OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Editor’s Letter December - January 14/15
If there is one thing that suits the winter months well, it’s clubbing. This is the time of year when even Liverpool can have as few daylight hours as Lapland: because you got home at 7am from the club and slept through until 4pm, rising from your pit to find it already dark and your team 2-0 down at half-time to Stoke. Until the summer is the back, the club scene is all a lot of us have got. In this issue we’ve gone big on it. We have an interview with the hedonistic house honcho Seth Troxler, who plays Warehouse Project in December with his Tuskegee labelmates; tickets for Cream Boxing Night up for grabs; a profile of all the big nights on Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve; and we also pay well-deserved dues to the resident DJs that keep the clubs ticking over night after night. Just a hangover cure needed now.
Editor
Words
Robbie Muldoon editor@open-mag.co.uk
Liam Broughton, Dave Crighton, Zoe Yvonne Delaney, Becca Frankland, Max Loisel, Lucy Varley, Josh Williams
“With electronic music: it’s like how do you not realise that you’re getting deep-throated by corporations, you know!?” - Seth Troxler (page 38)
Adam Duffy adam@open-mag.co.uk
Sales Manager
Homelessness in Liverpool - like everywhere else in the country - is on the rise. The sight of a homeless person in the city centre as Christmas shoppers rush and push past with bags of shite they probably don’t even need is a juxtaposition we thought we couldn’t ignore. Speaking to leading organisations based within the city and those directly affected by homelessness we shed some light on the current situation.
Cover Artwork
Alison Quirke alison@open-mag.co.uk
Robert May rob@open-mag.co.uk
Website Development
Special Thanks
Mike Brits mikebrits.com
The Rest Is Noise, The Whitechapel Centre, CALM
“Some people, if they seen you sleeping rough on a Friday night, they would come and kick you in the head.” - Brian (page 66)
Editorial Assistant
If you haven’t already, go visit www.openthecity. co.uk, it’s our new look website and it’s got a brand new events calendar that pops up on the screen in both the desktop and mobile versions so you can quickly see what’s on in the city and plan your night out... because life’s too short to sit around googling all day. Have a messy Christmas from everybody at OPEN!
Art Director Robert May rob@open-mag.co.uk
Director & Sales Michael Smith mike@open-mag.co.uk
Director
Lucy Varley
Photos Chris Bergin, Mike Brits, Max Loisel
Illustrations Will Daw (willdaw.cofm)
Advert Design Mike Brits, Max Loisel
THIS MAGAZINE OFFERS YOU GREAT DIGITAL EXPERIENCES USING THE LAYAR APP DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP, FIND THE SYMBOL AND SCAN THE PAGE For subscription info go to openthecity.co.uk. OPEN Magazine is published six times a year.
Robbie Muldoon editor@open-mag.co.uk
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OPEN Magazine, Baltic Triangle, 34 Norfolk Street, L1 0BE Web: www.openthecity.co.uk Phone: 0151 230 8975 Email: info@openthecity.co.uk Twitter: @OPEN_MAGAZINE Facebook: www.facebook.com/openthecity Printed by Custom Print Ltd, Liverpool.
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Contents
Stuff
Club Life
10 / Openers Save Wolstenholme Square: A Foreigner’s View and the Bluecoat Philosopher
18 / Behind The Decks We speak to Sigma
14 / The People Have Spoken What would be your last meal on death row? 16 / What’s Happening Some of the main events for December and January 23 / Viral Vidz Show some love to the street performers 88 / Cartoon Illustration by Will Daw.
Style 20 / Laces Out! A review of Liverpool’s first sneaker festival 26 / Check Out Independent retailers by Rex 28 / Fashion pages Winter Looks from Cavern and Platimun Menswear 36 / Chrimbo Prezzies Guide A Capitalistic Consumerist Christmas List, Secret Santa Sorted (56), Toys
58 / Respect to the Resident DJ The heartbeat of the club
Music 58 / Open Your Ears and Hear... Use the Layar app to listen to the sounds of Lucent.
60 / A Scene Ready to Blow Speaking to the maker of new music documentary Liverpool: Beyond the Beatles 62 / 5 Urban Acts From the North West to Watch Out For in 2015 Profiling the biggest names from the region with BEAT Club 64 / Save Wolstenholme Square: A Foriegner’s View Our French intern gives his thoughts
Art & Design 72 / Chris Bower: Scorsese and Sauconys A little bit of Scouse cubism 82 / Citygrams People, places. parties
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Features
38 / The Philosophy of Seth Troxler House music’s most colourful and outspoken DJ speaks to OPEN ahead of Tuskegee’s Warehouse Project date. 46 / A Clubber’s Guide to Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve 2014 It’s the most chocker time of the year and we’ve got all the big nights covered.
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66 / On The Cold Bleak Streets Liverpool has got a growing homeless problem.
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Save Wolstenholme Square: A Foreigner’s View By Max Loisel
When we heard of the plans to turn one of Liverpool’s key clubbing quarters into a block of flats and retail units, we were attacked by waves of nostalgia of nights spent at the venues threatened with closure, Kazimier and Nation. To us it’s as crazy as the acid drooping lollipops that tower over the square, but we have a close attachment to this place so we decided to ask our French intern, Max, who has spent the last three months in Liverpool, what his view on the whole thing is. How would it affect the city in the eyes of a visitor? These are his thoughts, the thoughts of somebody who has already grown attached to the city in a short space of time…
The City Council’s development schizophrenia stepped as new housing plans are threatening the fate of two legendary nightclubs. The proposal could turn Wolstenholme Square into another residential area, at the expense of The Kazimier and Nation, home to renowned Cream nights since the early 1990s. Within just a few days, thousands of outraged music lovers gathered on social media, in an attempt to save both venues. Sadly, this story is fuelling another lash of discontentment from local inhabitants towards the city’s development strategy. Despite touting itself as culture-friendly, the Council is increasingly being accused of threatening the soul of Liverpool. Just a few weeks after the ‘much talked about’ closing of Mello Mello, this new crisis is reminiscent of the development syndrome hitting most growing cities in the world. And guess what, culture is often getting squeezed out… Such a political signal is especially unpleasant in Liverpool given the city’s heritage. Once simply “The Beatles’ birthplace,” the city has managed to reinvent itself as a creative and dynamic city — far from its old industrial stigmas. Today, Liverpool is praised as one of Britain’s most exciting places to live. And that’s a good thing. As a newly-settled foreigner, I won’t deny this statement. As soon as I moved in, I was stoked by the feel-good vibe of the area, almost every corner providing lots of character. And with all Page 10
due respect to conservative minds, the centre’s Club scene plays a huge part in the city’s cultural identity. Wait, what? Is electronic music even proper ‘culture’? Our leaders should update their conception of cultural excellence. Culture is all about mixing, not sticking to The Beatles nor promoting uniformism. The nice rhetoric following the 2008 Capital of Culture moment seems to be slowly fading from the leaders’ priorities. Underground culture is not a dirty word. The Kazimier and Nation have been essential in attracting youngsters from all sides of England. If Liverpool was recently praised by Rough Guide, ranking as the world’s 3rd most exciting city, the centre’s creative hub has surely played its part. As a hotbed of musical culture, Liverpool should not oust its legendary club scene through the back door. Sure, that is a thing to support the growth of the city by providing relevant services. With attractiveness come new challenges. Leaders are trying to keep up with the pace of newcomers with a handful of refurbishing plans. Let’s face it, housing may be an issue. But it should be dealt with more subtly. The latest local initiatives already pushed for a gentrification of the City centre. Now the Council is pushing for more luxury flats. Meanwhile, student accommodation facilities are growing everywhere. Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs — the city’s independent and creative soul — would be a shortsighted move. Do not think Liverpool’s future attractiveness will be assessed by its amount of shiny towers. It’s rather by empowering the economic and cultural fabric at the local level. As a foreigner, I can assure you that nobody wants another aseptic city. Listen to the people, there is no point in supporting new housing schemes if Liverpool is soon becoming another boring, soul-less city. Trust me, you are not sending a good signal to young newcomers like me. The city has managed to reinvent itself once, don’t fuck it up now.
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
We Got Deep With the Bluecoat’s Philosopher in Residence By Robbie Muldoon
Liverpool’s centre for the contemporary arts - the Bluecoat - recently marked the first year of its two-year Philosopher in Residence programme - the first of its kind in the country. Dr. Panayiota Vassilopoulou, from the University of Liverpool, has spent the past year contributing philosophical ideas that have helped shape the Bluecoat’s arts programme. I had some deep questions - that for once I hadn’t arrived at after a few sherbets in the pub. Why isn’t philosophy taught on the national curriculum and should it be?
generally, intends is to substantiate this link and make it available to its audience. To shape, in other words, a public that would be best equipped to appreciate and experience art, as well as to enrich the meaning of creative practice and thought for our lives.
With the emphasis that is currently placed on the teaching of science and STEM subjects in particular, I fear that in a few years’ time you might be asking me: “Why isn’t philosophy taught at University?” And I fear this, because it is of paramount importance to learn from a young age how to think, how to be critical, and how to be reflective. I am a strong supporter of the Philosophy for Children movement, which advocates the teaching of philosophy in schools, and I have led the Lyceum project at the University of Liverpool, which trained our third-year students to teach philosophy at Liverpool College—our project partners. The benefits of this programme for the pupils where really significant and informed changes in the curriculum of that very particular school.
What qualifies something as being art? For example, why is Tracey Emin’s messy bed a work of art?
I do hope that others will follow this example. How can philosophical thinking influence arts programmes?
Philosophy, science, and art are certainly not incompatible. True, we need to make choices as to where we turn our attention, which subject we may study at university, which books to read, what job to do; so, there may seem to be clashes of interests especially from an individual perspective. However, the fundamental issue is not how to get an answer to any given question, big or otherwise, but
Philosophical thinking has influenced (and itself has been influenced by) art and arts programmes throughout history. I cannot really see how these could be kept apart. However, what this Residency, and the Bluecoat’s work more Page 12
Why isn’t it? This would be an equally hard question to answer. The point is that it is this “messy bed” that became the focus of our attention prompting this kind of discussion. In that sense, it is more than just a bed, even if its artistic value lies merely in making me wonder when I see my similarly messy bed: is a bed ever just a bed? Philosophy and science seem incompatible to some, but the recent series of Human Universe featured Prof. Brian Cox sounding very philosophical at times. Which can answer the big questions?
how to introduce and keep introducing new questions, how to question what is considered given or self-evident—and in this respect philosophy, science and art all converge. In a society where knowledge is available at the click of a button, and YouTube is awash with talks by recent cult-philosophers such as Terence McKenna and Alan Watts - how important is it to get away from screens and engage in philosophical activities such as yoga and discussions? What makes you so certain that what is available at the click of a button is knowledge? I think technological innovation is a very powerful means to disseminate information, but what is needed, as the ICT industries have already realized, is to create communities where this information, through dialogue, assessment, shared needs and aspirations, can indeed be transformed into knowledge. The engagement in philosophical activities aims at developing one’s own judgment, a focused mind, and reflective abilities within a community. This kind of development, which could also serve as a description of the fundamental conditions for freedom, is very different from what happens when one just seeks guidance from an authority or a guru, be it in “virtual” or “real” life.
