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Thursday 28th January 2016
INDIGO
3 FASHION Fashion debates this season’s most compelling trends: minimalism and maximalism 4 C R E A T I V E WRITING Three poets respond to the anonymous Anglo-Saxon poem ‘Durham’ 5 & 6 F E A T URES Katy Willis gives her inside perspective on the January sales as a shop assistant 7 FOOD & D RINK Indigo reviews Flat White Kitchen 8 & 9 S TAG E COVER STORY: Stage explains why gender-blind Shakespeare makes perfect sense 1 0 V I S U A L ARTS A run-down of the best exhibitions in the North East this term 11 BOOKS What’s your new year’s reading resolution? Indigo readers explain theirs 1 2 & 1 3 T R AVEL Travel showcases Maxim Luan’s travel photography 1 4 F I L M & TV Rory McInnes-Gibbons reviews the highly-anticipated Spotlight 15 MUSIC Indigo interviews Music Durham VicePresident Dumitha Gunawardene P H OTOGRAPHY / ILLUSTRATION
Faye Chua Venus Loi Romina Swan Charlotte Payne Carol Saville Grace Tseng Jonathan Keenan Kate Barton Olivia Howcroft Lydia Hargreaves Jorge Marcos Beth Beaden Anna Hupcejová Harriet Cunningham
Jessica Dimaio Maxim Luan
Thank you to our fantastic Illustrations Editor Kenzo Ishida for designing the front page of this issue, and to Olivia Howcroft and Faye Chua for the back page illustrations.
What do you think of Shakespeare? As an English student, I can firmly say I’m not too keen. I enjoyed the recent National Theatre Live production of Hamlet, but that might have been because it was headlined by Benedict Cumberbatch, who was absolutely fantastic even if I couldn’t quite separate him from his Sherlockian alter-ego. Other than that, I find him to be, like the Beatles, terribly overrated. That’s a view shared by Sofya Grebenkina in this edition’s Stage feature on the playwright (p.9). Four hundred years on from his death, should we really still hold him as the pinnacle of English literature? You decide. This edition’s cover story, though, is about gender. In a world where non-binary and fluid gender identity challenges the established norms, we should be reflecting on that oppressive social construct as it is represented in the arts. That’s precisely what Simon Fearn does as he explores the concept of gender roles in Shakespeare’s plays (p.8). Elsewhere in Indigo, we’re showcasing a massive variety of artistic talent. Travel features an array of striking photography by Maxim Luan (p.12&13), a regular contributor to Palatinate who has traversed the globe in search of stunning scenery. Meanwhile, Visual Arts gives a rundown of the best exhibitions in the North East this term on page 6, which is a must-read for anyone wishing to expand their repertoire of cultural experience this year. Personally, I’m going to be fitting in a few trips to the Gala Theatre this term. The Revenant is a must-watch, but I’m holding out for Spotlight, a stunning reimagining of the story of the Boston Globe’s uncovering of a sex abuse scandal in the Catholic Church. It’s a must-see if you’re looking for a distraction from your summatives in the form of the big screen. Our Film & TV Editor Rory McInnes-Gibbons reviews the film on page 14. For now, though, good luck and godspeed: the summative season is upon us. Try not to panic, and if you need a break, why not try your hand at writing for us? EF For your fix of everything arts and cultural, please visit: www.palatinate.org.uk www.facebook.com/palindigo @palatindigo
INDIGO EDITORS Ellen Finch YC Chin (deputy) CREATIVE WRITING EDITOR Sarah Fletcher FEATURES EDITORS Isabelle Culkin Cristina Cusenza (deputy) VISUAL ARTS EDITOR Jane Simpkiss FASHION EDITOR Sally Hargrave STAGE EDITOR Isabelle Culkin BOOKS EDITORS Hannah Griffiths Ellie Scorah FOOD & DRINK EDITOR Charlotte Payne TRAVEL EDITORS Laura Glenister FILM & TV EDITORS Rory McInnes-Gibbons Hugo Camps-Harris (deputy) MUSIC EDITORS Jacqueline Duan Will Throp WRITERS Jasmine Simms Helen Bowell Katie Byford Katie Willis Zoë Boothby Jane Simpkiss Carol Saville Emma Wall Simon Fearn Sofya Grebenkina Katherine Bett Bruno Martin Thomas Barber Anna Hupcejová Harriet Cunningham Katie Shuff Maxim Luan Rory McInnes-Gibbons Dumitha Gunawardene Will Throp
Thursday 28th January 2016
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FASHION
All or Nothing Katie Shuff debates fashion’s most divisive trends: minimalism and maximalism. The more the merrier or is less more?
There is no denying fashion’s divisive quality. What may be considered as one man’s trash can be easily regarded as another one’s treasure. And as the Spring/ Summer 2016 trends slowly trickle their way down into our wardrobes, it would appear that this little mantra could be used to describe this season’s most compelling trends; minimalism and maximalism. Deemed as complete polar opposites, those amongst the fashion community identify either as one or the other with minimum cross over between the two camps. Whilst minimalists side towards clean lines and no fuss silhouettes, maximalists opt for a more haphazard approach, mixing bold colours with a concoction of materials and accessories. Constantly battling out to see who comes out on top, it would appear that 2016 is the year in which maximalists reign supreme. Catwalks were awash with maximalist styles and creations - think rich lamé skirts at Gucci, layers of tulle and organza at Chanel and embellished suits at Prada. Whether a seasoned maximalist expert or an embellishment novice, 2016 is the year to think bold. This season’s champion of all things maximal was Gucci’s Alessandro Michele. Models sashayed down the runway in vibrant lamé skirts teamed with girlish bows and luxe bombers, or evening dresses in sequin and tulle finished off with large flower brooches. Michele’s penchant for all things quirky seemed infectious as other iconic fashion houses followed in quick pursuit. Roberto Cavalli and Tom Ford, both renowned for their out and out glamour and
sex appeal, gave their nod to the maximalist trend with full on sequin dresses. Even minimalist heavy weight Calvin Klein showed hints of maximalist embellishments with floor length sequined coats. Caped sequin dressers were also a highlight at the classic French power house, Sonia Rykiel, giving true kudos to the maximalist cause.
