BN1 Magazine January 2024

JAN 2024 BN1 MAGAZINE

Dom

Joly PLUS:

MILES JUPP / JOSH PUGH / HUXLXY & THE WORDS THAT CHANGE LIVES

BN1 MAGAZINE 1

YOUR FITNESS OUR PASSION

As children we ran for fun. At Natural Fit, exercise and fitness is a daily pleasure

AGILITY AND STRENGTH

WEIGHT LOSS & NUTRITION

RE-AWAKEN YOUR BODY

Key techniques improve posture & strength to activate your core

Metabolism screenings. Discover the foods and exercise suited to you

Mobility & stability builds movement programme꞉ move how you were born to

Your workout, at your intensity. We’ll guide a tailored programme.

Video Personal Training Studios or one to one PT sessions with a trainer.

Yoga to kettle-bells, boxing circuits, latin-dance꞉ great coach-led classes.

Brighton & Hove’s premier Club dedicated to health, fitness and wellness Discover membership options and book your personal tour

01273 284530 naturalfit.co.uk St Agnes Church, Newtown Road, Hove BN3 7BA

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BN1 is a multifaceted cultural, communal, and lifestyle publication that enjoys wide distribution throughout the vibrant regions of Brighton, Sussex, and extends into the bustling metropolis of London on a monthly basis.

Our publication can be found in various esteemed shops and venues. If you are seeking to effectively reach a substantial target audience, we invite you to get in touch with us to explore the possibilities of our collaborative partnership and the valuable assistance we can provide.

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We are pleased to offer a range of diverse internships suitable for individuals passionate about writing, photography, marketing, sales, creative pursuits, and other enthusiasts eager to make their mark in the dynamic realm of culture and lifestyle. As Brighton’s premier publication we invite you to send us your CV along with a brief introduction about yourself to: info@bn1magazine.co.uk.

All rights reserved including rights of reproduction and use in any form by any means, including the making of copies by any photo process or by any electronic or mechanical device (printed, written or oral), unless permission in writing is obtained from the copyright proprietor. All textual content, design graphics, images and specific photographs used in the magazine are copyright BN1 Media Ltd 2023 BN1 Magazine has taken every reasonable care to ensure the information contained within this periodical is accurate on the date of publication. It is advisable that you verify any information before relying upon it. BN1 Magazine accepts no responsibility for the consequences of error or for any damage or loss suffered by users of the information, materials or third parties featured within this magazine.

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CONTENTS

CONTRIBUTORS: STUART ROLT ROSIE PALDI EDWARDS DEAN HARRINGTON

EDITOR IN CHIEF: CHRIS SADLER CHRIS@BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK EDITOR: STUART ROLT STUART@BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK COVER: DOM JOLY. PHOTO: SPENCER MCPHERSON STILL MOVING MEDIA NEWSDESK/ GENERAL ENQUIRES: INFO@BN1MAGAZINE.CO.UK

BN1 MAGAZINE UNIT 28. FLOOR 6 NEW ENGLAND HOUSE BRIGHTON BN1 4GH 01273 022991

6-13

LOCAL EVENTS

14

NO PAIN, MORE GAIN! FITNESS

16

LONDON ART FAIR

18

AYURVEDA IMMERSION

20

THE JOY OF MOVING

22

QUIZ FACE + WIN PRIZES

26

MODA LIFE - NEW RENTAL LIVING

28

HUXLXY

30

DOM JOLY

34

MILES JUPP

36

10 MUST TRY VEGAN PLACES

37

FOSTER A DOG?

38

JOSH PUGH

40

HOW WORDS CAN MOTIVATE

44

BILL BUTT - KLF VIDEO DIRECTOR

50

EMBRACING SOBRIETY

52

WEALD & DOWNLAND LIVING MUSEUM

56

SUSSEX FACTS

60

WINTER RECIPES

64

TV GUIDE

66

FILM GUIDE

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BN1 MAGAZINE 5

NEWS

JAZZ FOR UKRAINE In the two years since the unprovoked invasion of their country, Ukrainians have astonished the world with their courage, resilience, and self-belief.

Coming to Hove’s The Old Market on Sun 21 Jan, Jazz for Ukraine is a celebration of this spirit, in solidarity and hope for Ukraine’s peaceful, independent future.

The concert presents leading jazz musicians from the UK and Europe, alongside local artists and young players, in a showcase of jazz music’s rising generation. Brighton & Hove Youth Big Band, the emerging jazz quintet Squint, and our headline act: the fabulous Ukrainian singer and composer Ganna Gryniva, in her first UK performance.

Jazz for Ukraine is in support of the charity War Child, which works in conflict zones across the world to provide children with access to professional psychological support. A representative from War Child will give a short presentation on their work in Ukraine to open our concert: an afternoon of wonderful live music, with an invitation to donate at the end. Do come along and support this wonderful event.

To find out more, visit: www.theoldmarket.com

JASMIN VARDIMON’S ALiCE COMES TO WORTHING Award-winning choreographer Jasmin Vardimon’s brings a re-imagining of the ground-breaking classic Alice In Wonderland, to Worthing’s Connaught Theatre on Tues 16 Jan, which promises a sensory feast of arresting images, powerful performers and striking kinetic scenery.

ALiCE tells the story of a woman, or perhaps a child, unsure of her identity or where she is going. Escaping and exploring, discovering the powers within her changing body. The world around her is different, curious, and compelling - at times absolutely bonkers. Playing with time, choices, regrets, politics, love and loss, the show is aimed at children aged seven and over, plus their adults.

A leading force in British dance theatre for nearly 25 years, Jasmin Vardimon has built a reputation for challenging, exciting and visually stunning dance and continues to add to the body of critically acclaimed, artistically respected yet accessible work both for the company she formed in 1998 and for some of the leading arts institutions she works with across the world.

Jasmin Vardimon has been an Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells since 2006, and her company tours nationally and internationally, performing at high profile theatres throughout the World.

Born and raised on a Kibbutz in central Israel, she was a member of the Kibbutz Dance Company for five years and in 1995 was awarded the prestigious British Council ‘On the Way to London’ Choreography Award.

This was to take her on a journey that saw her move to the UK permanently in the late nineties. At the same time she founded Jasmin Vardimon Company (previously Zbang) for which she has created some of her most memorable work. An Associate Artist at Sadler’s Wells since 2006, Jasmin has received numerous awards and recognition including an honorary doctorate from The Royal Holloway University and an MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours of June 2022.

For more information visit www.wtm.uk / www.jasminvardimon.com

Photo by © Tristram Kenton

Photo by © Tristram Kenton

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NEWS

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM FESTIVAL

Bringing thrilling new adventure films to the big screen, The Banff Mountain Film Festival returns to venues around the UK and Ireland in 2024 – including visits to Brighton Dome on Weds 21 Feb and Thurs 11 April.

With extreme skiing, mountain biking, climbing and more, the Banff Mountain Film Festival features two new collections of gripping action films from remote regions of the globe.

“Get ready for an inspirational night of adventure from the wildest corners of the planet!” says tour director Nell Teasdale. “With intrepid athletes, spectacular cinematography and a big dose of adrenaline, the Banff Mountain Film Festival stars the best new films from the world’s top adventure filmmakers.”

As well as white-knuckle films, each event features a free prize draw for outdoorsy goodies from the tour’s partners. Banff tour films are chosen from hundreds of entries into the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival, which is held every November in the Canadian Rocky Mountains.

Film highlights include: CHRONOCEPTION

An expedition along the ancient Silk Road into one of the least explored regions of Asia: the Tien Shan mountains, on the Kyrgyzstan-China border.

Three skiers and snowboarders follow in the footsteps of Kyrgyzstan’s nomadic people, to find themselves thrown into a world where time and space appear to stand still. Facing wild mountain landscapes, wild weather patterns and wild animals, the trio battle hostile conditions to ski stunning lines down truly immaculate peaks.

CROSS COUNTRIES

From the film Soundscape

Chronoception Photo by Jeremy Bernard

French mountain biking legend Kilian Bron spends his time travelling the world looking for thrilling routes to ride, and this time he’s crossing North America on some of the continent’s most iconic trails. From urban bike life in New York City, to red rock formations in Moab, to dense Canadian forests, Kilian embarks on the ultimate ride – captured with his signature artistic flair.

GOING GREENLAND

How do we follow our dreams while living in a way that is more in harmony with our environment? Athletes Rachael Burks and Jessica Baker attempt to find out, by combining a renewable energy sailboat with an arctic ski expedition in Greenland. The result is an inspiring and formidable voyage, with compromise and progress going hand in hand on an experimental journey through the wild landscapes and seascapes of Western Greenland.

For more information and to book tickets, see: www.banff-uk.com Going Greenland Photo by Sophie Danison

Chronoception Photo by Jeremy Bernard BN1 MAGAZINE 7

NEWS

HOLLIE & MICHAEL’S WORLD TOUR OF BRIGHTON

One day, two shows. Hollie & Michael’s World Tour of Brighton brings a pair of micro-gigs to the city on Thurs 22 Feb. Prize-winning poets Hollie McNish and Michael Pedersen are presenting the best of spoken word in this extra special event.

At 17.30, they’ll both be welcoming best-selling YA and non-fiction author, Juno Dawson, along with Caroline Lucas MP, to Western Road’s The Bee’s Mouth, for what promises to be a brilliant and intimate event.

Then you can jog, skate or cab over to The Black Dove on St James St for 20.30, and grab some extra helpings of Dawson, McNish and Pedersen. Do one, or do both, it’s going to be fab.

CHARLESTON EXTENDS EXHIBITIONS AT LEWES AND FIRLE

Continuing to bring people together to engage with art and ideas, Charleston announced an extension of its major exhibitions at both its new space on Southover Road in Lewes and its galleries in Firle, following its strongest autumn season ever. After welcoming over double the number of people we’ve seen in previous years, all four exhibitions will now run into the spring.

At Charleston in Lewes, a partnership with Lewes District Council, the acclaimed exhibitions Bring No Clothes: Bloomsbury And Fashion and Jonathan Baldock: Through The Joy Of The Senses will now run until Sun 3 March. At Firle, Osman Yousefzada’s solo exhibition and David Hockney: Love Life will continue until Sun 14 April.

Nathaniel Hepburn, Director at Charleston, said, “We are overwhelmed by the tremendous support we’ve received this autumn. The huge public support for our new space in Lewes with over 25,000 through the door so far and over 45% more visitors than anticipated shows that a new cultural centre in Lewes could become an important part of the civic life of the town.

We are delighted to extend our exhibitions into the spring to accommodate the strong public interest.”

“The warmth and enthusiasm from our visitors have not only benefited Charleston but have contributed to the flourishing cultural landscape in Lewes. We are proud to be part of this thriving community. We know that it is a really challenging time to run a small business and we are working to do everything we can to make sure that visitors coming to Charleston spend time and money in the amazing independent shops, pubs and cafes that make Lewes an unmissable part of any visit to Sussex.”

© Fleur Neale

JASON FOX: LIFE AT THE LIMIT

Ex-special forces soldier, star of SAS: Who Dares Wins, Inside The Real Narcos and author of The Number One Bestseller Battle Scars; Jason Fox is coming to The Hawth in Crawley on Tues 13 Feb. He’ll be recounting a remarkable life-story which goes from daring exploits in a distinguished career as an elite operator in the UK Special Forces to becoming a one of the toughest reality judges on TV.

