Month: December 2022

“You might have heard there’s a football match on” – The build-up to the 2022 World Cup’s biggest showdown yet

Written by The Mancunion on 10th December 2022. Posted in Sport.

Just a few months ago, the World Cup in Qatar loomed on the horizon and the build-up started to take hold. Any fan could be forgiven for saying that pretty much everything surrounding the England team was negative.

The three lions were on an awful run of form, having been relegated from their group in the UEFA Nations League, and destroyed 4-0 by Hungary. There were increasing calls from fans for manager Gareth Southgate to be sacked. Additionally, the injury list has been piling up at a crucial time, with Reece James and Ben Chilwell both sustaining injuries that ruled them out of the tournament in Qatar.

Yet now the mood surrounding the team is almost completely unrecognisable. The team has been rampant so far in their exploits on Qatari soil, having won three out of four games. They’ve scored 12 goals while conceding only two, with players involved at every position – from Jude Bellingham at Centre-Midfielder to Phil Foden at Attacking Winger – playing some of their best-ever football.

Apart from a lacklustre and dogged draw against the United States in their second group game, England has consistently looked like one of the best sides in the tournament. They’re certainly looking like the team to beat. Will this England team be the one to finally end 56 years of trophyless hurt?

So far, England has undoubtedly been one of the tournament’s best sides. Gareth Southgate has gone a long way to silence and prove wrong even some of his harshest critics, however, the real tests that the Qatar World Cup will pose for England are only just beginning.

England has certainly impressed so far. Brilliant performances have taken place in the context of games against lesser, beatable opposition. England’s three victories – however resounding they may have been – have come against a defensively poor Iran side, a Welsh side that was all but already out of the tournament, and a Senegalese side that was missing its best player and captain in Sadio Mane. Additionally, despite Senegal’s proven credibility on the international stage, they simply did not show up for large parts of the Round-of-16 tie.

Yet that all changes on Saturday for England’s Quarter-Final tie, when they take on France, the reigning world champions and number-four-ranked side in the world.

In referring to the game as a “once in a lifetime” moment, ex-England defender turned TV pundit Gary Neville was absolutely right. The events that will take place on Saturday from 7pm to 10pm promise to be a showdown of epic proportions, between what are arguably the current two best international sides in the world. We will get to see the world’s best and fastest attacking winger, Kylian Mbappe, pitted against one of the world’s best and fastest full-backs, Kyle Walker. We’ll also see an age-old battle between veteran centre-back Raphael Varane and long-term prolific striker Harry Kane, and a youthful midfield of Declan Rice and Jude Bellingham taking on the experience of players such as
Adrien Rabiot and Antoine Greizmann.

Kylian Mbappé receiving the Best Young Player Award (2018). Photo: Антон Зайцев @ Wikimedia Commons

Now when it comes to predictions, I will not even dare to make my call as to who will come out on top in this enormous clash. In my opinion, the sides are simply too closely matched to make a definitive statement before the game as to who will win, as there is hardly a grain of sand between the two teams when it comes to quality and talent (as anyone who has attempted to make a combined eleven of the two sides will have found out). It all simply comes down to who was the clinical cutting edge that is required in international football, and turns up on the day.

Will we see another defensive and pragmatic Gareth Southgate masterclass, as was demonstrated in England’s iconic victory over the Germans at Wembley in Euro 2020? Will the French turn on the style as they did in the second half against Poland in the round of 16 and blow England’s often second-rate defence away? Which one of these teams will experience their next penalty shootout heartbreak, something they have both experienced all too much of in recent years?

Putting my indecisive predictions aside, one thing certainly is for sure going into Saturday’s box-office contest. Whoever wins this all-important game will automatically become the tournament favourites, and will be looking at facing – and probably being fancied to beat – Brazil in the final.

With this team, it is probably the greatest chance that England will ever have to win something. When else can anyone remember a time when England had every single member of their starting XI playing to the highest ability, and won knockout games by three goals with absolute ease? Not to get carried away, but we will win on Saturday, and it may well finally be coming home. No pressure lads.

To conclude, I would like to echo the sentiment of BT Sport pundit Rio Ferdinand’s often ‘memed’ statement about watching Messi and Ronaldo, “just enjoy it.”

Despite the great permutations that dominate the mindset when thinking about Saturday’s game, and the fact that England’s hopes of ending generations of near-misses ride on the occasion, it must be remembered that football is all in all just a bit of fun, however important it may seem at times.

Whatever the result, every football fan across the nation on Saturday will have an amazing time with all of their friends watching the game in their local pub, and getting completely immersed in the drama that will inevitably take place. A World Cup grudge match on a Saturday night, this sort of situation doesn’t come around often.

Words by Thomas Woodcock

Manchester’s finest festive feasts

Written by Hannah Wellock on 9th December 2022. Posted in Food & Drink.

The restaurants and bars of Manchester have come out in full force this December with a selection of Christmas menus with winter warmers and festive feasts. Read along as we give you the rundown of some of our Manchester favourites.

Motley

The new Winter Terrace in collaboration with Highland Park Whisky at Motley is guaranteed to get you in a festive mood. The comfy seating and warm heaters create a cosy atmosphere. It’s a great location to escape the hustle and bustle of the Christmas markets and enjoy a couple of cocktails.

We tried the Warming Soul and the Kirkwall Cobbler, both made using Highland Park Whisky, and they were the perfect remedy for a cold winter evening. The Motley Winter Park Terrace is the perfect al-fresco spot for a warming tipple and catching up with friends this winter.

Christmas at FOLK

FOLK, in my humble opinion, is one of the best restaurants Didsbury has to offer. Striking the balance between cool and classy with seeming ease, this year they have also (unsurprisingly) nailed Christmas.

While their Christmas menu probably lies beyond the realm of the student budget, it’s definitely one to persuade the parents to take you to! With delicious starters like their spiced pumpkin and parsnip soup and mains ranging from your classic turkey roast to their vegan beetroot, cranberry, and pistachio wellington alternative.

For dessert, I’d recommend their Apple Strudel. Spiced with cinnamon and covered in custard, I could have eaten this for days. You can read more about FOLK’s Christmas menu here.

The Winter Island bar. Photo: Hannah Wellock @ The Mancunion

Escape to Freight Island: Winter Island

For their winter offering, Depot Mayfield’s Freight Island has created a festive escape, kitted out with cabins, dozens of Christmas trees, and a winter market. In terms of food and drink, you have all of the regular Freight Island vendors, as well as excellent seasonal options: head to Great Northern Pie Company for a roast chicken pie, or Cocoa Cabana for hot chocolates.

A standout for food is Northern Soul Grilled Cheese, which is offering limited edition toasties including Hog Roast, Christmas Beets, and Brie Wish U A Merry Christmas from their cabin outside the depot. There is of course also plenty of mulled wine available from the Mulled Wine Barrel Bar to wash down your food.

The event is free to enter and may be a good option for those wanting to avoid the crowds of the city centre Christmas Markets whilst still experiencing a festive atmosphere. Escape to Winter Island runs until the 24th of December.

Meat-Lovers feast at Red's — Meat-Lovers feast at Red’s. Photo: Izzy Langhamer @The Mancunion

Red’s True BBQ

This festive season, visit Red’s True Barbeque for a bottomless BBQ feast. Available in both Meat-Lover and Meat-Free versions, the portions are generous, hearty, and delicious. Red’s transports you to the American South, loading the plate with favourites such as mash, gravy, onion rings, cornbread, and fries. The meat platter comes stacked with pork ribs, turkey breast, unholy BBQ XXXL wings, smoked chicken, and more. Whilst veggies can enjoy the likes of pulled jackfruit, cauliflower wings, and smoked vegan sausage.

It’s not just the food that’s festive either: all bottomless menus come with bottomless drinks, including prosecco, lager, wine, and cocktails. You might even get a visit from a singing Santa Claus who will bring the house down with both modern hits and some golden oldies.

Hatch

Jumping into the spirit this festive season, Hatch is delivering the most wholesome night out for you and your friends to kick off the festivities in style. Surrounded by twinkling lights and Christmas trees, you can properly indulge this December with the fine array of seasonal offerings from the Hatch independent traders. Juicy Pulled Turkey toasties, Winter Earth Nourish Bowls, Messy Christmas Dinner Loaded Fries, a mammoth Pigs in Blankets Burger, and Christmas Cannoli’s just to name a few.

All washed down with a full flow of festive tipple. The Christmas cocktails are a highlight with the Clementine Cosmo, a deliciously sweet yet also tart, clementine take on the classic, as well as The Jolly Gingerbread, a creamier option, the perfect nightcap.

The seasonal flourish on these menus is the perfect accompaniment to the Christmassy workshops also available throughout December, including Candle Making with Last Ember and personalised wreath-making with Bread Flower – the perfect seasonal treat.

You can read more about Hatch’s Christmas offerings here.

New Century

New Century has also jumped on the Christmas bandwagon because why would they not?

With several of their traders contributing to the festivities and a luxurious Christmas drinks menu, New Century is sure to impress this festive season!

The festive drinks include the likes of Bad Santa, Love Actually, and The Snowman, not to mention the Mulled Wine and Hot Buttered Rum (using Manchester’s own The Salford Rum Company) that is also on offer.

Wild Ply Pizza has successfully taken one of the most hated items on a Christmas dinner, the humble brussel sprout, and turned it into two master pizzas. The Christmas Special – Ply Hard and It’s a Wonderful Slice both have a tomato base and are topped with brussel sprouts, sage, and the stringiest of mozzarellas. The first of the two is one for the meat eaters among us with Pancetta and Spicy Sausage also on top. An interesting take on an Italian classic but definitely one to try this Christmas if you’re looking to mix it up and move away from the traditional festive favourites.

The stage at the front will be host to several live performers throughout December to provide plenty of festive cheer!

Slap and Pickle’s festive burgers. Photo: Hannah Wellock @ The Mancunion

Society

From Christmas pudding burgers to Beetroot and Onion Bhaji Baubles, every kitchen at Society is getting in the Christmas spirit this year!

Society is the perfect place for everyone, covering all bases – pizza, sushi, fried chicken and cauliflower, curry, gyozas – the list is endless. With 35 lines of beer, a selection of cocktails, and plenty of great wines on their list, Vocation & Co. ensures that all festive feasts are washed down with merriment.

Slap and Pickle’s All I want for Christmas burger, and its vegan alternative, encapsulate everything about Christmas. A burger patty topped with cranberry Wensleydale, smoked bacon, and fried Christmas pudding with the option of onion gravy – essentially Christmas dinner in a festive bun.

Other vendors available on the festive menu include Chaat Cart, Manzoku, Noi Quattro, and Yoki. All menus are £20 per person and available throughout December.

Green Chef’s Christmas Menu

Whilst this may not be a Manchester restaurant, I wanted to give a little shout-out to Green Chef’s festive menu. As we all know, Christmas can be an expensive time of the year, especially being students in a cost-of-living crisis.

This is a good alternative to eating out but still having that little treat and feeling the Christmas cheer with a festive meal. Green Chef has come out with a festive line of recipe boxes inclusive of six dietary requirements including vegan, low-carb, and pescetarian. Their festive offerings include a THIS Isn’t Chicken Roast Dinner, a Festive Spiced Glazed Duck, and my personal favourite, the Creamy Goat’s Cheese and, Fig Filo Parcels.

