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Month: November 2019

Why do we put books on a pedestal?

Written by Alice Porter on . Posted in Books.

Whilst film and TV are often dismissed as trivial forms of entertainment, books are always placed on a pedestal. An untouchable hobby, the pastime of the intelligent, a respectable way to spend your Monday evening.

What is it about books that have given them this special status? Perhaps it’s because they’re old; people generally seem to respect things that have stuck around for a long time; they’re traditional, timeless. But this certainly doesn’t apply to everything. No one, apart from maybe my Nan, is holding on to their Nokia brick phones because of their respectable antiquity. When it comes to technology, people want innovation. People respect innovation. The same is true with fashion, despite the rise of vintage clothing, as people generally want to own the newest styles and trends. 

In most areas of life, innovation is a positive thing, but when it comes to popular culture, there is a bizarre notion that the older an institution, the more respectability it holds.

One obvious explanation is that books are often the way in which we are educated. We have grown up learning out of textbooks and have been encouraged to read from an early age. However as I made my way through the school system, teachers began to dabble in different forms of media to educate their students, using audio and visual formats like documentaries and radio shows. Even TV and films, if we were lucky.

Perhaps in future years, beyond learning literacy of course, this will be the way we are educated more and more. This means we can no longer explain the intellectual obsession of books in the current sense.

For many people, TV and film are easier to consume than books are. Every now and then an article appears about how our concentration spans are rapidly decreasing (which has been proven to be untrue) because we now favour TV and film over books.

But this doesn’t hold up for me, because personally I find TV and film difficult to consume. My attention span is more equipped for a book I don’t like than a TV show I’m not interested in. I often find myself feeling restless and bored when watching films and TV. Whereas with a book, I can be consumed for hours on end. I need to be completely engrossed in something to enjoy it properly and film and TV just doesn’t offer this for me.

This might say more about what the culture of choice, and being busy in the modern world, has done to my attention span than not reading at all would say. However, in admitting that I prefer books to other forms of popular culture, I feel like I’m succumbing to the reading snobbery that I dislike so much, despite not placing books on this pedestal of intellectualism myself, purely because of the way other people view it.

I feel no better about myself because books are my favourite form of popular culture. In fact, I often feel embarrassed because I don’t appreciate ‘great’ film and TV in the ways other people do. 

When I tell people this though, it isn’t met with awkward shrugs or patronising comments like “But you would like it if you really tried” or “you just haven’t found the right TV show”, like for those who don’t like reading. It’s met with impressed nods of, “I wish I read more”, which I usually reply with “reading isn’t for everyone”, or “I wish I did ___ more”.

This hierarchy of popular culture baffles me and despite being someone who reads a lot, I would never take offence or look down on someone who enjoys different forms of entertainment to me or likes to spend their times in different ways, however much I advocate reading. 

A quote by John Waters often shared on social media by pseudo-intellectuals that never fails to make me cringe is as follows:

“We need to make books cool again. If you go home with somebody and they don’t have books, don’t fuck them. Don’t let them explore you until they’ve explored the secret universes of books. Don’t let them connect with you until they’ve walked between the lines on the pages. Books are cool, if you have to withhold yourself from someone for a bit in order for them to realise this then do so.”

This self-righteous statement advocating not sleeping with people because they don’t read is the kind of thing that confuses me endlessly. ‘Don’t let them explore you until they’ve explored the secret universes of books’. Does anyone really subscribe to this? It takes a certain kind of privilege to believe that books are the only way you can gain knowledge and emotional intelligence, rather than lived experience and through other forms of popular culture.

You don’t “have to withhold yourself” from anyone because they don’t read. In fact, you’ll probably gain more from those who don’t spend their time in the exact same ways that you do, as you can learn from their different experiences. 

The only people you shouldn’t be sleeping with because of their popular culture preferences, are those who deify literature and are contemptuous of anyone who doesn’t read a book a week. They’re probably binge-watching Riverdale on private tabs and falsely updating their GoodReads accounts with novels they’ve read SparkNotes summaries of anyway. 

Photo: Bobo Boom @ Flickr

Album Review: MAGDALENE by FKA twigs

Written by daracoker on . Posted in Music.

FKA twigs’ allure lies in the meticulous construction of her public image.

Her fiercely guarded private life (despite media efforts to pry into her relationship with teen heartthrob-turned-serious actor Robert Pattinson) has allowed her to take control over how she expresses all aspects of her musical identity. In this album, she speaks in largely metaphorical terms about the end of this serious relationship, and details her subsequent journey to self-love and fulfilment by carefully painting a picture of love, loss and desire.

This is not twigs’ first solo effort. In 2012, she was an enigma. Her aptly named EP1 flew under the radar for many. Though captivating, with striking music videos, she had yet to carve out a distinct identity that would have longevity. In being cast to the realm of ‘sad girl lo-fi alternative music’ that painted the ‘bedroom SoundCloud era’, there was a distinct lack of serious engagement with her work. As twigs became more popular due to the critical acclaim of further releases, she became a mainstay in electronic music, despite the infrequency of her work and limited social media presence.

Her dystopian music video for ‘Water Me’ from her 2013 release, EP2 encapsulates this. Her head takes up the entire frame, rocking side to side like a pendulum against an aqua-blue background. She repeats the same words, “He won’t make love to me now, now that I’ve set the fee. He said its too much in pounds. I guess I’m stuck with me.” As her music gained prominence and interest, so did the urgency of her lyricism, the precision of her music videos and the intricacy of her production. This is reflected visually by her EP and LP covers, which progressively bare more and more of her face and body as time goes on.

Twigs’ position of prominence in alternative urban music was solidified by the release of her first album, LP1. Co-produced by well-known electronic producer Arca, twigs catapulted into the centre of the ‘alternative r&b’ music scene, expertly merging heavy 808 drums, angelic choirs and unconventional synth patterns that come to a sonic climax on MAGDALENE.

On MAGDALENE, she revels in the intensity of a relationship that can be passionate and angry, (‘fallen alien’) as well as fragile and despairing (‘daybed’). The spectacular standout on this album, ‘home with you’ makes for a gothic-style musical. Twigs beautifully balances loud, clamorous drums with an elegant piano to create an almost theatrical song. Her voice flies over the instrumentals, accumulating to a superb climax that exercises the full capacity of her vocal range.

