1469

Redbrick Issue 1469, Vol. 80

Friday 18th March 2016

Guild Elections 2016 Exclusive interview with President-elect Ellie Keiler Page 15

Results roundup Page 4

Five-page Festivals Pullout Redbrick's top summer destinations Page 19

Rosie Solomon shares her experience of sexual assault

Isabelle Fogg provides an Easter recipe: Creme Egg Brownies

Kirstie Sutherland shares her family's experience with Dementia

Matt Dawson reviews the trailer for Game of Thrones Season 6

Features Page 17

Food Page 39

Features Page 13

Television Page 29

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REDBRICK

Friday 18th March 2016

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Review: Doctor Thorne Zoe Screti reviews ITV's new period drama, filling the void left by Downton Abbey

Review: London Has Fallen Dan Pegram-Brown reviews the sequel to Olympus Has Fallen

Oh Wonder Matt Moody reviews Oh Wonder live at The Institute, Birmingham

In Defense of Kim K Hannah Bussell defends Kim Kardashian after her latest internet-breaking selfie

PhotoSoc's theme for their latest Photo of the Fortnight was City Life.

This entry was the winning image, shot

by Alessandro Mazza.

For details on how to enter the next Photo of the Fortnight competition, follow photosoc on instagram at @photosocuob

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Redbrick Editorial: UCL's student journalists must not be threatened for doing their jobs Anna Griffiths Editor-elect @annaphoebee

Redbrick condemns University College London’s decision to threaten the President of their student publication, Pi Media, with ‘disciplinary action’. We support Rebecca Pinnington, and view UCL's actions as a form of censorship.

Rebecca Pinnington published a declaration of sources on Pi Media’s website, stating that Pi Media had seen documents that reportedly showed UCL had forecasted a yearly increase in cash profit made from their student accommodation. No figures were published in the article.

@IanDunt "Student journalist threatened for doing her job. My former uni not covering itself in glory here" March 12th

The declaration of sources was received poorly by UCL. They deemed the source classified, despite the fact the source was acquired through UCL’s Microsoft Outlook Calendar, which is openly accessible to both staff and students. The document was made public accidentally by the head of UCL Estates, Andrew Grainger, who earlier this year angered students by telling them it is a ‘fact of life’ that some people can’t afford to study in London.

The row over free speech comes amidst a bitterly fought rent row. UCL has been accused of charging unaffordable rent prices, pricing students out of London. To protest this, one hundred and fifty residents from two UCL halls are in the midst of an ongoing rent strike. £250,000 worth of rent has so far been withheld, and the organising group behind the strike, ‘Cut the Rent’, say they will continue to withhold rent until their demands of a 40% price cut are met. Cut the Rent campaigners state UCL has increased the aver-

age rent by 56% since 2009, earning the university 45% profit on rent fees - £15,799,000 each year.

Their campaign has caught the attention of the national media, and is closely followed by all UCL students.

Rebecca is not affiliated with Cut the Rent. She is the President of UCL’s student media group.

Reporting on issues that affect students at her institution is her job.

Pi Media’s President was called into a meeting with UCL Vice Provost, Rex Knight, who told her that she may face disciplinary action - including expulsion from the college or court action - if she did not destroy the documents.

Rebecca said of the meeting: ‘I felt intimidated, anxious and scared. I just wanted to report facts, and that was opposed. Universities should be about the free exchange of ideas and yet we’re not allowed to publish what was freely available.’

She was asked to sign a letter, banning her from releasing the documents. The Independent reports that the letter stated ‘UCL has the ability to invoke various sanctions following an event of unauthorised use, including, against individuals, the Student Disciplinary Code with penalties that could include suspension from the use of all UCL computing facilities for extended periods, dismissal without notice and potential exposure to court proceedings.’

'I felt intimidated, anxious and scared. I just wanted to report the facts' ‘As a student journalist I felt sad because this was information that was interesting and integral to student life, but it was made very clear that if I were to publish anything more I could lose my degree.’

UCL stated ‘the student involved was made aware that any publication or passing to a third party of material downloaded in breach of regulations was a poten-

tial disciplinary matter, and the student agreed to comply with the regulations.’

Redbrick believes Rebecca was fairly reporting on an issue that is pertinent to, and of great interest to UCL students. By covertly sug-

@SPAJournalism "No student journalist should be threatened for doing their job. We fully support @beckypinners and @pi_media" March 12th

gesting she could face such harsh disciplinary actions, the university has sought to intimidate her, and censored an article that was legitimately sourced.

Many organisations have come out in support of Rebecca, including The Independent, The Index on Censorship, The National Student, The Tab and The Mancunian.

The Student Publication Association (SPA) also back Rebecca: ‘We cannot condemn this kind of behaviour strongly enough.

No student journalist should be threatened for doing their job.’

‘With the background of the rent strikes at UCL, it is also blindingly obvious that this story is demonstrably in the public interest.’

UCL responded to the outcry of support for Rebecca with this statement: ‘No disciplinary action has been taken and no student threatened with expulsion. We were made aware of a potential breach of our computer regulations governing the downloading of confidential content, These are standard regulations that would expect to find in place at any major organisation.’

UCL is right. You would expect to find these regulations in place at any major institution. It is only natural that UCL wished to protect its reputation. However, as higher education institutions are becoming increasingly privatised, they are becoming increasingly unaccountable. As SPA chair Jem Collins put it: ‘Universities and unions need to realise that student journalism is there to hold them to

account – not be a PR tool – and that threats like this are completely unacceptable.’

In a green paper last year, the government proposed that universities could be made exempt from Freedom of Information requests (FOIs). Opponents, including Redbrick, worried that this would damage student media all over the country. Freedom of Information requests are an important way to hold our higher education institutions to account, as universities are not known for making information accessible: for instance, the University of Birmingham’s most recent Council Meeting minutes accessible on its website are from October 2013.

Although there are currently no immediate plans to put these proposals into effect, universities across the country have limited their accountability in different ways. UCL’s actions are disappointing, but not unprecedented.

UCL has a Spiked Free Speech ranking of ‘red’ – this means the university or union has 'actively banned and/or censored ideas on campus'. Many Russell Group universities, including the University of Birmingham, have a ‘red’ rating, largely as a result of student unions' 'no platforming' policy, seen by Spiked as incompatible with free speech.

Rebecca told Redbrick: ‘I think for me the most important thing is that journalism is there to educate and to inform and it's a shame Pi

@beckypinners "I'm in @independent and I hope you'll agree UCL's behaviour has been outrageous" March 12th

Media wasn't allowed to fulfil that function. This was such a huge public interest story, basically revealing management were lying to rent strikers. A lot of the information should have been public anyway - not just about the rent strike, but also about the closure of our only campus theatre, the expansion of the student body and its effects on provision of teaching

space, and the impact of construction works on students for the next few years’.

A petition has started online in support of Rebecca and Pi Media. As we go to print, it has gathered 218 signatures, with a goal of 1000. It reads: 'We, the undersigned, condemn the actions taken by University College London in threatening to dismiss Ms. Rebecca Pinnington, a 4th-year undergraduate, and President of UCLU Pi Magazine, from the university, and wish to express our concern at this threat to the free operation of student press.’

@YorkVision "Universities should not threaten student journalists for reporting the news. @YorkVision supports @beckypinner" March 12th

Redbrick has signed the petition. Should you wish to also, you may do so at: www. ipetitions.com/petition/defenduclu-pi-media.

Universities are public bodies, and must be held to account.

The work of student journalists is by no means perfect, but they are the first port of call for questioning their institutions.

Student publications know their readership like no other type of publication does - student news, written by students, for students. They also know their institutions.

We are proud at Redbrick to write at the University of Birmingham. It is a leading university, a supportive environment, and our home from home. The writers at Pi Media feel the same, so it is disappointing that UCL has tried to de facto censor the paper. For the sake of student media across the country, UCL must treat Pi Media and its student journalists with more respect.

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Guild Elections Night Round-Up On Saturday night the much-awaited results of the Guild Officer position elections were held in the Guild Debating Chamber.

Layne Cooper

James Moore News reporter

This year a record-breaking 7450 students voted in the Guild elections over the week of campaigning and voting. The evening of results opened with the ‘fun’ awards for candidates, which saw Marvin ‘Marvel’ Obi, sports candidate, and Brandon ‘Hulk’ Hattiloney receive the copycat award for running the same campaign.

Next came Kris ‘Kris-py Kreme’ Burnett, running for President, who won the sweet award for his confectionery themed campaign, and Rachel Fisch for her animal themed campaign.

Many of the results came down to the wire, with elections where more than 5000 votes proceeded to the 5th round of voting and there were less than 100 votes between the winners.

The sports officer result saw 4 candidates beginning within 200 votes out of 5099 in total and Marvin Obi in the lead. Georgie Freeman, however, took the position on second choice votes.

The position of welfare officer saw two candidates well above the rest, Tom ‘Tom Tom’ Faherty and current welfare officer Ross Strong, eventually came down to 78 votes between the winners, with 1795 and 1873 respectively out of the 4802

cast.

The election night was due to start at 19:00, but was delayed until 19:30.

First to speak was Daisy Lindlar, current Representation and Resources officer, who also presented many of the winners along with Guild President Jack Mably.

All campaigners have a strict budget of £55 and must publish their accounts, which are available on the Guild of Students website. For further reports of the Guild Elections evening, check out @GuildofStudents.

Some candidates have since criticised the election process. Joe 'The Hippo' Harrison, who had been running for the position of RRO, posted a Facebook status the week after results were announced, which received 88 likes.

Harrison said 'I wish I could say I lost to a stronger campaign or stronger policies, but I really don't think I did.

He continued, 'The system has let me down. I've devoted a lot to the Guild over the past four years and today I feel total disappointment in its system and its processes'.

He added, 'I don't believe [the process] will be fixed and this farcical election will reappear next year. I wish good luck to the new team - they'll need it'.

Others have been more positive about elections this year, praising the banning of cardboard in campaigning.

Full Time Positions President: Ellie Keiller Housing and Communities Officer: Izzy Nicholds Education Officer: Chris Wilkinson Representations and Resources Officer: Brandon Hattiloney Activities and Development Officer: Natalie Cox Sports Officer: Georgie Freeman Postgraduate Students Officer: Rose Bennet Welfare Officer: Ross Strong Part Time Positions: LBTQ Officer: Francesca Nash Anti-Racism and Anti-Fascism Officer: Rachel Fisch International Students Officer: Awati Mohammed Women’s Officer: Alexandra Binne Disabled Students Officer: Kiki Hassem Ethnic Minorities Officer: Idil Dhabahaye Home Students Officer: Asif Mohammed Satellite Sites Officer: Max Seitler Community Actions Officer: Maurycy Cytarzynski Ethical and Environmental Officer: Theothure Nyama

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Selly Oak institution ‘Selly Sausage’ up for sale Grace Duncan News reporter

The Selly Sausage was founded 24 years ago by University of Birmingham graduates, and has since been a popular destination and hangover cure for the university’s students.

The café sits on Bristol Road, adjacent to the university, and has attracted students for over a generation –despite its two-star hygiene rating. Most café trade is done during the day, but Selly Sausage is also open in the evening as the café’s alcohol licensing permits the sale of alcohol until 11pm.

The property is up for sale by leisure property specialist Fleurets, for a lease guide price of £85,000.

Andy Tudor from Fleurets’

Birmingham office stated that ‘Lying on the doorstep of the main campus, it has fuelled the minds, and possibly eased the hangovers, of students for 25 years.

‘Complete with a six bedroomed flat above, it is so much more than a café, and equally could be adapted to any number of other styles or uses."

Andy Tudor added that they have already received interest in the property so it seems unlikely that the Selly Sausage will stay on the Bristol Road under the current management for much longer.

This has come as a shock for many students, one of whom told Redbrick, “I can’t believe it. Selly just won’t be the same without it! What are we going to do post-Fab now?”

UoB STAR Group Host ‘On The Run’ Event University of Birmingham STAR (Student Action for Refugees) group held an event named ‘On The Run’ on Friday 4th March to promote the national campaign for safer routes into Britain for refugees.

Megan Stanley News reporter

The campaign plans to send 3182 origami paper boats to David Cameron; each paper boat representing a refugee that died trying to get into Britain in 2015. To raise awareness for this national campaign, Sarah, a refugee who escaped Yemen in March 2015, was invited to talk at the UoB event.

Dedicating her speech to her late Grandfather who loved Yemen and died a day before violence broke out,

she described how Yemen is the poorest Arab country yet despite this people often refer to the people of Yemen as 'the people of generosity and humility.'

Although she lived in the United Arab Emirates, she explained she had visited Yemen to see her Grandfather, just before the violence broke out.

Trapped in Yemen for three weeks, they were initially in 'no frame of mind to plan an escape.' She spoke about how her cousins would sit by candlelight and talk about good memories for dis-

traction.

On 31 March 2015, the group of 10 decided to leave their home, despite the bombings, which had destroyed the original route that would have taken them from Aden to Al Mukalla, to Salalah in Oman, and then to Dubai. Sarah described how the journey was 'quite frightening... not knowing what lay ahead of us.' The first journey took 8 hours and she described how Al Mukalla was 'like a little Venice in the middle of Yemen– pure bliss.'

The same night bombing and shootings forced their group to remain in the hotel for two

days. They would watch TV to distract themselves from the silence. The third morning alQaeda announced that borders would be shutting at 9am so their group had to fell in desperation.

When they reached Oman, Sarah described the kindness of the Oman authorities who gave the group military vehicles and personnel to assist them to the air port so they could get home safely.

At the end of her talk Sarah reflected on her escape; although she had left family behind, her experience was 'easy compared to the hard-

ships of war.'

Despite the fact some of her family still remain in Yemen, she ended her speech on a positive note, reminding the audience that it’s the little things that matter, and despite all the war she has seen, it is the beauty that remains with her.

The event was concluded

by STAR member, Sarah's cousin, Jaffer, who invited the audience to contribute a paper boat for the STAR campaign and to sign the petition that will be sent to the Prime Minister. He concluded by stating that 'you can't put your head in the sand and hope it goes away.'

Ross Strong on 'Mind Your Head' Week Beriwan Ceren News editor

‘Mind your Head’ week was organised to provide a week of open communication to tackle mental health stigma, providing ‘mentally healthy and stigmabusting activities’. Mental health awareness was part of current Welfare Officer Ross Strong’s manifesto for the previous year.

The week consisted of events such as bake sales, a talk by Ian Mitchell on The Biology of Anxiety and Depression, a movie night and a popular ‘feeling

tree’. The marquee was strategically placed next to the Chancellor’s Court to make it accessible to everyone in a bid to increase student participation.

Ross started a mental health campaign group, who were involved in the creation of the ‘Mind your Head’ week.

Following a mental health awareness day in October, they decided to do a whole week centering on mental health awareness. He believes ‘there is a lot to be done’ regarding mental health support at the university. ‘Student services are good at what they do however, they do not neces-

sarily have enough capacity for everyone needing it’. Initially thinking he would need to raise awareness on the support available at the university, he found out that ‘most people do seek support, but sometimes it's not there and sometimes it can be delayed’.

Most students first point of contact regarding their welfare are welfare tutors within their department. Ross said that some of the tutors have ‘no training whatsoever’, and continued to say it can be a ‘hit and miss with services’.

Ross acknowledged that there are different levels of intervention regarding mental health issues and

‘earlier intervention is always better as it prevents further esca-

'There is a lot to be done regarding mental health support at the university' lation’. He added, ‘ it starts before that, if everyone felt able to go their welfare tutor that would be amazing. But that calls for every

welfare tutor knowing what they’re doing and even if they can facilitate it, there will be a small proportion of people who will require further attention’. He highlighted that there is external support available such as doctors, and stressed the difficulty of coordinating welfare tutors as departments operate differently.

The Guild currently doesn’t provide anything specific around mental health, but it is an area that is ‘being worked on’. Approaching peers can be easier for individuals, and there are additional services such as Nightline and Student Mentors available.

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University of Birmingham and Waseda University to collaborate on research into Shakespeare

Geoff Tristram

Gregory Robinson News reporter

The University of Birmingham and the Waseda University (in Tokyo, Japan) have signed a new agreement to collaborate on research into the work of William Shakespeare as 2016 marks the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death.

Representatives from the Waseda University visited Birmingham to launch the partnership with the School of English, Drama and American & Canadian Studies. The agreement will unite the University of Birmingham’s 'world-renowned' Shakespeare Institute, which is located in Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-uponAvon, with Waseda University’s Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum and the Faculty of Letters, Arts and Sciences.

The Tsubouchi Memorial

Theatre Museum is devoted to the history of performing arts and used for performances by artists from around the world.

The centre is named after Professor Tsubouchi Shoyo, a pioneer in modern Japanese literature and theatre, who is also well-known for translating Shakespeare’s complete works into Japanese.

The agreement will also include research into theatre studies, which will include the work of playwrights such as Samuel Beckett, who is known for writing Waiting for Godot.

Representatives from Waseda University discussed with their Birmingham counterparts future collaborations across a wide range of possible research areas including robotics, linguistics, drama, and sport & exercise science. Both universities will contribute £60,000 to the collaborative fund to

encourage close working between academics from the research areas identified.

While the University of Birmingham and Waseda University have been working together for some time prior to this agreement, this particular collaboration arose out of a British Council workshop last year, which focused on increasing UK-Japan collaboration in education and research.

Professor Michael Whitby, the University of Birmingham’s Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Arts and Law, visited Japan in October and held initial talks with academics from Waseda University.

University of Birmingham Provost Professor Adam Tickell said, ‘The UK is one of Japan’s top research partners. It is important for both the University of Birmingham and our country to develop closer engagement

with our counterparts in Japan, especially in areas of shared research strength.’

Tickell adds, ‘I’m delighted that we have secured this collaboration with Waseda University. There is much common ground between us, particularly as the world’s attention focuses on our region and Shakespeare in 2016, and I look forward to other areas of joint research being developed.’

Waseda University‘s Vice President for International Affairs, Norimasa Morita, also expressed his delight with collaborating with UoB in his statement, ‘We are very much looking forward to expanding our research collaboration with the University of Birmingham, starting with a select number of academic areas and later developing other exciting strategic research partnerships.’

‘In particular, I am very

excited about the future activities that can be explored through collaboration between the Shakespeare Institute and the Tsubouchi Memorial Theatre Museum, which brings together expertise not only in traditional Shakespeare studies, but also studies of the Bard in the context of world literature.’ Morita concludes A first year English Literature student told Redbrick: ‘I’m excited about the collaboration with Tokyo because Shakespeare is such a prominent figure in literature and I had no idea English Literature was so highly regarded in Japan.

As a first year student I’ve studied both Shakespeare and Beckett, so it’ll be cool to see how the collaboration may affect how future first year students study those playwrights.'

Universities of Birmingham and Melbourne sign new deal to promote greater engagement Megan Wilson-Taylor News reporter

An expansive deal between the universities of Birmingham and Melbourne has been signed agreeing to formally collaborate on research, education, and cultural engagement. University of Birmingham Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir David Eastwood and University of Melbourne Vice-Chancellor Professor Glyn Davis signed the partnership agreement at a ceremony held at Melbourne’s Parkville campus.

A co-funded joint PhD programme is at the centre of this new arrangement and will give

up to 20 scholars in engineering the opportunity to study in Birmingham and Melbourne alongside world-leading academics. There is a 20-year relationship between the universities who have a shared history in Sir Raymond Priestley, the British geologist and Antarctic explorer who was Vice-Chancellor of both institutions.

Aside from the £2 million ($4 million AUD) ‘Priestley PhD Fellowships’ programme, the agreement also provides a collaborative fund of £100,000 AUD$200,000) to increase exchanges between the UK and Australia and encourage close working relationships between

academics at each university.

PhD students will have the opportunity to work in shared areas of priority research which include energy storage, biomechanics, artificial intelligence and robotics.

Sir David Eastwood said: 'Signing our strategic partnership heralds an exciting new era of close collaboration that will lead to high-quality research with global impact as well as exciting education initiatives for students.'

The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions. The University of Melbourne is Australia’s number one university and 33rd

in the world according to the latest Times Higher Education rankings.

The universities have been collaborating since 1996 and joint PhDs in medicine and life sciences are already run between the institutions. Since 2010, the universities had academic co-authors on approximately 500 research papers and are founding members of Universitas 21, the leading global network of research-intensive universities.

Melbourne and Birmingham already work closely with the University of Delhi to deliver an intensive MA module in India which draws staff and students from all three universities.

The new partnership between the two institutions allows for collaboration between each institution’s unique cultural assets, and will expand the successful International Museums and Collections exchange programme for Birmingham and Melbourne students.

Professor Davis said: 'This is a significant change in our relationship with Birmingham, and an extremely positive one at that.

At Melbourne we have made it a priority to establish deep partnerships with leading universities around the world that would provide for excellent research collaboration and student mobility opportunities.'

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Inmates speak to Redbrick about life behind bars The Go to Jail project at the Library of Birmingham allows visitors to truly see and hear the reality of a category B prison.

Hannah Bussell News reporter

Often when people think about prison, they think of Hollywood’s sensationalised and distorted ‘Shawshank redemption’-style representations. But in reality it’s nothing like this. Hollywood and mainstream media don’t demonstrate issues like overcrowding, or the lack of rehabilitation programs for serious issues such as gambling addiction.

The Go to Jail project has landed in Birmingham. Visitors can explore a replica cell from a category B prison (a prison not

of the highest risk, but still a high level of security needed) on level 3 of the Library of Birmingham. Inside are two resident prisoners, former inmates, who are there to share the truths about their time behind bars.The cell is only an arm span wide with a bunk bed, a couple of chairs, a desk, a toilet and a number of amenities that category B prisoners are allowed, including a radio, a kettle, and a chess set. Visitors are encouraged to enter the cell to get a sense of the living conditions of the inmates. The cells are built for one offender, however two prisoners take residence. This is a common predicament for many of the UK’s prisons as a result of

overcrowding.

One of the inmates, Neil, mentions that sharing a cell only works if the two cellmates get on. He jokes that the only time he ever clashed with his cellmate was on one occasion ‘when he turned my radio off during a really good show so he could do his meditation’.

Neil, who has recently finished three years of incarceration after being sentenced for the possession of stolen goods, talks to Redbrick about the poor rehabilitation facilities for gambling addicts. ‘I would never have ended up in prison for the second time if I had help inside for my gambling problems.

There’s a lot of help for the alco-

holics or the drug addicts, but nothing for me. You’d be surprised at how many people there are, who go back to crime to pay off their gambling debt.

Then once they get out of prison they go straight back to gambling again.’

'sharing a cell only works if the two cellmates get on' Neil discusses the high amount of drug use that goes on inside prisons, and how it causes much of the violence on

the wings. He said, ‘As long as you keep your nose out of that sort of business, you’ll be ok and you won’t get hurt’.

Despite this, Neil assured Redbrick that for the majority, prison does a good job of serving its purpose: ‘a lot of people really do get rehabilitated, they use this time to do a lot of thinking and change their lives around’.

Go to Jail allows people to truly see and hear the reality of prison. Female inmates will be occupying the cell until the project’s closure on Friday 12th March. It then moves on to the Shop Front Theatre in Coventry from April 26-30.

Students frustrated by second modern foreign languages consultation Kirstie Sutherland News reporter

As previously reported, several proposals have been submitted surrounding the restructuring of the Modern Languages department at the University of Birmingham. On Wednesday the 16th of March, the second consultation about the restructuring took place. The full consultation period lasts until the 27th of April.

The meeting was met with a larger turnout than the first consultation, filling an entire lecture theatre in Strathcona. This was due to the fact staff advertised it a month in advance, following complaints about the 24-hour notice given for the first consultation meeting.

The proposals include potential redundancy of 12 languagefocused staff members, in order to then hire 10 new research-focused staff. Many who attended the meeting felt strongly about

the need to represent the department’s staff for both the student body and staff voices heard. The sheer level of anger the attendees felt towards these proposals was clear; many students expressed their concerns over staff cuts, and their worries that the standard of teaching may be affected by these staff changes.

One of the issues raised was that of class sizes. One student voiced the opinion that class sizes affect teaching more than the type of teacher leading them.

The head of department, Stephen Forcer, confirmed that the department’s student-staff ratio is less favourable than approximately 14 other Russell Group universities.

Further worry from students centred around the motion that for ‘Languages for All’ staff would be integrated within the department, and whether the school could assure the same quality of teaching. An Italian professor, who spoke on the staff proposals in general, suggested that they had slightly ‘missed the

point’. Having worked in both the Italian Studies department and the ‘Languages for All’ department, she explained that language staff have a totally unique approach to teaching, taking students out of their comfort zone and helping them ‘to make them talk’.

She further elaborated the worry that a research-focused member of staff would not be as committed time-wise, splitting themselves between research and teaching. Anthony Arnull argued against this, explaining the increase in research staff would mean an increase in the range of modules offered. This was countered by a fourth year German student, who explained that the German department were unable to offer half as many modules in students’ final year, as research staff are away for semesters at a time to focus on their work, and so are unable to teach.

The National Student Survey, which a lot of these proposed changes have been modelled on, demonstrate that satisfaction on

teaching in the modern language courses is high: in 2014, this percentage was 85%. In 2015 satisfaction with teaching was at a slightly lower 81%, but satisfaction with teaching has remained consistently high in the last few years. This has made students angry and confused as to why ‘improving teaching’ is the main focus of the restructuring.

There has been a lot of opposition to the restructuring proposals. A petition that has been circulating amongst students has over 1,000 student signatures.

There have been several cosigned letters and emails from the student cohort. A counterproposal has even been drafted by language reps and a student rep from the Guild, Shelby Whitehead.

The idea of the interpreting suite to open in the Law building library was met with a greater enthusiasm, however a fourth year student raised the point that in order for the interpreting suite to really work to a student’s advantage, you also need lan-

guage specialists; interpreting in a foreign language is a highly difficult and intricate skill. This was met with more information regarding the potential redundancies, with students being told ‘the balance of staff is out of kilter’.

Arnull made clear they have met with many members of staff individually to discuss these ideas and that they would ensure ‘departures and arrivals [of staff] will match up’, despite the admission that roles are not always filled if an applicant does not meet the university’s standards.

Many students made clear they weren’t signing these petitions and letters against everything within the proposals. They have signed as a means of protest against the redundancies and closures. Arnull repeated throughout the consultation that these proposals are subject to change, and will not necessarily take the shape they are in right now. As the consultation ended, one student exclaimed ‘we can’t make [our views] any clearer.’

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Redbrick Analysis: The Budget 2016

News editor Beriwan Ceren analyses the key points from the Chancellor's eighth statement.

Beriwan Ceren News Editor

On 16th March, 2016 Chancellor George Osborne presented this year's budget to Parliament. It was Osborne’s eighth budget as Chancellor, and the second as part of a majority Conservative government.

Loans for PhD students of up to £25,000 will be available from 2018-19. The Chancellor announced a timescale for the loan, although this was also announced in last years’ budget. The budget document says ‘from 2018-19, loans of up to £25,000 will be available to any English student without a Research Council living allowance who can win a place for doctoral study at a UK university.’ The document also states the government will review ‘gaps in support’ for part-time study, and will bring together information on graduate earnings by course to ensure ‘people can make informed decisions’ on higher education.

In a bid to tackle child obesity, a sugar tax will be introduced on

fizzy drinks in two years time. Soft drinks companies will pay two types of levies: one type will be on drinks with a total sugar content of 8 grams per 100 millilitre; another, higher rate will be paid for drinks with a total sugar content higher than 8 grams per 100 millilitres.

The tax will be used to fund sports in schools, which will be doubled to £520m in its first year. The Tate & Lyle share prices dropped following the surprising announcement of the sugar tax.

The Personal Allowance (taxfree income) will increase from £10,600 to £11,000 in 2016, and increase to a further £11,500 in April 2017. The threshold of paying the Higher Rate Income Tax, 40%, will increase from £42,385 to £43,000 in 2016, following a further increase to £45,000 in April 2017.

From April 2017, the Lifetime ISA will be launched, allowing savers to receive a 25% bonus from the government. All savers will be able to put up to £20,000, up from £15,240 a year, into their ISA account, with an annual bonus of up to £1,000 until the age of 50. The Chancellor said that first-time buy-

ers can withdraw their Lifetime ISA to spend up to £450,000 on a property, and will be able to use the money to buy a home after a year.

Savers who want to use the savings for retirement income will have to wait until the age of 60.

Ben Burman, a second year Politics & Economics Student, said of the budget: ‘It was a very Conservative budget with cuts in corporation taxes and increase in the higher income tax band threshold. The sugar tax on soft drinks is most surprising. It also had a hint of leadership potential in there with the fuel duty frozen, showing Osborne's fears of Tory backbenchers. The FTSE seemed to react well to the budget, but with Osborne missing his and OBR targets, confidence with him must surely be looking thin’.

Lee Dargue of the Liberal Democrats spoke to Redbrick about the budget: 'We need young people to be able to thrive. We repeatedly see young people ignored or written out of the picture altogether, yesterday’s budget did little except to prove that point'.

COMMENT

Friday 18th March 2016

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09

Remembering Beth Kelin

Keah Joseph and her friends remember Second Year Maths student, Beth Kelin.

Keah Joseph Comment Editor

Beth was one of the kindest, selfless human beings – she would do anything for anyone – and her tunes! She loved her CHOOOONS – Chris Brown, of course, Kid Ink, Mary J Blige, The Fray, Dj Khaled, S Club 7, the list could go on forever. Beth was so

spontaneous, so full of life; she went to the shop to pick up a bottle of milk and came back with a tongue piercing.

Beth, I miss your energy, your spark, your shine. The stars will forever remind me of you, and all the angels you have joined. I hope you are at peace with your bunnywoof, dogga, cradled in eternal love. The blessing is, you'll always be with us because you touched everyone in such an incredibly unique and irresistible way.

You made me intrigued, motivated and my world with you was forever having fun. Your very being was bursting with energy, love and affection and you touched so many people and so many places. I will cherish every memory, practise everything you taught me and hold you in my heart forever. You will never leave me and I will never leave you.

All my love, Your Romes

I will treasure each and every moment I spent with you for the rest of my life.

My darling Bethels, you were so full of life and from the moment we met we clicked. I remember the Kid Ink concert going

together barely knowing each Brown songs, all the times you other and coming home the clos- cheered me up and were there est of friends. How we would for me...there’s just so much I’ll always joke and say the sole miss. I was so lucky to have had purpose of Kid Ink was to bring the pleasure of knowing you and us together. I will forever smile being your best friend. You will when I look back always mean the on our shared world to me, Beth was so memories. I feel so you crazy blessed to have human. spontaneous, so been a part of your All my love, life, such a kind always and full of life; she forever, and caring being, for me this is not went to the shop to Your Squids goodbye, you’re my Bethels and pick up a bottle of Beth, even though you’re Thank you gone we are still a so much for milk and came team. being such a Beth if I had back with a tongue beautiful friend the chance to see to me. Although piercing. you one more time I didn’t know I would tell you you for as long how much I love you and remind as I wish I could have, the impact you every day. You were so spe- you’ve made on my life is cial to everybody and if love immeasurable. Your kind heart could have saved you, you’d and the way you always brought still be here.Loving a smile to my you always, face will stay Your baby Kiwi with me forever.