“As Instagram and street style sights become an ever increasing part of our daily lives, our desire to be seen and noticed has reached a new height. ” Another maximalist sub trend looked to Spain and Latin America for inspiration. Think the feathery ruffles of flamenco dancers or the capes and tassels worn by matadors in the bull ring. Prozena Schouler’s black and white off the shoulder top showed a subtle nod to the Latina trend, whilst at Oscar de la Renta, models were draped in ruffled capes in sumptuous reds, conjuring up images of a true Spanish fiesta. For the romantics amongst us, whimsical dresses in feathers, ruffles, pastels, cream, chiffon and sheer details graced the runway, proving that romance is most certainly not dead. Valentino’s cream tulle gown would be fit for any fashion princess, whilst Sarah Burton added her usual sprinkling of gothic romance at Alexander McQueen. Paired with this season’s must have bomber jacket, romantic touches were given a modern makeover. For those not quite prepared to convert to the maximalist side, there were still elements of minimalist dressing on the runway. Most notably, the return of the slip. Already seen on the likes of Rosie Huntington-Whitely and model of the
moment, Gigi Hadid, the lingerie look is back with its simple silhouette and subtle lace detailing. Givenchy, Celine and Burberry all showcased these boudoir staples in off-white tones, proving that minimalism is still very much in the fashion fore. However, celebrities and fashion aficionados more renowned for their minimalist dressing are taking notes from this season’s bolder trends. Alexa Chung, perhaps the champion of under stated chic, paired a vi brant gold skirt with a colourful striped jump er at a recent event. Carine Roitfield the harbinger of French easy going style was seen sporting a pink suit, suggesting that maximalist dressing can be worn by all. As Instagram and street style sights become an ever increasing part o f our dai ly lives, our desire to be seen and noticed has reached a new height. The drive to push the sartorial boundaries to the limits con stantly feeds itself into our psy che pushing for the bigger and bolder. Illustrations: Jessica Dimaio
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Thursday 28th January 2016
CREATIVE WRITING
Poets Respond
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Jasmine Simms, Helen Bowell, and Katie Byford respond to anonymous Anglo-Saxon poem ‘Durham’
Durham Anglo-Saxon Poem By Anonymous
This city is celebrated In the whole empire of the Britons. The road to it is steep. It is surrounded with rocks, And with curious plants. The Wear flows round it, A river of rapid waves; And there live in it Fishes of various kinds, Mingling with the floods. And there grow Great forests; There Hide in the recesses “Wild animals of many sorts; In the deep valleys Deer innumerable. There is in this city Also well known to men The venerable St. Cudberth; And the head of the chaste King Oswald, the lion of the Angli; And Aiden, the Bishop: Aedbert and Aedfrid, The noble associates. There is in it also Aethelwold, the Bishop; And the celebrated writer Bede; And the Abbot Boisil, By whom the chaste Cudberth Was in his youth gratis instructed; Who also well received the instructions, There rest with these saints, In the inner part of the Minster, Relicks innumerable, Which perform many miracles, As the chronicles tell us, And which await with them The judgment of the Lord. Chance is no fool, it spun my days anew And left a statue of you.
Photograph: ADTeasdale via Flickr
Strange Plants
Leaving
By Katie Byford
By Helen Bowell
strange plants & wild beasts line the trail up to the Cathedral
We broke into the cathedral, remember? Ski masks and black boots, tip-toeing and breathing like saints or angels. No reason: no need. We cracked the lock and it clunked open, like home. Cuthbert watched, lying and marble cold, and the quiet made me swallow. You loved the organ, could have stolen it, but it was not yours to take, nor mine to give. We held hands throughout the operation, and wandered round the dark innards of the holyplace, my torch swinging paths. Our single footstep echoes made my skin prick, down the neck. Cuthbert stared: not on our own, even in this house. We stood in the nave facing that smash of rainbow window, quiet. We had to leave, for both our sakes.
—only 1am & a boy sits on the curb in white gloves and tails, cradling his heavy head, his bright blue drink. in the pub someone’s covering fucking hallelujah again, it tickles the wrists like convulvulous. strange beasts snort themselves heavenward & cross themselves in front of the disabled toilets. nothing’s said of the music because everyone already knows it. such curious creatures bow & keel over cobbled siren song, before the degree binds their feet and stuffs their ears with wax.
St Chad
By Jasmine Simms Ordinary Durham Lad, hauled up from the East Midlands, to Aiden’s college. An undetectable accent. A secret library under his desk. His brother, Cedd, also a saint, scored a hatrik against Gabriel on the last day of term. Chad has been our friend ever since we started having boys for friends. It’s not been easy. First, we couldn’t get him to stop touching himself in our bathroom. Different definitions of sacred, we said. Then he wouldn’t stop praying in the living room. Then he wouldn’t stop telling us his dreams. Something changed us. Now we keep a monastery in our student house. Chad, we miss you. We who saw your elevation outside Oswald’s: the drunken angels singing, under the Cathedral’s huge shadow, the futuristic blue light that chose you, beaming you back
Meet The Authors Jasmine Simms is an English and Education
student in her second year at Trevelyan College. She has been published in the Bloodaxe anthology Raving Beauties, and in magazines such as Magma, The Cadaverine and Cake. If she could describe Durham in one word, it’d be ‘disparity’.
Katie Byford is a Classics student in her
second year at Collingwood College. She is the founder of new arts platform THORN. When asked where in Durham inspires her the most, she answers :“the woods between Grey College and the Science Site. In my Fresher year at Collingwood I used to go past them every day. You can really forget where you are there.”
Helen Bowell is a third year English student at St Chads College. She is a member of the Writing Squad. When asked for her best writing advice, she says: “Everyone says read a lot and write a lot so I’m going to assume you know that and suggest you read people talking about writing. Not just creative writing manuals, but writers talking about other writers’ and their own work, and critics. It can help you think more critically about what you’re trying to achieve as a writer, and how to go about that.”
