Open Magazine Summer 2012 Issue 1 by OPEN Magazine

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

DESIGNER CLOTHING

Est. 1992

WE’VE GOT WHAT

YOU WANT

ALL YOUR DESIGNER LABELS UNDER ONE ROOF

COTHAM STREET, ST. HELENS, WA10 1SA EASY ACCESS AND FREE PARKING AVAILABLE

www.odsdesignerclothing.com TEL: 01744 730 985 2

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

/odsdesignerclothing

/ odsclothes

/ odsonline

20 Years of OD’s With a massive range of designer brands... there is something for everyone. The best and biggest range of mens, womens, and kids designerwear all under one roof - that’s OD’s in St Helens! When it’s time for a new rig out, your first thought is probably a trip in to town. But it doesn’t have to be, because there is a hidden gem just a short drive out of town that stocks all your current favourite designer labels – OD’s Designer Clothing in St Helens. Very designer-led by owner Chris Odea, who runs the store with a team of knowledgeable and helpful assistants, OD’s hallmark is its exceptional personal service and the warm welcome it extends to all customers new and old.

Celebrating 20 years Established in 1992, OD’s has been supplying the region with the latest trends for 20 years. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of keeping their customers looking smart, OD’s will be offering a series of exclusive promotions and massive sales throughout the year. If you can’t find the time to get up to the shop to view the massive range on offer, no worries, OD’s has got you covered, just visit their website where you can view the whole range of stock online and use promotional codes on your purchases.

Huge range of Hugo Boss Chris has a great eye for the latest trends in mens’ and regional fashions and he stocks labels that are usually only available in stores located within the city centre, including the largest selection of Hugo Boss Green outside of the city centre. Small wonder, then, that it’s attracted a large customer base from out of town, as fashion conscious scousers make the short trip in to St Helens to bag themselves all the latest gear – without the hassle of the crowds you get in town at the weekend.

Two floors and six rooms

and always find a wide range of stock available including sizes. There is nothing more annoying than eyeing up a purchase only to find they don’t stock that item in your size. Whether you are a size small, or you’ve hit the gym and built yourself up to a xxxl, OD’s stocks the whole size range so you won’t be left wanting.

Women and kids OD’s also caters for women and juniors, with rooms for each range located downstairs from the men’s section. With a wide selection of women’s accessories available alongside brands such as Hunter, Juicy Couture, Ugg’s, Vivienne Westwood and much more, OD’s ensures there is something for everybody in store. Not since Wade Smith closed its doors has there been a designerwear store capable of catering for the whole family, with two floors and six rooms full of the latest trends, if you haven’t already visited OD’s… it’s about time you do.

You can find OD’s located at: 2-16 Cotham Street, St. Helens, WA10 1SA

Easily accessible Girls might enjoy the whole shopping experience, but most lads just want to get in and out as quickly as possible! With easy access and up to 40 parking spaces available as well as free parking available on weekends, it beats the traffic jams and costs of visiting stores in the city centre. In fact Chris’ customers are so dedicated to OD’s that they’ll travel considerable distances to visit the store

DESIGNER CLOTHING

For more information visit OD’s online www.odsdesignerclothing.com OD’s is offering a 10% discount to all customers who provide an Open Card upon purchase at the til. To get your Open Card, just visit www.openthecity.co.uk and sign up. It takes two minutes. OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

DESIGNER CLOTHING • WOMENS www.odsdesignerclothing.com

JUNIOR www.odsdesignerclothing.com

STORE: 12 - 16 COTHAM STREET, ST. HELENS, WA10 1SA 4

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

EDITOR’S LETTER Editor Robbie Muldoon editor@open-mag.co.uk Creative Director Robert May rob@open-mag.co.uk Director & Sales Michael Smith mike@open-mag.co.uk Director Adam Duffy Sales Michael Tremarco, Darren Rollinson

CONTRIBUTORS: Polly Daszkiewicz, Francesca Kearns, Feargal Brennan, Kieran Owens, Ashley Waugh, Victoria Melia, Amy Blacklock, Henry Hargreaves, Aaron McDonald, Hazel Miller, Stephanie Ann McKee, David Crighton, Lauren Fitzsimons, Sophie Marsden, Ashley McCoy, Faye Currie, Elizabeth Horsfall Fashion shoot: Christopher Gardner, Becka Corner, Hair and makeup: Louise Gibney, Stephanie Gibney Photography: Mike Britts, Rob McGrory, Amy Faith, Becky Fearns Special thanks to: Lucie Cave, Joe McLoughlin, Natalie Barton, Gill Nightingale, James Foley, Selfridges Cover illustration: Robert May

OPEN MAGAZINE City Point, Unit 14, Great Homer Street, L5 3LE Web: www.openthecity.co.uk Phone: 0151 207 4925 Email: info@openthecity.co.uk Twitter: @open_magazine Facebook: www.facebook.com/ openthecity

John Lennon once said, “time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time”. That’s a sentiment we share here at Open, as we strive to produce a magazine that doesn’t feel like a ‘waste of time’. We want you to enjoy your time spent with us, and that’s why we aim to bring you the best writers, designers, photographers and artists this city has to offer. And together with the Open Card, deliver you some of the best offers and promotions from across the region. We are lucky in the fact that Liverpool produces a lot of people worthy of featuring in a magazine. Quite simply, there are a lot of Scousers who are the very best at what they do, take Wayne Rooney for example. It’s ten years since the ‘kid from Crocky’ burst on to the scene in an Everton shirt, in this issue ‘Wazza’ speaks to Open about some of his career highlights to date. Away from football, this city loves a good party and nobody can throw one better than James Barton - the brains behind world famous Cream and Creamfields, we ask him about this year’s festival and Cream’s 20th anniversary. We also sit down with The Hummingbirds, the band with a penchant for the classic Merseybeat, as their profile continues to rise and they prepare to headline this year’s Mathew Street Festival. There is no question that modern day Liverpool is a diverse and vibrant city, qualities we hope to reflect in each and every issue of Open. With so much going on, it’s difficult to keep track of who’s doing what, where, and when. Open aims to be the complete guide for the city. Thanks for picking us up, we hope you enjoy our first issue. Robbie Muldoon editor@open-mag.co.uk

LUCIE CAVE / EDITOR OF HEAT MAGAZINE FOREWORD I’ve been a regular visitor of Liverpool for the last four years and every time I come back there’s another gem lurking round the corner. The building with a rotating window spinning out onto the street (made even more brilliant by the fact that it used to be a Yates’s Wine Lodge), the glorious shopping heaven that is Liverpool One, the bar that used to be an actual church… Liverpool is full of surprises. But the biggest challenge for most people visiting for the first time is how to unlock those surprises. Without a trusted mate telling you where to get the best nosh, giving you the code to the invite only hush-hush party hidden behind a secret door, or the best place to buy nice clobber – you might as well stay in Lime Street Station slurping your M&S chardonnay. Open Magazine is that trusted mate – because at its centre is the understanding that people want to know everything and they want to know it now! Open Mag is like a unique club – with discounts to please your pocket, reviews to keep you from crying over a rubbish night out and secrets to make you look cool in front of your mates. And this first issue marks the start of something very special – there’s everything to do, see and buy - alongside a chat with Queen Coleen, The Beatles (made out of toast!) and a chinwag with twitter sensation Scouse Bird who sums it all up perfectly; ‘Scousers are just boss at everything’. And she seems to be right.

Printed by Custom Print Ltd, Liverpool.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

Music MUSIC

CREAMFIELDS Daresbury, August 24th to 27th, SOLD OUT, 0151 707 1309. The biggest dance music festival of the year gets underway with some of the worlds best DJs including Avicii, Deadmau5, David Guetta, Tiesto, Calvin Harris and The Chemical Brothers. www.creamfields.com

MATHEW STREET MUSIC FESTIVAL 2012 August 26th and 27th, FREE, 0151 233 2008. The largest annual free music festival in Europe with musicians from more than 30 countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Norway, Germany and the USA will be performing. www.mathewstreetfestival.org

THE HUMMINGBIRDS Zanzibar, August 29th, 0151 707 0633 As featured in this issue of Open, get down to Zanzibar to catch a live show of local up and coming group The Hummingbirds. www.thezanzibarclub.com

NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS Echo Arena, September 6th, £35 - £60, 0844 8000 400. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds eponymous album debuted at number one earlier this year, one of only a handful of albums with sales in excess of 100,000 in its first week and has now been certified platinum. www.echoarena.com

AZEALIA BANKS O2 Academy, October 2nd, £12.50, 0844 477 2000. The hottest emerging female talent in hip-hop, Azealia Banks, will embark on her first headline UK tour later this

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

year following the release of her debut EP ‘212’. www.o2academyliverpool.co.uk

EXPYDA LIVE The Lantern Theatre, August 18th, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0000. Experience the One and only adrenaline pumping Exspyda at the Lantern theatre this summer, fusing a mixture of Drum N Bass, Electro House, Dubstep and Dance all into one intense performance. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk Comedy COMEDY

RICKY TOMLINSON Liverpool Empire, September 20th, £25, 0844 8713 017. Starring Joe Longthorne, Tom O’Connor, Mick Miller, Sean Styles, Asa Murphy, The Johnson Brothers, ‘The

King’ Elvis Clayton, Steve Charles, Paul Dabek and much more! “It’s going to be a Royle show!” www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

JACK DEE Liverpool Empire, September 28th, £22, 08448713017. The star of Lead Balloon and I’m Sorry I Haven’t A Clue returns after a six year absence from stand-up, agonizing over the slightest of annoyances and misdemeanours. Why is he touring? ‘I want to spend less time with my family’. www.atgtickets.com/liverpool

JASON BYRNE Liverpool Empire, September 30th, £18.50, 0844 8713 017. Jason’s show promises to be an anarchy-packed show of acrobatic proportions as the definitive clown of comedy pushes his riotous show to the edge. www.liverpoolempire.org.uk

JOHN BISHOP Echo Arena, October 1st, £30, 0844 8000 400. The public clearly haven’t seen enough of him yet as due to overwhelming popular demand, ‘Comedy Superstar’ John Bishop embarks upon his first ever UK arena tour and makes the official announcement, that he is not… quite…ready for a holiday just yet. www.echoarena.com

ROSS NOBLE Liverpool Empire, October 6th, £25, 0844 8713 017. Famed for his fiery and fluid freewheeling style. Noble creates comedy gold from tiny particles of random nonsense. Don’t miss this brill show in a hysterical night with the Mindblender. www.liverpoolempire.org.uk

A RUSH OF LAUGHTER @ THE LANTERN Lantern Theatre, August 5th, 8pm, 0151 703 0000. A Rush of Laughter @ The Lantern celebrates a successful 6 months with yet another great line up. Will Duggan, Freddy Quinne and Headliner Dave Twentyman www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

A RUSH OF LAUGHTER @ THE LANTERN Lantern Theatre, September 2nd, 8pm, 0151 703 0000. A Rush of Laughter @ The Lantern celebrates a successful 6 months with yet another great line up. Wes Zaharuk is joined by Kiri Pritchard Mclean and Phil Chapman. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

ARTS & CU LTURE

TURNER MONET TWOMBLY: LATER PAINTINGS Tate Liverpool, July - 28th October 2012, £12, 0845 604 7083. Don’t miss Turner Monet Twombly at Tate Liverpool this summer, your only chance to see this stunning exhibition in the UK. www.tate.org.uk

ANTHONY BROWN EXHIBITION Penny Lane Gallery, July 6th – August 12th, 0151 733 4355. Liverpool born Anthony Brown is an artist, graphic designer, illustrator and musician who has earned international respect and acknowledgement. Throughout 2007-2010 his highly acclaimed exhibition “100 Heads Thinking As One” grasped the public and critics alike, produced as collage/ mixed media works. www.pennylanegallery.co.uk