The US midterms: Women’s rights versus the economy

Written by Catherine Rowe-Kosary on 9th December 2022. Posted in Opinion.

Trigger warning: discussions of sexual assault and rape

America’s midterm elections were much more of a success for the Democrats than political polls and pundits suggested. The Democrats maintained control of the Senate and only lost the House of Representatives to the Republicans by a narrow margin.

To me, this victory can be attributed to women and young people being motivated to vote for abortion rights. This comes after a summer of discontent over the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, the ruling which guarantees a constitutional right to an abortion. The Democrats’ pro-choice campaign offered voters an alternative to the anti-abortion sentiments voiced by many Republicans. Thus, the Democrats’ performance in the elections was more of a vote against the Republicans and their anti-abortion sentiments rather than a vote of confidence in Joe Biden.

However, in the build-up to the midterm elections, the Democrats were criticised by both the left and centre of the party for focusing too much on abortion rights, amidst concerns that there was not enough emphasis on the economy. Indeed, polls ahead of the elections showed that inflation was the top issue for voters, followed by abortion rights. This distinction between abortion rights and inflation as two isolated issues would suggest that the severity of anti-abortion laws has not been fully comprehended, as it is not just a moral issue but also an economic one.

Firstly, the removal of abortion rights raises huge ethical concerns. For nearly half a century after the Roe v. Wade decision, American women were endowed with a basic level of respect through the constitutional right to an abortion. Now, 14 states have abortion bans which effectively takes the United States further away from a utopian ‘land of the free’ and much closer to the dystopian world of The Handmaid’s Tale. In states like Alabama and Texas, abortions are banned with no exceptions for rape or incest. The increasingly authoritarian control that many US states now have over women’s bodies is a terrifying human rights issue.

But it is also an economic issue. We shouldn’t ignore that access to contraception and abortions enabled American women to claim financial, professional, and educational equality. Abortion access has increased women’s participation in the workforce as they are more likely to finish higher education and enter better-paying occupations without unplanned pregnancies. Furthermore, planned pregnancies allow parents to be financially stable enough to provide their children with better education and quality of life.

Anti-abortion laws also force women to travel out of state for abortions. Potentially millions of women will have to spend thousands of dollars in order to travel to other states for abortions. Women from Texas have to drive 248 miles to the nearest abortion clinic — if they have a car. Not only does this put a financial, mental, and physical strain on these women, but it also strains the healthcare systems in states where abortions are still legal.

It is estimated that California’s annual patient load could rise from 46,000 to 1.4 million women seeking abortions due to an influx of women from outside of the state. Clearly, abortion rights and the economy are inextricably linked due to the financial impact it has on women and their families as well as on healthcare workers. We need to do more to highlight this.

There is also an overlooked racialised aspect to these bans. The increased abortion rights in the late 1960s and early 1970s correlated to a decrease in birth rates, particularly among teen, unwed, and non-white women. This has increased non-white women’s rates of high school graduation and college attendance. Abortions enabled women from marginalised communities as well as women in general to claim bodily and economic autonomy. Now, due to bans on abortions, these women’s lives are at risk.

In the United States, Black women have the highest death rates as a result of pregnancy and childbirth because of unequal medical care. Some abortion bans, such as in Texas, have gone as far as preventing life-saving abortions. Abortion bans will therefore deepen the already existing gender, class, and racial inequalities in the United States and push more people into poverty.

Abortion must not be treated as an isolated issue when it is so intrinsically linked to the economy. The Democrats’ victory showed that women and young people are vocalising their opposition to anti-abortion legislation. Notably, there were landmark wins in Michigan, California, and Vermont where voters blocked anti-abortion laws in referendums.

However, abortion being up for debate today as a political issue is a terrifying thought when women supposedly gained autonomy over their bodies nearly 50 years ago. With Donald Trump announcing his bid for the 2024 presidential elections, women’s rights are still in a precarious position despite the success of the midterms. In order to reclaim these rights, we need to see abortion laws as an economic equaliser across racial, class, and gender boundaries.

Live review: Scouting For Girls at Albert Hall

Written by Jay Darcy on 8th December 2022. Posted in Music.

It’s remarkable how people in their early 20s, who were in Key Stage One when Scouting For Girls were on the charts, are still so fond of their music. It’s a testament to the band’s longevity. Indeed, whilst they have not had a successful single in over a decade, their catalogue has aged like fine wine.

The band is made up of childhood friends Roy Stride, Greg Churchouse, and Peter Ellard – alongside touring member Jamie O’Gorman. I interviewed Stride earlier this year and discovered that, not only did the guys not expect the band to have such longevity, but they didn’t even expect to “make it” in the first place. They got together in their early teens and had a record deal by their late teens, only to be dropped shortly thereafter. It wasn’t until their late 20s that they finally made it, and that’s old in the music industry (remember The X Factor‘s over 25s?!). Now in their 40s, the band has embarked on a huge “best of” tour to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their self-titled debut album.

Each gig has not one but two opening acts. The artists vary at each gig, but in Manchester we had Rosie Smith and Jessie Dipper. Smith has an androgynous presence – a boyish charm and deep vocals. You cannot fault her artistry – she’s as talented a singer as she is a songwriter – but the performance was a bit slow and downbeat for a fun, nostalgic Scouting For Girls gig.

However, when there’s two support acts, they are often quite different in tone and performance, and sure enough, Dipper was much more lively. Like Smith, she’s a skilled songwriter, and she succeeded in bringing her songs to life onstage. However, her set could do with some structural change. She began with a personal song; she even offered us some context before she started singing. It’s always best to start with a more lively song and not go into the personal until you’ve got the audience on your side. It also feels cleaner when artists introduce themselves after their first song, not before it. As an unknown singer, the first song is the first impression.

That was the other issue with Dipper’s set: every song was given 30-60 seconds of spoken context, and some songs had both intros and outros. It felt a little heavy. That being said, her last performance was superb. She certainly saved the best for last, but she might have began her set with it – the audience would have been instantly captivated.

After Dipper left the stage, the DJ played some nostalgic bangers to get us in the mood for the headliners: ‘Human’ by The Killers, ‘Viva la Vida’ by Coldplay, ‘Ruby’ by Kaiser Chiefs, and all that jazz. Just before Scouting For Girls arrived onstage, ’20th Century Fox Fanfare’ was blasted from the speakers – a cheeky, dramatic arrival for a fun band that doesn’t take themselves too seriously.

As this is a tour to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut studio album, a good chunk of the setlist was made up of that. Stride offered us historical context and insight into some songs. For instance, the guys wrote ‘I’m Not Over You’ when they were 17 or 18. After they were dropped, it took them another decade to get a record deal, and this is the only song they wrote as teens that made it on to their debut album.

The band sang all eight of their top 40 songs. The second song of the setlist was ‘It’s Not About You’, which Stride called their first single: it was originally released as a limited release EP, before coming out as their fourth single. This was then followed by ‘Heartbeat’. Placing such a well-known song early on in the setlist is a great idea; it quickly gets the audience excited.

They wisely followed ‘I Wish I Was James Bond’ with ‘Michaela Strachan You Broke My Heart’ because, as true SFG fans know, ‘Michaela Strachan’ was a hidden track on ‘James Bond’. “Remember those?” Stride asked with a laugh. I love little poetic tributes like that. I’m reminded of Queen often pairing ‘We Will Rock You’ with ‘We Are the Champions’, for they were released as a double A-side, and radio stations often played the songs (which are only two and three minutes long, respectively) consecutively.

A short while later came a great chunk of songs, beginning with their penultimate top 40 hit, ‘Famous’. For this performance, Stride attached his phone to a selfie stick, with the front camera recording the audience. He then climbed upstairs and mingled with the fans in the balcony, even leaning over and recording the fans down below. Stride is a real showman; he oozes charisma and charm in every movement and breath (so much so that it leaked from the screen when I interviewed him via Zoom!).

‘Famous’ was followed with the beautiful ‘Butterflies’, their final hit ‘Love How It Hurts’, true-fan-favourite ‘Posh Girls’, and their only number 1 hit, ‘This Ain’t a Love Song’. The band then brought us back to the present with a new song – the lead single from their upcoming album, which they are yet to finish recording. There is a singalong part in the song, and the band used a recording device to record the audience so that they can include audience vocals in the final product.

The final song of the main set was the anthemic ‘Elvis Ain’t Dead’. As soon as the band left the stage, the whole audience erupted into a “one more song” chant. The band knew what one song the audience was wanting, but first they sang the fun, festive ‘Xmas in the 80’s’, which made the Christmas lights in the venue twinkle a little more. Stride told us they’d planned on wearing Christmas outfits but, because of the Royal Mail Strikes, only Ellard’s had arrived on time. Ellard took one for the team and wore his costume with pride.

The final song was, of course, the band’s signature hit, ‘She’s So Lovely’. It took me right back to my youth; when I was eight and energetic and happy to be alive.

Scouting For Girls are touring the UK with The Best of… UK Tour until December 11.

The Royal Exchange Theatre gets political (sort of)

Written by Jay Darcy on 8th December 2022. Posted in Theatre.

Traditionally, the Royal Exchange Theatre’s Christmas musical is a revival of a classic that has not been seen in the West End or toured the UK in some time. Think Into the Woods, Sweet Charity, Guys and Dolls, The Producers, and Gypsy. However, new Joint Artistic Directors Bryony Shanahan and Roy Alexander Weise have decided to mix things up a little bit.

Last year’s Christmas musical was the little-known The Strange Undoing of Prudencia Hart, more a ‘play-with-music’ than a traditional musical. I was surprised by the show’s announcement, given the theatre’s usual Christmas musical, and the show itself had me shook. It was not your typical, funny, feel-good, festive musical, but I found it rather fabulous, nonetheless.

This year’s musical is a world premiere – and, again, it isn’t really a musical.

Betty – A sort of Musical is sort of about Betty Boothroyd, the first female Speaker of the House of Commons. It’s a play (musical) within a play, in which an amateur theatre group attempt to put on a musical about Baroness Boothroyd OM PC.

“As the first female speaker of the House of Commons, Betty Boothroyd is a Dewsbury girl to celebrate, and the five ladies (plus Calvin) of The Dewsbury Players are going to do just that… through the medium of musical theatre! Their high-kicks may be wobbly, their acting ‘enthusiastic’ and the props left over from a production of Miss Saigon; but, tonight, the Village Hall is their theatre of dreams! Emboldened by their heroine’s indefatigable tenacity, this amateur group prove themselves to be extraordinary women on and off stage.”

The sort of musical is written by and starring Maxine Peake and Seiriol Davies. Peake, an Associate Artist of the Royal Exchange Theatre, first performed there as the title character in Hamlet (years after playing Ophelia in a different production). Peake is considered one of the finest Hamlets the country has ever seen. She then starred in The Skriker, A Streetcar Named Desire, and Happy Days. I caught the latter two: Streetcar was brilliant; Happy Days, meanwhile, was, well, Beckett.