Thursday 28th January 2016
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FEATURES
January sales: an inside perspective on chaos The first few weeks of January are the best time to grab a bargain, but they’re not fun for everyone. Katy Willis tells us about her experience of working in retail during the sales
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evere weather warnings for the North East of England. This is what we were all waiting for. The late winter. The ‘S’ word that refused to make an entrance on Christmas day. But hold on to your thermal socks! There are rumours it’s heading towards the North East! Do we really believe the weather forecast, though? Do we ever believe it? Nevertheless, the possibility of snow glazes over the UK as the MET Office warns us of ‘snow, wind, fog and ice’. This, however, will not (and does not) prevent those hard-core bargain hunters from leaving the comfort of their cosy homes to trek into town to shop. There are always the ones that will make the journey through wind and rain. Trust me, I worked in retail. I know. Fortunately for them, it is that time again. The time all sales assistants dread. The January sales. After stressing over Christmas present-buying and stuffing ourselves with turkey we still find the will power to leave the house after New Year and begin spending, yet again, more money. Why on earth do we do it? Consumer psychologist Dimitrios Tsivrikos said, in The Guardian’s 2015 article on the January sales, that ‘when [retailers] say something is available for a “limited time only”, that sense of urgency will encourage us to buy something we don’t really need’. The accuracy is all too real. It’s every girl’s dream heading into Topshop when the window is plastered with a giant ‘50% off’ sticker alongside a one that states ‘3 days to go’ - of course we ignore the fine print in front stating ‘up to’, because a sale is a sale, right? Yet as a former sales assistant at TK Maxx I can personally vouch for every other seventeen-year-old who was given way more overtime than expected during this period (despite having a perma-
nent ‘Always up to 60% less’ on our shop window) that these intelligently made -up slogans are beyond frightening. They are direct invites to all people to come to our store and enjoy the many bargains we display on our shelves – unfortunately, this means even the insane spend-aholics are welcome. I used to pass my fellow retailers on Newcastle’s high street, Fenwick, BHS and Primark, and feel the hesitant glances of employees sweeping the front door for possible bargain hunt-
ers whose eyes may light up at the sight of the ‘50% off sign’. Sales turn people into animals desperately attempting to catch their prey – the prey quite obviously being a pair (or four) of designer boots for the winter, because what else would you wear to walk in the snow or in the rain? Obviously your brand new and ridiculously impractical pair of Alexander McQueens, duh? I spend – who doesn’t? But there is a line, and it is amazing how many people cross it. My point is: people spend for spending’s sake, purely because an item is cheaper than it previously was. Even if that means the item is still mildly expensive. The fact it is cheaper means it is simply dying to be bought. I must confess we do not appreciate the chaotic work space that is
created due to people’s need to bargain hunt, which in my case working in TK Maxx, where every item is cheaper than the RRP, was all the time. Post-Christmas shopping is crazy-overrated (says the girl who bought a Fuji camera only a week ago). Yet according to retail and marketing expert Alex Gunz, ‘for some people spending money is painful, so it’s a case of “I’ll find bargains or not buy things’’’. Being a student, I can automatically confirm that this is the correct attitude to possess in order to prevent going into your overdraft. Sometimes January sales are the perfect thing for us students. We can buy some back-to-uni essentials. Although something tells me that buying ‘holiday clothes’ or ‘prepping for next Christmas’ in January is slightly more bizarre than buying a few essentials. Not to mention depressing for those processing your transaction, who may just adore the dress you’re buying. And to make matters worse, usually they will happily tell you they managed to bag the last one. Great. Don’t get me wrong, though. I love a good old bargain. I especially love shopping when I’m not searching for anything in particular and can spend my day rummaging through the sales sections without stressing over finding those ‘perfect’ shoes. The chances of finding something that you would buy even if it weren’t in the sale are slim, but that only makes the oh-my-god-lookat-this moment all the more exciting. Finding special somethings every now and again is definitely my idea of a successful January shop. You won’t see me queueing outside of Primark an hour before it opens though – god no – but rather rolling out of bed at half 10 and strolling into town mid-afternoon, coffee in hand. Perfect. Photograph: Thomas8047 by Flickr
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Thursday 28th January 2016
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FEATURES
A day in the life of an arts student Think you’ve got it bad, science students? Zoë Boothby describes an average day in her life as an English student
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set my alarm early (9am) to catch up on the reading I hadn’t done for my 10am tutorial. Predictably, however, I spent half an hour pressing the snooze button and turned up at my tutorial having still not showered since the weekend. Yum. I was able to waffle my way through the tutorial, with such vague statements as, ‘I think it’s interesting analysing this text from a modern perspective’, and evaluative, apologist judgements such as, ‘I found this book quite challenging to read, and it took me a while for the meaning of the text to really sink in. I’m not sure I still quite understand it.’ Remarkably, I had a whole TWO contact hours today, always an occasion for an English student. I had an hour to kill, so I had to stick around the Arts and Humanities haven that is Elvet Riverside. I bought an overpriced mug of mulled apple tea from Starbucks which I then proceeded to spill all over the table. This is a pretty accurate metaphor for my university education. I also had a meeting with the careers department, to discuss my lack of em-
ployability and the general downward direction my life seems determined to go in. I actually thought the meeting had gone relatively well, and left feeling slightly less rubbish about myself until my friend pointed out that I had toothpaste on my face. On my forehead, to be precise. I joined rowing this year because I figured that I wasn’t Durham enough and it has already taken over my life. I finished off my day with a session on the water and some fitness (#traindirty). Following this, it was my turn to make dinner, so I made a rather mediocre pesto penne pasta with tomatoes. I went upstairs for an early night because I had decided that tomorrow was going to be the day that I was going to get my life together and sort my stuff out.* *I didn’t get out of bed till 1:30pm and wasted two hours trying to make sweet potato fries. Illustration: Faye Chua Photograph: Venus Loi
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Thursday 28th January 2016
FOOD & DRINK
The Delights of Flat White
Carole Saville espresso-s her love for that quintessentially Durham institution, Flat White Kitchen
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xpanding on an already extraordinarily successful theme, Flat White Kitchen brings quirk, charm, and cultured café cuisine to a whole new level. Undoubtedly we’ve all enjoyed the somewhat limited café experience offered by the original Flat White, which opened in 2010. If somehow you’re not acquainted with the quintessentially Durham institution that is Flat White, it’s situated somewhat incongruously next to Klute underneath Elvet Bridge. One major downside of this small establishment is battling throngs of hungover students for seats, tables, and coffee. It is also worth mentioning the Arctic chill coming through the open café door which, on occasion, can be an uninvited addition when you’re looking for somewhere to huddle up with a welcoming hot chocolate in shelter from the Northern winter. Flat White Kitchen, however, fits in perfectly on Saddler Street, attractively nestled between Bill’s restaurant and Jack Wills. Complete with aesthetically pleasing bare brick and whitewashed walls, rustic furniture, and gilt-frame mirrors, Flat White Kitchen is a sizeable, comfortable venue which offers a more pleasant and relaxed dining experience than its counterpart under Elvet Bridge. Unsurprisingly, it is equally as popular as the original Flat White, creating an atmosphere which is thoroughly warm, welcom-