LONDON 2012 FESTIVAL – NIET NORMAAL Bluecoat, July 13th – September 2nd Niet Normaal will display work by artists seeking out paradoxes and casting a keen eye on the world around them, and share their findings with visitors. The result is by turns shocking, humorous and touching. www.thebluecoat.org.uk

TICKLE THE IVORIES Around Liverpool ONE, July – September 16th Tickle the Ivories is returning for the

second year. Organised in partnership with Open Culture, the ten week piano festival is open to everyone to take part. www.tickletheivories.org

festival in the UK. www.biennial.com

STALLS IN THE CITY

The Lantern Theatre, August 23rd – 24th, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0000. A boy’s entire future is in the hands of 12 men. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

Thomas Steers Way, August 4th – 5th and September 1st – 2nd This summer arts and craft fairs are coming to Liverpool ONE. Expect to see a selection of stalls selling everything from handmade gifts and bespoke jewellery to fine art and prints. www.liverpool-one.com

ANNIE Liverpool Empire, August 16th – 18th, £14, 0844 871 7627. A cast of young people from the local area, working with a professional creative team will star in a vibrant, full-scale production of one of the most beloved family musicals of all time. www.atgtickets.com

LIVERPOOL BIENNIAL

EXPLOSION OF NEW WRITING The Lantern Theatre, September 6th – 8th, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0000. C J Productions, the Lantern’s resident writer’s group, present their first festival of new work at the Lantern. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

DI IS DEAD The Lantern Theatre, September 19th, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0000. C J Productions, the Lantern’s resident writer’s group, present their first festival of new work at the Lantern. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

Various locations, September 15th – November 25th For ten weeks every two years the city of Liverpool is host to an extraordinary range of artworks, projects and a dynamic programme of events. It is the largest international contemporary art OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

NIGHTLIFE

KINGDOM COCKTAIL MENU LAUNCH PARTY Kingdom, July 27th, FREE, 0151 255 1559. www.kingdom-liverpool.co.uk

LUNA Ludus, July 27th, 0151 709 6607. After the runaway, sell out success of their first two shows, Luna returns to the basement @ Ludus for the first in a series of summer shows which are sure to place the night firmly on the map of the Liverpool underground scene. www.ludusbar.co.uk

KINGDOM – LIVE ON STAGE ‘RUDY’ Kingdom, July 28th, 0151 255 1559. Rudy peforming all his hits - Tv Rock - In The Air Dirty South - Phazing and more.... Djs Joe Walsh, Mick Willow and Martin Lamb and the worlds best sax player Carl Stanley. www.kingdom-liverpool.co.uk

OTHER EVENT S

LIVERPOOL PRIDE Liverpool waterfront and Stanley Street, August 4th This year Liverpool Pride will take place on the iconic Liverpool Waterfront and Stanley St Quarter. We recommend the use of public transport to get to Liverpool Pride. www.liverpoolpride.co.uk

THE BEACH, Liverpool ONE, July 12th – September 2nd This summer is set to sizzle at Liverpool ONE with the return of The Beach. Chavasse Park will be alive with live entertainment, a sandy beach, cocktail bar, sport and family rides and attractions. www.liverpool-one.com

GUILT The Lantern Theatre, August 9th – 11th, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0000. A secluded country manor, a fierce storm, a houseful of secrets - it’s the perfect setting for a classic murder mystery. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

NORTHERN VOICE SUMMER SCHOOL The Lantern Theatre, August 13th – 17th, 10am – 3pm, 0151 703 0000. Musical Theatre Summer School for ages 6 - 12. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk

TICKET TO WRITE FESTIVAL FINAL The Lantern Theatre, August 25th, 7.30pm, 0151 703 0000. Musical Theatre Summer School for ages 6 - 12. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk Sport events SPORT EVENTS

EVERTON V MANCHESTER UNITED Goodison Park, August 18th, 0871 663 1878. The blue half of Merseyside kick off the 2012/13 Premier League campaign with a home match against Manchester United. www.evertonfc.com

LIVERPOOL V MANCHESTER CITY Anfield, August 25th, 0843 170 5555 Liverpool host the reigning champions Manchester City as new boss Brendan Rodgers looks to get a win in his first game at Anfield. www.liverpoolfc.tv

Fashion events FASHION EVENTS

HAYDOCK’S BEST DRESSED RACEGOER 2012 Liverpool ONE, August 10th Liverpool ONE in partnership with Haydock Park Racecourse will be sponsoring the Best Dressed Racegoer competition at their 2012 Ladies’ Evenings. Each event promises to be an evening of top-class racing and high class fashion. www.liverpool-one.com

VERY VINTAGE SUMMER FAYRE The Lantern Theatre, August 19th, 11am – 5pm, 0151 703 0000 Tatties Vintage bring Camden Vibes to Liverpool with the launch of a brand new outdoor market, expect live music, great food and stalls from Liverpool’s finest vintage and craft retailers. www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk We endeavor to make sure listings are correct and the best available across the region at the time of entry but Open Magazine holds no responsibility for incorrect listings or cancelled events. Please check event before attending, as listings may be liable to change.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

Q&A COLEEN ROONEY FROM WAG TO CLOTHES DESIGNING MUM, OPEN CAUGHT UP WITH COLEEN TO TALK FASHION.

Since becoming a mother, do you find it difficult to balance your beauty routine with your home life? I don’t have as much time on my hands these days, but I make sure I still have time for my basic beauty routine. I always take my make up off before bed, cleanse tone and moisturise and try and get a facial every 6 weeks. What type of role model do you hope to be for your children?

“ LIVERPOOL GIRLS MAKE THE MOST OF THEMSELVES AND HAVE A LOVE FOR FASHION! ”

I would hope that I can set a good example for my children. That they will know they can achieve anything if they work hard. That they will value family and happiness and know I will always be there to support them. Tell us about what you did to get back in shape after pregnancy? I never rushed into anything straight away because I was so busy looking after Kai. However my weight seemed to gradually come off so the main thing for me was to tone up, I really enjoyed boxing, spinning and Pilates. What is style to you? Being individual and not following a trend just because it’s in fashion. One of my favourite quotes...”Fashions fade, style is eternal” by Yves Saint Laurent.

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

How would you describe your own personal style?

What is your favourite summer trend?

Girly, experimental and colourful.

I’m loving shorts, teamed with a blazer!! Zara have done some lovely ones.

What was your inspiration for your outfit for Ladies Day at Aintree Racecourse? I always go Friday and Saturday each year but this year I done three days so that meant three outfits!!! Thursday... pink Rokdsnda Ilincic dress, I loved this one; it was elegant with vibrant colour. The flute sleeves made the dress a bit different. Friday... Ladies day is one of my favourite days at the races and I wanted something really girlie to wear. I went for a Philip Armstrong skater skirt dress. Saturday... I did have another dress in mind for this day however Kai was coming along so I went for an Alice Temperly floral Jumpsuit. It was more practical, however the six inch heels weren’t ha! Have you always loved shopping? Yes ever since I can remember!! I always wanted clothes or shoes for birthdays and Christmas instead of toys!!! What latest beauty product have you indulged in? What new products would you recommend to a friend? Guinot skin care range is my favourite, I use all their creams and love their hydrodermie facials. My latest beauty splurge was the new Alien perfume, nice and fresh for the summer.

Have you made any terrible fashion mistakes? Looking back to when I was younger there are quite a few! However the yellow moon boots always stand out to me, that wasn’t a good look!! Five items every girl needs in their wardrobe? Black blazer, good pair of jeans, nude peep toes , clutch bag, LBD... Little black dress Liverpool is known for being the home of glamorous women, have you got any tips or advice for young women to keep up this reputation? Liverpool girls make the most of themselves and have a love for fashion! The city centre on a Saturday afternoon and night is full of girls looking gorgeous and well groomed. I haven’t really got tips but I always say dress for yourself and body shape and don’t just follow a trend because it’s in fashion as they don’t always suit everyone. How can young girls in Liverpool look gorgeous on a budget? Any tips or advice? The high street is so good, always up to date on the new trends and good value for money, eg Primark. To look good you need a healthy life style, exercise and diet, which doesn’t cost much.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

AN INTERVIEW WITH LIVERPOOL FASHION DESIGNER FRANCESCA KEARNS There is no doubt that in recent years, Liverpool has redefined itself in terms of fashion. It has moved away from the associations with the sometimes tacky ‘WAG Style’ of the ‘noughties’, and is now producing a new breed of fashion talent in terms of independent designers and boutiques. Francesca Kearns is deep in the midst of this revamp, with her boutique Miss Francesca Couture going from strength to strength. Francesca describes her clothing range as ‘feminine, flirty, frivolous and fun’, which mainly consists of decadent dresses that means you could describe Miss Francesca Couture as the sartorial version of The Hummingbird Bakery, i.e. everything looks good enough to eat and the craftsmanship and attention to detail are exceptional. Open spoke to Francesca, to find out her ideas, inspirations, and her idea of a fashion faux-pas! What inspired you to start your own clothing line? I don’t really know when it happened; I think I always knew that this was what I wanted to do. I was always drawing clothes and dresses when I was little, and as soon as I could I started experimenting with a sewing machine. I have always loved fashion and clothes and I was always making clothes for my friends and me to wear, then more people became interested in what I was doing and it just grew. I always thought I would move to London and work for another designer first, but everything just fell into place and I loved what I was doing, so it seemed silly to stop - before I knew it I was opening my shop. You started out in an office in your Dad’s building yard; do you think that

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

coming from such humble beginnings has impacted your work? I definitely never expected things to take off like they did. The whole time I was working in my Dad’s yard, I thought it was just to bridge the gap between University and getting a ‘proper job’. Then when I realised how much people liked my clothes, and I began to have to turn people away as I couldn’t manage the work load myself; I thought I can make something of this. I’ve always been determined in that what I am doing at the moment is never enough, I’m always visualising what’s next. My determination and love for what I’m doing is what impacts my designs, if a design is popular then I think ‘How can I improve it?’ Have you ever had a moment where you’ve thought ‘I’ve made it’? No, not yet, it’s still too early I think. I’m so happy with the way things are going, but when something good comes along it makes me wonder what else could be in store. Obviously it fills me with so much pride to see my clothes in the papers and on the TV, as I’ve worked so hard for so long and it feels good for them to be recognised. Every piece I make is special to me and the response I’ve been getting about the clothes is great, I feel quite humbled by it. It’s funny though because I am quite critical of myself and always have doubts about little things like the choice of buttons, or should the hem have been sewn differently! Now that we’re getting so many people wanting to buy the designs after seeing them in the papers or online, I still can’t quite believe it. At the moment I feel like everything is going according to plan and is exactly how I want it to be. But I wouldn’t say made it, I hope there is a lot more in store for Miss Francesca Couture.

