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Month: November 2017

Recipe: Croque-Madame

Written by Samuel Pigott on . Posted in Food & Drink.

Ingredients:

  • Two slices of crusty bread
  • Two slices of good quality ham
  • Two slices of gruyere, or similar cheese
  • Two large eggs
  • 25g butter
  • 1tbsp plain flour
  • 125ml milk
  • 1tsp wholegrain mustard
  • Salt and pepper
  • Teaspoon fresh chopped chives

Method:

  1. Preheat grill to a high heat. Begin by making a béchamel sauce. First melt the butter in a saucepan over a medium heat until it begins to foam and turns a slight brown. Add the flour and stir until mixed, then continue to stir and cook the flour for approximately three minutes.
  2. Gradually add the milk, adding just a little at a time and making sure it is fully incorporated to ensure no lumps form. Once all the milk is added simmer for a further five minutes until a fairly thick texture is reached. When the wooden spoon is taken out you should be able to run a finger across the middle of the spoon and the sauce should not run back into this line, it should remain clear.
  3. At this stage finish the sauce of by seasoning to taste and adding the mustard and just the egg yolk from one of the two eggs.
  4. Lightly toast the bread and butter as you would for toast. Layer the ham and cheese onto the bread before topping with the béchamel sauce. Place the slices of bread back under the grill under the béchamel begins to bubble and brown, and the cheese has melted.
  5. Fry the remaining egg in a separate pan and add to the slices of toast once they are grilled. Top with seasoning and the chopped chives.

Remembering Partition with New North South: Neha Choksi

Written by Pascale Chalmers-Arnold on . Posted in Arts.

To continue with our feature on the New North South exhibition series, we turn to Neha Choksi who has created an immersive seven-screen film installation specifically for the Manchester Art Gallery. Exploring the influence of community, it addresses the idea that to be yourself, you always need others.

In our modern world, so much information, knowledge and experience is shared through video – which positions film as an interesting medium to explore artistic concept. It would be easy to presume that because of our constant over-exposure to it, a viewer would be able to decipher meaning and intention in filmed content simply – yet with artistic film, this is often not the case. Understand the background, meaning and intention behind it, and a piece will really open up.

Faith In Friction (2017) sees Choksi explore Jain Ashram, a place of spiritual retreat, which is currently being expanded and modernised. It’s a place where people can go to escape the hubbub of normal life, just north of Mumbai in India.

The architecture of this landscape became a recurring image explored across the five projections and two monitors showing the film in the gallery. The unfinished buildings appear powerfully raw, jagged, and unnatural through the camera lens. Vast quantities of scaffolding, devoid of human presence, were elevated beyond the mundane and seemed almost symbolic of the human condition to want more than you have, and to be continually on a quest to expand and conquer.

The installation itself is a psychologically engaging investigation of what it means to be an individual, and how we can be varied depending on the different groups of people we surround ourselves with, and how they shape our personalities. A collaboration with other artists, Choksi’s piece features other notable work, including Neha Choksi and Rachelle Rojany’s Swing For Friends (2017) which was shown at the Frieze Art Fair in London.  As an act of trust in the vision of others, Choksi filmed 34 hours worth of footage, but then gave the tape to seven different editors who each made a different film using the same initial content, therein forming a community of sorts out of her solo experience.

Faith In Friction sees Choksi triumphantly construct an intellectually stimulating installation which transcends cultural borders. Sitting in that dark room, with seven screens, seven varying views of the same world – alone or accompanied – you are offered a way out of the isolation. A retreat from our sphere of influence, this piece is a must see for Mancunians.

Neha Choksi’s film installation exhibition is on at the Manchester Art Gallery from Saturday 30th September 2017 to Sunday 25th February 2018.

All Student Vote lacked face-to-face engagement

Written by Cameron Broome on . Posted in News.

The low turnout in the recent ‘All Student Vote’ was due to lack of “face-to-face engagement”, the General Secretary of the Students’ Union has suggested.

Less than 450 students voted in the ‘preferendum’ to choose new Executive Officer positions for the 2018/19 academic year.

Four options were offered in the vote: keep the same positions as they are at present, introduce a postgraduate officer, introduce an international officer, or introduce both. Voting took place alongside the Students’ Union part-time officer and NUS-delegate elections.

Alex Tayler, General Secretary of the Students’ Union, told The Mancunion: “The real issue was there wasn’t enough face-to-face engagement. We did have a stall every day of the election period but what we’re doing now is trying to engage with lots of different societies, different student groups, in a much more productive way.

“And the question will be framed around what do you want from the Union rather than what should the office positions be because people care about what the Union delivers but they don’t care as much, I don’t think, about how we’re run.”

Alex added: “I think the comms around [the vote] was actually quite good”, citing the fact that “everyone got an email, so everyone that checks their e-mails would have known about it”, adding that “there was stuff on social media.”

George Flesher, a second-year American Studies student who didn’t vote in the ‘All Student Vote’, spoke to The Mancunion and challenged this idea: “Amongst the high amount of emails we already receive in our university inboxes, it’s quite easy to mistake or overlook e-mails from the Students’ Union.

“This is especially true at times of the year such as this when everyone is looking out for e-mails from tutors about essays.”

Lawrence Rosenberg, a third-year History and Politics student successfully elected as an NUS delegate for 2017/2018,  previously told The Mancunion that he also didn’t vote in the referendum.

Lawrence said: “I didn’t even know there was an election, it wasn’t publicised nor even when I voted for NUS did I find the easy system to understand” and added that the options presented to students in the All Student Vote “just weren’t clear at all.”

Alex Tayler said that the Executive Officer team had decided to run the votes all in one go in the hope that students “wouldn’t get election fatigue.”

He said: “What basically happened was the NUS elections and the PTO elections took priority… the voting for the ‘All Student Vote’ was at the very bottom of a page of about 20 or 30 other positions, a lot of people probably got bored, realistically.”

Another referendum cannot be triggered by the Executive Officer team without the consent of Senate or a petition from 400 students to hold another vote. Alex suggested another referendum was “unlikely.”

The Executive Officer team have said that they “will be taking the result into account.”

Alex said: “Essentially, we’re going to try and put a paper together based on [a] collection of data from the student groups, workshops, and the referendum result, and put something together to present a final thing to Senate to approve on.”

 

Live Review: Cap’n Jazz

Written by Ciaran McLaughlin on . Posted in Music.

The 7th of November at Moth Club, London

Well, I’d never thought I’d see the day.  I’ve had pipe dreams about this but I never thought I’d see them come to fruition. And I don’t think either did Cap’n Jazz when they played their first show in October 1989. But after 28 years they finally made it here.

