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Year: 2018

What the ‘N-word’ Means to Me

Written by Anuli Changa on . Posted in Opinion.

Often, being a person of colour is a challenge. I am under no illusions that things are ‘better’, but racism is in no way fixed and there are times that this is forgotten. The everyday challenges I face come in the form of casual comments or ignorant generalisations. Tame examples include: “Are you actually black though?” and “Isn’t twerking something your people do?” Half the time I don’t know whether to respond with polite education or run far, far away from the speaker. Something that crops up time and again are the numerous and varying opinions on the use of the ‘n-word’.

As a black woman, I often find myself being questioned as if I can answer for my whole race. This is something I cannot and will not attempt to do. But here is what I, personally, think the ‘n-word’ represents and why I support the blatant double standard it creates.

It is widely known that this word is a pejorative term and a racial slur. It is also widely understood that black people reclaimed this particular word in order to strip it of its hegemonic power. Often, it is used as a term of endearment, familiarity, even belonging, and some may go as far as to say respect.

I, for one, think this exemplifies a genius control of language; stripping the word of its power from right underneath it.  It is largely understood that those who do not identify as being part of the black community, are not allowed to utter the word. This may be to avoid causing offence or, perhaps, to simply avoid the backlash.

The conversation around the use of the ‘n-word’ often revolves around its use in popular music. Do songs using the word legitimise its use outside of a specific community? My answer: no. It would certainly be the easy option to ban the public use of the ‘n-word’. This would be wrong for reasons beyond the free speech infringements. Music, and its ability to remind people of what has changed and what has not, is so important.

Removing the ‘n-word’ from vocabulary would be tantamount to erasing parts of history. Issues of racism, of all kinds, can never be forgotten, even if, in a Utopian future, this bigotry is eliminated.  Given that Golding, a white author, used the word in ‘Lord of the Flies’ (a school curriculum text), why are we even questioning its use by black artists?

To me, the double standard of the ‘n-word’ is a clever reminder on a linguistic level. Hundreds of years of oppression and double standards meant black people were not classed as people and then one day, they turned around and created their own double standard; a word that their oppressors could not use. Is it small? Is it trivial? Clearly not since we’re still talking about it.

 

BlacKKKlansman

Review: BlacKkKlansman

Written by carlfitzgerald on . Posted in News.

Attempting to trace the career of Spike Lee and his cultural impact would prove somewhat tricky to say the least. His latest film – The BlacKkKlansman – proves no easier.

Lee is most accomplished for his confrontational dramas based on various societal issues. From Jungle Fever discussing interracial relationships, to 25th Hour’s evaluation of post-9/11 America, he’s tackled them all. But he is almost certainly known more for his outspoken political views and comments regarding the state of society than entertainment films.

He brought us one of the smartest, most nuanced, and thought provoking films about racial tension in Do The Right Thing. Yet it’s frustrating that he received more think-pieces written about him because he said he didn’t want to go and see a Tarantino movie, than for the film itself.

He’s often described as being more of an artist who makes points than an artist who makes films, which I personally have always despised, given that he’s proven he can write well rounded characters and shoot his films in interesting ways multiple times. In many ways, that’s the reason why his new film, BlacKkKlansman, shouldn’t appeal to me at all.

It explores the story of two undercover detectives, one a black man and the other a white Jew, who work together to create the identity of a KKK inductee to infiltrate the Klan. For the most part the film is more focused on making a point than it is in being a great movie. However, if there’s anything Spike Lee has proven that he is good at, it’s making a point. And BlacKkKlansman, despite its flaws, acts as a great expression piece detailing the evolution of racism in America over the past few decades.

The film opens with Ron Stallworth, the aforementioned black male infiltrator, accepting a job offer to be the town of Colorado Springs’ first black police officer in the 1970’s. He is placed in the records room dealing with racist comments on a daily basis from co-officers. We see Ron use his initiative to work his way up to a job in investigations, where he makes a phone call to the head of a local Klan division to gain access.

Accidentally using his first name, fellow officer Flip Zimmerman has to act as the face, while Stallworth acts as the voice over the phone in an undercover investigation. From this point, the film largely moves off into a direction from following Stallworth’s career to more of a simple detective story simply following the case.

Whilst watching the film, it was during this middle portion that it felt most uninteresting. Lee doesn’t shoot the investigation in any particular way, and his script, co-written with Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz and Kevin Willmott, does little to flesh out the characters to much depth. It is also at this point which we see Ron and Flip interacting with members of the Klan, which the script makes its central point regarding the roots of modern racism and the rise of the far right.

There were touches in the dialogue which resemble racial tensions and conflicts occurring in the US today, such as KKK members complaining about it no longer being acceptable to use various racial slurs, characters discuss language tactics used by the group to soften their racist rhetoric, and having the group consistently use the phrase ‘America first’ designed to eerily replicate nationalist talking points used in today’s political climate. There’s even a scene in which Stallworth laughs off the possibility of the American people electing someone like Klan leader David Duke as President, before being abrasively told to ‘Wake up!’

It’s also no mistake that Lee has placed Duke like a Grand Moff Tarkin villain figure over the Klan. He is a character still very much active in political conversation regarding white supremacy, while also controlling his army. This makes it clear that Lee wants you to view the film through a modern lens and explore the foundations of modern far right ideology.

When Lee bookends the film opening with a racist speech by an American governor (played by Alec Baldwin), this agenda is made crystal clear. The speech was played over various Klan and Jim Crow-era footage, and ended with modern clips and videos from the more recent Charlottesville riots, including the infamous murder of Heather Heyer and even going as far as to include Trump’s attempt to dismiss the heavy hand that white supremacy played in both instances. The point is clear, and in Spike Lee’s hands, it’s most certainly well made.

Yet this intention comes at the expense of its narratives and themes. It makes little effort to explore the racism within the police force Stallworth works in, taking a  ‘some cops are racist, some cops are good’ view, with little nuance or introspection. Perhaps the biggest victim comes in the form of Laura Harrier’s character, Patrice, a young powerful leader of a black student union in Colorado. She is allocated, for most of the film, to the clichéd female love interest for whom the main character, Ron Stallworth, must maintain a lie. In this case, Stallworth has to pretend he isn’t really a cop – or ‘pig’ as Patrice frequently calls them – in order to stay with them, before she inevitably finds out and later forgives him.