“ I DO THINK THAT LIVERPOOL IS AND ALWAYS WILL BE A STEP AHEAD IN TERMS OF STYLE. ”

Do you think your designs are reflective of Liverpool style? Yes I would say so. I’m a Liverpool girl myself and so I know what Liverpool girls like and it would be silly of me to try and change that. I love designing for my customers as I know that they love fashion and aren’t afraid to experiment. I would say that we design for a girl who is fashion forward, wants to be unique and stand out from the crowd. Girls who celebrate being girls in an outrageous, confident way, but are still beautiful, cute and pretty. I want my pieces to be a special thing for girls to wear. Recently Scouse style made the headlines after being deemed inappropriate for Liverpool Fashion Week by one of the organisers, what are your thoughts on this? I think that at a time when the ‘Scouse style’ is being celebrated it seems a shame that we can’t use this to our advantage in an event that should be recognising and promoting the style and fashion of our city. What’s your favourite fashion trend at the moment? Currently, I’m loving the peplum! At the

moment I’m thinking of new ways to present it, as my customers can’t seem to get enough! I love our ‘mini-tutu’ take on it, which is fab as everyone knows I love a tutu! Are there any trends that you wish didn’t exist? American apparel hoodies... Surely that’s got to be coming to an end now? Also, little girls wearing too-short shorts! I’m all for a pair of hot pants with a killer set of pins, but the amount of leg on show during the day in Liverpool One is getting ridiculous! Recently you dressed Amy Childs, and had Lauren Goodger in your Boutique, what was that like? Obviously they both come from TOWIE fame, do you think there are similarities between Scouse and Essex style? It is great when we see our clothes in the newspapers and the publicity we have had from it has been brilliant, so I’m grateful for that. Scouse girls and Essex girls have similar style, being that both are groomed to perfection, glamorous and always want to look their best. I do, however, think that Liverpool is and always will be a step ahead in terms of style. There is no denying that girls from

all over the UK are travelling to Liverpool to emulate our look, even though our style is sometimes slated. I think this is partly due to the media attention given to Alex Curran, Coleen Rooney and Abbey Crouch a few years back, but now I think it’s due to the growing number of independent boutiques and designers in Liverpool. Who is your dream person to dress? I love Pixie Lott’s style! She has that young, pretty, rock chick thing going on and I think she would look amazing in my clothes. I also think Cheryl Cole is amazing! Though, in fashion terms, Anna Dello Russo would be a dream come true! Finally, what’s next for Miss Francesca Couture? Well I am currently in the process of having my first collection manufactured for ASOS; hopefully from that we will sell to more boutiques across the UK. I love the idea of Miss Francesca Couture being available nationally! Then maybe Europe - who knows? I love my job so much I would be happy to just keep working in the shop, so everything else coming to me is a huge blessing.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

In about three months time, like it or not, autumn will be upon us. We can say bye to the lighter pastel colours of the summer for something a little darker. Hereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a selection of the autumn 2012 range from Selfridges. Photographer: Rob McGrory Fashion Editor: Christopher Gardner Stylist: Becka Corner

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

Male MCQ jacket £375 Maison Martin Margiela jumper £275 Dior Jean £325 Shoes Alexander mcqueen £395 Female See by Chloe jumper £165 See by Chloe jeans £230 Shoes Rachel Zoe £410 Selfridges

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

Male Maison Martin Margiela tshirt £175 Paul Smith trouser £195 Alexander mcqueen Shoes £395 Female McQ dress £425 Rachel Zoe Shoes £410 Selfridges

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

Male Acne jumper £140 Dsquared shirt £225 Balenciaga jeans £295 Alexander mcqueen Shoes £395 Female Acne jumper £165 Helmut lang skirt £150 Rachel Zoe Shoes £410 Selfridges

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

Male Dior shirt £350 Dior jeans £325 alexander mcqueen scarf £450 Alexander mcqueen Shoes £395 Female Helmut lang dress £315 Rachel Zoe Shoes £410 Selfridges

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

TEEN PARTY FLICK PROJECT X FELT LIKE A TRIP INTO ONE OF THE GREATEST PARTIES OF ALL TIME, IMMERSED IN AN EPIC SOUNDTRACK THAT INCLUDED NONE OTHER THAN LIVERPOOL’S VERY OWN RAPPER BANG ON!

How did it come about that your track Hands High appeared on the soundtrack to the movie Project X?

misidentification, shoplifting, breaking bail conditions... Am I cool yet? I don’t feel it.

I’m not sure, that track reached a lot of people though, someone must have just seen it and belled my publishing company. Thanks whoever you are.

What’s the best record ever made?

How did it feel being featured on a soundtrack alongside the likes of Kanye West, Nas, and Eminem to name a few?

Arctic Monkeys – 505. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever had? I never usually listen to advice but I am good at nodding politely.

shit they do, try it in a car showroom, or even the meat section for that matter though and you might be in for a nasty surprise! Do you have a recurring dream? No, I had a dream last night that Magnotta was showing me that Chinese fellas arse on Skype though (no homo undertono). What would you change about yourself if you could?

Well I was the only unknown on it so I thought I was there on musical merit, that was the best thing for me, I still haven’t seen the film but I’ll get it when the DVD drops.

Who’s your all time hero and why? Gok Wan because he’s making happiness possible for less desirable women in a really practical, hands-on way.

My massive penis it keeps getting in the way it’s so embarrassing, I’d just shave it down a couple of inches until it then becomes 9 inches when flaccid.

What are you obsessed with right now?

What’s your vice?

What’s next for Bang On?

North Korea I want to go on holiday.

Weed and booze, respectively (and respectfully).

How do you describe what you do to someone who doesn’t know you?

What were you doing at 2pm last Sunday afternoon?

I say: “I rap, but it’s not like that”.

Saying “in a bit” to me bird before she goes to work.

European tour in September, I’m calling it a tour because if I don’t no one else will. I’m not sure if I’m going to get back into the studio, the motivation’s just not there because it’s too tempting to retire on my millions in the tropics. As Mike Tyson famously said: “It’s hard to get up at 6am and go for a jog when you’re sleeping in satin sheets”. That’s not to say my sheets are satin but they are satin effect, the brand is actually called ‘Saturn Sheets’ looking at them now, possibly to hoodwink prospective buyers. It didn’t work on me because my reasoning behind buying them was because they were the cheapest.

Biggie or Tupac? Tupac. Have you ever been arrested? And if so what for? Yes I have for a string of offences including possession of cannabis, possession of a section 5 firearm, fraud by

What was your last treat for yourself? A whole watermelon, that’s a poor people treat, we ball out on things like fruit because no matter how hard you go in you’ll still get change from a ten or even a five and you can stand next to rich people and purchase exactly the same

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

THE LOCAL BAND WITH A CLASSIC SOUND AND A BIG FOLLOWING.

The Hummingbirds describe themselves as ‘five lads and a box’ providing what they describe as a modern-skiffle sound. They have created a solid following in in and around Liverpool and recently recruited Wayne Rooney as one of their biggest fans. They are one of the most promising young bands to emerge from the city in years. Open met up with The Hummingbirds at The Brewery Tap, just around the corner from their recording studio. There we meet Jay Davies (lead vocalist), Michael Kountis (guitar and technics), Matty Brougham (guitar), Rich Smith (vocals and cajon) and Ryan Lewis (bass). On a rare warm sunny day they sit outside on a table full of beers and speak candidly to Open about new material, future hopes and what makes a band successful. “Don’t say we started in a bedroom,” exclaims Davies as the interview starts. Naturally the first question asked is how did the band form? They respond instantly amongst a chorus of laughter, “well we were in a bedroom!” “Jay and Matty had already formed an acoustic thing”, explains Kountis as the rest of the band settle down. “Jay was speaking to me on Facebook one day and just talking about his band. He was asking me how it was going because we didn’t really speak much in school. I was like yeah I’d be up for doing some stuff and then we got Richard involved and we had another bass player, but he left, so we got Ryan.” “Yeah, yeah he was cooler than me,” jokingly chirps in Lewis. And where did the band name come from? They nod towards Davies. “Jay’s guitar.”

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

So who is the main musical influence on the band? “The Beatles. Yeah, definitely. There is nothing else that you can really influence it on.” replies Davies. “All the Merseybeat stuff as well,” adds Brougham. It is clear that this group of lads are proud of their Liverpool heritage and it shines through in their music. Their sound has been described as ‘new skiffle’, but what is it? “There is a beat there. But it’s more about melodies and vocals that people can hear for a change, like no one can hear any ones vocals anymore you know? So like, just appealing to that market of when you could hear vocals like The Searches and The Beatles and everything in Merseybeat – Gerry and The Pacemakers. Everyone could hear what they were singing about,” says Davies. “We pride ourselves on harmonies,” adds Kountis. According to the band the inspiration for many of the songs to date are based on girl woes. “It’s every bird that comes into our lives gets written down on a piece of paper and put into a song,” say Davies, reflecting on the ups and downs of relationships. “So unfortunately none of the songs are about me!” jokes Smith. Liverpool bands will always be cursed with comparisons to The Beatles and more recent successful exports of the Mersey sound such as The La’s and Cast. Add to that being the same age as The Arctic Monkeys when they first came on the scene, how do The Hummingbirds feel about being matched up to these bands? “Good,” says Davies, full of confidence. Smith goes further, “we’re

From left to right: Ryan Lewis, Matty Brougham, Jay Davies, Michael Kountis, Rich Smith

not writing for a market, we’re not writing for anyone out there. We’re writing because we think we like it, and we like the sound of it.” And what about Wayne Rooney? The Manchester United star has declared his love of The Hummingbirds via Twitter after being introduced to their music by wife Coleen who saw them perform live in Liverpool. He has even claimed to have played their music in the changing rooms to the Manchester United squad before matches.

“ SOMEBODY SAID WAYNE ROONEY’S TWEETED US HERE, AND WE WERE LIKE NAH IT WON’T BE THE REAL ONE AND IT WAS! ”

“Amazing,” says Brougham, the only Evertonian of the group. “When Wayne Rooney first tweeted us we were all in the recording studio doing the second EP together. We were like, somebody said Wayne Rooney’s tweeted us here, and we were like nah it won’t be the real one and it was!” says Smith. Davies adds: “Not only that, no one thought nothing would happen like, it was like that’s boss, but so what? And then next minute it was like fuck off!” The endorsement of such a high profile figure as Rooney, with around 3.8 million people following him on Twitter has helped raise the profile of the band and attract media attention their way. But it will be the quality of their music rather than the endorsement by Rooney that will impresses new listeners. The band begin to discuss music in the charts at the moment, it is clear they aren’t fans of much out there right now. “I don’t listen to anything that’s out there, like I listen to Buddy Holly I listen to The Beatles. And that’s it. I can’t be arsed.” scorns Davies from behind a pair of Ray Bans.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

The Hummingbirds are clearly tuned to the sounds of years gone by, an age well before your X-factors and Pop Idols. But what is it they dislike so much about the state of music today? “Dubstep, I can’t fuckin’ stand dubstep!” shouts Smith. “Stuff that’s took over the charts,” adds Davies. He continues, “the last song that hit you I think was Champagne Supernova and that’s seriously lad. I couldn’t name another tune that had an effect on your life apart from tunes like that. Like who makes songs now like that?”

“ IT’S EVERY BIRD THAT COMES INTO OUR LIVES GETS WRITTEN DOWN ON A PIECE OF PAPER AND PUT INTO A SONG, ”

You get the sense this band is keen to reestablish Liverpool on the musical map. When The Zutons are brought up in discussion Davies describes it as a “shame” that they have not gained the universal appreciation he thinks they deserve. Do good bands get overlooked because they are from Liverpool? “Yeah, definitely. If The Zutons had gone down to London and stayed there, they would have done it. Or if they went to America.” claims Davies. It is clear by now that the band have a lot of ambition and a burning urge to break out of Liverpool and take their music far and wide. I ask about the attention they have received from America so far. “We’ve just got to get over there,” says Davies. “I’m not predicting what Americans like, but they love The Beatles, they love Liverpool and I can’t see how the band couldn’t make it over there as long as we can get over there.” Despite an urge to branch out, the lads declare affection for their home roots. “The people who aren’t from Liverpool always say it’s a dead comfortable city to be in. You don’t realise how comfortable it is until you’re out of the city for a bit,” says Smith. But would he always like to live in Liverpool? “I don’t know,” he replies - Davies butts in, “listen to Richard, fuckin’ Ringo Starr here!” So what does this band with great potential consider success? The question sparks an argument; it feels as though we witness the band openly assess their own potential for the first time. “It’s tough though, look at bands like Scouting For Girls, like, I’d say they’ve made it,” muses Kountis. The comparison with this band clearly offends Davies. “No, I wouldn’t say they’ve made it even if they have had a number one,” fumes Davies. “I’m just saying if we were as big [as Scouting For Girls], not music wise, you know? Like, our videos are on the TV all the time” Kountis explains on the defensive. “If we were Scouting For Girls I’d be gutted,” snaps back Davies as the rest of the group laugh. The band continues to argue; it needs an intervention… we ask which band’s success would they like to emulate? “Kasabian. On that level,” says Smith to the agreement of all. Finally a ceasfire. With a string of appearances lined up over the summer, including a headline slot at the Mathew Street Festival, The Hummingbirds will be kept busy. These are a must see band, get to see them live – just don’t mention Scouting For Girls. The Hummingbirds new EP, Doesn’t Really Matter, is out now. You can get a copy from iTunes, Amazon or listen for free on Spotify.