The most atypical FKA twigs song on MAGDALENE is ‘holy terrain’ with Future, the only feature on the album. A track that could easily have a Metro Boomin tag attached, twigs is more animated than usual, using the subtlety in auto-tune to enhance her voice. Future is his usual shallowly reflective self, recognising his wrongdoings, praying to God that he can better himself and ending his verse with the obligatory drug reference. Futures contribution is repetitious and expected, but the duet between the two of them on the chorus makes for an interesting listen.

The closing track of MAGDALENE, ‘cellophane’, is one of twigs’ best tracks to date. It is sparse and intimate, her paper-thin vocals almost at breaking point. From the first line “Didn’t I do it for you?” she is begging for answers as to why her relationship has fallen apart, not being able to fathom the prospect of being alone. We rarely see twigs using such minimal instrumentation, which only adds to the desperation of her sentiment. This ballad is one of twigs’ most direct songs, rivalled only by the song ‘Video Girl’ from LP1, where she details her frustration at only being known as a background dancer, constantly being asked “Are you the girl that’s from the video?.” Twigs is on the edge on ‘cellophane’, not being able to process her emotions but knowing that it is the end.

The tracklisting on MAGDALENE feels slightly disjointed at points; ‘mary magdalene’’s position at the centre of the album seems out of place, given she is the figure that twigs finds solace and strength in. In a recent interview with i-D magazine, twigs said that she “found a lot of power in the story of Mary Magdalene; a lot of dignity, a lot of grace, a lot of inspiration.” By placing downbeat, more vulnerable songs beneath it undermines the value of Mary Magdalene as twigs’ saving grace and conduit for redemption.

Having said this, her ability to consistently build tension throughout is masterful, and makes for a very compelling 38 minutes. MAGDALENE is picturesque and emphatic, pairing assured and confident production with wavering and desperate themes and lyrics. Twigs is open without being too personally revealing, leaving us with the same questions we have been asking since 2012: “who actually is FKA twigs?”

9/10

Inside the UoM People and Planet occupation

Written by Anja Samy on . Posted in News.

A group of student activists is on their third consecutive day of occupying the University of Manchester finance boardroom and are currently being denied access to food supplies.

The group is currently split between the boardroom and the corridor, with those in the corridor unable to access a toilet.

SU Welfare Officer -Adam Haigh and a student left the boardroom to collect food for the group last night but were then blocked from re-entering. They are currently occupying a nearby corridor in the John Owens Building.

A student who is involved in the protest told The Mancunion that “some of us are in a separate part of the building, unable to get back to the main group, and those people are being denied toilets also. Security presence has been really high, there were 7 of them just outside our main area last night, 9 in total (almost half of the 20 on uni campus).”

The students are members of People and Planet, a UK-wide student network which campaigns for ‘social and environmental justice’. The group, which includes 14 students and two SU Exec Officers, are demanding that the University divest from fossil fuel investment, which is currently estimated at £11.9 million.

The University has instructed security at the John Owens Building to deny entry to any further students, only allowing access to people in possession of a staff card, on the condition that they do not bring food to the protestors.

Some staff of the University have nonetheless attempted to bring food to the student activists, but were denied access and allegedly given a warning that their names could be taken down and reported.

Speaking to The Mancunion, a student representative of People and Planet said that the group are ‘still in good spirits but the uni is openly trying to restrict our resources. We aren’t being allowed food, and any staff that tries to bring us any gets their name (or if unavailable a description of them) sent to their higher up.”

People and Planet UoM also tweeted a photo on Wednesday of an electrician who they claim was sent to the building to cut off power to plug sockets in the boardroom.

The SU Welfare and Community Officer, Adam Haigh, who is taking part in the occupation said that the University offered to meet with a student representative on the condition that all protestors leave the John Owens building. He explained that the activists plan to continue occupying the finance building for the time being as they felt talks with the University had been going on for quite some time with little effect.

A student representative confirmed this position: “As for demands, we all got letters from Patrick Hackett saying not much that we didn’t already know but that they would only engage with us with our demands through official channels. We have made it clear that we have tried to go through official channels for 8 years and it has come to this, we also would prefer not to be in this situation.”

The letter sent to students involved by the University of Manchester Registrar, Secretary and COO, Patrick Hackett, confirmed that the University recognises “the unprecedented challenges facing our planet and have publicly confirmed this by supporting the the Government’s declaration of a climate emergency. Locally we have signed up to Manchester’s plans to help the city become zero carbon and plastic free.”

A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “We welcome the chance to meet with students as it long as it is through the appropriate Students’ Union representatives. We have offered to meet on that basis.

“The University recognises that students have a right to protest peacefully, providing that this does not unduly disrupt the conduct of the University’s normal business. However, by occupying the corridor and meeting room they are causing significant disruption.

“On the issue of divestment, our policy is clear and in the public domain as part of our Socially Responsible Investment Policy (SRIP). We no longer invest in companies with more than 5% of their revenue from thermal coal (the type of coal used in power plants) or oil sands (also known as tar sands).

“We sincerely hope that the students will accept our offer and we look forward to meeting them in due course.”

Photo: The Mancunion

UoM’s China-backed institute denies propaganda role

Written by Jacklin Kwan on . Posted in Investigations.

Manchester’s Confucius Institute (CI) sits just opposite University place, between the Manchester Museum and Alliance Business School.

The institute’s main aim is to promote Chinese language and culture, with the vast majority of its activities consisting of Mandarin courses and lessons open to university students and the wider public.

There are more than 500 Confucius Institutes around the world, with each one ‘serving its community’ in a unique way, but since 2018, some US universities have been shutting their CIs down due to concerns over national security.

In February 2018, FBI Director Christopher Wray raised concerns that Chinese students in advanced research programs were stealing sensitive information and intellectual property.

These concerns have crossed the Atlantic and been echoed by the Foreign Affairs select committee. Earlier this month it published a report which found “alarming evidence” of Chinese interference on UK campuses. It highlighted the role of Confucius Institute officials in confiscating papers that mentioned Taiwan at an academic conference.

The Manchester CI was formally launched in October 2006 and is the second ever to established in the UK. It is a partnership between the University of Manchester, the Office of Chinese Language Council (Hanban) and Beijing Normal University.

A Freedom of Information request revealed that the University provides around 60 per cent of CI’s funding, Hanban provides around 23 per cent, and the rest is generated through the Institute’s services.

Photo: The Mancunion

The Mancunion asked the director of Manchester CI, Dr Deljana Iossifova, as well as other experts, whether the University faces threats to its academic integrity and freedom of expression as a result of the China-backed institute.