ing and almost always bustling with throngs of students looking for respite between lectures. It somehow manages to stand out in a city which is largely comprised of cafes and coffee shops competing to be the most unique and charming, simultaneously offering the opportunity to have a casual beverage, lunch, or simply the opportunity to catch up with friends or work. The menu is extensive in its variety, offering everything from the repertoire of the smaller Flat White, and adding a range of delicious breakfast and lunch options. Whilst thriving on the sale of caffeinebased beverages (appealing to the credentials of its namesake ‘Flat White’), the drinks menu includes a complement of healthy and innovative smoothies, which is a refreshing change from your average café. There is one problem: it’s almost impossible to choose one thing from the menu – everything sounds incredibly good. From
your better than average grilled cheese to Korean Fried Chicken, the sandwich menu offers the perfect (if slightly pricey) lunchtime dish. During Michaelmas term, I became quite the regular (yes, I am recognised by the staff now) and can say with confidence that what particularly recommends Flat White Kitchen is its breakfast menu. To be confronted with a stack of roughly ten pancakes covered in blueberry compote and whipped cream at any point of the day is an absolute joy, and they do taste as excellent as they look. In addition to the food, the staff are consistently friendly and helpful, dealing with high demand and potentially awkward seating delays with a friendly smile and easy disposition. In short, Flat White Kitchen is an excellent addition to Durham’s parade of cafés and restaurants, offering a unique lunchtime experience and, true to its name, a decent cup of coffee. Photographs: Charlotte Payne and Carole Saville
6 Tips for a Healthier 2016 By Emma Wall 1. Grains and pulses are your friend
Legumes such as beans, chickpeas and lentils are incredibly healthy and cheap, and can extend meals at little cost. Throw some black beans into your stir-fry, add chickpeas to your wrap for lunch, or mix lentils into your tacos or bolognese.
2.
Slow cooking
Even if you don’t have a slow cooker at home, any oven proof dish sealed with foil over the top and left in the oven will do the trick. Slow cooking is great way to make cheap cuts of meat taste good, and you can add pretty much any vegetable to the mix to stretch it out and make it healthier.
5.
Soups
6.
Make trades
3.
Frozen fruit
Frozen fruit is almost always cheaper than the fresh alternative, and is usually frozen when it is in season so often tastes better than fresh. It’s a cheap way of getting your five a day, and will keep for as long as you need it to.
Perfect for a cold day, soups are also great for healthy cheap eats. Simply chuck all your leftovers from the week into a pan, add some stock and herbs/spices, and leave to simmer away.
4.
Change your breakfast
It’s easy to trade in your white carbs for healthier alternatives at no extra cost. Try brown bread if you usually eat white, or brown rice as a side to your dinner. Use sweet potato instead of potato, or whole wheat pasta instead of white pasta to get some extra fibre and vitamins.
Sugary cereals are pretty unhelpful if you’re trying to stay healthy and not snack throughout the day, so if like me you have found yourself munching through half a box of Krave before your 9am to feel full, try and trade to granola or muesli to beat the munchies. Yogurt is also a filling alternative that won’t break the bank.
Photograph: torbakhopper on Flickr
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Thursday 28th January 2016
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STAGE This year marks Shakespeare’s 400th anniversary, Palatinate Stage reflects on 400 years of the bard
Unsex me here
Why gender-blind Shakespeare makes perfect sense
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hen I heard that Hill College Theatre Company’s production of Coriolanus would feature a woman as the titular war hero and a man as her overbearing mother Volumnia, it set me thinking whether there were any roles in Shakespeare that are not ripe pickings for gender blind casting. Hamlet and Richard II are obvious choices to play against gender, with their fevered questioning of who they are and the role they are to play in society, but what about more traditionally ‘macho’ characters like Titus Andronicus, Henry V and Coriolanus? If you think about the original performance context of these plays, this quickly becomes a slightly ludicrous question. Early modern audiences would have seen boys play Juliet, Cleopatra and Volumnia. Even more confusingly, head to a Renaissance performance of Twelfth Night and you would see a man pretending to be a woman pretending to be a man. Clearly gender is up in the air here, and if men can play women, surely women can reclaim some of the Bard’s most complex masculine roles.
Part of Shakespeare’s project is to imagine a world in which women can become men by taking on masculine roles
What’s more, scholars like Stephen Orgel have questioned whether we’re right to apply the outmoded concept of binary, biology-based gender to the Bard. Renaissance playwrights may actually have had a curiously modern concept of gender as performance, with women in some ways becoming men by donning male clothing in Shakespeare’s comedies. Aside from the crossdressing, women exhibit traditionally masculine traits and vice versa. Lady Macbeth famously demands ‘come ye spirits…unsex me here’ to aid in her murderous plot. Laertes laments in Hamlet that ‘the woman will out’ when he can’t hold back his tears at the news of his sister’s death (because, honestly, who cries at the loss of a sibling?). These are obviously fairly reductive gender stereotypes (i.e. killing and scheming are
Story by Simon Fearn masculine, weeping is feminine), but the fact that each gender can take on the characteristics associated with the other sits comfortably with the modern notion of gender as a social construct rather than a biological c e r t a i n t y. In which c a s e , surely a woman can become a man on stage in the role of King Lear, just as Viola becomes Cesario in Twelfth Night and proceeds to fool almost everyone? Author and theatre critic Mark Lawson is not a fan of genderblind Shakespeare. Crossdressing apparently asks too much for an audience to imagine a woman as a man, whilst cross-casting (where actresses play male roles as female) disrupts the Bard’s gender dynamics. To start with, to say you can’t imagine a woman on stage as a man is nonsense. You’re already asked to believe that stages with varying levels of set are Medieval England or Ancient Rome, so it’s not asking much more to accept that tonight Olivia is to be played by Mark Rylance. One of the things that’s so great about theatre is precisely that it has the kind of flexible relationship with realism that permits gender blind casting. Not only does cross-dressing pose no problems, but it often reveals surprising depths to the Bard’s characters. When Maxine Peake was Hamlet, it added a certain something to the character that I hadn’t felt when he was portrayed
by men, and she remains one of my favourite actors in the role. On cross-casting, however, Lawson almost has a point. I was not a fan of Helen Mirren as Propsera in Julie Taymor’s film adaptation of The Tempest; I couldn’t help thinking that Shakespeare took a more interesting angle than Taymor in exploring an isolated father-daughter relationship. Saying this, though, just because Shakespeare may have written The Tempest about fathers and daughters, it does not mean that your production cannot be about bonds between women. Thanks to, among other things, a 400 year cultural divide, trying to be completely faithful to Shakespeare is pretty much futile. Besides, judging by the amount of ambiguity in your average Shakespeare text, it’s hard to imagine a definitive interpretation anyway. Reading a Shakespeare play is all about trying out different conceptions of the characters and themes, so it’s not much of a step to take this experimentation further by playing with gender.