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

LITTLE FACT: THE HUMMINGBIRDS SUPPORTED PETE DOHERTY AT A GIG IN BLACKBURN BUT GOT INTO A BIT OF TROUBLE WITH SECURITY AT THE EVENT – BECAUSE THEY STOLE PETE’S UNION JACK FLAG. THE HUMMINGBIRDS LIKE: THE BEATLES, MAYOR OF LIVERPOOL JOE ANDERSON. THE HUMMINGBIRDS DISLIKE: SKRILLEX, SCOUTING FOR GIRLS.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

New York based mixed media artist, Henry Hargreaves, commemorated The Beatles by dedicating a work of art to them – he has created enormous portraits of John, Paul, Ringo and George using various levels of tone and shade achieved by toasting slices of bread to varying degrees. The work is part of an on-going series called “Toasted”. Images courtesy of Henry Hargreaves henryhargreaves.com

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

Li tt le Exp l o rcearres Chi ld

Based in the heart of the Knowledge Quarter of Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s busy city centre. Little Explorers offers quality childcare at an affordable price. Qualified and friendly staff, outdoor play areas, healthy eating menu, French classes, multicultural ethos and open door policy. Full day, morning or afternoon sessions, breakfast club - local schools, after school club - local schools, holiday club and Emergency childcare - 30 minutes notice (depending upon availabilit y). * Special Offer: Show your Open Card and we will skip your ÂŁ60 non-refun dable deposit. *

To find out more,

call: 0151 708 7868 today! www.littleexplorers.org.uk

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

Salisbury ABC boxer looks set to add an Olympic medal, to the Commonwealth Gold he won in Delhi two years ago as a Lightweight. The 26-year old was voted Amateur Boxer of the Year in 2010 by the Boxing Writers club, and his rise has continued from there with European as well as Commonwealth medals, despite switching from Lightweight to Light Welterweight in 2011. Stalker has frequently described how boxing saved him from a life as a tearaway, and possibly even prison and victory over Alexander Solyanikov in 2011 sealed his qualification for the Olympics. A victory which has given him the chance to challenge for Olympic glory and complete a fantastic turnaround story in the process.

WITH THE MEMORY AND DISAPPOINTMENTS OF EURO 2012 BEGINNING TO FADE INTO THE MEMORY, THE NATION BEGINS TO SEARCH HUNGRILY FOR A NEW SOURCE OF SPORTING SUSTENANCE, AND THE SCRATCH FOR THAT PARTICULAR ITCH COMES ON FRIDAY JULY 27TH, WITH THE START OF THE LONDON 2012 OLYMPIC GAMES. FOR THE FIRST TIME SINCE 1948, THE UK WELCOMES THE WORLD’S FINEST ATHLETES TO THE NATION’S CAPITAL FOR ONE OF THE TRULY GREATEST EVENTS IN THE GLOBAL SPORTING CALENDAR. WITH MUCH OF THE EXCITEMENT FOCUSED ON LONDON, OPEN MAGAZINE LOOKS TO ASSESS THE LOCAL ATHLETES LOOKING TO MAKE THEIR MARK AT THE GAMES WITH TEAM GB THIS SUMMER.

Liverpool’s Natasha Jonas is well known to followers of the UK boxing scene, but after a fantastic three years she looks set to explode on to a global scene. The likeable fighter from Toxteth is looking to add to her medal collection after achieving significant success at UK and European level- despite turning to boxing just seven years ago. However despite all of this, arguably the most interesting accolade Jonas has received is the fact that she was the first British female boxer to qualify for the Games- in the very first Olympic Games to include female boxing as an event.

Written by Feargal Brennan

Whiston-born Martin joins some highprofile names in British female cycling including Nicole Cooke and Emma Pooley in Team GB’s Road Race team, but she has plenty of reason to confident in chances of performing alongside more established names. Currently based in Spain, Martin looks to set to build on her expanding reputation as one of Britain’s most exciting up-and-coming cyclists.

Clancy is probably the most high-profile local Olympic competitor in this year’s Games, originally from Barnsley- the 27 year old currently lives and trains in Newton-le-Willows. The Team Pursuit specialist was part of the incredible British Gold Medal winning team in the Olympic Games in 2008 and is currently a European Champion in the Team Pursuit event.

22-year old Francesca is one of the brightest hopes in the Team GB female swimming team. The Southport star enters the Olympics on the back of an impressive year, and is currently ranked as the fastest female swimmer in the world over 100m and she will have high hopes of a podium place, particularly after collecting an impressive haul of five Commonwealth medals in Delhi two years ago.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

This summer marks ten years since a young kid from the streets of Croxteth broke into the Everton first team to take the world of football by storm. Wazza spoke exclusively to Open about his highlights of a decade of football at the very top.

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

It was August 17 2002 and Wayne Rooney got his first taste of Premiership football in a 2-2 draw against Spurs. Evertonians had long been aware of the rising star during his rapid progression through the Everton youth system. Crowds were flocking to youth games just to see the 16 year-old Rooney play, culminating in a goal against Aston Villa in the youth cup final which he celebrated by revealing a message underneath his jersey ‘once a blue, always a blue.’ Five days before his 17th birthday, and Rooney announced his arrival to the world in unforgettable fashion. One of the strongest Premiership sides of all time, the 2001/02 Arsenal side including Seaman, Campbell, Cole, Vieira and Henry; were on a record 30 match unbeaten run until Rooney came off the Goodison Park bench, and with a minute to go unleashed a 30 yard dipping strike that crashed the underside of the bar beating Seaman and ending Arsenal’s record run. Rooney became the youngest ever England international in February 2003 and then the youngest-ever player to score for the three lions with a goal against Macedonia at the age of 17 years and 317 days. Following an explosive impact at Euro 2004 and with Everton struggling financially, a £25m move to Manchester United followed. Since his switch to United, Rooney has made 366 appearances scoring a total of 182 goals and collecting four Premier League winners medals, two league cups, and a Champions League medal in the process. The 2011/2012 season was Rooney’s most prolific season so far, scoring 35 goals in 44 appearances. Open caught up with Wayne to discuss fatherhood, music tastes, and look at some of the highlights of 10 years playing Premiership football.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

It’s now 10 years since you made your professional debut for Everton. What was your favourite memory from your time at Everton? My favourite memory from Everton has to be my goal against Arsenal. If you hadn’t become a football player, what might you have become? I honestly don’t know. I have been playing football since I can remember and it is all that I ever wanted to do. What has been the highlight of your career so far? It has to be winning my first Premier League. It is something I have dreamed of since I was a kid and it was a great feeling. What is your favourite goal you have scored and why? My favourite goal is my overhead kick against Manchester City in the Manchester derby. It is one of them goals you dream about as a kid and to do it in a game as big as that was unbelievable. Who is the best player you have played with and why? Cristiano Ronaldo and Paul Scholes. Ronaldo’s skill is unbelievable and Paul Scholes has the ability to control a whole game, his passing is the best I’ve seen. You recently tweeted that Lionel Messi is the ‘best ever’. What is it that makes him the best ever for you? He has everything in his locker and his goal scoring record speaks for itself. One of the things I like most about Lionel Messi is the fact he’s a great team player. He gets many assists and also tracks back and helps his teammates, he has great determination. When he gets fouled he gets straight back up, this is another thing I like about him. Who do you rate as the best up and coming prospect in English football, and why? There are lots of exciting young talents at the moment in English football. One player that I get to see play every day in training is Danny Welbeck. He is already a great player and keeps improving every day. I’m sure he will go on to do brilliant for both England and Manchester United.

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

“ IT IS ONE OF THEM GOALS YOU DREAM ABOUT AS A KID AND TO DO IT IN A GAME AS BIG AS THAT WAS UNBELIEVABLE “

IF YOU COULD PICK YOUR DREAM FIVE-A-SIDE TEAM, INCLUDING YOURSELF, FROM PLAYERS PAST AND PRESENT, WHO WOULD YOU PICK? “ VAN DE SAR, MARADONA, MESSI, RONALDO, ROONEY ”

Tell us about your personal match preparation. Do you have any pre-match rituals? I don’t have any pre-match rituals and I’m not superstitious. I usually just listen to some music and get myself psyched up for the game. If you could choose your perfect music festival line up, what would your top 5 acts be? Stereophonics, Beatles, AC/DC, Prince, Oasis What is your favourite place in the world? One of my favourite places to go on holiday is Barbados, it is very laid back and all the people are really nice. Name five of your essential items that you would be lost without. I-Pad, Mobile, Wash bag, Car, I-Pod Who is the person that has most influenced you, and why? I would have to say my youth team coach at Everton Colin Harvey. He was a great coach and he gave me great advice that I feel has had a positive impact on my football. What has been the biggest inspiration in your life? Having my son has definitely been the biggest inspiration. I always want to do well and succeed but Kai gives me that extra drive. What has it been like adjusting to fatherhood and how has it changed you? Having Kai has been the best thing that has happened to me. It is a lot of hard work and there are a lot of sacrifices you have to make but they are all worth it!

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

Written by Kieran Owens

KIERAN OWENS IS A PERSONAL TRAINER FROM LIVERPOOL WHO RUNS A SERIES OF SUCCESSFUL BOOT CAMP HOLIDAYS ON THE GOLDEN BEACHES OF SPAIN. FOCUSING ON THE NUTRITIONAL ASPECTS OF HEALTHY WEIGHT LOSS AND THE CORRECT STYLE OF TRAINING, KIERAN’S SPANISH BOOT CAMPS ARE SO POPULAR THEY ARE FULLY BOOKED UNTIL OCTOBER BUT YOU CAN GET HIS TRAINING TIPS HERE WITH OPEN.

Ok, so I haven’t all of a sudden decided to become a music critic, the bands I’m referring to you would struggle to find at any summer festival or arena show. No the ones I’m talking about will eliminate any excuses you might have for piling on the summer pounds or not having time to get to the gym. It takes as little as ten days to lose your body composition and fitness, compare that to the months it takes to get in shape and it doesn’t really make sense to go back to square one after a fortnight of indulgence in the sun. Adjustable, durable and lightweight

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

these little bad boys can even fit in your hand luggage. See NO EXCUSES! There’s nothing new about exercise bands and I bet that a few readers have even bought one in the past, and have since left it lying dormant in a cupboard somewhere after doing a few bicep curls and not having clue what else to use it for. That’s why I’m going to show you the moves to make this simple bit of kit your own portable gym that will hit every muscle group in your body and have you torching fat and building lean muscle tissue no matter where your summer takes you.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

AT A BRITISH FESTIVAL IT IS GOING TO RAIN, YOU ARE GOING TO GET WET AND YOU ARE GOING TO NEED WELLIES. BUT YOU CAN BATTLE THROUGH THE MUD AND STILL LOOK GOOD WITH OPEN’S FESTIVAL BEAUTY ESSENTIALS. By: Ashley Waugh

The festival season is well underway and whether you’re going to Reading or Leeds, V Festival, or Creamfields - the last thing you will want to be worrying about is makeup. Beauty at festivals needs to be quick, easy and effortless. Who wants to be fussing around with makeup brushes and bad lighting in tents?

