entire career (see: ‘Suzanne’, ‘So Long, Marianne’ and ‘Hallelujah’). This may not be the best album of 2016, or even of Cohen’s career, but it’s certainly up there. Even so, it does not need to be. It acts as an epilogue — a perfect bookend to an exceptional body of work.

Conspiracy theories take centre stage

Written by Elliott Mills on . Posted in Opinion.

The recent US election saw the conspiracy theorists come out to play. Two online purveyors of such theories were Infowars and Breitbart News. The latter enlightened us with revelations with articles such as ‘Racist, Pro-Nazi Roots of Planned Parenthood Revealed’, while the post-truth hub that is Infowars is now ‘suggested’ by Google before the word ‘information’.

Infowars‘ main man, Alex Jones, played the role of “Barking Object No. 1” in the Donald Trump nativity play. He would have offered Trump some frankincense were it not for his belief that Obama added mind control chemicals to it. That last statement is pure fantasy, Infowars has merely said that food, water and air contain mind-controlling chemicals.

You may remember when Alex Jones shouted about the second amendment so obnoxiously on CNN that Piers Morgan metamorphosed into a decent person. In the presidential election, the Infowars leader was concerned that Hillary Clinton had connections with an artist called Marina Abramavić who uses blood and gruesome imagery in some of her pieces. This, Jones suggested, meant that Hillary Clinton performed satanic rituals and could speak to the dead. He then concluded that these were actually paedophilic satanic rituals, citing images of Marina Abramavić’s art instillations as evidence.

Many are allured by this wondrous combination of complexity and simplicity. The ease of simply saying ‘NO!’ to mainstream media provides a welcome break from actually having to analyse current affairs — it is time-saving and feels revolutionary. The subsequent complexity of the theories may initially mystify, but soon acts to heighten the intrigue. Before bewilderment starts to push the audience back over to the mainstream narrative, they are reminded that instead of getting bogged down in details all they need to do is say ‘NO!’ and the United States is one step closer to being saved.

Conspiracy theories have been a prominent feature of modern political discourse, especially thanks to the birth and growth of the internet. The magnitude of the event often determines the amount of theories which run counter to the central explanatory narrative. In the case of 9/11, the surreal horror reached such extraordinary levels that it came into intense conflict with people’s minds. “It was an inside job”, naturally. But also, “did you hear that no planes were used? And don’t forget that those shape-shifting reptilian overlords had a scaly hand-claw or two in the disaster”.

The moon landing, going back further, similarly reached beyond conceivable norms in its beauty. Just as terrorist attacks have the unreality of a hideous nightmare, so too did the moon landing have a dreamlike quality. The two towers fell to the ground, one after the other; two human feet dropped down the surface of the moon, one after the other. These seemingly unreal occasions demanded the questioning of the conspiracy theorists.

This argument pays respects to Adam Curtis, whose melodramatic collage poetry shows us that it is not only the alt-right who equates volume of Wikipedia tabs to validity of argument. Perhaps my research into conspiracy theorists has itself taken on the qualities of a conspiracy theory. Perhaps — to be read in Adam Curtis’ voice — that is precisely the point.

Some needed the extravagance of the moon landing to question reality. For David Icke, on the other hand, the moon itself is too far-fetched. So, keen not to be fooled by the government or the moon, he locked himself in his study with an empty pin board. Within a month it was covered with odd scraps of paper, maps, pictures of Egyptian pyramids, and mirrors reflecting his face. These were all connected with a piece of string which signified logic. He emerged with the answer: the moon is a spacecraft.

Like ineffectual game-show hosts, these people do not accept the first answer they are given, or the second, or the third. When we walk down the street, we only perceive the surface level appearance. Those, however, with such a divinely-appointed visionary gaze, just like William Blake, look at what we think of as reality — a person driving by in a car or a collection of ants carrying a tiny bit of leaf — and their mind is at once awash with images, quotes, numbers, statistic-based graphics, and everything starts making sense.