Peake has had a super successful screen career, appearing in TV series such as dinnerladies, Shameless, and Silk. Earlier this year, she starred in two four-parters: Anne and Rules of the Game. On the big screen, she’s known for The Theory of Everything. She also played the lead in an episode of Black Mirror, Metalhead, and nobody can forget her chilling portrayal of Myra Hindley in See No Evil: The Moors Murders.

Betty is directed by Shanahan and Weise’s predecessor, Sarah Frankcom, whose professional relationship with Peake goes back years – even before Peake was an icon. Frankcom directed all of the RX productions that starred Peake so it’s exciting to get another Frankcom-Peake collaboration at the RX, now that Frankcom has left the organisation.

Betty: A sort of Musical began its run at the Royal Exchange Theatre on December 3; it runs until January 14.

The controversy continues: The OneLove armband U-turn

Written by andreafinlay on 7th December 2022. Posted in Sport.

This year we see the return of the FIFA World Cup, despite the usual hype surrounding this event is pretty dim. Watching the tournament on a December evening with three deadlines looming, rather than in a pub garden on a warm summer’s night? The first winter World Cup will no doubt be the last. However, instead of football being centre stage during the tournament, we have seen multiple political debates raging between FIFA, the teams involved, and the fans. The true corrupt and dictatorial nature of FIFA has come to light with multiple issues: most notably the OneLove armband affair, again.

The Qatar World Cup has been a topic of controversy since it was announced back in 2010. Not only was there supposed corruption surrounding the bid from Qatar but a lack of human rights in the country has been highlighted throughout the tournament. The criminalisation of the LGBTQ+ community has been the main focal point. It is illegal to be homosexual in Qatar and is a crime that is punishable by life imprisonment or, in some cases, the death penalty. Despite this, World Cup organisers assured fans that Qatar was a “tolerant country” and would welcome all fans with welcome arms. On the other hand, LGBTQ+ fans were told to “tone down their homosexuality in public” which does not exactly scream tolerance to me. The British foreign secretary, James Cleverly, suggested that LGBTQ+ fans “should be respectful of the host nation.” Cleverly even went to say that “with a little compromise, it can be a safe, secure and exciting World Cup.”

The OneLove armband was originally launched by the Royal Dutch Football Federation in 2020 as part of an inclusivity campaign. In September, eight of the 62 competing nations in the World Cup stated that they would wear the armband in protest of the anti-LGBTQ+ laws in Qatar. The countries included England, Wales, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, and The Netherlands. England captain, Harry Kane, was very outspoken on his desire to wear the armband: “Wearing the armband together on behalf of our teams will send a clear message when the world is watching.”

Then why, only two hours before England’s first game of the tournament vs Iran, was there a dramatic U-turn? A protest that was supposedly so important to these eight teams was suddenly put on hold. FIFA rules stipulate that all team equipment and kit should not have any political, religious, or personal slogans, statements or images. Even the Belgian team had to change their kit for the sole reason that it sported the word ‘Love’.

FIFA threatened all eight captains from the teams with a yellow card before kick-off for wearing the armband as it violated regulations. It was at this point that The Football Association (FA) from each respective country decided to backtrack on their strong values. It seems for the FA, paying the inevitable fine for rule breaking was acceptable but they drew the line at the risk of a yellow card for their players. It is evident the message the FA have sent out; we don’t see LGBTQ+ rights to be as valuable as a yellow card.

The U-turn by the FA has been rightly received with backlash from fans and footballing stars. Ex-Liverpool player and sports pundit, Jamie Carragher, branded the England team as “weak” for pulling out of the protest. Carragher viewed the potential punishment of a yellow card as an incentive to continue with the protest rather than a deterrent: “it would only strengthen the campaign”. His colleague, Ian Wright, correctly stated that a protest is no longer a protest if there is no element of risk. Even in this demonstration of protest, the potential risk seemed rather meek compared to the risk that LGBTQ+ fans face when coming to Qatar.

Ex-England captain and sports pundit, Alex Scott, risked more than a yellow card as a queer, woman of colour for publicly wearing the OneLove armband whilst pitchside. In times such as these, a footballing legend, such as David Beckham, could be instrumental in these forms of protest. However, the self-proclaimed LGBTQ+ ally has instead signed a contract with the organisers of the World Cup to promote the tournament, despite the ongoing political debates.

The OneLove armband was always a performative way of protesting against the treatment of the LGBTQ+ community in the host country. However, it meant that players and teams were publicly acknowledging the issue. Backing out at the first hint of adversity contradicts the entire motive behind a protest. Football teams could be some of the most influential methods for positive change, especially in an environment where coming out as gay is still incredibly difficult to do.

Earlier this year, Blackpool FC’s Jake Daniels, at the age of 17, became the UK’s first male professional footballer to come out publicly as gay. The FA responded to Daniel’s news with a tweet stating that “Football is a game for all, with diversity at its heart… This is a hugely positive step as we strive to build an inclusive game that we can all be proud of.” A message is seemingly forgotten by the FA when they decided that protesting for LGBTQ+ rights was less important than players receiving a yellow card. It then comes as no surprise that Pride organisations are staging a World Cup boycott.

Manchester Pride has also joined this protest. From asking bars and venues not to screen matches to joining Stonewall’s virtual ‘Proud Stadium’. This boycott highlights how many have been left with no choice but to give this tournament a miss.

Now that we are halfway through the World Cup, it can be easy just to simply focus on the football. However, when the biggest sporting competition on the planet is in a country which disregards the rights of women and LGBTQ+ people, we have to question how this has happened. It is a major setback in the fight for a more inclusive game.

Books not to fill your stockings with

Written by Jacob Folkard on 7th December 2022. Posted in Books.

Christmas is fast approaching, and wishlists need to be written. With that in mind, when book hunting, it can be hard to know what books to avoid. Fear not, as The Mancunion has kindly compiled a list of books worth avoiding this festive season.

Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

If you haven’t heard of Norwegian Wood (lucky you), it’s a 1987 novel by acclaimed Japanese author Haruki Murakami. With just about every trigger warning you can imagine, the book explores the life and relationships of Toru Watanabe, particularly looking back on his days as a university student in 1960s Tokyo.

What makes this book so painful is that every single character is unbearable. The protagonist is especially loathsome, spending 50% of the book objectifying women, and the other 50% whining. The female characters in question are completely two-dimensional, existing only to orbit the male protagonist. Murakami uses all three of the book’s Manic Pixie Dream Girls to fetishize mental health, trauma, and suicide.

While the lyricism of Murakami’s writing is undeniably beautiful, it masks the book’s deeply concerning scenes, conversations, and ideas. As a result, Norwegian Wood is the perfect gift for anyone who wants to feel especially drained, objectified, and depressed this Christmas.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

You’ve no doubt seen It Ends With Us in every bookshop or all across ‘Booktok’. It even has a prequel out this year called It Starts With Us. Like many, I read it with the assurance that I would love it. That was not the case.

The story follows Lily Blossom Bloom, whose dream, conveniently, is to set up a flower shop. She meets the dark and mysterious Ryle and they begin a whirlwind romance. She soon finds herself looking back at her past relationship with her first love Atlas.

The writing lacked any attempt at subtlety. Every single thought or emotion Lily has is spelt out for us. Hoover seems to think that her readers are completely unable to interpret anything. The romance side of it is just as painful to read. The first encounter between Lily and Ryle made me wince with embarrassment, and it only gets worse as the story progresses.

If the constant references to Finding Nemo weren’t enough to put me off, the last line “You can stop swimming now, Lily” was. Hoover does attempt to explore deeper issues, but it’s safe to say I won’t be picking up another one of her books anytime soon.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

As someone who struggles with horror anyway, having to do Dracula for my A-Level coursework was not the most exciting proposition. Or barely even a faintly interesting one. It was, in fact, one so uninteresting that I only read about 100 pages and then used Sparknotes and the teacher-hated Wikipedia to do the rest.

I will freely admit that the reading of Dracula in this context has probably (definitely) biased my opinion but that’s still no excuse for the unbelievable drudgery of Bram Stoker’s horror (of a book). It’s just not really that interesting to read.

Epistolary novels, I find, really take the wind out of a book’s sails and can often result in a quite mechanical and segmented tale and Bram Stoker’s tale is no different. The long, tedious, and ornate prose obscures a fascinating battle between the evil of Dracula and the valiant English hunters.

For other problems, also see the strong undertones of colonialism in the strong English hunters battling the barbarian of eastern Europe and the use of women as plot devices, mainly seen in a sexual, scary or ditsy manner.

All that said, I’d rather eat a whole bulb of garlic than go near this mis-stake of a book.

Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad

Upon a teacher’s recommendation, I first picked up Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness at A-Level. After reading the first few pages, I promptly put it down. While my teacher marvelled in stupefied amazement at the man’s illustrious writing, I could frankly only relate to the stupefying – or rather sedating – part.

Despite my boredom with the book, Conrad’s position in the English literary canon is irrefutable. However, I can personally only think of two literary feats that he firmly achieves. Granted, they are nigh impossible to pull off.

Firstly, Conrad manages to be both dully factual and, at the same time, evasively unspecific in his descriptions. This powerful combination informs his second feat; despite the short form of the novella, Conrad sustains a sense of mystery that feels drearily never-ending. The narrative soon reaches a point where one is indifferent to what this vague miasma of mystery may or may not reveal.

For some, Heart of Darkness has assumed an almost Promethean spirit, with its literary flame burning on past its time through impassioned scholarship, controversy, and debate. For me, burning it in the fireplace at Christmas this year will suffice.

Live review: Pale Waves at Albert Hall, Manchester

Written by Imogen Mingos on 6th December 2022. Posted in Music.

Manchester’s Pale Waves already had a plethora of fizzy indie-pop anthems behind them, but now, with their new album Unwanted, they bring an original, glitzy flair to Manchester’s Albert Hall. However, despite performing a set bursting at the seams with non-stop hits, Pale Waves are let down by an over-reliance on backing tracks, inconsistent audience interaction and, to no fault of the band, a depressing 0-0 result in Friday night’s England vs USA World Cup match. Yes, our review is admittedly laden with Southgate-induced angst. Apologies.

Running late from frustratedly sipping pints in the Old Nags Head and quickly snacking on a Sainsbury’s meal deal in the rain, we enter the venue to the infectious pop hooks of ‘You Don’t Own Me’. Debuted live in Manchester, the track bursts with confident affirmation and feminine empowerment (all wrapped up neatly with growly bass and relentless rhythm guitar). The group’s natural skill for ear-worm melodies already has the song running around in circles inside our heads, and a benchmark of intoxicating energy is firmly set.

Swaggering across the stage in towering platform boots and 80’s-inspired goth eyeliner, Heather Baron-Gracie acts as the angsty middle-ground between Avril Lavigne and Robert Smith. Baron-Gracie’s trademark marriage of whining and pining is central to Pale Waves’ show, guiding her audience through songs of forbidden love, burning heart ache and teenage cynicism. Classic singles such as ‘Eighteen’ or ‘Television Romance’ – triumphantly jangly sing-alongs – are greeted with insatiable screaming (like some sort of lesbian Beatle-mania). The unashamedly trashy guitars on both tracks soar across the Albert Hall’s ecclesiastical interior in a cathartic wall of noise. This is what Pale Waves do best… make a massive racket.