For those who are unaware, Cap’n Jazz are a highly influential Emo band. They were key figures in the 2nd wave of emo in the 90s and members went to find many other key bands such as American Football, Owls, Joan of Arc, The Promise, and Owen. They released their only album, Shmap’n Shmazz, in 1995 — just before they broke up. They played a tiny reunion gig in 2010 but for many, this is their first — and probably only — time they’ll see the band, with it being one of two only ever European shows.

Before they start there is huge anticipation. They open up to ‘Oh Messy Life’ and it slowly starts to settle in. The chorus allows the for a gateway explosion of energy as if everyone just realised that we’re finally getting to see Cap’n Jazz.

Despite being in their 40s, Cap’n Jazz still seem youthful. Vocalist Tim Kinsella has a very playful attitude. Whether he’s trying to crowd surf for the twentieth time, throwing his tambourine into the crowd again, or putting his mic through mine and 2 other people’s t-shirts, it’s all entertaining to watch. Even though these are usually the escapades of a very drunk man, it reflects the immature nature of the band perfectly.

The set is pounding and bouncy. Fans have long awaited to hear songs like ‘Basil’s Kite’ and ‘Planet SHHH’ and they don’t disappoint. The band are fully into it. Reunion shows can be hit and miss. Sometimes the band just in it for the money. But to see Cap’n Jazz fully into is undoubtedly special.

They do slow it down eventually with ‘Tokyo’. The spoken word track allows for some calm before kicking it back up again with more antics from Tim.

“This is the first song off our new album,” jokes guitarist Victor Villarreal before going into ‘Little League’. Hearing the crowd singing the bridge of ‘Little League’ while Tim crowd surfs all around the venue is quite surreal. It’s something many here would have probably guessed they would never get to see.

Then even more chaos ensues when Tim declares that he wants to perform ‘Olerud’ with his feet. Two crowd members prop Tim hold his feet up while his drummer, and young brother, Mike chuckles and asks if he is ok. It’s so intriguing to see what he’ll do next.

They power through the rest of their songs. ‘Forget Who We Are’ and ‘Que Suerte!’ are again blasts of more energetic fun before they head off for a little break.

The encore is a blast. Their cover of ‘Take On Me’ is a highlight of the whole thing with me seemingly ending up with a mic screaming the chorus while several others are on top me of me. The people are passionate and it really seals the deal.

Seeing Cap’n Jazz was everything I hoped for and more. The sweet emo vibes are still present and the fact that I also got to see them again the next night was the icing on the cake. The smaller venue helped in recreating the chaotic atmosphere that would have been seen in the 90s. This gig will be one I won’t be forgetting anytime soon and it’s nice to cross off one of Emo bands that I thought I’d never see. Now I’m just waiting on Snowing and Algernon Cadwallader.

10/10

Album Review: Converge – The Dusk In Us

Written by Ciaran McLaughlin on . Posted in Music.

2017 has been a mixed year for Metalcore. While we saw bands like Code Orange breakthrough we still saw the end of bands like The Dillinger Escape Plan and Heck. Though it’s not over yet. Genre legends, Converge, are back after five long years with their ninth album, The Dusk In Us. Was it worth the wait? Certainly.

The album is a raw fuel intense roller coaster ride which stays true to the Converge sound. The opener ‘A Single Tear’ opens with much triumph. The sharp noodling guitars slice through the track before the whole thing climaxes in the chorus. This cathartic nature is what Converge does best.

But this isn’t the full extent of Converge power either. ‘Cannibals’ is short but blistering. The violent rage is still unlike anything by any other band and it never really loses its energy or effect.

The ‘Dusk In Us’ calls back more to their Mathcore memories found on Jane Doe and You Fail Me. Don’t think this is just a repeat. Converge are experts at evolving their sound and demonstrate it here. They mix these chaotic time signatures with elements they’ve experimented with before like Sludge Metal and Post-Hardcore to craft something new.

The irregular beats in ‘I Can Tell You About Pain’ give it great weight and impact and reflect the animosity of the song. ‘Under Duress’ is another great example with its thick sludgy bass setting the stage before the whole song brutally erupts.

‘The Dusk In Us’ and ‘Thousands of Miles Between Us’ take a more ambient approach. They experiment with elements of Post Rock, creating a phantasmic mist of noise. They contrast against the harsher sound and allow those moments to punch more. ‘The Dusk In Us’ might be too long but it does have a satisfying pay off at the end when it all finally explodes.

With regards to performance and composition, the album is one of Converge’s finest. It feels so finely crafted and elegant. Whether it be the fast noodling guitars on ‘A Single Tear’ to the fast pounding drums on ‘Arkhipov Calm’ a whole range of skills are on display here by the whole band. Every little detail feels like it was placed there with care and thought making for a very slick album despite it’s violent nature.

Vocalist Jacob Bannon is outstanding as always. His ethereal screams cut through the tracks with much passion. Most Metalcore vocalists lose their sting after years of punishment on their vocal chords but he still shines after all this time.

The Dusk In Us is an exceptional album and is a welcome addition to the Converge discography. It’s thrilling, brutal, and atmospheric. Great to see them take a step back to an older sound but still make it seem fresh. Here’s hoping that it won’t be another five years for the next album, though I don’t mind if it’s as good as this.

9/10

Trade an old coat for a free pint

Written by Pierre-Leo Rouat on . Posted in News.

To help an ever-growing population of homeless people, a pub in the city centre took initiative. The “Town Hall Tavern” will organise a great charity meal on Christmas Day.

The objective would be to host 60 homeless between 3 pm and 7 pm and to let them choose dishes from the menu while enjoying live music.

The best part is that everyone can participate. In addition to the food and music, the pub is collecting coats and sleeping bags from everyone that would like to share something.

Anyone giving something to accommodate the Mancunian homeless population will get a free pint for his/her collaboration.

This charitable operation has already been conducted in Manchester in the past. A pub, the “Old Nags Head”, already opened the doors to help the homeless during the Christmas period last year.

The pub’s landlord Sean Brett stated that the event was particularly successful and that more than 300 people came to the pub to share a bit of their richness with the poorest.

The general manager of the Town Hall Tavern Sam Foster and his staff explained how they were shocked by the rise of the homeless population in Manchester.

Mr. Foster added that he was amazed last year when he noticed all the homeless population on the street during Christmas day.

Inspiring initiatives are also taking place elsewhere. In Edinburgh, a social entrepreneur, Zakia Moulaoui launched a project called “Invisible Edinburgh.”

People affected by homelessness are being trained in history and in public speaking, to become guides of the city of Edinburgh, allowing this stranded population to get a formation and a foot back in the working world.

A community project in Everton made more than 200 people sleep for a night in a park to raise awareness and funds for the homeless population of Liverpool.

