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www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 24 October 2016 Issue 1335 Free

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Students discuss this year’s Turner Prize nominations and tackle the issues The Courier meets Love Island’s A look at the biggest release of the surrounding modern art, p. 20

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Official decision made on 2017 EU student fees By Valentina Egorova News Editor

Vice-chancellor of Newcastle University, Chris Brink has confirmed that all current European students and those applying for a place at Newcastle University in 2017 would be only charged home fees regardless of Brexit. The universities had been counseling the government to clarify the future of EU students, which was clouded in the run up to Brexit. On October 11, the government finally announced that EU students registering in 2017 would be eligible to get the same financial funding as they do now. Under the current system, EU students pay the tuition fees as home students and are entitled to get undergraduate maintenance support and postgraduate loans. Dame Julia Goodfellow, the president of Universities UK, said that the government’s announcement provided “much needed clarity for EU students applying to start courses at English universities”. It has been also proposed from Senate to Council to continue charging home fees to EU students in 2018 - but the decision is yet to be taken.

The Vice-Chancellor’s memorandum was published on the NU connections website that provides news and discussion for staff across the university. In his statement, Brink denounced the Prime Minister’s speech on citizenship, in which she said: “If you believe you are a citizen of the world, you’re a citizen of nowhere. “You don’t understand what the very word ‘citizenship’ means.” He said: “I disagree. I would submit that giving your loyalty to a second country, and making a contribution to its progress and success, is not dissimilar to having a second child: you do not halve your love, you double it.” Vice-Chancellor said he found “repugnant” the thought that Newcastle University had been asked to monitor and report on the number of non-UK employees. Brink made it clear that despite Brexit Newcastle University would remain an international community of learning. He said: “We will continue to work for the idea that a university has, in its very being and purpose, an international aspect, as it has had since medieval days when wandering scholars commuted between Bologna and Paris and Oxford. “We will continue to welcome and

support, to whatever extent we can, pre- and post-Brexit, an international academic body.” He finished his memorandum with the words: “We would do well to keep in mind that most universities will outlast most governments.” Before coming to Newcastle in 2007, Professor Brink was Rector and ViceChancellor of Stellenbosch University in South Africa. Vesela Harizanova, a PhD candidate and a Postgraduate Teacher at Newcastle University, said: “As an EU student I feel encouraged that Newcastle University remains committed to upholding its international vision in times when the public discourse around Brexit has done nothing but undermine those values. “It is reassuring to hear that the university is implementing policies to help mitigate the effects brought about the Brexit vote. “I have always felt welcome here and I would not hesitate to recommend my university to any prospective students from the EU.” Newcastle University’s statement read that it was willing to reinforce its commitment to EU students.

the Home Office’s international student licence obligation. Lesley Braiden, the Executive Sponsor of the scheme, has said: “From next year students will mark their attendance at their classes by simply swiping their SMART card as they enter a room.” Braiden continued: “This will not only save valuable time in collecting and processing attendance data, but will allow us to identify in good time those students whose attendance suggests that may need our support.” Attendance monitoring however, has been a controversy at the university for many years, being a topic of debate on campus as far back as 2012. In the October of 2012, student activists from the political pressure group Newcastle Free Education Network protested on King’s walk against a potential inception of biometric scanners, as a way of

monitoring student attendance. Demonstrations against attendance monitoring were seen again the following year when Geography students voted against signing a register,

Chris Brink, Vice-Chancellor of Newcastle University Image: Newcastle University

Student attendance monitoring set to be imposed By Liam Carson News Editor

Newcastle University has announced that they are set to introduce a SMART ‘student attendance monitoring’ system. The system, which will be implemented across campus by September 2017 following a successful trial is aiming to make the process of registering student attendance far simpler and more efficient for all parties involved. Students are expected to tap their smart cards on a black box, which will be located inside lecture theatres and seminar rooms, when attending a class, to verify their attendance. Over the following weeks a pilot system is set to be imposed across the Business, Medical and Dental schools to determine the effectiveness of the scheme. The University has stated that the system is in response to a ‘growing need’ to provide support to students in their academic studies as well as meeting

Education Officer, Chris Duddy, said on the issue: “It is a recording system for the school’s benefit. It’s from a student welfare perspective really. The system is certainly not being introduced from a ‘Big Brother’ perspective, I have been reassured of that. “While there has been issues in the past, Lesley Braiden has stated that the University’s system has “been developed in consultation with students,” and it has been an ongoing development since 2012.” Chris Duddy went on to clarify that the change in the method of recording attendance will not force students to attend lectures; that issue will remain at the school’s discretion. “There never was any suggestion that this would be from a ‘make sure everybody attends all the time’ perspective because, if it was, I would have advocated against it.” Duddy commented. The new system however will provide the University with necessary

“The new system however will provide the University with necessary data regarding the attendance of international students which they are obliged to submit to the Home Ofﬁce” in their lectures. The protests specifically focused on the issues of a ‘breach of privacy and institutionalisation’ however, the University have distanced the system from such concerns with the new model. The Newcastle Student Union’s

data regarding the attendance of international students which they are obliged to submit to the Home Office. Lesley Braiden said: “The attendance recording system allows the University to identify at an early stage any students who may be at risk of being reported to the Home Office because their attendance is poor.” The good news for students is even if they forget or lose their card, there will be alternative ways to register your attendance. Chris Duddy said: “The paper will still exist there, so if you’ve forgotten your card or lost your card you can just sign in. “It honestly isn’t that comprehensive that if you’ve forgotten your card once, twice, three times, it’s not going to have any detrimental effect on your academic record.” The University is aiming to implement the system across campus by September 2017.

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Black History Month events North East Snowdogs under threat

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Deputy Editors Ollie Burton & Dan Robertson News Editors Liam Carson, Valentina Egorova, Louise Hall, Kotryna Kairytė & Helena Vesty

Newcastle grad successfully launches her own business

COMMENT

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CULTURE

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Tales from Tinder

Blind Date:

Ruth and James

My study Bridge founder, Alice Lam Image: Alice Lam

Confessions of a beautyholic

Guilt trip: Top Gun

Review: Maﬁa III

The best and worst sporting returns

By Victorija Gecevic Newcastle University Marketing and Management graduate from Hong Kong Alice Lam has established a business supporting international students moving to UK. Having experienced the struggle of getting accustomed to the foreign country herself and becoming the part of the international community in Newcastle, Alice came up with the idea to set up ‘My Study Bridge’ company. It is aimed to help and support international students moving to Newcastle. Alice told The Courier: ‘’Due to my own experiences as an overseas student, I understand what their concerns and difficulties are’’. Personal experience of overcoming the troubles herself explains her ‘’sense of satisfaction through helping” others. ‘My Study bridge’ clients are mostly Chinese students, who find it easier to seek support in wide range of matters without a language barrier. Alice herself

NUSU, King’s Walk, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QB. Tel: 0191 239 3940

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speaks Mandarin and Cantonese. ‘My Study Bridge’ helps international students with academic, practical matters or getting around the local area. Alice continued: ‘’Very often international students might find it difficult to get to know the local area when they first come here. “We help them with different areas including university applications, translations advice on practical aspects including paying bills etc.’’ The academic support for the students includes the assistance with understanding of the UK teaching and assessment system, admission to the UK education institutions for both under- and Postgraduate degrees and information about various English language courses and UK Study Holiday

programmes. Students can also get information about visas, tuition fees and living expenses in the UK. My Study Bridge also assists international students, who seek voluntary work or placements, and helps them to take part in various activities in accordance with the UK’s regulations and law. They also help by employing international students during their studies at the university. My Study Bridge provides information, advice and overseas contacts to UK students, who are interested to work or teach English in China. Initially a home-based business had to move to a larger office space due to the high demand. Now international students have a chance to talk with Alice in person. The office is based in the historical

“Due to my own experiences as an overseas student, I understand what their concerns and difﬁculties are’’

Editor Jade Holroyd Deputy Editors Ollie Burton and Daniel Robertson News Editors Liam Carson Valentina Egorova, Louise Hall, Kotryna Kairytė and Helena Vesty Comment Editors Jamie Cameron, Sinéad Corkett-Beirne and Sunil Nambiar Culture Editors Jack Oliver Parker and James McCoull Lifestyle Editors Ana Beretsos, Antonia Coleman-Harvey, Ruth Loeffler and Brooklyn Shakeshaft Ward Fashion Editors Liz Rosling, Izzi Watkins and Zofia Zwieglinska Beauty Editors Miranda Stoner, Ellie Trent and Miranda Stoner Arts Editors Johnathan Hastings, Meg Holtom, Tamsin Rees Film Editors Emma Allsopp, Zoë Godden and Simon Ramshaw Music Editors Sophie Ahmed, Serena Bhardwaj and Ben Grundy TV Editors Luke Acton, Dominic Corrigan and Alison Scurfield Science Editors Matthew Byrne, Natalie Farmer and Ciara Ritson-Courtney Gaming Editors Errol Kerr, Jared Moore and Jordan Oloman Sports Editors Lucy Brogden, Tom Shrimplin and James Sproston

Grade II-listed Bruce Building in Newcastle. Built in 1896 the building was the former Newcastle Breweries headquarters, and is approximately ten minutes walking distance from both Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. Alice said: ‘’Since our office is so close to Newcastle University, they [students] find it very convenient to come and see us’.’ When asked about the My Study Bridge future plans, Alice said she was committed to build further a good reputation of her business and continue to work for the sake of international students. She added: “We have a very good reputation among Chinese students. In the future, I hope to continue to do what we are doing right now and continue to assist more international students to adapt to the studying life here.” Alice Lam has already won a good reputation within the international learning community and is determined to achieve more in the near future.

The Courier is printed by: Print and Digital Associates, Fernleigh House, 10 Uttoxeter Road, Derby, Derbyshire, United Kingdom, DE3 0DA. Established in 1948, The Courier is the fully independent student newspaper of the Students’ Union at Newcastle University. The Courier is published weekly during term time, and is free of charge. The design, text, photographs and graphics are copyright of The Courier and its individual contributors. No parts of this newspaper may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor. Any views expressed in this newspaper’s opinion pieces are those of the individual writing, and not of The Courier, the Students’ Union or Newcastle University.

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Monday 24 October 2016

Newcastle-Gateshead to host Great Exhibition

Gateshead Millennium Bridge Image: Hans Peter Schaefer

By Errol Kerr Gaming Editor On October 11th, the Culture Secretary Karen Bradley announced that Newcastle and Gateshead will be hosting 2018’s Exhibition of the North, after being shortlisted against Blackpool, Bradford and Sheffield. The aim of the Exhibition is to celebrate the creativity of the North of England, as well as displaying Northern cultures and design. The exhibition itself will be held in the summer of 2018, with significant funding and planning being poured into the event. The Government is providing £20m in funding toward the event, with £5m toward the exhibition alone, and £15m contributed to create a legacy fund, with the aim of attracting more cultural investment within the North of England. Former UK Chancellor George Osborne’s “Northern Powerhouse” initiative aimed to strengthen economic growth within the North of England,

particularly in “core cities” such as Sheffield, Liverpool, Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle, and within this initiative, the idea of the Great Exhibition was conceived. Newcastle and Gateshead’s bid, entitled “The Blazing World – The Fires of Invention”, leans heavily on the North’s economic and social relationship with heavy industry, as well as the innovative and creative creations that have come after the UK’s shift away from industrial economy at the cusp of the 21st Century. The bid itself reads as follows: “inspired by the trailblazers of the North, the exhibition will have several cross-cutting themes for all to respond to, showing how the North’s fires of invention continue to transform our world.” This bid was endorsed by the North East Culture Partnership, consisting of the twelve local authorities, local entrepreneurial businesses, and the five local universities. Whilst Newcastle and Northumbria Universities will be the

most heavily involved, the universities of Teeside, Sunderland and Durham will also be critically engaged in creating these events. A key theme is visible here – that of the North’s connected nature, which can

ventors to work closely together, to create new artworks and respond to the great innovations of our time. Arts will meet industry in powerful and memorable ways”, and this will be seen through their links with Newcastle University’s Open Lab and Culture Lab, as well as Northumbria University’s Northern Design Centre. These spaces will provide the required areas for disseminating information and knowledge, particularly in digital applications – the judging panel, in particular, were impressed by the NewcastleGateshead bid’s use of pioneering virtual reality technologies. As a focal point, the Great North Museum: Hancock will be connected through to other prominent buildings in the two cities. Three walking circuits will connect the museum to buildings such as The Sage Gateshead and the BALTIC gallery, and transport will assist in connecting the city and those further out. Carol Bell, the Culture and Major Events Director of the leading devel-

“Together we will develop and stage an event that the whole of the North can be proud of and which we hope will have far-reaching beneﬁts’’ be seen through use of both Newcastle and Gateshead, as well as the universities, wider education, arts and industrial sectors of the rest of Tyneside, Teeside and Wearside. The bid indicates: “Crucially, we will connect artists with scientists and in-

oper of the bid, NewcastleGateshead Initiative, aims to extend these partnerships “right across the North of England to shine a spotlight on our collective cultural assets and strengths.” She added: “Together we will develop and stage an event that the whole of the North can be proud of and which we hope will have far-reaching benefits for culture, communities, tourism and businesses – in 2018 and beyond.” These partnerships hope to create a programme to offer opportunities to university-based artists and practitioners, in order to allow higher education institutions and those involved within them to contribute to the Exhibition. Digital and Culture Minister, Matt Hancock, was “thrilled” to have received offers from all bidders, and believes that as the successful bid, Newcastle and Gateshead’s exhibition “will leave an important legacy to benefit the whole country”.

“Give a spit” this Halloween to fight blood cancer By Kotryna Kairyte News Editor Newcastle Marrow, a student volunteering group that fights against blood cancer, invites all students to come to ‘Give a Spit’ event this Halloween to sign up to the stem cell register. The group works with blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan and are looking to recruit young and healthy people under the age of thirty who would be willing to donate their stem cells or bone marrow. Anthony Nolan charity is one of few in the country that helps to saves lives of people with blood cancers and disorders by matching them to potential donors - every year around 2000 people in the UK need a stem cell transplant from a stranger. La’ali Imam-Gutierrez, student president of Newcastle Marrow, said: “It’s incredibly easy to be a potential lifesaver. It takes just 15 minutes to sign up to our register, by filling in a simple form and spitting in a tube. If you’re a match for someone the donation pro-

cess is like giving blood. Kind of a no brainer! We’re excited to bust the scary myths around stem cell donation this Halloween.” Currently the register is in need of young men as they are most likely to be chosen to donate but make up just only 15% of the register. Also people from ethnic minorities as these are the most underrepresented in the register – only one in five of transplant recipients will get a perfect match if they are from a Black, Asian or ethnic minority background. Newcastle Marrow volunteers will at the Students’ Union on Monday 31st October between 9am and 6pm, opposite Subway on level -1 of the building, dressed in their best spooky outfits and giving out plenty of freebies. Signing people up for the registers is an expensive procedure (the charity pays about £60 for each person) so volunteers will also be holding a bake sale to raise funds to enable Anthony Nolan to sign more willing donors. If you’re not able to attend on Halloween, you can join the stem cell register online on Anthony Nolan’s website.

“It’s incredibly easy to be a potential lifesaver. We’re excited to bust the scary myths around stem cell donation this Halloween”

Newcastle Marrow team members Image: Rachel Levett

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Monday 24 October 2016

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Breast cancer charity on campus By Valentina Egorova Last Wednesday, Newcastle Uni Boob Team joined by StageOne successfully hosted the first event of the year as a part of Breast Cancer Awareness month. The ‘CoppaFeel! On Wednesdays We Wear Pink” was held at Illegitimate, Legends and brought together members of various Newcastle University societies to support the cause. The event featured a temporary tattoo station, a mobile photo booth and team members wearing the famous big ‘boob’. For Every person who came to Legends that night the club donated 50p to CoppaFeel!. CoppaFeel! Is the first breast cancer charity in the UK calling women to check the breast for any lumps, discolouration or irregularities on a regular basis. The charity was set up by Kristin and Maren Hallenga in 2009 - after Kristin was diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 23. The charity is aimed to inform women of breast cancer and raise money for charitable aims, while cooperating with other organisations. The charity promotes the early detection of breast cancer among women un-

der the age of 30 confronting the common belief that it can only affect the middle-aged group. The Uni Boob Team encourage students to talk about breast cancer and not to be afraid to have regular checkups that could save lives of young women. The team is made up of a group of students lead by Polly Maxted, third year philosophy student. Maxted explained the Courier why she joined Ne w c a s t l e Uni Boob Team: “I decided to get involved with CoppaFeel! After witnessing the devastating effects that breast cancer has had on friends and family. “You don’t have to look far for someone whole life has been affected by breast cancer in some way, with 50,000 women in the UK being diagnosed last year. She added: “The great thing about Coppafeel! Is that we are not here to scare students. Instead, we want to create a calm and comfortable atmosphere, one where we send an important message as well as having fun.” This October the charity have been urging young women on campus to send a text “UBT Newcastle” to 70500 to get a free monthly reminder about breast check-ups.

“We want to create a calm and comfortable atmosphere, one where we send an important message as well as having fun”

Newcastle Uni Boob team CoppaFeel! Image: Phoebe Bower

Haunted Housing week to begin on hallows eve By Louise Hall Newcastle Universities annual housing week commences on the 31st of October with it exciting House of horrors Halloween theme. The campaign aims to provide information and advice for students looking to rent in the private sector in the upcoming year. The week will host events such as ab ‘House of Horrors’ giant inflatable maze on the Monday, a housing stall Q&A session in the Robinson library on Tuesday the 32nd, along with presentation’s on the ‘trick and treats’ of housing, every hour on the hour from 11 till 3 in the venue at the student union. Drop in sessions for general queries will take place on Wednesday the 33rd in the Student Advice Centre. In participation of many of the events students have the chance to win a Chromecast as prizes. Students Union and Welfare Equality officer, Racheal Kitching, will be attending and organising many of the activities throughout the week, both answering and posing questions for students. When asked about the weeks events she told The Courier. “There are a range of activities to get involved with throughout the week, whether it be the maze or the quiz, or participation in the prize draw! If students would like to help out, I have a few volunteers helping me on the housing stall Monday and Tuesday, who will help me to deliver important questions and answers!” She commented that “This week is an opportunity to find out some recommendations and things to avoid when renting in the private sector.” Housing week falls on Halloween, tying into the idea that there are some horror stories out there, and hopefully students

will engage with this theme, and start to think about important considerations.” The welfare team will be releasing a video on social media in the upcoming week of students explaining some of the horrors they’ve faced in their housing endeavours. She also explained that the aims Housing week is to prevent students from hastily signing housing contracts and not fall victim to the scaremongering and pressure of local letting agents. The week will encourage students to take more time with decisions about renting and advice about what to look out for in leases and contracts. Racheal commented that “Every year, students rush into signing leases, often in October/ November, with students they have just met, and they later find themselves in difficult situations, when they either find unjust clauses in the contract or find that they don’t get on with their co-tenants.” The inspiration behind Housing week came from Racheal’s own experiences: “Throughout my student years, I have heard so many stories about friends and other students being faced with unfair student contracts, and being ripped off at the end of their tenancies. When I was in my first year, I signed for my second year house in October, only a few weeks after starting university! Thankfully, the culture is gradually shifting, and we have seen students waiting and not rushing into tenancies quite so quickly!” ‘House of Horrors’ is looking to be one of the most informative fun and frightening housing campaigns yet. The event will take place on Monday 31 October, ahead of the official housing campaign week in November.

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Monday 24 October 2016

Black History Month

Black Mental Health Talk By Emily Keliher A Black Mental Health discussion took place on Monday 17th October from 6pm in the History Room of the Student Union and opened the Black History Month celebration. The hour and a half interactive open dialogue focused on the misdiagnosis of mental health within the black community, and the lack of openness surrounding mental health discussion. Led by Racial Equalities Officer Safiya Robinson and Feminist Society President Fope Olaleye, participants were encouraged to give their take on the underrepresentation of black people suffering from mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and depression in the media, and the issues that can arise from this. Also discussed was the stigma and dangers of the ‘strong black woman’ trope, as well as many topical issues such as police brutality towards the black community, and the impact sharing images of black people shot by police can have on people’s mental health. Participants looked at articles to support and challenge their views and encourage discussion on relating topics. Cheryl Corley’s article “Coping While Black: A season

of traumatic news takes a dramatic toll” was also a talking point. It raised and encouraged debates on if racism can be considered a form of trauma, and the generational implications of previous family members and communities suffering from mental health issues. “The discussion allowed us to view mental health and the apparatus to help treat it in a new way. Through friendly discussion we came to the realisation that current treatments perhaps haven’t yet been shaped to fit the needs of a singular patient”, said second year Politics student George. “I found it particularly interesting considering how experience can define the parameters of our illnesses. Structural racism can still greatly shape mental health conditions, and the lack of understanding of this can mean people still don’t get correctly treated.” As part of Black History month, celebrated both at the University and across the country, this talk was one of many that aim to foreground and bring to light issues black people face today. A Candlelight Vigil will be held as the final event on the 31st October for all victims of police brutality.

“Structural racism can still greatly shape mental health conditions, and the lack of understanding of this can mean people still don’t get correctly treated”

MOJO KOJO presentation By Laura Higgins The University continues its celebrations for Black History Month. Thanks to the organizers of a number of cultural and social events connected to the black community and challenges they face, students of Newcastle University have been immersed in the history, culture and heritage of black communities across England. On Tuesday 18 October, Newcastle University Students’ Union hosted an evening with the founder of the African streetwear brand MOJO KOJO and afrobeats label Ijoya. Koye Adesanya, a Politics graduate from Manchester University, has recently employed his entrepreneurial skills to set up his own authentic clothing range. The MOJO KOJO range has been a successful investment which has been greeted by a wave of popularity from teenagers many of whom attended the presentation on Tuesday in the Students’ Union.

The clothing range stands out in the market through a variety of bold and authentic festival clothing that celebrates African and Caribbean culture. The range has also been coupled with Adesanya’s promotion of ‘Joya’ - which translates as ‘Time To Dance’- in a successful attempt to promote Afro beat nights in cosmopolitan cities such as Manchester and London. He believed that it is a great way to “translate the African energy onto British citizens and ultimately promote cultural appreciation and diversity.” The informative event educated students not only on black culture and heritage but also, thanks to Adesanya’s energetic and educating presentation, inspired them to try themselves in entrepreneurship, creative industries and most significantly, encouraged to carve their own niche within society in any occupation that they will choose in the future.

Black History Month banner flies high infront of the SU Image: Valentina Egorova

Decolonising the Pink Triangle By Emily Keliher Femsoc held the workshop “Decolonising the pink triangle: the QTIPOC experience” on the 22nd of October in the Student Union as part of NUSU’s Black History Month 2016. The event was targeted at students interested in The QTIPOC experience: a discussion on the experiences of queer, trans, intersex people of colour, and aimed to provide a platform for discussion and debate of important issues such as Blacking and Decolonialization. Over 20 students attended the session.

Some students were still entering the venue in the middle of the workshop, eager to not miss the discussion. Workshop host, Fope Olaleye, president of Feminist Society and former NUSU LGBT+ Officer, gave the audience a thought-provoking presentation about the definition of decolonization and how individuals can help decolonization in our society. During the workshop, Fope explained this topic vividly with great enthusiasm, a sense of humour, accuracy and fluency and provided many easy-to-understand examples, including her own experiences. She also provided audiences with some practical suggestions about how

to take a decolonizing mentality and encourage collective action, ultimately working towards generating a community of love and resistance. Many members of the audience interacted with Fope, asking specific questions about how exactly an individual could make a difference in society. The active discussion didn’t stop until an extra hour after the workshop ended. The event provided an opportunity for students to learn about a diverse range of ideas in regards to this complex but important issue. The talk was a fascinating, informative and successful end to the events of NUSU Black History Month 2016.

“The clothing range stands out in the market through a variety of bold and authentic festival clothing that celebrates African and Caribbean culture”

Martin Luther King Jr Image: Wikimedia Commons

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Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

In good company: Newcastle Uni’s JobFest By Ruby Nguyen Newcastle University Careers Service organized and hosted the flagship careers fair JobFest 2016 from October 18th to October 19th 2016. The annual two-day event was aimed at penultimate and final year students in search for work placement opportunities and graduate vacancies commencing in Summer and Autumn 2017. The recruitment fair took place in Bamburgh Suite, Newcastle United Football Club, a spacious venue to facilitate the vast amount of participating national and international organizations. Many of the businesses present have been consistently featured in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers,such as

PwC UK, Aldi and TeachFirst. A wide range of sectors was represented, including finance, retail, recruitment and engineering, divided into two days. Day 1 was dedicated to Business, Management and Finance, whereas Day 2 focused on Engineering, Science and Technology. In sum, over 150 organizations have exhibited over the two-day careers fair, attracting nearly 3000 students from a huge array of degree subjects taught at the University. The high calibre was showcased by advice and questions being posed by students, of which were met with great insight from the representatives. Consulting and Retail were of particular interest to the Class of 2017, with PwC UK and Aldi being voted first and second on The Times Grad-

uate Employers 2017. Their success was further reflected in their extremely popular exhibition stands at JobFest. Ghangaa Mano, a final year Media and Communications student told The Courier. “I truly appreciate recruitment fairs like these as it’s both exciting to chat with potential employers about their opportunities as well as having an overview of what is out there on the graduate market.” Following JobFest 2016, many companies will return to give employer presentations on campus to target and recruit Newcastle students for various graduate and placement vacancies. An overview of all upcoming events hosted by the University revolvong around careers and oppurtunities can be found on the Careers Service website.

Students mingling with top UK businesses at Careers Fair Images: Newcastle Career Service

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Monday 24 October 2016

Work and study in New York at Mountbatten institute By Kotryna Kairyte News Editor On Monday, 17th of October, students were invited to attend the presentation by Mountbatten Institute in New York, inviting the best graduates from Newcastle University, to work and study in New York City. The evening followed Newcastle Jobfest, organized by the University’s Career Service, where Mountbatten Institute representatives spent the whole day talking to students, answering their questions and giving advice on application processes. The presentation, given by one of the institute’s marketing executives, allowed students a chance to gain better understanding of what the programme has to offer for them. Mountbatten Institute offers 12 month paid work and study placements in New York where students work for top global employers like Barclays, British Airways, RBS, Prospect Capital and others in Finance, Law, IT, Event Management,

HR, Marketing and Communications sectors. The programme also provides postgraduate business education which students gain alongside their placement,

This challenging year will give you countless opportunities to enjoy the city and an amazing friends network around the world”

rent free accommodation, $13.000 personal allowance and medical insurance throughout the year. “We accept all types of degree from

marketing and communications to history and geography”, said the presenter, who was a participant in the program a few years ago, and now works for the Marketing and Communications team of the Institute. “For those who are successful, it will be a very challenging year but it will give you some great experiences, countless opportunities to enjoy the city and an amazing friends network around the world.” He also ensured that taking part in Mountbatten programme increases student employability by a vast degree– 100% of students from the institute are hired within 6 months of graduation and very often by the same companies they did a placement at while on a programme. The deadline for applications for August 2017 intake is March 2017 but the students were advised to start their applications way in advance to prepare fully for the oppurtunity. To find out more about the programme and how you can apply, please visit Mountbatten Institute’s website.

Students gather for presentations Image: Louise Donnelly

North East Snowdogs under threat

St. Oswald’s snowdog alongside the Angel of the North Image: Jess Rea

By Helena Vesty News Editor In celebration of their 30th anniversary, St Oswald’s Children’s Hospice, based in Gosforth, has channelled everyone’s favourite Christmas story, The Snowman and the Snowdog, in their latest campaign to raise awareness and money for their work. The hospice has partnered with creative producers, Wild in Art, North Eastern schools across the region and over 50 artists to design 61 large dogs and 97 little dogs, which have been placed in a trail around the county. Due to the scale and spread of the installation, the project is now the biggest mass-participa-

tion, public art event in Tyne and Wear to date. In addition to their role as representatives of the hospice, the Snowdogs have become a tourist attraction, as they decorate some of Newcastle’s iconic landmarks, including the Angel of the North and the Millennium Bridge. The dogs have also made their mark on the Metro system, which sponsored the endeavour. The transport company have notably renamed some

of the stations in honour of the canine creations, including that of ‘Westie Jesmond’.

ken by the public, particularly where they are located near the city’s bars and clubs, resulting in their temporary removal. The difficulties have caused the launch of a social media drive to help with the reporting of damage to the hospice and the local authorities, with the accompanying #protectourpack. As illustrated by Jess Rea, a volunteer for St Oswald’s, the Snowdogs are an “asset to the city, drawing in many visitors of all ages”. Rea also highlighted that the sculptures are “worth a lot of money, yet each time they are damaged, this comes as a

The sculptures are “worth a lot of money, yet each time they are damaged, this comes as a cost to the hospice and therefore they are continually losing money” However, the installation has not been without its controversy. A number of the dogs have been scratched and bro-

cost to the hospice and therefore they are continually losing money. Meaning, in the end, less money goes to the children we care for.” This is a particular difficulty for St Oswald’s, as the establishment has to raise over £7 million each year to continue providing the same services. In order to achieve this monetary goal, the hospice will be hosting a Farewell Event from the 2nd - 4th December, to celebrate their 10-week takeover of the region’s most famous spots. After the end of the tour, each unique sculpture will be sold at a Grand Auction at the Sage in Gateshead on 6th December to raise fund, which will go directly to St Oswald’s Children’s Hospice.

news .9

The Social Calendar Go NUTS for charity On the 22nd-24th October, from 7pm at The Hancock Pub, Newcastle University Theatre Society is presenting an original interactive murder mystery fundraiser for The Sunshine Fund. All proceeds will go to the local charity working to aid children with disabilities. Each table of participants are given

the chance to interview the suspects of a murdered famous artist, and contribute to the solving of the case. Tickets are £5, with reservations be taken by nuts@ newcastle.ac.uk, groups of 6-8 can book a full table, whilst smaller numbers can be assigned to a table.

Cheeky pint? The Hancock, located near Robinson Library Image: Mike Quinn

Laugh til you’re Red Raw As part of the NUSU Give it a Go series, The Stand Comedy Club is inviting all amateur comedians to test any material they might have in front of a live, friendly audience. On the 26th of

October from 8:30pm, up to 10 acts can participate in their weekly beginner’s showcase entitled ‘The Best of Red Raw’, said to be the best open mic night in the UK. Buy your tickets online for £5!

Fancy yourself as a comedian? Image: Ian Muttoo

Fright night fun for all NUSU are hosting a haunted Halloween eve at Brockbushes Farm on the 31st of October at 5.30pm. The Northumberland farm is the home of the UK’s largest outdoor haunted maze, and promises to be a frightfully enjoyable night

for all who attend. Tickets are £10 and can be bought through NUSU’s website. The night also gives students the opportunity to enjoy the Hill Billy Horror Show, which is being staged at the farm from the 22nd-31st October.

Carving tools at the ready, you best have your wits about you Image: Rayhonso

10.

Comment

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Comment Editors Jamie Cameron, Sinéad CorkettBeirne & Sunil Nambiar courier.comment@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Comment

Should Scotland have second thoughts?