In a neat summary of his research process, Alex Jones recently declared: “I’ve known for a long time from sources what the Clintons are into and basically, if you can imagine it, they’re into it.” But to read his words is not to experience the full force of his sentiments, which only come alive when you listen to his tortured voice. It is loud, angry, carnivalesque. He screams, he cries, he snorts. It all seems so hideous and nightmarish, almost to the point of unreality. In many ways, Alex Jones is precisely the embodiment of every kind of event that a good conspiracy theorist must not accept at face value.

And indeed as Trump thanked him for his help in the election victory, it appears Alex Jones is becoming the insider. Meanwhile executive chairman of Breitbart News Steve Bannon is now Trump’s chief strategist. These are no longer outsider conspiracy theorists. If we are not careful, this will be mainstream media.

Denim Daze: How to select the ideal pair of jeans

Written by Tarun Daryanani on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Everyone dreads entering the store with the objective of selecting the “perfect” pair of jeans. It is an investment, you want them to be versatile, durable and fashionable. So what do you go for?

We are all guilty in thinking that skinny, spray on jeans are the ultimate pair, they ooze sex appeal and versatility (especially when covered with rips on knees and the upper thigh).  However, it seems they are not the ideal fit for each body type.When investing in good quality denim, you want to be able to integrate them into your daily wardrobe essentials. Jeans are the most versatile, coveted piece in everyday wear.

1) The spray on skinny. Attention grabbing and a pair that would flaunt your glutes that you have worked so hard on when squatting in the gym. This style is ideal for a slender pair of legs especially teamed with toned, lean calves. Embellished, ripped or dyed, the options are endless. Team this style of jeans with boots that accentuate your legs and inject sex appeal to any outfit.

 

Photo: topman.co.uk

2)    The flare. Most Recently, Roberto Cavalli and J Brand denim have backtracked to the 70s with their dark washed, flared denim pants. Brands are lusting for past trends and reinventing them to keep them contemporary. If you want to channel a Sonny and Cher Vibe, the flare is not flawed. With boots, this killer piece will exaggerate curves and an hourglass silhouette. Adorned with beads, tassels or the occasional motif, this pair is a reminder of the fashionable past. Grab a pair and make like the Bee Gees and channel the 70s disco vibe.

3)    The boyfriend jean. Scoring highly on the hipster scale, this jean is ideal rolled to the ankles with a loose fit that mimics a loose looking jogging pant. Rips on the light denim are key in exuberating a “got out of bed” look. This pair does not flaunt the silhouette, it is just worn straight and loose. Typically styled low on the waist, this pair is an ideal complement to a pair of slick white of Adidas sneakers.

 

 

Photo: topshop.co.uk

 

4)    The straight jean. Some despise the tightness of a skinny jean. For those who appreciate the sexiness of a skinny pair but don’t want the skin tight feel, then the straight jean is the perfect compromise. A form of the skinny jean, it accentuates the lower physique and is an impeccable garment to team with a high top trainer or a classic timberland boot. What makes this jean different to the skinny fit is the looser area that surrounds the crotch and lower waist. Slightly more comfortable to crazily dance in, this pair won’t be a victim to unwanted rips.

Album: Roman Flügel – All The Right Noises

Written by Robert Firth on . Posted in Music.

Released 28th October via Dial Records

8/10

All The Right Noises is Frankfurt based producer Roman Flügel’s third album to be released on Dial Records. Yet don’t expect a continuation of the dense and fulfilling rhythms found in tracks like ‘Wilkie’ from his 2014 release Happiness Is Happening. You will be thwarted in the displaced and negated soundscape of Flügel’s new album.

“This time I took decisions faster leaving things unperfected when I thought the general feeling was right just to keep the music more vital,” says Flügel of the album.

In the polyrhythmic ‘Dead Idols’, drum machines and chirping melodies mix and dissipate beneath ambient sounds. Rhythms clash at different speeds and cut off before they can fully develop.

