Issue Eight 07.06.17
Futuristic makeup looks. Music Festival Disasters! Life after Lough.
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Design by Jessie Foxford
*Price is based on a student living on campus, insuring a bike up to £200. **If your item is lost, stolen or unrepairable we’ll replace it within 24 hours - one working day of your claim being approved. Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. This can be checked on the Financial Services Register by visiting their website at https://register.fca.org.uk Endsleigh Insurance Services Limited. Company No. 856706 registered in England at Shurdington Road, Cheltenham Spa, Gloucestershire GL51 4UE
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18/11/2016 10:44:32
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Editor-in-Chief Jennifer Taylor Editor Leanna Kightley Assistant Editor Alice Priestley Art Director Jessica Foxford Head of Design Liam David Hopley Head of Illustration Emily Forrester Chief Photographer Elias Ruiz Monserrat Comment Editor Asli Jensen Culture Editors Jamie Hutton - Lydia Kah-Pavlou Features Editors Emma Morgan - Natali Dimitrova Design by Jessie Foxford
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THE TEAM CONTENTS
News Editor Ellie Mackenzie Music Editor Emily Harrison Sport Editors David Boyden - Hannah Thompson Style Editor Arianna Rossi Head of Online, Marketing and Distribution Beatrice Quarshie Disclaimer: Label is the publication of Loughborough Students’ Union. The opinions contained are those of individual contributors, not of Loughborough Students’ Union, the editorial team, or any other officer of the Union unless otherwise stated. Front Cover: Design by Liam David Hopley and Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
Editorials 04 Editorial News 06 The General Election 07 Should Celebrities Be Involved In Politics? Is This The End Of Ukip? 08 Top 5 News Predictions Over The Next 12 Months 09 Loughborough Voted Best Value For Money 3 Things I Learnt About Myself This Year Features 10 Life After Graduation 11 Transport Of Tomorrow 12 Great Nosh: Summer Concoctions 13 Memes: The Good, The Bad And The Wholesome 14 What Do I Want To Achieve? Should Graduating Students Go Straight Into A Job? 15 Tweets | Loughborough Overheard Why You Should Be Scared… 18 Totty Spotted Culture 20 Project Season 21 Hay-On-Wye 22 Travelling On A Budget? 23 Your Summer of Film 2017 Music 24 A Glance Back: Doing Uni Sober 25 Hope For The Future 26 Gorillaz: Humanz 27 Kendrick Lamar: Damn 28 Music Festival Disasters Design 30 Competitions 31 Our Volunteers... Style 32 Style Shoot - Future 34 Metallics, Chrome And Latex 35 Is The Future Of Fashion The Past? 36 Futuristic Fashion Interpretations In Music Videos 37 Fashion Predictions Sport 38 Champions Trophy Preview 40 Shining A Light On: AU Basketball 41 Sports Nutrition Exec Focus 42 Interview With Union President: Jonathan Ako 43 Interview With Media EO Jennifer Taylor 3
So here we are, the final issue of Label, and almost at the end of summer term. What a great and busy year it’s been for Label – topped off with the Design Team being shortlisted for a Student Publication Association Award! Before I reel off some of my suggestions for what to cast your eyes on in this issue, a couple of thank you’s must be said. I’ll start with Label Committee, who month after month ensure the smooth running of this magazine editing process. Coming up with amazing article ideas, ensuring volunteers are trained to the highest standard and also helping to distribute across campus; a massive thank you for all that you do! And also to the Label volunteers; whether you write or design, quite simply the magazine couldn’t go ahead every month without your input. So a huge well done to Leanna & her team, you’ve been fantastic this year and I’d like to wish the best of luck to Lydia and next year’s team - I’m sure you’ll bring some fantastic new ideas to Label and continue to increase its presence across campus. So for the last time, here are my hot articles for this issue. Let’s start with meme’s. Are Jonny King’s rubbish meme’s on the Freshers’ page doing your head in? Me too... so take a look at the Features’ meme article - I promise you none of Jonny’s get a mention… And if you’re heading to a festival this summer and want to avoid any horror stories, see Music’s article looking at just that; the top 10 worst stories from festivals. Being a regular at Cornbury Festival [literally the least festivally-festival ever], I can happily say I can’t relate to any of these stories, however I’m sure one day I shall [and I’m not looking forward to it]. So for the final time, I thoroughly hope you enjoy this issue of Label, and for the very last time, make sure you tweet all your thoughts to @labelonline. Jennifer Taylor Media EO and Editor-in-Chief
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LEANNA KIGHTLEY So, here we are at the end of yet another Label era, and at the end of my Label journey. This is not only the final issue of Label for the academic year, ushering in the end of exams, weeks of celebrations and graduations galore, but also the final issue of Label I shall ever be a part of, having been on the editorial team for 21 full-size editions, 6 Exec Elections mini Labels and 2 Freshers’ Specials. I know, parting sucks, but before we hand out the tissues we have a whole heap of Label goodness ahead of us! With the General Election just three days away at publication date, News are on hand to bring you everything you need to know, from reviewing the main party manifestos to having a little pop at some of the other, (let’s say) less-traditional parties. Oh come on, these politicians deserve to be brought down to size… It’s a fine News section to bring Ellie MacKenzie’s two years at the helm to a close – you go girl! And once all the political parties have scuttled away for another 5 years (we hope), the real parties can start! Features bring you tips on making the perfect summer cocktails, Music have some wise words on which festivals might be worth avoiding this year if past experience is anything to go by, and whether you fancy snuggling down with a book, heading to the cinema or travelling on that measly student budget, Culture have you covered. Comment smashed it this issue too - if you fancy some self-reflection and forward thinking motivation our columns and Comment pages are going to be right up your alley, including one from your new Label Editor 2017/18, Lydia Kah-Pavlou! So with that, I bid you farewell. Good luck with exams and future endeavours everyone! Okay, now where were those tissues?.. Leanna Kightley Label Editor
Illustration by Emily Forrester
Jennifer Taylor
Design by Jessie Foxford
EDITORIAL
Illustration by Emily Forrester
Design by Jessie Foxford
NEWS
The General Election:
What you need to know
Illustration by Emily Simmons
LABOUR
THE OPINION POLLS
Theresa May seems fairly confident that the Conservatives will received a landslide victory in the next election, but what is included in her manifesto? First and foremost, May is adamant that we will not lose any of the rights we currently enjoy under the EU, as a Brexit deal is negotiated. The Conservatives base much of their 11-point manifesto on increasing workers rights, including rights to longer leave to care for sick family, and an increase in National Living Wage in line with earnings. However, Theresa May's views on the wide scale re-introduction of grammar schools, and her personal backing of fox hunting has caused quite a stir on social media: many animal rights activists may well be looking for an alternative party to vote for.
Labour's manifesto was leaked early in the campaign process, which perhaps showed the public an unedited, more extreme version than Jeremy Corbyn would have initially wanted. The main points in the Labour manifesto are to nationalise the railways, scrap university tuition fees, and negotiate a strong partnership with the EU when coming to a Brexit deal. Furthermore, Corbyn plans to increase taxes for those earning over £80,000 per year, and pour an additional £6bn per year into the NHS. However, whilst Corbyn's plans show promise, and are particularly popular with young people, they are estimated to cost the taxpayer an average of £4,000 extra per year. It is uncertain whether Labour will be able to gather these funds from increasing taxes for the top 5% of earners alone. Indeed, some critics are suggesting that Corbyn's manifesto will be taking us back to the 1970s and plunging us into another economic recession.
Whilst other parties, such as the Liberal Democrats, are campaigning hard, it would appear that this election is a two party race. According to the popularity polls during the first two weeks of May (conducted by a number of newspapers and other organisations), the Conservatives appear to be the most popular party. The samples ranged from 1,005 to 2,038 people with 44% 49% favouring the Conservatives, and 27% - 32% preferring Labour. This is promising for Theresa May, who currently has a 14% - 22% lead, depending on the sample. However, as Brexit and the recent US Presidential Election have shown us, nothing is certain until the votes have been counted. Ellie MacKenzie News Editor
Design by Liam David Hopley
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CONSERVATIVES
Illustration and Design by Liam David Hopley
Despite claiming numerous times that she wouldn't, Prime Minister, Theresa May, has called a snap General Election for 8th June 2017. However, what does that mean for us? What do the predominant parties include in their manifestos and who is currently winning in the popularity polls?
IS THIS THE END OF UKIP?