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
The People Have Spoken What would be your last meal on death row? By Lucy Varley
If you were on Death Row, would a final meal make you feel some sort of final fulfilment? That’s exactly the theme behind one of Liverpool’s newest restaurants, Death Row Diner. The psychedelic, dream-like venue has sparked some controversy in the city, with some questioning the morals of the concept. A similar themed pop-up restaurant in the hipster area of east London was forced to shut before it even opened after facing a huge backlash over its marketing material, which featured images of actual death row inmates with menus of their last meal hung around their necks. With Liverpool and HMP Walton also being the site of the final execution in the UK, we decided to ask people on the street their thoughts on capital punishment and food. OPEN: Would you like to see the death penalty return? Rachael: I know that technology has moved on and you don’t get many people wrongly accused of killing now, but I’m still against it because a life sentence in prison is a death sentence really, because you’re locked up for the majority of the day and you have no hope of getting out. If you were on death row, what would be your last meal? I think I’d have a big banquet with a starter, main and a few desserts. I’d want lots of garlic, and the main course would definitely have to be something like a big curry with loads of naan bread. Oh, and a big chocolate cake for dessert! Heather: For some crimes such as Page 14
child rape I think it definitely should be brought back. I think everybody in the world should abide by one set of laws. There shouldn’t be one set for America, another for the UK and another for Europe. Last meal?: Oh god, that’s gonna be a hard one. Knowing me, I’d probably go for a Maccies! Everyone likes a Maccies! Connor: I don’t think it’s right to kill someone so I’d keep them locked up if I could. I hate how people get jailed for murder and told ‘we’ll let you out in 10 years for good behaviour’ - when it’s bad behaviour that’s got them there! Last meal?: It’d be hard to have an appetite when something serious had happened! If I had to think of something though it would probably be a Meatball Marinara from Subway. Callum: I don’t really agree with it at all because you shouldn’t get killed for something you’ve done wrong, you should get punished. If they just get killed, they’re not getting punished. Last meal?: KFC. I haven’t had a KFC in like 5 years so it’d just be worth a shot. David: I actually think it all depends upon the nature of the crime. Severe crimes? Definitely, yes. Paedophilia, things like that definitely yeah they should bring it back. Maybe not so much for the minor crimes. You’d need to make sure there was 100% concrete evidence before you execute somebody. You couldn’t just be 75% sure, you’d have to have concrete proof and be satisfied that the person committed the crime before you go through with something so final. Last meal?: Fish and chips, definitely fish and chips.
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
S’appening? December /January
Transmitting Andy Warhol UNTIL FEB 08 // Tate Liverpool Tickets: £8 - The first solo exhibition of Andy Warhol’s work in the North of England as part of the artistic Homotopia 2014.
Dadafest: Art Of The Lived Experiment UNTIL JAN 11 // The Bluecoat Tickets: Free - Art of the Lived Experiment addresses the idea that both art and life are in a state of continual change and uncertainty. Both are subject to flux and transformation.
Constellations Winter Feast
Some of our favourite upcoming events around the city (January is a little thin on the ground).
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THROUGHOUT DEC // The Observatory (Constellations) Tickets: From £30 - Gather together with friends or work colleagues this festive season at Constellations’ new indoor space, The Observatory - and indulge in some winter solstice revelry, as the Romans used to!
Email info@constellations-liv.com for details.
M.O.P. DEC 05 // The Kazimier Tickets: £16.75 - Straight away, you will remember this duo for the massive Ante Up and Cold As Ice hits from the early ‘00s - one of hip-hop’s rawest acts in Liverpool.
Chibuku Presents Sigma DEC 06 // Arts Club Tickets: £17.85 - The Food Music Tour rolls into town with Makes No sense, Kry Wolf, Shadow Child plus Drum and Bass, Kanye West-remixing duo, Sigma.
mUmU Sessions DEC 06 // The Magnet Tickets: £13.45 - mUmU go heavy, this time around Ryan Elliot and Lee Rands will be taking The Magnet right through to 8:00am.
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Hypnotic Bass Ensemble
Freeze Birthday
The Game
DEC 09 // The Kazimier Tickets: £14.85 - New York Hip-Hop collective combining brass, jazz, Afropop, hip-hop, funk, soul and R&B.
DEC 12 // The Garage Tickets: £17 - £20 +BF - Liverpool rave experts bring VIVa Warriors, Steve Lawler, and Nick Curly to town as they turn nine years old.
DEC 15 //O2 Academy Tickets: £28.12 - Remember when The Game was Dr. Dre’s protégé? That puts him in the same bracket as Snoop Dogg, Eminem and Kendrick Lamar... doesn’t it?
Four Tet DEC 11 // The Shipping Forecast Tickets: £10 - Abandon Silence and Chibuku team up to bring one of the foremost names in electronica to Liverpool.
Ross Noble: Tangentleman DEC 11 // Royal Philharmonic Tickets: £25 - £31 - Ross Noble is one of those comedians you see on panel shows - but you’re mistaken if you think of Mock The week. He hates that show. A little fact for you.
Catfish & The Bottlemen DEC 13 //O2 Academy Tickets: Sold Out - Voted ‘Live Act of the Year’ by The Festival Congress (what?), this December show is already sold out but will be back in spring.
Method Man & Redman
Radio City Xmas Party DEC 20 // Aura Tickets: £11.25 - Lee Butler and the Radio City firm takeover the old 051 to bring the anthems.
DEC 14 // O2 Academy Tickets: £30 - Red and Mef of Wu-Tang Clan continue a string of legendary hip-hop acts to have come through Liverpool in 2014.
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
By Zoe Yvonne Delaney
Since signing to 3 Beat in the summer of 2013, London duo Sigma are quickly establishing themselves as Drum & Bass royalty. Made up of Cameron Edwards and Joe Lenzie, the highly sought after producers and DJs have created remixes for a whole host of artists, such as; Eric Prydz, Ellie Goulding, Skepta, Clean Bandit and DJ Fresh. Of course, it’s their smash hit, Nobody to Love that introduced them to us as artists in their own right. Originally destined to just be a website freebie, their reworking of Kanye West’s “Bound 2” saw the pair secure their first UK number one back in April. After dominating the summer’s airwaves, September’s follow up, Changing (co-written by Ella Eyre and featuring vocals from Paloma Faith), followed suit and also topped the charts. It’s safe to say that 2014 has been a pretty successful breakthrough year. We caught up with Joe to find out just what Kanye West, a man who once humbly declared: “I am God’s vessel. But my greatest pain in life is that I will never be able to see myself perform live,” thinks of Sigma sampling his work (and being more successful with it).
OPEN: Hey Joe. So, first things first - how did Nobody to Love come about? Did you have to beg Kanye for permission to sample his work? Joe: Well, the actual final version is not a sample so essentially, and legally, it’s a cover version and you don’t have to ask for permission to cover a track. The original version was a sample of the track and we did it just to play at our sets - we actually gave it away on our website to get more people to sign up to our mailing list but it started snowballing and it became a bit of a monster.
Sigma perform at Arts Club, Liverpool, Sat 6th December as part of Chibuku Presents Food Music Tour.
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It’s obviously been a smash hit for you guys, but Kanye only got to Number 58 in the charts with Bound 2. Do you know what he thinks of it all? Is he fuming that your version has been more successful? I don’t know exactly what he thinks, but his management got in contact with us when he was in the UK, doing the Wireless
festival. They asked if we were up for throwing together a quick version that we could perform on stage with him! Unfortunately we were in America, filming the Changing video, so couldn’t do it. I assume that means he likes it. He seems like a hard man to please so that’s amazing. I envisaged upset egos and problems. The thing with that track is that Kanye didn’t have any involvement in the writing of it - that was someone else. So essentially we sampled something that he had sampled - I think it’s a long line of samples. Yeah, he couldn’t really get a cob on. Yeah, and we didn’t use any of his vocals so there’s nothing he can really say, is there? Best part of a track that didn’t include him. I’m sure he’d be pleased to hear it put like that. Now, Paloma Faith is on your latest song, how did that come about? It was basically through our management; we had a demo track and we were trying to find someone with a bit of profile and suitable voice for it, someone who would elevate the song. Our management mentioned Paloma and we’ve always been a fan of hers and it just so happened she was interested in doing it. That was another number one for you so you’ve set a bit of a precedent now – what’s next? We’re basically just getting the album together; we’ve got loads of really cool vocalists that we’re working with. We’ve got options of about three or four tracks for the next single so we’re not stressing - they all sound pretty big so watch this space. You’ve mastered both but which do you prefer - producing or performing live? It’s a toss-up between the two. It’s a difficult one – they kinda go hand in hand. It’s enjoyable DJing but it’s much more enjoyable if you’re playing your own tracks and getting a good reaction from the music you’ve made. So yeah, both! Speaking of performing, I noticed something from your tour schedule this year – you were listed as being in Leeds and Hollywood on the same date? How the hell did that work out? That’s what we do – a lot of the time we DJ
Behind the Decks: Sigma Drum and Bass hitmakers
Behind the Decks: Sigma
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
separately, especially with tours. With tours of America, one of us will go out there and the other will stay and do UK dates. Ah, so you not only interview separately but tour alone too – do you guys do anything together? How do you decide who gets the short straw and stays at home? It always depends on how things work out. For example, we usually go to Australia once or twice a year, so whoever got America, the other will get Australia. It balances out. Did you get Leeds or Hollywood? What was I doing? I can’t remember? I was in Leeds. You and Cameron actually met in Leeds, didn’t you? Yeah, we were at university there and
“ We didn’t use any of Kanye’s vocals so there’s nothing he can really say, is there?” that’s when we started this all. In the meantime, we’d run DJ workshops for kids with disabilities and do a bit of promo work on the side - we’ve definitely been through some hard times with being skint but it’s eventually worked out. You must have had some nightmare sets along the way? I got my first set of decks aged 11, so there’s 20 years’ worth of gigs to choose from. What’s the worst? So many. I once played in a bar, way before Sigma, and the promoter had booked the wrong act and thought we were someone else. I
turned up at a bar that was playing really cheesy music and R&B - at the time I was underground dance music so I cleared the floor in three seconds. You’re coming to Liverpool in December for Chibuku – do we get both of you or just one? I can’t tell you off the top of my head but it’s more than likely just going to be one of us. But it doesn’t make a difference to the show. Liverpool is usually good man, looking forward to it. Funnily enough, the label we’re signed to is actually based in Liverpool, 3 Beat. Originally, the guy who owns the label used to also own the record shop. He then sold the shop and moved onto the label but it all stems from Liverpool. So there’s some Liverpool gossip for you.
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Photos by Chris Bergin
At OPEN we have always liked a nice pair of new wheels. We swear, in our office it’s more acceptable to turn up for work on Tuesday, wearing Friday night’s Jägerbomb stained clothes, than rock in with a new pair of trabs that look like they were found at the bottom of a bargain basket in Wynsors World of Shoes. We have always featured the latest releases in each issue of the magazine, so one day two OPEN staff decided to set-up an event dedicated to the sellers and buyers of sneakers of all shapes and sizes and Laces Out! was born. Despite the early Saturday morning downpour, there was a queue of ‘sneakerheads’ eager to be first through the doors of Liverpool’s first ever sneaker festival held within Camp and Furnace in October.
