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Month: October 2019

Preview: Pizza Shop Heroes

Written by Claudia Langley-Mills on . Posted in Theatre.

After a tremendous response from their run at Summerhall during the Fringe Festival this year, we are fortunate to have Phosphoros Theatre grace our HOME Theatre stage with their show, Pizza Shop Heroes, as part of Orbit Festival.

Phosphoros Theatre is a London-based company that makes autobiographical, political performances in order to shine a light on untold stories.

Officially recognised as a ‘Theatre Company of Sanctuary’ by City of Sanctuary – who offer safety to people fleeing violence and persecution – and currently in fellowship with The Unicorn Theatre for 2019/20, Phosphorus run a ‘young company’ for 14-18 year-olds who came to the UK as unaccompanied minors.

A weekly drama group is held at the Unicorn in London Bridge, so that these individuals can devise theatre projects and express their stories, alongside making new friends with others living in London.

Shortlisted for the Amnesty Freedom of Expression Award 2016, Pizza Shop Heroes stars four young men who fled their home, on their own, as children, for refuge in the UK.

Specifically, they journeyed from Afghanistan, Eritrea and Albania; all thousands of miles away.

As children, these men repeatedly recited their stories to the Home Office, in order to stand a chance at seeking asylum. Now it is time for them to reclaim their voices and share their experiences of forced migration with the public, especially as consciousness of these issues is more important than ever in the current political climate.

From the precinct of a pizza shop, we embark on a journey across time and continents to explore how these men arrived at where they are now, where they’re going, and what they’ve learnt along the way.

Having viewed this work while working at the Fringe this year, I would urge everyone to go and see the show. It is funny, heart-wrenching and invaluably educational. Hope is strong, and we must do all we can to spread the awareness.

Pizza Shop Heroes runs at HOME from Fri 4th to Sat 5th October and then continues its UK tour into November.

Review: The RSC’s As You Like It

Written by Sam Bronheim on . Posted in Theatre.

The Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of As You Like It was nothing less than spellbinding. The themes of wonder were mirrored by the enchanting sets, and the recurring idea of freedom was well conveyed through the bold performances of all the actors.

Shakespeare plays may be held in high regard, but, nonetheless, aren’t always easy to sit through. It takes a lot of concentration to navigate the archaic English and complex, intertwining plot lines, but director Kimberley Sykes managed this well. The effortless scene-changing and flare of modernity she added made for a clear and comical performance.

In fact, the comedic aspect of the play was a stand-out point. The elements of audience participation and fourth-wall breaking had the whole theatre engaged. In the scene following the banishments of Rosalind (Lucy Phelps) and her cousin Celia (Sophie Khan Levy) and the fleeing of Orlando (played by understudy Aaron Thiara) from their homes, the entire stage transformed. The house lights came on, the background curtain dropped to reveal ladders and props, and actors and backstage crew rushed onstage for outfit changes. It was bizarre and original – and it completely worked. The audience was laughing whilst appreciating the creativity of it all before diving into the story again.

In addition, Sandy Grierson’s portrayal of Touchstone the fool provided comic relief and nice breaks from the other characters’ ordeals. His eccentric outfits of brightly coloured tartan and glitter were a fun contrast to the more muted tones of the other actors, making his presence onstage unmissable. Even more so because of his performance.

Whilst Grierson’s comic aspect highly added to the play, the dynamic between Phelps (Rosalind) and Levy (Celia) was outstanding. They dominated scenes they were in together because of their witty and fiery chemistry. Their relationship onstage was so convincing, perfectly depicting a close, animated female friendship. The audience couldn’t help but chuckle at their girlish discussions about love, especially during Rosalind’s outbursts expressing her heated feelings for Orlando. Whilst the pair provided many opportunities for laughs, their depiction of closeness was equally heartwarming and inspiring.

Simply, The Royal Shakespeare Company has its reputation for a reason. They take classic performances and adapt them in unique and forward-thinking ways without drastically diverging from the original piece. This adaptation was no exception, and I look forward to seeing the show progress and continue to receive the praise it deserves.

As You Like It tours around the UK until 4th April 2020, playing at the Barbican, London from 26th October 2019 until 18th January 2020.

Review: The RSC’s The Taming of The Shrew

Written by Kayleigh Crawford on . Posted in Theatre.

In the Royal Shakespeare Company’s bold new retelling of The Taming of The Shrew, gender roles are reversed, as women become dominant leaders. The classic patriarchal setting is turned into one of matriarchy, as convention is left behind and women are given centre-stage.

One of Shakepeare’s more controversial plays, Taming of The Shrew explores male dominance and control over women, particularly in regards to parenthood and marriage. This production turns these traditional ideas upside down in order to explore things from a different perspective – what if the women were the ones doing the controlling? Submission becomes dominance in this daring retelling, seeking to provide a new perspective and challenge traditional narratives.