Face wipes: Top of the list and not to be forgotten. These babies are quick to use and remove all traces of the day before. Simple kind to skin cleansing wipes are great for all skin types and leave your skin feeling lovely and fresh. Dry Shampoo: Just because you’re living in a tent for a few days doesn’t mean you have to let your hair suffer. A quick spritz of dry shampoo will keep the oils at bay and keep you looking fabulous until your home. Superdrug have travel size Bastise Dry Shampoo which is a perfect space saver. Tinted Moisturiser: A tinted moisturiser with SPF in is definitely recommended as applying sun cream may not be high up on your to do list at a festival, so this is a perfect way to stay protected. A tinted moisturiser will keep your skin hydrated as well as beautiful. I recommend Laura Mercier, their tinted moisturisers are gorgeous and they have different formulations for oily and dry skin. Concealer: After late nights and days of fast food your skin may need a little bit of extra help and more coverage than a tinted moisturiser gives. Hide it all away with a good concealer. Apply on your under eyes and on any problem areas and blend with your finger. A really good all round concealer is Collection 2000 lasting perfection and it is an amazing price at just over £4. Lip and cheek stain: Instead of opting to spend time on heavy eye makeup try a glamorous and effortless lip and cheek stain. This multipurpose product is bang on trend and lip stains have been spotted everywhere. Whether its coral, red or pink you prefer this will transform your look in seconds. Dab a few dots on each cheek and on your lips then gently blend in with your ring finger. There are a few great ones out there but a beauty favourite is Benefit Benitint. Waterproof Mascara, Tinted Lashes or Weekend Lashes: If you are well prepared I would suggest having weekend lashes applied or even tinting your eyelashes before you leave and just taking some eyelash curlers with you to open up your eyes. Waterproof mascara is a must! Save yourself from having the beauty disaster of smudged mascara.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

MAGAZINE

MORE THAN JUST A MAGAZINE THE COMPLETE GUIDE FOR THE CITY

Style and substance Big name interviews Diversity in content Published quarterly

WEBSITE All the latest events Fresh content daily Sign up for your Open Card

SOCIAL NETWORK Kept up to date with latest Open offers All latest articles published online

MOBILE View a complete Open offers directory Use your mobile to get discounts and offers

CARD Get your free Open Card Open the way to massive saving across the city

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

JAMES BARTON FOUNDER OF CREAM ON 20 YEARS OF THE GLOBAL DANCE MUSIC BRAND. The Cream name and legend precedes the man who started it all. Make no doubt about it, in terms of a Liverpool export making a cultural impact in the world of music, only The Beatles can better James Barton and the Cream brand. He may not be a household name but thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the way he wants it. And just as The Beatles left to take over America, so to is James. Shortly after James sat down to talk to Open, Live Nation purchased the Cream brand and made Barton president of their Electronic Music division with a focus on developing the genre in North America. From working on markets around Liverpool as a teenager to a new desk job in Beverly Hills, Barton has come a long way since launching the once-a-week club night in 1992. For Barton it has always been a simple philosophy. Get the best acts that the crowd want to see. Build it and they will come. If dance music was a religion then Cream is the church, the clubbers are the congregation, the DJs are the priests, Barton is the man behind it all - the architect of modern dance music.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

MADE IN LIVERPOOL

How difficult was it to get so many of the world’s biggest DJs together for Creamfields 2012? Well, it’s took 20 years of building our reputation, building the Creamfields brand to the point where now, in terms of dance music Creamfields is the one show that goes on nearly everyone’s calendar itinerary for the year immediately, so we’re in a very fortunate position. I think also, the combination really, the relationships, the guys that we work with whether it’s David Guetta - or Skrillex at the moment - these relationships are forged and come from a place. They know how passionate we feel about the music, what our background is, the fact that I used to be a DJ, all means that we speak the same language as them. And they respect that and we respect them as artists. We spend a lot of time sort of managing the two big key relationships. The first one: the audience, the second one: the talent. They’re both equally important - both as crucial to the success of the festival and they both go hand in hand. The audience wants to be there in front of the biggest artists and the artists want to be there in front of amazing crowds. So you know, actually it isn’t easy to do but it’s a simple formula; get a great line up, you get a great audience. Deliver a great audience, you keep getting great line ups. I think that’s why Creamfields has stood the test of time. Because we are predominately a Liverpool festival and the atmosphere and vibe that Scousers create is probably on par with Glasgow. You speak to any act in the world, the two places they talk about where they get a great reaction is Liverpool and Glasgow. So that’s what we work really hard on and we deliver all the time… and then obviously we pay large fees! So it’s a combination of all those things. Was there a particular act that was hard to get on board? Well Avicii was tough, toughish, because he wanted a specific thing and he wanted a specific amount of money and he’s never really been to the UK. And when you have given someone a headline slot, you need to be certain that they can deliver the tickets and also that they can deliver the performance. And so we had a good gut feeling about Avicii a long time ago - even though he’s never really been here. We felt strong enough in as much of that what we’ve seen of him and the music we’d heard of him that he could hold it together. That was a long

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

“ SO YOU KNOW, ACTUALLY IT ISN’T EASY TO DO BUT IT’S A SIMPLE FORMULA; GET A GREAT LINE UP, YOU GET A GREAT AUDIENCE. DELIVER A GREAT AUDIENCE, YOU KEEP GETTING GREAT LINE UPS. I THINK THAT’S WHY CREAMFIELDS HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME. ” protracted conversation but eventually we were able to deliver what he wanted and he’s delivered what we wanted. Deadmau5 wasn’t planning to tour in August at all and then in October last year me and my brother, we flew to New York to see his show and we were in the dressing room and after a couple of beers we were like you’ve gotta… we’ll do whatever you need to do, to get you off the beach - cause he was going on holiday - to come and headline Creamfields. And he was like alright cool, let’s try and make it happen and we found a way to make it happen. So that’s a really good feeling when you can get people to do that, it’s really good and you know it will be amazing. The line up is amazing, and obviously they all want to be involved with Creamfields. I think there is a special vibe there because we come from the same place. It was amazing seeing sort of the lifespan of dance music, because I was In Manchester, I had Richie Hawtin playing a show and Skrillex was in town - I know Skrillex really well, I do his tours here.

So we organised a dinner for Richie Hawtin and Skrillex and it was just amazing to see Skrillex, who is the hottest new thing, sitting down with Richie who is a godfather of techno and just seeing the two of them vibing off each other. I don’t know how old Richie is but I know Sonny was only 22 at the time so to see those two guys from two different eras and generations of dance music was great to sit and watch them two chat away.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

MADE IN LIVERPOOL

Any changes to the festival layout this year? No big changes to the festival layout except there is a couple of new arena hosts. The problem with festivals is they’re like a sponge. You could go and spend another million pound on a festival and you’d be like, ‘ok well where did that money go?’ When you get to the point where the festival just keeps selling out you just want to keep improving it. I think if you remember last year the weather was so bad, what got us through that weekend was the spirit of the audience, but I think that spirit of the audience was driven by the quality of the entertainment. Not one act missed their slot, not one act was delayed, not one thing went wrong. So even though you were up to your ankles in mud and even though you were probably getting rained on all weekend you were standing there watching the Swedes and they were killing it; or you were watching Guetta and he was killing it, or Tiesto or whatever music you like. Does it feel like 20 years since the doors first opened at Cream?

With the Cream brand now a global success, can you tell us what the ethos behind Cream is today? The ethos really always has been to book the best people in the business and put them on good stages with good sound systems. Even when we opened Cream in 1992 for the people that came in the first thing that probably hit them was the sound systems because we never used the sound systems in the venue. It’s a really simple philosophy, which has stood the test of time. Last year when somebody said to me you need to check out this kid Skrillex, SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

David Guetta, you know one of the nicest guys in this business, pisses me off that people give him a hard time, but I remember getting a phone call from his agent who said, I’ve got a new client can you put him on Creamfields? And I probably moaned a little bit, and I said who is it? He said ‘some French guy’. He said look I only need 500 quid. I was like, all right cool put him on. And that was David Guetta. And that was eight or nine years ago. The Cream logo is one of the most iconic logos in the world of music. How did that design come about?

“ HE SAID LOOK I ONLY NEED 500 QUID. I WAS LIKE, ALL RIGHT COOL PUT HIM ON. AND THAT WAS DAVID GUETTA. “

With Cream it’s yes it does, because obviously there’s been thousands and thousands of Cream nights whereas with the festival I find it difficult to get my head around. It’s probably 15 years this year - that’s only 14 festivals. So yeah, the first 10 years were probably a blur and the last 10 years have flown by so it is weird. I think its odd when I hear particular records which have stood the test of time and you’re like ‘fuck that came out in 1994’ and it only feels like a few years ago! So it’s a weird feeling.

I literally went onto a Youtube clip, saw a photograph of him, called my brother up and said look at him and my brother was like really? I was going ‘he will be massive with that sound and that look he will be massive!’ He was playing in Australia and I went all the way to Australia, met him, and started to build a relationship with him. Came back, got his agent together and said right I want to do his UK tours - and now we do his UK tours. So it’s that ability to spot who’s going to be big and who’s not going to be big.

That logo was designed by a guy called Mark Farrow who weirdly I saw in Coachella, I hadn’t saw him for about six years. He is an amazing graphic designer, I met him in probably ‘89 when I was managing a band called K-Klass and at the time he was doing all of the graphic and artwork for a record label called Deconstruction Records who I went to work for five years. We only decided to get the logo designed because me and my ex partner at the time, we were big fans of The Face and our marketing budget could stretch to an advert in The Face but we didn’t want to stick any old piece of shit in there. So we said right, let’s get it designed properly by somebody really good. So that’s what drove it and then Mark asked us what we liked and what we didn’t like and we briefed him and said we wanted something quite modern looking quite sharp and that was probably one of about 20 variations he sent us. And that’s when it was fax machines so we were sitting in the office up here in Liverpool and he was sending them all out and we were on the phone and we literally had to pick one there and then because the advert was due. So we picked that and the rest is history as they say. He’s done Levis, Harvey Nichols, lots of artists - Kylie, Pet Shop Boys, he does a lot of good stuff and for years I know for a fact that before it was electronic and you

had a book you opened it up and he had it framed beautifully just in black and white, just the logo on the first page of his book. Yeah Mark Farrow did it and we love him for it. It was one of the best decisions we ever made. Everybody remembers the Cream jackets with the logo plastered over the back of them. Yeah, the MA-2 jackets. I’ve still got one somewhere dusting. It was weird when it was really big, when Kylie was coming up here, and her sister Danni was coming up here they had jackets and she got photographed in New York wearing the Cream jacket and stuff so… wow, that feels like a long time ago. What do you think about the current dance music scene compared to the 90s? I actually quite like it. It’s really exciting at the moment, there’s a whole new raft of DJs and live acts. Definitely feels a bit more diverse than what it was in the 90s. I am progressive, I’m not nostalgic at all I don’t collect stuff I don’t hoard shit. I am always on to the next thing. I mean, that might be why we’re here after 20 years and nobody else who was around when we were, apart from the Ministry, are still around - because you have to move forward. All this big stupid shit about the good old days and the underground, I mean it was great but leave it and move on! Obviously right now the buzz and the excitement around dance music in America is great and its catching fire again all over the world so for us it’s a really, really exciting time. You have now organized massive clubbing events all over the world but what has been your most memorable event and why? Oh god. A lot. If I had to narrow it down I think it would be the first Creamfields we did in Speke because of the circumstances behind it. We did our first show in Winchester in 1998, Liverpool City Council were saying ‘why are you doing this big festival in another part of the country, bring it here.’ If it didn’t work and it wasn’t a success it would have had quite severe implications - but actually we pulled it off, the weather was great and everything went well. We must have been mad to do a show in the middle of Liverpool! It was madness. It was brilliant, and I mean the first one I was so exhausted, I’d worked myself up into such a state that at 4 o’clock in the morning the guy who was running it with me said look you need to go home. I was like a complete wreck and I went to the Moat House hotel, slept ‘til about 12 and was woken up by someone banging on my door. It was the bell man from downstairs and he said ‘you need to pick up the

phone, somebody’s on the phone for you it’s urgent.’ So I picks up the phone and the health and safety officer at the festival said we’ve got a problem, this guy has climbed up onto the roof of one of the hangars at Speke. He’s been up there since this morning, the police are here they’ve got the negotiators and everything and he won’t come down. He’s threatening to throw himself off. And I think because of the mixture of the stress and being so really tired I finished the call and said ‘ok well only call me back if he jumps!’ Apparently they got a message up to him from his mother who called him an absolute gobshite and told him to come down and he came down straight away. They’re the stories people don’t even know about that festival, the mad shit that went on. People would do anything to try and get in, digging holes and home made ladders everything so funny, only scousers would come up with the best ones. It had a crazy atmosphere at Speke; once it went dark it went nuts. Who is the person who has most influenced you and why? Oh wow. When I was managing K-Klass there was , what was the best dance label at the time a company called Deconstruction Records. K-Klass had just written Rhythm is a Mystery and we were looking for a label for it and every label in the country was competing for it. But the guys in the band were like, we just want to sign for Deconstruction - and Deconstruction knew that. All these other labels were offering all kinds of money and Decon were like, well were Deconstruction we don’t play that game. Eventually they gave us a fair deal and it was really good. But I’d struck up a really good relationship with one of the guys there called Keith Blackhurst who was a scouser from Halewood. I always said I’d never move to London and then he offered me a job and within two minutes I said yeah great I’ll do it. Everyone was like I thought you said you’d never go to London, and I was like yeah but this is fucking Deconstruction Records I’ve gotta go! It was also around the time when Cream was just about to blow so the idea of me working in the best record company in London and also being involved with Cream was just great for them and great for me and that’s where the Kylie Minogue relationship and everything come from. And as much as a lot of what Keith said and did was wrong; actually there is a lot that has stuck with me and I actually probably learnt more from him than anybody else.