Design by Liam David Hopley
Illustration and Design by Liam David Hopley
Illustration by Emily Simmons
Should Celebrities be Involved in Politics? The topic of whether celebrities should engage in politics continues to be heavily debated and has become more prominent with the recent events of the U.S Presidential Election and the upcoming General Election in the U.K. The public tend to react in a negative manor when wealthy and self-righteous celebrities claim they know the best pathway; however, there are other celebrities that use their platform in the best way possible – to inspire young people to use their vote and be informed. A classic example of this would be the stars of YouTube such as Tyler Oakley and Louise Pentland. Oakley has always been an activist for LGBT youth, raising thousands in charity work, and has continued to inspire the almost 8 million subscribers amassed through his YouTube channel. Along with many other notable female celebrities such as Katy Perry, Lady Gaga and more, she helped to campaign for Hilary Clinton during the U.S presidential race after now President Trump threw around derogatory words about women, people of colour, religious groups, and the LGBTQ community. Pentland on the other hand invited the then Labour leader Ed Miliband to guest in one of her videos to talk policies and voting before the 2015 General Election. Perhaps this was just a strategic move on his part, knowing that votes can be swayed easily by the younger generation but the feedback on the video was predominantly positive. It seems that those celebrities that are supported by the public tend to be the most grounded, because they too are part of the public and probably the least talented against musicians and actors, besides being able to cut and edit a video. Laura Craig
After the results of the recent local elections, UKIP looks to be on its last legs, and it is completely understandable why. Everyone, UKIP supporter or not, knows that they don’t have the finest of reputations, with accusations of racism and fascism being thrown around. However, Nigel Farage, one of the most controversial characters in politics, led the party to 27.5% of votes in the 2014 European Parliament elections, more votes than any other party. UKIP and Farage played an integral role in the 2016 EU Referendum, and ultimately succeeded in their main goal, which was to pull the UK out of the European Union. However, you have to ask, now independence had been achieved, what is the point of UKIP?
Since then, it hasn’t all been plain sailing for the party. Farage has resigned as leader, perhaps too scared to see through what he started? Although technically Farage was successful due to the referendum vote, his popularity has always been rock bottom, as shown through his inability to become an MP. When Farage confirmed his resignation, Diane James was chosen to be the next leader of the party, but resigned after only eighteen days. The farce of the leadership issue continued with Paul Nuttall eventually elected as the new leader, showing UKIP’s inability to make themselves seem a sensible party: they elected a man who had lied about his attendance at Hillsborough in 1989. This instability is a large reason as to why the party is significantly faltering. Should this be the end of the party? I’m sure I would not be the only one glad to see the back of them. Tom Short 7
NEWS
5 NEWS PREDICTIONS OVER THE NEXT12MONTHS 3 1 4 2 5 TRUMP WILL BE IMPEACHED Okay so this prediction may be more wishful thinking on my behalf than an accurate prediction, but still, a girl can dream. The argument for impeaching Trump is a popular one, as many detest his derogatory view of women and ridiculous immigration plans. However, impeaching the President is more difficult than it first appears. According to the Constitution, the President must be found guilty of “treason, bribery or other high crimes and misdemeanour’s” in order to be removed from office. Whilst this hasn’t happened yet, I’m keeping my fingers crossed.
GREXIT WILL HAPPEN After the shock result of the UK referendum last June, many other EU countries have been discussing whether remaining in the European Union is the best decision. Marine Le Pen lost the recent French election to Emmanuel Macron, so a French referendum is looking unlikely. However, Grexit is a possibility. Greece are on the cusp of another financial crisis, and the EU is refusing to bail them out this time, thus leading to the Greeks thinking they may be better off by themselves.
HOME SMART SPEAKERS WILL TAKE OVER Many have argued that technology is rapidly invading all aspects of our lives, and they may be right. Google and Amazon have both recently created smart homes..... Perhaps in the next few months people will become so reliant on technologies such as these that they will no longer be able to function without them. Whilst it’s pretty impressive that you can buy a hub that can plan and organise nearly every aspect of your life, it is pretty creepy.
FINGER PRINT PAYMENTS WILL BE WIDELY USED, AND PAPER MONEY WILL BE PHASED OUT Recently introduced in India, fingerprint payment technology is fast becoming a reality. Indeed, perhaps with contactless cards and fingerprint technology, we could eradicate the need for paper money at all. Whilst this will undoubtedly pose some problems, it could reduce the risk of fraud and theft.
Ellie MacKenzie News Editor
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Design by Jessie Foxford
KIM JONG-UN WILL REALISE THE ERROR OF HIS WAYS I predict that in the next 12 months, Kim will take an enlightening trip to Bali, and realise the error of his ways: renounce his dictatorship and make peace with the Western World. Okay, realistically this is never going to happen. Most likely, China, Russia and North Korea will create a strong alliance and start a nuclear war, but that just seems a bit too depressing to write about.
Illustration by Emily Forrester
The last 12 months have been a tumultuous time for both the UK and the rest of the world. However, what will the next year bring? Will it be more doom and gloom or will there be happier times ahead? Here are my top five predictions:
Illustration and Design by Jessie Foxford
TOP
LOUGHBOROUGH
VOTED BEST VALUE
COLUMN
3 THINGS I LEARNT ABOUT MYSELF THIS YEAR
Illustration by Emily Forrester
Illustration and Design by Jessie Foxford
FOR MONEY
Not only does Loughborough make us Walk on Water, but now it has been revealed it will cost you next to nothing to do it. Dubbed the cheapest place in the UK for a cinema ticket and the second cheapest kebab behind Leeds, a study conducted by Expert Market has discovered Loughborough has been voted the best value for money university in the UK. The report cross-referenced a range of variables including tuition fees, accommodation costs and included more typical student outgoings such as the price of a pint and printing, along with graduate employment prospects. After weighting the various factors it was revealed that Loughborough University gives its students the best return on their investment in more ways than one. With two on site Co-Operatives and Sainsbury’s, Tesco, Aldi and Morrison’s all nearby, Loughborough students have the cheapest annual food costs. And with the abundance of student accommodation available, from university halls to private landlords, us Loughborough students see a combination of low living costs with a range of places to live and study.
Design by Jessie Foxford
Loughborough’s enviable nightlife, which has seen it awarded Best Student Experience 2016 and Best Students’ Union 2014, 2015, 2016, comes at a very affordable price compared to other universities both in the north and south of the country. Richard Taylor, Loughborough University’s Chief Operating Officer has said: “It is pleasing to see it independently confirmed that Loughborough offers its students the best return on their investment”. Offering students a desirable combination of low living costs and excellent graduate prospects, Loughborough holds the well-deserved crown of ‘best value for money’ university. Beatrice Quarshie Head of Online, Marketing and Distribution
It has been a long and drawn out final year of university and, ultimately, the most challenging yet surprisingly rewarding year for me. There’s more to university than just my course. Yes, my English degree is the overarching reason I came to Loughborough, but if my final year has taught me anything is just how resilient I am, whether it was fractured friendships, the antithesis of diss(ertation) bliss or my relentless graduate job search. This year has taught me that no matter how hard things seem to be they can be overcome. Commuting between Loughborough and London for university, interviews, and free food courtesy of my mother, I have learnt that I am almost ready to call myself a bonafide adult. I will miss the safety blanket of being called a student and those trusty student finance loans, but as the reality of graduations looms on the horizon the concept of ‘ADULTING’ no longer terrifies me. Surrounding yourself with positive people, people who truly want the best for you and want to push you towards greatness, really does make the world of difference. University is one of those places where you can come and find your forever friends. From the friends that were there when I reached my umpteenth dissertation breakdown to the friend who is always there for midnight chocolate run. Even though we’re all heading in different directions all over the world I have made some truly beautiful lifelong bonds. Final Year has been a whirlwind and quite honestly, I am glad to see the back of it, but I am glad of the person it has allowed me to become. Beatrice Quarshie Head of Online, Marketing and Distribution 9
For some of us, the 3 (or 4) years spent studying towards our degrees have been exhausting and draining and we are happy to graduate. For others, graduation evokes sad emotions and the desire to have one more year at university. Graduation is relief and enthusiasm, mixed with uncertainty.
Finishing university and becoming a full-time adult will feel great. For some of us, it will be the first taste of adulthood, having spent most of our life in education. There will no longer be any teachers, lecturers, personal tutors etc. to set goals and expectations for us. While university is advertised as the place where we will mature and figure out who we are, the real growing up will happen after. Graduation will remind us of our plans and dreams; push us to figure out what we want. Life will speed up to a terrifying rate and all that time we thought we had while at university will have disappeared. One thing that is clear is that life will be very different after we graduate. It is difficult to know whether it will be better or worse but it will be different. While it will be nice to be in full-time employment and earning money, we will certainly miss those carefree university days. Aldas KrĹŤminis
10
Design by Malika Singh
For a lot of us employment will be the next milestone in our lives, be it an internship, a graduate scheme or some non-graduate type of employment. Working will allow us to change our routines and start building our careers. The transition from undergraduate studies to graduate employment will be a challenging one, accompanied by a whole new set of responsibilities and expectations. The days of sleeping in, movie marathons and those doingnothing-days are over, perhaps, for the best. It is easy to grow tired of university routine and, after 3 years, a change is needed.
However, the transition from university lifestyle to the world of professional employment will not be easy. University was a place where we could make mistakes with few or no consequences and, after graduation, our mistakes will be more significant. Furthermore, while it will be a relief to say goodbye to essays, projects and exams, a full-time job will be more stressful and difficult than any completed semester. However, the first year after graduation will feel refreshing.