Flügel says of the album that he was “searching for ways to paint audible pictures without actually singing or saying a word.” In ‘Nameless Lakes’, these images are actionist vistas of glacial mountains, valleys, fireworks and electric bolts plunging into limitless depths.

The stand out track of the album is the eponymous ‘All The Right Noises’. In it the dislocated rhythms, pervasive throughout the album, are held together in a taut and cogent whole by the guitar sounds. Likewise, ‘Dead Idols’ and ‘Warm And Dewy’ spin out displaced and abrasive rhythms in enchantingly fickle, snaking trajectories — yet neither track manages to unify them.

The biggest nod to Happiness Is Happening comes in the intro of the album’s closing track ‘Life Tends To Come And Go’. Its buoyant, digitalised rhythms are reminiscent of those in ‘We Have A Nice Life,’ from Flügel’s 2014 album. However, whereas in the older track these rhythms cede themselves to more animated ones, in ‘Life Tends To Come And Go’ they fade into an ambient generator sound, punctuated unsettlingly by spirited piano notes.

With his latest release, Flügel has undoubtedly created an album in which every aspect is vital. That said, without the energy of Happiness Is Happening, All The Right Noises’ tautness can leave you yearning afterwards for the moment it could have unfurled itself, especially in tracks like ‘Believers’ where silences negate the soundscape further. It is an album which functions best when listened to back to back. Then the estranging displacement of individual songs can be overcome, through perceiving their nuanced and persistently ambiguous connections.

Roman Flügel plays Mosaic by Maceo at The Warehouse Project on Saturday 26th November.

How to: Optimise men’s grooming

Written by Jai Joshi on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Men’s grooming has grown increasingly popular ever since the rise of social media super apps like Snapchat and Instagram. So what is men’s Grooming and how can one optimize their grooming regime?

In the narcissistic world of the 21st Century men’s grooming has become all the rage. The best grooming regimes are those that are simple. Grooming is easy and can be followed in five tiers.

Tier 1.

It is about keeping things clean with your skincare. Start by making sure you are washing your face with a suitable facewash depending on your skin type and concern. So those who want to banish acne, use an anti-blemish face wash or if you have an oily t-zone, use a foaming facewash to get into your pores.

Tier 2.

Is all about grooming your facial hair. For instance, if you have a beard ensure that it is even and trimmed. Using either an electric razor or men’s shaver depending on your personal preference. Be sure to clean up loose hairs on the face. If this is too complicated, then take an inexpensive trip to the barbers.

Tier 3.

It’s all about your hair. Ensure washing your hair with a suitable shampoo and conditioner and combing your hair after your shower. If you have a hairstyle that involves you using a wax or product, ensure it is the right one. Try and invest in  hair gel or clay as the cheaper products contain a plethora of ingredients and chemicals that are not suitable for your hair — some may even cause damage. Respectable brands that I would definitely recommend are Wella System Professional Products, Sebastian Hair Care and of course AVEDA men’s grooming products.

Tier 4.

Maintain a neat appearance of extremities such as the hands and feet. Ensure nails are cut to a desirable length for some, this step may be unnecessary to some, however as an advocate of Men’s grooming, this step is crucial.

Tier 5.

Scent. Being well groomed is not only about maintaining a clean beard or ensuring that your hair is washed but your overall cleanliness can go a very long way indeed! Especially when it comes to your scent. Be sure to find a scent that is you, with a wide array of fragrances out there, find the perfect match and always spray yourself on the upper part of your neck and your wrists to ensure the scent lasts for longer. All in all, if you manage to follow these simple tiers you will be able to be the well-groomed gentleman you have always desired to be.

Review: Network

Written by Georgia Welch on . Posted in Film.

“I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take this anymore!”