The next Laces Out! Trainer Festival is set to take place March 7th 2015, at Camp & Furnace, 12pm to 6pm
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Laces Out! saw over 900 people get down to the Baltic Triangle and in the mix of its 30 stalls of sneakers and streetwear over the six hours it was open throughout the day. The crowd was as diverse as the gear on sale, predominately lads but also girls into the sportswear look; hipsters;
pre-match casuals; everybody laced up in their freshest kicks browsing the stalls as DJ Mighty Mojo spun the bass heavy hip-hop beats with others simply soaking up the atmosphere with a beer and one of the best burgers in town courtesy of streetfood vendor the Barnhouse Bistro. Sellers had travelled from far and wide to pitch up at the first Laces Out! with one American currently living in London offering up merchandise he had collected whilst Stateside: The rare, pricey stuff. There was also plenty of local sellers represented with independent stores Ricci, Weaver’s Door and Designer Boutique all pitching up and a popular showing from Transalpino with superrare framed antiquated Adidas trabs all displayed across huge blue Adidas shoeboxes. The opening Laces Out! Sneaker Festival was a huge success, thank you to everybody who attended on the day and made it what it was. We hope to see you all again when it’s back, bigger and better on Saturday March 7th 2015, at Camp & Furnace.
Laces Out! Liverpool’s First Trainer Festival
Laces Out! Liverpool’s First Trainer Festival
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Viral Vidz Show Street Performers Some Love!
We all know some put more effort in than others, but we reckon these busking stars deserve a bucket overflowing with change.
Download the Layar app for your smartphone and when you scan this page the videos will literally jump off the page at you. Trust us, it looks boss. It also means the internet has now sort of spread to paper. Doesn’t it? View using an iPhone or Android (sorry Blackberry heads). Get it at www.layar.com/ download
DOWNLOAD THE FREE APP, FIND THE SYMBOL AND SCAN THE PAGE
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Can A Statue Get Done For Assault?
DJs Are Getting Younger These Days
The breaking point of silver paint sprayed cowboy statue men has been found. In all weathers they stand there, as a sea of souls hoarding their bags of consumerism pass them by, only moving to flash draw a gun like a robotic John Wayne. Well, it just takes a douchebag in a bad shirt with a bad hair do dispensing wet willies, and the darkness is revealed!
This little DJ might look funny to you and me. But it just looked cute to the dozen paedophiles that gatecrashed the party shortly after this video finished, shuffling suspiciously on the peripheral of the flagstone dance floor. And that’s just creepy.
? The Human Transformer
???
I always knew I was different. I would make complex little sewer systems out of cardboard bog rolls for my pet hamster when I was a kid. Then I would sit the furry little rodent in a remote control rally car and drive it off the top of the stairs landing.
Scan with Layar to view video.
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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ADVERTORIAL OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Jewellery emporium Mococo have announced the addition of celebrity favourite Daisy London to their extensive range of designer jewellery. Available at Mococo stores in Metquarter Liverpool, Pyramids Shopping Centre Birkenhead and Grosvenor Centre Chester, Daisy jewellery has initiated a style movement with celebs, fashion editors and jewellery fans all over the world. The Daisy London Chakra collection is a contemporary interpretation of the ancient Buddhist Chakra symbols. On-trend design is combined with high quality hand made craftsmanship to create collectable jewellery with a deeper spiritual meaning. In yogic traditions, the Chakras are the manifestations of spiritual energies on the physical level, responsible for well-being and a happy, healthy life. The Chakra bracelets are items of jewellery designed to balance your Chakras and ensure your life force and vital energy. Every person is unique and has different Chakras; find your energy centres and wear the Chakra bracelets that fit your vitality flows. Daisy also offers a range of bracelets, earrings and pendants for the Base, Sacral, Solar Plexus, Heart, Throat, Brow and Crown Chakras. As worn by Cara Delavigne, Rita Ora, Laura Whitmore and Ellie Goulding.
Channel your Seven Chakras with Daisy at Mococo Which chakra fits your personality?
Crown Chakra Intelligence. Awareness. Thoughtfulness. The Crown Chakra is emotionally connected with aspirations, spirituality and integration of ones’ conscious and subconscious.
Brow Intuition. Perception. Imagination. The Brow Chakra is emotionally connected with insight, self-realisation and releasing negative thoughts.
Throat Communication. Resonance. Creativity. The Throat Chakra is emotionally connected with truthful expression, loyalty and organisation.
Heart Love. Compassion. Altruism. The Heart Chakra is emotionally connected with love, self-control and forgiveness.
Solar Plexus Vitality. Direction. Self-Esteem. The Solar Plexus Chakra is emotionally connected with personal power, self-confidence, and the ability to have self-control.
Sacral Chakra Sexuality. Physical Grace. Pleasure. The Sacral Chakra is emotionally connected with passion and intimacy.
Base Stability. Grounding. Prosperity. The Base Chakra is emotionally connected with self-esteem, sense of security and family values. Page 24
OPENADVERTORIAL Dec / Jan 2014
Halo coin holder necklace from £75 Chakra coins from £30
Chakra bracelets available in 18ct gold plate, 18ct rose gold plate and 925 sterling silver. Priced from £55 available at Mococo or online at www.mococo.co.uk
Chakra earrings in 18ct gold plate, 18ct rose gold plate and 925 sterling silver. From £39 available at Mococo and online and www.mococo.co.uk
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Check Out Independent retailers at Rex
Who: Rex
Who: Quills Coffee Shop
Rex is Liverpool’s newest concept store and box store. Home to a unique collection of independent retailers, artists and designers from across the city! Rex has everything from Art, Fashion, Vintage, Homeware, Gifts, Pet Accessories and Jewellery. Rex is a must visit for anyone looking looking for something as unique as their loved ones.
What: The first ever handmade, hand proud coffee shop comes to Liverpool. Set up in 2013 by Lee Wainwright and business partner Mark Spearritt providing the city with a brand new way of enjoying coffee. “We treat our coffee like wine, using a scientific approach to brewing allows us to get the most out of the bean. Our handmade technique allowed us to create bespoke, good quality coffee”. Quills have just launched their festive selection of hot drinks (image attached black forest hot chocolate) so pop into Rex and try one out for yourself!
Where:
Find REX today in the basement of Rapid, (formerly George Henry Lees) 20-48 Basnett Street, Liverpool, L1 1ED. #shoplocal #shoprex / Twitter @ REXLiverpool
Who: Cards4Scousers What: Cards4Scousers.com is an innovative local company that provides greetings cards for all occasions, utilising Scouse words and phrases. They have traded online for just over 18 months and in moving to Rex, have made their first leap onto the high street. Rex has enabled Cards4Scousers.com to branch out into other products including mugs, wrapping paper and badges, with much more to be added to their ever expanding range in the coming weeks and months.
Where:
Rex / Cards4Scousers.com / Twitter @ Cards4scousers
Where:
Rex / Twitter @quillscoffeeltd
Who: Rhombus and Pineapple What: Since joining the store in November Rhombus and Pineapple have injected Rex with colour and creativity like never before! Not only have they made the place their home for the next few months- they are the perfect happy clappy designers to choose when looking to jazz or spruce up your own home. Not only do they make some pretty amazing pillows they also do zingy homeware, jewellery and handbags! Join them in worshipping colour and throwing glitter at everything at all times well, we wouldn’t have it any other way!
Where:
Rex / Twitter @rhombusandp
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Maharishi Coat Removable Coyote Fur-lined Vest Available at Cavern Menswear & Platinum Menswear
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Cavern & Platinum Menswear
Maharishi T-shirt Anthony Morato Shoe Opposite Page Maharishi Jeans Anthony Morato High Top Shoe All available at Cavern Menswear & Platinum Menswear
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Cavern & Platinum Menswear
Canada Goose Coat Opposite Page Lanvin T-shirt Lanvin Shoes Jacob Cohen Jeans All available at Cavern Menswear & Platinum Menswear
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Chrimbo Prezzies Guide A Capitalistic, Consumerist, Christmas List By Rebecca Frankland
Bose Soundlink Bluetooth Speakers: £119.95 - Bose Bose are world renowned for the quality of their speakers, and these wireless Bluetooth compact speakers are perfect for music enthusiasts on the go. Smaller size doesn’t mean a compromise on sound when it comes to this brand.
Moshino Jumper: £380 - Flannels The Italian fashion house’s Barbie-influenced collection has gone down a storm with celebrities and bloggers alike. Depending on your Christmas budget, this could set you back a fair bit, but if you’re looking for something extra special for that fashionista in your life, this is it.
Stance Poler Rainbow Socks: £13 – Schuh Socks. Something we often complain about receiving but end up praising when fumbling through our draws at the crack of dawn. This patterned pair are a sure fire way to jazz up any hosiery collection.
Personalised Crystal Skull Vodka: £59.99 - buyagift.com The vodka is triple filtered through crystals known as Herkimer diamonds, that’s when you know it’s the good stuff. Pure and smooth, this is a gift for the experienced spirit drinker. Plus, the empty bottle looks great on its own as a little addition to home interior.
Keith Drury Liverpool Print: £145 - Liverpool Pictures (Albert Dock) This limited edition print captures all the bits of Liverpool we hold close to our hearts, The Liver Buildings, The Docks, RadioCity Tower and tons more landmarks. The quirky and contemporary interpretation of the urban landscape would look great on any Scouser’s wall.
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What do you buy the person who has everything? The age-old, yule time question. Time is of the essence as we approach Christmas, and there’s an inconceivable amount of choice in stores and online, enough to baffle even the most experienced shoppers (e.g. Mum). To give a little helping hand, we’ve selected some of the best prezzies on the market, from clothing to alcohol, shoes to gadgets, and a few funny ones thrown in too. They are all guaranteed to do the job and ultimately, save you from that last minute Supermarket Sweep-esque trip to the shops. Thank us later.
Cookin’ With Coolio Book: £10.99 - Firebox If you want to become a ‘kitchen pimp’, then look no further than this cook book from rapper Coolio. Master less-known fusion cooking styles like ‘Ghettalian’ and serve up some 5 star meals at 1 star prices.
Tabasco Spicy Chocolate: £4.99 – Firebox This is a great stocking filler for a foodie. This chocolate treat has been created with a few drops of Tabasco’s fiery sauce, it’s not for the faint hearted. Oh and it comes in an officially licensed little tin!
Textured Clutch Bag: £10.00 – George This bag is on point for two major trends, block colour and snake skin textures. It’s easy to wear in the day but it’s also the ideal party accessory that will add a pop of colour to evening attire.
Andy Warhol Desk Box: Tate Liverpool This deluxe desk set is exclusively designed for Andy Warhol collectors and fans. It holds all the tools needed for a creative thinker to get to work including a journal, a Campbell’s can pencil sharpener and a banana-shaped bookmark.
Men’s Marcelo Burlon iPhone Case: £35.00 – Flannels Give an iPhone a touch of class with this protective case printed with the brand’s colourful Alas feather design.