Following Brexit, another Scottish independence vote may be coming. But, should it? Chloe Barker and Benjamin Eckford debate

YES

hould Scotland be able to hold another referendum? The answer undoubtedly is yes. Why? Circumstances in the UK have changed dramatically; we are no longer in the European Union. One of the main concerns in the first referendum in 2014 was Scottish membership in the EU; it would have been difficult for Scotland to rejoin the EU if they had left Britain in 2014. However, now they have a better chance of regaining membership alone than with the UK, as a result of Brexit. As this was such a significant concern in 2014, it is no surprise that this is of similar importance just two years later. I thoroughly believe that if the first Scottish referendum had taken place after Britain had left the EU, the result would have been different. The racist and Islamophobic attitudes that have been intensified in the wake of Brexit are reason alone for Scotland to want to leave the UK. It is unsurprising that Scottish citizens want to distance themselves from

“If you are a remain supporter, and your area had the chance to remain in the EU, what would you do?’’

this kind of atmosphere. Nicola Sturgeon has spoken out about the threat that being tied with Britain brings to the Scottish economy; some Tory rhetoric about foreign workers sends “damaging, and utterly shameful” messages to the rest of Europe, which ultimately reflects badly on Scotland, as they are tied to Great Britain. The mere association with Britain, therefore, could harm Scotland’s future on the international stage. Although it could be argued that Scotland should stand by the decisions they made in 2014, it would be unfair to force Scotland to endure the result of Brexit with the rest

of Britain as the situation h a s changed s o drastically. If you are a remain supporter, and your area had the chance to remain in the EU, what would you do? Democracy involves voting for what the majority thinks is correct, and then implementing the result of the majority’s vote through the government. Surely the only democratic thing to do would be to allow the Scottish people to exercise their rights, and vote again on whether Scotland should remain a part of the United Kingdom. Admittedly, the initial referendum took place only two years ago, however, a substantial amount has changed in the UK that justifies Scotland the right to another vote. Although the majority of Scots still favour remaining in the UK, one of the major aspects that enticed Scotland to stay in the UK no longer applies. Therefore if necessary, another referendum should be allowed.

his is the last thing we need right now. I’m not afraid to fight again to save the union that I love, just as I fought to remain in the EU. In a poll published on 4 October, the Unionists had an increased lead of 8%, so I would be confident of winning this battle. But, as we know, referendums are divisive and uncertain. I’ve had my fill of that this year. The SNP opportunism is deplorable. They know that the Scottish people will never vote enthusiastically for separatism, but that they could vote to give Westminster a kicking. The SNP are trying to use the EU referendum result as a provocation to do just that. Real political leadership would encourage a period of calm, particularly to stabilise the economy. Most of all, we need all parties to stop being so adversarial and to work together to heal the gaping divisions in our country. People take a lead from their politicians. When our politicians spread myths, slander

each other’s policies and spit poison at each other in very personal terms, it’s no wonder that the political debate has become so toxic. It’s no wonder, too, that those on different sides of the divide are so vitriolic toward each other. I imagine everyone, including the Scottish people, understand this - in spite of the legitimate grievances they have. Hence, seven separate opinion polls since 23 June saying no to separatism.

“‘All political bodies, including the SNP, should be focused on healing those divisions’’ My partisan argument, as I said to Eurosceptics, is that independence and sovereignty do not exist in 2016 as they did in 1816. Today there is only interdependence, and the most patriotic thing you can do is be as internationalist as possible. As Stephen Bush wrote in The New Statesman, the worst-case scenario for an independent Scotland is that it would be poorer and more right-wing than it is now – just as Brexit Britain likely will be. There’s also the small matter of oil – valued at approximately $114 per barrel in 2014, but now has slumped closer to $14. The economic case for separatism, already shaky, has collapsed post-Brexit. Right now, a second referendum would only cause more recrimination. We are divided enough already. All political bodies, including the SNP, should be focused on healing those divisions - not wrenching us further apart.

Ched Evans, a setback for justice

Ched Evans’ defence used aggressive and targeting tactics to escape his alleged rape charges, writes Tamsin Daisy Rees

hed Evans was found guilty of rape. After serving some of his sentence, he was granted a re-trial from which he walked free. How? His defence found a way to use the victim’s sexual history to grant an appeal by claiming she had behaved in a similar way with other men. Now her life is ruined and Evans is receiving new offers to play football. Supposedly, this woman said some things to Evans, none of which she can remember, and she said similar phrases to men on different occasions. To the jury, this seemed like a cause for reasonable doubt that Evan’s raped a woman too drunk to consent, to whom he didn’t say a word, a woman so intoxicated she fell over and twisted her ankle on the same night. She can’t remember Evans’ friend Clayton McDonald taking her to a hotel room where he also had sex with her, who told Evans by text he had “got a bird”. Evans remembers, and he took this all to mean consent. This re-trial does not mean Evans did not rape that woman. It does not mean he is not a sexual abuser, and it does not mean he is innocent. It means that once again, another high profile case of sexual violence against a young woman has not resulted in justice for her. Once again, a rich white male gets away with it and gets to continue with his life as normal. It reiterates an alarming narrative to other victims of sexual violence: we cannot

trust the authorities to protect us when we are at our most vulnerable and asking for help, asking for justice, asking to be taken seriously as a victim of a crime.

“The man now stressing the importance of educating young people about consent cannot even distinguish what consent is” This affront to justice sends a disturbing message to victims of sexual violence, inflaming the archaic anxiety of whether or not they will be ‘believed’. Believe her. Give a chance to the people that come forward and ask for help. Out of 1000 rape cases, 994 of the accused will walk free. Those who report sexual violence are routinely victimised, stalked, abused, cast out, and admonished for contacting the authorities. Not that many people coming forward are lying. Out of 1000 rape cases, more than 6 really happened. This monstrous process for victims is horrible, humiliating, and inherently misogynistic. With the Evans case in particular, the victim’s sexual history was

scrutinised, with ex-boyfriends as ‘witnesses’. Not only is past sexual history completely irrelevant, applying it exposes the victim and makes them a target of disgust and ridicule. Regardless of sexual history no one, ever, deserves to be raped. This exercise in victimisation offers pity to the accused and the ruination of their professional careers, while ignoring the incredible damage to the victim and everyone who loves them and depends on them. In Ched Evan’s case, some media critics laughably cited Sheffield football club as having gone through a traumatic experience, posing questions of how they would recover. Directing blame for the jeopardy of a possible rapist’s illustrious sporting career on a powerless victim would be a dark satire even for a comedy sketch. For Ched Evans to have the audacity to then call “for more education on alcohol and consent” doesn’t even make a cut at being ironic — this is real life and breaks my heart and makes me want to vomit. This travesty continues. Evans told the Mail on Sunday “My behaviour that night was not acceptable – but it wasn’t a crime.” The man now stressing the importance of educating young people about consent cannot even distinguish what consent is, and is now let back into society without any successful rehabilitation. Consent equals respect, but as Laura Bates cited one twitter user,

it’s “too low a bar. Hold out for enthusiasm.” If someone is not in the position to consent, they cannot consent. If someone is too drunk to enthusiastically consent, they cannot consent.

“Those who report sexual violence are routinely victimised ”

This has to stop. Paying attention to your partner’s body language is an enormous part of sex— with Evans this clearly did not happen. She could not consent, and Ched Evans did not show an ounce of respect for her. The systematically predatory and misogynistic conduct of this case sets a discouraging example to other victims of sexual violence. I would understand if it would deter some victims from persevering for their justice altogether. A victim’s fight for justice is already exhausting, traumatic and seemingly inconsequential. But, if you can fight, fight. We need to keep pushing back against the oppression of victims. For what it’s worth, many of us side with the victims. We see you, we believe you, and we support you.

The Courier

comment .11

Monday 24 October 2016

Culture: It’s more than looks Alexandra Sadler

art of Halloween is dressing up in different costumes, new makeup, and different hairstyles. However, different cultures are turned into a fancy dress costume for the sake of someone else’s entertainment. Some might argue that it’s just cultural appreciation, that wearing that fancy dress costume is a form of flattery. However, cultural appreciation is about understanding that you can’t just take aesthetic properties from a culture. It’s not always about the look of the costume or style, it can also be about the cultural relevance. Sometimes a style is ridiculed when worn by someone who is a part of the culture, only to be praised as being part of fashion, or part of a fantastic Halloween costume. It disrespects the culture. People wear them without knowing the meaning behind it, how people within the culture wear it, or what they do to earn it.

“Cultural appreciation is about understanding that you can’t just take aesthetic properties from a culture’

Fun but with limits

People of different ethnicities interact daily and it’s not surprising that cultural traditions are transferred between different groups. However, cultural appropriation is an entirely different thing to picking up the customs and dialects of another culture through interaction. I would argue that cultural appropriation is a deliberate choice. It’s damaging as it typically involves using the culture as a costume, without trying to understand the history, experience or traditions of said culture. Native American headdresses are worn for important ceremonies, and are earned. They are certainly not worn because they ‘look cool’. Whilst many cultures welcome those who wish to learn more about them, appropriating it is an entirely different thing. If someone tells you that you’re appropriating their culture, then it might be worth it to at least listen to them.

Amanda Yap

nce, Halloween was met with gravitas. It was an occasion meant to ward off evil spirits. Today, Halloween has evolved into a curious mix of entertainment and a plain old excuse to binge-drink the night away. Halloween costumes have become more creative through the years, from ghosts composed of white bedsheets, to Marilyn Monroe-wannabes and Tinkerbell look-alikes. People now experiment with dressing up as a character from different racial or cultural backgrounds from their own. Some would consider this offensive. However, we have to pay attention to the context in which this operates. To me, it is not a way of mocking or targeting any

minority racial or cultural group, and especially during a festive occasion like Halloween. Rather, I see it as a form of building up an awareness of cultures and races. It opens up narrow minds. It fosters an awareness surrounding the different cultures we live and work with, and

“Halloween... fosters an awareness surrounding the different cultures we live and work with’’ reminds of the cultures we have no contact with. It closes the disparity of ignorance. Yet, danger arises when cultural costumes are modified in a provocative fashion - whether it is shortening the skirt to a sexually suggestive length or making unnecessary rips in the garments. Not only does it disrespect the culture, it belittles and scorns the people who belong to that cultural or racial group. Revellers should also don the attire with some appreciation. Unless the dude at the next table is boisterously degrading a race while wearing their ethnic costume, don’t embarrass him by asking him to strip down to his birthday suit.

This Halloween: Stereotypes, jump scares and cultural appropriation

How appropriate is it to dress up with valuable symbols of the world’s cultures, and how should we actually even do it?

Take a step back

Lena Sheikh

n a new age of identity politics where political correctness is a must, the obvious answer is a no to donning costumes traditionally belonging to another culture on Halloween. Outfits adorning the likes of a ‘mysterious Princess Jasmine’, ‘the sexy native American’ or a ‘travelling gypsy’ are completely culturally insensitive.

“At which point in time did we stop celebrating cultural diversity and start fearmongering people...?’’

However, it’s counterproductive to stamp the mark of ‘cultural appropriation’ on every single person dressed up as a hula girl this Halloween. The act of ‘calling out’ cultural appropriation is bordering on cultural segregation. At which point in time did we stop celebrating cultural diversity and start fear-mongering people into not enjoying other cultures? Who dictates the rules of cultural offense? By the logic of cultural appropriation, we are somehow all guilty as someone, somewhere in this world is

SOAPBOX

COMMENT’S HOME OF WEEKLY RANTS

bound to be offended by your Halloween get-up. While the line between cultural exchange and appropriation may seem blur to most people, I find it very clear. There is a difference between adopting features from other cultures and making them part of your identity because you think it’s ‘kawaii’, and wearing a geisha outfit on Halloween for one night only. When localised cultures become so heavily ingrained into popular culture, then it is not a matter of ‘borrowing cultures’ but a way of expressing and communicating a shared culture that we all understand. We have to be smart enough to be able to distinguish these differences instead of uncontrollably shouting ‘MINE’ like the seagulls from Finding Nemo at every Pocahontas this Halloween. Kanye West, for example, is a global and cultural icon that transcends cultural boundaries – it is acceptable to be Kanye West for Halloween. But, if you dress up as Kanye West with blackface that is racist. In similar respects, don’t be an idiot and make a costume out of anything religious, political or stereotypical if it perpetuates harmful negative stereotypes. That’s plain wrong. The issue lies not in culturally appropriated outfits; people are merely fixated on Halloween as a mask for what lies underneath which is a world in which racism exists and persists. Censoring Halloween costumes, however, is not the end to cultural insensitivity.

Have fun, don’t appropriate

What about dressing as a specific character though? It’s not as blatant an act of privilege as purchasing a sexy Native American costume, which contributes to the alarming rates of sexual violence toward indigenous women in the United States. It perpetuates the myth that “All The Real Indians died off ”. Put simply, lazy ‘exotic’ costumes are harmful. But dressing as a character of a different race can be dangerous too. In 2016, hopefully there’s no need to warn against blackface although celebrities like Robert Downey Jr – along with a horrifying 52% of respondents to

one survey – believe it’s just fine. If you genuinely don’t know why blackface is a bad idea, Google it. Really, Google is your friend here. Furthermore, wearing yellowface or dreads, bindis, ‘tribal’ tattoos, as part of your Halloween costume isn’t only dreadfully misguided, it’s culturally appropriation. If people know who your character is, your skin tone doesn’t have to match theirs, and there are countless costumes – classic, obscure, and geeky – that you can embrace enthusiastically without having to worry about accusations of racism. So on Halloween, have a fun night, watch something spooky before pre-drinks (I recommend The Witch), and don’t shrug off the ugly implications of imitating other cultures and races.

CALL ME HOMESICK

YOLO 2: REBIRTH

EDITOR RAGE

Newcastle students abroad don’t get much of a voice back home while they’re away – Erasmus is not all fun and games. When I said I was going to France for a semester, everyone told me how much fun I’d have. However, France is a country where nothing gets done - and I’m talking about when they’re not on strike. Bank accounts, internet boxes, phone contracts, and most of all university enrolment, they thrive on making everything as difficult as possible for everyone. After waiting five weeks (five weeks into the course, that is) to be registered into my classes, and so very near the brink of a mental breakdown, the French experience has made me greatly appreciate the smoothness of university in the UK. I finally understand where that £9,000 is going; and I’m finally willing to pay it!

YOLO is a phrase you’ve probably all heard before. YOLO stands for You Only Live Once. So, why are we spending it torturing ourselves by chasing money and working whilst getting an education, just so we can spend it all on alcohol and clubs? These activities rarely fulfil us – indeed, they do more harm than good. Is there nothing better than spoiling our lives on frivolity? If we only live once, we should spend time travelling and exploring new territories, learning about the world we live in, and making the most of the time we have here in Earth. There’s so much waiting to be explored in this world. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but I dream about getting out of bed, packing my bags, going on a trip of a lifetime and making the most of life. YOLO still means something. Won’t you join me?

You know when you’re an editor of the comment section, the computer has crashed for the fifth time, someone is playing Christmas songs in the office two months early, life has no meaning, and you’re waiting for article submissions that never come? In a sense, it’s not so bad. I mean, I get to write an article for once, a Soapbox, you could say. I bet it’s pretty funny, entertaining, and insightful too. At least, it’s infinitely better than articles that are never submitted. Infinitely worse too, I guess. You know, because people don’t submit their articles? Remember? Hey don’t worry I’m not angry. Just kidding - that was a joke, and I lied to you. Why? No reason, really. I mean I’m still looking for reason, you know? I’m waiting for the end - of this article. Oh wait, here it is!

Hanson Jones

Kelly South

very October, the debate about culturally appropriative Halloween costumes rears its head once more. Despite clear, comprehensive columns in many magazines and newspapers on why, say, Día De Los Muertos is not just a festival and why white girls should steer clear of sugar skull makeup - there’ll inevitably be parades of racist costumes at local clubs later this month.

“There’ll inevitably be parades of racist costumes at local clubs later this month”

Dayam Ali

Jamie Cameron

Culture

12.

thecourieronline.co.uk/culture

The ultimate guide to perfect predrink etiquette Whether you are attending or throwing the pre-drinks. Dayam Ali is here to ensure that you have the best start to any night out.

re-drinks is a must, no student should go out sober and spend horrendous amounts in SOHO downing blue trebles. It’s just too expensive - even for Newcastle, which has the reputation of being the cheapest for nights out. So how do you have the perfect pre-drinks and save money whilst having fun with your mates, you ask? Well im going to tell you! We’re going to kick this off with the first rule which is do NOT get too drunk. Predrinks are there for a reason: to get together with your friends, have a few drinks, get a bit drunk and then go out and get a lot more drunk. So don’t be the person who leaves the sesh before it even begins.

“There’s nothing worse than turning up to pre-drinks with not enough alcohol - it’s just not ideal”

Second rule is socialising, because it’s the only chance you’re going to get before your ears are surrounded by the sound of Skrillex and Justin Bieber in a club full of creepy guys who you’d probably avoid anyway. So start chatting away to your friends at pre-drinks, before losing them and ending up with people who you probably think are your new bathroom BFFS… “oh my GOD, you’re SO pretty!” Rule number three, bring your own supplies. There’s nothing worse than turning up to predrinks with not enough alcohol - it’s just not ideal. Although your friends might have bought plenty, it’s nice to bring your personal favourite beverages. It’s a lot better than having to drink whiskey all pre’s because that’s all your friend had for you. So find the best deals around for alcohol, bring them to the pre’s and enjoy the sesh.

“Don’t be the person who sits in the corner of the room playing Clash of Clans on their phone ”

Final Rule: PARTICIPATE in all drinking games, whether its ‘never have I ever’, ‘ring of fire’ or ‘beer pong’. There’s nothing better than to get stuck in and enjoy yourself. Don’t be that person who sits in the corner of the room playing Clash of Clans on their phone. Instead, be the person who gets stuck in, gets tipsy and enjoys the pre-drinks. Now we have to get serious: we all know that with power comes responsibility and if you’re hosting the pre-drinks then my friend it’s your responsibility to take care of the house. The reason I say this is because I know for sure if you hold a predrinks, the house is definitely going to be in a state. To avoid this, be careful to not overdo it and invite your whole friend list to your pre-drinks, because it’s not a house party, it’s only pre’s, and you definitely don’t want your nan turning up to your pre’s because you’ve accidently invited her from your friend list. Top tip: to avoid heaving a wrecked house the next day, keep valuables out of sight and lock rooms that aren’t being used, and stay safe when pre-drinking.

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Culture Editors: James McCoull & Jack Oliver Parker Sections: Lifestyle, Fashion, Beauty, Arts, Music, Film, TV, Gaming & Science courier.culture@ncl.ac.uk | @CourierOnline

There’s no place like home Leaving home for the ﬁrst time can be hard but fear not, Louise Whitton is here to talk us through her top ten tips to combat homesickness - you’ll be calling Newcastle your home away from home in no time

t is now three weeks since the freshers arrived, laden with duvets, potted plants and pop-up laundry baskets. Most will by now have shaken off those nervous butterflies, have cobbled together a group of mates to run around freshers week with and have survived the subsequent ‘freshers’ flu’. Now this new, exciting experience is just becoming ‘life’ and our freshers may be facing a new challenge: Homesickness. Research shows that 50-70% of students get homesick in their first few weeks so if you are a fresher reading this, it is likely that you are homesick. Homesickness results from being in an unfamiliar environment, separated from people and places that you love and that make you feel safe. It can cause a loss of concentration, sadness and crying, difficulties in sleeping or eating, disrupted menstrual cycles and general unwellness. It can also make you think negatively about your new situation.

“50-70% of students get homesick in their first few weeks”

People who are homesick often feel they have failed in some way. This is not true. Homesickness is not a sign of weakness and it does not mean that you will never be happy in your new situation. It is a natural and human reaction and a well recognised part of psychological adaption. It’s just a process you have to go through and even people living the most glamorous lives feel homesick sometimes. Here’s a list of ten tips to help you along the way:

1. Give it time

You need to get used to your new surroundings. Nobody instantly feels settled in a new place.

your duvet watching Netflix, don’t hide in your room (even though you’ve just made it homely!). This one is especially important for people who haven’t quite gelled with their flatmates (which is very common). Get out there and you will find like-minded people and settle in faster.

6. Challenge negative thoughts

“Do I actually think my course sucks or is this the homesickness gremlin talking?”

7. Look after yourself

Have enough food, drink (non-alcoholic!), sleep and exercise. This can make a world of difference.

8. Remember home is there You can call home if you need to, and there’s no shame in doing so, but make sure this doesn’t stop you engaging with new people.

2. Make your room feel like home

Adorn it with pictures and fairy lights (or colourful club promo flyers if you have nothing else!). Make it a bit less like a prison cell.

3. Develop a routine for yourself

Put regular activities, like shopping, on certain days. This will help you feel settled.

4. Be open with your new friends

At the moment, talking to new friends just won’t feel the same as talking to old friends but you’ve got to give them a chance for this to change. They may be feeling homesick too and appreciate talking about it.

5. Get stuck into university life

“Find like-minded people to settle in faster” 9. Seek help if needed

Homesickness can trigger or exacerbate more complicated psychological and mental health problems. Going to see your GP or talking to the Student Wellbeing services about counselling are good options if you are really struggling or if your homesickness is lasting a long time.

10. Don’t worry- this won’t last forever Most people are surprised by how quickly they start to consider Newcastle home!

As appealing as is sounds to cocoon yourself in

Tinder: the good, the bad and the plain cringey Jaymelouise Hudspith with some hilarious tales from the weird and wonderful world that is Tinder

inder is a modern phenomenon. Even if you’ve never personally used it, it’s almost guaranteed that you know of it, you probably even know somebody who uses it. For those few of you who have no idea what I’m talking about, Tinder is a social media dating app that allows you to see eligible matches from age and location. It is simply a case of swiping right and starting a conversation with your match. If one side rejects the other, it remains anonymous so no one’s feelings are hurt. Tinder and apps like it have been criticised – many say it sums up our generation’s attitudes to ‘disposable dating’* by making it more accessible. Others argue that it is simply an app that allows you to safely meet people and boost your confidence. I’ll leave you to form your own opinion of the app but to help you I have spoken to several students around campus on the good the bad and the ugly sides of it. Here’s what they said:

Kayleigh* age 20

Matt* age 23

“I learned the hard way. Avoid any girl who takes a mirror selfie with a bedazzled phone case”

Jessica* age 21

“There’s a fascinating trend where men over thirty like to pose with fish they’ve presumably caught. Overwhelmingly they don’t respond well to drawing comparisons to the £2.50 goldfish I bought from the local pet shop that died in a week. Elitist old fishermen.”

Dan* age 22

“So I had a funny experience where a girl messaged me ‘so you’re from South Africa? If you’re ever home sick you can always go south on me’ it was pretty funny”

“Avoid any girl who takes a mirror selfie with a bedazzled phone case”

Anne* age 19

“Always check all of their photos before swiping right. I thought I was matching with a hot Australian guy. Turns out I was matching with him, his girlfriend, and their best mate Tom, who requested that you ‘don’t match unless you’re down for some four way fun.’ It made an interesting conversation to say the least.”

“Well I actually met my current boyfriend on Tinder. Started with a few dates here and one thing led to another and we’ve been together for over a year now. He’s definitely my best experience with the app”

“One guy wrote a three stanza poem asking me to sit on his face. It was really quite clever, he rhymed things with my name.”

Kim* age 19

Maddie* age 20

Joseph* age 24

“Bios are important, don’t be one of those creeps who has Netflix and chill or reviews of yourself as yours” “Don’t swipe right just because they have a cute cat or dog, and avoid any guy who has a picture of his

car or house, it’s just cringe worthy”

James* age 20

“Avoid anyone who has only one photo or only group shots– what is this catfish?” All in all, Tinder seems to have its ups and downs, an easy way to have funny and can boost your confidence or a shallow app that creates commitment phobias. Why not try it for yourself and form your own opinion? *Names have been changed

The Courier

Blind Date

Monday 24 October 2016

.13

Ruth Bell, 3rd Year Biology meets James McCoull Post Grad Literature

Ruth on James So firstly, where did you go? Sooo we went to Bar Loco of course! Nice! Is it somewhere you’d usually go? Um I’ve been a few times but it was his suggestion. So I kind of went along with it cos I didn’t have any ideas. Did you make the right choice? Err… it was alright, the football had just been on so there were quite a lot of families and rowdy drunk people around but no it was good. Oh god... What was your first impression when you met James? Urm... *awkward laughter*. He was taller than I was expecting... Had you seen any pictures of him or anything before hand? Yeah I cheated! What.. how did you find him?! I thought you wanted this to be a blind date! I typed his number into Facebook and found him through that, which I know is really naughty haha. I feel bad cos he had no idea what I looked like. When I texted him to let him know I was on my way and he said he was wearing a blue cardigan, and I said I’m in a stripey polo neck, and he was like that’s not a polo neck that’s a turtle neck! I was like okaaaayy What a pedant. What do you think he thought about you? Aside from you wear turtle... sorry, POLO necks I think we got along well. I like to think he’d say I’m quite nice... Hopefully a bit funny. Yeah we bonded over Peep show. So I reckon he thinks I’ve got good taste in TV. Yay! Did you tal k about anything interesting ? Errrrm…. (long pause) I’ll take that as a no then? No! We didn’t talk about anything, mega interesting just like uni and general stuff. It was still pleasant though! If James was a chocolate bar what would he be? Chocolate bar? Uhhh.. I’d say he’s like dairy milk… Quite standard, everyone likes it, it’s dependable, can’t really go wrong with it! Did you fancy him at all? Erm… no, but I got along with him really well but I don’t think he’s really my type if I’m honest. I think we’ll stick to being friends. Soooo did you kiss? No haha. Would you see him again? Yeah! As a friend and if I was on a night out I’d definitely say hi. Do you thik you’re gonna make the effort to see him agin? Hmm maybe not… I said I’d add him on facebook, I should probably get round to adding him actually! Did James fulfil your hopes and dreams about the date? Well, I mean, I only went on the date cos I thought it’d be quite funny; I was never really looking for love. So! I got what I wanted out of it, it was fun! It was a good afternoon. What would you give him out of 10? I’d give him a 7. Yeah, a solid 7. That’s pretty good! Thanks very much Ruth!

James on Ruth

Where did you guys go? First we went to Bar Loco, then after we went to Leazes Park for a walk What was your first impression when you met Ruth? Well, she desrcibed herself wearing a polo neck but I was convinced it was a turtleneck but long story short I know nothing about clothing, as she proved me wrong and was in fact wearing a polo neck. One up to you, Ruth. What do you think she initially thought about you? She had already found me on Facebook so I guess she had more of an idea as to who I was than she was about me. I had no idea though, I went in totally blind. You didn’t have a cheeky stalk then? Nope! I was told she wanted it to be a properly blind date so I didnt look her up. Aw, fair enough. Did you talk about anything interesting? Uhh, we talked about various things. I learnt that her friend’s uncle was a producer on Skins so apparently her friendship group inspired the shed from series 3 and 4 which I thought was pretty cool! It’s a little claim to fame. Generally we just talked about TV shows, what our subjects are like, our housemates, that sort of thing. Thats nice. If Ruth was a chcolate bar what would she be? Isn’t there a BabyRuth or something in America? If there is one, then yeah that... if not then a dairy milk caramel I think. Interesting. Did you fancy Ruth at all? I thought she was pretty cute, sure. Did you ever think about Ruth naked at any point during the date? No, I actually didn’t. Is that a thing? Are you just saying that or did it actually never cross your mind? Well I guess Bar Loco isn’t really the place to be spontaneously fantasising about someone. We were surrounded by a lot of rowdy Geordies... you know, mostly middle aged bald men so I feel like it would have been really weird if I had. Did you kiss? No, we didn’t do that. aah that’s a shame... Ok, do you think you’ll see each other again? I feel like we got on really well but I don’t know if there’s a tremendous amount of chemistry there. But, y’know, I had a nice time! She’s enjoyable company. What rating would you give her out of 10? Oof, this is the dreaded question. It’s like you don’t want to undersell yourself, but don’t want to undersell the other person either. Um, I will go for an 8. Did Ruth fulfil your hopes and dreams about the date? Yeah! I was extremely terrified of the dreaded awkward silence but we managed to avoid that more or less entirely, which was good. Sounds like a good date!

Fancy a date? We’ll set you up. Contact us!

14.lifestyle

Monday 24 October 2016

Lifestyle Editors: Ruth Loeﬄer, Brooklyn Shakeshaft Ward, Antonia Coleman-Harvey & Ana Berestos

Astrological Antonia

Antonia ColemanHarvey is back to hit ya with your weekly horoscopes Aries March 21- April 19 Fiery autumnal colours are beginning to emerge, Aries, as are the fiery colours within you. Try to let go of whatever, or whomever, it is that’s provoking this impassioned irritation. You may learn that once you let things go, a huge weight off your

FOUL FALL or Awesome Autumn

So, winter is coming but before that we face the fall, Victoria Aﬄeck and Ruth Loeﬄer battle it out to discuss whether the new season is good or bad

he winter coats are coming out and your morning coffee bill is rising steadily, which only leads to one conclusion: autumn has arrived! For many, autumn is by far the best time of the year for many reasons, despite the fact the temperature has plummeted through the ground overnight...

shoulders will be lifted.

Taurus April 20- May 20

Admitting to a recent failing and hitting it on the head will be a good step towards a bright future for you, Taurus. The current spell of negativity in your life will slowly diminish once you decide to move on.

Gemini May 21- June 20

Take it easy, Gemini. You’ve been out on the town a little too much recently and your body is screaming for a detox. Try laying of the vodka and coke and stick to a nutritious orange juice for a bit.

Cancer June 21- July 22

Who says that admitting to something you did wrong is a bad thing? Honesty is the best policy, right, Cancer? While there is no demand for you to do this, clearer skies and brighter futures may open up to you.

Leo 23 July- 22 August

You are surrounded by friendly, gregarious people, Leo. And of course you want to radiate this optimistic, sociable outlook too. By all means, you should! But beware of the contrast between work and play.

Virgo Aug 23- Sep 22

Ah, Virgo. Things are finally looking like they are working out for you, and you should be proud. Never underestimate an opportunity when it comes your way. If you are willing to put in the effort, you will reap the rewards.

Libra Sep 23- Oct 22 This week, Libra, focus on getting your life back on track. Those £5 trebles won’t do it for you.

Scorpio Oct 23- Nov 21

It is not a natural instinct of yours to take risks, shy Scorpio. But this week, get as excited as you want about a upcoming venture. You will need others to get on board.

Sagittarius Nov 22- Dec 21

Stop feeling so sorry for yourself, Sagittarius… YOU GOT THIS!

Capricorn Dec 22- Jan 19

It’s the week of getting stuff done, Capricorn. Though those around you may be critical of your accomplishments, keep your head down and thrive at your own pace.

Aquarius Jan 20- Feb 18 You may have rejected a friend recently and now, well, they’ve gone and rejected you. What goes around comes around, eh, Aquarius?

Pisces Feb 19- March 20

It’s time to stop being standoffish, Pisces, and start opening up to people. You don’t necessarily have to divulge your deepest and darkest secrets to let a friend know you appreciate them. Bear that in mind this week.

The Courier

Leaves One of the most beautiful things about autumn is watching the leaves suddenly change from green, to yellow, to orange, then to a deep red colour. When the they fall off of the trees, the crunchy sound of them beneath your feet really is one of the most therapeutic things when walking anywhere at this time of year. 2) Wardrobe Autumn not only is beautiful in regards to nature, but in regards to fashion too. The shift in clothes from summer to autumn is one of the most exciting times, getting ready to hunt for that perfect winter coat and investing in a whole new wardrobe for the autumn and winter season. Despite the fact it’s cold (and can be quite miserable), the high street shops always have us in mind with a whole new collection of fashionable scarves, gloves and jumpers, cardigans and coats to layer to make us feel warm, even when the temperature is -50 degrees outside.

3) Getting cosy and warm at home Being able to get home from a lecture/seminar, put on comfortable clothes and jump into bed with a hot chocolate in hand and a film will always be one of my favourite parts of autumn. I love coming home and getting warm and cosy after being outside in sub-zero temperatures freezing to death… it’s a great time to eat badly too, pigging out on chocolate and having hot chocolate everyday with all the cream and marshmallows you could possibly eat! 4) Holidays Autumn is a full of holidays that are fun whatever your age – in particular Halloween and bonfire night. Halloween is a time to catch up with friends, watch scary movies and throw a party – because why not? It’s a chance to consume as many sweets as you can, drink alcohol and have a good time. The same goes for Fireworks night too! 5) Did someone say Pumpkin Spiced Latte? Autumn is the time for the return of Pumpkin Spiced Latte’s from Starbucks which we all love and can’t get enough of! If you haven’t had one before, I strongly recommend that you take yourself to the nearest Starbucks and buy one because you’re seriously missing out! 6) That special time of year is nearly upon us… Although the end of summer can be a bit disheartening, but there’s one simple fact that

can cheer us up - Christmas is just around the corner! And the build up to Christmas can actually be more exciting than the day itself! There are officially only (I’m not sure when this issue is sent out, so I can’t add in how many days!) 63 days until Father Christmas is here!

