Forge Press #134

issue #134

Class of 2019

graduation issue tramlines guide overleaf

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Editorial For a lot of you reading this, this week is a big week. Three years ago, you came to Sheffield to start something new, and now you’re leaving, degree in hand and hopefully having had the best time of your life in this wonderful city.

Everyone chooses to do their own thing when it comes to their time at university, whether that’s working hard to get a first-class degree, enjoying the social aspect or throwing yourself into Students’ Union activities, enriching your time in Sheffield. For me, it was the last two more than anything, and spending a couple of years helping to make this newspaper was the best thing I’ve done at uni.

Now, you might be leaving Sheffield, and that has to be a sad time. Having called this city home for the last three or so years, to suddenly leave and go somewhere completely new could be a bit of a culture-shock, so enjoy the last of your time here reading this paper, spending time with family and saying goodbye to old friends. Unless, of course, you’re staying on to do a Master’s like me,

Credits in which case it’s not ‘goodbye’, it’s ‘see you soon’.

This issue of Forge Press also marks the first issue for the new editorial team, and we’re really happy with what you’re about to read. Many of the team this year are new but incredibly talented, and I’m privileged to have the opportunity to work with them for the next year.

In the first part of this issue, we’ve taken a look back at the last three years in Sheffield, revisiting some of the most important events around the city, such as Park Hill’s Tent City or Sheffield United’s promotion back to the Premier League just a few months ago.

The ever-excellent Luke Baldwin is one of our new Break editors for the next year, and has done a stellar job this issue, so if you need a bit of a rest during graduation, sit back with our sudoku or crossword, and take some time for yourself.

I’d also like to take this opportunity to say goodbye to Robin Wilde, last year’s Break editor, who has perhaps his last ever Forge article in this issue, a guide to life after graduation,

with all the trials and tribulations that entails. Meanwhile, Ella Craig and Kate Procter take you through what you will and won’t miss about the city.

Lastly, I’d like to thank my two deputy editors, Bethan and Patrick, for all their help in copy editing and designing this first issue.

Of course, let’s not forget about Tramlines, which is on this weekend with some fantastic acts on every stage. Overleaf, we’ve got interviews with the Seamonsters, Avalon and Japanese House, as well as Niall O’Callaghan giving his 10 recommendations for the festival.

I’d highly recommend it.

This might be the last issue of Forge Press you’ll ever read, but equally it might also be the first.

Regardless, we’d all like to wish you the best of luck in whatever you’re doing next, and hope you have a fantastic graduation week.

Editor-in-Chief Ben Warner Managing Editor Becky Sliwa Webb Deputy Editors Bethan Davis Patrick Burke Head of Design Harry Browse Contributors Tom Buckland Chloe Dervey Anna Gillies Luke Baldwin Robin Wilde Will Kirkpatrick Kate Procter George Tuli Niall O’Callaghan Music Editors Ella Craig Dana Raer

Contents 3..........................What’s On? 4-5.................2016/17 Review 6-7.................2017/18 Review 8-9.................2018/19 Review 10..................Graduation Map 11...........Cerys O’Boyle Tribute 14-15........Best of Sheffessions 16-17............................Break 18.....What you will/won’t miss 19......Forge’s Post-Grad Guide

Tramlines Guide Overleaf

Get involved

Headliners........................2

If you’d like to get involved with Forge Press, please find us on Facebook or email editor@ forgetoday.com with any questions about how to get stuck in.

Interviews..........................3 Local Acts............................4 10 Sets to Catch.....................5

n o i t a u d a Gr

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1 o N s u e k a m You d n a u o y k Than s n o i t a l u t a congr

Forge Press

Graduation Week 2019

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What’s on?

Graduation Week 15 - 19 July

Roar vs Pop Tarts Graduation is a special day, not only

You’ve had an amazing time in Sheffield and now it’s the time to celebrate - the University of Sheffield way, of course. The Students’ Union invites you back to the ultimate merger: ROAR vs Pop Tarts. The send-off of all sendoffs. And what’s better than one night of belting out Disney classics with two VKs in hand, I hear you say? Five consecutive nights, as this event will be running each night throughout graduation week.

Parents and guardians go free so make sure to bring them to the party and show them what you’ve really been up to for the past few years.

Tickets are £5 in advance, don’t miss out on a great night out!

for proud friends and family, but for you, the graduate. To celebrate your day in the best way, the Students’ Union is hosting a range of activities to take part in before you leave the hilly city. (Unless you’re a post-grad, in which case, see you soon!)

Bethan Davis

Photography Souvenirs

Food

Make sure not to leave without photographs of you looking snazzy in your robes and mortarboards.

Professional photographers will be around the Students’ Union all week to capture such a memorable highlight of your life, one you’ll be able to physically look back at with glee and never forget - although with everyone queuing up, make sure you’ve booked in advance.

Alas, the most important section, and maybe the most important decision you’ll make on the day: where to eat. Well, View Deli and Inox Dine are open throughout graduation week for breakfast, and the classic venues will be open too. However, one thing is for certain, and that’s that you need to make sure you don’t leave Sheffield without having that final Bar One venture.

To ensure you’ll never forget the day, Sheffield SU have gone all out in stocking up on University of Sheffield memorabilia. Graduation bears and personalised hoodies will be available, and most souvenirs were made locally. Adorned with the University of Sheffield crest, maybe you’ll be able to whip out your purchases at interviews, to show them you studied at a fancy Russell Group university.

Life of pi Alternatively, head down to the Crucible Theatre to celebrate your graduation by watching an epic show. Based on the best-selling book, the Life of Pi takes you on a dazzling journey of endurance and hope as a young boy finds himself stranded on a lifeboat with four animals. Life of Pi will be shown at the Crucible Theatre until 20 July, so you have plenty of time to catch it during graduation week.

Tramlines festival 19 - 21 july In case you’ve been in hibernation ever since exams finished, Tramlines festival is this weekend! Prolong your graduation revelries by dancing to a range of tunes including Two Door Cinema Club, Reverend and the Makers, Johnny Marr and Sheffield favourites Seamonsters. Read our Tramlines guide for more information, and to get hyped for the big weekend.

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2016/17

Nick Clegg loses out in Hallam Students turned out in their droves to vote in the 2017 General Election, especially in the Sheffield Hallam constituency, at the time held by former Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg.

The ex-Liberal Democrat leader held onto his seat by the skin of his teeth in the 2015 election, but can’t have been expecting to have to fight it again too soon. It must have been a real head-in-hands moment for him when Theresa May went to the polls to get a mandate for her Brexit negotiations (which went well).

Before he went into Government, Clegg was reasonably popular, saying he’d scrap tuition fees and a number of nice things. Who wants Gordon Brown or David Cameron when you can have Nick Clegg? Pah. After the 2010 election, which saw the death of New Labour once and for all, Britain had a hung Parliament with Clegg in the role of

powerbroker. After several days of negotiations, he eventually anointed Cameron as Prime Minister, with Clegg getting the basically irrelevant title of his Deputy.

In Government, the Conservatives did what they wanted, throwing the Lib Dems a bone here and there such as the Alternative Vote referendum in return for tightening benefit sanctions. Thank god for democracy.

But what really stuck for students in Sheffield was the tripling of tuition fees, despite Clegg claiming he’d bin them altogether. Young people could now go to university and improve themselves for the princely sum of £9,000 a year. Astonishing - and they’ve since gone up even more.

In 2017, students decided it was payback time (although not literally, as we’ll never make enough money to pay off our debts). After a prolonged campaign telling students to vote in their university towns if it

would make more of a difference – huge numbers of them voted Labour, many in places that just don’t sound Labour.

Canterbury, Kensington and Hove all turned red. But most importantly to Sheffield students, Sheffield Hallam turned red by a margin of over 2,000 votes. Clegg was out of a job, and the shock on his face was palpable. Eventually, he ended up in a much more lucrative job, working for Facebook in California, so he may not be too gutted after all.

He was replaced by Labour’s Jared O’Mara, formerly the owner of West Street Live. The less said about that the better. Hallam is a battleground seat for the Lib Dems at the next election (which could be any Thursday for the next three years), and students will certainly have an easier time voting for them when the candidate doesn’t have “9 grand a year” stamped on their forehead.

‘Tent City’ at Park Hill flats In order to help tackle Sheffield’s growing rough sleeping problem, a then-31-year-old Sheffield man set up a ‘Tent City’ in the shadow of the city’s iconic Park Hill flats.

While not official, Anthony Cunningham wanted to do a good deed for Sheffield’s worst-off, creating a space for them where they could sleep, be a bit warmer, and crucially be more accessible to the services trying to help them get off the streets for good.

Cunningham grew up in the area, and wanted to do something to help those less fortunate than himself. At the time, he told Forge Press that he didn’t intend to register as an official charity, as he thought this would

hinder the project’s progress.

Rough sleepers who stayed at Tent City helped maintain the cleanliness of the area and support from local charities, in the form of money and supplies, helped kit out the area for Sheffield’s homeless.

The site was eventually removed from Park Hill by Sheffield City Council, leaving many of the city’s rough sleepers without anywhere else to go. However, in 2018 Anthony announced his plans to bring the Tent City back to Park Hill, saying on Facebook: Just got off the phone to a few volunteers & if by the end of the week nothing is in place for people sleeping rough with mental health issues & addiction we will stick tent

city back up so people have a voice once again like they did on the first ever camp & only people who will have full access to the camp will be housing & addiction services to assess everyone.”

Then, in November of last year, the site was finally re-erected in the shadow of one of Sheffield’s most influential blocks of social housing, currently being redeveloped by Manchester firm Urbansplash.

Although there was some criticism of Cunningham at the time for interfering with local municipal efforts to tackle homelessness on the city’s streets, he clearly remains hopeful that efforts will be stepped up across Sheffield.

Barclays banned from Union

YEAR IN REVIEW

by Ben warner

In December 2016, the Students’ Union Council took the bold step of banning Barclays bank from having any dealings with the Students’ Union.

The vote came after a campaign by then-SU Development Officer Michael Kind, who brought a petition with more than 100 signatures to the Council meeting, and presented it in front of elected representatives of each department and liberation group.