Homelessness figures released by Shelter last week revealed 307,000 people are now homeless in the UK.

To support the Tavern’s effort and grab a beer, you can go (with at least an extra coat I suggest) to the Town Hall Cavern in Tib Lane, off Cross Street.

On Sunday, November 26th, the Town Hall Tavern will also host a fundraising event for its appeal, which will include live music, a raffle and stand up bingo, from 1 pm to 9 pm.

Co-written by Pierre-Leo Rouat and Youssef Bouri

Review: Only the Brave

Written by James Gill on . Posted in Film.

The Yarnell Hill Fire was the deadliest incident for US firefighters since the September 11 attacks. 19 brave men of the Granite Mountain Hotshots lost their lives protecting the homes and lives of a countless more. Joseph Kosinski, whose previous works include the innovate yet ill-received Oblivion, takes on this devastating story and the result is devastating in equal measure. Out of the 20 firefighters from the City of Prescott, Arizona who went to tackle the wildfire, only one returned.

That man, Brendan McDonough, is played by Miles Teller. The only wildfire he tackles initially is the one destroying his life. He gets kicked out of his mother’s house after a slew of bad decisions; his addiction to heroin, his arrest for theft and his discovery of an ex-girlfriend’s pregnancy. Now at rock bottom, he decides to follow the straight and narrow to support and provide for his child. The quest for employment takes him to the headquarters of the Prescott Fire Department when he hears of two open slots on their team.

McDonough’s reputation as a burnout preceded him and the firefighters almost laugh him out until the boss (Josh Brolin), known affectionately as Supe, decides to give him a chance. Although lacking the strength or stamina to keep up with the pack he eventually completes the test and gets a space in the crew. Teller’s portrayal of an addict is remarkable, showing that there is still much we haven’t seen from him.

As this arc develops we follow another simultaneously. Supe’s wife Amanda (Jennifer Connelly) wakes up to find her husband packing up his gear, the call to arms sounded, and asks to resolve their previous night’s fight before he goes. During the conversation she mentions that she has a love for lost causes. This embodies her whole story, from the broken dishwasher, to her occupation of caring for horses that would otherwise be put down, to her longing to start a family with a husband who does not share her ambition.

The theme of this lack of family and loneliness in Amanda’s life is especially evocative when juxtaposed with the brotherhood that the firefighters have. As they battle blazes the necessity of tight bonds is what keeps them alive and if just one man fails out on the line, he risks the lives of them all. Kosinski puts this love front and centre without it becoming overly macho. The banter and practical jokes never feel exaggerated and, excluding their chiseled physique, they are relatable.

One of these crew members, the principal prankster, becomes McDonough’s best friend and roommate. Taylor Kitsch who plays Chris MacKenzie does a marvellous job and frankly it’s the first role in which the character he plays is even memorable. The pseudo-homosexual relationships between the two roommates, especially when they have McDonough’s baby for the night, don’t feel out of place, rather a natural extension of their bonds.

This is the latest entry into what seems to be the latest craze sweeping Hollywood. To choose a tragedy, namely one that happens in America or to Americans, and recreate it using a lot of CGI and special effects. The market for war films seems to have diminished slightly in the past few years but producers have been quick to replace them with these. Only the Brave is a fantastic example of a tragedy film done right and regardless of slight pacing issues and an at times flat dialogue there is an underlying message that is deeply affecting, especially in the final scenes.

They are playing a dangerous game however by choosing tragedies that have occurred closer and closer to the present day. The real Yarnell Hill Fire took place in 2013 meaning it only took four more for the film to reach the cinema. Similarly the Boston Bombings happened four years ago and now has two blockbuster films about it. While this undoubtedly has something to say beyond theatrics I strongly believe making films based on events still tender in our hearts and minds is exploitative and I hope focus shifts to scripts that place those tragedies into a fictional world.

Seven-day hospital policy does not diminish weekend mortality rates

Written by Patricia Caras on . Posted in News.

A recent study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal has suggested that the costly reforms implemented by the Department of Health, in an effort to combat elevated weekend death rates, have proved unsuccessful.

The reforms were applied in the form of four clinical standards for the NHS weekend performance, after it has been determined that patients admitted to hospital on weekends experience higher mortality rates than those admitted during the week.

The NHS measures its performance against four clinical standards during the weekend: time to first consultant review, access to diagnostics, access to consultant-direct interventions, and on-going consultant review.  These have been described by the Department of Heath as “reforms that will save lives.”

However, the Emergency Medicine Journal’s study fails to ascertain any correlation between their implementation and the consistently elevated weekend death rates.

Dr Rachel Meacock from The University of Manchester centre for Health Economics has stated that the NHS has rushed to fix a perceived problem that it does not fully understand. She pointed towards the lack of evidence suggesting an existent link between mortality rates and lack of extra service provisions for the weekend. Indeed, previous research indicated that the higher mortality rates on the weekends are mainly due to the patients admitted at the time being sicker.

The findings have raised concerns over the fiscal management of the NHS. The failed policy is believed to have caused up to £1.4 billion to be miss-allocated  during a time of uncertainty in regards to government funding.

Professor Matt Sutton from The University of Manchester centre for Health Economics believes that reforms involving the imposition of blanket standards on doctors at certain times will limit the ability to prioritise certain patients, whom according to professional judgement may be in more direct need compared to others. Ultimately he believes this has the potential to result in more harm for other patients.

The dark side of being an angel

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

 

Photo: victoriassecret@instagram

Now that November is in full swing, many wait in anticipation for one of the biggest events of the fashion calendar, the Victoria’s Secret fashion show. This year, the show, hosted in Shanghai, is scheduled for the 20th of November and will be broadcast on the 28th of November.  Since the list of models was released in September, the show has been hailed as more “diverse than ever.”

Last year, the show hosted in Paris only featured four Asian models out of 50, that’s just eight per cent representation, yet for Victoria’s Secret this was still record-breaking when compared to their previous figures. In total there were only 30 per cent of models from diverse backgrounds that walked in the show

By these figures, the brand has certainly made inroads into creating a more diverse show with this year’s lineup featuring 50 per cent of models from a racially diverse background. The show has still certainly got a long way to go to be fully representative, but at least in this instance we can see progression.

This year will see VS veterans return to the runway, such as Alessandra Ambrosio, Adriana Lima, Karlie Kloss plus insta models Gigi and Bella Hadid. The show also welcomes newcomers, including Grace Bol, Estelle Chen and Alecia Morais to name a few. As always the show is set to be a massive hit, especially because of the positive press it is currently receiving thanks to its tagline: ‘the most diverse show yet.’