In a world where women hold all the power, is it reasonable to assume that they would use that power to maintain social hegemony in the same way as men? Switching the gender of characters will always provide challenges for a production.

Happily however, The Taming of the Shrew handles it well.

Initial doubts about the production’s treatment of gender were soon swept away. Rather than a statement about how women are no better than the men they replaced, the production had an almost satirical feel to it, prompting the audience to question the ideas on display, particularly the relationship between power and gender.

Katherine (Joseph Arkley), along with his famous fierce temper and stubborn attitude, is gradually broken down as Petruchia (Claire Price) makes it her mission to ‘tame’ him. Arkley and Price were both perfectly suited to their roles, and the shifting dynamic between their characters kept the pace of the production fast and exciting.

Heavier scenes where Katherine is isolated from his family and ‘trained’ to be more submissive were balanced out with more comedic scenes involving Lucentia (Emily Johnstone) and her attempts to woo the favoured son Bianco (James Cooney).

The set, designed by Stephen Brimson Lewis, was reminiscent of an Elizabethan style theatre, with wooden panels and many different doors which characters would exit and enter from. This ensured the comedic aspect of the play was not completely lost and allowed the movement on stage to occur fluidly.

Although the play maintained a few comedic elements, and was originally written as a comedy, this new version of The Taming of The Shrew seemed to question its place amongst the rest of Shakespeare’s comedies. Particularly during act two – where the atmosphere became steadily more sinister.

The scenes wherein Petruchia attempts to ‘tame’ Katherine may have felt more at home in one of Shakespeare’s tragedies. Perhaps this is the point; after all, very few Shakespeare scholars now think it acceptable to portray Katherine’s abuse as comedic. This production seems to suggest that performing The Taming of The Shrew as it was originally written may be awfully inappropriate in the 21st century, and it is only by challenging and subverting the original narrative that we may be able to learn something from it.

Changing the gender of the characters really highlighted just how much of a gender imbalance there is in Shakespeare’s original work. Brothers Katherine and Bianco are the only men who feature prominently within the production, both appearing in less scenes and having less lines than their female counterparts.

It is perhaps strange that it takes a gender reversal for us as an audience to question this imbalance. The lingering question remains: Would it have felt strange if it were men who were taking up the space?

Although nothing within the play deviates from how Shakespeare originally wrote it, changing the gender of the characters alters both how it is performed and how it is perceived. The reversal of social power dynamics is a jarring one when set in the context of such a famous work. This is encapsulated within the closing scene; the women sit on thrones in a circle around the stage, whilst the men sit at their feet.

SU hosts UK’s first exhibition on Yemen crisis

Written by Elise Cronin on . Posted in News.

An interactive installation that explores the impact of the Yemen crisis is making its final stop on its Manchester tour at the University of Manchester Students’ Union.

The installation will be open on October 9 and 10, as part of the UK’s first ever exhibition to focus on the effects of the ongoing conflict in Yemen.

Developed alongside academic staff and students from the University of Manchester’s Humanitarian and Conflict Response Institute, Yemen: Say hello to connect is a digital pop-up exhibition.

The work uses touchscreen, sound, and voice activation technology, alongside personal anecdotes from spoken word artist and author, Amerah Saleh, to shed light on the real-life struggle of Yemeni people, amidst the ongoing armed political struggle that has dominated Yemen since 2011.

More than 15 million civilians are on the brink of starvation, many having been displaced by the conflict and lacking access to basic sanitation, education, and healthcare.

The ongoing crisis in Yemen has led to what has been deemed by the United Nations as the “world’s worst” humanitarian epidemic, with millions of people driven into a state of destitution and despair.

Through the mode of interactive storytelling, the creators of the exhibit hope that this will provide a direct way to connect with the crisis in Yemen, encouraging visitors to consider the hardships and resilience of the Yemeni people “in the context of our own lives”.

The final part of the installation will focus on Children and Education, exploring the lasting impacts of the conflict upon the younger generations of Yemen.

The exhibition is free of charge and takes place at the University of Manchester Students’ Union between 10am and 6pm on 9 and 10 October.

Queens' Building at Queen Mary University of London

UK’s first degree in Social Change begins at Queen Mary

Written by Kate Jackson on . Posted in News.

Queen Mary University of London has launched the UK’s first degree focused solely on Social Change. After receiving more than 500 applications, the university has chosen 13 to begin the course this academic year.

The degree, titled Charted Manager Degree Apprenticeship (Social Change), is designed to encourage students to become the leaders and activists who can confront the social challenges posed by the world today.

The course combines theoretical work – with modules focusing on accountancy, law and social media – and on-the-job experience. Each student on the course has been paired up with a charity that will employ them throughout their four year course.

The charities who helped design the course include Scouts, Alzheimer’s Society, WaterAid, and Action for Children.