dragged their arses through school, off the council estate into something really really good. I love that story that’s similar to my story. I like guys who have got that back story and who have got that grit and you know Keith was one of those guys. Do you still have a hands on role in selecting and booking the acts for Creamfields? Absolutely. I sound like Ferguson now but this is the best team I’ve ever had. I love working with them and they like working with me and I think part of the reason they like working with me is cause they can see me booking guys for £500 or £500,000. They hear me screaming down the phone, they hear me laughing down the phone. They see how I operate and I think right now the team spirit that we’ve got here really works. Me and my brother book everything and I don’t mean just here I mean all around the world, all of our shows around the world whether its Argentina or Brazil or Australia. We don’t book it all, we book most of it between us. We must do a thousand bookings a year, 500 - 600 between us.

“ IT HAD A CRAZY ATMOSPHERE AT SPEKE; ONCE IT WENT DARK IT WENT NUTS. ”

I think I’m always drawn to the self made working class guys who have sort of

From this years line up, who was the last act you spoke to and what was it about? I talked to David Guetta a few weeks ago in Coachella but in terms of pulling out a deal it was the Chemical Brothers that was the last booking. We announced The Chemical Brothers a few weeks ago and I think this is an example of the psyche of how this relationship works. I was in America, we asked about The Chemical Brothers coming back to DJ and they initially said they couldn’t fit it into their schedule; they weren’t planning to do anything. Four weeks after we had announced the line up, Four weeks after we had been on sale - their agent called me and said they want to do it. Now, I know those two

guys, they’re friends. I’ve known them a long time and used to hang out a lot with them when I lived in London. And even though we could have sat there and said ‘well actually we’re on sale, the line up’s full and we probably sold a lot of tickets anyway’, we said yes. And I think that does two things. That makes sure that we have that relationship with Tom and Ed, they can phone up and say we want to do it this year and we’ll find a slot, we’ll find a budget and make it happen. What that also does is we deliver that to the audience, the audience goes ‘wow’. The line-up was already very strong and look at that. Also that particular booking, or bookings like that, they’re an investment for the future more than an investment for this year. So it’s that goodwill with both the talent and the audience, which washes over in future years. And I don’t want Tom and Ed playing for anybody else, so taking them on to the festival at such a late stage was a really good piece of business for us. I think the fortunate position we’re in now, and maybe we didn’t have it at Speke, was we were always on a one year deal whereas Daresbury allows us to think longer in two, three year planning stages so you’re able to make different judgments and your able to make bigger investments. We could never get that with Speke it was all about that year and it was like we were on this treadmill every year. We’ve put some infrastructure in, we’ve just put a load of drainage in this year because of the weather we had last year, so we can make changes and invest tens of thousands or a hundred thousand pounds in the actual operation of the show which we could never do at Speke and I think that’s paying off now - that’s paying dividends now for Creamfields in a big way.

Open is giving away a pair of two-day camping tickets to one lucky reader, to find out how to enter the competition turn to page 70.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

Est. 1990 Designer Childrenswear for our little stars of the future! Come and see our unique store “Melanie Louise” where we cater for the most demanding of children without costing the parents designer prices. Whether your child has a special occasion coming up or they just like looking smart all of the time, at Melanie Louise, we stock children’s designer wear that will mean your little one will not only keep up with the Joneses, but they will

Stocking...

...plus many more Store Address:

6 Bridgeway, Norris Green, Liverpool, L11 8NZ Telephone: 0151 256 0733 Also at Kid Company Huyton Village 0151 482 1355 and Kid Company County Road, 0151 286 8461 50

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

JUICE FM’S IAN LONGO LOOKS FORWARD TO A SUMMER OF PARTIES FROM LIVERPOOL TO IBIZA t’s been a crazy summer so far. I’ve been lucky enough to head to Marbella with nights spent playing the outside terrace at Tibu and the days (over) indulging at Ocean Club’s famous champagne parties. There’s been a trip to Vegas where I lost big on roulette. However, the downer of gambling away my hard earned cash was short lived when it came to sampling some amazing Vegas clubs - especially 1oak at The Mirage. Unbelievable place! Then the regular trips to what feels like my second home – Ibiza have come in thick and fast. Whilst all the jet setting is certainly a highlight, there’s no place like home and Liverpool knows how to party, come rain or shine (let’s face it there’s been plenty of rain!) BaaBaa every Friday and Modo every Saturday never fails to disappoint. I’m there every week, make sure you check both out and see what all the fuss is about. Of course, the Summer isn’t quite over yet and like the rest of Merseyside I’m gearing up for Creamfields. This year I’ll be sampling the other side of Creamfields and be on the stage rather than looking at it thanks to my upcoming DJing debut. I’ll be joining my fellow Juice FM brothers Denny Dowd and Dave Whelan on the brand new Nation

Stage and I cannot damn well wait. August bank holiday weekend can’t come soon enough. Before Creamfields arrives, there’s the Boat Parties. Now, I’ve got some good news and bad news about these. Bad news first - the Liverpool boat parties have been knocked on the head by the boat company and kiboshed with immediate effect. (I know, I know. Nothing we can do about it sadly). So the GOOD news is that the ‘Longo & Willow’ boat parties will reign supreme and will carry on full steam ahead anyway. It’s just, well, they’ll be a few short air miles away on the White Isle. Yes, that’s right, check us out if you’re heading to Ibiza. The ‘Longo & Willow’ boat parties will set sail every Thursday throughout Summer with an afterparty at Sankeys Ibiza. Demand has been ridiculous so make sure you plan ahead if you’re joining us on our impressive vessel. You can purchase tickets for the Ibiza boat parties in advance from 3B records. Whatever you’re up to this Summer, have a great time and I hope to see you at BaaBaa, Modo, Creamfields, on the boat in Ibiza or listening to my show on 107.6 Juice FM every Friday and Saturday evening.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

St. Julie s Sixth Form Make the right choice Working in partnership with Marie Curie Hospice, Friends Day Nursery, Much Woolton Old School Day Nursery and other businesses we are offering an exciting new Vocational Pathway from September 2012 with courses in Health & Social Care, Business and Hospitality. This programme runs alongside our popular and successful range of A and AS Level courses which enable students to develop knowledge and skills in preparation for higher education, employment or training. Whichever pathway you re interested in, we ve got the right choice for you. Make the right choice...choose St. Julie s Catholic Sixth Form. visit www.stjulies.org.uk/sixthform for more details

St. Julie s Catholic High School, Speke Road, Woolton, Liverpool L25 7TN t. 0151 428 6421 email info@stjulies.org.uk

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

ION THE NEW ADDEITNE PROVING R SC TO THE CITY BLAHIT WITH ANYBODY TO BE A REA – BUT IT’S ALL A BIT THAT VISITS SH, HUSH’ ‘HU Tentatively called ’81Ltd’, all we can say about the location of this year’s coolest addition to the Liverpool bar scene is you will find it above the best place to enjoy a stein and brine. Structured around the theme of a modern day speakeasy, tucked away in the centre of Liverpool 81Ltd is invite only. To get an invite you need to be in the know or you can visit 81Ltd.com.

the code we were sent on the pad at the side of the door, it opened and we were in, and very impressed! A short walk down the mirrored corridor entrance, sort of messes with your senses, and then another prison style metal door behind which stands a warm and welcoming hostess who checks your name against the guest list. Inside is a lengthy curved bar, with a huge choice of cocktails and selection of beers all listed conveniently in a funky menu. Half a dozen booths sit adjacent to the bar together with a secluded spot in the corner hidden behind metal bars. With everybody knowing they have been invited, there is a real feel good vibe about the place. The secretive, exclusive feel of 81Ltd is a unique experience on the current bar scene and definitely one to sample for yourself. Keep your eyes and ears open for it, just speak easy about it when you find it.

Your invitation is sent to you by text message or email in the form of a code number. Without a code you’re not getting in – and not because a big bad bouncer won’t let you in without the code, but because 81Ltd is discretely hidden behind a big electronically locked door. When Open visited, we stood outside this forbidding door, not sure that we were in the right place. It didn’t seem like any bar could be located there. But upon entering

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

Liverpoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Number One Fringe Venue Theatre, Comedy, Music, Corporate Events, Bespoke Workshops, Private Parties, Fully Licenced 2am Bar For bookings and enquires visit www.thelanterntheatre.co.uk or call 0151 703 0000 Lantern Liverpool New_Lantern

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

REVIEW

INTIMATE VENUE, FRIENDLY STAFF AND GREAT FOOD SATISFY ALL THE TASTES AT NEWLY OPEN ASIAN RESTAURANT NESTLED IN WEST DERBY VILLAGE. Phi is the Golden ratio for a thing of beauty; a mantra that North Liverpool’s newest addition to the Asian restaurant scene seems to have taken to heart. Tucked away in West Derby Village, Phi Bar & Grill offers a menu of carefully crafted Thai dishes at fair prices, accompanied by warm, welcoming staff. We arrive at the 8-week old restaurant, greeted by an attentive waitress who ushers us into the compact dining room. The decor is captivating; a sprawling mural on one wall and a series of Asian skylines and landscapes on the other, all painted by two exceptional graffiti artists. I’m hoping this attention to detail carries through to the kitchen. Our drinks arrive, and devouring the menu, I’m immediately drawn to the king prawns salt and pepper starter. I’m always overly critical of anything deep fried in Asian restaurants, for me batter has to be thin and perfectly crisp, without masking the flavour of whatever morsel I’m eating, but I take a chance. Our starters arrive as I’m chatting away to Bob, the owner, who has popped by to introduce himself. He’s a real character, full of stories and anecdotes and an obvious passion for his menu. I engage in conversation rudely through mouthfuls of prawn. I can’t help myself; they are a delight, succulent and perfectly seasoned with a hint of chilli. Top marks! Bob offers some recommendations for the main course and we surrender our taste buds to his choices, all the while marvelling at how busy the restaurant is for a Wednesday evening.