This season has proven to be a strong one for Sussex across the county’s cultural institutions. The Turner Prize at Towner, Eastbourne has further solidified Sussex as a destination for art enthusiasts. The local art scene is complemented by the burgeoning wine culture, making Sussex a must-visit region in the south-east.

As Charleston continues to contribute to the cultural narrative in Sussex, the extension of these exhibitions into the spring reflects a commitment to fostering creativity, community engagement, and the enduring legacy of the Bloomsbury group. For more information, visit: www.charleston.org.uk

From gunfights, hostage rescues, daring escapes and heroic endeavours that defined Jason Fox’s service, to a very different battle that awaited him at home. Life At The Limit is a breathtaking story of Special Forces soldiering; a chronicle of operational bravery, adventure and courage on and off the battlefield. For more information, rappel to: www.hawth.co.uk

Osman Yousefzada, Untitled 2020. Mixed media on paper.

Courtesy of the artist. Photograph Above Ground Studio

NEWS

RAYMOND BRIGGS POSTHUMOUS SHOW ANNOUNCED FOR DITCHLING

A new exhibition featuring never-seen-before items and artworks from one of the UK´s most beloved author illustrators – Raymond Briggs (1934-2022) - will open in 2024, in the part of East Sussex that he made his home.

Bloomin’ Brilliant: The Life and Work of Raymond Briggs comes to Ditchling Museum of Art + Craft on Sat 27 April – Sun 27 Oct, to offer a highly personal show which brings together 30 items from the late author´s estate with over 100 original artworks from his 60-year career.

The exhibition joins up with the acclaimed, currently touring show from Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration (Raymond Briggs: A Retrospective) and is the first specifically curated show following the death of the author.

This exhibition includes work from Briggs’s pioneering titles, including The Snowman (1978), Father Christmas (1973), Fungus The Bogeyman (1977) and When The Wind Blows (1982), plus the autobiographical graphic novel Ethel And Ernest (1998), delving into the origin and creation of these classic images and stories. Also on show are his drawings, hand-lettered typography and page designs from his earliest commissions to his 2004 book The Puddleman.

For the first time following the author´s death in 2022, this exhibition will also offer a deeply personal view of the items and objects that surrounded the author in his Sussex home, which was just a mile down the road in the village of Westmeston. This will include Brigg´s own writing and drawing desk which he used for over 40 years and where he first originated some of his most famous works.

The items also give a sense of who Raymond Briggs was and his playful response to his own fame. A framed Private Eye edition from 1993 riffing on his most iconic work, a faux blue plaque outlining his commitment to practical jokes, and a 1997 note from his partner´s granddaughter detailing that “Raymond is not a normal person” - an utterance that would also make it onto Brigg´s own gravestone - are amongst the intriguing items that will be shared with the public.

Images from his work also adorn several household items, with a pair of extravagant cupboard doors featuring life-sized paintings of his parents Ethel and Ernest, who were also the focus of his 1996 graphic novel documenting their lives.

The titular character from 1977’s Fungus the Bogeyman makes several appearances, whether sewn into a blue velvet armchair, being used as a back support for a wooden chair, or simply as a repurposed book advertising stand, visitors will be able to grasp how an author can literally live with their creations.

A selection of the private correspondence that Briggs kept over the decades will also be included, from the children that enthusiastically wrote to him, to an adult from Pennsylvania who in 1975 admonished him for portraying Santa Claus as “performing an act of personal hygiene”, as well as the author´s own thoughts on the industry he worked in.

Never-seen-before artworks will also be included specifically at Ditchling including artwork for Father Christmas on Holiday, as well as several portraits and other illustrations that for decades never left his home.

These will all join hundreds of artworks that show why Raymond Briggs was - and still is - viewed as one of the most exceptional draughtsman and storytellers that this country has produced, with innovative journeys of both the magical and seemingly mundane, from monsters, flying snowmen, and miniscule humans, to heartfelt relationships, real-life war, and a hardworking Father Christmas.

Steph Fuller, Director, Ditchling Museum said: “It has been a privilege to be invited by Raymond Briggs’ estate to visit his home and select objects for this exhibition. Being in his studio amongst his drawing materials, family photographs and notes to himself, it feels as though he might have just stepped out and could return at any moment. I hope we’re able to convey something of that feeling to visitors.” For further details, go to: www. ditchlingmuseumartcraft.org.uk

The Artist page, Gentleman Jim © Raymond Briggs, 1980, 2008

MELTING VINYL

COMING UP IN 2024 22.01 Niall McCabe BRIGHTON 27.01 Lewes Psychedelic Festival LEWES SOLD OUT 02.02 Ye Vagabonds LEWES SOLD OUT 09.02 Stornoway KENT 19.02 Cerys Hafana BRIGHTON 02.03 Anne Mieke BRIGHTON 19.03 Flamingods* BRIGHTON 21.03 N’famady Kouyaté BRIGHTON 04.04 Sam Lee KENT 07.04 Jolie Holland BRIGHTON 26.04 Personal Trainer & Pom Poko* BRIGHTON 22.05 The Handsome Family BRIGHTON 23.05 The Handsome Family KENT * CO-PRO WITH LTN meltingvinyl.co.uk BN1 MAGAZINE 9

NEWS

SNAPPY SNAPS

OPENS IN DUKES STREET

Happy New Year!

Snappy Snaps the Photo and Imaging Specialist is now open in 30 Duke Street.

Brian a local has been in the business for 40 years and during this time the brand has developed a wide range of new and exciting products and services for the home, personalised gifts and business use.

In the past year there has been a revival of film photography and customers are enjoying seeing their films being developed the same day at the Brighton store.

For all your travel needs pop in and get professional passport photos printed in minutes and receive an ID code so you can apply quickly online. Our team of photographers are on hand to provide a very personal service using the very best quality materials to deliver stunning products.

We print photos instantly direct from your phone and cameras in a wide range of sizes up to A0 and finishes, canvas, posters, fine art etc., Finish your photos and art by choosing from a wide selection of frames to suit your style, we also offer a bespoke framing service.

Whatever your requirements pop in and have a look around and discuss your needs with one of our specialist team. If you don’t see what you need on display just ask as we have an extensive catalogue of products.

We hope you pop in and take a look around our store on 30 DUKE STREET BRIGHTON, or visit us online at www.snappysnaps.co.uk/brighton for our Same Day Click & Collect service.

New year, new me, new you - what shall we do? If you need some inspiration then come to our Vision Board Workshop to set your 2024 goals with Self Love Mentor Chloe Stephens and manifest them into life with our kickstart to January.

Yes, that’s right, we are getting wholesome in the new year as we wake up from our Christmas cheese comas. We’ve also got Pub Quizzes, watching the Murmurations on the Brighton Palace Pier and gallery afternoons at Helm together. Easy does it after a month of parties, we are in fully self care recovery mode this month.

We can hardly contain our excitement for our 2024 program of events. Here at Connected Brighton we love local, nothing brings us more joy than promoting our fab independent hospitality scene and taking you out to discover new places. If food is your thing, check out our dining experiences,let’s enjoy tasting menus and culinary adventures together.

I love food, so when I was creating Connected Brighton I remembered backpacking and loving going on Food Tours (side note, check out Brighton Food Tours - they are brilliant) and meeting great people, but never having enough time to get to know them. At our events we make sure you have plenty of time to share the experience, and get to know each other.

There’s no better way to make memories and connections than shared experiences - right?

Helping city professionals expand their social circle, in safe places with personalised and hosted events is what we love to do.

Want in on the action? Check out our website or download our app for all the deets.

Have a fab January!

Lyndsey www.connectedbrighton.com www.thesinglesessions.co.uk

BRIGHTON DOME • WED 14 FEB • BRIGHTONDOME.ORG • 01273 709709

FRI 31 MAY 7.30PM BOOK NOW!

SAT 24 AUG 2.30PM & 7.30PM

brightoncentre.co.uk

EXPERIENCE THE OUTDOORS THIS 2024 WITH

PIPER

YORK & ELDER

FLATS TO RENT IN BRIGHTON

Come on over to our place Most of us understand the benefits of moving about more and getting some fresh air. For a start, it’s a mood booster. Exercise of any kind, even a gentle stroll, signals your body to release endorphins, which improve mood and trigger positive feelings. And who doesn’t want that?!

But, no matter how great you feel after some exercise, getting off the sofa and taking the first step when you have a warming cuppa and Netflix to binge, can take a lot of effort. Studies have shown that if you make a commitment to exercise with a friend you’re far less likely to bail and reach for the remote. But we don’t always have friends or family who share our exercise goals or sports interests, and this is where Piper comes in.

Piper is a free website where you can meet like-minded folks who want to get out and about or try new things. Spend 2 minutes creating a profile, and then the match technology will find people in your area who are interested in doing the same things. Send them a message using the secure on-site messaging, and arrange a meet up. From walking to climbing, kayaking to tennis there’ll be somebody out there who’s keen to get out and about with you. And apart from having a buddy to coax you off the couch, there are many more benefits to exercising with a friend.

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It’s more fun. You’re less likely to get bored when you’re with a buddy. Whilst you’re sharing experiences and having a laugh along the way, exercising becomes something you look forward to. And you can put the world to rights at the same time!

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You’ll have more choice. Suddenly tennis, badminton or rock climbing become options you might not have been able to consider before.

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You can be more adventurous. It’s easier to try new things with somebody else. You may just find a new activity you love, one that feels more like fun and less like a workout.

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You can broaden your mind. Chatting with a new buddy about things you don’t always talk about with your friends, can open you up to new ideas and interests.

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With Piper, you can specify your level of a particular activity. Finding somebody who’s similarly active makes us all feel better, and you can spur each other on to get to the next level. Or not, you can also be comfortable together at the level you’re at.

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You might go somewhere new. Your buddy might have a great new walking, running or cycling route you’ve not tried before.

York & Elder is one of the newest Build to Rent developments offering city centre living that Brighton has never seen before.

The 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments come in all shapes and sizes, with views over the South Downs or out to sea, private terraces, furnished, unfurnished or easily adaptable for accessibility. You don’t need to worry about setting up a broadband contract as you’ll have 100mbps of internet at no extra cost as well as a curated furniture pack all set up in your apartment and included in your rent.

When you rent at York & Elder, you get more than just an apartment.

There is a 24/7 on-site team, an abundance of amenity spaces for you and your new neighbours to enjoy including a residents’ lounge, parcel drop-off, work-from-home spaces, residents’ gym, private dining room* and 3 communal rooftop terraces. Oh, and we’re petfriendly too (pet policy applies).

Living in such a central location means you’re at the heart of what Brighton has to offer. And being only five minutes’ walk to the train station, you’ve got easy access to the rest of the country on your doorstep, too.

From six months to five years – you get to decide the length of your contract. There’s the freedom to decorate your apartment, no letting fees, and there’s an online portal to log any maintenance requests, view your rent balance and check for building updates. Residents can meet their neighbours and enjoy a regular programme of events including collaborations with local makers and small businesses, including wine and cheese tastings, summer rooftop parties, book and film clubs and much more. There really is something for everyone. Welcome to renting as it should be.

