The Edge - Issue 1 (Sep 2017)

FRESHERS’ ISSUE SEPTEMBER 2017 FREE

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FRESHERS’

GUIDE INSIDE!

WOLF ALICE BEAUTIFULLY UNCONVENTIONAL Our interview with Ellie Rowsell ahead of her new album

EDITORIAL

Issue One Editor’s Note

Welcome to the first issue of a new year with The Edge!

If we’re welcoming you back after a long summer of Love Island and Game of Thrones, you may notice we look a little different; taking inspiration from Doctor Who’s imminent change of face, The Edge has undergone a regeneration of our own. There’s different hands at the reins, a cutting edge new logo, and an updated print design to feast your eyes on.

But if you’ve stumbled upon us as a newcomer to the University, you’re probably thinking “What’s this (admittedly rather glamorous) rag?”. The competition to catch your eye at the Freshers’ Fayres is fierce, so I’m grateful you’ve taken the time to browse The Edge between the menagerie of wild events on offer. We are the University of Southampton’s official entertainment magazine, existing to satisfy all your cultural needs from the latest news to features and reviews in the worlds of music, film, TV, live and much more.

This issue we are embracing the mystique of everyone’s favourite indie wonder, Wolf Alice. You can find an interview with our cover star Ellie Rowsell on pages 9 and 10, right next to a sneak-peak review of their new album Visions Of A Life.

Just beyond that you can find our exclusive Freshers’ Guide to Southampton’s entertainment scene, introducing where you can find our city’s live, cinematic and theatrical venues, and even acquainting you with some surprising celebs that call Southampton home. At the tail-end of the issue, we’ve predicted some future episodes of Netflix’s dystopian thriller Black Mirror (p. 29), and our Live Editor Carly-May takes a look at the month ahead in local live acts (p. 31 & 32).

And most importantly, we’ve got the lowdown on how you can become a writer for The Edge! Find out more on page 3, but if this issue catches your imagination, just throw yourself in. Last year was a brilliant year for our publication, with multiple national award nominations, victories at the Union’s annual media ball, and year-wide events strengthening our offline community. And long may it continue! In the next couple of weeks, we’ll be holding our very first Writers’ Meeting, closely followed by fun socials so we can all get to know each other. Keep a close eye on The Edge’s social media for updates – there’s really never been a better time to get involved.

James Barker Editor 01

The Team EDITOR

James Barker

editor@theedgesusu.co.uk

DEPUTY EDITOR

Rehana Nurmahi

deputy-editor@theedgesusu.co.uk

recORDS EDITOR Meg Holland

records@theedgesusu.co.uk

Features EDITOR Thea Hartman

features@theedgesusu.co.uk

film EDITOR

David Mitchell-Baker

film@theedgesusu.co.uk

Culture EDITOR Josh Nicholson

culture@theedgesusu.co.uk

Live EDITOR

Carly-May Kavanagh

live@theedgesusu.co.uk

NEws EDITOR

Robert Pratley

news@theedgesusu.co.uk

Head of Design Teague Hipkiss

design@theedgesusu.co.uk

Head of Relations Xavier Voigt-Hill

relations@theedgesusu.co.uk

Head of publicity

Maddie Armour-Chélu

publicity@theedgesusu.co.uk

Head of events

Octavia Woodward

events@theedgesusu.co.uk

Online Manager Hannah Dadd

manager@theedgesusu.co.uk

EDITOR-In-Chief Evie Reilly

vpdci@unionsouthampton.org With help from Sophie Jones (News Executive)

EDITORIAL

Contents 09

Taylor Swift 12 Review: - Look What You Made Me Do

to Watch: 24 One Murder on the Orient Express

Black 29 Millenial Mirror: Predicting the Next Dystopia

Editorial

01 Welcome to Issue One 02 Contents 03 Join The Edge!

News

04 Newsbox 05 Nostalgic News 06 Notes on News: A tribute to Sir Bruce Forsyth

Features

07 The Edge’s Freshers’ Soundtrack 09 Interview: Ellie Rowsell

Records

10 Album Review: Wolf Alice - Visions Of A Life 11 Album Review: Superfood - Bambino Album Review: Henry Jamison - The Wilds 13 Single Review: The Killers - Run For Cover Single Review: P!nk - What About Us Single Review: Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do

Freshers’ Guide

15 Live Venues 17 Theatre Venues 18 Theatre Societies 19 Film Venues 20 Union Events 21 Southampton’s Entertainment Heroes

Film

23 Actor in Focus: Ryan Gosling 24 One to Watch: Murder on the Orient Express 25 Blu-Ray Review - Guardians of the Galaxy 2 Blu-Ray Review - Alien: Covenant

Culture

26 Intro To: Star Trek 27 In Defence Of Mass Effect: Andromeda 29 Milennial Black Mirror: Predicting the Next Dystopia

Live

30 Comedian in Focus: Ivo Graham 31 This Month in Local Live Acts - October

33 Listings

Follow Us! /theedgesusu @theedgesusu @theedgesusu Cover Photo kindly provided by Andy Von Pip Photography (@VonPip)

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EDITORIAL

JOIN US!

Fancy seeing your words published in an awardwinning entertainment magazine? Or interviewing the stars and attending glamorous press screenings?

Or even swinging by the biggest festivals, concerts and stage shows for free? Then look no further: The Edge could be the perfect society for you!

If you’re a student at the University of Southampton, we’d love you to come and write for us. We publish content on all things entertainment, from binge-worthy Netflix Originals to indie and blockbuster cinema to new music releases and so much more. Pitch an idea, and one of our editors will give you an enthusiastic thumbs up to get started.

“No other group of people have felt as much like a family as The Edge has. Not only are the people incredible, but the opportunities I’ve had from them have been second to none - I would never have thought I could be sent to gigs and festivals in exchange for just writing about them! The Edge is THE best society” Carly-May Kavanagh

Something in the pages of our Freshers’ Mag caught your eye? Your words could decorate the pages of our very next issue! We release seven print editions a year, distributing across the uni’s many campuses and across wider Southampton. The fun doesn’t stop there – we publish a multitude of online articles every day, so your work could catch the attention of someone thousands of miles away at the click of a mouse. It’s brilliant experience to put on your CV. During our six years of independence, The Edge has done some pretty cool things. From attending star studded movie premieres to interviewing the likes of Tom Hiddleston and Craig David, we can get you places. Writer alumni have gone on to work at NME, The Sun and MTV. We’re not just all about our virtual community, either. As an established society within SUSU, we hold socials all through term time, doing everything from binge-watching Parks and Recreation, to getting drunk, to sitting in McDonald’s at midnight waiting for New Music Friday (hand on heart, I’ve done all three).

We don’t require any sort of quota from you – you can write whenever you feel like it, for as few or as many sections as you like. What are you waiting for? Visit www.theedgesusu.co.uk, head to the bottom of the page and click the “Register” button, before joining our writers’ group on Facebook. Alternatively, contact editor@theedgesusu.co.uk for more information.

We’re always happy to chat!

(And just FYI: we aren’t the nightclub. We share much affection for our Southampton gay bar namesake and have ended up there after some crazy nights out, but if you’re looking for drink deals and free entry, you’re in the wrong place. Sorry.)

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“Joining The Edge made me feel for the first time like I could actually go into journalism if I wanted.

It increased my confidence and passion for writing and introduced me to a community I would never otherwise have met. It’s become second nature to me to look up the entertainment news and see what stories I might like to write about. I can’t imagine university without The Edge.”

Becca Barnes

Find Us Online! theedgesusu.co.uk @theedgesusu /theedgesusu

NEWS

@TheRock

Chivalrous gentleman.

TOP 5 News Stories

Television legend Sir Bruce Forsyth and comic legend Jerry Lewis pass away aged 89 and 91 respectively.

1 2 3

Muse, Kasabian and Eminem headline Reading and Leeds Festival 2017.

Taylor Swift releases her newest single, the controversial ‘Look What You Made Me Do’.

4

Channel 4’s Great British Bake Off premieres just a week after its new BBC rival, The Big Family Cooking Showdown.

5

Game of Thrones Season 6 concludes to a record-breaking worldwide audience, whilst HBO go to war with hackers.

I spare them the embarrassment and just say with a loud laugh, “HI FIVE” and hold my hand up. They walk away giddy.

Some even skip. @TheRock do people ever tell you “you rock” and then make a face like they know they screwed up?

The Keats Of Tweets If you ever needed more proof that Dwayne Johnson is a superb human being, look no further.

Only surprise is that people act embarrassed by making a joke like that – I thought it was superb to be honest. Obligatory comment how The Rock once retweeted and liked one of my articles for this magazine too.