Illustration by Liam David Hopley
Life after graduation is both exciting and frightening. The time at university passes very quickly and before you get a chance to decide on your future, you are being rushed out into adulthood. Graduation signals that it is time to get a job and contribute to society. Unless, of course, you decide to go into further study, travel, or do something else. In any case, graduation is a significant and even life-changing event.
Design by Malika Singh
FEATURES
Illustration by Liam David Hopley
Design by Malika Singh
Transport of Tomorrow The self-driving car once the fantasy of far-fetched fiction is soon to become a reality. Autonomous vehicles are being developed by Google, Audi, Tesla, Uber and over two hundred other companies, furthermore they are predicted to be commercially available within the next ten years. Cars are already incorporating advanced assisted driving features; autonomous emergency breaking, intelligent cruise control and lane departure tech. So it seems plausible that soon we may not even need to take to the drivers seat. Currently autonomous vehicle use sensors such as infrared, radar and GPS to scan the area and create a map, which allows them to navigate to the destination. For us to use cars that are fully autonomous the technology will have to develop to communicate wirelessly with other vehicles and the road infrastructure to make it more efficient and ultimately safer for users.
Design by Malika Singh
A road infrastructure of autonomous cars could make journey times quicker and more efficient, with traffic jams becoming a nightmare of the past. The communication between the vehicles could allow continuous traffic flow, as the car will know when it can pass through traffic lights and junctions eliminating the need for fast deceleration and acceleration. As well as creating shorter travel times this technology will also be more efficient for fuel consumption. By reducing harsh breaking and fewer stoppages on the road minimises the fuel usage by preserving the vehicles momentum. As exciting as the concept of autonomous vehicles is, the application of a new technology creates a lot of complicated ethical questions that need to be confronted before self-driving cars are abundant on roads. Although it is predicted that incidences will decline by 90% they cannot be completed eliminated. Who would be liable in the event of an accident when there is not a driver to be held accountable?
There is also the question of the programming of the computerised driving. In an unavoidable incident does a car prioritise its own occupants survival or minimise the damage to others. Human drivers will instinctively try and look out for their own wellbeing first, but once driving is computerised the car itself will have to make decisions on how best to preserve life. There is a danger that people will not want to invest in self-driving cars if they do not always prioritise their own wellbeing even though a self-driving car minimises the chance of an incident occurring. Experts have suggested this could create a market in which cars that prioritise occupants first will be more expensive than those that do not. With these issues in mind it seems the road to the autonomous car will not be as simple as the development of the capable technology. One thing is clear; it does seem likely this will be the next big change in technology‌ Emma Morgan Features Editor
11
DRINKS EDITION | SUMMER CONCOCTIONS
PIMMS WITH A KICK Pimms is the ultimate summer drink, for sitting in the garden on a sunny day to being a favourite punch for events and weddings. Ingredients: Pimms no. 1 Cup Gin Lemonade Cucumber A Lemon A Lime Strawberries Mint Method: This is an easy drink to make, the spirit Pimms comes with instructions to mix 1 quarter with lemonade eg. 250ml Pimms: 750ml Lemonade. A simple trick many do not know however is that Pimms is gin based. So for an extra kick why not add an extra 125ml of gin to your cocktail instead of lemonade. Finally the key component to finish a Pimms is to add all the summer fruits.
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PINA VOCADO (alcohol free)
Non-alcoholic alternatives can be just as refreshing and summery. Smoothies can be simultaneously delicious and healthy.
MOJITO Another cocktail associated with summer a sip of this drink can transport you to the sandy beaches of the Caribbean.
Ingredients: 1 shot of white rum (25-35ml) Fresh Mint Leaves ½ a Lime 2 tablespoons sugar 5 Ice Cubes Soda Water
Method: Crush the mint and lime into a glass to release the juice and flavours and add the sugar. Next fill the glass with ice and add the rum. Finally pour soda water until the glass is full. You can always add extra sugar to suit your own taste!
The avocado is becoming an increasingly popular phenomenon so this may be an interesting drink to try mixing up over the summer.
Ingredients: 80ml orange juice 60g pineapple ½ avocado 1 small banana 120 grams of ice
Method: The method is simple - just blend these ingredients! Emma Morgan Features Editor
Design and Photography by Jessica Foxford
FEATURES
Design and Photography by Jessica Foxford
MEMES:
FEATURES
THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE WHOLESOME THE GOOD : Unorthodox as it may seem, young people are receiving the majority of the media they consume online through social media. We know this is not ideal – but it’s just the way we like it. Memes represent young people’s playful engagement in wider societal issues without forgetting ageold satire. They open conversations – political, emotional and often controversial, which can only be a good thing on a large scale. Who doesn’t want to be told by Ryan Gosling to revise? By Liam Neeson to register to vote? Surely only the mad. Importantly, memes are a media platform produced unfiltered by its consumers. They represent online subcultures and are a symbol of the feelings of the people making, liking and sharing them.
THE BAD : It’s no surprise to the average millennial or their adoring haters that online bullying comes hand-in-hand with living, in some way, on the Internet. Memes can be, and are, used in this way. Equally the ones that become popular do so because everybody is a critic online; it’s survival of the funniest. The very nature of memes – unaccountable, disposable and used for cheap laughs, lends itself to use in the dissemination of fake news. However, it is also true that the ignorant
choose to stay ignorant when online. With all of the information that the internet puts at their fingertips, people sharing fake news don’t want to be informed. Clusters of these types can become more harmful when they are together – even virtually. ‘Mob mentality’ runs riot in online groups, giving the salty of this world the empowerment to support ideas which they know are not acceptable, sometimes illegal, but mostly just outright mean. The film ‘Nerve’ makes this point (badly). In the most extreme cases, this can lead to radicalization – memes are the lovable propaganda of our time.
THE WHOLESOME : Memes are generally friendly fire. They represent a self-deprecating humour to offset the shiny ‘my life is perfect’ #unrelatable Facebook sphere, no one can really lives in. Admittedly, it’s a humour which can become dark – because that’s in all of us. We need memes because they are an exchange of symbols of our psyche; an avant-garde monologue. They can be our daily detox from reality, our distraction from exams and our brilliant social commentary. We’re always trying to relate to something. If your something is a whippet in a turtleneck, who am I to tell you that you’re wrong? The Internet can be a scary place but for now, at least, we have memes to get us through. Louise Mcloughlin 13
GRADUATING STUDENTS GO STRAIGHT INTO A JOB?
It can be argued that the main reason we attend university is to get a degree that will improve our chances of securing employment. So, the question of whether we should go straight into a job can be an odd one. Furthermore, are we talking about graduate or non-graduate employment? With the end of term fast approaching it might seem like an odd time to draw up any personal goals, but I have a few I would really like to achieve, and hope I can take this challenge on. The first, although it might seem really cliché is to achieve happiness, which I think is a personal goal that everyone strives to achieve at some point in their life. Although I am not 100% sure how to achieve this, I know it is something that I have been denying myself for several years. I think I am at a point in my life where I am ready to try my hardest to go out and live this final term to its full potential by putting my personal happiness before anything else. This moves me onto my second point, which is to look after myself a bit more. Even if it’s just by doing small things like taking the time to eat properly, exercise and trying to shake some of the gross habits that all students fall back on every now and again, like remembering to wash my bed sheets and not relying on just dry shampoo to wash my hair when I’m lazy. The third is to really get over a lot of the anxiety I have when I’m in public. Being in university has been an overwhelming journey of personal development but I still often struggle to interact with people and often find myself declining social events, which as I am getting older is something I hope I can learn to deal with. If I could, it would hopefully help me achieve my first and ultimate goal. Lydia Kah-Pavlou Culture Editor 14
Design by Jessie Foxford
WHAT DO I WANT TO ACHIEVE?
SHOULD
Either way we ‘should’ think about avoiding the use of ‘should’. Those of us who want a job will get one and those of us who have different plans will follow them. It is not important to debate whether we should find employment after graduation because those expectations take the freedom and flexibility away from us. Those ‘golden’ years of going to university, getting a degree and walking straight into a job are gone. These are different times that perhaps require a different approach. Of course, you can argue - what is the alternative? Returning home to our parents? Going travelling, while working low-paid jobs? Taking a year out? However, it seems that whatever alternative we choose, it still involves some type of employment – and it should. ‘Should’ we go straight into employment? Well, how else are we going to pay rent, bills and buy food? I didn’t even know we had a choice not to find a job. So, we ‘should’ not do anything - except what we want to do. We don’t need any famous or ‘important’ people to tell us what’s best for us, we’ll figure it out ourselves. We are not helpless or foolish or naïve. In all honesty, we are the future of this world, so it is best to leave us to our own paths and let us find our own way. Aldas Krūminis
Illustration by Emily Forrester
COLUMN
COLUMN
Loughborough Overheard “Maureen loves a fabric softener.”
Design by Jessie Foxford
“You have such luck with things going into your mouth!” “I’m so hungry I could eat the arse end of a mule.” “You’re supposed to be looking for your mother not your bloody burger.” Girl 1: “Bra sizes are like A, AA and AAA, right?” Girl 2: “No, that’s batteries!”