The Bad: 1)

Short days Newcastle, more than any other city in England gets really depressing when the nights start getting longer. You better get your bike lights all up and running because the 4pm sunset is drawing in. Being so far North in comparison to London - okay, if you’re from Scotland this issue probably doesn’t concern you - it really starts getting depressing when you don’t see sunlight AT ALL if you’re in 9-5. 2) No-man’s land Christmas is exciting. I love Christmas. But do you know what really drags on? The lead-up to it. DFS started mentioning Christmas on the 1st September, I swear. Never mind the awkward weather situation. Put on my winter coat and it’s deceptively cold outside, wear a jumper and you spend the entire day shivering. These months before are just a really long drag towards the only highlight of the Winter months. Come on Autumn, I want an advent calendar already!

Trying to juggle your job?

Amy Baird has enough experience of balancing work with student life. This is her sound advice to those who are trying to get their lives (and ﬁnances) together

or most of the unfortunate souls who can’t afford the basic necessities of Uni social life (jaeger bombs & jam jar cocktails) without a job, you’ll be able to relate to the dread that fills you when you realise your manager has put you in for shifts that you said you couldn’t do. The sad reality is unless you have buckets full of savings or wealthy parents/grandparents to help you out through the tumultuous time in your life that is Uni, most of us are going to have to work in some capacity whilst doing our degrees. Only after you start working, Uni-ing, and trying to have some kind of half decent social life, can you

“The sad reality is unless you have buckets of savings or wealthy parents... most of us are going to have to work whilst doing our degrees” really appreciate how hard it is to juggle not only a job around Uni, but indeed your life. Further into the year you go the more you worry about scraping a 2:1, not even daring to dream of ever achieving a 1st, your main sustenance is coffee to-go and energy drinks. You only ever have time to catch up with family members via phone as you power walk to library, lectures or work. And your friends either understand your hardship whole heartedly because they too, have a part-time job, or they get annoyed when you cancel plans last minute to instead spend some much needed time in the library. My advice? In first year make the most you possibly can out of

“Take everything in your stride, if you think you can work 18 hours a week, give it a go, but don’t be hesitant to lower it if need be”

your year, yes it’s important to learn how to write to university standard, reference properly and to attend lectures, but it’s just as important to enjoy your time at Uni. Second and third years, you don’t need to be told how much these years’ matter, but it’s also no good flopping second year, saying you’ll make it up third year because you never know what’s round the corner, and all that pressure will seriously take its toll. Instead take everything in your stride, if you think you can work 18 hours a week, give it a go, but don’t be hesitant to lower it if need be. But more generally, if you have a couple of quiet weeks lecture wise, perhaps towards the beginning of a new Semester, make the most of this time to earn more ££ than usual, but be sensible - put the pennies away for that rainy day you’ll be spending in the Robinson. Summer too provides time to get ahead of the game and save up for the next academic year, yes you deserve a break - go to a festival, go travelling, have a holiday but think ahead to next year when again you’ll be juggling a job around Uni. Most importantly be kind to yourself, in the not so far away future when you reflect on your time at Uni, you don’t want to think back to all the long hours you spent working hard, instead you’ll be thinking of the people you met, the stories you shared and the fun you had together.

Just think of the trebles. All the trebs I could buy once this shift is over. Damn, I really need a treb now. Just want to put these plates down and I’m gone.

The Courier

lifestyle .15

Monday 24 October 2016

thecourieronline.co.uk/lifestyle c2.lifestyle@ncl.ac.uk | @CourierLifestyle

Hungry Hungry Freshers

Louise Whitton thinks being healthy is overrated, so here’s some comfort foods that won’t break the bank and will deﬁnitely appeal to your stomachs

ooking as a fresher is difficult. There’s a little triangle you’ve got to somehow balance – meals must be affordable, healthy and tasty, and it can often be difficult to satisfy all three needs. Add to that the limited kitchen utensils and ingredients in the average student kitchen, and you often find yourself in rather a pickle. Despite that, there are many fool-proof dishes you can make in halls that tick all the boxes. Something that springs to mind is the humble fish finger sandwich, which uses only staple student ingredients yet can be a classy affair with the addition of seeded brown bread, crispy radicchio lettuce, tartar sauce and capers, or can get your tastebuds kicking with a dash of sweet chilli sauce. Similarly a basic jacket potato, pitta bread or plain wrap can be easily jazzed up with a range of fillings – add leftover chilli, roasted veggies, or even pizza-inspired toppings (think tomato sauce, mozzarella and oregano), and a 20p potato can be transformed into a substantial meal that would impress your mum. Mac and cheese is well within the cooking ability of the average student – simply make a white sauce, add cheese, cook the pasta and then bake til golden. You can also use up leftover ingredients –

add sandwich ham or bacon for a meaty flavour, sprinkle breadcrumbs from stale bread on top, or get some of your five-a-day by adding any surplus veggies you may have (peppers and broccoli are particularly recommended).

Appetising... ...gourmet enough? If you need a sugar kick then mug cakes can be a dessert fit for a king and capable of quenching any sweet tooth. Only very basic ingredients are needed, and a one-person-portion of cake can be made in under five minutes using only a mug, fork and microwave. Even though as a teenager the kitchen may

sometimes be a scary place, don’t be afraid to experiment. Try new recipes and adventurous flavour combinations to keep your eating habits varied, and when you’re exploring Grainger Market or ravaging the reduced section at Tesco, encourage yourself to pick up new foods. You may find a new food love (like I did with papaya and mango), and if not, at least you won’t have broken the bank in doing so and can finally tick ‘I’ve eaten black pudding!’ off your bucket list! Should you be in the need for quick food inspiration, there are a variety of apps, bloggers and websites out there where you can filter recipes by allergies, what you have in your fridge and how much time you want to spend cooking. Ones ideal for students include Buzzfeed Food on Facebook, Tastemade on Snapchat and the BBC Good Food website, which has an extensive ‘How To’ section and range of quick and easy recipes for even the most inexperienced cooks. And ultimately, it wouldn’t be fair to write an article on ‘fun foolproof freshers food’ without addressing Eat4Less. A chicken and bacon baguette for 99p – can you ever go wrong?

It’s an end of a Brangel-era

Amanda Yap reports on the news that rocked the world and guess what, it’s not Brexit...

orror of Horrors! Hollywood’s supposedly longest reigning couple has failed the test of time! Cue yet another series of heartbreaks. This is for those who have found out about the break up but have been too upset to care about the details.

Angelina Jolie has reportedly filed for a divorce from Brad Pitt after being together since 2005, and being married for 2 years. Latest news updates have confirmed that Brad Pitt has not seen his six children for the past three weeks, “it was the longest he’d ever gone without seeing them”, as Hollywood Life writes. In the presence of a therapist and a DCFS (Department of Children Family Service) monitor on the 12 October 2016, Brad met his children for the first time after three weeks. Brad was reportedly to have been tearfully distraught, trying not to alarm the children by breaking down. With much effort, the actor managed to maintain his calm demeanour and devote a full 90-minutes to entertaining his children while reassuring them

Spotted!

that there is nothing to worry about. However, outsiders are more concerned about what the factors are that caused this earth-shattering split. According to many accounts, this was not a spur-of-the-moment cry for attention and is due to top 3 reasons. The divorce is believed to have been the differences in parenting styles. Angelina Jolie has always been more of the hands-on mother who like to execute creative ways to educate and bond with her children. While Angelina Jolie values quality time, Brad, on the other hand, is the strict disciplinarian of the family, perhaps on the slightly unapproachable and authoritative side. Apart from that, there has been rumours surrounding an aggressive confrontation between Brad Pitt and his eldest son, Maddox, who was trying to intervene his parents’ argument in the private jet.

“There has been rumours surrounding an aggressive confrontation between Brad Pitt and his eldest son, Maddox” News reports states that Brad Pitt who was reputedly drunk used some violence on his son, along with some harsh words. Whether these claims appear to be true, remains to be confirmed since neither party have clarified. Let’s not jump to conclusions in the meantime. The second reason claims to be Angelina’s renewed focus on her health, as The Mirror reports. Since her mastectomy in 2013, Angelina seemingly

spend a large majority of her time on improving her body wellness. Not the life of the party as she once was, Angelina has been said to be very contented to juggle family and health after that health scare. However, Brad continued to be that funloving, easy-go-lucky man he was while courting Angelina Jolie. Did a shift in priorities leave Brad Pitt feeling neglected?

“Brad continued to be that fun-loving, easy go-lucky man he was while courting Angelina Jolie”

Thirdly, another juicy reveal was leaked to the press with regards to the split. Apparently, sources have reported spotting Brad Pitt getting a little too cozy with co-star Marion Cotillard on the set of Allied. Angelina was said to be suspicious to the point that she engaged a private investigator to tail her husband in London while he filmed. This episode might have caused some tension on their relationship, but recently, Marion Cotillard, has stepped forward to dispel any rumours of her being the third party. Daily Mail quoted from a close source, saying that Marion Cotillard and Guillaume Canet are blissfully married with their 5-year-old son, Marcel and that this assumption has undeniably caused some friction in their marriage. The 2005 dramatic love triangle of Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and Jennifer Aniston is never too far away from our minds, so what is to say that Brad’s philandering ways have not yet again surfaced?

Have you seen something weird and then wished your friends were there to witness it? Have you seen a bizarre outfit or plain shifty behaviour? Have youu seen any bizarre things on the metro - any snoozing tube sleepers? We’d love to know who/ what you’ve seen around campus that has made you chuckle in the last week. The weirder the better. Just facebook us and let us know, because chances are we’d love to have a chuckle too. You may not be aware, but this allusive man is probably the most underrated being in the whole existence of Newcastle University. If you have any pains, tension, soreness or actually even if you don’t, I can 100% guarantee he will make you feel so much better. It’s not exactly an hour long full-body job but what this guy can do with a deck-chair in the middle of the Student Union is still pretty damn good. Find him 12-3 on Wednesdays by the vending machines or by the posters (basically just ask reception and they’ll track him down for you.) His name is Wan and he is the Wan and only bae you need to know about this year. Thank me later.

Betty’s Bites! Bettina Cataldi reviews Brown’s Brasserie through the eyes of a new Yorker

s an exchange student from New York, I’ve been searching the city of Newcastle for the best way to become fully acclimatized to English culture. The answer wasn’t freshers’ week, starting uni classes, or a trip to Primark. I realized the one thing that could help me adapt to my new life was simple: food. And so, on Friday afternoon at around 2:30pm, two of my flat mates and I embarked on a journey to Browns Brasserie and Bar on Grey Street. I was determined to fully immerse myself in the local culture by having my first afternoon tea experience. Upon walking into Browns, I was taken aback by the high class décor; chandeliers suspended from the ceiling, lamps on every table, champagne bottles and apples in a basket – it was definitely a change from my afternoon bowl of yogurt and granola eaten in my flat kitchen.

“I was determined to fully immerse myself in the local culture by having my first afternoon tea experience” We made a reservation in advance, which turned out to be unnecessary as Browns had plenty of space and empty tables to cater our hungry stomachs. After being promptly seated by our waitress, we went straight for the afternoon tea menu, which had three options: Traditional Browns Afternoon Tea, A Champagne Afternoon, and A most unusual Afternoon (consisting of gin and tonic in place of tea). We chose the Traditional Browns Afternoon Tea, the most Uni-budget-friendly option, coming in at £12.50. The set menu consisted of home baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, a selection of butter brioche rolls with assorted fillings, and the most tantalizing part of the meal: mini desserts. I, being a New Yorker who refuses to conform to British drink-culture, went for coffee instead of tea.

“I, being aNew Yorker, refuse to conform to British drink culture and went for coffee”

The minute our waitress brought our afternoon food out, my iPhone camera was clicking away at the adorable three-tier platter filled to the brim with bite sized foods. First, we attacked the brioche bun sandwiches. As a vegetarian, I went for the egg & baby watercress sandwich. The brioche bun was absolutely the best part of the sandwich; though the filling was your typical egg salad – nonetheless delicious. Katie and Naomi enjoyed the smoked salmon with chive & lemon cream cheese and chicken & avocado rolls. Next, we went for the scones. They were warm, which is the best quality any baked-carb can take on. However my roommate, from Middleborough, scoffed at my pronunciation of the word scone (apparently you’re not supposed to pronounce the “e” in scone.) Lastly, we rushed towards the most anticipated part of the meal, the mini desserts. They consisted of salted caramel profiteroles, red velvet cake, white chocolate pot, and lemon & Earl Grey tea cake. Each dessert was divine. Although I’m not necessarily a tea girl, the Earl Grey tea cake won Katie, Naomi and I over with it’s soft inside and silky smooth frosting. My stomach is full, my heart is happy,” said Katie Hall. “My overall review: Browns is thoroughly Instagram-able.” Overall, I’d have to agree. I’ll absolutely be returning to Browns; if not for afternoon tea, for whenever I’m feeling the need for a classy

16. fashion

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Fashion Editors: Liz Rosling, Izzi Watkins & Zoﬁa Zwieglinska

‘Yeah, yeah, yeah, she’s a lady’

Love Niche fashion show

Rosemary Macklam reviews how local designer Nisha Vedhara brought her A/W 2016 Rory Ellis and Eleanore Wal- Love Niche catwalk into its glittering glory at the Chandelier Suite of the Assembly Rooms lace review H&M’s Fall video attempting to redeﬁne what it is to be a lady in 2016

tion; I hope that one day all ads will look like this.

“Her one-of-a-kind dresses are designed with women of all sizes, shapes and ages i n mind”

Evening wear (clearly Love Niche’s speciality) was up next. The evening wear ranged from sexy to innocent, with gold pant-suits and long mesh attachments and daring, beaded lace and plunging necklines to the more demure and innocent white A-line dresses, elegant off-the-shoulder gowns in floating, midnight-blue hues and subtle feather trims. Annie Chavez, from the NU Fashion Society said, “There was femininity, grace, movement and originality in the garments. [Vedhara] also gave us some youthful outfits that I wanted to wear!”. Vedhara’s true sense of craftsmanship was exhibited in

a floor length, tailored, blue jacket with numerous panels on the back. It exuded true sophistication and was the piece which cemented the show’s success. If you are looking to buy a staple item for the autumn and winter, check out some of Love Niche’s more everyday wear. Jazmine Nichol, one of the professional models said that Love Niche always offers something “unique” and “comfortable” which is why she keeps returning to model for Vedhara. I spotted my desired piece before the show, in the pop-up shop at the entrance to the event. A dark, camel coloured, suede coat with buckle fastenings and a fur collar. It looked great on the catwalk paired with black skin-tight leggings and matching knee-length fur boots. The highlight of the night though was without a doubt the moment Vedhara brought out some of her most loved clients to walk the runway, wearing bespoke outfits. The previously exhibited professional catwalk show felt almost outdone by the customers and fans who must have felt extraordinarily confident in their bespoke dresses, skirts and jackets. This was the real success of the night. When asked to comment on her collection and her drive, Vedhara, who was busy with her fans, friends and family modestly said, “I simply have a passion for what I do.”

Unlikely style icon: The Queen

or years now, I’ve been somebody who’s loved to wear vintage clothing with classic old-school patterns and quirky prints. There’s just something special about wearing clothes that were a trend in the past, and reinventing them to become new and relevant in today’s culture. One example of this is the re-emergence of Queen Heritage fabrics such as tweed and tartan this autumn. As far as I was concerned, a few years ago tweed and tartan were struggling to make a re-appearance (I figured this out when a friend of mine would stand and play ‘Scotland the Brave’ on his smartphone every time I went out in public wearing them), but today, top celebrities such as the Duchess of Cambridge and Emma Watson seem to be turning the tables when it comes to these classic British fads. So the question can be raised: since these trends were not so long ago considered to be “too bold” and outdated, what is it that has stirred a sudden love for these checked fabrics? Well, tweed is an example of old British country clothing, which was used as informal outerwear and for outdoor activities. Stereotypically worn by farmers and hunters,

Jack Wills Austerberry Blazer £179

42 £ Trousers Peg k Mensy OP Chec TOPSH

Instagram: @_the.british.monarchy_

Jack Wills Pullborough Socks £12.50

it now seems to be the perfect example of formality and sophistication, seen in men’s suit shops as well as on the red carpet amongst A-listers. Perhaps this sudden love for all things tweed has stemmed from our roots, being ‘authentically British’.

“Like tweed, tartan is proving to be a big hit this autumn as bold print trousers are coming into season”

This autumn, the most popular way to apply tweed is with men-styled high-waisted trousers, some of which include Topshop’s Belted Mensy Trousers and Boden’s British Tweed, however, I would suggest investigating vintage clothing stores and pre-owned sites to find a pair which are truly authentic to this Great British style. These are also not so expensive either; Asosmarketplace and Depop are a great place to start. Grab a pair; couple them up with a grandad cardigan, brogues, loafers or an outdoors coat and you’re good to go. Tartan is another funny one, considering the fact that the print was originally used to distinguish

TOPSHOP check kilt £32

9.50

Victoria Young revels over the return of Heritage fabrics favourites this autumn season

leanore: H&M, like most brands, typically boasts an array of tall, slim, symmetrical faced models in their adverts, strutting down a runway, being admired by male on-lookers or posing awkwardly in rooms filled with flowers. However, 2016 is here and despite some obvious setbacks *cough* Donald Trump *cough*, we’d like to believe ‘ladies’ are breaking free from their traditional roles as pretty little accessories to men. That’s what H&M’s advert achieves, rather than objectifying its models and having them do little more than a mannequin does, we see them spread-legged on trains, dancing embarrassingly at karaoke bars and eating fries in bed with their jeans undone. Tom Jones’ ‘She’s a lady’, sung by Lion Babe, plays in the background. With lyrics like ‘she’s the kind I’d like to flaunt’, and ‘she always knows her place’ the 1972 track is undeniably misogynistic, depicting what a ‘lady’ was considered to be in the 70s. H&M juxtaposes this with what a ‘lady’ is, in 2016. The head of a company, a lesbian couple, 72 year old Lauren Hutton looking really grumpy; H&M shows us what women really look like, and not what society dictates. Unlike most body-positive ads, it celebrates not only ‘plus size’ models, but also trans women and women of various ethnicities and ages. Muscles, body hair, afro hair and shaved heads are also honoured. However, I do question the ad’s sincerity and wonder how quickly we’ll go back to the norm. Are H&M simply following a trend or are they truly changing the game to make real women the face of fashion? Regardless, it’s a step in the right direc-

My first thought was that this didn’t really fit with the woodland theme Morris talked of in her introduction and it certainly wasn’t fitting to the season. However, they were all incredibly intricate and thoughtful in their design and offered a real sense of glamour to an ordinary bikini. If worn with a simple jumpsuit or bodycon dress on a cold night out, then I could certainly understand their relevance for the season.

t £7

“It’s a pleasing celebration of this concept, using women of different sizes, sexual orientations, gender identities and races to subvert the evidently outdated 19th century word ‘ladylike”

mpowering women with confidence and poise was the ultimate aim of designer Nisha Vedhara with her AW16 collection, which she unveiled on Friday night. Located in the grand Chandelier Suite of the Assembly Rooms in the heart of Newcastle, the Georgian, ornate ceilings and the buzz from her family and friends ensured it was a night of elegance and passion. Vedhara, owner of Love Niche, grew up around her Mother’s fashion studio in Delhi, India. She then studied at the London College of Fashion and worked as a personal shopper before launching Love Niche and opening up the Love Niche boutique in Newcastle. As noted on her website, her intentions lie in selling women self-esteem, selfawareness and a new lease of life. Her one-of-akind dresses are designed with women of all sizes, shapes and ages in mind. She also offers a madeto-measure service to give women the chance to enhance and strengthen a woman’s inherent style. The show’s organiser, Alex Morris, spoke in her introductory speech of the intrinsic style everyone has. “Fashion is what you buy and style is what you do with it.” It was clear that Love Niche wanted to celebrate everyone’s exclusive style by providing designs that exude their own sense of flair. The show kicked off with sparkly kaftans, floral head-dresses and images of white, sandy beaches.

Bod en T wee dM inis kir

ory: I had mixed feelings about the new H&M advert. I’d asked my female friend’s friends about the short clip before writing this and on the whole, they liked the premise. Despite H&M’s recent PR failure with clothes sizing’s and assumptions that the advert was an attempt to regain customers, it still functioned as an entertaining and meaningful advert that showcased a great deal of variety and made certain success in expanding views of female models. It’s a pleasing celebration of this concept, using women of different sizes, sexual orientations, gender identities and races to subvert the evidently outdated 19th century word ‘ladylike’. However, the advert does, in places, fall victim to the traditional shortcomings of the fashion industry. All of the women chosen for the advertisement are goodlooking. I’m fairly sure there is nothing abnormal about the gorgeous frizzy haired woman picking something from her teeth, or the beautiful and expressively dressed lady dancing by herself in a karaoke bar. While it was refreshing to hear the lyrics of Tom Jones’ ‘she’s a lady’ repossessed by Lion Babe celebrating women in a way that is not totally objectifying, the soundtrack was belied somewhat by the use of beautiful models, albeit unconventional, but beautiful none the less. The advert held back from showing the real women, plus size in the ‘wrong way’, lacking inclusion of deformities and such that don’t usually make it into the world of fashion. Though the advert is a step forward for the acceptance of diversity, I felt it had been undermined a little by its overt political drive and a lack of tenacity to push the boundaries even further. And unfortunately, I was left with the sense that this clever and beautiful video was the work of a company with business motives at the heart.

TOPSHOP Fate Brogues £35

between clans in the highlands of Scotland! Like tweed, tartan is proving to be a big hit this autumn as bold print trousers are coming into season. Even more so are the tartan scarf, traditional kilt-skirt and pinafore dress, offering the perfect combination of bold print and traditional schoolgirl, both of which are currently trending on social media sites such as Pinterest. Jack Wills is one of the current pioneers in classic British country clothing and is stocking a range of tartan pinafores, scarfs and skirts. However, more authentic ones can be found in vintage clothing stores and pre-owned websites – you never know, you may even be able to find some brought straight from Scotland. Pair tartan with white shirts, knitted jumpers or a satchel bag for a smart and organic look this autumn. Regardless of the price, place or item of clothing, without a doubt it’s evident that tartan and tweed are back. Finally I can roam the streets with pride wearing my quirky checkered trousers and fully embrace my love for both British history and fashion culture.

The Courier

fashion .17

Monday 24 October 2016

thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion

Give your tech some TLC Nicola Bennell hunts down the highstreet’s coolest current covers of the Fall Designer divas

Monochrome is the new black

As fashion experts, we are all about designers. In the phone case market, Ted Baker has taken over the spotlight with his new AW16 collection of iPhone cases. His designs are chic and simply flawless, particularly this floral case with a metallic bronze interior. Its folded style protects your screen and even offers you a mirror inside for all you beauty queens. Ted Baker has a wide variety of similar designs and styles. If you’re a designer diva or a pretty

These stunning sleek phone cases are all the range for fashion and beauty bloggers. H. A. Designs create beautiful phone cases in a range of styles, including their signature marble texture effect. And the best part is… you can personalise them! Enter your initials just before you order and they will be printed onto the back of your phone case! Gone are the days of phone mix-ups when you’re hanging out with your friends. H. A. Designs hadesignsltd.com £20

in pink princess, this case is perfect for you. Ted Baker tedbaker.com, £35

90’s baby

Essentials for a selfie Queen

In a student world of Adidas, French braids, and puffa jacket-wearing cool kids, sometimes you just want to be a bit different. If you’re creative and have a love of all things cute and funky Urban Outfitters has the answer to your phone case woes! This pink fluffy google-eyed case definitely stands out from the crowd and is a great conversation starter. It’s also perfect if you’re really into Kawaii fashion or nostalgic trends- its giving us some serious 90s vibes! Urban Outfitters urbanoutfitters.com £16

Perfect minimalism If you like to keep things simple and classy, this silicone apple iPhone case is perfect for you. It comes in a range of different colours with the apple logo on the back. These cases are almost invincible, as the silicone will ensure your phone bounces if you drop it! So if you can get a little clumsy on a night in the Toon, this case is definitely worth the investment! Apple, apple.com £39

Are you addicted to selfies? Have you always struggled to find that perfect lighting? Well worry no more because this light up phone case will give your selfies that Kim K glow (unfortunately no guarantees on you finding your Yeezy though!) This case will however take your Snapchat story to a whole new level; lighting this good doesn’t even need a dog filter! Luckily the case is pretty fab looking too, its available from lumee.com but is also sold in Urban Outfitters, Selfridges and Amazon. LuMee lumee.com £50

The Courier meets Sophie Gradon Our Fashion Editor Liz Rosling meets with former Miss Newcastle and Love Island contestant and talks fashion, ﬁtness and female empowerment in an exclusive interview

instagram: @loveisland

1. 2. 3. 1.Black Satin Jumpsuit £32 2. Grey Flower Embroidered Loungewear Set £28.99 3. Black Sparkly Bodycon Dress £45

irstly, thank you so much for taking the time to do this interview. It’s been a few months since we last saw you on ITV’s Love Island. How have things been since leaving the villa? Absolutely mental! I didn’t imagine how big the show would be and after coming out it took me by surprise how many people loved it! It’s been weird being recognised in the street but it’s cool. I love meeting new people This isn’t the first time you’ve been in the spotlight, winning both Miss Newcastle and Miss Great Britain in 2009! Can you tell us a bit about that? S: Miss Newcastle was the best, I loved winning that because it was such a great night. Tup Tup sponsored me and it felt good to win for them too! Miss GB was a fantastic opportunity, I couldn’t believe that I won that. In all honestly I actually didn’t understand why I won it as I thought there were much prettier girls in the competition & I didn’t stand a chance. Regardless, it was a great experience!!! So would you say the pageant world is closely linked to the world of fashion? S: Pageantry is all about looking good I guess, so yes I’d say the two were linked Everyone would agree in saying that you looked incredible during Love Island! Has health and fitness always been important to you? S: Exercising is always important to me because I suffer from really bad anxiety and at times have suffered with depression. When I move & keep active it really helps lift me & keeps me feeling productive. I also work out so I can eat what I want, as I love food! What advice could you give to our readers regarding staying in shape? S: Try to exercise at least 3 times a week, but I believe in every thing in balance! Work out, but don’t forget to treat yourself. We know you have your own clothing range on thefashionbible.co.uk, have you always been interested in fashion? S: Yes, fashion is important to me, looking & feel-

ing good in what you’re wearing is important. Fashion is powerful, it can define you! What are your current favourite pieces from the collection? S: My 3rd lot is going live next week (17th Oct) lots of sexy dresses.... but this time I wanted to introduce a more casual range so have chosen lots of cosy jumpers and velvet track suits. Everything is super affordable too! Summarise your style for us? S: Day to day I like simplicity. I don’t like to over do things. Unless it’s a special occasion!

“Looking and feeling good in what you’re wearing is important”

What would you say you spend the most amount of money on: clothes, accessories, underwear, or anything else? S: Food. Definitely food. Did I mention I love food? Can you name us a couple of places you love to shop? S: I adore Zara & River Island. Newcastle is renowned for its nightlife. How do you best like to dress for a boozy night out on the Toon? S: Sometimes I end up going out in my sneaks, some times I get dolled up. Everyone loves a bandage dress here don’t they? Being born and raised a Geordie, can you recommend any of the city’s hidden gems? S: Tokyo has to be one of my favourite bars, I love the upstairs part as half of it is open air. The DJ’s are always on point, spinning house classics on vinyl. It’s just a top atmosphere. Finally, can you leave us with a few style and fashion tips of your own? S: Simplicity is something I like to live buy. I don’t like to over do things. I dress for my figure. There are some things that I see on other women that I would love to be able to wear but because I have a larger bust and hips some things don’t always work! Know what works for you.

Revival of ‘ugly’ trends Molly Macnamara explores the growing designer interest in the revival of the fashion trend blacklist

s this season’s Fashion Weeks surpass us we are left with the sweet aftertaste of fresh trends and subliminal streams of new designers emerging from behind the curtains. However, it’s not all bright young things and photographic flashes- this year, there has been a multitude of ‘niche’ trends revisiting the catwalks of London. In particular, Christopher Kane divided opinion with a move no one saw coming. Whilst perfectly capturing the whole ‘pretty with a smidge of edge’ aesthetic on his catwalk, he raised the metaphorical bar and adorned his models with the so-called ultimate ‘ugly’ shoe, Crocs, promoting a sea of backlash and comments. Vogue recently did a poll in which the results demonstrated that 70% of readers would not wear Crocs. Despite this the predominant question on my instagram: @glossips mind is would the fashion forward wear Christopher Kane Crocs? Who doesn’t want to be part of his quirky, cool brand even if a shoe that squashes femininity so far into the catwalk it ceases to exist is swallowing your feet? Kane exercises his natural skill by transforming this clinical everyday shoe into futuristic rock-embellished slip-ons. This ‘ugly-turned-fashionable’ revolution causes me to beg the question, what is style? Why is it that crocs, shoes that were once your childhood cast-offs, are now not just an acceptable commodity, but a fashionable one as well? Pool sliders followed the same rise to fame, before Cristopher Kane sent an army of models down the runway wearing interesting yet simplistic metallic sliders. These shoes were mere plastic, which only graced the feet of middleaged men who had nothing better to do then tend to their pools while a barbecue sizzled in the corner. Surely middle-aged men wearing sliders isn’t stylish?

“This ‘ugly-turned-fashionable’ revolution causes me to beg the question, what is style?”

Another designer who was most likely prepared for a fashion tongue-lashing was our beloved Brit Henry Holland. His models exploded onto the runway covered in head to toe gingham. This fabric has surely only featured in the wildest of rodeos dreams. I definitely won’t be donning an outburst of pastel gingham for my next supermarket dropin. So why are we so set on classifying these obscure trends as stylistic expression, and why is that as soon as a designer promotes something ‘ugly’ as cool it will undoubtedly become a trend? Maybe this says more about us as slaves to fashion, rather than the taste of the designer, who intentionally provokes his followers into redefining style. We will still consider wearing the ugliest shoes on the planet if it is considered a trend regardless of how stylish it is. The definition of style is a distinctive appearance, typically determined by the principles according to which something is designed. Yet most fashion followers would argue that there are no set principles, and that the likes of Christopher Kane and Henry Holland don’t follow the rules and create great fashion as a result. They twist the obviously ugly until it becomes acceptable as fashion by us- mere morinstagram: @houseofholland tals. All of these examples have shown me that really anything is acceptable, there is no ‘ugly’ when t here are trends, style is wearing whatever you want and just simply owning it!

18. beauty

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Beauty Editors: Miranda Stoner, Ellie Trent & Ellen Walker

Confessions of a beautyholic

Laura Greatrix shares her experiences as a beauty addict

Winter month warmers As the days get colder and the nights increasingly darker, Sally Mu discusses how to achieve warm make-up tones to get you through the long winter months “Warming up your eye-look with copper or trending toffee toned eyeshadow will really make your eyes pop”

eing both a student and beauty addict creates a permanent and serious dilemma - food or makeup? As everyone with a makeup obsession knows, cosmetics will always win over groceries. Even if it means living off smart-price pasta and ketchup, at least when you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the value baked bean can lid those eyebrows are on fleek. You will often hear beauty addicts complaining about having no money, however cash magically appears when they’re ‘accidentally’ buying three new almost sold-out, limited edition lipsticks. Anyway if you don’t look at your bank balance it stays the same, right? For beauty addicts there is no such thing as too many products, you have makeup, skincare and hairstyling products all vying for space on your dresser and are always searching for new ways to store and display your beautiful purchases. The rule is when you run out of space you never throw away what looks to the untrained eye like 15 of the same colour lipstick, instead you create more space- build a new shelf, throw out a text book or two, you get the picture. A true beauty addict can explain the difference between every single one of the colours in their rouge collection: pillar-box red to cherry, matte finish to moisturising. Having so many beauty products gives us the joy of choice when getting ready in the morning. Christmas and other seasonal periods are especially exciting as every brand bombards us with innovative releases, making us particularly spoilt for choice. Our Christmas and birthday wish lists are full of expensive makeup and skincare products that we’re desperate to own, but our loan won’t quite stretch to. As a beauty addict, I live for new product releases, counting down the days until I can get my hands on Urban Decay’s latest Naked Palette or NYX’s newest lip colours. Choosing between two different products is always difficult - so usually I end up buying both!

