THE FASHION EDITION
FROM THEN TO NOW
INSIDE THIS ISSUE Music Kurt Martinez Fashion Bantum Clothing interview Travel Vietnam Health Getting fit and healthy Film Dubai Film Festival Gaming & Tech Nerf Games interview
Vintage is still hot et -online.n
ry 201 Februa
um 1 | Vol
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Editor’s Letter www.platform-online.net E D I TO R- I N - CH I E F
MARY ANN PICKFORD mary.pickford@su.ntu.ac.uk D E PU T Y E D I TO R
OLIVER WHITFIELD-MIOČIĆ deputy-editor@platform-online.net NE W S / FE AT U R E S E D I TO R
KENNICE MORRISON news@platform-online.net M U S I C E D I TO R
JAMIE MIDDLETON music@platform-online.net FI L M E D I TO R
JAMES GORDON film@platform-online.net PH OTO GR A PH Y E D I TO R
STEFAN EBELEWICZ photos@platform-online.net A RTS E D I TO R
MICHAEL WORRALL arts@platform-online.net FA S H I O N E D I TO R
LUCY BUDGE
fashion@platform-online.net T R AV E L E D I TO R
LIZ RIORDAN
travel@platform-online.net G AM I N G & T E CH N O LO GY E D I TOR
AARON LEE
gaming@platform-online.net H E A LT H E D I TO R
LAUREN ROITMAN health@platform-online.net S PO RTS E D I TO R
WILLIAM TAYLOR
H
ello Trent Army and welcome to our Fashion edition!
In this issue we discuss a little bit of clothes and style and predict which trends are next to hit the high streets this spring and summer (page 26). But for all those new bold patterns and prints that are on its way over, somehow we just can’t let go of our vintage gear (page 20). The Come Dine With Me star, oh, and founder of Bantum Clothing, famous for its I Love Notts t-shirts, also has a chat with Platform about how he got into clothes designing and why Trent is so flippin’ brilliant (page 28). Also to my horror we find out that wearing Uggs with dresses is a total nono (page 30). Now who’s guilty of doing that!? …Ahem. On a completely different note, if your room’s got a bit of a funky smell and hasn’t been cleaned since the day your parents helped you move in, you can now do it yourself the cheap and simple way without having to spend your booze food money on expensive cleaning products (page 40). More pennies saved for more important things, that’s for sure… So we all know 2010 was a massive year for dubstep, but how about the house and techno scene? The club-night-in-a-warehouse Wherehouse? (spelt like that with the question mark and everything) has it all covered. Check out our review of its first birthday (page 15) and see if that’ll tickle your fancy. By the way, nominations to run for Exec are now officially open and Ben, VP Societies, has some advice if you want to put yourself forward (page 7). I hope you enjoy this issue, and if you want to keep updated you can follow us on Twitter @PlatformOnline or on Facebook ‘Platform Magazine’ or visit our website on platform-online.net. Much love,
sports@platform-online.net D E S I GN E R S
SIMONA CIOCOIU ANDY LAWRENCE LEE SKINNER comms@su.ntu.ac.uk
Mary Ann Pickford Editor-in-Chief Platform Magazine
Nottingham Trent Students Union, Byron House, Shakespeare Street Nottingham NG1 4GH 0115 848 6200 0115 848 6201 EMAIL platform@su.ntu.ac.uk TEL FAX
EDITORIAL ENQUIRIES
Email the relevant address above left PRESS/PR ENQUIRIES
Email platform@su.ntu.ac.uk
Cover photo: Miguel Torena Model: Kirsty Walker Jacket: Wilder, Nottingham (0115 941 0746) Assistants: Hollie Buxton, Stefan Ebelewicz Stylists: Lydia Stott, Sarah Baker
ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES
Contact BAM Student Marketing on 0845 1300 667 or www.trentstudents.org/student_marketing Platform is an independent publication, and any views expressed herein are not necessarily those of the Editor or of Nottingham Trent Students Union and its Elected Directors and Officers. Companies advertised in Platform are not necessarily endorsed by Nottingham Trent Students Union. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the prior permission of the Editor.
Contents
6-7 Union News
20-29 Fashion
48-51 Film
+NBS Masters Open Events +Fly FM’s Breakfast Show +SU Express team win award +SAC Opening hours have changed +Escape & Evade +Student Volunteering Week +2 minutes with the Exec...
+Photoshoot +Trent Street Style +Top 5 Biggest trends for S/S 2011 +Interview Simeon Hartwig of Bantum Clothing
+Review Dubai Film Festival +Platform’s Film Awards 2011
8-12 Features
30-37 Travel +Australia +Kavos +Vietnam +China +France
+Amnesty International +Interview Trent alumnus wins design award +Column All work and no play? +Postgrad courses offered at 10% discount
13-18 Music +Interview Kurt Martinez +Review Wherehouse’s 1st birthday +Review The Gentleman’s Dub Club +Review Interpol +Review My Chemical Romance +Review Sonic Boom Six
19 Trent Voices
52-57 Gaming +Interview Nerf student devs +Fashion in games +Column Maxed Out +Reviews Digital Delights
58-61 Sports
38-43 Health +Get fit and healthy +Cleaning made cheap, easy and fun +Savoury and sweet recipes
44-47 Arts +Platform’s hot picks +Review Manière des Bohemiens +Review The British Art Show 7 +What’s on in term 2
+Looking back at 2010 for Notts FCs +A chat with three Panthers +Match Report Arsenal v Tottenham +NTU Lacrosse
63 Notts Events & NTSU Ents Listings
+Is fashion for people with big wallets and bigger egos??
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Union News www.trentstudents.org
INTERESTED IN STUDYING A FULL-TIME MASTERS COURSE AT NOTTINGHAM BUSINESS SCHOOL? N
ottingham Business School is holding a full-time Masters courses open event on Wednesday 2nd February 2011, 4 pm – 7 pm, in the Newton building on Goldsmith Street, Nottingham, NG1 4BU. Nottingham Business School postgraduate and professional open events are an excellent opportunity for you to find out what we have to offer. If you are interested in studying one of our full-time Masters courses, come along to our open event on Wednesday 2 February 2011 to find out more about what Nottingham Business School can do for you. Visit www.ntu.ac.uk/nbspgopen to book your place.
Choose from our wide range of postgraduate courses including: • MSc Management • MSc Management and HRM • MSc Management and Entrepreneurial E-Business • MSc Management and Investment Strategy • MSc Management and International Business • MSc Management and Marketing • MSc Marketing • MSc Marketing (Customer Management) • MSc Marketing (Advertising and Communications) • MSc Marketing (Retail) • MSc Strategic Accounting and Finance
• MSc HRM* • MSc International Business* • MSc Economics and Finance • MSc International Finance *subject to validation Postgraduate study is an investment in yourself and your own future, your potential is waiting to be unlocked! Unable to make this date? Don’t worry; we also have a postgraduate and professional open evening on Wednesday 13 April 2011. Visit www.ntu.ac.uk/ nbspgopen for more details.
FLY FM THE BREAKFAST SHOW W
ell hello there! We’re from Fly FM, your student radio station for NTU.
We’re going to be in Platform every month telling you all you need to know about our shows and making sure you don’t miss a thing! Fly FM is bigger than ever this year, with the station being on air from 9am-11pm every weekday. Our Breakfast Show is a brand new addition to the schedule and will aim to cure your hangover and help wake you up for another day at Trent.
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We’ll discuss the previous night’s antics, remind you about what’s going on around your university, and most importantly we’ll play the best new music for you to wake up to. Also expect lots of games, gossip, and regular updates from The Fix news team. There are some amazing features that are unique to each show, including special guests, competitions, ‘beard-offs’ and much much more. If you miss a show then you’ll certainly miss out, so make sure the Fly FM Breakfast show is part of
| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
your morning, every day of the week! It broadcasts on flyfm.co.uk at 10am12pm every weekday. Be sure to check the website regularly as you’ll find out about all the latest news and competitions there first. We’re also on facebook.com/flyfmuk, Twitter: twitter.com/fly_fm and YouTube: youtube.com/flyfmuk. Until next month! The Fly FM Team
IMPROVING RETAIL SERVICE IN SU EXPRESS The SU Express retail team at Clifton and City have recently been awarded the NCN Retailers Award, as all staff there are either currently working towards or have already achieved retail qualifications.
Ben Wheeler, VP Societies Interview by Mary Ann Pickford
STUDENT ADVICE CENTRE OPENING HOURS HAVE CHANGED From 10th January 2011, the Student Advice Centre (SAC)’s weekly term-time opening day at The Orangery, Brackenhurst Campus has changed to Thursday (the first one being 13/01/11). The opening time remains the same at 1pm-4pm (no appointment necessary). Please note there are no changes to SAC’s opening hours at Union Central, D.H. Lawrence, Clifton Campus (11am-4pm daily during term time), nor to opening hours at Byron House, City Campus (11am-4pm daily, all year round). No appointment is necessary. Students can also telephone SAC on 0115 848 6200 or email sac@su.ntu.ac.uk
ESCAPE AND EVADE 25th - 27th February
The event you’ve all been waiting for has arrived: Escape and Evade! The challenge is to blag yourselves as far away from Nottingham as possible, and back in 52 hours...without spending a penny on transport! Last year’s winners made it to Amsterdam; if you think you can go one better then drop into the office or email us for an information pack.
2
MINUTES WITH THE EXEC...
Group registration fee: £15 Minimum individual sponsorship: £100 Closing date: 4th February 2011 (hurry - spaces are limited!) Website: www. trentstudents.org/rag Email: RAG@su.ntu.ac.uk Phone: 0115 848 6211 Drop in: SU Exec Office, City Campus
All the money raised goes towards supporting our RAG nominated charities: Alzheimer’s Society, Victim Support and Orphans of Ghana
STUDENT VOLUNTEERING WEEK 21st - 25th February
As part of National Student Volunteering Week, initi8’s calendar is going to be jam-packed with fantastic One Day Challenges, giving you the chance to really make a difference to your local community. Volunteering is the perfect way to make new friends and incredible memories, so check 10th anniversary out what we have on offer and sign up Student Volunteering Week now! Trentstudents.org/ studentvolunteeringweek
M: How’s it going so far as VP Societies, Ben? What have you been up to? B: Really good, I’m getting on with everyone at the office. Well recently we’ve had all the grant forms in for the societies requesting money for trips and events. A lot [of money] has been up for grabs. People have had some crazy ideas of what their society would spend the money on but myself and the rest of the societies management team went through all the forms and allocated them. M: What kind of ideas did the societies have? B: A lot of societies are going on trips. It’s mostly for trips and events, so we pay for expenses for stuff like that ‘cause obviously they need to fund it somehow. For example the Conservation Society are going to the Natural History Museum, I think the Law Society wants to go abroad somewhere and the Economics Society are looking into going to Amsterdam. So it’s kind of trips like that, that are within their aims and objectives, that we fund. M: So for people who’ve not joined a society yet what would you say they could expect if they joined one? B: Expect a lot of people with similar interests. If you come along to the first meeting you’ll instantly build a rapport with someone ‘cause you all have similar interests. So it’s really worth going to speak with them. Compared to a lot of things at uni it’s quite cheap to join, so that’s definitely a benefit. Memberships range from £4 - £10. M: Do you have any other plans for the societies? B: We are at the moment looking into a societies ball for around May time, which is something I wanted to do when I originally started [as VP Societies]. We’re looking into the financial situation at the moment but hopefully something like that will go ahead, but if not it will be a major part of the NTSU awards. M: Was there anything on your manifesto which you’ve wanted to do but not achieved yet? B: There’s been a training package set up. I knew I wanted to set up some type of society training for people. We’re kind of taking the first steps towards that. Myself and Matt Leventhall [Societies Coordinator] set up a training package and Matt helped me write it, and a lot of society committees have been starting to do that. It’s like personal training for them, giving them something a bit more work-based so it’s something they can take with them into employment. M: And finally the elections are coming up soon, what would you say to anyone who wants to get involved and run for Exec for next year? B: Anyone that wants to go for it, I’d say definitely come and speak to us. Find out as much as you can before you make your mind up because you might find a role that you may not know you have the skills to carry through. But also come speak to every officer not just the one you’re interested in to see what they think of that role. I think that’s the best way of doing it if you’re thinking about it.
www.platform-online.net |
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Features Edited by Kennice Morrison (news@platform-online.net)
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www.platform-online.net |
9
Features
Trent Alumnus Wins Design Award T
rent Uni is chock full with loads of talented students so it’s always good to hear about their success once they leave the bubble and make it in The Real World.
It’s no different for 29-year-old Claire Hepburn who studied Decorative Arts at Trent. She graduated with a first-class honours degree and is now a Designer Maker who hand-makes garden ware, gates and fences from her own illustrations. Recently she won a major national award. Mary Ann Pickford chats with Claire to find out more. M: How does it feel to win £1,000 from the Shell LiveWIRE Grand Ideas Design? C: It’s amazing, it’s really going to give my business a great start! It’s great to receive the feedback not only from the panel of judges but from the public - the people who will hopefully be purchasing my products. M: How did you hear of the competition and what made you go for it? C: Whilst completing my degree my tutors often talked about various competitions and grants. When I started my business my lack of funds held me back so I decided to look for opportunities online. The award is for people under 30 who are in their first year of trading so it was a now or never decision.