And we also organise group activities including weekly bike rides, summer sea swims and kayaking adventures. So, whatever it is you want to do, go to www. imwithpiper.com and find someone near you to share the fun!

BN1 MAGAZINE 13

Effortless Wellness:

Embracing Natural Fit's Philosophy of Comfort-First Fitness

S

et in a converted church near Hove Park, Brighton & Hove’s finest Gym and Spa with Classes Studios, Café and Lounges is your own world of health, fitness and relaxation. Elegant exercise equipment at every turn, a stunning spa with indoor pool, and cosy café lounges for work, leisure and catching up with friends - this is the health club to inspire you every day. © Mark Roe

Natural Fit’s exercise ethos is simple: No Pain, More Gain! Everything is designed to make exercise and wellbeing a pleasure every time, never a chore.

The Club prides itself on providing Members with bespoke personal support: we help you achieve your goals confidently, healthily and with long-lasting results. From weight loss to injury rehabilitation, reducing risk of illness or simply staying fit and mobile for longer – rediscover your most energised, invigorated self with a personalised exercise programme tuned to your body and mind.

When you become a member, your individual Movement Screening enables the Club fitness team to identify your level of strength and agility. Elevate your wellbeing with elite-level Metabolic & Performance Screenings: using our unparalleled cutting-edge technology, discover the foods and exercise suited to your personal needs - once and for all.

Gone are the days of guesswork and fads. Unique to Natural Fit, your programme will help you fulfil your individual aims at your pace, freed from the usual risk of injury or setback.

© Mark Roe

Short on time today? Book a space in the innovative Personal Training Studio for efficient 30 minute sessions targeted to your specific goals, led by an on-screen virtual coach. Each workout is a prime blend of cardio and strength tailored to your personal ability level. Your individual PT cycle or rower station contains all of the equipment you need to exercise with guidance efficiently in your own space.

Excel with the guidance of highly-trained one-to-one personal trainers. Rehabilitate niggling aches and pains or discover a passion for your healthiest self, all with total confidence in your success.

Up in the airy Yoga Studio or in the gym floor studio, take your pick of a variety of instructor-led exercise classes. Reinvigorate with Yoga, strengthen with Pilates, energise with dance fitness or relearn moving how we were born to with the Natural Movement Frame Classes - a kind of adult’s jungle gym exclusively devised by Natural Fit

© Mark Roe

Reduce stress, improve strength and agility naturally, relax and re-awaken your senses. Whether exercising for sport, improving health and flexibility for future life or to relax mind and body, Natural Fit’s unique approach will help you feel rejuvenated and confident.

Mark, a Natural Fit Hove member, says it best: “if you are looking for a very relaxed club where you can improve and restore health, then this is the one.”

Natural Fit has a limited membership. Book your free personal tour to learn more about becoming a member www.naturalfit.co.uk/hove or call 01273 284530.

14 BN1 MAGAZINE

© Mark Roe

Love film?

Th e fi r s t s h o

w of 2024!

W O H S N O S A THE TRE “Savag

tastically ely funny-fan

silly” THE GU

ARDIAN

I’ll be back!

y uar ! n a J tion Edi

Check out Screen Shot, a film listings site showcasing alternative and independent screenings and events in Brighton and beyond.

FIND OUT WHAT’S ON AND SIGN UP TO THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER SCREEN-SHOT.CO.UK

ts c e p s u S l a u The Us ary u Friday 26 Jan ary Weds 31 Janu

nsh www.treaso Bo ok On li ne

ow.co.uk

Seasonal junctions are an opportunity to pause and let go of one season to prepare for another. Explore Ayurvedic wisdom behind seasonal change and discover practical tools to support your health as we slide into Spring.

[ritu - sun - dhee]

Ritu Sandhi A Seasonal Ayurvedic Immersion Sunday 17th March 2024 / 10am - 4pm The Studio, Brighton

Learn about the power of food, herbs, therapies and daily rituals and gain empowering knowledge to navigate the seasons confidently using ingredients from your own kitchen.

Seasonal practices workshop

Spring themed Cookshop

Individual pulse reading

Gentle Yoga and Pranayama

Ayurvedic lunch

Gift bag with Ayurvedic products

Hosted by Indie and Gemma - two Brighton based Ayurveda consultants and therapists on a mission to make Ayurveda accessible to all in practical and sustainable ways.

Tickets available at www.ritusandhi.co.uk

London Art Fair announces galleries and curated sections for its 36th edition London Art Fair returns from 17-21 Jan 2024, highlighting a selection of the best galleries from the UK and beyond. The Fair will offer both seasoned and aspiring collectors a diverse presentation of modern and contemporary art, alongside curated displays, and an inspiring programme of talks, tours and performances. In addition, London Art Fair continues to champion and support regional museums through its annual Museum Partnership, which this year invites Charleston, once home to the 20th century’s most pioneering artists, writers and thinkers, to showcase their unique collection of art, textiles and ceramics at the Fair.

2024 GALLERIES This year will see the participation of over 120 galleries from around the world, including Japan, Portugal and Turkey, with new exhibitors Bluerider Art, Stowe Arthouse Gallery, Liss Llewellyn and Common Sense Gallery; alongside returning names such as Gilden’s Art Gallery, Jill George Gallery and Jonathan Clarke. The Fair will feature work by some of the world’s most renowned artists working across a variety of media, including sculpture, prints, paintings, photography and ceramics, from artists including Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, Bridget Riley and David Hockney.

London Art Fair’s specialism in Modern art continues to be strongly represented through the participation of some of the UK’s leading galleries in the field. Alan Wheatley Art will be showcasing Modern British paintings and sculpture from the latter half of the twentieth century with a particular emphasis on Post-War British art, featuring never-before-seen paintings by Alan Davie to mark the tenth anniversary of the artist’s passing.

Meanwhile, Christopher Kingzett Fine Art will focus on British art of the 1950s and 60s and will exhibit a bronze sculpture of a bird by Dame Elisabeth Frink among other pieces by the artist.

Twelve international galleries will be exhibiting at London Art Fair 2024. Common Sense Gallery’s presentation will bring together four female multimedia artists, including Caribbean artist Pauline Marcelle and London based artist Lauren Baker, whose work ranges from figurative, to still lives, to abstract oil on canvas, to totem sculptures. Meanwhile, Gallery B·R’s presentation will promote the artistic production of Spanish artists, featuring work by Aythamy Armas and Jordi Alcaraz.

CURATED SECTIONS London Art Fair reflects contemporary practice and collecting trends within the art world through its critically-acclaimed sections curated in collaboration with leading experts.

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Museum Partnership London Art Fair has partnered with Charleston for its annual Museum Partnership. Situated in the South Downs National Park, Charleston was the modernist home and studio of painters Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, and the regular meeting place of some of the 20th century’s most radical artists, writers and thinkers, known collectively as the Bloomsbury Group. It is where they came together to imagine society differently and has always been a place where art and experimental thinking are at the centre of everyday life.

At the Fair, Charleston will present select works by Bloomsbury group artists, including Vanessa Bell’s portrait of Virginia Woolf, Duncan Grant’s fireplace screen and painting of the farmhouses at Charleston, as well as Omega ceramics from a private collection.

Platform Inspired by London Art Fair’s partnership with Charleston, the 2024 Platform section of the Fair brings together art that shines a light on queer love and life selected by guest curator and creative consultant Gemma Rolls-Bentley, whose group exhibition ‘Dreaming of Home’ is currently on view at Leslie Lohman Museum of Art in New York City.

In the early 20th century, the historic house and artist studio became a queer space for members of the Bloomsbury Group, including Bell’s sister Virginia Woolf. The name of Platform’s exhibition, A Million Candles, Illuminating Queer Love and Life, takes inspiration from a quote from Woolf’s 1928 novel Orlando, an imaginative biography of her lover and muse Vita SackvilleWest in which the protagonist changes sex from male to female.

Curator Gemma Rolls-Bentley said: “I’m delighted to be working with the London Art Fair to curate Platform 2024 in response to this year’s partnership with Charleston. I’m fascinated by the historic house and the stories of the creative community that thrived there. As a queer person I find something extremely validating and nourishing about spending time in a place that’s so rich with LGBTQ+ history because our histories are so often erased or difficult to uncover. I’m taking an artist-led approach to curating the section of the fair and I’m excited to present art that comes from a wide range of diverse perspectives as we illuminate queer love and life at a time when LGBTQ+ life is facing increasing challenges in the UK and globally.”

Credit © Mark Cocksedge

Credit © Mark Cocksedge

Credit © Mark Cocksedge

Credit © Mark Cocksedge

Encounters

Photo50

Established to support emerging and international galleries, with participation in the section subsidised by London Art Fair, Encounters returns to showcase the freshest contemporary art from across the globe, as well as more established galleries wishing to present new bodies of work by mid-career artists exploring new mediums or themes. Encounters acts as a platform for these galleries to test the market before progressing into the main Fair, which two have done this year. In 2024, Cross Lane Projects will be presenting Landscape of the Gods in the main Fair, and April Contemporary will present On Being, gathering together artists who question what it means to be human, and how we live and who we are as a society.

Photo50 is the Fair’s critical forum for examining distinctive elements of current photographic practice. For 2024, Photo50 will be curated by Revolv Collective presenting works by artists such as Joshua Bilton and Hannah Fletcher exploring the subject of labour and its diverse representation within the context of the land, looking at practices expanding the possibilities of photography. Grafting: The Land and the Artist will feature the work of thirteen artists, some of whom will show works created especially for the exhibition, to look at land as a site of work, resistance, action, co-dependence, regeneration and communion.

This year, Encounters expands on how an ‘encounter’ can refer to an unexpected meeting, perhaps one that leads to the discovery of an unknown artist or, alternatively, an unexpected style or subject from a well-known artist. The gallery presentations in Encounters show an exciting diversity in artistic approach, theme and geography, drawing on practices and narratives that remain underrepresented in mainstream art discourse.

Highlights include a presentation by Ricardo Fernandes that will exhibit three Brazilian artists - Juliana Sicoli, Lucia Adverse and Sylvia Morgado - and explore female resistance through the prism of art and the dynamic interplay between their respective works. Saul Hay Gallery will present a collection of painting and sculpture where artists ask the viewer to reflect on how Brutalist and Modernist architecture has shaped not only our towns and cities, but also our lives, featuring work by Harriet Mena Hill and Jen Orpin. Outside In, a charity that works with artists that face significant barriers to the art world (including health, disability, social circumstance, and isolation) will be showcasing an exhibit curated by Director Marc Steene featuring artists the charity supports, including Rakibul Chowdhury and Victoria Bowman.

Prints and Editions section For the first time at this year’s edition of London Art Fair, the Fair is introducing a new Prints and Editions section, featuring galleries whose displays will focus on limited editions. The section is aimed at nurturing collectors who will want to grow their collections in years to come and will feature prints from both emerging and household names in printmaking. Featured galleries include Enitharmon Editions, the exclusive publisher of Caroline Walker’s lithographs, which focus on the everyday lives of women. Alongside her new suite of four lithographs will be featured artists’ books, which are in the tradition of the livre d’artiste, containing loose-leaf signed limited edition prints, etchings and photogravures by artists such as Sonia Boyce, Anthony Gormley and David Hockney. The section will be accompanied by a curated series of events including printmaking workshops and ‘Meet the Artist’ events.