Yet VS are no strangers to controversy, especially when it comes to appropriating different cultures. 2012 was a particularly controversial year for the brand with their show receiving a huge backlash for sending Karlie Kloss down the runway in Native American inspired lingerie, complete with a sacred headdress. The reaction from the general public led to Kloss being cut from the airing of the show on television. In the same year, the brand was forced to pull their collection entitled ‘Sexy Little Geisha.’ Model Candice Swanepoel fronted the campaign wearing a mesh teddy with an ‘exotic’ floral print, complete with chopsticks in her hair, a fan and a removable obi belt.

Rightly so the brand received outraged reactions that they had essentially reduced Eastern culture to the stereotype of exotic sexuality, so too with the appropriation of Native American culture, by incorporating the sacred headdress into a sexy lingerie outfit. But hey, this year Victoria’s Secret is more racially diverse than ever, so maybe this can all be forgotten?

Whilst it may be commendable that VS finally ‘got the memo’ that its 2017 and devised a racially diverse runway show accordingly, the same cannot be said for the representation of women who do not fit into the narrow bracket of a size eight and under. Once again there is set to be a complete disregard for models that are ‘plus-sized’ with all the models having the same slim, gym-honed physique. The VS models are stunning, there is no question about it, and they clearly spend hours working out to attain their enviable figures. They deserve to showcase their bodies with pride but then so do models who are larger than size eight as well.

The VS models are dubbed ‘angels’, they are considered to be the elite of all the models. These are the women we should aspire to be because they are the absolute ideal of feminine beauty, according to VS casting agents anyway. The term ‘angels’ is problematic in itself, suggesting exclusivity and giving them a higher status than all the other regular models in the industry.

The message that the show sends out is largely negative, it dictates what the brand’s idea of female beauty is and is far from representative of how the majority of women look. Their message of what constitutes beauty rings loud and clear, if you ever want to be an ‘angel’ you must be super slim (size eight and under), tall and of course exceptionally beautiful.

However, the reason why VS have thus far neglected to represent plus-sized women in their shows is partly due to the fact that the largest size in their bra range is a DDD. The limited sizes mean that many girls with larger breasts can’t find a bra that fits. With the lack of a plus-sized range it is no surprise that models such as Ashely Graham and Robyn Lawley have not yet been granted their angel wings, VS just don’t cater for these women.

It’s disappointing that a huge brand such as Victoria’s Secret has completely rejected having a more inclusive line of lingerie and has failed to use their status and influence as a worldwide corporation to spread the message that all women of different shapes and sizes are beautiful.

So whilst this year might be their most diverse ever, Victoria’s Secret still has a long way to go if they truly want to be representative and use their platform on the world stage to encourage body positivity and empower all women. Perhaps in the coming years the brand will finally acknowledge beauty in all its forms and create a range that is tailored for all women, but for now, we probably shouldn’t hold our breath.

Bruntwood Prize Ceremony 2017

Written by Mancunion on . Posted in Theatre.

1,898 plays, 100 dedicated readers, 8 judges, 6 winners.

The Bruntwood Prize has been inspiring the creation of new theatre since 2005. It invites anyone — and everyone — to have a good go at writing a play. People are able to submit anonymously — a wonderful consideration for both the first time and practised writer — and are considered for a part of the £40,000 prize fund — and, more importantly, the opportunity for it to become a live theatre production.

Usually, upon entering the Exchange’s “spaceship” (in other words, a futuristic in the round theatre), one expects transportation to anywhere on the planet for an hour or two in the company of compelling and complex characters. The Bruntwood Prize ceremony was no different.

The organisers ensured that this theatre remains what it always has been, a playground. The extracts performed from the eight shortlisted plays performed were phenomenal. The content ranged from a man leaving for life on Mars, to a restaurant teeming with international relations. It is due to the quality of the acting company and the scripts themselves that the stage could so quickly become tense, hilarious, thought-provoking, and, most of all, thrilling to watch.

The winner of this year’s overall prize is Heartworm by Timothy X Atack. The extract from his piece was wonderfully weird and in its short introduction, he claimed that it gets more so as the play goes on. Our short exposure to the characters established that the work has a strong grasp on humour and that Tim is skilled in revealing a character’s opinion without revealing a character’s opinion.

He said to me after winning that ‘[he] wrote this to be like a dream’ and that he had considered it being too out there for the Bruntwood prize. Nevertheless, he has entered the competition five times: proving that creativity and tenacity are a winning combination. Be sure not to miss Heartworm when it appears onstage. It is to be produced by the  Royal Court and the Royal Exchange in the near future.

The atmosphere after the ceremony was that of imagination. The room became saturated with conversation as soon as we entered it. Amongst the excitement, I had the chance to speak with panel member Russell T Davies. He explained that he was very quick to take up Bruntwood on their offer when they asked for him to be involved. Upon mention of the difference between theatre and television — a somewhat calculated medium — Russell remarked that “in theatre, anything can happen.”

Many people know that to create theatre is to create magic. And if anything supports and inspires these hidden magicians, it’s Bruntwood.

Album Review: Sam Smith – The Thrill Of It All

Written by Charlie Maudsley on . Posted in Music.

Although full of modest production and slow pace, Sam Smith’s sophomore album The Thrill of It All still manages to deliver the soulful vocals and powerful delivery that fans fell in love with after the release of his first effort In the Lonely Hour.

Perhaps what is most notable upon the album’s release is its lack of tracks with potential radio airplay. Of course, the lead single ‘Too Good at Goodbyes’ had notable success after topping the UK chart back in September, yet in comparison to the colossal hit ‘Stay with Me’, the single hasn’t seen half as much global impact. But for Smith, this doesn’t seem to be such a concern with The Thrill of It All. For the most part, the album offers a more mature, cohesive sound for the Grammy-winning singer that puts less focus on the single but more on the project as a whole.

Having said this, there are moments where Smith narrowly escapes the repetitive and almost tedious traps that are so easy to fall into with his musical style. With tracks such as ‘Nothing Left For You’, Smith almost slips into the same melody that we saw in his 007 track ‘Writings On The Wall’ which, although still good, becomes a little tiresome.

Nevertheless, the saving grace of this album lies within tracks such as the promotional single ‘Pray’. With the unlikely influence of hip-hop producer Timbaland, the pair managed to create the gospel-inspired track which is a definite highlight of the album, as we see the singer expressing his belief in religion or lack thereof. A common theme throughout The Thrill of It All sees Smith tackle his faith with his sexuality, and ‘Him’ is an unambiguous example of this. With the title itself a nod to spiritual hymns, it only seems fitting that the song incorporates a mounting gospel choir as (perhaps controversially, bearing in mind the religious undertones of the song) the singer confesses his love for another man.