M: So what do you plan to do with the funding you’ve received? C: I plan to use it to buy the equipment I need in order to start a studio, so I can continue making my work. M: How do you think your time at Trent Uni helped you to get to where you are now? C: The course is excellent at preparing you for being a self employed artist in your chosen field. This really helped me both in starting up and in building my confidence as a designer maker. M: There are probably a lot of students who are thinking about starting their own business, how did you start yours? C: I received an order for my work towards the end of my third year and it all happened from there. M: What do you aim to do with it? C: I want to create a sustainable business that, given time, can move into creating a mass-produced product, making contemporary garden-ware attainable for all. M: What did you enjoy most about being at Trent? C: I made some real friends – it’s a cliché but they will be friends for life! M: And finally what advice would you have for third years in preparation for graduating and getting a job? C: Be open to all opportunities that come your way, even when you are busy in your third year, you never know what doors they may open. To find out more about Claire and her designs, visit her website on www.clairehepburn.blogspot.com
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| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
Uni I Truths:
All work and no play?
t doesn’t seem like that long ago when I was writing my first article for Platform. At that point, we had the year ahead of us. The necessity to do work seemed like a world away and we were enjoying settling back into uni life.
Tom tells it how it is as a Trent student
Yet I write now, having spent the last two weeks locked almost exclusively in my room. Three times a week, iPod on, I have biked through the streets of West Bridgford to Clifton Campus and sat through a lecture that just reminds me that each deadline is getting a week closer all the time. But lecture over, I return home and sit once again in front of my computer.
rewriting the work that I hope is going to bring me the ultimate reward at the end of three hard but hugely enjoyable years. Ultimately that’s why we are all here. To get a degree that will move us forward in life. And thinking about it, it’s not such a great sacrifice. I’ve had some of the best years of my life in Nottingham, and I’m sure I’m not alone. I’ve met many people, made great friends, had some nights to remember, and so two or three months of hard work is little to ask towards the back end of each academic year.
No longer can I sit and watch Cash In The Attic, no longer can I lie in bed reading and claim I’m doing work. I can’t even remember what the inside of Walkabout looks like and I’m sure that when I make my first Oceana visit of 2011, I’ll get hopelessly lost. For all I know it might not even be there anymore.
Around us, we feel everyone is working harder than us but at the end of the day we’re doing this for ourselves. So as the rain fades (please!), and the sun begins to appear more regularly, Trent students can begin to enjoy the final few months of another uni year and realise that we’re all in this together. They always say regular breaks are important, so Oceana here I come!
Day after day I’m sat here, writing and
Tom Wallin
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ou te c a u ad
rses offered at 10
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ith the future of higher education in the doldrums it’s about time students have something good to look forward to. If you’re considering staying on in education after your degree to pursue a masters but the thought of paying ridiculous amounts for it puts you off, then you may be pleased to know that Trent Uni and many others around the country are offering a 10% progression discount on certain postgraduate and masters degree courses. What this means is that if you are a finalyear student and you decide to continue studying after getting your undergraduate degree, the University will discount your fees. It’s available to all final-year students and if you are an existing student and choose to study a full-time masters course in Nottingham Business School, Nottingham Law School or the School of Social Sciences in 2011, you will automatically receive a 10% discount off the cost of your tuition fee.
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There are also a number of competitive Masters Scholarships available in these three Schools. These are worth up to £2,000 and anybody who has been offered a place on an eligible course can apply. (Full details on www.ntu.ac.uk/ pgdiscounts).
However the discount has split student opinion: on the one hand some students see it as a good thing. Emily Bird (20), a Media with Pathways Student, says: “It encourages students to carry on with studying. Student fees are daunting, so the discount is a big help.”
Studying in higher education is expensive as it is, but this discount will make masters courses more accessible to you. It’s another reason to continue studying and take on a postgraduate degree if you’re interested in increasing your knowledge within law, business or social sciences. They’re structured with industry and professional research in mind so the experience and skills you learn will have direct relevance to the career you have in mind.
But on the other hand others see this as a desperate attempt to get more students. 20-year-old Joseph Walls, who’s studying English, feels universities aren’t doing enough to ease the financial burden and says: “Make no mistake, universities are not fooling students into thinking that they are good value for money.”
Many of the lecturers in these three schools are also actively involved in cutting edge research. This means they have direct career relevance in their field and can orientate successful postgraduate students to develop transferable skills and see real career progression.
| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
It seems small gestures like this discount is not enough to keep some of the current learners happy and in higher education, but it can help towards making your masters degree in law, business or social sciences more accessible than it has been before if that is the career path you choose to take. Luke Westwood
Music Edited by Jamie Middleton (music@platform-online.net)
Platform interviews
KURT MARTINEZ Knocking around Notts is a very busy boy. It isn’t easy to get time with rising star Kurt Martinez as he’s a producer and also a solo artist running his own record label. But Platform managed to grab a cup of coffee with him to find out what it is that makes him tick and what makes him one of the hottest new music acts in Nottingham. As Kurt flicks through a copy of Platform saying #she’d get it" to various good-looking girls in the mag, Tarran Huntley joins him to discuss his busy busy life:
TH: So you’re a busy man, why is that? KM: I’ve got a lot on mate, to be honest. I’ve spent the last seven months in the studio and started out doing ‘I Am The Answer’ after the split of my band No Etiquette. I set up my own label and started out writing songs and made sure I was getting them out. TH: You have churned out an enormous amount of singles in the past few months, what makes you tick? KM: Big busty babes. I dunno I’m always writing – I’ve always liked writing, so it just makes sense. When I set up the studio in my garage I could be in the studio all the time and just record, so I’m forever doing something. I looked over some old songs the other
day and it wasn’t working. So I’ll rewrite stuff from my back log and sample bits from old songs. I’ve got an initial ten tracks for a good live set, but I’m always writing so I can throw in different songs and measure crowds reaction live and adapt to different audiences. TH: People have compared you to a lot of artists, from Angels and Airwaves, Hadouken, Skepta, Calvin Harris and Example, but who do you draw influence from? KM: I am a big penis of bands like Hadouken and 3OH!3, the whole electronic based bands like DR.Luke and Max Marvin [producers of 3OH!3 and Katy Perry] and I try and bring that style in to what I do soon as. I’m
one man on my own now and not a band. But pop punk like Blink 182 is my roots, and I try and keep that in my music, whilst giving it a different spin. TH: When you’re live, you’re up on stage alone, how do you do it? KM: At the minute, I’m running to a backing track, just me singing, my guitar, the Macbook and erm… Jumping around like a crazy fool. TH: Do you get nervous playing to large crowds being alone on stage then? KM: Oh yes it’s frightening. Before every gig I get very nervous, then as soon as I hit the first note of the guitar, the nerves just go away and I dunno – it’s like I take on a different persona. >
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Music (continued from previous page)
2:1 overall, but I didn’t enjoy London as much as Trent. It’s my home.
TH: How do you make the music?
TH: Coming back to uni?
KM: I work very closely with my co-pilot, Robert Huskinson – I dunno what I’d call him, my co-producer, co-writer. We’re both into the same thing and he’s a great artist himself, and to have him on board, it’s good. We get each other and when we’re together we make good music that I know I’d want to hear and hope other people would enjoy listening to.
KM: I will be. I aimed to take a year out but I haven’t looked at coming back yet. I’m getting a lot of experience in music and I’m looking for the right course – providing Cameron doesn’t knock it up…
TH: What about uni, did you go? KM: Err, yeah I did, I studied my first year under NTU at Clarendon College, doing a BA in Sonic Arts before moving to London to finish off what would be my Diploma in music technology specialist at TVU [Thames Valley University]. I’m taking a gap year now to make something of my music. I did very well at uni, got a
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TH: So how are you planning to take yourself to the next level? KM: Phwooof! Big question. Obviously with the help of Luke, marketing and the fact I’ve been played on Trent FM a couple of times. All I can do is push to get more songs played in different places and play lots of gigs. Lots and lots of gigs. TH: You’ve been played a lot on our very own Fly FM, as well as Trent FM and other stations, how does it feel to know you could be on the cusp of something big?
| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
KM: Firstly, Fly FM has been a massive help and I’ll be doing a live session on there on February 11th to play the singles live. It’s nice to have support, and it’s nice that after the shows I’ve played people come up and say they’ve enjoyed it. That’s better than being on stage knowing that people appreciate what I do and showing it. TH: Anything else you’d like to add? KM: Yes. It’s about seven and a half inch. And yes I am single. TH: Well…
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Review
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ottingham’s coolest venue celebrated its first year with a party like no other. Julius Winfield warmed up the decks for Romulus Schwarz the resident DJ. Helium balloons filled with LED lights were handed out as clock struck midnight. Martin Dawson warmed up for his set with some rhythmic lunges then let loose some serious tunes to the dancing well wishers. Next up was Inxec with a set full of dynamics who played at the venue at the opening party a year ago. If the crowd were tired from all the action and dancing so far then they should have spared a second for Matt Tolfrey. After playing at Fabric he came up to Nottingham for his second set of the night. Despite the journey from London he was full of energy and on an obvious post Fabric high.
Project in Manchester, has opened the eyes of many to the fun that can be had in abandoned spaces. Running since 2006 the project has critics who complain that the events are too big and drinks are too costly. That’s not the case at Wherehouse... Drinks are affordable and the venue is just the right size. Let’s wait and see if that changes when more and more start coming to have a dance under those lights. Words by Oliver Miocic Photos by Chris James / onehauscollective.com
What a year it has been! The venue has played host to brilliant DJ’s such as Ethyl, Lee Curtis, Wolf + Lamb and Droog but to name a few. There’s always a friendly crowd, relaxed atmosphere and some of (if not) the best house and techno in town. The hidden gem in Sneinton opens its doors once a month due to a restricted number of temporary events licences that the council hand out. Word has spread like wildfire since the first party in 2009. There’s no tickets, there’s barely any advertising and if you want to get in you’ll have to put your name down on their Facebook page before heading down. Founder Eddie Green looks back at what he’s achieved over the year: “I have a lot of good support. I’m quite surprised by how many people are into warehouse parties. It’s done a lot better than what I could have ever thought. It’s a lot of fun.” He’s right; warehouse parties have exploded in the past few years. The biggest of the bunch, The Warehouse
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Music
Review odega let the door ajar for some ska, It was a sell-out show if you must know, ya? The sounds of Fire and Emergency were heard from afar, The glass windows downstairs rattled like a vibrating jar, Inside lasses were undoing their bras, For Nick on the Guitar and Johnny the singing star, “Wouldn’t mind his crowbar insofar as my lumbar at his hotel boudoir” Said a dirty little heffa, In the smoking yard some Uni Of Rahhhs Passed some High Grade in a cigar reefa, You know the type “I’ve just returned from Ibiza, Banter at Cafe del Mar, ate some Frutti de Mar and Foie Gras, Drove daddy’s Jaguar, “it was comme ci, comme ça, har har!” Thank god us Trent lot know what we are,
we don’t need to act all la-di-da, So what of the band? This review’s mostly blah blah, They were No Misery, amazing, definitely on par, The bouncer found it quite bizarre, When the crowd surged forward wanting a coup d’état, Instead he called backup and they pushed the crowd backward,
From those Uni Of posh boys cries of “mama!, mama!” As the last song ended cries of “encore une fois!” So back on stage to play Party Boy to a great “hurrah”.
to life instantly. Any worries that Interpol were going to fade away after this album are dismissed and banished immediately.
haven’t slept for two days, I’ve bathed in nothing but sweat.’ Every single person sings back the same words, as if it’s their tale to tell.
That’s all from me, au revoir... Oliver Miočić
Review
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dark, stark cold November evening. The perfect setting for indie’s thrillingly, sexy New York veterans, Interpol. Coming to the end of a turbulent year for the band, with the loss of stylish, iconic bass player Carlos D and the release of a less focused self-titled fourth album - tonight Interpol had something to prove. And boy did they succeed in proving it. Graced with one of the most impressive collection of songs of any band in recent times, Interpol fans can be quite precious about which songs they want to hear when they eventually do tour, because their appearances over this side of the pond are so few and far between. There’s no way they could be disappointed tonight. Launching straight in with the opener ‘Success’ from the new album, lead singer Paul Banks’ distinctive, heart achingly raw vocals ring out and bring the new album
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Continuing through a set of perfectly placed old and new tracks it is apparent Interpol may have been through a lot this year but they are more solid as a band than ever. Shrouded in a dense cloud of smoke, their music is able to create an instant atmosphere. Some tracks are brilliantly melancholy and sentimental as on ‘NYC’, but others such as the frantically played ‘Say Hello to the Angels’ show their ability to make a lot of epic noise. Fan favourite, ‘Slow hands’, gets all the Nottingham bodies moving, dispelling any myth that this band can only deliver music on the depressing side of life. While ‘Rest my Chemistry’ brings the sexy swagger back, as Paul Banks invites us into his private world singing ‘I
| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
After completing what already feels like a pretty perfect set, Nottingham must endure maybe the longest wait for an encore ever. But the wait is most definitely worth it, as we are treated to three of the best tracks from their debut album ‘Turn on the Bright Lights’. Beginning with the sultry, soundscape ‘Untitled’ and onto the epic, journey that is ‘The New’, where we are carried from the sweet start to the filthy bass line that creeps up at the end. Finally the stabbing guitar and swinging melody of ‘PDA’ bring the proceedings to a fitting end. Nottingham you lucky things. If you weren’t impressed, what were you watching? Zoë Turton
Photo: The Gentleman’s Dub Club
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Review
B
ack in the days of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge, you were more than likely to hear My Chemical Romance described as a punk-rock emo band. When the Black Parade was released in 2006, this was still pretty much the impression we were under. Now, latest album Danger Days: The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys has blown that right out of the water. A concept album focusing the Fabulous Killjoy characters of the band, Danger Days doesn’t have a single self-loathing, depressing song on it. At least, not on a first listen. With The Black Parade’s incredible success behind them, MCR has moved on to create something completely different to their previous style. This album is full of upbeat, catchy tunes - and although it definitely takes a little longer to get into than their previous records, it’s worth the wait. It has just about everything we’ve come to expect from My Chemical Romance, and a little bit more with the new concept of the Fabulous Killjoys and their fight against Better Living Industries. Admittedly a little more complicated that of the good old Patient and Black Parade, but it really shows the band’s creative vision and spirited imagination brilliantly.