Got a celeb to nominate for next issue?

Let us know!

@theedgesusu

THE EDGE’S ENTERTAINMENT PICKS Editor - Wonderful Wonderful, The Killers, Virgin EMI, 22/09/17 “Can Brandon Flowers’ Las Vegas rock band make it five albums at UK No. 1? Probably. Recent singles ‘The Man’ and ‘Run for Cover’ have proved the Killers have got a lot more to give.”

Records Editor - Concrete and Gold, Foo Fighters, RCA Records, 15/09/17 “The iconic rockers are back with their ninth album, which guarantees heavy rock alongside pop. With a feature from Boyz II Men, what more could you possibly ask for!”

Film Editor - Kingsman: The Golden Circle, dir. by Matthew Vaughn, 20/09/17 “2014’s sleeper hit gets its sequel with the added American flair of Channing Tatum and Jeff Bridges. Get ready for more hyper violence, one liners and 007 pot shots...”

Culture Editor - Star Trek: Discovery, Netflix, 25/09/17 “Captain’s Log, Star Date 2017. Star Trek is finally returning to the small screen with a prequel to the adventures of Captain Kirk. Trekkies rejoice!”

Live Editor - Gaz Brookfield @ The Talking Heads, 06/10/17 “The Bristol-based acoustic singer, usually solo but sometimes seen with his Company of Thieves band, is well-known on the festival circuit and has supported Frank Turner.”

Image courtesy of Channel 4

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NEWS

NOSTALGIC NEWS 35 YEARS AGO

15 YEARS AGO

Natasha Dennington

Eleanor Joyce

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats opened

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s hit musical Cats opened on 7th October 1982, where it began an eighteen year run on Broadway. Centered around a tribe of Jellicle cats and based on T.S. Eliot’s Old Possums Book For Practical Cats, the songs of the musical comprise Eliot’s verse set to music by the composer. The principal exception to this rule is the most famous song from the musical, “Memory”, for which the lyrics were written by Trevor Nunn after an Eliot poem entitled “Rhapsody on a Windy Night”. In addition to this, a brief song entitled “The Moments of Happiness” was taken from a passage in Eliot’s Four Quartets.

As of 2016, Cats was the fourth longest running musical in Broadway history. Anyone who has seen the musical and knows the story will likely have a favourite cat from the show in this musical that is truly a global phenomenon.

Spirited Away was released

Hayao Miyazaki’s Spirited Away was released in cinemas 15 years ago on 20th September 2002 and quickly became the highest-grossing film in Japanese history.

Miyazaki decided to make a film for ten year old girls after realising there weren’t many films with a young female heroine: “a strong, self-sufficient girl that doesn’t think twice about what they believe in all their heart.” Spirited Away was never created with a script: instead, the plot developed organically from a storyboard.

The simplicity of Spirited Away is where its enduring appeal lies - with the potential for good in everyone, and the central idea that a female lead needs supporters and friends, but not a saviour. Spirited Away introduced global audiences to the catalogue of Studio Ghibli’s work, and played a huge part in its continuing popularity around the world.

2017

2002 1982

15 YEARS AGO

Animal Crossing was released for the Nintendo Gamecube

Josh Nicholson Animal Crossing might not have a villain or any real objective, but this charming GameCube release kicked off one of Nintendo’s most beloved franchises. The original Animal Crossing was released 15 years ago today on 15th September 2002.

Stressed? It’s never been easier to escape to a rural getaway. Animal Crossing is basically just a lifesimulator, but it’s a life where the most stressful thing is winning a fishing competition. Although your landlord Tom Nook asks for vast sums for your mortgage, Mr. Nook doesn’t seem to mind if you spend the majority of your cash on various pieces of unnecessary furniture instead. It’s completely directionless, but you’ll quickly find yourself cancelling real-life plans because Alice the Koala invited you to dinner.

Images courtesy of Studio Ghibli and Nintendo

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NEWS

Notes On News

Farewell To A Legend: Tribute to Sir Bruce Forsyth Robert Pratley

W

hen Sir Bruce Forsyth passed away last month at the ripe old age of eighty-nine, it was notable the number of tributes that came pouring in. This was a man who managed to transcend the traditional BBC/ ITV rivalry in order to become an icon with both channels. It was no surprise BBC Director General Tony Hall used the word ‘legend’ when talking about Forsyth; few if any would argue it was undeserved.

His wit, charisma and charm seemed utterly genuine, as if every single audience was composed of dear old friends ready to renew old acquaintances. Although gameshow hosts nowadays can perhaps be accused of being wooden and lacking charisma – the excellent Pointless duo of Alexander Armstrong and Richard Osman and The Chase steward Bradley Walsh apart – this was never something that could be levied at Sir Bruce. With his iconic catchphrases and imitable style, he headed gameshows for an innumerable number of episodes: The Generation Game, Play Your Cards Right, Sunday Night at The London Palladium to name a few.

It is his longevity which is so admirable – it was at the ripe age of 76 he took up the mantle of presenting Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly. His singing skills and dancing ability which were first tested at the tender age of fourteen when he was thrust into show business proved essential for entertaining the crowds. He truly was a jack of all trades, with style, swagger and a beaming smile under his moustache.

Images courtesy of Getty, Clara Molden, and ITV

Forsyth retired from Strictly several years ago, upon which Daly was partnered with Claudia Winkleman in a new presenting team. Whilst they have received acclaim, they don’t hold a candle to Forsyth’s witty backand-forth which was so essential in creating a rapport with Daly. Ten years of working together builds that.

There isn’t really anyone gameshow-wise who has been as much of a presence as Forsyth, nor anyone who has successfully managed to navigate the tightrope of presenting multiple different gameshows with great success. Dale Winton has managed it to an extent with Supermarket Sweep and In It To Win It, but it’s hardly Forsythian-level quality. It does seem fair to say no single person will ever be quite like Forsyth in terms of being able to do everything - and most importantly do it well.

So, is there any hope for someone to step into Forsyth’s role as the undisputed King of entertainment? In reality, it is unlikely. Sadly, nowadays anyone can become a celebrity for the most trivial reasons. Sir Bruce Forsyth knew exactly when to step back, to try something different or to bring a beloved show back to its former glory, which explains why he was so successful throughout his entire career. True, there were some lean spells, but generally, it was success after success and Brucie Bonus after Brucie Bonus.

Didn’t he do well? The rhetoric is clichéd after all these years, but the legacy will never fade. Farewell Sir Bruce Forsyth. Nice to see you, to see you was very very nice.

1928 - 2017 06

FEATURES

THE EDGE’S FRESHERS’

SOUNDTRACK Everything can be told through music – especially the story of a couple of weeks overflowing with parties and radical changes. For most of us, Freshers unfolded just like a bad yet quite memorable film, and as all films require soundtracks, we have put together a nostalgic playlist for you to listen (and add) to as you plunge into university life. So grab your headphones and give it a go!

Arctic Monkeys – ‘ I Bet That You Look Good On The DanceflooR’ Thea Hartman

There’s something about ‘I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor’, and Arctic Monkeys in general that has me thinking of Freshers. This upbeat song is messy yet thrilling – just like the beginning (if not all) of the long-awaited university life. It is a fatal yet omnipresent combination of letting go and over-thinking, of indulging into a state of absolute confusion and wanting to know what is happening. The lyrics are fresh, wild, and honest, very similar to a student entering Freshers with the hope of avoiding the incoming responsibilities of adult life… at least for another party (“Oh, there ain’t no love, no Montagues and Capulets/ Are just banging tunes and DJ sets”). Freshers, now is the time to indulge in this state of not knowing. And it’s not just not knowing whether “the feeling flows both ways” (whoops, wrong song), but not knowing in general. Welcome to University.

Sigma – ‘ Changing’

Bruno Russell

When I think of songs that encapsulate the transition to university, this epitomises it all for me. Partly because this is the song that played at every Freshers’ party three years ago; hearing it is almost nostalgic now. But that’s not the only reason. The lyrics speak about being able to break free and claim your independence (“Because everything is changing / And I’ve been here for too long / Gotta let go”). While moving away from home comforts can be scary, it’s also incredibly promising: the best years are coming! University is one of the biggest shifts of our lives, with a whole set of new experiences to embrace – and this song sums it up perfectly. So jump on board and get ready to immerse yourselves in everything university life has to offer!

Images courtesy of Domino and 3 Beat

07

FEATURES

Modern Baseball – ‘ The Weekend’

David Mitchell-Baker

Modern Baseball have always written lyrics from the perspective of those stood at the edges of the party, nodding along to the music, casually sipping their drink and striking up the odd conversation here and there. They are the ones who never fully embrace the lifestyle of the popular kids, who don’t jump into the wildness of the party.