“Cosmetics will always win over groceries”

Beauty addicts are inevitably going to know the layout of their local Boots, Superdrug and cosmetic counters as we spend most of our free time browsing the shelves for new products and offers - we’re there so frequently we’re on first name terms with many of the shop assistants! Even in other cities, us beauty addicts find it almost impossible not to check out the Boots or Superdrug, just to check for brands we don’t find in our local beauty haven. Beauty addicts don’t need to tell people about this particular trait we have - our obsession with all things beauty related is well known to our friends, family and acquaintances. We can talk about makeup, skincare and hair styling for days, and we rejoice when we meet another person who is as passionate about beauty as we are! I spend countless hours trailing the internet for gorgeous makeup tutorials, exciting new products, and handy tricks of the trade. Beauty addicts will try any bizarre beauty fad we find, just to see if it does what it claims to do (or if it will save us some money!) As recommended by NikkieTutorials, I’ve recently been using Nivea Men Post Shave Balm as a primer - it works as well as any other primer but for a fraction of the price!

Image: @lisaeldridgemakeup on Instagram

Image: @makeupgeekcosmetics on Instagram

’m definitely for the ultra-flattering warm toned make-up trend, with its surprising wearability and versatility that suits every skin tone.

Keeping up the strong trend by having sunkissed glowing skin with a bronzer as your secret weapon to make yourself look super-healthy and radiant. It’s also great for lifting up your entire complexion and giving it a vibrant edge. Also, amp up your gold-toned highlighter for a lit-from-within sheen—this is the easiest way to look dewy and to distract from dark circles. Warming up your eye-look with coppery or trending toffee toned eyeshadow will really make your eyes pop. For a softer effect, try reaching for

“Seasons change and it’s important to change your make-up accordingly to stay on trend with the latest looks”

“Whatever your current mood, you can find the perfect shade that works best for you”

With hues ranging from rose-gold, peach cookies to warm browns, it’s all about offering plumping and texturising possibilities to the skin and creating an effortless perky look. The trend is so popular that it’s inspired countless tutorials and you can never go wrong with it. Whatever your current mood, you can find the perfect shade that works best for you.

Image: @shellyg.lifestyle on Instagram

shades with a hint of rose or peach which instantly brighten the eyes and flatter all skin tones.

To rock statement eyes and reflect the lights, dab a smidgen of shimmery gold over the lids to make the eyes sparkle; this can create either a toned-down look or can make an impressionable yet conservative statement appearance. Seasons change and it’s important to change your make-up accordingly to stay on trend with the latest looks. Image: @plouise_makeup_academy on Instagram

Kylie Jenner’s lip kit blues

Erin Cassidy gives her opinion on Kylie Jenner as an inﬂuential ﬁgure in the beauty world after the release of her blue kip kits that push beauty boundaries

here is no doubt that Kylie Jenner is leading the way in the beauty world; from the ‘Kylie Jenner challenge’ voluptuous lips craze to her now hugely successful cosmetics range. Although she offers an abundance of natural and bold shades, Kylie is breaking the boundaries through the release of her blue shades named ‘Skylie’ and ‘Freedom’. The only question is does she really expect the rest of us to want to draw as much attention to ourselves as she does? I must admit that the bright blue ‘Skylie’ shade patriotically inspired by the Fourth of July, like the name suggests, is a bright sky blue colour, which is perfect if you want to take an edgy Instagram picture. However as soon as you step out the front door that cool instantly converts to cringe. Everyone knows by now that Instagram isn’t real life and neither is wearing sky blue hues in a lecture hall or supermarket or even on a night out, for most people. The blue colours offer a real opportunity for people to experiment with their look: after all that is what a lot of people believe beauty should be about , a chance to express yourself; wearable art. From my experience though, many girls want to use makeup as a tool to extenuate their natural beauty, using beauty products for beauty sake. Jenner’s blue tones are to me more about making a statement. Obviously some girls will be able to pull this off flawlessly: those who already have perfectly proportioned features and an edgy sense of style, however this is a minority. Unless we all and pay for plastic surgery we will never look as good as Kylie. Those who believe that they can naturally pull any look off the way Kylie seems to might love her for bringing something different to her brand The rest of us might think we will look like we are trying to channel our inner avatar; perfect for Halloween perhaps. I think Kylie is clearly trying to stay ahead in the beauty world, knowing that whatever she does, others will follow. She is influential enough to take risks like this, being her brand’s biggest ambassa-

dor. In 2015 The Kylie Jenner Challenge sparked huge controversy and interest as millions of fans started to use extreme measures to achieve swollen lips in order to look like Kylie after she had plastic surgery. Much like her public persona, the way she (and her family) have managed to stay relevant is by constantly reinventing her image. She has constantly found different and edgier ways to present herself, and the same is happening with her cosmetics.

“The bold colours could only work for the most daring of beauty enthusiasts”

Kylie’s blue shades, for the most part aren’t wearable. The bold colours could only work for the most daring of beauty enthusiasts. Like Kylie, these people want to show that they can pull off the edgiest and boldest looks and still looking good. Either way I would recommend if you want to turn heads. If you’re looking for an effortless look, I would keep on looking.

Image: @kyliejenner on Instagram

Being both a student and beauty addict creates a permanent and serious dilemma - food or makeup? As everyone with a makeup obsession knows, cosmetics will always win over groceries. Even if it means living off smart-price pasta and ketchup, at least when you catch a glimpse of your reflection in the value baked bean can lid those eyebrows are on fleek. You will often hear beauty addicts complaining about having no money, however cash magically appears when they’re ‘accidentally’ buying three new almost sold-out, limited edition lipsticks. Anyway if you don’t look at your bank balance it stays the same, right? For beauty addicts there is no such thing as too many products, you have makeup, skincare and hairstyling products all vying for space on your dresser and are always searching for new ways to store and display your beautiful purchases. The rule is when you run out of space you never throw away what looks to the untrained eye like 15 of the same colour lipstick, instead you create more space- build a new shelf, throw out a text book or two, you get the picture. A true beauty addict can explain the difference between every single one of the colours in their rouge collection: pillar-box red to cherry, matte finish to moisturising. Having so many beauty products gives us the joy of choice when getting ready in the morning. Beauty addicts don’t need to tell people about this particular trait we have; we can talk about makeup, skincare and hair styling for days, and we rejoice when we meet another person who is as passionate about beauty as we are! I spend countless hours trailing the internet for gorgeous makeup tutorials, exciting new products, and handy tricks of the trade. Beauty addicts will try any bizarre beauty fad we find, just to see if it does what it claims to do As recommended by NikkieTutorials, I’ve recently been using Nivea Men Post Shave Balm as a primer - it works as well as any other primer but for a fraction of the price!

The Courier

beauty .19

Monday 24 October 2016

thecourieronline.co.uk/beauty Instagram @courier_beauty | Twitter @CourierBeauty

To shave or not to shave?

Helena Buchanan shares her thoughts on society’s real obsession with female body hair

have abundant and lengthy arm hair. My sisters do not share this trait. It is not one I would have naturally developed had I not, as a child, tried to cut off this hair with paper scissors, thus encouraging it to grow. I now take a very different stance on shaving- the hair on my legs and armpits is removed sporadically with whatever crappy razor is to hand on a ‘when I feel the urge’ basis. My bush (an apt term) receives an even less frequent and thorough trim. This information is often met with repulsion: people think it ‘gross’, ‘untidy’, ‘unhygienic’.

“We are promised that the ‘femininity’ and ‘beauty’ that they sell will enrich our lives with its side of achievement, wealth and happiness”

The idea that leaving one’s pubic hair alone is unhygienic is an increasingly common misconception. Pubic hair is “a natural barrier” against “viruses and bacteria” and also helps to “control the moisture of that area, decreasing the chances of yeast infections” (Dr Vanessa Mackay). Why, therefore, do we partake in expensive, time-consuming and uncomfortable rituals in pursuit of this pre-pubescent ideal which is detrimental to our health? Like most of the illogical ideals concerning female beauty and health (the former, as ever, preceding the latter) one can, with ease, point the finger at capitalism. We are presented with an aspiration- the women we see across advertisement who are (besides other unattainable attributes of magical fairy beings) hairless. We are promised that the ‘femininity’ and ‘beauty’ they sell will en-

Image: @happilyhirsute on Instagram

rich our lives with its side of achievement, wealth, happiness. Once set this goal we desperately strive to achieve: feeding the capitalist beast purchasing razors, booking waxes, buying creams. Why do I need to buy my ‘femininity’? Indeed why need I be ‘feminine’? The idea that women must be pure, untainted beings permeates our history and our everyday lives. It now invades this most intimate space. To create an ideal, however, there must be a standard or something to go against. Thus when sex became a public rather than a private act and there was a more beautiful, more flexible, more groomed woman to be compared to an ideal was set. The rise of pornography saw the rise of female grooming largely for ‘lighting’ purposes: penetration is somewhat more visible when not hidden in a bush. So my poor six-year-old self was pursuing that porn star look… Like all ideas of beauty we are attracted to what we are used to. What we have become used to is the photo-shopped woman- the long, lithe, usually white woman buffed and primed to perfection, her hairlessness an assumed and unquestioned prerequisite. It is faintly alarming that the women in the shaving adverts begin hairless. I’m not sure I’d trust a razor which removes hair from hairless skin. These ideas have become so ingrained in our collective psyche that one cannot be condemned for abiding by the trope. As ever the question of ‘whether we all should…’ is best answered by reframing the question. There are no blanket rules for womanhood; there is more than one way to be a woman- it is entirely up to you. All one can do is not follow blind, always ask whether this is what you want, hairless or full, do what makes you feel good. Do not do it for a man, the man or another woman but for you. Everyone else can fuck off.

A recipe pore perfection

Rachel Priestley shares her favourite face-mask recipes for great glowing skin

reshers may feel like a lifetime ago, but your skin may still be recovering! Take some time out from that hefty reading list and give your skin some TLC, whilst sticking to that all important student budget to make sure your skin is feeling fresh (even if you’re still a little hungover). You will probably find most of these ingredients kicking about in your fridge. However, if you are still feeling the absence of your mum’s chock-full fridge at home then all of these ingredients will be easy to find and definitely won’t break the bank. Let’s be honest, it’s important to save money for your nights out. Here are some homemade recipes, full of antioxidants and all that good stuff to keep your skin healthy and happy to make the first few weeks at university just that little bit better.

Avocad-abra As well as tasting good with literally everything the avocado has long been known for its positive effects on the human body for fighting dry, dull skin and other problems. Avocado face masks are believed to offer anti-oxidant and moisturizing properties, meaning they are largely recommended by many. What you’ll need: 1 tablespoon mashed avocado 1 teaspoon olive oil 1 teaspoon fresh orange juice What to do: Mash the avocado in a bowl and then add in the oil and the orange juice. Mix the ingredients together until they form a smooth paste. Apply to your face whilst avoiding sensitive areas and leave on for 15 minutes then finish off by rinsing your face with lukewarm water.

Banana drama A wonderful tropical face mask, designed for all skin types, especially during the change of season. Does wonders to your skin to help with the colder months approaching. What you’ll need: Half a banana One tablespoon of orange juice One tablespoon of honey What to do: Mash the banana and then mix in the orange juice and honey. Apply to the face and keep the mixture on for 15 minutes, then rinse with lukewarm water and moisturize. Say hello to smooth,

All day breakfast Complete with the perfect protein and whole grains of your favourite breakfast, this wonderful face mask is the perfect way to give your face an organic healthy glow in little time, as well as little money. What you’ll need: 1 egg yolk A tablespoon of honey A tablespoon of olive oil Half a cup of oatmeal What to do: Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and apply to the face for 15-20 minutes. Once the mixture has been on for the alloted time then rise with luke warm water.

Egg-squisite skin This wonderful mask is very effective in getting rid of excess face oils in an all-natural solution for treating oily skin as well treating acne. The proteins in the egg whites are also known to improve skin tone and elasticity, to improve the all round look of your skin. What you’ll need: 1 egg white 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice ½ teaspoon of honey What to do: Whisk together the egg white and lemon juice until the mixture becomes frothy. Add ½ teaspoon of honey and stir well. Apply the mixture onto your face and keep the mask on for 1015 minutes. When the mixture has completely dried on your face, gently scrub it off using warm water, tackling all areas of your face in a circular motion. Pat dry with a towel and enjoy your skins new radiance! together until they form a smooth paste. Apply to your face whilst avoiding sensitive areas and leave on for 15 minutes then finish off by rinsing

Let us know... Let your trusty pageturner know how you got on using our homemade face masks. Head down to your local, grab yourself some ingrediants and whack ‘em on ya mush! Tag us on Instagram (@courier_beauty) or email us your before and afters!

An evening at LUSH

Editor Jade Holroyd visits Lush Cosmetics with Give It A Go

was luck enough to go along to Lush last Thursday with Give It A Go. I spent the evening learning about Lush cosmetics and I even got to make a couple very delicious smelling bath bombs. My Lush experience began with a tour around the store given by one of the employees. I’ll admit that at first I was a bit unsure as to how much I would enjoy the tour because I didn’t really fancy listening to somebody reeling off a list of facts at me. However as soon as our shop tour guide started speaking, it was obvious that he’d given the tour a ton of times before and he was really aware of what the group would find interesting. The tour covered the entirety of the store and included a brief history of the company. Learning about Lush’s policies was eye-opening and I think what they stand for really adds values to their products. I think the Lush belief in buying ingredients only from companies that do not conduct or commission tests on animals is commendable and I think it’s important that people are aware of this, especially in today’s contemporary society. There are always new stories popping up about cosmetic companies testing on animals so I think it’s a testament to Lush that the company are so active in the campaign against cosmetics animal testing.

“Although I’ve never really shopped at Lush before, after spending an evening there, I think I’m going to become a Lush regular ” After the tour we had a go at making our own bath bombs following the lead of another of the employees at Lush. The girl leading the session talked us through the process step-by-step and to say it was my first time making any sort of beauty product, I was pretty impressed with how my two bath bombs turned out. At Lush their most popular product is the bath bomb, all of which are handmade, and it’s crazy to think how much time and effort goes into each one. With this said, when you look at the range of bath bombs available, it’s clear that a lot of care is taken when they are made. Although I’ve never really shopped at Lush before, after spending an evening there, I think I’m going to become a Lush regular. I’ve always known that Lush stock a variety of different products but I had completely underestimated the sheer scale of the ranges available. I ended up buying a couple of the hair treatments after hearing about them during the tour and my hair has felt great ever since. I really enjoyed my evening and I can’t wait to test out the products I made - it’s just a shame I’ll have to wait until I go home at Christmas when I actually have a bath! Give It A Go organise regular visits to Lush and I’d definitely recommend booking a place on this particular activity if you’re into your beauty products. Check out the Give It A Go list of upcoming events at: nusu.co.uk/getinvolved/giveitago.

20. arts feature Arts Editors: Meg Holtom, Jonathan Hastings, Tamsin Rees

LUKE ACTON for Modern Art

he most common line against modern art is that it’s pretentious, and a lot of it is. Damien Hurst is a fucking parasite, but anyone that labels a whole medium, genre or mode ‘worthless’ isn’t paying attention. It is elitist, yes, and I hate that, but that is a function of capitalism, not the art itself. Art stopped having to be representative of what we saw when photographs were invented. Although photography is itself an art and a lot of art in the category is ‘modern’, the mechanics of it, the availability of the technology, meant that not just the rich could get images of themselves made. Photography freed all other mediums from the burden of representation and now can do what they want. Whether it is good or bad is up to you, and is a matter of quality so can’t really be answered here.

“Damien Hurst is a fucking parasite”

The freedom that this begets means that people can explore big, conceptual, abstract and ineffable things, because the form of expression does affect the expression. We can say things with these new modes that we wouldn’t be able to express otherwise. All the things that the art critics and theorists say cannot encompass all of the things that some bricks on the floor or blue cut-outs can say if you engage with it. And you can because I regularly go and stare at some red squares on some darker red squares for forty minutes or more and it does something to my brain that nothing else can. It’s not like exercise or straining to think of something that is difficult to grasp, it is a type of intellectual and emotional engagement that you can’t get in any other way.

Monday 24 October 2016

Turner Prize 2016

Kitty Marie gives us the low down on the Turner Prize and explains what the fuss is about

ormed in 1984 by Patrons of New Art, the Turner Prize was established to influence greater interest in contemporary art. The prize (named after the nineteenth century British artist, J.M.W. Turner, who was controversial, innovative and wanted to establish an award for young artists) is awarded to artists under the age of 50. Firstly, four nominees are shortlisted, and their art is exhibited at Tate Britain. The artists are chosen based on the exhibitions they presented over the previous year. This year, we are presented with another four nominees for this coveted award: Michael Dean, Anthea Hamilton, Helen Marten, and Josephine Pryde. Since the prize is awarded to those under the age of 50, it is not an award for ‘lifetime achievement’. Instead, it is awarded for the quality of the artist’s work, and not just based on their popularity of the artist themselves. Furthermore, the prize doesn’t just showcase great art: it showcases, and stands for, the great cities that are exhibiting the artist’s installation, all in the UK. Over the years, the Turner Prize has been hosted at Tate Liverpool in 2007, and even at our very own Baltic at Gateshead in 2011. Newcastle has always been well known by our locals for its diverse, independent, artistic, culture. As well as receiving nationwide and international

ANTHEA HAMILTON Portrait of Anthea Hamilton Photo by Lewis Ronald

acclaim. The Turner Prize staples the North-East

Installation view of Sic Glyphs, 2016, South London Gallery. Image courtesy Michael Dean, Herald St, London, Mendes Wood DM, Sao Paulo, Supportico Lopez, Berlin. Photo: Andy Keate

MICHAEL DEAN

“The significance of putting this large sum of money into pennies shows the desperate measures many have to go to be able to afford to survive” Dean’s exhibition ‘The Work’ portrays his clearly strong thoughts and ideologies to do with the poverty line. Currently the poverty line (which is the amount of money the govern-

ment states is the minimum that two adults and two children need to survive for a year in the UK) stands at £20,436. Dean takes this idea and transforms it into a powerful image by placing before you a mound of pennies, which its total amounts to one penny below the poverty line. For me, this is Dean’s way of portraying the continually growing economic hardship we as a society are facing; with the pressure of keeping up with the latest trends, causing the expense of living to continually rise. The significance of putting this large sum of money into pennies shows the desperate measures many have to go to be able to afford to survive: counting up the most insignificant amount of money we have, which as a society we tend not to value. However, some may view Dean’s work in a more light-hearted tone, saying he is simply teaching the Asda motto that ‘every little helps’. The way you can view art in many different ways depending on your personal stance is one of its many beauties and from this emotive, powerful and exciting work, you can clearly see why Dean has been shortlisted. He certainly would get my vote! Krissa Ford

on the map, not only because of the prize’s previous position in the UK, but because of Newcastle born artists, Michael Dean, has even been shortlisted to feature at the Tate. The public are open to few these exhibitions for three weeks in May, to view the art and nominate their favourite artist to be awarded the Turner Prize. The results are then counted and the nominations are then announced in July. The prize (at present, the prize sum is £40,000: £25,000 of this goes to the overall winner, and £5,000 goes to each of the three runners-up), has been presented by fellow artists and celebrities over previous years, including Damien Hirst (in 1995), Yoko Ono (in 2006), and Jude Law (in 2012). The continuation of the prize relies heavily upon sponsorship from galleries, commissioners, as well as, in part, from the medias’ involvement; previous sponsors have included Drexel Burnharm Lambert, Channel 4, and Gordon’s Gin. Not only does the Tuner Prize exhibit young, relatively unknown artists’ works, but it also provokes debate about art. Many would argue this is essential within our culture as it demonstrates the different ideologies and progressive nature of our artists’, and the lifestyles that surround them – the

JOSEPHINE PRYDE

osephine Pryde’s Turner Prize entry is comprised of three sections. First is a train tagged by graffiti artists of the cities where it has previously been displayed where it ran along tracks in the galleries. At the Tate, however, it is static. Some have accused the Tate of restricting the artists with health and safety restraints. This claim has been denied with the insistence that the stasis is for artistic purposes, to illustrate that the train has come to rest at the Tate. Around the walls are a series of photographs, of hands touching objects focussing on the point where they meet. Though the works are reminiscent of advertisements or commercial images the sense of tactility is tangible. One is forced to consider the moment of touch as well as to examine the gestures.

ichael Dean, at the age of 39, has been shortlisted for this year’s Turner Prize. The Newcastle born and bred artist, who is currently living and working in London, has a unique way of creating his art by writing before he crafts. The words he scribes on the page, he later transforms into a visual parallel where he moulds his ideas into a physical form. The reason I personally believe his art to be so extraordinary is in the way he crafts his work using recognisable objects which we see in everyday life, such as concrete and soil. In doing this, he portrays a sense of realism, connecting a contemporary audience to his works.

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exposing objects to sunlight in various locations. These works combine to give a sense of distance, through both space and time. The train is an obvious indicator of this, emphasised by the cross-continental graffiti. The sense of wear in the sculptures from their exposure to the sun give a feeling of age while we are reminded that they too have travelled to various locations, adding distance as well as time.

“Exposing objects to sunlight [...] give a sense of distance, through both space and time”

“The works are reminiscent of advertisements or commercial images, the sense of tactility is tangible”

The photographs, in contrast, give a sense of proximity perhaps highlighting, perhaps contradicting the distance in the others. They are closely cropped and focus on small areas of the body. One is also forced to consider the curiously intimate moment of touch by the way the hands handle the objects. The objects themselves are arbitrary ranging from driftwood to tablets. The versatility of her thought provoking works make Pryde the best candidate for the prize.

There are also a series of sculptures, created by

Helena Buchanan

Installation view lapses in Thinking By the person i Am, 2015, Wattis Institute for Contemporary Arts, San Francisco. Image courtesy of Josephine Pryde. Photo: Johnna Arnold

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Monday 24 October 2016

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Pan-analysts: the diversity prize goes to?

Errol Kerr investigates the Turner Prize panel and it’s current representation

aving looked into the members of the individuals that make up the Turner Prize panel, I came to the conclusion that whilst it’s a decent step forward - the independent panel does indeed have three women on the five-individual board – which is, of course, a huge step in the right direction – or so it would seem. Once you start digging into it all, however, these steps seem to fall apart very quickly. All five of these panel members are white, and one position is always given to the director of Tate Britain. This position is currently held by a Mr. Alex Farquharson, which means that there’s currently a guaranteed position for a male there. This wouldn’t be significant, but the role of Director of Tate Britain has been male apart from one individual. The only female to hold the role of Director of Tate

Britain, Penelope Curtis, resigned from her position in 2010 after facing criticism from the wider art world, and facing mass calls to resign. This is something that none of her male peers in the position had – or currently have – faced. Looking beyond the panel, it only seems to get worse. Not one person of colour has won the Turner Prize since 1999. By Steve McQueen. Yes, the director of Twelve Years a Slave, That Steve McQueen. There’s been only one all-female shortlist, and that was in 1997. Finding people of colour who have been nominated for the Turner prize is like trying to find a blade of hay in a needlestack. This goes well beyond panel positions, this is a problem directly inherent with the elite arts, and especially with UK elite arts. There’s a consistent problem with the Turner

Prize being this celebration of elitism within the arts – look for example at Ciara Phillips in 2014, such a remarkable artist within the exhibition – with very little chance at success, due to her career as a printmaker. Women don’t win the Turner Prize. As much as it is great that women judge the Turner Prize, there’s still this “male artist” and “female artist” issue. Six women have won the Turner Prize. Twenty-four men have won the Turner Prize. Women aren’t inherently worse at art than men are, therefore there’s definitely an issue that’s a hell of a lot bigge. So, do three women on a panel fix the clearly noticeable sexism and racism amongst the elite of the western art world? God, no. We need more than a few names on a temporary panel to change that.

MICHAEL DEAN

JOSEPHINE PRYDE

HELEN MARTEN

“People find it quite easy to have an opinion about a bottom”

HELEN MARTEN

singularly unique artist, Helen Marten has been active since the late noughties, quickly rising into high profile with her adventurous and compelling pieces: vibrant mixtures of sculptures and prints in an uncountably vast array of different media, ranging from intricate metal and plastic sculptures to found objects as everyday as a loose bike chain, or a box of cotton ear swabs.

“Marten’s work captures the uncanny exquisitely: a sensory collision to barrage the eyes with a deluge of clashing textures, colours and forms”

Additionally, her work generally incorporates some element of print: vast two-dimensional collages, which ground her work’s sculptural components in an often dark and oppressive background. Her pieces are both exploratory and an invitation to explore, with the distinct feeling of some key information deliberately omitted: a challenge to the viewer to pull apart the chaos before them, and chaos it certainly is. In one piece at the 2014

exhibition ‘MIRRORCITY’, a basket which seems part-pushchair, part-toy spaceship is leered over by an array of eyes in print behind it; at 2015’s ‘All the World’s Futures’, a macabre pair of discarded fabric legs bears morbid implications, building a distinctly uncomfortable atmosphere that serves to accentuate the meticulously-constructed

do not hate modern art, in fact I really love it. But I am a sceptic, and to show you why I’m going to draw on the experience of America’s favourite family. Remember episode of ‘The Simpsons’ where Homer fails to build a barbeque, and as he’s throwing out the concrete mess a woman tries to buy it, claiming it as‘art’?

“Modern art has been hijacked by people who have money” And then, later on, when the buzz around him dies down he’s left with nothing? This is the distasteful heart at the centre of the art world. The art that we are expected to like is dictated to us by wealthy art critics. The art critic who ‘discovers’ Homer praises him on how quaint his work is, a ‘code word’ that allows her cash in on another’s life experience. She is then allowed to take credit for his work, because she rescued Homer’s art from suburbia and is therefore some kind of noble saviour. The people of Springfield, and other art critics, lap it up, because she says it is modern art, and therefore it is. And, because of the abstractness of a pile of junk, nobody speaks out and says that it’s rubbish, because to do so makes it seem like you don’t ‘get’ it- and nobody wants that. Modern art has been hijacked by people who have money, and want to prove that they’re cool, at the same time as excluding the very people they claim to champion. This stupid elitism makes it hard to get behind a lot of modern art. The only way to fight it is to like what we like, unapologetically and not care if it’s labelled as ‘modern art’ or not.

ANTHEA HAMILTON

hen asked which Turner Prize artist I would most like to write on, I turned to the obvious to help me make my decision: Google. If you Google the work of the other artists up for the prize such as Helen Marten or Michael Dean, you get your standard run of the mill Turner Prize “too dense for me to understand someone please help me” artwork. Google ‘Anthea Hamilton’ and the first image that comes up is of a giant groped bum emerging from a brick wall that looks like it’s been driven through by a lorry.

Limpet Apology (traffic tenses), 2015 © The Artist Helen Marten, courtesy Sadie Coles HQ, London; Greene Naftali, New York; Koenig Galerie, Berlin; T293, Rome and Naples Photography: Annik Wetter, Geneva

BROOKLYN WARD against Modern Art

I suppose you could say I found her work somewhat eye-catching. Not to criticise the Turner Prize – it has had some wonderful winners – but its art can often frustrate me. I find it too inaccessible – as if it doesn’t want to be relatable or understood by anyone other than the niche few judging the Turner Prize. Hamilton’s work doesn’t feel like that to me. Its bold nature demands a response from its viewers immediately, it is extremely accessible and a wonderful piece of art to spark discussion amongst others – people find it quite easy to have an opinion about a bottom. Hamilton’s work is unafraid. It doesn’t politely ask for your attention, it sits you down and

makes you listen. Not only is it brilliantly striking and also in many cases really quite funny (I believe humour to be one of the harder emotions to evoke from someone through art) but it questions you, and makes you question yourself.

“Because bums are funny, that’s why” Take ‘Project for Door’ (aka the large bum in a wall) for example. I look at it and immediately snigger – why? Because bums are funny, that’s why. But then I thought about it. The large mass of brickwork reminded me of some vast urban space – a city centre or somewhere similar. Suddenly, the piece stopped being quite so funny. I made me think about catcalling, having men follow me in their cars while I walk home in the dark alone – and yes, people groping my arse in a crowd at a gig. This work of art now felt like a stark display of all the ways I feel I am encouraged to believe that my body is an object. Yet still, I look at it, and I can’t help but chuckle. That feels like a part of the whole point for me, though. Hamilton’s work allows me to consider these more negative sides of life that frustrate, and realise that the fact that they happen is so ridiculous - it’s almost laughable. It allows me to make a joke out of objectification, and rise above those who think all I may be good for is my female form. Cary Thomas

“An offer to the eyes to delve, roam and dig through her elaborate installations”

sense of being an intruder wholly out of place. Marten’s work captures the uncanny exquisitely: a sensory collision to barrage the eyes with a deluge of clashing textures, colours and forms, and the inclusion of everyday objects into the work produces a sense of unsettling familiarity that is sure to leave the viewer’s interest well and truly captured. Marten’s work is an offer to the eyes to delve, roam and dig through her elaborate installations, and with such an exciting cocktail of shapes, materials and emotions on display, it’s undoubtedly an offer that’s hard to refuse. James McCoull

Project for Door (After Gaetano Pesce), 2015 installation view, Anthea Hamilton: Lichen! Libido! Chastity!, SculptureCenter, 2015. Courtesy the artist Photo: Kyle Knodell

22. arts

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Arts Editors: Meg Holtom, Jonathan Hastings & Tamsin Rees

Spotlight:

Art versus Brexit: can we brush it up?

Little parts of Rosie Minney tell us how Brexit will truly aﬀect the lives of our upcoming creatives. creative arts from your student hearts In My Dreams A poem by Rachel Priestley In my dreams, I wake up looking at the stars, Unable to know where my dreams end and the world starts The curtain drip and falls, revealing an early morning summer glow Whilst the sun peeps over the hill to say hello; Memories hidden from the wonders in my dreams, ‘You look tired’, you say, where have you been? I have been exploring the world, seeing it all Eyes in awe, calm, the world still asleep Oblivious to the lives lived, no need for counting sheep Every life I’ve lived has amazed me in my sleep Let me tell you, I whisper, let me show you all of it Meetings in secret, hushed tones pressed to our lips, Dancing with pirates and sailing on ships, Befriending every species and every single life form, Together, blazing high seas, fires and rainstorms We fought the war together, saw it all together, Saving countries, saving lives, dreams which are wild; Climbing over mountains to peacefully watch the sunset, Then flying over countries in my own private jet Riding horseback, following path lead by the birds While the cats eyes light up the path of the outside world Clouds above us dreaming, as my eyes are barely blinking Awake, morning appears just as my tea sits steaming So I lie here still, reflecting on all of my wonderful dreams Remembering each night which always follows from ‘goodnight’ So I gaze at the sky, face fixed in a beam Leaving behind millions of ideas of who I could wake up to be Because the best stories ever told are ones which aren’t real And the most important words are those which allow us to feel, And my favourite imaginary world appears as I sleep, Because the best lives I live are the ones in my dream.

espite the 51.9% majority who shocked us all by voting to leave the EU earlier this year, it comes as no surprise to us creatives that 96% of members of the Creative Industries Federation voted remain. Seeing as the single market in the EU accounted for our largest creative export – totaling 56% of overseas trade – what does Brexit mean for us now?

“For creatives post-Brexit will be even more of an uphill struggle”

Is it only down from here? With the looming prospect of a loss of €1.46 billion EU funding to UK creative industries, it highlights the undeserved cuts the industry has already faced. According to the Art’s Council, local government spending cuts on culture between 2010 and 2015 fell by 16.6%, hitting areas outside the capital hardest. Newcastle-upon-Tyne threatened in 2012 to cut the culture budget by 100%; eventually it dropped to 50%, but this still saw the city’s organisations, such as Live Theatre, being forced to reduce spending by 70%. And now, post-Brexit, the North-East continues to suffer. Abigail Pogson of Gateshead’s music venue Sage fears that “economic uncertainty” will drive down audience numbers, and that they

will have to “redouble efforts” to enable dialogue across artist communities. But it’s not just about money, Brexit hints at loss of opportunities in arts academies across the Channel as well as artist exchange. It halts the free movement of creatives; for example, first nonBritish winner of the Turner Prize, German-born Wolfgang Tillmans, has been based in London since 1995. Vice-versa, Berlin hosts over 20,000 artists, but Brexit now sees them swap talent and ambition for Visas and paperwork. And sadly, literature too is hit. Our translation industry is vital, worth over £1 billion and 12,000 jobs, and was promised stable development within the EU. However now following the exit, English as a staple language in Europe even has its relevance questioned. Furthermore, with border tariffs on the incline, enticement to do business with the UK could dwindle. Is it really so bad? Culture secretary and Leavevoter John Whittingdale, builds his belief on the foundation of “extraordinary talent” in our country, as well as “amazing cultural heritage”, all of which encourages creative growth. With control of our own spending, Whittingdale now wants us to “take advantage of new opportunities” with business worldwide. Rufus Norris, artistic director of the National Theatre backs this, believing the vote could be a stimulus to “spur an increase” with

global collaborations, since “there is no way we are going down [the] path” of cultural isolation. Novelist Dreda Say Mitchell voiced to The Guardian that ‘a decade down the line, there would be an increase regional representation in art, synonymous of the Britain we live in’ – perhaps a result of diminishing European competition?