If I could be Beth, even half as loyal and though I maybe kind-hearted as didn’t always show you, I’ll be able it, I hope you knew to live my life that I always loved to the fullest. I you. You became promise to travmy best friend at el the world like uni, I’d honestly we talked about, never clicked with and to live every someone as quickly day to the fullas I clicked with you. I’d never est. I’ll never take any friendmet anyone with as big a heart ship for granted. You’ll forever as you. You did so many special be in my thoughts and prayers, I things for me, and for everyone, hope you have found peace. Fly that made life at uni worth liv- high beautiful.All my love, foring. I’ve never ever and met anyone quite always, like you, and I Grace know that I never will again. You’ll Hey Beth, always hold a I only special place in wished you my heart, and were here for every time I look longer. I have at a star I’ll think of you. More so much to thank you for, you than anything, just know that have no idea. You beautiful, you were and always will be beautiful girl. Baby girl! You loved. All my love, forever and were so strong for everybody, always, always all for one and one for Your boob

You were really a piece of sunshine, you never made it seem like anything was impossible.

You were the most truly beautiful human.

Beth, there are no words to describe how special you are to me. I don’t think I will ever meet anyone with a heart as kind as yours. I am so lucky to have been blessed with your friendship – I have never known anyone quite like you. I will forever cherish our special memories.

Love you always, Your lil’ Charlsman jr.

Hey Bethels, I love you so much, I will always always love you. You were the most truly beautiful human. Everything you did for everyone else, all the times you put others before yourself, you were just incredible. If I can be even half the person you were, if I can be even a tiny bit as selfless and you were, as spontaneous and free spirited as you were, then I will be happy. I will never forget all the times we had, singing/screeching “Listen”

by Beyoncé at the top of our lungs, you teaching me all the words to Kid Ink and Chris

all! You were really a piece of sunshine, you never made it seem like anything was impossible. I don’t know anyone who gave so much and made it so easy. Just your cheeky little grin was enough. I don’t think I’ll ever meet anyone as caring, spontaneous and so full of love as you. Just thank you for your light and joy. I know you’re watching us and looking out for us. I know I will see you again and that you’re safe and the pain is gone and you’ll be so happy to see everyone. I just wish you were here. You would know what to do. I love you home skillet. (I’ll carry you where ever I go) from Atlanta My dearest Bethels, I’m so glad that we decided to give each other a second chance; the beginning of our journey was a funny one, but nonetheless that made it all the more special. I came to know one of the loveliest, most caring, most kind-hearted, bright and vibrant people that I will probably ever know. You were simply amazing, and so so spontaneous.

You’ve shown me and every single person that you came across the definition of what it means to be a truly selfless, good human being. There are so many things I wish I had told you and reminded you of for example how much I loved you, cared about you and valued you as a friend, first and foremost, but also as a human. Truly one of a kind. I keep thinking about all of your CHOOONS, our love for music, travel and, of course, your infamous song quizzes. I will treasure each and every moment I spent with you for the rest of my life. You will always be with us and I promise to live life to the fullest so that a part of you can live on through all of us. Rest in beautiful peace my sweetheart.

Loving you longtime, Your Apeman jr.

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COMMENT

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbrickcomment

Don't Be a Snoop! Are your messages safe?

Harry Tennison explores why the proposed 'Snoopers Charter' is a violation of your rights to privacy.

Harry Tennison Commentator @Harry_Tennison

Tory party leaders are pressing forward with plans to bring into force a snoopers charter, a piece of draft legislation put forward by Home Secretary, Theresa May, under the title of the Draft Communications Data Bill. The bill would see internet service providers and mobile phone companies forced to keep records of the internet usage, social media and messages sent by each and every user for 12 months so that the government could analyse them as they please.

The bill has been circulating for some time; originally emerging mid-way through the last parliament, the government held back on its planned introduction after their coalition partners, the Liberal Democrats, withdrew their support. The debate regarding the ethical and moral considerations has raged since Edward Snowden’s revelations regarding the invasive practices of GCHQ and the NSA in spying on UK, US, Australian and New Zealand citizens.

Any bid for our government to monitor the information we create on such a mass scale acts only as a precursor to the seismic elements of that of China and North Korea.

Whilst we may not see the severe restrictions that these Asian nations face, the basic restriction of rights remains the same. We all possess an equal right to say what we want – our freedom of speech – but we must do so in accordance with our right to ensure that what we say has the potential to remain private.

Conversations between loved ones do not need to be stored and monitored under any form of blanket legislation, nor that between the worried mother and the child who has stayed out past their curfew.

Such ideas are regressionary and imply that we have lost control of our ability to use the internet. In fact, Sir Tim Berners Lee, who invented the world wide web, said he was ‘worried’ about such proposed legislat i o n .

Furthermore, Apple CEO Tim Cook predicts ‘dire consequences’ from any change to the law. It is inevitable that granting the government that kind of power will lead to an escalation in surveillance for the sake of surveillance rather than our current effective mode of targeted surveillance.

We find ourselves having to consider the fact that MPs, whilst elected, are only a small part of the population and certainly not representative of the population as a whole. One in every one hundred people are educated at Oxbridge but, in 2014, one in four MPs had graduated from the universities.

Whilst a respectable accomplishment, and our desire for someone of knowledge to represent us in national decision making, I cannot help but feel like the majority of ‘normal’ people would rather their innocent private texts and emails remained that way.

Should the Conservative party remain steadfast on their view that such a heinous invasion of privacy should become the law, it is inevitable that the party whip will be used harshly to keep potential rebels

It is inevitable that granting the government that kind of power will lead to an escalation in surveillance for the sake of surveillance

Conversations between loved ones do not need to be stored and monitored

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from obeying their constituents – as they should – and instead following the government line.

As defenders of normal hard working people – rather than just the wealthy – and moral righteousness, the Labour Party must establish themselves as the fiercest opponents of the Tory plans ensuring that they place the privacy and civil liberty of British people at an equilibrium with the desire to gather information to ultimately keep them safe - and can expect to find strong allies in the SNP, Lib Dems and the Green Party. This is an opportunity for Jeremy Corbyn to unite his party in their anti-Tory message, proving that the Prime Minister does not care for what the people of his country really want.

The timing of the reigniting of Tory attempts to push the snoopers

charter through Parliament is key for any attempts to gain public support. Given the IS terror threat in Europe, they can build on a campaign of fear and scaremongering to suggest that this will prevent terror attacks. This is simply not true. A mass-scale surveillance possibility is a tax on time, money and resources. A targeted approach to ensuring that suspect individuals are monitored has clear success rates – for example, French intelligence gained from targeting suspected IS members has helped to prevent a terrorist attack on Munich stations over New Years Eve. I make no argument for the suspension of monitoring and conducting surveillance on those who are generally considered to potentially cause harm. In fact, I believe it to be a necessary part to modern

society. With such an expansive communication method as the internet at the fingertips of billions of people, the potential dangers which come with using its powers the wrong way is monumental. In accordance with the weight of the dangers, the weight of the responsibility to ensure that the internet remains free and equal. The right to privacy must be respected.

Any form of snoopers charter legislation would be immoral and a violation of the rights of those who it investigated without just cause, as it inevitably would. The storing of such immense amounts of unnecessary data is restrictive, regressive and unrighteous. As summed up by a group of Nobel Prize winners: ‘a person under surveillance is no longer free; a society under surveillance is no longer a democracy.’

COMMENT

Friday 18th March 2016

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The Guild Elections in Photos Ben Oconnell Commentator

Campaigning during Elections week at the University of Birmingham is something our University should be proud of. A moment when the standard running order of scrumming into lecture theatres and the monotony of our short semesters is punctuated

by a brief moment of colour.

They manifest in a variety of forms; from broken bits of skipretrieved plasterboard to ingeniously acquired chairs and even an umbrella. Anything but card was fair game. Anecdotally I heard rumblings of discontentment: ‘Why do they allow students to ruin campus?’

These criticisms miss the point entirely – they overlook the colour

and energy of that week. Something that is gradually being pushed out of higher education in the UK. In an effort to find what makes me so enthusiastic about that short time when the normal running order of campus is suspended, I looked to render the colour and ingenuity of this week as objectively as possible, capturing the nuts and bolts of this improvised plasterboard battleground.

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Redbrick Satire

Guild officers convinced theirmanifestos won them elections Chris Austin Satirist @chrisaustin93

A member of the recently formed Guild Officers team for the upcoming academic year has come forth to express her confidence that her ideas for change around the university won her the election, and not the fact that she dressed as an astronaut for the entire campaign.

Zara Fleetwood dressed as an astronaut for the entirety of her campaign to become Welfare Officer, using the catchphrase: ‘Making SPACE for your ideas’.

She insists this was a deeply thought out plan to make sure students could really believe that change for the better was happening. Dismissing the idea that it was just a way to ensure voters would remember her as ‘that one who dressed up in a costume’.

Ms Fleetwood was also very proud of the multiple videos that were released across social media to garner support.

‘I’m really happy with the videos because I think when we are talking about welfare, the best way to get across my message is to change the lyrics to Don’t go breaking my heart by Elton John. I’m honestly surprised more politicians don’t go for the same approach.’

She argued that if ‘Jeremy Corbyn did a video of him signing his views to the tune of a

popular Beyonce song, he wouldn’t have had nearly as much opposition.’

Fleetwood forced many of her friends to appear in the video, saying they really believed in her vision. An unnamed friend has said that he only appeared in the video because he just couldn’t say no to ‘a free beer and meal.’

He argued that, he didn’t want to appear in the video at all, ‘especially as her theme was space and she used Don’t go breaking my Heart instead of Rocket Man.’ We went to ask students what they thought of the elections. Laura Stowford, 19, said that she voted for the ‘astronaut one’ because none of the other candidates seemed as memorable. ‘She came up with a great campaign based on an outfit so I’m confident she will do great in the actual job.’

James Topping, 22, seemed confused when asked about an astronaut wandering about campus. He said that ‘to be honest, after finishing my dissertation I don’t really go to campus anymore but I am sure I would have noticed a space man walking around.’ He added, ‘are these elections anything to do with Trump and all that? If so, I probably wouldn’t vote for him, he seems like a bit of a bad guy.’

Safe Space Policy applauded for quashing intellectual debate Paige Tracey Satirist

The President of one of the university’s favourite political societies has praised the implementation of a safe space policy in all their debates. Jordan Thomas, 21, applauds the society’s undertaking of the policy and hopes it will “quash any sense of disagreement with the political ideas that I subscribe to”. The policy, aimed at preventing the broadcasting of racist, sexist or homophobic views, or more generally, anything that the president disagrees with, is just what Thomas has been waiting for to curb free speech and opinion.

“Censorship of opinions that I find problematic is at the heart of my campaign to create fair and balanced political discussion” Thomas continues. “I’ve always maintained that there is absolutely no room for disagreement in politics. It is an unfair expectation for me to self-reflect upon, or justify my political stances. Hopefully, this policy will now prevent any risk of me having to do so.” Thomas details that the society has recently had difficulty, as unruly members have

claimed that the committee’s approaches to certain issues have been unfair. “These kinds of complaints are charged with a negativity that oppresses me and my friends,” he says, on the verge of tears. “I mean, it’s obvious. When people say that I reserve committee positions for my chums, that’s just them being homophobic.

When they claim I rigged a society election, just because I didn’t count ballot papers properly, it’s clear that racism still exists in this day and age.

These forms of oppression need to stop. For me, the obvious way to go about that, is to stop any criticism being aimed me or the society.” At the society’s recent committee election, the rival candidate for the presidential position, Thomas Jordan, said he welcomed the implementation of the safe space policy.

Jordan Thomas responded by welcoming his opponents right to agree with his opinion. When a society member asked if the freedom to speak only inoffensively was a freedom worth having, he was thrown out of the auditorium by his ear.

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Troll in the Dungeon!

If you thought trolls were fairy tales, think again - they're real and they live on the internet. Ellie Patten investigates how we perceive online harassment.

Ellie Patten

Sci & Tech Editor @elliempatten

To some, a troll is simply a monster from a fairytale. For others, a troll is a very real and unfortunate side-effect of the internet.

These 'keyboard warriors' tend to live in the more anonymous realms of the internet, hiding in the dark corners of Twitter, Reddit, and YouTube, waiting for an unsuspecting victim to appear. The anonymity of these websites, on which users don’t need to reveal their real names, provides a breeding ground for offensive messages and personal attacks.

Trolling can be difficult to define. It may simply be an anon-

CELEBRITY VICTIMS

ymous social media user comIn a survey conducted by menting a provocative statement Redbrick, 79% of Facebook users on an article in the hope of 'rat- and 74% of Twitter users said tling some cages' and they had witnessed trollstarting an argument ing whilst using the online. But equally, respective sites, a troll might send whilst 28% of threatening and Facebook users concerning mesand 24% of sages to an indiTwitter users vidual, often admitted that insulting their they had perRespondents who appearance, sonally been have witnessed work, or personsubjected to ality. This can trolling. trolling while using even escalate to Despite the Twitter death threats, high number of sometimes even users who have witextending to partners nessed trolling, a conor children of the victim. tentious issue appears to With anonymity and the ability be whether or not trolling is a to create multiple accounts, it can serious problem. Although 32% be hard to stop this kind of behav- of particpants said they saw no iour. difference between trolling and

74%

Some say that trolls and unkind comments 'come with the territory' of living in the spotlight. But for some famous faces, the online harassment has become too much...

Adele After receiving disturbing death threats directed towards herself and her newborn baby, the award-winning singer left Twitter in 2012. She received a number of particularly concerning messages including one particularly nasty tweet saying: 'Aw Adele gave birth to a baby. Is it fat and handicapped lol? Just murder it already lol.' Adele has since returned to the site.

Stephen Moffat Despite being a notorious troll himself, the Dr Who showrunner deleted Twitter in 2012 to escape the numerous negative comments he received on the site. In his time on Twitter, Moffat was well-known for his vague and teasing responses to questions about the show, leading to many describing him as 'the biggest troll in television'. However, it turns out the 'biggest troll' had his own trolls. He has not yet returned to the site.

Anne Wheaton Though she may not be a “celebrity”, the retired hairdresser and wife of Wil Wheaton (of Star Trek and The Big Bang Theory fame) received a huge response on social media when she quit Twitter earlier this year. Her popular blog post discussed her disappointment with the site, and revealed how she felt she needed to quit after being exposed to a large number of unkind comments about herself, her husband, and her children.

Stephen Fry Just last month, popular TV host and actor Stephen Fry, deleted his Twitter account after he angered users when he compared costume designer Jenny Beavan to a 'bag lady'. Admittedly, Fry’s comment itself may seem like a cruel piece of trolling, but the actor later insisted his comment was a joke, and that he and Beavan are good friends. Though Fry says Beavan 'got' the joke and that no harm was done, he has not yet returned to Twitter.

cyberbullying, only 72% of participants believe trolling is an issue which should be taken seriously.

When asked the distinction between cyberbullying and trolling, one respondent said: 'A troll is someone who is just altogether annoying and isn't there to insult you or abuse you, whereas a cyberbully is directly offensive.'

However, this isn’t always the case. Whilst many argue that trolling is in good humour, and is simply a harmless joke, it can often take on a crueller, more personal nature, and trolls have even been imprisoned for posting obscene messages on tribute sites.

One Facebook user said: 'Although originally done as a sort of harmless cyber prank, [trolling] has become synony-

'People don't consider how deeply certain comments affect certain people, so what may be a joke for one person is more insulting to someone else.'

'Although Cyber bullying is a problem, I feel that it’s more of a case of supporting the [victims] emotionally with real people. We don't need to make any new buttons or functions to help users escape bullying or trolling… we need to focus on teaching people to be able to realise that what people say to them isn't true half the time and to be able to overlook what the trolls say.'

'Computers are clever, so let’s use them to identify cyber bullying and remove or reduce it.

This however means that your angry tweets at your overpaid MP will also probably be removed.'

'Whilst not being as mentally damaging as cyber bullying, people can find trolling to be extremely distressing. At the end of the day it's still people taking liberties with technology by abusing others, even if it's through more annoying harassment.'

mous with cyberbullying. Sadly, like with many things, people take these things too far.'

Despite features such as blocking and reporting other users for inappropriate or hurtful behaviour, 86% of users surveyed do not feel there is enough help available for victims. Only 37% of participants said Facebook is good at protecting their users, whilst as few as 26% said the same for Twitter.

One respondent said: 'More precautions [to protect users] are always beneficial, however, we must recognise we cannot control all aspects of social media.

Removing trolling or abuse from social media is somewhat impossible and would contradict the main idea behind social networks as a platform to communicate freely with the world.'

Redbrick conducted a survey into social media users' attitudes towards trolling and cyberbullying. Here's what users said...

'I would say cyber bullying is when the victim and the bully know each other personally.

Trolling seems to me when the attacker does not directly know the target.'

'Although originally done as a sort of harmless cyber prank, [trolling] has become synonymous with cyber bullying. Sadly, like with many things, people take these things too far.'

'Trolling is funny.

Cyberbullying is pathetic and hurtful.'

'I think there is already enough protection [from online abuse].

For example, there's already the ability to report or block users.'

Have you had experience of cyberbullying or trolling?

Tell us about it on Twitter at @redbricktech

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'Remember the person, not the disease'

Someone in the UK is diagnosed with dementia every three minutes, but there's still a stigma associated with the disease. Kirstie Sutherland reflects on her family's experience of the condition. and seemingly left behind. While I don't discredit the fact that many Music Editor of these people did have loving @whatkirstiedid families to visit them, or that they were simply too old to have many Whenever we visit my grandfa- people left to do so, it's heartther, there's the potential he may breaking to see. be having an 'off day'. If and when Even coming from such a this is the case, my father may say large family, I was one of only a to me, 'I hope I'm in the ground few people who visited my nan before I ever get like that'. But regularly; I'd go at least once what is 'that' exactly? For the every week, sometimes once a most part, he means being diag- fortnight when I had school or nosed with dementia, which my exams, while some of my aunts, paternal grandmother also suf- uncles and cousins didn't go at all. fered from for a number of years. Many of them cited the reason, 'I Being unable to remember your don't want to see her like that'. For friends, your family and even me, this reason never fully washed. yourself the further along you are In one sense, I can completely can be totally distressing, both to understand their point of view; experience and to witness, so I witnessing someone you love can understand his mentality. slowly forget who you are, forget I'm from a large family - my their own mind, be so ill they're father is one of eleven siblings - unable to walk and talk properly, so I've observed my fair share of is truly harrowing, and not somemental illness or, to use a better thing I'd wish upon anyone. It was term, brain disease. For subsequently reported by most of my adolesthe Alzheimer's Society cence, I only ever on New Years Day knew my grandthis year that 42% mother sat up in of the British pubbed in a number lic '[are] not conof care homes, vinced people unable to talk, with dementia and for the most still benefit a lot part, unable to from seeing People under the recognise that loved ones they age of 65 living with her son and no longer recogdementia granddaughter nise'. Personally, I were sitting in don't think I could front of her and trygo on living my life ing to make her feel properly knowing that more comfortable. Due to my own grandmother was her illness, I've been visiting care sat in a care home, lonely and homes since I was young, and unable to verbalise how she really have witnessed the number of feels - it used to upset me if I had people that are constantly lonely to go a week without seeing her,

Kirstie Sutherland

40,000

let alone several months or years.

They further reported that 64% of people 'living with dementia feel isolated following a diagnosis'.

Taken from reports written by the Medical Research Council, 68% of people said they would visit someone diagnosed with dementia. However, the MRC go on to explain that not all of the people within this percentage are ever guaranteed to follow up on these claims, partially due to the fact that their reaction may be totally different once they are faced with the reality of having to be a potential carer or witness a loved one's memories and brain function deteriorate.

'People over the age of 55 fear a dementia diagnosis more than any other condition' My brother didn't always like to visit our grandmother, which I understood. He was a lot younger then and eventually most of his memories became those of her in a care home; he has even fewer memories of my nan before she was diagnosed. He probably doesn't remember too clearly the Sundays she'd come over for dinner, or the times we'd go and visit her flat on a Saturday afternoon to see how she was getting on over in Sutton Coldfield. For me, it was a learning curve having to cope with her situation, and I

believe that both of us seeing her dition, with approximately 1 in 4 regularly throughout her illness hiding their diagnosis from others due to shame and ultimately, the helped us to grow up, mature stigma of living and havand realise that not everying to terms with the thing in the world is fact they have a perfectly rosy. brain illness.

Dementia affects My grandfamost, if not all ther was diagfamilies, at least nosed with vasonce. cular dementia It is reported Percentage of back in June

by Alzheimer's people living with 2014, which isn't Society that dementia who feel as common comapproximately pared to 62% of 850,000 people isolated following people diagnosed in the UK are curdiagnosis with Alzheimer's rently diagnosed (the most common with dementia, with form of dementia); only 70% of people in care 17% of diagnoses are vashomes being there due to suffering from the disease or from cular. I'd like to think that con'severe memory problems'. This stantly visiting my grandmother number is staggering, and with when I was growing up has helped the number of people suffering prepare me to deal with my grandfrom dementia set to increase to 1 father's slow deterioration, espemillion by 2025 and 2 million by cially as by the time he was diag2051, it is clear that more and nosed following major heart surmore people are going to need gery, I was 18 and considered by care and support as a result. As many to be an 'adult'. It is never well as this, it should be noted easy to see a loved one suffer, that not everyone suffering from especially someone you look up brain disease are of an old age - to as much as I do my grandfather. there are currently 40,000 people However, the stigma surrounding under the age of 65 living with dementia and brain disease needs dementia. However, there is a to be overcome much more subfurther stigma attached to younger stantially. For me, it will only adults being diagnosed with the cause more regret and upset when disease. This in turn hinders the that person is no longer here and amount of people who actually you wish you'd spent more time are diagnosed and subsequently with them, regardless of them no treated and looked after, despite longer knowing who you are. the fact there is currently no cure Those suffering from dementia for dementia. The Medical need care, attention, love but perResearch Council reports that haps most of all, they need the people over the age of 55 have a awareness that you'll still be there greater fear of being diagnosed for them when they aren't there with dementia than any other con- for themselves.

64%

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E3 2016

Redbrick predictions Elder Scrolls VI This is one of the least likely on the list to actually be seen at E3 with Bethesda already having released Fallout 4 in late 2015, but it is one we hope actually turns out to be true. Bethesda are notorious for keeping game announcements close to their chest until close to the actual release date, and with rumour being that a new Elder Scrolls game won’t actually be released until as late as 2019 it's a big ask for Bethesda to pull this out of the bag. However, with no new addition to the series after an already sizeable 5-year gap since the previous installment, Skyrim (no we're not couting Elder Scrolls Online), a little gesture by Bethesda to show the series is still going strong would go a long way for many fans.

After all, a small tease wouldn’t hurt the potential three year wait.

Meet your new Redbrick committee 2016-17!

With not long to go until the biggest annual gaming convention in the world, Redbrick Gaming outline their hopes and predictions for E3 2016

Mass Effect: Andromeda While it isn’t a rumour, as it’s actually been confirmed by Bioware that Mass Effect: Andromeda will make an appearance at E3 2016, it’s still something we really want to be shown off because Mass Effect remains one of the best Sci Fi RPG series of all time. With it’s release date slated for Q1 2017, however, it's unclear as to in what capacity it will be shown off. Will it be cinematics? Or artwork? General chatter about it?

After what has to be considred a lacklustre ending to Mass Effect 3, that irritated many many of the series, here at Redbrick we hope it's none of the above. Instead we hope Bioware opt to finally show off some gameplay and potential key plot points so we can finally get a good grasp of what to expect and put a lot of fear and doubt about the next entry in the series behind us.

Xbox One Point Five

Red Dead 3 Some seem to forget that a new Red Dead game would actually make it the third, rather than Redemption 2 (there was Red Dead Revolver) and a big rumour circulating that we at Redbrick would love to be true is that Rockstar are going to unveil a third in the series. This is backed up by the fact that Rockstar have claimed that they plan to be at E3 'in a big way', and whilst this could refer to their in-development game Agent it seems unlikely considering how much a success Red Dead Redemption was for the company. Plus why not both?

However, rumors of a 'Read Dead 3' did surface before E3 last year, and unfortunatley came to nothing. We hope that this time Rockstar will provide us with some solid information about the fate of the series.

Rumour has it that at this E3 we will see the successor of the Wii U revealed, the tentatively titled Nintendo NX. Whilst analysts such as Micheal Pachter don't seem too fussed about the reveal of a new Nintendo home system, calling it 'backward-looking technology', a new Nintendo system could be exactly what the company needs following the lacklustre success of the Wii U. We here at Redbrick may be slighty biased, having spent a large amount of time playing Nintendo games during their glory days, but it's amazing to think that Nintendo may resurface, being largely irrelevant during the current gaming generation. The poor success of the Wii U will also mean that Nintendo have a lot more to lose with an unsuccessful console, and should therefore mean that Nintendo places a lot of resources into assuring the success of the NX.

Anna Griffiths Managing Editor

Gabriella Marcucci Head of Print

Conrad Duncan Head of Digital

Imogen Lancaster Deputy Editor

Harry Turner Deputy Editor

Andreea Gheorghe Lead Developer

William Baxter Treasurer

Hannah Coles Social Secretary

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I would like to support students working by helping them through support services, for instance through developing the personal tutor system, through extenuating circumstances services, making sure these are really available. I think also it’s really important that when changes are made to jobs with the Guild, the consultation period should include staff consultation and communication.

Redbrick Meets: Ellie Keiller, Guild PresidentElect

How would you use your presidency to hold the government to account?

‘Very Cherry Voices!’ A lot of students asked me about that point of my manifesto. I was so happy about that, because I truly believe, having not been directly involved with politics before uni, every student is very aware of the current political situation, or at least wants to be, or has an opinion of it. If we stand together as a body of students, and say ‘this is the situation, this is what is not ok’, if we stand together with the NUS, with other universities up and down the country, we’d really be heard - it’d be so hard to avoid such a mass of voices! I hope that as a president I’ll be approachable, so that students will be able to come to me and be able to say, ‘I need to be heard, I need you to be able to represent me’.

Anna Griffiths News editor @annaphoebee

President-elect Ellie Keiller spoke to Anna Griffiths about the policies she cares most about, the best parts of Selly Oak, and what she hopes to bring to the Guild over her term leading it.

What course do you study, and have you enjoyed your studies at UoB? I’m a third year drama and theatre arts student, based on the Selly Oak Campus.

I’m almost done with my course! I have one hour of teaching time left, which I’m sad about. I’ve absolutely loved the three years I’ve spent here. My course is really varied, and allowed me to get into really different areas. It’s really changed what I want to do in life, and so I plan to go on and do an MA in applied theatre after I finish my tenure as Guild President. I really want to get into theatre for social change after.

Where are you from?

I’m from Manchester, so I came from a big city to a big city. But I love Birmingham, I can’t decide if I want to leave or not after I finish as President!

Which societies are you involved with?

In first year I did that thing that a lot of freshers do where they just join everything! I fundraised for InterVol in first year – we rose well over a couple of thousand pounds that we then sent to a school in Kenya, which was brilliant.

I’m now a part of Carnival Rag. Last year I did ‘Escape and Invade’ for them, and hitchhiked all the way to Budapest, and last Saturday I skydived, which was quite scary, but also quite exciting, which raised over £400. Our group total is about £10000, all for the Children’s Society.

Best club in Birmingham?

Fab! Snobs also, but in first year it was the cheese room in Risa, which has closed down now though.

Who inspires you the most and why?

My inspiration comes from a variety of people, but I’m very close to my Dad in particular. I admire his attitude and work ethic.

Would you say you are a political person?

I wouldn’t call myself overly political really, having come to university with not much political background. In my manifesto, I really ran on trying to remove intimidation from politics and student politics. As a student body we have to stand up to the government right now, but that’s an intimidating thing to do if you aren’t a politics student, or don’t have that political background like me. I know a lot of students find politics quite intimidating. But I think everyone is politically minded, in some way, so I’m really keen to make guild politics more accessible.

How did you first get involved with the Guild?

At the end of my first semester I was elected an RA, which I really loved organising events, planning things, making sure student voices were heard. I was based in Liberty Court, which is quite a separate world to living on the Vale and the main hub of university, so being that point of contact for my residents made me aware that I was hopefully good at representing people, and that representing people was something I wanted to do.

You were Satellite Site Officer this year – what prepared you for this role?

Personally, I knew how it felt to be quite far away from the main hub of campus.

I absolutely loved being at Liberty Court, we were well connected, and we had the free shuttle bus, so we never felt entirely out of it, we never felt we missed out, and this is similar to the Selly Oak Campus I’m based at. I had two different satellite perspectives to offer, which helped me in my role as Satellite Site Officer.

Do you feel these experiences will help you to support home students?

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I’ve not been in their situation, but I feel like I’ve learned how to empathise with home students a bit having lived a bit separately to the university. Students who aren’t on the Vale or in Selly Oak, need to be included, its so important to access and hear them, to make sure they have transport, to be aware of their experiences.

Worst part of living in Selly Oak? Not having a cat! I think Selly Oak is such a lovely community though, it’s home. That sense of community is really what makes it ours, our Selly Oak. I’m really looking forward to leading my team, so we can work on behalf of all the students to make life better in Selly.

How would you change the Guild to help students with mental health issues?

Mental health support training is something we really need to improve on campus. A lot of students are affected by mental health issues, and don’t come forward. Every student that feels they are having any kind of mental health problem deserves help, and should seek help. I don’t believe though at the moment it’s easy to find that help, because even though we do have support on campus, it needs to be easier to find and get help from. Even if that’s just creating a more extensive signposting system! It’s my first point in my manifesto, and I feel so strongly about improving this.

How would you expand the Not On campaign?

The Not On campaign is doing something, and taking us in the right direction. In my manifesto I pledged to extend the Not On campaign, by getting more voices to be heard, giving it a louder presence on campus, making it bigger and more noticeable. Hopefully that would be extended to transport services, as students use these services very often, so I really believe that these should be safe spaces.

One of your manifesto points is to support students who work. How would you do this?

What is the biggest issue facing students today?

Every student faces their own individual issues, that could be financial, access to campus, not the right books in the library, so I don’t want to say there is any one big issue because that would be downplaying everything else. I need to be able to hear what all the difficulties are that students have. Helping people alleviate those difficulties is what I want to do.

Who would you most like to say thankyou to, and why?

Bethan Dovey. I owe her my election.

Also, the people that inspired me to become an RA. I remember in first year Poppy Wilkinson [a previous Guild President], she said to me, you’re going to run for president, and I was like I’m only an RA! But yeah, Bethan is who I really want to thank. The election process is so difficult, and she supported me through it. As an able bodied person I found the election process exhausting, so whilst I’m President I really want to look at that, how to make it better for everyone.

What did you think about Guild reform?

Guild council was in principal perfect, but in practice so undemocratic. It was so difficult to understand how it worked, and to participate in, so it needed to change so students to get more involved.

Accountability is so important, but you also have to remember the health and well being of the officers is important too, and Guild Council didn’t take that into account. With the ‘Your Idea’ system, it’s so easy for students to just put an idea online. You just put in your name, student number, department and your idea and that’s it. I do think this system is much better. Hopefully it’ll pick up more, because it’s quite hard to get people to know what they can vote on. That’s something I want to work on, to raise awareness of the online system.

There have been some great ideas so far!

I loved the idea of having milkshakes in Joes.

What final message do you have to the students that voted for you, and for those that didn’t?

From the bottom of my heart, thank-you to everyone that voted, for your belief in me as a president. I’m going to work my socks off for the students of UoB, to not only fulfil the promises I made in my manifesto, but to continue all the good work the Guild is currently doing.

Please, always feel free to come and say hello!

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The Vinyl Frontier: Will Cassettes Make A Comeback?

Daniella Bassett explores the resurgence of analog music.

We’ve all heard that fashion goes round in 30 year cycles, right? But if someone said the same about technology, you’d think they were insane.