Make a wish when your childhood dies/ Hear the knock, knock, knock when she cries/We’re all alone tonight.” Definitely something different to the stereotypical MCR we’re used to, with Gerard Way’s vocals enhanced electronically to eerie effect. The futuristic feel of the album is evident in the music, particularly tracks such as ‘Planetary (GO!)’, which begins like some crazy space alarm system and quickly has you dancing along with its punchy chorus and jumpy beat. Similarly catchy is the album’s first single release, ‘Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)’. Irritating as the title may be to say out loud, the heavy drums and insistent background vocals get you well and truly singing along - you might have guessed that the lyrics aren’t too difficult to pick up. All this isn’t to say that there aren’t any more melodic, ballad-esque tracks - there are. S/C/A/R/E/C/R/O/W is a beautifully tuneful piece reminiscent of some warped children’s nursery rhyme: “Move your body when the sunlight dies/Everybody hide your body from the scarecrow/Everybody hide.
‘DESTROYA’ is interesting track, heavier on the guitar than the rest of the album, and very much with a point to make, although it’s unclear how this fits into the Danger Days concept as a whole: “You don’t believe in God/I don’t believe in luck/They don’t believe in us/But I believe in the enemy.” Basically, My Chemical Romance have managed to record another catchy album, breaking all the rules they’d previously set themselves and surpassing all the expectations of their fans. Danger Days is another example of the creative vision and growth the band has seen since their last record, and it is definitely a change we approve of. Jamie Middleton
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Music
Photo (top): John Clarke Photo (bottom): Toorbenn Zimmermann
Review
S
onic Boom Six are carving their niche in the underground scene as a band that can mix and weave genres together to create a unique sound, made even more unique by the distinctive voice of lead vocalist Leila K.They can only be described as a soundclash of punk, ska and reggae with a little smattering of hip-hop and dub. The Boom’s live shows are as chaotic and energetic as its genre implies, and their gig at the Basement in Rock City is solid proof of this. Not only were they just on stage but they looked as if they owned it. They had swagger that reflected the seven years experience of being together as a band and the crowd, although a relatively small one, were skanking and moshing like nobody’s business.
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It’s no surprise as how they played the opening song Polished Chrome and Open Kitchens, from their fourth album City of Thieves, instantly set the foundations for what the rest of the gig would be like: dynamic, compelling and highly entertaining. Sound of a Revolution followed suit in the same energetic style, a song from album Arcade Perfect released in 2007. Bang Bang Bang Bang! also featured which is a melodic electronica-infused reggae piece. Somehow it turned the electric vibe in the air up a notch, such was the power in their performance. It contrasted to other songs they played like Bigger Than Punk Rock which is faster and sounds more aggressive with the grinding guitars and
| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
hooks in the chorus but it was still played with ease and skill. In between songs they engaged well with the audience and even encouraged a circle pit to start - to the delight of some of the more hardcore rockers in the group. The show ended soon after but Sonic Boom Six returned with two encore songs, YaBasta! from latest release Rude Awakening and a cover of Addicted to Bass by Puretone. It was a great way to end the whole set and left no doubt in my mind that Sonic Boom Six, although still on the borders of mainstream and underground, will get even bigger this year and deservedly so. Mary Ann Pickford
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Trent Voices
his month we surveyed 100 people - well not quite, but we nabbed some of you and asked whether “Fashion was for people with big wallets and bigger egos?” The results are in and most of you said you don’t agree...
Laura, 19 Psychology
“No. You can get fashionable things for cheap prices. I don’t have a big wallet but I like to shop.”
Karen, 19 Psychology with Criminology
Joe, 19 Building and Surveying
“No I don’t think so. It should be for everyone.”
“No it’s for anyone. It’s a statement of who you are and it’s a way of expressing yourself. You don’t necessarily need a big wallet or a big ego.”
Charlotte, 22 Architecture
“No it can be for everybody depending on your budget for example Primark if you’re on a lower budget or high street stores.”
Sam, 19 Accounting and Finance
“In a sense, yes. Everyone wants to wear the best brand names - nobody wants to wear rubbish brands. Everybody just wants Abercrombie or Jack Wills.”
James, 23 Furniture Design
“I’m broke and I quite enjoy fashion. Maybe egos a little bit.”
Jade, 18 Fashion, Communication and Promotion “No. Everyone can be fashionable.”
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Fashion Edited by LUCY BUDGE (fashion@platform-online.net)
faPsHhOTioOSnHOOT T
he start of a new year doesn’t necessarily have to signal the start of a completely new wardrobe for all the new trends. Why not grab hold of some vintage clothes from yesteryear and give it a new leash of life by accessorising with modern items? Sorted!
All items, this photo: Stylists’ own
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Photographer: Miguel Torena Model: Kirsty Walker Assistants: Hollie Buxton, Stefan Ebelewicz Stylists: Lydia Stott, Sarah Baker
Skirt by Wilder, Nottingham (0115 941 0746)
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Fashion
Jumper by Wilder, Nottingham (0115 941 0746)
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| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
Dress by Wilder, Nottingham (0115 941 0746)
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Fashion
Dress by Wilder, Nottingham (0115 941 0746)
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| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
STRYELEET ST
Eddy, 20 Forensic Science Jacket: Primark Hat: Sports shop Jeans: Next
Nicky, 20 Design for Film and Television Jumper: Oxfam Charity Shop Shorts: COW in Nottingham Boots: Ebay
Once again Platform hit the streets of Nottingham to check out what you’re all wearing this month. (Photos: Lucy Budge)
Catherine, 20 Graphic Design Jumper: Primark Shoes: Primark
Ross, 20 Fashion Marketing and Branding Jacket: Foot Asylum Jeans: Qudos in Lemington Spa
Jess, 18 Photography Jacket: Own mother’s Scarf: Warehouse Jeans: Topshop
Sareh, 26 Fine Art Jumper: Zara Trousers: Zara
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Fashion
Top 5 BIGGEST TRENDS
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0 2 R E M M U S / G N I FOR SPR
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ith the winter season slowly disappearing, our wardrobes are starting to need a revival ready for the sun to appear. It’s time to hide away our camel coats and aviator jackets and look towards the catwalks for what we need to hunt down as ourstyle essentials. Here Lucy Budge presents five very different but important trends that are set to hit the high street.
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We are turning our backs on the classic English traditional look, with our heads leaning towards the orient for inspiration. The spring 2011 ready to wear collections showed great oriental influence, with kimono style dresses and foreign headwear. It was also clear by the choice of pattern and colours how gone the greens and browns of our winter wardrobes were. Rich jewel tones flooded the catwalks, with detailed patterning and embellishment. At Louis Vuitton, the runway set screamed orientalism, with gold and black fringed curtains and three giant solid tigers.
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Another look that is set to hit the stores is pleating. Inspired by the bohemian hippy era of the 1970’s, the detailing is set for a comeback. Not only confined to sheer skirts, the catwalks demonstrated pleating on dresses, blouses and shorts. There was also an array of different types of pleat, such as the accordion, knife and box. Henry Holland danced his models down the runway in a variety of pleated clothing, in bold gold and metallic tones.
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The major trend that is set for the spring is dramatic colour. Forget everything nude and neutral, and think big, bold and clashing. The trick is to layer and not stick to the one colour, be daring with your choices. Think candy-pink tops and neon orange shorts. Jewel tones are also making an appearance, with ruby red dresses and sapphire blue shirts. This explosion of colours has been seen globally, from New York to Milan. The clothes are designed with a street urban influence, which can be clearly seen at Marc Jacobs, with maxi dresses flooded in bright tones paired with statement clutch bags.
| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
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Amongst the colourful runways was a very different contrasting look, using dark and heavy colours. The biker chic look is back, mixed with an influence of 70’s glam. Prepare for the high streets to be filled with the classic black leather jacket, but modernised. Biker jackets, boots and trousers will be heavily embellished with silver chains and studs. Jeans will be slashed at the knees, with that typical punk rock attitude. Leather will also be added as detailing, seeing it as panelling on dresses and the sleeves on tops. It was a major fabric seen on Burberry Prorsum’s spring runway, updating their classic trench coat in black leather.
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Denim is being updated for spring 2011. Gone are our average jeans, say hello to slashed and stonewashed. Designers are showcasing full outfits purely constructed of denim, such as long outerwear and flared trousers. This was vivid at Derek Lam, in which the designer sent his models soaring down the catwalk in trousers, blazers and trench coats.
DEREK LAM
LOUIS VUITTON
5 BURBERRY PRORSUM
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MARC JACOBS
HENRY HOLLAND
Photos: Style.com
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Fashion
Big
IN THE
S
GAME
imeon Hartwig, ex-Trent student and creator of Notts street label Bantum Clothing, is certainly getting ‘big in the game’ after winning Channel 4’s Come Dine With Me. So how’s the success of it affected the business and how exactly was Bantum born? MARY ANN PICKFORD chats with Simeon to find out more.
Photos: Bantum Clothing
M: Firstly, congratulations on winning! How’s it feel? S: Cringing is the first word that comes to mind! Then ‘why did I increase Peter’s score?!’. But at the time I was super happy - and drunk. The whole week was pretty intense, a lot of fun but as the show goes on reality that a lot of people are going to see and judge you on TV kicks in so I started to feel the pressure, but utter relief when I won as I figured I can’t have been an absolute twat, just the diet coke of twats… [laughs]. M: So what did you do with the money? S: Most of the £500 went on Bantum bills so it came at a really good time, then a weekend surf trip to Newquay with Trent Surf, baby! M: How’s the label been affected since your appearance on the show? S: Our web sales quadrupled in the week after the first showing. The lucky thing is Bantum is highly connected with me so when peeps stalked me they got Bantum. We did loads of Facebook promoting. It definitely has helped raise the profile and we got a couple of shop orders off the back of the show but it’s quietened down, so no doubt we’ll be on the lookout to get on some kind of dodgy reality TV show... But this time I’ll send Jimmy - Bantum’s other half!
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M: How’d you form the idea of setting it up? S: When I was 16 or 17 at college in London for my business A levels, I came up with ‘smalls’ which is a skate brand for smaller guys ‘cause I literally was, back then, pretty small. I couldn’t ever find skate clothes that could fit me ‘cause everything was too big. So my concept back then was skate clothes to fit the smaller guy. It kinda came from there after I started working with The Hive when I went to Trent.
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M: Is it just you who designs the styles? S: Up until last year I designed everything. I see myself as having a quite child-like design style. I haven’t studied drawing design so I’m quite one-dimensional which is good and bad, but then the other guy James Huyton, he’s legendary, he’s got his own mini collection. Often with our new collection what’s happening more and more is I’ll come up with a concept, I’ll draw an initial thing, it’ll look a bit like a five-year-old did it and then I’ll relay what I’ve done to him. He’ll work on it then I’ll take it back and talk with him about it.
M: You’re quite famous for your ‘I love Notts’ t-shirts, how’d that come about? S: It was lucky man like, it was from the beginning. I just did it at night college in South Nottingham College. I was learning screen printing there and one day I didn’t have any blank t-shirts to print on, and at first I made a little Bantum logo which is completely different to what it is today on an ‘I Love NY’ shirt I had but printed it in the middle of the heart and it kind of evolved from that and I just played with the ‘NY’. Some people kinda think I just came up with this idea like ‘I wanna make a load of money on making something Notts’ but I didn’t, it was more like it just evolved from something that was funny. I didn’t even expect it to be a big thing. It was just one of five designs I did in a three month period at South Notts and it all took off from there. M: So if we wanted to check out some of your clothes or maybe even buy some, where could we go? S: You can go on to the website on www. bantum.co.uk or Wild and Wilder in town who stock some of our ‘I Love Notts’ t-shirts and hoodies.
WIN Now here’s your chance to win an ‘I Love Notts’ t-shirt! Just answer this question:
M: Tell us about some of the awards you’ve won for Bantum ‘cause there’re a few aren’t there? S: I got a few runner ups, but the main one, well I applied for the British Council’s Young Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year in 2009, and you get interviewed then they take six people to go to India to learn about the fashion industry there. I got to go and it was amazing, I went out there with five other girls. It was awesome, like there was no competition [laughs]. But just being exposed to the Indian design industry was amazing.