“But it’s not just about money, Brexit hints at loss of opportunities in arts academies across the Channel” What is being done? The Creative Industries Federation as well as the Art’s Council claim to be doing as much as possible to “safeguard the future of the UK’s cultural education”, and the European Commission has told us that at current, the referendum does not affect eligibility of UK industries or universities to compete for EU funding. But is there any certainty at all about relationships after the official departure? No. And so it seems, that the future for creatives post-Brexit will be even more of an uphill struggle than it already was. But I think we knew that anyway.

Hatton gallery’s vibrant press release

We sent Kitty Marie to talk to the winning artist, as well as the Chief Curator of the Hatton, to talk about life and all things artsy in the North East. See what they had to say...

contemporary art commission is currently touring Newcastle and Gateshead within the Hatton and Laing Art Galleries to showcase a few selected works. A few shortlisted artists were chosen to promote there work at the Laing Gallery (until 23 October 2016), with the winner being able to showcase their work at the Hatton gallery next year (Spring-Summer 2017), which are developed to aid Hatton’s redevelopment. I had the absolute pleasure of meeting Toby Paterson and asking him some questions pertaining to the underlying nature of his work, as well as this, I also got to interview Julie Milne, the Chief Curator of three Art Galleries, one of which will showcase his winning work. Toby Paterson, the winner of this esteemed prize, is a Glasgow-based artist who uses painting, and sculptural reliefs, to reflect on the visual experience of post war Britain. What do you like about Newcastle/Gateshead?: I like how the city has art incorporated into it, and that it is shaped by diverse styles/cultures. I enjoy walking around and getting lost in all the different places. I’m fond of artists’ impression of ‘Surreal Newcastle’ and love the mixing of old and new: I like it better in Newcastle than in Manchester. If you could work in any medium you haven’t already, what would it be?: I aspire to work in architecture with concrete and big, real-life model pieces like Victor Pasmore’s Apollo Pavilion in Peterlee, one of the reasons I got involved in the

art commission in the first place. I would like to build art within a building and watch it erode and fall. I feels that my art never really has an end and just keeps getting better, much like graffiti on the Apollo itself. What quote would be on your gravestone?: The artist Patrick Caufield, buried in Highgate cemetery, designed his own gravestone: it is a stripped back art deco with ‘DEAD’ punched into it – I would go for his approach when deciding for a quote for my gravestone, yes, that sums that up. What is the hardest thing about being an artist?: Unemployment. Chronic insecurity: financially and mentally. What does your average day consist of: Really boring, I drop my kids off at school, I’m in the studio by about 9:15am, and I’m usually there until 5:30pm. In between, I spend most of my time writing emails, with a tiny amount of time actually doing my work (art). Sadly, no absinth drinking involved in my line of work. The job is not what it was. Who’s your favourite artist?: It changes daily. Victor Pasmore is definitely in my top five, however the great thing about being an artist is being able to revel in things I find problematic. I enjoy being in the presence of buildings that are really disturbing, or ‘freaky,’ because they compel me. I’m inspired by Pasmore’s ability to constantly challenge himself by locking in a specific way of working and then completely upending it. He [Pasmore] isn’t given enough credit for the way he worked.

“The great thing about being an artist is being able to revel in things I ﬁnd problematic” Hatton Showcase: Designs for a Touring Pavilion, 2016. Installation view, Laing Art Gallery. Catrin Huber, Toby Paterson, Harriet Sutcliffe & Jack Mutton. Photo: Colin

Julie Milne, the Chief Curator of the Hatton Gallery, Laing Art Gallery, and Shipley Art Gallery, gives her thoughts on the development of arts in the North East. What do you like about Newcastle/Gateshead?: It’s a wonderful, vibrant place. I’m from the North East and love Newcastle’s vibrancy. Who is your favourite artists?: I’m a big fan of Glenn Brown, (an artist born in the North East, who creates brilliant paintings). What does your average day look like?: Travelling, reports, fundraising, meetings, working across three galleries, operational issues, dealing with referrals, managing the curatorial team who do the exhibitions […] Curating is a complex role, anything can happen! What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced?: My biggest challenge is funding and making sure everything in each gallery is running efficiently. Who have you always wanted to exhibit?: John Martin is on my hit-list, and we did show him. Next on my list is Glenn Brown, of course. How and why did you become a Curator?: I wanted to be an artist; I always loved drawing and painting, it was my passion and framed my life. I went to Art school, but it’s very difficult to make a living out of art. Curating has changed, becoming more about fundraising, but because I loves it so much I’m willing to work it all out. For more of Toby Paterson’s work: https://www. themoderninstitute.com/artists/toby-paterson.

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Monday 24 October 2016

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Ex-Courier Arts Editor on Man Booker longlist

Errol Kerr discusses ex-Newcastle student Wyl Menmuir and his novel ‘The Many.’

n February, I interviewed former Arts Editor and author, Wyl Menmuir, about his then-upcoming novel, The Many. Having now been published, I went back through my old interview with Wyl whilst reading the book in order to really get to grips with the novel. Firstly, however, I want to congratulate an exCourier Arts editor – and fellow English graduate – for making it onto the Man Booker longlist with his first published novel. It’s a quick reminder that, to quote, well, Mr. Menmuir himself, that “real people write books” and that any of us could achieve what we have. Anyway, I’ve blabbed enough: onto the novel itself.

The initial opening – a relatively well-known plot device of “man arrives in odd town” belies a far more unsettling and smothering atmosphere that hangs around the Cornish fishing village. What seems to initially be mere superstition and secrecy from the locals is only further made disconcerting by the rather gothic depiction of the world around them. With the perspective shifting between the newcomer, Timothy, and Ethan, a local fisherman who is incredibly resentful of Timothy’s arrival, the perspectives of the two collide, slowly shifting one another. It’s a fascinating novel, but incredibly difficult to discuss without spoiling the plot. The first two-thirds of the novel feel overtly Gothic, as discussed before, appearing solely to be a story of a, well… fish out of water. However, whilst it may initially seem slow, the pull of certain clues, and the manners in which Timothy – and other characters – speak, indicate toward something being very wrong. Wyl aimed to discuss characters who “question why [they’re] in this place and […] what they’re doing and where they really are. It’s definitely about exploring, digging through to the more uncomfortable parts, the places we really don’t want to go”. The final third of the novel completely turns the first two thirds on their head. I must say, I love novels which lull you into believing you know what’s going on, you’ve solved

everything, and then throw you entirely into darkness, and Menmuir does this with staggering skill. I was shaking by the time I turned the final page – and that doesn’t happen very often whilst reading.

AMY LIPTROT

LAING ART GALLERY

his thought-provoking exhibition is taken from the Ben Uri art gallery in London, which was established in 1915 to encourage Jewish artists whose work was not publicly accepted at the time. The exhibition explores the themes of migration and fleeing from oppression predominantly as a Jewish artist. It boasts pieces from Marc Chagall and the Whitechapel boys (a group of Jewish artists who contributed to British modernism and all were affected by the war), and contemporary performance artists such as Guter Ates. Ates examines the concept of bringing your ‘home’ with you as a refugee, along with your cultural baggage and your memories; there are some stills of her performance which shows the artist carrying her ‘home’ on her back with a veil of fabric arranged in abstract folds, designed to mimic railway arches, thus emphasising the importance of trains for a refugee. Another 21st century artist who describes modern life as a refugee is Behjat Omer Abdulla, whose gigantic portraits of immigrants’ momentalise people who would otherwise be invisible in western society. Tragically, one of his muses was refused asylum in the UK and then later deported to Iraq where he was shot dead; Abdulla sketched the portrait after his death from his photo ID. Joseph Herman was a Polish Jewish painter who fled Warsaw in 1938, and his painting Refugees depicts a Jewish refugee family fleeing during WW2 where the refugees’ fate is symbolised by the cat above the family. The spires in the painting allude to the Polish villages, and reveal a lost Warsaw of his youth. Similarly, Chana Kowlaska explores the nostalgia of the pre-war Jewish shtetels (small Jewish villages) with her naïve style she portrays aspects of modern life such as telegraph poles and rubbish bins, thus linking the two contrasting worlds. This exhibition was rather emotional, and given our current headlines, is extremely relevant to our troubling relationship with refugees currently in Britain. I would recommend it to all. Sophie Schneider

NCLA: CULTURE LAB

nyone who reads The Outrun will immediately be struck by how personal Amy Liptrot’s writing feels; it is almost as if she is telling her story to you and only you. The event was opened with Amy reading an extract from her book, which instantly gave me that same feeling, but tenfold. As a memoir, it naturally reveals so much about an author’s whole life, without the safety of characters to hide behind: a fact which a member of the audience highlighted in the question and answer portion of the evening. Amy didn’t shy away from any topic, being open and eloquent in all of her answers: which is reflective of her narrative in the book.

“An hour of her time only scraped the surface of what this fantastic author had to say”

To have her speak to us so directly about her experiences with alcoholism, rehabilitation, and the family’s mental health, was highly emotional, and kept the entire audience in a state of rapture as she spoke. Despite touching on such heavy subjects, she somehow managed to make the whole room break into laughter, resulting in an event that felt more like a chat with a friend over coffee than a formal interview of any kind. In her conversation with William Fiennes, she spoke about such a broad array of topics, from the relationship of the Internet and nature, to the actual writing process of her memoir. Personally, I found it so intriguing to discover the role of nature, solitude, childhood memories, and Orkney itself, in her recovery; particularly how, in her view, it was a combination of all these things that helped her alcoholism recede, rather than a single factor. An hour of her time only scraped the surface of what this fantastic author has to say; I left the talk with new ideas about recovery, technology and nature, whilst also eagerly anticipating her next publication, whatever it may be. Siobhan Fuller

25-26 October Jess and Joe Forever Live Theatre @ 19.30

14 Oct 16 - 8 Jan 17 Doubled Youth Baltic

28 May 16 - 3 Jan 17 Body Worlds: Animals Inside Out Bar Loco @ 18.30

27 October

Vault Collective: Transcribe/translate

Bar Loco @ 19.00

28 October Ink & Dub’s - DANCE OF THE DEAD

Vamos @ 21.00

Spicy Classics

Unique Picks of the Week from the North-East

OUT OF CHAOS

Toon Happenings

KICKING AND SCREAMING

ne thing I can say for sure about ‘Kicking and Screaming,’ by the theatre company Tangled Feet, is that it will make any Fresher who hasn’t quite adjusted to living away from home yet (myself included) develop a mahoossive appreciation for their parents. The play nicely highlighted the fact that, often, when someone has a baby, everyones’ focus shifts from them to their baby. It was great seeing a narrative that focused on the parents after childbirth rather than the child; and it showed just how much one tiny screaming pooping human can turn your life on its head. All the cast portrayed such down to earth and realistic characters. They effectively deconstructed this idea of some sort of “super parent” who knows exactly how to look after their child from the getgo. Each character had their flaws, but that was part of what made the characters so believable. A special shout-out to Hannah Gittos who played Ronnie - her character broke my heart a little bit at the end. Funily enough, one of my favourite things about the play was the lack of any actual babies. Props to whoever thought to use props as babies (props to the props guy, I guess). They made for a great bit of humour in the play – everything from light-up orbs to a sack of Tesco-value rice was used. I expected to find the props off-putting in some way, but it’s bizarre how quickly you adjust to the idea of someone cooing at a bag of rice. Baby toys were also used for all the musical elements in the play – I honestly didn’t believe such lovely sounds could come from a Melodica. They we even used as everyday household objects like phones and Xbox controllers, which whilst also being funny felt like a perfect symbol of just how having a baby can affect every corner of someone’s life. All in all, ‘Kicking and Screaming’ was a funny but honest portrayal of parenting a newborn. But, remember Freshers, watch at your own risk: you will love your parents a tad too much by the end of it. Carys Thomas

Jarred Cassidy reveals his intimate thoughts on the nature of classic literature What’s your favourite classic? While thinking about this piece I realised I haven’t read that many classics… So, I decided to pick something different, so I choose ‘The Plague’ by Albert Camus. The novel is simply incredible, creating depth and tone, alongside a few twists and turns to the plot. This is a fantastic book, with a timeless message about justice and equality in desperate situations. What’s the most over-hyped classic? Personally, I found Dante’s ‘Inferno’ to be pretty boring. I understood a few of the references to contemporaries of Dante, but for the life of me I didn’t know where the hell the plot was at times. Which classic do you lie about having read? This is kind of a lie, because I got half way through and stopped. ‘Crime and punishment’ by Dostoyevsky was just too much for my 16 year old mind. But, I’ll happily impress a friend by trying to pronounce Russian names like Raskolnikov and Razumikhin! What is your next future read? I’ve always fancied trying to read ‘Don Quixote’ by Miguel de Cervantes simply from the amusing plot lines I’ve read about it. And, your most hated classic? At first I thought “I couldn’t hate a book especially a classic?!” But then I thought back to those dreary days of GCSE English, and ‘Of mice and men’ instantly came to mind. I enjoyed the book but slowly began to hate it after trying to explain how Steinbeck does x and y, while thinking did Steinbeck even do this intentionally in the first place?

Read a good book and want to write for us? Email us! c2.arts@ncl.ac.uk

24. music

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Music Editors: Sophie Ahmed, Serena Bhardwaj & Ben Grundy

Toon In Ben Grundy spoke to Newcastle’s very own Jed Laidlaw from Sunset Sons. Q: So with 12 UK shows coming up, how are you feeling about your upcoming tour? A: Pretty buzzed. Recently, we started rehearsing and getting songs together for the tour. It’s just fun getting all the arrangements together to keep everyone, especially us as a band, interested during the tour. Q: As a local lad, what are your experiences of the Newcastle music scene? A: Though I’ve been travelling lots, I was in bands here as a kid and many venues are the same. It was bands like The Futureheads and venues such as the Dog and Parrot and The Cluny. Also, there was a great scene in Sunderland. We’d support one another. Q: You’re a British-Australian band that resides in France – do you think band’s internationalism influenced your sound? A: Yes I do. As a band, we aren’t part of a scene but I don’t think that’s a negative thing. We met in France while surfing. When we starting writing music together, none of us were listening to the radio or keeping up to any theme. We were just jamming around, playing what we liked. It took us a while to work out our ‘sound’ - maybe we haven’t still found it. The plan was there was no plan. Q: How was making the debut album? Following the rise of streaming, is the debut album more important than ever? A: The debut album is always going to be important as you only get one shot. It’s where you set your stall out. I get upset when someone puts music on shuffle. I think you should try and listen to records in full – people have put thought into things like track listing.

“The plan was there was no plan”

Q: Any advice you’d give to our student bands? A: It’s cheesy but stick to your guns. If there’s a group of you in the room and you can feel something, go with it. Courage and conviction are the most important things– don’t try and mould into everyone else, even if what you think you’re doing is a bit weird! Q: What’s the trick behind your infectious songs? Is their catchy nature why they often feature in video games? A: We have a total democracy as a band - so if one person doesn’t like it, they have to get on with it. We’re always searching for that perfect chorus. It’s quite a good quest. We didn’t write these songs to listen to in our own bedrooms – we want to get them out there. Read the whole interview online.

Civil Rights Movement: The Lyrical Vigilantes

To celebrate Black History Month, Ellie Broad delves into the past to look at how music helped achieve basic human rights.

artin Luther King: “There is no noise as powerful as the sound of the marching feet of a determined people.” A strong notion that echoed throughout the Civil Rights Movement and continues to hold influence today. However, these footsteps were not the only thing to make a noise and leave footprints on the history of time. Song was one thing that the fighters of the movement could not be stripped of; using music as powerful ammunition to fuel one of their most compelling weapons – the voice of the people. Whether it be in a sit-in in North Carolina, a freedom ride through Alabama or even the March on Washington; the hymns of these millions in the minority laid down a mantra of hope throughout the USA.

Music was not only an escape from an environment overflowing with constant fear and hatred, but sustained the foundations of the soul and solidarity of the African Americans that fused the movement. Artists such as Nina Simone, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Billie Holliday, Sam Cooke, John Coltrane, and many more are all of huge importance of the time. Using their lyrics to protest against the political topics that were originally almost a taboo in the media, further addressing how immune people had become to witnessing the racial discrimination that had become a part of daily life. These people were not merely musicians, they were the heroes of their time. Their melodies provided a cradle of comfort to the millions of who were mentally, physically and emotionally exhausted by the fight for freedom. These lyrical vigilantes reminded the victims o f

hate that they were not alone.

People like Nina Simone utilized her level of fame as a platform to unite the masses, projecting her own voice to symbolize the cries of those who could not be heard by national and international

“Using music as powerful ammunition to fuel one of their most compelling weapons – the voice of the people”

audiences, further educating the people globally of the inequalities that exist. Events during the movement continued to penetrate all genres, from blues, gospel, folk, jazz, rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and soul; creating lyrics that pushed boundaries like never before. From soulful gospel hymns like Sam Cooke’s, ‘A Change is Gonna Come’, softly radiating words of hope such as: “It’s been too hard living but I’m afraid to die/It’s been a long, a long time coming/But I know a change gonna come, oh yes it will” To songs that narrated the barbarity of society, such as Billy Holliday’s, ‘Strange Fruit’, reciting: “Southern trees bear a strange fruit/Blood on the leaves and blood at the root/Black bodies swingin’ in the Southern breeze/Strange fruit hangin’ from the poplar trees” With the poetic honesty exercised in the lyrics along with the scale and scope these lyrics were heard, either first hand via public protests or through the media; there is no denying how important the role of music had in transforming the silenced minority into a community with a voice.

Are you a music snob?

Being a music snob is hard: you may think you are one, but deep down there could well be a Swifty or Directioner waiting to be set free. Time to see what your level your level of music snobbery is...

Do you pigeonhole yourself No - (5 points) Do you own a record player? into a certain music genre? Yes - (20 points) No - (5 points)

Yes - (15 points - but 50 if it’s just for show) No - (5 points)

Do you listen to the top 40 to Do you regularly commandeer pick new songs? music at predrinks you’re not Yes - (-5 points) hosting because you just can’t No - (10 points) stand it any longer? Do you form opinions on peo- Yes - It’s not my fault everyone else’s ple based on their music taste? music is shit (15 points) Yes - (20 points) No - (5 points)

No – I silently judge them and refuse to enjoy myself though (20 points) No – I’m down for whatever (0 points)

When you think of Indie/Alternative, do you think of Arcade Have you ever enjoyed yourself in Flares? Fire or Kaiser Chiefs? Arcade Fire - (15 points) Kaiser Chiefs - (5 points)

Yes - (0 points and a pat on the back for being a human being) No - (100 points)

Have you radically changed your opinion on a crush be- Do you often refuse to go to cause they love an artist who certain bars or clubs because of makes you want to vom? the music? Yes - (20 points)

Yes – (30 points)

No – (5 points)

Add up your points and discover your level of snobbery! 0-40 points - ‘Definitely Not’ Congratulations, you are not a music snob! You don’t give a toss about the stuff you listen to, if you like it, you’re not afraid to make it known to the world. You can actually enjoy most music, which means you’re probably not an annoying grunge bag. Conversely, you have just found out your whole cool, musically endowed persona is based on a web of lies, in which case, time to find a new uni stereotype to mould yourself into.

40-75 points - ‘Kind of...’ You have a wide array of music taste, but there are some bands/ genres that are just not you. However, you do not pride yourself on being blessed with a holier than thou musical mind. You just sort of get on with it, and if you’re in Flares you cannot stop yourself from singing along to Dancing Queen or re-enacting the dance moves to Cha Cha Slide.

75+ points - ‘Music Snob’ Well there you go; you are a music snob. Happy? If not that’s probably because you’re listening to Radiohead or have just heard your ‘uncool’ course mate rave about that band/ remix you thought only you knew about. Tom Harrow-Smith

The Courier

music .25

Monday 24 October 2016

thecourieronline.co.uk/music c2.music@ncl.ac.uk

Album Review: Stay Together

Kaiser Chiefs I ’m a very big Kaiser Chiefs fan. I legally own copies of all their albums. I’ve seen them live twice. I know how to play ‘The Angry Mob’ on keyboard, and most of ‘Off With Their Heads’ on the drums. ‘Good Days Bad Days’ is my most played song on my iTunes. So it just breaks my aching, withered heart to say that I really do not like this album. ‘We Stay Together’ sounds like singer Ricky Wilson is trying to impersonate David Bowie doing a cover of something spewed out by 80s disco. ‘Hole In My Soul’ sounds like somebody took some guitar work written by Paramore and gave it to the synth player (at this stage I’m not sure if the Kaiser Chiefs even bother with a guitarist). I honestly thought ‘Parachute’ was an advert for an upcoming Justin Bieber album or something until I checked Spotify and it was actually the next song in the list. ‘Good Clean Fun’ was the first track that finally sounded something that I’d normally listen to – strangely enough though, that’s because it has a heavy ska influence to it. I absolutely love ska. Admittedly, it was still tainted by disco, but the skaness was enough to make me overlook it.

“At this stage I’m not sure if the Kaiser Chiefs even bother with a guitarist” Unfortunately, ‘Why Do You Do It To Me’ and ‘Indoor Firework’ just ruin any illusion that the album was starting to get any good. ‘Press Rewind’, oddly enough, shows some self-awareness; there’s a sample that says “this is Pop music”. And it’s right. This is Pop music. It’s also rubbish, but whatever. I once wrote a joke song where one of the lyrics, “and the music keeps repeating itself ” is repeated at the end. I might as well have just sung the next song, ‘Happen In a Heartbeat’.

Revolution Radio Green Day

“ It just breaks my aching, withered heart to say that I really do not like this album” with all the members of Talking Heads. ‘Sunday Morning’ also has some interesting music to it, and is worth tapping your foot along to. When I reached the final track, “Still Waiting”, I was - weirdly enough - still waiting for the album to actually be alright. But no, more generic pop. It’s a sad state of affairs when the bonus track at the end of ‘Still Waiting’ makes it into my personal top three songs of the album, if only because it sounds like Primus teamed up with the guitarist from Streetlight Manifesto.

“This is pop music. It’s also rubbish.”

Before 2013, the Kaiser Chiefs’ albums always had some good songs and interesting ideas. After 2013, their albums have taken the pop-ness up a notch and the uniqueness down a few more. Correlation does not equal causation, but maybe Nick Hodgson’s departure in 2012 is a contributing factor. Whatever the reason, the Kaiser Chiefs have changed their sound to something else. And while that sounds like typical fan whinging, bear in mind we already have thousands of Bieber-clones, but only one Yours Truly, Angry Mob.

he variety of Kate Tempest’s work might suggest an artist who’s not entirely sure of herself. Yet what comes of her latest album is a surprisingly and scathingly consistent piece of art, that sounds weird or unusual at first listen, but if you take the effort to dig deep into it, you will find gold. It is one of the greatest musical (if it can be categorized that way) achievements of 2016, that defies definition, wonderfully spread across genres and different mediums. Tempest paints a colourful smorgasbord of characters, who are deeply based in reality, or at least her perception of it. With her lyrics, roaming the streets of London, she observes the people around her, trying to understand what these people are going through, and how they cope with their own lives.

“The teenage frustration of their “The scope is huge, yet still intimate” earlier albums has been replaced” Her characters are everyday folk, who cannot re-

Most Green Day fans will appreciate the return to their old style, only this time a little more polished and perfected. Both lyrically and musically Revolution Radio is clever and thoughtful. The slight teenage frustration of their earlier albums has been replaced by something much larger sounding and self-aware. A diverse mix of Ramones-inspired punk and softer songs, the album is undoubtedly by Green Day. ‘World’ is a calm, almost reflective end that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of Revolution Radio (perhaps because it belongs to the film Ordinary World, starring Billie Joe Armstrong). Even though every track might not completely hit the mark Revolution Radio is a fierce return for the Californian trio vanquishing any claims that they may be past their best. Katie Eddison

“The contrast between Hayden’s falsetto and Tom Fleming’s deep tone is my favourite thing about this band”

Jack Coles

Kate Tempest

olitically charged and fire-fuelled, Green Day’s latest album, Revolution Radio, is much more reminiscent of American Idiot and 21st Century Breakdown than of their most recent releases Uno! Dos! and Tre!. The angsty ‘poppunk-rock’ trio have burst back with powerful lyrics and music to create a well-produced and meaningful record. Lead single, ‘Bang Bang’, has a classic Green Day feel to it, combined with a dark message. Written from the view of a mass shooter, the song announces the band’s return with an album that takes their usual social and political commentary to a whole new level. However, the third track, ‘Revolution Radio’, is the standout song. Fast-paced and powerful it leads the political fury that drives the album.

t the start of this month, I had the pleasure of finally seeing one of the most innovative British bands of the last decade; the ever-evolving Wild Beasts. A product of rural Cumbria, you would not have expected the new album Boy King to have emerged from the playful chaos of 2006 track, ‘Brave Bulging Buoyant Clairvoyants’. This is reflected by the set list on this tour which doesn’t include a single track from the Kendal lads’ debut, Limbo, Panto. The new electronic-influenced tracks are more mature both stylistically, and in content, as they are united by the running theme of masculinity. Boy King isn’t the product of a sudden plunge into synth however, as this had been creeping into Wild Beasts’ sound for some time, and so the new tracks blend well with those from the last three records live. If you were looking for a band that was the polar opposite of the Black Metal and Pop-fuelled Wild Beasts of today, it would be opening act, Money. The highlight of their set was the fact that one track was actually entitled ‘A Cocaine Christmas And An Alcoholic’s New Year’. Lead singer Jamie Lee ordered the Newcastle crowd to ‘shut the fuck up’ as he tried to set a hushed tone for what I can only describe as ‘A Fairytale of New York’ for someone wanting to throw themselves under a bus. And if you weren’t wanting to do that before Money’s set, you will have been by the time it was over. Their last album is fittingly called Suicide Songs, and my friend aptly labelled them ‘Mumford and Sons in an emo phase’.

‘High Society’ was at least mildly interesting. It sounds a bit like Scissor Sisters co-wrote a song

Less Them Eat Chaos

ally understand the world around them, so they try to do whatever it takes to survive. And that brings us to the background Tempest is putting these characters in front of. The personal, everyday problems connect, and soon it becomes an intriguing canvas of today’s issues. ‘Europe is lost, America lost, London lost/ Still we are clamoring victory’, she claims in one of the best songs of the record, ‘Europe is Lost’, then narrows her focus to the individual a few lines later: ‘But even the drugs have got boring/ Well, sex is still good when you get it’. The scope is huge, yet still intimate. Tempest’s social commentary is delivered through an eclectic array of musical tools, varying between hip-hop, rap, electronic and poetry. This is a truly valuable, almost inexhaustible record that cries with the helplessness of Tempest’s generation, while never becoming pretentious, or predictable. Brilliant. Ferenc Orosz

Wild Beasts live review

The Violent Meshuggah Extreme metal has a reputation among its detractors for being one-dimensional and exhausting. Meshuggah is both these things and neither. While The Violent Sleep of Reason continues their legacy from the 90s, it leaves an underwhelming impression. Meshuggah’s chemistry is clear from the very start, and the understated production and freeform song structures make for a far more organic, listenable album than much of their recent fare. The cycles within each song are jarringly brief in some places, tediously long in others. ‘Clockworks’, the opener, strikes the perfect balance between elegant repetition and perpetual evolution, but it’s an act the band struggles to follow. The album’s mood is consistent and refined: the cerebral lyrics make a solid companion to Jens Kidman’s deadened growl, and the microtonal guitar screeches on tracks like ‘Born In Dissonance’ deliver a nightmarish atmosphere, as do the euphoric chords above ‘MonstroCity’’s djent rhythms.

“It leaves an underwhelming impression”

The titular track and its neighbour ‘Ivory Tower’ are notable for their jazzy solos, betraying a dark mischief which still feels sadly underused. It’s easy for a casual listener to get lost in Meshuggah’s relentless grooves, and though each track is rich with complexity and reinvention, the similarity in arrangement and tone means there’s little to separate one song from another. ‘Stifled’ and ‘Our Rage Won’t Die’ are particularly forgettable, with their lack of melodic interest leading to near indistinguishability. Still, while not for everyone, long-time fans will almost definitely be satisfied with this outing. Jess Weisser

It felt like an eternity had passed from the time the lights dimmed to the time Wild Beasts actually took to the stage, but it wasn’t an unbearable wait. The void was filled by Liz Fraser’s ‘voice of God’ echoing through the venue on This Mortal Coil’s cover of Song To The Siren, which gave way to a surge of electronic sound accompanying the bands entrance. They launched right into new track ‘Big Cat’ with a confident swagger, giving off the impression that they don’t need to prove the worth of their new album to anyone. The set list was peppered with the signature jittery drumming of older tracks like ‘We Still Got The Taste Dancin’ On Our Tongues’ and ‘Bed of Nails’. The contrast between Hayden’s falsetto and Tom Fleming’s deep tone is my favourite thing about this band, and this shines through live, with Tom’s repeated lyric, ‘boy, what you running from’ on ‘Lion’s Share’ choking me up. A personal highlight was the outro of ‘Wander-

“They launched right into new track ‘Big Cat’ with a confident swagger”

lust’ from Present Tense, the momentum building as Hayden uttered the lyric ‘don’t confuse with someone who gives a fuck’ over and over, motivated by the beat of the track. Small scale repetition does wonders for Wild Beasts live, but this isn’t a band who repeat themselves over albums, as variety ran throughout this gig. Their encore embodied this, comprised of an electric performance of ‘Get My Bang’, fun fanfavourite ‘All The King’s Men’, and ‘Celestial Creatures’, which entranced the crowd into a still submission with an in-crowd serenade from Hayden. Hayden’s tender treatment of the Northumbria Uni audience could be owed to his support of Newcastle United, a factor which I hope now makes Wild Beasts visit the North East more often.

Sophie Ahmed Go follow us on intagram for live gig updates, fun pictures and the latest music gossip- @courier_music

26.filmfeatures

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Film Editors: Emma Allsopp, Zoë Godden & Simon Ramshaw

New York, New York (Comic Con)

GUILT TRIP Top Gun (1986) This week in our column of shame, Stephen Herring dons his aviator shades to tell us about his love for Tony Scott’s cheesy Tom Cruise cult classic.

op Gun is one of my favourite films. There, I said it. It’s by no means one of the best films ever made, and I fully appreciate that. Is it underappreciated? Definitely. I put it to you that it is indeed ‘that sort of movie’, but it’s well worth a watch regardless, because it is a rare gem in otherwise mouldy pile of dated 80s cheese. The movie is topped to the brim with great action, even if it also has a rather under-developed plot to go with it (despite this, there’s more character development in this than you’ll see in many blockbusters of the time, or even of today). I’m not an action movie fanatic, but it really doesn’t take one to see that the aerial dogfight sequences are really spectacular.

“Top Gun features what could be considered the highest ratio of cheesy lines in recorded human history”

Action is what Tony Scott excels in, and it shows here. The cutting between in-cockpit with the actors and the shots of the planes themselves is smooth, and there were barely any moments where I was taken out of the action by an awkward cut that broke suspension of disbelief. On top of all of that, the film looks gorgeous. Unsurprisingly, Top Gun features what could be considered the highest ratio of cheesy lines to the rest of the script of any film in recorded human history. “Slider, you stink” is my favourite example of one of the cheesier lines. The script is filled with timeless zingers, and I admit it does reject other elements that need more development, such as the weird sub-plot of the mystery surrounding Maverick’s father, which is resolved in an unsatisfying and inconsequential way. The script sets up the zingers and action, and those are so good, everything else is forgivable.