Dr Deljana Iossifova said that the claims CIs are “propaganda outlets” are “unsubstantiated”, adding that the “the Confucius Institute has absolutely no power to influence academic research activities or student activities whatsoever”.

She also pointed out that similar institutions exist for other countries, an example being the British Council: “The British Council administers key researcher links– funding collaborations between UK universities and universities in developing countries.”

However, some foreign policy experts argue that the purpose of CIs are to advance China’s power by improving the perception of its image.

Dr Alexander Dulkalskis, who covered the US shutdowns for the Washington Post, told The Mancunion that: “It would be naive to think that CIs do not attempt to shift the narrative about China.”

Dr Dulkalskis added that CIs are meant to present “a positive and benign image of China to foreign audiences” and that “the emphasis on culture and language is meant to be disarming”.

On the other side of the debate, Professor Peter Gries, Director of the China Institute in Manchester, said that the limited scope of the Institute’s responsibilities is a check. 

“To a certain extent, our CI is pressured to [promote China], but the way it’s avoided too much trouble is that our CI has focused largely on apolitical activities,” he said.

Professor Gries says that the concerns about CIs in Australia and the US may not apply to the local context: “The problem that other CIs have had is when they have been allowed to move into the research space, and for example, limited the topics that could be discussed.”

The Manchester’s CI’s scope is largely limited by the agreement made between the Confucius Institute Headquarters of China and the University of Manchester upon the Institute’s founding.

In the agreement, the scope of allowed activities is limited to teaching Chinese language, training Chinese language instructors, conducting language and cultural exchange activities, and other activities that are mutually authorised by the headquarters in China and the University.

The oversight of activities is typically conducted by the Institute’s three co-directors, two from the University of Manchester and one from Beijing Normal University. These directors typically change every two to three years, and they are also subject to scrutiny by their respective institutions.

Some say that there is prejudice behind Western suspicion and speculation around foreign influence. “[These concerns] are, in my interpretation, a sort of propaganda,” says Director Iossifova. “What is happening is a sort of protectionism that is being clearly propagated by politically right-leaning bodies.”

A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The University recognises its Confucius Institute’s work in teaching Chinese language and culture, and the important exchanges and engagement with China that it facilitates.

The University is fully committed to academic freedom and impartiality.”

Stefanos Tsitsipas wins ATP Finals title with victory against Dominic Thiem

Written by James Gill on . Posted in Sport.

Stefanos Tsitsipas recovered from a one-set deficit to beat Dominic Thiem at the ATP Finals becoming the youngest winner of the tournament in 18 years.

The 21-year-old won 6-7 (6-8) 6-2 7-6 (7-4) in a tightly fought affair at London’s O2 Arena to move up to number six in the world rankings. Tsitsipas, who was ranked number one in the world as a junior, feels that this victory will spur him on to winning bigger titles.

Speaking after the match Tsitsipas said; “It has been a rollercoaster. Holding this trophy is amazing, it is a dream come true and the best way to end this match. I did get nervous at some points in the match but I managed to forget about how I felt and I had some momentum in the tie-break, which was really tight.”

“I feel like my game is getting better over time. I believe I’m really close to being crowned a Grand Slam champion. I know these are strong words that I say, but I do feel like I belong to be there.”

Tsitsipas was the youngest of the eight players who qualified for the ATP Finals however he will need to take his tennis up another level to take a Grand Slam away from Nadal, Djokovic, or Federer. The past 12 Grand Slams have been won by one of the trio but Tsitsipas thinks that next year will be the year of the youngsters.

“I think that for sure we can do it next year. We are all playing great tennis, Sascha (Zverev), Stefanos, me, some other guys. It is really difficult for us because once they get deep in a tournament they tend to play, to get better and play better, feel better.”

The first opportunity to take a Grand Slam from one of the big three will be at the Australian Open on the 20th January 2020.

Opinion: Pochettino sacking questionable despite culture of decline at Spurs

Written by Sam Honey on . Posted in Sport.

Tottenham Hotspur have announced that they have parted company with Mauricio Pochettino, following a run of poor results. Ex-Chelsea and Manchester United manager José Mourinho has signed a deal until the end of the 2022-23 season to take over.

Pochettino’s exit ends the Argentinian’s five-and-a-half-year association with the Lilywhites, having joined from fellow Premier League side Southampton back in 2014.

It had previously been reported that the 47-year old was facing crunch talks, with the Champions League finalists, having taken just 14 points from a possible 36 in the league so far in 2019/20.

Notable lows have included a home defeat to Newcastle, 3-0 reverse and relegation battlers Brighton, and an utterly-dejecting 7-2 thumping at the hands of a Serge Gnabry-inspired Bayern Munich.

They also exited the Carabao Cup at the first hurdle, losing out to League Two side Colchester United on penalties.

The side have also failed to see out a number of leads, including surrendering a 2-0 lead in the North London Derby and conceding late goals against Sheffield United and Everton, with the latter overshadowed by André Gomes’s horrific leg break.

Such performances have lacked the mental edge that Pochettino seemed to have built into his side’s identity during his tenure. This is largely the same squad that overhauled Arsenal as the top dogs in North London, challenged Chelsea for the title, and reached the Champions League final in June.

Defeat in Madrid however re-charged criticisms that Pochettino’s Spurs had failed to prove their worth in crucial games, with the lack of silverware a stark legacy of the 2014-2019 period.

FA Cup semi-final defeats in successive years have further compromised Spurs’ image as one of the heavyweights of English football; Pochettino’s departure leaves question marks over whether the club have truly cracked the traditional ‘Big 4’, as Man City succeeded in doing earlier this decade.

Accusations of an inharmonious off-field atmosphere have also hit the club, with tabloid rumours over a rift between Christian Eriksen and Jan Vertonghen. Although the claims have been strongly refuted, both players may turn down new deals, and images of the Belgian nursing a black eye soured Tottenham’s pre-season preparations.

Kyle Walker and Kieran Trippier’s departures have raised concerns over how competitive this Tottenham side really is, with backroom circumstances seemingly factoring in the latter’s exit.

Walker already has two Premier League titles to his name, while Trippier has been utilised in a free-flowing, attacking system, under the guidance of Diego Simione, with the 29-year old clearly better accommodated than he was under Pochettino’s setup.

It is difficult to assign blame directly to Pochettino for deep-lying issues in N17, and four successive finishes in the top four confirm the substantial progress made under his tenure. Pochettino has perhaps fallen victim to the heightened expectations generated by his achievements at the club, with Spurs fans now aspiring towards league titles, rather than just Champions League spots.