Harrier tries to give the character some more levity, and she gives a powerful performance, but the script gives her too little to work with to really stand out. This is especially grating when she is pulled over and groped by a racist male police officer for a brief moment, and the film makes little effort to explore the impact or culture of this horrendous abuse of power and sexual assault, instead just using it as set up to her and Ron getting revenge on the same officer at the end.

Yet, Lee does still make the effort to have his film shot in a unique way. He manages to work in his trademark dolly shot to pitch perfect effect towards the movie’s conclusion. All in all, Spike Lee has done well to craft yet another film that brings uncomfortable topics regarding racial tension into the mainstream.

After a long spell of seemingly falling under the radar, it’s refreshing to see him project these issues onto a big-screen studio film. BlackKklansman may not have the emotional connections of Do The Right Thing, but it’s an exploration and a point of right-wing radicalism that will hopefully prove he is more than a controversial interview.

Credit: Emery PR

The Totally Football Show Live is coming to Manchester

Written by James Gill on . Posted in Sport.

After sellout live shows in Birmingham, London and Dublin, the massively popular podcast ‘The Totally Football Show’ is once again heading out of the studio and hitting the road, coming to Manchester on 5th October.

The show will be hosted by iconic football broadcaster James Richardson. Richardson made his name presenting Gazetta Football Italia on Channel 4 in the 90’s and is known more recently for hosting the BT Sport Champions League Goals Show along with The World’s Strongest Man on Channel 5.

He’ll be joined by some of the country’s finest football writers at the RNCM Theatre. Rory Smith is a journalist, broadcaster and author whose book Mister was nominated for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award in 2016. You can find he work in the New York Times where he is Chief Soccer Correspondent.

Daniel Storey was Deputy Editor of Football365 until September 2018 and is now a freelance journalist who has written for The Independent, The Guardian and Sky Sports amongst many others. Lastly, James Horncastle is a fountain of Italian football knowledge. He joins Richardson on the BT Sports Goals Show as well as writing for almost every major, reputable English publication about Serie A.

The Totally Football Show Live will continue the podcast’s trademark puns and punditry, with football tales far too risqué to be included in the regular show, as well as the opportunity for the audience to win prizes for putting their footballing queries to the panel.

If you want to get tickets for the event, which takes place on Friday 5th October at 8pm at the RNCM Theatre on Oxford Road, you can go here. Tickets are £22 for what will undoubtedly be a fantastic evenings entertainment.

The Totally Football Show podcast began in the summer of 2017 and is my personal favourite football podcast. After eleven years behind The Guardian’s Football Weekly podcast, presenter James Richardson and producer Ben Green decided to go it alone, setting up their own production company Muddy Knees Media with fellow football journalist and broadcaster Iain Macintosh, with their mission being to shake up the podcasting landscape.

This is a goal they have arguably already achieved, with their free, twice-weekly podcast receiving over 35 million downloads since it launched making it one of the biggest podcasts in the world. Their free flowing jokes, effortless chemistry and fearlessness in the face of difficult topics and events make it a must listen for football fans.

Muddy Knees Media also have three spin-off football podcasts — The Totally Football League Show, Golazzo: The Totally Italian Football Show, and The Totally Scottish Football Show — focussing on life beyond the Premier League and Champions League, as well as a cycling podcast with Bradley Wiggins, and a weekly wrestling show. Other, non-sport titles are due in 2019.

New episodes of The Totally Football Show podcast are released every Monday and Thursday. You can find it on your favourite podcast provider. You can find them on Twitter at @thetotallyshow, Facebook, or their website.

Police called after “violent incident” at Salford nightclub

Written by Nicole Wootton-Cane on . Posted in News.

The White Hotel nightclub in Salford has issued a statement after a “violent incident” took place in the early hours of Sunday morning.

The venue said they were “shocked and upset”, and urged any witnessed of the event to get in touch with Greater Manchester Police.

Eyewitness accounts in Fallowfield Students’ Group (FSG) suggest that a fight broke out outside the nightclub after a group was thrown out by door staff after “chucking stuff around.”

Allegedly, the group went on to get into a car and drive into those they had been fighting with.

Police were called to The White Hotel at around 5:20am on Sunday morning.

However, no further details have been released by Greater Manchester Police.

Manchester’s ‘night tsar’ Sacha Lord commented via twitter, writing “Everyone in Greater Mcr has a right to go for a night out, enjoy themselves and return home safely.”

“I’ll be working with both GMP and grassroots venues such as the White Hotel to ensure we prioritise the safety of our residents at night time.”

Lookaroundanne @Flickr

Fallowfield’s Tesco Express to close its doors for good

Written by Ashwin Tharoor on . Posted in News.

Tesco has confirmed its Fallowfield store will close on October 6.

The Tesco Express is one of the area’s only shops with late closing on a Sunday.

The move will also lead to the closure of the Post Office situated inside. The nearest alternatives for Fallowfield residents will be in adjacent suburbs, such as Withington or Burnage.

The store closure was confirmed by Tesco’s official Twitter account which stated it did not know the reason for the closure.

Staff at the store have also confirmed the closure, but they could not give a reason or say what the site will be used for in future. The manager was not available on several occasions when contacted for comment.

Separately Tesco is launching a new branch of discount stores called Jack’s, set to take on Aldi and Lidl. The shops will sell only own-brand products, unlike Tesco stores which sell thousands of labelled items.

Its planning to open 15 Jack’s in the next 12 months, with five existing Tesco branches being rebranded.

Tesco has reported slow growth in recent years, sometimes operating at a loss. 

LGBTQ+ people are more likely to have depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts. Photo: RyanMelaugh @Flickr

Why depression should not be shared, liked, or commented on

Written by Cachella Smith on . Posted in Opinion.

Mental illness remains one of the biggest internet topics of the day. While half of the social media world are campaigning for it to be taken seriously, the other half are sharing memes demeaning the subject. Given the health-related impact of this subject, why should social media have free reign to facilitate, and even encourage derogatory statements?

After years of portraying impossibly perfect lives on social media, we seem, lately, to have shifted to the other end of the spectrum. Instead of blemish-free photos and like-counts which approach infinity, internet users seem determined to make cynical jokes about their lives. Whatever your thoughts on this transition, there comes a real problem when comments on mental illness begin to become a part of this conversation.