Sidney Lumet’s 1976 satirical drama, Network, is arguably one of the 1970s’ most underrated gems, and it pleasantly surprised me in how alarmingly relevant and fantastically entertaining it is. This is not to say I was not expecting it to be good — it is allegedly one of Paul Thomas Anderson’s favourite films, after all — but before hearing it praised by the legendary There Will Be Blood, The Master and Punch-Drunk Love (to name but a few) director, I did not know an awful lot about it. It is a film that truly excited me on many different levels, so naturally I am incredibly glad it was brought to my attention.

The film’s premise is particularly intriguing, following the cultural phenomenon which ensues following a news broadcast issued by the titular TV ‘network’, Union Broadcasting System, during which the show’s leading anchor Howard Beale begins to ramble erratically about his plans to commit suicide live on the next episode of the show, on the brink of his retirement. Keen to capitalise on the skyrocketing ratings the show garners as a result of Howard’s unprecedented popularity, UBS finds itself embroiled in a complex web of conflicted morals, some members more so than others.

In the middle of it we find Howard’s longtime friend and network president, Max Scumacher, who appears to oscillate between condemning the exploitation of Howard’s apparent mental instability, and pursuing his own interests, namely in the form of his cutthroat colleague, Diana (Faye Dunaway), who ardently purports Howard’s ramblings as a potentially lucrative segment of the show. Much of this film’s enjoyment comes from Faye Dunaway’s gloriously sociopathic performance in this role, with her ruthless delivery completely stealing the limelight and adding a tangible feeling of electricity to every scene she appears in.

Peter Finch’s highly-charged performance as Howard Beale is excellent, creating a constant sense of suspense as to what each of his energetic, nihilistic, anti-establishment live rants will consist of. These infamous broadcasts, as well as the film’s explosive ending, culminate in a fascinating satirical commentary on sensationalised journalism, and the exploitative media, which is perhaps more relevant than ever in the increasingly uncertain and tumultuous world we live in.

If you are familiar with the work of Paul Thomas Anderson it is not difficult to see why Network influenced his style so heavily. Its relentless pace, ensemble cast and the lens through which it examines the murky inner workings of a seemingly glamorous industry are all very characteristic of PTA, highlighting just how seminal Network is.

Its message rings ever clear, brought to life by a screenplay which is both dry and cutting. The troublesome relationship between Max and Diana was of particular interest to me in the latter section of the film. Max’s brusque but truthful condemnation of Diana’s fixation with success and the soulless and uncaring brutality of the television industry is completely enrapturing, as he brands her a “humanoid” who is ultimately on her way to being “destroyed” like so many of her colleagues.

In Network, Sidney Lumet has created an exhilarating and masterfully dark satire of the news, its production and its consumption. Its memorable performances, timeless morals and scathing humour makes for a viewing experience which is not easily forgotten.

The festive deadlines fear

Written by Sarah Jane Thoms on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Christmas is a time of merry gatherings with friends and family, wandering endlessly around the festive markets, and snuggling up on an evening with a cup of hot chocolate whilst watching Home Alone. However, the cheeriness of the festive season can be severely sacrificed in order to complete assignments, meet deadlines, revise for exams, and in most cases, work a part-time job alongside your studies.

It is so easy to lose the excitement and fun of Christmas when the weight of university stress is on your shoulders, just as it is very easy to neglect your academic responsibilities when festive celebrations are offered to you on a plate every single day. Fear not, there are ways that you can enjoy the magic of the run up to Christmas as well as meet those dreaded deadlines and everything else that you have going on in your hectic life.

Planning is essential when it comes to delegating your time to different areas of your life. You need to organise what you need to do, when you are going to do it, and then stick to it. Keeping an up to date diary is extremely useful, but a standard page to page diary does not let you see what plans and deadlines that you have coming up far into the future. My academic year planner that I have pinned on my bedroom wall is a saviour, and it allows me to see what I have planned for the year ahead with just one quick glance. You can buy these in Rymans for less than £5 plus student discount — a valuable investment and a blatant bargain.