“ PHI IS A PERFECT VENUE TO SHARE AN INTIMATE MEAL OR LONG OVERDUE CATCH UP… OH, AND DID I MENTION THE FOOD?! ”

Having never frequented West Derby Village for dinner, I was pleasantly surprised with Phi’s contemporary atmosphere, almost expecting it to be a little drab. We could’ve been dining at a stylish city centre eatery, except I didn’t need to take out a small bank loan to pay for parking. During our rest between courses, the waiter asks if he can dim the lights for a little ‘romantic ambiance’, it’s actually rather lovely. Seating only around 25, Phi is a perfect venue to share an intimate meal or long overdue catch –up with a couple of friends. Oh, and did I mention the food?! Our mains appear and suddenly I’m aware of how small the table is, or should that be how much food we’ve ordered?! We tuck into a feast of four dishes already anticipating the doggy bag we’ll be taking home. The fresh Thai green curry is light and packed with al dente veggies accompanied well by the mild nasi goreng (or fried) rice. My chilli udon noodles are generously spiced but could do with a little more kick for my tastes, something I’m sure the staff would’ve been happy to oblige had I requested. Our last dish is my favourite of the whole evening. The Massaman curry bursts with sweetness and spice; coconut and chilli blended with a nutty hint and creamy texture, just the topping for the flaky, steamed white fish. I eat, I am in heaven and I want the recipe, badly. I realise at this point I have no room for dessert, and yet my curious desire to try chocolate spring rolls trumps the growing pain of over-eating. The rolls are astonishingly delicate and very easy to finish, which prompts me to consider the deep-fried ice cream for a moment, but no, that’ll do for another time. Our evening at Phi wraps up. We’ve been entertained, regaled with tales, fed like kings and I’m thinking to myself: this is up there with one of the best Thai meals I’ve had in the city in a very long time. Phi Bar & Grill, Unit 2-7, Almonds Grove, L12 5HP / Tel: 0151 345 4348

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

IT'S A TOUGH JOB BEING A SCOUSE BIRD! WITH OVER 28,700 FOLLOWERS WE SPOKE TO TWITTER CULT HIT @SCOUSEBIRDPROBS At one time the mention of Twitter would make you think of Stephen Fry and a posher alternative to Facebook. Today you can use Twitter to find out about breaking news, what your favourite football player is up to and best of all have a good laugh at accounts such as @scousebirdprobs!

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

People say you are Liverpool’s answer to Bridget Jones, what do you think about that? It was a title I coined myself. I had the worst luck with fellas, even my best mate said “You’ve been out with some weirdos you!” I had a bit of a quarter life crisis when I turned 26 and wasn’t settled down or married - I totally blame Bridget Jones for this, that film convinced me that if I wasn’t married by the time I’m 30 then I’ve basically failed at life. So I resigned myself to choosing vodka, Shaka Khan (or something more up to date) and dying alone gettin eaten by Alsations. I thought I’d start a blog to poke fun at the misadventures I landed myself in on my journey through spinsterhood. If you don’t laugh, you’ll cry. How does ScouseBird prepare for a night out? Preparation for a night out begins on a Wednesday if you want to achieve true blorange (black orange) nirvana. Ideally you need a layer of St Moriz dark left on overnight on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights - basically you need to resign yourself to the fact that at least half your life is goin to be spent smelling like biscuits and you’ll never be able to buy white sheets. (We wonder why we’re single??) If you’re crap at hair and make up then a visit to the hairdressers is essential on Saturday itself where they will put your hair in rollers for you and sort your smokey eyes and lashes out otherwise there’s a very real danger of looking like a meff. I prefer a more DIY approach as it allows me to have a disco nap in the afternoon and I’m like Bagpuss for napping. Bath, sleeprollers, disco nap usually woken up by a vodka and diet coke. What does ScouseBird look for in a lad?

He turned up, he looked more like Jimmy Carr than Jimmy Carr does. Damn you vodka haze. His sense of humour was weird. He proceeded to tell the barman we were here on our first wedding anniversary as I stood there, awkwardly cringing and having some real ‘fight or flight’ instincts. But I decided to stick with it and he ordered me a small wine. It was awful. Just awful. The date not the wine. My cheeks ached from politely fake smiling. I checked my exits, there was no way out without being seen leggin it. I went the bar for my round, because despite spending the last half an hour telling me how rich he was and me being quite clearly out of his league he let me get the round in. I got a bit more pissed and he got a bit more bearable but it was certainly not enough to get a second date. I couldn’t watch 8 out of 10 cats for weeks. What could ScouseBird not live without? My scousebrow pencil definitely. I’ve looked back on pictures of myself pre-scouse brow and I reckon I’ve deffo got albino genes in me somewhere. There’s no need. What is great about Liverpool right now?

“ I TOTALLY BLAME BRIDGET JONES FOR THIS, THAT FILM CONVINCED ME THAT IF I WASN’T MARRIED BY THE TIME I’M 30 THEN I’VE BASICALLY FAILED AT LIFE.”

Scouse. End of. No excuses. None of these Justin Bieber combover tits wearing Toms and flashing their cleavage at me. I like my men to have a short back and sides, a sexy accent, a round neck t-shirt which showcases their guns and not be a bad ming. On the sly I’d prefer if he didn’t have commitment issues, be a serial womaniser and could be a top gooser but on a purely superficial level he must be scouse. I suggest lads bring out a picture of their purple wheelie bin as ID. Has ScouseBird ever had a bad date? Oh have I?? I’ve been on far too many than I care to remember. For example: Last August I split up with my ex just before the Mathew Street Festival. I was made up if I’m honest. He was a whole world of hassle. So of course me and my best mate went the festival and had Bubba Kegs (like giant flask cups) the size of our heads filled with vodka and cranberry juice and a decent few cans of cider. We were trawling the streets hammered and causing a general nuisance of ourselves.

We got talking to a fella who was cracking the funnies left right and centre. He had a certain look of Jimmy Carr about him sure, but in my vodka buzz I could deal with that. Funny men really do it for me, well more than fitties, I quite liked him. Next thing this fat mess bounced over screeching, “JIMMMMMYYYYY, U SWORE YOU’D NEVER CHEAT ON ME JIMMY!” and proceeded to eat his head. Or maybe she was trying to neck him. I don’t know. Time to make a swift exit. The next day me and my mate decided to sign up for internet dating, yano cos we never learn. The next morning rather freakishly I woke up to a message off him. I messaged him back saying, “Did I see you at the Mathew St festival?!” This was fate. This was destiny. We HAD to go on a date.

Scouse is so hot right now. It’s the new black. It’s so “on trend”. I think watching shows like Geordie Shore and TOWIE makes everyone realise how boss we are. Desperate Scousewives only never got a second series 1. Because I wasn’t in it and 2. Everyone was jealous that they’re not sound like us. Scousers are just boss at everything, twitter for example - we’re funny and everyone wants to be like us but they’re not allowed because you have to be born this way. Is ScouseBird getting away on holiday this year?

There are really only two or three acceptable holiday destinations for the discerning scouser. I’m off to Cancun - my third time. I went to Dominican last year and honest to god don’t bother, it’s a hole. If you go to Mexico everywhere else will just seem a little bit shit. In a few weeks time while you’re all working I’ll be fist pumping round The City (the largest club in Latin America) to Swedish House Mafia, with a table full of vodka and some UV clad gymnasts doing acrobatics from the ceiling. Tanned to fuck. Soz about you. Any holiday experiences good or bad you would to share with us? Oh god yeh, in Mexico a couple of years ago I was coming out of a club and I fell off my own foot. Not the kerb, not my heels (I was wearing flats....NOT KITTENS...flats), my actual foot. I sprained my ankle quite badly - to this day I’m not sure I may actually have broken it. Rather than go home, the copious amounts of tequila I’d consumed acted like an anesthetic and I partied on all night, dragging my leg behand me like Quasimodo. “The bells! The bells!” I woke up the next day and actually couldn’t move, like seriously couldn’t get off the bed. I ended up swerving going the hospital cos after speaking to my insurance company while hungover it all sounded a bit complicated. I got the seedy lifeguard to strap it up for me while batting off indecent proposals from him and joined the legions of other people with party medals in the ‘crutch club’. The bandage seriously fucked up my tan, I was fuming. Now two years on I’ve still got one fat ankle which clicks....a permenant souvenier I reckon.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

When describing my personality, impulsive is definitely a word that I would throw into the mixer. Impulsive with a little touch of ‘going with my gut instinct’. So, when I told my family, friends and anybody else who needed to know that I had decided to spread my little journalist wings and hot foot it to Ibiza for 5 months, surprise wasn’t an emotion they threw off. Mother cried with happiness, Dad shrugged and laughed and my sister made me promise her the sofa bed in my new apartment, but I swear my cat wouldn’t look at me for weeks. By: Amy Blacklock – contributing editor to Space Magazine

THE PARTY CAPITAL OF THE WORLD, A MAGNET FOR HEDONISTIC SCOUSERS. OUR GIRL ON THE WHITE ISLE PREVIEWS SOME OF THE BIGGEST PARTIES STILL TO COME THIS SEASON.

15th May was the day of departure, and, dragging my boyfriend along for the ride, off I went with 4 suitcases of luggage that took me 8kg over my allowance. Ibiza-ites out there will know that Space is arguably the best nightclub in Ibiza, so when I was offered the opportunity to be a contributing editor for their magazine, I jumped at the chance. Space Magazine is a fairly new publication that is pioneering the fusion of electronic music with art, lifestyle and fashion. In a nutshell, it’s boss. Oh and I forgot to mention, I review Space the nightclub as part of my job description. It’s SUCH a hard life….. After getting settled with a job, there is only one thing left to do here… party! Liverpool has a very strong prominence in Ibiza, a lot of the DJ’s are from our city, Garlands is HUGE here with their boat parties and of course, Cream takes no explaining.

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

As a total, true to my roots kind of girl, Cream opening was a must. The night didn’t disappoint and I don’t think I’ve ever been in a place as busy as Amnesia was that night. The fact that Cream, in its 18th year, still manages to flood dance floors with people week in, week out, speaks volumes for just how legendary it has become in the electronic music industry. Trust me, get your tickets early this year. All that from Wolstenholme Square…. Liverpool DJ’s Lee Bullock, Billie Clements and Chris Wright are playing host to Sin Sundays at Delano’s on the iconic Bora Bora beach and I promise you, if you are coming over here, you seriously need to get involved. Well priced beds, good service, a fun vibe and most importantly, good music, is all promised. Café Mambo has exploded this year, with the likes of Laidback Luke, Erick Morillo, Fatboy Slim and Sebastian Ingrosso all putting in an appearance whilst the sun goes down on Sunset Strip. Café Mambo has been my favourite venue so far; it’s all about people just chilling on the rocks and having a good time. The fire eater is also mind blowing and I haven’t seen her make one mistake on a stage of jagged rocks yet. A bonus is you don’t have to pay mega entry fees to see your favourite DJs. Wayne Lineker has also launched Ocean Beach Club, a stunning new venue that is changing the face of San Antonio into a more upmarket affair, with plush beds, tables in the pool and a

drinks menu that doesn’t make your eyes fall out of your head by being overpriced. The opening saw the likes of Tulisa, Joe Hart, Andy Carroll and Charlie Brooks all lapping up the vibe of the day. The biggest news of the season so far is Ibiza123, the first festival to ever hit the white isle and it had some massive names, such as Sting, Elton John and Fatboy Slim all on the bill. The festival introduced a new genre of music called ‘rocktronic’ and it seemed to go down a treat. Who knew Elton John could be so hip?! However, I do have something to say to Steve Angello: Finishing your set at Ibiza123 half an hour early was not cool. With July just kicking off the season really is just starting to bud and there is so much more to come. My next plan of attack includes Avicii at Ushuaia, BE at Space and a little bit of outrageousness on the Garlands Boat. My surprise of the season has also been seeing our very own Anton Powers on the bill for Carl Cox at Space in September, definitely a night I won’t be missing. I just hope my cat isn’t still in a mood with me come September… Going to Ibiza? For information on a concierge events service, tickets, and general advice follow @LpoolCityGirl on Twitter.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