Technology is always advancing and getting more complex, why would you possibly want to go backwards? However, it seems that there is a current worldwide fascination for vintage – including retro technologies. The music industry has been predominantly digital for quite some time now with “the [music] industry’s global digital revenues increasing by 6.9% [in 2014] to USD$6.85 billion” and “an estimated 41million people paying for music subscription services in [the same year], five times the level of eight million people in 2010”, but the so-called ‘millennials’ seem to be turning increasingly to old music streaming technologies.

According to an ifpi market research survey, in 2014, “for the first time, the [music] industry derived the same proportion of revenues from digital channels (46%) as physical format sales (46%)”, truly showing the extent of the growth of digital music sales and streaming in comparison to earlier years where the CD has dominated.

But now, it seems Vinyl LPs,

and even cassettes, are making a comeback. Walk into Urban Outfitters or HMV nowadays and you’ll see a vast selection of - possibly overpriced, but nonetheless present - vinyls. I even saw a little metallic plastic cassette player being flogged for the somewhat extortionate price of £60 in Urban Outfitters just last week.

Back in 1995, vinyl sales made up 1.60% of the share of the UK albums market, this steadily declined through the years with the growing popularity of the Compact Disk (CD) and hit a record low in 2007, making up only 0.10% of the UK albums market.

However, following a steady spell of relative obscurity, vinyls made a comeback in a huge way in 2012, and have been becoming ever more popular since. By 2014, LP sales had gone up an astonishing 69% with 1.3 million being sold in 2014 - that means they were almost as popular as they were in 1995, making up 1.50% of UK album sales. In fact, they came back in such a big way that OfficialCharts.com introduced the UK’s first official vinyl charts to accomodate for the peak in popularity.

This massive spike in sales

really does make you wonder what it is about these big disks of black plastic that is sending everyone into a frenzy. I spoke to some members of the University of Birmingham’s Vinyl Society to see what they had to say on the matter, and it seems that it is widely the tactibility and the novelty of having these physical albums that accounts for their popularity.

President of UoB Vinyl Soc, Amar Desai, stated that “as mp3s and streaming services become more popular, people miss having an LP that they can hold and hang on their wall”, and whilst George West, another member of Vinyl Soc’s committee, noted the satisfying nature of the “warmth of the sound”, the tactibility remained a contributing factor for him as well: “Real lovers of music appreciate the collectability of having a real gatefold to look at, instead of a tiny jpeg on their iPod.” But it’s not just fans of music that have latched onto the analogue comeback, it’s the artists themselves too. A recent discussion that took place on BBC Radio 5 live with Esther Ford (who runs Manchester’s Deco Records - retailers of both CDs and Cassettes) revealed that more and more artists are

requesting cassettes in order to record rehearsals as opposed to using some digital format. She highlighted, like George, the clarity of sound performance on the analogue audio: “I think they feel like [recording on cassettes] gives them a truer sound than if they recorded it off their phones.”

Are we now heading for a cassette comeback? It’s clear that Vinyl regained popularity due to the tangibility and its quality of sound, but can cassettes offer the same? Sure, they're tangible, but the sound quality is, honestly, pretty terrible.

These fragile, creditcard sized nuisances seem best equipped to carry the melodious tones of Stephen Fry reading Harry Potter, rather than the intricacies of Donald Fagen’s ‘The Nightfly’, or the latest of Kevin Parker’s Tame Impala lyrics. The resurgence of LPs, is understandable given the quality of the audio they produce. Yes, the novelty of them is a selling point, but it is not their only selling point, as, I feel, would be the case with cassettes. I'd rather fork out on a beautifully crafted record for the sound quality as well as the novelty, than a cheap-sounding cassette for the hipster points and Instagram likes.

Would You Buy A Cassette Player?

"There’s a certain warmth and these nostalgic feelings that you get when you listen to an analogue recording. It’s like a physical thing instead of just a file that you download" Scott Bradlee of Postmodern Jukebox

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This is not a review.

Last week, Redbrick Music writer Rosie Solomon was sexually assaulted at a concert in Birmingham. In response, she wrote an article describing her experience and how she took action, which was published on Redbrick's website. The article has since become Redbrick's most-read article of all time, prompting hundreds of responses - including a statement from the band - and coverage on the BBC. Rosie's article is printed below in full.

Before we start, I want to warn you all that this is not a concert review. I write for Redbrick Music, yes, and when I realised no one else would be reviewing the Baroness concert I had tickets for on the 29th February, I jumped at the chance to write about my favourite band, who I was seeing live for the third time. I never thought I’d end the night in a police station. But then again, no one ever expects sexual assault.

The support band were good, a little unseasoned perhaps but good just the same. It’s weird now to think back to a time before it happened, when all I could think about was when Baroness were going to come on and if they were going to play the songs I wanted.

I can’t even remember their set list now. It was the first time I had ever been to a gig by myself, but it was going to be fine, I convinced myself, nothing bad will happen. Baroness fans are nice; I’ll make friends. Instead, I made friends with the police officers who picked me up and took my statement and made me tea while I sobbed and drove me home at two in the morning when they had filed the report.

It started about halfway into Baroness’ set. I felt something pressing into my leg and bottom. I thought nothing of it at first – it was crowded in there, and I’d be to plenty of gigs before where I’d ended up squashed in the crowd and so I thought it was completely normal. The man behind me was

pushing into me in time with the music, but we were all jumping and bouncing and dancing and so I continued to think nothing of it.

Until I looked around and I saw that he had plenty of space, and was deliberately thrusting his groin into my leg from behind.

I was shocked more than anything – surely I can go to a metal

'I was shaken, angry, upset, confused, but above all determined' concert and expect not to be perved on? I’d (sadly) expect this kind of thing in a club on Broad Street, but the Institute? Not a chance. I gave him a dirty look which made my feelings clear and tried to move away, but I couldn’t get very far as I was already near the edge, surrounded by people.

The man followed me round to where I had moved and continued to thrust into my leg as before, like a dog on heat. I’m not sure why I didn’t report him to security there and then. I think there was a part of me that was still hoping it was an accident, an innocent mistake as if we were both just trying to enjoy the gig and get a good look at the band. He eventually backed off a bit but then I overheard him make an inappropriate

comment which made all my doubts disappear. I turned around and yelled at him to leave me alone, which he seemed to understand despite being incredibly drunk, and did actually go away.

I tried to enjoy the remainder of the gig, the three songs that were left anyway (this behaviour had been going on for about half an hour by my reckoning), but I couldn’t. I tried not to cry and I held it together long enough to find the guy after the gig, march him over to the bar and get out the words “I want to report this man for sexual assault” before completely collapsing into tears.

Whilst the woman at the bar ran round to hug me, the man and his friend ran off.

I was shaken, angry, upset, confused, but - above all - determined. This sort of behaviour (though not as prolonged) had happened to me at a gig before and I hadn’t done anything about it and seriously regretted it later. I managed to convey to the venue staff that I wanted the police to be called, and I had calmed down enough to explain what had happened by the time they arrived. I was so worried that they wouldn’t take this case seriously, as I had not been physically harmed and I had assumed that a case such as this would pale in comparison next to other things they may have to deal with. I am glad to say that I was completely wrong. The police handled the situation with kindness, tact and determination,

telling me that I did the right thing to report the incident, and that what the man had done to me was completely and utterly illegal and wrong. I went with them to the police station where I was given tea, and they talked me through the process of giving a statement.

It took a good couple of hours but I finally had a coherent statement that we were all happy with. We chatted about music, antiques and Simon Pegg movies (apparently Hot Fuzz has lots of police injokes in it which is really cool) and then they dropped me to my door when we were done, at around two in the morning.

I was tempted not to write an article about this at all. There didn’t seem to be much point; I couldn’t remember what the gig

'The sheer volume of these stories is horrific, shocking, upsetting and frankly unacceptable' was like even before the incident happened, let alone during and after. There was no way I could tell people to snap up tickets for the rest of the tour because Baroness were so insanely good (I’m sure they were, although I won’t be able to listen to their

music for a long time now). What convinced me to write this article is the fact that, if they manage to identify this man, I am planning to take him to court. I’m going to give a victim’s statement, and I hope he'll get the punishment he deserves. I wanted to write this article to encourage anyone to do the same. My friends have told me about being grabbed in clubs, called out to on streets, being pressed up against on a crowded bus, and even cases where I’ve heard a man masturbating over a friend on public transport. The sheer volume of these stories is horrific, shocking, upsetting and frankly unacceptable.

If a person touches you in a sexual way without your consent, it is illegal. You can and should report it to the police, and it will be taken seriously. I made a decision to take action and not to be a passive victim of the situation that I was forced into that night. I am not an object of your sexual fantasy, I am a person and I have the right to see my favourite band live by myself without fearing for my safety. I have the right to go on a night out and not to be touched in unwanted ways. I have the right to walk down the street and not to have abuse yelled at me from the window of a white van. You do too. You have the power to take charge of a situation like mine, like any of these, like your own. I made the decision to stand up and speak out. You should too.

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Redbrick Meets: Jamie Woon Matt Moody Managing Editor @mattmoody17

In 2011, Jamie Woon seemed to be gathering momentum. After placing 4th in the BBC sound of 2011 poll, a long awaited debut album, Mirrorwriting, followed shortly after. What then? "We toured for a year when the record came out, and then... yeah, into the wilderness".

It’s only been four years, but things have changed since 2011.

"It already feels like a different climate to when we last toured, even though it wasn’t really that long ago - people are always looking for the next thing.”

After a few years spent keeping a low profile in North London (“watching TV and eating burgers”, according to a recent Beats1 interview), Woon returned late last year with a new record and a new approach to making music. “On the first record it was all self-produced, all me on my laptop and I got to know every single sound very intimately”. Making Time has a much more organic feel to it, thanks largely to a full band setup and a dedicated producer.

“My producer Lexx was there with me the whole time doing the technical side of things, so I got to concentrate more on the feel of the music and what i wanted to get out of each musician, rather than obsessing over the sound of a kick drum which I’m not amazing at anyway... I can do it, but Lexx has been doing it for twenty-odd years so it was nice to have him on board”.

We’ve changed the way we listen to music - in the same month Mirrorwriting was released, Spotify announced its 1 millionth paying customer; as of February 2016, that figure is 30 million, and rising. “As a music fan, I love Spotify. As a musician, I can’t quite understand how there’s so little money available from it. Streaming has replaced CDs, but artists get paid as if it’s replaced radio. I think people feel like they’re contributing to artists a lot more than they really are”. Woon’s solution - to split subscription fees between the artists each customer listens to rather than sending it into a central pot dominated by superstars like Taylor Swift - sounds promising, but there’s still a sense of uncertainty common to a lot of musicians, even as Spotify nears its 10th anniversary.

Streaming scepticism aside, tonight’s sellout show proves that Woon’s live comeback has been just as eagerly awaited as the new record. After an extend-

ed ambient intro, the band jolt into ‘Movement’, and immediately the sound feels bigger than on record. The influence of D’Angelo, the US neo-soul singer cited as a key inspiration for Making Time, is obvious as soon as the drums and bass lock into a stuttering groove - crystal clear and organic, the way only a living, breathing rhythm section can be. The band are convincing at translating programmed tracks from Mirrorwriting into a full-

'Streaming has replaced CDs, but artists get paid like it replaced radio' band arrangement - the two backing vocalists manage to pull off everything from sampled sound effects to brass parts with nothing but a two-part harmony, and adlibs from each band member fills the negative space on older tracks.

Sometimes, however, the sound gets a bit too big, and you’re left missing the spaciousness of the records. On record, the rhythm section in ‘Movement’ is precise but subtle, simmering in the background as a platform first for Woon’s voice, and then for a brass-borne outro. Tonight, on ‘Movement’ and into ‘Night Air’ and others, there’s a crash cymbal at the start of every bar, like someone playing along to a backing track - it takes the bite out of the crescendos and leaves the songs with nowhere else to go.

Beefing up songs to play live makes sense, particularly to a lively Saturday night crowd, but there are other ways to shake it up

'The record has a much more organic feel to it, thanks largely to a full band setup and dedicated producer' - the acapella outro to ‘Message’, the extended keyboard solo in ‘Celebration’ and the ‘Thunder’/‘Lady Luck’ mashup at the end of the set all make the “turn the drums up” idea from earlier seem a bit blunt.

It’s clear from the show that the band are enjoying playing together - there’s genuine admiration in the glances between bandmates, and genuine emotion as they take a bow together

after the encore. Woon said earlier of the new record, “it’s been about finding a sound, finding a team I like working with, and I don’t want to mess with that too much right now.

We’re working on the next album now, keeping the same format”. Despite performing songs that have more than a hint of melancholy to them, he’s almost never without a smile on his face - there’s a real sense that, after those years spent in the wilderness perfecting these songs, he just really wants you to hear them. That sense of enjoyment is particularly clear on ‘Dedication’, Woon’s favourite track on the record. Recorded on a sunny day and associated with happy memories of the recording process, it’s clear the band love to play it, even though the song itself is one of the least sunny on the record - with wordless falsetto and a wash of cymbals reminiscent of Radiohead.

As a frontman, Woon’s performance is not far off flawless.

Vocally he doesn’t put a foot wrong, and the interplay with the backing vocalists is effortless on the Aaliyah cover ‘Try Again’ he’s just as happy to take the back seat and sing the hook while the backing singers take over lead vocals through the verses. He’s a master of percussive guitar too, contributing just as much to the rhythm section, by striking the guitar, as he does to the harmony by strumming it.

Despite the enthusiasm for the full band setup, it’s the minimalist moments that are the show’s highlight. After a tight eleven song set, Woon returns to the stage alone for an acoustic cover of first album highlight ‘Shoulda’. It’s a slowed-down, looser adaption than on record, delivered with enough emotion to stun the crowd into silence.

After an inspired ‘Thunder’/‘Lady Luck’ mashup and a heartfelt bow, the lights come up.

Someone shouts ‘come back sooner next time!’

There’s plenty about Making Time to suggest it’s a record about time, and the passing of it - it’s a record preoccupied with rhythm (which, as Woon points out, is essentially just “divisions of time”), with album art inspired by the Japanese concept of “beautiful decay” - and then, of course, there’s the title. Woon is hesitant to call it the album’s theme, however; “I don’t know if there is a theme really... except the theme of me finding a new sound and learning about myself, putting that into music and getting inspired to make music again.” In a word? “I guess in a lot of ways it’s about patience”.

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FESTIVALS 2016 It wouldn't be summer without music festivals. From Reading to Roskilde, Leeds to Latitude, Redbrick Music has everything you need to know about this summer's best parties

Latitude

Rock en Seine

The biggest festival in France has finally kicked into gear in 2016. It has been announced that the first acts for the weekend will be released on the 21st March. As well as this, the official logo of the festival has been revealed, which favours a minimalistic approach, all red paint strokes and bold writing. The effort put into the festival graphics and posters has always been a key selling point for Rock en Seine and it looks like 2016 will be no different.

The festival always boasts an eclectic line-up of international megastars, up and coming bands at the cutting edge of the music scene and a smattering of French natives to both appease the locals and introduce foreign punters to something a little different. The 2015 festival was headlined by Kasabian, The Libertines, and the Chemical Brothers, who all brought their A game. Previous years have boasted acts such as Mac DeMarco, Arctic Monkeys and Lana Del Rey, with a diverse range of genres on

display. Although we have no real indication of who will be on the bill this year, the one thing we do know is there will be piles and piles of quality acts to get stuck into on the weekend.

The festival is much cheaper than Glastonbury but with a line-up filled with just as much quality, and is likely to have much better weather. Less crawling through the mud, more bathing in the late summer sun.

Although the festival won’t begin for another 5 months, the excitement is already reaching boiling point. For the moment, we must keep our ears to the ground and eagerly wait for the line-up announcement on the 21st March. Vive la France! Phil Jones

When: 26-28 August Where: Paris Tickets: £93

After a memorable 10th birthday celebration last year that saw a secret set from none other than Ed Sheeran days after he sold out Wembley Stadium, Latitude is back for 2016 with an initial lineup announcement that's as strong as always. The festival has always been supportive of new talent, particularly helping growing bands make the difficult step up to headlining - this year is no exception, with a first ever headline slot for the Maccabees on the Friday night. They're joined on the main stage by the National on the Saturday night, and New Order closing the festival on the Sunday.

The festival has some really strong international bookings this year too, to accompany the homegrown talent.

Supporting the Maccabees on the Main Stage Friday night are Father John Misty and Courtney Barnett, who both released critically acclaimed albums in 2015. On the 6 Music Stage there's the Canadian synth-pop icon Grimes on the Friday, and Saturday night sees long-haired guitarist

Kurt Vile and his band take over.

The 6 Music stage plays host to a raft of up and coming talent earlier in the afternoon across the weekend, with appearances from Mo (on the back of appearing on Spotify's most streamed track of all time with Diplo), resurgent neo-soul hero Jamie Woon (see opposite) and artists like Lapsley and Rat Boy looking to ride the hype wave and make it big this summer.

Of the limited after-dark announcements so far, there's already appearances from Jungle and Mike Skinner, with loads more to come... and that's just the music!

Keep an eye out for more announcements, especially the ever-expanding comedy tent.

When: 14-17 July Where: Henham Park Tickets: £205

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Field Day celebrates its tenth birthday this year with another exceptional lineup, boasting James Blake and PJ Harvey as its headliners. Taking over Victoria Park in East London for a weekend in June, Field Day is a festival for young bands: it’s known for featuring mostly indie bands, and this year’s lineup is particularly rich with bands who are just making names for themselves – Blossoms, Empress Of, Goat, Mura Masa are just a few. This is not to say it’s NME-approved bands only, with a diversity of performers and a particularly DJ-heavy Saturday this year, with Bicep, Four Tet and Special Request on hand if you want a break from guitar bands.

Field Day is definitely a festival for the faint of heart – it’s two days, situated close to central London and has no camping, which means I’ll be exchanging damp, muddy tents and overpriced, underwhelming food for central heating, my own bed and my mum’s cooking.

More than anything, I’m excited for the triumphant return of Cass McCombs, a sporadic performer who plays his first UK show in years and (hopefully) will not disappoint. The wealth of littleknown performers allows opportunities for discovery so go with an open mind and open ears and you’ll have a field day. Natalie Hatton

Field Day

This year, Biffy Clyro are back once again headlining Reading and Leeds. In fact, a lot of the line-up appears similar to 2013. Given the exciting task of coheadlining with Biffy Clyro are Fall Out Boy. Both bands possess a raucous energy that will not fail to produce cathartic live experiences for their audiences.

Likewise, Foals have been moved all the way up to the top of the main stage for this year for their first Reading and Leeds headline slot. Yet with the anticipation that Foals’ set will produce, it does seem a shame that they will have to share a headline slot with Disclosure.

The co-headline trend has worked in the past, with Queens of the Stone Age and Paramore producing twin sets in 2014 to great applaud, and Biffy and FOB look set to do the same this year.

Elsewhere on the bill Reading and

When: 9-10 June Where: Victoria Park Tickets: £85

Bestival

Bestival is a festival surrounded by beautiful infamy. From its reputation as being one of the best designed and themed festivals to a line-up boasting The Cure, Major Lazer, Hot Chip and Fatboy Slim, the end of the festival season is defined by its home on the Isle of Wight. If you’ve ever experienced the weekend before, witnessing the summer give way to September over a beautiful soundtrack, you know the magic that this event holds.

So what can you expect from Bestival? It’s three days of events that span genres, art forms and mind-sets.

The biggest attraction for most is probably the music. The line-up of acts already announced is definitely worth checking out. Ranging from Ghostpoet to The Human League; Animal Collective to Krept & Konan, Bestival prides itself on the sheer diversity of the acts gracing their stages. If you want a break from the bands, you can find wonders hidden in the forest surroundings.

Reading & Leeds

There are cinemas, fireworks, island raves and huge hand-stitched tents. You can find poetry slams, parades, circus performances and – oh – a four tonne robot, of course.

Basically, you should be keeping your eye on Bestival. It’s a carnival packed into a campsite. It’s a universal event with surprises hidden under every canopy and in every clearing. While the Isle of Wight may not be the most convenient location to get to, a secluded island paradise definitely has its charms when filled with eager festival-goers. It’s all happening from between the 8th and 11th of September. If you want to see your summer out in style, Bestival is the place to be. Matt McCrory

When: 8-11 September Where: Isle of Wight Tickets: £85

T in the Park

Leeds maintain their eclectic music spread. Boy Better Know, Fetty Wap, Section Boyz and Lady Leshurr providing a hip hop and grime fix for rap fans. The Vaccines, Two Door Cinema Club and Haim all cater to the indie rock fans and have high positions on the bills.

Once again, Reading and Leeds Festivals promise a lot with the sheer breadth and variety on display across all three days of the festival. For music lovers with an eclectic taste, this familiar festival is not one to miss. James Pettit

When: 9-10 June Where: Victoria Park Tickets: £85

When: 9-10 June Where: Victoria Park Tickets: £85 Excluding Glastonbury, it is difficult to think of a British festival with a stronger cult following than T in the Park and in 2016, the Scottish stalwart is once again tempting back music lovers of Northern Britain and further afield with a diverse and intriguing line up. The Stone Roses will arrive at T to play their only festival of the summer amidst rumours of a new album to coincide with their summer dates. The Mancunian band line up alongside local superstar Calvin Harris and American behemoths Red Hot Chilli Peppers as the weekend’s three headliners. After examination of the line up as a whole, it appears the theme of this years’ bill could well be ‘comeback’ with the return to the festival circuit of bands such as LCD Soundsystem, The Last Shadow Puppets and Craig David’s TS5 after their respective hiatus’. But perhaps the most distinctive element of T in the Park is its’ ability to foreground local talent for a festival of its’ size. The Slam Tent is at the forefront of this, organised for the last 18 years by Scotland’s own Slam DJs, it has legendary status among festival goers and will look to better last year in which the tent filled completely in 30 seconds upon opening. For all music lovers in the UK, T in the Park represents a huge festival with a diverse international bill, all the while keeping a local Scottish feel that is so well renowned. Joe Casey

FESTIVALS

Friday 18th March

@redbrickmusic

Barn on the Farm, at Over Farm in Gloucester, is one of the best UK festivals for discovering exciting new artists.

With its history of hosting the likes of Ben Howard and Gabrielle Aplin before they became well known, it is certainly a festival designed for music lovers.

This year’s line up offers an abundance of talent, with Jack Garratt headlining the Sunday slot. He is guaranteed to put on a show, crafting and building his music with his multi-instrumental talents.

As an artist gaining huge popularity, his set here will be a rare opportunity to see him performing in an intimate environment and certainly should not be missed.

Headlining Saturday is Oh Wonder, a band sitting under most people’s radars after having only released their debut album last year. Despite being fairly new to the music scene the pair have blown up, and have recently finished their first European tour. They are certainly one to watch and will not disappoint.

Also on the bill are electronic band HONNE who are having a good year with their newly released album along with Frances who has been nominated both for the BRIT’s Critic’s Choice Award and BBC’s Sound of 2016. With a range of acts already so exciting as well as one of the most picturesque settings in the UK’s festival scene, Barn on the Farm is a must this year. Danni Ferrante

Barn on the Farm

Live at Leeds

Spreading across the first bank holiday in May, Leeds celebrates the 10th anniversary of Live at Leeds. Although the festival is spread along the weekend, the main focus is on Saturday 30th April.

With this in mind, it is probably a good place to announce a happy 10th birthday to Slow Club, a band who have been very loyal to Live at Leeds and played the very first festival.

Stormzy, Peace, The 1975 and Ella Eyre take to the many stages of Live and Leeds, this year they present big names such as Jess Glynne, Ghostpoet, Mystery Jets, Band of Skulls, and bring back Circa Waves. We can also expect to hear from many upcoming local bands such as Caro, Fighting Caravans, Autobahn and Vitamin.

I caught up with Fighting Caravans who told me that the best thing about Leeds is ‘the thriving music scene. The diversity is great and the sense of community between local bands is even better.’

Gottwood

Back for its seventh year, Gottwood 2016 looks set to be a banger. Priding itself on its small size of 5000 revellers, the organisers have decided not to increase its capacity this year to preserve the intimacy, despite popular demand following a sellout year, and rave reviews of 2015.

Taking place on the 9th-12th of June, the festival is held at the Carregewyld estate, nestled in the woods on the picturesque island of Anglesey. The spectacular and creative stages are dotted about in the woods and this year there are set to be more stages than ever, with the team behind it announcing their most ‘encompassing line-up to date’- with names like Ben UFO, Adam Shelton, Daniel Avery, Maribou State and Crazy P performing this year - catering to a variety of tastes in the dance music

When: 9-10 June Where: Victoria Park Tickets: £85

Sziget

Another upcoming band to look out for is Keir, upcoming artist from Bristol.

With limited material online, this will be a great chance to see what they can provide on stage in front of an audience.

However, it’s not purely about the music. Teaming up with Leeds Digital Festival, Live at Leeds promises to make this a year to remember. Alongside the live music, this partnership offers a programme of digital events from Tuesday 26th April- Friday 29th April (TBC).

This is a real chance to explore the famous city of Leeds through the music culture. Discover a variety of music venues, witness artists emerging from the undergrowth and appreciate the hidden gems Leeds has to offer. Megan Gibson

When: 30 April Where: Leeds Tickets: £32.50

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scene. Those who have visited describe a mystical atmosphere and friendly crowd with incredible visuals, where the walk between stages is a treat in itself with so much to marvel at. Aside from the music, Gottwood 2016 will also be offering a woodland cinema, art gallery and laserdome. If you’re after something a little different to the standard larger festivals then give it a try. Tickets are on 5th release on resident advisor at £140, so snap one up and don’t miss out on what is set to be one of the best UK festivals of 2016. Katherine Lambert

When: 9-10 June Where: Victoria Park Tickets: £85

When: 10-17 June Where: Budapest Tickets: £193 Sziget: a festival floating between the river banks of Budapest. To be honest, it’s hard to think of a better location for a festival; an island in the middle of the Danube river in one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. Last year I stumbled across Sziget for a day and chanced upon Foals and Interpol. In August of this year, you could pick up tickets to see Bloc Party, Muse, Noel Gallagher, Sia and The Last Shadow Puppets among many others across seven days of summer.

What’s crazy is that this is all cheaper than any of the big UK festivals. Seven days in Sziget costs €249 (£193), which is considerably more festival for noticeably cheaper than Reading & Leeds or Glastonbury. Set this on an island paradise permeated with art installations and beachside hangouts and it’s hard to imagine a more idealistic setting for your European festival getaway.

It’s one of those places where you can stumble across surprises and little places of wonder without realising it. There are hammocks resting in huge wooden mushrooms, fairy lights that canopy grinning festival-goers and fairground rides that fling you into the Budapest skyline. Each day the mainstage explodes into carnivals of confetti and body paint. If this doesn’t sell you on Sziget, I’m not sure what will.

It’s happening from the 10th -17th August; don’t miss this hidden gem of a festival.

Matt McCrory

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FESTIVALS

Friday 18th March

@redbrickmusic

Looking for something a little bit different to do this festival season? Ditch the Coachella vibes for something much bigger, much better and much more BRASS. Disco boogie away into the night, funk up your life, and belt out some soulful tunes at Birmingham’s very own Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival, right here in Moseley Park!

Spanning from the 8th-10th July 2016, the Mostly Jazz, Funk & Soul Festival is a weekend of jazzy jigging, funky frivolity and smooth soulfulness to cleanse you of all those winter Blues (see what I did there?). Fun for all ages, and wonderfully, reasonably priced, this festival has boasted some absolute gems on their previous line ups. This year, De La Soul are headlining, and, although it is early days, and the full list of acts hasn’t been confirmed yet, it is sure to be one for the ages! Previous headliners have included massive names such as Gregory Porter, Roy Ayers, Craig Charles and CHIC. And the best part about the festival - save the choice lineup of acts - is that it is all right on your doorstep! None of that reek-for-a-week nonsense, or tent erection olympics, just pure, unadulterated, blissful listening that leaves you feeling (and smelling) fresh and positive. Daniella Bassett

Mostly Jazz

One of the biggest UK rock festivals is back at the end of May and it’s looking very promising. Slam Dunk is hitting Leeds on the 28th May, Birmingham on the 29th, and Hatfield on the 30th ensuring that no-one misses out on this incredible experience. 2016 looks like it’s going to be another fantastic year.

A cheaper alternative to Reading/ Leeds, Slam Dunk mixes the most known rock bands with the latest up and coming bands in order to create a festival that is diverse and entertaining. It is far less stressful than bigger festivals and saves having to stay overnight in a crammed tent. Besides that, everything is the same as any other festival – the same weather, the same level of alcohol consumption and the same top class acts.

This year’s headliners consist of Panic! At The Disco, Of Mice And Men,

When: 8-10 July Where: Moseley Park Tickets: £95

British Summer Time

Slam Dunk

When: 1-10 July Where: Hyde Park Tickets: £68 If you’re up for a little bit of London lovin’ this summer then British Summer Time in Hyde Park is just the festival for you. Hosted over two weekends, over previous years the festival has welcomed huge acts: last year we saw the likes of The Strokes, Kylie Minogue and Taylor Swift headline the festival, and 2014 boasted Arcade Fire, The Libertines and McBusted.

The full line-up for BST 2016 has not been announced yet, but so far we can look forward to seeing Florence + The Machine, Kendrick Lamar and 2016 line up dominator Jamie xx for the 2nd July date. The following weekend of this year’s festival treats us to Mumford and Sons, Alabama Shakes and Wolf Alice. It has also been announced that 30 years after her last London show, the legendary Carole King will be performing ‘Tapestry’ in full, a world exclusive.

There really is something for everyone over the two weekends.

Over the last few years British Summer Time has offered line-ups that differ to some of the other festivals you could choose to go to, and this year’s is no exception. How many festival line ups have you seen Florence headline this year? How many opportunities will you have to see Mumford and Sons this year?

With a full line up on its way, we can’t wait to see who else will be joining this exciting festival. Georgie Deaville

Truck

and New Found Glory. Other amazing acts performing this year include the likes of Yellowcard, Young Guns, Mayday Parade.

Having won the Kerrang! award for Best Festival in both 2014 and 2015, Slam Dunk is guaranteed to be a fun day and night with great music and a fantastic atmosphere. As it’s the closest thing that parallels the legendary American Warped Tour, and with only a few months to go, Slam Dunk really is the place to be this summer. Hannah Strong

When: 28-30 May Where: Leeds, Birmingham, Hatfield Tickets: £46.20

When: 15-17 July Where: Hill Farm, Oxford Tickets: £86.50 This little known festival which lies in the heart of Oxfordshire, really is a hidden treasure and one that looks set to explode this year. Truck, has hosted some great acts since its founding in 1998 but the line-up for 2016 is looking to be their best yet.

With the likes of Catfish and the Bottlemen and Manic Street Preachers already announced as headliners and equally awesome bands such as Everything Everything and Circa Waves announced too; it is clear that this festival has really done its research on some of the best and upcoming bands of the year.

Although, if you need to take a break from the bands and you are a fan of ‘Switch’ nights then not to worry, there is a Switch Stage hosting the likes of Big Nastie, DJ Q and DJ Barely legal. It's obvious that this festival is about diversity and offering it’s paying guests a chance to experience a variety of musical genres. It also gives festival-goers a chance to seek out newer, smaller and exciting bands that are yet to hit the big music scene.

So, if you’re looking for a festival that hosts great names but isn’t as large as Glastonbury, so you can actually enjoy the weekend with your friends and not spend it searching for them, then Truck is the festival for you. Also, with the added bonus of a weekend camping ticket only costing £86.50, what better festival to add to your list of summer plans? Gabriella Marcucci

FESTIVALS

Friday 18th March

@redbrickmusic

Lollapalooza Berlin

The term ‘Lollapalooza’ dates from a late 19th - early 20th century American idiomatic phrase meaning "an extraordinary or unusual thing, person, or event; an exceptional example or instance” (just in case you were wondering).