The characters are one-dimensional, it’s got to be said, but there are saving graces which actually turn this around and make it very easy to forgive this. The way Goose and Maverick riff off each other means you can’t help but root for them. The acting does definitely brings the characters to life, especially in Val Kilmer’s case, playing Iceman. Given a rather dull character to play, there is one stand-out moment that does in all fairness manage to humanise him, through some rather good acting on Kilmer’s part. I understand why you could hate it, but don’t take it too seriously and it’s actually quite a good movie, which is a ton of fun to watch.

The USA’s second largest pop culture convention gifted us with loads of movie news; luckily Jamie Gomersall gave us the lowdown of the best and worst trailers from NYCC 2016.

o begin positively, the trailer for John Wick: Chapter 2 was phenomenal. Fans of the original 2014 action thriller will be anticipating the return of Keanu Reeves’ legendary hitman, who in the first film, wipes out a slew of mobsters in a quest to avenge the death of his puppy, Daisy. This time we find Wick in Rome, and the trailer offers some beautiful visuals that suggest the sequel’s cinematography will be just as delicious as its predecessor. The trailer includes Wick handling all manner of weapons and sleek vehicles. Returning cast members include Ian McShane and John Leguizamo, with the addition of Lawrence Fishburne. If this trailer is anything to go by, then John Wick: Chapter 2 is going to be violent, stylish fun.

“Hopefully Power Rangers’ narrative will focus on the characters, and not descend into just another CGI explosion-fest” I wouldn’t use ‘fun’ to describe the next two trailers, which were similar in content. Both Underworld: Blood Wars and Resident Evil: The Final Chapter feature a kick-ass female protagonist combatting villainous monsters, and are the next instalments of film franchises that should have been left dead years ago. Though Resident Evil’s monsters and post-apocalyptic scenery are well-rendered, I have very little investment in Milla Jovovich’s central character, who is seen in this trailer diving through explosions and wrestling ugly creatures, always wearing the same dispassionate expression. Viewers who have sat

through the first five instalments in this series may enjoy seeing the franchise wrapped up, but it’s not a film I’m eager to see. The same can be said of Underworld: Blood Wars, the fifth Underworld film, which sees the return of Kate Beckinsale’s Selene, a Vampire assassin who has to navigate a war between the vampire clan, and the vicious werewolves known as Lycans. The phenomenal Charles Dance has been added to the cast, along with Divergent’s Theo James, but just as with Resident Evil, yet another sequel is not something I’ve been clamouring for. Power Rangers was certainly the most intriguing. A reimagining of the 1990s TV series, the trailer begins with an interesting rendition of Johnny Cash’s ‘I Walk the Line’ as we are introduced to the teenage cast. When they discover colourful alien objects, they gain the abilities of super strength and agility. In spite of the more dramatic moments towards the end of the

trailer, I found the initial introduction of the characters more compelling than later superpowerfuelled scenes. Hopefully, the narrative will focus on the characters, and not descend into just another CGI explosion-fest. I’m intrigued to see how this one plays out. I’ll leave the worst for last. The Great Wall was the most staggeringly stupid of NYCC’s trailers. This action film set in Medieval China is based on an alternative history where the Great Wall of China was built to keep out a horde of CGI monsters. Matt Damon, who seems to spend the whole of the film cosplaying as Robin Hood, must fight alongside a legion of Chinese warriors to prevent these monsters from crossing the wall. It’s unfair to judge a film by its trailer, but if it’s an accurate depiction of the film, then its only merit will be that the audience might proffer a small chuckle at how laughably bad it is.

Disney: through the looking glass With Mulan, The Lion King, and Aladdin all getting live-action reboots, is Disney going too far with its sequels and remakes? Chloe Mullins takes a look at this nostalgia frenzy.

he magic of Disney has undoubtedly had a key role in most households across the world and arguably is a defining element of childhood. Everyone must have at least one fond memory of a Disney film or show as they were growing up. However, recently many may question whether this old nostalgia attached to classics such as Beauty and the Beast is being overexerted by Disney, as live-action remakes are just about to swarm to our screens. Mulan and The Lion King are among the latest to be reworked, although sadly, I believe they will never live up to the classics they are based on. Personally, I think that they will be successful as they will target at a new audience. Cinema is emerging with a more advanced technological framework, meaning that demands are higher now than ever before as society are becoming increasingly critical. For example, films such as 1951’s Alice In Wonderland no longer have the same quality that reaches our standards. Despite Disney attempting to digitally remaster their classics, the live-action version in which Alice slays the Jabberwocky is simply aimed at a different audience. Children in a modern society have different expectations to those in the 1950s and, despite older Disney fans taking a protective stance over the classics, a younger audience is sure to love them. However, not all of their remakes are trainwrecks. The recent revival of The Jungle Book was still a great film in its own right and the story really came to life in a more interactive way as it

was set in a more realistic framework. This is key because in a world of emerging scepticism, Disney manages to highlight that there is still a common need for fairy tales and a bit of imagination. Although I don’t believe it lives up to the original, those who have never seen the cartoon version may actually grow to prefer the live-action. Disney are managing to communicate to a wider audience, particularly as some snobs refuse to watch animation. Due to this, I believe that Disney h a v e not gone too far with the films that they have released to this point. However, as this trend continues to grow with Aladdin also scheduled for a remake, Disney should begin to focus on creating new films

“Disney manages to highlight that there is still a common need for fairy tales and a bit of imagination”

and continue to broaden imaginations without relying on previous hits. This is to prevent old nostalg i a being ruined by a potentially bad remake. Although it hasn’t yet occurred, the possibility still remains that a great reputation could be easily soiled.

“The recent revival of The Jungle Book was still a great film in its own right”

Additionally, Disney’s subordinate company, Pixar have also followed in its footsteps by producing sequels, such as Finding Dory released earlier this year, and by announcing The Incredibles 2. Although many older fans will praise this, especially after the cliffhanger ending in The Incredibles, it is still long overdue. Finding Nemo was a successful stand-alone film, and although as an avid Disney fan I was hyped for this, the sequel was not necessary, especially 13 years later. As a result, I definitely believe that Disney are gripping onto nostalgia. Although I personally am not fazed by this and enjoy the films for what they are, I can certainly see why people believe Disney are going too far.

The Courier

reviewsfilm.27

Monday 24 October 2016

thecourieronline.co.uk/ﬁlm c2.ﬁlm@ncl.ac.uk | @Courier_Film

Golden Oldies Presents...

My Scientology Movie (15)

ike most 90s kids in a Netflix Age, I am a Louis Theroux fangirl who adores that viral video of him dancing to ‘Groove Is In The Heart’. However, there is a more profound reason behind booking tickets for the sold-out screening of My Scientology Movie at Tyneside Cinema. Just over a year ago I embarked on the trip of a lifetime and spent 10 days in Los Angeles. Whilst this short stay didn’t give me enough time to delve deep into the weird and wonderful world of Hollywood, it did provide me with an hour long education at the Scientology Celebrity Centre International, a cornerstone of the Church which features in Louis’ new film. Let me assure you this was enough to drive me insane, and I hoped My Scientology Movie would make sense of my bizarre near-conversion. Little did I know that merely entering the ornate Celebrity Centre committed us to the Church (as Louis explained in the live Q&A following his film), and that Scientologists inflate their membership figures by counting anyone who enters a church as a member. The next thing I knew, I was participating in ‘auditing’, a practice which ex-Scientologist Marty Rathbun subjects Louis to in the film. After leaving the centre, I was more confused than clear on what Scientology actually is. Louis Theroux’s documentary had a similar effect on me. The movie is heavily concerned with the complexities of its protagonist Rathbun rather than with the cult of Scientology itself.

Hideo Nakata’s

My Scientology Movie’s biggest success is its analysis of Marty and what it reveals about him. Although he defected from the Church in 2004, there is relish in Marty’s reminisces. He seems proud of his brutal past as the ‘biggest badass in Scientology’ and Louis concludes that ‘Marty has left Scientology, but Scientology hasn’t totally left Marty’. Forbidden from entering Scientology, Louis and his team tried to understand its world by casting actors to channel creepy church leader David Miscavige and Scientology’s most famous follower, Tom Cruise. This unreachable religion is examined through re-enactments on a set and in this sense, the film willingly succumbs to Hollywood which makes it all the more convincing. Director John Dower had been wary of the difficulty of getting to the crux of Scientology from the outset, as he turned down Louis’s proposal three times. However, when asked by an audience member at the Southbank Centre in London if he

considered the film to be a failure, Louis said no, as he’d entered the project fully expecting no access to the Church or to Miscavige. In this respect, the film is similar to Louis’ 2003 documentary Louis, Martin & Michael, in which he investigates Michael Jackson without meeting him. All in all, Louis’ use of Twitter to reach out to Scientologists places this documentary in the 21st century, but it still retains the charm of his Weird Weekends series. Scientology’s surveillance of those daring to get too close is mocked by Louis, as he persistently and hilariously interrogates scientologists filming him. Word on the street is that the Church is using this material to produce its own documentary on Louis Theroux, so we can look forward to that as a follow up. More like this: The Master (2012) Sophie Ahmed

War On Everyone (15)

American Honey (15)

he third film adaptation of Dan Brown’s ‘Robert Langdon’ series, Inferno, recalls how a deadly virus must be stopped within 24 hours or else it will wipe out 95% of the world’s population. Unfortunately for the planet, Langdon suffers from a mysterious head injury and so his ability to solve essential and extremely challenging puzzles in order to find the source of the virus is initially prevented. Due to this he requires the help of others, namely Felicity Jones’ heroine, Sienna Brooks. Jones’ portrayal of the complex doctor is strong and very true to the novel, so her performance stands out more so than Tom Hanks’ previous co-stars in the film series. The plot is somehow both layered with complexities and depth, yet still groaningly predictable with obvious elements throughout. This is not a film where you’re constantly guessing who the ‘bad guy’ is, which ruins some of the compelling mystery you know you should be feeling during the film. Despite being only just over two hours long, the film dragged on, with the only salvation being the climatic ending, made even more compelling by Hans Zimmer’s brilliant score. Something to note for fans of the book, however, is that the ending is very different! Within the Dan Brown trilogy of films, Inferno is arguably the weakest. Langdon’s head injury seems like a cop out in order to complicate and drag out the 24-hour plot. Ron Howard’s direction, however, stands out, particularly the way in which he depicts visions of Hell. Additionally, the cinematography showcases some stunning scenery, with the globe-trotting sights including Venice, Florence and Istanbul. These extra spectacles, in addition to the strong cast, nonetheless do not compensate for the overall lackluster film compared to the novel. Here’s hoping the upcoming television series of Dan Brown’s Digital Fortress will be better!

f we think about a movie set in Albuquerque, USA, involving two policemen who fight against a powerful criminal gang, we’re surely to expect a lot of violence, sex and strong language in an alpha-male story of perverted masculinity. And you’d be right to expect that in War on Everyone, where the cops are nearly as despicable as their enemies. It’s a black comedy in the style of Hot Fuzz or The Shield and follows the sarcastic, violent officers Bob (Michael Peña) and Terry (Alexander Skaarsgard) decide to take their own back after being cheated by the dangerous British aristocrat Lord James Mangard (Theo James). The script is not as controversial as it could have been, but it shows some unusual aspects from a buddy cop comedy: it’s a narrative based not on action but on acid. There’s even a politically-incorrect romance between Terry and a kind-hearted stripper called Jackie (Tessa Thompson) as an emotive secondary plot. Filmmaker John Michael McDonagh, who made a similar work with 2011’s The Guard, has created in this film an absorbent visual world which is sometimes surprisingly chilling. But if there’s something suprisingly gratifying about this movie, it is the eclectic soundtrack, which includes rock ‘n’ roll, salsa, and country ballads. You’ll never hear Rhinestone Cowboy in the same way again. Skaarsgard and Peña fit their roles perfectly, despite not normally starring in these kind of movies, but the real stars of the movie are the strange supporting characters portrayed by Malcolm Barrett, Caleb Laundry Jones and David Wilmot. Without them, the film wouldn’t be half as hilarious as it is. War on Everyone would like to think it improves on the well-worn ‘buddy-cop comedy’, but in fact it’s too conventional to be considered a special one. Nevertheless, it’s not a bad option if you want to watch a lot of violence, sex and strong language and all these things we love in action movies.

More like this: Lethal Weapon (1987)

arlier this year, Andrea Arnold’s latest stormed Cannes, bagging the Grand Prix award, and earning recognition throughout the year on several other festivals. Finally, it has arrived in the UK, and it was worth the wait. American Honey is one of the best movies of the year, with an incredibly talented leading lady (newcomer Sasha Lane) who instantly became hot property after the premiere, and an on-par supporting cast, including Shia LaBeouf, who hasn’t been this good since…well, ever. The film chronicles the story of Star, a girl with a difficult background, trying to survive in the less glamorous side of the American dream. She joins a ragtag group of teenagers, who sell magazine subscriptions, and an unforgettable summer begins, full of young love, sex and the occasional crime. Arnold is incredibly successful in depicting the kind of summer we’ve all had, and the one we’ve never experienced, but always longed for in secret. The film is essentially plotless, but it doesn’t necessarily need any story, because it mainly relies on feelings: the first love, the endless, crazy summers, and so on. Framed in a 1.37:1 aspect ratio, the sun-drenched picture evokes a sense of a long lost memory, like a faded polaroid, tucked safely away in our subconscious. However, not everything works within the film, and some ideas are not able to stand on their own. Plotlines are left dangling, unresolved, and because of the length, the movie sometimes can feel a tad too long at points. But perhaps that was also intentional. To give us a reminder of our younger years, when everything was possible, nothing was serious, and those summer holidays seemed endless. Whatever faults the film might has, we don’t care by the end (if we recognise them at all), as Arnold’s direction and Sasha Lane’s performance are absolutely engrossing. Lane is just as comfortable in the role as any other, more experienced actresses, and leads us thrillingly through this crazy ride which we’ll never forget. More like this: Spring Breakers (2012)

Inferno (12A)

Ashley Clay

Pablo Pla Lado

Ferenc Orosz

Ringu

The Tyneside Cinema’s World of Horror season conitnues with Hideo Nakata’s notorious and iconic Ringu Ringu. Fiona Cunningham went to find out if it lives up to its terrifying reputation or if it was a rare case of the remake being superior.

urning on my phone after leaving the Tyneside Cinema’s late-night screening of Hideo Nakata’s 1998 spine-chiller Ringu, the infamous Japanese precursor to Gore Verbinski’s 2002 remake, The Ring, I found myself strangely disappointed at seeing I had no missed calls. Eighteen years on from its original release, Ringu still manages to draw audiences into its classic ‘curse’- a tape, a phone call, and a week to live - even if it’s striking terror into their hearts with a now-obsolete video format. The film is almost single-handedly responsible for bringing ‘J-Horror’ into the international mainstream, a term to bloodthirsty horror geeks that’s now almost synonymous with ‘extreme’. Seasoned viewers familiar with sights like the excruciating last twenty minutes of Takashi Miike’s Audition, for instance (if you don’t know it, don’t google it), might then be surprised to discover that the crowning jewel of J-Horror is an entirely bloodless, subtle ghost story that isn’t afraid to bide its time, and can scare with two seconds of static. It’s by no means perfect. In some ways, Ringu’s American remake is more worth your time. There’s less soap-opera-like exposition, no ‘slapping-thehysterical-woman’ trope (a scene of the original’s that should be disturbing to audiences for all the wrong reasons) and a backstory for the terrifying Sadako and her mother which is far more developed, yet, unsettlingly, answers far fewer questions. It arguably culminates in a slicker film on Verbinski’s part, a plot driven by real human interest rather than Nakata’s incidental psychic visions, and a more persistent feeling of dread, albeit achieved mainly through the Hollywood jumpscares we as Western audiences have become exasperatedly fond of. But this is a film about a haunted VHS tape, and a force of pure evil that waits for the beep to leave a voicemail. Sometimes ‘slicker’ is not what we need. And in sheer malevolence, Ringu outweighs its American rival in spades.

It doesn’t matter that the vast majority of us now couldn’t play Sadako’s cursed tape if it turned up ominously on our doorstep. Ringu might come from a time when our anxieties around new and emerging technologies seem retrospectively benign, but its pant-wetting terror remains. At the film’s now-iconic climax, as Rie Inō’s Sadako lurches her way out of the screen, fingernails torn, sans cheesy backing track and CGI flicker-effects of her American counterpart, audiences might get the feeling that she’s going to be staying with them for a while; in the backs of their minds, on the old tapes in the attic, even on the phones in their pockets. They might well be right. Well, at least for seven days.

28.tvfeatures

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

TV Editors: Luke Acton, Alison Scurﬁeld and Dominic Corrigan

ck a b w ro h T

Stranger Things have happened

The biggest release of the summer, inspiring countless looks at its inspiration and cult classics, Stacie Byers takes a look at Netﬂix’s Stranger Things

Our weekly column where we look back at cult favourites and other atrocities from the past. This week, a HBO classic, The Sopranos.

uch more than yet another mob drama, The Sopranos is often spoken of in as many superlatives as humanly possible. When watching all 86 hours of the show, I risked heightened expectations not meeting the reality. However, The Sopranos truly is the greatest TV show of all time. It unarguably ushered in the start of TV’s ‘Golden Age’ of now by resetting the notion that only the film industry had the resources and market capable of art.

“James Gandolfini’s and Edie Falco’s performances as Tony and Carmela Soprano are nothing less than stellar” Creator and showrunner David Chase’s crowning achievement revolves around Tony Soprano, a modern day mob boss having to juggle his home life against mob responsibilities, all whilst receiving therapy from psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. This dynamic set the tone for the series, one of raw and non-theatrical realism, placing the mobster in a real life affected by family issues and mental health. This is a stark contrast to the more cinematic aesthetic pursued by The Godfather and Goodfellas. There is much to be said about how stylistically different The Sopranos is to early Italian mob films, none of which would have been possible without the show’s excellent cast. Creators opted for a relatively unknown cast, although, arguably down to lack of resources rather than innate intent. This contributed to the truly organic feel of the show, crucial to creator David Chase’s aim of raw, non-theatrical realism.

“Time doesn’t give a damn about you, and there is no cheery, ending to complement that”

James Gandolfini’s and Edie Falco’s performances as Tony and Carmela Soprano are nothing less than stellar. Their relationship provides an accurate lens on the role of women within contemporary American society, and in conflict with Roman Catholic and old-fashioned Italian traditions. This simply would have been fruitless in execution if it weren’t for the naturalistic chemistry and tension between Tony and Carmela on screen. Finally, onto one of the most widely discussed episodes of The Sopranos; the series finale. One of the most polarising TV endings, its narratively unfulfilling conclusion made it difficult for viewers to gain closure from a show they’d dedicated a grand total of 86 hours to. This was certainly my reaction at first, but, alongside the overarching message of the film; that time is ruthlessly independent of individuals, continuing regardless of the fulfilment of their planned courses in life, it fit perfectly. Time doesn’t give a damn about you, and there is no cheery, ending to complement that. Safe to say, David Chase never was the cheery sort, but a fine writer he certainly is. Greg Rosenvinge

t seems this year could be the year of nostalgia, with the announcement that dozens of classic films are to be remade. Undoubtedly riding on this wave is the summer’s biggest hit, Netflix’s Stranger Things. Consisting of eight episodes set in 1983, this is a loyal and endearing homage to pop culture of the decade. The first episode begins how it means to go on; four twelve year old boys playing Dungeons and Dragons in their basement, the DM facing them with the terrifying Demogorgon, which kills one of the boys in the game. This is Will Byers, who, after cycling home in the moonlight in a fashion that would make E.T proud, is chased by a creature in the shadows before disappearing. Is this the Demogorgon? The premise of the next eight episodes

is to find out. The three remaining children, joined by Eleven, a creepy girl with supernatural powers they find in the woods (bear with it, she’s more lovable than she sounds) flawlessly tie in childlike innocence with fear and humour.

“The term ‘character development’ seems like it’s invented for Harbour’s performance”

This unknown cast of child actors steal any scene they’re in; no easy feat when considered they share scenes with actors like Winona Ryder, an embodiment of true 80’s culture herself, playing the role of the distraught and aggrieved mother. What follows

is a heavenly mix of sci-fi, horror and friendship, drawing inspiration from 80’s heroes like Spielberg and Carpenter. Ultimately though, the only way to describe it is the perfect Stephen King adaptation that is not a Stephen King adaptation. The soundtrack only adds to the hybridity of nostalgia and creepy science fiction, fusing trippy synth beats with 80s classics like Joy Division and The Clash. As the search for Will continues, you become attached to the characters and their sub-plots; cue Barb, who appears in barely three episodes, but is now the recipient of the internet frenzy ‘Justice for Barb’. Serious commendation has to be given to David Harbour, playing Chief Hopper, the cop running the investigation. The term ‘character development’ seems like it’s invented for Harbour’s performance. To begin with he gives off no likable qualities: waking up late and drinking, smoking and popping pills for breakfast, he shows no patience to children who want to search for their friend, telling them ‘this isn’t some Lord of the Rings book’. By episode four, though, we realise this man is a damaged one; someone who presents an exterior of misanthropy only to hide the tragedy experienced underneath. A hero, but not the polished perfect hero we are used to, but a flawed and at times immoral one; Harbour himself references Indiana Jones as inspiration, and while Chief Hopper has the hat, he uses his fists instead of a bullwhip to get himself out of trouble. While Stranger Things has been described as ‘family friendly’, there are some genuinely scary moments that make it even more exhilarating, with a fast pace that never lets up. Stranger Things was the surprise of the summer, who could resist this reminiscent homage to the 1980s while still terrifying, distressing and exciting a 2016 audience? It’s an exploit not easily accomplished, but one Stranger Things does so effortlessly it’s already becoming a cult classic.

The best of Adventure Times With the end of Adventure Time slated for 2018, Luke Acton looks at the impact its had on animation.

he end of one of the most beloved shows in recent memory is in sight, after six seasons it has been announced that Adventure Time is come off our screens by 2018. One of the most influential things to happen to cartoons since Adult Swim, Adventure Time paved the way for other ten-minute marvels like Regular Show and Steven Universe. The latter being a direct consequence, with Rebecca Sugar coming straight from the Adventure Time storyboard team and successfully pitching her own show to Cartoon Network. It has highlighted the appetite for shows that, despite their prepubescent target audience, taps into a sense of nostalgia deep-seated in adults. It also pioneered the use of the ten-minute time slot, producing plots that are coherent but complex, so much so that at the often abrupt ending of each episode the viewer is left with a quiet ‘oh’. Not the first to do so, but scope, nuance and power of the plot and characters were never before seen in such a concise form. The final revelations of each episode maybe go over the heads of kids in their emotional gravity, but hit grown-ups squarely.

“The post-apocalyptic world opens slowly and over many seasons, the viewers will never know it all” Experimentation is the shows hallmark, with guest animators and writers that push the boundaries of its form, the time slot, the frame, the imaginations of the executives. Everything from working in three dimensions to gender-swapping the characters, the show isn’t afraid to see where it can

go. In everything it does, Adventure Time refuses to talk down to its audience. It’s never afraid of going too fast or too big: the post-apocalyptic world opens slowly and over many seasons, the viewers will never know it all. Even in the face of a disappointing Marcelinefocused special, the depth of the world the Pendleton Ward built (he has now left the show to pursue other projects like Cartoon Hangover, which I recommend) is astonishing. Although Adventure Time was not the first show to expand the domain of cartoons into the realm of seriously considered art (it’s joined by the likes of Adult Swim and Studio Ghibli), no other project had as big a cultural impact or cultivated a more

dedicated fan base. But it isn’t over yet, there are 148 half-hour episodes, specials and ‘more’ in the works. But even though the end is ways away and the marking of the end can allow a more natural and satisfying conclusion to the series, it is still sad to be reminded that it’s finishing. Even though by the time it ends I’ll (hopefully) be a year into living in ‘real life’ and not the neo-childhood of university, I know that I’ll still love it as much as I did when I was fifteen. Adventure Time has brought something to animation that is going to last. Luke Acton

The Courier

highlightstv.29

Monday 24 October 2016

thecourieronline.co.uk/tv c2.tv@ncl.ac.uk | @courier_tv

Back from obscurity

Westworld

Sky Atlantic, Tuesday 9pm

here was a lot of anticipation for HBO’s Westworld. A fusion of the sci-fi and western, the ten-episode series currently airing on Sky Atlantic is set in the near future, in a Western-themed amusement park populated by androids. These robots, referred to as ‘hosts’ are almost completely indistinguishable from humans, and when they begin to develop self-awareness, it poses some serious philosophical questions. I was blown away by the first two episodes of Westworld. Right from the gorgeous opening credits, I was hooked. The show flickers back and forth between the beautifully recreated Old West, a familiar world of cowboys, sheriffs and outlaws, and the sterile laboratories where the robotic humans are created. Among the saloons and tumbleweeds are Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, and James Marsden, as well as the wonderfully sinister Ed Harris, who gives a tremen-

dously villainous performance. Outside the virtual world of the Old West are the minds behind it. Jeffrey Wright, Sidse Babett Knudsen, and Luke Hemsworth all monitor Westworld, while the superb Sir Anthony Hopkins oversees the whole operation as the theme park’s creator, Dr Ford, an enigmatic genius portrayed by Hopkins with hypnotising subtlety. Reportedly, $100 million was spent on the first season, and the production values are evident from the very first scene. However, the series doesn’t rely on spectacle. Westworld is one of the most intelligent dramas I’ve seen. It doesn’t talk down to its audience, and offers its viewers a discussion about what it means to be human. A chilling example of these themes being explored is in the second episode when Thandie Newton’s character wakes up in the laboratory outside of the amusement park, and realises to her horror that she, along with everyone else in the park, is a robot. These ideas are topical. Last week in the news it was proposed by scientists that our universe is likely to be a simulation. If this is the case are we also the creations of a higher intelligence? If so, do

Scream Queens

National Treasure

E4, Wednesday 10pm

4OD

ts time to scream again! Emma Roberts reprises her role as Chanel Oberlin in the second series of the horror-comedy Scream Queens. It’s 1985 and as usual, nothing would complete the show without a good old fashioned Halloween party. Similar to series one, we’re introduced to our series two killer in a flashback to the first episode. The enigmatic ‘Green Meanie’ is on the hunt for our precious Chanel and despite the name, I genuinely liked how the villain brought more of an eerie than the original ‘Red Devil’ from series one. Of course, everybody’s favourite love-to-hate character Dean Cathy Munsch (Jamie Lee Curtis) is back. She brought our favourite, and now broke, Kappa Kappa Tau sisters together in her new teaching hospital. Equally as suspicious as before, it is unclear what her motivations are for bringing Zayday (Keke Palmer) and the three Chanels back. A highlight for me was being introduced to Dr Brock Holt (John Stamos). The eye-candy of the series, Brock explains that he was the first man to receive a hand transplant, leading to some of the best and most subtle humour in the show, particularly when the hand has a mind of its own… The show’s unpredictability is what makes it so gripping. It wouldn’t be Scream Queens without a murder, right? Unfortunately the ‘Green Meanie’ might have killed off one of my favourite characters, Chanel number 5. Made more disturbing by the retro soundtrack, the show left me on the edge of my seat, as it cut before we found out if one of the original cast was making their final appearance.

espite sharing a name with the childrenoriented film series starring Nicolas Cage, National Treasure is definitely not for kids. Jack Thorne’s four-part series stars Robbie Coltrane and Julie Walters in an adaptation of real-life events. Taking heavy influence from Operation Yewtree, Coltrane stars as Paul Finchley, a television comedian, who is accused of raping an underage girl years prior to the events of the series. Thorne’s drama is unrelenting and tense. The drama throws light onto the controversies of the UK justice system and the public’s attitudes towards defending our most beloved television stars, answering enough of its own questions to feel ultimately satisfied, but leaving space for questions left unanswered. The dynamic between Finchley and characters surrounding him is handled unbelievably well, as Walters’ character – his wife, Marie – struggles with the allegations he faces, and his accusers and legal representatives are thrust directly into the front of this battle. They have little wriggle room and the representation of conflict between the accusers and accused is nothing short of stunning. After the controversies surrounding names like Jimmy Saville and Rolf Harris, this drama is simultaneously clear and unclear. We, the audience, are witness to these events, and are responsible for creating the caricatures and respect surrounding these kinds of individuals. We are just as responsible for holding them to account. For a stand-alone fourpart drama? I insist you watch.

Sian Dickie

Errol Kerr

we have free will? Is our intelligence more or less artificial than a robot’s? I’m pleased to see that Westworld has received unanimous praise from critics. Its success is unsurprising considering the talent behind its production. Among the executive producers are J.J. Abrams, of Star Trek and Star Wars, and Jonathan Nolan, who co-wrote The Dark Knight and Interstellar. The source material from which it is based was also a critical success. The original 1973 film was written by Michael Crichton, the novelist behind Jurassic Park. There are obvious similarities between the two, both being centred on theme parks in which the exhibits go berserk and kill the guests. I must confess that I haven’t yet seen the original film, but after watching the first two episodes of this series, I will definitely watching. In short, Westworld is an intelligent sci-fi-Western thriller with great potential. I hope that in the next six weeks the series continues to engage its audience. If it manages to maintain these standards, then the series will be nothing short of spectacular. Jamie Gomersall

Designated Survivor

Netflix

hat would happen if a freak attack obliterated most of America’s top politicians? In Designated Survivor, Netflix have once again given us a show to binge watch. What’s interesting about this show is that it is based on an actual process carried out by every administration. It’s an interesting concept: that someone who has no aspirations for the job, takes in on in the worst possible scenario. We see in the first few episodes how the family adjusts to their new home life at the White House; Natascha McElhone brilliantly presenting the challenges that arise from her sudden promotion to First Lady. Meanwhile the two children show the same type of transition, but from a slightly more innocent standpoint. Tom Kirkman is a family man who avoids confrontation and remains one of the few genuine and honest people in politics. This approach was useful in the role of Secretary of a lesser political branch, however, after being sworn in, Kirkman needs to toughen up to match his position as leader of the free world. All the while, people seek to undermine him in order to attempt to push themselves higher up in the power vacuum. Whilst watching the show, it becomes clear that it is as much about the individual characters and their relationships as it is about the politics. Whether you enjoy the House of Cards cutthroat political aspect, the family drama, or the insight into the FBI procedural affairs, there is something appealing to every viewer, making it worth having to wait a week between episodes. Jenny Cooke

he TV industry has recently become a home for groundbreaking entertainment and art that was once only really associated with cinema. TV today is big. Programmes like Sherlock and Top Gear dominate mass viewership, creating big bucks for media companies. However, there have always been gems unknown to the average viewer. These shows are as enticing as big budget Marvel productions, Netflix originals and law dramas. Here’s my countdown of the top 5: 5. Firefly (2002) (Available on Netflix) Arguably Joss Whedon’s best creation, Firefly began life as a throw away sci-fi, but after being cancelled after just 14 episodes, the space-western became a cult hit. After 14 years, fans still cry for a second season, their thirst not quenched by the tie in movie, Serenity, despite it rounding up the overall plot. With a nonchalant yet caring captain; an utterly obnoxious smuggler; a married flight crew; a teenage engineer; a conventionally handsome medic and his insane, telepathic sister, where can you go wrong? 4. Community (2009) (Available on Netflix) Dan Harmon’s weird and wonderful community college comedy confuses and excites in ways you would not expect. From entire episodes in Claymation and meta-fictive story arcs, to an all cast paintball episode mirroring western movies, this postmodern sitcom rises above the rest. The zany characters will become like a second family as you watch their trials and tribulations, from being infected with “glee club fever” (triggering a whole musical episode), to the takeover of the college by an ex Spanish teacher turned security guard and his newly recruited team of pre-adolescent school boys. 3. Angel (1999) (Available on Amazon Prime) An often forgotten spinoff of Buffy, Angel was an achievement in its own right. Following the same universe as Buffy, it is filled to the brim with demons, vampires, spells, alternate realities, and evil lawyers. The detective twist redeems any qualms you may have had with the overly romanticised version of Angel, cast purely as a love interest for Buffy. This series is filled with parallels and references to the original series and even features old character favourites including Spike and Cordelia. 2. Farscape (1999) (Available on Amazon Prime) A science fiction series where the majority of the aliens aren’t CGI, but instead rely on Jim Henson’s puppetry skills. Ridiculous? Funnily enough, it’s brilliant. In an industry already saturated with popular science fiction, Farscape is something a little different. The exceptional acting will win you over, even if the special effects do not. The charm of the characters and the thought that has gone into wormholes and traps will keep you hooked for all 4 seasons and a movie. 1. Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared (2011) (Available on YouTube) This is where we delve into true obscurity; the realms of the internet web series. This is a true unknown gem. Well, if you see a grotesque and disturbing parody of a children’s TV show, about the danger of the media on culture and individuality as a gem, that is. Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared features large puppets and eerie, concerning messages about love, religion, food, technology and time. Watch as the puppets become increasingly terrified at the realisation that the media is seeking to control their lives. Jacob Clarke

30.gaming

Monday 24th October 2016

The Courier

Gaming Editors: Errol Kerr, Jared Moore & Jordan Oloman

Overwatch Celebrates all things Halloween Georgina Howlett investigates the paranormal craze sweeping through the Overwatch community

n October 11th, the Halloween Terror event began in Overwatch. Much like with the Summer Games event for the Olympics, new skins, emotes, sprays, highlight intros and more have been made available in the pumpkin-themed loot boxes, with the exclusive loot now also available to buy with ingame currency by popular demand (thank you, Blizzard!). In addition, the game’s first PvE (player versus environment) brawl, Junkenstein’s Revenge, has been established with great success and popularity. With three difficulties to choose from (easy, medium, and hard) and four new brawl-exclusive achievements to collect, there is never a lack of players to team up with to try and thwart the evil plans of Dr. Jamison Junkenstein to destroy the gates into Aldersbrunn and exact his revenge on the Lord of the castle. Players can choose to play as either McCree (‘The Gunslinger’), Soldier: 76 (‘The Soldier’), Hanzo (‘The Archer’) or Ana (‘The Alchemist’), and all must work together to destroy Junkenstein’s minions – including The Reaper, Junkenstein’s Monster, and the Witch of the Wilds (a.k.a. Reaper, Roadhog and Mercy) – as well as defeating Junkenstein himself. With the approach of BlizzCon, Blizzard’s annual celebration and platform for announcing game updates and new titles, also comes more and more speculation regarding the mysterious Sombra – a character whom has been teased to us players indirectly, and whose release progress was thought to be being marked by the ‘A Moment in Crime’ website. Alas, reaching 100% transmission on October 18th, the website reveals nothing of Sombra’s character or abilities; rather, it now states “Bastion Unit E-54 committed ... ... Completing connection ...” – implying that more of Bastion’s history is perhaps to be revealed, and as for Sombra, we’ll have to wait until BlizzCon between November 4th and 5th. I for one will be following the convention closely, and in the meantime, I’ll be praying to find Mercy’s witch skin in a loot box... Halloween Terror is running in Overwatch between October 11th and November 1st.