The saying ‘work hard, play hard’ could not be more fitting for this particular dilemma. I can guarantee you will enjoy that Christmas social with your friends ten times more if you know that you have achieved something with your academic work before you head out. Whether it is completing an essay plan, writing a section of your assignment, or even reading a few chapters of your seminar work, you will feel much more free and relaxed knowing that you have accomplished something beforehand.

That being said, you must not feel as though having a social life and participating in leisurely activities is a luxury. Delegating time into your weekly schedule to meet up with friends, to go shopping, or to even have a Netflix binge from the comfort of your own bed is just as important as delegating time to work on your assignments. You need to allow yourself time to unwind and to recharge in order to maintain a healthy mind and body. Do not feel guilty for allowing yourself to have ‘free time’ because it is essential, not optional.

So make a plan and stick with it. You do not want to miss out on that festive cheer, just as much as you don not want to miss out on achieving the grades that you deserve.

How to: Style your hair

Written by Sarah Kilcourse on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

From childhood, through puberty, to this very day I have loved my hair. I entered the world with  a full head of ginger hair and have always embraced the colourful hue my head produces. When I was younger I never endured the playground bullying many fellow redheads, my brother included, were subject to.

This may be because the I had some interesting ideas of how to ‘style’ my hair, and style it I did! Four buns randomly placed on my head -perfect! Multicoloured plait extension – threw ’em in! I just had a desire to play with hair. Lucky for my mum she was also included in the hair play, her classic early 2000’s mum crop (sorry mum) was subject to whatever hair accessories I could throw in there.

All this served me in good use as the years went by: straighteners, rollers, curling tongs, curling wands, french braids, dutch braids, crown braids, milkmaid braids give me a try and I’ll figure it out. My day to day hair is never extravagant, I have an abundance of fly-aways and baby hairs that require a lot of hairspray to be tamed, but when there is an occasion I am your gal for hairstyling.

Now, all this serves as the pretext for my hairstyling advise. It is a culmination of experimentation, magazine articles and YouTube — take it how you please.

Let us start at the beginning, washing your hair, or more specifically conditioning your hair. I have quite soft hair that is prone to greasiness, so as a rule of thumb I only ever condition from the ear lobe to the end of my hair. It minimises grease and keeps ends looking healthy. I know this is not universally applicable but the general consensus from the fair haired among us is that this keeps hair looking and feeling at its best.

Always use a heat protector when drying or putting any heat on your hair, it will help to fight the spilt ends. The key thing I have learnt from the years of toying with my hair, is that products do make all the difference, they can sometimes be expensive but that is what maintains photo worthy, weather resistant hair.

For straight or sleek looks use a hair oil, the best is definitely Moroccan oil, however it will cost you a weeks food shopping. When it comes to curls, waves or more dishevelled looks put a small, and I mean small, quantity of mouse in your hair before styling, too much will give you crispy hair — no one wants that. Post heat treatment the product you use depends on the look you are after. My general logic is to run my fingers through my hair to break up the curls if I want to look a bit messy or lightly brush them together if I want something more glam and vintage.

The holy grail of all hair care in my opinion is Elnett hairspray. I am and will be forever obsessed with the stuff. No matter what you do to your hair, add some Elnett if you want it to last, plus for hairspray it smells quite pleasant.

That is all the advise I have to offer on how to style your hair, with emphasis on the Elnett.

 

The return of the Christmas markets

Written by Alice Richardson on . Posted in Lifestyle.

For anyone who has been out and about in Manchester city centre , there would have been no missing the tinselled eruption of the 2016 Manchester Christmas markets. For the Christmas market enthusiasts the return may have been eagerly anticipated, with a frenzied dash down to Albert Square to knock back that first gluhwein of the season. For others the return may have been a cause for exasperated eye rolling, frustrated sighing, and angry mutterings of Bah Humbug.