One of the most detrimental trends at the moment is a certain encouragement to neglect proper treatment for mental illness in favour of so-called ‘natural treatments’. Put bluntly, fresh air or a stroll in the park are not effective treatments for long-term mental health conditions. A picture of a fluffy cat is quite simply not an ‘instant anti-depressant’. Similar advice is also shared around in real life, but the online world accelerates the circulation of such ideas. Of course, laughter is positive and exercise is beneficial, but it is likely that for a sufferer of mental illness these methods alone will not suffice.

Social media users need to stop telling people to listen to music, breathe, or take a country walk. Whilst these are useful methods in the short term and have the potential to have a real impact, there are huge dangers associated with prescribing these things in lieu of mainstream care.

Asserting that a mental illness is easily curable serves to dramatically undermine the severity of the situation. Medication may not be for everyone; equally though, it should not be rejected on the basis that a social media user has informed you that country strolls are just as effective. Bear in mind that medication is the answer for some people and if they are continually seeing these ‘natural treatments’ being shared online, they may be less inclined to choose the treatment that could potentially save their life. 

Memes like this and the use of the language of mental illness to describe normal emotions misinforms our perception of mental conditions. We begin here to approach the well-known debate of having a ‘down day’ versus having depression. For someone having a ‘down day’ or an abnormally low period, a chat with a friend or something similar can do a world of good. The complacent use of niche language and the broadcasting of undermining memes blurs the boundaries between mental illness and healthy emotions. This consequently erodes the notion of depression as an illness in its own right.

I completely support the movement to overcome stigmas but we cannot normalise mental illness to the point where it becomes the norm. Memes are supposed to be funny because they are relatable and this is exactly where the problem lies; mental illness is not relatable for the majority of the population.

As a side effect of breaking down the notion of mental illness, we begin simultaneously to mock the concept of mental wellness. The suggestion that such symptoms are so widely spread and so common calls the prospect of recovery into question. If panic attacks, depressive episodes, and suicidal thoughts are portrayed as unavoidable, the sufferer becomes more likely to accept these feelings and becomes less inclined to work towards a recovery.

So, no thank you Facebook, the most powerful anti-depressant does not have 4 hooves and a swishy tail, nor are two handfuls of cashews the therapeutic equivalent of a prescription dose of anti-depressants. The most powerful anti-depressant will come in a tablet form, will require serious consideration before being administered, and can be a very effective and realistic solution to a long-term mental health illness. Mental illness is just that, an illness, and how anyone could feasibly ‘like’ a comment that says it could be cured with a handful of nuts is beyond me.

Review: The Manchester Anthology VI

Written by Gurnaik Johal on . Posted in Books.

On the 6th September, the 2017/18 MA Creative Writing class launched The Manchester Anthology VI at HOME. At the event, the writers read small sections of their work, showcasing a wide range of styles, forms and subject matter. Each piece seemed to be completely unique but hearing them read aloud together, it was clear there was something equally intriguing across all the work.

The anthology contains poems, short stories and extracts from novels. From the freezing waters of Antartica to post-revolutionary Iran, reading the anthology doesn’t just feel like reading the work of one class, but reading work from around the world.

While much the work is personal and at some points seemingly autobiographical, a lot of the stories and poems deal with political issues. For example, Thomas Lee’s The Matter of Britain takes readers into “an exaggerated post-Brexit dystopia”; it’s fun to read, but scary to think about. While Lee’s work takes us into the future, stories like Windmills by J.C.Wilson, take us into the past. Windmills is an extract from “a novel of several interconnected lives impacted by the Yugoslav Wars”, and as is the case with much of the work in the anthology, I look forward to reading more of it.

The poetry in the anthology is just as diverse in style as the prose. Joe Carrick-Varty, a winner of the 2017/18 New Poets Prize, writes simple but affecting poems. In Swing Set, he manages to capture something significant in a small moment, which I think is the mark of a poet worth reading. Roma Havers’ poems are similarly intimate but experiment further with form, pushing the language of the everyday in fun and unexpected ways.

Sadly I can only provide a snapshot of the work in the collection — there are 26 writers in total — but I hope it is clear that the range of voices and perspectives throughout The Manchester Anthology VI provides something for everyone. Whether you like poetry of fiction, crime or sci-fi, realism or surrealism, there’ll be more than a few new writers of interest here. It will be interesting to see which of these writers go on to publish books and whether parts of these stories and poems will make their way into their future work. As Kamila Shamsie, author of Home Fire, writes in her introduction to the anthology: “so much is achieved and — even more excitingly — so much more is promised.” So keep an eye out for what these writers do next, but for now, you can read the full anthology for free at www.themanchesteranthologyvi.blogspot.com

Preview: Manchester Literature Festival

Written by Gurnaik Johal on . Posted in Books.

From 30th September to 5th December, Manchester will play host to some of the world’s best writers. The lineup for this year’s Manchester Literature Festival may be the most diverse yet, with poets, novelists, memoirists and non-fiction writers from across the globe taking part in events throughout the city.

From Man Booker-nominated novelists like Esi Edugyan and Guy Gunaratne to household names like Graham Norton and Jo Brand, there’s certainly something for everyone at this year’s festival. Celebrated poets Nick Laird and Terrance Hayes appear alongside acclaimed non-fiction writers like Afua Hirsch, author of BRIT(ish). There’s a great mix of best-selling writers and rising stars; nowhere else will you get the chance to meet the makers of Slay in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible one day and Olivia Laing, author of Crudo, the next. While most writers at the festival have just brought out new books, some events reappraise older work, what with a Celebration of Muriel Spark and a Celebration of the Life and Work of James Baldwin to look forward to.

But the festival is not just about readings and live events, as there are plenty of workshops and walking tours alongside these. If you’re looking to get all cultural, check out the festival lineup and keep an eye out for The Mancunion Books Section, where we’ll be previewing and reviewing events from the festival.

Tickets are relatively cheap and student discounts are available. Some events are free but are selling out fast.

Review: Hope Theatre Company’s OutStageUs

Written by Libby Williamson on . Posted in Theatre.

OutStageUs is an annual event which was held in the Aldridge Studio at the Lowry. Hope Theatre invited open submissions, intending to present a ‘diverse range’ of LGBTQ+ performances. The pieces themselves were varied, both in content and quality.  There were also many moving, troubling, and memorable moments to make the evening worthwhile.

The night began with Conor Hunt’s ‘Kings of Idle Land’, a scene of two male ‘friends’ in 2001. One grappling with his sexuality and one out and proud. I laughed out loud at the line ‘she smells of wet dog and sadness’, however chemistry between the actors was lacking – making their climactic kiss at the end feel predictable rather than revelatory.