A few months after that there was a big drinks thing at London Fashion Week and an award ceremony to award one winner UK Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year. Half the time I was like ‘it doesn’t matter if you don’t win as long as you have fun doing it’, but by the time the actual ceremony came I was battered ‘cause there was a lot of free champagne. I didn’t expect to win at all and in the end they called my name and I was like ‘you’re kidding, I’m f***ed!’, it was hilarious.
Where did Simeon win his Young Fashion Entrepreneur of the Year 2009 award? A) Paris Fashion Week B) London Fashion Week C) India Fashion Week D) New York Fashion Week Send your answer with your full name and contact number to platform@su.ntu.ac.uk. Competition closes on 28 February 2011.
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Travel Edited by Liz riordan (travel@platform-online.net)
The laid-back trends of sunny
Australia
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f anyone knows how to dress, it’s the Aussies. Some would argue that the Brits and Americans are at the epicentre of fashion but this was certainly not the impression that I got. The first thing most people think about when it comes to fashion Down Under is Ugg boots. And rightly so, they are the Jack Wills hoodies of the UK, but if an Aussie was to be seen with the boots being worn with a skirt or with shorts the way we wear them, they would certainly have something to say about it. This is a ‘no-go’ as far as they are concerne. Uggs are worn with jeans or leggings at the very least. Also you needn’t be shocked if you were to walk down the street and see men wearing them, either. In fact, my 70 year old uncle lives in his! Obviously bikinis are at the heart of any wardrobe in Australia. They must be bright and colourful and well fitted, and let’s not forget the slim tanned body
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that seems to model them across the crystal clear beaches. It could actually be said that a tan is at the peak of the ‘most wanted’ looks out there. Both the men and women are very image conscious and work hard at getting their perfect summer glow.
rock up at 10 minutes to whatever time they need to be somewhere, throw some shorts and a t-shirt on and sometimes don’t even brush their hair. Of course, they make a little bit more of an effort if they are going to work or on a night out but generally they are very laid back.
One thing that really struck me out there was the fact they all drive shoeless - especially in the summer months. As flip flops are the only shoe worn and are relatively difficult to drive in, they just ‘flip’ them off literally and cruise bare foot. This was one habit I found hard to get out of on my return to the UK and I kept it up for quite some time until my toes began to feel as though they were going to drop off from the cold.
It took me over a year to start using my hair straighteners again once I left the place. Funny how I wouldn’t be without them again now, but I really miss walking out the house with towel dried hair and letting the scorching sun dry it out for you – giving you the perfect beachy aunatural look that you envy when watching Neighbours. That feeling is definitely what I miss most about that beautiful place.
For me though, the thing I loved most about the Aussies was although they like a nice tan (and yes they try to take care of their bodies) really, underneath all that, they don’t actually give a damn. They
Aussies stand for being individuals and that’s why I love them.
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Hollie-Marie Bone
KAVOS W
hen summer hits, people choose backpacking in Asia, lying on a beach in the South of France, camping in fields filled with thousands of people. But then there are those whose interests consist of fishbowls, pole dancing, cheesy music and wearing t-shirts with names on the back which their mother wouldn’t be too proud of. These people find that their holiday should be on an island in Greece and although I am a festival girl at heart, Kavos was an opportunity for me to take off my wellies. In the summer of 2008, before I even knew about my university results or even had a legal drink in a pub, me and seven other girls put on our custom made
Greek island of Kavos. As soon as we got there we got thrown deals at our faces which our livers weren’t going to be too happy about.
closer to a group of lads from Hayes, originally they said they were from London but we South London girls know that Hayes is not Londontown.
Our apartments were right on the beach, well I say it was a beach but it looked more like a play pit and if you dared go in the sea you’d make sure you’d swim above it at all times.
Romance was on the cards for a few of us, my boy was called Callum, in fact he goes to Nottingham University now but I have yet to see him in my three years of living in the city. I think it’s a good thing. My friends nick named him ‘Calcium’ and used every milk joke they could think of to rip me with.
Dawn turn to dusk and Kavos came alive. The first night I experienced litres upon litres of cocktails (it has put me off Sex on the Beach for life). I also realised that I had to turn my tomboy jean-wearing self into a similar version of Jordan. After hours of dancing on tables and trying to hold down the bright blue drink I kept ordering, we went back to our rooms where the mosquitoes awaited me.
Morning came and I looked in the mirror to find myself covered in bites. You could have played dot to dot all over my body. What I was more bothered about though was my room mate was bite Typical Kavos street free, now I realise that, t-shirts with nicknames on the back (evthat Bella Swan girl wouldn’t be the only eryone who has ever been to an airport thing Edward would want to bite. in the summer knows what one of these looks like), got on a plane and flew to the Over the next couple of days we got
Moving on from what will embarrass me if I now see my old holiday romance in the city, my holiday consisted of other chavtastic moments like my mate falling off a random’s motorbike, jumping off boats to find champagne in the sea, one meal a day, same meal every day, piles upon piles of foundation to cover up my bites and seeing Tim Westwood spin some decks. By the end of the week some of us had lived up to our t-shirt nicknames and some of us had realised that when they have a child, Kavos is banned from their lives. Sitting in the airport, ready to leave the constant sounds of Neyo’s ‘Get closer’, I had a feeling that my blood was now alcohol based, I probably had malaria and I could no longer eat solids. Who knows when my nicknamed t-shirt, which is lying in the bottom of my drawers, will be used again. El Jeffery
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Travel
V
ietnam is a country of opposites: old and new, traditional and trendy, North and South. In a day you can go from the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City with street vendors, bustling bars and unique shops cast in neon lights and surrounded by the constant roar of
Vietn example of the paradox that is Vietnam. With its large central lake, beautiful temples and French architecture, the vibe is definitely more laid back and the elegance of old Asia intertwines with the exuberance of modern Vietnam.
motorbikes, through the tranquil rice paddies of the Mekong Delta, where women in traditional conical hats work tirelessly, to beach paradises like Mui Nei where the sand is white, the cocktails are numerous, and the bright blue sky is clouded by the thousands of kite surfers that flock there every year. Geographically blessed with unbelievable sights like the karst formations at Halong Bay and some of the best beaches in the world, historically and culturally rich and full of some of the proudest and most welcoming locals you will ever meet, tourism in Vietnam is on the up as more and more travellers discover what the country has to offer. The capital, Hanoi, is the ultimate
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The food here is amazing. There are many great restaurants serving all kinds of cuisine and the Parisian influence is still strong. You can often smell the scent of freshly baked baguettes lingering on street corners. On personal recommendation, however, Hanoi is the place to sample Pho, the traditional Vietnamese noodle soup served with rare beef, bean sprouts and lots of red chillies – really delicious and the ultimate hangover cure! When it comes to fashion Vietnam takes influence from ancient tradition mixed with vibrant Western trends, presenting varied options from both ends of the spectrum. Traditional Vietnamese dress, or Ao Dai, is still widely worn by
nam many Vietnamese women of all ages particularly in the South and involves a long, tight fitting tunic worn over pantaloons. Originating in the 18th Century, the Ao Dai has evolved over time and the modern fitted version worn today was designed in Saigon in the 1950’s. The dress is linked closely with ideals of feminine beauty in Vietnam and elements of the design can be seen to influence Western designers such as Calvin Klein and Christian Lacroix. However many young Vietnamese are pushing the boundaries and there are lots of great new designers and boutique shops opening all the time. In Ho Chi Minh City, the side streets surrounding Pham Ngu Lao in District 1 are packed with small boutiques and unique garments. Dogma is particularly good for designer looking gear, and there are bargains to be had at the large Ben Thanh market nearby, although you may have to hunt hard and keep an eye on your bag! The locals have also developed their
own style. Although still very traditional in the more rural areas, trendy young Vietnamese frequent the clubs and coffee shops of all the major cities, working neon bright jackets, printed t-shirts and relaxed denim which are usually accompanied by a baseball or trucker cap. The best way to experience Vietnamese fashion is undoubtedly to have a garment made to fit. A traditional Ao Dai is a lovely keepsake to have, and the tailors in the larger cities will happily make anything you ask for – be it your own design or a copy of a designer garment from a magazine. The ultimate place
for fashion has to be Hoi An, Vietnam’s answer to Saville Row, where you can pick up perfectly tailored garments made to fit for the equivalent cost of a Primark T-shirt. Like most of South East Asia, the markets in Vietnam are a great opportunity to pick up unique souvenirs, fabrics, jewellery and clothes. Visit the mountain village of Sapa, in the Northern-most part of the country for breathtaking scenery, great street markets and traditional tribal jewellery and woven fabrics. You will find good markets pretty much across the country but particular hotspots include the historical town of Hue and of course Hanoi, the capital. For a totally unique retail experience, the floating markets of Can Tho are hard to beat. The extremely early 5am start is worth it as you float down the Mekong river at sunrise, whilst vendors pull their boats alongside yours to offer banh mi, a freshly baked roll filled with Vietnamese pork, eggs and salad. This is where the bulk of the day’s trading happens, and you can see vendors trading everything from fish to fabric for sale in the day’s busy markets. Vietnam’s appeal lies in its diversity. Whatever you’re looking for from your travels, you are guaranteed to have a unique experience and go home with many stories to tell – and maybe a whole new made-to-fit wardrobe. From food to fashion, beaches to bustling cities, Vietnam is a country on the up. Clare Absolon
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Travel
CHINA: A changing n S
teeped in a rich history of art, religion, war, invention and perhaps most famously martial arts, China is the oldest continual civilisation. It remained relatively unchanged for thousands of years yet the last one hundred years have seen China undergo dramatic changes to its social hierarchy, economics and environment. Some of these changes have been questioned ethically by the UN but China, as always, will be China so I travelled to the republic communist state to see first-hand whether the country lives up to the images we see in the media. What is the voice of the real China?
The first thing I wasn’t expecting when I arrived in Jinan on the east coast of China, was the reaction of the Chinese people to my presence, and more so,
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the contrast of the reaction. Some, particularly the older and poorer gentlemen who would spit to ward away what they saw as bad chi, offered scowls but for the most part I was met with fascination and awe. All eyes fall on to the Westerner with my blue eyes, light curly hair and brightly coloured tattoo. I was subject immediately to photographs and requests to be touched or for parents to show me to their children. I began to ponder on this fascination and throughout my stay I realised its significance in the redevelopment of China. Everywhere I look I notice adverts displaying western style housing, with green lawns and a nuclear family - although I see none of this present. Clothes shops sell western style clothing, often with English slogans, and the models are all white. I arrive at the prestige Shandong University, which is to be my residence for the next three weeks where I am offered lectures on the growth of China’s industry and economics. The scheme is government run and not a single word of the inequality of the economic boom is mentioned. The lecturer smiles eagerly as though seeking the approval of his
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western students attending the scheme. However I find it pleasant upon a night stroll of the campus to note the outdoors qigong, tai chi and kung fu classes
taking place on the campus. Leaving the boundaries of the university, the industrial boom is apparent in Jinan as skyscrapers race up to the heavens once reserved for only the immortal, and it dawns on me that this once individual country has become a counterfeit of western civilisation as it pits itself in competition. Market upon market offers imitation ‘Nike’ sweatshirts and if I desired I could buy a pair of incredibly cheap but incorrectly spelt ‘Convorse.’ This is a capitalist country hiding as a communist state. The rich wear the big
:nation European brands, and the poorer fake it (unknowingly). Alarmed by this imitation America I head in search of something a little more Chinese. Concealed away from the rows of McDonald’s and KFC I find pockets of old Jinan where you can buy just about anything to eat on a stick, and I head onwards to find the black tiger springs, located along the canal. Here I find Chinese children playing in the water and see water being drawn from the springs that pour from four stone tiger’s mouth’s and used for making tea. Feeling rewarded for my perseverance I took a bus to the state of Qi to see Mount Tai’an. Mount Tai is one of the “Five Sacred Mountains”. It is associated with sunrise, birth, and renewal, and is often regarded the foremost of the five. The temples on its slopes have been a destination for pilgrims for 3,000 years. Today tourists can get a bus half way up before taking the 7,200 steps to the very highest peak of the mountain. The walk is long but rewarding, for it is as you near the aptly named ‘Gate to Heaven’ at the top that you notice the air is considerably fresher and for the first
time you feel the tingling heat of the sun on your skin and realise what had been missing the whole time: the sun. From the city sprawling in the horizon they see only shops and advertisements but if they were to take their eyes off the goal of beating the west and look back to the heavens as once the Chinese did, they would notice the skyscrapers and smog that cast them in shadow. The country has forgotten the true meaning of their god’s wisdoms. Amongst the temples that have become tourist shops I find one that remains. At the very top, hanging on to sanctuary I enter the temple of the Jade Emperor, former King of the heavens. He is behind glass to protect him from attack. China is like a child playing with its new toys during its industrial revolution. Yet as I breathe in the fresh mountain air I am reminded of the qigong students back at the university, training their breathing and keeping alive a little bit of the oldest civilization in the world, and I feel that hope is not lost. If a way can be found, it lies not with Chinese democracy but in the hard work of its people. Tarran Huntley
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Travel
D
uring French class back in secondary school my teacher announced that our school, as well as five others in the area, would be taking part in the French Exchange and if anyone was interested to let them know by the end of the week. I’d never really been very spontaneous up to that point in my life, so when I got home and said to my parents “I want to take part on the French Exchange and stay with a French family on my own for two weeks” they were flabbergasted to say the least. I was paired up with a French girl named
Sari Drouhot and after talking to her through email and sending letters I felt happy enough to go and stay with her and her family. As I boarded the coach in Easter 2003 only three of us from our school were taking part along with thirty or so other strangers and that was daunting. I soon made a group of friends on the long journey down and this made things a lot easier since we were all in the same position. Arriving in Paris and catching an overnight train to our destination, Montélimar (southern-eastern France) it soon hit home just how crazy this whole thing was and I started to panic and get very homesick. I spoke French very poorly and I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to communicate with my family. But arriving there late at night and walking into a
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crowd of strangers holding signs with names on I soon spotted my family and they looked very pleased to see me, so straight away all my worries vanished. The car journey to there house was a little awkward and with them trying to ask me questions in English and me trying to answer them in French all my panic slowly came back. Sari’s mother told me that if I needed anything I must ask for it in French so I soon picked up key phrases and although at the time I thought it was mean, I am now thankful for this method of teaching. It was a 5am start every weekday for school and for breakfast we would have strong black coffee and a croissant. Then off to school her mother would drive us and this was the best part of my day – meeting my English friends and knowing
I would have at least eight hours with them to swap stories. When sitting in Sari’s lessons to see how their classroom worked some of the teachers would be very rude and expect us to be fluent in their language, often shouting and scowling when we could not understand. At one point an English teacher asked us to help teach her lesson which we found really fun because everyone was so interested in getting the answers right and it was interesting to hear them try to speak the language. Even though it was April time that we went over there, when the weather in England was still cold, in Montélimar it was a heat wave and we spent most of the day on the field making friends with the French students.