The manager will also be praised for his skilful transfer policy, often recruiting young players, and also succeeding despite not signing a single player for 18 months.

Levy will also face divided reflections over his choice of successor. Mourinho is a serial winner, but the acrimonious fallout that ended his time at Manchester United raises questions over his ability to maintain a relationship with a group of players.

Immediately following the sacking, Gary Lineker suggested on Twitter that no better replacement for Pochettino could be sourced. Perhaps Mourinho is the manager to fulfil the heightened expectations created by the Pochettino era?

Photo: Publik15 @ Flickr

New student mental health service in Greater Manchester in motion

Written by Martha Houston on . Posted in Science & Tech.

A unique new NHS service, costing £1.6m, has been implemented in Greater Manchester in the main clinic on the University of Manchester’s Oxford Road Campus and satellite locations in Salford and Bolton. A team of psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and mental health nurses will work with students, using the service to offer them emotional support and enable them to share anything that they are going through with trained professionals.

Many students suffer from complex mental health issues and do not always receive the support they need whilst at university. This can have huge impacts on student wellbeing, as well as contributing to problems in balancing personal life and achieving academic goals whilst maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Although it may not be common knowledge to many students, the University of Manchester offers mental health awareness and support training to all of its staff. However, the number of people that take up on this opportunity is unknown.

President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell stated that “The mental health and wellbeing of our students is and always will be a top priority for us. Today’s students face all kinds of pressures and challenges in their lives. That is why it’s immensely important we identify and help those who may be struggling as soon as possible.”

The University’s welfare service offers a standard assessment to all students and will refer them for more specialist intervention at the new centre if appropriate. It is expected that 500 students will use the service a year. Once a student has been discharged from NHS treatment, the welfare service will continue to support them and help them manage their mental health.

Many students gave their views on what the service should provide and there are hopes among the entire community that it will be extremely beneficial to anyone in need of support, potentially increasing the wellbeing of hundreds and reducing dropping out.

One student, who chose to stay anonymous, commented: “I think it’s great that the University is giving students access to onsite mental health services. Hopefully this will enable more students to receive help whilst continuing with their studies rather than dropping out.”

Cancer research networking event for young researchers held in Manchester

Written by Elizabeth Openshaw on . Posted in Science & Tech.

A networking day held in Manchester brought together world-leading scientists from the UK, Germany and Spain to discuss and showcase the latest advances in cancer research.

The event, organised by the Society of Spanish Researchers in the United Kingdom (SRUK/CERU), was held at the Manchester Cancer Research Centre. SRUK is a non-profit organisation that aims to build a collaborative European network of young researchers to promote scientific discussions between research centres.

The Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) is one of the leading centres for cancer research in the UK. It was established in 2006 as a partnership between the University of Manchester, Cancer Research UK and The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.

The first session focused on metastasis – the spread of cancer to different parts of the body. A talk by Professor Laura Machesky from Glasgow highlighted the importance of cancer metabolism in making cells change their shape to cause invasion and metastasis.

Another talk saw Dr Jacob Insua Rodríguez from Germany discuss the importance of considering the whole tumour when designing anti-tumour treatments, as chemotherapy can attack cancer cells and modify the environment around them.

Dr Claus Jorgensen from the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute was joined by researchers from Spain to discuss the latest advances in research on the tumour microenvironment. In addition, researchers from Edinburgh, Barcelona and Madrid focused on different aspects of cancer metabolism.

There was also a round table discussion about diversity, equality and inclusion in academia. The University of Manchester, which is a partner of MCRC, is committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated fairly.

The president of SRUK/CERU, Rocío Gaudioso, said, “With these initiatives we seek to create a vibrant international network of collaborations to develop new ideas of how to strengthen ties between institutions and researchers to facilitate the advancement of science.”

This networking event is the first of a series of seminars that will be held in the UK and Spain to bring together world-leading scientists and young researchers in the field of cancer research.

Photo: LornaMCampbell @ Wikimedia Commons

Bangor students kickstart petition for strike refunds

Written by Sam Honey on . Posted in News.

Students at the University of Bangor in Wales have circulated a petition that calls for £4 million worth of refunds to be paid to students affected by planned University and College Union (UCU) strike action.

The calculation is based upon an average loss of £380 per student during the eight-day strike period, which is set to take place between 25th November and 4th December unless there is a dramatic turnaround in negotiations before the end of the week.

UCU members have resorted to industrial action in protest of current policies on pension schemes and working conditions in UK universities.

Although meetings have been held with the aim of preventing industrial action, the UCU have accused universities of “playing games”, as the institutions have refused to discuss pay issues.

With an eye on forcing concessions, the union has also announced action short of a strike when employees return. Such action will include a refusal to cover for absent colleagues or the re-scheduling of lectures.

A number of voices are now calling for financial refunds to be handed to those who will miss key teaching hours during the planned strike.

The University of Essex have pledged to offer reimbursements to affected students, although they have not disclosed exact breakdowns as of yet.

In addition, the Brexit Party in Wales have called for similar action. Party leader in the Welsh Assembly, Mark Reckless, argued that students should be treated fairly as consumers.

“Any other institution would be expected to offer a refund to their clients or customers if there was disruption like this to their services. Why should universities be any different?”.

As of yet, it appears that Bangor students have not been joined en-masse by other university students in support of fee reimbursement.

During the 2018 strikes, the University of Manchester declined to financially reimburse students affected by strike action.

A University of Manchester student, who wished to remain anonymous, argued that students should be able to access refunds for missed tuition, although insisting that a deal to avoid strikes was the primary objective.

They said: “Students pay £9,250 per year to attend university, and when they aren’t even getting the teaching that they’re paying for, I certainly think it is fair for students to demand a refund from their university. The conflict, ultimately, is between academic staff and universities, not between students and academics, and therefore it feels unfair for students to lose out on so much, and whilst financial reparation does not replace the teaching hours lost, it does give students some reimbursement.

“Whilst I appreciate it may be difficult for universities to implement refunds, this should act as a motivator for them to get to the table and negotiate a deal with their staff so that students can receive the teaching they are paying for, rather than financial reimbursement.”

People and Planet taking part in “direct action” after being ignored by university

Written by Kate MacLachlan on . Posted in Societies.

People and Planet occupied the John Owens building last Tuesday from 9:10am onwards in an attempt to engage university staff in a conversation about divesting from fossil fuels.