An overwhelming majority of members of the Council voted in favour of the new policy, surpassing the two-thirds threshold needed for the policy to come into force.

It meant that the Barclays cash machine in Interval couldn’t be renewed when its contract expired a

few months later, and the bank were prevented from buying advertising space on the Students’ Union campus.

The petition and subsequent policy came after protests were held outside the bank’s Pinstone Street, railing against their environmental dealings and calling for divestment from fossil fuels.

At the time, Kind said: “The boycott is aimed to socially stigmatise Barclays and build up resistance ideally beyond Sheffield.

The ultimate aim is for Barclays to cease funding fossil fuel extraction both in Yorkshire and globally.

“As an SU, we place emphasis on values including sustainability and liberation at the centre of what we do.

“Organisations which contradict these should not be allowed to profit from our space, either financially or in recruiting students.”

The policy is set to be put up for renewal by Students’ Union Council in November 2019, as all policies must be after they have been in force for three years, in order to give a new cohort of Councillors and Officers the chance to speak their minds on the issue.

The policies will be put forward by the new Students’ Officer team, although they are yet to give an indication of their approach to this policy. However, with the University having only recently completely divested from fossil fuels, it’s unlikely the SU’s attitude will loosen on the matter.

Forge Press

Graduation Week 2019

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Students’ Union and University of Sheffield at war over National Student Survey boycott Anna Gillies 10 February 2017

The University of Sheffield and its Students’ Union are at odds over the National Students Survey (NSS).

The SU has launched a campaign urging students not to fill in the NSS in a bid to combat the wider issue of rising tuition fees, a product of the University being a part of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

The NSS is one of the measures that the Government will use to allow universities to increase fees.

As the University has signed up to TEF, a fee increase will apply to Sheffield students. The SU are campaigning to boycott the survey in opposition to raising tuition fees and in protest against TEF. This follows a recent campaign where over 2,500 students signed an open letter to the VC, asking the University not to be involved in the new measure.

This has caused a clash between the University’s apparent interests

and those of the SU. Vice-President for Education at the University of Sheffield, Wyn Morgan, sent an email to all final year students urging them to fill in the survey. He sent this on 30 January, a week before the official launch of the NSS in Sheffield on 6 February.

Education Officer, Ali Day told Forge Press: “I wasn’t surprised that Wyn Morgan sent emails to staff and students promoting the survey, however I didn’t expect him to communicate so early on. The fact that the University are pushing the NSS so early on shows they are obviously panicked about the boycott and the implications it may have.”

The NSS is a survey filled in by final year students that is used as a data collection service which the University then claims to use to improve its services. Students have the opportunity to give their feedback on their three years in Sheffield.

The University has used financial incentives to encourage

departmental societies to ensure their turnout is high, sometimes offering as much as £500 for participation of over 75 per cent.

The fact that the University are pushing the NSS so early on shows they are obviously panicked The Journalism Department sent an email to its students this year advertising the NSS. Staff pointed out that although it is a students’ choice as to whether or not they fill out the survey, if participation reached 65 per cent in 28 days, the Student-Staff committee would receive £500 from the Faculty of Social Sciences. This was paired with the news that last year the committee used the money for the

Journalism Ball.

Several Journalism students reported that the message of money being available if enough students took part in the NSS was reiterated in lectures by teaching staff, although lecturers claimed to remain neutral on the issue.

As well as using financial incentives to encourage students to fill out the survey, the Journalism email also asked students to “think carefully about the questions and please make sure you do think objectively and with a wider vision”.

This was followed with “if you are not happy with the feedback you have been given for one particular module, this shouldn’t impact your answer on the amount of on-going feedback and support you’ve been given through the three years of your degree.”

When asked about the SU’s campaign and the NSS boycott, Wyn Morgan said: “We’ve always sought and valued feedback from our students with the aim of improving

our teaching and learning and are obliged by HEFCE to engage in the NSS. “We understand the view of some students is to support and NSS boycott. However it remains the University’s aim to hear from as many of our students as we can in order for us to learn from their feedback and continually provide the best student experience possible.”

Day is confident that the campaign will gain support amongst students.

Her ‘Shef better than TEF’ campaign gained over 2,500 signatures, with approximately half from students in their final year of study. She hopes that students will support the boycott as a way to oppose the University’s decision to join TEF and to fight rising fees.

The NSS boycott is one of few occasions where Forge Press has voted to take a stance on an issue, supporting the campaign.

The boycott was eventually successful, after just 48% of final year students filled it in.

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2017/18

The Beast from the East Sean Bean was right. Winter was coming, and my goodness did it make its presence felt here in poor old Sheff. The Beast from the East could have been a fond time - you know, if you were a Whitewalker.

Unfortunately, you were a university student. This meant those dark times were spent risking your neck on the slopes of Conduit Road, taking hours coordinating arctic expeditions to get around the city, and not being able to afford to keep your house warm enough to stop the bathroom pipes from freezing over (sometimes resulting in a few showers at Goodwin).

For a time, it made good for the Game Of Thrones puns, but these got old after about a week. Especially so once you saw your mates take the plunge when ice and slush claimed yet another victim.

Terrified of your own inevitable downfall, nothing said “the council haven’t gritted my street AGAIN” like the amount of bruises on your body during the months of February and March 2018.

We all dabbled in a fair bit of dancing on ice for the watching public to enjoy as we precariously made our way to and from campus.

If you boldly chose to make the trek

that is.

The sympathetic glances shared with strangers at the end of the street as you collectively eyed up the safer looking spots on the pavement, and group efforts to use the grit boxes to try and clear the paths and streets were really quite an unforgettable display of solidarity from the people of Sheffield.

Despite all of this, the human spirit prevailed and the never ending frosty weather did nothing to diminish the fire in our hearts to admire and create large displays of a certain part of the male anatomy on any surface of fresh snow.

Arts Tower occupation/strikes What with the madness of the Beast from the East, paired with the UCU (University and College Union) staff strikes, and the consequent cancelling of many contact hours across a large number of courses at the university, I’m not entirely sure if anyone actually made it into uni at all during the spring semester of 2018.

What I do know for sure is that those who studied Architecture and Landscape in the Arts Tower definitely didn’t make it in for three whole days in March 2018, because a group called Sheffield StudentWorker Solidarity (about 20 people) had blocked the doorway with various bits of furniture and actually occupied the building in protest, preventing access for both staff and students.

The group were supporting the

strikes, demanding concessions from Keith Burnett, the then-ViceChancellor of the University, to make up for the lost money of missed contact hours as well as demanding the UCU’s demands were met.

The strike action consisted of 14 days spread over a period of four weeks, beginning in February and ending late March 2018, disrupting courses to varying degrees. There was certainly divided opinion among students on several fronts: many were understandably frustrated at the partial halt on studies in the midst of high tuition fees and maintenance loans - but it takes a rare breed to be willing to sleep in the cold Arts Tower basement over it.

Yet, hundreds of students and staff came together in solidarity against the proposed cuts to staff pensions. Students’ Union Council

voted unanimously to support the UCU in their ballot for strike action, and later this humble paper also voted to support striking workers.

Various marches took place both on campus and in the city, which continued in a similar fashion at UCU institutions affected by strike action throughout Britain until the UCU voted to end the strike action in April.

As for The Arts Tower occupation, the whole thing was mildly entertaining. Whether you joined the picket lines, voted to support the strikes like us, were furious about the strikes or just completely overlooked the whole thing: the occupation did manage to cause quite a stir on campus and it was quite fun trying to spot the students camping inside as you walked through the wind tunnel at Western Bank.

Magid Magid takes office

YEAR IN REVIEW by chloe dervey

May 2018 saw Magid Magid become the Lord Mayor of Sheffield.

He quickly made international headlines after “banning” Donald Trump from Sheffield in the run-up to his UK state visit, so understandably it didn’t take long for people to align themselves in support of him in a way not many lord mayors have received before.

Namely, joining him on nights out at Plug or attending sing-along showings of Mamma Mia 2 with him - but that’s besides the point.

Magid was connecting with people in Sheffield, and he quickly became a well-known figure, passionate about the city and its people. Not only was he the youngest ever Lord Mayor of Sheffield at the age of 28, but he was

also the first Somali refugee, and first Green party councillor, to hold the position.

Magid captured the interest of the people of Sheffield. He was a welcome breath of fresh air and an inspiration to many. For many good reasons, Magid Magid didn’t suit the typical image of ‘mayor’.

Mayors usually - let’s be honest are some boring-looking old white man you don’t know the name of. Go on, google your hometown mayor. I bet you don’t recognise them, and if you do it probably isn’t for the best reasons.

Yet you didn’t have to scroll far on Magid’s social media to find those who were unsettled by his seemingly blasé image, often tied

with his youth, bright yellow cap and the colour of his skin. Or his t-shirts calling Trump a wasteman or stating “Immigrants make Britain great”.

Most often though, their concerns revolved around his apparent disregard for the nice furniture he could be seen perched atop, doing his iconic squatting pose. Make of that what you will.

Magid was recently elected as one of six MEPs for the Yorkshire and Humber region. His popularity during his time as Lord Mayor undoubtedly catalysed his success in such pursuits elsewhere, for not only himself but also to the benefit of the Green Party too. He raised the profile of Sheffield and the kind nature of its people.

Forge Press

Graduation Week 2019

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Students make ‘Herstory’ as eight women are elected to lead Sheffield Students’ Union Ben Warner 2 March 2018

Lilian Jones has been elected as the new President of the Sheffield Students’ Union.

The third-year Politics and Sociology student and Sheffield Labour Students Chair won by almost double the votes received by runner-up Elliott O’Rourke. Seven candidates ran for the position in total. Lilian will be the fourth consecutive SLS chair to win the presidency.

Lilian said: “I want to thank every single person who voted for me, who got their friends to vote for me, who endorsed me and who appeared in my video.

“I also want to thank all the other candidates for raising the bar, they were great competition.

“I’m so proud of my politics and to represent a Students’ Union that is politically engaged and I’m so proud to be the second woman President ever.”

The winners for the other Officer positions were: Katharine Swindells for Welfare, Roxanne Bechu for International Students’, Mel Kee for SU Development, Cecilia HudsonMolinaro for Activities, Sarah Morse for Sport, Mayeda Tayyab for Women’s and Anna Crump Raiswell for Education.