The only reason Shakespeare’s men cannot be played by women is if we say they can’t The only reason Shakespeare’s men cannot be played by women is if we say they can’t. Lyn Gardner hits the nail on the head when she talks about overcoming a performance history “dominated by penises and poetry”. Part of Shakespeare’s project is to imagine a world in which women can become men by taking on masculine roles. To then say that this cannot occur onstage is, if we’re completely honest, slightly silly. Photographs: (From left) Susannah Slevin as Coriolanus in Coriolanus, by Grace Tseng; and Maxine Peake as Hamlet in Hamlet, by Jonathan Keenan.
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Thursday 28th January 2016
STAGE
What’s so great about Shakespeare?
Sofya Grebenkina makes the case against Shakespeare’s hold over the canon
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he moment my parents decided I was to be educated in an English school, I knew it was all over. Shakespeare would be the main course on the English Literature menu and there was no escaping him. From encountering Midsummer Night’s Dream in Year 7 to ploughing dutifully through Twelfth Night in Year 13, and now at Durham University studying his entire body of works, I am not surprised that before I’ve even finished a quarter of my life I was to be fully inundated with Shakespeare. And it is in 2016, at the 400th year since his passing, that Shakespeare’s influence on our minds can be most acutely and explicitly felt. There is no denying that in Britain he is the literary standard-bearer, an almost religious icon in the way that the literary-aware portion of society measures time by before and after Shakespeare. The constant argument over his true identity, whether futile or not, only adds to his mythological status. He is now more than a man, rather a reverently-held locus of the literary tradition. I will not be the one to deny people their god. I have to admit that Othello will always hold a particular fascination and literary strength for me. However, it has been impossible for me, despite being gradually exposed to his genius, to not consider Shakespeare somehow overrated. Here, to support my argument, I’d like to present an example I find pertinent. In the dystopian novel Brave New World, to condense it crudely, the reader is presented with two options of life within society. One is a highly commercialized and emotionally sterilized existence in England, and the other, a primal life with minimal education, sanitation, and other comforts of the modern world. A representative of the latter is John, a savage who escapes the reservation. His only claim to education, one that sets him apart from all, is his volume of The Collected Works of William Shakespeare. As the chosen symbol for literary education, this is unsurprising. Yet, it is also highly problematic. Our vision of a civilising force of magnitude as the plays of Shakespeare should be an offence to any-
one claiming to be ideologically liberal and anticolonialist. For me, instead of access to some higher knowledge, Shakespeare here is instead representative of the brute force of colonialism that haphazardly claims itself above all other tradition. It is in this spirit that the canonical status of Shakespeare should be constantly disputed, due to the parameters which guard this canon. It cannot be that for a world with such diversity, a single man can produce literature which will embody all experience for all time. To support this would simply consolidate the ideological power of dead white men that have always deified their work in order to avoid criticism and marginalize women and people of colour from the sphere. Furthermore, to give Shakespeare the power that can only be likened to Big Brother over literary tradition only lessens our chances of creating something new, and even something better, as we are left shackled to arbitrary guidelines.
gusto you want and reread your favourite plays. Yet keep in mind the prejudices behind your assumptions that Shakespeare is the pinnacle of dramatic or even literary achievement, and maybe then you’ll have the strength to climb out of the wormhole of his accolades and offer the world a much-needed alternative. Image: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Representative of the brute force of colonialism that haphazardly claims itself above all other tradition
On a less ideological note, some of Shakespeare’s plays are simply poor writing. In particular his early play The Comedy of Errors, with which I have been forced into close acquaintance, should be considered an embarrassment to the genre. The comedic device of twins is pushed to such limits of absurdity that it no longer holds any ability to please or delight in its craft. Like any writer, he grew in his skill, yet somehow when we talk of Shakespeare we still falsely envision a literary prophet whose works are all of equal merit. So, celebrate the anniversary with all the
All the world’s a stage
The Shakespeare plays on in Durham this year
More Shakespeare: Midsummer Night’s Dream Hild Bede Theatre
28 - 30 January, Caedmon Hall
Revisionist Shakespeare: Goodnight Desdemona (Good Morning Juliet) by Ann-Marie MacDonald Pitch Productions
14 - 16 May 2016, The Assembly Rooms Theatre
Previously on: Kiss Me, Kate DULOG
19 - 23 January, Gala Theatre
Coriolanus
Hill College Theatre Company
Hamlet - Castle Theatre Company 5 - 6 February 2016, Durham Town Hall
Othello - Aidan’s College Theatre
5 - 7 May 2016, The Assembly Rooms Theatre
21 - 23 January, The Assembly Rooms Theatre Images: (From left) Kate Barton; and Olivia Howcroft.