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By Robbie Muldoon
It’s Glastonbury 2014, the sweatbox is NYC Downlow, deep in the adult play-den of hedonism that is Block 9. The trannies dominating the stage are scattered as the DJ gets on the decks and drops the whole room straight into the disco-funk of a Prince track. Seth Troxler is not your typical house DJ. “Ride a trans-dimensional space dolphin to paradise with Seth Troxler & family,” reads the promotional material to an event named ‘Big Tittie Surprise.’ “Enter a mythical and sensual soundscape where unicorns and unassuming minotaurs lay upon fresh beds of psilocybin mushrooms, spawning the world’s future leaders.” Seth Troxler is a dazzling, rainbowshooting star sitting on top of - what can be - a bit of a bare, boring Christmas tree of electronica DJs. And he wants to get you laid.
“I actually think about people having sex when I’m DJing,” says the man who sometimes goes by the alter ego, Sex Trothler. “I am actively trying to get people laid. There’s a lot of couples that come up to me and say, “Oh we met at one of your gigs and now we’re getting married!” It’s crazy and it’s happened like, four or five times.” It looks like December 27th might be a good time to go and look for wifey then, as Troxler brings his Tuskegee label to the Warehouse Project.
Seth Troxler and The Martinez Brothers bring Tuskegee to Warehouse Project for the first time December 27th.
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Seth has been one of the figures behind the resurgence in recent years of the house sound in clubs, festivals and any party that is still going as the milkman starts his rounds. Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, he found his calling in Berlin where he spent a few years immersed in what was the capital of the techno scene. But his career really began to skyrocket after a combination of great shows throughout Europe and a 2010 video interview that went viral, which
featured Seth - clearly off his head - at the Miami Music Conference, wearing his girlfriend’s hot-pants, a sailor’s cap, and swatting away low-swooping invisible bats. You’ve got to watch it. “I think the real thing that kinda created a greater public interest in me - as much as I hate to say it - was that video some years ago for DJ Mag of the bats or whatever and I can’t really deny that there was definitely more public interest in me after that,” he laughingly admits. “It’s like the bane of my existence!” A light-hearted nature coupled with a love of the hedonistic lifestyle means Seth has a firm ‘party-boy’ reputation and a huge popularity. As I write this article a video has been posted online of an interview filmed in Australia just days before he spoke to OPEN, titled: “Watch Seth Troxler Tripping Balls.” Great click bait, although he does seem to be, er, wired. But he also works hard at his craft and has the talent to go with it. He was ranked 5th in the Resident Advisor Top 100 DJs of 2013 Poll, but didn’t even register on the more mainstream DJ Mag Top 100. What does he have to say about that? “It’s funny because DJ Polls are another thing that have helped in the rise of myself. It’s definitely put me in a place that’s extremely beneficial to my career and helped me reach more audiences. “The Resident Advisor one is honest and really fan based but with DJ Mag they send you out, like a month or two in advance, all these advertising dates, y’know. All this stuff to really try and get in there and it’s not really honest at all.”
“ I actually think about people having sex when I’m DJing ” Seth is not a DJ willing to bite his tongue: “I’m just myself you know, and I think people see that as honesty behind that.” “It is important to have a really unique personality in electronic music today because so much of the music scene becomes so, like, one dimensional and kind of a bit boring you know? When everybody is in black a bit of colour definitely goes a long way,” he chuckles.
The Philosophy of Seth Troxler
The Philosophy of Seth Troxler
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In a recent article penned for the online electronic music channel, Thump, he took aim at EDM festivals and their DJs claiming, “EDM festivals spoon-feed us bullshit,” and “that’s not clubbing, that’s a concert of cunts.” At the same time referring to two of the biggest names in the genre, “[Steve Aoki] you are not a fucking DJ. You’re an overpaid, untalented, cake-throwing, performing monkey.” And also: “Speaking of Avicii, Avicii is a cunt.” Needless to say his comments stirred up a bit of a fuss and people argued about the validity of each point, with Laidback Luke even penning a reply article attempting to counter each claim. They were all missing the point. Seth Troxler revealed himself to be a man concerned with the aesthetics of electronic music; the essence; the experience; the atmosphere; and the environment. He was making a philosophical point, wasn’t he? “Yes. I mean, people think on the outside I portray this kind of character that’s all fun and games but I’m actually a very deep thinker and I question the aesthetic of so many things. “I went to art school and for me just the aesthetic of underground dance culture is so deeply important and preserving that idea that I question many things that are going on around not only electronic music but just culture in general.” Seth Troxler the philosopher. The conversation then strays well off course, and suddenly we are discussing a recent report published by NASA - and the little attention it received in the media compared to Kim Kardashian’s arse - that warns of ecological collapse within 40 years if the human race doesn’t get its shit together. “NASA said we have 40 years to survive a global collapse and it’s crazy that situations like that are happening and nobody is giving the time of day. There’s actually this bill that just came out - this is the sort of thing that happens in America - that the Republicans just passed the bill, that scientists can’t advise the government unless the government asks for their opinion. “Republicans are the fucking worst people on the planet. Conservatives in general
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are fucking cunts. It makes me sick what they keep doing to the world and getting away with. It makes me even sicker that people don’t vote or realise the fact that they are getting fucked with such, like, a double-ended dildo, deep throat and out your ass type of way and it’s so blatant. “It’s the same with electronic music: it’s like how do you not realise that you’re getting deep-throated by corporations, you know!? You’ve got like this great lover over here that’s intelligent dance music and you just don’t get it; they’re like “ohh I don’t hear it.” I’m like, “are you deaf and blind, as well as fucking stupid?” It is no surprise then that a man with obvious intelligence who concerns himself with the conglomerates who pillage the world would want to start his own label that has a tangible effect on the electronic music scene, that doesn’t trample over people, but offers the space for talent to grow. The Tuskegee label, together with the Martinez Brothers, is the answer to that. “I wanted it to sound like an epic, rootsy, African warrior type name, but as well we found that when we were creating the label and listening to music that the urban perspective had somewhat been lost in music, you know? And a perspective that was kind of dominating dance music was mostly like Caucasian European - a German perspective.” Taking its name from a university in Alabama, Mississippi, which was one of the first institutions to accept minorities for higher education, it is a concept aimed at providing a platform for more people of minority. “It was something that we realised, like wow, it’s funny that there’s not many other kids of colour making music or dance music any more and we want a platform for kids or people from our own background to feel represented and also to feel that they have some connection as far as the idea or the brand base goes. Just the concepts of it, like the names of the songs, the content of the music, that they can go back and also say, like “hey maybe I can do that, maybe dance music’s not something so far out,” you know? Because it’s being able to take us out of poor social-economic situations and give us this incredible life and we just want to inspire other kids to do that.
The Philosophy of Seth Troxler
“ I portray this kind of character that’s all fun and games but I’m actually a very deep thinker and I question the aesthetic of so many things ”
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The Philosophy of Seth Troxler
“By no means is the label going to be only people of ethnicity but it’s going to be people coming from that perspective, that urban perspective and we want to keep things real.” Seth once again reveals his philosophical side: “Some people think music today is an art lacking in concepts - and for me coming from art school, the base of any idea is the concept, y’know. It’s a conceptuality of how rich you can go and how much more you can build on that idea. I don’t like things being cheaper, I like things to have a lot of layers. I think with Tuskegee we’re trying to build that.”
Seth Troxler and The Martinez Brothers bring Tuskegee to Warehouse Project for the first time December 27th.
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Seth has stated previously that he wants to be culturally remembered and views himself as a preservationist of the electronic music genre - basically the antithesis to Paris Hilton DJing at Amnesia. “Exactly,” he replies. “Also it’s about fun. At the end of the day, we are three guys having a blast with each other who’ve become like family.”
“We’ve got some really great music coming out on Tuskegee and I want to just keep pushing and keep giving to the world as much as I can - that’s the plan.”
“ With electronic music: it’s like how do you not realise that you’re getting deep-throated by corporations, you know!?”
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Win Cream Boxing Night Tickets Do you want to be at Cream’s final fling of the year on Boxing night at Nation? Read on to find out how you can get your hands on a pair of tickets.
Event Info: Nation, 1-3 Parr Street, Wolstenholme Square, Liverpool, L1 4JJ. Tickets on sale now £32.50+BF / Times: 22:00hrs – 06:00hrs (Last entry 1am), Courtyard open from 21:00hrs. Info: www.cream.co.uk / Tel: 0151 707 1309 / Dresscode: Jeans & Trainers ok, strictly no sportwear, Over 18’s only, challenge 21 in operation, Valid Photo ID required. Page 44
Topping the bill is a Dutch superhero who needs little introduction, Laidback Luke, fresh off the back of his Super You&Me UK tour, expect some future house fusions in the Main Room, he will be joined by fellow Dutchman and highly prestigious DJ/Producer Dannic, hailing from Breda in the Netherlands, the same city that has spawned the talents of Tiësto and Hardwell. The Courtyard will be home to some of the UK’s most loved DJ’s, Gareth Emery, Cream regular Eddie Halliwell, no doubt delivering another one of his electrifying sets and bringing some festive cheer to the celebrations. The Annexe is all about house, with a roster of new talent and predicted big
names for 2015 (you heard it here first!) all of whom will be making their Cream debut. At the helm is Watermät, still riding high off the back of his Top 10 hit ‘Bullit’, the unusually named and much hyped DJ production duo CamelPhat. Their partnership has been delivering quality deep house vibes to the more discerning DJ for the best part of five years; and only now, with the massive deep house movement, have their musical qualities come to fruition.
How to Win Tickets on sale now. To win a pair all you have to do is visit www.openthecity. co.uk and share the Facebook post or retweet the tweet available on the home page features section.
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A Clubber’s Guide to Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve 2014
The festive period is arguably the pinnacle segment of the calendar year in regards to parties. Along with Christmas cheer and an out of tune rendition of Auld Lang Syne, the season is host to an abundance of nightlife treats, including extra special line-ups and themed shindigs, and we’ve got them all covered in our guide. Boxing Day is considered the unofficial rave holiday of the year and New Year’s Eve, well, that just goes without saying - finishing 2014 off with a bang is on everybody’s agenda. When you look beyond the stressful burden of Christmas shopping and the smell of charred turkey, there’s a light at the end of the tunnel, and it looks a little something like this…
Boxing Day Circus Venue: East Village Arts Club Tickets: £23.50+BF Another one of Liverpool’s clubbing authorities, Circus, are hosting their infamous Boxing Day event again this year. The premium techno and house night was created by DJ and producer mastermind Yousef, and he never fails to bring an insanely talented bunch to party with him - this Boxing Day will see Yousef b2b Nic Fanciulli, George Fitzgerald, Scuba, Darius Syrossian, Premiesku all bringing the heat.
Craig Charles Funk and Soul Venue: The Shipping Forecast Tickets: £10 Adv+BF If you’re in need of a funk-a-thon, look no further than a DJ set from the Radio 6 legend Craig Charles. He smashed the festival circuit this summer and proved that he’s a master of creating a party atmosphere. Catch the Liverpudlian dropping grooves and hip-shaking beats at The Ship and dance off that Christmas dinner!