It means Lilian will lead a team of all-women next year, leading the Students’ Union for 2018/19.

This comes after the success of the #SheShouldRun campaign, launched by the current Women’s Officer, Celeste Jones.

The campaign was launched in order to encourage more women to run for President and SU Development, after just one woman ran for the former in each of the previous three years.

This year, three women - Lilian Jones, Kerry Miller and Shelby Storey - all ran for the top job in the SU Officer team, and one of them won.

However, few could have expected the outcome, when students voted

for ‘Herstory’ as they elected women to all eight paid positions.

I want to thank every single person who voted for me, who got their friends to vote for me, who endorsed me The SU Officers take power for a year, and enact their vision for the Students’ Union, working with the SU and the University of Sheffield.

Incoming President Lilian ran

on policies of empowering student renters and improving night time safety.

Lilian’s policy regarding introducing microwaves to study spaces has come under scrutiny as many believe this reform to be

unrealistic.

She wants to reform access to study space in order to make it easier for students to book out rooms, as well as access empty rooms. On top of that, she says she will put microwaves in all four libraries and the Students’ Union.

Access to University is also an important part of her manifesto, and Lilian says that she will create dropin sessions with sixth-formers and lobby for a change in the admissions systems to make it easier for disadvantaged groups to gain a place at the University.

As President it will be Lilian’s responsibility to manage the rest of the Officer team as well as act as a figurehead for the SU, representing the student body on various boards and committees.

The announcement of the Education Officer role was initially delayed, after the Returning Officers found out a candidate had breached election regulations.

A statement from the Returning

Officers explained: “We had to count the election for Education Officer in a different way than usual.

“Due to technical complications we will not be able to complete this count today as we have consequently not been able to verify the result.

“The announcement of the Education Officer election is regrettably deferred.”

Eventually, the issue was resolved and Anna Crump Raiswell was announced as the final addition to the team of eight officers, beating George Bunn in the final round.

In addition to the Officer Elections, students elected Cate O’Brien and Frankie Boyd as their student Trustees.

Over 2,000 students also voted for the SU to remain affiliated with the NUS. Voting ran from 26 February to 1 March with a final voter turnout of 8,065, a slight decrease from last year’s turnout of 8,187.The newlyelected Officers will take up their positions on July 1.

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2018/19

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R.I.P. The Harley One of Sheffield’s most infamous and historic clubs had apparently passed its expiry date. A popular independent music venue for the majority of the University’s student body, the student paradise announced its closure on Friday 5 April this year with immediate effect due to financial pressures.

The Harley played host to many hit events across Sheffield, such as Soul Jam, and many of the students that were saddened by the news bonded over their memories and experiences in the diverse and unique venue. The Arctic Monkeys and The XX are two among the many illustrious bands to have performed there in their infancy.

The Harley didn’t just support

and showcase music and host wicked nights out. It was home to independent Sheffield restaurant the Twisted Burger Company, who thankfully said that the Harley’s closure did not condemn their future also.

Those burgers were pretty banging, where else could you get yourself a “Yorkshire Pudding Burger”? The restaurant and the venue, hand-in-hand, were quintessentially Sheffield.

Not all is lost, however, as students will hold The Harley in their memory forever and there’s speculation that this is not the end. The Harley’s events and music department, and key promoters, were or are supposedly working on a new city

centre event coming “very soon”.

Its renowned Red Stripes and cramped (though some prefer cosy) dancefloor have been etched into many students’ memories and although The Harley has now closed its doors, it stands tall and prominent in many students’ university experience.

The Harley had a special sound and its own personality, let’s hope that the scourge of independent music venues across the country don’t take any more of our beloved clubs and venues across the city. I dread to think what would happen if the Leadmill was the next on the hitlist - though if you’re reading this, calm down, the Leadmill seems to be doing just fine.

Sheffield United promoted A momentous sporting achievement for Sheffield (that wasn’t Varsity-related, of course) was realised in April when Sheffield United’s place in the Premier League for the 2018/19 season was secured after a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town, followed by Aston Villa and Leeds United’s hugely controversial draw, which saw Leeds allow Villa to walk the ball into their net.

Ever since Stocksbridge-born Blades fan Wilder started managing his boyhood team in June 2016, they have been on a steady upwards slope to success. A strong opening to their 2018/19 season meant they looked set at least for the play-offs, but then Leeds, second at the time, lost at home to Wigan and away to Brentford, putting the Blades three points clear in second with two

games to go. Now, Wilder has won promotion from the Conference, League Two, League One, and the Championship.

The Blades hadn’t been in the Premier League since the 2006/07 season, and are leaving the Championship just two years after winning promotion back to the second-tier.

The news led Blades fans to celebrate their Premier League promotion with an open-top bus parade throughout the city on Tuesday 7 May. For one day only fans had coloured Sheffield city centre red with flares and scarves, and supporters climbed on top of street signs to get a better view of their team, atop the open-top bus.

Blades fans have been rejoicing in their achievement and made sure to

let rivals Wednesday, who failed to make the play-offs after finishing 12th, and their fans aware of their success. During the celebration Blades fans even flew a banner over Hillsborough reading “Mind the gap, the city is ours”.

It was a painful month to be a Wednesday fan. Blades were pridefully showboating their team’s promotion and rightfully so, whereas Wednesday had a particularly underwhelming season in comparison (at least until the arrival of Steve Bruce in February).

It was a memorable event, even for people who aren’t fans of football, as it was a very problemfree celebration that united a lot of the city in something they all cared about - other than Wednesday fans obviously.

Lancaster Bomber Flyover

YEAR IN REVIEW by tom buckland

If you lived close enough to Endcliffe Park you must’ve heard this one. On Friday 22 February, a campaign for a flypast over Endcliffe Park came to fruition, in honour of a US bomber that came down in the park 75 years ago.

All of this happened due to a chance meeting between BBC Breakfast presenter - and Sheffield alumnus - Dan Walker and Tony Foulds, who tends to a park memorial dedicated to the pilots who died in the plane crash all those years ago.

Relatives of the aircrew and thousands of Sheffield residents attended as the planes flew over the memorial at 08.45am. The flypast involved planes from Britain and the

US flying from RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk, the largest US Air Force base in the UK. Tony Foulds had a heartfelt story to go along with his dedication to the memorial, as he recalls that on the day of the crash when he was eight-years-old, he and some other children were in the park because of a rambunctious school brawl. He and the other children witnessed the plane crash, which killed all 10 airmen aboard the B-17 Flying Fortress. Foulds believes they saved him and the other children in that park’s lives by maneuvering to avoid them.

Mr Foulds has said he felt responsible for the lives lost and has

been regularly visiting the memorial ever since. Dan Walker heard his story when he met Tony in the park while walking his dog. A social media-led campaign was created and Tony’s story spread like wildfire.

A flypast was successfully organised along with new steps and a flagpole for the crash memorial. A florist from London even travelled up and created a wreath for the servicemen. Six different aircraft soared over the park early that Friday morning and it was a sight to behold.

A truly emotional and heartwarming experience for Sheffield and its people - a reminder that Sheffield residents have fascinating stories and a lot of heart.

Forge Press

Graduation Week 2019

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University of Sheffield overtake Hallam with seventh successive Varsity competition win Ben Warner 28 March 2019

The University of Sheffield have taken the overall lead in Varsity for the first time in the history of the competition, with an overall score of 45.5-32.5 for Varsity 2019.

They also broke the record winning margin of 12, set in 2017.

For the seventh successive year, the Black and Golds beat Sheffield Hallam to take home the trophy, with the winning point coming in Women’s Hockey 1s, taking the University of Sheffield over the 39.5 point threshold needed to win the trophy.

The Uni of team triumphed 5-0 in the match at Abbeydale, sealing the win and meaning that for the first time the Black and Golds have won more editions of the competition.

The final score was confirmed after a 5-4 defeat to Hallam in the Ice Hockey Final.

Since it started in 1996, the overall Varsity score now stands at 11-10,

with draws being recorded in 2008 and 2009.

Greg Unwin, Club Sport Manager at Sport Sheffield, said: “I am so proud of all our sports clubs. Not only were the players on top form but so were the supporters and coaches.

“I would also like to give a huge congratulations to all the staff who have been involved in pulling the event together. To win seven in a row is no coincidence and we have all dug deep when needed. I think it’s fair to say the Black and Gold spirit will only get stronger.”

Uni of started as they meant to go on, claiming three of the four points on offer at Winter Varsity in November. In the rest of the early events, however, points were shared and the teams went into football at Hillsborough with the scores tight.

The Women’s Football 1s drew in the early match, before Hallam’s Men’s 1s took their point, winning 2-1.

Going into Sports Park Day, Uni of had a slight lead of 5.5-3.5, but extended their lead to 18-10 by the end of the day, with wins in ultimate frisbee, cricket, and rugby, amongst others.

Team Hallam then comfortably won boxing at the Octagon, with eight bouts going in their favour, although this was cancelled out by Mixed Ice Hockey 2 winning at IceSheffield the same night.

Norton Playing Fields proved to be a similarly mixed day, with the points being shared after the three lacrosse fixtures, although the Black and Golds took the opportunity to extend their lead thanks to a win in the

Women’s Hockey 3s.

Both Universities kept pace with each other over the weekend events, drawing in rowing before

I am so proud of all our sports clubs. Not only were the players on top form but so were the supporters and coaches Team Hallam closed the gap after an American football win, which was countered by Uni of’s dodgeball triumph on Sunday.

Ahead of EIS on Monday, the University of Sheffield were looking favourites with a lead of 25-15, and put themselves in prime position to take the title, claiming 10 of the 16 points available for the day. Particular success was

found in netball, volleyball and athletics, although Team Hallam did take home all three points from basketball.

The Hallamshire and Abbeydale day would prove to be the day the tournament was won, with Uni of needing just 4.5 points from the day to seal it. The winning point finally came in Women’s Hockey 1s, after results in tennis and squash. It meant the Black and Golds could go into the final day with their heads held high, ahead on 40.5-25.5.

Team Hallam started off Finals Day strongly, winning both swimming events, although Uni of did claim the final cycling event, giving them 1.5 points of the two available. Points were largely even in the korfball, badminton and canoe polo, but the Black and Golds had already sealed their record winning margin when the ice hockey began.