Visit www.londonartfair.co.uk for tickets and more information.

Ayurveda Immersion Does your new year usually start with resolutions that are ambitious and by the end of January it’s all fizzled out? What if there was a centuries-old practice that could help you sustain that drive throughout the year? Enter Ayurveda, the sibling science to Yoga, which offers a timeless foundation to lead your best life by bringing you back to your unique balance. It achieves this through a blend of food, herbs, therapies, and lifestyle adjustments.

What better time to do this than the new year? Small steps are the key to development of sustainable habits for the long term. Ayurveda takes a preventative approach so that you can take control of your health well before it has a lasting impact on your life.

stimulate digestion, complements your morning routine and is far less daunting than it sounds. Consider using a copper or steel tongue scraper for best results.

3.

Get moving - Gentle exercise on an empty stomach is a really good way to support your body and how it functions in the long term. In the morning shortly after waking up is a great time to incorporate some low impact movement like stretching, mobility exercises, yoga, pilates or a walk. Finish up your morning before breakfast with a warm shower and you’re off to a flying start!

4.

Optimise digestion - Instead of coffee on an empty stomach, switch it out for hot water to be the first thing you drink. First thing in the morning, it’s one of the best ways to wake up your insides and get your cells to do what they do best. Help your liver along too with a squeeze of lemon in Winter and Spring.

Here are some ways from Ayurveda to lay the groundwork for long-term health: 1.

2.

Bring back routine - Consistency in how you go through your day is really helpful in letting your mind and body feel grounded and stable and able to sustain energy in a more balanced way. This means things like waking up and sleeping at the same time and eating your meals at a similar time.

Morning rituals - How you start the day will dictate how the rest of it will go. Aside from brushing your teeth, Tongue scraping is a gentle practice to remove toxins from the surface and

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5.

Make a meal of it - Your body loves warm things and that’s exactly what your meals should ideally be; cooked, warm and as fresh as possible. How can you make that happen when it comes to cooking your meals at home or eating out? Take it one step further and take the time to sit and be with your food, away from screens.

6.

Prioritise Sleep - Set the stage for a good day by ensuring a settled night’s sleep. Consider going to bed earlier, avoiding screens before bedtime, or indulging in a relaxing foot massage with a simple oil to help unwind.

The next best place to start is at a seasonal transition. Why? Because in Ayurveda, the seasons influence us more than we think.

Those colds, flus, seasonal allergies that happen each season? That’s your body struggling to adapt. These junctions of change are the perfect time to introduce a little cleansing and tweak of your nutrition so that you can let go of one season and glide into the next. As Winter’s grip begins to ease, prepare yourself to embrace the energy of the approaching days by melting away the heaviness.

There’s a place you can learn and experience this too - join us at Ritu Sandhi - A seasonal Ayurvedic immersion. Ritu Sandhi, pronounced [ritoo - sun - dhee] is the Sanskrit word for seasonal junction.

Join us for a day dedicated to practical wisdom for living well through the seasons, using ingredients from your kitchen and adapting your lifestyle. All tied up with a delicious, seasonal Ayurvedic meal to nourish you.

Sounds good? Reserve your spot by visiting www.ritusandhi.co.uk.

Details : Sunday 17 March 2024 / 10am 4pm / The Studio, Brighton.

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2024: The Year We All

Finally Get Moving

(And Why Your Sofa Might Miss You)

As the clock struck midnight on Dec 31st 2023, something remarkable happened. No, it wasn’t the sudden realisation that your New Year’s resolution to learn Esperanto might have been a tad optimistic. It was the collective decision to embrace a healthier lifestyle in 2024. And this time, it seems, we might actually stick to it.

Why Now? The Great Outdoor (and Indoor) Renaissance Let's face it, our relationship with exercise has been, well, complicated.

For years, many of us viewed it as something akin to a tax return – necessary but not exactly thrilling. But as 2024 dawns, there’s a seismic shift happening. Perhaps it’s the collective cabin fever from lockdowns, or maybe we’ve all just grown tired of Netflix asking if we’re still watching.

Whatever the reason, people are swapping their slippers for sneakers in droves.

Outdoor activities are witnessing a renaissance. Hiking trails are the new social media hotspots (because if you didn’t post a summit selfie, did you really hike?). Biking is no longer just a way to dodge traffic; it's now a legitimate family outing – yes, even with your teenager who thought ‘spinning’ was something you only did in a chair.

Technology: The Unlikely Fitness Companion Who would have thought that one day our phones would be the ones telling us to get off the couch? In 2024, fitness apps are like having a tiny personal trainer in your pocket, constantly reminding you to move. And with wearable tech, we're all walking around with more stats on our wrists than a sports commentator.

But perhaps the best part of this digital fitness revolution is the rise of online communities. Now, you can find your fitness tribe, whether you’re into yoga, cycling, or underwater basket weaving. Yes, it's a thing.

The New Social Workout: Sweat and Socialise Exercise in 2024 isn’t just a solitary pursuit; it’s a social one. Fitness classes are the new brunch. People are meeting up for park runs instead of pints (although the post-run pub visit is still very much a thing). And let's be honest, there’s a certain camaraderie in collective suffering through a particularly brutal spin class.

A Word of Caution: Balance is Key

And let's not forget the home fitness revolution. With more gadgets and apps available than ever before, you can now have more personal trainers in your living room than guests at a small dinner party. The rise of virtual reality workouts means you can climb a mountain in your living room – just mind the coffee table.

Now, as we all embrace this active lifestyle with the enthusiasm of a child in a candy store, a word of caution. Balance is key. It’s great to be active, but remember, your sofa needs love too. And while it’s tempting to try and make up for lost fitness time, your body might have other ideas. Listen to it.

The Mental Gymnastics of Physical Fitness

The Joy of Moving

Now, let’s talk about the mental health benefits. We’ve all heard that exercise releases endorphins, but who knew these little molecules could do so much heavy lifting? They’re like the unsung heroes of the biochemical world, fighting off stress and anxiety one run, swim, or awkward Zumba move at a time.

So, as we march (or jog, or cycle) into 2024, let’s celebrate this newfound love for fitness and all the benefits it brings. Let’s enjoy the great outdoors, the innovative indoors, and the joy of moving. Your body will thank you, your mind will thank you, and even your sofa will eventually forgive you.

And it's not just about feeling happier. Regular physical activity has been shown to sharpen the mind. That’s right, your morning jog might just help you remember where you left your keys. Or, at the very least, provide a valid excuse for why you’re out of breath running to catch the bus.

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Image credit: John Arano

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BN1 MAGAZINE 21

N U F IA IV R T E C A F IZ U Q !

N O W E B O T S E IZ R P AND

WIN

Win an exciting bundle of games courtesy of Quiz Face from Cyanide & Happiness in this month’s January edition of Quizword!

In Master Dater, the newest card game from Cyanide & Happiness, players vie for each others’ attention and affection by creating perfect, horrible dates pandering to very specific dating interests.

Combine a head and a body into a perfect match, and argue your way into the heart of the sexy single. Defeat your rivals, win at love!

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Joking Hazard is an extremely not-for-kids party game where you compete to finish awesome/terrible comic strips with friends!

QUIZWORD

The Quizword is like a crossword but a little bit more trivia based.

Once completed, the letters in the pink boxes spell out a CODEWORD when rearranged. When you have figured it out email us at prizes@ quizface.co.uk FOR A CHANCE AT WINNING THIS MONTH’S PRIZE!

ACROSS

DOWN

4.

India, Yankee, Kilo, Yankee, Kilo

1.

Which comedian is the regular host of the Big Fat Quiz of

piece is from.

2.

It’s not a UFC main event match until you hear which Bruce say

rearranged.

3.

Solve the WORDUKU to figure out the word when all the

American’s shot down off the coast of Myrtle Beach,

5.

The Last Devil to Die was released by which author in 2023?

8.

January 19th of 2023?

9.

(but spelt out in full) GD,JLS,FD,NR,FS,NP,DH,MH,JG,NF,TB and ?

12.

Tears of the Kingdom was the latest release this year from

13.

6.

Go to MISSING PIECE to name the boardgame that

7.

Go to FLAGUZZLE to see which country’s flag I have

10.

I spy with my quizzical eye something that the

11.

14.

17.

18.

19.

South Carolina?

Who stepped down as Prime Minister of New Zealand on

What comes OUTTA HERE next in this 2023 sequence

Lionel Messi won his eighth one of these.

which computer game franchise?

15.

16.

the Year?

“IIIiiiiiiiiittttttsssSSSSS TIIIIIIIIIIMMMMMEEEEEE!”

highlighted spaces are filled out and rearranged.

Which celebrity was awarded $1 after winning their court case

because of a skiing accident?

Which 2023 slang word is short for “charisma,” and it simply

means an ability to charm and woo a person.

“Come on Harry we wanna say goodnight to you” is the

opening line to which 2023 Brit Awards Song of the Year song?

2023 saw which graphic novel, turned silver screen cult classic,

turned animated Netflix Special series character TAKE OFF?

What felt so real, that Ryan Gosling wanted you to feel it in the

song “I’m Just Ken”?

The venue Sphere opened in with U2 as its first residency

performance in which US state?

Which historical figure and Disney princess was revealed to be

the 12th great grandmother of Edward Norton?

More on page 25

BN1 MAGAZINE 23

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WORDUKU

Fill out the grid using the letters above each Worduku. The letter in the pink boxes will make up a word, when rearranged. (3 DOWN)

Missing Piece I have packed away all my boardgames after a full on year of gaming. But alas! I forgot to put one piece back in its box, which boardgame is this piece from? (6 ACROSS)

FLAGUZZEL I have taken apart a counrty’s flag bit by bit, can you name the country? (7 ACROSS)

BN1 MAGAZINE 25

NEW

BN1 gets first look at the ‘Moda Life’

Picture this. You’re taking in the golden hour views from your roof terrace, after cooking up a storm for friends in your private dining room.

Tomorrow, you might have a personal training session in your own 24-hour, state of the art gym. Or perhaps you’ll watch a film in your home cinema, or curl up in bed surfing on your free superfast Wi-Fi. You might be fooled into thinking we’re describing the latest luxury hotel opening - we aren’t. This is Moda Hove Central, a sleek new residential neighbourhood opening 10 minutes from Hove Station this Spring.

BN1 was lucky enough to be one of the first through the door of the latest (and largest) Moda neighbourhood to date. We’d heard great things about Moda’s existing collection of neighbourhoods across the country (Manchester, Liverpool, Leeds, Birmingham and Edinburgh, to name a few) and we were eager to see how the newest one measured up. So strap in - here’s our take on the Moda way of life…

tiling. Think industrial-chic with a warm colour palette – we absolutely love it. Upstairs is equally stunning with pops of colourful art that perfectly compliment the deep navy walls in the communal lounges. Carefully considered textures give the space a charming warmth too – we love the rattan, brushed leather and abundance of sprawling plants.