Whilst the classics are always welcome, the group’s new material stands out. Sporting a Mick Ronson-esque guitar sound and a chord progression lifted straight out of a Blink-182 record, the new single ‘Jealousy’ has become an overwhelming fan-favourite – and this is no speculation; we could literally hear groups repetitively shouting for ‘Jealousy’ in-between songs. It is glam-rock meets pop-punk: ridiculously unsubtle, infectiously fast-paced, and deliciously camp. Pale Waves manage to not just integrate their new material into their established catalogue, but impressively turn them into highlights in and of themselves. Props are due.

It’s also worth mentioning the atmosphere of the show – an atmosphere of passion, recognition and inclusion. Baron-Gracie makes no attempt to hide the LGBTQ+ themes of her songwriting, presenting her songs’ intimate musings on sexuality to her audience with unashamed glee. Featuring a lesbian flag wrapped around Baron-Gracie’s figure, a transgender flag covering the bass drum of non-binary drummer tour-de-force Ciara Doran and hundreds of coloured paper hearts clasped tightly in the hands punters, a visceral sense of empowerment is created. In and amongst the sea of hearts and the garish sheen of rainbow lighting, anyone identifying as part of the LGTBQ+ community is bound to feel accounted for and liberated. “Let gay pride commence”, Baron-Gracie announces before singing ‘She Is My Religion’: a perfect fit for a converted church.

Sadly, what should have been a fantastic performance was let down by various aspects. Football moodiness aside, Pale Waves’ Albert Hall show simply lacked the electric zeal of their show at 02 Victoria Warehouse earlier this year. At numerous points during the band’s set, we were distracted by an abundance of backing tracks, some better hidden than others. Baron-Gracie’s vocal track would frequently ring out when her lips were firmly shut, her head turned away from the microphone. Guitarist Hugo Silvani’s hand often remained clasped on one chord position on the fretboard, when what we were hearing was clearly a progression of multiple chords.

Backing tracks aren’t inherently something to be criticised – Beabadoobee’s recent Manchester show being a perfect example of subtle use of pre-recorded textures – but when a singer’s backing vocal track is painfully obvious at multiple points of the show, it becomes an issue. Loaded subject matters like loss, identity, and betrayal become a lot harder to invest in when a band’s performance feels like one belonging to an episode of Top of the Pops.

There were continuous references to Manchester throughout the show as the band themselves are from the city, but as much as we all loved it there were only so many times that we could cheer to the mention of “Manchester!” The rapport was much better when the band was truly engaging with the audience by taking people’s BeReals and using their phones for photos. This was all in an attempt to placate the crowd when they ran into technical difficulties with one of their backing tracks. The upbeat pop-punk music that so easily captivated people was undoubtedly their saving grace. Lucky for them, since it was a concert after all!

Overall, the energy of Pale Waves’ concert was electric and you couldn’t help but be entranced by their glam-rock songs with relatable lyrics and their indomitable pop-punk spirit. For sure, if we hadn’t watched England’s most frustrating World Cup game right before the gig, we would have been there (emotionally) with the rest of the crowd enjoying a brilliant Friday night concert – despite more Manchester references than I can count on both hands and a rather large reliance on backing tracks.

Unwanted is out now, and you can stream it below:

Up close and personal with West Art Collective

Written by Annabel Holland on 6th December 2022. Posted in Arts.

West Art Collective is an artist-led organisation based in Rusholme. Known for their impressive art and music displays, The Collective hosted event does not disappoint. Found at Antwerp Mansion, you can attend events every Thursday night. But what exactly does the venue have to offer? The Mancunion took a trip down to find out.

The building- formerly a student club of choice and recording studio, has been through many life stages. Antwerp Mansion was formerly home to a Belgian prince, a Gentleman’s club, then a regular club, and now houses West Art Collective.

The Collective itself aims to develop a sense of community in the Manchester art scene, often pushing the boundaries of their events to reach their full potential. We caught up with the director behind West Art Collective, Lucy Indelicate, at their recent Stupid Cupid event to discuss all things Antwerp.

The Collective have so much to offer. They hold events regularly, either as exhibitions every Thursday – which showcase new rising talent in Manchester. In addition, they hold an extra event once a month on a Friday which is always an all-out bash. If you’re looking for real drama, music, and energy, Fridays are for you.

West receive no arts funding and aims to be fully self-sufficient. Additionally, all events are BYOB, making this a low-expense night out perfect for all budgets. the Collective has certainly worked hard to ensure that the Mansion is open to all. A charming attribute of the Collective is their clear focus on accessibility. All featured artists and creators exhibit for free, with the events supported and funded by attendees. The ticket price, which ranges from £6 – £11, is partially funnelled back into the building, and partially into running the event.

They have also committed to ongoing renovation and restoration in the building. The flooring (an original feature of the building, made from the wood of old ships from Liverpool Docks) is being repaired. Dazzling pink lights now hang in the outside area: a remnant of the Collective’s pink, queer-themed love event Stupid Cupid.

Since the pandemic, the Collective has grown its following, with Friday nights now attracting over 300 people. These events are heavily advertised on the Collective’s social media sites, and each have a different theme. The West Heads decide the theme rather spontaneously based on “whatever they can think of at the time.”

The mansion’s walls are a safe space for queer, sex workers, and POC artists. Submission is easy and free. If selected, artists benefit from a free exhibition, as well as any profits made from the artwork they sell. By holding events as open and lively as they do, the Collective have moved art from an abstract sphere to one you can interact with.

The mansion has a real sense of place as you enter – perhaps because of the shared love of the venue by contributors, or perhaps due to its rich history. When visiting the venue for Stupid Cupid, Lucy informed me that the venue has been rumoured to be haunted!

These unique features undoubtedly promote a more relaxed party atmosphere, allowing the Collective to host unconventional art often rejected by galleries, such as queer, fetish, kink, and performance art (and other themes that don’t monetise so well).

While doing so, the Collective provide direct artist support, enabling visitors to meet the creators, buy their artwork, and have a dance.

As West’s vision continues to expand, make sure you keep an eye out for your next extravaganza (which lives off Curry Mile)!

Find out about the Collective’s latest events via @westartcollective or online.

Coffee shops return with a latte new festive drinks

Written by Hattie Watts on 6th December 2022. Posted in Food & Drink.

Our favourite chains are back with their festive menus, guaranteed to get you into the Christmas spirit! But with their ridiculously hefty prices, which ones are really worth it on a student budget?

Starbucks

First up, and spoiling us for choice this year, is Starbucks. Providing four festive coffees and a new hot chocolate flavour, this coffee giant has something for everyone. Returning to its menu are the Toffee Nut, Gingerbread, Caramel Waffle, and Eggnog lattes, which have earnt respected reputations over the years.

Its most exciting beverage is its latest addition: the Praline Cookie Hot Chocolate. This drink is currently in high demand, and understandably so. Flavoured with notes of buttery cookie and caramelised nuts and sprinkled with biscuit crumbs, this velvety concoction is to die for.

Caffè Nero

Also turning heads is Caffè Nero’s Salted Caramel Brownie Hot Chocolate. Ladled with salted caramel and topped with fudgy brownie pieces, just the thought of this drink is enough to get you salivating!

Caffè Nero has also introduced two new Christmas-inspired coffees: the Black Forest Macho and the Cinnamon Swirl Latte. My sister – a caffeine addict – jumped at the chance to help me review them.

The Cinnamon Swirl Latte is an infusion of gingerbread and cinnamon syrups, doused in caramel sauce and dusted with cinnamon. Finding it extremely warming and “surprisingly tangy,” my sister thought it the perfect drink for a winter’s day. Rating it an 8.5/10, she recommended adding some marshmallows and cream to take it all the way to a ten.

She also tried the new Luxury Blackforest Cake, noting that the sour cherries complimented the white chocolate frosting perfectly. Her only criticism was that it tasted too sugary, so maybe avoid it if you don’t have a sweet tooth! Despite this, her aggressive texts describing the cake as “INCREDIBLE” and “INSANELY NICE” suggest it was a definite winner.

Pret A Manger

Next up is Pret with their festive lineup. The classic Gingerbread Latte is my go-to drink for the season, but my allegiance could switch to their new Praline latte. Its rich nutty flavour, enhanced by a dusting of chocolate powder, makes it the perfect drink for Ferrero Roche lovers! Pret’s new Macaroon Hot Chocolate, on the other hand, I’m not so sure about.

Costa Coffee

Last, but certainly not least, is Costa.

My friend, Belle, ordered the new Latte Inspired by Toblerone and an adorable Reindeer Muffin. Not only was the latte beautifully decorated with a Festive Twinkle and Toblerone chocolate, but it tasted delicious. Although the Toblerone flavour wasn’t extremely powerful, the rich, smooth chocolate taste combined with the honey-flavoured sauce was glorious. Belle was also giving high praises to the vanilla muffin which was moist and filled generously with raspberry sauce.

I couldn’t resist comparing Costa’s Gingerbread and Cream Latte to Pret’s equivalent. I have to admit – my expectations weren’t high because Pret’s lattes are difficult to beat. However, I was pleasantly shocked!

Usually, at Pret, I only get whipped cream when I remember to ask. On the other hand, my Costa latte was a masterpiece to behold! Not only was I asked if I wanted whipped cream (duh) and a dusting of chocolate powder (obviously), but a mini gingerbread man was added on top.

Perhaps a little more artificial tasting than Pret’s version, the Costa Gingerbread Latte still won overall. Its impressive presentation and generous toppings made the whole experience more enjoyable, and I’d rate it 9/10.

With beverages that cost the price of a small village, it is vital that you choose your drink carefully. But it looks like every coffee shop menu offers something too good to resist.

Christmas at FOLK with all the trimmings

Written by Erin Osman on 6th December 2022. Posted in Food & Drink.

The festive season has officially begun. The Christmas markets are back in full force, the lights are up in the city, and restaurants across Manchester are bringing out their festive menus. West Didsbury’s FOLK is no different, launching its new ‘Christmas at FOLK’ winter menu, priced at three courses for £32 or two for £27. From starter to dessert, the menu was pure wintery perfection: the ideal location for a fancier date night or evening meal with the parents.

To start with, let’s talk cocktails. I may have gotten a tad over-excited about being able to choose whatever cocktails I wanted, and let’s just say I did not shy away from the opportunity. The New York Sour was delicious. Made with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, lemon, and Merlot, I felt like I was a sophisticated mid-30s New Yorker, stopping off for a casual cocktail on the way home from my high-rise-office job. The Espresso Martini was also superb, with just the right amount of sweetness and bitter kick of coffee. Later on, I also tried the FOLK Negroni, which was delicious (and very strong).

For starters, we tried the spiced pumpkin and parsnip soup, and ham hock terrine. FOLK seems to get the balance of sophisticated and plain tasty just right, and the starters proved this from the get-go. The soup was made with traditional winter spices such as cumin, with an added twist from garam masala, which elevated this otherwise traditional soup to something a little more punchy. The crispy parsnip skins on top of the soup, and the pumpkin seeds running throughout added a welcome crunch.