Created in North America in 1991, Lollapalooza is an annual festival that hosts alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock, hip hop, and EDM bands and artists. Since the festivals birth, it has welcomed and exposed now popularised bands and artists such as Arctic Monkeys, The Killers, Lady Gaga, Calvin Harris and Björk to name a few.

It was only last year that the festival made its debut in Europe, taking place in the former Tempelhof Airport in Berlin. 2015 saw James Bay, Wolf Alice, Stereophonics, Tame Impala, Pond, Clean Bandit and a whole host of other

artists that since then, have taken the music industry by storm, if they hadn’t already done so. This year’s lineup includes the legends that are Kings Of Leon, Radiohead, 2016 festival lineup dominators Major Lazer as well as The 1975, Catfish and the Bottlemen and AURORA as well as many more to be announced.

So this summer, if you can’t decide between a European city break or one of the many music festivals on offer, Lollapalooza might just be the festival for you. Georgie Deaville

When: 29-31 September Where: Berlin Tickets: £108

Winner of the ‘Best Medium Festival’ award in 2015, Y Not Festival boasted headline performances from Johnny Marr, Snoop Dogg, Basement Jaxx and Primal Scream in a landmark year for this Derbyshire festival. Mixing established artists such as the aforementioned with up and coming talent – Saint Raymond and Honeyblood being prime examples – is an attraction for those looking to kick off their summer with a more reasonably priced festival.

A certifiable success story in the renaissance of UK Festivals, Y Not started out as an end-of-term piss-up and is now into its 11th year as a festival. The event now attracts upwards of 15,000 people and with Tier 1 and 2 tickets already sold out, it is well on course to do the same this year.

This year sees an appearance from the more talented Gallagher and his high flying birds, along with effervescent ska band Madness in what are sure to be two breath-taking headline performances.

More than able support comes from Welsh band Catfish and the Bottlemen, whose popularity has shown no signs of halting since their 2014 debut album ‘The Balcony’ reached the UK Album Chart top 10.

The calibre of bands on offer here makes it an easy decision and a wonderful way to get your summer rocking!

Nathan Smith

City is an area which explores the sporting atmosphere with activities ranging from skateboarding to beach volleyball, and as the evening draws in, the stage hosts upcoming DJs creating the most sought-after party at the festival. If you want to escape from the music for a while, the Art Zone is home to 6400 square metres of art. Eating is also at the forefront at Roskilde, with their very own food court described as ‘street dinner in the mud’, it's home to 20 small independent organisations gaining the experience of festival life. Other activities held, vary from a Late Night Cinema and participating in a Silent Dinner, to sustainable development and changing the world talks. Rebekah Peters

When: 25 June-2 July Where: Roskilde, Denmark Tickets: £209

Y Not

When: 29-31 July Where: Derbyshire Tickets: £99.50

Brownstock

Roskilde

If you want to venture out of the UK this summer to discover a festival of unique culture and music, then cast your eyes over to Denmark, for the Roskilde Festival. Spanning over 8 days, from 25th June–2nd July, the festival is Northern Europe’s largest, 175 in total this year, across 9 stages. Unlike many of the UK festivals, Roskilde is nonprofit, meaning that all the money raised is donated to charity.

With the Red Hot Chili Peppers being among the first announced to play, the line-up instantly became of much interest. Wiz Khalifa, New Order and Tenacious D all followed soon after. On top of these, if you’re missing out on your usual dose of Arctic Monkeys, then Alex Turner is returning with his side project, The Last Shadow Puppets.

Other acts Tame Impala, Bring Me The Horizon and the Canadian singer-song writer Mac Demarco.

Alongside the music comes the art and culture activities, and events. Street

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Last year Brownstock was named “Best Dance Event” by the UK Festival Awards, and for the two years previous it was on the shortlist for “Best Small Festival” both times. That dance accolade came off the back of exciting headline sets from Basement Jaxx, DJ Fresh, and Sub Focus, as well as sets from DJ Zinc, Shadow Child and Bondax across The Main Stage and the resident dance tent, The Good Shed. This year Brownstock appears to be growing whilst staying on the same dance trajectory, with high profile Mark Ronson having already been announced as one of the main stage headliners, and with dance guru Annie Mac taking the helm of The Good Shed for one night also.

The rest of the line up displays a diverse multi-genre spread, with talent from the electronic pop of Katy B, to Grime artists such as Krept and Konan, Wretch 32, Big Narstie and Lady Leshurr.

Afrobeats artist Fuse ODG provides a contrast to the pop sensibilities of

Scouting for Girls. The hip hop of Ms Dynamite works well with the Garage of Mike Skinner. House is well represented with Sonny Fodera and Huxley.

Elsewhere, upcoming solo artists Izzy Bizu and Becky Hill look to be exciting prospects. With the sheer quantity of exciting acts already announced, it’s easy to forget that this is only part of what is to come.

With only phase 1 of the line-up schedule yet announced and two more headliners on their way, the celebrations looks to be wild on July 8th-10th.

Already 1st and 2nd tier tickets are sold out, which shows the buzz that Brownstock has been generating this year.

You’d be sorry to miss out. James Pettit

When: 8-10 July Where: Morris Farm, Essex Tickets: £89

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LIFE & STYLE

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbricklife

Do Women Deserve Time Off Work For Mother Nature's Monthly Gift?

Kamila Geremek Life&Style writer

Periods are a complete nuisance for every woman on a monthly basis. The excruciating cramps and constant mood swings drive our cravings for anything edible above and beyond. But, should women be allowed to take time off work during their week of hell? Absolutely not.

I get bad period pains, some that can only be controlled by popping paracetamol every two hours.

However, never would I consider not going into work or uni because of this inconvenience. My education is too valuable to let mother

"allowing women time off work ... would not help feminists in their fight for equality" nature defeat me and send me into a curled up ball crying into my chocolate and waving a white flag.

If we allowed women to take time off work because “it was that time of the month again” it would not be beneficial to the company

or the economy. If you can make it made at establishing ourselves as into work when your nose is valid business partners and blocked and you sound like a employees. dying frog, then why wouldn’t Whilst it is understandable you be able to make it due to that some women may get something completely painful or heavy periods natural and normal? which can often result Furthermore, in physically being allowing women unable to get out of time off work when bed, this can simon their periods ply be resolved. would not help Take a visit to Women say period feminists in their your local GP to pain stops them fight for the equalreceive medical ity of women as it information and concentrating at would make women guidance on how to work. look too weak to tackle issues such as work, potentially leadheavy flows and paining some to argue against ful cramps that are prethem coming into work at all. venting you from completing After all, men look up to us for your daily routines. Consult the being able to go about our daily NHS website as well for more business while a little part of us information on how you can make dies inside every time a painful periods less painful. Taking magcramp comes along. nesium, going on the pill or taking Employers too may become hormones are all different ways in reluctant to employ women, as helping make periods that little bit they’ll hardly want a staff member less irritating. who will be off for a week every As horrible as periods may month, meaning productivity lev- be, it is just not practical for els for the company would be at a women to be able to take time off low and it would not be cost effec- work to laze around at home tive to have such employees. watching Gossip Girl on Netflix When paired with the fact that whilst digging into a tub of Ben employers are already biased and Jerry’s ice cream. In an ideal towards women and the amount of world that would be a possibility work that we can get done, due to but this is reality and we should the idea that we are more commit- not let something natural defeat ted to family, this would push women from being the strong women years back from the and independent workers we are progress that we have already capable of being.

4/10

Top Five Ways: To Be Mindful Whether you’ve got deadlines, reading to do or a night out planned, it’s easy to be swept up in the rush of university life. In the wake of the Guild's 'Mind Your Head' campaign, Bethany Whiteoak reminds us of the importance of looking after yourself.

Data Detox

To Do, or Not To Do?

Get Out & About!

You Are What You Eat

Live For The Moment

Most people can’t go anywhere without constantly checking for Facebook updates or messaging their mates. As difficult as it might be, try and set aside some time each day to look up from your phone and actually engage in real, face-to-face conversation.

Trust me, Facebook is rarely more interesting than your mates.

Writing down your aims for the day first thing in the morning helps you to prioritise and ensures there is less chance of you getting pre-occupied with mindless tasks throughout the day. It can also help you see how far you’ve already come and what you still need to do to get to where you want to be.

Instead of sitting at your desk or in the library all day, go for a walk or run and clear your mind. Even if the weather looks slightly grim, a bit of fresh air can work wonders! It can help your mind to destress and give you a bit of thinking time to put things into perspective.

Eating the right, healthy snacks such as nuts or fruit will help you to remain energised throughout the day. It’s easy to snack on cookies or crisps during a library sesh but fuelling your body with healthy alternatives will curb your hunger and help you to remain motivated throughout the day.

Worrying is something all students are guilty of, including myself. But constantly worrying about the future will not solve any problems; in fact it will just make you more stressed. You will enjoy life much more if you relax and focus on enjoying the present.

Try to do something you enjoy every day!

LIFE & STYLE

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbricklife

Best of: Paris Fashion Week Tara Kergon guides us through the standout shows from Paris' biggest fashion event.

SAINT LAURENT While the Left Bank hotel setting and classic French narration at Slimane’s show made it clear he is capable of classic YSL elegance, his bold and brash evocation of the 80s proved he was sticking to his style. Micro hemlines, ruffles, feathers, metallics – this was the best of 80s glamour pulled together with bright colours, faux furs, and framed with classic black. Dig out your asymmetric dresses, pair bold black eye shadow with red lips and slick back your hair – we’re moving on through the decades.

BALMAIN For your AW16-17 pop of eye-catching, provocative glamour, look no further than Rousteing’s latest collection. In a nude and ice-blue colour palette, with a smattering of black, his high voltage looks made covering up the new sexy.

Models barely showed an inch of skin

yet clinging fabric and tactile textures – think touchably soft suede, lace, and mink fur - kept it sensual and high octane, while tumbling ruffles and corset-structured tops added layers of intrigue.

VALENTINO A consistent catwalk favourite for its dreamy gowns and elegance, this season’s offering once again captured all eyes with its mix of dramatic black and floating nude tulle and chiffon. Waists and shoulders were showed off and more was more when it came to embellishment and pops of metallic among the looks.

The clear ballet-esque sophistication ensured a cohesive, beautiful collection.

Whether it was ditzy printing, nude elegance, or the drama of the black swan, Valentino once again encapsulated elegance and grace, offset masterfully with fresh, clean makeup and pulled back hair to evoke a prima ballerina post-show and dashing to an event.

The Brummy Bucket List

With Spring term coming to an end, Lucy Joseph has compiled the ultimate Bucket List to help you get the most out of UoB! 1. Sports Night It’s Wednesday night, you’re in bed and you’re jealously listening to Selly Oak’s manic streets, which for one night a week transform into a Magaluf strip. If you’re just not sporty - you probably have friends who have that area covered so pal up with them. Get your golden ticket, drink far more than you ever have before, and lose all cool in Joe’s bar (but not to the extent of that couple a few weeks ago, eek.) If you’ve kissed too many frogs at FAB before, sports night is full of FIT and SPORTY people - you might just find that prince.

2. Cadbury World We live next to the most realistic version of Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory there actually is.

Saying that, don't go with that exact image in your mind because you’ll be hugely disappointed; it’s still Birmingham at the end of the day and real chocolate lakes don’t exist - yet. And, if you’re feeling homesick and you just need to get out of Selly, Bourneville honestly feels like a million miles away, full of chocolate box houses, tearooms and families. Plus, you’re probably not likely to see any randomly abandoned trollies in sight. Heaven.

3. The Plough Because everything you’ve heard about it is true. Whether it’s your housemate’s birthday, your parents are coming to visit, you’ve got a date or it’s just Monday and you’re savvy enough to know that’s ‘2-4-1 Pizza Night,’ you want to be at Harbourne’s Plough. It boasts, quite simply, the best atmosphere and food around. Make sure your phone is charged- you’re going to want to Instagram their gorgeous offerings! But this place really is no secret, so if you want to go, you best get yourself booking, and I mean like yesterday.

4. Old Joe After three years of seeing it and repeatedly hearing the fact that it’s the world’s largest free standing clock tower, how many times have you wanted to walk underneath it? And whilst you claim you're not superstitious, you’re still not willing to take the risk of failing your end of year exams so it’s been dodged every single time. Now all of your hard work has paid off, go and get that golden graduation pic. Talking of pictures and Old Joe, did you even go to the University of Birmingham if you didn’t Instagram it, one sunny day?

5. Roosters If we’re being honest, Rooster’s isn't that nice and the whole experience tends to be a nightmare that you later come to regret, when you’re feeling awful the next day. BUT I firmly defend that yellow polystyrene box, the symbol of you spending a good night with a good bunch of people (as well as unnecessary money but “OH WELL because student loan comes through in about 9 weeks...right?”) Be at Rooster’s at 3am on a Sunday morning. Numbers are getting yelled all over the shop, bottles of ketchup are flying over your head and you’ve been given the deal number 4 even though you ordered deal number 2. It’s all character building!

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FIERCE Bomber Jackets The bomber is the jacket of the season, and there couldn't be more ways to wear it - keep it simple and sporty, try out a print to update it for spring, or opt for something embellished and really make a statement. If you're feeling brave get your hands on some patches or try your hand at embroidery to really be on top of the trend and entirely unique.

Pretty Pastels Pastel shades are going to be big this spring and we cannot wait to start incorporating them into our outfits.

Whether it's all out pastels or just a hint of the pretty hues on our nails, these shades are the perfect combination of spring chic and femininity. Our favourite shades have to be blush pink. and soft lilac.

Snapchat Filters We adore Snapchat, we really do it's fun, it's quick, and there's not as much pressure to look perfect as there is on instagram - but, honestly, if we see another snap of our friends as dogs we'll probably scream. The filters are so cute (we admit to using them all at least once), but getting virtually identical snaps over and over again is so boring!

Winter Weather We're still wearing faux fur in March and we couldn't be more bitter about it. After months in winter coats the excitement has passed and all we want is to pack them away - our SS16 wardrobe is just crying out to be worn!

But the weather isn't cooperating, and before we know it it'll be Easter, with oncoming April showers. Come on England, give us a few days of sun we've all got exams and a bit of warmer weather might just make the library commute bearable.

Donald Trump For about 5 minutes it was funny to think that the predictions of The Simpsons were true, and that there was such a ridiculous US presidential candidate. But now after months of cringey comments (particularly that if Ivanka wasn't his daughter he'd be dating her) and insane policies, it's getting a bit scary. He's actually winning votes.

So now we're entirely over the novelty and a little worried - please, America, don't make the rest of the world suffer Trump.

Tara Kergon Life&Style Writer

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CULTURE

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbrickculture

Watch This presents: The Hunger Games 48 Hour Imogen Tink Culture Editor

You couldn’t help but enjoy the ‘Watch This’ production of ’48 Hour - The Hunger Games’.

Having had one week to learn a script and two days to rehearse, and make props and costumes, the whole show produced the effect of a shambolic but nonetheless comical amateur dramatics production. Full of irony and in-jokes surrounding both the Hunger Games series as well as members of the cast, two hours passed by very entertainingly. We started off in the company of ‘Hermione Granger’, our narrator, who remained on stage on a Hogwart’s style throne throughout the entire performance. Why her character was picked in particular was not entirely clear, yet it was nonetheless amusing. Throughout the show, we followed the progress of Katniss Everdeen and her fellow Hunger Games accomplices in a

hilarious take on the plot of the popular franchise.

The trials of Katniss and her pals are completely subverted by ‘Watch This’, turning the deeply serious, very meaningful , caseof-life-or-death-drama that is portrayed in the films into a pantomime. For the more cynical amongst us, this is the perfect show. With pointedly American protagonists, a drunk and disillusioned ex-winner of the Games and ridiculous scenarios, the performance mocked the culture surrounding epic films.

Whilst the plot largely centred around the Hunger Games franchise, other well renowned films were drawn into its tangled web.

References to Mean Girls, The Lion King and Titanic were deployed at entertaining moments much to the hilarity of the audience. I particularly enjoyed the well-timed impression of Gandalf, with his famous ‘A Wizard is never late’ line. In another instance, at the very beginning of

the show, a line of seven Dwarves trooped onto the stage without Snow White and one was named ‘Bastard’. Black comedy such as this was used throughout and was very funny.

Bearing in mind the very short time span which the company had to rehearse and prepare, I was impressed by the quality of the costumes and the staging. Whilst clearly not built to last, the simplistic props were cleverly used and often enhanced the comedy. In particular the giant arrow apparently shot from Katniss’s bow, which kept arriving from the back of the Deb Hall, was brilliant.

What ‘Watch This’ truly managed to achieve is the accumulation of an enormous amount of wit and turning it into a show.

If everyone took their advice, and took things a little less seriously, the world would be a much happier place. I await in anticipation their next production.

Review: Mary Poppins Matt Bates Culture Critic

Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s multi award-winning stage-tour version of Mary Poppins is currently taking residence in the Birmingham Hippodrome, over the Easter period. The production spectacularly reinvigorates the dependable classic tale, to the fullest extent.

The cast is headed up by Zizi Strallen (Matthew Bourne’s “The Car Man”, Cats, Rock of Ages, Dirty Dancing). Zizi’s portrayal of the eponymous nanny follows in the footsteps of her older sister Scarlett Strallen’s successful portrayal of the classic character in the West End and Broadway.

Perfectly capturing the no-nonsense, self-assured Nanny, Zizi’s portrayal was one which felt necessarily faithful, yet vibrant and creative. Albeit less sweet and kind-spirited than Julie Andrew’s portrayal, Zizi’s Poppins is strict and a disciplinarian; more typical of the original books and her role as a Nanny than the Disney film.

Her background in dance was apparent throughout the entire show, with her posture and gesture being so consistent and typical of Mary Poppins that it was impossible to find her dislikeable or unfamiliar.

Opposite Strallen, Matt Lee (Miss Saigon, The Witches of Eastwich, Rent, Grease) plays the cheeky but loveable Bert. Perfectly conveying Bert’s wholesome adoration for Poppins, his character and portrayal really came in to their own comfort following the iconic Step in Time sequence – which also proved to be one of the highlights of the entire show.

Lee’s tap-dancing break across the stage, up the stage wall and across the roof of the theatre served to remind the audience of the magic that is integral to the story of Mary Poppins.

Two stand-out performances came from the children playing Jane and Michael Banks. Their

enthusiasm for the roles perfectly translated in to a great representation of childhood mischievousness and morality, which proved most beneficial in moments of sincerity or apology.

Mr (Milo Twomey – Twelfth Night, Much Ado About Nothing, Richard III) and Mrs Banks’ (Rebecca Lock – Mamma Mia, Oliver!, The Sounds of Music) relationship took a much more central position within the stage production than in the film version, but rightfully so. “Childhood

is a step in time/ Parenthood's the same” sings Poppins – the stage production allowed for character developments of greater complexity than the film even considered.

My only qualm, and it’s a pretty big one – is the removal of Mrs Banks’ position as a suffragette. The stage musical combines elements of the Disney film and Travers’ original stories under the expert crafting of Downton Abbey’s Julian Fellowes. It removes some songs from the

original Sherman brothers’ soundtrack and adds some new ones by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe.

While P. L. Travers openly rejected the Disney film’s characterisation of Mrs Banks, writing to a friend in the 1980s “How could dear, demented Mrs Banks, fussy, feminine and loving, become a suffragette?” – the feminist number Sister Suffragette made no appearance.

Rather than singing about a militant fight for women’s rights

and recommending that women ‘cast of the shackles of yesterday’, Mrs Banks’ big number has been re-titled “Being Mrs Banks” and summarises her devotion to her husband. While perfectly delivered, you can’t help but feel that the character has been distinctly short-changed.

Despite this, it’s a hugely entertaining production, which manages to be glamourous and spectacular without ever feeling over-done. The vibrancy of the set, costume and lighting all served to encapsulate the magical world of Mary Poppins. When the Banks’ house unfolds itself to the audience like a dolls house, it was incredible to see the faces of both adults and children light up in delight. The staging always appears slick, well done and as fast moving as the production itself. There were numerous times where I was left wondering how a character had actually got on to the stage or where they had gone – which was not only bewildering but added to the entire experience being one of nostalgia and magic.

What makes Mary Poppins as impressive as it is, is the fact that this is a touring production.

While more and more musicals are hitting the road, it is particularly remarkable that a show which involves an actress flying across the audience and an actor upside down around the frame of the stage manages to be pulled of night after night, without a hitch.

Mary Poppins has never been a particularly thought or emotionprovoking tale/film/production.

Yet it is timeless, magical, fun – and now – a stage production of infectious vibrancy. Mary Poppins is quite literally ‘practically perfect in every way’.

Mary Poppins runs at The Hippodrome until Saturday 23rd April.

CULTURE

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbrickculture

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Review: Hetty Feather Eric Barrell and Ruth Horsburgh Culture Critics

We all remember reading and watching Tracy Beaker, don’t we? So when we were offered the chance to see Hetty Feather, a play adapted from another series of books by Jacqueline Wilson but set in Victorian times, we jumped at the opportunity.

'Children are often the toughest critics and hardest to please' Initially, looking round the auditorium at the REP theatre, it was strange to realise that we belonged to the older majority of the audience. When the introductory, interactive call and response began, we did worry that we didn’t quite belong.

However, we were surrounded by eager young faces who couldn’t wait for the show to

begin and before we knew it, we had been swept back into a childhood state of mind and our student worries were put aside.

This stage play explores the eventful adolescent adventures of a brave and feisty young girl named Hetty Feather. Given to the Foundling Hospital as a baby, Hetty has to deal with being taken into a new family and then being parted from them. Making new friends and enemies (like children do: they soon become friends again) along the way, she goes on a journey to discover who her real mother is and indeed who the real Hetty Feather is.

This production actively encourages and allows your imagination to run wild with the adult cast mainly portraying children. This could have been awkward to watch, but the cast expertly captured the nuances of young children without making turning them into caricatures. Children are often the toughest critics and hardest to please but the production garnered lots of laughs and even some audible gasps during the story’s most tentative moments.

The set, consisting of a trapeze, ropes, and a giant-sized climbing frame, resembled that of a circus which was part of the story, and this potentially bare and hazardous set was expertly utilised. Incredible acrobatic skills were displayed by the entire cast. Particular mention must be given to Phoebe Thomas whom as the title character conveyed Hetty’s increasing maturity and development throughout the performance. The ingenious set also allowed for seamless transitions from scene to scene, as did the simple yet effective costumes.

Caps became cloths, creating

flawless transitions for the cast to transform into multiple yet distinctive characters. To emphasis mood and setting changes, there was terrific live music throughout, performed

by Seamas H Carey and Luke Potter, which was essential to further enliven the story.

This heart-warming play was full of laughs and comic moments, appreciated by both children and adults. But what struck us most was how well and convincingly the emotional moments were portrayed, such as the separation of Hetty and her fostered siblings. Hetty Feather dealt with difficult sub-

ject matters, but the show took this in its stride, not hiding away from issues of abandonment and death. There were several parents on their feet applauding at the end, which is a telling testament to the show’s quality and success in being enjoyable for all ages.

This production deserves its acclaimed reviews and it is clear to see why this play continues to tour the country.

Perfect if you want to treat a younger family member or for you yourself to relive your Jacqueline Wilson days.

Upcoming Shows: The Government Inspector - Gogol's satirical masterpiece runs at The Rep 19th-26th March Horrible Histories - The popular stage show returns with two new shows - The Incredible Invaders and Groovy Greeks at The New Alexandra Theatre. 22nd-26th March.

Omission: Inspired by A Doll’s House by Article 19 at the Guild of Students Olivia Boyce Culture Critic @liv_boyce

It is always a joy to witness a new play in its original production, though nowadays opportunities to see truly original works in intimate spaces such as the Guild of Students' Dance Studio are rare. It is with this anticipation that I went to see Omission – and I am so very glad that I did.

Omission focuses on the character of Nora, a married high-flying businesswoman whose everyday life is a repeating cycle of frantic work and high expectations. She might appear to have the ‘ideal’ existence, but the monotony soon begins to stifle her, until finally, something gives.

The play, co-written by students Mia Jacobs and Faye Lawlor, is inspired by Henrik Ibsen’s classic play ‘A Doll’s House’. Ibsen’s 1879 tour-de-force has enjoyed great success in various high profile productions in recent years, and indeed it continues to be relevant today, if the existence of Omission is anything to go by.

The influences of the original are there – Nora’s marriage is complex, often strained and her isolation affects her everyday actions in ways that worry her family.

However, Omission is strictly a new creation, as the play moves the focus from Ibsen’s conflicts of money, loyalty and gender to an examination of the role of women, and particularly mothers, in modern society. It is an adaptation that

not only works, but excels.

The modern day setting might be a far cry from that of Ibsen’s play, but this serves to open up many interesting and effective sequences that are quite simply impressive and refreshing to watch. One particularly notable sequence is that of a Tube journey, with the cast coming together to stand, jostling each other as the lights flicker, a subtle but striking imitation of the moment a train passes through a station. Indeed, the entire production makes very clever usage of the space available in the Dance Studio, and there are instances where the actors are within a few inches of the audience. The effect is one of intense scrutiny, and it is hard not to identify with Nora when you are also subject to the overwhelming presence of the people around you.

The use of a mirror frame is also excellent, making for some powerful pieces of physical theatre.

Throughout there is an impressive array of scripted scenes and dynamic physical pieces, with movement often being set to music.

The sound mixing is excellent, with a fluid mix of ambient sound and recognisable songs. The moment when Lana Del Rey’s dulcet tones, singing the haunting ‘Young and Beautiful’, play over scenes of Nora’s increasing disillusion is striking, and it is clear that composer Ben Farrar has carefully crafted a soundtrack that serves to emphasise Nora’s plight in a refreshing and striking manner.

Emma Phelan is a brilliant Nora, capturing a mixture of fear

and uncertainty that make Nora so powerful and identifiable. She is an ultimately human creation, and demands sympathy from the audience. Edward Shock, playing Nora’s husband James, creates a character that is both suitably dislikeable and all too human. Hattie Kemish’s Intern was entertaining, whilst her turn as a reflection was mesmerising. The ensemble cast are outstanding, each a part of a seamless unit, and there are times when they seem to barely make it to catch Nora as she falls, so carefully choreographed is each action. They are the backbone of the production, and their placement, sitting in the audience rather than traditionally offstage when they are not in a scene, is a fun and welcome change.

At one point in the play, Nora asks her husband a rather pivotal question – ‘are we happy?’ In a modern world where we face scrutiny to an extent that it can be hard to know whether we are thriving or merely existing, this question resonates far beyond the play. Indeed, the entire production is simply brilliant, with Mia Jacobs and Faye Lawlor having created a superb piece of theatre that would not look out of place on a stage at the Fringe, or in a studio theatre at venues like the REP. The movements are effortless, the script impressive, and the result is a production that serves as a masterclass in dynamic theatre. I can only hope that this play gets the opportunity to continue to impress audiences for years to come – it certainly deserves to.

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TELEVISION

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbricktv

Can adult cartoons go too far?

James Tyson TV Critic @jamestyson06

As the popular American cartoon Family Guy moves to ITV2, now seems a good time to question whether adult cartoons are funny or just downright offensive.

South Park’s appeal is its outrageous sense of humour, but the question is - does it go too far? Of course, there are episodes which try to go to the extreme.

Note the episode in which the word sh*t was said 162 times, and written a further 38 times, kindly counted for us with a counter in the corner of the screen, just so we wouldn’t forget – insult to the intelligence much?

Where South Park can be seen to be most offensive is in their vicious personal attacks on celebrities. Throughout their nineteen seasons, they have taken more jabs at celebrities than you could imagine. Tom Cruise is one victim of this, with an episode airing in 2005

implying that Tom Cruise was a closeted gay man , having him hiding in a closet whilst a variety of characters shouted for him to ‘Come out of the closet’. Tom Cruise was not alone, Britney Spears featured in an episode in 2008 where she attempted suicide due to her life being out of control - a well documented public breakdown. Despite shooting off the top of her head, she is forced to continue to perform and receive criticism. It is one thing making fun of a person’s rumoured sexuality, but making fun of a person’s mental state and joking about suicide? Shouldn't this be considered a step too far?

They don’t stop there however, as nothing appears to be off limits for the South Park Creators. Just two months after the death of beloved naturalist Steve Irwin, they presented him partying with Satan, with the stingray that killed him still sticking out of his chest. A spokesperson for the family claimed that they were ‘devastated’ by this depiction. Is viewer's

entertainment worth upsetting a mourning family for?

Finally, even paedophilia is not off limits for the South Park creators, with an episode showing Michael Jackson engaged in inappropriate relations with the young children of South Park. This wasn’t the only time they had found humour in paedophilia. Less than two weeks after the child sex scandal at Penn State became public, South Park aired a show which joked about the situation. Far too far!

But South Park aren’t alone in making fun of serious issues. One major character in Family Guy is Herbert, who is the known local Paedophile. His advances towards the character Chris Griffin, age 14, have become so commonplace that people stop noticing it. There are episodes where he sleeps at the bottom of Chris’s bed and he tries to get Chris inside his house by offering him a ‘popsicle’. Not funny!

Another one of Family Guy’s touchy subjects is religion. The character of Jesus Christ is a common one, appearing over 25 times throughout the show's history. One episode shows Jesus pretending to

be a virgin in order to sleep with the married character of Lois!

All faiths are mocked, though.

When Peter needs help with his taxes, he spontaneously burst into a song called ‘I need a Jew’ as he stereotypically thinks that all Jewish people are good with money - as well as other stereotypes within the song, such as the lyrics ‘Where to find a Baum or Steen or Stein’ and ‘Though by many they’re abhorred’.

A different episode also jokes about Peter revealing the location of Anne Frank to the Nazis by loudly eating crisps. How can a joke about the death of a young girl in such a tragic situation be considered appropriate humour?

Medical conditions are also a favorite crutch for the Family Guy writers. Peter has a stroke during one episode, and after attempting to drive, and then crashing, a group of rowers row by chanting ‘Stroke!

Stroke! Stroke!’. Another episode shows a man being diagnosed with AIDS. This is announced in a song

mocking the condition by Peter and four others dressed as a barbershop quartet. They dance in the hospital rooms singing lyrics such as ‘Be sure that you see, that this is not HIV, but full blown AIDS!’ They also made fun of Michael J. Fox’s Parkinson’s disease, showing a scene where he spills wine over Peter’s white shirt, and due to his disease, the cheque he wrote for the damage was illegible. Isn't this just another example of finding light in a situation that has no light to begin with?

Despite all the offensive examples I have just written about, never mind the countless other examples I could have, millions of people around the world tune in to this comedy, myself included.

Does this make us all bad people?

Or is it a good thing that we can laugh at even the worst situations?

The answer is unclear, and can, ultimately, only be decided on a personal basis.

Review: Davina McCall: Life at the Extreme Tamsin Hackett TV Critic @TamsinAilishh

In this new four-part series, Davina McCall travels to some of the hottest, coldest, deepest and wettest places on earth to discover how some of the most extraordinary animals on the planet survive in the craziest of environments. By living alongside local people, scientists and the animals themselves, Davina has been testing her limits and offering viewers an insight into just how

extreme the world can be. This adventure shows a new side to Davina - best know for being the original presenter of Big Brother.