‘The Weekend’ is the track that shows this perspective the strongest, as it speaks of partying, meeting that new girl who could be that special someone, and hanging with new friends who are so much better than the jerks you’re used to. Isn’t that what we all want from uni life? A fresh start - to be the life of the party, make new friends who will last a lifetime, and maybe fall in love. It’s the perfect song to encapsulate this feeling: “Most of my old friends I can only stand for the weekend, but that doesn’t apply here”.

Walk The Moon – ‘ Shut Up And Dance’ Damian Meaden

There’s something romantic about meeting a stranger on a night out – and I’m not talking about tipsy conversations with your ‘new best friend’ in Jesters toilets.

This upbeat track, mixing a catchy tune with relatable lyrics, perfectly captures the spontaneity of clubbing and is usually served as a welcome shot of energy in the latter stages of an evening frequenting the classy bars of Southampton. Oh, fine, it was Sobar.

Almost certain to make a niche comeback at some stage during this year’s Freshers’, ‘Walk the Moon’ not only made a track wonderfully suited to every pre-drinks from now until the end of time, but also gave me the chance to close my eyes and re-live several fantastic Freshers’ nights out – even if only for about three minutes.

High School Musical – ‘ Start of Something New’ Josh Nicholson

High School Musical might have the words ‘High School’ in its title, but this Disney Channel Original Movie is far more relevant as a student. Although ‘Start of Something New’ isn’t my favourite song from the film’s incredibly memorable soundtrack, Troy and Gabriella’s first song screams Freshers’ Week to me. It’s literally called ‘Start of Something New’ - I don’t think it’s hard to relate this to the terrifying experience of moving into halls and meeting your new friends/enemies. I don’t have the best taste in music, but I didn’t spend my tweenage years learning the words to the HSM songs for nothing. Whether you’re a Gabriella or a Sharpay fan, I think we can all relate.

Images courtesy of Lame-O, RCA, and Disney

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FEATURES

T

he way Ellie Rowsell speaks of her recent jaunt to DJ on the Brighton Pier dodgems at Slaves’ Great Escape gig isn’t brimming with enthusiasm – imagine a miserable, rainy Thursday night with decks that don’t entirely work properly. Although it was her only billing during her band’s first summer in five years without a festival tally in the double digits, things aren’t as relaxing as they might seem. Barely nine months on from concluding the run for 2015’s acclaimed debut My Love Is Cool with their first festival headline spot, Wolf Alice has five tour legs in as many months lined up around the release of “personal” new record Visions Of A Life, reaching from Los Angeles to Osaka.

INTERVIEW:

ELLIE ROWSELL of Wolf Alice Xavier Voigt-Hill

as a band

“

it “Hopefully cements us

So, what’s it all about? “Take what you will from it, really – it’s not really for me to say, but I think hopefully it kind of cements us as a band. I think it’s quite hard to form an opinion on a band when they only have one album out,” emphasises Rowsell. “It’s just about the ups and downs of life, I suppose… Two years doesn’t sound like a long time, but we were touring so long before that as well, so it was more that we were eager to play new tunes live.”

Like My Love Is Cool before it, Visions Of A Life shows Wolf Alice at their strongest - through contrasting styles and Rowsell’s versatile vocals. Although polar opposites ‘Yuk Foo’ and ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’ becoming the first two upfront releases came per requests from labels either side of the Atlantic, she says the band would be happy regardless. Whether through explicit, thundering punk or the effect of rousing

choral majesty, she has fun with every bit of it. “I’m interested in how you can use your voice and I don’t like one particular style so I want to try them all.

I don’t think about it too much – it’s more that it keeps it more fun for me.

I’m always trying to make the song itself the best it can be rather than thinking ‘Oh, I can’t do that because I’ve never done that before and it won’t match the rest of the album.’ Matching the rest of the album will come in different ways, hopefully.”

As we speak, the band is fresh from three weeks playing new material in America, and has just sold out eight small venues at home within two minutes.

Opening on ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’, so far the set typically features album cuts like the titular eight-minute closer, the swaggering ‘Formidable Cool’, and the Heathersinspired ‘Beautifully Unconventional’, Rowsell’s current favourite. “It feels nice to go back, road test the new tunes, and see some familiar faces.”

By the end of the year, Alexandra Palace beckons for their first London dates in 18 months, but Rowsell doesn’t appear at all fazed by such variety. “I think we’re going to try and play the same show. We’ll have a production at the bigger shows and on the tour in November, but we try to retain that sense of intimacy and fun and energy and stuff in whatever size venue.” Now two albums in and with no sign of relenting, that confidence feels sure to serve well with their imminent leap to the next stage.

Images courtesy of Andy Von Pip

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RECORDS

ALBUM REVIEW:

WOLF ALICE

VISIONS OF A LIFE George Seabrook

W

e probably don’t give Wolf Alice enough credit for being consistently present on Radio 1 playlists. They’re not an easy group to categorise: too ominously moody for the pop-rock of The 1975, not always raucous enough for the uncompromising Royal Blood, and with broader influences than the power chord pummelling indie of Catfish And The Bottlemen.

To say that Visions Of A Life is more experimental and more varied than My Love Is Cool is impressive.

And if the sacrifice for that is losing the first album’s consistency and new music smell, it’s not a bad deal.

feels like an eager graduate’s overstuffed CV – “look upon my variety and despair!”. ‘Don’t Delete The Kisses’’ hypnotic synth narrative of adolescent yearning could be cut from I Like It When You Sleep…. There’s a stab at Circa Waves/White Reaper-esque indie in ‘Space & Time’’s relationship ultimatum. Funkily seductive ‘Formidable Cool’ mixes Morriconian western threat with heist movie confidence. ‘Sky Musings’ is practically spoken word; a panic attack unravelling narrator aboard a plane until the pressure explodes with synths and cymbals grabbing the melody.

There’s an affinity for My Love Is Cool’s opening ‘Turn To Dust’ in ‘Heavenward’, but where the former downshifted into shoegaze from dreamy wah-wah chords, the latter transforms wistful distortions into a blissfully driven hymn. Even Joff Oddie’s bridge guitar solo, shy of your attention, elegantly holds through the improvisational melody. It’s a magical tune, like looking at an emo rock song through a kaleidoscope. This and others make up the band’s apparent mission statement: to be masters of disguise and centres of attention.

But not all its references are additive. ‘St Purple & Green’ may begin with a choral calm, before breaking into hardcore, heading back to quiet, finally dipping into psychedelia – blurring three songs, alike in restless rebellion, distinct in tones. There’s a peaceful, harpcentric take on singer-songwriter style with ‘After The Zero Hour’, a fable about a girl with a lust for life. It’d be a feeble finale, except it precedes the band’s longest, hardest track. The eponymous closer climaxes nine times before it ends, exhausting impact and audience.

‘Yuk Foo’ is a proto-feminist punk anthem that goes for the enemy’s scrotum, showcasing Ellie Rowsell’s fearsome glee and sense of humour – the bridge cathartically reminding us “Yeah I have feelings, ’cause I’m a human / A totally self-destructive, constantly consuming.” There’s even a fresh degree of political awareness since the last memorable usage of any derivative of “deplore” was its able implementation by former Secretary Hillary Clinton.

At its best, Visions

This sounds negative, but Visions Of A Life isn’t a “mixed” album so much as a busy, ADHD album. Wolf Alice are a band that love wearing different hats, regardless of fashion or function. That eccentricity, in its mad scientist volatility on this sophomore record, is value on its own.

Visions Of A Life is released in the UK on 29th September 2017, via Dirty Hit.

Images courtesy of Andy Von Pip

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RECORDS

ALBUM REVIEW: HENRY JAMISON

THE WILDS Sarah Whittington

As a descendent of George Frederick Root (author of American Civil War classic Battle Cry of Freedom), the great question of Jamison’s debut album was if he would embrace the style of his lyrical forebears or shun them entirely. He settles for a decent in between, noting the “sundry and immense” intricacies of the world in one track (‘No One Told Me’), and the joys of ‘blasting’ a Lil Wayne song in another (‘Varsity’). Jamison manages to be original and elusive enough in his efforts that his album succeeds in being what so many debuts are not: interesting.

The album’s real charm comes when Jamison holds his focus. As much as I doubt ‘Real Peach’ is the nicest compliment anyone can receive, the track itself

is undoubtedly the marketable winner of the album’s collection. Noting that if “all is fair in love and war”, Jamison wisely leaves the track’s subject unnamed (fruit metaphors aside) and instead doubles down on crafting a controlled track that upon reaching its end without any abrupt falsetto bursts or obscure lyricism, results in a definite win for Jamison’s talent.