The apartments These pictures speak for themselves. From spacious studios to three-bedroom homes, the high standard is consistent throughout all Moda spaces. Each apartment building will have a roof terrace accessible to all residents, boasting unparalleled views of the sea, the South Downs, and the surrounding city. Inside, the apartments are packed with the latest tech and Samsung integrated appliances. Residents can opt for furnished or unfurnished – those opting in can expect the same gorgeous interiors spotted throughout the communal zones. We’ve left with some serious interiors inspo!

Location

Amenities

The new neighbourhood sits on Sackville Road, a 10-minute stroll from Hove Station.

For reference, that’s less than 15 minutes on foot to The Ginger Pig, or a 20-minute walk to Rockwater. Super central!

This is where things get really exciting. Moda just makes life better for residents. Here are some of our favourite bits that Moda residents can expect:

First impressions We made our way up the ‘Spanish Steps’ which lead to the main entrance and atrium.

The scale of the neighbourhood is incredible – over 800 beautiful homes coming to one stunning location. It was refreshing to find out that 60% of this epic neighbourhood will be made into public gardens for everyone to enjoy. These won’t be your standard public gardens either - Moda has worked closely with the council to recruit an incredible line-up of local and internationally acclaimed artists who are currently creating bespoke pieces to fill the spaces. We can’t wait to see them – watch this space for more info on unveilings early next year!

Stepping inside What an entrance! The heart of this beautiful neighbourhood takes residence in an impressive double height space, flooded with natural light. The space blends pastel pinks with deep, dark greens and accents of teal 26 BN1 MAGAZINE

• • • • • • • •

24-hour concierge (never miss an ASOS delivery again!)

24/7 gym packed with industry leading equipment and personal trainers Luxurious cinema with gorgeous velvet armchairs (available to book for private use!)

Stylish communal lounges and co-working spaces Cycle café and bicycle spa – offering residents all the tools they need to keep their bikes in top condition Dance / yoga studio A packed programme of events curated by friendly on-site Resident Engagement Managers MyModa app, which puts the ‘Moda Life’ in the fingertips of every resident. The app can be used for communicating to concierge and other residents, booking onto events, tracking energy usage and carbon output to support a more sustainable lifestyle. Residents can also use it to pay rent, and access exclusive brand partner offers.

The verdict Moda is unlike anything we’ve currently got here in Hove. Interior designed homes, state-ofthe-art amenities and a super central location are just the beginning – Moda is building the foundation for an incredible lifestyle for all its residents. We love the consideration that has gone into this neighbourhood and close attention they have paid when it comes to integrating with local communities - we can’t wait to see them unveil their public art early next year.

How do I make Moda Hove home?

The great news is reservations are now open.

Head to www.modaliving.com to enquire about apartments.

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MUSIC

HUXLXY My influences include Daft Punk, Eminem, My Chemical Romance, Fall Out Boy, Timberland, Billie Eilish, but I mostly only listen to my own music.

in awe at the monumentality of the project, but even now, people tell me they love that song we made, and we even won some awards, so I think we were able to pull it off.

compelling rhythms, Huxlxy has carved a

Tell us more about your new release ‘Matches’ and the inspiration behind it?

What is the most memorable moment of your career so far?

release, ‘Matches’, is a testament to his

Matches is about the concept of burnout, and sacrifice, how you can dedicate your life to the thing you love at the detriment of yourself, but given the chance you would do it all over again because it was what you were born to do.

I remember I received a message on instagram from the incredibly talented musician and producer Alex Da Kid offering to fly me out to LA to write some music, I had never been on a plane or even left London at this point so I jumped at the chance, I went of my own and stayed for two weeks, LA is probably my favourite place on earth and I saw things that I had only ever seen in video games and movies, I was staying at the top of the Hollywood hills and could see the Hollywood sign from my bed. I will never forget it.

In the ever-evolving landscape of

pop music, one name that has been

consistently pushing boundaries is Huxlxy.

Known for his innovative soundscapes and niche for himself in the industry. His latest creative prowess, further solidifying his position as a trailblazer in the genre.

As we sit down for an interview with

Huxlxy, we delve into the mind of the artist, exploring his inspirations, his creative process, and the journey that led to

‘Matches’. This introspective conversation promises to shed light on the man behind

the music, offering fans a glimpse into the world of Huxlxy.

What inspired you to create your debut record, Horror Movies?

Horror Movies was inspired by a rejection of normality, fitting in never came easy to me so I wanted to embrace the darker more macabre aspects of myself and explore where that would lead.

I also, of course, drew inspiration from the songs namesake, this song for me conjures up iconic scenes from heights of horror cinema, the lone killer turning his back on the world for a glimpse at something more visceral, I like to embody and entertain different ideologies from my own when making music, this song suggests, what if Huxlxy was a serial killer?

How would you describe your sound and what artists are an influence?

My music mix of pop, blues, ragtime, and trap, with a touch of horror-core every now and then, the music I wanted to listen to didn’t exist, so I simply willed it into existence.

But at its core it’s still pop music. I find the world of pop music and its simplicity fascinating, how it resolves, how succinct it is and how broad and open minded pop can be.

I wanted to investigate a more literal interpretation of the concept, the release cover has burns makeup that I did myself, to further reinforce the idea that I am literally burning away myself for my art, this artwork was also inspired from the anime villain Dabi from My Hero Academia. Anime in general shows up a lot in my music and my art.

I was in New York for the first time and I made friends with some producers out there and the words and melody just came to me all at once, it felt like I was reciting a poem I had heard many times before.

It also came out around Halloween this year which is my favourite holiday, and I think it fits perfectly.

What is the most challenging aspect of being an interdisciplinary artist?

For me I would say its delegation and trusting in others to understand the vision, just because I can do something, doesn’t mean I always should.

Recently I’ve been trying to collaborate as much as possible, but to try and alleviate some of that pressure, I’ve been trying to get over the mentality that I need to show everyone that I can do everything, when really, all art is collaboration.

What work did you produce for MailChimps debut commercial campaign?

I was tasked with co writing and singing in MailChimps first global advertising campaign, I hadn’t ever worked in this way before but thankfully I was working alongside a fantastic composer based in Brighton who helped me through the process, I remember at the time being

What advice would you give to aspiring musicians?

Take everything you like and smash it together, create something truly unique to you, that way comparison can never steal your joy, no one can be better at you than you, but don’t ever stagnate, go outside, meet people, aim to get better at the things you love and remember, a good artist can copy another, a great artist can copy thousands.

Is there a tour planned for 2024?

Touring has always been something I want to do, I believe I would thrive in that environment, and hone many new skills, perhaps in 2024 I’ll finally be able to meet all of my fans around the world.

Anything else you would like to add?

Music to me isn’t a hobby or job or my vocation, it’s simply who I am, as I’m able to breathe I’m able make music, I couldn’t imagine my life without it, its my highest form of expression and my way of housing the solar system of my ideas, each song a planet waiting to be explored.

Check out @Huxlxy

BN1 MAGAZINE 29

DOM JOLY. PHOTO: SPENCER MCPHERSON STILL MOVING MEDIA 30 BN1 MAGAZINE

COMEDY

Dom Joly The Conspiracy Tourist heads out on the road

By Stuart Rolt

“I just love having strange conversations with people,” Dom Joly tells me. “As long as they’re not violently racist or really offensive, I really love listening to other people’s weird beliefs.” After shooting to fame with one of the most gleeful and surreal hidden cameras to grace television, Joly has turned his skills to travel-writing in recent years.

Travelling the world in search of unusual adventures, he’s found himself skiing in Iran, hunting Sasquatch in northern California and hiking through the hills of Lebanon with Hezbollah members. It’s probably as close as you can get to the Boys Own adventures of old, in a world of easy communication and travel where there are no more lands left to discover. In his latest book, The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World, he’s set out to discover why so many think Finland isn’t a real place or that the Earth is flat.

“It’s like a very odd phone-in show on the radio, where you’re slightly appalled,” he says. “It is interesting to hear what other pepe think. I did genuinely want to try and work out why other people believed what they did and what made them tick. I do find it fascinating.” The book starts with an impromptu battle with an anonymous antivaxxer, who’d been plastering the neighbourhood with stickers which claimed the pandemic was a hoax and the vaccine is dangerous. Joly made up some of his own, which read: “LEAKED CIA DOCUMENTS REVEAL THAT PANDEMIC DENIERS HAVE MICRO PENISES” and the pair spent the next few months anonymously covering up each other’s tiny self-adhesive propaganda.

“What particularly riled me was that I had a friend in hospital on a ventilator. I was getting all this crap from people saying Covid didn’t exist, and

that the vaccine was for Bill Gates to implant a microchip on your brain.” Being in Lockdown, he had plenty of time to think about the trend. He was angry about the spread of misinformation, but also started wondering if these beliefs were in good faith or were people doing it for the attention. “Conspiracies in the old days were quite harmless. You had things like Bigfoot and ‘did we land on the Moon?’ They were all quite fun. After Trump came in, things really started to change.

The moment his spokesperson, Kellyanne Conway, used the term ‘alternative facts’ then truth became an odd thing. I just wanted to look people in the eyes and ask them if they believed these things. And they did!”

Which is how he came to be travelling the globe (or disc…) in search of the more outlandish theories. From getting the facts from QAnon devotees and hunting UFOs in the desert to visiting what he was told was Finland and visiting the assumed edge of the world, While it’s a work packed with humour and genuinely strange moments, it quickly becomes apparent that Joly is not there to exploit the people he talks to for cheap laughs. You can tell he gets real joy from discovering more about what sits at the fringes of Western society. “I realised I should have taken Ubers all around the world.

Because you learn a lot about a country from their drivers. You get this random mix of people.

Often, they’re immigrants. And immigrants have a really interesting take on a country, because they’re looking at it from a slightly detached point of view.”

Part of this affection for the periphery might stem from his less than conventional childhood.

Growing up in a house in hills above Beirut, he was a witness to the horror and absurdity of the Lebanese Civil War. “I think I’ve always been an outsider really. In Lebanon, we were British, and I felt very at home there, but at school I was always the weird kid who lived in a warzone. All the stuff I read was French and Belgian; things like Asterix, Lucky Luke and Tintin, so I’ve always slightly hovered above things. I think that’s where my

comedy came from. I’ve always looked at aspects of English life and thought: ‘that’s very strange.’”

He says that growing up in somewhere like Lebanon, which is both very strange and utterly beautiful, does provoke an interest in politics and history.

“I think conspiracies are just another way of looking at things. I like the idea that there is stuff which science can’t explain. But I’m also quite wary of UFO stories and that they only seem to turn up and probe hillbillies. If they’re really interested in communicating with us, why don’t they just land outside the UN?” Joly tells me it’s often complicated to explain to people what he does. Especially when needing to describe his occupation on the numerous landing cards he must fill out on his travels. He certainly doesn’t describe himself as a journalist.