Got som ething y want to ou say abo ut this is sue
OVERH SOMET EARD HING?
?
Illustration by Emily Forrester
Get in to uch on Twitte @LabelO nline r at
TOP T W E E T S
Label @labelonline DON’T MENTION THE NURSERY! #execelections
Natalie Panto @nataliepanto Replying to @ labelonline: @stainy_11 the legacy continues
Sam Kindlen @samkindlen Replying to @ nataliepanto: @labelonline @stainy_11 I love that this is still a thing
al @alice_priestley - Just can’t believe we’re through to @labelonline ‘s penultimate issue already
Why you should be scared… …In the least aggressive way possible. After my four years here at Loughborough, I’ve learned a lot – and not just how to successfully maneuver my way on a night out dressed as a giant tomato (long story). When you come to university you’re essentially a baby, whisked away by the all of the new adventures of uni life on which you’re about to embark. Myself being a university grandma now, I see the freshers and am so jealous of the incredible journey they’re yet to have. On the other hand, I look at where I am now and how, despite some downs, wouldn’t have done it any other way. University is so much more than your course (accidental societies plug - you’re welcome), building friendships and gaining new interests. Moreover, university is about self-development and really finding out how strong you are, how capable you are or whatever other abstract noun you might want to fling into the equation. Without an extra serving of parmesan cheese there, the university experience ultimately adds so much to you as a person. For me, one of the main lessons I’ve learned from my years here has actually been borne from fear. Fear hinders so much of your potential. In fact, years ago, it stopped me applying for committee right here at my beloved Label when I should have done. But when I eventually applied, I got a fancy title and my own column (whether anyone reads it, that’s beside the point)! So, to sign off my final Label column EVER (*cries*), I’ll leave you with this thought: nothing worth having comes easy, so work hard, go for it and take those risks. Alice Priestley Assistant Editor 15
STUDENT ACCOMMODATION CENTRE
Where will I live next year? University halls of residence Room offers for 2017/18 are being sent. Missed the deadline to apply? Have a chat with the Student Accommodation Centre team to discuss your options.
Off campus town accommodation University approved properties for groups and individuals – all inspected and graded by us. Housing list available now from the Student Accommodation Centre.
01509 274488 E: sac@lboro.ac.uk www.lboro.ac.uk/accommodation @lboro_campus /Campus.Living.Loughborough
LET’S CELEBRATE YOUR GRADUATION
18–21 JULY 2017
REMEMBER TO BOOK YOUR...
AL FRESCO BBQ^ live music and bar 11.30am to 2.30pm, Martin Hall Building Casual barbecue served outside offering a selection of freshly bbq’d food, streetfood, paella, fresh strawberries and cream, prosecco and a selection of bottled beers.
EAR BOOK L A FR Y & GE OF P EE JUG T IMM END S ** S3 0 JU
£15 per person TO BOOK and guarantee your place visit www.lboro.ac.uk/graduation
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**non-alcoholic jug can be offered as an alternative ^limited space available on the day Page ad
LOUGHBOROUGH DESIGN SCHOOL (STUDENT) SHOW 16—20.06.2017 17.06.2017 INVITATION ONLY 16—19.06.2017 PUBLIC VIEWING 20.06.2017 BUSINESS EVENT LOUGHBOROUGH UNIVERSITY THE DESIGN SCHOOL EPINAL WAY, LOUGHBOROUGH
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Photography by Lens Volunteers
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Design by Liam David Hopley
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CULTURE
PROJECT
season At 8am sharp, they would make a decision that would affect the whole planet. Regardless of time, regardless of country or any other such trivialities.
At 7:55am, the office doors opened and all quiet chatter ceased at the same moment. An imposing figure swept into the room, her nineinch stilettos tapping out a heavily accented tune while she situated herself at the head of the table in the middle of their office. Without a single exchange, everybody else shifted to their assigned places. The closer one sat to her, the more highly regarded they were. “Phase forty-six of Project Season,” she started
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She took a brief pause and looked around the room, sleek platinum bob glistening with even slight turns of her head. “Our unanimous decision yesterday was to execute the summer initiative. My proposal is to next initiate the winter setting, and see how our subjects react to the change.” In spite of the ‘proposal’ being put forth, with its status as being undecided, everybody around the table automatically nodded their heads in time. “Any objections?” None. She snapped her fingers and held her hand out to the side, a small silver device placed firmly in her outstretched palm. Four symbols made up the entire composition of the device. A sun. A leaf. A snowflake. And a flower. With the pressing of the snowflake symbol, a clear frost started to creep along the outside of the windows. Natural light faded. The clouds closed in. “May our experiment continue to prove fruitful in monitoring and testing our populace.” 8am arrived and passed. Their day was done. “Project Season is our given right.” They muttered simultaneously. Amy Hartley
Photography by Blagovesta Chobanova
“Wonder what the majority will be today.” A young intern muttered quietly to his mentor, performing a rather familiar exchange. Coffee became a huge wad of papers as it was completed. “There’s no real telling.” His boss shrugged, sipping on her newly acquired beverage. Meanwhile, the intern struggled to begin organising the various different stacks of paperwork. Legal things. Compiled signatures. Reluctant agreements and compromises.
speaking, tone bold as brass and filling the whole room with authority, “deliberation meeting for results to be dispersed at 8am.”
Illustration and Design by Rik Wyer
For a group of nicely dressed executives, stationed in their nicely conditioned office with the ‘sun’ barely peeking through the wide window panes, the most important part of their day was due to begin.
BOOKWORMS REPRESENT! IT’S
HAY-On-wYE However, it is not just music festivals that exist, with the Hay-on-Wye festival located in the Brecon Beacons National Park carrying the simple aim of bringing together readers and writers in order to celebrate their love of books, reading, and writing. With bookshops, stalls and workshops, there’s something for every book lover to enjoy. Photography by Blagovesta Chobanova
Illustration and Design by Rik Wyer
With summer fast approaching, festivals are a topic on many people’s lips. We are all quick to splash our cash on expensive music festival tickets as soon as they go on sale.
The festival is not just about books and is a full cultural experience, with stalls selling vintage clothing, furniture, and handmade jewellery, yoga classes, wine and beer tasting and plenty of bars and cafés to entertain their guests for the entire week. Although the festival is out of reach for many of us and we may not all be able to attend, as it prepares to celebrate its 30th birthday it is important to acknowledge why exactly the festival does exist. As a festival committed to bringing together writers and honouring reading, as part of their 30th celebrations they are compiling a #Hay30BOOKS list celebrating their 30 essential reads from the last 30 years across fiction and non-fiction which will be discussed at the festival, and online once it’s finalised.
Although I am a big fan of using social media myself and don’t see many issues with it, I know that when I was younger the reason why I spent so much time reading and scouring bookshops was because the digital world was virtually non-existent, and was not accessible to everyone. Now that it is, many young people don’t spend as much time reading as I, and others my age and older, used to. So although I agree that the digital and print world can exist peacefully by one another, it’s great to see a festival that exists with programmes specifically for children, teenagers, students and young people, celebrating the love for reading from all ages. Lydia Kah-Pavlou Culture Editor
Here is a perfect opportunity for book lovers and readers alike to discuss their favourite classics with others who share the same interests. In the modern age, it is refreshing to find such a festival in an era where everyone uses the Internet to source information rather than nonfiction books, and where many children grow up using social media instead of sitting down to read.
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CULTURE
Travel Republic is reputable, offers cheap deals, and is ATOL protected, so if your flight is cancelled or you arrive at your hotel and there is not a room reservation under your name, you will get your money back. The savvy site gives you the option to get a deal which includes both your hotel and flights - what an absolute bargain! In addition to this, the site provides a summer sale and a deals section, which offers you cheap holidays that you can choose from. You’d be silly to miss out on such great deals. I’ve just looked and have seen a holiday on offer to Kefalonia departing June 1st from EMA and returning June 8th costing £163 including flights and hotel. MADNESS. Now that you’ve got the website down, you can weigh up your options of where you want to go. If you’re looking for a cheap and sunny getaway, every travel agent appears to offer fantastic deals jetting to Greece, Portugal, Spain, and The Canary Islands and Travel Republic offers flights and hotels for these destinations from as little as £163. Two things you should consider before booking are looking at the fine print before you are scammed into having to pay more than you had bargained for, and checking if they are any off-peak flights you can bag yourself a seat on as they’ll be cheaper. Happy Holidaying! Kes Browne
Illustration and Design by Vincent Lau
A great way to initiate the booking process is to shop around. The Internet is filled with plenty of cheap and reliable travel comparison websites so you can compare prices and value for money. This is vital in ensuring you stick to your budget. Some websites that are worth looking at are Kayak, Skyscanner, and Travel Republic.