Meal times were very odd because breakfast would be at 5am, lunch would be at 2pm and then we would eat dinner as a family at 10pm which I found to be very late. I often dreaded eating with the family because conversation would be hard to understand and sometimes her brothers would laugh because I could not understand. The food was different to what my parents would cook at home and for one meal they cooked us snails which I was forced to try. I’m glad I did but I definitely wouldn’t do it again.
French vibe. There is a little river with boats that travel up and down and the area is clean and well respected by all people. Crazy as it was when I signed up for it I’m now really glad that I did. Liz Riordan
As the first week came to an end I started to feel at home and get to know my French family much better, going places with them and meeting their friends. Her mother would take us shopping and bought me some beautiful clothes to take home with me. She soon referred to me as her ‘English daughter’ and said I was always welcome in their house. In turned out that I participated in the French Exchange the next two years with the same family and we grew very close. Montelimar is a stunning place to visit and you must try their nougat as this is what they are famous for making. The beautiful little town centre has cobbled streets and traditional cafés and delicatessens which really adds to the
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Health Edited by Lauren Roitman (health@platform-online.net)
renew those ways of getting
fit and healthy We’re well into the swing of 2011 now and if you’ve found your resolution to keep fit and healthy has waned, no worries. Tarran Huntley will take you back through the motions of exercising to get you inspired to work out and work off the fat - if you have any that is!
R
ecent NHS studies show a link between waist size and diabetes. Those particularly at risk are those with a family history of the condition or are at a waist size above 33” (dependant on height and build). If you’re worried get checked out - a simple wee-on-a-stick and consultation should give you an answer. For most it’s not that drastic but if you have a bit of a pouch you want to get rid of then these simple tips to keep it slim may help. The core (not just the middle of an apple) is a band of muscles behind the abs that support your insides and your back. When it’s weak it allows free floating radical fats to attack vital organs, including the pancreas which regulates your blood sugar as well as producing countless other hormones that your body might not need a lot of. So maybe rather than breathing in when you clock an attractive member of the opposite sex, you should keep your gut trim and here’s how…
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, Beers and ciders: drop it like it s HOT
Eat meals in smaller portions
Although a pint or two a week can be good for your bones, too much of the yeasty goodness will bloat you up like nobody’s business. You could switch to spirits like Vodka, or if you have the class, then a nice scotch for a leaner option, although too much of a good thing will result in the same scenario.
You can regulate your blood sugars and take some of the pressure off your pancreas by eating every three hours. This doesn’t mean a whole Sunday roast periodically through the day, but instead smaller meals. Snacks should be light and low in fat like cold meats or nuts. Foods such as cherries and red kidney beans are always a good shout, the latter being found in chilli, and will help to slowly release energy throughout the day.
Early to rise, early to shine Getting yourself out of bed and into a nice carb-rich breakfast such as porridge early as possible in the morning is an important feature of your day, as leaving it too long before eating puts your calorie burning abilities on hold and your body will store fats. I know that it can be hard to drag yourself out of bed sometimes, but doing so will be good for you in the long run.
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Toughen up
1.Right, this is how we roll: The press-up matrix. Do 15 standard press ups, 15 with your hands at double shoulder width (to work your back) and 15 with one hand on top of the other level with the middle of your chest to work your forearms and triceps. Do not take a breather between this. 2.Rowing press ups: Take 2 dumbbells between 3-5kg, one in each hand. You go down, you come up, pull one arm up to your chest, set it down, repeat on the other arm; keeping your chest parallel to the floor. 3 sets of 8 reps. 3.You ain’t done yet, Hoff. You have one minute, to take a breather and then one minute to cane out 100 press-ups. If you’re up to the challenge, why not film it and link us to it on the Platform Facebook. You ‘ard nut you.
Now let’s get physical There is no reason that everybody can’t keep themselves in shape, either from the gym, a sport or simple at-home exercises. Here are a few you could try:
Planks: The simple way
1.From a press up position, go down on to your forearms, your hands shouldn’t be higher than your shoulders. 2.Keep your bum down and your abdomen tight. You should look, in short, like a plank. 3.Hold the position for 30 seconds before resting, and repeat 3 more times. This works particularly well at the end of a work out.
Toughen up 1.Whilst in the plank position above raise one hand up to your body, keeping your chest parallel with the floor. 2.Hold this for 15 seconds then change hands. 3.Extend the arm you started on out in front of you, off the ground as far as you can reach. Do this whilst extending the opposite leg in a similar manner behind you. 4.Hold for 15 seconds then change sides and repeat.
Press ups:
The simple way You know how to do a press up. Keep your bum down and get your nose to the floor with each rep and you can’t go far wrong.
EverheardofMuscle Memory? Sounds mad, but your muscles can remember the position they’re supposed to be in, this means that if you keep your shoulders back and your gut tight all day, after a while your body will keep this posture naturally, and you’ll look hot rather than getting caught out sucking it in, or if it’s really bad, tucking it in. So get on it and strut your stuff.
Ever seen a monk eat? On a low bench, sat up straight, with the bowl held in hand, and eating small amounts at a time. Ever seen a bloated unhealthy monk? No. Ever seen your average student eat? Bent over a table, slumped and shovelling pizza in. The affects on your core are self-explanatory. Discipline of the self and of the body becomes reflective in your physique and inevitably your health. So take a look at yourself and see if you can benefit from these tips. Right, time for my 2pm snack, see you later, sports fans.
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Health
Cleaning made cheap, easy and
Fun
!?
W
e all know how easy it is to let things slide... Leave those plates stacked up for a few extra days, clean the bathroom another day or just stuff everything under the bed when your parents visit. When you finally do decide to clean the abyss, you’re confronted by cleaning products that are abrasive on your pocket and skin. Hanna Ljunggren offers some student-friendly cleaning advice that will keep you in pocket and your house clean enough to keep the parents off your back. Being part of the Great Unwashed myself, I know very well that cleaning may not be at the top of a student’s to-do list but let’s face it, we can’t continue living like gruesome slobs our entire lives so getting into some good habits now may well save a lot
The Kitchen
A great shelf-stacker is the humble white wine vinegar. It can do basically anything at the affordable prize of £0.54 for a 350 ml bottle (thank you Asda). A lot cheaper than your average environmental rogue and it’s better to use in cooking than, let’s say, Mr Muscle. Mix one part vinegar with one part water in a spray bottle or a utensil of your choice. Spray it on all kitchen surfaces or soak a cloth in the solution and wipe away. If the kettle is filled with lime scale after serving endless cups of tea, simply fill it with vinegar and leave it overnight - or as long as possible until someone demands a cuppa. Don’t boil it as it will go everywhere! When the vinegar has worked its magic rinse the kettle, fill it up with water and boil once before using it.
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of time, money and effort in the future. And although we may party ourselves horrendously ill sometimes, the place where it’s easiest to catch something nasty is in fact the heart of the house: the kitchen, the place where we mainly do
Bicarbonate of soda is cheap as chips and great for all-round stain removal, unblocking drains and freshening up fabrics. Mix it with some water and give that greasy cooker a good scrub. To get rid of weird odours coming from the sink, pour a cup of it down and follow with some boiling water. You can also use it to neutralise any funky smells in the fridge. Find some old tights (preferably clean!), cut off a small piece and fill it with some of the powder. Tie the little sock up and pop it in the back of the fridge. This should keep nasty smells at bay and keep the fridge smelling sweet.
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some serious pre-drinking and occasionally eat a greasy pizza. Instead of spending money on getting a million different things to wipe out those germs, let’s just keep it nice and simple and get a few really good all-round cleaning aids down.
Here’s what you need: A grotty student house White wine vinegar Bicarbonate of Soda Lemon juice Sparkling water Salt Washing up liquid
The Bathroom
The Bedroom
The biggest bathroom-related problem, apart from the occasional boyfriend, friend or flatmate who don’t always hit the target, is probably lime-scale and soap residue. Mix vinegar with lemon juice and wipe down the bath, shower and sink. You can also pour some of the mixture into the toilet and give it a good scrub with the toilet brush. Not only will the bathroom be clean and hygienic, it will also have a fresh lemony smell.
If you’ve got a carpet in your room, you know how grimy it can become after a little while. Next time you clean your room (whenever that may be...), sprinkle some bicarbonate of soda over the carpet and leave for about 15-30 minutes before you take old Henry the Hoover out for a spin. The powder will help to lift up old dirt and stains out of the carpet and give it a proper face lift.
?
Finally, a few
how-to’s... Instead of having to ring home to mum every time you find yourself dealing with a smaller disaster, cut this out and save.
Red wine spills
No fretting! The answer is simple: salt. You may have heard it before but have you actually tried it? Salt is really good for combating those stubborn deep stains. All you need to do is to cover the wine stain with salt and then rinse with cold water. Alternatively rinse the stain with sparkling water and then dab it with a bit of kitchen towel.
Chewing gum mess Stale smoke smell Under your shoe, on your clothes? We all know that chewing gum is a pain in the backside and how gross it is when it’s stuck to either you or your belongings. But fear not, there is a solution. If you’ve got it on your clothes put the garment in the freezer for a couple of hours. When the gum is frozen, try scraping it off with a blunt knife. If there’s any gum left after that, mix salt with some washing up liquid and rub it until all of the gum has come off.
Whether you smoke or not there’s no denying it can stink up the place sometimes. If you’re trying to get rid of the smell, bicarbonate of soda is your friend (once again). Not only does it help to remove stains out of fabric, it also deodorises it. So just sprinkle it on all fabrics around your room and then hoover up. The longer you let it sink in, the nicer the room will smell.
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Health
Savoury You’ve only had your loan for a month but the constant abuse of your card has left you with little money for meals out. Sophie Kenyon has a recipe for a Wagamama inspired noodle dish that will have you eating in, and healthily, every night! There is nothing more healthy and wholesome than a steaming bowl of stock jam packed with noodles, chicken and your favourite veg - a meal in one bowl! Unbelievably simple, completely flexible and absolutely yummy!All veg is optional and you can add or swap other kinds to suit your taste. Feel free to swap chicken for prawns or beef too!
Wagamama Style Noodles. Serves: 2 Prep time: 30 mins All made on hob
What you’ll need: Chopping board (one for meat, one for veg) Selection of knives, Saucepan, Colander, Frying pan or Wok, Wooden spoon.
Method Ingredients: 2 boneless chicken breasts; cut into 1cm slices, 1 egg, beaten, Salt and pepper, 1tbsp corn flour, 1 litre chicken stock (You can make this by dissolving two to three chicken stock cubes in a litre of boiling water), 250g noodles (entirely upto you which you use - I used egg noodles that just need 3 mins soaking in boiling water), 1 pak choi (or couple of handfuls of spinach), roughly chopped, 1 carrot, cut into thin slivers, 1 leek, cut into thin slivers, A handful of beansprouts, 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped (you don’t want to bite in to a huge piece of garlic), 1/2 inch piece of ginger, grated or finely chopped, 2tbsp sugar, 2tbsp light soy sauce, 2tbsp vegetable oil.
1. First you need to prepare the noodles by cooking them according to the instructions on the packet. Once cooked drain into colander and run them under cold water to prevent them from going soggy. 2. Place the stock in a pan and bring to the boil. Turn the heat off and add the pak choi, put the lid on and leave until later. 3. In a small bowl mix together the corn flour, egg, salt and pepper. Add the chicken and mix around. 4. Heat your wok or frying pan until hot and add the vegetable oil, then the garlic and ginger. Fry these (stirring constantly as they burn easily!) for 5 seconds and then add the carrot, leek, beansprouts and the entire contents of the bowl of chicken. 5. Stir fry this for 5 minutes, making sure you keep the chicken on the bottom so it cooks through. 6. Add the salt, sugar and soy sauce to the pan and cook for a further minute. 7. Ensure the chicken is cooked through and then turn off the heat. 8. Divide the noodles between two shallow bowls, ladle over the stock and pak choi and then top with the chicken and veg.