The ham hock terrine was also one of my favourites on the menu. With lots of dill running through it, it paired deliciously with the house piccalilli, which, when combined created the ultimate bite. The toast was also coated in garlic confit. I’m hard-pressed to meet anyone who disagrees that garlic is not the best thing of all time, and this toast would certainly satisfy all of our garlicky dreams.

Next up were the mains. FOLK’s three options on their winter menu each hit the spot. Their vegan beetroot, cranberry, and pistachio wellington was particularly impressive. Savoury but with some sweetness from the cranberries, it was my surprise star of the show. The trimmings were also a delight: with glazed carrots, brussels, parsnips, vegan stuffing, and potatoes roasted to perfection, I felt like it was Christmas day.

The meat option was just as good – the pigs in blankets (the star of every Christmas dinner) were salty and delicious. The turkey, drenched in gravy, was juicy and flavourful (everything unlike those pictures you see of people’s skin-looking, dry, grey turkeys on Christmas Day).

The fish main deserves its own paragraph, maybe even its own article. It was quite literally, amazing. The fish had a beautifully crispy skin which belied an unbelievably tender fish. The sauce was a cider and mussel cream, with basil oil drizzled all over. The sweetheart cabbage was some of the best greens I’d ever tasted. FOLK certainly does not compromise tastiness when it comes to its vegan, veggie, and pescatarian customers, and I’m certainly here for it!

By this point, as you can imagine, I was sufficiently full. But make no mistake, I will never be one to turn down dessert, especially not FOLK’s warm chocolate and amaretto brownie, and its apple strudel. The brownie came with milk ice cream, which offset its richness perfectly, combining to make one of the most unbelievable mouthfuls ever. For me, the apple strudel was the epitome of Christmas. Spiced with Christmassy flavours and floating in a sea of hot cinnamon custard, I’ll be dreaming about this dessert for weeks.

Head chef Michael Moroney previously worked in Manchester’s Albert Schloss, before he and his friends decided to create their own restaurant, FOLK. With its 70s-style interior and jazzy soundtrack, FOLK is classy but cool. The staff were very friendly, and the service was great.

Wanting to impress your parents with your knowledge of Manchester’s best spots in the suburbs? FOLK is your best bet. Cool, classy, independent, and delicious: get yourselves down to FOLK this winter.

Frosty elf chic: From the runway to TikTok, this seasons Winter trends

Written by Lucy on 6th December 2022. Posted in Fashion & Beauty.

Long gone are the days of warm burgundy and beige ‘Brit-tuber’ style of Winter fashion trends. While it has been a good few years since the oversized trench coats and tartan scarfs have graced the streets and our feeds, the passing of this style had left a bit of a void in the Winter-trend world.

But over the past few months on TikTok, Pinterest, and in our wardrobes, a new wave of winter fashion has burst onto the scene. Something that feels like ‘frosty sprite chic’ or ‘snow angel-core’. With a focus on White ethereal clothes, 2000s winter accessories, and an emphasis on embracing the cold. These trends are influencing how people are dressing the makeup they are wearing. We have a look at some of the elements featured in these trends.

Bleached Brows

While the infamous bleached brow trend has been going on since the Spring/Summer it is still raging on with more and more people choosing to take the plunge into bleached-out brows. Suffice to say, the days of chunky brows have gone.

The bleached brows can work in two ways: either so light they look like the wearer does not have any, to give a sprite-ish kind of look. Or, they can be toned almost white so as to look almost as if frost had settled upon them.

While the bleached brow is a cool look right now, it also has kind of become a feminist movement of reclamation in its own right. Julia Fox said in a TikTok video that “I love having bleached brows, because it’s kind of a man-repellent. They absolutely hate it.”

While eyebrows trends and desired thickness have changed over the years generally no eyebrows have been kind left outside of the beauty standard and seen as undesirable by the male gaze. Therefore for a lot of women in particular, other than looking amazing, bleached brows have become a way of showing you do not care what men find attractive. You are truly ‘doing it for the girlies’.

Lucy and I bleached our brows a couple of weeks ago using Jolen’s creme bleach and were pleasantly surprised by the results! We both needed a few bleach applications to make sure they were fully blonde, and toner later on to give the full ‘frosty sprite’ effect.

There were no dramatic, teenage angst reasons behind our transformations (although we did listen to a few Olivia Rodrigo songs). It was definitely a fun temporary change to make to our appearances. Even though I like following TikTok and Pinterest trends, I rarely act on them. In this case, I’m glad that we took the plunge into our girl boss, angel-core, snow-embracing selves!

White frosty eyeshadow, smokey eyes and a revamped red lip.

Alongside the bleached brows, for a snow angel dusted-in-snowflakes type of vibe, people have been pairing the brows with white glittery eyeshadow.

In line with a 2000s style of eyeshadow application with a more rounded and sparse application, as opposed to the late 2010’s theme of compact well-blended eyeshadow and thick eyeliner. The looks are set alongside a black smoky pencil on the lash line. These makeup looks seem to be reaching for nostalgia and embrace of the colder winter days.

I’m cold blush

TikTok is currently the place to go for beauty trends: from the clean girl aesthetic to siren eyes, soap brows to the wolf cut. At the moment, it’s the ‘I’m cold’ makeup look that’s garnering hundreds of thousands of views on the social media platform.

Its main focus is heavy blusher on the apples of your cheeks and the tip of your nose along with white iridescent highlighter on the eyes and lip gloss. Glamour magazine described it as the “seasonal version of the sunburned makeup trend.” Essentially it’s a chic imitation of looking cold without your skin actually suffering for it!

The look echoes the 00s, specifically S Club 7’s ‘Never Had A Dream Come True’ music video.

To recreate, apply pink blusher to the cheeks and tip of the nose, use glittery white highlighter either across your eyelids or in the inner corners of your eyes (feel free to put some on the tip of your nose too!) and finally sticky lip gloss in a natural shade. Keep your base makeup natural and the rest of your makeup minimal – maybe just soap brows and subtle winged eyeliner.

@sagszn I’m overheating from wearing this fit indoors but I look like I’m fresh out the snow ❄️☃️ #imcoldmakeup #imcold #winterishere ♬ son original – quentin

Crochet and warm accessories

A common theme with these winter trends is that they have had obvious surges in popular culture in Spring and Summer. With their ‘Winterfied’ versions having been explored these past few months.

Pearls have moved from the makeup looks seen in Euphoria and at The Met back onto accessories, clothes and jewellery, but re-imagined. Rather than just simple bracelets and necklaces, they have been fashioned into hoop and drop earrings and a cluster of them as a statement ring. They have made their way into tights and handbags. Their iridescent nature and delicate appearance have naturally complimented the themes and aesthetic aimed for this Winter.

A call back to over-accessorised and layered Winter looks has seen the re-popularisation of almost forgotten Winter accessories. For example, hand warmers, leg warmers and muffs ( who else remembers having one of these as a child?). These add to a 2022 affinity with layering and maximalism and this cold look’s answers to keeping warm. Especially given the fact that micro and mini skirts have stuck around for this season, leg warmers and unique tights have come as the fashionable solution. I can see white and pastel tights making a huge comeback in the new year.

Crocheting has also seen a surge in popularity over the past couple of years from it becoming a way to pass the time during lockdown to now providing a means for people to keep warm during the cost of living crisis – whilst also being incredibly stylish and trendy, of course!

With crochet kits costing less than £10 on Amazon and tutorials being freely available on the internet, the hobby is proving to be a hit amongst teenagers and students particularly. Although crochet crop tops and bikinis were all the rage over the summer, now we are seeing a revival of garments that up until recently were considered cheesy and outdated such as leg warmers and fingerless gloves. Other trending winter warmers include headbands and ear muffs. While you obviously can’t crochet earmuffs, you could certainly give headbands a go.

Included in the new wave of crochet and preppy is a love of big wide scarfs, open-faced balaclavas, and scarfs fashioned into them. This again fits in with the new re-emergence of vintage and ‘old money’ style looks, calling back an image of 50s Hollywood chic, whilst also keeping you warm.

The quarter zip

Another item that was once viewed as unchic but is now making a resurgence is the quarter zip sweatshirt. We’ve already seen the trending North Face movement with its sportswear and outdoorsy pieces that I’ve typically only ever seen worn when camping or skiing. Now, they are filling up lecture halls and providing much-needed comfort and warmth to students.

Typically these jackets are worn by men. However, now they are available in womenswear on ASOS, Shein, Urban Outfitters and H&M. I’ve most frequently seen them paired with cargo trousers or flared jeans with crossbody bags and trainers due to their sporty nature but I personally like mine with a skirt for nights out.

The return of the racer jacket

Jackets are always a key part of winter fashion trends, obviously, and in the past few years the focus has been all about the oversized with huge puffer coats and boxy leather blazers, but now the tight fit is back. Racer jackets are in – collarless, form-hugging, and bold. Think F1 or Tom Cruise in Top Gun but with fashionable flair.

Racer jackets are most popular in black with splashes of colour. Yet burgundy racer jackets in the womenswear sections are also trending in line with the revival of this classic winter colour. Due to the tight-fitting nature of racer jackets, there isn’t much of an opportunity for layering but perhaps that’s why they’re ‘in’ now as people appear to be favouring scarves and warmers rather than jumpers or cardigans.

From the Runway: Dior

This year, Dior won my favourite ready-to-wear autumn/winter runway collection, truly embodying my vision of 2022 winter fashion.

Although favouring a darker colour palette with black, beige, dark grey and pops of colour, they don’t fall in line with the frosted elf look trending across social media. Instead, popular winter style elements appeared on their runway in March.

Even the makeup done by Peter Philips (creative and image director for Christian Dior Makeup) seemed to foreshadow the ‘I’m cold’ trend. He described the look as, “beautiful skin, a nicely groomed eyebrow, and… a luminous spot of silver in the corner of the eye.” Ring any bells?

The collection’s simplicity and elegance made it the most viewed runway this year according to Vogue audiences so clearly I’m not the only one to be impressed. For me, it was the combination of trending ethereal, angel-core elements and makeup with more rugged, gritty pieces that made the collection stand out.

Overall, it seems that this year’s winter fashion is leaning towards a more delicate and light, sugar and spice and all things nice style rather than a cosy winter aesthetic or a dark, industrial look. We’ve seen a rise in fairycore and balletcore recently, largely on TikTok at the beginning of 2020, and it looks like it’s sticking around for a little while longer.

The good news is whilst fast fashion and trend cycling are advised against due to their wasteful nature and connection with exploiting garment workers, the currently trending pieces don’t appear to fall into those categories too much. Crocheting pieces yourself or buying them from small independent stores is favourable to buying items off of Shein, and investing in something like a racer jacket that is durable and will likely last for many winters to come is a great way of avoiding fast fashion. Plus, winter trends tend to last several years as large items like coats and scarves are expensive so people prefer building up a winter wardrobe to keep for as long as possible.

Your guide to Manchester’s Christmas Markets

Written by Annabel Benton on 5th December 2022. Posted in Lifestyle.

The Christmas Markets have returned to Manchester in 2022, and are bigger and better than ever. The stalls can be found across eight locations in the city centre, which is why the Lifestyle team are here to give you our guide to getting the most out of the market experience.