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
Travelling on a budget? 22
And in the blink of an eye, the summer months have crept up on us. If you are like me and vowed to yourself you’d diligently try to get that beach body I will reveal my two top tips on how to get one: Tip 1) Have a body, Tip 2) Go to the beach - it’s as simple as that. Now that you are physically ready to go, it’s time to book a travel destination. As students, it’s possible to book a summer holiday on a budget in celebration of all the hard work we’ve done this year, and yes downing a VK in under 10 seconds does fall into this category.
Illustration and Design by Vincent Lau Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
your summer of film 2017 Considering we’re already half way through 2017, you’d be forgiven for thinking a list on the most anticipated films for the year is six months too late. But, with half a year gone, there’s still another half to go. From Beauty and the Beast to Get Out and the madness that was The Fate of The Furious, it’s been a killer year for blockbuster movies. So, with that in mind, we thought we’d look at some of the lesser known, but no less anticipated, films that are set to hit the big screen in the coming months. Up first, Atomic Blonde. An espionage thriller that sees MI6 agent Charlize Theron take to the streets of 1989 Berlin in the last few weeks before the collapse of the wall, the hype around Atomic Blonde has been picking up pace since the first trailer dropped in March. With a cast that boasts James McAvoy and Sofia Boutella, the action come spy movie has it all. Swept up from the same universe as John Wick, expect a whole host of fight scenes, a soundtrack of thumping 80s nostalgia, and Charlize Theron kicking ass and, excuse the cliché, taking names (go watch Mad Max: Fury Road for more of that). Set for worldwide release around late July, it’s one to keep an eye on, even if it’s just to see McAvoy in the most questionable 80s clobber going.
From the past, we fly into the future with the next pick, Blade Runner 2049. Taking place thirty years after the original, there is much to be anticipated from Denis Villeneuve’s update on the classic movie. With big boots to fill from the first Blade Runner, this time round it’s Ryan Gosling at the helm as an L.A cop on the hunt for Harrison Ford’s ever-elusive Rick Deckard. With sumptuous cinematography abound, the latest instalment is set to hit the big screen on 6th October, and will no doubt set the box office alight as well. Our final pick is not really a pick at all, more of a list, (remember we said ‘lesser-known’ a few paragraphs back? That comment has been rescinded.) 2017 seems to be the year of the blockbuster. From Spider-Man: Homecoming, to Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Justice League, and of course Star Wars: The Last Jedi, its movies galore from here on out. But if you’re looking for something a little less explosive, check out Sofia Coppola’s The Beguiled and the much-acclaimed Lady Macbeth, for a more subtle approach to filmmaking. Emily Harrison Music Editor
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“I don’t drink”, the person opposite me blinks twice. The example above is an experience I endured a little too often during my 3 years at Loughborough. Before you sigh and think, “not another sober girl whining again”, just continue reading. You’ll be surprised. Realistically, drinking is central to the whole university experience and majority of its social aspects involve or revolve around drinking. YES, there are events that don’t involve drinking – but sorry, I’m not gonna spend my evenings playing Connect 4 whilst sipping flat Tesco branded Coca Cola in the common room. I want to be dancing into the early hours of the morning, dabbing incessantly and carelessly dismissing all the guys out on ‘the pull’. And that’s what I’ve been doing. Sober. Of course there have been times where I’ve felt completely isolated whilst all my friends were absolutely hammered. I’m not gonna lie about that. It’s happened. But I’ve also had times where it’s been the complete opposite, just incredible. Some people do victimise themselves because they don’t drink and feel like everything is against them. Having these feelings is understandable, especially if
you feel isolated. However, it’s more about what you make of the situation. At the end of the day, drinking is part of uni culture and British culture; you can’t dispute that and you can’t be oblivious towards that. I just want to share that I’ve had an interesting journey through university and it’s been quite different. Some people are completely accepting of me not drinking, whilst others have looked down on me. This is what I found problematic – because tbh, that’s shallow thinking. But with a negative, you take a positive. Why would you want to associate with someone who thinks like that? I’ve had an amazing time at Loughborough! Like any other student, I’ve had my highs and lows, but in culmination, it’s been a journey I wouldn’t have changed anyhow. From playing ‘Never Have I Ever’ with my BRANDED Coca Cola, to chowing down Papa Si’s after a night out (without the excuse of alcohol consumption) – it’s been wonderful. I do feel vulnerable opening up about this topic because it’s something I’ve been self-conscious about for so long. At the same time, it’s part of my values and it’s something I’m proud of, so I’m taking this opportunity to embrace this part of my identity. Asli Jensen Comment Editor
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Design by Liam David Hopley
A glance back: doing uni sober
Photography Courtesy of LSU Media
COMMENT
Hope for the future
Photography Courtesy of LSU Media Design by Liam David Hopley
Third year is full of fear, excitement, some more fear, a few breakdowns, endless amounts of caffeine and a smidge more excitement. Preparing to leave university seems crazy to me as, like everyone you meet tells you, it goes by so quickly. I knew this would happen and yet here I am, trying to slow the whole process while simultaneously counting down the days until my final coursework deadline. It still hasn’t sunk in that after I graduate this exciting, wild, stressful, incredible time of my life becomes part of my past and I will have effectively closed another chapter and be moving onto the next. As of right now, I’ve only planned what I will do in the first few months after graduation. As soon as I hand in my last essay I’ll be heading back to my part-time job at Tesco to earn some money. The plan is to earn enough to go travelling for a month around Norway, Sweden, Denmark and more, in September. Luckily I have a group of 4 friends who want to do the same and we’re
going to travel to this part of the world we’ve never been to before while we’re still unmarried, childless and jobless. To us, this is the perfect time to travel before life gets too complicated. I hope to return having seen the Northern Lights, countless mountains and fjords and having absolutely no regrets. My next move is to find (or have found) an internship or work experience, as I really don’t know exactly what I want to go into or what kind of company I would work best with. This is where most of my fear comes from, as the one thing I refuse to do in life is work somewhere I really don’t like. I think the key is to not be scared of not being in a stable job for some of your twenties and to enjoy the freedom of finding the job that’s right for you. I hope to finally find my dream job (whatever that may be) having tried a range of different options that helped me find the right one. I hope more than anything that the future stays as open and exciting to me as it is right now. Jade Ledingham 25
MUSIC
On ‘Charger’ Grace Jones and Albarn (as 2-D) create an unsettling, dystopian sound. We wouldn’t expect anything less from Jones, her presence alone on the album is cool and her vocals are hypnotic. It’s unapologetic and stands out against the hip-hop vibes of ‘Andromeda’ and ‘Saturnz Barz’.
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Notable for its fast pace, ‘Ascension’, performed by Vincent Staples, embodies a club-like energy. Staples handles the speed of the track with finesse and masterfully conveys his grievances with the state of the world. Humanz has these moments of genius, however at times becomes muddled, for example with ‘Hallelujah Money’ and ‘Carnival’ attempting to be soulful, but instead coming across as dreary and uninspiring. The final track, ‘We Got the Power’, stands out as a commentary on the current political climate, promising oppressive powers that ‘we got the power to be loving each other’. The lyrics are anthemic, featuring Jehnny Beth’s raw vocals that help to promote unity between men and women. Juxtaposed with a familiar electronica sound with the keyboard synth bass line, the album concludes with the echoes of a sound often associated with Gorillaz. The album is undeniably adventurous, creating genre hybrids whilst living up to Albarn’s intent to create a club record. It’s challenging and bizarre and progressive but not exactly easy listening. Does it live up to the hype? No. Will it be iconic like Gorillaz’ first two albums? Probably not. However, it’s impactful in its overarching theme as a reaction to political events, as well as its motivating musical style, and that deserves to be commended. Niamh Tait
Design by Shameel Batavia
Upon listening to the album you can’t help but feel slightly disappointed. Humanz is okay, but it comes across as a Damon Albarn solo experiment with a number of average songs hiding behind the huge names listed as collaborators, from the unexpected likes of former chart rival Noel Gallagher to the iconic Grace Jones. Along with this, Humanz lacks the sense of grittiness and menace that became their archetype and as a result, the animated characters are lost and the album feels faceless.
Illustration by Emily Forrester
After a seven year long hiatus, the virtual band, Gorillaz, co-founded by Blur musician Damon Albarn, and comic book artist Jamie Hewlett, made their highly anticipated return with their fourth studio album: Humanz. After reaching global fame from their self titled debut, with singles such as ‘Clint Eastwood’ and ‘DARE’ to their name, the band are music royalty and are the most successful virtual band ever; the hype surrounding their 2017 comeback is unsurprising, however maybe seven years was too long.
Illustration by Emily Forrester “Is it wickedness? Is it weakness?”, Kendrick contemplates on his 4th album.