It is a sign then that while the latter half of the album descends a little too far into confusion, when Jamison emerges he will undoubtedly have carved a unique, even brave place of his own.

Out on October 28th via Akira Records

ALBUM REVIEW: SUPERFOOD BAMBINO Meg Holland

Meet the duo unafraid to stray away from the typical indie sound expected in 2017. London-based Superfood – aka Dom Ganderton and Ryan Malcolm – are back with self-produced second album, Bambino, which fuses indie and electronic sounds with some jazzy undertones. The result being multi-layered tracks which are odd at times, but also incredibly captivating.

Other stand out tracks, ‘Clo Park’ and ‘Shadow’ showcase the experimentation central to the album’s sound. The latter, charts good progression, with the perfect blend of electric guitar and drums.

Probably the record’s darkest track, it’s simple in its structure compared to tracks like ‘Double Dutch’ but arguably one of the best ones on Bambino.

Album opener ‘Where’s The Bass Amp?’ sets the tone for the rest of its tracks. Fast-paced, it comes at you from all directions with electronic spurts as well as drums, bass and some inserted voice-over. It really encapsulates Superfood’s vibe, consistent throughout Bambino’s entirety.

Bending the normal constraints of genre, Superfood are unafraid to expand their sound, often incorporating three or four at one time, resulting in weird tracks that can sometimes become too much, but when it’s done right, it’s brilliant.

Out now via Dirty Hit Images courtesy of Akira Records and Dirty Hit

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RECORDS

SINGLES REVIEWS: THE KILLERS

P!NK

James Barker

Bruno Russell

WHAT ABOUT US

RUN FOR COVER

Although The Killers hail from the dusty rock haven Nevada, us Brits have always had a soft spot for Brandon Flowers and co. Embraced by the masses at this year’s British Summer Time, it’s clear The Killers have found a second home here across the pond.

Ahead of their upcoming fifth album, their latest single ‘Run For Cover’ twinges with nostalgia for the wonder of their previous work. Bristling with a restlessness akin to their 2005 crowning

glory, the single allows the guitar to sing in foottapping glory harking back to 2008’s Day & Age. It follows June’s first single ‘The Man’, which showcased The Killers’ funkier edge; if these first examples are anything to go by, Wonderful Wonderful is sure to live up to its name and score Flowers his seventh number 1 album here in the UK. Wonderful Wonderful is out now via Virgin EMI

After several years away from the music scene, P!nk has finally graced us with brand new music.

Starting with a slow emotional and strippedback beat, she shows off her controlled vocal and lyrical capabilities, with a distinctive power behind the song’s emotion. The song seems to rally a form of protest, suggesting that answers are needed, whilst the chorus implies that those in power fail to provide answers. The

exact target is unclear, but I don’t think that matters.

The song appeals to that most basic feeling that your voice is not being heard. The emotional vulnerability and club-beat are also cleverly amalgamated to create a meaningful dance-floor filler, although the downside is that her vocals never hit their full potential.

Beautiful Trauma is out on October 13 via RCA

TAYLOR SWIFT

LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO Sarah Whittington

Taylor Swift is back, and it turns out there’s nothing she does better than revenge – snake rings on her online store included. After a break of three years, the old Taylor is dead in the water. Opening with a choral build-up worthy of a Tim Burton movie’s vampire resurrection, the track quickly drops into a heavy bass line and Swift’s biting vocals come forward. As snake imagery goes, you can taste the venom here, dropping in classic Swiftian references to a “titled stage” and a “perfect crime” (Spoiler: Kanye West regularly performs on a less than horizontal stage.)

embrace her own controversies is song craft at its best.

The single is a sonic playground of rises and falls, Swift giving a masterclass in how to duet and build around her own voice, only to drop back for the chorus, keeping her leading maxim the focus until the bitter end. An odd relief comes at the last minute where Swift admits “I don’t trust nobody and nobody trusts me”. It’s a sentiment that reminds us of the darker side of fame Swift’s long tried to expose but has never distilled into a lyric quite as direct as this. It’s darkness that the new single – and the new Taylor – seems determined to inhabit.

For better or worse, ‘Look What You Made Me Do’ is Swift’s revised return statement, and the choice to

reputation is out on November 10th via Big Machine Images courtesy of Virgin EMI, RCA, and Big Machine

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LIVE MUSIC VENUES

Southampton is incredible for live music, boasting over a dozen venues in the city centre and surrounding area for every music taste. In this article are four incredibly popular local venues, where you’re sure to find something that suits your music taste, location and budget.

The 1865 David Mitchell-Baker

When it comes to The 1865 in Southampton, there is no venue, at least in my opinion, in this city that brings passionate fans together in such a great way. It’s a venue for the bands who have broken through and are starting to gain traction, supported by dedicated listeners who know every word to every song; The 1865 is a total blast to go to.

In recent years bands like The Front Bottoms, Modern Baseball, Creeper, and State Champs have all played rousing headlining shows, with equally as stirring support bands such as Gnarwolves and Tiny Moving Parts coming along for the ride. It’s fairly priced, easy to get to, booked tremendously and provides a strong sense of community among the fans, The 1865 feels less like a gig and more like that party with your best friends that you’ll never forget.

Upcoming Shows: The Sherlocks (Sept 21st); Sundara Karma (Sept 29th); Blancmange (Oct 20th)

Engine Rooms Carly-May Kavanagh

Some of the best gigs I’ve ever been to have been at the roller disco-cum-gig venue. Formerly called Mo’Club and rebranded in December 2014, the Engine Rooms has had The Skints, The Enemy, Spring King, The Big Moon, Loyle Carner, Super Hans, and State Champs, and that’s just this year. Live music, comedy, theatre, club music, festivals and cinema are all available at the venue, with it being incredibly adaptable even down to capacity. Screens are at various intervals at the Engine Rooms meaning with a lower capacity gig, the back of the room can be shut off so it feels more intimate, less empty – they can adapt to have anywhere from 400800 capacity. Located opposite Ikea on West Quay Industrial Estate, this is definitely a venue to check out!

Upcoming Shows: Young Guns (Sept 21st); Fickle Friends (Oct 8th); The Amazons (Oct 13th) Bottom image courtesy of Grey Pit

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The Talking Heads Carly-May Kavanagh

Saved from permanent closure in 2012 by Guy Benfield and Martin White, the venue is one of the most iconic venues in the city. Having had the likes of Wheatus and Northlane through its doors, they’re also avid supporters of local artists and were the hosts of Edgetival, a gig we organised as a magazine in March 2017. It was previously in Portswood but is now in the city centre at The Polygon – a two-minute walk from Mayflower Halls – and is a huge venue, with several hundred able to attend a seated event or 260 standing for live music meaning you can get up close and personal with the bands. They sell the expected drinks and snacks that you’d expect of a bar, as well as real ales and homemade pizzas. Yes, you read that right – you can have pizza at a gig. Is this the future? I think so.

Upcoming Shows: Sex Pissed Dolls (Sept 22nd); Stacie Collins (Oct 1st); Gaz Brookfield (Oct 6th)

The Joiners Carly-May Kavanagh

Ran by Pat Muldowney, this independent music venue will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next year.

They have over 300 events a year and have a capacity of 200, making for some of the most intimate gigs the city has to offer. Named Britain’s best small music venue by NME in 2013, they put a lot of support and backing into local bands as well as students, and have had some of the biggest artists in the world play on their stage.

Among many, many others, the gig posters adorning the walls of The Joiners show The Libertines, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Muse, Arctic Monkeys, Green Day, and Oasis have all played the venue at some point in their careers.

The Joiners feature an incredible number of new bands, with most gigs featuring local talent in some way. The number of times I’ve seen someone perform on that stage who are blowing up the year after is ridiculous - imagine being someone who saw Coldplay or The Libertines in such a small venue before they went on to sell out stadiums and world tours! The bands playing often tend to be somewhat rocky, but there’s so much variety in the genre and the occasional ‘other’ sounding band that the venue is far from dull in its line-up. I’ve seen metal bands on their final tours, punk-rock girl bands, reggae bands, acoustic folk. You are guaranteed to find something in the line-up for you; perhaps Britain’s next big thing...

Upcoming Shows: Touts (Oct 1st); Coasts (Oct 2nd); Superfood (Oct 5th) Images courtesy of Jeanice Brooks and Penny Bennett

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THEATRE VENUES Abi Cutler

For all of you Freshers with a flair for the dramatic, Southampton has a handful of great theatres providing top-quality professional shows all year round.