Image Credit: Blizzard

Review:

Image Credit: 2K Press

2K makes Gerry Hart an oﬀer he can’t refuse...

afia 3’s a weird one. Its mixed reception aside, the decision to shift the setting to the late ‘60s Deep South was certainly interesting. I was persuaded to buy it, despite having never played the previous two entries. Generally speaking I’ve been enjoying the game, though that enjoyment comes with caveats. The game’s main draw is its narrative. The story follows Lincoln Clay, a black Vietnam veteran on his quest for vengeance against the Italian Mafia in the city of New Bordeaux (i.e. New Orleans). The characters and voice acting are fantastic and I loved how exposition is framed through documentary interviews. However the best aspect is the historical setting. You will frequently encounter open racism and characters will often provide observations on certain issues, bringing to life the tensions of the day. My only problem with the story is that it loses focus somewhat once the game opens up, but other than that its a fantastic piece of historical commentary that encapsulates the zeitgeist of late ‘60s America.

(though they become less menacing once you realise most of them adhere to the Blues Brothers school of law enforcement). It’d also be remiss of me to not mention the soundtrack, which consists of rock n’ roll classics from the ‘50s and ‘60s, and when worked into certain scenes it makes for something special. It’s hard not to feel badass fleeing the cops to the tune of Little Richard. Nonetheless, this doesn’t make up for the gameplay’s shortcomings. For instance; the side missions are repetitive and amount to little more than padding. That said I have a weird tolerance for grinding and I still found the combat to be serviceable and even fun. Some of the executions are satisfyingly gritty, and tie the tense setting back into the gameplay like a feedback loop.

“A fantastic piece of historical commentary that encapsulates the zeitgest of late ‘60s America”

However Mafia 3’s biggest crime is its technical problems. The most common for me were texture issues with character models and clunky lighting effects, but I’ve heard other horror stories including slow download speeds on PS4 and a 30 fps cap on PC (which has since been patched out). There have also been some unintentionally funny reflection bugs. Issues like these are inexcusable, and I was fortunate they didn’t ruin the game’s beautifully crafted story. Ultimately, Mafia 3’s a pretty flawed game. Even if one ignores the technical issues, its gameplay - though passable - is derivative and unremarkable. Despite this, I still adored its brilliantly poignant story. It’s unfortunate that for many it will likely be overshadowed by the game’s drawbacks.

Unfortunately, the actual gameplay is pretty mediocre. It takes place in a GTA-esque sandbox, through which you traverse completing story missions and side objectives, with combat consisting of third-person cover shooting and stealth. I liked how the setting’s racism was incorporated into the gameplay. Some buildings are segregated and entering them will result in the police being called, and the police themselves will respond faster to criminal behaviour in a rich white neighbourhood as opposed to a poor black one

“It’s hard not to feel badass fleeing the cops to the tune of Little Richard”

Image Credit: 2K Press Hub

RageQuit: Miner Wars 2081 Jack Coles divinates a dystopian, laborious future in space, one rock at a time

iner Wars 2081 is one of those indie games that feels like it wasn’t “produced” so much as “spontaneously generated”. It contains a veritable bargain bucket of generic features: there’s survival aspects, space flight, weapons found in any modern shooter, 6-degrees-of-freedom movement, fighting Russians, resource mining, and terrain destruction. Oh, there’s also zombies (well, zombie spaceships) and Nazis, in case your generic-o-meter hadn’t quite exploded yet. So what makes this game particularly bad? For starters, the backstory is so awful it makes Stephenie Meyer read like Agatha Christie. In 2070 the Sun explodes, leaving behind no planets in the Solar System, just a lot of asteroids and space stations. Quite how this doesn’t kill literally everybody isn’t explained. As a result, a new order rises from the survivors and – nah, I’m joking, it’s virtually all pre-existing countries. You belong to the EAC, a mixture of Europe, and the US, who colluded to blow up the Sun. (As a diplomatic faux pas goes, that’s pretty

major.) You are also enemies of China and Russia, as you might expect. There’s also the Fourth Reich (Space Nazi Germany); quite why the inclusion of Nazis was deemed necessary in 2081, I do not know. Strangely enough, one of the minor factions is the developers themselves, Keen Software House, with their CEO kept alive by cybernetics. Now that’s egotism. The main story itself reads like an 8-year-old retelling his grandad’s war stories to be more exciting, but just ends up rambling instead. Your support NPCs include a brother who obviously gets killed for character development (except it’s spoiled at the beginning that he’s still alive, so whatever), and one guy who you meet once and then betrays you at the end for no apparent reason. Imagine if Julius Caesar hadn’t been stabbed by some Senators, but by the market vendor that sold him a pie for breakfast two days earlier: That’s how bizarre the betrayal is. Gameplay-wise, there’s a lot of wasted potential. You would think that futuristic spaceships would

have futuristic weapons, but no, it’s rifles and shotguns for you! There are three different types of health: actual health, armour (also health), and radiation (health that decreases because the Sun is still exploding, the selfish git). There’s also fuel and oxygen, creating a survival-like mechanic. It’s only survival-like, though, because you can constantly revisit your mothership to replenish everything for free. The controls are very poorly explained. I once hit the letter “X” on my keyboard and accidentally turned off the inertia dampeners, causing me to keep moving and then wallop into a passing asteroid. It wasn’t listed on the controls submenu so I just had to guess which buttons I might have pressed. Also, there were plenty of ships available for sale and I eventually got enough money to buy one, but I needed to trawl forums for a good ten minutes before I found out how to actually use it (I’d tell you, but I’ve hit my word limit). In short: Miner Wars? More like Major Bores.

Image Credit: Keen Software House

The Courier

gaming.31

Monday 24th October 2016

thecourieronline.co.uk@Courier_Gaming

What I’m Playing: Final Fantasy XIV Top 5 PS2

Richard Liddle looks for meaning before Final Fantasy XV consumes his life

got into FFXIV mostly out of curiosity; a few of my friends had been talking about it for a while and since there’s a two week free trial, I thought I may as well give it a go to see what it was like. Granted, I’ve never really done much PC gaming, I have hardly any experience with MMORPGs (that brief stint of Runescape obsession when I was 12 doesn’t really count) and the only FF game I’ve ever played is the NES original - but I figured hey, what’s the worst that could happen? Turns out the worst that could happen was dying within the first hour. I made the mistake of wandering into a FATE (random events that multiple players can join to earn rewards) filled with higher levelled enemies, and thanks to my

complete lack of skill I got wiped before I knew it. Still, I persevered, and now that I’m more used to the gameplay I’m really starting to enjoy my adventures in Eorzea.

“You’re pretty much free to do as you please, wandering around the city and its surrounding areas as you see fit”

A Realm Reborn is set five years after the original FFXIV and explores the world of Eorzea after the calamitous events of the first game’s ending, meaning that many of the early quests involve helping people go about the business of rebuilding and regenerating their homelands. When creating

your character you’re given an option of three cities to start in, each one offering three classes to begin as. I chose to start in the desert city of Ul’dah as a Pugilist, a bare-knuckle warrior whose attacks become more potent if you strike from the right position (which given how bad I am at moving around with a keyboard was probably a mistake). After a few simple talking and fetch quests, you’re pretty much free to do as you please, wandering around the city and its surrounding areas as you see fit. The scale of the world is impressive, with numerous settlements all offering their own storylines to complement the main narrative, as well as the various FATEs I mentioned earlier. While at first it can be a bit daunting, especially

In the wake of online server shutdown, James McCoull revisits the glory days of console gaming with a retrospective take on the legendary PS2’s catalogue 5: Prince Of Persia: The Sands Of Time Though Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed has left the third person parkour simulator all too familiar to us now - so much so that free-running elements have even spilled into some first-person titles – it hasn’t always been that way. Long ago, buried deep in the sands of time (no? Fair enough) Ubisoft brought us Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, an instant classic and singular gem among the crowded third-person platformer genre. Though its myriad sequels and reboots failed to capture the same magic, Sands of Time remains a landmark title for the Playstation 2.

given the lack of a concrete tutorial – most of it is handled by pop-up info boxes which aren’t always particularly clear – I soon fell into the rhythm of picking up quests, going out into the wilderness, killing monsters/collecting items/taking drink orders in a frontier inn (exciting!) and then returning to the client, learning more about the world and its history as I went. The game’s main story seems to be a slow burner, with important events spaced out between more mundane fetch quests and monster killing, but is intriguing enough from what I’ve seen; mysterious visions seem to point to the goal of restoring a giant, magical crystal and using it to return the world to its former glory. Unfortunately my free trial is nearly over, but FFXIV has definitely done enough to tempt me to fork out for the full version.

4: The Simpsons: Hit And Run

Image Credit: YouTube

Memory Card: The Wind Waker

Sam Blackburn reels around the fountain with Toon Link and his motley crew

ave you ever played a game that was so good, you almost shed a tear because you were so sad you could never play it again for the first time? This is the feeling The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker evokes. I’ve played so many games, great ones, okay ones, bad ones, but none with the level of excellence and beauty of Wind Waker. Sure, there are better games out there. In fact, some may argue that there are even better Legend of Zelda games. I mean despite my love for Wind Waker, I lose sleep deciding whether I love it more than Ocarina of Time.

“Despite its cartoony look, this has got to be one of the most creative Zelda games ever” So for you uneducated heathens who have never been blessed by playing Wind Waker, it is now my job to convince you why you should try and play this game, via Gamecube, Wii U or by accidentally having your finger slip causing you to download a

Gamecube Emulator and ROM of said game. Wind Waker was originally released in Europe in the May of 2003 for the Nintendo Gamecube. The game was actually criticized massively by the gaming community. This is mainly due to the high expectations of an Ocarina of Time styled Zelda game, instead of the cartoony cel-shaded style we got with the Wind Waker. It is understandable why people got annoyed (I mean, gamers don’t have a reputation for being the most rational of people) but just look at this game. It’s gorgeous! The unique art style really helps create the game’s charm and makes it stand out in the series. The character models look amazing, especially Link, who is unbelievably well animated. Despite its cartoony look, this has got to be one of the most creative Zelda games ever made. The game is centred on the sea, with Link being able to sail his boat, The King of Red Lions, around The Great Sea from island to island, finding towns, dungeons and Tingle! However many gamers highlight this as a complaint; that the naval exploration is what kills the experience because it adds too much exposition to the game. I do understand this complaint, but if

Games

you look at the game from the perspective of “you have a massive world to explore with very little limiting your freedom”, then the sea exploration doesn’t seem too bad.

“The unique art style really helps create the game’s charm and makes it stand out in the series” The characters and story are also tremendously compelling, and still hold up among the plethora of Zelda titles we have today. If you’re not sold yet, might I add that this game doesn’t have any Water Temples? Quite an ironic twist of fate, but bar a small section in the Tower of the Gods, there is no official Water Temple! Now you have no excuse not to play this game. Wind Waker is quite honestly one of my alltime favourite games and you are doing yourself a disservice by not playing it. Outset Island theme will be your new favourite song to revise to.

Has anyone not played this? I’m honestly becoming skeptical – hell, while I was writing this, someone looked over my shoulder and commented that Hit & Run was one of their favourite games growing up. An undisputed, nostalgia-inducing darling of its time and seemingly a whole generation, Hit & Run actually didn’t do a whole lot different – it just did it exceptionally well. With a never-miss sense of humour, solid gameplay straight out of a familyfriendly GTA and America’s favourite family to back its appeal, there was no way Hit & Run was ever going to be anything other than a runaway success. 3: Shadow Of The Colossus I’ll admit I only played Team Ico’s magnum opus relatively recently, but I didn’t need the rose-tinted glasses of nostalgia to see how idiosyncratically stunning Colossus is. A hauntingly empty world - populated only by yourself, sparse ambient wildlife, and the gentle giants you must ruthlessly assassinate – beckons abundant intrigue and emotion, with boss fights so creative and varied we might never see their like again. Colossus’s legacy is secure in the hands of the many developers it has influenced, with games like Hyper Light Drifter and Dark Souls waving the flag of their cult-classic inspiration proudly. 2: Silent Hill 2 It’s fair to say that the Silent Hill series has had a rough treatment in the last decade. After years of disappointing sequels, a brief beacon of hope in the form of Kojima’s Silent Hills arose, only to be mercilessly snuffed out by the tight-fisted hand of Konami. Yeah, I’m still mad about it. However, we’ll always have the good old days, even if the good old days are as bleak as seminal masterpiece Silent Hill 2. This gory romp through Freudian psychology isn’t just the best of its name; it’s one of the best horror games ever made, full stop. 1: GTA: San Andreas

Image Credits: Nintendo Assets Library

San Andreas is a behemoth of pure open world fun. Nowadays, with four Saints Rows and a couple of bigger and prettier GTAs behind us than the series’ fifth installment, we might take that for granted; however, in 2004, urban sandboxes were a little harder to come by, and certainly none as sprawling and inviting as this. With gaming’s seventh generation beginning in 2005, San Andreas could arguably be called the PS2’s swansong, and such a glorious console could hardly have asked for a better send-off.

32. science&technology

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Science Editors: Matthew Byrne, Natalie Farmer & Ciara Ritson-Courtney

On this day

24th October 1956 Amanda Jane Yap casts her eye over the eye revelation that has changed the sight of the world as we see it

lesser known biomedical researcher, by the name of William Harvey “Bill” Dobelle, can be considered a modern-day saviour in this day and age. In 1978, Dr Dobelle created history for the progression of artificial vision for the blind using electrical transmissions in the brain, gifting them with limited vision. A fervent believer in artificial technology, his impressive resume included creating the only US Food and Drug Administration approved portable breathing diaphragm pacemaker to help those with respiratory problems for the pacemaker industry, and redesigning the artificial hip while still in high school. However, his brain child would be the “Dobelle eye” invention. Dr William Dobelle was convinced that an external sensor that creates the digital image could be conveyed to the brain as usable sight.

“An external sensor that creates the digital image could be conveyed to the brain as The “Dobelle eye” system uses a tiny camera fixed in glasses worn by the blind person, the images are transmitted to a portable computer and then to 68 surgically-implanted platinum electrodes, which are attached to the brain’s visual cortex. Dr William Dobelle persevered and persisted in his belief of helping the partially and totally blind regain some measure of sight. After close to 30 years with a group of scientists under his tutelage, Dr Dobelle rose to fame in 2000 after a 62-year-old volunteer participant was able to recover limited navigational abilities. This was where the prestigious Dobelle Institute began to make its name, known to specialise in the field of artificial vision. The interesting part of the “Dobelle eye” apparatus is that it produced close to 100 specks of dotted light to form an outline of the object. These specks of light appear and disappear according to the vision change. The constellation of dots is known as phosphenes and have been likened to stars that hide behind passing clouds, from participants’ observations. Though the “Dobelle eye” invention was still in an experimental stage, it has provided tremendous hope to those who have resigned to the fact that darkness will plague them till their death. It is necessary to add that the technology would not regain their full visual sight like fully sighted people people, but it does increase their independence by more than half as they are able to navigate around more than they could. For example, allowing them to drive short distances. Needless to say, the cost for curing blindness has come at a hefty price. The entire visual prosthesis system costs $100,000 which includes a miniature camera mounted on special glasses, a frame grabber, microcomputer, stimulus generation module, and two implanted electrode arrays with percutaneous pedestals. This does not include patient psychiatric evaluation which costs up to $3,000 and hospital care expenses which can grow to $10,000. However, these astronomical figures have become normal to Dr Dobelle, he has given close to 30 years of his life to this cause and at a price tag of $25 million. For Dr William Dobelle, he has sacrifice countless things for this cause, all of which are secondary when it comes to the time spent tinkering with the “Dobelle eye”, time which cannot be replaced or bought back. Hence, it is that sense of urgency to succeed whatever the cost to make up for the blood, sweat and tears he has invested for this grand cause that continues to influence the artificial vision technology of today. For us, it’s called an invention, for them, it’s called hope.

Half-man, half machine

Errol Kerr presents and discusses the possibility of a more technologically advanced future thanks to the development of Elon Musk’s innovative neural lace

eural Lace is a nanotechnology-based mesh, designed to work synchronously with the brain in order to allow humans to interface with computers and augment human intelligence. No, this isn’t a science fiction novel, and no, this doesn’t have anything to do with those weird chips people shove in their heads in things like The Matrix, Star Trek and Halo. No - this is something very, very real, and Elon Musk, director and CEO of SpaceX, is developing it. Toward the end of August, Musk replied to a Tweet asking “How’s the neural lace […] going?”, indicating that there was possibly “something to announce in a few months” in regards to extending the capabilities of human beings through technological advancement. His aim, however, isn’t solely to advance mankind to unimaginable levels. Ever seen the Terminator film series? (Of course you have!) Within the film series, Musk sees a very real fear – the inevitability that humanity will develop artificial intelligence that will, one day, develop well beyond the current capacities of human intelligence. And the last thing we need is some all-powerful inorganic being overtaking all of humanity. So, whilst Elon Musk, pioneer of all things scientific, isn’t planning sending people to Mars, or cooperating with Tesla on autonomous vehicles, he’s trying to stop the inevitable rise of the machine. This possibility isn’t even that far away from a reality – individuals already have chips implanted allowing them to utilise prosthetics, and in mid-2015, a Harvard University nanotech-

nologist injected neural wire into mice successfully. It’s not going to be long until this practice can carry over onto humans. As well as advancing human intelligence, it would allow for medical professionals to monitor neural activity in individuals with physical disabilities. This could make use of possible prostheses or mobility technology just by thinking about it, and even use sections of the body that are paralysed. It could allow us to text or type without even touching our phones, allow us to utilise search engines without a second thought. If people do, indeed, think of NSFW things every couple of seconds, however,

“The inevitability that humanity will develop artificial intelligence that will, one day, develop well beyond the current capabilities of human intelligence”

this could get very entertaining very quickly. The current aim is to improve stability, however – they have a habit of losing the ability to carry signal over time, especially as the intrusive nanotech tends to damage or kill bodily cells. However, it seems that brain cells are more accepting of the inorganic components, so here’s hoping that expanded intelligence doesn’t come with a significantly shortened lifespan.

If you’re wondering where Musk’s getting his scientific influences, it’s definitely something to do with him being a huge nerd – considering he’s also played all the Deus Ex games up until Mankind Divided, so I’m a fan. Once this is all set up, you’ll find me in line at the augmentation clinic, waiting for people to shove some metal in my head. I can’t wait for symbiosis with machines. We will be assimilated. Resistance is futile.

The Courier investigates the dark side of the webcam Do you ever feel like you are being watched? Jared Moore dishes the dirt on the secret world of hacking and suggests diﬀerent ways to protect your tech

rguably, we now live in a society where the computer is a man’s best friend. Many of our basic day to day needs are satisfied through the use of our laptops or smartphones. Whether you crave knowledge, aspire to build new relationships or just want to take the night to binge watch the entire first season of Stranger Things, your computer most likely has you covered. Socially, computers allow us to thrive in the postmodern; they work against linear preconceptions for time and space. We live in a culture devoted to shortcuts. The likes of Amazon allows you to exchange goods internationally without moving from the comfort of your couch, whilst software such as Skype and Webex eradicate the geographical distance that previously would be covered in order to see another individual. In many respects, it seems like the perfect system - but is it? In reality, for most of us our webcams are completely harmless. They’re either never used or, if they are, it’s on those rare occasions when your family are checking you haven’t done anything stupid mid-semester. But occasionally, webcams can be used to intrude upon our privacy from remote locations around the world.

“For most of us our webcams are completely harmless” It sounds like something picked out of a horror movie, the thought of someone watching you when you believe you’re completely alone. Yet, it’s more common than you’d think. Webcam hacking is a process carried out by hackers to show off their skills to the surrounding community. Most hackers use what’s called a Remote Access Trojan (or R.A.T for short) to take control of your computer’s functions. What makes the is-

sue particularly sinister is that often, the person who’s being hacked actually gives the hacker access to their computer. It’s the computer equivalent of accidentally letting a stranger walk straight into the backdoor of your home.

“Installing strong anti-malware software will help prevent unwanted guests accessing your mainframe” It works by infecting your computer with malware - software which is specifically designed to harm your computer. To infect a system with malware, it requires the user to click on an attachment or download software infected with malware. The only problem is that this could be anything, even something that seems completely innocent! There are, however, ways by which you can make your computer a safer place. Installing strong anti-malware software and turning on your firewall will help prevent unwanted guests accessing your mainframe. A bit of basic common sense also doesn’t go amiss. Remember when your parents told you not to talk to strangers or play with things that aren’t toys? Well, the same can be applied online. If you don’t know who they are or what they want, then you don’t know what they’re up to. Those pop-up messages that notify you when you’ve won a free iphone 6? Don’t click on them. If all else does fail and you find yourself paranoid that someone might be staring back at you through the tiny camera at the top of your computer, then there is one final solution to your worries. Tape a bit of paper over it. Then at worst someone’s going to hack in and see a rather fuzzy piece of A4.

The Courier

science&technology.33

Monday 24 October 2016

Combined contraceptive: hormonal heaven or hell?

Jack Coles investigates a potential link between contraception and depression

he contraceptive pill is one of the most popular methods of birth control in the Western world. The most common type is the combined pill, which contains a mix of oestrogen and progesterone, hormones which are involved in the regulation of periods and pubertal development. An alternative, the mini pill, only contains progesterone. On a basic level, the way the combined pill works is that the hormones are used to suppress ovulation. The progesterone also stops the uterus lining from developing enough to support a fertilised egg – that’s why periods are often less heavy when using the combined pill. Meanwhile, depression is a clinically recognised medical problem. It is considered normal to feel depressed after a traumatic event or difficult transition. However, it is recognised as a problem, if the feeling persists for many weeks, months or even years afterwards. It is thought that a reduction of the neurotransmitter serotonin (which causes feelings of happiness) is what causes the symptoms, but what actually decreases the serotonin is poorly understood.

“The hormones have the ability to alter the reactivity of cells in the brain” In regards to connecting the two, there have already been pointers in the past towards the pill being linked to depression. One potential reason is that the hormones have the ability to alter the reactivity of cells in the brain, including those that use serotonin as a neurotransmitter. One study showed that adding progesterone to oestrogen-treated cells increased the activity of an enzyme that breaks down serotonin, reducing overall levels. Confusingly, progesterone alone had no effect, and oestrogen was shown to actually reduce the enzyme’s

activity. The problem only occurred when both hormones were administered together. This study was based on cells taken from rats, however, so there may be some issues in translating effects across species, meaning it may not necessarily be relevant to humans. Other studies have shown that progesterone by itself could be a c ont r ibut ing factor to depression. One study examined women that had been undergoing hormone therapy, a treatment for some types of cancer. When progesterone was added to the cocktail of drugs, many women experienced a decrease in overall mood, which is a key indicator of depression. However, the University of Copenhagen recently released the results of an extensive investigation that suggested that there is a link between the contraceptive pill and depression, causing a media storm. The study itself was both ambitious and impressive. It spanned eighteen years, investigated over one million women in Denmark, took into account multiple types of hormonal contraceptive (not just the combination pill), and even compensated for current trends in depression and diseases of the female reproductive system. The results show that all but one of the contraceptives investigated gave a ‘statistically significant’ increase to antidepressant usage. So there is a correlation, but no proof of direct causation. It is possible that the hormones do indeed cause increased levels of the serotonin-destroying enzyme in humans, causing depression, but there is not currently enough evidence to confirm or disprove this.

Flexible fuel

Sarah Main examines a new bendable battery tech

A normal battery comprises a cathode, anode, separator, and a current collector. There are a number of ways in which these individual components can be adapted to allow them to twist and bend. The two most common approaches either use ultra-thin forms of commonly used conducting materials, or novel solution-based conductors that can be applied to a thin membrane or polymer binder. Recent research has also shown that it is possible to filter an electrode solution to make a free-standing film without a binding matrix. Rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have been made flexible by the use of flexible nanocarbons, such as graphene, and even self-rechargeable batteries have been developed with the use of very fine solar cell films,

Corry Thomas

“A vast range of applications for flexible power sources have already been identified, in a variety of industries”

which charge with exposure to light. A vast range of applications for flexible power sources have already been identified, in a variety of industries. Flexible batteries in watches, fitness bands, and other wearable technologies would be great for reducing the bulk of these items. Thus making them more comfortable and practical to use. The US Air Force is in the process of developing a flexible lithium-ion battery to use in battlefield devices and sensors, with promising results so far showing that the battery can be completely bent without loss of power. It has even been suggested that these batteries could have applications in medicine, for e x ampl e in transdermal drug delivery. Unfortunately, no flexible batteries currently store enough energy to power a smartphone for any length of time, although this area is still being investigated. But when combined with other novel materials and technologies, bendable batteries may be used in fully-flexible smartphones in the future. Edited image from

n the 4th October, Panasonic revealed a 0.6mm thick bendable battery at a technology fair in Japan, which they claim can bend to 25 degrees, and will not degrade after repeated use. Bendable batteries are, generally speaking, the same as any everyday battery. However, the battery’s components are altered in order to allow them to twist and be bent, and usually will only add up to a total thickness of less than a millimeter. The concept of a bendable battery can be applied to either a primary or secondary (rechargeable) battery, and work is currently in progress to develop other flexible power sources.

The important thing is to note that statistics are at play here, and that no two people are exactly the same not even identical twins! Brains are very complicated things and react differently to different things, even to a substance that they produce themselves – serotonin. Similarly, it’s hard to draw conclusions from studies of depression when there are still sociological and geographical issues at play. The recent study took place Denmark, the fourth best country for gender-equality in 2014, according to the United Nations. Thus it may not be fully representative of other countries. Not perfect, but potentially a better testing ground than most other places.

“The University of Copenhagen recently released the results of a study that suggests there is a link between the contraceptive pill and depression” All in all, it is difficult to say for sure whether or not using the combined pill causes depression. The evidence cannot be ignored, but, equally, there are so many different factors at play, such as emotional and relationship problems, that a completely unbiased study is all but impossible to produce. More evidence is needed to fully understand the effects of hormonal contraception on the brain. There is certainly no evidence to suggest that not taking the pill is a solution - but medical advice should definitely be sought if your mood starts to drop.

Word of the Week: Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia

Kassie Hopewell describes this tongue -twister of a mouthful

ou’re eating an ice cream, a seemly delicious and innocent treat, but then Sphenopalatine ganglioneuralgia strikes you down! Also known as brain freeze, this mouthful of a phenomenon is a headache characterised by rapid onset and equally rapid resolution. The reaction is caused by eating something very cold, such as ice cream, too quickly, and it is the body’s warning to slow down. Interestingly, the brain itself cannot feel pain as it has no pain receptors. So the sensation is caused by the receptors in the covering of the brain, known as the meninges. When the cold substance hits the back of your throat, the internal carotid artery (which supplies blood to the brain) and the anterior cerebral artery sense this. The following dilation and contraction of these arteries is interpreted as pain: giving the characteristic brain freeze, ouch!

thecourieronline.co.uk/science

Mythbusters: Can lightning strike the same place twice? Jordan Oloman sets out to investigate the common old wives’ tale

atural weather disasters really suck, don’t they? Whether it’s a hurricane or a flood, the way the earth displays its adolescent tantrums is pretty obnoxious. The only way they’re made worse is through an abundance of them, maybe when the moon tears up his tentative card on Valentine’s Day. Ridiculous analogies aside, today I’m going to examine a weather-based doozie that you’ve probably heard yourself. “Lightning never strikes twice” is probably something you’ve heard from a parent when you’re shit out of luck. Dropped your phone in the toilet? “LNST”. It might make you feel a bit better, but I’m just about to shatter that warm mug of cocoa and bring you into the real world. Lightning actually doesn’t care about your feelings, and it loves to strike the same place plenty of times. As if university isn’t already putting a sledgehammer through the rose-tinted drywall that is your life, most of the idioms you heard in your childhood were cold lies. But don’t hold it against your parents; hold it against our good friends Adam Savage and his walrus mustached compadrio, Jamie Hyneman. The mythbusters covered this a long time ago on their show, and it was such a throwaway gig that they declared it a ‘minimyth’ and it barely got screen time. Despite the fact it would be a great risk to their often put-at-risk lives, they just used a clip from Dan Robinson, a professional storm chaser (holy cow what a job) who recorded the Sears Tower in Chicago getting blasted twice during a storm. He recorded it way back in 2006, but a short crawl to his website gives you a vignette of documented proof.

“As if university isn’t already putting a sledgehammer through the rose-tinted drywall that is your life, most of the idioms you heard in your childhood were cold lies” Dan has a compilation of a TV tower in St Albans getting tased over 50 times, as well as a very unlucky set of skyscrapers who took a 17 shot pummelling in one night, which would be pretty rough if they had the cognizant ability to feel. Basically, if you’re over 1000 feet tall and made of metal, you should be really worried about this article, but I don’t think The Courier demographic extends to alternate dimensions, really. If you are, and you feel upset about the fact that Dan has been collecting video footage of your kind being tortured, you can take it up with him. I’m just the messenger, alright? As we conclude, just like in every article I ever write, I’d like to alert you to the story of Roy Sullivan. Roy was a park ranger who was struck by lightning SEVEN times. You do not need to adjust your tv, you are reading that right. This guy was a magnet, and somehow lived through all of them, with a few holes in his shoes to boot. You would think he’d change his career, but no. Unfortunately, his affinity to lightning made him lonely. Everyone was scared to be around him in case they got hit. So yeah, lightning does strike more than twice, and it makes people lonely. Lightning is mean.