In the first episode of the season, Davina travelled to Namibia to learn about animals which survive in the heat as well as meeting and learning about Namibian tribes. The programme proved unscripted when Davina’s camp was visited by lions in the middle of the night and she seemed genuinely terrified. She also encountered a cheetah, snakes and explored the vast desert.

In the second episode, Davina explored the ocean around the

Azores (a small group of islands in the Atlantic Ocean) where she encountered a sperm whale which could dive over two thousand metres in an attempt to eat squid off the ocean floor. She also met champion free-diver Frederic Buyle, who has swum down 103 metres on a single breath of air. Another remarkable episode from a presenter who is rather inexperienced in this area.

The first two episodes of the presenter’s nature show have been extremely gripping.

Viewers can still look forward to her sampling how polar bears cope in -30ºC temperatures as

well as her exploration of the Costa Rican jungle - a place home to an amazing 500,000 species of life, despite being less than a quarter of the size of the UK. Personally, I’ve always liked Davina McCall – in Big Brother, The Million Pound Drop, and in The Jump. I like her in this too, she’s interesting, enthusiastic and entertaining even when pushed to her absolute limit. Life at the Extreme is definitely worth a watch on a Monday evening, though I don’t think David Attenborough has anything to worry about just yet.

Review: Murder Lara Billington TV Critic @lara_billington

BBC2’s BAFTA-winning Murder comes in the form of a three-part series directed by Birger Larsen. At face value, the premier episode has all the BBC Drama essentials: angsty detective, body being pulled from a river, guilty husband yet the conveying of events is less traditional. However, the story is told through a mixture of facing-the-camera monologues, voiceovers and flashbacks.

Initially this format reminded me of an impressive A-level Drama performance, yet having decided to be more open-minded about DS Evans (Morven Christie) glaring at me as she explained the story of her best friend’s hit and run accident, overall I found the varied for-

mat ultimately quite refreshing.

The plot however, proved a struggle to solve. Characters spent the first twenty minutes throwing around names and events randomly, and I found piecing together who everyone was required far too much concentration for 9pm on a Wednesday. Despite breaking a slight sweat keeping up with the quick jumps from police department to Scottish landscape, the weaving of the characters does unveil somewhat coherently by the end.

The story (from what my midweek concentration skills could muster up) follows a handful of characters. Rafe, sister of counsellor Katrina (Shauna MacDonald), is found dead in a river as the episode begins, following a fishing-trip gone wrong with brother-in-law Leo (Peter McDonald). Troubled (and very naked) Frankie is thrown into the mix later as Katrina’s patient, and

proves to have more of a connection to the events than first seems. One hit-and-run, an upsetting death from Meningitis and a stab wound later and we’ve got ourselves a cocktail of guilt, tragedy and (wait for it), murder.

Unfortunately, on the whole, the plot line was lacklustre. The plot needed to spike interest from the start and build the same suspense as a conventional drama.

Saying that, I can’t fault the superb acting from the cast. They created an incredibly realistic feel to the story as we delved into their souls through their raw and honest monologues.

With that in mind, despite not being gripped by the plot of episode one, for me the original format alone is enough to give it a go. With a different story next week, and no doubt more impressive performances, I’m still holding out hope that Murder will add to my ever-growing list of BBC drama successes.

TELEVISION

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbricktv

Review: Indian Summers Zoe Screti

TV Critic @zoescretimusic

Indian Summers returned to our screens for a new season with an explosive first episode - literally.

Opening with scenes of a Holi festival, from which a group of unruly young boys break free, throwing bright powder at bystanders and a hand grenade into the car of the Viceroy, the first episode set the tone of what will clearly be a season filled with angst, rebellion, and free-

dom fighting.

The new season is set three years after season one ended, and it is clear that Indian rebellion against British colonial rule has only grown since. Even Aafrin (the man who was so keen to serve the British in season one) is now a rebel, working under the British whilst also working against them. He publishes damaging pamphlets, encourages children to throw empty hand grenades and plots to plant a box of explosives at the castle-like Simla Club; which shines as a

monument to empire amongst the beautiful Indian hills, casting a shadow over the colonised Indian people below.

The club members seem keen to continue as if there is no discontent, choosing to exist in their aristocratic bubble, partaking in all of the fun and games of those at the top. However, with the Viceroy having a heart attack (triggered by the empty grenade) the empire is beginning to crumble, and it seems more than likely that this season will see the castle fall.

Indian Summers’ return to our screens brought with it our favourite characters. Aafrin, Alice Whelan (now Mrs Haverstock), Ralph Whelan, and Cynthia are all much as they were, if not a little more tense and suspicious than before.

The acting was, on the whole, exquisite, and any review of Indian Summers cannot pass without a mention of Julie Walters. Portraying Cynthia, the club owner we all love to hate, Walters acts her part masterfully, making a detestable character

Game of Thrones Season 6 Matt Dawson TV Editor @mdawson_96

Last week, HBO released a new trailer for the upcoming sixth season of Game of Thrones, and as trailers go, they did a decent job at teasing the upcoming series without giving too much away. This is more vital now for the show than it has ever been, as we are heading into uncharted waters since the television series has caught up to the unfinished book series from which it is adapted. Spoilers ahead.

The trailer opens with a panning shot of what appears to be the fresh corpse of Jon Snow (Kit Harington), who viewers saw apparently met his demise at the end of last season. However, as there has been instances of death not being entirely permanent in Westeros (I’m looking at you, the seemingly forgotten Beric Dondarrion), fans are in denial of this. Even with the slightly meta voiceover 'He’s gone' from Davos Seaworth (Liam Cunningham), dedicated theorists remain unconvinced, myself included.

The backing soundtrack to the trailer is also quite self-aware, with the dulcet tones of James Vincent McMorrow’s ‘Wicked Game’ punctuating scenes of violence and drama. Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) alludes to this with his ever-quotable dialogue: 'You’re in the Great Game now, and the Great Game is terrifying.'

This aspect of the storyline is one that I am excited to see, as show-

runner’s David Benioff and D.B. Weiss seem to have skipped over the majority of Tyrion’s arc from A Dance with Dragons to jump straight to him in Meereen, which angered some fans. However, this decision promises to give a more streamlined version of his story without it being bogged down with a travelling freak show, and would have probably been a lot harder to translate from page to screen.

Speaking of Meereen, the trailer picks up where we left off with Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) as she stood surrounded by a horde of Dothraki. We see them cart her off to what appears to be Vaes Dothrak, the horselords’ city that they visited in Season 1.

Her faithful companions Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) and Daario Naharis (Michael Huisman) are in hot pursuit, with an interesting shot of Jorah’s thumb showing the extent of his greyscale, which may prove fatal.

Back in King’s Landing, Jaime Lannister (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) returns fresh from his daughter’s death to find his sister, Cersei (Lena Headey) caught in a conflict with the High Sparrow. What is interesting here is that they seem still to have a close relationship, unlike this point in the books. This could have an impact on Cersei’s upcoming trial by combat, which many hopeful theorists believe to be the ‘Cleganebowl’ – a fight between the reanimated corpse of Gregor 'The Mountain' Clegane (under the guise of Robert Strong) and his newly reformed, not-quiteas-dead-as-everyone-thought

brother, The Hound (Rory McCann). Granted, while this has not been confirmed by any of the producers, and McCann doesn’t make an appearance in the trailer, here’s hoping that Game of Thrones is keeping this as a surprise.

Season 6 also promises to return to some familiar territory, with the trailer showing some shots of the Iron Islands. This may mean a return of sorts to the Greyjoy plotline from A Feast for Crows, that was neglected last season. There are a couple of shots of newcomer Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson being baptised by a Drowned Priest and being ominous on a bridge, which all but confirms him as Euron Greyjoy- a ruthless, power-hungry pirate and Theon’s (Alfie Allen) uncle.

As the trailer builds up to a climax, viewers glimpse the return of Bran Stark (a conspicuously older Isaac Hempstead Wright) in what appears to be a vision, alongside the ruler of the malevolent White Walkers. This is where the trailer excels, by not showing the viewer everything and allowing them to speculate, especially as Bran’s story this year explores 'very important events in the past, present and future'. Fingerscrossed for a Tower of Joy flashback.

Overall, the trailer for Season 6 gives enough for hardcore fans to chew on for the next few weeks, as well as being enticing for a casual watcher. Luckily, there’s not long left now as Game of Thrones returns Monday 25th April on Sky Atlantic.

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delectable. With her usual cocktail of sly meddling, cutting remarks and casual racism (episode one saw her don a mock turban which opened to release a dove) Cynthia is quite simply an awful human being. Yet Walter’s mastery and charm makes viewers love her scenes nonetheless, even if we completely disagree with her character’s morals.

This is set to be an exciting series. I just hope that the season continues to tell the story of India’s fight for independence in an accurate way, not forgiving the historical facts for cheap drama. Nevertheless, I am already hooked on this new season which brings a pop of colour and drama to Sunday evening viewing.

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FILM

Friday 18th March

@redbrickfilm

2015/6: A Year in Animation Redbrick film critic James Moore, looks back (and forwards) at the rise of the animated film James Moore Film Critic

2015 was a strange year for animated feature films. Inside Out came along with typical Pixar polish and charm; while it was rewarded with an Oscar, the tale of emotions inside a child’s mind was widely regarded as worthy of at least a nomination for Best Picture.

But Pixar also gave us The Good Dinosaur to much less acclaim than its mature sibling.

The studio has been struggling of late to match the record of quality, it established from its outset, with sequels and uninspired ideas hurting critical reception. The Good Dinosaur has the third worst average score from critics of any Pixar film, only bested by the Cars movies. Before that Brave and Monsters University met mixed reviews, falling well below the high bar of above 90% on Metacritic and Rotten Tomatoes that most of the studio’s films cherish. It seems that Inside Out was a fortunate blip in the decline of the studio, rather than a true return to form.

Pixar also has to compete against Disney, now producing their own all CG films, with the massively expensive Tangled (the most expensive animated film of all time) and global megastar Frozen (highest grossing animated film of all time) encroaching

on the studio’s space.

Only 3 animated films have ever had the honour of a best picture Oscar nomination, all Disney produced: Beauty and the Beast in 1991, which lost to The Silence of the Lambs; Pixar’s heartwrenching Up in 2009, beaten by The Hurt Locker, and the less deserving Toy Story 3 which lost to the controversial The King’s Speech in 2010.

But Disney and Pixar are not the only producers of animated films, even if their record of Oscar wins might suggest otherwise.

The Peanuts Movie despite charming visuals and staying true to its source material’s style failed to bring in crowds and left critics divided. Peanuts the franchise, since its comic ended around 2000, has been forgotten by today’s generation. For my part Peanuts was better than Blue Sky Studio’s previous showings; the Ice Age franchise might be the most beaten dead horse in animation. Why are you making a fifth one? Dear god, make John Leguizamo’s voice stop.

Speaking of dead horses that need to be silenced, Minions, the spin-off of Despicable Me, was unleashed to the world last year.

Please, don’t make a Minions 2, no matter how much that money whispers, the world will be a better place.

Hailing from Britain, Shaun the Sheep got a film. The TV show was great. The premise is less obtuse as a spin-off than

Minions ever was. And while Minions enjoys an RT score of 55%, Shaun the Sheep happily sits at 99%. Sadly, despite success on this side of the Atlantic, a botched release stateside left Shaun with one of the worst opening weeks of all time.

2015 was not just about children’s animated films. It gave us Oscar nominee Anomalisa from Charlie Kaufman. Anomalisa was only recently released in UK theatres, but the film has been lauded internationally. Personally I’ve always found Kaufman’s writing to be on the side of pretentious, rather than legitimately interesting, but Anomalisa goes some way to proving to the world that animation is capable of more complex stories.

Some sad news emerged recently about the fate of The Little Prince. Every trailer for this film looked gorgeous. Based on the best-selling novella of all time, Le Petit Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, this quaint little story had so much potential, but the film was canned just a week before release.

Recently from Japan three animated films stood out, Mamoru Hosoda’s Bakemono no Ko (The Boy and the Beast), Studio Ghibli’s Omoide no Marnie (When Marnie was There) and unusually Love Live! The School Idol Movie, which all could not be more different.

Hosoda has been hailed as the next Miyazaki and The Boy and

Review: Kung Fu Panda 3 Redbrick critic Alex McDonald, reviews the third installment in the much-loved animated series

It is rare that sequels ever live up to the original and rarer still that the third instalment even comes close to that mark.

The Kung Fu Panda series is an exception to that rule, with each entry maintaining a consistent level of quality. Does it carry the same emotional heft as Toy Story? Not by a long shot. But it has fun action and amusing comedy which combines for a harmless, enjoyable film for the whole family.

Kung Fu Panda 3 continues the story of Po (Jack Black) who is found by his estranged father, Li (Bryan Cranston), who takes his son back to a secret panda village where he learns what it means to be a panda. Meanwhile, the evil bull Kai (J.K. Simmons) has escaped from the spirit realm and is hell bent on stealing every Kung Fu Master’s chi. It’s up to Po to complete his journey from apprentice to teacher as he has to whip the panda village into shape if he has a hope of stopping him.

The animation on display is nothing short of phenomenal: The backgrounds are breath-taking, as are the action sequences which are incredibly stylised and incorporate physical comedy

Beast continues his form of producing quality animated feature films after his previous works The Girl Who Leapt through Time and Wolf Children. This is yet another hit from an upcoming director working with one of the best studios in the business, Madhouse.

Marnie is far more grounded than Miyazaki’s fantasy adventures, but the film stands on its own. It almost seemed like a reaction to the success of Hosoda and Makoto Shinkai. When Marnie was There brought relatable likeable characters into a gorgeous setting and story, and was a fine farewell for now for the studio.

2015 was a mixed year and it seems like 2016 will be too,as

Zootopia is performing unbelievably well internationally, hitting the UK later in March. But films like Angry Birds and Kung Fu Panda 3 test the longevity of franchises and Pixar’s next film, Finding Dory, has a lot to live up to. Right at the bottom, Norm of the North looks straight out of the wrong side of 15 years ago and ripe for a night in laughing at bad films. But it’s not all doom and gloom on the upcoming animated films, as Makoto Shinkai’s next film, Kimi no Na wa (Your Name) is due out in summer, which will also see The Secret Life of Pets and Kubo. There's a lot to look forward to in the world of animated features.

seamlessly. That said, do not go into this film expecting huge laughs, but there are plenty of chuckle-worthy moments that will keep you smiling throughout.

The colourful cast also expands with plenty of fresh faces on screen, all backed by stellar voice acting and despite having recognisable voices, they fit their characters perfectly. Jack Black once again brings wideeyed innocence and wonder to Po, a role it seems he was born to play. Black does however share the laughs with his foe J.K. Simmons, who does a great job blending the fearsome and comedic sides of his character.

Kung Fu Panda has always had an impressive roster of villains and Simmons’ Kai is no exception.

This film is also incredibly fast paced, with jokes and action flying thick and fast. However this does come at the cost of the story’s substance. That is Kung Fu Panda 3’s weakest element: at its core there is a compelling story about family, especially with Po being caught between his real father and the ‘father’ that raised him. Sadly, this isn’t explored in much depth.

The plot also follows very similar beats to its two predecessors, as Po has to discover something within himself that was there all along in order to con-

quer evil, so there isn’t anything new on display here story wise.

But there is a great message for children to learn from the whole series: “Be the best you you can be.” That’s not a bad lesson to learn three times over.

All in all, if you enjoyed the previous two films you will certainly enjoy the third, which makes this a solid trilogy overall. If you’re looking for a simple yet entertaining action-comedy then look no further as Kung Fu Panda 3 will not disappoint, just don’t expect the emotional weight of Pixar. If this is to be the last in the series, as the film leads you to believe, then it is a satisfying conclusion with a great overall arc, even if the plots are strikingly similar.

Release date 11th March Director Alessandro Carloni, Jennifer Yuh Nelson Cast Jack Black, Bryan Cranston, J. K. Simmons

««« «««

FILM

Friday 18th March

@redbrickfilm

31

Film News

Review: High-Rise

Tom Swinford Film Editor

Joe Ryan reviews Ben Wheatley's adaption of J. G. Ballard's sinister, dystopian novel

Walt Disney has officially announced that Harrison Ford is set to return as Indiana Jones in a fifth instalment of the adventure franchise. The film, set to be released in 2019 when the star is 78, also sees the return of Steven Spielberg to the Director's chair. No announcement yet on co-stars or plot, although its safe to assume that similar to 2015's Star Wars episode VII, creator George Lucas will have little input in the sequel.

The shortlist in the search for a young 'Han Solo' in Phil Lord and Christopher Miller's Untitled Han Solo Star Wars prequel has been revealed. Reports suggest that Alden Ehrenreich, Jack Reynor (Macbeth) and Taron Egerton (Kingsman: The Secret Service) are the frontrunners to play the part of the young space scoundrel. Expect the final announcement to come in the near future with the film scheduled for a 2018 release.

Release date 18th March Director Ben Wheatley Cast Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans Running time: 119 minutes

«««« To experience High-Rise is to experience a violent, darkly comic and beautifully realised nightmare. A project previously stuck in development hell for over 30 years, Ben Wheatley has dragged J.G. Ballard’s novel kicking and screaming into cinemas and pulling it off with great success. Whilst the quality of the dialogue takes a wobble every so often and the central narrative conceit of class warfare is explored somewhat more simplistically than the source novel, there is more than enough here that shifts High-Rise out of dated social commentary and into absurdist dystopia, with the film being all the better for it.

The film follows Dr Robert Laing (Tom Hiddleston) who, seeking to escape the chaos of conventional society, moves into a flat on the 25th floor in the eponymous high-rise, seduced by its enclosed nature. There, he meets the architect, Anthony Royal (Jeremy Irons in a scenestealing performance), and discovers that the building is seemingly designed to reinforce a class structure, insofar as more power and resources are provided for the flats on the higher floors where, subsequently, the wealthier inhabitants choose to live. However, frequent power

failures act as the catalyst for an inexorable descent into anarchy as social boundaries are crossed and civilisation starts to crumble, and Laing must decide which side he wants to be on.

This is by far director Ben Wheatley’s largest scale production to date. Coming from his feature debut Down Terrace (reportedly costing just £6,000), Wheatley brings his economical, indie sensibilities to this project and it shows. Not a single penny is wasted in selling the world of High-Rise. The visuals are stark and rich, with a depth and intricacy that sells the disorientating, labyrinthine corridors that act as the battlefield of the microcosmic collapse of society. Interestingly, rather than updating the décor, the filmmakers place us in an alternate 1970s, with all the brutalist architecture and flared trousers that that entails, and even a truly excellent Portishead cover of ABBA’s S.O.S.. This does an excellent job of planting the film firmly within a distinctly Ballardian universe, before the advent of the internet and, crucially, social media, that would otherwise threaten to undermine the narrative.

This provides the film with its central dilemma, of which it is keenly aware. Specifically, whether to focus on the original themes of the novel, fully aware that those themes have become less relevant since 1975, or to forgo the politicising for a more visceral experience and risk accusations of deviating from the source material. Wheatley’s ,and script-writer Amy Jump’s, solution plays to their strengths, framing the story as a dark personal drama (evoking Kill List and A Field in England) with High-Rise as more of a claustrophobic apocalypse film.

However it is here that the overall narrative suffers slightly.

From the second act, High-Rise begins to over-simplify the complexities of Ballard’s vision of

'High-Rise may not be the adaptation of the novel fans fall in love with, but Ben Wheatley fans definitely will'

social collapse, making it feel like a superficial retelling of the novel. In a lesser film this may not have registered, but HighRise is so rich in other aspects that this stood out just a little too much. The hedonistic top-floor socialites clash with the rough yet noble bottom-floor socialists (complete with Che Guevara posters) and much of the grey area (specifically Sienna Miller’s Charlotte) is pushed aside to streamline the film.

Fortunately, the performances from a hugely talented cast do much to alleviate the damage resulting from this loss. Tom Hiddleston’s vulnerable portrayal of Laing prises empathy from the audience, fleshing out the character far more than in the novel and I found myself missing him when he wasn’t on screen. Luke Evans, Sienna Miller, James Purefoy and Keeley Hawes all play their roles with total conviction, bringing out a dry, absurdist humour from the increasingly bleak circumstances of the high-rise, as the clothes get dirtier and the binbags begin to pile up. Long-time Wheatley fans will enjoy the cameos from past collaborators, from Reece Shearsmith and Neil Maskell to Tony Way and Peter Ferdinando. Much like the work of Scorsese, Hitchcock or Lynch, High-Rise is full of small moments of recognition that do as much to identify this as a Ben Wheatley film as the preoccupation with enclosed environments and the exploration of the darkness of the human psyche.

High-Rise may not be the adaptation fans of the novel will fall in love with, but fans of Ben Wheatley definitely will. Behind the downright gorgeous exterior is a dark human drama that hits its psychological target as hard as it misses its political one.

Even so, it is an intelligent and thrilling experience that leaves more questions than it does answers, in the best possible way.

Tim Burton's latest film Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children has a new trailer. The Alice in Wonderland director's film promises to be Dark Shadows meets X-Men with a high calibre of special effects and classic Burton, gothic tone. Starring a stellar cast including Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Ella Purnell, Allison Janney, Terence Stamp, Rupert Everett, Judi Dench and Samuel L. Jackson, the film is set for a September 30th release.

The trailer for Seth Rogen's animated adult comedy Sausage Party, written by Rogen Evan Goldberg, has been released.

Dreamworks alumni Greg Tiernan and Conrad Vernon are directing. The voice cast includes Rogen himself, Kristen Wiig, Jonah Hill, Michael Cera, James Franco, Nick Kroll, Paul Rudd, and Edward Norton (voicing Sammy Bagel Jr).

32

CAREERS

Friday 18th March

@redbrickcareers

Charity Masterclass Careers Editor Lael Hardtman goes behind the scenes of a multi-million pound charity: our very own university.

Careers in charity are careers in change. And sitting at the height of Muirhead Tower, overlooking the red brick of our university, with a small tight knit group of five students from various walks of life and degrees, you feel it in the quiet weight of air. The air of impact.

Here at the introduction of the Charity Masterclass, five successful applicants picked out of forty are being given an exclusive peek into the world of philanthropy as a part of the Student Engagement and Philanthropy Month, philanthropy as we all learn, acting as the basis for which our University thrives and is able to function as a charity.

The Charity Masterclass was a fantastic opportunity to meet supporters who donated to University of Birmingham projects and the researchers who benefit from donations. Simon Lerwill, Director

of Development and Alumni Relations Office, and Acting Head of Development Laura Fairbanks, provided useful frameworks for

'Five successful applicants picked out of forty are being given an exclusive peek into the world of philanthropy' thinking about charity as providing an alternative career path, whereby students gain valuable interpersonal and management skills.

They highlighted specifically how a job in charity is a job in

change as charity projects are based on the interests of the donors, but also the needs of the institution and society at large, proving the charity sector to be fast paced and fluid, directly engaging with people and change.

Charity, we learn, like any other sector, is built on the relationships between people, and projects are investments for the betterment of society.

Last summer, the University closed the Circles of Influence campaign, the biggest charitable campaign ever in the Midlands, and successfully raised £193.4 million pounds to fund scholarships, research, new buildings and facilities on campus. The Circles of Influence Campaign included 10,000 donors and over 5,000 volunteers from 96 countries who successfully supported over 250 building projects, and funded scholarships that cover

maintenance and tuition, and also funded clinical trials, illustrating the breadth of charity work and how students of all backgrounds can be involved.

Charity work itself encompasses a wide breadth of interests and projects, whether you’re a scientist participating in clinical trials that lead to medical marvels or simply a student caller forging and building connections (which is advisedly the best way to kick-start a career in charity).

Careers in charity provide the opportunity to meet interesting people. As spoken by Simon Lerwill, “It’s the people you meet that you enjoy the most”. Projects in charity work, especially when targeted by the university, need to be aligned with both the needs of the donors and the needs of the University, proving all the while to be insightful and challenging.

Joanna Ballaster History 2nd year

‟

I was lucky to be given the opportunity to see some of the hardworking team of our Department of Alumni Relations Outreach (DARO) and to discuss their work in charity and fundraising for students and department.

Through working with DARO I saw how both small and large gifts could make a massive difference to the university. The new library was actually fundraised using the alumni letter, with an envelope to put £3 into the construction.

Whilst I am going to miss the old library, it really goes to show how a little bit of money across so many people can make a difference.

The need for financial openness is a growing issue for universities. There should be more awareness of the contribution alumni make to their university, as well as showing how Birmingham contributes to research across departments and improving our experience of Birmingham.

”

Edward Sainsbury Childreach International

Alumni Interview Molly Garfoot Careers Editor @mollytuesday

Molly Garfoot spoke to Edward Sainsbury, a Student Fundraising Manager at Childreach International. He studied Political Science and graduated in 2015.

Before landing a job at Childreach International, an organisation which provides practical solutions to children’s rights, Edward had racked up plenty of charityrelated experience: he was on the Carnival RAG committee (UoB’s fundraising society), a member of NasFA (National Student Fundraising

Association) and President of Model UN Society. He also helped to run the first ever Adopt A Charity Week at UoB, raising £2500 in the process.

Edward believes this experience was fundamental to building a network of people within the charity sector, many of whom he’s remained in contact with.

This proved very useful for when he was applying for roles in his final year, as he was made aware of what jobs were available in the industry. He told Redbrick, “being involved in Carnival is definitely a good way to build up those contacts with charities and be aware of opportunities when they come up”.

So what motivated him to go into charity work? It was fairly simple for Edward; he wanted to do a job that he knew he would enjoy and that he was reasonably good at, and his previous experience had confirmed that both of these conditions would be met in fundraising.

Whilst he did look at roles within the public sector, such as in teaching, he essentially wanted to make his hobby his job – don’t we all?

Edward assures me that charity work is open to anyone due to the diversity of different skills required, with roles not just in fundraising but also in finance, IT, and legal, to name a few. According to Edward, the pros of working in this industry centre around the rewarding and worthwhile nature of the projects, as well as the positive environment created by people

'On the issue of transparency in charity work, hold organisations accountable' who believe in the causes they’re working towards. The cons are that it is at first a difficult sector to get into, with less frequent vacancies in comparison to big corporations, who have lots of entry level positions opening up throughout the year.

Edward believes that people are becoming more selective of which charities they support, taking the time to research the

impact of projects. Addressing the issue of transparency in charity work, he advises to hold organisations accountable: “Every charity has to publish their accounts, so you can look at them yourself. If there’s anything that you want clarifying, ask questions directly.” Whilst there have been a few individual cases of misconduct that have been all over British media and undermined the trust of the public, the majority play by the rules and there are plenty of lesser-known charities that are doing fantastic things for their local communities. After Sir Stuart Etherington published his review on the future of fundraising self-regulation last year, the government has been working to re-establish trust between charities and the public.

Edward’s parting advice for current students who are interested in a career in the philanthropy sector is to get involved with Carnival RAG - “there are opportunities for everyone!”

Once there, he advises to suggest ideas for events and campaigns so that you can bulk up your CV with impressive experience and solid results.

A Day in the Life...

09:30 - Heading to Campus to meet a University RAG Partner about their challenge event.

10:00 - Meeting with the team Leader to plan the promotion of the fundraising opportunity to students.

11:00 - Meeting with students who are interested in taking part but can't make the evening meeting.

14:00 - A chance to catch up on emails and admin as well as planning for the week ahead.

16:00 - Preparation for the information meeting, checking over the presentation.

17:00 - Information Meeting with students to tell them about the opportunity for them to fundraise for Childreach

CAREERS

Friday 18th March

@redbrickcareers

Top 5: Birmingham Social Enterprises Social enterprises trade to tackle social problems and reinvest their profits back into the business and the local community.

Greg Woodin Careers Editor @greg_woodin

1. @projectaspie Project Aspie is an award-winning social enterprise with the mission of helping people with Asperger’s Syndrome live healthy and independent lives. Project Aspie is run “by an Aspie for Aspies”, with founder Graeme Croton’s late diagnosis of Asperger’s syndrome motivating him to help others with the condition.

2. @GINA_CIC GINA, which stands for Grow, Inspire, Nurture and Achieve, offers support for people affected by rape and sexual abuse. With a board of directors boasting 41 years of combined experience, GINA runs enterprising workshops to increase survivors’ confidence in their own abilities to achieve their potential.

3. @5PillarsParent Approachable Parenting draws upon Islamic principles to provide Muslim families with guidance and techniques for raising children.

These principles are applied through marriage guidance courses and oneto-one parent coaching sessions, helping families to improve their understanding of each other.

4. @Evolve_Impact Evolve works with schools and teachers to support classroom learning, promote physical activity and help students achieve happiness and fulfilment. This is achieved through programmes run by qualified health mentors, such as the School Vitality Initiative, which comprise full day activities complete with interactive workshops.

5. @Co_wheels_Brum With community car clubs in Stirchley, Bournville and more, Co-Wheels Birmingham offers a pay-as-you-go service for low emission hybrid and electric cars.

Co-wheels’ cars are available 24/7 and cost just £4.50 an hour after an initial, one-off membership fee of £25, providing a flexible, ecofriendly service.

33

The Road Less Travelled:

A No-Nonsense Look at the Development Sector Lael Hardtman Careers Editor

“Do not ask yourself what the world needs; ask yourself what makes you come alive. And then go do that. Because what the world really needs are people who have come alive.” - Harold Whitman.

Why Development?

By its nature, careers in development are seen as the ultimate act of altruism, where you get paid to change the world, but are also ultra competitive. And in a career market punctuated by fewer jobs with fewer returns for graduate students, landing a job in development is seen as either the ultimate ‘win’ or a costly mistake. Just like any other career path, international development work might not be right for all, but it will be for some.

The British Medical Journal cites two main reasons for wanting to pursue development work abroad: altruism, “wanting to help and empower others or share skills”, and “personal reasons”, be it for adventure or just a change from the monotony of day to day routine.

But really, the first thing to note about development work is that it is not about saving, but enabling a community to better itself. This provides interesting, engaging, and rewarding work in topics as far reaching as food security, women’s empowerment, government corruption and post conflict reconstruction of a society torn apart by war. This flexibility allows for both targeted career growth in an area of your choosing as well as working on a wide range of different schemes.

Getting Started Careers in development are competitive, and yet offer a variety of alternative career paths for those who prefer the road less travelled. And whilst it generally lacks graduate schemes and entry level jobs, development work offers the potential to work on contentious issues of human development, conflict, climate change and more. Although the public/corporate sector often seems more

structured for climbing the work hierarchy, this is surely an infinitely more interesting prospect than a conventional 9-5 desk job.

But most promising for many young professionals is the possibility of implementing large

'The first thing to note about development work is that it is not about saving, but enabling a community to better itself' scale impact in ways that are both scary and motivating. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development cites the official development assistance as $134.8 billion in 2013. And where there’s money, there’s room for opportunity and career growth. However, the proliferation of degrees in development makes the field competitive, and having an avid, active interest must also be substantiated with relevant qualifications and work experience.

The fact of the matter is that the opportunities and types of skills needed within the development sector are diverse and extend beyond the doctor/lawyer/engineer dichotomy. There is room in development for everyone, including but not limited to administration, research, overseas support, fundraising, training, project management and consultancy. And on any given day your role could include evaluating current projects, developing relations between partner organisations and external stakeholders, liaising with public bodies and governmental bodies, or lobbying to represent the needs of your specific humanitarian body.

Now, yes, it happens to be true that expatriates often earn three times the average (once gaining the relevant work and experience, which in itself takes years of interning and networking),

whilst also receiving housing stipends and other benefits packages. Indeed, salaries in unpaid volunteer work range from anywhere between £16,000 to £37,000. But the micro irritants of the job, and indeed the macro issues encompassing one’s health (both mental and physical) as well as your own security are real and understated.