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Thursday 28th January 2016
VISUAL ARTS
What’s On in the North East 2016
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Jane Simpkiss explores the exhibitions and galleries not to be missed this term
1. Hajra Waheed – The Cyphers The ever increasing militarisation of our skies is the focus of Waheed’s first solo exhibition at the BALTIC. As military drones and surveillance technology starts to become, for many, a major part of everyday life, Hajra Waheed’s drawings, collages and videos explore stories about unstable histories. BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead 29th January – 30th May 2016 2. Leonardo Da Vinci: Ten Drawings from the Royal Collection Explore ten of the most beautiful works by one of the most influential artists in history. Da Vinci’s wide range of interests from painting to sculpture, engineering, botany and zoology are captured in this selection of paintings and sketches. An exhibition not to be missed! The Laing Art Gallery, Newcastle 13th Feb- 24th April 3. On the Threshold II: Formal Presence In the words of Jean-Luc Nancy, “We are there without leaving the threshold, on the threshold, neither inside nor outside – and perhaps we are, ourselves, the threshold, just as our eye conforms to the plane of the canvas and weaves itself into its fabric.” Using painting and photography by Japanese artists, On the Threshhold II charts the meaning of our existence in a post-internet society and the lived experience of different cultures. Oriental Museum, Durham 29th January – 19th May 2016 4. Yorkshire Sculpture Park, Wakefield Get out of Durham and into the fresh air surrounded by some of the world’s finest sculpture. Featuring works by Barbara Hepworth, Anthony
Gormely, Anthony Caro, Ai Wei Wei and Andy Goldsworthy, the Yorkshire Sculpture Park turns the Yorkshire landscape into the perfect exhibition space. 5. Robert Mapplethorpe: The Magic in the Muse Iggy Pop, Andy Warhol, David Hockney, Patti Smith and Arnold Schwarzenegger make up some of the famous portraits American photographer Robert Mapplethorpe has captured. Photographs of musicians, artists, and socialites make up this exhibition, which opens up a dialogue about our increasing fascination with celebrity culture and self promotion. Bowes Museum, Barnard Castle Until 24th April 2016 6. Manifest: 10,000 hours by Clare Twomey Twomey’s installation of 10,000 porcelain ceramic bowls responds to the Centre of Contemporary Ceramics collection, the craftsmenship of their artists, and those that collect and cherish them. Each bowl takes an hour to make and represents the 10,000 hours it is said to take to become a master craftsman. CoCA at York Art Gallery, York 7. Alice Theobald and Atomik Architecture This exhibition brings together an artist with an emerging architectural practice to explore the relationship between art and architecture. Incorporating video, sound and live performance, this installation will take the viewer on a journey through a series of circular rooms to explore familiar and unsettling spaces and how the performer and viewer interact. BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art, Gateshead until 10th April 2016
8.Modern Scottish Women: Painters and Sculptors 1885-1965 The period of 1885-1965 saw an unprecedented number of women training and practising as artists. This exhibition will explore the conditions these women faced as students and the obstacles they faced due to their gender, featuring works by Bessie Mac Nicol, Phoebe Anna Traquair and Gertrude Alice Meredith Williams. Until 26th June 2016 Scottish national Gallery of Modern Art, Edinburgh 9. Jewellery Gallery- Middlesbrough Institute of Modern Art, Middlesborough Go and see the fantastic collection of jewellery at Mima, containing provocative and intriguing modern pieces made from everything from metal to rubber, hair, concrete and teeth! 10. Angel of the North by Anthony Gormley, near Gateshead overlooking the A1 and A167 Take a closer look at one of the most iconic symbols of the North-East. Gormley intended the sculpture to signify the land beneath its feet, which coal miners had mined for two hundred years, the transition between the industrial and information age, and to provide a focus for our developing hopes and fears.
@visualarts_palatinate Illustration: Romina Swan
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Thursday 28th January 2016
BOOKS
Turning over a new leaf Indigo Books make their reading resolutions for 2016
This year is shaping up to be an exciting one for book lovers. 2016 Katherine Bett heralds the release of highly-anticipated books like The High My reading resolution is to read all the Mountains of Portugal by Yann Martel, author of Life of Pi; The books on my bookshelf. There are loads Long Cosmos, the final book in the series by Terry Pratchett of great books just sitting there that and Stephen Baxter; and Meg Rosoff’s first book for adults, haven’t even been opened – titles like Jonathan Unleashed. There are also many exciting book-to-film The 39 Steps, Frankenstein and Catch adaptations coming up, including Fantastic 22 that probably came from a charity Beasts and Where to Find Them, The BFG, shop and would benefit from being Alice Through the Looking Glass and read. It’ll hopefully mean I can discover The Girl on the Train. 2016 is also an some great new works that didn’t initially important year for anniversaries: appeal to me. April marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death as well as Bruno Martin the 200th anniversary of Charlotte This year I resolve to start (and finish!) reading non-fiction books. Brontë’s birth. Look out for plenty My list is full of excellent works, from travel books to science of Shakespeare-themed events communication, that I can never quite finish in the way I consume this year, includnovels. To start, I’ll be happy to pick up where I left Bill Bryson’s ing a touring The Lost Continent, Christopher McDougall’s Born to Run and Yuval production of Harari’s Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Thomas Barber We’ve My reading resolution for 2016 is to read more non-fiction. When you’re buried in course collected reading that doesn’t bat an eyelid at Bottom being transformed into an ass, knights gallantsome of ly questing into faerie land, and authors who barely seem capable of stringing a sentence your readtogether *cough* Joyce *cough*, it’s easy to lose touch with reality. So whether it’s a history ing resoluof the Somme or Nadiya’s new recipe book, I’ll be trying to get back in touch with the real tions for 2016 world and reading more non-fiction this year. - hopefully they might inspire you to enjoy some of Anna Hupcejová the upMy 2016 resolution concerns both reading and writing. Being an English postgraduate student, coming my reading list mainly includes authors of the Medieval and Romantic periods – and this has to highchange! Since I want to become a short story writer, it is important to be aware of contempolights rary authors, publishers and literary magazines. Of course, there are far too many titles pubof the lished every year, so I will limit myself to short stories in English-language literary magazines year. (New Yorker, Ploughshares, Paris Review, for starters) with the aim of extending my reading horizons as well as finding a potential platform for my own stories. Why not make it your New Harriet Cunningham Year’s resolution to As a first year languages stuAlice Garvey begins our new online series about write for us? Email us at literary tourism. Look out for more articles explordent, my literary New Year’s books@palatinate.org. ing Paris, London and more! resolution for 2016 is to fully uk asking to join our immerse myself in French “Arguably, the Harry Potter series may be considered mailing list and folas at the epicentre of the literary tourism industry in literature for the first time, low us on instagram Britain today. Sites that run parallel to the novels can both as part of my course @palatinatebooks. be found throughout Britain, testifying to the books’ and outside of the curricuimaginative scope and their grounding in the modern lum. I’d love to read translaworld. From the Warner Bros. studio tour in Watford to Images: Lydia Hargreaves, the more remote Glenfinnan viaduct, the franchise has tions of my favourite books Jorge Marcos, Beth Beaden, ensured its longevity by rooting itself in the very cultural Anna Hupcejová, Harriet Cunfor a challenge!