“What am I? A man famous for shouting into a big mobile phone, who now decided he’s a travel writer. You just say the word journalist because it’s easier, I suppose. I say writer more, but it depends what language I’m talking. Because in some countries, being a journalist has a very different connotation.” He’d ideally identify as ‘an observer’, which might still cause a few problems at borders. Although, he does let on that he’s heard Boy George writes ‘Fairy’. Which seems rather fabulous. “I used to have ‘comedian’, but that means something very different. In French it means actor, so people would get confused with that. I now have ‘clown’, which I love…”

To follow-on from the book, Joly is soon hitting the road with The Conspiracy Tour. Calling at Brighton’s Komedia on Wed 28 Feb and Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre on Sun 10 March, this unique theatre experience will offer a fascinating, and slightly anarchic exploration of the worlds he’s uncovered. “I’ve never really done live stuff, apart from the last tour. I’d always been a TV comic, so it wasn’t what I did. I literally forced myself to become a live performer and did what I’d describe as ‘extreme PowerPoint’ trying to persuade people that their next holiday should be in Lebanon.” He says this tour is decidedly BN1 MAGAZINE 31

Joly playing the role of Dr Julian Northcote more comedic. The first half is a summary of the book and how the theories propagate. For the second half, he’s invited Britain’s leading conspiracy theorist, Dr Julian Northcote, to defend the alternate view. Strangely, this esteemed expert has almost no internet presence. “He’s written various books like Cows: Britain’s Secret Killer and The Complete History of The Public Bench. He’s going to come on and give some balance.”

He admits that his previous approach to live performance had been a little unconventional.

“All my successful TV was all ad-libbed. I love the editing process. I’d spend hours and years putting music on and making it flow. But when it came to live stuff, I assumed that ad-libbing was my magic dust. I’d just go on and go for it. Sometimes it’s brilliant, but other times it would just fall flat, and I’d get very nervous. I realised you actually have to prepare and build a show.”

Much of Joly’s reputation as a prankster stems from the absolutely massive Trigger Happy TV. This gleefully surreal and increasingly inventive Channel 4 show reinvented hidden camera stunts for a new millennium. Accompanied by an achingly cool soundtrack, it featured gangs of human-sized cuddly animals acting like hooligans, nihilistic signs, inept Russian spies and getting a range of unsuspecting tradespeople to work on a child’s playhouse. While many similar shows used the public as the butt of their jokes, it invariably provoked brilliant reactions from onlookers, who would react with politeness or kindness.

In some ways, Joly’s transferal from TV to live performance (via travel writing) goes against the traditional career path for a comedian. “Trigger Happy could only exist on television, and it was a real skill. It used to piss me off that commissioning editors would go to Edinburgh, grab a stand-up and put them on telly. They’re very different skills.

I was very aware, when I do live stuff, that I’m stepping on people’s toes. I haven’t paid my dues in that area. I think it’s because I’m not a stand-up.

I’m sitting there telling jokes.” He admits when he first did stand-up, he got hammered by reviewers.

“Probably rightly so. I didn’t know what I was doing. But I feel I’ve reached a moment where I can go onstage and I feel confident.”

He’s got an affection for the Komedia, having already visited the venue several times. “I was in Brighton for a month doing The Rocky Horror 32 BN1 MAGAZINE

Show, and I was going there a lot.” He’s done a lot of work in and around the city, as a colleague lives in Hove. “When I did a new version of Trigger, I filmed quite a lot there. Brighton’s a fantastic place to film because you’ve got everything. There’s the seaside, the city and then a two minute drive and you’re up on Devil’s Dyke.”

anything back. Then a year later, a show called Dark Tourist came out. They totally nicked it. I was so fucking angry about that, I just forgot about it.”

A production company in the US has just reserved the TV rights to The Conspiracy Tourist. “It is something which could make an interesting series.

I think that’s probably what I’m going to do next.”

While he’s already brought his travel writing to the small screen with shows like Dom Joly’s Happy Hour, where he explored the world’s various drinking habits, and walking the Sultans Trail between Belgrade to Istanbul for the BBC’s Pilgrimage, he does seem like a natural choice to replace Michael Palin when the Monty Python star eventually hangs up his travelling trousers.

“My dream in life is doing that. I once saw Michael on the street when I was driving. I’ve met him, and he’s one of the loveliest people on Earth.

But there was a temptation to just sneeze and bump him off. Him and Bill Bryson, there’s just a couple of people I need to get out of the way.”

Joly suggests he’s not seen in the same light.

Part of the reason might be because he’s jumped from being a comedian to doing travelogues.

Palin did something similar yet did manage to become a national treasure in-between. “I hope that people are starting to see it’s something I’m serious about. I’ve tried to pay my dues with these books. That Travel Man on Channel 4… They’ve asked every comedian I’ve ever heard of. But I’ve never been asked to go on it.; I don’t know what it is. Probably people loathe me. But I’m just not seen as a travel person. I am determined to break through though.”

Ostensibly, The Conspiracy Tourist has also seen a big change in Joly’s approach. Most of his previous books have been about the desire to touch history in a way. Works like The Hezbollah Hiking Club: A Short Walk Across the Lebanon have all come from a personal space. Now, he’s found himself writing a trend which impacts us all. “I didn’t think about writing a book which was more relevant to people. It does seem to have really triggered something. We are aware that this conspiracy thing is getting bigger and bigger with the rise of things like AI, deep fakes, online scams and the algorithms driving it all.

All of his books seem like obvious ideas for a TV show. His The Dark Tourist: Sightseeing in The World’s Most Unlikely Holiday Destinations, being a prime example. It sees Joly examine the bleakness of the Chernobyl exclusion zone, trying not to laugh while exploring North Korea and embarking on a road trip between USA’s most notorious assassination sites. “I really didn’t want to do them as TV shows, because if you make a travelogue you can’t write a book at the same time.” Making a show means you’re always hanging out with the crew. Which would probably be delightful, but to do what he does best Joly needs to head off on his own and see what happens.

“I totally understand why people get into conspiracies. I’m not denigrating them or getting angry, but when you start to spread fear to the vulnerable it becomes a real issue. One of the reasons people want to believe in them is that life is chaotic. As humans, we try and put order on things. Conspiracy theories help us do that.”

“When I wrote The Dark Tourist, we pitched it to Netflix, who said they loved it. We didn’t hear

“Our Instagram pages are delivering alternative universes. You realise people interested in that stuff are just being fed it. For them, what you or I think is completely weird. Because they’re getting a completely different reality. It’s very frightening.”

He’s at pains to point out The Conspiracy Tourist isn’t a scientific book. He just wanted to tour around and find out a bit more firsthand. “They make us think that something terrible or random has happened because there’s a reason and person behind it. More and more people are feeling powerless, perhaps it gives them a sense of power in this secret knowledge.”

Dom Joly’s The Conspiracy Tour comes to Brighton’s Komedia on Wed 28 Feb and Eastbourne’s Devonshire Park Theatre on Sun 10 March. His book, The Conspiracy Tourist: Travels Through a Strange World, is available now via Robinson. www.domjoly.tv www.komedia.co.uk/brighton www.eastbournetheatres.co.uk

11 – 14 JULY TIC KETS NOW ON SALE GOODWOOD.COM BN1 MAGAZINE 33

COMEDY

MILES JUPP TV and Stand-up star begins new tour

Miles Jupp sets out on a brand-new stand-up show; On I Bang, which comes to the Brighton Dome on Sun 25 Feb. A lot has happened to Miles since his last tour finished at The London Palladium in 2017. He has acted in TV shows including The Full Monty, Trigger Point, The Durrells and Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? In comedy he’s hosted The News Quiz and appeared as a guest on shows including Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and Have I Got News For You.

But most notably, he suffered a brain seizure in August 2021 and had major neurosurgery.

This is the subject of On I Bang – finding the funny side to a tale of surprise, fear, luck, love and qualified medical practitioners.

Hi Miles, you are looking very well.

My skull probably has a groove in it, but it's at the back, I can't see it. I feel quite jolly.

This major life event in 2021 forms the basis of your new show On I Bang. Without any spoilers what happened?

Well, the big spoiler is I survived. I had a brain seizure, which was actually quite lucky. It meant I was taken to hospital where they ran tests. So having the seizure was an element of fortune because it's like a big helpful sign that something is up. And that something was a brain tumour the size of a cherry tomato, which had to be removed.

What were you doing when it happened?

I was filming the ITV series Trigger Point. I'd just finished my scene. Ludicrously my character, a radio host, is speaking and then a bomb goes off roughly when it felt like a bomb had gone off in my own head. Luckily, I was in a work environment which meant there was a medic on the set so they wrestled me into the appropriate position. It was only a day's work, but taking that job might have saved my life.

Was it completely unexpected?

The tumour was there but I was totally unaware of it. They can't date it. It's not like trees or fossils.

The swelling of the tumour causes the pressure.

And it's the pressure that eventually caused the seizure. It could have happened at any time, but until about five minutes before, there was nothing.

I just started feeling very dizzy very quickly and there was some flashing of lights. I remember falling forward and then some people holding me down and then it's just like a series of moments of consciousness. Next time I was in an ambulance and then I was in A&E at West Middlesex Hospital.

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Has it changed your outlook on life?

It's very good for putting things in perspective. Not that I don't moan about all the pathetic things other people moan about as well. But after a while, you can go, oh, I've got the freedom to moan about it.

You just think about things in a different way.

It must have been very worrying for your family.

I could be lying in a hospital bed plugged into stuff and actually feeling fine, whereas from their point of view it's 'oh no, he's lying in a hospital bed with lots of stuff plugged into him.' And they got the call from the programme's line producer to say I was on my way to hospital. So that's quite a shocking thing to get when you are on the bus.

it's a pure piece of storytelling, with a beginning, a middle and an end. I got a letter from a guy who saw a work in progress gig and he's been through the same thing. He was saying people around him were worried but it was very cathartic for him.

How did the show come about?

I started writing it down, not in a comedic way, but I thought it would be useful to have a record of it.

Then I thought, I haven't done a stand-up tour for six years. And I went to see Blur at Wembley and I just thought it's great being in a crowd, isn't it?

I just thought I like this thing of a crowd enjoying a thing together so much. And I thought, yes, I should turn that thing into a show and do it, which is kind of an odd genesis, really. And I like going to theatres.

You had surgery after three weeks to remove the tumour...

It was accessible, but not totally straightforward.

I found being in hospital very uplifting, actually, partly because you're just surrounded by people that are very caring. There must have been about five other people on that ward all in the same boat.

So you don't feel alone in that sense. It is scary.

And I've not experienced a thing like that. I can't pretend that it isn't.

You started out as a stand-up, but many people will know you as an actor. You've done so much, from Balamory and Harry Potter to Rev and The Thick Of It. I think filming my part in Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix took 20 minutes. My costume fitting took longer. I'm a sucker for a straight offer without an audition. There's a difference between working hard and working a lot.

And I think if you're creating the work yourself, that counts as working hard, if you're just accepting the work that you're given that's not the same. Working on my own has its pleasures in terms of control and being able to fix something quickly, or make adjustments. But I really like the bit when you're making something in a team, the rehearsals are the best bits.

So On I Bang is all about this event - before, during and after?

This is the show. It's a story told in a stand-up style.

I promise you there are lots of jokes. It's not me moaning about unsatisfactory customer experience or something I've noticed about luggage. Hopefully

With acting you don't know what's next...

I got a nice part in a thing in Antwerp and then a week later I did one audition for Disney+'s The Full Monty on a Friday, got the part on the Tuesday, the next Friday I had a costume fitting, then started filming on the following Monday for six months.

The luxury for me was you go, 'well, all I can do is trust these people.' In a way it's sort of freeing. It's all the unknowns that are stressful. Even dealing with being lucky is stressful. Because you think why? Why me?