Here’s a guide to all the places you might want to check out if you’re a theatre-lover!

Mayflower Theatre

The Mayflower Theatre sits in Southampton City Centre. A larger venue than the Nuffield, it mainly acts as a touring theatre. If you’re looking to see West End shows without splashing out on the train fare to London, this is the place to go! In addition to musicals, you can expect to see professional ballets, concerts and comedy. A little pricier than the Nuffield, it is not quite as affordable to attend Mayflower shows as often, but the productions on offer make the cost absolutely worth it. Shows scheduled for this academic year include many West End smash hits, Legally Blonde, Hairspray and War Horse all set to appear! Situated next to the Mayflower Halls and Southampton Central, the Mayflower is incredibly easy to access by bus, so there’s no excuse not to grab some tickets! Whatever the production, you are guaranteed to have a brilliant night out.

Website: www.mayflower.org.uk

Nuffield Southampton Theatres

The Nuffield Theatre lies on our very own Highfield Campus. Here you can expect to see stand-up comedy, small-scale touring productions and even original work produced by Nuffield. With reasonably priced tickets, and almost all shows offering student concessions on top of this, the Nuffield provides some of the most accessible theatre around. With it right on our doorstep, it’s definitely a theatre to take advantage of while you’re studying in Southampton. Autumn includes stand-up from Simon Amstell and Paul Chowdhury, as well as a touring production of National Theatre’s People, Places and Things. 2017 will also see the opening of a brand new Nuffield Southampton Theatres (NST) location.

Running alongside the renamed NST Campus on Highfield, NST City will open as a 450-seat venue in Guildhall Square. NST City hopes to provide many different types of theatre, such as dance and circus.

Website: www.nstheatres.co.uk

Image courtesy of 27 London

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THEATRE SOCIETIES Ben McQuigg

And if it’s getting involved you’re after, University of Southampton offers a huge amount of choice when it comes to performing arts. There are four main societies focusing on different aspects of theatre: Theatre Group, Showstoppers, LOpSoc and Stagesoc. As part of our Freshers’ Guide, we’ve got the skinny on each one. Break a leg!

Currently presided by Charlie Randall, Theatre Group focuses on plays. From student penned pieces to Shakespeare, this is the perfect place for you to get involved in shows, particularly ones where singing is not a prerequisite. They put on at least four shows a year and they all hold open auditions. In addition to this, there is also the chance for self-written shows to be produced in slots called ‘Independent Shows’. The first show of the year is called the Freshers’ Show. This is where the entire cast is made of newcomers to the society.

Despite its name, the Freshers’ Show is open to anyone who hasn’t in a Theatre Group production, so this is the perfect way to get your name into the society.

If West End musicals are your thing, then this is definitely the society for you. Showstoppers’ veteran Bella Norris is the current president. With four fixed shows a year, Showstoppers operates very similarly to Theatre Group.

As well as putting on West End and Broadway musicals, they feature shows written by students. They also have a Freshers’ Show every year with auditions taking place in the first couple of weeks of term exclusively for new members.

The Light Operatic Society’s (LOpSoc) is the perfect society for any fans of light opera. With only two shows a year, their format is slightly different from Theatre Group and Showstoppers. While the main cast for their shows are auditioned, the ensemble roles are not, meaning anyone has the chance to perform in one of their productions. People might be questioning the difference between Showstoppers and LOpSoc. One difference, as mentioned, is the un-auditioned ensemble LOpSoc have, but the two societies do put on slightly different types of show. LOpSoc specialise in Gilbert and Sullivan shows, which form the backbone of their performances. Although they occasionally put on shows that aren’t G&S, like Fiddler on the Roof and Half a Sixpence, they still always focus on the operatic side of the musical spectrum.

Last, but certainly not least is StageSoc. Led by Joseph Lynch, this is the society for all things technical. If you want to be involved in theatre productions, but don’t want to be on stage, this is for you. Responsible for the lighting, sound, set and stage management for all the theatrical societies, there is always an abundance of shows for you to work on.

Training sessions are run in the first few weeks of term, so whether you are a technical wiz or you want to try your hand at something new, StageSoc is a great way to start.

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FILM VENUES

Does your liver need a break after the blizzard of all those Freshers’ parties? Then where better to explore than Southampton’s cinemas! We’ve got the lowdown on where to go for blockbuster releases, arthouse cinema and even to rewatch those all-time favourites.

Union Films Holly Hammond

In the depths of the University’s very own Union building lies the Cube, SUSU’s multi-purpose events space.

Whilst it moonlights during Freshers as an events venue (you’ve probably unwittingly wandered through it by now), it’s more commonly the home of Union Films – the student hub for low-priced mainstream cinema.

There really is something for everyone at Union Films, with occasional midnight film screenings of highly anticipated movies. Thankfully, if you’re a cinema junkie, then the good news is that prices are low with options to either pay per film, or buy a Pass per season or per year. With tickets for a single film from £3 (a far cry from the extortionate prices found elsewhere!) and films on offer including the likes of Hidden Figures, Logan, Captain America: Civil War, Fences, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Get Out, Moonlight… It’s all films you want to see, at a price you’re happy to pay.

Showcase Cinema de Lux Eleanor Joyce

This premium cinema is a relatively new addition to Southampton’s entertainment scene, but it’s my favourite for a number of reasons. Located right in the heart of the West Quay complex, Showcase Cinema De Lux opened in February to huge anticipation, and has quickly become a must-visit location for film lovers.

A multi-million pound investment with 10 screens, the Showcase Cinema in Southampton is the UK’s most cutting-edge cinema – the first to have Dolby Atmos sound and laser projection on every screen, it also boasts the biggest screen on the South Coast at 64.5 feet wide! Leather reclining seats, Jude’s ice cream and several coffee shops and bars all add to the luxurious experience. Tickets may be a little pricier than your average cinema, but discounted student tickets are available, and if you sign up to their free Insider scheme, you can grab off-peak tickets for £6.50 each – totally worth it for the reclining seats.

Harbour Lights Sophie Trenear

If there’s any place in Southampton more delightful than Harbour Lights, please do hit me up because after two years in this city, I’m absolutely certain this is the place to enjoy a film and a cheeky hot chocolate.

Overlooking the docks down in Ocean Village, it’s worth the trek down for the sheer charm of Southampton’s resident independent Picturehouse cinema, which is covered head-to-toe in movie posters and memorabilia.

See the big new releases, get a glimpse of something new with Discover Tuesdays, or even indulge in a little nostalgia with their Vintage Sundays, showing classics like Jailhouse Rock, 42nd Street, and Hairspray. Plus, as students, E4 Slackers Club has our backs, so we can enjoy one free film a month, alongside all the various quizzes and events Harbour Lights regularly put on. Don’t forget to arrive early to try out the cutest café you’ll ever see in a cinema – and honestly, that hot chocolate? Pretty bloody rad.

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UNION EVENTS Damian Meaden

So, you’ve over-packed kitchen utensils, applied for student finance at the last minute, stressed over every minute detail and now you’ve finally made the journey to start the next exciting chapter in your life at the University of Southampton.

Laughter Lounge

Ever fancied watching some of the finest comic talents on the UK circuit for less than a fiver?

Well, now you can, with the union’s very own comedy club – Laughter Lounge – hosted in The Bridge and brought to you by Comedy Central and industry-renowned Off the Kerb Productions.

Bunfight

Every single relative, older sibling or former teacher will have drummed this into you since the moment you opened your A-Levels results and confirmed your place at the best university in the country (don’t look at the league tables, it’s fixed) – “Make sure you join a society!”. And that advice is all very well and good, but how will you decide what’s ‘the one’ for you? The Bunfight is a fair for societies to showcase themselves to you, the latest intake of students, and a chance for you to sign up for their welcome meetings and all the fun activities that follow. It’s heaven if you enjoy hoarding free merchandise, too.

Freshers’ Karaoke

You’re new on the block, so let me explain how Thursday night works on Highfield Campus; we all head to The Stags, our very own student pub, and almost all of us try – and fail – to pay homage to our favourite tunes.

Call it embarrassing, call it liberating – but it certainly isn’t harmonic. If you’re looking for an opportunity to really get to know your new friends or you want to meet new people, you’ll find no better ice-breaker than this.

U-Neon Party

Have you ever looked at your clothes and thought; “These look nice, but they need some UV paint.” Don’t worry – SUSU have got you covered.

And Much More...

For the full list of Freshers’ events, or to find out what comes under the Master and Variety Passes, consult your handy guide or head to the Students’ Union website, www.susu.org.