Generally speaking, Sam Smith has created a well-rounded, cohesive album with The Thrill of It All. Admittedly, a handful of songs are in danger of being a little too similar, but his undeniably powerful voice and soulful delivery give Smith a well-earned pass.

7.5/10

Five advent calendars that will help you to get into the Holiday Spirits

Written by Sophia Macpherson on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Although advent calendars typically start on the 1st of December, there’s no harm getting one early and ordering yours now. By the time it comes in the post, December will be right around the corner! A swig of a drink every now or then — or every night — will help warm you up on a cold night as the frost creeps in.

Also, what better way to prepare you for the inevitably large amount of Christmas drinking that will ensue on the 24th? Get your bodies trained for the main event with the aid of these Christmas advent calendars. Hand-picked to pleasure your taste-buds, as well as not break the bank too much.

Here is a list of the best advents calendars out this year:

Craft beer advent calendar — available at Iceland — £39.99

This is a dream purchase for all those beer-lovers out there! Not only does this calendar serve quality, but also quantity. The selection is more than generous, with each beer being completely unique to itself. The calendar also comes with a fancy glass!

Laithwaites’ wine advent calendar — £69.99

Another worthwhile purchase, this calendar contains everything from French Sauvignon to fine Prosecco. Also expect to find yourself a red beauty amongst one of those days.

Very’s gin advent calendar — £49.99

Go crazy for this gin calendar, as I will! Well and truly a bargain price. Pre-order now as this little number will definitely be swooped up soon by those eager gin-lovers. Nothing beats a classic G&T.

12 Days of Christmas spirit advent calendar — available from Debenhams — £40

This calendar contains twelve pockets with miniatures of liqueurs, whiskeys, gins, vodkas, and even Baileys! Might seem a bit too much just for a single person so it’s perfect as a house gift or even for family members.

Christmas wine and prosecco advent calendar — available at Iceland and online at Amazon — £39.99

Two of our favourite things. How could you resist? This calendar contains everything from rosé, to reds, whites, and even mulled wine. All at a very friendly price that won’t damage your bank account.

Student gun-attack victim speaks out on Manchester Police gun amnesty

Written by Max Brimelow on . Posted in Features.

Greater Manchester Police have this week launched an amnesty, allowing anyone in possession of a firearm to hand it into the authorities anonymously and without consequence, in a drive to make the city’s streets safer. It is part of the wider ‘Give Up The Gun’ initiative taking place nationwide.

Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle, in charge of the crime and forensic services division, urged the public that guns on the street are something to be concerned with. She pointed out that far from affecting just those most closely linked to gang crime and feuds, innocent members of the public have also been caught in the crossfire in recent years.

Doyle told Manchester Evening News: “It’s worrying because we know the damage firearms cause and it’s not always the person who’s targeted who gets shot. We’ve had incidents whereby innocent children have been caught in the crossfire. I think it would be naive to say don’t worry.”

The scheme was backed by Halton McCollin Sr., whose son was gunned down at a Stretford takeaway in 2008 in a case of mistaken identity. His killer remains unidentified. In 2015, Jayne Hickey and her seven year-old son Christian were shot dead on the porch of their Eccles home in an incident related to gang warfare.

The amnesty comes just 18 months after the last, in which 221 guns were handed into GMP. Whilst Doyle admitted that she didn’t realistically expect the most serious criminals to hand in their firearms, she asserted that any measure to take guns off the streets was in the greater public interest.

The announcement follows the release of Home Office statistics in October suggesting that crime in Greater Manchester in the year July 2016 – June 2017 rose by 31 percent. In particular, violence against a person rose 46 percent, sexual offences climbed 31 percent, burglary increased by 14 percent and robbery was up 53 percent on the year before.

In recent weeks there has been particular concern for student safety in the notoriously under-policed Fallowfield area. A petition entitled ‘Greater Manchester Police and Andy Burnham: help us to make Fallowfield safe for students!’ was signed by 9,638 people, signalling that years of frustration at the city’s neglect for student wellbeing may be coming to a point.

In lieu of police action, the Students’ Union recently announced plans for its ‘Night Owl’ scheme, whereby student volunteers, trained in self-defence, will patrol the streets in student residential areas and chaperone the most vulnerable. However, the proposal came under criticism from those sceptical of volunteers’ ability to protect against severe violent crime – a criticism thrown into stark relief by Chief Supt Doyle’s announcement.

Students’ Union Communities Officer, Jack Houghton, previously spoke to the Mancunion in defence of the Night Owl scheme, saying it “has worked really well at other Universities” and that it is “not supposed to be reactive and therefore will avoid putting [volunteers] in direct danger.”

Sadly, gun crime is an all-too real danger in Fallowfield. One student, who wishes to remain anonymous, exclusively told the Mancunion about an incident that occurred in his second year: “I was walking through Fallowfield at about 11 o’clock at night on a Sunday. As I got to the intersection of Amherst, Brook and Clifton someone cycled past me, dropped their bike and pulled a gun on me about three inches from my face and shouted what I could only understand as, ‘phone and money’.”

“He was dressed in black with a hood up. It wasn’t underneath a lamppost and the lighting wasn’t great, I can no longer remember what he looks like or many details at all. My only reaction was to shout, kinda throw a punch, and run to Shell as fast as I could. I sat in Shell for half an hour shell-shocked on the phone to the police. I have had PTSD and still have nightmares from time to time.”

“There was no way of knowing if the gun was loaded or even real, but the fear factor was there. And that’s the most traumatising part, how you are utterly helpless in that situation. Luckily I wasn’t harmed: A slight ego bruise and months of insomnia, yes, but if I had I may look back on it differently.”

The student in question was not optimistic about the Police’s ability to prevent such attacks: “Realistically, as far as prevention, there isn’t a lot that can be done in my opinion. Unless you have a member of the police on every street every night from ten to four in the morning , nothing will change.”

He postulated: “Patrols are another option, but they aren’t a sure-fire way of preventing or reducing crime. Security cameras are an option, but they are expensive.”

Ultimately, he said, the crux of the issue is cost, and the GMP just does not have the funds.

Speaking on the gun amnesty, he commented: “I agree with it, and I have said multiple times that this should be an option open to not just guns. It won’t solve the problem as people will be able to get more guns, but it’s a start.”

Dealing with anxiety at university


Written by Joe Whitfield on . Posted in Lifestyle.

In my first year, I suffered some severe anxiety and it distressed me greatly. Today I don’t suffer even half as much, and have found methods and coping mechanisms which have improved my quality of life greatly.

The first thing to remember when suffering anxiety, is that it is merely your bodies reaction to stress and fear — nothing more. Trivialising the problem helps immensely, as the more you think of your anxiety as an issue, the more anxious and panicky you will inevitably become!