16 students were involved in the protest, which they planned to continue for at least seven days.

People and Planet, who originally formed as Third World First in 1969, are a nationwide organisation led by student activists. They have over 50 groups at different institutions and are the largest student network campaigning for social and environmental justice in the UK. The group run four campaigns, all of which aim to impact on social and environmental issues through creating change within UK universities.

Tuesday’s protest is taking place as part of the group’s Fossil Free campaign, which has been taking place for eight years. People and Planet are calling on the University to divest their investments in fossil fuel industries and instead seek out renewable investments, with a pledge not to re-invest.

However, previous attempts at engaging University management through petitions, open letters, emails and lobbying outside of meetings have resulted in a lack of response from university officials.

The group attempted to get a response through interrupting a governors’ meeting in February, but People and Planet members explained that although “most of them were quite mad about it” and “some were semi-supportive” they still received “no real response” from the university.

This led the group to take part in direct action by holding an occupation of the John Owens building in June. However, protesters only remained for 24 hours due to a lack of toilet facilities and access to water. This time they hope to be able to remain longer as they “have a toilet, plenty of food and good facilities”.

“The most frustrating thing about it is how they refuse to engage with us at all. Some people disagree with the direct action side of what we’re doing because they think we should be going through ‘official channels’ but those channels don’t really exist, and that’s very purposeful on the university’s part” said People and Planet Treasurer, Kayleigh Crawford.

Due to the protest, the John Owens building was said to be in “lock down” by security staff who initially stated that only staff members would be permitted to enter. However, a Mancunion reporter who held both university student and staff status was also refused entry.

Signs surrounding the building claimed that building doors were locked due to “security concerns”, but when asked direct questions the security staff evaded answering what these security concerns were.

Within the building, university staff attempted to stop protesters from entering the room they subsequently occupied, both verbally and by blocking their route. The room has since been occupied and staff have asked protesters to keep hallways and toilet access clear.

When asked why she was protesting, People and Planet member Jenny Addis explained, “I realised that I can’t comfortably sit back and do nothing. I think it makes me feel better about the situation to be out and trying to change something.”

“From my experience … the university seem very unwilling to engage with us over our demands. Its early days at John Owens but I would say so far we have been met with the same attitude.”

When asked about previous protests on campus Kayleigh Crawford said, “We’ve basically been ignored. When we interrupted the meeting we had brief correspondence with one of the governors but nothing came of it.”

This is not the first time the university have refused to allow discussion with student-led campaign groups.

A campaign to reimburse students’ tuition fees took place during a series of lecturer strikes in early 2018. During this campaign the University disabled its Facebook ratings and blocked certain users after students deliberately gave the institution poor ratings and reviews.

Although some discussion took place with the Students’ Union the university allowed no formal discussion with the campaign group Take Action UOM, a 1071 member group which was formed with the purpose of financially reimbursing affected students.

Kayleigh stressed that People and Planet have already tried all official ways to campaign offered by the university but have still received no response.

However, she added that the university has recently started washing off the organisation’s messages written in chalk around campus.

“They never used to, so I get the feeling it’s starting to annoy them… the hope is they’ll have to come and talk to us soon.”

MAF 2019: Ruben Brandt, Collector

Written by Josh Sandy on . Posted in Film.

There are plenty of reasons to love film festivals but, above all else, their ability to curate a collection of brilliant-yet-totally-underrated cinematic gems and bring them to the big screen is one of the greatest. This ability was beautifully demonstrated by this year’s Manchester Animation Festival during their showing of Milorad Krstic’s Hungarian noir-crime-thriller-cum-art-history-lesson Ruben Brandt, Collector.

The film follows Dr. Ruben Brandt, an art-loving psychotherapist who specialises in the treatment of criminal masterminds, as he leads a team of patients on a series of daring heists to steal the 13 paintings that are haunting his nightmares.

The thing that becomes immediately apparent when watching the film is its truly unique and stunning animation style. The film’s characters appear to come straight out of a Pablo Picasso fever dream with their bizarrely angular faces and seemingly impossible placement of eyes and ears. Throughout the film, every single scene is engaging visually and they are consistently packed with so many artistic references it would require hundreds of viewings to fully appreciate them all.

It will come as no surprise that the film is the most rewarding for those with an appreciation of art history, but that is not to say that it is totally impenetrable for the casual viewer. In many ways, the film acts on two levels – a unique celebration of art and psychology theory, sitting above a taught action-packed heist thriller.

Despite the potential for this complex blend of themes to become a jarring mess, the film perfectly balances complex philosophical ideas, surreal nightmarish dream sequences and well-established action movie tropes with stunts defying the laws  of physics to create something truly innovative and original.

Standing alongside the film’s gorgeous visuals is the film’s perfectly curated soundtrack. The mix of genres mirrors the film’s other anachronisms and features a selection of classic rock and roll hits combined with sweeping orchestral and operatic pieces.

One particularly stunning sequence features a thrilling high-octane chase through the surrealist-tinged streets of Paris accompanied superbly by The Countour’s iconic ‘Do You Love Me’.

However, despite the film’s ability to keep its themes from becoming overly pretentious, the same can unfortunately not be said for its plot. Whilst the majority of the film uses a classical heist style narrative, with a few well-placed twists and turns to a hugely engaging effect, the film’s ending simply proves one twist too far.

Objectively, this final twist isn’t a bad plot decision and has enormous potential to add to the film’s surreal aesthetic, but the groundwork for such as radical left-turn in the closing minutes just isn’t laid throughout the film. Although it is a rare misstep, at such a crucial point in the film, it ultimately leaves a lasting feeling of a plot that has become caught up in its own intelligence.

Overall, given its truly distinctive animation style and unusual blend of themes, Ruben Brandt, Collector is a true testament to the unique nature of animation and is the perfect starting point for any film fan looking to explore the world beyond mainstream big-budget studio animations.

4/5.

Manchester to add 100,000 people and 65,000 jobs by 2036

Written by Zofia Gryf-Lowczowska on . Posted in News.

According to the city council’s annual State of the City report, Manchester is set for a period of major growth in its population, housing, and offices over the next decade and a half.

The report compares the progress of sectors including economics, property, and homelessness to previous years, and lays out a future vision for Manchester. This year’s report outlines major developments set to take place across the city and predicts significant growth in population and employment.

Population growth has occurred across the whole of Manchester but is most significant in the city centre and surrounding wards. Due to new development, Manchester City Council predicts an increase of 637,000 residents by 2025, with 100,000 of them expected to be concentrated in the city centre. The report states that students, graduates, and professionals are being drawn to the city centre, whilst larger families are settling in the inner suburbs.