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FRESHERS’ GUIDE

SOUTHAMPTON’S ENTERTAINMENT HEROES Carly-May Kavanagh

Have you asked yourselves what the fabulous city of Southampton is famous for, other than Titanic and Southampton FC? Even if it’s the first time you’ve thought about this, we’ve got you covered with some valuable entertainment knowledge to satisfy even the most curious minds!

Scott Mills

Best known for his Radio 1 show, Mills is also an actor and TV presenter, and even commentated on the UK Eurovision semi-finals in 2011. His radio career started at Hampshire station Power FM, where he was given the ‘graveyard slot’ of 1am-6am for six nights a week, becoming the youngest permanent mainstream commercial radio presenter. Before he joined Radio 1 in 1998, he worked at GWR FM Bristol, Piccadilly Key 103 and Heart 106.2. He went to Crestwood College Secondary School in Eastleigh, and was given an honorary Doctorate of Arts by Southampton Solent University in 2009. While I’m yet to see any Mills-related plaques, the bridge crossing the M3 at Fleet services is officially named after him, which is something.

Foxes

Named after her first written song ‘Like Foxes Do’, Louisa Allen first hit fame on Zedd’s ‘Clarity’, which won a Grammy for Best Dance Recording in 2014. Her debut album Glorious came out in 2014, having 3 top 20 singles: ‘Youth’, ‘Let Go for Tonight’ and ‘Holding onto Heaven’. She went to Southampton’s Cantell School and Eastleigh College. An Institute of Contemporary Music Performance drop-out, she preferred writing and performing music over studying it. With an entry in the Guinness World Records for “most live concerts in 12 hours in multiple cities”, a tour in April 2016 supporting Coldplay, and 660,997 monthly listeners on Spotify, it seems like she made the right decision.

Craig David

Born in 1981, this R&B legend lived on the Holyrood estate and went to Southampton City College. He shot to fame in 1999 after appearing on Artful Dodger’s ‘Re-Wind’, and is now enjoying a hearty comeback after the release of his latest album Following My Intuition in September 2016, which hit No. 1 here in the UK. With six studio albums under his belt and 15 million records sold across the world, he’s a pretty big deal, having won two Grammy Award nominations for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance and thirteen Brit Award nominations. A plaque dedicated to him was put up in the city’s Cultural Quarter to celebrate 2013’s Black History Month. See if you can find it!

Images courtesy of Ray Burmiston and RCA

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FILM

ACTOR IN FOCUS Ryan Gosling Sophie Trenear

H

e’s one of Hollywood’s most handsome, accomplished, and in demand. He can pull out from the game, do a little indie adventuring and avid baby-making with Eva Mendes, then waltz straight back into the role of Hollywood’s finest. At 38, Ryan Gosling is already timeless. Still, he led one of the year’s most celebrated films, sat on the front row at the 89th Academy Awards, and he’ll be at the helm of this year’s Blade Runner 2049, inheriting it from the legendary Harrison Ford. Right here, right now, this is, unequivocally, Ryan Gosling’s next peak.

performance... that shows the kind of deep understanding of character few actors manage.” After then starring in Lars and the Real Girl, and Fracture, Gosling temporarily vacated the silver screen. He made an explosive return in 2010, however, starring in no less than five films over the following two years.

We could easily say (and I’m very tempted to) that his first peak came with a 1996 episode of R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps which saw him take on a murderous camera with nothing but his glorious, sun-kissed curtains. After several other stints of the wholesome viewership variety, he shed his long blonde locks and made the move to “serious acting,” which included a supporting role in the football drama Remember The Titans and the lead role in 2001’s The Believer.

Blue Valentine saw him star alongside Michelle Williams in Derek Cianfrance’s directorial debut: a bleak, predominantly improvised drama about the collapse of a once-colourful marriage, and nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor. 2011 marked the release of the critically and commercially successful Crazy, Stupid, Love, his first starring role alongside Emma Stone and the second most successful role of Gosling’s career. After the raw razzle-dazzle of his performance in Drive, the reconciling with on-screen love-interest Stone in Gangster Squad, and another stint with the driver’s wheel in The Place Beyond the Pines, Gosling returned from another break with The Big Short, in which he played a charismatic bond salesman.

After several well-received performances in minor commercial successes (Murder By Numbers, The Slaughter Rule), Gosling came to the attention of mainstream audiences in 2004 when starring in the romantic drama The Notebook alongside Rachel McAdams, accruing several accolades in the process.

2006 saw Gosling take on the Oscar-nominated role of a drug-addicted junior high school teacher who bonds with a troubled student in Half Nelson, and was praised by the LA Times for “a mesmerizing

Now, after the success of 2016’s The Nice Guys and the widespread acclaim for La La Land, marking his second Academy Award nomination and third gig with Stone, Gosling has little left to conquer. He’s even directed his own cinematic venture Lost River and headed his own rock duo Dead Man’s Bones. And, with the highly anticipated Blade Runner 2049 just around the corner, it doesn’t seem like he’ll be giving up the crown any time soon. Rightly so too – he may be the man of the moment, but Gosling’s proving to be as timeless as it gets.

Image courtesy of Summit Entertainment

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One To Watch:

Murder on the Orient Express Natasha Dennington

A

classic murder mystery film is coming to the silver screen this year for its fourth adaptation. Agatha Christie’s famed detective Hercule Poirot is back on the case and it’s arguably his most famous one. With a star packed cast, it’s no surprise that this is a film many are excited for.

The film itself is set almost entirely on a train travelling from Istanbul to London, where our famed detective (Kenneth Branagh) has to work to solve the murder of Edward Ratchett (Johnny Depp) that occurs on the second night of the journey. With his only suspects being the other guests on the train, the detective has to use reason and deduction to solve the case.

Filling the big boots of those who have played Poirot before him, Branagh is stepping into the role as the Belgian detective alongside directing the feature too. Star Wars actor Daisy Ridley plays the story’s moral compass as governess Mary Debenham. As one of the newer names on the scene compared to veterans like Judi Dench and Willem Dafoe, hopefully her performance will stand out as one to remember from the film.

Anyone who has ever read an Agatha Christie book will know that her plots never end the way you would expect. It will be interesting to see how tackling one as well known as this

comes across and whether it entices a new audience into enjoying these classic mysteries.

From the debut trailer, there may be one thing that people will remember going in to the film: Branagh’s moustache. Obviously trying to replicate the iconic whiskers that David Suchet had as the character, it’s safe to say that it may be one of the more hilarious facial hair features on the screen. I’m not sure whether trying to get past the comedy of it will take away from the seriousness of the rest of the film, but I guess that is something we will have to wait to see.

Taking on such a well known and recognisable detective as Poirot is not the easiest task, so it could only really played by someone as well known and as famous as Branagh himself.

However, in this day and age where murder mysteries and detective shows can almost always be found on TV or in the cinema, it will have to be something spectacular to captivate its audience and not be lost in amongst the sea of films and shows. Seeing as the cast is so prolific and a hype has been circulating since the first trailer dropped, it seems that this film might just be one of the most anticipated films of the year.

Murder on the Orient Express is released via Scott Free productions on the 3rd November 2017.

Images courtesy of 20th Century Fox and Pocket Books

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FILM

BLU-RAY REVIEWS:

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 Laura Woodhouse

Guardians of the Galaxy was Marvel’s greatest gamble, and yet writer-director James Gunn’s masterpiece broke box office records. Fast forward three years and not much has changed. Gunn’s writing and direction is just as awesome and his excellent taste in music shines through as the exquisite backdrop to thrilling set pieces and emotional monologues.

Still together after the first instalment, instead of looting temples, the Guardians are now profiteering on their reputation, protecting planets from intergalactic threats for a modest fee. One such venture leads to one of the most memorable opening sequences of all-time as Baby Groot (Vin Diesel) jigs and slides to Electric Light Orchestra’s hit ‘Mr. Blue Sky’ while the adults battle a giant cosmic squid.

Vol. 2 brings back the humour and brilliant, blazing

colour palette, but there’s a distinct shift in tone, with a theme of family underpinning this second, more sentimental adventure. This in no way lessens the fun and thrills, rather enhancing them as the Guardians’ love makes for emotional conflicts.

Whereas the first film brought the Guardians together, Vol. 2 sees our intrepid heroes separated, giving each character space to breath and room to grow in an otherwise crowded movie, making room for brilliant new additions Ego (Kurt Russell) and the too-adorable-for-words Mantis (Pom Klementieff).

As Disney’s first ever 4K blu-ray release, loaded with tonnes of bonus features including all five post-credit stings, a music video featuring David Hasselhoff, and a hilarious gag reel, this is a home release you won’t want to miss.