The second thing to remember, is that whilst you are suffering, these feelings are temporary, and will pass! Whilst anxiety can be scary, and make you feel like life will never be the same again, I promise that things won’t always feel this horrible! What many people don’t seem to understand is that anxiety can be extremely physical, and does not necessarily mean the person is worried about anything in particular; it’s more of a constant sense of unease which will not go away. This means that sufferers of anxiety, who do not know what it is, will panic and overreact to the physical symptoms. This is the last thing your body and mind needs.

Therefore, as previously mentioned, recognising that you are simply anxious, and that your elevated heartbeat and tight gut does not mean that you are having a stroke, is of paramount importance! Hence I would recommend avoiding WebMD or googling your symptoms if you do feel anxious, as this can only cause you to consider the physical problems you’re experiencing in your body!

It’s important to shift the focus from your feelings towards your surroundings. When someone becomes too introspective, they begin to exacerbate their own symptoms enormously, which only panics the person more! Now the most general piece of advice is to stay active and busy, as distraction causes temporary relief from anxiety, you forget about your breathing and heartbeat when doing something that you enjoy, or that stimulates you.

The best activity in principle would be running. As you run, it is almost impossible to focus on anything apart from your breathing and movement. It is also a healthy activity, so an endorphin boost to boot! However, if you’re not the running sort, any form of sport is good. Other good activities include: video games, board games, going for a walk, yoga, and listening to music. Keeping yourself busy will decrease your anxiety.

For me, the key cognitive step to quelling my anxious thoughts, was recognising activities and things which caused me irrational anxiety, and trying to rationalise this myself. Once you rationalise the fact that nothing is going wrong inside your body, and that stepping out of the house puts you at no more risk than staying cooped up in does, your general anxiety will assuredly decrease.

Also, for me, I found gaining control of my breathing helped immensely. I would often find myself short of breath, or constantly having to manually breathe due to my anxiety, so finding certain breathing exercises to do when focusing on nothing but my own horrible feelings was greatly helpful. Taking a moment out of your day to simply breathe and focus on your breathing can really calm you down, and slows your mind down when having scary or irrational thought processes.

Of course, I do also recommend going to the doctors and speaking to them about your anxiety, as reassurance from a professional does count for a lot when trying to reassure yourself that everything is okay. Just taking time to discuss your feelings and mental health is greatly beneficial, as sadly, keeping your feelings bottled up does simply leave them to fester and evolve into greater issues.

I cannot stress the importance of simply discussing your feelings and worries with others, as suffering in silence and alone can be extremely overwhelming and awful. Even just a chat with your housemates or course mates about how you feel can be helpful.

To all males reading, please do not feel afraid so speak about how you feel, it does not make you any less of a man to seek help, and if anything it shows a real strength of character to admit that you do need some assistance.

I say this as males are often far more likely to bottle up their emotions and feelings, and hence have a far higher suicide rate than females.

To summarise my advice: remain logical and calm, remember that it is temporary and WILL get better, stay busy and motivated and get your feelings out!

Finally, remember that you do not suffer alone, a great many young people suffer with anxiety, and it’s invisible, so SPEAK UP! I sincerely hope whoever reads this takes some comfort in these words.

Top tips for taking care of your well-being

Written by Vicki Greenwood on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Looking after your well-being is crucial. It will help you function better, enhance physical health, improve academic and work performance, and improve overall quality of life.

Here are the Advice Service’s Top Ten Tips to looking after your well-being:

Connect with the people around you

If you are living in non-catered halls or a house share, why not suggest you take it in turns to cook for each other once a week. This will give you a chance not only to bond with your flatmates but will mean you are eating a home cooked meal most days.

Join a society

This is a great way to meet new friends and explore something new. To find out what societies are available and how to get involved take a look at the Students’ Union Societies page at  manchesterstudentsunion.com/societies.

Set yourself a challenge

Doing a degree is probably challenging enough! However it is always exciting to set yourself small challenges involving something you enjoy. It could be something large or small. Either way, accomplishing something new will boost your confidence.

Try out mindfulness

Living, working, and studying in a busy city can become quite overwhelming. Meditation is proven to reduce stress and anxiety. You don’t need any skills to do it and it is completely free. Free mindfulness workshops are available to attend via the University Counselling Service. Find out more at counsellingservice.manchester.ac.uk/events/workshops.

Know your limits

We can all be guilty of burning the candle at both ends from time to time, but knowing your limits can help prevent burn out. Whether you have been partying too much lately or staying up all night to try and finish an essay, in the end not looking after your body will take its toll. Keep an eye out for any warning signs that you may be over doing it.

Talk to someone 

Whether that is a friend, flatmate, family member, GP, counsellor, or an adviser at the Advice Service. There is no shame in seeking help. Between trying to academically succeed, financial pressures, trying to socialise, and meet new friends, being at University can be a tough place to be. You may be feeling low in mood or may be concerned that you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. If you are concerned for a friend or would like to chat to someone yourself then please book an appointment at the Advice Service or email us at [email protected]

Get Outside

Go for a walk or sit outside and watch the world go by. Try and take in the world around you and see things you may not have noticed before. Get in touch with nature by noticing the leaves on the trees starting to fall and change colour in the autumn or spotting the new buds of flowers starting to bloom in the spring. Getting some fresh air is a fab way to take some time out for yourself and regroup your thoughts.

Be Active

Not everyone likes the thought of exercising but you don’t have to slog it out at the gym to be active. Whether it is dancing, walking, swimming, or yoga, regularly exercising will make you feel great. Exercise is proven to boost your mood and well-being. Why not try one of the many classes available through Active Manchester at the University. Classes can work out as cheap as £2 per class. sport.manchester.ac.uk/fitness/activeman/

Eat Smart

Try to eat a balanced diet. Eating healthily doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the foods you like. Just try to eat them in moderation instead. If you don’t like cooking try to cook meals in batches and freeze them. If you like to eat on the go you can always bring in a pre-prepared meal from home and heat it up in one of the microwaves available to use in the Students’ Union.

Take time out for you

Do something you enjoy. This could be anything! Look round a museum, listen to some music, watch your favourite film, or read a book. Life can be pretty hectic so it is really important to not forget about ourselves so try and spend some time doing something just for you.

And if all of this isn’t enough, you can access the Universities Wellbeing Week sessions from the 20th to the 24th of November! Find all the information you need here: studentsupport.manchester.ac.uk/taking-care/wellbeing/wellbeing-week/

Review: Airport ’87

Written by Skye Demar on . Posted in Arts.

Shirley Baker’s Airport ‘87 collection at Manchester Central Library encompasses the vibrant atmosphere of Manchester Airport 30 years ago. Salford-born photographer Shirley Baker eloquently captured the hustle and bustle of holiday-makers and business people, using a 35mm camera with both black & white, and colour film.