Design by Shameel Batavia
In short, DAMN is a masterpiece. It’s visionary and bold from the first track, ‘BLOOD.’, where we see Kendrick shot and killed, setting the whole album up to be almost a vision, or some sort of alternative reality where Kendrick looks back and reflects on his life. We get a glimpse into his mind that’s laced with internal conflict, between good and evil, his hopes and fears, his past and his future. We see him defiant and fierce, in tracks like ‘DNA.’, ‘HUMBLE.’ and ‘XXX.’, but vulnerable and sensitive with ‘LOVE.’ and ‘FEAR.’, and these two sides, “wickedness” and “weakness” are in a constant push and pull throughout DAMN. Unsurprisingly for a Kendrick album, he’s vocal about social and political issues; from his distaste for the recent election of Trump and concern for his community, to calling out Fox News for misinterpreting his lyrics from To Pimp a Butterfly’s track ‘Alright’. Kendrick’s last album celebrated African American culture and embodied a message of pride and positivity for the fans, but DAMN. sees Kendrick in an introspective state, that has a much more reflective, personal feel to it.
He repeatedly laments throughout the album that no one prays for him, so perhaps DAMN. is Kenny looking after himself. K.Dot reaffirms his spot at the top of the rap game on DAMN., (not that he needs to) fearlessly calling out all of his rivals in ‘ELEMENT.’ and ‘HUMBLE’., but it isn’t this tenacity that gives him that title. It’s his unrivalled skill as a storyteller. The last track, ‘DUCKWORTH.’, tells the story of Kendrick’s father, Ducky, and Top Dawg (Kendrick’s label founder) in a tale of fate that could have left Kendrick fatherless, and victim to the violent, poverty-ridden streets of Compton. At the end of the track the whole album is hyper reversed and we return to the first line of the album, “So I was taking a walk the other day”, which completes the cycle and provides an alternate ending to the story, depending on which order you listen to the album in. All I can say is, in a world of Lil Yachty’s and 21 Savage’s, thank God for Kendrick Lamar. Rating: 9/10 Best Song: ELEMENT. Hidden Gem: DUCKWORTH. Henna Amin
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For many of us, summer is not only the season of ice cream, BBQs, and crippling hayfever, it is festival season. Whilst festivals are meant to be an escape from the normal world, they sometimes go wrong. In the light of the shambolic Fyre Festival in The Bahamas, here are nine of the other worst festival disasters.
Kanye West Headlines Glastonbury, 2015 Easily one of the most polarising entertainers of his generation, Kanye was an unpopular choice to headline 2015’s Glastonbury. Historically known for hosting big name rock artists, the festival was accused of populist pandering and its critics were by no means silenced by West’s performance. Out of tune, out of time, and relying on the crowd to hit the notes he couldn’t reach in a badly judged cover of Bohemian Rhapsody, it’ll go down as one of the worst headline slots in Glastonbury’s recent history. The BPM Festival, 2017 Mexico’s BPM Festival hit headlines this year as cartel members sprayed bullets into a nightclub and street. The shooting was believed to be a revenge attack against the festival for not giving into cartel pressure and killed five people. As a result of the attack, electronic music festivals have been banned from Playa del Carmen.
MUSIC FESTIVAL
Altamont Free Concert, 1969 Planned as a West Coast Woodstock, Altamont was supposed to be another world acknowledged love-in but went down in history, along with the Manson Murders and Kent State Massacre, as the event that drew a close to the ‘peace and love’ era. The Hells Angels were paid in beer to provide security and it didn’t take long for things to get rowdy as fights broke out and five people were killed – the most notable being Meredith Hunter who was stabbed to death by a Hells Angel, an incident that was caught on camera and featured in the documentary Gimme Shelter about The Rolling Stones’ 1969 US Tour.
DISASTERS
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Illustration and Design by Steph Carr
MUSIC
Illustration and Design by Steph Carr
Love Parade, 2010 Festivals are busy places and it takes a huge logistical operation to safely move the thousands from A to B. Germany’s Love Parade was an electronic dance music festival but was cancelled after the 2010 edition as 21 people were killed and hundreds more injured. A breakdown in police communication led to a number of blockades being established and, as the crowds broke free, a maddened crush ensued. People tried to escape via stairs and lighting fixtures but the panic saw many being knocked to the ground and trampled. Glastonbury, 2005 As one of the best established festivals in the country, Glastonbury has seen its share of ups and downs; 2005 can certainly be considered a down. The festival was hit with two months of rain in a few hours and the biblical floods became the standard by which all subsequent festival downpours are judged. The mud became the thing of legend and it’s still pretty shocking to look back at the photos. Indiana State Fair, 2011 Main act Sugarland didn’t make it out to perform at 2011’s Indiana State Fair as huge winds toppled the roof of the stage. The wind had been an issue all day and organisers were about to pull the plug on the event when a gust wiped out the stage, killing seven people and injuring a further 58. The footage of the stage going down is on YouTube but makes unpleasant viewing.
Erie Canal Soda Pop Festival, 1972 Despite a stellar line-up that included Santana, Eagles, and Black Sabbath, this festival descended into chaos as organisers massively underestimated the turnout, artists dropped out, people rioted, and the stage was set alight at the conclusion. Mixed in with rain, mud, and not enough food, the atmosphere of peace and love fell apart pretty quickly and it went down in history as one of the world’s least successful festivals. Woodstock ’99, 1999 In 1969, Woodstock became the central event in an international movement ‘back to the Garden’. In 1999, the thirtieth anniversary concert became an embarrassing stain on its predecessor’s legacy. Featuring a diverse line-up of rock, rap, and country acts, Woodstock ’99 saw fights, muggings, and sexual assaults that set it wide apart from the seminal event from which it took its name. Mawazine, 2009 Morocco’s Mawazine festival became popular in 2008 as it switched focus from ‘world music’ to popular music and has hosted some huge names. 2009’s edition did not run according to plan, however, as a stampede saw eleven people killed and forty more injured. The stampede is believed to have been caused by spectators trying to make a quick getaway from the festival. King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, reached out to the families of the victims and offered to pay for funerals. David Boyden Sports Editor
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DESIGN
Thank You! If you’ve helped out with design, photography, or illustration over the past year. We’ve produced some great content over eight issues and three Exec Election mini-issues and it’s thanks to your hard work that we were nominated for ‘Best Design’ at the National Student Publication Awards.
Congratulations! To Henry Smith, winner of our final Label photography competition of the year, who captured this gorgeous greyscale shot of the Design School at night-time.
Design by Liam David Hopley Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
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Design by Liam David Hopley
WE COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU
Our 2016-17 Volunteers ...
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
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Design by Emily Forrester
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
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sfuture tyle shoot
STYLE
Design by Emily Forrester
Models: Ana Ursu Chido Muswere Eleanor Cambridge Emily Smith Farah Rayme Jana Latzberg Jordan Pilcher Keerthana Prakash Lily Noble-Owen Nancy Gorely Rosie Jehan Stephanie Weldon Tina Buja Make Up: Isabel Lowe
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat 33
STYLE
METALLICS, CHROME AND LATEX: Is this really the future of fashion?
Surely no one, from Anna Wintour to the most sartorially-challenged amongst us truly believes in a world where we will be walking about in head to toe metallics? Apart from the chap I saw heading down past Wilko’s in good old Loughborough town centre the other day wearing a suit which can only have been fashioned entirely our of tin foil (yes, really – only in Loughborough, eh?), no one can believe Ooooooooh who doesn’t love a that’s a good look. metallic shoe? High street stores Can they?! all do a fantastic range of metallic footwear during the summer I think we can all months! Sandals, heels and flip embrace this fashion flops really lend themselves to in much sassier, but shiny silver and gold shades certainly more subtle that come alive in the sun! And ways, and here are with oh-so- fashionable rose some of my faves: gold tones creeping into shoe shops like Office too, I can barely contain myself!
Illustration and Design by Phoebe-Rose Logan
I’ll be honest, I’ve never really stopped to consider the future of fashion. I’m very much a here-and-now kinda gal when it comes to clothes. If it’s in Topshop right now, I love it! Everything else can do one. However, that’s not to say that if what future fashion really comes down to is metallic, chrome and latex, I haven’t dabbled. I have. Not so much in the latex, mind you…
The Metallic Shoe
Glitter Face Paints Love it or hate it, this fad was all over the festival scene last year. From Reading Festival to Ushuaia, no self-respecting girl’s outfit was complete without a massive splodge of chunky glitter plastered across their forehead. This may not be“futuristic”, in that I’m looking to the past for inspo here, but these girls (and guys) looked positively alien to me! ‘Avatar’ springs to mind… 34
Chrome Nail Varnish Much like the metallic shoe, chrome nail varnish is nothing new. A trend that everyone from your Nan to your little sister can jump in on, we can all get a bit of chrome in our lives this summer. Silvers and golds work best on any skin tone, not to mention they go with everything, but if you fancy a crazy shade of chromatic pink or blue – go for it! The great thing about nail varnish is it’s cheap, easy and removable, so take those risks!