Cream Venue: Nation Tickets: £32.50+BF When it comes to influential Liverpool club nights, they don’t get any bigger than Cream. It has become an internationally recognised institution over the years and their continuous stream of forward thinking line-ups have kept Cream relevant and at the heart of the city’s raving scene. Laidback Luke, Eddie Halliwell and Gareth Emery are set to headline the colossal Boxing Night line-up.
Garlands Boxing Day ‘Hat Party’ Venue: Garlands Tickets: £15 Garlands is synonymous with glamour, craziness and the ability to create an environment in which you can be whoever you want. It’s one of Liverpool’s most popular clubs and
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mayhem is rife. Their ‘Hat Party’ special event will see someone win a prize for the best piece of fabulous headwear and see Kelli Leigh performing Second City’s “I Wanna feel” and Duke Dumont’s “I Got You”.
Hustle w/ Danny Krivit Venue: The Magnet Tickets: £11.25 Hustle pride themselves on being a no frills, close-knit music night. They have always made quality house and disco music the focal point of their events, and pretentiousness is unheard of. They’re set to welcome vinyl junkie, ‘King of the Re-edit’ Danny Krivit, who has been at the forefront of the development of dance music since the 70s, to the intimate confines of The Magnet.
Mansion Boxing Night: Society Reunion Venue: Mansion Club Tickets: £27.75 Join Anton Powers and Paul Smith Jnr for the legendary Society Reunion. They have a PA lined up from Nikki Belle, part of Liverpool-based group Cahill, who shot to fame following their hit club track ‘Trippin On You’. Booth packages are available - call 0151 227 4378 for more information.
mUmU Boxing Night w/ Gary Beck Venue: TBA Tickets: £22.25 mUmU imaginatively utilise some of the best spaces in the city, and always deliver a genuine, underground atmosphere. They’re a dab hand at bringing techno tastemakers to Liverpool, and Boxing Night will see them welcome back mUmU regular, Gary Beck.
Sintilllate Venue: Empire Tickets: £10 (Early) £15 OTD Former Newz Bar Boxing Day regular SINTILLATE was always a Liverpool favourite and since returning to the city this year for Saturday nights at Empire, Page 47
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the crowds have been back, descending on the Seel Street venue to enjoy the party atmosphere each and every week. This year they will be hosting the SINTILLATE Boxing Day event, which promises to be the biggest party of the year at Empire. SINTILLATE’s Tony P and Empire’s very own Andy Early, will be providing the soundtrack to both Dojo and States.
Quadrant Park Boxing Night Venue: District Tickets: £22.25 Back in the early 1990s, Quadrant Park created a movement; acid house and Italo house was spun and a new type of musical experience was born in Merseyside. The original Quad DJs Mike Knowler, Andy Carroll and John Kelly make up the line-up.
303 presents Charlie May Venue: Camp & Furnace Tickets: £14 303 was born in the midst of Cream reunions, and their bookings emphasise what they’re all about: artists that have earned their respected status by making their mark on the history of electronic music. Charlie May, one half of progressive house pioneering duo Spooky, headlines the event.
New Year’s Eve Afterdark New Year’s Eve Venue: Playground Tickets: £20 (Girls) Table reservations or members (Guys) The A List Party bring their final party of the year to Liverpool’s most exclusive nighttime venue, Playground, inside the Hilton hotel. Expect the champagne to be flowing as Big Ben chimes 12 o’clock and 2015 is welcomed in to a soundtrack of deep house vibes provided by resident Afterdark DJs Ste Noone, Dom Townsend and Mark Ingham.
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Camp and Furnace NYE Venue: Camp and Furnace Tickets: £12.50+BF New Year’s Eve in the big old space that is the magnificent Camp and Furnace promises two rooms packed with champagne and cocktail bars, street food that you would expect from the weekly Food Slam and Meatmarket. There will also by lots of pyro: smoke, fireworls, and lots of lovely lasers to beam the new year in with a smile and dance (and maybe a kiss if you’re lucky, eh?). Providing the tunes will be The Mighty Mojo, Andy Mac, DJ Rasp, Sean Hughes, and Josh Murphy.
Chibuku Shake Shake Venue: Arts Club Tickets: £25+BF As one of the main providers for inordinate house music line-ups in the city throughout the year, it’s only fitting that Chibuku host their own New Year’s Eve event. And the mighty club night once again pulls out all the stops to round the year off with big-hitters Julio Bashmore, Breach, Route 94 and B.Traits.
The Cuban Brothers NYE Special Venue: The Shipping Forecast Tickets: £12.50+BF If you’re after something a bit different, The Cuban Brothers will be bringing their signature comedy performance to The Shipping Forecast. They’re entertainment personified; expect laughs, tears and some music thrown in for good measure.
Hustle w/ Jimpster Venue: The Magnet Tickets: £8+BF Hustle return for another get down at their spiritual home, The Magnet, this time with highly regarded, innovative deep house DJ Jimpster taking centre stage.
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Garlands Bedlam ‘The White Party’ Venue: Garlands Tickets: £15 New Year’s Eve with Garlands means a U.V. starlit, winter wonderland of snow storms, whiteouts as the Snow Queen holds the club in her icy grip until the stroke of midnight when Garlands explodes into 2015 with a specially commissioned count down and blast off.
Longo & Willow NYE Ball Venue: Lust Liverpool Tickets: £22.25 Juice FM DJ Ian Longo, Mick Willow, Kev McGowan and Mick Tomo will set you up to party into 2015 with the best in house music and a night filled with live entertainers and more. Booth packages are available for up to 30 people. Call 07857316366 for more information.
Mythopoeia II - NYE at the Kazimier Venue: Kazimier Tickets: £10 Early bird They say you don’t realise what you’ve got until it’s gone - and it was with a backlash that the news of the threat to Kazimer’s future was met in November. One day Wolstenholme Square could be just another block of bland, halfempty flats. Local favourites Stealing Sheep headline a night of live music to welcome the New Year in at the Kaz, perhaps for one of the last times.
Roaring 1920’s Gala Venue: Alma De Cuba Tickets: £15 If you’re after a different vibe, as in you’re welcoming in 1925 rather than 2015, then Alma De Cuba’s New Year’s plans are for you. Extravagant celebrations, fantastic DJ’s, live entertainment and a countdown you won’t forget (intriguing) are promised. Dress code is simply come looking very dapper. Booth packages are available and there is a NYE gourmet set menu available for £80 per person for a limited number early. Check website for availability.
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23:59 NYE w/ Lewis Boardman & Scott Lewis Venue: The Shipping Forecast Tickets: £10+BF Circus resident DJs Lewis Boardman and Scott Lewis will be taking control of the basement part of the venue, ‘The Hold’ for grooves and house party vibes on NYE. If last year’s knees-up is anything to go by, you won’t be forgetting this countdown in a hurry.
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Photo by: Gary Brown
Respect to the Resident DJ By Becca Frankland
It’s tough to say what completes a club night; there’s an abundance of factors which could make or break an event, from the venue to the efficiency, the production to the bogs, but one crucial element paves the way for an unforgettable night, the resident DJ. So why is it a position that often gets forgotten about? Liverpool is home to some of the best club nights in the country (no bias, I promise), and they come part and parcel with some pretty amazing Page 52
residents. When the resident DJs reflect and represent the club nights and their approach to the scene, it’s vital for them to match the quality. “That first look into the main room when you get inside, 9 times out of 10 it’s the resident that’s providing the beats,” says Circus resident Scott Lewis, “it’s that DJ that gets your feet tapping and head nodding while you queue at the bar or the cloakroom and it’s the resident who entices you onto the dancefloor.”
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Back in the seventies and eighties when club culture first began in America and in the UK, it was all about the residents; they played week after week and helped develop a brand. They held the fort and the club revolved around their vision. There’s no denying that the market has shifted now, the vast majority of attendees crave the big names, and their big tunes - the star at the top of a line up is considered the pinnacle of the event, but without a skilled resident, the chances of the atmosphere falling flat are high. The introduction of the superstar DJ has emphasised the hierarchal system in the world of dance music, but realistically the headliner cannot create the important foundations needed for a good night, they can only add something extra. It’s an art that is often overlooked, the ability to create a buzz with music in the early stages of an event when the spark is almost non-existent. They have to muster up an atmosphere out of thin air. “A resident must know how to build the energy up before handing over to the names who sold the tickets, and this is a lot harder than most people think,” explains Chibuku resident John McAndrew. The difficulty residents are faced with is timing; they more often than not fill the earlier time slot, paving the way for the headline acts. They have a substantial knock on effect on the rest of the night, and at this point in the evening, crowds are near sober and not entirely committed to any sets. John added, “It’s very hard to find a balance between playing songs that get people energised and dancing against burning everyone out by 1am before the headliner has yet to plug in his headphones.” There’s always a point in the night when everything falls into place, something clicks and the room alters. For me that moment has been delivered by the resident numerous times, and it’s a game changer. “Some of the best sets I’ve ever heard are the residents warming up at their parties, and to be able to set the tone nicely for me makes a party, a proper party,” recalls mUmU resident Lee Rands. The title itself reiterates the importance of the role. A residency is permanent, it’s home. They help the club grow
and they grow with it. “The residents are there for whatever’s needed and they know they can rely on them in any situation”, explains Circus’ Scott, “a good resident is prepared for, and has the knowledge and capability for any eventuality.” No matter how big the club night is, they’re reliant on the backbone. The warm up is an imperative part of the raving experience, but it’s not just the beginning of the night that requires proficient residents, as Scott adds, “at the other end of the night, it’s often the residents that play at the after parties, and again, the knowledge of the crowd and the venue can make an event really special.” For many DJs including Scott, adapting sets to suit one particular line up is one of the highlights. “Each night has a slightly different vibe too and based on who’s on the line up and the crowd that will be coming, means each set has to be different and I love looking for obscure tracks to fit in with that,” he explains. Sure, you can fly in the big dogs from across the other side of the world, but the connection they have with the club won’t match that of the mainstay. The world’s best clubs revolve around their resident DJs. If you think about Ibiza and the superclubs, there’s a reason the same artists go back to the same night. They’ve made their ties, and there’s less restriction than you would imagine, it’s their time to explore and play. The title of the resident has been given a new lease of life recently, with the likes of Eats Everything and Jackmaster setting up camp at London club XOYO earlier this year for a unique series. As the club explained, “it’s not a new concept, it’s one that we feel is missing from present day Clubland – where the resident DJ isn’t a side-thought but the headliner.” They’re not the only ones to shift the spotlight onto the role, BBC Radio 1’s Residency feature welcomes dance music’s elite for regular slots. A club is nothing without its loyal troops, and the pairing of the right DJ with the right club night can produce something truly remarkable. The next time you’re prepping for a big night out, why not head out that extra hour earlier? You never know what you might miss. Resident DJs, we salute you. Page 53
ADVERTORIAL OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPENADVERTORIAL Dec / Jan 2014
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Secret Santa Sorted Buying presents for people you don’t even like By Lucy Varley
It takes nothing more than a stroll into the city centre to be slapped in the face by Christmas, allegedly the most wonderful time of the year. In reality, it can be such a pain in the arse. Whilst battling the hordes of shoppers is soul-destroying in its own right, the ritual that is the workplace Secret Santa draw only makes it even more exhausting. I do love Christmas - but shopping for gifts for colleagues? Not so much. Shopping for somebody you don’t really know all too well (or ddespise) can be a mammoth challenge, so here is a shop-it guide for those colourful characters found in even the dullest of offices.