For many new to Manchester, the sudden outbreak of merriment and seasonal cheer may be a source of excitement, intrigue, or perhaps even bewilderment. Whatever your stance on the Christmas markets, their wide spread city invasion means that resistance is futile, so you might as well buckle up and enjoy the (sleigh) ride.

Manchester market veterans will be pleased to see the return of many of the same popular stalls, the location of which can largely be found in the same spots as last year. Following a long strip of stalls down Brazenose Street, you arrive at Albert Square, the mothership of the Christmas markets, home to the largest number of stalls, with its giant Santa overseeing the hustle and bustle from his perch at the entrance to the Town Hall.

The Old Windmill Bar is located at the main entrance to the square but tempting as it may be to pounce at the first chance of a festive drink, exploring a little further may prove rewarding. Amongst the huge array of small bars there can be found both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, selections of flavoured mulled wine, coffees and hot chocolate with optional liqueurs, and even a prosecco and cocktail bar for those feeling fancy. Most bars require a deposit for the cup so be sure to hang on to it if you want your money back. For those seeking a slightly quieter location to enjoy a drink there are several outdoor bars scattered across the city centre, all open till 9pm. King Street’s Bistrot Petit le Paris and The Mill Exchange in Exchange Square are often considerably less packed, and if you want a really personal experience you can head down to Spinningfields to book a private bar booth at Bar Hutte.

As usual the food game is strong with a range of world cuisines and European food stalls. Free samples of food are easy to come by, particularly at the cheese stands. For those with a sweet tooth, the Christmas markets offer enough sweet treats to make Augustus Gloop and Bruce Bogtrotter scream for mercy. Waffles, pancakes, crepes, and strudels are available in plentiful portions with a huge variety of toppings and fillings. Cupcakes, cookies, truffles, and slabs of chocolate the size of your head can be bought as gifts or to be enjoyed there and then.

Several stalls this year listed options for various dietary requirements, including gluten and dairy free biscuits and sugar free jam for diabetics. For vegetarians and vegans, the markets may seem a little meat heavy, however, the pop-up Vegan Christmas Fair will be taking place on the weekends of the 9th and 16th of December in Cross Street Chapel.

Many of the market locations host similar stalls selling the usual Christmas gift suspects of hats, scarves, decorations and scented candles but for those in search of something a little different, both Spinningfields and Exchange Street offer a host of arts and craft stalls for more unique gift ideas including handmade jewellery, art prints and even a doggy bakery.

While week nights are quieter, you should always be prepared for a busy one. For the intrepid Christmas market explorer, just remember to take it easy, go with the flow, and don’t stress. When it comes to the Christmas markets, those wanting to do a bit of Christmas shopping should probably try to avoid doing anything last minute or in a hurry. Grab a drink to walk round with, don’t rush yourself (you won’t be able to get anywhere fast anyway!), relax, and enjoy the Christmas madness.

Eddie Jones’ England go ten games unbeaten with win against South Africa

Written by Ben Ryan on . Posted in Sport.

England’s 37-21 win over South Africa at the weekend was the crucial next step in the remarkable ascendance of English rugby since the dismal showing at their own World Cup a year ago.

Ten games they have now gone unbeaten since Eddie Jones was appointed manager in November 2015 and it is testament to his management techniques that not once have they looked like they were going to lose. The win against South Africa was particularly important for the Eddie Jones revolution as it demonstrated England’s consistency in matching up to the best teams in the World.

England had not beaten South Africa since 2006 and their opponents were becoming somewhat of a bogey team. The winning mentality that Jones’ has instilled into the players means they no longer fear teams such as Australia and South Africa, dispatching of them one after the other.

Importantly, Jones has recognised that a complete overhaul of the squad who showed so poorly in the 2015 Rugby World Cup was ultimately not necessary and would have been notably damaging. Key decisions such as retaining Chris Robshaw in the starting line up but stripping him of his captaincy and shifting him to his more natural position of blind side flanker, have meant he can perform much more effectively and play more freely knowing his true role.