Implementing development projects is as easy as sitting at a desk, far from the field work, but when faced with real people who have minimal access to the bare necessities, poverty and policy become real and multidimensional.

The Risks Living and working abroad does not negate the serious and potentially hazardous risks associated with areas of conflict and reconstruction. And many humanitarian organizations have little protocol for providing adequate safety for aid workers and assessing security risks. As it stands, there are no all-encompassing

'Aid workers often feel they have no place to turn' legal obligations for the provision of security, and it can differ from consultants to volunteers to locally hired staff. The strain of dealing with issues of extreme poverty, deprivation, human rights abuses, or even equipping new clinics with adequate material on a day to day basis is taxing, such that aid workers often feel they have no place to turn.

This is combated in part by the tendency for expatriates abroad to create tight knit communities within their host countries, and there is a wealth of motivating and interesting careerdriven professionals for you to meet. But dengue fever, diarrhoea, and recurrent UTIs,

depending on where you are posted, can be commonplace.

And when you’ve got minimal access to hot water, let alone electricity, that daily phone call home will just have to be postponed indefinitely.

Security risks to yourself can be mitigated.

For example, not dancing the night away till the crack of dawn in a foreign country is a good start, but these risks are real, and must be at the forefront of your mind before beginning a career in aid.

You need to decide whether the stress and strain is worth it for you. Development work isn’t all fabulous, and while you may do good work, saving the world is a drawn out, often taxing order.

Be it the bureaucratic red tape, the various (and occasional) detrimental cultural differences, the lack of hot water on demand, unpaved roads and beggars tapping on your car windows - not to mention the language barriers - there will always be something to try your patience.

A Rewarding Challenge Embracing risks to reap the rewards of successful development schemes is key. Just know what you’re getting yourself into from the getgo. And like many other career paths, development work offers powerful, motivating and rewarding outcomes, truly putting your

'It offers powerful, motivating and rewarding outcomes, testing your ability to work under pressure' ability to work under pressure to the test.

You will be alternately frustrated, excited, and pushed beyond your limits.

And really, what more could you want from your job?

34

GAMING

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbrickgames

Review: HITMAN - Episode One

James Marvin enters IO Interactive's 'world of assassination' James Marvin Gaming Editor @js_marvin

After lurking around the grounds of the Sanguine Paris Fashion Show for a good while, I eventually stumbled across two waiters discussing my target’s favourite drink: a ‘Bare Knuckle Boxer’. It was with the closing line of dialogue between these two that I found my opportunity to strike, and not just because the HUD popped up with a glaring “opportunity revealed” sign. I followed one of the waiters into the basement, knocked him out, took his clothes, hid his body, and found the recipe to the cocktail. I then headed upstairs, where I anxiously tended the bar, and served the poison-laden drink ready for my target to lap up. When he did, an urge to rush to the restroom overcame him. I follow him inside, and one drowning later my mission is complete. This is Hitman at its finest.

Hitman Episode One is an overwhelmingly strong start to the season of content IO Interactive and Square Enix have planned for this ‘world of assassination’ in 2016. The Paris level is not one that may linger in the memory of Hitman fans for a long time as levels like ‘A New Life’ in Blood Money or ‘The Jacuzzi Job’ from Silent Assassin did, but it is one that explores what makes Hitman games great, and that is its intricacy in the kill. The theatricality.

"This is Hitman at its finest" The puzzle that gets you from the entrance, to the target and back again whilst remaining as anonymous as possible. The actual kill isn’t the thrill when it comes to Hitman, but the journey through the level to achieve it: and IO Interactive have clearly acknowledged this since Absolution.

Paris oozes opportunity to strike like a Hitman game has never done before. Never has a Hitman level felt as detailed and busy as this one. Thousands of NPCs and potential witnesses litter the floor, and you can’t take

more than two steps without finding something that could be utilised in achieving your goal.

Whilst not all of them may be viable, the majority are, and most of them tie into the game’s new Challenges system. These challenges are the main framework for Hitman in this iteration.

Challenges offer you Mastery XP which is gained to unlock new weapons and items, new starting locations in the level and new places to smuggle in items, all of which can open up new ways of completing the mission. For instance, you can’t complete the sniper based challenge in Paris without first unlocking a sniper rifle, so you’ll have to complete other challenges to unlock it.

Considering there is only one proper level (not including the Prologue training), this adds a lot of replayability - something which those who were wary about it only having one level will be happy to hear. Keep in mind though: it helps to have a very completionist attitude to get the most out of the content on offer here.

Whilst challenges are a welcome addition, the opportunities system is one that left me with mixed feelings. What the system allows you do is this: say you come across the two waiters talking about your target’s favourite drink. You can then track this opportunity, with the game guiding you through how to accomplish the kill via this route. Now I don’t dislike it for the fact it makes it too easy - you can turn it off via the options menu. What irritates me about it is that it makes the game quite scripted, and makes the level seem less alive, unlike in previous Hitman games where you may miss these opportunities if you didn’t learn the level well enough. It takes that sense of mastering a level, bit by bit, away from the experience. I now don’t need to learn the level to know the order of steps and timing of the puzzle to achieve my goal, because I can get a step by step checklist of what to do.

And even with opportunities still off, that conversation with the two waiters will only start once I am within their proximity, which just makes it seem as if 47 is the catalyst to these actions rather than

him being amongst these routes ready to intercept.

Whilst it does make the game world seem less alive, if you do choose to turn off this system you are forced to use your senses rather than the HUD, which is a much more organic way to enjoy the game. But despite this, one thing to love about the opportunities system is that you can see them in a list through the pause menu, and trying to figure out each and every one of them and follow them through to their conclusion is a true joy. Again, however, I do highly recommend turning the notifications off to add more immersion and challenge to the experience.

Despite my slight distaste for the checklist mechanic of the opportunities system, once the game becomes about the deception and interception involved in killing the target, it becomes something truly great. This is where the new Hitman is absolutely stellar, which is only further helped through changes in how the AI works and operates. Whilst the AI can still sometimes come across as a bit dense, for the most part it works exceptionally well at hindering your route, stopping you and tracking you down.

Unlike in previous entries, if you alert one area of the map you suddenly don’t become the level’s most wanted man with everyone in a ten-mile radius hunting you down. This time round, your cockups are contained to that area meaning if you’re quick enough to take down any witnesses, you can go about your business as if nothing happened.

Moreover, IO have modified the ridiculous system from Absolution where, if you wore a disguise, everyone in that disguise can see through you, and created the Enforcers system.

Now only certain individuals will be able to see through your disguises, such as a high-ranking security official being able to see

that you’re not one of his subordinates.

IO have also made expansions to the game modes available. On top of the main story of the game, you also have two other gamemodes to partake in. The new Escalation mode sets you an initial challenge, and then after completion will have you do that challenge again but with an additional objective.

For example, you may have to kill your target, and then on the next challenge you will have to kill him and then steal an object from a safe. Escalation was a decent distraction from the main game, but I don’t see myself investing a lot of time into it as it does start to get repetitive after a while - especially if you continually fail on a certain challenge level. Alternatively, you have the returning Contracts mode from Absolution, which again is an absolute treat and adds endless replayability and enjoyment to the game. I can see this mode becoming the core of the game after people complete the whole season of story and all the levels are available.

Unfortunately, it isn’t all perfect. Where Hitman falters is outside of the actual game. Whilst its frame rate and general performance was okay in my experience, and the game had little to no bugs, what frustrated me the most was the game’s loading times and menus. In a game where you constantly will be restarting due to the smallest mistake, the fact it can take up to thirty seconds to load is disgraceful – plus the fact the map takes a millennium to bring up, and then the icons for the planning phase and in the challenge menu load slowly or sometimes not at all. This is exacerbated by the fact that challenges are only available online, which in itself is a huge issue. These smaller issues are a massive shame considering how well the game outside of this runs, and how gorgeous it actually looks, but in an extended play session they did really start to irk me.

This is somewhere where IO really need to fix and improve because it is the weakest area of the game.

Despite these niggles on the technical side, Hitman is still a strong start with definite potential to be the one of the best Hitman experience in the series to date.

Long-time Hitman fans will get a kick out of this first pack and can consider it definitely worth the plunge for the £12 asking price.

Even if you’re not a big Hitman fan you may want to consider giving it a bash as it is a fine example of stealth gaming. With a strong start, however, comes high expectations, and one can only hope that IO Interactive deliver on those expectations in future updates. For now though, Hitman remains a fantastic slice of game that just needs a few technical tweaks to truly shine.

"Paris oozes opportunity to strike"

"Hitman remains a fantastic slice of game"

GAMING

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbrickgames

35

Preview: Quantum Break Roshni Patel takes a look at the highly anticipated Xbox One exclusive from Remedy Entertainment, the creators of Max Payne

Roshni Patel Writer @roshofalltrades

What if time could be broken?

Remodelled, reshaped and bent to your will? In Quantum Break, witness the beginning of the end of time. Play as hero Jack Joyce (Shawn Ashmore) as he follows his brother William’s (Dominic Monaghan) footsteps in the race to fix what’s been broken before it’s too late. When a time travel experiment makes the passage of time is unstable, the world becomes your playground, as you jump back and forth in time to fix and prevent the end of time, whilst trying to control your new time powers. Battle against villain Paul Serene (Aiden Gillen), his henchman Martin Hatch (Lance Reddick) and his corrupt corporation, Monarch, as they try to hinder your progress and destroy time further.

This game is best described as 1 part hard hitting action packed video game and 1 part thrilling

live action, which changes depending on the choices you make. Split into 5 acts where each act ends with a junction point, where you must play as clairvoyant villain Paul Serene and make a decision which will impact the game going on. This choice not only triggers a 20-22 minute live action episode of the repercussions of your choice, but also shape the entire game going on, from memos and

"The world becomes your playground" emails you read to the interaction between other characters in the game. While the game only has one ending, it’s these choices and subsequent changes that make the game worth replaying several times, to not only see the other episodes, but also the difference that making that other choice makes on the game. Remedy Studios (Alan Wake and Max

Payne), who are no strangers to creative and cute story telling methods, have carried their signature style in Quantum Break, with vivid storytelling, rich characters and the dramatic twists that they’re known for.

Finally set for release on 5th April 2016, after several years in the making and over 3 years since the first teaser was released, players will finally have the chance to mess and meddle with time, with a whole host of time powers to master, from Time Vision and Time Shield to more offensive powers such as Time Stop and Time Blast.

These are just some of the many powers you acquire and quickly must master when time breaks.

With the game set to be published by Microsoft Studios, it’s clear that this game will be a XBOX One and Windows 10 exclusive, with no current plans to release the game on the popular PC gaming platform, Steam. In an effort to boost sales, every XBOX One copy sold will come with the backwards compatible Alan Wake for XBOX 360 and its 2 add-on packs The Signal and The Writer.

For those who can’t wait until April, pre-orders of Quantum Break on XBOX One come with a free copy for Windows 10 and vice versa.

Despite mixed reactions from critics toward the game and its concept, only time will tell whether players will want to play and even replay Quantum Break. One thing is for sure though: Quantum Break won’t be like any game you’ve played before.

Mini-Review: Iron Snout Roshni Patel Writer @roshofalltrades

It's pig vs wolves in the latest game by indie games developer Snouts Up, where one tough little pig battles it out against an army of highly armed wolves, who wield every weapon from chainsaws to picnic baskets, in this simple arrow key controlled beat ‘em up game. This button masher can be best described as a Kung Fu pig versus a horde of hilarious but dangerous enemies, who genuinely look bewildered when you hit them and look just as determined coming back at you covered in bruises and wrapped in bandages from previous encounters.

This game is insanely simple and a lot of fun, fast, because once you’ve hit start you’re bound to be laughing at the simplicity of the game’s mayhem, before being overwhelmed by wolves and crashing out of the game, screaming for a rematch.

There’s not much of a tutorial, but it’s really not needed as the game soon becomes a game of button mashing which is facilitated by the hyper sensitive controls which help you beat, punch, duck and hit wolves with flying combo kicks.

With a whole host of steam achievements to unlock and a leader board to rank on if you get good,

there is some life to the game, but whether you have the patience to get that far is another story. While there are tricks to use all the game’s mechanics to your advantage to get further in the game, such as combining the pig’s basic move with its ability to grab, throw and reuse enemy weapons, as well as using enemies on rockets as a method for multiple kills. You’re ultimately going to get overwhelmed by wolves, as once you’ve hit over 50 or so wolves they respawn at a rate that’s truly terrifying and practically ensures your demise.

Iron Snout is currently a free and simple game to play and while you wouldn’t want to play the game excessively, it is a great game to play when you need to kill a bit of time with mindless fun. Currently the best reviewed new free game on steam with over 4000 overwhelmingly positive reviews, critics have compared it to One Finger Death Punch as a cheap alternative. This game is also available for mobile and Itch.io, so you can beat up fictional wolves on the go or while you’re toiling away in that long lunch queue. With more additions slowly being added, such as multipig volleyball games to adding additional levels where you can control wolves instead, this is a free game worth adding to your every growing steam library.

Review: Star Wars - Galaxy of Heroes

Ben Musgrove goes in full force on the new mobile game set in a galaxy far, far away Ben Musgrove Gaming Editor

Redbrick Gaming tends not to review mobile games too often.

This isn’t down to some sort of overarching plan we have to eliminate the iPod as a gaming device, but rather, we write about the games that really excite us. Mobile gaming tends to be impulsive and somewhat faddish, with many people only sticking with a game until the novelty wears off. On top of this, the invasion of microtransactions into mainstream gaming has ruined many a respectable gaming app, with the pressure to spend driving the gamer away.

Fortunately, that means that if a game gets reviewed despite being a mobile game, then it’s pretty badass. Darth Maul and Boba Fett fighting Chewie and Yoda badass.

Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes is a game based around you finding all of your favorite Star Wars heroes, training them up, and then beating the hell out of other people’s teams with them. This isn’t a Star Wars: Battlefront cop-out either, where you get to pick from three heroes, depending on your alignment. Battlefront did many things very well, but its hero resource pool was pretty pathetic.

Here, you get – wait for it – seventy-five characters. We’re talking from expected figureheads like Han Solo and Darth Vader, to characters like Fives and Ahsoka Tano who you may not even have heard of unless you’re engaged with the myriad of Star Wars anime available, all the way up to heroes of Episode VII like Finn and Rey. To get access to all of these, you either get super lucky and receive a character from a ‘data pack’, packs of varying quality that can give you anything from items to credits to characters, or you receive enough ‘shards’ of a character to be able to piece their hologram together, and activate them for use in your squad. Some are harder to access than others due to time restraints and (unfortunately) some paywalls – the newly introduced General Grievous would apparently take five months to farm for a player spending no money if he remains as expensive as he currently is – but you have to give credit where credit is due.

Even considering the restrictions that playing strictly Free2Play places upon my options, there is still an immense amount of variety

here.

You’re given a couple of staple characters to start with – finally dropping Chewie from your squad seems to be a right of passage for players – but once you’ve assembled a team you’re happy with, it’s time to fight. The ‘story mode’ (sarcastic hand gestures) sees you working through three-round gauntlets that gradually increase in difficulty, with a mode provided for light-sided and dark-sided characters. Alternatively, you have the Battle Cantina, which allows any mix of good and evil characters into your squad; Squad Arena, your standard PvP mode; a Challenge Mode, which allows you to battle for specific equipment or rewards in exchange for heavier team constraints; and the Galactic War, which is essentially a 12 battle gauntlet that you can run once a day, but that you can use every character you own over the course of. Sound confusing? Good, because it is. On top of that, you have a multitude of different currencies, most of which are mode specific. Galactic Credits are the standard in-game currency that you use to level up or promote your character; Galactic War gems,

"Darth Maul and

Boba Fett fighting Chewie and Yoda badass"

Arena Credits, and Battle Cantina credits are currencies that you can only use with the appropriate vendor of that currency; and you have the standard purple Gem, which is SWGOH’s purchased currency.

Furthermore, you also have energy to micromanage for the standard mode and Battle Cantina mode.

While it is not cumbersome when one becomes used to such systems, it is an unfortunate aspect of the game that can make it difficult for the casual Star Wars fan to engage with an outlet of fandom that has real potential.

However, if you have the patience to come to terms with all this micro-circuitry to the point that you don’t have to constantly consciously engage with it, then suddenly you get an incredibly

rewarding gaming experience that allows you both short term and long term objectives. You have a slew of characters to choose from, and have the potential to put a few hours or literally weeks into training them and garnering the rewards of that training process. The PVP metagame is complex and nuanced, becoming more and more balanced all the time. As the game is relatively new, developers are adding content regularly and are in the process of releasing their first time-restricted event that will allow players to unlock Yoda for the first time. There is a healthy and helpful community available on Reddit, amongst other sites.

And, most importantly, it’s free.

No risk doesn’t necessarily equal no reward!

36

SCI & TECH

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbricktech

Student Space Experiment

Roshni Patel explores launch of UOB Student Rocket Project This week is a big week for students of the joint project between the University of Birmingham SERENE labs and University of Strathclyde, as it sees their hard work and research reach its peak, quite literally. The team, selected from hundreds of applicants, have been selected to launch their experiment into space as part of this year’s REXUS (Rocket EXperiments for University Students) launches, in partnership with the European Space Agency.

The REXUS and BEXUS (Balloon EXperiments for University Students) programs allow for university students from all across Europe to launch their experiments into space on a REXUS rocket launch or to a stratospheric level on a BEXUS balloon launch. These programmes, which are launched from the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden, allow students to conduct breakthrough research which, otherwise, would have been restricted to calculations and theory.

Students from SERENE, who are known for their balloon launches from Selly Park, have been

working together with students from the University of Strathclyde on an experiment, called PICARD (Prototype Inflatable Conical Antenna REXUS Deployment).

Set to be launched from the nose at an altitude of 80km and speeds of Mach 6 (4,500 mph), it’ll use the microgravity at that height to simulate the conditions of space, where it will inflate and begin taking readings. The objectives of the experiment are to investigate the deployment and functionality of an inflatable, self-deploying antenna, which could be used by nano-satellites when they reach orbit. The

team hope that the results will aid the development of scientific systems to investigate the Earth's ionosphere and will lead to next generation of communication for nano-satellites like the CubeSat. Also hitching a ride in the REXUS’s 19th launch are 3 more experiments from German and Swedish universities. The SLED (System of free-falling units using LEDs) project is being launched

by KTH which is the Royal Institute of Technology Sweden.

Their goal is to release two freefalling units, which will keep track of each other while showcasing

their individual capabilities by taking CO2 level measurement for analysis. The LiME (Link Made Early) project from University of Applied Sciences Jena, Germany, aims to find new communication strategies for spinning CubeSats, after their ejection from their deployment platforms. Their plan involves ejecting four micro-satellites from the REXUS rocket, which will send data to earth during their free flight. Finally the MIRKA-RX (MIkroRückkehrKApsel 2) project from University of Stuttgart, Germany, plans to test their miniaturized re-entry capsule, which they hope will be able to transfer data during its re-entry into our atmosphere.

Currently the payloads have undergone communications and flight checks and are currently waiting on final system checks, before they will be ready to break the sound barrier to make the 120 second journey to their peak altitude. With the launch set to go ahead this week (weather permitting) it won’t be long before many students begin to see the fruits of their labour.

Binge Watching Health Debate

Is watching your favourite shows in one sitting damaging your health?

Amy Thompson Sci & Tech Writer

Whether you are hooked on the latest Making a Murderer or you love to watch Friends on repeat, it is difficult to find an individual that on-demand TV hasn’t touched these days. Binge watching has come a long way since blockbusters rentals, with on-demand services available 24 hours of the day, every day, a night in at home, in front of the television has changed forever.

However, is our love for on demand, streaming services, doing us harm, or is it not as bad as we think?

A recent study by The University of Toledo, has claimed that binge-watching TV could be bad for our health, with people who watch two to five hours of TV a day at a greater risk of high stress levels or increased anxiety, with binge watching having even been linked to depression.

The study showed that your love of TV is not the direct cause for high stress or anxiety or any of the other health risks mentioned,. however, it can magnify a mental health condition you may already have.

Even if you don’t suffer from anxiety or stress, sitting on your sofa, bed or where else you to watch TV is not good for your health. Being still for long periods of time, especially in young people, like students, has been shown to give you a higher risk of heart problems, bone weakness and may make you more susceptible to cancer in later life.

The advice from the researchers is to make sure you get out, enjoy the fresh air, and go play some sport instead. We don’t rec-

ommend you cut out Netflix cold turkey style, but as your doctor always says, everything in moderation is the key. We will most definitely be keeping our subscriptions to our streaming services because we cannot afford to miss the next episode of our favourite show.

However, it is not all terrible news! The stress relief of entering into the world of a TV show or film has been shown to be beneficial. The American Psychology Association state that the effect seen on the brain when watching TV lets certain areas of the brain switch off, similar to the effect seen when people read books, which is contradictory to other studies showing stress increases when binge watching.

Many students also find talking about TV shows and films an incredibly social activity. Being able to engage in social interaction easily with others around TV or Film based topics of conversation involves debating ideas, listening to other opinions and has been shown to improve people’s happiness, as we feel part of a community.

Watching a whole season of Orange is the New Black in a weekend is not that bad though, the reason for the happy feeling after watching your favourite TV show back to back is because of those cliff-hangers that the writers use to make us keep watching more.

You may be annoyed with the cliff-hangers that come right at the end of an episode you’re watching, but those little questions the show leaves in your head makes you want to watch more.

Cliff-hangers have been shown by psychologists to make us feel excited, as we anticipate the next

episode and this excitement we all get when we sit down to watch the next episode makes us feel happy, especially when we find the answers to those lingering questions. Psychologists also showed that this excitement and feeling of euphoria is even greater when we watch a show with other people who are just as excited as we are to find out what happens next.

Yet that feeling of euphoria can be short lived, as endorphins that were released in the brain in anticipation of the next episode soon disappear. This can cause the brain to slip past its neutral state of contentment, inducing feelings of sadness and anxiety as we have less endorphins to make us feel happy. The fluctuation of emotions can over time lead to addiction, and is similar to the same hormone changes seen in people addicted to alcohol or drugs. We are not saying it is actually a drug but the effects it causes on the brain during a long continuous watching period can be similar.

So what is the best way to

binge watch your favourite TV show without the bad effects it can cause? Scientists have shown that the type of TV you binge is highly influential on your feelings. Although you may love Making a Murderer or Breaking Bad, they are both 'negative' shows, with murder and drug cartels. Scientists’ advise we should watch these types of shows with other people, as having other people around can offset some of the negativity. If you want to watch something on your own then choose something like a super hero movie where good triumphs over evil, or a comedy.

If you are struggling to get out of your binge watching addiction, then the psychologists suggest that after finishing your first episode students should try watching just the first 5-10 minutes of the next episode, so that any cliffhangers left over are resolved and you don’t feel deprived or have any questions left unanswered.

That way you won’t feel obligated to finish the next episode.

Creature Feature Casper Ellen Daugherty

Science and Tech Writer

Scientists at US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) have discovered a previously unseen species of octopus, whilst exploring an unknown area of ocean around the Hawaiian islands. The strange little octopod was found at 4290 m underwater.

The octopus lacks any type of fin, which is usually seen in species living in these depths, so divers were extremely surprised when they stumbled across it. Whilst filming, a scientist on site said they had ‘never seen anything like this before’. An octopus of this kind has not been seen this deep before.

Its ghostly white colouring has excited the internet, as many have compared the octopus to Casper the friendly ghost - and the resemblance is really quite uncanny. In addition to a complete lack of pigment, there are other morphological features that make this octopus stand out. On each arm there is just a single row of suckers (unusual in the Octopoda order), and the main body of this underwater critter lacks any muscle at all.

All of these unique traits have led to scientists believing that this is in fact a new species of cephalopod molluscs.

This wouldn't be unusual, as we know more about the surface of the moon than we do about our own oceans, which is why so many of our Creature Features are based around the weird and wonderful creatures found in the depths of the sea.

SCI & TECH

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbricktech

UoB Dinosaur Discovery

James Pettit investigates latest dinosaur evolutionary research

A fossil reptile that walked the Earth almost 250 million years ago in Southern Brazil, in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, has been identified by a team made up of palaeontologists from the University of Birmingham and three Brazilian universities.

A report has been published as of March 11th in ‘Scientific Reports’ (Nature Publishing Group) journal, detailing the findings and its implications.

The breakthrough was initiated when a well preserved and mainly intact skull was unearthed in early 2015 near the city of São Francisco de Assis, in Triassic rock exposure.

The name that has been given to the fossil is Teyujagua, meaning ‘fierce lizard’, and which references a mythological beast that had a lizard’s body and a dog’s head. This mythological symbolism undoubtedly plays on the

nature of this species as transitional in its anatomy, serving as an intermediary between primitive reptiles and a significant group made up of dinosaurs, pterosaurs (flying reptiles), crocodiles and birds.

The importance of this discovery lies in the fact that the Teyujagua lived just after a mass death of 90% of the living species of the planet in the great PermoTriassic extinction event 252 million years ago.

With this freshly discovered species, scientists now have an insight into the development, recovery, and evolution of ecosystems on the planet following the devastation.

Post-extinction, land ecosystems were thinly populated, so that any surviving species were easily able to multiply and widen in variety, which led to the Teyujagua becoming the domi-

nant land animals, and paving the way for dinosaurs thereafter.

The Teyujagua was a small, four-legged animal that is thought to have been able to grow to up to 1.5m in length, and shared similar features, such as nostrils, with modern day crocodiles. It is likely that the animals resided on the fringes of lakes and rivers, and that they hunted amphibians as

"Teyujagua is a really important discovery" well as small, cold blooded animals that were like modern day lizards.

University of Birmingham’s Dr. Richard Butler, of the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and part

MRSA: New Treatment Kara Watson investigates new MRSA research What is MRSA? Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a strain of bacteria that have developed resistance to a group of commonly used antibiotics, called beta-lactams. These include drugs such as penicillin and methicillin. MRSA is a great threat worldwide, being the cause of many hospital-acquired infections, and it is the second biggest cause of death by drug-resistant bacteria in the USA. Beta-lactams usually work by targeting the production of a component of the cell wall called peptidoglycan. If this is not made, then the cell wall will break down, and the bacterium will die. However, MRSA has a resistance gene which prevents the drugs from stopping the enzymes that make peptidoglycan, and so it can survive the treatment.

Global antimicrobial resistance crisis: what can you do?

In April 2014, the World Health Organisation reported that antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a global epidemic. Many bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics and so we are running out of treatments for simple infections that carry resistance genes.

You can do very simple things to help out, such as just being hygienic to prevent the spread of infections. You should try to avoid taking antibiotics unless necessary, and if you are prescribed antibiotics, make sure to take the full course of the treatment, even if you feel better. Otherwise it can leave a few of the strongest individuals which are the most likely to gain resistance. These bacteria will multiply and the infection will occur again and be even harder to treat.

What is the newly discovered treatment?

However, researchers have recently discovered two new chemical compounds that can be used in combination with the usual beta-lactam drugs to help kill MRSA. The Merck Research Labs in New Jersey have identified the compounds tarocin A and tarocin B. What these do is target the production of a different compound in the cell wall; teichoic acid. On their own, they cannot kill the bacteria, but they can first weaken the cell wall for the beta-lactams to then be able to do what they normally should. This new treatment was tested in both clinical samples of MRSA and infected mice with success, although it has yet to be tested in humans.

of the team of scientists leading the research, said: “Teyujagua is a really important discovery because it helps us understand the origins of a group of vertebrates called archosauriforms. Archosauriforms are spectacularly diverse and include everything from hummingbirds and crocodiles to giant dinosaurs like Tyrannosaurus rex and Brachiosaurus. Teyujagua fills an evolutionary gap between archosauriforms and more primitive reptiles and helps us understand how the archosauriform skull first evolved.”

The research into the site of discovery are ongoing, with still more fossils being excavated. It is hoped that these findings will unveil new insights into the life of the ecosystem on land before the arrival and appearance of the first dinosaurs, as well as the way in which faunal life recovers after a mass extinction event.

Mac Attack!

Roshni Patel Sci & Tech Writer @Roshofalltrades

This week Apple came to the rescue of their customers, suppressing a malicious malware infection before an epidemic could occur.

‘KeRanger’ is the first ransomware that has targeted specifically Macs and according to experts, it won’t be the last.

Ransomware is a type of malware that hides and installs itself in your computer before launching an attack, in which user’s files are locked and ransomed. Typically targeting windows users and notorious for slipping past internet security and antivirus programs, some versions even wipe your files should you fail to pay the ransom or try to circumvent their encryption. Last month an LA hospital was forced to pay $17,000 to ransomware, after their machines were infected and their patient files held ransom.

The source of this latest outbreak was Transmission, a popular open source BitTorrent app for Macs, which allows users to share files, movies and music. Unsure how a tainted version of the app was uploaded to their servers and granted an authentic Apple certificate of trust, the company immediately launched an update to vaccinate the malware, before Apple themselves issued another to ensure that the malware was fully eradicated from machines. Branded the worst malware Macs have faced, this is just the beginning of a larger threat.

For years, Mac users have lived free of many of the dangers which Windows users faced daily. The reason was that there were many more Windows machines to programme for Mac. Whilst the pool of victims for Ransomware’s profiteering tactics are lower, they invite criminals with the possibility of infecting home computers which could be used to carry the malware into workplaces.

With security experts regularly demonstrating that Apple Macs aren’t infallible, how long will it be till their users are just as plagued as Windows?

37

Issues with Food Security Rachel Taylor Sci and Tech Editor

In the face of climate change, researchers from the University of Leeds have published a timescale in Nature predicting the extinction of major food crops and “transformations” that need to take place to minimise the impact of climate change.

Agricultural practices are generally considered to improve food security and reduce poverty in less economically developed countries, feeding an estimated 800 million undernourished population throughout the world. Whilst climate change, on the other hand, will have a massively deleterious effect on good practices, making it difficult to adapt plants in the face of stress factors such as drought or flooding.

With the world’s population expected to increase to 9.6 billion by 2050, food production will also need to increase to over 110% in order to sustain such a massive increase. While this is unlikely to happen in the next 30 years, scientists are working hard to look for genes that may increase a plant crop’s stress tolerances.

However, with the adaptation of plants, comes antiGM protests and scare-mongering amongst the public.

With this in mind, the CCAFS (Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security) funded the University of Leeds study that set out to quantify the most likely points at which changes in crops will occur.

The team assessed the most vulnerable crops to climate change and those that would have a destructive effect on a large population, this meant looking at crops in Sub-Saharan Africa. It was found that three crops (beans, maize and bananas) are “more unstable and are therefore projected to have large amounts of area under transformational change”.

Transformation of areas and crops is “unavoidable” Dr Ramirez-Villegas explained, there will be a certain point, often referred to as the ‘Malthusian Limit’, where the population of the world will outweigh the amount of crops we can produce to sustain life and massive changes in agriculture will need to be made.

Dr Ramirez-Villegas suggests that "we need to work on the barriers to the adoption of technologies, as we know that in Sub-Saharan Africa, adoption levels are sometimes low". However, I believe that in order to do this, education is essential.

We need to teach everyone, not just those in poverty, that we can benefit from new technological advances in food security measures and that GM is not to be feared.

38

FOOD

Friday 18th March

@redbrickfood

Top 5 Luxury Easter Eggs Heather Langdale has hunted down the best indulgent eggs, from the affordable to the incredibly eggs-pensive Heather Langdale Food Writer

Milk Chocolate Fudge Brownie Easter Egg, 338g, £15, Thorntons.