The Train Wreck The girl in your office who seems to be dealing with a major catastrophe each and every day of her life. Her car gets towed, her husband gets arrested, her kids get expelled and she’s hospitalised with a flesh-eating virus; and then it’s time for lunch on Monday. Most often found in her native habitat outside the building, armed with a cigarette in one hand and her mobile phone in the other, tearfully dwelling on her latest flood of bad karma. She spends most of her time dealing with personal issues, and hasn’t actually lifted a finger since June 2010. Fucking Brilliant Journal. £15, Urban Outfitters Not only can she record those eureka moments she inevitably has with each and every passing day (or so you’ve heard a thousand times), but what more subtle, niftier way to tell her to fuck off and refrain from drowning you in her sorrows? Other ideas... Bejewelled hip flask: £15, Urban Outfitters
The Dinosaur (a.k.a the miserable old bastard) He has been a company asset since before most of us took our first breath, and seems to still be living ‘back in the day’. He hates the younger generation, twitches at the slightest glimpse of a tattoo or piercing and loathes ‘hop-hip’ music. Will generally be found next to the coffee machine ranting about how much he despises the modern world. He is fully prepared to keel over and die at any moment from the effects of old age and sheer bitterness. Resentment for the younger generation taking over the workplace is pretty much the only thing keeping the old fart alive. Fuck off, floral eye mask, £8 at Debenhams
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Not only will the miserable old bastard have a great afternoon snooze dreaming of a better time which exists now only as a distant and archaic memory, but this beautifully soft eye mask really captures the essence of his belligerent temperament. Other ideas... Stress Boobs: £6, Ann Summers
The Moron A complete retard. He works in your office for the simple reason that some relative or other is the company manager. His role is a constant, painful reminder that succeeding is easier when partiality exists than by actually being remotely competent. Nobody is sure what his job actually is, but you’re sure that he doesn’t do it and yet still makes more money than you. Can be found anywhere but his desk. He can regularly be spotted lounging in the staffroom playing Clash of Clans. Penis Pokey fun book, £7.99 at Urban Outfitters From one exciting spread to the next this, ahem, hilarious book offers the perfect range of scenes for the biggest dickhead in the office to star in. Rest assured he will spend hours admiring his ‘talented’ protagonist in the staff toilets. Other ideas... 52 things to do while you poo: £6.99, Urban Outfitters
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TEL: 0151 709 7393
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Open Your Ears and Hear... Lucent By Josh Williams
Working under the alias of Lucent, Liverpool born DJ/producer Stephen Walters has so far succeeded in making the step up from bedroom production and is now striving to institute a broader following. The self-taught Liverpudlian first started out as a dance music enthusiast and avid listener before learning how to control and operate the popular production software, Ableton Live. This program provided the foundations for Lucent to develop his sound and create his tracks from scratch, which rapidly led to an obsession with the concept of music creation and endless days in the studio. Although a large portion of his releases are labelled as forms of minimal-techno, Lucent is becoming widely recognised for his flexibility into new sounds and genres, with electro, tech house, electronica, breaks, house and bass all being on his agenda. This production diversity has resulted in Lucent having his tracks signed to a range of very different yet highly respected record labels including Bosphorus Underground, Four40 Records and Trouble & Bass to name but a few.
Who: Stephen Walters, 24, from Liverpool. Listen to Lucent with the Layar App
His strenuous self-promotion alongside the support of the aforementioned record labels have given rise to Lucent’s popularity as he now has over 2,000 followers on his Soundcloud profile. After DJing alongside the likes of Rudimental,
Jackmaster and DJ Yoda at YO1 Festival, Lucent has now fashioned his own regular event in collaboration with the independent music venue, 24 Kitchen Street. Titled as ‘Hot Plate’, the event has so far presented Roska, Wookie and Jamie George, and although the event is still in its very early stages it’s one to look out for. In terms of his latest and upcoming releases, Lucent has a busy agenda. A collaboration with the vocalist Rubi Dan from The Heatwave has been released as recently as October called ‘X-Rated’, which has received support from the notorious BBC Radio 1. Lucent has since remixed ‘X-Rated’ with the talented Tomb Crew who have previously released on Black Butter with the likes of Rudimental and Shadow Child. This collaboration has received support from Monki on BBC Radio 1 Xtra since its release in late October. Another forthcoming single is a track named ‘The Illest’ which is set to be released on My Techno Weighs a Ton, this will also feature a remix from Tickles, a signee to Roska’s label, Roska Kicks & Snares. Lucent has also recently partnered with AC Slater to produce a track called ‘Make Wonder’; a track which is set to be released over the winter on Bear Fresh with promising remixes included. OPEN caught up with Lucent for a little Q&A session to hear a bit more about the man behind the moniker. OPEN: Can you describe your sound in 3 words? LUCENT: Diverse, bass-driven, and aggressive. OPEN: Who are your musical influences? LUCENT: Sebastien Leger, Popof, Ahmet Sendil, AC Slater, and Tomb Crew. OPEN: What is the best dance track ever made? LUCENT: Tough one... If pushed for an answer I’d have to say Mark Knight, D. Ramirez & Underworld – Downpipe is my favourite. OPEN: Where would you most like to DJ? LUCENT: Glastonbury or Carnival, a mad street festival in London. OPEN: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve had? LUCENT: Make what feels right. Do your own thing.
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A Music Scene Ready to Blow By Dave Crighton
In 2010 the phrase ‘Icelandic ash cloud’ caused panic and dismay for British travellers who were either: A) Stuck in continental Europe with a fist full of Euros and no travel insurance, or B) Sat in John Lennon Airport waiting to fly to (insert debauched holiday destination here). Amidst the media doom mongering and footage of middle class parents crying in the south of France - at the despair of Tristan missing his SATS revision classes - a group of young hungry filmmakers decided… I wanna film that volcano, and why not?! So, after emptying their bank accounts of hard earned cash they set off to capture the spectacular might of Eyjafjallajokull (aye-yaff-yat-la-yo-kleft, apparently) erupting. What started as a once in a lifetime cool thing to see, capture and embrace became the first steps into a series of music documentaries that challenge the audience to open their eyes to the creativity on their own doorstep. The ‘Beyond…’ series explores the underbelly of music in a number of destinations challenging the audience to look ‘Beyond Bjork’ in Iceland, ‘Beyond Oasis’ in Manchester and now ‘Beyond The Beatles’ in Liverpool. The Liverpool installment is set to be premiered at Camp and Furnace on December 1st with the venue, according to documentary director Brett Gregory providing: “A significant landmark on Liverpool’s cultural scene in terms of reputation, physical space and facilities, where else should one screen the premiere of ‘Liverpool: Beyond The Beatles’ Page 60
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And who could argue? We caught up with Brett ahead of the December screening… Iceland?! What a strange and wonderful place to kick things off! How did that come about? The Eyjafjallajokull volcano had recently erupted in Iceland and so it was originally decided that Alistair (co-producer) and I should just put our wages together, fly over and film this quite rare and memorable natural phenomenon simply for its aesthetic value. Alistair mentioned our Icelandic adventure to Chris Carey at PRS for Music and he mentioned us to Iceland Music Export (an organisation supporting independent music in Iceland). We agreed that the opportunity to produce a half-hour music documentary, as well as to film the spectacular anger of Eyjafjallajokull, was too good to miss! How supportive were the people from Iceland to you guys coming in and making a film about their music and culture? We developed a concept of exploring Icelandic music beyond Sigur Ros and Bjork and worked on establishing strong contacts. The Icelanders were extremely helpful, supportive and insightful; they trusted and understood that Serious Feather were not interested in money at all but only in attempting to produce the best short documentary we could at that time with the limited resources we had available. The film would never have been made without that trust, and The Beyond Series would never have been born. Liverpool and Manchester are both culturally rich and vibrant but what differences did you notice in the musical styles of the two cities when making ‘Beyond Oasis’ and ‘Beyond Liverpool’? Since both city regions have such an incredibly rich and influential political, economic and cultural heritageparticularly with regards the Industrial Revolution and its repercussions across the world - it is no surprise that its contemporary writers, artists, singers and musicians are infused, consciously
or not, with a distinct sense of direction, experimentalism, talent, attitude and dare. Some have been extremely successful in taking control of these elements through their talent, personality and sheer will, while others haven’t been. This said, both Liverpudlians and Mancunians as a shared community still always try, whatever the odds, which is a very powerful and wonderful Northern trait. Of course, geographical difference naturally leads on to differences in cultural and creative character, and this is revealed by the fact that Liverpool is a port city and Manchester is situated inland. In turn, and in general, Liverpudlian music is historically lyrical, communal and littoral, I’ve
It is truly hoped that the audience expect to be entertained and enlightened, their eyes opened up to the vivacious talent, self-belief, commitment and sense of togetherness the Liverpool music scene survives and thrives on. Each and every act and interviewee stand out. Naturally I’m biased after two years of working on it but, for example, during post-production a test screening was carried out for a group of Scousers after which one commented: ‘I never realised Liverpool did so much. I think I’ll appreciate it a bit more from now on.’
“ It’s only a matter of time before yet another act from the city hits the worldwide mainstream” found, while Mancunian music is much more regimented, individualistic and industrialized. So, how would you assess the Liverpool music scene right now? Liverpool benefited hugely from being announced as the European Capital of Culture in 2008 and, amongst other things, the effects of this are still trickling down all the way to grass-roots level years later. For example, the cheap and even free venue spaces which are available in and around the city for up-and-coming bands to practice and perform are an absolutely invaluable asset. As a consequence, the Liverpool music scene, in my opinion, is close to boiling point and it’s only a matter of time before yet another act from the city hits the worldwide mainstream. What can we expect from ‘Liverpool: Beyond The Beatles’?
Those who peruse the documentary section of Netflix or Amazon Prime will notice any number of music documentary films that follow pop acts ‘behind the scenes’ for a glimpse into a twisted version of a manufactured reality. Or, they champion legends of the musical world whose stories have been heard a hundred times before. The ‘Beyond’ series brings a fresh and contemporary music documentary to the doorstep, with interviews from the people who have a finger on the pulse of the Liverpool music scene including: Dave Pichilingi (CEO Liverpool Sound City), Kevin McManus (Liverpool Vision), Paul Du Noyer (Authour, Liverpool: A Wonderous Place), Mike Deane (Director Liverpool Music Week) and Peter Guy (Getintothis & GIT Award).
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Mic Lowry Mic Lowry are a 5 piece boyband from Liverpool, with a huge online following and a hardcore fanbase. To make it clear, I use the term boyband loosely as they are not your stereotypical manufactured outfit. Each voice is as powerful as the next and the vocal harmonies are on point. Mostly known for singing covers, the past few months we’ve heard some original music from the group. With a reported recording deal with Universal, representation by ICM Partners in the U.S and an EP set to release, we foresee 2015 being their year!