It was a back-and-forth game at the FlyDSA Arena, with both teams exchanging the lead, but Hallam eventually emerged as 5-4 victors,

Upstairs: Graduation Robing Alumni Relations Desk Graduation Photography Downstairs: Graduation Ceremony Broadcast

DURHAM ROAD

Sheffield SU Store Graduation Jewellery Graduation Flowers Graduation Framers

SOUVENIRS

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B A R

FIE LD

Coffee Revolution New Leaf Our Shop Proper Pasty Grill & Go Pearls Bubble Tea

RO AD

Disabled Access

Toilets

Water

Souvenirs

Cash point

Food

Drink

Information

KEY

UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD

Upstairs: The View Deli Inox Dine Downstairs: Interval Kitchen & Bar Bar One

LEAVYGREAVE ROAD

FOOD / DRINK

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GLOSSOP ROAD

K I T C H E N

I N T E R VA L

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THE UNIVERSITY ARMS

UPPER HANOVER STREET

Welcome Desk Box Office Student Services Information Desk (SSiD) Student Advice Centre

INFORMATION

STUDENTS’ UNION

Graduation Ceremonies Graduation Enquiries Desk DVD Order Point

R STE E W

K AN B N

BRO

H OK

FAVELL ROAD

OCTAGON

Concourse Cafe Bar Jazz Band Alumni Graduation Hoodies

CONCOURSE

Krebs Cafe

FIRTH COURT

Graduation

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Forge Press

Graduation Week 2019

11

Cerys O’Boyle - remembering a well-loved Black and Gold hero This year, we lost someone who truly knew what it meant to represent Black and Gold. Cerys O’Boyle sadly passed away in October, just as she was starting a Master’s in Modern History at the university.

She had spent three years as an undergraduate here, and in her final year was a club captain for Sheffield University Women’s Football Team, playing for the second team alongside that.

Following her sad passing after a short stay in hospital, members of the club came together to hold a memorial for their friend and teammate before their training session at Goodwin on 22 October.

They each released a balloon into the air, with a message to Cerys enclosed.

It’s a testament to her character,

the amount of people who, following her death, wanted to speak about just how much she meant to them, both on their social media accounts and on an emotional hour-long edition of Forge Radio’s ROAR programme dedicated to her.

Tributes came from Harriet Houston, her co-captain, the SU Sports Officer for 2017/18, Flo Brookes and Club Sport Manager Greg Unwin and others.

Her father, John, also spoke to Forge Press at the time, telling us: “Cerys loved everything about the University of Sheffield. She loved her studies, loved the people and absolutely adored the sport. She put everything into her role with the University Women’s Football Club.

“It is inevitable that when you

lose someone that brought in so much light that the world seems like a darker place. Over recent weeks my wife and I have felt so empty and lonely.

“But we know the type of person Cerys was and we know how she would want us to approach the future. She was always so dedicated, caring and enthusiastic about everything - and so full of fun. She would want everyone to remember her with a smile.”

Her funeral was held on 29 October, and was attended by around 50 of her teammates from Sheffield, who travelled up to near Middlesbrough to say goodbye.

“She was very passionate and very, very kind and I think her football made her so special, it was such a big part of her life.

“She was always willing to try

new things and she really did live life to the full”, her co-captain Harriet said.

“Cerys embodied that, she was busy every single day and any evening that she could be. She didn’t rest, she didn’t sleep. She absolutely had an excitement for life and that made her really special.

“I will miss lots of things about her. I’ll miss her trying really hard to stay positive on the football pitch but that not coming across to the others.

“I’ll miss our FaceTimes and text conversations, I’ll miss her keeping me updated on everything football-related.

“I’ll miss the weekends away we never got to have and I’ll miss the trip to Boro she never got to take us on.”

It’s clear to everyone who knew her - and even those who didn’t - how much she loved football, Sheffield and being part of the Black and Gold community during her time at the university.

Her memory, however, will live on through those who knew her and the football club she led with such pride during 2017/18, including during Varsity.

Perhaps the most fitting tribute comes from her dad though.

“Creating a legacy for Cerys is important to us. She greatly valued the importance of social inclusion and always went out of her way to broaden participation. Equally though, I hope that her positive outlook on life may simply provide an impetus for all that knew her to follow her example - Live, Laugh, Love, Roar.”

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Best of Sheffessions Housemates

Dating

forgetoday.com

Ben Warner

In mid-2018, a new Facebook page named Sheffessions gave Sheffield students a new, unrivalled opportunity to confess their uni antics, crushes and just about anything else.

A successor to YikYak, an anonymous messaging service which had its heyday in about 2015, the page exploded as Sheffield’s finest

GOING OUT-OUT

clamoured to tell their stories to anyone who’d listen, talking about relationships, jobs, exams and crucially - Sheffield Hallam.

A year on, more than 5,000 posts have been made by Sheffield students, giving a peek into good and the bad of the lives of students in 2019.

Here, as you get ready to say goodbye to the city for good, explore some of the finest posts Sheffessions has to offer.

...EVERYTHING ELSE

http://_Sheffessions #446 28 May 2018 So I was on a second date with this guy, we were headed to Corp and he decided to give me a piggyback which ended in him faceplanting the floor and we proceeded to spend the next 5 hours in A&E. He’s now my boyfriend of 5 months #2191 11 July 2018 Whenever I have a crush on a girl I think she’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. However, in September, I genuinely did meet the most beautiful girl in the world. We’re sort of friends but nothing will ever happen. She doesn’t know how I feel about her and she has a boyfriend. If you’re reading this, in the immortal words of Avril Lavigne: you can do so much better, I think we should get together now xoxo #2240 18 July 2018 Watching graduation livestreams to see if my ex falls up the stairs #2962 30 October 2018 Got tired of boys at uni so bought myself a cactus called Hugo and he’s my new boyf #3402 8 January 2019 Me and my friend kissed on NYE, both being girls, and my friends boyf came over to investigate. Let’s just say he didn’t get the best impression when I tried to demonstrate to him what had happened.

2019 tip: don’t kiss your friends boyfriend in front of her in demonstrating your kiss with her, not my finest hour x #4688 15 June 2019 I once accidentally invited two tinder dates to the same party. #letthebattlecommence #4828 21 June 2019 Currently arguing with the girlfriend on holiday over the correct way to eat a Magnum. I believe that [the] right way is to eat the chocolate on the outside first followed by the ice cream in the middle, never mixing chocolaty (sic) and ice cream goodness. However, for some reason, she is of the opinion that chocolate and ice cream should be consumed together with complete disregard for the sanctity of the two separate components #4911 25 June 2019 Highlight of first year: having the endcliffe cat nap in my room.... ....and meeting my boyfriend I suppose #4963 27 June 2019 Unpopular opinion: Love island is a complete waste of time

#1788 12 June 2018 I told my housemates that I’d gone vegan at the start of the year and have been stealing their milk and cheese since.

I’m sorry guys, I don’t care about the animals as much as I let on x #3700 4 February 2019 Dear flatmates, your corridor football is now driving me insane. If you don’t stop then expect me to yeet knives at the balls when you’re next out and then hide them #4489 31 May 2019 Currently at home revising for exams and today I was so bored I decided to go around the whole house in squat position to see what life is like from the point of view of my 1 year old nephew #4678 14 June 2019 Does every flat/house have the one person who always brings home loads of strangers after nights out or is it just our flat? Love the suspense of wandering into the kitchen each morning to see who we’ve got this time #4748 17 June 2019 You don’t understand how happy I am that one of my housemates has fucked off on a year abroad #praisethelord #4825 21 June 2019 Due to unfortunate circumstances with my housing situation, I had to live in halls in both my first and second year.

To my flat mates from this year: I fucking hate nearly all of you. I will literally only miss one person in the flat.

You’re all the most annoying creatures to ever walk this planet and if I see you on nights out next year I won’t do what I do with my flat mates from first year and have a fun little catch up. I will literally blank you and act like you don’t exist. I hope you all get really bad sun burn over

summer. Apart from that one dude. I’m so happy to be leaving yous. #4916 25 June 2019 The worst thing about all my flatmates moving out is having no one’s milk to steal #4961 27 June 2019 My ex-flatmate moved out earlier in the month and said she’d left the rest of us some stuff if we wanted it. I got to the flat today and she’s left us mouldy food in her cupboard and a not-quite empty bin in her bedroom. Cheers hun, it’s such a shame we won’t be living together next year.

#1741 10 June 2018 First night out back and had to pay £5.20 for a double, I’m so done with the south, get me back to the land of £5 rounds #2981 30 October 2018 A low point for me last year was when we didn’t even make it out but got food anyway and I (a vegetarian), proceeded to order chicken nuggets which I then dropped all over the wet and mossy pavement before eating them off the ground and then forgot the whole thing had happened until my mate reminded me the next morning #3109 22 November 2018 “I’m not going out” is a bigger lie than “I’m just leaving my dishes to soak” #3217 20 December 2018 5 types of friend on a night out: 1. The wanderer - will walk off in no particular direction. Occasionally comes back for a song they like.

2. The angry one - will starts fights and may break something.

3. The cryer - will uncontrollably wail about nothing important.

4. The wild one - will drink irresponsibly, hopefully makes it back home.

5. The responsible one - who is pissed off at everyone above #3400 7 January 2019 God tier - SU Top tier - West Street Live Mid tier - Code / Leadmill Low tier - Tank Shit tier - Plug #3645 14 March 2019 This one time me and my flatmate went on a night out. My flatmate had drunk loads but I was too busy paying attention to the lad I was dancing with. After a while I begin to wonder where she had gone. I could not find her on the dance floor, the bathroom nor the bar. So I went outside and saw her standing next to the bouncer crying her eyes out. I go up to her and she says “I got kicked out” and I asked the bouncer why that happened. He looked at me and said “Because she tried to go behind the bar to mix her own drink”. I don’t know about you, but that is actually the best reason to ever get kicked out of a bar/club #3899 18 April 2019 Pro tip: if you have a 3am oasis pizza trip on the way back from a night out you can skip breakfast the next day and still get to early lectures while saving valuable time and money in the morning

#1975 25 June 2018 *Attenborough voice* Now watch as these fledgling SU Officers fly the nest, and swoop into the open expanse of entry-level charity jobs #3450 12 January 2019 ‘Who says I can’t write 4000 words in a day?’ Live conversations overheard in the IC. May god be with you my child. #3720 26 March 2019 In the interests of fairness I feel like Hallam should be given extra time in Varsity.