Little Dear Films’ shadowy and sensual short, ‘His Hands’, represented the duality of sexuality in terms of role reversal. Aaron Blake and Philip Brisebois acted well and there were some highly memorable images; phallic lipstick, intimate eye contact and, of course, the ‘hands’ of both men. Closing the first act, ‘I Know Why The Gay Man Dances’, combined recorded poetry with dance. MJ Manning’s physicality was skilful and fluid, although the audio at times felt disconnected from the movement.

Daniel Waterhouse’s four-part series ‘Queer Talk’ was compelling, framing the evening with personal stories from different men. ‘Reign’ told the story of an openly gay mayor with touching sincerity. In contrast, ‘Convert’, the story of a straight man overcoming internalised homophobia felt rather jarring. His growing acceptance of other sexualities seemed based on their usefulness to him. ‘Reared’ in the second act was poignant, reflecting upon the historical abuse of queer men who stayed silent out of shame. ‘Pink & Bloom’, performed by Waterhouse himself, was heartfelt and performed with ease and undeniable likability.

The first act left me a little cold, as a night which claimed to be representing ‘Manchester’s rich LGBT+ community’ spent its first half exclusively representing gay, mostly white men.

Starting the second act with Adam Zane’s ‘Jock Night 2’- which was, admittedly, very funny- implied this lack of inclusivity would continue. Fortunately, Xenia Lily’s ‘Pastel Pride’ covered new ground. It tackled themes such as RuPaul’s exclusion of trans drag queens and the invisibility of ‘straight-passing’ lesbians in the queer community.

Rob Ward’s ‘There’s Something I Need to Say’ was the standout of the night, ingeniously subverting the conventional coming-out narrative. Sue McCormick and Ward’s comic timing was faultless when he ‘came out’ to his mother (after much inner turmoil) as a Corbyn voter. In the ensuing horror, his mother (McCormick) came out as a lesbian. Yet, hilariously, it was Ward’s confession, not McCormick’s, which was deemed unforgivable.

Lee Johnson’s ‘Pride’ (read by Keaton Lansley) was the impressive final performance. It was a vivid reminder of the true consequences of homophobia, often lost in the rainbow-striped sheen of Canal Street and modern pride. ‘We’re the lucky ones’, said Lansley, calling to mind those who aren’t so lucky.

OutStageUs could have been more inclusive. To be truly representative, the creative team could have selected more submissions showcasing the queer female, bisexual or trans experience. Overall, the evening was very enjoyable, and the occasional inconsistencies in quality were ameliorated by the standout pieces.  I look forward to next year’s selections.

Review: OthelloMacbeth at HOME

Written by Anuli Changa on . Posted in Theatre.

An emphasis was put on the idea of bringing the female characters in the play to the fore. I appreciated the irony that both plays are named for their male leads. The concept was strongly portrayed by the impressive presences of Melissa Johns as Amelia and Kezrena James as Bianca in Othello. The addition of the a cappella singing of ‘Oh Sister’ by Anjana Vasan also supported the more female – centric aspects. However, I didn’t feel like this was emphasised enough to be central to this retelling. The standout performances in the first half (Othello) was the cunning Iago (Collings) and the witty, oblivious Cassio (Sandy Grierson).

I was unsure of Ery Nzaramba’s portrayal of Othello. I found it stilted and bordering on a childlike tantrum at times. However, I don’t know whether this was a deliberate choice in order to contrast the stronger female characters. Kirsten Foster grew on me with her Desdemona, switching impressively from a smiling, obedient wife, to powerful and commandeering. The toxic and violent relationship between Iago (Samuel Collings) and Amelia (Melissa Johns) was completely believable even given their limited scenes together.

I am loath to spoil any of clever twists and links between the two plays (split by the interval). I will say that rarely have I gasped and flinched at one performance so much! This performance kept the audience on their toes in the best way. Beyond the show’s many twists and turns, the well known and expected death’s absolutely terrifying and lifelike.

The design of the Othello set (Basia Binkowska) was stark and impressive. A wall of tin sheeting left only the front of the stage for the action, complete with an overhead walkway.  The tin wall put powerful emphasis on the violence in Othello, each bang reverberating through the theatre.

The second half, Macbeth, was very impressive. Sandy Grierson seemed made to play Macbeth, not just because of his Scottish accent, but his presence and ability to demonstrate the layers of Macbeth’s inner conflict and lust for power. The overhead gantry was also made use of in very clever ways, having the witches stood above the scenes, always watching and meddling. This added another layer and sense of foreboding.

A special mention must go to Kezrena James’ delivery of the classic Act 1 Scene 5 Lady Macbeth speech (“unsex me here, and fill me from the crown to the toe top-full”), it was powerful and haunting, just as if she were becoming a witch herself. A further mention to Samuel Collings’ incredibly genuine grief-stricken scene when he finds out his wife and children have been killed.

For Macbeth, the whole stage was used and the design was very imposing. Wall to wall shiny black tiles and a white tiled floor. Stark in a completely different way and making the primary colour costumes really pop against the sterile environment.

This show had a great visceral power and comments beautifully on the connections of Shakespeare’s plays. I may not have experienced it the way it was intended but I highly recommend it, nothing quite prepares you for OthelloMacbeth.

Photo: Kayla Johnson @Commons Wikimedia

Album Review: Hozier – Nina Cried Power EP

Written by Olivia White on . Posted in Music.

Since Andrew Hozier-Byrne’s self-titled debut album, released exactly 4 years ago, the ethereal king of all things mystical and harmonious has finally returned.

Despite Hozier releasing the faultless Better Love in 2016 for the film The Legend of Tarzan, a role who he could have undoubtedly taken himself, fans have been left high and dry with only a teasing of what we could have expected from future Hozier. But fear not, the angelic, old-souled God of the pixies has reappeared with the mighty Nina Cried Power EP.

Even though there are clear similarities between Nina Cried Power and Hozier in that each track consists of forceful yet composed preaching which is enveloped in a blanket of electrifying warmth, it is clear that the new EP is stretching towards a more real and grounded objective.

Nina Cried Power is a protest and it’s also a recognition of those who have fought tirelessly for what they believe in. Yet again, we have another artist who is using their platform to express important, possibly previous-unheard cries. This EP is a potent, spine-tingling and beautiful record that not only serves as a reminder that people are still suffering in the 21stcentury but also that we must not forget past suffering.