Taylor Fowlis It’s hard to imagine having a career, management and having a hit record when your just 15 but in 2013 Taylor Fowlis had a radio summer smash hit with the track ‘Heartlight’ with Garage producer T7. Fast forward to 2014 and she’s been signed to Atlantic Records, performed at festivals and worked with more established artists and producers including Sigma. Now just 16 years old, 2015 is set to be a huge year for this Page 62
Editor, Liam Broughton, breaks down 5 of the top Urban Music talent from the North-West to look out for in 2015!
South Liverpool native with more music brewing up and a full team behind her. We’re sure we’ll be hearing her name a lot more frequently in the 2015 and we can’t wait!
Blizzard
KOF’s no newbie in the music world – he has been delivering consistency in a way no other artist from this region has over the past 5-6 years. With over 27,000 units sold from his debut EP released in 2012 and acclaimed performances all over the globe, KOF has spent the last 2 years working on his debut album, ‘The Beautiful Struggle’. The project is due to be independently released in late 2015, with singles dropping from mid January. This could – should! – be the year KOF showcases why he is often referred to as the “future of UK music”
JP Cooper 2014 was some year for JP Cooper, from performing at small bars around the country to supporting legendary artists such as Angie Stone to releasing his EP ‘Keep The Quiet Out’ and being signed by Island Records. The soulful artist is wrapping up 2014 touring America and ending a year that most artists can only dream about. We are expecting bigger things from the Mancunian in 2015 however, the quality of his last EP has no doubt got us all eagerly anticipating more music with an album potentially on the way and bigger events for us to embrace his soulful vibes.
Blizzard If you’re a fan of the UK urban scene then you know about Blizzard. It seems he’s been around for years whether it was battle rapping or releasing Grime and Hip Hop goodness. The Manchester born artist had a year to remember in 2014 being a Mobo UnSung finalist and performing at Glastonbury. He also released his ‘Testing The Water’ EP earlier this year – arguably his best and most polished project to date. We’re sure Blizzard has more stuff up his sleeve going into 2015 and is an artist to keep an eye on.
Mic Lowry
KOF
JP Cooper
By Liam Broughton (Editor of BEAT Club)
For the full low down on the region’s urban happenings, visit www.wearebeatclub.com
Taylor Fowlis
Five Urban Acts from the North West to Watch out for in 2015
BEAT Club is a new and original concept from a collective of innovative and creative minds passionate about ‘Urban Culture’. BEAT Club is an essential base to put the talents and goings on from the North West and beyond into the spotlight. In the North-West the thriving urban culture is here, ever-growing but rarely highlighted. There’s no representation of it online and that’s what BEAT Club are striving to provide, to be the magnet that brings it all together. BEAT Club is the go to place for all things urban based in the North West. From new music, artists, events as well as providing quality content.
KOF
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Who Will Win the 2015 GIT Award?
The 16-strong judging panel for the 2015 GIT Award has been revealed and as you would expect, it reads as a roll call of industry heads all with the required qualifications and experience to decide who will follow in the footsteps of Loved Ones (2012), Baltic Fleet (2013), and Forest Swords (2014) as bonafide GIT Award winners. Joining the judging panel for the 2015 prize is ex-Cocteau Twins member Simon Raymonde – founding owner of Bella Union records who has signed acts such as Flaming Lips, Fleet Foxes and The Walkmen. Rich Walker, General Manager of 4AD label, home to critically-acclaimed Bon Iver, Daughter, Grimes and The National will also sit on the panel and joining him is Jeff Barrett, founder of Heavenly Recordings (Doves, Beth Orton, Saint Etienne) which celebrates its 25th birthday in 2015. New journalists and bloggers joining the panel for 2015 include the GIT Award’s first ever international judge – Belgian-based Jarri Van der Haugen who runs Disco Naïveté, a ‘buzz blog’ which broke artists such as Lana Del Rey and Haim; Shell Zenner, North West Amazing Radio presenter and blogger; Robin Murray editor of Clash magazine and Chris Torpey, editor of monthly
Musicians, bands and creative types who would like to enter for this year’s prize are asked to send four tracks to getintothis@ gmail.com Businesses who would like to get involved with the GIT Award can email getintothis@gmail.com for more information.
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Liverpool music paper Bido Lito! Also new to the panel are Victoria Smith, manager of The Arts Club, one of Liverpool’s leading inner city venues and Dot Levine, head of campaigns and communications at UK Music – the umbrella organisation which represents the collective interests of the UK’s commercial music industry. Returning for the 2015 panel are Mike Deane, the founder and director of Liverpool Music Week, John Doran, editor of acclaimed pop culture webzine The Quietus, Mike Walsh, deputy programme director and head of music at Xfm and Simon Price, music journalist with decades’ worth of experience writing for a host of national titles. GIT Award founder and Liverpool Echo journalist Peter Guy joins Liverpool music promoter, Steve Miller, the man behind club night EVOL. Completing the judging line up is Yaw Owusu, music manager and curator of Liverpool International Music Festival. There will also be the return of last year’s debutant ‘One To Watch’ prize, for somebody to follow in the big footsteps of last year’s winner who is now blowing up massively with radio play, a spot on Annie Mac’s compilation album and newly signed to XL Recordings: Lapsley.
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Words by Robbie Muldoon Photos by Mike Brits
When you hear Russell Brand decry the fact that the five richest families in the UK have more money than the poorest 12 million people combined, does that bother you? When you weave through the bustling crowds of a city centre and have to avoid trampling on a street beggar, or the fact that the most privileged in our society are now installing anti-homeless spikes in doorways to deny the most desperate people a shelter for the night - a tactic used against pigeons - does that bother you? It all depends on your world-view and your own prejudices - of course.
who would sleep rough that night if we didn’t go out and help them. So, that’s quite a substantial number that you can see we are getting off the street.”
These are symptoms of social inequality, which, by all accounts, is on the increase. For a few years now headlines have been trotted out that describe a ‘gap between the rich and the poor approaching levels not seen since the Victorian era’. One of the tangible signs of a society struggling with an unfair distribution of wealth is an increase on a macroscale of people finding themselves homeless. But taking a closer look at the reasons why people find themselves without a home are often varied, and closer to happening to more of us than you may realise.
It is at the point of becoming homeless that for many the real drink and drug problems begin. “There is a recent study that has revealed that it only takes 7-10 days to get accustomed to living on the street and then it becomes really hard for us to get people off the streets. What we want to do is not get them into the place where they’re going to be introduced to drugs and alcohol because quite often it actually happens on the streets as opposed to beforehand,” she explains.
The Whitechapel Centre is Liverpool’s leading charity that helps the homeless. Working closely with the city council and relying on donations, they care for people across Merseyside who are sleeping rough, living in hostels or struggling to maintain their accommodation - and they are telling us that homelessness is on the rise across the city. “We’re seeing more people coming through our doors,” says Ruth McCaughley, the fundraising manager at the centre. “The number of people that sleep rough in Liverpool is actually quite small, actually it is less than 20 a night. But that’s because we offer a service that prevents people from having to sleep rough.”
No second Night Out: Have you seen someone sleeping rough? Tell The Whitechapel Centre about a rough sleeper on 0300 123 2041
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Whitechapel’s latest figures illustrate this increase in the use of its services - up 32% - in the last two years. Ruth indicates just how big the rough sleeping problem may be without the centre’s services. “You don’t really know how people’s paths would go if we weren’t here, but I mean if you look at the No Second Night Out campaign where we’re having sort of 400-500 people a year
The primary cause of homelessness is not alcohol or drug misuse, or even the Bedroom Tax. “Across the board, it has always been a relationship breakdown that has been the key factor - the one in which somebody actually gets kicked out of their home or asked to leave their girlfriend’s flat or whatever, and they just have no money and nowhere to stay the night,” says Ruth.
According to Shelter, the number of households found to be homeless in England increased by 5% in 2012/13 and 90,000 children in Britain face this Christmas in temporary accommodation or some grotty B&B. But the demographic that gets hit the hardest is men aged between 20 to 44 with as high as 84% male homelessness nationally, as significant a gender divide as suicide rates, of which 77% of all are male. Simon Howes, CALM Development Co-ordinator for Merseyside, a charity which aims at bringing the suicide rate in men down, says this all ties into a bigger issue as a society of how we see men and women. “If a woman is made homeless immediately there is a level of empathy and compassion,” he explains. “When we see a homeless man we quickly have our own kind of prejudices - they’ve probably been kicked out because they’ve been an idiot, they couldn’t hold down a job, or they’ve been drinking too much. We know that girls have greater support networks generally and I think often men can find themselves in a situation of homelessness a lot quicker.”
On The Cold Bleak Streets - Liverpool’s Homeless Problem is Growing
On The Cold Bleak Streets Liverpool’s Homeless Problem is Growing
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Men then also face a battle with their pride when everything begins to fall apart. “We still have this idea that blokes should essentially be alpha males, they should have everything together, they should take it on the chin, they should be able to provide, they should be able to earn, they should be able to hold down a job, they should be able to do everything; so when that doesn’t work it’s a long way to fall,” he explains. “To go from having it all together to it spiraling out of control; there is a major reluctance to ask for help, heavily influenced by the shame they feel and we all play a part in creating that shame,” Simon somberly states. Seel Street in the Ropewalks area of the city centre is the location of a missionary operated by nuns, it provides shelter and a daily drop-in kitchen for those sleeping rough. For that reason, a lot of homeless
can be found in the area. On a walk around I spot Lee and Luke, as they walk up the street checking the change compartments of each carparking machine they pass. Lee is long-term homeless and welcomes the opportunity to tell somebody his story. He describes to me an abusive childhood that led straight to foster care at 12; but it was when the drug taking in his teens began that he found himself homeless. A descent into a personal hell began which landed him in prison.
“ Right next door to the Maccies there’s a cage. That’s where I sleep ”
“After that, I got let out, come back on the bleeding streets, back to square one, taking drugs again,” he says. But, like so many others, it is the drink that grips and rattles him now. A poison he says is harder to kick than smack. He reels off the names of those he has known on the street
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who have passed away, counting with each finger. He needs to use both hands. “All lost to drink,” he says as his mate Luke blesses their names, stood by his side with a can of Special Brew in hand. According to recent figures, the average life expectancy of homeless people is a shocking one: they will die in their 40s. Lee is approaching this age range and a life on the streets has already taken a toll on his body. “I’ve had brain surgery, two operations on one leg, and a titanium rod in the other one,” he says - exhibiting each scarred limb. It’s late November and the cold weather is starting to really bite. I ask Lee where he will be sheltering for the night? “You know the Adelphi hotel?” he asks. “Cross over and there’s a Maccies there isn’t there. Right next door to the Maccies there’s a cage. That’s where I sleep.” Brian - who I meet at The Whitechapel Centre where he now volunteers - has escaped from the vicious cycle of homelessness, sleeping rough, and alcoholism after the centre saved him when he was on his “last legs”. As is most common it was a split with his partner that first forced him into hostels before his drink demons would see him kicked out of each and every one until the only place left to sleep was on the streets. “I’ve slept in bin sheds at the Royal [Liverpool Hospital], I’ve slept at St. Luke’s [Bombed Out Church], I’ve slept at quite a lot of places,” he tells me in a softly spoken Manc accent. With a face that tells it’s own story, a chunk of his left ear missing - life has obviously been hard on Brian. “Some people, if they seen you sleeping rough on a Friday night, they would come and kick you in the head,” he recalls. “Drink comes after it, really. To make you go to sleep when you’re in St. Luke’s Church or something. You have a drink to get to sleep.”