Jones has also shown a ruthlessness and decisiveness where previous head coaches have not. Often in previous years the back line has rarely functioned effectively due to indecision and thus constant juggling over the best centre pairings, half back pairings and the type of wingers desired.

Settling on a half back pairing of Ben Youngs and George Ford with Owen Farrell as a second distributor and kicking option at inside centre has allowed the back line stability, a more creative and cohesive attacking platform, as well as a calmness in decision making. Jones has been ruthless in not selecting Chris Ashton, Danny Cipriani and Christian Wade, deeming Wade and Ashton too fragile in defence. The pairing of George Kruis and Maro Itoje have added fresh faces to the squad, with Itoje developing as a powerful and athletic world class second row.

The win over South Africa more than anything confirmed the effectiveness of Jones’ new playing style against the very best. Years gone by England have looked disorganised in attack, over-complicating plays, running lines and forcing passes that were not on. Against South Africa, England’s attacking play was simple, sharp and effective as everyone knew their role and executed it perfectly.

England’s first try from Jonny May was simple in its choreography: number eight Billy Vunipola acted as first receiver, which has become increasingly common, as both centres Farrell and Daly ran similar hard dummy lines, taking three of South Africa’s defenders out of the game, before the ball was shifted behind them and down the line, each player drawing his man as May was put in in the corner — simple move with superb execution. Their second try evoked a similar simplicity but of a different nature. England had retained possession in deep in their own half as the ball was spun wide to Daly with the clear aim of utilising his left boot to gain territory.

Jones’ England possess a much calmer mentality for decision making; if something is not on, use the boot to gain territory and makes things messy for the opposition. The second try demonstrated this theory perfectly as Daly’s kick remained infield and England’s players showed desire to chase the kick down and spoil the South African recovery. After a few South African fumbles, Courtney Lawes capitalised on the poor handling to touch down.

Another profound improvement initiated by Jones has been England’s fitness levels. Jeremy Guscott has remarked that: “one of the things [Jones] will have told them is that they won’t be great players unless they get fitter. So the players have listened and got fitter”. Ben Youngs was told that he was overweight when Jones took over. England’s last two tries against South Africa exemplified the improvement in Young’s fitness levels but also demonstrated the fitness work done on the training ground regarding support running. For the third try and the fourth, Youngs certainly showed a spring in his step to accelerate away from the ruck in order to create space to dummy and break the line.

On both occasions there were a number of support runners backing him up and in the end both were easy tries thanks to simple, effective combinations. An area Jones is still in the early stages of improving is England’s defensive organisation and discipline. In the summer series in Australia, they conceded more tries than they scored and in the game against South Africa England conceded two tries and a number of penalties. England need to tighten up in these areas but Jones insists there is still improvements to be made and England can get a lot better.

Eddie Jones’ distinct winning mentality means he never settles for anything but the very best of his players, always believing a win is achievable and that England can only get better. This has undoubtedly rubbed off on the players with every game they play in evoking a stern confidence in their play. Jones also has a peculiarly authoritative and intimidating managerial aura. The players know that they must perform under him or else risk being dropped and harshly told they are not good enough, such as with Tom Wood. Yet, rarely do they perform poorly under him as his ruthless and authoritative style bring out the best in the players.

It seems England’s ascendance under Eddie Jones can only continue.

How to: ensure your make-up lasts

Written by Talia Lee-Skudder on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

It is a struggle to keep your makeup looking as good as it did when you first applied it, by the time you have had it on a few hours your coverage is already fading. So, what is the secret to long lasting makeup?

Primer is the ultimate product to ensure your makeup withstands the general everyday exposure to the elements. Primer is the answer to all of your long lasting makeup dreams. It is futile to even bother applying your foundation if you haven’t first covered your skin in a layer of this product.

Firstly, primer minimizes the visibility of pores by sealing them and therefore providing greater coverage, whilst also giving your skin a smooth and velvety complexion that is as lust worthy in real life as it is on Instagram. As well as transforming your skin to luminous loveliness, primer also acts as a shield against natural elements that would usually cause your foundation to wear off.