Alien: Covenant Tom Wilmot

Sometime after the release of Prometheus in 2012, director Ridley Scott promised answers in an upcoming sequel. Now answers have arrived in the excellently made Alien: Covenant, which attempts to return the long-running sci-fi series to its horror roots.

Alien: Covenant is an exceptionally well-made film.

Ridley Scott has gained a reputation for his precise attention to detail in his films over the years and Covenant proves to be no different with an authentic feeling world and some stunning cinematography.

The film follows the crew of the space ship Covenant.

After intercepting and following a distress call, however, the Covenant is diverted to a previously uncharted nearby habitable planet. Hoping to shorten the mission and set up a colony on this world, the crew instead stumble upon a new terror that threatens the life of everyone on board.

Covenant brings back the horror, but this is not always a good thing. Although the more intense sequences are effective by themselves, Covenant suffers getting caught between being an Alien prequel and a Prometheus sequel.

Overall, despite tonal issues hindering it at times, Alien: Covenant is a very well-made film and marks another solid entry into the long running franchise.

Images courtesy of Disney and 20th Century Fox

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Intro To:

Lisa Veiber

S

tar Trek is one of the most iconic sci-fi franchises.

Although its success was not immediate, it has inspired six TV shows, numerous movies and has countless fans all around the world. With Star Trek: Discovery launching in September, I think it’s the ideal time for a little introduction to the legendary series.

Debuting on CBS in 1966, Gene Roddenberry’s Star Trek, now referred to as The Original Series (1966-69), gathered William Shatner as the famous Captain James T. Kirk, Leonard Nimoy as Spock and DeForest Kelly as Dr. Leonard McCoy. Ahead of its time, Star Trek was less action-driven than its predecessors and presented concepts like peace and tolerance in a decade dominated by the Cold War and racism. However, although it earned CBS several nominations, the show was ultimately cancelled after three seasons. The original Enterprise crew did return to voice Star Trek: The Animated Series (197374), but it too was cancelled after only two seasons.

After over a decade away, Roddenberry returned with Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987-94).

Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) and Commander William Rider (Jonathan Frakes) led the USS Enterprise on a new series of space adventures. Set nearly 100 years after the The Original Series, Next Generation introduced fans to iconic characters like Data (Brent Spiner) and Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton).

Based on Roddenbury’s work, Deep Space Nine (199399) continued the story in the years after The Next

Generation. Unlike classic Trek, Deep Space Nine took place largely on a space station. It also explored the social side of Star Trek in more depth than ever before, focusing on the interactions between crew members.

Taking place approximatively at the same time as Deep Space Nine, Voyager (1995-2001) centres around the USS Voyager trapped at the border of the Milky Way galaxy while searching for Maquis ship. Created

by Rick Berman and Michael Piller, who also created Deep Space Nine, was the first Star Trek series to have a female starship Captain, Kathryn Janeway (Kate Mulgrew) during its seven season tenure.

Enterprise (2001-05) was a prequel to The Original Series, taking place nearly a hundred years before it. It tells the story of one of the first starships to explore the deep space.

The most interesting feature was first contact with wellknown species from the franchise, such as the Klingons.

After more than a decade away from the TV, Roddenbury’s creation is returning with a new show. Star Trek: Discovery will take place 10 years before The Original Series, acting as a prequel to the adventures of Captain Kirk. It is set to debut at the end of September on CBS and features Jason Isaacs as Captain Gabriel Lorca and Sonequa Martin-Green as First Officer Michael Burnham.

Star Trek: Discovery blasts onto Netflix UK on Monday September 25th.

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IN DEFENCE OF

Mass Effect: Andromeda

Keira Gawne

A

fter the emotional but ultimately controversial ending of the original Mass Effect trilogy, a continuation of the franchise was always inevitable.

Coming after some of the most critically acclaimed games ever made was always going to be a challenge and Mass Effect: Andromeda was predictably torn apart by a large contingent of fans upon release.

Andromeda is a good game, but it’s admittedly a radical shift from the original trilogy. This is almost certainly why it has been so divisive among fans. In recent years, Bioware have been exploring more open world style games in their franchises, Dragon Age: Inquisition being the perfect example of this. Andromeda was not excluded from this, Mass Effect’s traditional long corridors and featureless enemy bases were replaced with lush environments to explore.

Combat in Mass Effect also saw a complete overhaul in Andromeda. Although the largely cover-based tactics of the original trilogy can still be used, the big draw is the option to pick a different approach for each battle. Whether it’s hovering in mid-air to rain bullets down on enemies or ripping them apart using biotic force fields, this new flexibility means that experimentation is easier and combat is much more fun than it ever was in the original trilogy.

Another great thing about Andromeda is it simply looks incredible. Whether you’re among the soft phosphorescent light of Havarl’s dark forests or

even just travelling from planet to planet, the Andromeda galaxy is beautiful. It always seems like there is another breath-taking vista to admire.

The hallmarks of all good Bioware games are on show. Character interactions frame the story and you build your relationships throughout. Perhaps most interesting are the themes of both genetic and found family that run throughout the game.

Although a feeling of found family is familiar from the original trilogy, the playable characters have a fully fleshed out biological family which is explored thoroughly. This is in stark contrast to Mass Effect’s original protagonist Shepard being only able to interact with a family member extremely fleetingly.

Many of Andromeda’s critics focused on the game’s troublesome animation bugs, but these were quickly fixed in patches. Without this as a deterrent, and as later patches widened the romance options and improved on some of the pacing issues, Mass Effect: Andromeda can now be played as it was meant to be. Some of the writing is a bit patchy and the storyline is a bit generic at times, but the magic is still there. It’s about finding characters to care about and making choices that help shape the galaxy. For me, Mass Effect was always about these ideas and Andromeda gives me all that and more.

Mass Effect: Andromeda is available now on PC, PS4 and Xbox One. Image courtesy of Electronic Arts

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CULTURE

MILLENIAL Predictions for the Next Dystopia Sophie Trenear Charlie Brooker’s dystopian anthology series Black Mirror has become famous for speculating on the fate of the modern world and our growing technological dependence. Although you’d be a fool not to be in a perpetual state of awe at some of the ideas it has brought to life, I don’t know about you, but I’m a little tired of that classic Brooker-bleakness. Where’s the realness? Where’s the millennial pizzazz? And where are the intricate plot-arcs about Netflix, Animal Crossing and Snapchat? Consider this brainstorming for the new series.

Vicious Cycle

Widespread hacking makes public and automatic transport unusable, including all the electric cars which have become the norm in 2050.

People resort to their using the derelict bicycles left to them by their great grandparents and, after months of discerning their use, begin to depend on them for day-to-day travel. Carbon emissions plummet. The US re-joins the Paris Climate Accord. Ice caps refreeze. Presumed-extinct animals reanimate. Global warming is a thing of the past, I guess, but now we live in a zombie movie.

Snap My Neck

Snapchat’s map function has been around for a whole decade. Crazy ex-partners and weird stalkers all around the world rejoice and spend their weekends outside their beloved’s window. Katie’s just received one snap from David, and it’s quite a lewd one of her getting changed for a night out. Katie’s confused. ‘New phone, who dis?’ she snaps back.

New Life

The year is 2047. The Western world has accumulated an overwhelming addiction to the 13th instalment of Nintendo’s Animal Crossing. The line between life as we know it and the AC is blurred.

We all finish our sentences with odd catchphrases we’ve been blackmailed to say by our neighbours and we regularly give each other framed pictures of ourselves. Selfies are outdated. Instagram is dead.

Orange is the New BRB Netflix start practising the art of subliminal messaging by hiding countless adverts in their original productions. One particular case works far better than the rest and hot dog sales rise by 700%. As the global backlog of hot dogs decreases, panic and dismay settle in and we are sent into a massive economic crisis. Even the Quorn alternatives are in low supply. Only the vegans can save us now.

All three series of Black Mirror are available for binge-watching on Netflix right now, with Series 4 due for release before the end of 2017.

Top image courtesy of Endemol UK

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LIVE

COMEDIAN IN FOCUS Ivo Graham Damian Meaden

S

tand-up comedy exists as one of the most oversaturated markets in the entertainment industry, with the comedy clubs of the UK in constant motion as thousands of hopefuls pit their wit against the mirth of the common man.

Within that exists a paradox of personalities, as comedians find an on-stage persona that not only ‘fits in’, but also differentiates them from the next act waiting in the wings. Every once in a while, though, someone fresh and exciting steps out to take their shot at forging a career in a fickle business.