9. Eat and enjoy!
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Sweet You’ve only had your loan for a month but the constant abuse of your card has left you with little money for meals out. Sophie Kenyon has a recipe for a Wagamama inspired noodle dish that will have you eating in, and healthily, every night!
Method Ingredients:
What you’ll need: A tin that’s approximately 30 x 20 cm Baking paper Pan Mixing bowl Sieve Wooden spoon Whisk
For the gingerbread: 150g Margarine 125g dark muscovado sugar 4 tbsp golden syrup 4tbsp black treacle 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, grated 1tsp ground cinnamon 1tsp ground ginger 250ml milk 2 eggs, beaten 1tsp bicarbonate of soda, dissolved in 2 tbsp warm water 150g plain flour, sieved 150g wholemeal flour (you can use any ratio of wholewheat to plain according to taste, bear in mind wholewheat requires a little more milk to be added) For the icing: 1tbsp lemon juice 175g icing sugar, sieved 1tbsp warm water
1. Preheat the oven to 170C and line your tin with baking paper. 2. Melt the butter with the sugar, golden syrup treacle, fresh and ground ginger and cinnamon, stirring gently until completely combined. 3. Once melted, remove from the heat and add the milk, eggs and soda water, stir to mix. 4. Measure the flours into the bowl and pour over the contents of the pan, stirring well until it forms a smooth liquid batter (it will be very runny - don’t worry!) 5. Pour it into the tin and bake for 45 minutes to an hour or until firm to the touch. 6. Once removed from the oven you can make the icing. Measure the icing sugar into a bowl and add the lemon juice, whisking until smooth and glossy. Then gradually stir in as much water as you need, the icing is supposed to be quite thick so you may not need the water at all. 7. Spread the icing over the cake and leave it to set slightly before cutting into about 20 squares. Sometimes I decorate each piece with some crystallised ginger or sweeties.
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Arts
Edited by Michael Worrall (arts@platform-online.net)
Platform’s HOT PICKS This month we love: Legally Blonde the Musical – Now entering it’s second year in the West End, Legally Blonde is just the uplift you need to get you through the rest of the cold winter into Spring. It’s easy to pick up a student ticket so get yourself down to the Savoy Theatre now.
Desperate Housewives – Season 7 is as spicy as ever and we are loving it.
Glee – back in November they announced a UK Tour for Summer 2011, it’s sure to be full of enough cheese to make you vomit but will definitely leave you on a high.
Nottingham Contemporary – we all hate the cold, winter weather but there’s nothing like an evening at one of Nottingham Contemporary’s many events to liven up your week. Harry Potter – We’re almost half way through the wait between the two Deathly Hallows films and a re-read of all seven books is definitely on the cards.
Theatre – as always! Be sure to check out Hairspray and Avenue Q at the Theatre Royal this March and April, respectively.
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Review
Manière des Bohémiens at Nottingham Contemporary’s Café Bar
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he last time I came across a band consisting of a violin, double bass, and accordion, was during a Sundayafternoon television programme being watched by my Gran. This clear image remained seared in my brain as I arrived to spend the evening listening to Manière des Bohémiens, at Nottingham Contemporary’s Café Bar. Thankfully, first impressions were encouraging as I arrived at the venue, and became submerged into the amiable warmth of candlelight and cosy conversation. Young couples, students, and families sat on low, brown sofas around the stage and a large crowd were congregated around the bar. Anticipation was in the air, matching the build-up to any performance, but the added uncertainty of expectations seemed to give a sharpened edge to the atmosphere. The band finally came on and the talent of these guys became quickly apparent. Rob Rosa on violin, Jonny Kerry playing
accordion, Matt Kerry, Roger Rosa, and Elliott Lewis playing guitar, and Mark Lewandowski on double-bass were, within minutes, able to cast off all association with anything other than young, fresh, and highly energetic music, which instantly grabbed the attention of everyone throughout the venue. Describing their style as Gypsy Jazz/ Swing, they successfully deliver an infectious tendency to get people moving, whether it is in their seats or, like many in attendance that evening, out on the dance floor. The band’s music has a clear European influence, which is conveyed, unmistakeably, onto the atmosphere of the venue. Visions of sophisticated Parisian bars are unavoidable once you are immersed in the music of Manière des Bohémiens for any amount of time.
One of the things you cannot help but be impressed by whilst watching the band is the speed at which they play, with Jonny Kerry and Rob Rosa being especially impressive. Most of the time this flair had a positive impact upon the music but there were a few occasions, however, when this technical endeavour felt more like a distraction from the overall melody and left the music sounding slightly chaotic. While this is partly the result of the genre itself and, therefore, expected to some extent, I can not help but feel that I would have enjoyed the music more if certain parts had been ‘cleaned-up’ a little. My lasting impressions of Manière des Bohémiens are distinctly positive. Although it is unlikely that I would buy more than one or two of their songs myself, I would not hesitate to see another live performance to again experience the hugely fun and vivacious atmosphere, which becomes simply inescapable as soon as these six guys start to play. Keep an eye out for more Manière des Bohémiens dates at Nottingham Contemporary, they’re an opportunity not to be missed. Rob Varnham
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Arts Review
THE BRITISH ART SHOW 7 at Nottingham Contemporary
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xploring the exhibition of The British Art Show 7 at Nottingham Contemporary feels like entering a dark and twisted Disneyworld. The show, which is held every 5 years and presents new works from contemporary British artists, contains an amazing mixture of surreal objects, from fashion dummies to mounds of soil. Upon entering you are confronted by a huge cartoon face that evokes childhood memories of Mickey Mouse. This mouse however appears to be constructed from an old camping tent. The faded orange canvas and distressed aged ropes suggest history, memories and the passing of time, a key idea that this exhibition is trying to get across. George Shaw’s paintings of sad and lonely council estates carry on this theme of time. Just as artists of the past such as Renoir or Manet recorded the world around them, Shaw is showing the reality
of our world now. Although dark and depressing these works still appear somehow beautiful with the soft focus suggesting hazes of memories. Wolfgang Tillman records the world today in a very different way. In his installation ‘Truth Study Centre’ the viewer is confronted with a series of tables covered in newspaper and magazine clippings. The viewer can read and discard information at their own pace and as they like, reminding us of how information was processed before the digital age. A piece that particularly stands out is Charles Avery’s bizarre installation that dominates the second room. Here we see two dummies mid embrace in an unusual beach like landscape. Although the story and meaning the artist intends are hard to decipher, the otherworldly and dreamlike aspects of the piece allow the viewer to add their
Photo (background): Alexander Newton
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own narrative to the piece, get lost in their own imagination and be transported to another place and time. The show’s focus on past and present is clear throughout the exhibition and it is exciting to see how the art world is progressing without forgetting its past. This exhibition will certainly be etched deeply into my memories. Emma Melton
WHAT’S ON IN TERM 2 1st-5th February
GEORGE’S MARVELLOUS MEDICINE
Theatre Royal Tickets from £8.50 Student Discounts Available 7th-12th February
MURDERED TO DEATH Theatre Royal Tickets from £9.50 8th-12th February
RENT
Arts Theatre Tickets from £12 Students: £10 12th February
THE SATURDAYS Royal Concert Hall Tickets £24 21st February
JAMES BLUNT Royal Concert Hall Tickets £29.50 23rd February
AN EVENING WITH LEE MEAD Royal Concert Hall Tickets from £22.50 26th February
LENNY HENRY Royal Concert Hall Tickets £23.50 1st-12th March
HAIRSPRAY
Theatre Royal Tickets from £19 Student Discounts Available
Photos: Charlotte Hickmott & Nick Charity
26th-30th April
AVENUE Q
Theatre Royal Tickets from £12 Student Discounts Available
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Film
Edited by James Gordon (film@platform-online.net)
Review
Dubai Film Festival
12-19 December 2010
H
tive newcomer to the scene but has quickly grown in reputation to be accepted in the ranks of the big boys. The organisation throws parties at Cannes and flies in industry big wigs and guests from all over the world for the Dubai event.
Dubai is known for its luxury, high-rise developments and for being the hub of Emirates who sponsor and house Arsenal. It isn’t so well known for filmmaking or festivals. That’s not to say they aren’t trying because they most definitely are.
Set in the Madinat Jumeirah complex overlooking “the worlds most luxurious hotel” in the shape of a billowing sail, the film festival is one slick mother. Small canal boats called abras ship you between the two screens in the complex. The other screens are dotted around the city while a free outdoor screen plays films on a nearby public beach.
ere at Platform we take film very seriously. So seriously, that we cover the biggest film festivals in the world. In December’s issue we had to “endure” London Film Festival and this time we’ve had the “beastly” task of going to sun drenched and gold dripping Dubai... Jealousy awaits from this point on.
The city is actively encouraging filmmakers over to this patch of regenerated desert. Parts of Syriana were filmed here, Sex and the City 2 was partly filmed in the neighbouring Emirate of Abu Dhabi and the new Mission Impossible sees Tom Cruise in action at the world’s tallest skyscraper, Burj Khalifa. Then there are the film houses which are planning on opening up studios in Dubai. Fox and Sony have set up shop in Studio City and Universal Studios is planning on opening a theme park too. Dubai International Film Festival, or DIFF as it is also known, has been running since 2004. At seven years of age it’s a rela-
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Major gala films this year included The Kings Speech on the opening night, The Way Back half way through and Tron for the closing night. Actors from the films, including Colin Firth, Jim Sturgess and Kelly Brook, flew in to present the film and walk down the red carpet. The gifts they received for showing their faces might have played a part. Actresses were given Robert Wan pearl jewellery and the chance to get their phones bejewelled with crystals. Their male counterparts got Lomography cameras, sunglasses and enough clothes from Lenny & Loyd to fill a wardrobe. Peter Weir’s The Way Back is based on what he insists to be
real accounts of the four thousand mile journey absconded prisoners made from a Siberian concentration camp to India. In what is an engaging piece of storytelling Ed Harris, Jim Sturgess, Saoirse Ronan and Colin Farrell try their best at putting on foreign accents. The story kicks off when Janusz (Jim Burgess) is put in the Gulag camp after his wife is tortured into telling the Soviets that he’s a spy even though he isn’t. Insistent on escaping from his twenty-year detention, he plans to get out with Mr. Smith, an American played by Ed Harris. The pair’s plans are under the threat of being revealed to the guards by Valka (Colin Firth) unless he can come too. On the road the group meet Irena (Saoirse Ronan) and they must decide whether to take her under their wing and the types of problems this might create for them. While the film is emotionally strong and well shot, it falls on the audience to be able to connect with the characters. Janusz doesn’t share too much and Mr. Smith is only known as Mr. Smith for the entire film. Still very good though and Platform rates it four out of five stars. After the film came the after parties and boy oh boy do they know how to throw one. Fox threw a bash on day two to show their commitment to the region. The studio laid out a variety of traditional Arabic food mixed with lots of cocktails, fire artists and stilt walkers. The amount of delicious food had to be seen to be believed. Moet & Chandon took care of guests with a bash at on the rooftop of nightclub Trilogy. Colin Farrell mingled with guests whilst quaffing the free flowing golden bubbly. Invitees probably struggled to find the way back home after the bar served more than 150 bottles of champers. On the closing night a desert party with a gargantuan firework display ended the festival with a bang. But there’s nothing less to be expected from DIFF when it draws in such big film stars. Words: Oliver Whitfield- Miočić Photos: Dubai Film Festival
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Film
the
FILM AWARDS 2011
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nother year has gone and wow did 2010 see some truly fantastic films hit the cinema. While Hollywood is getting all dressed up in it’s finery for the awards season, it feels only right that we at NTU should get a say too.
So without further ado, I think it’s time we at Platform Film HQ unveiled our choices for the very best (and very worst) of 2010:
BEST ANIMATION Nominees How To Train Your Dragon Despicable Me Toy Story 3 The Winner Toy Story 3 Bringing one of the finest trilogies in history to a tearful and yet joyous end, Toy Story 3 is the clear choice as far as we’re concerned.
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BEST ACTRESS Nominees Natalie Portman – Black Swan Jennifer Lawrence – Winter’s Bone Anne Hathaway – Love and Other Drugs Emma Stone – Easy A The Winner Jennifer Lawrence Commanding the screen for the entirity of Winter’s Bone’s running time, newcomer Jennifer Lawrence came out of absolutely nowhere to wow audiences the world over, and that’s reason enough for her to edge ahead in one of this year’s hardest categories.
BEST ACTOR
WORST PICTURE
BEST PICTURE
Nominees James Franco – 127 Hours Joseph Gordon-Levitt – Inception Colin Firth – The King’s Speech Jesse Eisenberg – The Social Network
Nominees Leap Year The Bounty Hunter Dinner For Schmuck’s Gulliver’s Travels
Nominees The King’s Speech Toy Story 3 Inception The Social Network
The Winner Colin Firth A far easier contest for the Best Actor nod than for their female counterparts. Colin Firth displays a complete mastery of his audience, making them laugh, cry, and engage with the character all at once. You truly believe that he could be a regal figure, and of his many roles, this might just be his best yet.
The Winner Gulliver’s Travels To say they took a liberty with the original text with this particular adaptation might be understating it a little. After a run of duff film’s, one can’t help but feel that it’s time for the once incredibly funny Jack Black to give up the ghost and go back to music. is the clear choice as far as we’re concerned.