My personal favourite ‘Shrike’ perhaps could easily mask itself as a love song but I’m sure is alluding to the Northern Ireland conflict, especially given that he was born in Bray. The song begins with Hozier’s signature finger-plucking before reaching a climax with strained and desperate vocals. It is haunting, it is wistful, and it is raw. This is all evident within seconds of the song before Hozier begins to sing. Amongst beautiful imagery, Hozier juxtaposes a songbird with “bodies lay mounted” and a “glorious thorn”. Perhaps delving a little too deep but certainly something I noticed on this track, he really does seem to stress his northern Irish accent, demonstrating just how personal and important such a message is.

However, the track that the entire EP was named after presents fans with a more upbeat, rebellious and assured melody complete with harmonies and a chorus composed of utter soul. I can only imagine what this song will sound like on his typically candle-lit, minimalistic stage. A spiritual experience I’m sure.  Coupled with a stirring video showing inclusivity of all regardless of colour, race, ability, gender, and sexuality, ‘Nina Cried Power’ is essential and powerful. Mavis Staples, a prestigious American singer, actress and civil rights activist joins Hozier in his sermon at the latter end forming a concoction of gospel, profound and compelling vocals.

‘Moment’s Silence (Common Tongue)’ and ‘NFWMB’ are the remaining two songs that are really rooted in Hozier’s core sound. The former initially resembling ‘Like Real People Do’ and the latter resembling ‘It Will Come Back’ that featured on his debut. Hearing such clear ties may result in assurance for die-hard fans given we are hearing a lot of shifts in artist’s sounds lately, some we may not have complete faith in.

What is crystal clear, unlike his 2014-2015 rival James Bay, Hozier has cemented his identity as one of the rawest, most genuine and most exciting musicians of the current alternative scene.

Photo: Jill Furmanovsky April 2016

Record Reappraisal: The Balcony by Catfish and the Bottlemen

Written by Olivia White on . Posted in Music.

Catfish and the Bottlemen’s platinum debut album The Balcony was released 4 years ago this September. Formed in Llandudno back in 2007, Catfish soon became one of the most well-known bands on the alternative scene. Not bad for a band that used to promote themselves by sticking their early tunes on people’s windscreens in carparks. In fact, The Balcony’s crude artwork and frontman Van’s rough-around-the-edges demeanour soon became a signature token for this thriving quartet.

On a more personal note, this particular album shaped a large part of my life and subsequent genres and artists that I listened to. I will always sing its praise. The sound of the album is comprised of anthemic drum beats, Van’s distinctively weathered vocals, and catchy, often heart-wrenching guitar licks. Yes, I am referencing ‘Tyrants’, and yes, Van did write it at 14 years old. But all jokes and reasons to take the mick aside. This album coincided with Arctic Monkey’s AM and therefore played a large part in defining the modern indie scene. It was slightly heavier than other indie counterparts on the scene and bore a brazenly courageous attitude.

In fact, The Balcony has been the backdrop for the majority of alternative angsty teen years, drunken house parties and, for those in Manchester, many an epic sing-along in 42s.

Having Catfish be my favourite modern band for a 2-year period around the Poetry and Fuel EP and The Balcony era, I still stick by the fact that this 11-track indie powerhouse of an album possesses a relentless vitality live. And, for this reason, The Balcony will always be one of those timeless albums.

The Balcony always spoke as a raw, genuine and northern soul record. Admittedly, in hindsight some of the lyrics aren’t quite as good as my 14-year-old self once thought, but they are endearing. The simplicity of the lyricism coupled with a wall of electric-infused guitar drops and stirring harmonies largely framed 2014 and 2015 for me. Back then bands were really reclaiming the mainstream spotlight when Catfish’s’ contemporary lead guitarist and co-songwriter Billy Bibby jumped ship, departing the band just as The Balcony was set to hit the UK Top 10.

Following the album’s success, Catfish set off on a breakneck series of tours, their manic promotion another point of admiration. Unfortunately, just before they ducked under the radar towards the end of 2016, Catfish hit a dud with their underwhelming new single, Soundcheck, which predictably amounted to an incredibly disappointing, average and generally gutting second album The Ride. Without dwelling too much, all I can say is that Van continuously emphasised how this cracking new album was written “over a long weekend”. Frankly, you can tell.

Later failures aside, The Balcony was a greatly successful debut album supported by all the most important and relevant publications and radio shows of the time such as NME and BBC Radio 6. It even secured their winning for the 2016 Brit Award for Best Breakthrough Act. It’s just a shame that Catfish appear to have lost their identity since.

 

Photo: Kirstie O'Mahony @The Mancunion

Autumn 2018 food trends our ancestors would be proud of!

Written by Natalie Willetts on . Posted in News.

Sources suggest that the fermentation/pickling process, buying hyper-local produce to minimise environmental impact, healthy fast food and snacks, and booze-free food and drink are all popular trends during 2018. The trends of fermentation/pickling and buying from the most localised sources indicate a fashionable step into Britain’s agricultural past. What can we, in 2018, learn from the dedication of our agricultural ancestors five to six hundred years ago? In a capitalist society that has made blind consumption the easiest – and often cheapest – option in our busy lives, what can the patience, long term planning, and seasonal diet of Medieval English farmers teach us about the changes we can make in our spending habits to provide for and protect Britain’s spiraling modern farming business? And finally, how can the consumption habits of our ancestors help our current no-waste revolution?

According to Food Aware, a community organisation for spreading nationwide awareness about food waste, Britain wastes a dizzying eighteen million tonnes of food every single year. All this food is destined to meet its doom in landfill, leaving Britain £23 billion out of pocket annually. Globally, there is a growing movement towards solving this colossal problem. In France, supermarkets are banned from wasting or destroying unsold produce. Italy followed suit by demanding supermarkets donate leftover food to charity, and even in England, phone apps like OLIO encourage communities to pull together and offer food that people no longer want or need for free or at a small price. These parts of the no-waste revolution sweeping across Europe are reminiscent of the self-sustaining agricultural economy of Medieval Britain. During this era, whole families would work together to raise livestock, grow their own seasonal vegetables, and grow crops on larger tracts of land that would go towards feeding their rural community and the growing urban population. Capitalism has made it far too easy to buy meat, fruit and veg that carry hefty air miles, with a lot of these foods leaving an even heftier imprint on the foreign communities that grow them for us. For example, global demand for avocados has left Mexico highly vulnerable to illegal deforestation, while over in Peru and Bolivia, the demand for quinoa has driven prices up so much that this once nutritious staple is an impossible luxury for their poorest citizens. The devastating effects of Western Capitalism on the Mexican, Peruvian, and Bolivian communities and environments are just three out of hundreds of examples of why we should become more conscientious about our consumer habits. But what can we do to help?