Online...
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fabric of the UK.”
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Thursday 28th January 2016
TRAVEL
Around the world in seven photos
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A showcase of photography, with comment by Maxim Luan
The galaxy, sunrise and Baobabs. Taken in the Masai Mara National Park, Kenya. “Waiting through the night to capture this moment was tough; we had all kinds of company from insects to predators. The worst part was the the temperature. However, it was all worth it for this sight.”
An October morning in the Turpan Basin, Xinjiang Autonomous Region, China (above) “Mountains in this area are rich in iron, forming the spectacular colours seen in this photo. In the ancient Chinese novel ‘Journey to the West’, this place is named by the author as the ‘Mountain of Fire’.”
Tibetan horses (right) “Considered the truest friends of their people; residents in Tibet treat them as part of their family. They never use reins when riding, believing the horses can understand their rider even through a gentle tap or tiny movement. Only ‘gringos’ are permitted to use reins.”
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Thursday 28th January 2016
TRAVEL
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Taken halfway down Skiddaw in the Lake District, Cumbria (above) “This was just before sunset: the glow lit up the gorgeous little town of Keswick, and the lake just beside her.”
Taken in the poorest part of China, the mountainous area between the Yunnan Autonomous Region and Guizhou Province (above) Wuming Academy of Buddhism, China (above) “The largest and probably only existing Academy of Buddhism in the northwest part of the Sichuan Province, China. The academy is so massive that it fills up the whole valley, surrounding the legendary Wuming Buddhist Temple. Monks live, study, and worship here.”
Taken near Buttermere Lake, Scafell Pike lies in the background (below) “Sometimes it is not the skill of the photographer, but the power and beauty of nature that produces marvellous photographs like this.”
“Outsiders are extremely rare in local towns, and there is no business exchange between these towns and developed areas outside the mountain. Wrapping paper from our canned food actually ended up in local schools as the most up-to-date texts – taught by the only two existing teachers, who couldn’t even pronounce proper Mandarin. We, the photographers and reporters, felt like we had come from another world entirely.”
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Thursday 28th January 2016
FILM & TV
Spotlight on Spotlight
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Film & TV Editor Rory McInnes-Gibbons steals a cheeky preview of Oscar contending Catholic basher Spotlight before it softly strokes screens on January 29th
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grown up film. Very grown up, indeed. Spotlight stars Birdman via Batman, the resurgent Michael Keaton and The Avengers’ Mark Ruffalo. Despite this, these superheroes are not cartoonish caricatures. Keaton does not walk through Times Square in his undies. Ruffalo is not big and green. Mind you, he does look likely to pop out of his little leather jacket from time to time. Spotlight is the Based On Actual Events (another one, yes) retelling of the Boston Globe’s uncovering of the child sex abuse scandal within the Catholic Church. The Spotlight team are the investigative arm of the paper that sees tripartite leads in Keaton, Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams. Theirs is a 2001 world of basement archives, nascent internet, folding mobile phones and caffeinated high stress. But most importantly, integrity and dedication to the cause. This is a world to appreciate. The power of the press. There are no Murdoch media moguls. Printers whirr. Subscribers exist. Articles matter. It is anathema to the tab culture that drives today’s dilettante despair. Director Tom McCarthy affectionately draws a realistic landscape with little narrative embellishment, allowing the facts to drive the plot. The problem is where this plot leads. We live in the aftermath of Operation Yewtree and the abuses scandal within the Catholic Church. They register, but as a footnote of agony, locked deep within our collective consciousness. A horror buried. Spotlight’s search starts with an isolated case: a ‘bad apple’ paedophile priest. An exception. What transpires is a ‘recognisable psychiatric phenomenon’ that includes up to 6% of priests. Boston has 1,500. The team estimate 90 abusers. They find 87 suspects. Through victims, they reveal evidence against 70 priests. The shrouding of the truth is a systemic evil incorporating the clergy, the judiciary and the whole of Boston’s big village. The trail leads to the highest authority, Cardinal Law. But this is no Calvary style witch hunt, nor a Smithsian parody sliding down the bannister. Instead, McCarthy displays the trauma of a community tragedy. The
three leads lend the film ample space to explore the catastrophe before the catharsis as the Globe’s investigation risks ripping Boston apart. Stanley Tucci’s elusive attorney, Garabedian, precipitates the film’s major thematic exploration of the external and internal within a community. The premise is that Garabedian is Armenian, so he can see beyond the institutionalised conspiracy of Boston’s opaque authority: a Church/judicial pact of omerta that smothers dissent. Being ‘not from Boston’ might sound a tenuous theme, but the film follows this thread of alien identity to great effect. Ruffalo’s character, Michael Rezendes, is of
Portuguese descent. New editor, Marty Baron (Liev Schreiber) is Jewish, making a mockery of the Catholic attempts at catechism. Rachel McAdams’ Sacha Pfeiffer is from Ohio. Hardly exotic, but external nonetheless, giving each an immunity to the church’s shrouding of the truth. They remain strangers to Boston and have an element of objectivity through distance. Meanwhile, Spotlight editor Robby (Keaton) is deeply entrenched within the system, having grown up, studied and lived in the city throughout his life. As an alumnus of the local college, an editor of the local paper and a popular figure on the rolling rota of public engagements, he has a parochial, protectionist perspective biased by this background. The race to press becomes a battle of competing interests as the Boston authority (Church) seek to close down the investigations through the apparently easy prey of someone internal. Within the