The Winner Toy Story 3 Not an easy decision to make, given that all four potential winners could have won in any other year, where the competition wasn’t so fierce. Taking everything into account though, Buzz, Woody and the rest of the gang won our hearts like no other film did this year, and it’s for that reason that it simply had to be our Best Picture 2011.
S
o that’s that. 2011 is well under way and already we have potential Best Picture films for next year but, unfortunately, one or two possible Worst Picture films too. Only the future can tell...
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Gaming&Tech Edited by Aaron Lee (gaming@platform-online.net)
nerfed student devs on the rise T
ake five students, a sanctum full of hardware and athirst for interactive fun and you have Nerf Games - Indies on the path to game making greatness. Aaron Lee entered their matrix to investigate...
Let’s try something new
“When you ‘nerf’ something in a game you bring it in line with everything else. In some hopeful way we plan to, as such, ‘nerf’ the big games companies, like EA, who just churn out template games over and over again. Why not do something innovative and new?”
and polished by one team member, meanwhile the rest start a new one. This disciplined work ethnic has allowed Nerf to keep all of their current projects on target for release, and they plan to have a similar number of new titles in development this year. Such drive must surely require a special elixir to keep them running at full capacity.
You’d never mistake Nerf Games’ workplace for being This year all our games start with A, “We’re 100 per cent ‘bigger on the inside’. A cupboard-sized room locatnext year B. And if we get to Z, then we Relentless-powered. Not that we’re looking for Relentless ed in Clifton’s Computing can retire! sponsoring or anything!” he and Informatics Building, admits. “To be honest, it just with Venetian blinds surAnd that’s just what they’ve done. With adds fuel to an already burning fire.” reptitiously concerning the innards from the help of the Hive and placements view. Behind the door, the constant hum officer Pauline Smith, Nerf Games was of machines fills the stuffy air, calculaABC, it’s as easy as 123 officially born in April 2010. tions are scribbled on a whiteboard and In addition to debut action game Avoid, freshly printed posters decorate the walls. Nerf are also working on Actuate, ArchiIt seems incredible but in the time it Despite its cramped size, the room’s five tect and Abstract. Notice a pattern formtakes most unsigned bands to come up occupants have turned it into a creative ing with these project codenames? We with their debut album, Nerf Games have den, just as any garage band would. prompted Steven to tell us more:“First five games in development, two of which year, we did a lot of concepting - they all should be available now. The NerfCore “We wanted to do something different, just happened to fall into the category of engine, which is the main tool used to something new, and not just follow the A. So it became a joke, this year all our make their games, took them six weeks to trend,” says managing directorSteven games start with A, next year B. And if we put together. Soon after, their first game, Batchelor-Manning, who’s enthusiasm is get to Z, then we can retire!” Avoid, a neon-soaked arcade throng, was matched by thelength of his hair. in playable form (see more in Digital DeThat might not be as implausible as it lights). You morph your square vertically At the start of 2010, he and former sounds. It’s easy to lose yourself in Avoid and horizontally to avoid rapidly moving competitor-turned-technical direcwith its zippy music and hypnotic rip shapes. torTim Leader decided not to head off effects. Nerf made a conscious decision to “dead-end” placement jobs to become to push the social appeal of the game by “The rate that we work at is sustainable, making it local multiplayer only. “If it code monkeys. Instead, they formed comfortable, fun and engaging. We’re suits the game to have online multiplayer, Nerf Games with three fellow students doing what we love, rather than it being a we’ll do it, but it has to be down to the - Simon Batt, Henry Stratton and James job,” says Steven. game, not demands of society,” says SteHumphries - and plan to forge their own ven. Actuate, too, follows a similar ethos success as a developer of high-quality He explained that the team’s efforts are and aesthetic. Conscious of their reinteractive entertainment. staggered, so that the whole team start sources, they’ve married some interesting a project and it ends up being bug tested ideas to the tower defence genre. At the
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“
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time of publishing, both titles should be available on Xbox Live Indie Games and for the PC through nerfgames.co.uk. With two polished titles already in the bag, Nerf have big plans to expand their portfolio to show their versatility. Abstract, a project they begin last August, is what the team are flexing their muscles on. We’ve seen little of the project besides some scenic landscapes designed by Henry - who claims art is not one of his best skills - that suggest a focus on exploration. “It’s got some twists and turns. Some things that have been done before and some new things - or things that have been done right.” That game won’t be ready till late 2011. In the meantime, they’re simultaneously working on god simulator Architect which should be ready for testing next month.
We started nothing
For the time being, just expanding beyond the confines of their tiny sanctum in CIB would be enough to please them. And from the quality of their games, it seems like that’s a goal well within their reach.
“Because we’re indie devs, there are very few big indie dev names that you can say you want to follow. You know, you’ve got Adam Saltsman - he’s brilliant at what he does, but it’s not our sort of games. We don’t particularly follow any individual.”
“It’s not about the programming. It’s about getting the idea, getting something that someone’s going to pick up and not want to put down.
Since unveiling their first game, Nerf have had the support of the university and the local game scene. Steven has much praise for GameCity who’ve given them a platform to show their titles, and says “it’s actually given us a lot of drive.”
“That’s what we try to do. And that’s what I believe we achieved with Avoid when we brought it to the GameCity festival. When we had Avoid playing, it was very rare the controller would be spare.” Read more about Nerf Games and their titles at www.platform-online.net.
Though they needn’t worry about the bills till summer 2012, these talented insomniacs are laying the groundwork for their future. They’ve been in contact with respected UK studio Blitz Games and have plans to move into the mobile market with products for iPhone and Windows Phone 7. Eventually, they’d like to trounce the catch-22 of being an ‘unpublished developer’ and successfully secure a deal with a distributor.
Photo: Stefan Ebelewicz
The five developers work a vigorous nine to five schedule and Steven admits they rarely get time to party or even play other games: “We don’t have time to play games anymore. We tend to spend the time dev’ing or doing stuff at home... I think we love what we do too much.”
Strong motivation keeps them working through these tireless production cycles. Rock climbing and cycling are two activities the team are fond of. As independent developers, they also find it difficult to associate themselves with a guiding light.
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Gaming&Tech
fashion in games W
hether it’s dressing up dolls of your favourite celebrity on famous fashion site Stardoll or completing a mission as Niko Bellic in Grand Theft Auto IV, it is needless to say that the importance of character clothing and fashion is a significant aspect of player performance and aesthetics in today’s gaming world. The developing and ever changing aspect of fashion in the computer gaming world is an area which emphasises great creativity and imagination. When we adapt to different scenarios and represent different characters, we join a craze and thirst to step into the shoes of more desirable characters. Characters and personalities we would never be able to portray away from our consoles. We have seen some of the world’s greatest computer games sport some highly recognisable clothing and trademark outfits which are seen as part of a bid to form an identity for some great characters. The Grand Theft Auto games see main characters wearing leathers, jeans, boots and casual pieces. Ones which, in a way, depict that of a gangster stereotype. Females in this game, normally display minimal clothing and play to the game’s sexual vices.
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Trent student Tze Tang, who is a keen gamer, said: “I think clothing and outfits are a big part of computer games. When I play GTA or Assassin’s Creed, I think the idea of me getting into a different character is thrilling, because I adapt into someone I can never be in reality and the costumes are a big part of that.” He went on to talk about Call of Duty: Black Ops’ multiplayer mode, which allows players to choose their outfits, which emphasises change in characters and the desire to be a part of that specific world. World famous and fast growing online fashion game, Stardoll is a perfect interpretation of how outfits and costumes are becoming a largely significant part of computer and online games. Celebrities such as Rihanna, Lady Gaga and Pairs Hilton are all part of this intriguing online world of dress up, costume editing and accessorising where players earn ‘star dollars’ for the right to buy clothes and fashion pieces. Leading fashion brands, such as Chanel and DKNY, have joined the site in allowing Stardoll users to buy pieces from their lines in this virtual world of fashion creativity. The site also acts as a social network
where it’s possible to go head-to-head with other members to create the best looks and styles. Hit games, like Street Fighter and Tekken, are all well-known for their trademark costumes and outfits which players fight in. Tekken’s very own Law is a Chinese chef wearing karategi to depict his identity. Female fighters usually come across as strong, sexy women in latex, leather and tight suits. Almost like those of superheroes. It’s fair to say, gamers are hooked to the concept of adapting themselves into different characters and players when playing games. The idea of having the identity of a fighter, soldier or hero in thegaming world is highly appealing. And clothing is certainly a huge factor in making it a more real experience for the participants. Aleena Iftikhar
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Gaming&Tech
maxed OUT
Find me a new Japan I
t’s 2011. But you’re almost at the back of the mag now and you would rather eat your own windpipe than read another ‘things to look forward to in 2011’ type column, so here’s something a little different. Sixty-six years ago, Japan experienced an economic nuke that would make the 2008 recession look like a party popper in comparison. That’s a good analogy, because the economical nuke was caused by a rather more real one, which wiped out tens of thousands. And we aren’t talking savings accounts, either. As we know, Japan has become one of the most technologically advanced countries in the world. As a convenient spin-off, the country also developed a world-leading video game industry. 10 years ago, we had Sonic, Super Mario and whoever your favourite Pokémon is. And it continues today, with, er... Actually,it doesn’t. Of the gazillions of game companies flogging their adverts at you, where’s Capcom? Namco? Square Enix? Sega exists only to keep Sonic alive. And yet Japan is a country where you’re expected to program a Wii with one hand whilst karate chopping bricks with the other. Perhaps, in a world where feedback from the workers can lead to striking innovation, the Rising Sun was pretty much eclipsed in the ‘new idea’ department. Great metaphor, but utter rubbish. Japan has always been a centre of innovation: Rockets. Gunpowder. Hello Kitty. Oh, and a certain white motion
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controller for videogame interaction. Maybe it’s the recession, which experts reckon karate-kicked the country hard in its high-tech testes. They then point to a graph showing Resident Evil sales climbing up till 2008 before crashing like a drunken sumo wrestler by the present year. Again, rubbish. Sales of sidescrolling Metal Slug games have been low for yonks. Yet one of the few healthy UK industries is video game development. The truth could be, quite simply, that Western people don’t like Japanese video games anymore. Mario? Sonic? Pokemonstrosities? They’re all cutesy cartoon characters, because Japanese games are based on anime and rice wine hangovers. The West doesn’t do cutesy. It does alien headshots. In short, we want our games to be action movies, not comics. And as consoles become more sophisticated, the rift will deepen. Western games require realism and action, so they will get more realistic and action-y. Japanese games demand adventure and samurai swords, so the RPG plots will get longer and the overdramatic expression with remain. These gaming cultures are taking two separate courses, getting ever further apart. And as far as consumer choice goes, is that such a bad thing? Max Donen
| Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
digital delights
Here’s a little preview of some of the games that Nerf, the student developers interviewed on pages 54 & 55, have got up their sleeves...
Avoid This trippy neon action game is visually similar to Geometry Wars, but here attack is not the best form of defense. You ‘squidge’ and ‘squooge’ - those are team’s technical terms, by the way - your square to avoid an increasing barrage of incoming objects. The power-ups in Marathon EX alter the gameplay to great effect, and all of the modes are geared towards playing with friends.
Abstract
Still shrouded in mystery, Nerf are pouring all their knowhow into this “golden” project. “Abstract is going to be an adventure game. A little bit along the lines of Spyro, but with our own unique twist on it.” It’s expected to be playable by Oct 2011. Till then, we’ll have to make do with the tempting concept art depicting floating islands, volcanoes and stone golems.
SUMMER AND EASTER INTERNSHIPS
Actuate
Thistower defence game is akin to the lethal combination of Coca-Cola and Mentos. Your towers all require red, blue or green power. Some towers need a combination of two colours to run. The 25 levels and sandbox mode should please strategy lovers. Its setup is complex initially, but Nerf hope players will acclimatise quickly thanks to the continuous visual gameplay directives
Starting in June 2011 our summer internships offer valuable real experience and could help you secure a place on our graduate programme. After a one-week orientation, when you will learn market basics and meet your new colleagues, you will spend the remaining nine weeks learning from leading banking professionals and gaining hands-on experience. For students in their first year, we also have an Easter Insight week. This programme offers you the chance to gain valuable work experience, technical training and attend networking events. Do well on this programme and you’ll be offered a summer internship for the following year. To apply, please visit www.makeitrbs.com/internships Closing date 31 January 2011. The place is here. The time is now.
RIGHT PLACE. RIGHT TIME.
Sports Edited by William Taylor (sports@platform-online.net)
T
he city of Nottingham had every reason to be a proud one earlier last year.