Although, it may seem like a rather pointless and expensive buy, when surely you would much rather be spending your pennies on a fab new eye shadow, its benefits are unparalleled. On a day when I need my makeup to last, I generously apply primer before my foundation knowing that my makeup will look as fresh at 9pm as it did 9am. Despite being super expensive, the Laura Mercier foundation primer is the best on the market. It has a creamy but lightweight consistency and a luminous quality that leaves your skin looking radiant. It can be worn alone as a skin pick me up, but worn under foundation it gives your skin a subtle glow. It is a bit of an investment at £29.00, however one tube will last you a while. A must have product for your Christmas list.

www.lauramercier.com

Whilst primer for your skin is essential if you want your coverage to remain fresh, eye shadow primer is necessary for the smoky eye lovers out the there. Mac’s Prep and Prime 24-Hour extend eye base revolutionised my smoky eye routine. After watching a short demonstration from a Mac girl, I was sold on this product and it became irreplaceable in my eye shadow prep. Not only does it make my eye shadow last from dusk until dawn, it also brings out the pigment in my favourite products. This primer works especially well with glitter eye shadows and really makes them sparkle. Once this primer is applied the colour on the eyelids is so much deeper and incomparable to what the shade looks like without it. Try it and you won’t regret it. (£16.00)

www.maccosmetics.co.uk

The final key to long lasting makeup is setting spray. Once you have completely finished your makeup, simply spray your whole face 2-4 times. My favourite product is the Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray. The weightless formula ensures that your makeup lasts for up to 16 hours, keeping your contour and smoky eye firmly in place. What’s great about this product is that it prevents your makeup from cracking or fading but allows your skin to breathe, creating a beauty look that lasts. (£22.00)

www.urbandecay.co.uk

Whether you have a long day at University or work or just want your makeup to last for a night out, then these products have got you covered.

Alternative ways to celebrate your birthday

Written by Ella Kashti on . Posted in Lifestyle.

For those of us not hugely thrilled at the thought of a night out, coming up with ways to celebrate your birthday can be tricky. Nights out for most are fun, spontaneous, not massively costly, and easy to organise, all things hugely appreciated by university students. So, transferring these qualities to another activity can be tricky when you are keen to get as many involved for your birthday as would be game for a night at Factory.

For those with winter birthdays, especially living in Manchester, it is likely an indoor activity will be better received. Go Air Manchester is an indoor trampoline park located just east of the city, and although perhaps targeted at younger audiences (the woman on the other end of the phone asked if my ‘group’ were all ‘under tens’), it can still be a laugh for those of us not ready to accept we are in our twenties. It is only £5 an hour per person and a great way to break any ice between friends who don’t know each other.

Junkyard Golf is a crazy golf course located opposite Piccadilly train station in town and offers players the chance to have a few rounds of crazy golf in an array of differently themed courses. There are bars and music throughout the courses and each route has been decorated with scraps from charity shops and car boot sales to ensure a wacky and weird time. Super reasonable again, a round of a course will cost you just under £10, booking fees included. A great way to celebrate your birthday without breaking the bank!

For summer babies I am sure we are all well aware how stunning Platt Fields can be on a warm(ish) summer’s day, but if the built-up foam saturated with litter at the edges of the pond and the fragrant smells of illegal activity don’t do it for you, try out Fletcher Moss Park in Didsbury.

Free bus journeys all round with your annual bus pass and amazingly no one charging at the gates, it is a little green haven away from our usual stomping grounds of Fallowfield. It is the perfect spot for a picnic with a group of friends. Grab your WiFi speakers that usually accommodate pre drinks, some bath towels (since we are just not at a place where we would own a picnic rug yet) some great Lidl deals, and you are good to go.

And there you have it, some easy, cheap, and fun ways to enter your adult years with only little resistance against your looming future.