Piccadilly Gardens

Full of life and vibrancy, this year’s Christmas market at Piccadilly Gardens in Central Manchester is definitely one to visit. The market is bustling and busy, and full of infectious smiles and laughter, as the delicious smell of food wafts through the market, enticing you to try every stall and every possible combination of Katsu curry fries and churros.

Additionally, the environmentally friendly drinks available to purchase (from Bailey’s hot chocolates topped with marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles to steaming mulled wine) come in mugs that can be returned for money back. The beautiful lights and cheerful music that can be heard everywhere creates an amazing Christmassy vibe, and while they might break the bank a little, the stalls all around have delicious food and drinks to try for free before you buy. Piccadilly Gardens is definitely the place to be to get yourself into the Christmas spirit!

Market Street

Market Street is often one of the more chaotic streets in Manchester’s city centre, and it’s no different at this time of year. It takes some determination to push through the crowds, but you are at least surrounded by festivities.

The stalls on Market Street are geared far more towards gift buying than food and drink, making it the perfect location to visit if you need some last-minute stocking fillers for family and friends. Interesting items on sale include Manchester-themed Christmas decorations, musical drinks coasters, and honeycomb, as well as a large area by The Arndale dedicated to outdoor furniture, just in case you want to buy a gift that you’re absolutely not going to be able to get home on the train!

Cathedral Gardens

Head towards Printworks in Manchester City Centre and you will find yourself in the hustle and bustle of the Christmas Markets in Cathedral Gardens. This is the location where you will find the ice-skating rink, which offers family and group discounts for 45 minutes of skate time around a decorated rink. There are also numerous stalls selling unique woolly hats, a variety of cheeses and wines, and of course, the well-known Christmas tower decorated with German figurines which sit on top of the bratwurst stall. It is hard to miss and definitely a key part of your tour of the Manchester Markets.

St Ann’s Square

St. Ann’s Square is definitely worth a visit, located just a stone’s throw away from the central Piccadilly Gardens market. This bustling square is filled to the brim with festive stalls and is a popular location for shoppers.

The market here boasts an impressive array of options, including covered bar space to enjoy a drink, as well as a large variety of street food (including traditional German options) to fuel your day. There is something for everyone to be found at its many stalls – if you’re looking to do some Christmas shopping, you’ll find everything from sweet treats to locally hand-crafted and even Manchester-themed items!

King Street

Once you venture out of the more central Christmas Market locations there’s still plenty to explore, such as the classier King Street, found just off Deansgate. Here you’ll find the usual stalls offering food, drinks, gifts, and a surprising amount of cheese, all lit up underneath some of the prettiest lights around Manchester.

However, the main attraction on King Street is a large bar about halfway up the line of stalls, which looks fancy enough to be found in a hotel. There’s not the noise and crowds of somewhere like Piccadilly Gardens, so you’ll be able to treat yourself to a festive drink and be far more relaxed – King Street is a good place to head to if you’re finding the Markets overwhelming but still want to enjoy some Christmas atmosphere.

New Cathedral Street

Even on a normal day, walking down New Cathedral Street feels bougie enough, lined with high-brand clothing designers and spotless-looking streets. Even still, New Cathedral Street comes into its own at Christmastime, and the markets here feel particularly luxurious.

New Cathedral Street is the place to go for your high-end Christmas gifts. Probably one for the grandparents, stalls here sell everything from fine cast ornaments, and bespoke liquorice, to Christmassy decorations. In terms of food, New Cathedral Street is home to The Witchouse, satisfying all of your currywurst Christmas desires. New Cathedral Street also boasts stalls selling vegan chilli, New York Bagels, and cocktails.

Corn Exchange

The Corn Exchange is one of the busiest places in Manchester to walk through, even on a normal Tuesday morning when everyone in the city should be at work or school, never mind during Christmastime when one of the largest Christmas markets is planted in the middle of it. Yet, the hive of activity is made all the more popular with the festive addition of markets scattered across it.

Porky Pig’s infamous Yorkshire pudding wrap – everyone has seen it on TikTok – is enough of an incentive alone to visit these markets. If the wrap isn’t tempting enough, there’s also a bar with everything from boozy hot chocolates to mulled wine and German beer. I was happily scammed by the German bratwurst stand, selling plain bread and a single sausage for £6; simple, delicious, and spenny.

The independent retail shops, selling everything from fudge for the kids to niche varieties of cheese for mums to plaid waistcoats for grandads shouldn’t be missed. Exchange Square is one of the prettiest areas of Manchester’s Christmas markets, and should definitely be visited; that is if you don’t mind shuffling along at a snail’s pace, given it’s as busy as London Euston.

Exchange Street

Exchange Street is the perfect place to enjoy your mulled wine away from the hustle and bustle of other areas. You can meander down the spacious street without fear of colliding with someone in the crowd or having a drink spilled down your fluffiest winter coat.

The stalls boast a variety of traders and food. There’s some particularly pretty silver jewellery on offer for those starting to think about Christmas shopping. If you eat meat it’s definitely worth giving your tastebuds a little tour of the salami samples on offer. Apparently, the hazelnut variety is delicious. Yard and Coop have also set up shop here, if chicken is slightly more to your taste than bratwurst.

Follow your ears towards the far end of the street to find the life of the party. Here you’ll find an undercover, cash-only bar that serves as the perfect refuge from the cold and wet. Warm up and get wine-merry as you dance the early evening away with the middle-aged mums and ski season wannabes. However, make sure to bring some coins along so you’re not forced to try and smuggle other vendors’ illicit mulled wine inside with you.

Words by Nellie Hodgson, Annabel Benton, Myfanwy Fleming Jones, Delyth Henley, Erin Osman, Alexandra Baynes and Matilda Child

THE BUTCHER is the bun for me

Written by Hattie Watts on 5th December 2022. Posted in Food & Drink.

After a hectic last-minute Christmas shop around the Arndale, nothing beats the thought of sitting down and digging into a hefty meal.

But when you’re spoilt for choice, which restaurant will you pick? After visiting THE BUTCHER, I promise you that this joint will go above and beyond your expectations…

Established in 2012, THE BUTCHER has already received high praise across its international locations, including Amsterdam, Ibiza, and Berlin. After trying their delicious food, it’s no surprise that a new restaurant has opened in Manchester!

THE BUTCHER is a high-end fast food restaurant which specialises in breathtaking burgers. Located in Urban Playground, this restaurant is nestled between THE CUBE Live Experience and Putters Crazy Golf, giving it a lively, energetic atmosphere. I could have easily been carried away and spent a whole afternoon there!

At the centre of the restaurant’s stylish, modern interior is a massive kitchen. With tables surrounding it, I found my mouth watering while I watched my meal get prepared!

Not only were the staff extremely welcoming and helpful, but they also put a great deal of time and effort into preparing our burgers.

Even though THE BUTCHER primarily serves burgers, I felt spoiled for choice. Providing a grand total of nineteen burgers on their menu, my friend and I spent a long time deliberating on what to choose.

Finally, I decided on THE COWBOY, an Aberdeen Angus Beef burger with lettuce, tomato, grilled onion, jalapeño, and BBQ sauce (the best sauce – no negotiation), and a side of Butcher Fries. My friend went for THE BUTCHER WITH CHEESE, which had Dutch Edam cheese and Butcher Sauce, with a side of sweet potato fries.

I thought nothing would ever top Five Guys – boy, was I wrong.

THE BUTCHER was overall a more enjoyable experience, topping both the American fast-food chain’s flavours and service.

The homemade bun was a spectacle alone. Soft and slightly sweet, it paired perfectly with the salty, crunchy filling. The beef was slightly pink in the middle, making it so tender that juice dripped down my chin when I took my first bite (just a heads up if you go on a date here). The well-seasoned meat combined with the layering of fresh vegetables created a burst of flavour that was undeniably delicious. The chips were just as impressive, and I couldn’t make up my mind whether the sweet potato or original fries were better. My friend and I both agreed, however, that their signature mayo took the chips’ flavour to another level!

While it was tempting to top it off with a cookies and cream milkshake, I was in a food coma as it was. It was a struggle to finish the burger and chips alone, so I definitely got my money’s worth!

Although lacking in options, THE BUTCHER does provide vegetarian and vegan options. With their burgers averaging between £8 – £9, this place is an affordable location for students, and worth every penny.

Of course – it’s easy to give into Maccies or Nandos. But if you’re a fan of burgers, then THE BUTCHER is an experience that will leave you wanting more.

Healthcare scientists: The unsung heroes of the NHS

Written by poppyosman on 5th December 2022. Posted in Science & Tech.

The annual Teddy Chester lecture was given on the 29^th November this year. The event, held since 2005, pays tribute to the late Teddy Chester who was the first professor of social administration at The University of Manchester.

Before his retirement in 1970, Chester had a dedicated career in management development, in particular working with clinical leaders. He was also involved in founding and leading the NHS Graduate Training Scheme.

This year’s lecture was given by Berne Ferry, head of the National School for Healthcare Scientists. Ferry is highly regarded for her work, including that which she carried out during COVID-19, achieving various awards. This included one from the Institute of Biomedical Science.

The lecture focused on the emergence of healthcare science and public consciousness – highlighting the key role that healthcare scientists play in the NHS.

The Emergence of Healthcare Scientists

Over the last 15 years, the emergence of healthcare scientists has had a significant impact on the NHS. Their involvement in diagnosis and patient care is extremely important. With some scientists as highly qualified as senior medical clinicians, it is difficult to understand why they are often still forgotten.

There are over 60,000 healthcare scientists within 50 different specialities. Examples include radiotherapy physicists, who are critical in cancer therapies, clinical engineers and medical physicists who were involved in providing life-saving ventilators during COVID-19, and pathology scientists, who work through thousands of patient blood tests and interpret results allowing for the all-important diagnosis.

The majority of their work makes an immediate societal impact, yet patients often can be talking to scientists without knowing who they are or the difference that they make to their care.

Crucial Development to the Scheme

This is why, with the backing of the government, a new scheme was brought forward to unify the training and regulation of healthcare scientists. It was important to develop a ‘professional currency’ to insure these roles were no longer invisible.

The Chief Scientific Officer at the time of this modernisation, Dame Professor Sue Hill, along with over 50 professional bodies, agreed that one unified voice would be very beneficial.

Greater control over regulations, decisions and public spending signalled to the public that their health is being taken seriously. Scientific departments, including key healthcare scientists, were influential in this development, providing their knowledge to help determine what will and will not work in NHS trusts over the country.

Ensuring Continued Success

From these conversations came two new bodies, the Academy for Healthcare Science (AHCS) and the National School of Healthcare Scientists (NSHCS).

AHCS was set up to ensure that healthcare science registers were developed and has become a professional body council to speak with one voice. The NSHCS provides a resilient curriculum which enables high-quality education to produce excellent healthcare scientists and well-trained leaders and managers.

Around 85% of healthcare scientists trained by the NSHCS get a job in the NHS, with the remaining working in the industry and staying within the scientific community. Global collaborations have begun to occur, including with scientists in Toronto and Melbourne, to try to share key workings and successes.