E.g. they get the ball, we count to 3 before we react. We can’t just thrash them every year without at least giving them a fighting chance #3775 4 April 2019 Shout out to the six Hallam lads at varsity ice hockey, who each had a letter from the Hallam name on their chest, but lined up in the wrong order spelling ‘MHALLA’ #4090 8 May 2019 I wonder if I’m anybody’s ‘person they see weirdly often around campus’ #4130 11 May 2019 If Hallam was a deodorant it would be Lynx Africa #4270 21 May 2019 Genuinely just overheard someone in the IC say to their friend “I really wish I hadn’t started all my revision so early” Well that’s the last time I go to the IC during exam/deadline season LET ME CRAM IN PEACE #4489 31 May 2019 Currently at home revising for exams and today I was so bored I decided to go around the whole house in squat position to see what life is like from the point of view of my 1 year old nephew #4692 15 June 2019 For all those starting to get bored of education and desperately yearning to work a proper job to get out of the hell that is uni: don’t leave, it’s a trap. As someone who works a full time office job and gets paid living wage for the same work someone 20 years my senior is doing, I can confirm it’s shit and within a year you’ll be begging to go back to the land of weekday nights out, lie ins, non-compulsory lectures and ridiculously long holidays #5035 1 July 2019 I attempted to cycle up conduit road recently. Managed about 33cm. I did the Yorkshire three peaks last year and they honestly weren’t as steep

Forge Press

Graduation Week 2019

15

Didn’t Happen of the Year:

As well as providing ample space for Sheffield students to vent and laugh, Sheffessions have made it their goal to make sure everyone can access mental health support available, having received many submissions crying for help, but to which they can’t respond. The admins of the page took it upon them to promote some numbers vital for welfare, such as Nightline, CALM and the Samaritans.

Sheffessions Edition 1st:#3045 9 November 2018 Think you’re having a bad day? I went to rent a book for the first time at the IC today. It was on the 4th floor so I thought I’d catch the lift. Just as the doors were closing someone put their hand through to stop the lift and get in. Lo and behold it was the first guy I slept with at Uni in freshers week. We looked knowingly at each other, said hi and stood in awkward silence. Then the lift stops at floor one, and guess who gets on? A guy I pulled at Poptarts a few weeks back. He gives me the same look as the other guy did, I blush, the first guy looks at me again. I know, he knows, all of us know. Just as I thought it couldn’t get any worse, the lift stops AGAIN at floor 2, my Halloween pull gets on, literally from last night, gives me a huge smile and says out loud ‘nice to see you, we should do it again sometime!’ I couldn’t take anymore, so I tried desperately to press the open door button but it was too late, the lift has already started moving so now I’m standing in silence surrounded by 3 people whom’s dicks I’ve seen in the last 2 months, I can’t decide if the thought makes me want to laugh or cry, and every single one knows anyway, so I said aloud “what are the fucking chances”. I get off at floor 3 instead, after

what must have been a few seconds, but felt like an eternity. But seriously though... what ARE the fucking chances?!

2nd: #3485 17 February 2019 Jesus Christ. I knew it was a rough night at Code last night, but I did not expect to wake up to this email in my Sent Box: Good Morning Dr Williams I would just like to inform you that I did not attend today’s seminar as I discovered Pornhub for the first time last night. What hoped to be a quick 15 minute video called “milking the beast” quickly spiralled into a 5 hour binge ending in “6 men, a holahoop and a rhinoceros.”

Thank you for your understanding, I look forward to our next seminar, See You Next Tuesday!

Kind Regards, Sam Worst thing is, the grammar of the email is all correct so it looks as if I was being genuine.

Goodbye Higher Education 3rd: #5158 8 July 2019 My housemate pays an obnoxious amount of money for expensive shampoo. naturally, she pissed me off this year, so I pissed in it. fight me.

Places to eat CONCOURSE CAFE BAR

Nightline: 0114 222 8787 Hopeline: 0800 068 4141 CALM: 0800 585 858 Samaritans: 116 123

There are plenty of places to eat and drink in and near the Students’ Union building, and they all have special graduation treats to make your day a memorable one.

COFFEE REVOLUTION

INOX DINE

An essential part of any Summer Graduation celebration, we have a great choice of Champagne, Prosecco, & Pimm’s, as well as high end espresso drinks & treats served in the Summer sun.

The Students' Unions own coffee house, Coffee Revolution, will be serving up tasty treats, indulgent cakes and sundaes, and some expertly crafted hot drinks to keep you going throughout your graduation day.

Serving up delicious coffees, teas, hot chocolates, and incredible locally sourced pastries all day long.

INTERVAL KITCHEN & BAR

THE VIEW DELI

KREBS

Serving a delicious range of gourmet sandwiches, wraps, salads, and stonebaked pizzas throughout the day. Offering a great range of hot drinks, wines, craft beers and gins, this is the perfect venue to celebrate your special day with friends and family.

View Deli is our speciality vegan and vegetarian cafe. Savor your morning cup of coffee with the stunning backdrop of our city skyline. From freshly baked savoury breakfast pastries and muffins to deli sandwiches, the View Deli will be serving food and drink throughout your special day.

Just inside the front doors of Firth Court, you will find ‘Krebs’, a cosy place to relax and enjoy a hot drink and a bite to eat. We have a great selection of fresh sandwiches, jacket potatoes and warming soups. Why not enjoy a barista coffee or speciality tea and treat yourself to one of our delicious cakes?

BAR ONE

NEW LEAF

THE UNIVERSITY ARMS

Open until late, Bar One serves a range of drinks, including bar favourites, cocktails, and craft ales, & food from gourmet burgers and delicious burritos, to sweet waffles & sundaes! Bar One caters to all and has a menu suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans so everyone can ensure a well deserved indulgence.

Build your own delicious handmade salad or wrap; perfect for a light lunch or energy boost. If you fancy a salad, choose from a base of pasta, leaf, cous cous, or brown rice, add a selection of tasty ingredients and a dressing, and enjoy.

Enjoy a fantastic meal and a glass of real ale in this traditional and independent pub. To book your table call (0114) 222 8969.

OUR SHOP

GRILL & GO

The Students' Union's shop provides all the essential graduation items you need, including soft drinks, fresh sandwiches & snacks, coffee & breakfast on-the-go, hair grips, tissues and batteries!

Try a Grill & Go burrito or hot wrap made to order, just how you like it.

Perfect for a quick bite to eat if you have a packed schedule on the day!

(All items Halal)

Come and celebrate in the University's own contemporary restaurant. Serving breakfast bites, drinks, a special Summer Graduation menu, plus enjoy their cocktail happy hour.

PEARLS BUBBLE TEA Serving a selection of authentic Asian bubble tea drinks, to refresh your day. Choose from a selection of original, milk, and fruit teas and one of the vast selection of tasty toppings, from classic black tapioca to lychee!

PROPER PASTY

Tasty, hot, filling, and we’re proud to say ‘Award Winning’ Cornish pasties to keep you going through your day. Why not try out new selection of vegan pasties as well as sausage rolls.

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16

there’s the mind-numbingly dull ceremony, ages of waiting just for those 30 seconds you actually care about. To make matters worse, graduates have to do all this in the blazing heat while wearing those god awful robes. You’re tired. You’re bored. Your feet hurt. It’s not fun.

So why not sit back, relax and take a quick break?

Luke Baldwin

Break

Graduation is long. You probably had to get up at some unholy hour in the morning to commute here from who knows where?

Once you’re here you’re treated to seemingly endless queues and traipsing round for photos. Then

Crossword There’s a lot to learn about Sheffield, but how much have you soaked in from your time here? Test yourself with this Sheffield trivia-based crossword! Answers below.

Fun Fact Full on all the way across the sky The longest-lasting rainbow ever was in Sheffield, visible for six hours on March 14 1944.

1.Graffiti 2.Tramlines 3.Hillsborough 4.Bread Cake 5.Def Leppard 6.Monty Python 7.Cocker 8.Lyceum 9.Snooker 10.Seven 11.Blades 12.Knives 13.Heptathlon 14.Dying 15.Trees

On this day 15 July -The Rosetta Stone, the key to deciphering ancient hieroglyphics, is discovered by French soldiers in Egypt (1799) -Elton John had his first number 1 album in the US with Honky Château which includes the hit ‘Rocket Man’ (1972) -Classic action film Die Hard, starring Bruce Willis and Alan Rickman, is released (1988) 16 July -Bolivia declares its independence from the Spanish Crown, the first country in Spanish America to do so (1809)

-Roger Federer records beats Marin Čilić for a record 8th Wimbledon men’s title (2017) -The BBC announce that Jodie Whittaker will be the first female Doctor Who (2017)

DOwn

1. Sheffield-based artist Phlegm specialises in what style of art? (8) 5. Which band from Sheffield sang ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me’ and had a one armed drummer? (3, 7) 6.Sheffield-born television personality Michael Palin was famously a member of which comedy group? (5, 6) 7. A term of endearment in Yorkshire as well as the surname of a musician from Sheffield (6) 12. Sheffield is known for its steel production, but which household item in particular? (6) 13. Sheffield athlete Jessica Ennis won her 2012 Olympic gold medal in which event? (10) 14. Sheffield local Sean Bean is best known for playing characters which share what trait? (5) 15. There are four of these in Sheffield for every person, more than any other European city (5)

2. Which Sheffield music festival is now in its eleventh year? (9) 3. Home of Sheffield Wednesday since 1899 (12) 4. The correct name for a bun/bap/ roll in South Yorkshire (5, 4) 8. The biggest theatre complex in the UK is home to the Crucible and which other theatre? (6) 9. The Crucible hosts the annual world championships for which sport? (7) 10. Sheffield is infamous for its hills, but how many is it built on? (5) 11. Sheffield United are commonly known by what nickname? (6)

Fun Fact Back in my day...