The Courier

puzzles.35

Monday 24 October 2016

Puzzles Across

1 East Asian country (5) 4 Popular language for programming (4) 6 Warmongering Chinese revolutionary (3) 7 Keeps you cool in the summer (2) 8 Famously believed to have set Rome ablaze (4) 9 To deliberately fabricate information (3) 10 Unfriendly; aggressive (7) 11 _____’s Cathedral, notably survived the bombing of London unscathed (2, 4) 12 Protruding appendage, composed of keratin and bone (4) 14 Controversial video game publisher (2) 15 Elegant waterfowl (4) 16 Long-suffering twin sister of Dennis in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia (3) 17 Murderous Australian cousin of alligators (9) 20 ‘Did you do the Courier crossword last week?’ ‘No, it was ___’ (4) 22 Colloquial British expression of gratitude (2) 23 Archaic term meaning ‘clothing’ (7)

Professional Puzzle Nihilist: James McCoull Ancient Eldritch Being of Riddles: Mark Sleightholm 2 3 5 4 6 7

Down

1 The trait of coveting what others have (8) 2 Tropical fruit; also missing word in ‘Pen _____ Apple Pen’ (9) 4 17th/18th century satirist and author of Gulliver’s Travels (8, 5) 3 Late 80’s California-based hip-hop group (3) 5 ‘Fluorescent _____’, popular Arctic Monkeys single (10) 13 A command issued by someone in authority (5) 17 Widely-known method of basic rescuscitation, butchered by Michael Scott in The Office (US) (3) 18 A kind of demonic beast in local mythology of 1-across (3) 19 Middle component of Freud’s tripartite model of the psyche (3) 21 Egyptian deity, chiefly associated with the Sun (3) ? Lovecraftian chant: ‘in his house at R’lyeh, dead ______ waits dreaming’ (7)

11 12 13

16 17 20 22

21 23

Completing this crossword will have the unfortunate side effect of rousing the great old one from his slumber, dooming the world to certain madness and peril. Bring proof of your unholy crime to the Courier office, where we shall helplessly await his cataclysmic arrival in mute terror.

36. sport

Monday 24 October 2016

Sports Editors: Lucy Brogden, Tom Shrimplin & James Sproston

Back for good? McClaren’s return to Derby for the fourth time inspires us to take a look at the best and worst sporting returns

LeBron James

LeBron shooting for the Cavaliers Image: Wikimedia Commons

LeBron James broke thousands of hearts in 2010 when he announced live on ESPN that he’d be leaving the Cleveland Cavaliers for Miami Heat. James was drafted into the Cavs set up when he was just 18, having been tipped as one of the best high school prospects in the country. He swiftly became one of the stars of the NBA, being awarded Rookie of the Year in 2004, and subsequently earning his place as an NBA all-star in the 2004-05 season. It’s no surprise that his free-agency attracted so much attention in 2010, but the manner in which he went about choosing his next team was widely criticised. Despite donating all the proceeds to charity, James’ own TV special, The Decision, seemed overly extravagant and unnecessary. So much so that on the same day, Cavs fans were filmed burning LeBron James jerseys. After winning back-to-back NBA finals in 2012 and 2013, and being named MVP in both, James announced he’d be leaving Heat after their finals

defeat in 2014. In a more low-key statement, James declared he wished to return to Cavs, and he was signed a day later. In his debut season, the Cavs made it to the finals for the second time in their history, but were eliminated in six games by the Andre Iguodala-inspired Golden State Warriors. However, Cavs didn’t have to wait long to get their chance for revenge, with both teams making it to the final for a second year in a row. Despite Golden State taking a 3-1 series lead, Tyronn Lue’s side rallied and sealed a 4-3 series win after a dramatic 93-89 win in the seventh and final game. Any of those who doubted James’ devotion to the team would surely have been eating their words as he embraced Kevin Love in floods of tears. In spite of what had happened in 2010, LeBron James is a Cleveland Cavaliers hero. James Sproston

fruitful time at Sale Sharks provided what Cipriani wanted most, a return to the England set up. The return came in 2014 for the tour of New Zealand; later being selected on the team sheet for two of the 2015 six nations games. However, much to many pundits dismay, Cipriani failed to make the home world cup squad that ultimately put his club career in doubt, with a money move to France in the offering. Sale, without trying, couldn’t put Cipriani on a high enough platform to highlight the best of his ability. France may have come calling, but Cipriani, wanting an England spot needed to stay on the right side of the Channel.

Come the 2016 season and Cipriani has returned home. Topping the list of some incredible summer recruits, with the likes of England counterpart Kyle Eastmond and Australian star Kurtley Beale. Wasps are now laying the foundations for a rewarding season, and Cipriani will play a massive role if the club gets any success. What Danny Cipriani can give Wasps in being one of the most creative number 10’s out there, Wasps can give Danny the pedestal he needs to try and get a starting place in the England set up and hopefully some well-deserved silverware.

The Courier

Sam Burgess Ask any number of people their opinion on Sam Burgess’s time in rugby union and you would probably get 100 different responses. Some see him as a victim of the backlash from a terrible England performance, whilst others would argue that the fault lies with him to varying degrees. Sam Burgess’s experiment into rugby union lasted just 21 games for Bath where he switched position from struggling centre to blindside flanker. Despite his poor performances as a centre he won five caps for England in this position before being dropped out of the squad. This was all in just 8 months since his debut for Bath. Following his world cup performances, many blamed the failure of England to progress out of the group stages on Burgess’s selection, whilst Bath coach, Mike Ford, criticised Burgess for being unwilling to work hard. With all the debate surrounding his rugby union career Burgess did the only sensible thing: switched codes

back to rugby league, re-joining the South Sydney Rabbitohs with whom he won the NRL title in 2014. This wasn’t any old code switch, however. Burgess re-joined his former club for $1.5m AUD per season making him the highest paid rugby league player of all time. He marked his return to rugby league with a try in a close pre-season trial match. It seems the switch to union forged a better man and a better player, Burgess faced levels of adversity he’d never seen before as an undisputed wonder kid of rugby league. This change in character, and well timed switch back to league, have seen Sam selected in the 24-man England Four nations squad and named captain. His recent turnaround in fortunes make the last year seem barely believable. You can say what you want about Burgess’s foray into union, just don’t tell him it was a failure. Sophie Chapman

Danny Cipriani Through the controversies in Melbourne and Manchester, Danny Cipriani has finally returned to the yellow and black number 10 jersey. After a turbulent six years away from home, Cipriani has set his sights on domestic and European success, and least not to mention put himself in Eddie Jones’ thoughts. After 2 rugged years in Melbourne that were highlighted more by off-field antics and less on field successes, Danny Cipriani found himself scrounging for a Club, until Steve diamond came to the London lads rescue. Cipriani provided much success for Sale sharks, with over 590 points in 76 appearances. A

Bradley Cunningham

Jose Mourinho

Chelsea had been going through a period of managerial uncertainty since, Roman Abramovich had parted with ‘The Special One’ back in September 2007. Considering the very public and unceremonious split, few would have expected Jose to return back to the Bridge, but he did just that in the summer of 2013. Not many predicted the reunion, but Chelsea did get through most of the available managers in the six years in between, so perhaps it inevitable that Abramovich would end up re-appointing someone in his little black book. It must be pretty full by now anyway. Mourinho’s first season in charge saw him guide the club back into an automatic Champions League qualification spot. He’d managed to steady a ship that had been rife with discontent from their fans after Rafa Benitez’ controversial spell as interim manager. 2014/15 was a season where the likes of Diego Costa – successfully snaffled from Atletico that summer – Eden Hazard and Cesc Fabregas really came into their own in a way which has yet to really be seen since at The Bridge. Chelsea ended up strolling to the Premier League title by eight points, and, despite poor showings in the FA

Cup and Champions League, Jose was starting to build something again in West London. Or so it seemed. By the end of the calendar year Jose had been fired again, after a succession of poor results left his side closer to the relegation zone than the top four. Looking back, It’s ultimately difficult to judge Mourinho’s second tenure in

charge. Two trophies and a Champions League semi-final seem like a good return so in a season where none of the big sides came out on top. Was Abramovich too hasty with the fire button? Only time will tell. Tom Harrow-Smith

Mourinho during an infraction with Gerrard Image: Wikimedia Commons

Wiggins in yellow in the Tour Image: Wikimedia Commons

Bradley Wiggins

Bradley Wiggins is Britain’s most decorated Olympian, and arguably one of Britain’s greatest ever sportsmen. His achievements speak for him - in his early career he focused on the track, picking up medals at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games. With three Olympic titles and six World titles under his belt, he decided to head out onto the road. Six years of road cycling saw him win World and Olympic titles, a Tour De France, and number of other major stage races. But, after all his achievements, in 2014, Bradley decided it was time to leave the road and head back to the Velodrome. Wiggins is one of few cyclists to have a significant impact on both the track and the road. His return was not entirely unexpected, given that he had always said he wanted to come back at some point. Two years on, and Bradley’s return has been nothing short of what we’d expect: an Olympic Gold, and the hour record

broken on top of a number of other major championship medals. Looking over Wiggins’ exceptional road achievements, it may puzzle some that he decided to leave, but it seems he was just done with the road. In an appreciably candid interview with the Telegraph in 2015 he explained how he felt he was just getting to the end of each day, while the track was a breath of fresh air. And, just looking at his results, this is obvious, as after his Tour de France win and his Olympic Gold medal, in 2012 his only stage race win was the Tour of Britain in 2013. Wiggins’ track Gold in Rio in the Team Pursuit cements his place as arguably Britain’s greatest cyclist, and means he can retire on top of the world, which, after the career he has had is no more than we’d expect. And certainly no more than he deserves. Tom Cox

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Monday 24 October 2016

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Surfers enjoy the warm waters of Newquay

Sports editor, Lucy Brogden, spoke to the surf club’s Vice President, Hannah Simms, and competitor, Xander Morrison, to find out about their BUCS competition in Newquay last weekend. Here’s what they had to say:

Enjoying the Waves Image: Oli Birch

“Surfers are pitted against four others in a heat, with the top two scorers heading through to the next round”

Last weekend, 11 Newcastle students braved the ten hour drive down to Newquay, the surfing capital of the UK, to compete in the annual BUCS surfing competition. The event, held over three days at Fistral beach, is the only BUCS competition in the surfing calendar, and Newcastle had seven male and a sole female competitor representing the university. On Friday, it was the women’s heats, on Saturday it was the men’s heats, with the competition culminating on the Sunday with the finals for both sexes. In the competition, surfers are pitted against four others in a heat, with the top two heading through to the next round. Each competitor is allowed to ride 15 waves, with their two best waves being added together to give them their final score for that round. Judges on the beach mark surfers out of ten for each wave, with marks being awarded for the commitment and degree of difficulty, creativity, combination and variety of manoeuvres, and the speed, power and flow of the surfer. On Friday, conditions were poor as the waves were fairly flat, but Madeleine Letherby, nonetheless, managed to place first in her heat. Unfortunately, she came fourth in the next round, which meant she didn’t progress any further in the competition. Saturday brought the best waves of the weekend, with all of Newcastle’s

male contenders heading down to show off their skills. Out of the seven male athletes, Henry Watson, Patrick Morton, and Oliver Birch all made it out of the heats and into the second round. Unfortunately, disaster struck for strong contender Alexander Hindle, whose leash broke after only his first wave, which meant he couldn’t complete his heat. In the second round, the competition proved too strong for Newcastle. Morton finished fifth, whilst Birch and Watson didn’t compete, with Watson actually missing his heat. Eventual winners were Flora Lawton from Bristol, and Joseph Prow from Falmouth. Bristol and Falmouth are two of the most reputed universities for surfing, since both are near the best coastal surfing areas, and are able to access the best waves all year round. Despite this, Morrison and Simms insisted everyone who attended had a fantastic weekend - especially enjoying the warmer waters of the south! With the competition being so early on in the academic year, no freshers took part in the competition, and the squad was therefore much smaller than in previous years, since a lot of the club have graduated over the summer. Over the coming year, the club hope to build on their performance with a surfing trip abroad to warmer climates in the pipeline.

38. sport

Monday 24 October 2016

The Courier

Sports Editors: Lucy Brogden, Tom Shrimplin & James Sproston

Shrimpers Samples: Salsa Dancing

Championship Sports Editor Tom Shrimplin on his first steps into the sensual and social world of Salsa dancing Corner which ended up being a little harder into a close hold. Being told to hug your dance salsa gives you access to the most By Tom Shrimplin By Tom Harrow-Smith Championship Correspondent With our local club relegated to the oft neglected second tier last season, it is time to bring focus back to the division with a roundup of all things Championship as well as a summary of Newcastle United’s recent exploits. The Championship charged back into action after the international break, with three full sets of fixtures in a week. Now for the first time we can begin to see the title contenders emerging. Huddersfield have unexpectedly accompanied Newcastle and Norwich as one of the early pacesetters. Though David Wagner was acknowledged to have recruited well, the Terriers were predicted no more than a top half finish, having languished in the Championship’s bottom half since they were promoted from League One back in 2012. The question to ask now is whether or not we can label the team from North Yorkshire as serious promotion contenders or not. It is still early days, and Huddersfield fans will start believing if they now start scoring freely. Defensively things do not seem to be a problem, eight goals conceded and the three defeats were only 1-0. Though just fourteen goals from a team in the top three is hardly convincing, considering Norwich and Newcastle have racked up over fifty goals between them. The jury is still out, but if Huddersfield start banging them in, they may just look a real prospect.

“You get the sense that United are now just starting to click” The biggest news, however, is the double sacking in the fortnight of Nigel Pearson and Roberto di Matteo, replaced by Steve McClaren and Steve Bruce respectively. All I read over the summer was unanimous certainty from the experts, and smug glee from Villa and Derby fans, who reckoned these two would solve all their woes. Though the Rams and Villans fans did not expect to see their managers start transfer policies which resembled a twelve-year old on FIFA who had just unlocked the financial takeover reward. If it’s broke, it cannot be fixed by vast amounts of cash on marquee signings. The fact that over half of the top ten teams so far spent under £5 million over the summer demonstrates that. Speaking of significant summer spending, Newcastle aren’t doing too bad. A double at Barnsley on Tuesday sent the Magpies top of the table for the first time this season. You get the sense that United are now just starting to click after a stuttering start. However, they are finding life more difficult than the last time they were at this level, where they reached over one hundred points with the likes of Shola Ameobi leading the line and a fresh faced Chris Hughton in the dugout – a stark contrast to now. The Toon Army probably will get promoted, but what served them well last time around was that they stripped a lot more of the dead wood, the players who had performed so poorly, and replaced them with a mixture of young hungry players and an experienced old guard. Newcastle may well ease to promotion, but personally I don’t feel that their transfer policy this season will fix their numerous long term problems.

at The Venue

This week I went along with Give It A Go to give Salsa a shot. Armed with a small bit of knowledge from the torture of watching Strictly Come Dancing with my parents after Saturday tea, I came into the session with an idea of what salsa dancing was like- but that didn’t mean I knew what I was doing.

than it looks. To turn, rather than spin around and get dizzy you needed step forward and then pivot around from your foot back into your original position, again to the four-step, salsa beat. Turning was then added in to the mix and we practiced all the moves we had learned so far. I struggled at first, especially with turning but did start to get the hang of it. The tip was to stick with only small steps to help keep your bal-

“It was a fun, sociable experience, that was actually quite easy to pick up and do once you got yourself into a rhythm” Things started simple at first, with a focus on footwork. Although just because things were simple, it didn’t mean they were easy. Especially when you have two left feet like me. Following the standard salsa beat of 1-2-3 with a break at 4, we moved forwards one step then back, before doing the reverse and going back one step then forward. After that we went from side to side, then began putting the steps together and dancing into a rhythm. It was very slow at first, but since it was me I still managed to clatter into a few people. Following this we learned how to turn,

ance. After doing a bit of footwork by ourselves, it was then time to pair up. From our pairs we moved about in an open position, going forwards, backwards, then sideways and finally start turning around. Partners for people who were acting as a lead stayed in position, while the others rotated around forcing everyone to move about and talk to each other. Salsa dancing as we later learned is be as much of a social experience as it is a class. However, it was still awkward dancing with people you have just met, especially when we learned how to get

new partner each time, ended up being just as awkward. Although at least in hold, it was a lot easier to stay in time with the beat. We then all started to move around with the teachers mixing things up by going over all that we had learned, were had learned we were given a little bit more free rein of this before the session finished with some line dancing. Afterwards the Salsa Society secretary Kotryna Kairyte said that “Salsa is a very social dance, it brings friends and communities together. While you can learn to dance it professionally if you wish, it is much more about enjoying yourself and the music. Being able to

amazing salsa parties in town that last through the night, allows to meet people and make new friends.” Needless to say, I’m definitely looking forward to those all- night salsa parties. Salsa Dancing turned out to be a fun, sociable experience that was actually quite easy to pick up and do once you got yourself into a rhythm. I highly recommend for people to try it out. To do so then you should check out the Salsa Dancing society Facebook page. I’d also recommend taking a look at the Give It A Go website and browsing all the activities they offer: nusu.co.uk/getinvolved/ giveitago.

Let me see your jazz hands: Shrimpers looks at home in the world of salsa Image: Newcastle University Salsa Society

Dietitians serve up second-rate Psycho’s Intramural Netball Big Bad Dietitians

Psycho’s

By Lucy Brogden at the Sports Centre On an overcast October afternoon, the Psycho’s took on the Dietitians in the sports centre. Whilst seven dieticians donned green bibs, the Psycho’s were a player down, with only six team members for the entirety of the match.

As soon as Dietitians GS Annie BolleJones got her eye in, they pulled away, establishing an easy 4-10 lead by half time. The Dietitians, a relatively new squad, worked well to bring the ball down the court, with great feeds from Charlotte Hill at centre and Kat Riley at WA into the circle to Bolle- Jones and GA, Mary Arnold. Despite the scoreline, the Psycho’s played incredibly well, considering they were a player down. Not having a WA meant centre Abbi Roberts and GA Holly Martindale had to work extremely hard to even get the ball into their attacking third, relying on WD Emily Easton and GD Anya Moore to come

“As soon as Dietician GS Annie Bolle-Jones got her eye in, they pulled away” The Psycho’s won the first centre, and gradually established a small 2-0 lead over their opponents. The Dietitians then managed to get the ball into the circle, but failed to score, allowing the Psycho’s to ease ahead. However, this lead was not to last.

Badminton M1 v Hull 1sts M2 v York 2nds W1 v Sheffield 1sts W2 v Durham 2nds

3-5 2-6 7-1 2-6

Basketball M1 v Worcester 1sts M2 v Hull 1sts M3 v Sunderland 3rds

75-6 66-68 80-42

Fencing M1 v Durham 1sts M2 v Bradford 1sts M3 v Hull 1sts W1 v Liverpool 1sts

94-135 135-84 104-133 44-135

Scoring for fun: Annie Bolle-Jones finds her range for the Dietitians Image: Lucy Brogden

out to receive the centre pass. When in the third it was tricky as Roberts was double marked, and the ball often had to be recycled back into the middle third to get play going again. The Dietitians capitalised on their free player, marking the Psycho’s tightly, and

making great use of high balls into the circle, which the Psycho’s struggled to defend. Great shooting from both Bolle- Jones and Arnold made the final score 6-20. Psycho’s captain Abbi Roberts said that for their ‘first proper game’, she was impressed with their performances, especially considering that they were a player down for the duration of the

match. The Dietitians’ coach, Lucy Burden, said she was ‘looking forward to the season ahead’ with the squad.

Football M1 v Sheffield 1sts M2 v Sunderland 1sts W1 v Durham 2nds W2 v York 2nds

Lacrosse M1 v Sheffield 1sts M2 v Hull 1sts W1 v Loughborough 1sts W2 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts W3 v Durham 4ths

7-1 0-12 4-14 15-17 1-20

Squash M2 v Durham 1sts M4 v Sunderland 1sts W1 v Leeds Beckett 1sts

2-3 3-0 2-2*

Netball 1 v MMU 1sts 2 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts 3 v Leeds 3rds 4 v Leeds 5ths

Table Tennis M1 v Sheffield 2nds

7-10

40-32 31-57 44-32 34-30

Rugby M1 v Durham 1sts M2 v Leeds Beckett 2nds M3 v Leeds Beckett 3rds W1 v Northumbria 1sts

Tennis M1 v Newcastle 2nds M2 v Newcastle 1sts W1 v Sheffield Hallam 1sts W2 v Leeds 1sts

12-0 0-12 2-10 4-8

17-30 5-45 21-23 10-58

Volleyball M1 v Teesside 1sts W1 v Nottingham 1sts

3-2 3-0

Rugby League 1 v MMU 2 v Leeds Trinity

74-0 0-72

1-0 2-1 0-0 4-0

Golf M1 v Leeds Beckett 2nds

5.5-0.5

Hockey M1 v Edinburgh 1sts M2 v York 1sts M3 v York St John 1sts M4 v Tesside 1sts W1 v Leeds 1sts W2 v York 1sts W3 v Durham 4ths W4 v Leeds Beckett 3rds

0-1 2-3 5-0 2-2 2-2 1-3 0-2 3-2

PLAYER OF THE MATCH:

Annie Bolle-Jones

Wednesday 19th October results

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Monday 24 October 2016

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MMU no match for clinical Owls Men’s Rugby League Newcastle 1sts

MMU 1sts

By Bradley Cunningham at Cochrane Park After a disappointing game down at Leeds Beckett, Newcastle had to put in a strong performance in what could be seen as a must-win game. The game against Manchester Met gave NURL the opportunity to take their first win of the season, and show what they are capable of. The match started with a good arm wrestle between the two sides, both playing out their sets well. It wasn’t until

man off the ball. This then turned the scoreline to 14-0 as Catlett went in for his second try. Man Met at this point were breaking. Hogg, on the half way line, carved Man Met open and added further insult to injury to score under the sticks. With the points racking up and barely 20 minutes gone, NURL were relentless with the pressure, and the boys in blue and orange began to crumble. Catlett grabbed his third try through a break from Jed Mawdesley, giving himself a hat-trick with only 20 minutes on the clock. Newcastle’s domination brought frustration for Man Met, with one player being sent off for head-butting, and another sin binned for backchat. With Man Met down to 11 men, and the score reading 26-0 in Newcastle’s favour, their chances seemed to be sinking fast.

“Newcastle’s domination brought frustration for Man Met, with one player being sent off for headbutting, and another sin binned for backchat” a Jason Bass break that got the ball rolling on Newcastle’s side that the game truly began. Spread play to the wing, that would be a feature throughout the 80 minutes, saw Josh Catlett go over in the corner to give Newcastle the lead. Moments later, Newcastle gained a good field position from an awful kick off that went onto the road, which allowed Sam Norris to score in the opposite corner. A great start from NURL saw them 10-0 up within the first 10 minutes. Penalties continued to cost Man Met, a 40/20 from Olly Hogg resulted in a penalty due to blocking a

Newcastle finished the half in style; Josh Cattlett got his fourth in the corner, because being two players down left them short on the open side. Aaron Levy then broke the line and backed himself the 70 meters to score, making the score 34-0 at half time. Newcastle kept their foot on the accelerator in the second half. Errors and coughing up possession needlessly were the only negative comments that came out of the Newcastle dressing room. A series of tries in quick succession came courtesy of winger Sam Norris in the second half.

When Man Met started to tire, Newcastle stepped it up a gear. A kick over the top helped Bass dive on the ball to bring Newcastle up to 50-0. Catlett and Norris both got another try each on either wing, and a great break from Hoggy saw Aaron Leavy in support, bringing up his brace and helping Newcastle complete the route.

Newcastle’s defence was incredible throughout the game, from goal line scrambles to dominating and demoralizing the Man Met pack. The score line reflected Newcastle’s commanding performance, and gives them confidence going into next week’s fixture against the Universiy of Leeds. A special mention must be given to coach Parker on

his 50th game coaching the NURL lads.

off the crossbar. However, the rigorous referee spotted Newcastle’s striker in an uncertain offside position and therefore, the goal was not allowed to stand. Minutes later, another controversial

waiting for arrived in the seventy-fifth minute when the substitute Frankie Simon, performing some dizzy tricks, passed the ball through Justine Lee who ended up face to face with Durham

from Durham’s striker Emily Sherrock who smashed the ball over the crossbar. The referee then decided he’d had enough and blew his whistle to decree the end of the match, leaving the score

Durham throughout the entire match; however, a similar performance can only guarantee a very exciting and absorbing campaign for NUWFC.

Walkover: NURL were disciplined and decisive throughout the game Image: Bradley Cunningham

PLAYER OF THE MATCH:

Olly Hogg

Dominant footballers settle for Durham draw Women’s Football Newcastle 1sts

Durham 2nds

By Oliver Ross Assogna at Cochrane Park Although the result doesn’t make this one out to be a thriller, Newcastle and Durham competed in what was a very lively match that kept both sets of supporters entertained. It was a chilly afternoon at an autumnal and picturesque Cochrane Park, with the ladies in blue striving for an important three points to kick off their campaign straight away. Newcastle’s intentions were clear right from the beginning as they gave Durham no time at all to settle into the match after the half an hour journey on the coach and, after only a couple of minutes, the blueclad Newcastle players almost snatched an early lead. Durham were penned-in in their own

“The teams spent the opening minutes of the second half sizing each other up, passing the ball around and tackling with no fear whatsoever” decision was made by the referee, as a Durham defender seemed to have fortuitously touched the ball with her hand whilst trying to block an insidious cross, the referee though let the play go on, leaving those on the sidelines fuming. The home team created a few more chances, wasting a really good opportunity in the 35th minute as a bobble led to a mishit shot by Anna Jimenez De Veliana. It wasn’t long before the two sides had their share of rest and advise during the fifteen-minute break, after an intense first half, whilst the breeze died down before the game started again. The high-tempo of the first forty-five minutes slowed down drastically as the subs on both sides balanced the match

goalkeeper Gabi Davis in a crowded situation, though, the ball was hit too well and too clean to beat the keeper. The last tremor of the game came

goal-less and a point to share between the two teams. A bit of a disappointing result for Newcastle Women’s that dominated

PLAYER OF THE MATCH:

Zoe Sutter

“Newcastle then suddenly came out of their shell and started threatening the visitors, trying to take advantage at corners and free kicks” half of the pitch for the first ten minutes but managed eventually to scare Newcastle’s rear guard with a dangerous counter-attack, providentially saved by a spectacular slide tackle from captain Chloe Robinson. Not long after though, the Geordie girls appeared to have broken the deadlock, with Justine Lee having the ball found the back of the net after bouncing

and the teams spent the opening minutes of the second half sizing each other up, passing the ball around and tackling with no fear whatsoever. Newcastle then suddenly came out of their shell and started threatening the visitors, trying to take advantage of corners and free kicks; yet, Durham held firm and blocked every access to what started to seem a bewitched goal. The moment that Newcastle fans were

Better together: NUWFC were dominant throughout Image: Oliver Ross Assogna

Sport

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www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 24 October 2016 Issue 1336 Free

Sports Editors: Lucy Brogden, Tom Shrimplin & James Sproston courier.sport@ncl.ac.uk Twitter: @Courier_Sport | Instagram: thecouriersport Surfing in style: Newcastle’s surfers enjoyted their weekend in Newquay Image: Oli Birch

SPORTING RETURNS, P.36

INTRAMURAL NETBALL, P.38

BUCS MATCH REPORTS, P.39

BUCS SURF CHAMPIONSHIPS, P.37

Late heartbreak for NUMHC

Men’s Hockey Newcastle 1sts

Edinburgh 1sts

By Rose McLean at Longbenton Wednesday evening saw Newcastle play their second game of the season, hoping to improve on last week’s disheartening 5-1 defeat against Leeds Beckett. But, this was sure to be a tough task as they faced an Edinburgh side brimming with confidence after their 6-1 win over Birmingham, on top of their impressive championship-winning season in 2015/16. Edinburgh got us underway, and immediately Newcastle suggested they weren’t going to rollover as energetic pressing on Edinburgh players shook the visiting team.

from Edinburgh’s No.7, who robbed him of possession high into Newcastle’s half. Thankfully for Woodhead, the shot was saved by Newcastle’s goalkeeper Joss Micherson, who did well to deny the oncoming attacker. As the half progressed, Edinburgh showed the credentials which helped them lift the trophy last year, with slick attacking play down the left, leading to 3 successive corners. In the 20th minute, the ball fell to Edinburgh’s No.11, whose fine sweeping effort was denied by Micherson, as he enjoyed a solid display between the sticks. Despite Edinburgh’s emergence into the match, Newcastle defended well, in particular No.72 Matthew Hurst, who halted most of the visitors attacks down the left wing with hard tackles. This gave Newcastle the perfect platform to push on and mount several counter attacks, adding to the ebb and flow pattern the game was taking. With ten minutes to go till half time, Newcastle forward Cochrane began a slaloming

“As the half progressed, Edinburgh showed the credentials that helped them lift the trophy last year” Both Paddy Cochrane and Paddy Venn saw their efforts saved in the opening 5 minutes, which was a sign of things to come. The hosts enforced their superiority through a series of good breakaway runs from No.77 Cochrane, who was having a big influence on proceedings. However, Newcastle failed to capitalise on their good play within the opening exchanges, and Edinburgh slowly grew into the game. This was confirmed in the 15th minute as Newcastle defender Nick Woodhead came under imperious pressure

run, dribbling around two Edinburgh defenders only to see his effort clatter against the post. Temperatures began to rise around the 30-minute mark, with challenges flying in and a few cross words shared between the two sides. The ferocity came to a head as Newcastle’s Matthew Hurst was given a yellow card for tackling an Edinburgh midfielder from behind, certainly letting him know he was there, but earning himself a five minute suspension in the process. The visitors strived to make their numerical advantage count, piling pres-

sure on Newcastle and forcing a number of short corners. However, the hosts stood firm and held the visitors 0-0 into the break. An impressive first-half display from the underdogs in blue. Beginning of the second half and it was obvious that Newcastle were intent on starting the half the same way they did the first – with intensity, energy and determination. However, Edinburgh’s players showed their class as they calmly played themselves out of trouble and began to get a foothold on the game. The travelling team managed to find their rhythm and interchanges between their midfield players carved an opening for number 11, whose low effort skimmed wide of the post. Despite this apparent superiority from the visitors, Newcastle still managed to shift the momentum, creating counter attacks in the 35th-40th minutes, specifically down the left where Cochrane was getting some joy running at the Edinburgh defenders. This evidently rocked Edinburgh, as their No.122 was shown a yellow card for a foul on Newcastle’s captain James Veitch, maybe a sign that frustration was beginning to creep into last season’s champions who weren’t having it all their way. In the 58th minute, some good play on the edge of the shooting circle from Newcastle players created a sight of goal for their No.20, whose fizzing shot was met with a strong boot from the Edinburgh keeper. The strike rebounded and caused pinball in the area, with bodies and sticks frantically flying in the direction of the goal. Edinburgh’s keeper miraculously managed to divert the ball away from the net and the goal was not given, play carried on and Edinburgh’s defence cleared the danger well. Going into the last ten minutes it was

impossible to predict a winner, with both sides giving it everything to claim all 3 points. Edinburgh again seized the chance to mount pressure as their attacking flair rewarded them with a series of corners, but they didn’t pay dividends as Newcastle stood their ground; their resilience throughout epitomized the spirit of the game.

But, all was not over as deep into added time, Cochrane battled well on the left wing of Edinburgh’s defence, managing to dig the ball into the penalty area. It fell kindly for Newcastle’s No.33 Simon Jones, but again the Edinburgh goalkeeper prevailed, keeping out the despairing Jones’ attempt. Edinburgh managed the game well, as they kept possession and saw the game

However, Edinburgh refused to lie down and charged forward at every opportunity, seemingly desperate to return home with the victory. In the 70th minute, with only added time to go, a long corner was played brilliantly by Edinburgh’s captain, to the edge of the shooting circle and to the stick of Cypriot national team captain Antonis Efthymiou, smashing the ball home to the delight of his teammates and their management.

out, demonstrating the characteristics of true champions, the ability to win ugly. Never the less, Newcastle performed heroically against a high calibre side, which is extremely encouraging for the season ahead.

“Cochrane was getting some joy running at the Edinburgh defenders”

PLAYER OF THE MATCH:

Paddy Cochrane

Tough opposition: Newcastle frustrated Edinburgh for most of the game Image: Charlotte Winspear