Looking to the Future

At the University of Manchester, the Scientific Training Programme (STP) is offered for a variety of clinical pathways. This includes clinical biochemistry, clinical bioinformatics and genomics and clinical pharmaceutical science, among others.

These pathways are ever-expanding, becoming more popular with students every year. There is extensive career and academic qualification progression, including the ability to work towards becoming a Consultant Clinical Scientist, which involves being awarded the HSST doctorate. This course is currently only offered at the Manchester Academy for Healthcare Scientist Education (MAHSE).

COVID-19 has meant that the critical role of healthcare scientists has become more appreciated. However, it is important that awareness of their influence in diagnosis and patient care is known by many more.

Ferry’s future hope for the NHS and the programme is that everyone continues to recognise that we are all working towards the same goal and that we are one body. It is with this that the NHS will continue to provide the best possible care.

Upcoming Scientific Training Programme Events:

If you’re interested in finding out more about healthcare science, why not attend an open day to find out more?

6^th December 2022: Medical Physics STP 2023 Open Day – Clatterbridge Centre, Liverpool

9^th December 2022: Genomic Counselling, Genomics, Cancer Genomics and Bioinformatics STP 2023 Open Day – West Midlands Regional Genetics Laboratory and Clinical Genetics Department

16^th December 2022 – Medical Physics STP 2023 Open Day – University Hospitals Bristol and Weston NHS Foundation Trust

January 2023 (date TBC) – MAHSE Open Day 2023 Intake

We’re off the see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard at Curve

Written by Jay Darcy on 4th December 2022. Posted in Theatre.

There’s no place like Curve this Christmas as the theatre’s festive musical, The Wizard of Oz, is now open!

The musical is based on the 1939 filmed of the same name, which is, itself, based on L Frank Baum’s children’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. Meanwhile, Baum’s lesser-known The Life and Times of Santa Claus has also been made into a musical, Claus, which is about to have its world premiere at The Lowry.

There have been plenty of stage adaptations of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and The Wizard of Oz, but this is, by far, the most notable – unsurprising, given the fact it features (new) music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Time Rice. Whilst the musical uses the iconic songs from the film, the pair wrote a bunch of new songs for the stage adaptation.

The Wizard of Oz had its World Premiere at the London Palladium in 2011. It transferred to Toronto, Canada the following year, before touring the US the year after that. In 2017, it toured Australia. Now, at last, the musical is having its UK Regional Premiere – before transferring to the London Palladium next year, where it all began.

The promotional image for the West End transfer – Photo: Curve

The new Curve production is led by rising star Georgina Onuorah, who received recognition for starring in the original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s most recent musical, the controversial Cinderella, where she was the alternate for Cinderella (usually played by Carrie Hope Fletcher).

Onuorah is the latest Black actress to be cast in a lead role since Black Lives Matter forced theatre to have a racial reckoning. How incredible it is to see a Black actress play the iconic role of Dorothy Gale!

Stage, screen, and YouTube sensation Christina Bianco, one of the world’s leading impressionists, is playing Glinda the Good Witch. I caught her in The Rise and Fall of Little Voice earlier this year – a play with music about an amateur impressionist.

The Wicked Witch of the West, meanwhile, is played by Charlotte Jaconelli (Britain’s Got Talent series 6 runner-up, as part of Jonathan & Charlotte). Leicestershire’s own Jonny Fines is playing Scarecrow. He previously starred in the original casts of My Beautiful Laundrette and An Officer and a Gentleman, both of which were “Made at Curve”.

Giovanni Spanó, who came ninth on the 15th series of The X Factor, is playing Lion. Before The X Factor, he starred in the original cast of Bat Out of Hell, which had its World Premiere in Manchester, before transferring to the West End. A few years back, he starred in Rip It Up The 70s, which I caught in Manchester. Most recently, he starred alongside Onuorah in the original cast of Cinderella.

Tim Man is played by Paul French, who starred in Curve’s revival of Grease, which recently played at the Dominion Theatre in the West End. Ben Thompson is taking on the role of Dorothy’s canine companion, Toto, brought to life onstage using puppetry. Earlier this year, Thompson starred in the World Premiere of 101 Dalmatians at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre, which I gave a positive review.

The Wizard (and Professor Marvel) is played by Leicester’s own Mark Peachey, who first made his Curve debut in the theatre’s community production of Richard III and recently appeared in Dear Evan Hansen in the West End. The main cast is rounded off with Jacqui Dubois (who was part of the original cast of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, UK tour) as Aunt Em and Georggrey Aymer (who was last seen on Curve’s stage in the Made at Curve production of The Color Purple) as Uncle Henry.

The Made at Curve revival of The Wizard of Oz is directed by Curve’s Artistic Director, Nikolai Foster, whose recent productions have included the acclaimed Billy Elliot the Musical, Beautiful – The Carole King Musical, A Chorus Line, and the aforementioned Grease.

So, click your heels together three times and say, “There’s no place like Curve”. Join Dorothy and Toto as they are swept up from sepia-soaked Kansas and transported over the rainbow to the technicolour wonderland of Oz. On her adventure down the Yellow Brick Road Dorothy meets new friends Scarecrow, Tinman, and Lion, who help her on her way, but the villainous and frightfully glamourous Wicked Witch has other plans for Dorothy, and in Oz, nothing is quite as it seems.

Through the deep Dark Forest to the bright neon lights of Emerald City, Dorothy and her friends search for the powerful and mysterious Wizard of Oz, the only person who can grant their hearts desires, and maybe even a way home. But when you’re having such fun, do you really wanna go home?

The Wizard of Oz began its run at Curve on November 19; it plays there until 8 January, before transferring to the London Palladium from June 23 to September 3.

CMAT shines as future pop-star at Manchester’s Gorilla

Written by Maddy Oxley on 4th December 2022. Posted in Music.

Despite seeing several artists that I listen to a lot more in recent months, CMAT put on one of the best shows I’ve attended this year. In fact, CMAT has become a must-see on every tour from now on.

Support came from Aislinn Logan, who warmed the crowd up nicely with her subdued pop, accompanying this with some amusing anecdotes about the tracks in-between. Despite everywhere else in Manchester being packed with football fans for the England Vs. USA game, the intimate setting of Whitworth Street’s Gorilla felt like a world away. A world where the Guinness and Magners were flowing, and the crowd adorned themselves with glittery cowboy hats.

Before CMAT took to the stage, Celine Dion’s ‘It’s All Coming Back to Me Now’ blasted through the venue, and it seemed as if every person in there was singing along by the end. With the crowd more than sufficiently warmed up, CMAT and her band’s set began. The set opened with the brilliant ‘Nashville’, which is also the opening track of her debut album If My Wife New I’d Be Dead. CMAT skilfully blends the most heart-breaking lyrics into the most fun, country-tinged pop songs, which works exceptionally well.

I’ve only attended Gorilla for a gig once before, and the production was nowhere near as good as it was for CMAT’s gig. I’ve never been in a venue as small as Gorilla that also has a screen at the back of the stage for visuals. At times it felt as if we were actually at Manchester Arena, somewhere I can definitely envision CMAT playing in the future.

Photo: CMAT – Maddy Oxley @ The Mancunion

CMAT isn’t modest about her talent (and rightfully so!) throwing in playful quips about playing “the best song ever written” and that it was time for her “most underrated song.” There was a perfect amount of crowd interaction between tracks, and it’s always a nice touch when artists have something to say about the town that they’re playing in.

CMAT’s tale of Manchester touched on her time living here a few years ago, particularly the days she spent working on Market Street’s TK Maxx fitting rooms. She also discussed her worries that the Manchester crowd may not be the most welcoming, as she frequently experienced judgemental crowds when attending gigs here. The crowd were all too happy to dispel these anxieties though, with everyone singing and dancing along to every track. The crowd was undoubtedly one of the nicest I’ve been in, with some lovely people complimenting my cow-print eyeshadow and singing with me as I was on my own.

‘Peter Bogdanovich’, was a highlight of the night, a humorous song that anyone who’s ever crushed on a celebrity can undoubtedly relate to. CMAT commented on her popstar dreams, before playing ‘No More Virgos’ which was probably the most thrilling performance of the night. There’s definitely a spot for CMAT in the pop scene – I can’t think of another artist filling that necessary gap of relatable songs about Waitrose, and crying in KFC. CMAT played one unreleased track during the main set called ‘Mayday’ which was another highlight. Hopefully it will get an official release soon. The band were fantastic too, with the bass player also playing saxophone on a couple of tracks, and CMAT playfully singing and dancing with her band members throughout.

When the main set ended, I was convinced that there wouldn’t be an encore. Everyone else was waiting though, and I’m glad I did too. The two-song encore featured another unreleased track titled ‘Rent’, as well as the joyous ‘I Wanna Be A Cowboy, Baby!’ CMAT sang ‘Rent’ alone on stage with her guitar, and dedicated it to Mick Lynch, garnering huge cheers from the audience. After this track, CMAT’s band re-joined the stage and were introduced before launching into the final track of the set, where everyone was instructed to Irish two-step, which was enthusiastically followed for the whole song.

Live Review: Jamie T at Victoria Warehouse

Written by Dan Knight on 4th December 2022. Posted in Music.

Jamie T has a bit of a reputation. Solid mid-00s Indie music with a bit of old-school Cockney thrown in to give it some edge. You hear at least one of ‘Sheila’, ‘Zombie’, or ‘Sticks & Stones’ on every indie club night you ever visit. He’s an artist who, whilst never hitting massive heights like his early stuff suggested, (similar to your other guitar-wielding, Jake Bugg-style fellas), never ended up dropping any awful music – nothing he released was Streets in the Sky or Konk levels of trash indie at all.

He dropped an album, The Theory of Whatever, in the summer which received rave reviews, including from The Mancunion itself, where Alex Cooper described it as having “Festival-ready anthems, thoughtfully interspersed with more gentle ones, and a sonic expansion which keeps the album engaging and cohesive.” I think this probably proves that Jamie T isn’t as washed up and finished like many of his counterparts from the indie landfill generation that graced the noughties, the ones you can find sharing the bill at random festivals with the musical equivalents of Football Manager regens.

Being told before the gig that so far on the tour, the aforementioned three songs had made up the encore didn’t exactly fill me with confidence – I’m not slagging off Jamie T at all here (yet), it’s more that I thought it’d be nice to sprinkle the hits throughout rather than saving them for the end. However, walking in, there was a real sense of excitement. It was absolutely rammed trying to get towards the stage area (though this may also to be to do with the horrendous design of Victoria Warehouse as a venue), and he got a really good reception from the crowd as he came out.

The set itself was pretty solid. As you’d expect, the songs were all pretty same-y, which is just the way his style goes in all fairness. The stand-out tracks of the main section were probably ‘Salvador’ and ‘If You Got the Money’. Both tracks were done justice with really good quality renditions. Some of songs fell slightly flat, but that is probably to be expected with an artist who doesn’t necessarily have as popular a back catalogue as some of his contemporaries.

The encore was brilliant – all three tracks sounded just as good as they did recorded, and the crowd absolutely loved every second. The highlight was definitely ‘Zombie’, with the ending being dragged out for ages to get a proper bit of crowd movement going. Contrary to what I thought pre-gig, it turned out saving the best until last was a genius move – it gave him three songs of non-stop atmosphere and attention from the audience, me included.