Similarly, employment in Manchester has continued to grow. The latest ONS Business Register & Employment Survey demonstrates that employment rose from 357,000 in 2015 to 392,000 in 2017. The largest number of employees in Manchester, 20.2%, are employed within the financial, professional and scientific sectors; 6% higher than England as a whole. Between 1996 and 2016, 85,000 jobs were created in Manchester, and a further 65,000 are expected by 2036. As a result of major developments in the city, construction, in particular, is predicted to grow.

Significant industrial development is set to take place across Manchester. Most notably, Mayfield is set to undergo commercial, retail and leisure development, as well as a 6.5-acre city park located along the River Medlock. Developments are also planned for St John’s, Circle Square, Deansgate Square, The Oxford Road Corridor, and Manchester Airport.

Since 2014/15, Manchester has built over 10,000 homes, many of which have been backed by the £300m Greater Manchester Housing Investment Fund. Manchester remains the largest office market in any city outside London, with further office spaces to be established over the next few years. Furthermore, the potential arrival of HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail into Manchester Piccadilly and the proposed investment in the area could bring 40,000 jobs, 13,000 homes and 8.8m sq/ft of commercial development to the site.

Efforts are also being made to increase access to settled homes, involving initiatives in both the social and private rented sectors. Work is also underway to review Manchester’s Social Allocations Policy to ensure that it continues to meet the housing needs of its residents.

Alongside this, work is being done to establish a homeless access hubs pilot in seven areas of the city, which will deliver pop-up clinics in homeless hostels, enhanced support for GP registration, and extended new patient health checks for homeless patients.

Photo : Junichi Yamashita @Flickr

MLS Pride screening left us in tears – for all the best reasons

Written by Cameron Wedd on . Posted in Societies.

Manchester Labour Students recently hosted a screening of 2014’s Pride, a heartwarming and, in parts, heartbreaking film that documents the 1985 “Lesbians and Gays Support the Miners” (LGSM) movement and their support of the struggle of the miners on strike in the Welsh town of Onllwyn.

It’s a poignant piece tackling the importance of setting aside differences in political movements, as well as showing individual struggles with coming out.

One of the reasons Pride is such a significant film is because, despite it’s time period, many of the issues it covers are still pertinent to today’s world. LGBTQ and workers rights require lots more work before the UK achieves the equality that organisations like LGSM strived for. These issues can fall by the wayside when things start to look more positive.

The introduction of the national minimum wage, the legalisation of gay marriage, and the 2020 plan for the mandatory inclusion of non-heterosexual relationships in “Relationships and Sex Education,” which will be taught in all Primary and Secondary schools across the UK, can obscure the struggle still felt amongst the workers and the LGBTQ community.

There are a significant number of members of the LGBTQ community who suffer from poor mental health due to the abuse they receive for being open about their sexuality or the stress that they can feel by keeping it to themselves and not acknowledging it.

Similar issues affect working-class people. Zero-hour contracts are become increasingly popular, allowing companies to blatantly flout their employees’ rights with few consequences when they do so.

That is why MLS chose to screen Pride. The film demonstrates what can be achieved through solidarity between oppressed communities and how to go about reaching out from one group to another to inspire unity and make positive change in the world.

“When you’re in a battle with an enemy that’s so much bigger, so much stronger than you, to find out you had a friend you never knew existed, well that’s the best feeling in the world.”

Screening this film was important to LGBTQ members of Young Labour. The true story that forms its basis is a very important part of queer history in the UK, and to have it screened at Young Labour events demonstrates that even 30 years on, the labour movement and the LGBTQ movement stand together, hand in hand. The screening was an emotional one, but one that left viewers grateful for the work done by those gone before and excited to keep fighting for LGBTQ and workers rights.

Review: The Report

Written by Zofia Gryf-Lowczowska on . Posted in Film.

Dry, gritty, and devoid of humour, The Report follows the US Senate Intelligence Committee’s investigation into the CIA’s use of torture following 9/11. Written and directed by Scott Z. Burns, the film spans over a decade of US political history as its protagonist, staffer Daniel J. Jones (Adam Driver), embarks on a mission to bring the CIA to account.

In the aftermath of the attacks, the CIA used a system of torture (described as “enhanced interrogation techniques”) to gain information from suspected terrorists. Unlawful, immoral and ineffective, it was carried out at ‘black sites’ across the US at a time when George Bush was famously saying that the USA “does not torture”.

Tasked with investigating the CIA’s use of torture, Jones spent five years producing his 6,700-page report, which exposed those involved in the torturing, as well as the joint efforts of the CIA and White House to cover it up. Burns depicts Jones’ personal involvement in the investigation using flashback, recounting political events through a delicately personal lens.

Reminiscent of Beau Willimon’s House of Cards, the film maintains a serious realism on account of Burns’ attention to the intricacies of US politics. Entrenched in its institutional context, the dialogue throughout the film is lengthy and filled with jargon. However, outstanding performances from a reputable cast save it from being dull.

I was particularly impressed by Annette Bening’s flawless portrayal of Californian Senator Dianne Feinstein, capturing her tireless determination and loyal professionalism. Similarly, Driver conveys Jones’ unfaltering dedication to the investigation, which made me feel very sympathetic towards him and his efforts to uphold justice.

The torture scenes are graphic and make for difficult viewing, though Burn’s willingness to depict the United States’ methods is a credit. He is not shy in exposing their brutality and unequivocal immorality. However, Burns also reminds us that during the early noughties in America, public opinion was divided over the torture of suspected terrorists. The country was badly shaken by 9/11, and many people believed that the government should be authorised to do whatever it needed to protect national security, a question this film wrestles with.

There’s no mistaking that The Report is an American film. There are good guys and bad guys, and the best guy is an American hero. While its subject matter is exciting and relevant, the film lacks an epic scope. The cinematography is unoriginal, and Burns’ commitment to realism can be repetitive. What really carries it is the quality of the cast, whose stellar acting adds variety to the (at times interminable) dialogue and gives their characters a compelling depth.

Overall, I enjoyed the film and would recommend it, though I struggle to see it being one of the year’s best works.

Clueless Yellow Plaid

Opinion: Clueless remake will be a “full-on Monet”

Written by Bec Oakes on . Posted in Film.

When I first read that Paramount Pictures was remaking Amy Heckerling’s Clueless, I was “totally buggin.”