Dr. Philippa Lloyd, vice-principal of Queen Mary, spoke of the growing desire in young people to create social change: “You have generations growing up now – the Greta Thunbergs of this world who want to take action to make the world a better place. They want to make a social impact as well as an economic impact. That is what this is tapping into.”

Queen Mary has also made sure to pay attention to the student make-up of the course. The current group has an equal gender split, with around 80% of the students coming from non-white backgrounds. It is the diverse and, in some cases, disadvantaged backgrounds of these students that has encouraged them to seek a career in this area.

Shania Thomas, 19, from Chiswick, wants to be a role model for the BAME community: “Coming from a disadvantaged background I think about how I can help other people and be a role model. This degree will help us find out how to do something about the problems we see. Being a role model in the BAME community has partly motivated me to do this.”

The charities which helped to create of this degree will be keenly aware of the lack of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences in senior leadership teams across the country; in 2018 it was revealed that a third of the largest charities in the UK had leadership teams with only white individuals, following a study of 100 organisations.

On the importance of diversity, Dr Lloyd added: “You can appreciate it, but you can’t fully understand it unless you have lived with people or have had that experience yourself. I think that diversity is really important, and getting that into the senior leadership, not just of charities.”

Diversifying senior leadership teams in organisations across the country will be a key goal for this degree programme.

To Sushi or Not to Sushi – There is no question

Written by dominicfung on . Posted in Food & Drink.

To Sushi or Not to Sushi? Hopefully, following a run-down of Manchester’s best sushi offerings you’ll be able to answer that question with ease.

Samsi – Come and see

First on our list is Samsi. This is your best option for getting some sushi goodness at a decent price without having to sit at a cliché conveyor belt. Everything is traditionally prepared by an in-house chef who doesn’t mind an onlooker or two while he is in his own world.

With its soft back-lighting, cultural style choices and gentle background music, Samsi is a great place to go whether you want some delicious bites on your own or to impress without breaking the bank. You are sorted regardless of the situation – banquet set menu options are available if you feel like going all out, or if you’re in search of a lunch to have on the go you can get a balanced little bento box.

As if all that wasn’t enough, they also have a great sake selection to pair with your sushi feasts! If you have never tried Japanese rice wine but are feeling adventurous, a cup of house sake is only £3 – a small price to pay for an experience you never knew you wanted. Find them on the corner of Whitworth Street just across from the Sackville Street Building; you won’t be able to miss their huge red signs and curtains, and you definitely won’t forget where they are once you’ve tried them.

Yuzu – A slice of Japan in Chinatown

Photo: Yuzu Manchester, Facebook (@yuzumanchester)

While Yuzu definitely does offer some tasty sushi, it is their sashimi which is mouth-wateringly good. Sashimi is essentially sushi minus the rice, meaning that every nuance of the fish can be tasted. The ability of a sashimi chef can be judged simply by the appearance of the dish that is put in front of the customer, and it goes without saying that Yuzu has a very capable chef in their hands.

When done properly, as it is here, each plate should be a work of art that has had true effort put into it. The level of sashimi you get here is far more than the price you pay for; a price which is definitely on the affordable side of a student’s budget as an occasional indulgence.

Yuzu’s wooden aesthetic and top notch food make it one of the top places in Chinatown, and a gem you have to visit at some point or another. As a heads up, you may want to reserve a seat, since they are only open from 12-2pm for lunch and then again at 5:30pm, at which point dinner is available till 10pm. (Photo: Facebook, Yuzu Manchester)

Sushi Marvel – Still better than DC

Sushi Marvel is the definition of “you get what you pay for”. Despite having only recently arrived on the Manchester scene and being on the pricier side of the spectrum, Sushi Marvel is rapidly making itself known as an amazing stop for any sushi-lover.

You will need to make a bit of an effort to getting there, they are located in Ancoats, but it is a journey worth making. What it lacks in size (there’s only enough seating for ten people) it makes up for in quality.

Their standard menu offers all three types of tuna – akami, chutoro and otoro. For those that aren’t aware, these are the three main cuts of tuna based on the fattiness. You may have tried akami in the likes of Yo! and Wasabi chains. If you like tuna sushi there, then prepare yourself for the wonders of chutoro and otoro, which are increasingly fattier cuts of the fish’s flesh.

While the price increases proportionally to the value of the cuts, it is worth every penny. Having tried all three I can confidently confirm that once you’ve tasted the richness of proper otoro, there is no going back. You will never be able to have sushi again without thinking of the moment you experienced true tuna.

Umezushi – The Hidden Gem

Your student loan has dropped and you want to treat yourself. You could go to Spoons and get a round for everyone… or you could have fish so fresh you can say that you’ve found Nemo. While on the pricier side, Umezushi is the best sushi you will find in Manchester.