The real issue with this gig wasn’t the quality really – Jamie T is clearly a good showman and still has a good voice. The problem is the lyrical content of the music, and how it contrasts with his background. A lot of his music, certainly some of his biggest hits, revolve around issues surrounding working-class, underprivileged people in London and the South East. And yet, if you look into who he actually is, it doesn’t make sense. Jamie T went to a private boarding school in Surrey – it’s hardly Oliver Twist stuff is it?

For all the genuinely working-class artists making music about their lives, it must be a kick in the teeth to hear someone who hasn’t truly lived that way singing about your life (and admittedly doing it very well at times). Privately educated young adults spending their 20s cosplaying as salt-of the earth commoners – it’s all very Fallowfield isn’t it?

Keep up with the latest news from Jamie T on his official website here.

Get locked up at Riverside this Christmas

Written by Jay Darcy on 4th December 2022. Posted in Theatre.

“Welcome to Anhedonia, where emotions are forbidden and hearts are locked in cages.”

Cages, a rock musical with state-of-the-art technology, premiered in Los Angeles in 2021. Back in September, it had its European Premiere in London’s Off West End. Whilst it was set to run until January 1, it will now close a little earlier, on December 18 – so get yourself a ticket whilst it’s still caged at Riverside!

Cages played to sell-out audiences in LA, and it received rave reviews from critics. The London run has been more polarising, with audiences falling in love but critics being, well, critics.

The show recently poked fun at the mixed reception, telling social media followers, “The show that divided opinion must end 18 December.”

Cages is an intimate and mysterious gothic romance that has left audiences in awe. This stunningly realised and utterly unique live experience presents a mind-bending, technologically innovative visual spectacle, the like of which is rarely seen in the West End, let alone the Off West End!

Masterfully weaving state-of-the-art 3D video and animation with live performance and original songs that pulse with an addictive pop energy, Cages pulls out all the stops to conjure a rock opera for the modern age.

Whilst the main character is played by a live actor, the leading lady is a hologram – a creative decision that one can appreciate as bold and inventive, even if they do not take to it.

The musical follows Woolf (Jack Butterworth), a lone soul living in the shadows until he meets the dazzlingly peculiar Madeline. Can their newly minted love survive the dystopian world of control they inhabit? Long buried stories come to the surface, as dreams and reality intersect, and all Woolf holds dear is threatened.

Cages touches upon all of the senses during a unique two-hour performance that will alter your perception of what’s possible on a theatrical stage through ground-breaking technology, an all-consuming sphere of sound, and state-of-the-art visuals.

All music and lyrics for the show are composed, produced, and arranged by creators CJ Baran and Benjamin Romans. CJ Baran played Woolf for the first month; he has since been played by Jack Butterworth.

About the show, CJ Baran says, “After nearly 7 years of development, 150 performances in LA and a pandemic we never thought we’d bounce back from, we are thrilled to take Cages to London and eternally grateful to the Scenario Two team for believing in us. Cages is a story for anyone who feels isolated and emotionally suppressed and we hope if you take anything away from the experience, it’s that you have felt the full spectrum of emotions.”

Ben Romans adds, “The story of Cages was conceived long before the world seemingly turned upside down, but it is a necessary tale for humanity, expressionism, art, emotion, and love in the present and future. Blood, sweat, tears, and insuppressible yet sometimes charred hearts were at the core of the years spent writing, creating, building, living, breathing, and giving birth to this world of Anhedonia. We are beyond thrilled to take the show to London, and are ecstatic and thankful for the Scenario Two team for their focus and belief in this vision.”

Producers and Co-directors, Scenario Two’s Anthony Lilley and John Berry comment, “When we first saw Cages – even on a shaky video taken in Los Angeles in the final days before lockdown in 2020 – we were pretty sure it was something special.

“The pandemic meant that it took almost a year and a half before we were able to travel to the US to see it in person and then we were in absolutely no doubt. It blew us away. This was an amazing live show, like nothing we had ever seen or heard. Full of heart and soul, beautiful music, and state-of-the-art technology, spectacularly done.

“And so, as soon as we possibly could, we have brought it to London to introduce UK audiences to Woolf and the Wondershow’s ground-breaking combination of live performance, cinematic effects, holographic and immersive sound. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Woolf and The Wondershow comment, “Cages is a musical for a new generation of theatregoers. We aimed to make a musical that sounded like the music we listen to with a story that would hit people in ways they wouldn’t expect. This show should challenge audiences to look inward and open up, especially in such trying times. We also wanted to disrupt the medium visually by using technology that allows for live CGI on stage, blurring the lines between film and theatre as we believe the future of the stage is mixed medium. We call it Future Theatre.”

Cages began its run at Waterside on September 13; it runs until December 18.

The Good Nurse: Prioritising patients over personal gain

Written by Sumayyah Khalid on 4th December 2022. Posted in Film.

The Good Nurse is a Netflix film based on the true story of Charles Cullen, an American serial killer who was arrested in 2003 following a 16-year nursing career. He killed an estimated 400 patients through covertly administering lethal intravenous doses of insulin and digoxin. The story is told from the perspective of his co-worker Amy Loughren (Jessica Chastain) – a real-life nurse who befriended Cullen (Eddie Redmayne), and then worked with the police to have him arrested.

There are parallels between Cullen’s case and those of English serial killer nurses Beverley Allitt and Benjamin Geen. In 1991, Allitt was convicted of murdering four children under her care through large insulin doses. From 2003 to 2004, Geen injected lethal doses of insulin, sedatives, and muscle relaxants into patients to trigger respiratory arrest or failure. These cases illustrate the importance of effective safeguarding policies and reporting procedures in the UK.

Cullen had worked, and killed, at nine healthcare facilities before arriving at Somerset Medical Center (fictionalised as Parkfield Memorial Hospital in the film). He left his first hospital job after hospital authorities began investigating the IV bags he contaminated. The Liberty Nursing and Rehabilitation Center fired him for administering drugs to patients at unscheduled times. After Cullen murdered a patient at Easton Hospital, a coroner’s report showed lethal amounts of digoxin in the patient’s blood. Cullen was not apprehended.

One of Cullen’s co-workers at St. Luke’s Hospital found over 50 medication vials in a disposal bin. Cullen was found culpable, and he resigned. Seven co-workers informed the district attorney of their suspicions that he had killed patients using drugs. Despite Cullen’s presence at over 50% of the deaths, the case was dropped.

In July 2003, Somerset Medical Center was notified of a series of suspicious overdoses indicative of malpractice. They waited until October to report the case to the authorities. During this interval, Cullen killed at least five more patients and attempted to kill another.

Though many hospitals Cullen worked at harboured suspicions about him, they failed to investigate thoroughly and communicate their concerns. A national shortage of nurses, and little interest in the stress and night-time hours of Cullen’s shifts, led hospitals to not persistently inquire about his past.

Avoiding taking action raises ethical issues – unfit healthcare workers can jeopardise their patients’ lives. Before leaving his second job, Cullen’s history included two suicide attempts, a psychiatric commitment, a job termination, a criminal conviction, and a murder allegation. The list only grew to include further links to patient deaths. Had hospital administrations conveyed their concerns about Cullen, lives could have been saved. There have never been criminal proceedings against these hospitals.

The failure of hospital administrations to stop Cullen endangered his co-workers. The Good Nurse highlights the danger Amy Loughren faced as she worked towards his arrest while he was still involved in her life. In one scene, the hospital’s risk manager and lawyer tell staff not to speak to the police without a hospital representative present. Amy, therefore, risked her career, and health due to her heart condition, to do what the hospitals did not.

Amy’s safeguarding efforts culminate in a scene where she meets with Cullen, wearing a wire, to get a confession from him. When she reaches for his hand, he swats it away, the clatter of cutlery from this outburst creating a jarring sound which mirrors Amy’s uneasiness. The police are nearby for support, and she remains calm throughout the exchange. Still, it is a psychologically challenging position for her to be in.

The Good Nurse takes a sensitive and informative approach towards depicting true, harrowing events. It avoids glorifying the murders by centring Amy’s journey of uncovering the truth rather than Cullen’s warped perspective. The film’s gloomy colour grading reflects his sinister intentions, making his presence constantly felt without manipulating the narrative.

Redmayne and Chastain’s natural onscreen camaraderie deepens the impact of Cullen’s betrayal – even though the audience knows it is coming, an effect similar to Ted Bundy’s story being told from his girlfriend’s viewpoint in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile (2019). In both films, the perpetrated violence remains offscreen to focus on the impact of the killers’ actions on those around them. The onscreen text at the end of The Good Nurse provides a modern-day update on the case, rightfully emphasising the lack of accountability from the hospitals involved.

When Cullen was committing crimes, there were no centralised reporting mechanisms for healthcare workers to use. Whistleblowing policies that staff are aware of, know how to use, and can use without shame, are critical for ensuring safety. Currently, National Guardian and NHS Health Education England provide the Freedom to Speak Up in Healthcare in England e-learning. Freedom to Speak Up Guardians encourage a positive culture where healthcare staff can have their voices heard.

The Good Nurse highlights moral, ethical, and legal dilemmas which are pertinent to healthcare professionals. It is important not only to identify red flags in healthcare workers but also to communicate this information and take action to safeguard patients and employees. Whistleblowing systems which are efficient and easy to use are essential for creating a safe and positive workplace environment.

The Good Nurse is streaming now on Netflix.

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Brunch at Santé: A slice of sun

Giving ‘Too Good To Go’ a go!

Why is everybody obsessed with minimalism?

How to have a routine when you have so few contact hours

Springleaf Podcast: James Acaster’s new audio adventure

Student style guide #2: ‘Doing my best’

Shimmering supremacy: Long live lip gloss

Leopard print roars back: The resurgence of a popular fashion trend

How do we tackle the student loneliness crisis?

Sloucho’s Debut Album, ‘NPC’: Bounc...

Olivia Dean live in Manchester: A joyful “warm ...

Post-Punk: Why it needs to die, and what’s next

Audible plunges listeners into the depths of George O...

The problem with publishing

Spotify vs Audible: The battle for audiobook dominance

Making Manchester #2: Laurent Swyngedauw

The Exorcism of Susan Fox – Recovering a lost soul: LIVE

40 Years of the Future: Painting abstract exhibition ...

Urinetown: The Musical review – UMMTS doesnR...

Hedda review: A misguided imitation of Ibsen’s ...

My Beautiful Laundrette review: Nationalism, racial t...

Live Review: Caroline Polachek at Albert Hall

My formative film: Sprinkles of Stardust can be seen ...

Jurassic Park: T-Rexcellent or bit of a Dino-snore?

Civil War review: In defence of A24’s gripping war epic

Taskmaster: Why it’s so good and where to begin

The fourth season curse: Why do TV shows get worse af...

Drive to Survive season 6: Get strapped in for more F...

A bittersweet ending: Outer Wilds retrospective

Boys can cry, and girls can game

Hades 2 is bringing sexyback

My formative film: Sprinkles of Stardust can be seen everywhere