Just like our Medieval ancestors, you can find out ways to preserve spring/summer produce for consumption during the winter. Along with salting foods such as meat and fish, Medieval people used pickling or brining, the process of preserving foods in salt water, and oil to preserve foods otherwise unavailable after the autumn harvest. There are many online resources detailing the vastly diverse fruit and vegetables available through the British seasons – for the purpose of this article, I used Melissa Snell’s ‘Medieval Food Preservation’ article with Thought Co. to find several intriguing methods of preserving foods for months or even years and Love British Food’s article of in-season produce.

The agricultural community in Britain is currently facing a lot of pressure due to Brexit – a huge threat to Britain’s foreign labour force who often take these low-paying jobs when first settling in Britain – and inexpensive imported produce from big businesses such as Lidl and Aldi. Through buying our seasonal fruit and veg and other produce directly from our local farmers, we’ll be leading the revolution towards supporting our post-Brexit agricultural economy; keeping our farms and our bodies working well!

Finally, as a student body, we should work out how to make use of the food waste we can’t eat – like egg shells, banana skins or the bones from meat and fish. We can work together to create compost for the countless community gardens across Manchester, or even encourage our university to create a community garden of their own, where we can donate our compost to, and conduct workshops for growing our own produce. By dedicating just a few seconds of our time to scraping our scraps into a separate dustbin to the rest of our waste, the bright, successful minds of the future whom Manchester’s student body represents will be setting a good example for the people currently leading our city, our country, and our world!

Soylent launches in the UK

Written by Catrin Stewart on . Posted in Food & Drink.

Soylent is a meal replacement drink that has proved very popular in the US since its launch in 2014. The drinks are are vegan, made largely from soy protein and have 400 calories per bottle. In advance of their product launch in the UK, I was given exclusive access to trial the product.

After the launch in Canada, Soylent sales were suspended, on the claim that Soylent failed to reach the minimum requirements of meal replacement drinks and one of Soylent’s food bars was recalled in 2016 after claims it made some customers ill. Two years on, the launch in the UK is tested, safe and has been rebranded. The product is no longer to be relied upon, but to fill ‘food voids’ where we are too busy to eat a full meal.

I’ll have to admit, I was dubious, as I don’t really believe in meal replacements or ‘drinking’ your calories, but Soylent seemed to be different to most of these products; they don’t try to pretend that a Soylent drink is better than a well balanced meal, or encourage you to live off them alone. Instead, Soylent is intended for busy lifestyles, and as I am guilty of skipping breakfast when I’m late for a lecture, I thought it couldn’t do any harm to give them a try.

I was given three flavours: Original, Cacao, and the caffeinated Cafe Mocha. On my first day I passed on my morning coffee and headed to the gym with a Cafe Mocha. Surprisingly, I felt awake and full of energy, without the sluggish feeling I sometimes get when exercising too soon after eating breakfast. Even better, I felt full until lunchtime, even after a heavy workout.

The cacao and cafe mocha flavours taste like your regular milkshake or mocha but with a slightly earthier, maltier kick which is the main taste of the original.

They won’t blow you away, but Soylent is drinkable, and works well in other things too. I tried blending the cacao flavour with banana and peanut butter and ended up with a great tasting smoothie. Doing this takes the ‘in a rush’ purpose out of Soylent, but also makes each bottle go further, which, at £3.33 each, isn’t a bad thing. And with each bottle containing 20g of protein, and 20% of your daily nutrition, you know that you’re getting what you need.

With each bottle having a year-long shelf life, Soylent are committed to reducing food and plastic waste and contributing to helping the cause for hunger. The plant-based protein means that Soylent produces less CO2 and uses less water than most meat-based products.

Beckie Lait, a student at the University of Manchester, and one half of @theveganpair on Instagram, is a frequent user of one of Soylent’s UK competitor meal replacement drinks. She says that the drinks work as a cheap meal and she will be using them for breakfast and lunch this year at university as they are so quick and easy to make, as well as having all the nutrients she needs. The plant-based nature of these drinks is also an advantage, as she says “it shows that they have really researched the benefits of a plant-based diet”.

I have always been skeptical about these sort of drinks, but my trial with Soylent has changed my mind. Not all meal replacement drinks have to be about gaining or losing weight. Soylent truly is a better alternative if you don’t have the time for a proper meal. This isn’t to say that all your calories should be liquid, but I have definitely enjoyed being able to grab a bottle on the go, knowing that I’m getting the right nutrients for my body and staying full for a long time.

The three flavours (Original, Cacao and Cafe Mocha) will be available on Amazon UK at £39.99 for a case of 12 bottles.

Chapter One Books: a serene study space

Written by Catrin Stewart on . Posted in Food & Drink.

If, like me, you’re not one for getting up at 7am, racing to the Ali G, and locking yourself down into a seat for the rest of the day, then may I suggest travelling a little further, up into the serene streets of Northern Quarter. The extra 10 minutes on the bus will bring you to Chapter One: a book store and cafe situated just off Piccadilly Gardens that makes the perfect inner-city study space.

Dotted with comfortable armchairs for reading, or desk space with individual lamps and large windows for plenty of natural light, there’s always a space to get comfortable in. The cafe provides a selection of drinks and cakes (including vegan and gluten free options) to get you through the day, and as a popular spot for writers and readers alike, there is no feeling that you are ever overstaying your welcome.

Plants, fairy lights and huge windows – can it get any better?

A lapping water fountain, quiet chatter and gentle old-timey jazz creates the perfect white noise for studying. I often find the library too silent to concentrate and feel self conscious of every movement, but get distracted by group projects talking in more sociable study spaces. Chapter One, meanwhile, strikes a perfect balance.

It’s quirky without being pretentious; simple, charming and welcoming.

If you get bored of reading for your course, pick up a book from one of their shelves – there’s always something new and interesting to check out. You can also use their vintage typewriters for some novelty, or entertain yourself with a variety of board games from their shelves. Alternatively, time your visit for one of Chapter One’s frequent events. These include art nights such as cake and doodle alongside regular book clubs, which welcome anyone, student or not.