Found in a small room under a bridge just around the corner from Victoria station, this is the last thing you’d expect to find in an alleyway. Umezushi has everything the other restaurants on our list have to offer and more. Knowing this, they offer an “Umezushi Taster Menu”, including a selection of freshly received sashimi from a multitude of suppliers. One exciting ingredient on the Umezushi menu is the Japanese wagyu beef, undoubtedly a rarity in Manchester.

In addition to this and their a la carte menu, they also have rotating specials which change based on whatever delicacy they can get their hands on, from sea bream to hand-dived scallops. Words do not do this place justice and I would strongly advise anyone who truly loves a seafood experience to make a reservation here ASAP.

Photo: Julien Sage

Album Review: Heaven Surrounds You by Surf Curse

Written by Sam Dynes on . Posted in Music.

Two years after their shoegaze-influenced second album Nothing Yet and one year after drummer-cum-vocalist Nicholas Rattigan’s recent solo effort A Different Age, under the moniker Current Joys, the Nevada-based alternative duo Surf Curse have returned with Heaven Surrounds You, perhaps their most mature and most sonically interesting album to date.

The band has changed sound somewhat over the course of their relatively short career. They began with an EP entitled Sad Boys in 2013, a time capsule of sorts of mid-2010s’ indie rock – loud, angsty and somewhat juvenile – and some of the songs from this release still permeate their live sets to this day, the most notable being ‘Forever Dumb’.

This style was then further enhanced in their debut release, also released in 2013, Buds. Perhaps their most popular album, it was stacked head-to-toe with surf-punk anthems that managed to be loud and aggressive but had the accessibility of any pop album.

Next came the aforementioned Nothing Yet, harkoning back to shoegaze bands of the early-90s, but also keeping their pop-yet-punk style from the previous album.

It’s no surprise then that they have once again developed their style, this time taking an even more pop-adjacent route, with many of the tracks on the record not sounding too dissimilar to something that could be heard on mainstream radio.

The first track on the album, ‘Maps to the Stars’, encapsulates their new sound perfectly – a danceable, melodic track with surf-rock influenced drumming patterns and mellow chords with Rattigan’s yelpy delivery complemented by guitarist (and also lead vocalist) Jacob Rubeck’s harmonies.

This song then leads into a selection of previously released tracks – ‘Labyrinth’, which was first played as an untitled track in an online live session, ‘Disco’, the lead single from the album and ‘River’s Edge’, first played in another online live session. ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘Disco’ follow a similar style to the opening track on the album, but remain easily distinguishable from one another; this creates a cohesive sonic experience, whilst still not sacrificing creative songwriting.

‘River’s Edge’ is the first of the more reflective tracks placed on the album, and demonstrates a more ambitious approach to song structure than shown on their previous releases. There is a more grandiose feel to the instrumental, particularly in the chorus, and it is also a much slower, ballad-esque song in general, showing less of the loud angst and more of a feeling that the band has grown up. This is also perhaps more obvious when looking at the song titles and the reasons behind them – the band has said that these are in reference to some of the films that had shaped them in growing up.

In keeping with this motif,  ‘Midnight Cowboy’ feels, appropriately, like the soundtrack to a coming-of-age film. This track is also the first on the album to feature Rubeck on lead vocals, and shows off some of the Americana influence in Heaven Surrounds You. ‘Safe’ also taps into the similar coming-of-age sound as a song centred around self-imposed isolation and Rattigan’s own problems with anxiety.

The most sombre song on the record, ‘Hour of the Wolf’, appears to be a reflection on the loss of a person from the narrator’s life, presumably a lover. In this sense it seems to be borrowing elements from the eponymous track from drummer Rattigan’s solo album A Different Age.

‘Dead Ringers’ follows and is a disappointing moment on the album – managing to present Surf Curse’s charming sound in a way that feels annoying, with an overly simplistic chorus and repetitive song structure. ‘Memory’ is another weak point, with Rubeck’s strained voice in the chorus making it sound like he is desperately trying to fit in his lyrics to the rhythm of the instrumental, but this is the last of the disappointing tracks on Heaven Surrounds You.

‘Opera’ is the only acoustic song and beautifully deals with the narrator being frightened of losing those close to him. This contrasts with the next song, ‘Trust’, which sounds like a New Order dance track without the synths; take that as you will.

The album closes with the song ‘Jamie’, a sweet, romantic piece, led by Rubeck and dedicated to his girlfriend. The lyrics repeated towards the end of the track – “I love the people in my life, all my friends keep me alive” – which is supported by Rattigan’s decidedly more outwardly emotional delivery, hammer home the feeling that Surf Curse have truly grown up.

Overall, Heaven Surrounds You is a reflective and in many moments beautiful record, which shows how far the band have come – dabbling in new instrumental concepts and featuring less of the angsty lyricism that previously may have alienated an older audience.