The 1995 original is a loose adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, moving the action to Bronson Alcott High School in modern-day Beverly Hills. It follows teen queen Cher Horowitz (Alicia Sliverstone), who, alongside best friend Dionne, plays matchmaker for two teachers. Inspired by their success, Cher takes “so adorably clueless” new student Tai under her wing. While searching for Tai’s perfect match, Cher attempts to find a boyfriend of her own and, on her way to the “Baldwin” of her dreams, undergoes a “makeover [of the] soul.”

The reboot, produced by Tracy Oliver (Girls Trip) and written by Marquita Robinson (Netflix’s GLOW), will re-imagine the film as a TV show featuring contemporary Californian teenagers.

Deadline is calling the series “Mean Girls meets Riverdale meets a Lizzo music video,” a “baby pink and bisexual blue-tinted, tiny sunglasses-wearing, oat milk latte and Adderall-fueled” look into the life of teenagers in L.A.,  2020. It will explore what happens when the most popular girl in school — the inimitable Cher — disappears and second-in-command Dionne steps into her vacant shoes; how Dionne deals with the pressures of being the newly crowned Queen Bee and how she solves the mystery of what happened to her best friend.

Quite frankly, this series looks like a “full-on Monet” in the making, and shouldn’t be given the honour of a comparison with its iconic film counterpart.

Firstly, it erases the film’s protagonist. Cher is to Clueless what Harry Potter is to J. K. Rowling’s series of the same name — their respective films (and books) simply wouldn’t work without them. Paul Rudd, who played Cher’s former step-brother and love interest in the original film, told NME that one of the reasons the film has remained so popular over the years is Alicia Silverstone’s “winning” performance. Actress Rachel Blanchard struggled to capture Cher’s magic in the 1996 series, but removing the character altogether is a far worse crime.

However, the main problem with remaking Clueless is that the film is so deeply a product of its time that any attempt to manipulate its successes for Gen Z will never compare. The original is a flawless representation of teenage life in the 90s, and everything that makes it iconic is completely bound up with that era. From the famous quote, “as if!” to Coolio’s ‘Rollin’ With My Homies’, to THAT yellow plaid co-ord, the film screams 90s. Take away those things and it just isn’t Clueless.

Barely a week goes by without another sequel, prequel or remake. In 2019 alone, over 20 films have been remade or rebooted. Disney is on a roll making live-action versions of pretty much every classic in its catalogue. Nothing is sacred, it seems. But remaking Clueless is a Mary Jane-clad step too far. Will I be watching this series? “Ugh! As if!”

Photo by chelsea ferenando on Unsplash

The winter coat you should buy based on your Myers – Briggs personality type

Written by Anna Jin on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Now that the temperatures are plummeting, it is time to invest in a good winter coat to wear to lectures, the library and anywhere else that requires you leaving the house whilst living in Manchester. When it comes to winter fashion, coats are the staple piece of your wardrobe. Therefore, it is more important than ever to shop for quality in order to find a coat to see you through the winter.

If you’re finding choosing a winter coat difficult, why not choose one based on your Myers–Briggs Personality Type. The famous personality test divides people into 16 distinct personality types under 4 main divisions: Analysts, Diplomats, Sentinels, and Explorers, all of which we’ve paired with their ideal style of winter coat.

Analysts: The Puffer

https://www.instagram.com/p/B5A8nCQn1w5/

If you are an INTJ, INTP, ENTJ or ENTP, you are an Analyst. Analysts are logical intellectuals with a strategic mind and a thirst for knowledge.

In addition to looking good in winter, what is important for Analysts is to have a coat that is functional and practical. The puffer is great for this as it will keep you warm and dry. It’s also become somewhat of a trend over the past few years, meaning there are lots of different styles, colours, and prints to choose from. They are also great for layering, another practical and chic way of dressing for Analysts.

Sentinels: The Teddy

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4pV356gQWC/

ISTJs, ISFJs, ESTJs and ESFJs, Sentinels are reliable and sociable. The ideal coat for this personality type is the teddy.

As its name suggests, this trendy coat has a teddy bear texture and is so soft and cosy that you will feel like you are wearing a blanket. It will never let you down when it comes to keeping warm, but also when it comes to wearability as this style is great for all occasions, from the everyday to the formal. This is perfect for Sentinels who want to be ready for any kind of social event, whilst remaining approachable and friendly.

Diplomats: The Wool Coat

https://www.instagram.com/p/B2lp1fNIjYA/

The Diplomats, INFJs, INFPs, ENFJs and ENFPs, are optimists who always look to the bright side of things and they also make great leaders. If you are a diplomat, the wool coat is perfect for you.

This structured piece is slightly more formal, meaning it can make an everyday outfit look more put together and professional, perfect to make Diplomats look like the leaders they are. It’s simple, chic and will never go out of style, much like optimism.

Explorers: The Cape

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4vOU3mH_wY/

The Explorers are those who pave paths for others to follow. ISTP, ISFP, ESTP and ESFP personality types enjoy thinking outside the box, so the cape, an untraditional coat, is the perfect winter outerwear.

You don’t need to worry about what to wear underneath a cape because its elegant draping texture will hide even the chunkiest, fluffiest jumper. Plus, as an Explorer, you’re probably not too worried about practicalities. You can buy capes fairly affordably, as they don’t have the structure that some other coats do, meaning they aren’t as expensive to make and makes them great for Explorers who are looking to save money to go travelling and do other spontaneous activities.

The best fashion podcasts

Written by Alice Porter on . Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Keeping up with everything that’s going on in the fashion industry is basically a full-time job. You could spend all day reading and watching news articles about fashion without even scratching the surface. Podcasts are a great way to stay up to date on fashion and learn more about the industry, as you can listen to them on the go wherever you are. Here are some of the best…

Fashion Unzipped

The Telegraph’s dedicated fashion podcast discusses current fashion trends and news much like the paper’s written Style section. The format is relaxed: two or three Telegraph fashion editors chatting casually about whatever’s going on in the fashion industry. They’ve also started a new series called ‘A Day In The Life’, in which people working all types of different jobs within fashion are interviewed about how they spend their days. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BMhH_r0BkWL/

Fashion No Filter

Similar to Fashion Unzipped in its chatty format, but more informative and well-researched, Fashion No Filter is hosted by fashion journalists Camille Charriere and Monica Ainley. In each episode they focus on a different topic, looking at how individual aspects of the fashion industry operate. There are often interviews but they generally don’t last for an entire episode, rather, adding to whatever topic is being looked at on that particular episode.