Chapter One is also open till midnight, making it ideal for a night owls or working to a late deadline, not that any student ever leaves their work to the last minute.

So go, venture out of the student bubble and find your new favourite study space. Take a friend, or go alone and meet your fellow regulars – fair warning though, you’ll become one yourself soon enough.

 

Fashion Player of the Week: Rihanna

Written by Rona McCann on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Worldwide the unrivalled superstardom of Rihanna is associated with her music success. However, it’s not absurd to say that the waves she has been making in the fashion industry are significant. Since launching her namesake brand Fenty, her creations have amassed a global following. She began with Fenty Beauty in 2017 and her cult following meant fans were queuing before even seeing the products.

Rihanna’s move into the make-up world could be compared to that of other celebrities. Kylie Jenner, for example, is famously predicted to have a net worth of $1billlion within the next year amassed from her own beauty brand. Undoubtedly Kylie’s business is a phenomenon but it is  Rihanna’s approach that is more inclusive. We see Kylie Cosmetics collections being deliberately limited edition to create an air of exclusivity and invoke a buy-now-or-lose-out fear among young, impressionable consumers. In contrast, Fenty Beauty is stocked worldwide in department stores and set at a standard department store price range. Its cruelty-free Pro Filt’r foundation is currently available in 40 shades, ranging from extremely fair shades to deep browns, the latter of which is so often neglected by major beauty brands.

Move into 2018 and the Fenty focus has been on fashion. First came a Puma collaboration, with a vast collection of sportswear, accessories and shoes being released under the name Fenty x Puma. However, a more personal venture for Rihanna has been her Savage x Fenty lingerie line, a range that aims to cater to everyone, regardless of shape or style. Alongside this, Rihanna made her Fashion Week designing debut earlier this month in New York. The perfectly-choreographed catwalk welcomed models of every size and a variety of ethnicities, both a rarity for NYFW shows. The most irregular choice used on the runway in a beautiful celebration of the female body was the due-any-moment pregnant model Slick Woods. If this is what a fashion-forward Rihanna can do for the industry in just a couple of years, we look forward to what she has yet to bring.

Photo: Pixabay

Student journalism is our best political engagement

Written by Megan Ritchie on . Posted in Opinion.

Arguably, our generation has a habit of often being passive when it comes to politics, our opinions, and current affairs. Perhaps, too often, we take what we see on the news and on our phones at face value and believe it. However, today more than ever in the era of fake news and the ever-changing political landscape of the world, it is so important we look up from our screens, look around, and speak out. Let us ask questions, let us debate, let us express opinions, and let us dig deeper. Student journalism provides the perfect opportunity to do this.

As students we have a unique opportunity to explore our right to free-speech; campus newspapers, like The Mancunion, should be platforms for encouraging individuals to use their independent voices and explore their own opinions. For many, University will be the first time they engage in political issues. Therefore, as institutions, Universities should encourage as much student-to-student discussion outside of the lecture and seminar halls as possible.

Reading or writing for student news does not have to be a step into a career in journalism, rather it is open to anybody that has something to say. Just like national newspapers question the elite and hold them publicly accountable, it is important that we challenge the most powerful on campus. The decisions made at the top affect us all and our voices need to be heard. This is exemplified by the coverage of the UCU strikes which were poorly reported by the broadsheets.

It is not all just politics and strong opinions though, student journalism is extremely broad. This breadth and freedom is so uncommon and so it must be used and valued. We have freedom of the press in the UK and yet 71% of our national newspapers are owned by just 3 companies. Student journalism, however, offers much greater freedom with student newspapers providing a range of views and beliefs all in one publication.

I think it is fair to say that most of us take our ability to share an opinion, no matter what that may be, for granted. We are so fortunate to live in a country where freedom of speech is a human right that is respected and promoted. Nowadays it is so easy to create petitions online, post our thoughts and opinions, and reach out to others to spread the word. This accessibility is particularly pertinent in cities as diverse as Manchester, with such a variety of beliefs and opinions on display.

Student movements and student voices have the power to shape the future here on campus and beyond. With all of the opportunities and technology our generation has, we have the tools to create change. Let us put them to use. Instead of bottling up our thoughts and opinions we must put pen to paper and fingers to keyboards. Words are power and we must use them.

Former members of The Ark homeless camp continue their activism. Photo: The Mancunion

Homelessness: A personal account

Written by Sophia Ashby on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Sean Proudman, 48, has been homeless for four years. Since losing his flat in November 2014 due to benefit sanctions, he has been sleeping rough on the streets of Manchester. Mr Proudman spoke about the increasing violence directed against the homeless, and the impact it is having on his mental health.

Sean is a talented artist, who occasionally sells his work for a small profit. He will be attending (In)sane, a charity event showcasing art and raising awareness of mental health. Last year, entry proceeds went to 42nd Street: a charity supporting young people with mental health problems. With his own art, Sean has struggled with the complex laws surrounding busking. He described how he is often made to “feel like a criminal” by the general public or police. Homelessness epitomises exclusion from society. Whether it be due to a lack of accessible information or, as Sean sees it, unfair treatment, he cannot operate without judgement.

Mr Proudman told me that he has suffered with depression since he was young. He admitted himself to hospital three times after having suicidal thoughts, only to be told that “hospitals are not hotels”. “People don’t believe you’re ill when you’re homeless” says Sean, “they assume you’re capitalising on health services just to get a bed”. He tells me that accessing medical care has been difficult since he lost permanent accommodation. According to the Mental Health Foundation, depression rates are 10 times higher amongst homeless people than within the general public. Manchester City Council stated that they aim to “improve health services for rough sleepers” as part of their Homeless Strategy. For Sean, those improvements are yet to be seen.

His struggle to access appropriate support appears to be part of a wider attitudinal problem directed at the homeless. “You’re not just someone without a home” says Sean, “you’re not a person”. Sean spoke about the various violent assaults committed against him during his four years on the streets. As well as having had his teeth kicked out, Sean was pushed in front of a taxi by a group of youths six months ago. “The general public were laughing” he says, “Manchester is the worst place I’ve ever been”, people look for “an excuse to treat us like animals”. The abusive treatment homeless people regularly encounter shocked me the most; I had believe that being ignored was the standard reception. It struck me how vulnerable Sean and many others are to violence.