Latex… Hmm! Correct me if I’m wrong, but no one except Katy Perry circa 2010 looks good in latex. I, for one, would look more Mid-Life Crisis than Teenage Dream if I slipped into anything remotely that tight (and I’m only 22). Until Topshop start stocking latex bralets, I’m condemning this one to the fashion grave… I think it’s only fair that we end this little journey into the future of fashion with a shout out to the be-tinfoilled (definitely a word) man I saw the other day. You are so on trend Silver Man, keep doing what you’re doing. Leanna Kightley Label Editor
Illustration and Design by Phoebe-Rose Logan
Is the future of fashion the past? Are fashion trends actually new looks? Or just recycled? When it comes to things like music, fashion or food I often think: Surely, by now, people MUST have run out of ideas? Surely every combination of notes or tastes has been done? Surely all of the combination of colours and patterns and fabrics have been thought of, by now, surely? And if we take a look at the current fashion trends, I think that answers my question rather nicely. Fashion, these days, appears to be an (albeit pleasant) regurgitation from the 90s. When shopping, there’s many a crop (be this cropped jeans, tops, socks, you bloody name it), many a high waist and many a weird plastic looking item that’s supposedly supposed to go around your throat? Chokers, personally, is a returning trend I simply don’t understand – although they can look distinctly average to OK on some people, to me they simply look like dog collars! But I’ll save that debate for another day. Basically, I’m a fan of the 90s comeback because who doesn’t want to look like Rachel from Friends circa 1996? That tartan skirt, cropped jumper and socks combo - if you know, you know. Personally, I do love a high waist – it hides all of those big dinners rather nicely and makes potential muffin top-related fiascos all but disappear (somewhat). This trend, I feel, will be timeless, simply because the high-waisted jeans haven’t gone away – not that that’s a bad thing at all.
There are some times when you just have to draw the line though. Jelly shoes, although they are a sweet nostalgic item that instantly whisk you back to your childhood, what kind of grown woman wants to be sauntering down the street in a pair of rubber shoes that are just going to give you blisters no end and to be quite frank are a minor health hazard? Overall, I think it’s quite clear to see that fashion comes in cycles and that nothing is really that original anymore – after all, this planet has been around for many years, originality isn’t really a thing anymore, let’s be honest. I will, nevertheless, welcome the comebacks of classic denim trends and cute accessories with open arms. But, however, I will also continue to condemn any kind of horrendous garments made from whacky fabrics and will at all times keep those horrendous 90s skiing jumpers that people try to make fashionable long at arms’ length! Alice Priestley Assistant Editor
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In the video we see the ‘Queen of Pop’ in many different outfits including a white latex bikini, a black armoured suit with insane horse hoof-like heels, and a leather body suit with sexy cutouts. Her backup team wears all sorts skin tight of bodysuits, spiked and studded black bras, Tron inspired motorbike suits, black leather heels with buckles and studs, and BDSM looking leather masks.
Break Free Ariana Grande
Standout Elements: alien and insect inspired ribbing similar to Alexander McQueen’s 2010 spring collection, metal embellishments and studs, neon accents, and baroque-like face ornamentation.
Standout Elements: 80’s looking plastic attire and accessories, heavy metal accessories, and space inspired footwear. The One That Got Away Katy Perry In this video, we see an aged Katy Perry in a modern and metallic house pouring herself coffee out of an alternative looking coffee pot. She’s wearing shiny silk nightgowns, metallic high-waisted pants and pearls — a classy take on the typical futuristic fashion look. Her looks are juxtaposed to what seems to be 90’s and 2000’s fashion from her past memories, really showing the contrast in styles. Standout Elements: the main contrast seems to be the appearance of metallic materials and many, many shoulder pads.
Overall the interpretation of futuristic fashion in music videos seems to focus on either an 80’s throwback but in metallic colours, or ultra harsh leather and stud looks. The proliferation of neon accents and metals seem to be connected with the high tech interpretation of the future, as most of these videos also feature crazy computers and screens with numbers and figures of code running across them. Considering some of these music videos are quite dated, it’s a shame that we are yet to see anyone walking around with astro-boots or floating around their rooms in metal plated crop tops. Whether or not these looks will actually become “in”, only time will tell.
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Arianna Rossi Style Editor
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
The video claims to represent “something one step ahead of present reality and two steps ahead of present day sexiness”. Ariana wears an alien like ribbed corset suit and face ornamentation, a sexy space suit that shoot rockets out of its bosom a la Katy Perry in California Gurls, and a metal plated crop top while she floats around in zero gravity. Others looks include metallic bulbous vests and the interesting use of light sabre lipstick.
In the original Year 3000 music video women are depicted wearing high-waisted black plastic skirts, flaming bikini tops, chains with padlocks as necklaces, and patent black chokers with ‘BUSTED’ written on them. In the Jonas Brother’s remake, we see girls with glossy bubble gum pink bobs, white plastic hoop earrings, metallic halter dresses, white leggings, and what appear to be astro-boots.
Design by Malika Singh
Standout Elements: latex, leather, studs and spikes, metal embellishments and crazy makeup.
Year 3000 Busted/The Jonas Brothers
Design by Malika Singh
Bad Blood Taylor Swift
STYLE
Design by Malika Singh
This year, summer is all about the bold, the bright and the busy. There are so many exciting fashion trends to tell you all about, but here are my favourites! Nothing is going to be pale, tiny or discrete over the next few months. To the people who enjoy expressing themselves with bold statements - this is your season!
Design by Malika Singh
Head-to-Toe Florals Every year floral prints are in fashion, and it’s been that way for many, many years now. We just can’t get enough of them!! This summer, two pieces, playsuits and jumpsuits are all in fashion. Massive floral, ditsy florals, they are going to be everywhere this year, especially when you are all jetting off on holiday. Floral jumpsuits are definitely going in my suitcase this year! Statement Stripes Stripes are an essential to anyone’s wardrobes aren’t they? This summer they’re going bigger and better than ever. Say goodbye to the tiny little pin stripe and go for the thick blocks! These are bound to make you stand out of the crowd and most definitely give you that ‘summer ready’ look. The graphic look is just getting bigger and better for this season, the colours, the shapes, everything. Keep your eyes peeled!
Photography by Elias Ruiz Monserrat
Sport Luxe Gym casual is not going anywhere any time soon guys! Gym leggings, hoodies, sports bras, bright colours… Yep, it’s all the rage for the summer! It’s comfortable and cooling (for the four seconds of summer that we get every year!!) Let’s be honest, there’s some pretty awesome designs out there at the moment. Better get them snapped up, because they never stay on the shelves for long! And finally…. MASSIVE SHOULDERS! As mentioned in my article earlier this year, the regeneration of the 80s is really coming back. But more importantly, massive shoulders, ruching, ruffling and pleats are making a comeback, so expect to see these out and about this summer. This season is all about going hard or going home. There’s no subtlety this year! Oversized shirts, bringing them in on the waist - another must have for this years wardrobe. I must say that is another trend I’m excited about, maybe I’ll get one for myself! Not said anything you guys were thinking of? Start your own trends. You could be the trendsetters of the future! Hayley Copeland
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New Zealand New Zealand start in a good position with some quality young guns amongst the seasoned pros. Despite recently losing 3-2 to South Africa, the team come off the back of a 2-0 win against Australia in the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy and will look to make the Aussies pay once more in Group A. They could potentially give England a run for their money too as they currently sit above them in the ICC rankings. NZ’s ‘Key Player’ this summer will be Kane Williamson, the ambidextrous top order batsman.
Australia Traditionally one of the best cricketing nations in the world, Australia will have high expectations this coming June. Despite some shaky form of late, Australia come into the competition having whitewashed NZ 3-0 as well as taking a convincing 4-1 win over Pakistan. Most recently however, results have not gone their way, as they lost to India and Sri Lanka in Test and T20 series respectively. The Australian ‘Key Player’ will be batsman David Warner.
Bangladesh Whilst one of the smaller associate nations, Bangladesh are still a formidable force. This team is known to struggle outside of Asia and were dominated 3-0 by New Zealand last December but they managed to draw the ODI series in Sri Lanka and look to make a name for themselves on the global stage. Bangladesh’s ‘Key Player’ upon which their success hinges is ICC ranked number 1 all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.
England Despite losing the Test series 4-0 and the ODI series 2-1 in India earlier this year, England come into the series as close favourites over the defending champions having subsequently tallied a six game unbeaten streak against Ireland and the West Indies. England all-rounder Moeen Ali has recently gone as far as saying the current group are "one of the best sides England have ever produced", and, as host nations, the conditions will certainly suit them. Their positive approach under Eoin Morgan, following the mantra of ‘Hit the Lights Out’, has revolutionised the very definition of limited overs batting and led to the highest score in ODI history (444) last summer. Whilst the million dollar man, Ben Stokes, is certainly a player to watch, the ‘Key Player’ will be Chris Woakes. Whilst not as flash as Stokes, a successful debut for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 10 will boost his confidence as he looks to apply himself in favourable conditions with England’s new ball.
Illustration and Design by Liam David Hopley
Group A _
SPORT International cricket returns to its homeland this summer as the sport retreats from the 40 degree heat and subcontinent pitches of the IPL to the mild weather and green seamers of England. The Champions Trophy is returning, so put away the pom-poms, fireworks and YES BANK Maximums, and shift your attention towards the hustle and bustle of London as a packed 17 days begins to unravel itself 50 overs at a time. After tough qualifying stages, the eight greatest cricketing nations in the world have been split into two groups and will fight it out for one of the most coveted prizes within the international circle.