2o12 Liverpool Art Prize People'’s Choice Award Winner WHEN YOU THINK OF LIVERPOOL AND GRAFFITI YOU PROBABLY ENVISAGE SHOP SHUTTERS DAUBED IN PAINT WITH SOMEBODY’S NAME FOLLOWED BY ‘GRASS’ OR A BUS STOP SHELTER DECORATED WITH A BIG MARKER PEN DRAWING OF A COCK. THESE ARE AMATEUR EFFORTS, WHEN THE TRUE TALENT OF THE CITY TAKE GRAFFITI TO THE STREETS THEY CREATE ART…. Congratulations on winning the 2012 Liverpool Art Prize People’s Choice Award, how does it feel to be awarded for your work? It’s fantastic, an honour that the public consider me worthy of the award. Especially when I look back and remember the days when no one would give me a break, but I suppose everyone has to go through that in one way or another. Being shortlisted was the real prize. Now I feel I need to just humbly continue my work and think up new ideas and projects that people can engage with. I don’t want my stuff to be for spectating only, I want to poke peoples curiosity or give them a taste for adventure. Can you tell us a little about yourself and the ethos of your work? I’ve been quite creative all my life really, and have never been afraid of a bit of mischief. I was the kind of kid 60

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

that would just spend all day putting pennies on the train tracks or making home made explosives. I always drew a lot and in my teens I got into Hip Hop and Graffiti and started collecting flyers. I made my way to New York by blagging a job as a Stable Hand upstate and spent the weekends walking round the big city meeting all kinds of nut cases. After I returned an older friend told me his stories about inter-railing in 1991, about camping atop a ruined old fort on the south coast of France and hanging over the edge of it to have a shit. From that evening on I knew that I needed to keep travelling, and by any means necessary. I found time to go to uni amongst it all and study Graphic Arts at John Moores. When I finished that I wasn’t going to work for anyone but being freelance was just drips and drabs and most my clients were as skint as me. In the long gaps between poorly paid commissions I just concentrated on my personal work. Without any money I got used to working with whatever materials I could get hold of, old wood, cardboard, rusty metal etc. Rather than finding this approach restrictive it became quite liberating like a kind of alchemy or recycling. One time I needed a brown for a mural but I only had white masonry paint so I threw in a jar of cheap coffee, people kept coming right up to the wall and sniffing it. Another thing I got quite into was screen printing. A lot of people think that you need specialised equipment

to print, and there is that side of it, but really you can make a basic set up with normal household materials. As I once had a job putting up posters for local bands it seemed like a fitting progression to make my own flyposters and I’m still at it. If we’re talking Street Art, the flyposter is probably my favourite medium. What were your drawings like as a child? What did you enjoy drawing? Animals and stuff, once my grandfather gave me a few sketching pencils and I took them home and drew Rhinoceros’s, Elephants and Buffalo. Tree’s too, I went through a phase of drawing a lot of forest scenes, something which I still do. In school I would draw rocket launchers and air rifles and if it was raining at break time I’d join other kids in drawing those ‘labyrinth of death’s’. Where you draw lots of different chambers each with their own lethal contraptions like spring loaded spikes, acid baths, Piranha pools and mincers. In secondary school (an all boys school) it was all about improving the French textbooks (Bibliobus) with detailed cocks and balls. After Pulp Fiction came out I ended up in competition with another lad over who could co draw the best gimps. In most lessons I didn’t do any ‘work’ but I turned out alright.

When did you realise your future was to be an artist? Cant remember I’ve just always done it. But possibly the day my teacher noticed that my book was completely empty and snatched it from me, desperately flicking through every page searching for some remnant of work. Upon finding at the back there were all kinds of elaborately drawn characters, it wasn’t geography. “What’s this!” he shouted holding it up to the class “Just a load of gimps Sir” I replied, the whole class was crying with laughter but the teacher just looked confused, he obviously hadn’t seen Tarantino’s masterpiece. Who or what has been the biggest inspiration on your work? Life in general really, people and places, even the everyday mundane can be greatly inspiring if you look at things in the right way. Travelling certainly doesn’t do any harm to ones creativity. I’ve hitchhiked a lot all over Europe and met all kinds of interesting people, fellow adventurers, weirdo’s, murderers, priests, drug dealers, policemen’s wives, arms dealers, limo drivers, drink drivers, pretty girls and politicians. Recently I was recalling an

escapade when once I took a wrong turn on the way home from Rotterdam and ended up on the road to Paris, it was raining hard and I needed to reach the next service cos there was no shelter at that one. Traffic was thin but after a while this fashion designer picked me up drinking a beer, he hands me a beer too and puts Tom Waits on, we’re just chilling. You could hardly see the road it was raining that hard and I thought even if we don’t make it to the next service this wouldn’t be such a bad way to go. As far as other artists go, I’m into the likes of Toulouse Lautrec, Max Ernst, Arthur Rackham, Jean Michel Basquiat, Jacques Villegle, Swoon, Reas Espo & Twist, Aubrey Beardsley, Futura 2000, Andy Warhol, Bast, Cost & Revs, Adams & Itso, and so on... Where did you first start doing graffiti? As a kid I’d scratch my initials into surfaces with keys or a penknife, school desks, trees, fences and so on. When I was a teenager I got a job as a glass collector in a nightclub and after shifts I’d go out on tagging missions round town or jump a taxi out to the M62 at 5am. I borrowed a copy of Wild Style

from my cousin on VHS and after I seen that I went nuts. I’ve calmed down a bit now with my old age but only this afternoon I was mixing my own ink for an industrial marker pen. They say it never leaves you once you’ve started, maybe it’s the primeval aspect? Because you practice street art and graffiti and conceal your identity would it be fair to call you a ‘Scouse Banksy?’ Not really, I think labels like ‘Street Art’ and ‘Graffiti have become a kind of novelty for a lot of people. If you look past the pigeon holes you can see a variety of different approaches going on, I don’t even call myself a street artist. My work is different to Banksy’s, the only common thread is that some of it is in the street. Indoor-Artists rarely get pigeon holed together in the same way. Although it’s annoying getting compared to Banksy I do appreciate how he’s helped create more public acceptance and awareness of street art. Maybe people like me wouldn’t sell quite as many paintings if it weren’t for his publicity stunts? As for my identity, I’m not too precious about being anonymous I’m just more comfortable being out of the limelight. I don’t want my face all over a magazine. This

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

anonymous I’m just more comfortable being out of the limelight. I don’t want my face all over a magazine. This celebrity culture has got things twisted, the empty aspirations pedalled by these so called ‘stars’ wont make anyone happier. I don’t want to be an image, I want to make images and make positive ones. We have the right to conceal our identity don’t we? But that’s a right that the governments increasingly want to take away. Now it’s at the point where people end up making more of a statement by standing back. Strange? Legal versus illegal street art – which do you prefer and why? For me Illegal always has more energy and feels more natural, even if constraints have made it’s execution more sloppy. I prefer to see that than something over produced. Although sometimes I do paint the odd legal piece, this can give you time to do something more elaborate but it never compares to the adrenalin of illegal art. Either way I try to work with the environment rather than against it, I think that’s the secret to pulling it off. Have you ever got into any trouble during a hoodied up art raid on the streets? I’ve been chased by the police a few times. On one of my very early teenage missions I was doing a piece up near a railway line about 4am when a police van showed up. Me and my lookout man tricked them into thinking we were going into the trap and then when the time was right we diverted and did a hang and drop off a two storey ledge, I swear I almost broke my ankles upon landing. We ran for about half a mile and hid in some bushes. They didn’t catch us. I had another good chase a couple of years ago, flyposting with some of my homeboys and homegirls in the gothic quarter of Barcelona, the streets are like a maze down there, again no capture. Quite often though you can just flypost in broad daylight, It’s amazing what you can get away with in the middle of rush hour. What do you think, in general, is great about Liverpool right now? It feels pretty good to know that there is not a single Conservative seat held in Liverpool. Even though they’ve fucked things up here all the more, it feels more and more like a republic these days. Not that I’m saying our own council are a bunch of saints or anything.

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

Anyways, the creative scene in Liverpool seems much more united these days, and despite losing some alright music venues it seems very much like a place where things can happen. I’m also suspecting that the councils graffiti removal funding might have been depleted, could we be about to witness a bit of a street painting golden era? Also I think that monster that they discovered and filmed in the sewers is really great too, as is the selection of stationary in Leece St Post Office. What is not so great about Liverpool right now? As I mentioned, significant venues closing down and dodgy fella’s in office. Then there is the flyposter situation, and you might think ‘oh it’s just a few posters’ but that’s a significant chunk of our visual landscape. You’ve got all of this jiggy corporate stuff, pop music adverts, cheesy bars, escort agency’s and general space wasters paying the council for official flyposting privileges. While over the last few years flyposting for independent events has been criminalised and the old spots all taken over by those framed in spots. Most posters in the city centre no longer reflect what is important in the city and I think this has had a negative impact on our culture.

“ MY WORK IS DIFFERENT TO BANKSY’S, THE ONLY COMMON THREAD IS THAT SOME OF IT IS IN THE STREET. INDOOR-ARTISTS RARELY GET PIGEON HOLED TOGETHER IN THE SAME WAY. ”

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

Twenty five photos of Liverpool. All taken on Instagram. All taken on a mobile phone. Welcome to modern Liverpool through a retro lens.

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

OPEN THE WAY TO EXCLUSIVE OFFERS ACROSS THE CITY GET YOUR FREE OPEN CARD MORE THAN JUST A MAGAZINE Sign up for a free Open Card to get extra value deals on everything from men’s and women’s fashion outlets, restaurants, health & beauty treatments and more.

NEW DEALS EVERY WEEK We need your email address so we can keep you up to date with all the latest offers available on your Open Card.

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

EASY TO REGISTER: 1. VISIT WWW.OPENTHECITY.CO.UK AND TELL US WHERE TO SEND YOUR CARD AND WHAT OFFERS YOU WANT TO RECEIVE 2. WE’LL SEND YOUR CARD OUT TO YOU IN THE POST OR YOU CAN SCAN OUR QR CODE AND REGISTER ON YOUR MOBILE.

CURRENT OFFERS INCLUDE Voodou: 20% off Wok and Go: 20% off Miss Francesca Couture: 20% off ODs Designer Menswear: 10% off Indoor Super Karting: Was £49.95 now £19.00 Puschka: 3 courses & glass of wine £19.90 For a full list of participating venues and promotion details visit openthecity.co.uk

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

COMPETITION WIN TWO CAMPING TICKETS TO CREAMFIELDS WITH OPEN

WHAT YOU WIN

LET US GET YOU IN TO THE BIGGEST DANCE FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR – JUST BRING YOUR OWN TENT.

WHO YOU GET TO SEE

The biggest and best dance event of the summer, Creamfields returns to Daresbury, Cheshire on the bank holiday weekend Friday 24 to Sunday 26 August. This year they have absolutely smashed it with a line-up that reads of the biggest names in the industry including headliners Avicii, David Guetta, The Chemical Brothers, Deadmau5, Tiësto, Calvin Harris, and Paul Van Dyk to name a few! Tickets to this year’s Creamfields have almost sold out, but we have got some up for grabs. Open have teamed up with Creamfields to give away a pair of two day camping tickets to one lucky Open reader, all you will need to do is bring your tent and enjoy the massive show! For your chance to win these tickets…

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE

2x Standard 2 day camping tickets for Saturday 25 and 26 August

Avicii, David Guetta, The Chemical Brothers Deadmau5, Tiësto, Calvin Harris, Paul Van Dyk

HOW TO ENTER To enter the competition simply send an email to win@open-mag.co.uk with your name, contact number and the answer to the following question. Who was the founder of Creamfields? A. B. C.

James Barton James Blunt Joey Barton

Creamfields is a strictly over 18s event and will be operating a challenge 21 ID policy. If you can’t provide photographic and holographic identification when asked your ticket will be confiscated and you will be asked to leave the festival site. So if you are lucky enough to look under 21 please make sure that you bring an acceptable form of proof of age ID.

OPEN MAGAZINE / SUMMER 2012

SUMMER 2012 / OPEN MAGAZINE