You've got some high-ranking roles coming up. The Duke of Rochester in the series Belgravia and Emperor of Austria in Ridley Scott's movie Napoleon...

It could be cut to nothing, but I did get to ride a horse in Napoleon. I had to go to a riding school, and I thought, this is quite fun, quite therapeutic. But then when we started filming a stunt rider did absolutely everything!

You clearly enjoy performing, but standup seems to be your first love.

I like walking out onto a stage somewhere. I think the best view of a theatre is nearly always from the stage. I find there's a sort of romance about touring. I remember with my show Fibber In The Heat appearing in Swindon on a Monday night. I turned up and there were 170 people there. I don't know Swindon, I didn't know anyone in Swindon. And I remember thinking, that's great that 170 people have come here to watch this thing. I just love touring for that. So I really look forward to walking onstage again and telling a story. And hopefully, you know, we'll have fun. www.milesjupp.co.uk/on-tour www.brightondome.org

Photo credit: Will Boase BN1 MAGAZINE 35

Veganuary

Ten vegan places to try

This lively city isn’t just a seaside escape; it’s a place for vegan adventurers. Dive into our top ten picks of Brighton’s plant-based havens – a tasteful blend of ethical dining and culinary innovation. Ready your forks for a tour through the vegan wonders making waves in our coastal hotspot

1.

Bonsai Plant Kitchen

2.

The Vurger Co

3.

Purezza

4.

Terre à Terre

5.

Food For Friends

6.

Iydea

7.

Indian Summer

8.

Smorl’s Kitchen

9.

Beelzebab

Nestled on Baker Street, Bonsai Plant Kitchen is a vegan’s dream come true. This 100% vegan restaurant offers Southeast Asian small plates, cocktails, and an open kitchen that’s as vibrant as its UV artwork and murals. With a perfect 5-star rating on Tripadvisor, it’s clear that Bonsai is more than just a restaurant - it’s a culinary experience. One reviewer even described it as “talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique”. Now, if that doesn’t make you want to try their food, we don’t know what will!

The UK’s first vegan pizzeria, Purezza was born in Brighton and brings sustainable Italian dining to the city centre in Kemptown. From groundbreaking plant-based cheese, to unique wholegrain sourdough, innovation is their passion. It’s not just a pizza restaurant, it’s a culinary journey that redefines vegan dining.

Food for Friends is Brighton’s original awardwinning vegetarian and vegan restaurant, featured in ‘The Sunday Times’ Top Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants and in ‘The Good Food Guide 2018’.

Their ethos is tasty and honest cooking using fresh & consciously sourced produce. It’s a beloved fixture in Brighton’s beautiful The Lanes, a testament to the timeless appeal of plant-based cuisine.

Known for its relaxed atmosphere and good vegan choices, Indian Summer offers a fabulous dining experience. It’s a place where traditional Indian flavours meet contemporary culinary techniques, resulting in a menu that’s as diverse as it is delicious.

Located in The Hope & Ruin on Queen’s Road, Beelzebab is a 100% vegan junk food champion.

Offering creatively topped hot dogs and wickedly loaded fries, it’s a place where indulgence meets innovation.

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10.

If you’re looking for indulgence without the guilt, The Vurger Co is your go-to spot. Located in Brighton Place, this 100% vegan fast food restaurant serves up divine burgers, fries, mac ‘n’ cheese, and shakes. But don’t be fooled by the ‘fast food’ label.

The Vurger Co is all about quality and it’s clear that their commitment to taste and sustainability is a hit with customers. As one reviewer put it, “Stunning vegan food”. And let’s be honest, who can resist a place that has ‘vurger’ in its name?

Situated in Brighton’s bustling historic quarter, The Lanes, Terre à Terre is a critically acclaimed restaurant that offers a refreshing, creative, and playful take on vegetarian and vegan cuisine. It’s a gastronomic adventure that pushes the boundaries of plant-based dining.

A hidden gem in the heart of Brighton’s North Laine area, Iydea is a small yet bustling express vegetarian/vegan canteen. Known for its freshly made food and extensive breakfast and lunch menus, it’s a testament to the fact that great things often come in small packages.

Tucked away inside Brighton’s Open Market, Smorl’s Kitchen is a haven for chickpea enthusiasts.

From delicious pittas filled with homemade falafel to huge salad bowls brimming with goodness, it’s a culinary celebration of all things chickpea.

Oowee Vegan

Delivering a vegan fast food experience that is big on portions, options, and flavour, Oowee Vegan is a haven of vegan indulgence. Located in The Lanes, it offers both eat-in and takeaway options, proving that fast food can be both delicious and ethical.

COULD YOU FOSTER A DOG? Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare urgently needs foster carers for dogs for the charity’s Break Away scheme. Break Away helps owners who are fleeing domestic abuse or facing short-term hospitalisation and need temporary care for their animals. Fostering is perfect for those who miss the company of an animal but can’t commit to adoption.

To enable Raystede to help as many families as possible, they are looking for people who can meet the following requirements: • • • • • •

Willing to commit to fostering a dog for up to 3 months.

Are at home for most or all of the day.

Have no other animals.

If you have children, to be aged 10 and above.

Access to a car and being able to drive to Raystede.

Within a 45-minute radius of Raystede.

Raystede provides all food, care, equipment, veterinary care, training and ongoing support. This is a great opportunity to help a family – and their pets - in need.

Could you open your heart and your home to a foster dog?

Find out more and apply here: www.raystede.org/adopt/foster-ananimal/ This is what recent Break Away clients had to say: “I honestly can’t thank you and the foster carer enough, without you we would have lost the boys forever, thank you once again for absolutely everything you’ve done to help us.”

RUSTY

“Just a little note to say how grateful we are for your work. In one of the most difficult times we have ever experienced in our lives, you were there to support and keep part of our family together. Because of your care and love we did not need to give our pets away. We will be forever thankful.”

If you or someone you know needs help from Raystede’s Break Away scheme, you can find out more at www.raystede.org/adopt/ break-away Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, The Broyle, Ringmer, East Sussex, BN8 5AJ 01825 880468 / rehoming@raystede.org

WILSON RUBY

COMEDY

JOSH PUGH Rising star limbers up for new UK tour

After his sell-out debut UK tour, Josh Pugh is back with a new collection of top-quality material.

Called Existin’ La Vida Loca, it explores the benefits of enjoying yourself and simply doing your best. As this hilarious and heartwarming new show heads to Brighton in February, we caught up with this brilliant talent to find out just a bit more.

It’s your 2nd UK tour! Is being on the road for long periods of time still all a novelty, or do you now consider yourself a seasoned expert in the mystic art of exploiting a Travel Tavern breakfast buffet?

I’m pretty good at being away and still enjoy staying in hotels. What I have no time for is these rent an apartment for the night, getting in via a key box, 3 hours working out the oven, no cutlery, forget that, get me at a breakfast buffet with a load of contractors. To be honest, I like to go home whenever I can, there’s only so many Eddie Hearn interviews I can watch on YouTube.

It seems like you’re starting to play to some quite large rooms. Are you at the stage where you get recognised in the street yet, or have you moved straight onto getting surreal gifts from obsessive fans?

It’s hard to tell really, I’ve never moved out of my hometown of Atherstone, so people already know me here, so if I’m getting stopped in the street it’s usually by someone asking how my Nan is. I do get recognised when I’m out and about and people are generally nice, I don’t really attract an audience who spend their spare time crafting and it’s probably for the best really.

What can you tell us about Existin’ La Vida Loca? Is it going to inspire me to live my best life? (I honestly need all the help I can get…)

It’s a show all about enjoying things your way.

I’ve been in so many situations where you’re supposed to enjoy yourself and just haven’t and I wanted to do a show about that or for people who have felt like that. I hope my show isn’t one of those occasions.

I have a weird relationship with podcasts, hence why I’m so stop/start with them. I really enjoy stand up and scripted and that’s where I’m at my best, the light-hearted anecdote occupies a weird space in entertainment and it’s something I have never quite figured out.

How far are you willing to bend reality for comedy purposes? I refuse to believe comedians have such interesting lives.

What’s the most important thing you learnt from your comedy inspirations?

I don’t lead a particularly interesting life but I like to think I’m good at making the ordinary funny, that’s kind of my style I suppose. Most of the stories or routines all occur within my own little world, in the house or at my parent’s house or whatever. I’m also quite organised for a comedian so don’t get into a lot of ‘scrapes’. Being a well-functioning adult isn’t always conducive to comedy but is quite helpful for holding down a relationship and keeping on top of the chores.

Do you find yourself being more aware of other people and their reactions since you became a performer?

I think as a person I’m empathetic to a fault to be quite honest and if I could turn it down I would, I saw a guy miss a train the other day and it ruined my week, “What did he miss? What are the knockon effects for that guy?”

You get to perform abroad as well. Do you find audiences in other countries have different expectations, or is comedy a universal language?

I think it’s pretty universal, there are always shared experiences and feelings and I think the best comedy taps into that, you have to change your references sometimes, not everyone in the world knows who Ben Shephard is, which personally I think is a crime. The man is a triple threat but most people know how it feels to have a Dad or feel shy, etc.

You’ve produced quite a few podcasts. Do they inform your comedy, or is it more of an opportunity to talk about things which wouldn’t make it onstage?

I grew up loving and still do love Harry Hill, Vic & Bob, etc, and I suppose the biggest thing I’ve learned from them is to feel what’s daft and funny and lean into that, enjoy what that feels like and have fun. Those guys end up having longevity because they enjoy the feeling of making people laugh and finding funny stuff and that’s what gets me going more than anything else.

Apart from delighting thousands on a UK tour, what else has 2024 got in store?

I’m really looking forward to my tour and I’m trying to go into the New Year without any kind of big plan other than to enjoy stand up, trying to get a script made, see my friends and family a bit more, take the dog on some nice walks, enjoy life as much as possible.

Finally… Badgers or budgies; which are more evil?

Genuinely no beef with either of them, I like both of their vibes. If I’m being brutal I’d get rid of the budgies; there’s loads of birds.

Josh Pugh brings Existin’ La Vida Loca to Brighton’s Corn Exchange on Sat 10 Feb. www.joshpughcomic.com www.brightondome.org

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Image © Becky Wright 40 BN1 MAGAZINE

t a h T s s d e r Liv o W e e g Th han C

HELEN PACKHAM Communication skills expert discusses how words can motivate, educate or inspire

By Stuart Rolt As a young person, Helen Packham was shy, went red easily and found any authority figure intimidating. Her Mum encouraged her to express herself through ballet and dance, and she joined the local village pantomime group at 13. She found when onstage, the shyness and lack of confidence seemed to go. During her gap year, she landed a job at Virgin Atlantic Airways training new hires into the call centre and entered the world of learning and leadership development.

Over the years her experience grew, and more leaders were asking her to help with their communication skills. Working within financial services with many people who weren’t naturally extroverted, Helen picked up some tools; including storytelling and how to engage a room with your words. This led to supporting leaders in resolving conflict and creating more harmonious and productive working environments, looking at their own behaviour and communication styles, and adapting them to get better results.