Sheffield is home to the oldest football club in the world, Sheffield FC, founded in 1857.

17 July -The Romanov royal family is executed by Bolsheviks in Siberia.

The body of daughter Anastasia is never found (1918) -General Franco leads a right-wing uprising, starting the Spanish Civil War (1936) -The 21st Olympic games open in Montreal. 25 African countries (later rising to 33) boycott the games over apartheid in South Africa (1976)

18 July -The Great Fire of Rome destroys two-thirds of the city (64) -Adolf Hitler publishes Mein Kampf outlining his ideology (1925) -Kim Jong-un is appointed Supreme Leader of North Korea (2012)

19 July -The largest ship in the world at the time and the first ocean craft made of metal, SS Great Britain, is launched, designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel (1843) -Tom and Jerry make their first appearance on cartoon “The Midnight Snack” (1941) -Maurice Garin wins the inaugural Tour de France (1903) Images courtesy of Wikimedia, Flickr and Fshoq

Did you Know?

Today will be very special for you, but what other important events previously took place during this week?

Across

Forge Press

Graduation Week 2019

17

Word Search

sudoku No doubt you’ve visited most of these buildings during your time at Sheffield. They’ve hosted good times and bad times but can you find them all?

Sudoku is a great way to test the value of a university education. If you’re a graduate and you can’t solve this, you might have just thrown away over 27 grand. If you’re not a graduate and you can solve this, then clearly you’ve managed pretty well without a degree.

Hicks Diamond Octagon Pam Liversidge Firth Court IC Arts Tower Goodwin Edge Mappin Bar One Dainton

Fun Fact Parks and Recreation Roughly a third of Sheffield is classed as being in the Peak District, making it the only UK city to have a national park within its boundaries.

Horoscope

Graduation is an uncertain time.

Success or failure, what does your future hold? By consulting the mystic powers and stars I can finally give you the definitive answer! Either that or it’s a load of old rubbish I made up for a laugh.

You decide!

Aries (Mar 21-Apr 19)

Libra (Sep 23-Oct 22)

Health problems ahead Stomach ache won’t go away? That rash that’s been annoying you?

Whatever it is, it’s not looking good, you should go get it checked.

You’ve got talent Life after uni can get boring, so why not take up a new hobby or learn a new skill? You might be surprised at how much of a natural you are...

Taurus (Apr 20-May 20)

Scorpio (Oct 23-Nov 21)

Fortune in your future Treat yourself because you’ve got cash on the way. Could be a lottery win or just a tenner on the floor, not sure on the specifics.

Cutting ties There’s someone close to you but you’re not really sure why? They don’t enrich your life, in fact they’re sort of toxic. Time to get rid!

Gemini (May 21-Jun 20)

Sagittarius (Nov 22-Dec 21)

Expanded palette There’s some food you’ve hated since being a child. Olives, sprouts, gherkins, something you’ve just always despised. But not anymore!

Looking good You’ve either just had or are about to have a major glow up so embrace it.

Change up your outfit or hair, you’ll look great regardless!

Cancer (Jun 21-Jul 22)

Capricorn (Dec 22-Jan 19)

Greener pastures Wherever you are now you’re sick of it so you’re off. Maybe even abroad.

This time next month you’ll be sipping Mai Tais on the beach.

Job success Get those applications sent off because you’re dream job is just around the corner. Already got a job?

Even better, you’ll be the boss soon!

Leo (Jul 23-Aug 22)

Aquarius (Jan 20-Feb 18)

Death knocks Tell those you care about you love them because you aren’t going to be around for much longer. Sorry, I don’t make the rules.

Job failure Whether you’re still looking for a job or you just found one, things don’t look good. Get used to your parents’ house because you’ll be there a lot.

Virgo (Aug 23-Sep 22)

Pisces (Feb 19-Mar 20)

Love birds You know that person you’ve always fancied? The one with the cute smile? They like you too! So go tell them, before it’s too late!

An enigma You’re mysterious. The universe is sending me lots of mixed messages which is usually a bad sign. Just try to keep your head down for a bit.

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Sheffield student life Things you’ll miss....

For the last few years, Sheffield has given you a unique student experience.

Whether it’s its location immediately to the east of the Peak District, its hilly profile or its distinctive nightlife, there truly is nowhere quite like the Steel City, especially as a student.

Life studying in this part of South Yorkshire

... and things you won’t miss about being a Sheffield student

by Kate Procter/George Tuli

by Ella Craig Student discounts One thing about student life you will miss is proudly flashing your U-Card at the cashier to receive student discounts in most shops and restaurants. The 10% off here and 20% off there really helps students to save.

Sheffield students also get bus tickets for a discounted price of £1.30 – definitely something you’ll miss once you fly the South Yorkshire nest. But you also can’t forget the biggest student discount event of the year – Meadowhall student night.

Exclusive to students, the event hosts huge discounts and freebies at all your favourite shops, and you won’t be getting those deals once you’ve finished with uni.

Peak District After a stressful week of Uni, you can escape the hectic student schedule by hopping on the bus and after just 15 minutes you’re surrounded by the beautiful rural scenes of the Peak District. Whether visiting the Peak District is a one-time thing to do on your bucket list or you’re an avid explorer, the rolling hills surrounding Sheffield to the west are certainly something you’ll miss. What other UK city can boast these views so close to the city centre?

Sheffield nights out Whether you’re a Pop Tarts or a ROAR lover, the Sheffield nightlife doesn’t stop,

certainly has its ups and occasional downs - both metaphorically and literally - so we’ve compiled a nostalgic look at five of the things you’re really going to miss when you depart for pastures new, and four you perhaps won’t be shedding any tears over leaving behind for the rest of us to endure for a little while longer.

no matter what day of the week it is, and certainly not if you have a 9am lecture the next day. Singing your heart out to noughties hits on the Bierkeller benches, dancing like it’s the 80s at Leadmill’s Club Tropicana and drinking the night away at cheap student haunts like Code, West Street Live or Corporation, the party is non-stop.

Varsity The annual, friendly rivalry between the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam reels in excitement across the whole city, bringing our sports clubs and societies together to tackle Hallam. We have won for seven consecutive years - and as of this year have won the most editions during the competition’s 20-year history and that sense of community and pride is a feeling you will miss being a part of, but you will always bleed black and gold, even after you graduate.

The Students’ Union Everything you need as a student is in this one building. A coffee shop, bars, places to eat, a bank, an ‘everything you need’ shop and even its own nightclub. No wonder the SU has been voted the best in the UK for 11 years! The SU also prides itself on being green - it has the first zero-waste shop in Sheffield and emphasises the importance of recycling to its members, with its sustainability work running through everything it does. There are also over 370 societies, working committees and representative committees, with something for every interest or walk of life.

You should be proud to have been part of the UK’s best SU!

Hills When it comes to the hills there are two types of people. There are those who brave it and end up wearing walking boots all year, convincing themselves they don’t need to go to the gym because climbing Conduit is the equivalent of a half-hour session on the crosstrainer. Instead they

turn up to lectures in what has correctly been termed “Sheffield Sweats” - the unfortunate result of the weather being cold enough to warrant a jumper combined with the cardio required to battle the city’s hills results in arriving to lectures sweaty and still somehow cold.

And then there are those who give up and spend their entire student loan on £1.30 student singles. Of course, it would be cheaper to buy a bus pass but, let’s be honest, nobody’s that organised. Some of you even brought your bike with the hope of cycling to lectures in the morning, only to be defeated by the hills and for the bike to spend all year in the SU’s swanky bike store.

Student accommodation You may have left your houseplants to die over Christmas but you’ve grown whole new species of microbes on your damp shower curtain. Instead of regular weekly cleaning, you undertook the once-per-

semester heavy bleaching requiring a 24-hour room evacuation, because it’s far more efficient that way. But it’s still better than your shared kitchen which was basically uninhabitable, unless you had a biohazard suit just casually hanging in your wardrobe. How can anyone just forget about some milk for six months?

And defrosting meat on the radiator is a whole new level of ‘student cooking’.

Luckily, after graduation, you’ll go back

to living with your parents… maybe they can teach you how to use that disused slow cooker. And you certainly won’t miss your housemates, despite the emotional Instagram post you tagged everyone in.

There was the one whose parents stayed one too many nights, and the one who you only saw once a month - do they still go to this University? And even if you do, at least you’ll never be woken up at 3am again by a false fire alarm.

Flyers At certain times of year getting into the SU is akin to playing a round of British Bulldog. No matter how hard you try, avoiding eye contact, walking around the flyer distributors, they’ll find a way to catch you and ask if you want to join the Labour Society, or whether you’ve “voted in the upcoming SU elections yet”. One time in March I was handed three flyers in the space of twenty minutes by the same guy under the concourse flyover.

Any leaflets that don’t get handed out inevitably find their way to your accommodation, slowly filling up the stairwell throughout the year. But don’t worry about missing the flyers after you’ve graduated; where you used to get leaflets from Applebum and the Leadmill, you’ll now receive the latest and greatest offers from your local ASDA.

Group work At some point in your degree you’ll have undertaken some group work, be it a quick PowerPoint presentation or a research project over a whole semester. On top of the classic ‘one person pulling all the weight whilst the others do nothing’, it’s made worse by random group allocation you don’t know any of the group members because you’ve deliberately avoided them for three years. If, by some miracle, everyone does their bit of work, you’ll inevitably rewrite the whole thing yourself the night before it’s due because other people’s standard of work is just so much lower than yours, and you wouldn’t dare let a group of strangers drag your own mark down.

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Graduation Week 2019

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FORGE PRESS’ GUIDE TO Post-graduation Relationships Graduation presents some tricky prospects for your love life, especially if you and your partner met at university. You might be heading to different jobs, different cities, or even to different countries, which means going from daily chats and weekly date nights to far less.

Of course, that doesn’t mean a good relationship can’t survive at long distance - certainly the rise of smartphones and Skype makes it easier than ever. But you will need to be honest with each other. Are you so happy in your relationship that you want to make the effort? Or is this a good opportunity to leave one

Housing

The unfortunate reality is that unless you are prepared to live in accommodation that will get

you vox-popped for an ITV4 documentary, most places you’ll find a graduate job are more expensive than Sheffield. The upside is that once you’ve got a real job, paying for it won’t be too onerous - plus your lack of free time will mean you spend less of it down the pub.