This small but charming collection of photographs were discovered in the library archives, a true hidden gem from Baker’s career. At first glance, these photographs show an environment much alike to the modern day airport; families sat waiting with a huge pile of suitcases, shops stacked full of Superkings, and excited tourists wearing their sunhats before they even get on the plane.

Looking closely, these photographs show how times have changed since 1987. People of all ages are sat playing cards to pass the time  — an increasingly rare sight in the modern day. Newspaper headlines, the wonderfully big hairstyles, and the vintage arcade machines show us the lively spirit of 80s culture before people embarked upon their journeys to different parts of the world.

The hustle-and-bustle of Manchester airport, alike to the modern day, signifies the city of Manchester’s importance as a cosmopolitan place of connectivity.

The aesthetic style, and perhaps most significantly, the introduction of new technology, has changed the image of the airport. Yet these photographs capture a sense of excitement through the waiting passengers, whilst also being representative of how much Manchester – and society as a whole – has changed within the past thirty years. These works succeed in capturing a fleeting moment, that comes to represent decades of difference.

This exhibition is at the Central Library from the 5th October 2017 to the 6th of January 2018.

Art x Fashion

Written by Sophie Walsh on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Art and fashion. The two words go together like Leonardo DiCaprio and Victoria secret models.

The collaboration between art and fashion is nothing new. For example, in 1965, Yves Saint Laurent revealed his iconic Fall Mondrian Collection. This was inspired by the works of Dutch abstract artist Piet Mondrian, founder of the Avant-Garde De Stijl, Neoplasticism movement.

Mondrian idealised the strict geometry of horizontals and verticals, as well as a primary colour palette, to reflect the invisible order of the world. Laurent designed six A-line cocktail dresses directly referencing this abstract formula.

Despite Mondrian creating this particular body of his work circa 1914 to 1940, Laurent’s Mondrian inspired dresses seemed more relevant than ever in the context of the swinging 60’s. An age where advances in science, technology, and society made possibilities of modernity seem limitless. There was a sudden yearning to reject the ‘make do and mend’ culture of the war years, where design had taken a back seat in favour of utility.

Instead, cutting edge designers began to favour a new minimal approach, based on the same design philosophy as artists such as Piet Mondrian. If such dresses had been created while Mondrian had been living in the backdrop of war, they would not have been received by the mainstream in the same celebrated way.

Most recent fashion x art collaborations favour historical works, rather than those by contemporary artists. For example, despite the fact that American Pop artist Jeff Koons collaborated with Louis Vuitton in April 2017, then again in October for his new two-part collection, whose work did we see on the bags? The old Masters.

In the aptly named ‘Masters’ collection, we see the art of Da Vinci, Titian, Fragonard, Van Gogh, Rubens, Boucher, Gaugin, Manet, Monet, Poussin, and Turner.

Yeah, it’s great and all. I would even go so far as to say that it’s my favourite design collaboration of 2017. Who doesn’t love a classic?

But where is Koons’ Balloon Dog? Or his Seated Ballerina? Or infamous Michael Jackson and Bubbles? All works of world renown and modern cultural significance.

Vuitton has in the past collaborated with numerous contemporary artists, examples include the graffiti inspired collection with New Yorker Stephen Sprouse in 2001 and the 2012 collaboration with 83-year-old Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, featuring her dotty artwork. Each collection has encapsulated an artist’s signature style.

Vuitton is not alone in artistic collaborations either, with various catwalk shows incorporating the works of contemporary artists over the decades. However, despite a small nod to Koons’ inflatable rabbit in the shape of a leather tag and a feeble wink to his Gazing Ball series that included plaster reproductions of famous ancient sculptures, the prints are not original and certainly not his own.

Likewise, Dr. Martens, in a collaboration with Tate Britain, have slapped the work of English 18th century Romantic painter and poet William Blake on to the iconic boot as well as other items. Blake was a man influenced by spiritualism and the supernatural; the 1826 work ‘Satan Smiting Job with Sore Boils’, has been chosen to best exemplify this. In a statement by the company, they said that the “misunderstood visionary William Blake embodies the spirit of a Dr. Martens wearer — rebellious, free-thinking, and creative”. A man that by the sounds of it, perhaps belongs in 2017, rather than Georgian England.

Why then, following a general trend over the last few decades for designers to collaborate with contemporary artists, do they now pine for historical painting?

Perhaps, like Vuitton and his love of Mondrian in 2017, artworks from previous times relate more to us than ever before. Like in the 1960’s, we have seen another great shift in society entering an era of post-modernity. The excitement of modernity has worn thin and instead many of us have become disillusioned. We desire the simplicity of bygone eras, this time however not so much in design but in society itself.

Of course, I’m not talking about outdated views of race and class, but instead a fundamental shift in for example, human interaction that has been somewhat marred by technological advancements. In recent years, we have looked at the past with rose tinted spectacles, pining for a time without the stress of answering 200 emails or the dangers of online dating.

We can see this reflected in entertainment, for example the nations romance with costume dramas and historical novels. Therefore, it is more than reasonable to suggest that fashion’s current obsession with art’s historical classics represents a shift in Western society, therefore effecting what we want to see and be seen with.

Fashion player of the week: Hailey Baldwin

Written by Amy Nguyen on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Occupation: Model

Age: 20

Nationality: American and Brazillian

Walked for: Moschino, Dolce & Gabana, Ellie Saab, Julien Macdonald, Tommy Hilfiger, Philip Plein, Missoni, Bottega Venetta

Campaigns for: Ralph Lauren, Adidas, Guess, Prabal Gurung

As the daughter of American actor Steven Baldwin, Hailey is certainly largely famous thanks to her surname. In recent years, it is not her family’s prestigious acting heritage that has caught the eyes of the fashion world, instead her talent on and off the camera has turned heads. You may also recognise Hailey from her brief fling with pop prince Justin Bieber back in 2015 (he was punching).

Her undeniable beauty and perfected millennial style has landed her campaigns with the likes of Adidas, Guess and Topshop. Often spotted hanging on the arms of BFF’s Kendall, GiGi and Bella, Hailey has definitely gained some insider top tips and tricks from the industry’s finest on how to strike a pose and glide down the runway. In addition to front covers for leading publications such as Marie Claire, Elle and Harper’s Bazaar, those infinite legs paired with her mesmerising eyes and lips have gained her much attention from the likes of Maxim, who in May of this year dubbed her ‘the most beautiful women in the world.’