No second Night Out: Have you seen someone sleeping rough? Tell The Whitechapel Centre about a rough sleeper on 0300 123 2041
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Describing himself as “still a work in progress” but “settled and feeling positive,” his story offers some hope where it can be hard to see on the cold bleak streets. With the help of organisations like Whitechapel, things can be turned around when all looks lost.
Earlier this year, figures from a national review of homelessness by the charity Crisis, estimated that the number of people sleeping out across England to be 2,414, representing a 37% increase since 2010. And although Liverpool is seeing an increase like most places, the situation is not as severe as down the motorway in Manchester, where statistics suggest the numbers are about five times higher and there is a major shortage of shelters. On the other side of the coin is a hidden homeless problem. A group of people the charities never make contact with, people who are sofa surfing, moving from temporary accommodation to temporary accommodation and no place to call their own. Potentially tomorrow’s rough sleepers. Due to generally stronger maintained social ties than men, it is believed that women tend to occupy a larger hidden homeless status. It is an existence that hovers over more than eight million people who are only one payday away from not being able to pay their mortgage or rent. “I think people realise that actually they’re not far away from potentially being homeless. How many mortgage payments or rent payments have you got saved up if you lose your job? Which can happen very easily. How secure are you and for how long?” Asks Ruth. For the people who remain ignorant to that reality - many among a generation so spoiled they will fight in supermarket aisles to save a few quid on a Black Friday deal - there is also an enormous amount of understanding and goodwill to counter the negative attitudes towards homelessness. In October, over 100 people - many of who were young - turned up for the Liverpool Sleepout fundraiser, spending a night on the streets in support of The Whitechapel Centre. Brian, who has seen at first-hand the worst side of society, was there to help out. “It was nice to see people giving up their Friday night after they’d been in work all week. You don’t realise that people care so much. And they obviously do,” he says. “Everybody was dead positive and positivity breeds positivity, doesn’t it?”
On The Cold Bleak Streets - Liverpool’s Homeless Problem is Growing
“ Some people, if they seen you sleeping rough on a Friday night, they would come and kick you in the head ”
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Chris Bower - Scorsese & Sauconys
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Chris Bower - Scorsese & Sauconys
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Chris Bower - Scorsese & Sauconys
T w ov o ork iew w n so or m w m g or w e .c e p t y e of hr r o is int ur Chr bo s h is w visi and ’ er t s .n et
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OPENADVERTORIAL Dec / Jan 2014
A Slice of New York By Lucy Varley
Breathing in the authentic ambience, sipping a glass of opulent red wine and gently swaying to the soothing rhythm of Frank Sinatra’s timeless, beautiful melodies, it suddenly dawned on me that I no longer felt that I was sat in a humble abode at the heart of Liverpool. I somehow felt as though I’d been transported to one of New York’s typical weekend joints, alive with that vibrant Friday night electricity. Jovial habitués and passionate staff alluded to the fact that Manhattan Bar and Grill was the perfect spot for a weekend winddown. My partner and I are both great lovers of one off treasures; those restaurants that feel as though they have been moulded exclusively for you. So, we were both delighted to discover Manhattan Bar and Grill. Fittingly decorated with images of Manhattan’s iconic skyline, alluring mood lighting and candles, the neat cellar that is Liverpool’s newest bar and grill has been perfectly transformed to provide yet another gorgeous nightlife venue for the people of Liverpool to cherish. We were instantly greeted by Jess, our waitress for the evening. Keen to show us to our table and to offer us some drinks, Jess was so warm and welcoming that we felt as though we had not only met our waitress, but also our friend for the evening. We decided to order a bottle of red wine, as this was recommended by management as a favourite amongst regulars. We were both offered a taste of the wine before a full glass was poured for us, which only served to add to the authenticity of our dining experience. Such a simple touch is often overlooked, and yet it really does make such a difference to the memory of the evening. The wine was fragrant, alive with pungent flavours of grape and cherry and went down a treat.
17 Fenwick St, Liverpool, Merseyside L2 7LS 0151 227 5957
Upon scrutinising the menu and agreeing that it was full of diverse and intriguing options, my partner and I decided to order three courses and to take our taste buds on a true American journey. My partner ordered the pate to start, which arrived in generous portion accompanied by fresh toast and a crisp side salad. It was delicious, boasting delectable flavours which were perfectly complimented by the red wine. I decided to order the prawn cocktail, which was by far the largest and most delicious I had ever eaten. The fresh prawns were perfectly coated in a unique Rosemarie sauce, and were clearly prepared by a chef who took pride in
presentation. As we were visiting such an authentic grill, we decided that it was somewhat obligatory to treat ourselves to a hearty helping of steak. In fact, it would be rude not to. My partner opted for the New York Strip; a slab of the most tender steak cooked rare (his idea of perfection) with triple cooked, hand cut chips and a side of Manhattan’s specialist Buffalo sauce. I decided to try the no-fat steak, also undercooked to perfection and accompanied by the most satisfying chips and salad. We agreed that our steak was simply divine, and that we would certainly be returning for more. I ate most of my partner’s Buffalo sauce, as it truly was delicious. I would certainly recommend that future diners make a point of ordering a pot to accompany their meal! We kindly requested that Jess give us a break between our mains and our dessert, and so we decided to order ourselves another bottle of wine and embrace the wonderful atmosphere. We were both incredibly impressed by how well management took care of our needs; as soon as one of the comfy booths became available, they offered to move my partner and I so that we could really sit back, relax and take in our surroundings. We both felt so comfortable, so relaxed and vowed to make the restaurant a regular favourite. Our desserts soon arrived. I ordered the hot chocolate cake with a generous helping of vanilla ice cream, which tasted so naughty but so nice. My partner decided to order the New York Cheesecake, which was also heavenly and in generous portion. At the end of the night, we taxied home feeling truly satisfied that we had spent a night to remember at Manhattan Bar and Grill. Between singing our very own rendition of Frank Sinatra and recalling just how tasty our meals were, we agreed that we would make a point of returning to our new favourite venue very soon.
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
CityGrams People, places, parties A round up of Instagrams taken between October and November at some of the best events listed in the last issue of OPEN. Follow us on Instagram @openmag
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L/R T/B: @7dhero, @elizabethsarahowen, @weaversdoor, @123mckenna_lee, @alysrs, @ fact_liverpool, @tateliverpool, @cathycrist, @still_form, @circusmusic, @thecowandcocafe
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
L/R T/B: @clare_wilson_xx, @kid_gopro, @weaversdoor, @matthibbert17, @bexgamble, @floweryhazel, @lacesoutfest, @weaversdoor, @fact_liverpool, @claire_connor700, @tateliverpool
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Chrimbo Prezzies Guide Toys for Grown Ups
Who said Christmas loses its magic once you’re a grown up? Sure, the festive period for adults can be painful; the credit card abuse, the ever expanding waistline and, of course, relatives quizzing you about your relationship status over dry turkey butties. However, there are plenty of gift sets on the market that give a bit more satisfaction than what Boots have to offer.
By Zoe Yvonne Delaney
For Her Rampant Rabbit The Metal One: £50 - Ann Summers The Metal One is smaller than other Rabbit offerings, but it certainly supports the age-old claim that size doesn’t matter – it packs a punch! With 3 different speeds, 7 pulses and a powerful aluminium shaft (that can provide a hot or cold sensation – your choice); this stylish vibrator guarantees a festive buzz with a happy ending.
Rocks Off Ammunition RO80mm 7 Speed Bullet Vibrator: £9.95 - Simply Pleasure The standard bullet is around the same size, and price, as a MAC lipstick and to be honest, a must better use of a tenner. Let’s face it; everyone needs a leopard print vibrator - the perfect stocking filler.
Booty Bundle: £28 - Ann Summers It’s said that it’s better to give than receive, so give the gift of anal this Christmas. (Seriously, it’s handy to hold off on the bum fun until the 25th if you’re on a budget.) Included in the bundle is a 4” butt plug, 6” Thai Love Beads, a vibrating butt plug and, err, a mini douche.
We-Vibe 4 Plus with app control: £127.99 - Nice’n’Naughty We’re the generation that has apps to accompany their sex toys - that’s what we’ll be remembered for in years to come. “With the We-Vibe app couples can connect in new, exciting ways, whether they’re in the same room or on a different continent. She can wear We-Vibe 4 Plus anywhere and her partner can tease and please her from the palm of their hand. “
Rose Gold Mini Vibrator: £10 Ann Summers
Fifty Shades of Grey Ultimate Control Handcuff Restraint Set: £24.99 - Simply Pleasure
This Rose Gold Mini Vibrator is a slightly bigger and better version of the bullet and makes for a much better Secret Santa gift than chocolates: Rose Gold Vibrators > Boxes of Roses.
If we ignore the fact that they’re official products of the God awful Fifty Shades of Grey franchise; this Ultimate Control handcuff set is actually a pretty handy addition to your bondage boudoir.
For Him
His and Hers Crackers: £25 - Ann Summers
Lelo Pino Rechargeable Vibrating Silicone Cock Ring Gift Set: £98.95 - Simply Pleasure Have you ever bought a cock ring and thought: “Gee, this is great but I sure wish some cuff links came with this purchase?” Well, your prayers have been answered with this unique gift set.
For Couples Page 84
Novelty presents can be a bit naff but these His & Hers Crackers are filled with a few decent treats (cock rings, bullets, body candy, silk tie & info/tips card) to add to your naughty drawer on Christmas morning.
Play Together Gift Set: £45 - Ann Summers Because selection boxes that only contain Curly Wurlys, Freddos, and Chomps are for kids.
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
Why You Should Care About Our New Website By OPEN Staff
www.openthecity.co.uk Twitter: @OPEN_MAGAZINE Facebook: OpenTheCity
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OPEN magazine has relaunched its website openthecity.co.uk with a brand new look. If you’re aged 18-35, you live around Liverpool, and your idea of a Saturday night isn’t one sank in a couch watching X Factor like a Gogglebox flump, then our new site is for you. We are how an online magazine should look. We have an emphasis on being an up-to-date what’s on guide for Liverpool – but so much more than that. We feature editorial content you won’t find anywhere else: where else can you read articles about when Lacoste trackies where in fashion, world famous scouse porn stars, or interviews in which American hip-hop artists promise to shout “f@*k Rupert Murdoch” at their Liverpool show?
The site’s new features include ‘Area Guides‘, ‘Best of Liverpool‘ lists, and a ‘Now Open‘ section with all the newest venues in the city covered. But the tidiest new feature is an easily viewable events calendar that pops up on the screen in both the desktop and mobile version so you can quickly see what’s on and plan your night out because life’s too short to sit googling all day. OPENTHECITY is the youth culture city guide for Liverpool.
OPEN Dec / Jan 2014
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