Still, some cities are more costly than others, generally proportional to how far south you go. Manchester and Leeds aren’t too bad at all if you’re willing to live outside the city centre, while if you shop around in

Images courtesy of Wikimedia and Robin Stott

Travel

You’re about to enter the time in your life when travelling to farflung dream destinations becomes as possible as it will ever be. With your first independent earnings, comparatively few outgoings, and no need to drag along sticky-fingered offspring or find a place to put the dog, taking a month off to visit more interesting corners of the earth is a must for your post-graduation checklist.

Travelling alone can be comparatively affordable, between youth hostels, budget airlines and public transport. With airlines like Norwegian, even long-haul flights

Getting through your graduation ceremony is the gateway to the rest of your life - the last time you’ll ever be forced to wear a strange outfit, at great expense, and spend time pretending to be pleased for people you can hardly stand (until your friends start getting married). But there’s plenty more to plan for as you enter adulthood proper here’s our top tips.

by Robin Wilde

another on good terms, with a clean slate, ready to pursue the next stage in your life?

Or, if you are moving to the same place, are you ready to move in together, and take on a responsibility and a factor in your relationship quite different to how you might have got on so far?

Neither is an easy option, but you should take the time to find out what is right for you.

Remember too that the dating game is about to get more difficult.

You’re going from an environment of ample free time, surrounded by people your age with lots of shared interests, to a work environment where your colleagues are in their

50s, married, and don’t care if you live or die. Tinder might help, if you want to exchange real human connection for a series of algorithmicallydriven encounters which embarrass everyone concerned.

The best advice for those concerned at the lack of romantic prospects when moving somewhere new is to find people you have something in common with.

Websites like Meetup as well as Eventbrite can be good for this, if you’re at a loss.

But ultimately, you’re in your twenties, and nobody expects you to settle down just yet. Graduate life is only just beginning - you’ll have plenty of chances.

Glasgow or Newcastle you can live about as cheaply as you can here, at the expense of worse weather and impenetrable accents. If your dream

will rapidly diminish, replaced by unifying grumbling about having to start paying Council Tax. If you’re lucky enough to have

are more manageable than before.

Early spring and autumn tend to be the cheapest times to go away - outside the school holidays and when summer holidaymakers aren’t driving up prices.

If you don’t fancy flying, or want to be slightly friendlier to the environment, Interrail passes are fairly affordable and will get you on most trains across Europe for as long as you want to pay for.

Along with the advantages of comfort and lack of stress over flying, you’ll also be able to carry more luggage, if you really want to return with a suitcase bulging with Croatian trinkets.

If you’re extroverted enough, try organising a group holiday with a few good uni friends before you all split off to different places and futures.

If you choose wisely (to avoid the feeling of herding cats), you might make some memories that last a lifetime, whatever happens afterwards. Just try to make sure they’re good ones.

Wherever you decide to go, graduation is about to take you on some of the biggest adventures of your life - use the opportunity while it still feels fresh, because before you know it, the time will start going by fast.

graduate job is in London, Bristol, Edinburgh or Brighton, however, be prepared to enjoy poverty, commuting, or both.

It probably means you won’t be able to live on your own, unless you fancy paying through the nose for a tiny studio apartment, but rest assured that the chaos of communal living in student life rapidly calms down once you all have jobs to go to during the day.

The quantity of traffic cones and permanent Christmas decorations

parents who live in a big city, moving back in with them for nominal rent (or free, if they’re really nice parents) is a viable option for a while, and increasing numbers of young people are doing it as housing costs continue to rise.

But if you can afford to move out, it comes seriously recommended you’re about to go through a lot of emotional maturation, and staying at home can get in the way of the best bit of your twenties - finding your path through life.

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Top Ten sets you can’t afford to skip Niall O’Callaghan

Courteeners Coming off the back of barnstorming sets at the Isle of Wight festival and Glastonbury, as well as a massive sold out headline gig at Heaton Park in Manchester, Liam Fray and co. set out to prove their worth as festival headliners.

Headlining the Main Stage on Saturday is no easy feat, especially when you’ve got the Rev and Johnny Marr warming the crowd up for you, but that shouldn’t be a problem for the indie hitmakers.

Expect tunes like ‘Not Nineteen Forever’, ‘Cavorting’ and ‘Are You in Love With a Notion’ alongside the strong whiff of Dark Fruits, flares on shoulders and moshing aplenty.

Good Cop Bad Cop Joe Carnall Jr. of Milburn and Reverend and the Makers is in for a busy Tramlines weekend as he takes to the stage once again on Sunday with the Arctic Monkeys’ Matt Helders on production duties.

The pair released their eponymous debut, described as ‘a retrofuturistic pop album’ back in March this year alongside a small tour to promote it. Even if you’re not a fan of the tunes, it will be worth checking out if only to see what happens.

Everly Pregnant Brothers Sheffield parody band Everly Pregnant Brothers, who apparently formed out of a drunken dare between local artist Pete McKee and Richard Bailey, take to the Main

Stage on Saturday afternoon playing some of their Yorkshire themed hits such as ‘Chip Pan’, ‘Hendo’s’ and ‘Seven Brothers Barmy’ from albums Exile on West St. and Electric Gravyland. The line up even includes Nick Banks, the former drummer of Pulp, so expect the middle-aged ensemble to be in time, at least.

Lewis Capaldi The Brits Critics’ Choice Award nominee has exploded this year with hit ‘Someone You Loved’ at the forefront of his success. It’s lucky Capaldi was booked in the first wave of acts after the couple of months he has just had.

Since the announcement in January, Capaldi has exploded into the mainstream including A-list play on Radio 1 and releasing his album Divinely Inspired to a Hellish Extent.

Tramlines will probably be your last chance to catch the Scottish sensation on a stage this size for a while, having sold out a 2020 UK arena tour in just ten minutes back in April.

Happy Mondays Shaun Ryder and co. return to Sheffield as ‘special guests’ of the festival, playing a Sunday daytime slot on the Main Stage that will be sure to twist your melon, man.

Having reformed for no less than the third time in 2012, they bring their Madchester psychedelia over the Pennines to take Hillsborough Park back to the eighties if only for an hour or so. Expect Bez shaking maracas, your parents reliving their

Liam Fray of Manchester rockers Courteeners youth and hits such as ’24 Hour Party People’, ‘Kinky Afro’ and of course, ‘Step On’.

Drenge Local brothers Eoin and Rory Loveless made a comeback earlier this year with their new album Strange Creatures.

Having added a bassist to make the band a three-piece just before the end of their last album cycle, their sound is grittier, heavier and more anthemic than when they first played the festival all the way back in 2012.

Having done a few small shows around Sheffield over the last couple

Reverend and the Makers are sure to light up Saturday’s crowd

of years they step up to close the Leadmill Live stage on Sunday with tunes like ‘Running Wild’, ‘We Can Do What We Want’ and ‘Fuckabout’.

Nile Rogers and Chic Veteran songwriter, record producer and musician Nile Rogers headlines the main stage on Sunday, closing the festival with his band Chic.

He’s written and collaborated on so many songs it wouldn’t be possible to play all of them in the couple of hours allotted, but you certainly won’t be disappointed if you choose to spend your Sunday night with him. Expect to hear wallto-wall disco bangers like Sister Sledge’s ‘We Are Family’, Diana Ross’ ‘I’m Coming Out’ and Chic classic ‘Le Freak’.

Otis Mensah Headlining the all new ‘Speakers Corner’ stage on Saturday evening, hip-hop artist and Sheffield’s first ever poet laureate, as appointed by everyone’s favourite former Lord Mayor Magid Magid, Otis Mensah is certainly not one to miss. His mission statement is to make poetry less elitist and to break down barriers so that poetry is once again “for the people”.

Expect some surprises and maybe a few special guests as the 23-yearold local, who describes himself as a “young story-teller-rapper-poet”, has curated the Speakers Corner line-up with 25 poets, singers,

rappers and lyricists.

Reverend and the Makers Tramlines mainstays Reverend and the Makers take to the Main Stage on Saturday evening in what is expected to be a bouncing set.

Last year they had one of the largest crowds across the whole festival; impressive considering they were playing at 3pm on Saturday.

Local legend and frontman Jon McClure even stayed around drinking with the crowd right up until Noel Gallagher had finished his headline set. Expect bangers like ‘Heavyweight Champion of the World’, ‘He Said He Loved Me’ and ‘Bassline’ as well as a crowd that is going to be reyt up for it.

Miles Kane The question on everyone’s lips is, of course: will Alex Turner decide to finally turn up at Tramlines and play some Last Shadow Puppets with his old mate Miles.

Even if he doesn’t, Kane is one worth checking out. His latest album ‘Coup de Grace’ is packed with hits like ‘Cry on My Guitar’, ‘Loaded’ and ‘Shavambacu’ which will be broken up with older tunes like ‘Come Closer’ and ‘Don’t Forget Who You Are’.

And, there is of course always a chance Turner might come down, especially as the festival is just next door to his beloved Sheffield Wednesday F.C.

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Interview: Japanese House

Dana Raer interviews Amber Bain, fresh from releasing her debut album in March, ahead of Tramlines festival

Should fans expect any songs from your album Good at Falling? Which ones?

We’re playing mostly songs from the albumabout 80 per cent of it would be album songs.

What’s your favorite track to perform live?

I really like performing ‘Follow my Girl’ because I like the bassline. I also really like performing a song called ‘Somebody You Found’ - I like performing the harmonies.

What inspires you most to write music?

I guess myself - so it’s my own internal dialogue and my relationships with other people. I am not very good or I don’t tend to write about other people’s experiences. I’m not really inspired by places or basically environments for some reason. So yeah, I’d say my personal relationships and my internal dialogue.

Do you find it difficult to be so honest in your songs, putting yourself out there?

Not really, no, it’s like when people go to therapy- I think people expect to go to therapy

and walk away feeling pretty light once they got something off their chests, but actually for me it’s admitting certain feelings or how I feel, thoughts that I put into my songs. It’s torturous in some ways because I don’t really want to confront those things so once I get it out of the way, it is better.