Looks are one thing, but Hailey’s devotion to her faith is another, she frequently preaches kindness and posts inspiring and relevant chapters from the Bible to her 10.8 million followers. In a recent interview with InStyle UK, she shared her effortless staple style which can be reduced to well fitted jeans, a perfect white tee and a leather Jacket. When speaking to Vogue she also confessed to her obsession with leather jackets, wouldn’t we just like to have a peek at her collection…

Her work both behind the lens and on the runway gives me no reason to doubt that she will soon be donning her first pair of ‘angel wings’ and joining the Victoria Secret clan.

My prediction is that the future is bright for Baldwin.

 

University team forges new research opportunities and development in India

Written by Elizabeth Rushton on . Posted in News, Science & Tech.

A university delegation has recently returned from a trip to India which sought to open up research and funding opportunities with some of the country’s biggest companies, as well as to assist in the foundation of a new medical school.

The group, comprised of academics representing a range of departments from medicine to environmental sciences, travelled to the state of West Bengal in the east of the country, where plans are underway to build a new school and training facilities for doctors.

The head of the delegation, Professor Stephen Flint, described the purpose of meetings with officials and staff at the forthcoming medical facilities as “helping them to fast-track the complex challenge of setting up a medical school from scratch”.

Academics including Professor Douglas Corfield of Manchester’s Division of Medical Education helped familiarise the staff with medical training techniques such as problem-based learning.

Professor Flint, Manchester’s Associate Vice President for Internationalisation, identified the shortage of hospitals in West Bengal as the driving factor behind the need for new medical training facilities. West Bengal’s population far surpasses that of the UK with over 90 million people resident there. The new hospital is to be situated at Kharagpur, an industrial city three hours’ drive from West Bengal’s capital, Kolkata.

Links with the region were established through the Tata Medical Centre where another Manchester researcher, Professor Vaskar Saha, works six months out of the year at the Tata Translational Cancer Research Centre.

According to Professor Flint, the trip could create more links with Manchester and opportunities for students in the future.

“We have signed an agreement with the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP) to collaborate across a range of research areas, and we hope this will lead initially to jointly supervised PhD students who spend time in both institutions.” he explained. He added that this could eventually enable students to travel to Kharagpur as a study abroad destination.

Established in 1951, IIT KGP is the oldest such institution in India, and its headquarters are based on the site of a former detention camp for Indian freedom fighters, dating back to the British colonial era. During the trip, plans were confirmed for the development of a world-class programme in health informatics run jointly with Manchester, a commitment to which had already been made with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two institutions during a visit from Manchester representatives this June.

Professor Siddhartha Mukhopadhyay, IIT KGP’s Dean of Alumni Affairs and International Relations spoke of the collaboration’s great potential to develop research programmes with global impact and create world-class training schemes, as well as joint research projects in areas including Smart Textiles, Earth-Environment-Water-Sciences, Advanced Materials and Biomedical Informatics.

During the trip, the delegation also met with representatives from some of the region’s most significant academic and research institutions, such as the Indian Institute of Chemical Biology, Indian Statistical Institute, and the Universities of Jadavpur and Kolkata, to discuss new possibilities in research and funding.

Spanning fields of engineering and biomedical sciences, conversations were held with such giant companies as Graphite India and Tata Steel, the owners of the UK’s largest steelworks and employers of almost 8,000 here, concerning material science research.

“Tata Steel have recently opened a biomaterials division, and we presented the cutting edge research on biomedical ‘smart’ materials being undertaken in the School of Materials,” Professor Flint explained, adding that this could open up the possibility of receiving research funding from Tata.

Interview: Lewis Capaldi

Written by Yasmin Duggal on . Posted in Music.

With his first UK headline tour completely sold out and a second well on the way, Scottish newcomer Lewis Capaldi is certainly impressive for a new artist, especially one who has only put two tracks online to date. ‘Bruises’ and ‘Lost On You’ have amassed a staggering 35 million streams globally, with both tracks demonstrating a mature understanding of classic song writing, whilst Lewis’s captivating vocal keeps things distinctly contemporary. Not bad for a 21 year old who only left college and wrote ‘Bruises’ a year ago.

Could you give a quick introduction to yourself?

My name is Lewis Capaldi, I’m a 21 year old singer from Glasgow. I played my first gig here a few weeks ago, and that was after the release of my first single ‘Bruises’.

So has this year been mad for you?

Aye, it’s been hectic to say the least. We put the single out not knowing what to expect, thinking it might just get a few plays and stuff. Then I woke up the next morning and it was top of New Music Friday in the US. Ever since then it’s been non-stop and my feet haven’t touched the ground. The last six months have been so fucking fast-paced. August was my first headline show, and literally yesterday I came back off a tour with Rag’n’Bone Man in massive European venues. It’s been such quick exposure. I’ve been gigging for eight years and it feels like all that was a practice run for this.

How was supporting Rag’n’Bone Man? How was he?

It was class. He’s lovely. I supported him once before in Hamburg back in May, and that was the fucking worst gig of my life. He’s one of the nicest guys I’ve met, but I took my own equipment over and it was a fucking disaster. None of the guitars stayed in tune, I was having issues with the amp and I had to do the last song a-cappella.

So that tour has just finished?

Yeah I got back home yesterday. I’ve not been home since before Halloween. I’m off to Hong Kong in a few days.

Your headline tour starts soon…

Yeah I think it’s the 27th, but it’s going to be pretty hectic from Hong Kong to Milan to Reading to support Jake Bugg and then straight to my own tour. The response to the tour’s been unbelievable. After I got over the initial shock, I wondered if anyone would actually come and see me, so to have sold out this tour is amazing.

So who are your biggest musical influences?

Paulo Nutini has always been a big one for me, just because he’s from Scotland.  I heard Joe Cocker sing a Beatles song and I knew I wanted to sound like him and then I discovered Paulo. Beyond that, my mum and dad got me into Queen, Fleetwood Mac, Elvis from a really young age, and I’m a massive Bob Dylan fan. Lately I’ve been listening a lot to Sia. I totally missed out on her, and I’ve recently got her album. She’s fucking class. I was a proper indie rock kid, but I never listened to proper pop music until I was 18 ’cause I thought I was too cool. Then I realised I wasn’t cool at all.

The EP is available and your tour is nearly here, so what’s next for you?

I write songs every single day. I’m working on the next single now for January, and something else for March. I’ve got no plans for an album yet. I still think it’s in the distance a bit. It’s still really early for me, so I’m just writing and recording, so just more of the same. I want every song to be better than the last, and just keep up this momentum and see where it takes me.

So are you taking some time off for Christmas?

After the UK tour I’m in Holland, and I get back on 22nd December, and then New Year I fly to America for a tour with Milky Chance.

Sounds like you’ll be busy! Thanks for chatting to us today.

No problem, thanks for taking the time to interview me.

You can catch Lewis Capaldi at Sound Control on 7th December.