8/10

 

Live Review: Aphex Twin at The Warehouse Project

Written by Erin Botten on . Posted in Music.

Aphex Twin. Aphex BLOODY Twin. This one was a biggie. After finding out he was only doing two shows this year, London and Manchester, the excitement for this was amplified. The capital is an obvious choice of location for a show but his inclusion of Manchester is a positive indictment on our city and thankfully, the sense that this was a labour of love shone throughout his performance. The half an hour wait between the preceding act, Aleksi Perala, seemed excessive at the time but upon the first note and laser of Aphex’s set, the whole affair justified itself. 

It seems superficial to focus so heavily on the light show spectacular aspect of his performance but it needs acknowledging that this was fundamentally part of it. The music and supporting visuals were on such a scale that few words other than ‘Biblical’ appear to do it any kind of justice. Barring the smell of the sweaty Depot, it was an hour-and-a-half that identified, interrogated, and ultimately attacked your sight and sound. I cannot drive this point home enough, the show looked amazing. The Depot was the perfect place for it and Aphex Twin’s visual design team deserve all the credit I’m willing to dish out. 

Moving on to the ‘meat and ‘taters’ of the night. His demonstration of track selection, mixing, and consequent manipulation of the mood of a several-thousand strong audience was the performance of a true master in their craft. I’ve been to DJ-sets before that I’ve walked away from, happy with the selection of tracks played and content with their mixing, but Aphex was a reminder of the power of genuinely building to a mood. In the low points of the set, where the choices were ambient and stripped back, my tendency for immediate gratification would get the better of me and I’d be demanding a drop but the crescendos and everything that went with them, proved again that Aphex Twin knows more than I do. Sorry for questioning you, Mr. Twin. His selections covered a good spectrum of dance music; drum ‘n’ bass, ambient, heavy techno, lighter techno, and rock even, were all making cameos. His range is hugely commendable. 

For context, the crowd was largely of the over 40 variety and it was interesting to see this demographic represented at a Warehouse Project. It’s no surprise given that his first release came in 1991 but it was encouraging to be reminded that the unifying powers of dance music transcends generations.

Following Aphex’s set was Nina Kraviz and with her arrival came a very different, much younger crowd. I won’t dwell too much on Kraviz’s performance as it was uninspiring and dull; at this point, Kraviz is enough of a veteran that she could put on a half-decent performance in her sleep and it appears that this is largely what she did. She barely moved throughout her set and despite her Instagram stories suggesting that she felt privileged to have followed Aphex Twin, the fee at the end of the night appeared to be her only impetus to keep going. Having said this, this was not enough of a downer to spoil the night and the afterglow effects of Aphex’s set powered through any dampening effects this may have had. 

With regards to the other acts on the night, I have to acknowledge Aleksi Perala on the diversity of tracks played and for appropriately warming up the crowd for what was to come. As much as it would be nice to think that we were in attendance for Perala, we all knew this wasn’t true and he played to his role and his strengths. Unfortunately, I didn’t get the opportunity to explore the other stages.

As a closing remark, I don’t like the term Intellectual Dance Music and I think anybody who uses it is a snob. Also, my ears still really hurt. 

Photo: Press shot by Anna Lee Media

Preview: The Struts at Manchester Academy

Written by Lily Martin on . Posted in Music.

Acclaimed English rock foursome, The Struts, headline Manchester Academy this week, off the back of the US leg of their ‘Young and Dangerous’ Tour. Praised for their distinctive and captivating stage performance, deep-rooted rock anthems, and their skill in breaking the American scene, they’re not to be missed.

Relatively unknown in their home country, The Struts have previously supported American rocker band Foo Fighters. They have been praised by Dave Grohl as the “best opening band we’ve ever had,” and look to take the UK by storm on their latest tour. Self-described as “a new era of glam rock,” they present all the highlights of their influences in the form of Queen, The Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, and Michael Jackson.

Formed in Derby in 2012, the band have moved from strength to strength with a defiant and enthused glam-meets-rock style and image which has impressed reviewers in the past as well as gaining them an international fanbase. Within two years of their formation, they were opening for The Rolling Stones to 80,000 in Paris.

The Struts’ latest album, released in October 2018, Young and Dangerous, is a head-banging, foot-stomping, full-fledged, rocking-out take on the classics of the previous generation. Tracks ‘Body Talks’, ‘Primadonna Like Me’, and ‘Freak Like You’ are highlights from an impressive and driven collection of work which is testament to their musical roots.

The Struts headline Manchester Academy on October 11 with support from King Nun. Tickets can be found on the Live Nation website.

Adventure Queens logo courtesy of Adventure Queens and Rob Ellis

Getting to know Adventure Queens; a women’s adventure community

Written by Aisha Al-Janabi on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Adventure Queens is an online community of more than 12,500 women who all have the desire to step outside into nature and seek their own adventure.