system. Someone so steeped in the values and ethical practices as Robby must surely defend the reputation of his closed community. Close ranks. Stop press. The crisis is writ on the wrinkles of Keaton’s face. It becomes existential to the entire investigation and the end result is definitively personal. Robby defeats the internal filter and the external wins out. The story is released. The victory is a triumph for journalism. But the film cannot afford triumphalism: it deals with delicate material. Both the church, and its victims. This is not a case for winners and losers. The sole turn for the melodramatic is the inclusion of a carol concert as a sweet Silent Night juxtaposes the score against the frantic drama of the final days before the deadline. It is a necessary narrative device. 9/11 delays publication. Christmas comes and goes. In procrastination, the film makes an erstwhile attempt at urgency, though it rightfully fails as a thriller. Spotlight achieves a powerful emotional pathos, evoked most fully through Pfeiffer (McAdams) who doorsteps a priest, asking him to verify allegations of child molestation. She pauses, pained with the impossible situation. Words fail. The film takes time to develop the relationship with her religious Grandma they attend church together - before she reads the final article. The domestic setting of the kitchen table offsets the invasion of the awful news, the heartbreak etched in the stony silence. The facts have a voice of their own. Spotlight is a two-hour articulation of their power within society. Facts are unsexy. But the fact is Spotlight’s protagonist. That oft-overlooked vehicle to truth. The journalist is restored to the rightful position as the driver. Not just a slighted hacker of phone, but a full force to hold authority to account and pursue truth over speculation. We live in a culture that permits the basest media to erode and corrode our values. An overwhelming assault on our perception filter that blurs the lines between what matters and trivial tripe. Spotlight is a shining beacon reminding us that another path to enlightenment exists. And that is not one that lies in FaceBuzzFeeds…
Photograph: Digital Media Services
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Thursday 28th January 2016
MUSIC
Spotlight on: Music Durham
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The university’s music scene continues to flourish, thanks in no small part to the organisational and creative drive of Music Durham. We caught up with Vice-President Dumitha Gunawardene to find out what the new term has in store. Hi Dumitha! Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Music Durham has an extraordinary breadth of talent across the university. Can you give us a flavour of the sheer diversity within the organisation? We at Music Durham aim to represent and promote as wide a breadth of talent that Durham can offer! From the firmly established University Chamber Choir and Orchestra Society (DUCC and DUOS respectively) to the avant-garde New Art Music Ensemble (NAME), there is a group to suit anybody’s tastes. Music Durham also encompasses Durham Opera Ensemble (DOE), DU Light Opera Group (DULOG) and the fantastic new InstruMentors initiative, which provides the opportunity for student-tostudent instrumental tuition. For more information on our ensembles and upcoming events, check out our website. Over your time here, you must have seen/performed in some exceptional concerts across the city. Do you have a personal highlight? In the summer of my first year I was fortunate enough to perform Holst’s The Planets with DUOS in the cathedral. The opportunity to perform such a large work in a venue to match was one I won’t forget in a hurry. However, I must say that last term’s Northern Lights concert was one of the most entertaining performances I have seen at Durham over the past few years, so do check them out if you can! How can students who are involved with music
on a college level look to get involved in university-wide ensembles? Each Music Durham ensemble hold auditions (with the exception of the Korean percussion ensemble, who actively encourage those interested to come along), within the first two weeks of each academic year. If there is a specific group you wish to join, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with their exec through our website to find out how their audition process works. This term sees Durham Opera Ensemble performing Carmen in the Gala Theatre. The group’s Gala show always seems to be a resounding success – are we to expect much the same from this year’s cast? With a forty-piece orchestra, children’s chorus and a cast directed by Crispin Lord, you can be sure that this year’s Gala performance will be the most thrilling one to date. DOE’s biggest attribute is definitely their ability to transform classic opera
into wholly accessible night of entertainment. If for whatsoever reason you haven’t already, get booking your tickets! Readers may not be aware of some of Music Durham’s smaller ensembles. Are there any that you would particularly recommend checking out? I would highly recommend the university’s P’ungmul group (also known as the Korean percussion ensemble), who are known for their relaxed and sociable rehearsals. On the other hand is the New Arts Music Ensemble, who welcome musicians from any background and standard to participate in the performance of contemporary classical music. As I say, check out our website for details on concerts that are held frequently.
Photograph: Music Durham
2016: Indie Strikes Back by Will Throp A cursory scan of this year’s BBC Sound of 2016 makes for somewhat disappointing reading. Unsurprisingly, Radio One’s new bedfellow Jack Garrett takes the top spot, with critical nods going also to Queen of bland Alessia Cara and heir apparent NAO. With the BBC intent on turning the world a computerish beige one ‘hip’ playlist at a time, is there any hope for guitar music in 2016? All is not lost. Take the time to look beneath the surface, and a promising new batch of bands are bubbling away, ready and waiting to take the new year by storm. The latest kids on the block over
in NYC are Public Access TV. First single ‘Monaco’ exploded onto the scene last year with a real buzz, channelling city compatriots Julian Casablancas and co., intermixed with Weller-esque attitude. It makes for quite the concoction, so expect big things from their debut album later this year. On this side of the Atlantic, the BBC’s sole redeeming recommendation comes in the fine shape of Essexbased upstart Jordan Cardy, a.k.a. RAT BOY. His premier hit ‘Sign On’ is a socially conscious antidote to the pains of youth growing up in 21st Century Britain. Musically, it is the sonic lovechild of Jamie T intermixed with early Libertines.
Look out for a rapid rise of festival lineups over the summer months. Elsewhere, the future looks bright for Manchester based art-rockers Spring King. This four-piece churn out propulsive grooves with aplomb, driven by their immensely talented drummer/singer, Tarek Musa. The band’s track ‘City’ was the first song to be broadcast on Apple’s radio service Beats 1 - high praise indeed from music aficionado Zane Lowe. Following a support slot with Courtney Barnett at the end of last year, Spring King come to Newcastle’s ‘Think Tank’ in early February, so take the opportunity to check them out when they’re in town. It won’t be long before they’re selling out much bigger venues. The upshot of all this? Look beyond the hype playlists and don’t bet against 2016 being the year of the indie kids. Guitar music is about to make a welcome return. Image: Public Access TV via Tumblr