Is it difficult for women to work in the indie pop genre?

I don’t know, I would say it is difficult for women to work in any field infested by men.

It’s obviously kind of boring- if anything, it’s boring.

What artist do you enjoy listening to right now?

I’ve been listening to Holst “The Planets” which is seven songs by Gustav Holst that is like an ode to the planets. I’ve been listening to a lot of classical music lately.

What is your plan for after the summer?

Summer is just festivals. What else? I guess just writing for another album.

Local Acts Ella Craig

Lio, Sunday, T’Other Stage Lio launched in 2018 and quickly gained momentum on the Sheffield music scene through radio features on BBC Introducing Sheffield and Sheffield Live, tours with Slow Club, Estrons and King No-One and performances at Y Not Festival and, of course, Tramlines.

Guest Singer, Sunday, Library Stage Guest Singer is a project by the Doncaster songwriter Jake Cope alongside Paul Burdett and France Lahmar.

The project aims to construct dark party songs and anti-motivational anthems aimed at the post-truth generation. An interesting outlook that expresses the creativity of the Tramlines Library Stage.

Graces, Sunday, Leadmill Stage Sheffield band Graces sold out their first headline show in Sheffield earlier this year and have toured with The Sherlocks and The Amazons.

Their series of single releases helped gain recognition from BBC Introducing who described them as “mind-blowingly good.”

Before Breakfast, Sunday, Library Stage The Sheffield all-women four-piece are set to perform at the Library Stage which seems fitting as Before Breakfast pride themselves on combining their soft harmonies and delicate piano notes with lyrics that tell a story.

This story is usually about rising up from the insecure depths of womanhood. They’ll be on Tramlines’ smallest, Library, stage.

Hands off Gretel Hands off Gretel, Saturday, Library Stage Hands off Gretel are an alternative rock/ post-grunge band from South Yorkshire, heavily inspired by female-fronted 90s grunge bands. In their two year history as a band they have secured two UK tours as well as festival performances at Download, Isle of Wight, Camden Rocks and now Tramlines 2019.

Forge Press

Graduation Week 2019

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Interview: Anteros Ella Craig interviews Anteros, who play T’Other Stage on Saturday at Tramlines 2019 Are you excited to play Tramlines?

We are! It’s a festival we’ve never played before and we’ve been in the festival season for about three years now.

Do you have anything special lined up for us?

I’m gonna be playing guitar for one of the songs so it’s gonna be my first festival season holding a guitar and singing and playing at the same time, so that’s quite exciting.

What artists are you looking forward to seeing at Tramlines?

We’re playing the same day as Annie Mac, she made a Hottest Record so it’s nice to see her again. I’ve never actually seen her DJ so that’s cool.

Do you know what, it’s crazy how many women are on this bill? I went last year as a punter and I realised that every single act I saw on the day I was there was either female fronted or just a woman!

I feel like the one thing women have been disadvantaged of in terms of women in music, or actually women in everything pretty much, is that it always starts as a boys club doesn’t it? And I think in order for

us to catch up with, I mean the level men are at the moment there’s still a lot of work to be done. But there are some incredible women out there that have paid their way for it to happen. I think the talent is there, it’s underlying the bros club and getting them to see women as equal, and I think it’s happening.

What is touring like being the only girl in the band?

I’m the only girl in the band and we’ve been on so many tours where I’ve been the only girl on the whole tour, it does feel nice when festival season comes around and you don’t feel like you’re going to be on your own anymore. You feel like there’s a bunch of girls in a similar situation and it’s like summer camp but fun ‘cause you’re an adult and there’s booze.

What other festivals are you doing this year?

So we’re doing Reading and Leeds; Leeds on the Friday, Reading on the Sunday and we’re doing that with a really cool band called Swimmers we toured with them so it’s gonna be a little reunion there. We’re doing

YNot and Truck. It’s quite a busy summer but I guess that’s what you want when your records out.

What are you plans after the summer?

Try and maybe get out again on tour, I think we’re very adamant we want to get the second record in the bag as soon as possible. I was really freaking out, I was really scared ‘cause on your first album you pour so much into it and I was like what if the songs don’t come, what if I can’t write? But actually it’s been sort of pouring out so I feel quite lucky. Just keep moving forward I guess.

What artists inspire and influence your music?

Everyone in the band has quite

different tastes: Harry’s more pop and a big U2 fan, Josh is more hiphop and Britpop, Jackson is your Northern lad so when ever it’s his turn to play music it’s always something miserable, like Joy Division - it makes everyone feel a bit dark. For me, I used to have so many male references like David Bowie and Mick Jagger but it’s starting to shift to women. It’s okay for us to embrace being female. I think it’s important to listen to as many genres as possible ‘cause it opens your creativity into a whole different world.

What’s the highlight of your career so far?

It’s the things that keep you going, so the first one was opening the

stage at Glastonbury two years ago, and then when we went to America before our album came out, touring Europe. There are so many moments that keep you wanting to do it again and again. And just seeing more and more people singing your song.

What’s your favourite song to perform live?

‘Bonnie’ is always fun if we can get women on the stage. And also ‘Afterglow’ is good ‘cause it was an album track that wasn’t a single, but I enjoy when people know the album tracks that weren’t singles because it means they’ve actually been listening. We aim to put on a party for people, we want them to leave all their shit and baggage at the entrance of the field.

Interview: The Seamonsters

Sheffield all-girl six-piece Seamonsters are interviewed by Will Kirkpatrick ahead of their return to Tramlines for 2019 We spoke to Lauren, Naomi and Ciara of Seamonsters.

You’re all really good friends, so how did you form?

Naomi: We did start when we were very young and we’ve all been best friends forever so it really works.

I think we all played instruments and there were a lot of boys our age in bands. We didn’t start it because there were boys in bands, we just wanted to form a band and play at Lauren’s festival in her garden.

When I think of an indie band, I

think of skinny white boys but you go against the grain and stand out.

How important is it for you to stand out and be a female voice?

N: It is important because there is a lack of females in the industry, and there’s also a lack of females in festival lineups so it’s very important for us to be out there saying you’re not different because you’re a girl. We want to make it more normal and equal.

doing Arctic Monkeys covers and nothing else, and then we wrote ‘Wonderland’, the first song we did. When we got our new keyboard player, Ella, our sound came together a bit more. More recently I’ve got a sample pad for the drums - we really like experimenting. We never set out with how we want the song to sound.

When will be hearing new music from you guys?

How did you get to your sound?

N: We’ve got lots of new music in the works. I’ll say it’s coming soon.

Ciara: When it started we were

Watch the full video on Forge TV.

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TRAMLINES 2019 FESTIVAL Guide The Headliners

Everything you need to know

Two Door Cinema Club

Friday 8.15pm Nulty’s Main Stage

Courteeners

Saturday 8.45pm Nulty’s Main Stage

The Northern Irish indie rock trio formed in 2007 and have since been nominated for many NME awards such as Best British Band and Best Live Band. Expect to hear tracks from their latest album False Alarm which dropped on 21 June.

A group of childhood friends from Manchester that were inspired by local A-listers such as Oasis and The Stone Roses came together in 2006 to form the Courteeners. They incorporate those sounds to create a unique indie tune, and will finish off Saturday night.

Top Track - ‘What You Know’

Top Track - ‘Not Nineteen Forever’

Nile Rodgers Feat. Chic

Sunday 7.45pm Nulty’s Main Stage

Doves

Sunday 7.45pm T’Other Stage

One of the greatest bands from ‘70s disco history, Chic’s pop funk style grabbed them two platinum albums with C’est Chic and Risqué. In 2019, Chic and Nile Rogers released their ninth studio album It’s About Time which won a Brit Award for Best International Group at the 2019 Brits.

In the 90s and 2000s, Doves were a hit indie rock band, but they went on hiatus in 2010 to focus on individual projects.

They regrouped in 2018 for a series of festivals and tours.

They’re also hoping to put a new album together, and should provide a great ending to this year’s festival.

Top Track - ‘Le Freak’

Top Track - ‘There Goes The Fear’

Ella Craig

I’m excited that my first issue as Music Editor is all about Tramlines as the festival season is something I look forward to each year.

This issue covers everything you need to know - from the headlining acts, to the local talent. We’ve listed the times and stages for the headline acts so you know exactly where to be and we’ve recommended their top tracks to check out so you can listen before the festival.

We also have interviews with three young bands set to take the stage by storm: including local allgirl act Seamonsters.

Annie Mac

Saturday 8.30pm T’Other Stage As a globally successful DJ, Annie Mac is the Radio 1 ambassador for new music and hosts her radio show on Radio 1 at prime time every weekday.

Her mainstream success puts her in high demand at festivals and club events, making her an asset to Tramlines 2019, where she’ll be closing out T’Other Stage on Saturday

Shame

Saturday 8.45pm Leadmill Stage Shame are an alternative rock band from England that recently released their first studio album Songs of Praise.

They toured the US and Europe in early 2019 and Tramlines will be one of the final dates of their tour.

Top Track - ‘One Rizla’

For the 11th year of the festival, the main stage has been renamed ‘Nulty’s Main Stage’ after Sarah Nulty, the festival director who passed away last year. This is a great way to honor her, and I’m sure the new festival directors will do her proud with this year’s arrangements.

There has been a lot of media coverage about female festival headliners over the last few weeks and although the majority of the Tramlines headliners are male, I was pleasantly surprised by the huge amount of female-fronted or all-girl bands playing Tramlines this year.

I hope you enjoy this issue and the festival itself this weekend!

The Futureheads Friday 8.00pm Leadmill Stage

In January, The Futureheads confirmed that they would be reuniting, after their hiatus began in 2012. Expect to hear new music from The Futureheads at the Leadmill Live stage as their sixth album Power will drop on 30 August.

Top Track - ‘Hounds of Love’

Drenge

Sunday 7.45pm Leadmill Stage The rock trio from Castleton were inspired by the countryside and the desire to escape from it, which led to their grungey, alternative sound. They embarked on their own headline tour in 2019, and are no strangers to performing and headlining festivals across the UK. Top Track - ‘We Can Do What We Want’

the graduation issue overleaf

tramlines festival The Guide #134

2019