The Chocolate Society Dark Chocolate Monochrome Egg, 230g, £29.99, available at Selfridges.

Thorntons have managed to find a way to make chocolate brownies even better, by embedding them in this milk chocolate egg. It is described as one for “the sweettoothed fudge lovers” out there and they’re not wrong. The front of the egg is laden with granola and real vanilla fudge pieces. If that wasn’t enough, it comes paired with a selection of Thorntons chocolates. It’s currently on offer for £10 so snap it up now before they’re all gone!

One for the fashionistas, this monochrome egg comes in either black or white and is certainly a unique choice. The egg pictured is 62% dark chocolate, cut by hand and dotted with holes, and then topped in a layer of white chocolate. This is then coloured with black cocoa butter for a matte finish, and is accompanied by chocolate and gianduja-covered roasted caramelised hazelnuts. Its packaging is as chic as the egg itself and makes a delicious and unconventional gift.

Chokablok Banoffee Bonanza Egg, 300g, £5, Tesco.

Waitrose Heston Golden Chocolate Egg, 365g, £20, Waitrose.

For when plain old chocolate Easter eggs are just a little too boring, Chokablok have pulled out all the stops to create this masterpiece. The shell is thick Belgian milk chocolate decorated with swirls of white chocolate and embedded with banana chips and chewy toffee pieces. And the fun doesn’t end there: open it up and you’ll find even more banana and toffee in the centre. At only £5, this is an absolute steal and is sure to wow anyone who receives it, all the while staying within that all-important student budget.

No luxury list would be complete without an entry from Heston at Waitrose. Think dark chocolate shell filled with six chocolate mini eggs with a mandarin ganache filling huddled up in a vanillaflavoured nest and you’ve got this Heston creation. But what’s more luxury than that? An edible gold dust coating giving it that Faberge feeling, that’s what. We're labelling this as affordble luxury as it's one of the cheaper indulgent eggs out there! Plus, who wouldn't want a gold covered egg?

Spring Foodie Highlights Digbeth Dining Club Every Friday Spotlight

Bournville Food & Drink Festival 1 April Rowheath Pavillion

Spring Market 16 April The Bond Company

Brum's Big Fat Pizza Festival 30 April Birmingham City Centre

The Classic Ostrich Egg, 1.1kg, £75, Hotel Chocolat.

Leave it to Hotel Chocolat to create something as egg-stravagant as this. They took 27 caramels, pralines, and other chocolates, covered them with an extra thick shell, of which half is 40% milk chocolate with puffed rice and cookies while the other half is 50% milk chocolate and crisp feuilletine, put it in a box and sold it to us for a price that you definitely shouldn’t tell your dad about. The good news is that at 1.1kg, it’s basically a long-term investment, and it’s even factually accurate, as they measured a real ostrich egg for dimensions before designing it. Now where’s that student loan?

OLIO: The Food Sharing Revolution OLIO is another attempt to contribute to the war on waste. Sophie Milligan explains all.

Sophie Milligan Food Editor @s_ophiemilligan

Have you got a cupboard full of odd tins and some random vegetables left over that you want to get rid of before the Easter Holidays?

We might have the answer for you.

OLIO allows people to give away and collect unwanted food.

OLIO is an app which has been created by Saasha CelestialOne and Tessa Cook. It allows people to give away and collect unwanted food. So now you can find a home for that straggler tin of tomatoes, a home for your last nest of egg noodles, and a cook who knows what to do with your kaffir lime leaves.

Offering one of the first technology based alternatives to food waste, Olio is a new addition to the increasingly public anti-waste attitude in the food industry.

Using the app is simple. Users browse their personalized OLIO feed which is based on your location. Then place a request for whatever takes your fancy and message to agree a pick-up. Giving away food is even easier. Snap a photo, add a few details and upload to OLIO. You can also connect your Facebook account to the app, making setting up your account as user friendly as possible.

A variety of food can be found up for grabs. You may find someone giving away an unwanted portion of lasagna because the food you can post (or collect) isn’t just limited to store cupboard items.

Though this sounds like a fantastically easy way to have dinner cooked for you every night, the creators advise that the success of the app depends on the users. Food that is posted on the group, which

is not in a packet, must be deemed by the user advertising it that it is safe to eat.

'The app is described as simply wanting to eliminate food waste and begin a revolution' Founder Tessa advises that if you’re uncertain about collecting food pre-cooked food it’s perfectly fine to stick to your guns and just take home packaged goods.

The app is described as simply wanting ‘to help eliminate food waste and begin a revolution.’

Most of the listings are free which provides an added incentive for users.

The main limitation is down to user location. Once you’ve told the app your location, your feed is loaded with food available to claim within a set distance from wher-

ever you are. Realistically the range of food available is likely to be smaller in a less populated area. However as the app and OLIO community expands the choices will increase for residents in large towns and cities.

Could OLIO be the food revolution it promises? The app’s opening page certainly believes that by using OLIO there is the opportunity to make new friends and connect with other people in the local area. It reads ‘If you love food, hate waste or want to connect with your community, then continue to join The Food Sharing Revolution’.

Whether or not you will be able to find new foodie friends via OLIO is yet to be revealed, but it is definitely something to keep an eye on. The possibilities for the future of the app are vast. What’s not to say that local bakeries won’t be using the app in future to get rid of any unsold loaves? That’s certainly something we can get on board with.

FOOD

Friday 18th March

@redbrickfood

Is The Kitchen a Woman's Place?

Jennifer Cook Food Writer @jennifer3cook

Figures released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) show that only one in five chefs in the UK is a woman. Whilst the number of chefs in employment has gradually risen over past years, with 21,000 more chefs taking up work in 2015 compared to the previous year, the number of female chefs in work is slowly in decline.

Currently, women represent only 33% of individuals working within the food service sector.

Hospitality recruiter The Change Group saw 1,525 chefs register with them in 2015, with women representing only 217 (14.2%) of these registrants. In response to this concerning statistic, The Change Group conducted a survey to understand why fewer women were applying for jobs and to identify the obstacles facing

"When I started off I didn't think it would be that difficult for women. But I've come across a lot of male chefs who underestimate female chefs. They think women can't carry stuff. that we'll be moody at that time of the month. It always makes me try harder and prove them wrong in a way."

- Ana Seini ma'ilei, Sous Chef at Aubaine. female chefs.

Out of the 508 experienced female chefs that were interviewed, 37% revealed that they are not planning on remaining within the industry in the foreseeable future or expressed uncertainty about continuing in their current position. Long hours, low pay, a difficult working environment and the inability to raise a family whilst working as a chef were the main reasons shared by the group as to why they cannot see a future for themselves in the industry.

A 2011 report by the ONS looking into pay disparity revealed that female chefs are financially worse off; with a woman receiving

13.9% less than her male counterpart when fulfilling the same fulltime role. In addition to this, some have cited the presence of a ‘macho kitchen culture’ within the industry as one of the main deterrents for aspiring female chefs, with the profession historically typified by vocal figures such as Gordon Ramsay.

Renowned chef Anton Mossiman commented on the role of television in shaping the perception of the industry: “Television has played a great part in persuading many to take up a profession in the kitchen, but equally many who are enthusiastic about food might be put off by the perception that all kitchens are

stressful environments with foul language and abusive behaviour; a practice that I abhor and have never permitted in any kitchen where I have worked.”

Recent times have however seen an influx in female cooking personalities, largely thanks to the rise of the ‘Superfoodie’, with Ella Woodward and the Hemsley sisters being just two examples of the growing crop of women making their mark on an industry previously dominated by men.

Several big names within the industry are trying to help forge a path for women. Corbin & King, owners of London brasserie Bellanger, launched an initiative last year to encourage women to take up positions within the industry, whilst Compass Group UK & Ireland, one of the world’s leading foodservice providers, are developing programmes that are aimed at encouraging aspiring female chefs and supporting those currently in work who also have children.

Food Writer

In the (unlikely) event that you may have leftover Creme Eggs, try these incredibly indulgent brownies. If you're a fan of sweet, gooey treats, these brownies are for you.

You will need: - 185g unsalted butter - 185g dark chocolate - 85g plain flour - 40g cocoa powder - 3 large eggs - 275g golden caster sugar - 6 Cadbury Creme Eggs, cut in half

Method: Preheat the oven to 160 degrees and line a 20cm square baking tray with a little butter and baking paper.

Melt the butter and dark chocolate together in the microwave and leave to cool.

Break the eggs into a large bowl and tip in the golden caster sugar. Whisk the eggs and sugar

Food Writer @jennifer3cook

A traditional Easter combination of rich fruitcake topped with marzipan. This is the perfect centrepiece for a family gathering.

You will need: - 175g butter - 175g light brown sugar - 4 eggs - 175g plain flour - ½ tsp ground mixed spice - 350g mix of raisins, currants and sultanas - 55g candied mixed peel - ½ lemon, zest only - 1-2 tbsp apricot jam

again.

Bake in the preheated oven for 1 and ¾ hours. Test by inserting a skewer or a clean knife blade in the middle. If it comes out clean, without any mixture clinging it is ready.

Remove from the oven and set aside to cool on a wire rack.

Gemma Allport Food Editor @gemma_allpo

Brush the jam on top of the cooled cake and place the second circle on top of this.

Brush the cake topping with one beaten egg.

Preheat the grill and place the cake onto a baking tray to grill for 1-2 minutes, until the marzipan starts to brown.

@SabaiSabai1 www.sabaisabai.co.uk

Method: Preheat oven to 140C and grease and line a 7inch cake tin with baking paper.

Before starting on the cake mixture, you will need to roll out the marzipan and cut out two circles that are the same size as the cake tin. (You can make a stencil by drawing around a cake tin on baking paper).

Combine all of the butter and sugar together until pale and creamy. Then add three of the eggs, beaten, until everything is well mixed and then sift in the flour and mixed spice. (The fourth egg is retained for glazing the cakes). Finally, stir in the raisin mix, candied peel and lemon zest.

Pour half the mixture into a pre-prepared tin. Smooth the top with the back of a spoon and cover with the circle of marzipan.

Add the rest of the cake mixture on top and smooth the top

Sabai Sabai, Harborne

together with an electric whisk, until they look thick and creamy, taking around five minutes.

Pour the cooled chocolate mixture into the egg and sugar mixture, then gently fold together.

Sift the cocoa powder and flour into the bowl of egg and chocolate mixture and gently fold in.

Pour into the baking tin and cook for 15 minutes then take it out of the oven and gently press the Cadbury's Crème Egg halves into the mix spacing them apart evenly.

The creme eggs might not cut in exact halves - but it doesn’t matter, they still look great if they’re a bit messy!

Put back in the oven for another 5-10 minutes, make sure its five if you want them extra gooey!

Leave to cool before removing from the tin and cutting.

Traditional Simnel Cake Jennifer Cook

Bitesize Review:

Sabai Sabai is a pair of independently owned Thai restaurants, you can find one in Harborne and one in Moseley; two areas very close to our beloved Selly Oak. On this occasion I visited Sabai Sabai’s Harborne residence. The fact that the Thai definition of ‘Sabai Sabai’ is itself a way of saying that you feel very comfortable or relaxed works perfectly for this restaurant.

The interior has a sophisticated atmosphere enhanced by warm mood lighting and traditional Thai-style wooden furniture.

The menu is both extensive and varied and so you will most definitely be spoilt for choice! The starters range from options such as Gai Thai style Coconut soup to ‘Kanom Jeeb Pak’, which is Thai for steamed mixed vegetable dumplings.

A personal favourite of mine is Satay Gai – strips of marinated chicken with a peanut sauce. The chicken was incredibly tender and juicy and (provided you don’t have a nut allergy) I would definitely recommend trying the peanut sauce – which was crunchy and tangy. For the main, options include Thai style salads, Thai curries, stirfries and a range of vegetarian noodle and vegetarian stir-fry dish options. Rice and noodles have to be ordered separately to the main dish and include options such as Thai sticky rice (which has a lovely, almost subtly honey type flavour) and coconut rice.

For those of you who can never decide what to get then the restaurant also has a choice of Set Menus starting at £24.95 per person for 5 starters and 4 mains. If you are out for a special occasion, or just simply love your cocktails, then Sabai Sabai also has a varied and extensive cocktail menu. At around £8 a cocktail you could try an oriental fizz (consisting of Kwei Fei Liquor, crème de cassis, crème de Violette and prosecco) or a Lychee martini (a fusion of lychee, gin and apple juice).

If you fancy a dining experience with a bit of a difference then you should definitely broaden your culinary horizons and visit Sabai Sabai.

Creme Egg Brownies Isabelle Fogg

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TRAVEL

Friday 18th March

@redbricktravel

Travel: Poland Maja Karpowicz shares her love for the history and culture of the 'Paris of the East' Maja Karpowicz Travel Writer

Poland is by far one of the most overlooked countries in Europe.

Because of this, people are seriously missing out. The capital city, Warsaw, offers a wealth of attractions that demonstrates both the traditional side of Poland that Kraków oozes with, as well as the modern side of a country steadily building itself back up, like a Phoenix, from the ashes of the Second World War and the oppression of Communist rule.

It was referred to as the Paris of the East during the Interwar period when Poland became Independent from Prussia, Austria and Russia, after their 123 year partitioned rule, prior to WWI and this is really evident as you stroll down the ‘Krakowskie Przedmiescie’. A truly beautiful road lined with architecturally authentic buildings including the main University Campus, the President's Palace and Baroque churches. At the end of this broad stretch is the idyllic ‘Stare Miasto’ or Old Town with Zygmunt’s column, encircled by the stunning red bricked Royal Palace and the colourful facades of baroque styled houses. Down romantic streets the ‘Stary Rynek’ or the Old Market Square can be found.

More colourful baroque houses convince even the most experienced traveller that they are in the

the Mediterranean, with all of their intricate and enchanting details. In the centre of the square, the statue of the mermaid, ‘Sawa’, can be found in a pool of ever flowing water, brandished with a sword and shield, forever protecting her beloved Warsaw, as the legend goes.

Not far from the square and overlooking the river ‘Wisla’ or Vistula, where the mermaid Sawa came across Warsaw, the Multimedia Fountain Park can be found. A visual sensation is presented through 367 nozzles firing numerous water formations, synchronised with multi-coloured LED lights and occasionally musical accompaniments from Chopin’s piano pieces to contemporary music. It’s a spectacular sight which Varsovians gather specially to watch, particularly in the summer evenings, where temperatures can reach the same as those in Southern Europe.

For those humid city days the river's clear waters offer a refreshing escape. Its shores like Poland’s Baltic coasts boast of silken sand and are treated like beaches. The most popular sites overlook the Old Town’s Royal Palace looming just above the Multimedia Fountain. But there are several additional locations that offer different attractions, such as bars, rentable kayaks and canoes, volleyball nets and small music festivals. At night some of these beaches turn into clubbing hot spots, which only end as the sun comes up.

The Vistula’s shores aren’t the only places you can immerse yourself in nature. Warsaw has more than eighty parks and the ‘Lazienki’, Royal ‘Baths’ Park is the largest and most famous.

Named after the bathing pavilions

'...a capital which was resurrected by the loving hands of its people after complete obliteration and paving the way to being the most inspiring and powerful capital of Eastern Europe' which were located nearby in the 17th century, it’s a truly breathtaking and scenic place in all seasons; brilliant white in winter snowfalls, fervent green in the spring and summer, when its very own peacocks meander and red squirrels scamper about, always willing and eager to eat nuts from your palms. The Poles have a term: ‘zlota jesien’, which literally translates as, ‘golden autumn’ and in the Lazienki Park especially, you can really experience

this with the trees glowing in hues of copper, auburn, ochre and yellow. As the name suggests, it was part of Warsaw’s Royal Route and was a leisure garden for the monarchs and aristocrats, where they held parties and events in the baroque buildings. In Warsaw, culture is at your very fingertips wherever you go, so even in the Lazienki from mid-May to the end of September, piano concerts are held beneath the Frederic Chopin monument every Sunday, at both noon and 4pm where Chopin’s music is exclusively played. It is a world famous event that is a must for all visitors.

Over the past few years Warsaw has seen the development of many new and innovative museums. The ‘POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews’ is an incredible exhibition that requires a whole day to be dedicated to the absorption of all of its detailed information. Poland was once the home of the largest Jewish community in the world and the exhibition follows the 1000 year history of Polish Jews, from the beginning of the Middle Ages until today. Through interactive exhibits, one is immersed into the culture, language and historical experiences of the Jewish people of Poland. It is a most definite must.

The museum that must be visited, is the ‘Warsaw Uprising Museum’. In 1944, the city saw its worst destruction in the history of Poland. After nearly five years of brutal Nazi occupation the citi-

A Postcard From... Ireland Gino Spocchia Travel Writer @GinoSpoc

Ireland’s capital city is undoubtedly delightful, with streets and sights that bind history and human spirit. Dublin is Ireland’s top tourist destination – worthy of many weekend and weekday trips. Importantly, it is also the ideal point of departure for onward adventure. With Celtic valleys, cliffs, and cities such as Cork within sight, it is truly a mesmerizing destination.

The early departure of Dublin day-trips should not curb your enthusiasm. Travelling towards the Cliffs of Moher on the West coast with its decaying and mystifying monastic ruins, embedded in the landscape would evoke

dreams of ancient cultures and fairytale greenery. These are, however, uprooted by 21st Century bizarre, in the form of a solitary service station dedicated to Barrack Obama and the IrishAmerican relationship.

On the M7 you pass under the River Shannon (longest in Ireland), dodge a ‘fairy tree’, and circle a statue of Icarus. This is an experience complemented (or cursed) by the tales of onboard tour guides between tracks of traditional Celtic music.

Shrouded by mist and bounded by mountains, the serene and mighty Atlantic Ocean eventually sweeps into view. Waves crash and collide underneath canopies of cloud and silvery sunlight.

Nearby are the Cliffs of Moher – one of Ireland’s natural wonders located at the edge of Europe.

Here, sights and sensations are spectacular.

Along the winding coastal road of the ‘Wild Atlantic Way’, cottages, farmlands and a ‘leprechaun castle’ pass by. It is these features that accumulate feelings of harmony, nature, and quirk.

'It is these features that accumulate feelings of harmony, nature, and quirk.'

On this route is The Burren an ocean-facing National Park of cracking glacial-era grikes and grey cliff faces. This is an unbounded environment that is

almost overwhelming, with middle-earth underfoot and the world beyond a vast horizon. For an unfurling landscape to enshrine in your memory, it is worth the short climb to the top of many limestone precipices.

A journey along Ireland’s West Coast would be incomplete without visiting the capital of what many consider to be the “Irish Ireland”. This is Galway; a medieval port city that once thrived on international shipping but today trades in festivals rather than fish. It is renown for its Celtic charm and cultural capital with coffee shops and cheesemongers nestling amongst other specialties. This city can also claim Christopher Columbus as a visitor and it is with this spirit of adventure that Ireland’s West Coast awaits.

zens of Warsaw, led by the Home Army, rose up in defence of their independence and freedom in a demonstration of heroism and an unquenchable determination to gain back their capital. In what was a sixty-three day battle beginning on the first of August, which ended in 200,000 deaths and 90% of the city being razed to the ground by the Nazi’s, it resulted in the defeat of the Home Army.

To visit this city without the knowledge of its tragic past during the Second World War, would be an insult and this museum beautifully captures it all, from authentic artefacts to eye opening interviews with surviving insurgents. As with the many of Warsaw’s museums, this one is also interactive but in a tasteful attempt to put the visitor in the shoes of the brave insurgents, many of whom were only children.

A noticeable trait of Warsaw is its celebration of Polish tradition and famous Poles as well as the commemoration of its lost souls, with nearly every street bearing a plaque, remembering the number of lives taken during the occupation and the Uprising. Despite the Varsovians defeat in 1944, it is their courage and spirit that makes Warsaw what it is today, a capital which was resurrected by the loving hands of its people after complete obliteration and paving the way to being the most inspiring and powerful capital of Eastern Europe.

TRAVEL

Friday 18th March

@redbricktravel

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A Diary Entry From... Boston Travel Writer Beckey Bulman shares her reasons why Boston is the best Beckey Bulman Travel Writer @Beckey_Bulman

Boston is my favourite American city. When I was lucky enough to travel around some of the most famous parts of America this summer, I expected New York or San Francisco to be at the top of the list, hands down. Although these cities were undoubtedly incredible, there’s just something about Boston that made it deserve the top spot.

'There's just something about Boston that made it deserve the top spot' When I visited, in early August, the weather was beautiful. It reached 34 degrees on the first day and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.

It was perfect weather for frozen yoghurt of any flavour you could possibly imagine. If you can’t decide, there’s always the option of mix and match. I opted for banana and pineapple which was just as refreshing as it sounds.

It’s really easy to get around Boston, which makes it so much more fun to visit, as there’s the opportunity to see so much in a short space of time. Their tram system is simply called the ‘T’ and means that travelling to landmarks all over the city isn’t a problem.

It’s even refreshing to get on the cool, air-conditioned carriages after walking around in the heat.

There’s plenty of tranquil green space in Boston, which, for me, is one of the most important things that a big city should have.

As much as I love the hustle and bustle of the busy streets and the enormity of the skyscrapers, there’s nothing quite the same as

relaxing on the grass in the sunshine, watching the world go by.

The best green spot in the city is Boston Common. It’s a beautiful place to relax whilst still being in the heart of the city. For the days when it’s hot and sunny there is the Frog Pond, where you can splash around or simply dip your feet into the cool water. It’s the perfect place for a picnic, be it with your other half, with friends, or with a family. There are trees that offer shade from the hot sunshine and plenty of space to play games.

Probably one of Boston’s most famous landmarks is the Freedom Trail, a two-and-a-half mile, redlined route which takes you around sixteen different historical sites, telling the story of the American Revolution. For those of you even remotely interested in history, this is sure to be of interest to you. The trail starts (or finishes, depending on which way you look at it) at Boston Common, the city’s park and ends at the Bunker Hill monument, and the accompanying Battle of Bunker Hill Museum, which details the morale boost the Americans received when inflicting large casualties against the British in 1775. A mixture of churches, museums and other important landmarks, the trail is an excellent way to explore the American Revolution in a fun and dynamic way.

If history isn’t really your thing, then there are plenty of other things to do in this gorgeous city. The food in the city is amazing, with Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall Marketplace being absolute musts to visit. Whether you fancy something savoury, or you’ve got a bit of a sweet tooth, you’re sure to find something utterly delicious that satisfies your cravings.

Another place to visit, if you’re a foodie like me, is the original Regina Pizzeria. Opened in 1926, this tiny but rather famous restaurant specialises in incredible pizza. Tucked away on the corner of a side street in the North End, it has a real homely feel to it, and

doesn’t need to boast its excellence – the pizzas do that all by themselves. Although you’re likely to have to queue for a table, it’s definitely worth the wait.

When you’re all full of delicious food, the next place to visit is Harvard. This part of the trip was utterly surreal to me. One of the most famous and prestigious universities in the world, and one that is constantly talked about and featured in films and TV shows (Legally Blonde, anyone?); it was unbelievable to walk around the campus. Harvard is the US’s oldest higher education institution, named after John Harvard, the university’s first benefactor, and was officially established in 1636. There is a famous statue of John Harvard in the university square, which has queues of people in the summer, all waiting for the opportunity to rub the foot of the statue for luck.

'There's plenty of tranquil green space in Boston, which, for me, is one of the most important things a big city should have' The campus is a mixture of leafy green tranquillity and beautiful buildings, including the impressive library, and is beautiful to walk around.

Top 3: European Weekend Getaways 1. Rennes, France

Rue St George is undoubtedly the best place to start and an ideal spot for people-watching. The infrastructure is crumbling- one building is even held up with hydraulic jacks, but this doesn’t stop the locals from running errands and businesses between the colourful graffiti walls. Place des Lices is another lovely spot for a beverage break or if you fancy some particularly gothic architecture. Give the Cathedral a try. All in all, it’s almost as if the city just isn’t that fussed about tourists, and perhaps that’s the attraction!

As well as the campus itself, there is also Harvard Square, visible as soon as you alight from the T, which houses realms of coffee shops, restaurants, and Harvard University’s famous shop, The Coop, which sells huge amounts of Harvard merchandise, from typical shirts and jumpers, to more unusual baby-grows and chairs.

There’s also a sister bookshop across the road, which is literature heaven. The layout itself is enough to blow any booklovers away, and there are thousands of books lining the glossy wooden shelves.

All areas of academia are displayed, as well as hundreds of novels and poetry books. It’s a gorgeous set up, with spiral staircases and comfy chairs dotted around the place, where you can curl up with a book to see if it’s your thing.

For those of you who can’t resist a bit of shopping, no matter where you are, Newbury Street is the place for you. Located in the Back Bay area of the city, the street is shopping heaven. From American Apparel to Tiffany’s

and from Kate Spade to Marc Jacobs, there is an absolute wealth of shops that sell all varieties of clothes, jewellery, accessories and sportswear. And there isn’t tax on clothes in the state of Massachusetts, meaning that everything is as cheap as it actually says on the label, which is a welcome added bonus.

Boston really is a vibrant, exciting and interesting city suitable for all ages. I wasn’t sure what to expect when I visited there, as I hadn’t heard as much about it as the other cities I visited, but it definitely surpassed the few expectations I had. As a US underdog, it stood strong as a great tourist destination with hidden gems, enjoyable for friends and family alike. It’s a perfect mix of traditional and modern architecture, with a wealth of things to do and landmarks to see. Think lush, green parks and impressive, twinkling skyline at night - there's something for everyone. If you do get the chance to visit the U.S., I’d highly recommend Boston as a city to visit.

Caroline Ambler Travel Writer @rock_the_cazbar

2. Viaden, Luxembourg

Vianden is as picturesque as it gets with a fairy tale castle standing at the top and the café-lined river below, while Echternach is the Grand Duchy’s oldest town with a fascinating collision of French & German influences. Luxembourg City is, of course, another highlight and manages to offer both a sleek shopping centre along with snippets of real history. Walking the Chemin de la Corniche provides beautiful views on the way to discover the city’s old centre.

3. Cantabria, Spain

This region may not quite reach Mediterranean temperatures but it’s still warm enough to enjoy their (largely unspoilt) beaches. Playa Santa Justa, for example, is a breath-taking tiny cove just outside Santillanadel-Mar which is ideal for picnics, paddling and allround exploring. The city of Santander is also worth a visit as it is so much more than a port, boasting intricate architecture, cultural attractions and delicious seafood, among other delicacies.

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MUSIC

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbrickmusic

Live Review: Matt Corby Ally Head Music Critic @allyhead

Golden haired, blue-eyed indiefolk musician Matt Corby was back inBirmingham last night as part of his current UK album tour.

Walking humbly onto a dimly lit stage at the Institute, upon first impression the Australian musician is strikingly unassuming. His messy locks and casual clothes provide little for the audience but his soulful harmonies and raw, musical talent; and it is truly amazing.

Starting off with one of his tracks from the new album ‘Telluric’, his caramel vocals and effortless style are infectious from the offset, relaxing a crowd who have been waiting in eager anticipation for the singer. Although the track is from the new, as of yet unreleased, album, it is smooth, soothing and harmonious, bringing the crowd together in one uniting sway. There is total silence whilst the crowd listens in content. The audience seems mesmerized in concentration at the quality of the music being produced, to the point that in the quietest interludes of the song, you could hear a pin drop.

The eerily beautiful opening click of ‘Monday’ reveals early on that the second song of the set is indeed the classic first release.

Stood alone on the stage, shrouded in golden light, Corby’s pres-

ence is completely bewitching, and his sound totally captivating – it’s hard to quite fathom that the entirety of the sound you can hear is coming from just one man.

Even restarting the song halfway through after messing up the loop pedal, amidst jokes of “I used to be good at this!”, do not distract from the musical and melodic genius at work. The crowd eagerly reassures him, giggling and chattering through the slip up, with one audience member happily cheering “you’re still incredible though!”.

The third song of the set has a feel good, soulful summer vibe, which has the whole Institute dancing and was greeted by cheers and claps. The funky yet minimal backing lighting sets a relaxed and calm vibe, perfect to enjoy and embrace Corby’s impressive range of emotive euphonies.

Despite pulling off some seriously impressive harmonies and reaching some breathtakingly impressive notes, the Aussie chats with the crowd cheerfully throughout the entirety of the set, re-adjusting the microphone and fiddling with his long locks.

He makes the most impressive performance seem almost effortless- serendipitously proving that his astounding musical talent comes naturally to him. His voice has a characteristic, distinctive twang and quirk that you can’t help but sway along in time to, especially with the fourth track of the night- providing a little upbeat

funk and soul to bridge the evening from the slightly slower, acoustic tracks, and showcasing the musicians multi-talents.

Eager cheers greet fan favorite ‘Brother’ near the end of the set. A sea of phones capture every second and a wave of voices echo the lyrics right back at the musician. The emotive lyrics and building chorus create an atmosphere of raw sentimentality that sends the crowd into nostalgia. This is followed up by smooth lull of jazzy crowd pleaser ‘Souls A’Fire’, which resounds Paolo Nutini’s ‘Iron Sky’ in hybridity with the raw, rocky edge of early Aerosmith.The roaring synth of the guitar smooths across the audience, rounding off a truly beautiful performance.

The set was husky, honest and heartfelt, sounding so much better in person than recorded. Kept short and sweet, the singer provided just enough material to exhibit his effortless style and truly unique edge. This resulted in a beautifully breathtaking performance.

Corby truly encapsulates everything it means to be a true musician, maintaining a genuine, raw talent, a humble disposition and an electrifying stage presence. The Aussie lives and breathes for his songs, and the audience is grateful for it, hanging on to his every word. Emotive and effortless, fierce and flawless, the performance was a delight for all.

Album Review: Kendrick Lamar - untitled unmastered Conrad Duncan Music Critic @conradduncan1

It’s going to take more than a few days to really get to heart of everything that’s going on in untitled unmastered, the new surprise release from Kendrick Lamar. In fact, it took at least a few months to get a handle on what was going on in To Pimp a Butterfly, Lamar’s still-staggering 2015 release, and even now it’s a record that is still revealing details. Nevertheless, TPAB was quickly acclaimed as an instant-classic and was designed that way. I imagine that Lamar would deny that if you pushed him on it but, even so, TPAB was clearly made with greatness in mind and its significance was woven into its DNA. When Lamar sounded important on that record, when he made grand statements that wrestled in equal measure with his personal demons and those of a whole nation, he knew exactly what he was doing. In comparison, untitled unmastered seems to encourage quick judgement. This isn’t an album.

Instead, it’s a collection of demos plucked from the cutting room floor of the TPAB sessions that magically come together to make a cohesive piece. So while untitled unmastered looks, sounds and acts like an album, we aren’t allowed

to take it as one because its creator says so, as ridiculous as that sounds.

This far into Lamar’s career though, it should be clear that he isn’t a man who’s interested in half-baked statements so it’s worth taking untitled unmastered’s presentation with a pinch of salt. Sure, these songs probably do come from the TPAB sessions and many of them probably did have to be left off due to issues of sample clearance and time constraints. But if you’re willing to believe that Lamar threw this record out on a whim because LeBron James asked for it then you’re naive to say the least. The masterstroke of untitled unmastered is that it allows Lamar to have his cake and eat it.

If the record lands then he’s already succeeded in following TPAB, removing the potential shadow it could have cast over his career, and if it doesn’t then who cares? It’s only a collection of b-sides after all. Thankfully though, the album does land and in such a way that destroys any suggestion that this is an off-the-cuff project. There’s a lot of thought in untitled unmastered, not as much as there is in his other albums, but more than in most people’s debuts. Its tone is often darker than what he’s put out before and its beats are both stranger and more cluborientated than anything he’s done recently. It’s also a more

traditionally focussed hip-hop record that hones in less often on Lamar as a performer. That’s clear from second the beat of ‘untitled 01’ comes in, taking the wonky horror of early Wu Tang Clan and pushing it even further into degradation.