I had the opportunity to chat to Emma Frampton on the phone, co-founder of the organisation with fellow adventurer Anna, to find out more about Adventure Queens. Emma, much like the entire Adventure Queens community, wants to encourage people to try something new, hoping that this support will allow you to build self-confidence and pursue your own ambitions.

Adventure Queens is a UK-based not-for-profit organisation set up in 2017 which initially organised wild camping meet-ups where women could share a night under the stars together and learn practical camping skills. It quickly became too popular and too large, so the group evolved into the online community that many now enjoy, through a variety of Facebook groups that are managed by local volunteers.

It is astounding that this community has gotten so large without any paid advertising; the word has spread through people sharing this online gem with each other. It’s a testament to all the like-minded women who want to explore, encourage, and meet up to adventure together.

Emma mentioned adventurer Al Humphreys who believes in micro-adventures: something to fit around the 9-to-5, or any other commitments we have. The idea is that the limitations of the 5-to-9 does not have to stop you from adventure; you can still sleep under the stars and experience something magical to refresh yourself. Using this, Adventure Queens aims to break down barriers for women who want to try different activities that fit around their various responsibilities.

There are several local Facebook groups and I found myself joining the UK and the Manchester group in a heartbeat. Looking through these groups is so inspiring, with women sharing photos of their own adventures, tips and tricks on camping spots and the ways to find a climbing partner or swimming partner.  It’s so lovely to celebrate other’s successes and makes me want to go out and find my own adventure – I’ll be asking about local recommendations for when I need a wild weekend to escape.

Other than joining the relevant Adventure Queen groups, I asked Emma if she had any other advice for those who want to go and adventure. She advised, firstly, to think about how much time you have – maybe you’ve got a free Sunday or an entire week? Next to consider is your budget which will dictate your accommodation, food choices, and what mode of transport you can use. Maybe go rollerblading, or skateboarding, try a long bike-ride through Manchester or the Peak District, or go on a walk. Emma reassured me that the more you do it, the more you learn. You’ll learn what to pack, and what is essential to you – be it an extra jumper or a pillow, for a more comfortable sleep.

If university and Manchester begin to get claustrophobic, post on Adventure Queens and see if anyone has recommendations or would like to join you on a trip. Often university societies are dominated by undergraduates, so Adventure Queens might be the perfect alternative for postgraduates who are looking for a community.

It’s a personal community based on sharing knowledge with each other and experiencing something new. If you’re looking for a supportive and inspirational community, Adventure Queens is the place to go.

The best places to study in Manchester

Written by ryjackson on . Posted in Food & Drink.

When the day arrives that you inevitably never want to see the library again and you’re still struggling to find a seat in the Ali G, you’ll be thankful for this list. Whether you’re an adventurous fresher or a final year student yet to explore the best places in town, our list of the ideal places to do some work in Manchester is here to help. From stylish work spaces to busy cafes, we’ve got you covered.

The Daisy (44 Tib Street, Manchester)

A chic bar located in Northern Quarter, The Daisy is found tucked underground beneath Evelyn’s Cafe Bar. During the day, The Daisy is a co-working space serving coffee and more, but gradually turns into a cocktail bar in the evening as laptops and pens are put away. This is Manchester’s closest thing to Soho House, just without all of the memberships and exes to bump into. Perfect if you’re into tip-tapping away on your laptop imagining you’ve been newly cast on Made In Chelsea. Climb back up the stairs to Evelyn’s for great food too.  

 

Porter & Cole (124 High Street, Manchester)

Another very stylish place to grab a coffee and do some work, Porter & Cole (named after their two cute dogs if that sways your decision to visit…) is a lifestyle store, café and bar which is regularly occupied by many people typing away, having meetings or simply enjoying a beer during the evening.

 

North Tea Power (36 Tib Street, Manchester)

Just down the street from The Daisy, North Tea Power is a cafe worth visiting. With a formidable collection of different loose leaf teas and coffee blends, this cafe is perfect for wannabe baristas and tea connoisseurs. My personal favourite is the Sencha Cherry Japanese Green Tea. The subtle, cleansing taste of green tea combined with the scent of artificial cherry sweets – amazing. However, if brunch is more your thing, try their poached eggs on sourdough with sumac.

 

The Whitworth Cafe (Oxford Road, Manchester)

So much more than exhibitions. The Whitworth Cafe is an ideal place to get some work done without having to head into town. Flooded with light, views of Whitworth Park and the serenity that comes with the gallery atmosphere, this is the perfect place for relaxed work sessions. Excellent coffee, food and even better beer – what more could you ask for?