According to Sean, the violence very often comes from the public. “People walk directly in your path and trip you… one woman pushed me over with a broom while cleaning outside a restaurant”. Mr Proudman explained that he has seen “the worst side of society” and he would “struggle to re-enter it knowing how it treats you when you’re at the bottom”. In November 2017, Councillor Bernard Priest admitted that homelessness in Manchester is an “ongoing challenge”. He added that “concerted action” was needed to improve the lives of homeless people. That action is not only the responsibility of the council, but of the general public. Attitudinal changes made in favour of respecting homeless people are as valuable as governmental support.

Mr Proudman also spoke about the internal divisions within the homeless community. He said “if you’re not a spice user, you’re not welcome with the general public or with the homeless”. Spice is a synthetic drug that mimics the effects of cannabis; it has been illegal since May 2016. According to the charity Lifeshare, between 95-98% of young homeless people use the drug. It has been known to cause fatalities, addiction and to increase vulnerability to abuse. Manchester City Council have listed helping those with issues surrounding substance misuse as fourth on their priority list.

For Sean, as for many other rough sleepers, finding their place within a society that actively rejects them is just one of many difficulties faced. Mr Proudman needs to raise £2,000 in order to reenter permanent housing, as part of a repayment made to Bolton Council. Achieving this while living under a system that fails to support him seems impossible.

For more information about (In)sane, plus how to donate, visit: https://manchester.hubbub.net/p/insane-mcr.

 

Fallowfield, the South Manchester suburb where many students will return this month. Photo: James Shuttleworth @ The Mancunion

Crime in Fallowfield – What is to be done?

Written by Felix Hanif-Banks on . Posted in Investigations.

Whilst senior officers have declared that they have increased patrols, promising relentlessness in their attempts at alleviating crime in Fallowfield, there remains wide-scale doubt and fear amongst students living in the area.

There are of course schemes in place to offer safety to students, so why is there such unrest amongst them? Greater Manchester Police’s (GMP) introduction of the Student Safe Zones scheme in an effort to protect local students is just one example of this. The scheme is ‘made up of a group of businesses along oxford road and Wilmslow road’ where students can seek refuge from a perceived dangerous situation. GMP describe them as, “a haven for anyone being followed or feeling vulnerable”. It is however, questionable how successful this scheme can be deemed, considering a large handful of students claim to have been unaware of its existence.

Other examples of protective schemes include independent organisations such as Manchester’s Street Angels who assist members of the public in getting home or to somewhere that is safe. Perhaps in part as a result of this, students such as Theo Leadbeater report feeling safer at night in the city centre than in Fallowfield where they feel uneasy. “Although an effort has been made to provide service to support people in the centre and back at halls late at night, sometimes I think that not enough is done to address the muggings and burglaries that occur.”

This raises an interesting point as there is an apparent dramatic downward shift in feelings of safety after first year. Second year Milly Whetton stated that “In first year once I got back to halls I felt safe because the campus had so many security guards but now when I go home I have my keys in one hand and my phone in the other”. Many students living in Fallowfield, particularly second, third and fourth years report often feeling very vulnerable at night and feel that police are misdirecting resources and forgetting the students who aren’t in halls.

So what can be done and where should resources be going? With 2017 Police crime statistics showing that last year, only 5% of 1860 Fallowfield crimes reported were solved. The most common crimes committed in Fallowfield are of violent and/or sexual natures. The scarcity of criminals being brought to justice for sexual crimes is worrying for Manchester as it suggests victims may be too disheartened by this low rate to report crimes in the future and the perpetrators may remain free and unpunished. One student argued that “If there were more police or security patrolling roads with high crime rates instead of all resources concentrated around halls, I would feel much safer. I don’t think most students feel safe all of the time”. This certainly seems to be the case upon glance at the Fallowfield Student Group Facebook page where everyday features another warning to ‘lock your windows’ or avoid a certain road.

So whilst the schemes that stand to protect students living in Fallowfield are undoubtedly of great comfort, and the safe zones are a big step forward, police intervention to ensure that safety is not yet being entirely felt. Many students are waiting for the ‘relentless’ protection in areas other than Owens Park.

Getting to know Fallow Garms, the force transforming student fashion

Written by Ella Searle on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

It is of no debate that Manchester students have a definite sense of style. Your typical Fallowfield get-up is more likely to be made up of vintage styling and smaller independent labels than your average high-street brands, opting for clothes with greater character and individuality. Yet when shopping for these more one-off pieces, it seems many are disillusioned by online selling platforms such as eBay and Depop, and vintage shops such as those in the Northern Quarter can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack for anything of taste. Therefore, how Fallow Garms wholly understands its audience (being run by students for students) has given it a unique place in the market and driven its success. Fallow Garms is an event where individuals and small brands hire rails to sell their products to students amongst a buzzing atmosphere of DJs and food. With a forthcoming Fallow Garms event taking place on Saturday 22nd, I had a quick chat with the brains behind the event Alex Singhal to learn more about the event that has swiftly become one of the firm favourites of the Fallowfield calendar.

What inspired you to start Fallow Garms?

“The idea came after a night out in Leeds where a friend and I came across some students selling their clothes on rails outside a coffee shop. We haggled with them and eventually bought some clothes which when we got back to Manchester gave us the starting point for Fallow Garms. Fallow Garms is a clothing event like no other, allowing students the opportunity to sell their own clothes in a great setting taking only a small percentage. The event has live DJs, food and drink giving the clothing event a unique vibe. We have now grown to be a platform that allows an array of independent clothing brands to promote and sell their wears as well. Since starting in November 2017, we have thrown a number of events and are looking at a very big year with lots more planned.”

What is your favourite item you’ve seen sold at your event?

“My favourite item was a vintage Versace jacket that went for over £200. I also really like Gooztees, an independent clothing brand in Sheffield that has a colourful collection of hand-drawn pictures and symbols.”

Can you tell us a few of the brands you’re expecting on the day?

“There will be a whole host of clothing brands including Poze, a cool brand started in Manchester that gives its proceeds to different environmental charities, once off a customised clothing company. Also the usual collection of vintage streetwear from Nike to Stone island and everything in between.”

 What do you see for the future of Fallow Garms?

“The future of Fallow Garms is hopefully going to be a student-run pop-up platform that travels around the country promoting independent brands and vintage clothing. We’re in talks to do a few festival stalls next summer but above all we want to provide the opportunities for people to resell and buy clothes in fun and different way.”

Fallow Garms takes place on Saturday 22nd at Cubo. Find Fallow Garms at @fallowgarms on Instagram.