Throughout the record we see much more of Kendrick Lamar the rapper than we did on TPAB. Just in case you were bored of Lamar in the slam-poetry mode he’s used for much of last year, he takes on Drake’s flow over murky Future-esque production on ‘untitled 02’ and unleashes a dizzying, relentless flow for ‘untitled 05’.

'Kendrick is an artist at the peak of his power' Elsewhere, the darkness lifts for a second with the breezy bossa-nova groove on ‘untitled 06’ before we come to the album’s strangest moment. Oddly enough, that track, ‘untitled 07’, also feels like one of the few tracks here that could break out due to an infectious ‘levitate’ refrain. Maybe that’s why, sensing the possibility of a club hit, Lamar decided to add on an extended coda that’s equally charming as it is trivial.

Over a looped bass riff, he improvises a song to the amusement of those in the studio with him. It’s the closest the album ever feels to being a traditional demo album

which might explain its addition because, if you didn’t know any better, you would easily assume that as much time went into untitled unmastered as most artists’ official albums. Then to round things off, he gives us the one we’ve been waiting for; the laidback G-Funk groove that he premiered on The Tonight Show earlier this year, during which Lamar meditates on wealth and spirituality like he has done before but with a calmness that’s somewhat new to him.

That calmness and sure-footedness is something that comes to characterise the whole of untitled unmastered. It’s an album that comes from a man who no longer has anything to prove which makes it hard to believe that Lamar hasn’t touched most of these tracks in over a year. Good Kid m.A.A.d City and TPAB are masterpieces in their own right but they were both the work of a man fighting upstream, desperate to show the world what he was capable of. Now that the world seems almost universally on his side, he can allow himself the opportunity to sit back and relax a little bit. Lamar might not have ended up winning Album of the Year at the Grammys last month but he dominated the event to the point that the perfectly-fine 1985 looks destined to become the answer to the question – what won Album of the Year the year TPAB didn’t? untitled unmastered isn’t as cohesive as his past two

records, it should be noted as well that it isn’t as good, but it feels like the right album for Lamar at this moment in time.

After producing two extraordinarily grand statements, expectations are inevitably going to be on whether he can pull it off again. Wisely, untitled unmastered deliberately sidesteps that idea to show that not every Kendrick Lamar album needs to be a masterpiece to be worthy of our attention.

Understandably, a lot of the talk so far around the record has been on how it compares to Kanye West’s The Life of Pablo and the comparison isn’t unfair, that album constantly gave the impression that it was still under construction, effectively in demo form. However, the record it calls to mind most clearly is Radiohead’s Amnesiac. It’s an album from an artist at the peak of his power, letting the world know exactly how deep the well runs and how much more he still has to give.

MUSIC

Friday 18th March 2016

@redbrickmusic

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Single Review: The Last Shadow Puppets Everything You've Come to Expect Danni Ferrante Music Critic @danielacesca

Dynamic duo Alex Turner and Miles Kane have created quite a bit of hype this year since announcing their return as The Last Shadow Puppets. So far their upcoming album has offered something different to its predecessor seen in their first single ‘Bad Habits’. However, yet again, they’ve managed to pleasantly surprise with their second single and title track ‘Everything You’ve Come To Expect’, except I wasn’t expecting this at all.

First off, the single is completely different to anything the pair has produced in their careers so far with a clear psychedelic vibe to the track. Influences are hinted at with the first 40 seconds sounding as if it wouldn’t be out of place on a Tame Impala album and is also resemblant of ‘Vertigo’

by Mini Mansions which Turner featured on.

However, the boys have certainly put their own stamp on this sound and have created quite an eerie effect in places. The four

chimes at the beginning of the track sound like they’ve come straight out of Dracula and transition into a melody which echoes a slowed down circus tune and looms over most of the track. The addition of violins is bizarre and unexpected but works well in offering another layer to create a dream-like, Bowieesque atmos-phere.

Compared to t h e

the verses in particular are riddled with indecipherable metaphors, rhymes and alliteration adding more weirdness into the mix as well as sounding really pleasing to the ears. The first line ‘Tiger eyelashes, summer wine / Goosebump soup and honey pie’ is probably one of the

punchy a n d cheeky lyrics f r o m ‘ B a d Habits’ these are extremely playful;

strangest and is reminiscent of the kind of ingredients you’d expect to go into a witch’s cauldron. However, the song appears to be about a love triangle and losing a woman to another man, hopefully not an anecdote taken from their real life friendship.

It certainly provides a refreshing contrast to their first single from the album and highlights just how talented the pair are in being able to craft two excellent songs in totally different styles. The range showcased so far is what makes me all the more excited to hear the whole album. The 1st April could not come soon enough, and not because of April Fools day.

Single Review: Miguel - Waves (Tame Impala Remix) Kirstie Sutherland Music Editor @whatkirstiedid

Having both released critically acclaimed albums last year, who would have thought the latest musical gem would have been borne out of a collaboration between that of Miguel and Tame Impala? I use the term collaboration loosely, being as this is one of five remixes from Rogue Waves, an EP featuring reworked versions of 'waves' from a variety of

'It's at tad surprising how much the Tame Impala mix in partiuclar gives it a new lease of life' artists across genres from country to hip hop . Despite being one of the strongest tracks on his third studio album, Wildheart, it's a tad surprising how much the Tame Impala mix in particular gives it a new lease of life.

Combining M i g u e l ' s smooth, sensual tones with Tame Impala's psychedelic bass riffs, ' w a v e s '

gains a new sense of definition, with the drums and reverb-heavy guitar highlighting every single nuance of the track. Utilising only the first verse and chorus, Miguel's original is altered in such a way that isn't too repetitive but manages to get stuck in your head for hours, in particular the repetition of the opening line: 'Set it up, keep wildin', runnin', jivin' / Baby drop it like it's stall- ing, stalling tonight'.

This

c e r-

tainly gives off a summery vibe, making you 'want to ride that wave' along with him. It's hard to listen to the original version and not feel like something is missing after listening to this mix, as the '70s-style additions give it much more of a Tame Impala edge; Kevin Parker and co have managed to create a fusion of R&B and electronic funk that wouldn't sound totally out of place on a Tame Impala record.

This is the standout of the remixes on Rogue Waves. each individual remix is wonderfully produced, adding both acoustic guitars and a sensual country twang to Kacey Musgrave's sensual duet and strong hip-hop beats being the basis of Travi$ Scott's, it still isn't too hard to decide on a favourite: the Tame Impala remix is by far the most impressive. It's fluid, it expands upon the funky tone we already hear within the album track and it takes an already pretty damn good song to even higher heights. This is only further proof that a collaboration across genres really can w o r k , despite what it may say on paper.

'The verses in particular are riddled with indecipherable metahpors'

Local Artist Spotlight: Jono Bond Johnny Tydeman Music Critic @JohnnyTydeman

Jono Bond is a folk musician from Manchester, currently a second year American and Canadian Studies and History student here at UoB. Here he chats to Redbrick Music about his influences and song-writing process: Would you say your interest in the folk genre stems from a rebellion against your upbringing? For example, changing your name from Jonathan to Jono.

'I mean, I never changed my name...Not consciously at least, maybe in some part unconsciously...[...] But I remember the first Dylan song I ever listened to. I was in a car with him, and it was a very mystical experience... I don’t even know what song it was but I remember dreaming whilst the song was playing, and the song began to feature in my dream... I don’t know, it was very mystical to be honest.'

Where did you write these songs?

'Different places. Some stuff I came up with in India, and some stuff in Birmingham.'

What do you prefer, writing songs, seeing your baby come alive in the studio, or playing live?

'I prefer writing. I just love writing. Usually I write the lyrics first, I’m not so strong on melody. Sort of comes naturally after the words.'

What are your future plans? Gigging all over Selly Oak? 'Doing a lot of gigging. I’d like to get out of the Selly scene.'

Jono’s debut EP, Paper Street, is currently on Soundcloud.

For the full interview, check out website: http://www. redbrick.me/music/

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Photosoc Competition Winners Photosoc ran a photography competition and here Redbrick shares the best.

Last Wednesday a short sport photography workshop was run by Photosoc, administrated by Peter Saxton. Those competing set out to Bournbrook and Munrow where they took some action shots of UoB's sporting representives.

The best photos were then sent to a number of people and organisations to be judged. Here are the top three, along with some which were highly commended:

Harry Burgess

Filippo Galli

Holly Mynott

Sport

Friday 18th March

@redbricksport

45

What We Learned from the #SheBelieves Cup Sports writer, Nancy Frostick, reviews the SheBelieves Cup that took place recently.

Nancy Frostick Sports Writer

against lesser rivals. So, aside from the questionable name, what did we learn from the SheBelieves Cup? England haven’t progressed that much since the World Cup

England, F r a n c e , Germany and the USA, hosting, participated in the SheBelieves Cup this week at the debut of the invite-only friendly tournament. The best international teams in the world battled it out, and England came third following losses against the USA and Germany and a draw against France. The USA ran out winners in a competition that finally provided a serious rival to the Algarve and Cyprus cups that are usually played in preseason but

Despite putting up strong resistance against all three teams in the tournament, it became clear that England were, unfortunately, the weakest team taking part.

Mark Sampson went into the competition calling for a “shock win” for England, but the truth of the matter is that they looked a bit off the pace in their attempt to achieve that. Especially in the final match against France, a dry 0-0 draw, there wasn’t any communication or ability to read each other ’s attacking movement as pass after pass went awry.

There were some solid team perfromances and in each match one or two players stood out, but England never really played as a unit.

Nearly a year on from Canada, the team at SheBelieves resembled more of an England under Hope Powell rather than Mark Sampson, who seemed afraid

to take risks in the team selection. However, it’s not all doom and gloom. There’s no doubt about it – the World Cup was going to be a hard act to follow, and maybe England fans have started to feel entitled to a good performance. The team might feel a bit hard done by too after the dubious penalty decision that gave Germany the win, or Crystal Dunn’s sublime goal for the USA that Karen Bardsley could do nothing about. After all, England didn’t finish bottom thanks to goal difference, and it was only a friendly tournament that they’d never have been invited to before Canada 2015. But England need to stop feeling grateful for where they are right now in women’s football. They have earned it, and now they need to make their rivals pay rather than being in awe and thankful for every tournament opportunity and success.

The USA are still the best team in the world It will be a troubling day in women’s football when the USA is not among the best in the world, and the SheBelieves Cup proved why they are still number one in FIFA’s rankings. Considering their record

on home soil, having only lost once in 104 games before the tournament started, it didn’t seem likely that they would give anyone else much of a look in. Life after top scorer Abby Wambach did not trouble the USA, as Alex Morgan stepped in with the goals they needed, including a delightful volley against Germany. Despite being the top team, the tournament hosts did not have the best pitches in the world – some were truly awful and must have impacted the players’ performance. After Japan failing to qualify for the Olympics in Rio, the SheBelieves Cup acted as even more of a glory trip for the World Champions, but it is glory that has been rightfully earned.

The winner of Euro 2017 will be one of three at the SheBelieves Cup

SheBelieves Cup and the World Cup, the Germans looked to be the best European side, so a victory next summer really would not come as a shock. England have it in them to make it at the Euros if they find some of what they had in Canada. They got to the final at Euro 2009 but lost to the Germans, who they have finally managed to beat and seem to have a better hold of now. France have for so long been the nearly team – and it is only a matter of time before they click. With all their attacking strengths, they could easily storm to victory in the Netherlands.

The hosts or Sweden will provide the only other challenge, but realistically it will come down to whether England and France can find form and cohesion to test Germany.

What do you think?

Tweet us at @redbricksport

Although there are qualifying games to navigate before the European teams taking part have secured their place at Euro 2017, it is clear that one of Germany, France or England will win the tournament. Germany have been dominant in Europe for a long time now and know exactly what is required in a tournament win. Both at the

Spotlight: Women's Rugby Redbrick Sport's new feature focuses on a university team with the aim of promoing the sport and attracting interest from the club - Rosie Twells analyses the progress of Women's rugby this year.

The University of Birmingham women’s rugby team is a prime example of a group of players who have experienced the rags to riches story in the past two seasons. After being relegated from the Premier North league last year, the team have bounced back in style, working hard as a team to transform the negatives into several positive results.

Finishing top of the Midlands 1A league with a point to spare and a superior goal difference, the ladies have reason to celebrate. Their final performance of the season at BUCS Big Wednesday epitomised the skill and strength the team have shown all season. After trailing in the first half, the ladies fought back to win 20-19 against University of Leeds. I caught up with club captain, Sankari Siva, who kindly answered a few questions.

How has your season been?

"Our season this year has been nothing short of amazing. We have worked hard as a team to win our games and finish top of the league. We’ve

definitely grown as a squad to play some really amazing rugby, and the results do prove that. Moreover, we’ve had some tough competition in our cup games and played in some horrible conditions, especially at Cardiff Met, but we didn’t let this affect our desire and determination to win!"

How many teams do you have?

"Currently, we only have a first team in BUCS. We are looking to expand and build on our development team with the aim of working towards forming a second team to enter BUCS!"

How often do you meet for UoB training and where?

"We have training three times a week. We meet on Mondays at the Metchley 3G pitch for handling drills and skills/technique specific training, plus team runthroughs leading up to our games on Wednesdays. We then have a morning team run-through session on

Tuesdays at the Bournbrook 3G with mainly the first team girls to finalise details for our game the next d a y.

Wednesdays are our match days, whilst Thursday is used for rest and recovery. Our last training session is on Friday where we work on our fitness and this session is attended by both the first and development team."

How much do you think women’s rugby is growing?

"I think the sport in general is definitely growing, especially with England having hosted the World Cup. It increased the awareness of the sport in universities.

There is still a lot of room for women’s rugby to grow, but I think we have certainly taken a step in a positive direction.

At UoB specifically, I would say our amazing results this year have seen more people coming down to watch and support our games – we hope that this would in turn lead to more freshers registering their interest and signing up for next year!"

Photo credit: Sophie Evans

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decent cushion but they had done it Birmingham 2nds in such style.

However, Birmingham were vulVictorious in Epic Title nerable again immediately after scoring as the Nottingham winger found 1 on 1 with the keeper before Showdown tight and tense affair up to this point himself slicing it horribly wide. had not only given themselves a

Nathan Jacobs Sports reporter

Birmingham 2nds took advantage of Northampton’s surprise draw earlier in the day to snatch the title away on the last game of the season by defeating their other title rivals, Nottingham 2nds.

The game was delayed by 30 minutes because the Nottingham boys were stuck in traffic which was not ideal preparation for a title decider, and if Birmingham’s quick start was anything to go by you wouldn’t be blamed for getting a bit excited about their prospects.

However, after 15 minutes Nottingham put any lingering fears their manager may have had by settling into the match nicely. The curse of my reporting seemed to strike once more for Birmingham 2nds because the normally irrepressible Max Pashley went down injure, but fortunately for Brum he got up gingerly and was able to continue.

22 minutes in and the first moment of controversy.

Birmingham staff and players were incensed when no penalty was awarded after it appeared that Bogdan had been fouled just inside the area but the referee was having none of it. Nonetheless Birmingham were still looking increasingly creative and Dom Lunnon was toying with the Nottingham fullbacks, twisting and turning one way or another. His every turn was oléd by the supporters and he was clearly causing trouble for the Nottingham defence.

Despite his influence, Nottingham were threatening themselves. Their striker was put through on goal and calmly slotted it past the Birmingham keeper only for the flag to be raised for offside.

The managers took their players off for half time to give them further instructions, both recognising how important the next 45 minutes were going to be. It was a

and understandably so with so much riding on the result.

After 50 minutes, the Nottingham striker beat the Birmingham defence for pace and racing in on goal he smashed his right footed shot over.

Once again, the game seemed to have settled into a really passionate battle with gritty tackles in midfield and hundreds of intercepted passes.

It was certainly a game for the defences because it was evident both teams didn’t want to concede that first goal.

However, after 65 minutes, the hero of the day, central midfielder David Corder, won the ball off of the centre back, raced into the box and to the relief of everyone supporting Brum, slotted the ball to the bottom right corner past the helpless keeper causing mass celebrations. Players and fans alike sprinted on the pitch to celebrate and it clearly deflated the Nottingham players.

It only deflated them briefly though because 3 minutes later they appeared like a new team. Fired up more than before and desperate for a rapid equaliser, the ball fell to no.4 one on one with Booker but he miraculously palmed the ball behind for a corner to the dismay of everyone on the Nottingham bench.

On 72 minutes, Birmingham were trying to keep the ball and stay calm with it so when the ball found its way to Corder 30 yards from goal no one expected him to shoot. Corder t h o u g h , unleashed a jaw dropping pile-driver which swerved and dipped and then rippled into the top corner past the bamboozled Nottingham keeper. The celebratory scenes ensued once more and with great reas o n .

Birmingham

With 5 minutes to go, Nottingham were doing all the pressing, trying to force the issue. Birmingham held on with some heroic defending. In one mad passage of play Birmingham cleared it off the line 3 times in a matter of seconds! For those supporting Nottingham, they were bemoaning ‘one of those days.’

But for those heroes in the blue of Birmingham, they were still trying to counter and put the game to bed officially. The ball fell to Donkor on the edge of the box and he hit a great strike which went agonisingly over the bar but only minutes later, the referee blew up, making Birmingham 2nds the champions! Joyous scenes began immediately as the championship had just been decided in extraordinary fashion.

Before the game started, Birmingham wouldn’t have believed their luck when they heard that Northampton had drawn with bottom of the league, Bedford, which gave them a chance. But, to go out and leave nothing on the pitch and win the league in that fashion was simply magnificent. Birmingham mens’ football have succeeded massively this season with the 2nds joining the first team as champions of their respective leagues.

Congratulations to all involved and a thoroughly well-deserved Sports Night is in order.

Man of the match: David Corder

Sports reporter

It was fairly apt that while walking into campus this morning I noticed the brightly coloured Sport Relief banner draped along the side of the Munrow Sports Centre. However, what was maybe more apt was the response of two of the passers-by who also noticed the banner, with one of them commenting; “Sport Relief is great, I mean really great. It’s brilliant that we all donate so much of our

money to those who really need it.

But, seeing as it is meant to be sports related, I just wish that I could actually do something sporty!”

Unfortunately this is a consensus amongst many people. Many of us happily donate generous amounts of money to what it is a great cause. Large numbers of us also look forward to the BBC’s regular TV bonanza of entertainment. Some of us may even raise a smile to watch the likes of Tim Vine and Robbie Savage battle it out in the highly humorous “Let’s Play Darts for Sport Relief”. But

this still leaves many feeling detached from the whole thing and wondering what there is for them to do. The answer this year loads.

There are plenty of mile long runs, strolls and walks taking place in the build up to the big weekend courtesy of the Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Games, which can be enjoyed with family and friends.

The company is also putting on “swimathons” and cycle routes in the next few weeks in order to encourage more of us to take up sport.

And if that wasn't enough

Badminton Men 1st 0-8 Loughborough 1st - Championship Final (L) Men 2nd 2-6 Glasgow 1st - Trophy Final (L)

Basketball Men 1st 76-36 Worcester 3rd - Midlands 2A (W) Men 2nd 69-23 Stafford 2nd - Midlands 4A (W)

Football Men 2nd 2-0 Nottingham 2nd - Midlands 2B (W) Men 3rd 1-1 Nottingham Trent 3rd - Midlands 4A (D) Women 2nd 0-0 Wolverhampton 1st - Midlands 2A (D)

Hockey Men 2nd 4-3 (Flicks) Loughborough 2nd - Trophy Final(W) Women 1st 2-1 Exeter 1st - Championship Final (W)

Lacrosse Women 1st 6-13 Durham 1st - Championship Final (L)

Netball 2nd v Warwick 1st - Midlands 2A (W) 4th 39-30 Worcester 2nd - Midlands 3A (W)

Rugby Women 1st 20-19 Leeds 1st - Trophy Final (W)

Squash Women 1st 1-4 Nottingham 1st - Championship Final (L) Women 2nd 3-1 Nottingham 2nd - Trophy Final (W)

Table Tennis Men 2nd 13-4 Anglia Ruskin 1st - Midlands 3A (W)

Here’s Why Sport Relief Matters Cameron Uppal

Campus Sport In Brief

UoB Women's Hockey 1st team are BUCS Champions once again.

inspiration, many famous faces are leading by example this year to help inspire us.

Greg James is also doing his bit by tackling 5 triathlons in 5 days across 5 UK cities whilst stars such as Alex Jones, Hal Cruttenden and Suzi Perry are setting off on a 1000 mile sail around the choppy waters of the UK. But the thing is, we shouldn’t have to be encouraged. It shouldn’t take Andy Murray being the first British man since Fred Perry to win Wimbledon for tennis participation to suddenly double over the course of a summer. It shouldn’t

take heroics from the likes of Mo Farah and Jessica Ennis-Hill to lead to, in the space of a month, the most significant increase in the amount of sporting activity undertaken by those aged under 16 for years. Unfortunately, and some may say inevitably, these numbers rapidly dwindled down as the cold winter months set in. Nevertheless it shouldn’t be necessary for such events to stir the nation into a state of sporting frenzy. Sport relief; let’s make sport not just a relief, but also a presence throughout the year.

SPORT

Friday 18th March

@redbricksport

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From the Editor's Desk: Could Doping in Sport Ever Be Legalised?

Harry Wilkinon Print Editor

The doping in sport argument sways just like a pendulum - it will never stop, it will never change, but it will always be fascinating. Since 490 BC humans have been using ergogenic aids such as drugs to enhance their performance, whether it is for the cognitive function of the brain or physiological efficiency in movement.

Even the word doping is derived from an old Dutch word (‘dop’), which was the name of an alcoholic beverage used by Zulu warriors to enhance their performance in battle. Perhaps the desire to improve is simply an aspect of human nature; to enhance ourselves by any means necessary, making the de-legalisation of performance enhancing drugs a potential injustice against nature. But what about the idea of sportsmanship and equality in the field of play – would it not be an injustice to disregard this too? The doping debate really gets to the heart of sport, forcing us to consider sport’s true meaning and why it is so important in our lives. But is legalising doping really a feasible outcome in the modern state of sport?

One case supporting the legalisation of doping is the idea that there are many existing legal stimulants that produce similar or even superior effects to drugs on the prohibited list. This list, provided by the World Anti-Doping Agency, contains the numerous banned substances considered illegal in

the realms of sport.

Smokeless tobacco is an example of a drug absent from the prohibited list that has been found to potentially benefit sports people and their performance. Nicotine is a psychomotor stimulant discovered to have the ability to enhance information processing and attention processes in humans. Even if the enhancement induced by ST is modest; this small difference could be very significant in the midst of a highly competitive sport where there is a very small margin between competitors.

Caffeine is another legal stimulant that has sparked controversy regarding its performance enhancing qualities. Drinking coffee is a habitual ritual completed daily without discourse by a considerable amount of adults in the Western world. Caffeine was removed from the prohibited list on January 1st 2004 but is still heavily monitored due to its clear effects on performance. If it has been proven that caffeine does indeed have enhancing effects on performance then it should be considered as to why it was removed from WADA’s list – could it have been for reasons unrelated to sport such as the abundant industry surrounding caffeine? After all, how realistic is it to ban athletes from their morning coffee?

One of the primary arguments against the legalisation of doping is that it would be unhealthy and unsafe, with athletes having freereign over a myriad of drugs that could be pumped into their bodies without concern. However, this notion is heavily disputed in many online journals. The Prohibition of Alcohol in 1920s America can be used as a comparison to the current state of doping in sport. During

such a time of forced abstinence the alcohol-related deaths rose fourfold, as well as the prevalence of the black market to supply a continuous demand for a product that is by definition unregulated, and thereby its safety seriously questionable.

Is doping actaully an even more pronounced version of Prohibition then? Athletes consume substances in volumes that align with the amount of performance enhancement they wish to have, rather than an amount that is safe. This is an argument that also raises an interesting idea concerning the human tendency to disregard the law when the desire is strong enough, or when the reward may be worth it.

Doping in sport is given a whole new perspective when the case of morality is considered.

When words like ‘cheating’, ‘morals’ and ‘integrity’ come into play the argument drifts upwards toward a heightened area of worldly questions, involving not just sport but human nature itself.

Doping is not done with any intention of changing the policy on doping; if you are a doper then theoretically you would not want doping to be legalised, because if it were then you would lose your unfairly gained advantage over your opponents. And, to extend this point even further, it demonstrates the idea that if doping were legal, all athletes would partake in

it, therefore making it fair.

However, this can be disputed by considering the contrasting state of the economy that varies from country to country. Prima facie the less developed countries, such as the ones in Africa, would have a disadvantage over the more developed ones, thereby reducing the validity of the implication that legalising doping would be fair for all.

Before this discussion is concluded, something must be said about the latest controversy surrounding doping: Maria Sharapova.

The 28-year-old tennis star has been provisionally suspended from playing the sport for failing a drugs test in January. The women’s world number two could face a ban of up to four years following her admittance to having been taking a banned substance (meldonium) for ten years; a substance added to WADA’s prohibited list on January 1st. However, using the fact that the drug was only a recent addition to the list cannot be used as an excuse, since athletes were warned of changes to the list around September 2015. Sharapova also claimed to have only taken the drug, which is said to help treat heart conditions, “in the low doses recommended” – another pretty lame and irrelevant argument which should be disregarded.

Andy Murray, the current men’s world number two, said that Sharapova “must accept responsibility” for the failure of the drugs test and should definitely serve a ban. Murray, a real advocate of doping, made the point that “the majority of players really pride themselves on having integrity and playing with that.” I have to say, I agree with the Scot on this one. If Sharapova wants to retain any of

The Redbrick Crossword

Lucie Turner

Plenty of eggcellent Easter vibes in this week's crossword, involving eggs (of all shapes and sizes...). Hand this filled-in eggcercise to the Redbrick Office to win a bouncing Lindt bunny (we don't want to eggsaggerate but you'd be eggstremely eggnorant not to).

Please complete this form before you hand in your completed crossword to the Redbrick office or send a scan or photograph to crossword@redbrick.me Name: Email Address: Phone Number:

Across 2. Woven container (6) 6. Hard protective case (5) 7. Pricey hors d'oeuvre (6) 8. The animal that is often used to symbolise Easter activities (6) 10. Cheesy entree (7) 11. Children often search around their properties in hot pursuit of sweet treats in this scavenger activity (3,4) 12. The favoured green accompaniment to egg sandwiches in many afternoon teas (5)

Down 1. Allegedly hidden by bunnies around gardens and houses on Easter Sunday (6,4) 2. First meal of the day (9) 3. To urge (on) (3) 4. Unfertilised egg (4) 5. Playfully run or jump (6) 7. Flightless bird, except when escaping a pie factory (7) 9. In a human egg, the ______ is the chromosomes home (7)

the respect and integrity she has left, she needs to accept responsibility for her actions, serve her ban, and get on with it. It is good to see Sharapova get recognised and hopefully punished accordingly, since it is sometimes the case that high profile, mediafriendly sporting stars get treated with unjust lenience.

Despite there being many compelling arguments for its legalisation, doping in sport will never be made legal. It is true, there are numerous arguments supporting it. But an accumulation of many flawed arguments does not make the overall argument any stronger. If there were several leaky buckets stacked on top of one another, eventually water would still seep through to the bottom. Instead, one idea trumps every single argument ‘legal doping’ has combined, no matter how high the buckets are stacked. And it involves something bigger than any single athlete or sport. What use is there in being an athlete if you are not true to those who adore and support you? What use is there in being an athlete if you are not truthful to your own body; a physiological anomaly achieved through drug taking rather than hard work and training? What is the use in representing your country if you are not even a true representation of yourself?

There is no use – such is the power of principle, of integrity, of nature; of everything sport means to us – to the very core of humanity. Without being true to your peers, to yourself, you are disgracing the very meaning and beauty that enlightens the spirit of sport, and by extension, the nature of humanity.

Crossword Editor and all-round good egg

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Redbrick Issue 1469, Vol. 80

Friday 18th March 2016

Student Dissatisfaction with University-Run Casual Sports Photosoc shares the best work from their photography workshop.

Page 44 Cameron Uppal discusses why Sport Relief matters.

Page 46

83.79% believed that, as students, entrance into an intra-mural league should be less than £100 for the season.

Alex Davis Sports Writer

Harry Wilkinson considers whether doping in sport should be legalised.

Page 47 For more, follow us on Twitter:

@redbricksport

A recent survey conducted by Redbrick Sport has suggested that students at the University of Birmingham are unhappy with the level of sport on offer to them outside of the University sports teams.

UBSport are rightly proud of the success of their sports teams and have seen success in BUCS. However it would appear that this success is not replicated at casual level.

The University run ‘intra-mural’ leagues in sports such as football, netball, hockey and basketball. These are open for teams to join and compete against others from UoB. On the surface, this seems like a great idea. However, there is a cost to entering a team into these leagues.

Of those who answered the survey, 83.79% believed that, as students, entrance into an intra-mural league should be less than £100 for the season. The reality is that to enter a side into the football 11-a-side league, you are looking at forking out £280.

The respondents were also asked how much they would expect to pay for an hour session on a university owned 6-a-side football pitch.

91.89% said that they would expect to pay £20 or less. However a group of friends wanting to have a kickabout on one of Bournbrook’s 6-a-

93.75% said that the university could do more to enhance the experience of those seeking casual sporting opportunities.

side pitches will need £30 per hour These large disparities in cost were reflected in student satisfaction at the service provided. 63.63% of those who said they play in one of the intra-mural leagues rated their overall satisfaction at between 6-10 (1 being most satisfied, 10 being least satisfied). In short, two-thirds said they were moderately to very dissatisfied with their experiences in the intra-mural leagues.

The survey then asked for the reasons behind this. Unsurprisingly, the biggest gripe was value for money. Examples of high cost, lack of referees and lack of reward (e.g. trophies) were repeatedly cited as criticisms. A further complaint was the inflexibility of UBSport in allowing fixtures to be postponed; if a team could not make the game and requested for it to be rearranged, it was deemed ‘forfeited’ instead.

Could the university do more to enhance the experience of those seeking casual sporting opportunities?

Of those who answered, 93.75% said they could. Suggestions for improvements centred on a few simple steps. For those who don’t currently play in an intra-mural league, more advertising needs to be done to raise awareness for casual sports teams. The freshers’ sports fair, it was suggested, would be an ideal place for this; many didn’t even know what the ‘intra-mural’ leagues were. To those who are currently a

part of the intra-mural league system, lower league entrance fees and pitch hire costs, referees (first team players in respective sports were suggested), greater rewards such as medals and greater organisation on the part of UBSport were all noted as steps for improvement.

Other universities place great emphasis on their intra-mural leagues and it is a system which is taken seriously. At UoB it seems that if you do not play for a university run team, you are largely forgotten about. Yet even if you are aware of how to get involved, you’ll have to ensure you have a decent chunk of money set aside to do so. £30 for an hour’s session on a six-a-side football pitch seems excessive; especially when UoB students already pay £9000 a year for the privilege of coming here.

It seems students are also frustrated at having to pay out nearly £300 to enter a team into an intramural league. Surely the least they could expect for their money is a good level of organisation and a trophy to compete for at the end of it all?

Playing sport has always been a major part of my life. I’d hoped that university would be a hive of casual competition and tournaments. Instead I’ve been left to feel let down by organisational incompetence and excessive fees and it seems I’m not the only one.