Normally having two football teams in one city means that it is likely at least one of them will enjoy some success in a season. Nevertheless the end of the 2009/2010 season saw both the black and white side and the red side of Nottingham celebrating. Forest qualified for the Championship play-offs by finishing third, whilst Notts County were deservedly crowned League Two champions. The 2008/2009 season saw Forest return to the Championship following their promotion from League 1, however they found it difficult to adapt to the higher level. It wasn’t until Billy Davies took over the reigns on New Year’s Day, following the dismissal of Colin Calderwood, that Forest’s fortunes began to turn. Since then they have never looked back, with the only downside being the play-off semi-final defeat to Blackpool in May. But Forest fans shouldn’t feel too downhearted. Now they know what they can achieve, extra time to build for the Premier League can’t be a bad thing. Take Forest’s bitter rivals Derby County for example. Many were surprised to see them win the play-offs in 2007 but they simply couldn’t cope the following season, suffering the Premier League’s earliest ever relegation, in March. Forest are now back on track in the Championship sitting just outside the play-offs (at the time of writing) and following the superb loan signing in
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Aaron Ramsey it’s a possibility that they could go one step further this season and achieve a return to the Premier League for the first time since 1999. On the other side of the River Trent, Notts County may not have finished as high as Forest, but they had as much success as they possibly could. The end of 2009 saw County sitting uncomfortably at the top of League 2. The huge investment that was ploughed into them as the start of the season had been taken away, ‘Super Sven’ (Sven Goran-Eriksson) walked out and their manager quit after two months in charge. It looked as if the promotion dream was over, until the appointment of Steve Cotterill, who eventually guided them to the title. It hasn’t been all plain sailing for County though as once again there have been two managerial changes within 5 months. Former England star Paul Ince is now in charge and the County fans will undoubtedly be hoping he will stay for at least one season. They may be sitting in the relegation zone at the moment but Ince has good knowledge of this division following a spell with MK Dons so it appears to be a good appointment. After a fantastic 2010, it looks as if the clubs of Nottingham aren’t simply satisfied with their recent success and are hungry for more. Matthew McGlone
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Looking back at 2010 for Nottingham’s football clubs
M
A H G
N I T OT RS N A F T O S EE KEY R H C T O H H IT RS’ W AT THE H A C PAN
Lee: “It’s good fun. “I mean it’s not always fun on the road, going to places like Edinburgh or Newcastle. It’s like going from one extreme to the other.
“From then I really liked skating. I saw an advertisement for Kingston Hawks as it was then and I went down to one of their games. I liked what I saw and decided to start playing.”
The Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) is, for the most part, dominated by wellknown import players who have often played in leagues such as the National Hockey League (NHL) and American Hockey League (AHL). British players can often be overlooked with such big names playing in the EIHL, so Emma Baker caught up with Nottingham Panthers players Steve Lee, Robert Lachowicz and Josh Ward for a quick chat.
You’re all quite young, how does that feel playing alongside big import players, often ex-NHL players like Rob Bellamy and Jade Galbraith?
With ice hockey being quite elite in England, how did you first become interested in playing?
Ward: “The strangest thing for me was training alongside the guys I grew up watching. In some respects, it’s a little bit surreal but they’re all really welcoming which makes it a lot easier.” Lee: “It ups the standard. They help out our team a lot.
Lachowicz: “I used to go and watch the panthers with my mum and dad when I was about three or four and then really wanted to try it out. I went along to a few learn to skate lessons and just went from there.” Ward: “Same for me really. I grew up watching the Sheffield Steelers as I’m from around there. Every time I saw them in action, I’d just want to play.”
Lachowicz: “When I first started training with the Panthers a few years ago, it used to be a bit weird, I didn’t speak that much and didn’t really want to get noticed in case I messed up but the guys bring you into it and make you feel more comfortable.”
“Bellamy has come from a high level of ice hockey, Jade Galbraith is one of the most talented players in the league and Angel Nikolov has had a great career in ice hockey so far, he’s played in some good leagues. It feels good – they teach us things.”
Lee: “I went to a friend’s birthday party when I was six years old and it was an Ice Skating party at Hull Ice Arena.
Ice Hockey isn’t really that big in England yet the Nottingham Panthers have one of the biggest followings. What’s it like to play in the EIHL which is the biggest league in England?
“We get so many fans, it’s loud and has a great atmosphere and then you go to a rink which is pretty much dead with no atmosphere and we have to then create our own energy. “I always like playing at home though (Hull).” Who’s your favourite team in the EIHL to play against? Lachowicz: “The Steelers games always good just because it’s normally sold out, it always brings a good crowd and it means a lot to the players as well.” Ward: “Everyone just gets into those games, the players and the crowds.” Lee: “It would have to be Hull. Because that’s my home town and I always play good against them.” The opportunities to play ice hockey in England are pretty slim compared to those in America/Canada. If you ever got the chance to play in a big team, would you take it and which team would you like to play for? Lee: “Yes definitely. “I’d go with any team that’d take me! If I could choose then it would be either Chicago or Pittsburgh.” Emma Baker
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by James Lewis
Tottenham’s stirring comeback last November against Arsenal has raised a question Gunners fans never wanted to think about and Spurs fans could only dream about. Are the Lily-whites, for so long now in their neighbour’s shadow, becoming the major club in North London? Rob Hawthorne hinted at it in his commentary on the match at the time, and it is a point that has to be looked at seriously now. The table would suggest that this was merely a blip for Arsenal as, following the game, they still sat just two points off the top and four points ahead of Harry Redknapp’s men. But a closer look at both squads would suggest differently. With the exception of Cesc Fabregas, Marouane Chamakh, and Thomas Vermaelen, who would realistically get in the Spurs starting XI from Arsene Wenger’s young squad? Robin van Persie, although world class on his day, is far too injury prone to be relied upon, and although many would point at Samir Nasri’s fine form this season, is he really better than Rafael Van der Vaart? Arguably, Tottenham’s Gareth Bale along with Van der Vaart would get into any side in the world on current form and there aren’t many playmakers better than the hugely underrated Luka Modric. Both Lukas Fabianski and Manuel Alumina are not even in the same league as Heurelho Gomes and many Spurs fans would argue that Tom Huddlestone is vastly superior to both Denilson and Alex Song. In Redknapp Tottenham finally have a manager that isn’t afraid to make big decisions and is more than capable of holding his own against the likes of Wenger and Ferguson. All his side need now is a bit of belief. It would be foolish to write off the Gunners who do have a world class player in Fabregas and have at times this year been breathtakingly brilliant, but Saturday’s defeat showed serious mental weakness in a side that were once hailed as unstoppable, whereas Redknapp’s men, following the game, had earned 13 points from losing positions. Spurs have now proven to the league, their fans and most importantly themselves they have what it takes to beat their rivals on their own patch and now they must seize the initiative if they ever want to emerge from their bitter rival’s shadow.
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News 101/102
Arsenal v Tottenham
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Database | Nottingham Trent Students Union Magazine
Formula 1
Rugby
NTU
H
ere in his latest column Christian Baker outlines the standard dress code of a lacrosse player and why the sport is more than just a game.
LAX
With lacrosse men the stereotypical style includes plaid shirts, boat shoes and chino’s and with women it takes the similar genre of style such as a very preppy look with dresses, Henley’s and styled shirts.
Alongside clothing there is the possibility of custom kit creation to add a bit of zing to anyone’s match. Men’s lacrosse in particular has lots of different type of kit like gloves, helmets, lacrosse head, lacrosse sticks and arm pads.
Think Abercrombie & Fitch smashed together with Ralph Lauren.
This creates a personal attachment to equipment. Especially the stick.
Part of what is attractive about lacrosse is the whole lifestyle behind it.
Very recently Lax has started hitting the fashion walks from Milan to New York.
Although it’s not so big in the UK, in its native USA lacrosse has its own ‘brand’. A stereotype it has in the USA is the equivalent of our stereotype of cricket or polo players.
Michael Bastian, a head designer at Ralph Lauren, has teamed up with GANT to create a lacrosse inspired clothing range which feature heavy knit cardigans, lacrosse sticks galore, sweaters and bright thick scarves.
This has meant that over the past few years people have started to come up with more unique and various ways to customize the lacrosse team uniform.
They wear their own clothes, they talk in specific lingo: bro, brosef, brah and laxstitute are all terms which a stereotypical US player might use. To see what I mean have a quick YouTube search of ‘Ultimate Lax Bro’. Obviously within any stereotype clothing and style are a big part of it. Emo’s wear dark clothing and have big fringes, for example.
With the girls there has most recently been a Victoria’s Secret showing with a “Lax” theme. Within NTU we have tried to create a little bit of our own clothing. If you see someone walking around with a TRENT SAYS re:LAX top then you have seen one our great tops. We will be adding to our line within the next few weeks.
All in all lacrosse is unique in that behind the game there is the possibility of real creativity and also the opportunity to be completely custom throughout the match and also general walks of life. TRENT SAYS re:LAX tops can be found on Facebook search. Otherwise contact a committee member for Lacrosse or email christianbaker01@hotmail.co.uk to purchase. If you are interested in joining lacrosse then email Christian or Facebook search “NTU LACROSSE SOCIETY”
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HALLS OF NOTTINGHAM TRENT UNIVERSITY 1
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WWW.TRENTSTUDENTS.ORG/SHOP
NOTTS EVENTS February Gig Listings
1st – Glastonbudget Auditions – The Maze 2nd – Roxy Musix – Capital FM Arena 3rd – Little Comets – The Bodega Social Club 4th – Giles Smith + Nick Lawson – Eleven 5th – Florrie – Rescue Rooms 6th – Amnes Tea – Golden Fleece 7th – Pesky Alligators – The Half Crown 8th – Patterns in Static – Malt Cross 9th – Japan Underground – The Central 10th – Blame - Dogma 11th – Paul Thomas – Market Bar
12th – WorldService Project – Cafe.Bar. Contemporary. 13th – Jazz Morely – The Maze 14th – Get Twisted - Gatecrasher 15th – Ellie Williams – Malt Cross 16th – Open Mic – Jam Cafe 17th – Simon Munnery – The Forun 18th – Seth Troxler - Stealth 19th – My Chemical Romance – Capital FM Arena 20th – Jon Boden and The Remnant Kings – Glee Club 21st – James Blunt – Royal Concert Hall
22nd – The Old Nick Trding Company – The Lion Inn 23rd - Confetti Battle of the Bands – The Central 24th – Sourpatch + Horowitz – The Chameleon 25th – Sasha – Gatecrasher 26th – Ashley Beedle - Moog 27th – The Other Left – Golden Fleece 28th – Dead Confederate – The Bodega Social Club
NTSU Entertainments
Weekly Events
EVERY MONDAY Event: Dirty Mondays Time: 10pm – 3am Cost: £4 on the door (£3 tickets available
from The Pulse on Mondays)
Venue: The Forum - NUS ONLY EVERY TUESDAY Event: Kiss Kiss @ Oceana Time: 9:30pm – 3am Cost: £4 Venue: Oceana - NUS ONLY EVERY WEDNESDAY Event: Campus Time: 9:30pm – 3am Cost: £3.50 adv Venue: Ocean - NUS ONLY EVERY THURSDAY Event: Quids In Time: 8pm Cost: Free Venue: The Pulse, NTSU - NUS ONLY EVERY THURSDAY Event: Chic @ Gatecrasher Time: 9:30pm – 3am Cost: £4 Venue: Gatecrasher Discount tickets available from Quids In at The Pulse from 8pm - NUS ONLY EVERY THURSDAY Event: 2UNED Time: 9:30pm – 3am Cost: £4 b4 midnight / £5 after Venue: Rock City - NUS ONLY
Discount tickets Quids In at The Pulse from 8pm
EVERY FRIDAY Event: Double Vision Time: 9:30pm – 2:30am
Cost: £4 Venue: The Point, Clifton - NUS + Guests EVERY SATURDAY Event: Climax Time: 9:30pm – 2:30am Cost: £4 b4 midnight / £5 after Venue: NTSU - NUS + Guests
Featured Events
Friday 4th February Assault, The Pulse, 9:30pm £2 b4 11pm / £3 after Saturday 12th February CLIMAX, NTSU, 9:30pm £4 b4 midnight / £5 after Sunday 13th February SMOKIN’ VALENTINE, NTSU, Doors 7pm Tickets from SU express and www.gigantic.com Monday 14th February Big Quiz, The Pulse, 8pm
er Brack Events for Novemb Six Nations Rugby screening in Brack Bar and The Point (Clifton campus)
Weds 9th: Kinky Brack Fri 11th: Assault Mon 21st: The Big Quiz Wed 23rd: Karaoke Every Thursday: Chillout Thursday Every Saturday: Quids In! Every Sunday: Chillout Sunday
Trent Coming up at Nottingham Students Union All open to the public. We recommend tickets are bought in advance to avoid disappointment. Giggs Sun 13th Mar - £7.50 Tickets available from The Pulse, SU Express, www.gigantic.com & www.seetickets.com
Stay in the loop
Monday 14th February KINKI KUPID, The Pulse, 10:30pm £3 advance / £4 door
Join now for exclusive info, event listings, ticket giveaways plus all the latest videos and photos!
Friday 18th February Assault, The Pulse, 9:30pm £2 b4 11pm / £3 after
Facebook Fanpage: facebook.com/trentstudents Facebook City Group: Search for ‘The Official Nottingham Trent Freshers 2010’ Facebook Clifton Group: Search for ‘The Official Nottingham Trent Clifton Students’ Facebook Brackenhurst Group: Search for ‘The Official Nottingham Trent Brackenhurst Students’ Twitter: www.twitter.com/NTSUents @ NTSUents
Monday 21st February Giggle Presents – One Night Stand-up, The Pulse, 8:00pm/£3 adv / £4 door Friday 25th February Detonate 12th Birthday NTSU Main Venue (plus Stealth & Rescue Rooms), 10pm/£12.50 early bird / £15 std Tickets from SU Express, Golden Fleece, www.detonate1.co.uk and www.gigantic.com Monday 28th February Big Quiz, The Pulse, 8pm
Website: www.trentstudents.org/cityents
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