Illustration and Design by Liam David Hopley
Group B _ Sri Lanka The 15 man squad opted for altitude training in Colombo as preparation for the Champions Trophy and brought on board South African legend Allan Donald to begin the intensive camp. Perhaps one of the weaker teams in Group B, Sri Lanka will struggle in this year’s competition, however, that does not mean all hope is lost. Despite going down 5-0 to South Africa in February, there have been some promising performances of late as well as the discovery of Asela Gunaratne, a fresh talent who has burst onto the international stage. The Sri Lanka’s ‘Key Player’ will be Angelo Mathews if he can recapture his form. South Africa A powerhouse of international cricket with some of the best cricketers of all time in their midst. SA have extreme pace and batsmen who can score 360 degrees around the park, making them one of the favourites to lift the trophy. SA have won nearly all of their games since February and will look to continue this with ICC number one bowler Imran Tahir and his overzealous celebrations. SA’s ‘Key Player’ is veteran all-rounder Chris Morris, known for his destructive ability with bat and ball.
Pakistan Another team that could cause an upset is Pakistan, particularly in their fixture against bitter rivals India. Pakistan have been fairly inconsistent in ODI form recently, beating the West Indies 2-1 but losing 4-1 to both Australia and England. ‘Key Player’ for Pakistan will be left-arm quick Mohammed Amir who has proven his ability to destroy teams within a few overs. India Reigning champions India will not be relinquishing the trophy with ease. They will arrive in England with their eyes firmly on the prize as Virat Kohli instils a ruthless attitude within his team. Despite critics claiming that the selectors chose the ‘safe’ option, India’s depth is imbued with experience, wickets, and runs, perhaps an attempt to nullify the foreign conditions. ‘Key Player’ Ravichandran Ashwin will return from injury with fire in his belly, hoping to replicate his crucial role in India’s 2013 Champions Trophy win. Jordan Everett 39
SPORT
SHINING A LIGHT ON:
AU BASKETBALL Illustration by Steph Carr
Loughborough Basketball established themselves as the best basketball programme in the country this season as the Men’s and Women’s first teams won the BUCS Championship as well as the Men’s 2s taking the Midlands Conference Cup crown for the first time in six years. In weekend competitions, the Loughborough Student Riders progressed to the Final of NBL Division One Men and the Women finished runners up in the WBBL – the UK’s professional women’s league. The club also took the overall BUCS points total title which makes Loughborough the number one university for basketball this season.
For the first time, the Men’s first team travelled to Norway for pre-season this year and took victory over Kongsberg Miners, the top professional team in the Norwegian league, within the three-day tournament. The club also engaged in the annual April tour with players taking part in a great week of sun, sea, and basketball.
a positive coaching staff. The Men’s fourth team showed great maturity in leading themselves when a suitable coach could not be found and for competing hard for promotion throughout the season . A number of the top-level players in the club continued their professional contracts with partner club Leicester Riders – with whom the Men’s team took victory in the BBL Play-off Final at the O2 Arena in front of 15,000 people. Featured in the side were Eric Robertson, Levi Noel and, Josh Ward-Hibbert of Loughborough Basketball and two alumni players, Conner Washington and Tyler Bernardini. Joe Pinchin
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Design by Carla Borkmann
Loughborough’s culture of student coaches further developed within the programme this year to extend to new second team coaches, Ash Cookson and Oli Parr. In addition to this, Jermaine Webb took the lead of the Men’s third team for a very successful season. Lucy Rogan and Ebony Lacey continued to lead the Women’s third team to round out
Sports Nutrition
LL Illustration by Steph Carr
Nutrition is often viewed as secondary to performance, however, food can benefit both performance and recovery. Within a balanced diet, fruit and vegetables should account for approximately 33%, dairy products 15%, fats 7%, and carbohydrates another 33%. Protein is also important for recovery and is recommended to fulfil 12%. Despite the recommended percentages, different sports and individuals have their own requirements to maximise performance. Track and field athletes need more eggs to help rebuild and repair easily torn muscles, whereas swimmers need carb heavy foods such as cereal.
Design by Carla Borkmann
Weightlifters mainly need their strength to create power and this comes from proteins – recommended meats include turkey and tuna. In tennis, athletes may consider the benefits of fruit including oranges to help with muscle soreness after a game. As well as the need for a balanced diet, athletes need to eat their favourite foods. Apparently, Olympic Gold medallist Mo Farah enjoys pasta and chicken for many meals throughout the
week. It’s claimed Rafa Nadal doesn’t believe in diets, however, as he enjoys seafood and olives with an occasional slice of toast as a treat. Nutritionist David Dune claims that England rugby players like Danny Care need to eat four meals a day to help sustain their bulk. This often includes protein pancakes, steaks, and big bowls of porridge. As a runner, I wondered what was best for me to eat as runners often get injured. One food item with high nutritional value is eggs due to high amounts of protein that help with recovery. Other
foods I enjoy include almonds, oranges, and black beans. Black beans contain a lot of fibre and protein and help with circulation, meaning that you can recover quicker due to an increase in blood flow around the injury. Almonds are loaded with Vitamin E, magnesium, iron, calcium, and potassium and help reduce muscle damage, strengthen your bones, and boost energy to power through a run. Stir fry vegetables also help with muscle soreness alongside stretching. Hannah Pearce 41
Exec Focus Interview with
Jonathan Ako Union President
It’s been a while since we last caught up with you, Jon! How do you feel this year has gone for you?
Design by Liam David Hopley
It’s been a fun but challenging one. You don’t realise how fast it goes by and you’re wishing you had more time to get everything you wanted to do done.
Do you feel you’ve made good progress and managed to achieve what you set out to do in your manifesto over a year ago? There’s been a lot progress on things in my manifesto, whether I have initiated it or not. Certain points like my handover point haven’t panned out in the way that was in my manifesto but is turning out to be a good program. The things I’ve been working on the most, funnily enough, weren’t in my manifesto, which have been the strategic plan and sorting out some training for our fresher helpers.
Ooo. Too many to name. I think going to the WhatUni Awards and seeing us win the Giving Back Award (needs a better name) was a highlight and should that our Action and Rag sections are the sector leaders in their fields. Shown also by the amazing SpitHappens event.
Your position is soon to be passed over to George Etherington – have you given him any advice or tips on what to expect as Pres? We’ve had a few sessions and the basis of my advice is that the job is one of relationships. You can’t get much done without the students, the University or your team on your side. A favour from the right people goes a long way!
Can you describe your year in 3 words? An unforgettable year.
Contact me Twitter: @President_LSU Facebook: /PresidentLSU Email: President@lsu.co.uk 42
Illustration by Emily Forrester
What have been your absolute highlights of 2016/17?
Interview with
Jennifer Taylor Media EO
Illustration by Emily Forrester
Design by Liam David Hopley
Having captained good ship Media for the past year, it only seems fair that you have the final word in Label this year! How do you think your year as Media EO has been? It’s been an actual rollercoaster of a year. There have been highs, lows and lots and lots of late nights which have almost driven me insane, but it’s been an amazing year for LSU Media and I’m very proud to have played a part in it. There have been so many fantastic achievements from all four sections, far too many to list, but that has made this year very special and I hope the success only grows next year. Gafyn Donald is set to take over as Media EO next year, have you given him any advice on what to do (and what not to do!)? I haven’t given him a huge amount of advice yet other than the fact it’s his year and he needs to send media in the direction he feels is best. As most people know, a big push for me this year was sport content. Having something I’ve really enjoyed growing has been amazing and I really think he should do the same, whether it’s still within sport, or a new venture. I’ve just told him to make the most of it – it’s a crazy year and he’ll have so many fantastic opportunities at his fingertips. LSUTV recently had huge success at the NaSTA’s – you must be over the moon! Have you come back down to earth yet? Yes! It was a fantastic night for LSUTV, taking home 4 NaSTA Awards for Match Report. I think we came thoroughly back down to earth when it took a group of us two whole days to move essentially the whole of media over to the stadium for Match Report: Loughborough v Liverpool U18’s live stream. The hard work the whole team have put in this year has been phenomenal and I only hope this grows in the future. Label have had a great year too with Design being shortlisted at SPANC – and the Student Radio Awards are yet to come – best of luck to Tim and the LCR team.
Some people reading this may not have got involved in Media this year, how can you tempt them to jump straight in next year? 3 words; so many opportunities! I don’t think any other section has quite the diversity of opportunities that we have on offer. The transferable skills you can learn here can literally be career changing. And don’t worry if your flat-mate/brother/lecturer doesn’t think it’s cool - they might change their mind when you’re heading up the BBC in the future… You’ve got the final word JT, what would you like that word to be? MEDIAAAAAAA
Contact me Twitter: @MediaEO_LSU Facebook: /LSUMediaEO Email: MediaEO@lsu.co.uk 43
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