 

Pot Kettle Black (14 Barton Arcade, Manchester)

Sandwiched between luxury stores like Jeffrey West and mouth-watering Catalan deli Lunya, this coffee shop is a hidden gem. Having won ‘Best Cafe In Manchester’ last year in the Manchester Food and Drink Awards (2018), Pot Kettle Black is one of the most loved coffee spots in the city. With Scandinavian minimalism, artisan cakes and lots of table space – PKB is the best place to get your work done. 

 

 

Photo: Jess Foster @ The Mancunion

Live Review: Pale Waves at Academy

Written by Jess Foster on . Posted in Music.

Manchester’s own Pale Waves made a return to their home city on Friday night to play a sold out gig at Academy 1, bringing with them their gothic charm and infectious indie hits. After taking the music industry by storm and becoming one of the UK’s most exciting up-and-coming bands, Pale Waves proved exactly why their popularity is so deserved by performing a stunning set to a sea of their fans and rainbow flags.

Opening up for Pale Waves were Sports Team, a six-piece band who provided the crowd with an exciting yet quirky set. Playing their biggest hits, such as ‘Margate’ and ‘Here It Comes Again’, frontman Alex Rice danced around the stage almost manically, posing for his audience. In contrast, the keyboardist seemed expressionless whilst he played his tambourine, donned in sunglasses and a football t-shirt, providing an almost comical presence onstage.

Pale Waves finally took the spotlight in front of their audience of over two-thousand, with every person in the room screaming and cheering as the lights went down in anticipation. Beginning with ‘Eighteen’, the crowd barrier was cloaked in an abundance of rainbow flags as the whole venue sang along to all the words.

‘Kiss’ came next and front-woman Heather Baron Gracie pulled her trademark move in every guitar solo, flipping her dark curls back and forth as she bounded around the stage. She truly knew how to work the stage, which was evident in track ‘Red’, as she took off her guitar and interacted with her audience by offering the mic to them. The visual effects of a Pale Waves gig are like no other, with a focus on red, black, and bright lighting to keep up with their gothic persona.

‘Television’ and ‘The Tide’ were next on the roster, before the band performed a brand new unreleased track titled ‘Tomorrow’. If the rest of the new album is as good as ‘Tomorrow’, then it will be as much as a hit as the first. Being from Manchester, Pale Waves spoke greatly about their experience of playing their first gig in the city to ‘a crowd of 30 people’. It was fantastic to see them having just as good a time as their audience.

Photo: Jess Foster
Photo: Jess Foster

Next came a trio of slower, more emotional tracks with yet still amazing performances of ‘My Obsession’, ‘When Did I Lose It All’ and the rarely played ‘Drive’. This atmosphere was soon interrupted as Gracie yelled ‘It’s Friday night!’ and proceeded to play the ultimate bop that is ‘Came in Close,’ with its undeniably catchy chorus and beat.

Introducing ‘Black’ by explaining the meaning behind the track – “it’s about someone who hates me” – the energy brought to the stage by Pale Waves never ceased, even during the slower numbers. Another aspect that this band can be commended for is the unfaltering interaction between artist and audience, as the crowd were asked to help sing ‘One More Time’.

Photo: Jess Foster
Photo: Jess Foster

Commemorating the last night of their UK tour, Pale Waves treated Academy 1 to a stunning performance of ‘Karl (I Wonder What It’s Like to Die)’, and the pure emotion in Gracie’s voice could be felt by the entire venue. ‘Noises’ came next and the incredible atmosphere continued right to the very end, where the band finished on ‘There’s a Honey’. The entire room sang as one – “I would give you my body, but I’m not sure that you want me” – providing the crowd with a final opportunity to dance.

The set list as a whole was full of both songs from their debut record, My Mind Makes Noises, and also older tracks from early EP’s, with arguably only ‘New Year’s Eve’ and ‘Heavenly’ being the biggest hits missed off the set.

A genuinely amazing show, enhanced by the fantastic opening set by Sports Team. Pale Waves are truly getting bigger and better at every gig.

9/10.

Photo: Natascha Thorns

Live Review: Casey Lowry at Factory 251

Written by Reece Ritchie on . Posted in Music.

Historic Manchester venue Factory 251 saw emerging tropical pop artist Casey Lowry take to the stage on the night of Friday the 27th, as part of his September tour. Ahead of the release of his next EP entitled Nervous and a spot supporting Conor Maynard towards the end of 2019, Casey has embarked on his own first headline European tour.

Accompanied by his own support of Deco, as well as the talented Jason Allan and armed with favourites such as ‘You Told Me You Loved Me’, ‘Boyfriend’ and ‘Trampoline’, fans at the venue arrived knowing they were about to experience the voice of not one, but three talented artists throughout the evening.

Aberdeen-born Jason Allan opened the evening with a mixed setlist of original music such as ‘Scars’, ‘Tell me’ and ‘You’, as well as covers of ‘Take Me On’ and ‘Someone You Loved’ by recent chart-topper Lewis Capaldi. Playing with an injured foot that required a trip to A&E after the show, Jason demonstrated his dedication to both his craft and his fans, coupling guitar and piano pop with a beautiful voice still reminiscent of his choirboy education in singing.