The BoF Podcast

The Business of Fashion is one of the most esteemed fashion publications out there and the podcast follows suit. Taking an interview format, its guests have included some of the biggest names in fashion right now including photographer Tim Walker, and founder of Reformation, Yael Afalo. From its guests to the issues they discuss, it’s informative and very current. If you’re looking to keep up with what’s going on in fashion, this is the podcast you should be listening to. 

Wardrobe Crisis

If you’re looking for a podcast that will educate you on sustainable fashion, Wardrobe Crisis is a great choice. It’s hosted by Vogue Australia’s Sustainability Editor Claire Press who is as passionate about sustainable fashion as she is knowledgable, making for really interesting conversations with the guests she interviews that go much further than vapid discussions of sustainable fashion that often take place elsewhere. 

Articles of Interest

Finally, another educational podcast. This one looks at the history of fashion and how current trends, fashion eras and timeless pieces have come about. Hosted by the architecture-focused website 99 Percent Invisible, the podcast is particularly interested in the intricacies of design and workmanship. 

 

Musician mistakenly detained after recording music video in Deansgate

Written by Megan Oyinka on . Posted in News.

‘Outlaw’, a music producer, was dragged from his car by armed officers following reports of him and his passenger acting suspiciously near Deansgate. Police claimed that he and his passenger were “not acting within the law”.

Reports given to the police outlined that two men in balaclavas were acting in a suspicious manner in a black Range Rover. The men were handcuffed, searched and later released with no charges.

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) claimed the pair “failed to provide a reasonable explanation for their behaviour” after they arrested them at 14:30 on the 30th of October on Chapel Street in Salford.

Despite originally reacting to the report as a potential terrorism-related threat, a search of the car found fake police uniforms and equipment and concluded that the incident was not terrorism-related.

The Musician stated on his Instagram that the police “illegally detained him”. He told the BBC: “We didn’t see them coming up from behind us [and] had to slam on the brakes as they cut us off.”

“They reached in, opened the door, pulled us out of the car, put us on the floor [and] searched us. My feet didn’t touch the floor – they handcuffed us [but] no officer had explained who they were or what we were being detained for.”

The artist also took to Instagram to tell his side of the story. In a statement posted on his page, he includes a statement from a ‘solicitor’ about the incident as well as images of the arrest.

Speaking to the Manchester Evening News he stated: “I was filming a music video for my album at the time. We didn’t get a chance to explain what we were doing. We’ve been out filming music videos before and have been stopped but this time we didn’t get a chance.” He also explained that they had filming equipment in the car but that this was not included in the statement the police gave.

Outlaw commented that his statement was made to clear up what happened for the sake of the public, not to ‘make a fool of the police’.

A GMP spokesman said the men, who are both white, had a replica police uniform, baton, utility belt, and other items in their car, some of which required assessment by bomb disposal officers. He added that police were treating the incident as “irresponsible behaviour”.

out of order

Review: Out of Order

Written by Kayleigh Crawford on . Posted in Theatre.

Performed on the main stage at HOME Theatre, Out of Order is an absurd, thought-provoking and funny production which pushes the limits of what theatre can be.

Five clowns emerge from behind the red curtains draped across the stage. Breaths are held as the clowns take a seat. Music begins to play – and then chaos erupts. The clowns chase each other, seemingly having no control over their own actions and impulses. When the music fades, the clowns seem to settle down, returning to their seats.

Every time we think peace has been restored, the music starts up again, and the clowns will begin their furious chase again, like a clown version of Bjork’s ‘it’s oh so quiet.’ This was perhaps the funniest part of the performance. The loaded silences before the music swelled up again had the audience anticipating the chaos that was about to occur.

Towards the end of this sketch, the clowns almost seemed resigned to this. They would deflate when hearing the music, sighing and rolling their eyes, before reluctantly springing into action to repeat their routine once more.

The chase comes to a dramatic conclusion as the clowns finally catch each other. Having reached a conclusion, the energy on stage dissipates as they collapse one by one.

From here onwards, things play out much the same way; energy builds up on stage, reaches a climax, and comes crashing down until the next act. Incorporating balloons, horns, chairs, and the clowns themselves, these routines all draw on traditional circus-like slapstick comedy.

This is particularly effective given the way the production uses energy. Deliberately manufactured moments mean audience engagement is constantly fluctuating. Moments of high action and chaos have our full attention, whilst the long pauses where the clowns wander about the stage aimlessly or lie on the floor less so.

Out of Order is a fitting name for the performance, as there is no specific narrative or chronology to the actions of the clowns. After one routine finishes, the clowns appear at a loss as to what they are supposed to do next. One clown then begins doing something or walking in a certain direction, at which point, the others slowly join in. Once all the clowns are doing the activity, the tension builds and erupts into chaos once more.

The choreography and stage design in Out of Order is phenomenal. The whole stage is used throughout the performance, making moments when the clowns are concentrated in the middle or huddled together in a corner stand out. The chases and fights that persist throughout the performance are brilliantly executed; everything feels organic and natural. The sequences are complex and chaotic, and learning them must not have been easy, yet the performers make it look almost effortless.

With a constant background of music that is ‘out of place’, clowns that struggle with comedy, and themes unfamiliar to a theatre setting, Out of Order is a cleverly designed performance about the relationship between chaos and control.

Out of Order continues its European tour until the end of this month.

Warehouse Project press photo

Preview: New Year’s Eve at The Warehouse Project

Written by Bella Fleming on . Posted in Music.

The Warehouse Project is helping you to see in the New Year in style.

This year has been the WHP’s biggest season on record, with its new permanent location, Mayfield Depot, taking events to a new level. Formally Mayfield railway station, the Depot’s 10,000 capacity has hosted some of the most explosive events Warehouse Project has ever seen. Some of this year’s standout guests include Flume, Mura Masa, Skepta, Four Tet, amongst others.

After the success of her sold-out headline event earlier in the year, longstanding Radio 1 tastemaker, Annie Mac will showcase her skills at the New Year’s Eve event.

Other headliners at the Warehouse Project New Year’s Eve party include the likes of Hannah Wants, Krystal Klear, Artwork, and TSHA. There will also be DJ sets from the incredible Rudimental and Groove Armada to help ensure your new year begins with a bang.

Further exciting NYE and NDY Warehouse Project events are still to be announced as 2019 comes to an end.

Tickets cost £38.50 and are available now at thewarehouseproject.com