Enter Ivo Graham – an apologetic, self-deprecating yet charming and linguistically harmonic Eton and Oxford alumnus – armed with an arsenal of cringeworthy anecdotes and well-crafted observations that would leave even the most awkward British male flinching – or should that be relating?

What sets Graham apart from his contemporaries is not only the excellent timing and tone of his jokes, but also the beautifully interwoven and constructed nature of his set – truly making every gig ‘a show’. Most comedians have ‘stand-out jokes’ they can turn to with a difficult audience or to inject some energy into the room; Graham’s entire routine is capable of invoking the same effect.

He emerged onto the scene in 2009 aged 18 as the youngest ever winner of the respected ‘So You Think You’re Funny?’ Award, before seamlessly integrating himself into the UK comedy circuit as a regular. His witty charm proved a hit, leading to subsequent TV and radio performances including Mock the Week, Live at the Apollo, Live from the BBC and Comedy Central at the Comedy Store. His material has also been used in other television shows, and he remains in production with Big Talk Productions and the BBC on his own sitcom.

Like all ambitious stand-up comedians, Graham has also packed his bags and taken his craft north of the Scottish border to the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, where his three solo stand-up shows have enjoyed sell-out runs.

Graham first attracted my attention whilst supporting Josh Widdicombe’s What Do I Do Now? Tour at the Brighton Dome last Autumn. An opportunity to get an extended impression of his talents came a few months later as he played SUSU’s very own Laughter Lounge.

And, in good time, I might one day be able to turn smugly to my mates whilst watching his debut, bestselling DVD and say “I remember watching him before he was famous”.

It’s a smug feeling I’m looking very much forward to indeed.

Image courtesy of The Guardian

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LIVE

Carly-May Kavanagh June to August are always low months with very few gigs, but finally, we’re back into the incredible time of year where there’s a gig almost every night. Seriously, I have at least 3 a week planned from September to December. So many are on the same night. I don’t know how it’s going to happen, but I’m very determined. As with every month, there are some honourable mentions, and this months are: dodie, whose second EP came out in August and will see her go on a 10-date tour across the UK and Ireland; The Libertines (whose final tour date is October 2nd in Brighton so it just about counts); and The Hoosiers ‘The Trick to Life tour’, celebrating 10 years of their The Trick to Life album by embarking on a 3 month-long tour across the country, including a stop in Bournemouth on October 4th.

Who? Superfood Where? The Joiners, Southampton When? October 5th Why? Before Birmingham band Superfood formed, producer Dom Ganderton (guitarist and vocalist for Superfood) was helping his friends’ bands get billed for festivals and record deals. Watching them go from unknown to mainstream favourites, he made his own band because he saw how much fun everyone else was having with them. They’ll bring foam machines to gigs, have tequila-soaked after parties - when the ceiling collapsed at a gig they made a video entitled “We brought the house down”. They told NME that their debut album, Don’t Say That, is them saying “Stop moping about and do something! Put some trousers on!” Essentially, get out there and live your life, make something of yourself, and have fun while doing it. They’re one of the most exciting guitar-based rock bands out there at the moment, and if they lead the revolution of British guitar music coming back into the mainstream then I will not be surprised.

Image courtesy of Mike Massaro

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LIVE

Who? The Amazons Where? Engine Rooms, Southampton When? October 13th Why? There’s a reason why my inbox is full of emails about this band - they’re honestly just fantastic, but don’t take my word for it! Their debut album charted inside the Top 10, they had a completely sold out UK tour, and that’s just this year. They’re going back on tour in October, which will include their biggest ever headline show at The O2 Forum in London. They were the most hotly-tipped guitar band of 2017 according to Music Week, have received extensive support from Radio 1 and we’re pretty big fans of them too. Fanfavourite ‘Ultraviolet’, from their album, “Is about all the things you fill your head with during lonely hours.

The silence and the space when they don’t call you back. All the things you want to say but can’t find the words”.

Who? The Big Moon Where? The Loft, Southampton When? October 17th Why? Retro-rock poppy four-piece The Big Moon is coming back to Southampton! Their debut album Love in the 4th Dimension came out this year - which I reviewed, and loved, and gave 5* to - and they’re just the most uplifting and catchy band. They toured with VANT, The Maccabees, and The Vaccines in 2015, they were playlisted by Radio 1 in 2016, and their sound is very early Libertines, late 90s/early 00s. They’re also all beautiful, and some of the most talented musicians I’ve seen play - in fact, their show with Get Inuit and Spring King was possibly one of the best line-ups I’ve seen this year. The Loft is also a super cool venue, very fitting for a band who ooze coolness.

Who? Sløtface Where? The Joiners, Southampton When? October 18th Why? I love female-fronted punk bands so maybe I’m biased, but Norwegian Sløtface are incredible. Their debut album only came out in April of this year but they’ve been together since 2012, releasing 4 EPs between then and now. They’re very much known for their feminist ideas and lyrics and they very adamantly support the environment and gender equality, among other causes, having marched for International Women’s Day and spoken out against Trump. Their ‘Sponge State’ music video got a huge reaction, as they performed on top of Førde Fjord in Norway to protest Nordic Mining dumping over 250 million tonnes of waste in it. It was a threeweek protest, and the young activists they protested alongside were fined and caught up in a lawsuit against the company. The band was banned from the mountain and fined - not exactly what you want from a music video shoot, but it certainly raised awareness! They’re all about making their shows safe spaces for women, with frontwoman Haley Shea saying “We want them to feel comfortable being part of the mosh pit, especially girls in their teens. We try and encourage them to stage dive for the first time, because it should be really empowering, and you shouldn’t have to be scared.”

Who? Clean Cut Kid Where? The Loft, Southampton When? October 21st Why? Picture this: you’re on your second date with someone and they start singing a song that they wrote for you.

Sounds like a rom-com plot but that’s the true story of how 50% of Clean Cut Kid met. Evelyn and Mike Halls started singing and writing together, got Saul Godman (bassist) and Ross Higginson (drummer) onboard, and now they’ve released their debut album Felt, which is all about how Evelyn and Mike met and fell in love. After their second gig, they signed with Polydor, and they’re playing an incredible number of shows in the upcoming months, from Bestival in September to a Southampton appearance at The Loft on October 21st. The alternative indie band, as well as being lovely to talk to, have a sound which is unique to them and I highly recommend checking them out.

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EDITORIAL

Listings Union Events

September 23rd-25th – Welcome Party (starring Chris Stark) @ The Cube September 26th – Laughter Lounge 1 @ The Bridge September 28th – Laughter Lounge 2 @ The Bridge October 7th – Freshers Ball 2017 @ The Union

Theatre

September 26th-30th – Reasons To Be Cheerful @ NST Campus September 26th-30th – Beautiful: The Carole King Musical @ Mayflower Theatre October 3rd-7th – Cilla: The Musical @ Mayflower Theatre October 5th-7th – I Won’t Make It On My Own @ NST Campus October 10th-11th – Rambert Ghost Dances @ Mayflower Theatre October 10th-14th – The Caretaker @ NST Campus October 12th-15th – The Railway Children @ Mayflower Theatre October 17th – The Magic Flute @ NST Campus October 19th – Lemn Sissay: Something Dark @ NST Campus

Live Music

September 27th – Lewis Watson @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth September 29th – Sundara Karma @ The 1865 October 1st – Tom Grennan @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth October 2nd – Coasts @ The Joiners October 2nd – Gary Numan @ O2 Academy, Bournemouth October 4th – The Hoosiers @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth October 5th – Superfood @ The Joiners October 6th – Dua Lipa @ O2 Academy, Bournemouth October 6th – Gaz Brookfield @ The Talking Heads October 7th - Loyle Carner @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth October 7th – Beverley Knight @ O2 Guildhall October 8th – Fickle Friends @ Engine Rooms October 8th - The Skints @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth October 8th – The Hollies @ Mayflower Theatre October 12th – Dead Kennedys @ O2 Academy, Bournemouth October 13th – The Amazons @ Engine Rooms October 14th - Dragonforce @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth October 14th– The Pretenders @ Portsmouth Guildhall October 15th – Nick Mulvey @ O2 Academy, Bournemouth October 16th – Placebo @ Portsmouth Guildhall October 17th – The Big Moon @ The Loft October 18th – Frank Iero and the Patience @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth October 21st – Jerry Williams @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth October 27th – Zara Larsson @ Portsmouth Guildhall

Comedy

October 1st – Paul Chowdhry @ NST Campus October 15th – Jeremy Hardy @ NST Campus October 18th – Luisa Omielan @ NST Campus October 21st – Pam Ayres @ NST Campus October 29th-30th – Greg Davies @ Portsmouth Guildhall For full listings, visit the individual venues’ websites.

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