Deco followed shortly after Jason. A two-piece band from Nottingham, they have worked closely with Casey to produce their newest track ‘Too Much TV’ which will be released this week. Deco’s appreciation for the headliner could be felt through their performance. They delivered tune after tune that continued to excite the crowd. The indie-pop duo impressed with fan favourites such as ‘Chances’ and ‘Dreamer’, demonstrating how prepared they are for their own headline tour this winter, where they will play at Jimmy’s. It’s not often that a headliner gets to enjoy two such excellent supports, both capable of creating an atmosphere where every person in the crowd is completely in the moment, yet Deco did exactly that and definitely deserve being checked out in their own right.

Sporting a button-down shirt and his unforgettable cheeky grin, Casey Lowry’s first headline performance at Factory was not one to disappoint. The twenty two year old from Chesterfield performed with idyllic vocals over guitar melodies that possessed an ethereal quality.

In front of rose-tinted lights reminiscent of Factory’s club settings in the early hours of the morning, Casey sang of love and life in a way that made rainy Manchester appear more like an Ibizan beach than a metropolitan city. Utilising tropical influences in the percussion of his tracks, Casey sets himself apart from a typical pop artist, especially as one that is maturing so quickly, with new songs such as ‘Boyfriend’ being a class apart from his already excellent first EP Beach Blue.

Having jokingly admitted to only being signed after a night out with Zayn Malik’s personal assistant on Twitter, Casey delivered similar humour at Factory, which any frontman could learn something from. Casey’s unapologetically happy personality fills any venue he plays with a sense of a love of life. I have yet to see such a new act be so well received by all in the room and can whole-heartedly recommend going to see him on the rest of his September tour.

The catchy Tropical pop he delivers is uplifting and deserving of the ever-growing attention he receives. Conor Maynard can look forward to a tour opened by a promising young talent worth arriving early for, and even worth the ticket price in his own right.

8/10.

Kazimierz, Kraków personal photo

Visiting Poland: Top travel tips

Written by lucycluttonbrock on . Posted in Lifestyle.

Polish cities such as Kraków and Warsaw may have joined the likes of Paris and Venice as top tourist destinations in recent years, with around 500,000 Brits flocking to the country each year. But unlike its western European counterparts, the laws and customs in Poland are comparably less well-known.

If you are travelling to Poland anytime soon, make sure you know a bit about local laws and customs to make sure your time there runs a little smoother. Here are a few of my top tips from my recent travels in Poland to help you out.

Firstly, drinking in public is illegal. If police catch you drinking or being too drunk in the streets you could be given a hefty fine, or even taken to a ‘sobering-up clinic’ where you will have to stay overnight and pay for the service yourself. If you’re travelling to Kraków, be xtra careful as the locals don’t take kindly to rowdy drunks. The drink-drive limit in Poland is also lower than it is in England and Scotland, at 0.02% alcohol content, compared to 0.08% in the UK. Poland also has some of the best and most affordable bars around, so don’t get caught out! Stick with your mates and keep an eye on each other to make sure none of you get into trouble with the law.

If, like me, you don’t speak a word of Polish, the language can seem a little overwhelming to begin with. But knowing a few key phrases such as Dziękuję (thank you), pronounced ‘Jen-koo-yeah’, and Dzień dobry (hello), pronounced ‘Jen Do-brih’, seems to go down well, especially if you want to try out some of the traditional bar mleczny (milk bars) – pronounced bar ‘mle-chnih’. These are local cafeterias which serve traditional Polish dishes with all the menus and instructions being in Polish.

A bit of a wacky one, but if you ask for a jug of tap water in a restaurant you will often be met with a confused look. While the tap water in Poland is perfectly safe to drink, a lot of bars and restaurants only serve bottled water and you won’t find many water fountains around. Make sure you carry a water bottle around with you to save buying bottled water on the go.

And please remember to take your ID on the train. Ticket inspectors often ask for photographic ID at the same time as your ticket on the train. While you will probably have your passport on you, especially if you are travelling from one city to another in Poland, make sure you don’t forget it if you go on a day trip. Keep a photocopy of your passport somewhere safe too, just in case you lose it. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO) advice on what to do if you lose your passport can be found on the government website.

Unregistered taxis in Poland, particularly at airports, often overcharge. To spot an official taxi, look out for the company name and number on the side of the car or on a board on the roof. Ubers are also incredibly cheap, but only available in big cities such as Warsaw – at about £2 a journey!

For more travel advice about Poland, see the Government’s travel advice, where you can also sign up for live text alerts about travel information for Poland. You can also follow on Instagram and or access the Travel Aware campaign for lots more travel related hints, tips and inspiration.