After having her daughter, she was diagnosed with postnatal anxiety disorder, so stepped away from this career, vowing never to stand up in front of a room full of people again. Journeying back to herself through therapy and personal development, she applied for a TEDx talk. In a few months Helen was standing on the Brighton Dome stage sharing her story. After this, she was approached by people asking her how she did it and realised she possessed skills which people needed. Since then, she’s run speaker and communication programmes, workshops and conferences, becoming a TEDx coach and curator, and being passionate about helping people speak up and share their stories and ideas.

After losing her own voice and finding it again, she’s made it her mission to help others harness the power of their words. With her new podcast being released this month, we spoke to Helen to find out more.

What are the most common barriers to effective communication?

Is it becoming harder to communicate and connect with each other? How much of a role does the internet play on this, or are people simply not developing their skills during the developmental years?

I think that this comes down to three main things.

Clarity, confidence and structure. The clients I work with often have so much in their heads that they want to say, but they tell me that they find it difficult to communicate it succinctly and in a compelling way, they often doubt what they have to say is the right thing (and they are all experts in what they do!) This can lead to going off on tangents, being caught off guard and rambling, which creates anxiety around speaking up or sharing their ideas.

A big part of my work also involves coaching and training leadership teams within organisations.

One of the most common barriers I see is how their feelings can affect their communication. We are all human, and our natural primitive instincts kick in and can affect how we communicate. We might go quiet, feel we have to defend ourselves or prove something. This affects how we deliver messages or have important conversations and can have the opposite outcome of what we want.

The advances in technology and the pandemic have had a big impact on our ability to really connect with each other. With communication sitting more and more in the virtual, text-based space, I see a lot of people (and young people) finding it hard to say how they feel or articulate themselves in effective ways. It feels easier when we can sit behind a computer and post online, respond to comments online or speak over email and text. But in doing so, the verbal skills which are essential for connection and growth are dwindling. It’s something I speak to my daughter about a lot and is another reason I am passionate about helping people to develop their communication skills, as the benefits can not only help them, but can ripple out to others too.

Can having good communication skills impact your quality of life? Can poor communication skills have an impact on things like anxiety?

Do people naturally possess excellent social skills, or are they something which are developed through environment or teaching?

I really do believe this to be true and can speak from personal experience. If we are fearful of speaking up, putting ideas forward or navigating conflict or disagreement, it can affect how we communicate. Oftentimes, this means not speaking up, not being able to be assertive, or communicate our needs. In my own experience this exacerbated my anxiety and meant that my communication skills weren’t developed in these areas, and I didn’t feel confident. Staying quiet and not getting our needs met leads to resentment and can have a big impact on our well-being.

Conversely, if we have developed communication skills, we feel more confident to speak up, get our needs met, put ideas forward and put ourselves out there for opportunities. I really do believe that focusing on these skills develops the courage muscle to lead a happier and fulfilling life in all areas. From personal relationships to careers.

Another area of my work focuses on communication and behaviour from a psychological perspective. I use psychometric tools in my leadership work, that show different traits and strengths and how they lend themselves to effective communication. There are some innate traits that do lend themselves to excellent social skills. Salespeople for example, usually have a particular set of internal drivers and traits that lend themselves to connecting, influencing and persuading others. I have however worked with highly technical people who don’t have those traits, and I have been able to teach them specific skills, approaches and strategies to adopt that can have the same effect. So, I do believe environment and teaching can help anyone harness the power of their words. Also, we all can tell stories, it’s hard wired into our DNA through many generations of our primitive ancestors telling stories to make meaning of the world.

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How does focusing on the words we use help us in all aspects of our life?

Can using stories help us to make a big impact with our words?

I think the benefits are far reaching. Focusing on our words can help us have more open and honest, trusting conversations with our partners, family and friends.

It can further our careers by speaking up, putting forward our ideas at work, sharing our expertise and having the courage to be visible and be noticed for our strengths.

It can help us build businesses, pitch ideas, win contracts and differentiate ourselves from competition.

Absolutely! As I mentioned, storytelling is an innate skill that every human possesses, we are hard-wired for stories, we love to hear them and they can help us bond, connect and make meaning of the world. Using stories when you present, pitch an idea or share a message, can hugely increase the impact of what you are saying. I deliver a workshop in corporate organisations on how to transform dry and boring data led presentations into engaging stories that captivate the audience.

It can also help us make an impact in society, sharing our ideas and stories that can motivate and inspire others, on the TEDx stage, at a speaking event, or in the local community.

Could you tell us about your new podcast?

I wanted to find a way of creating space for these types of conversations and how we can harness the power of our words to change our own (and other peoples) lives for the better. In biweekly episodes I’ll be exploring how we can speak more honestly, talk more authentically, and communicate more effectively to motivate, educate and inspire.

How much of a part does vulnerability play in forming a connection with others?

I think that a big part of effective communication lies in the ability to be vulnerable. Brene Brown gave an excellent TED talk on the power of vulnerability that I recommend watching.

If we can put our hands up and admit mistakes, ask for clarification, say when we don’t know or that we messed up, we create a trusting foundation with others. Barriers come down and communication is strengthened. A big part of the work I do, and love very much is helping people to share their stories. The reaction from the crowd is incredible and is always warm, supportive and inspiring. Everyone has a story to share, those stories have the power to help others, and in each story lies vulnerability.

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The podcast is for anyone who wants to increase the impact of their communication from 121 conversations to groups online and in person.

Whether you want to stand on the TEDx stage, pitch an idea, influence a group of people, resolve conflict or inspire action in others, there’s something for you in the podcast!

I will be sharing my own wisdom, insight and approaches, as well as speaking to top experts in the field of verbal communication, going head to head on topics such as public speaking vs stand-up comedy and AI vs humans, and having candid conversations on topics all focused on how we can harness the power of our words.

What are the five most important things we can do to improve how we interact with others?

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Seek to understand first: holding space for someone and finding out their point of view before giving yours can help reduce misunderstanding and conflict.

Believe in yourself: imposter syndrome can play havoc on confidence. Knowing that what you have to say is valid and worthy is a crucial foundation to effective communication.

Less is more: we often think that getting everything that’s in our head out is the most important thing. But when it comes to presentations communicating a message or giving a talk, the opposite is true! Keep it simple so that your message lands in the most impactful way.

Winging it doesn’t work: if you want to really make a difference, to motivate, educate or inspire a group of people, winging it will only take you so far. Having a simple tried and tested structure to your communication will ensure you stay on point, think of the outcome and don’t wander off course.

Be yourself: it’s the best way to connect with the people you want to influence. That means sharing your quirks, using humour, and telling stories that show vulnerability and an insight into who you are as a person.

Helen Packham ‘s The Words That Change Lives podcast launches Mon 15 Jan, available on all good platforms. You can also contact her on: hello@helenpackham.com www.facebook.com/helen.packham1 www.instagram.com/helenpackham

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BN1 Chats with

BILL BUTT

By Stuart Rolt

“I just made the films…” Director and designer Bill Butt denies he had much knowledge of the mystique and surreal internal logic which drove The KLF. At one point the biggest selling singles band in the world, this pairing of former A&R man Bill Drummond and artist/musician Jimmy Cauty would confound and fascinate the music world for four hectic years.

“There were mad ideas. Incredibly ambitious,” Butt tells me.

“The reason we could do them was because they used all their own money. None of those films would have been made if it had to involve a record company.”

Also known as The Timelords and The Justified Ancients Of Mu-Mu, the pair started their assault on the charts in London during 1987. Drummond (calling himself King Boy D) and Cauty (assuming the identity of Rockman Rock) began creating sample collages of anything from The Monkees and Whitney Houston to ABBA and Led Zeppelin.

The recordings were released as The JAMS’ 1987: What The Fuck Is Going On?, with the pair publicising their work through a oblique graffiti campaign. The accompanying attention quickly spread to ABBA and their lawyers, who robustly objected to the pair’s use of Dancing Queen on the album. Resulting lawsuit saw it withdrawn from sale, despite the pair driving to Sweden in Cauty’s old Ford Galaxy to reconcile with the pop legends. Finding nobody home at Polar Studios in Stockholm, they presented a local prostitute with a gold disc for the album; hoping she would pass for the band’s singer, Agnetha.

Undeterred, they swiftly released a version of the album without any of the samples. It contained exceptionally long silences and minimal arrangements, accompanied by detailed sleeve notes on how the listener could reinsert the samples and return the recordings to their intended state.

This was offered free to anyone who surrendered an original version. While the lawsuit arguably prevented 1987 from achieving runaway sales, the furore brought them to the attention of a wider audience and an intrigued tabloid press.

It wouldn’t be long before Drummond and Cauty would launch an assault upon the singles chart. Which is where Butt properly steps into this adventure.

He first met Drummond at art school in Northampton, when they were both 17. “We’ve joined up for bits of work ever since really. We were theatre chippies at the Belgrade Theatre. Then I helped him out with a set he was building for Illuminatus!.” Directed by Ken Campbell and inspired by the radical science fiction novels of Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, the full version of Illuminatus! weighed in at nine-hours.

Later, as the KLF, Drummond and Cauty would draw heavily from Shea and Wilson’s science fiction novels, especially echoing their themes of conspiracy theories, subliminal messaging, absurdism and numerology. “I didn’t ever ask them about what made up the Illuminatus or the Mu Mu thing,” says Butt. “Although, I was fascinated by the number 23. I did put 23 stickers on cases for a while, thinking there must be something in it. Well… I didn’t lose any.”

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KLF video director reflects on pop rebels’ legacy and new BFI compilation

IT’S GRIM UP NORTH (1991)

When Drummond started getting heavily involved with music, he co-founded legendary Liverpool band, Big In Japan. After they collapsed, he went on to set up a record label and manage both Echo & The Bunnymen and The Teardrop Explodes for a while, getting Butt to direct their pop promos. “When he got together with Jimmy, they then asked me to do some photos for them. So I did some stuff where they graffitied Tower Records. Then we got onto making films. We started off with a ‘cheap as chips’ VHS camera and ended up on the OO7 stage in about four years!”

With some clever guerilla marketing and some slightly annoyed Swedish disco sensations under their belt, Drummond and Cauty (who’d already enjoyed some success with bands like Brilliant and Zodiac Mindwarp) established themselves as the darlings of the music press. There was lots of discussion raging about whether they were the ultimate performance artists or anarchists attempting to subvert an increasingly anodyne industry. Yet the general public knew little about them, beyond some puzzled headlines. At least until the pair got themselves onto Top Of The Pops.

With an eye on the mainstream, the pair reinvented themselves as The Timelords. To further befuddle journalists who already struggled to categorise the pair, they appointed Cauty’s car, Ford Timelord as the band’s frontman, claiming it had written their single Doctorin' The Tardis. Forced to direct any questions to a battered American police car equipped with flashing lights and a hidden speaker, journalists were enchanted by the novelty.

Blending the Doctor Who theme, Gary Glitter's Rock & Roll and The Sweet’s Block Buster, the release soared to number one on the UK singles chart and crashed into top tens around the world.

AMERICA - WHAT TIME IS LOVE (1992)

“Everything grew in scale. I wouldn’t say Doctorin’ The Tardis would win any awards… but it did! It just caught the imagination at the time.” Just as Butt was supposed to be planning his wedding, Drummond and Cauty asked him to make a promo video for the single. “So, two days after getting married, me and my wife are flying around over an airfield in Wiltshire. We’re still together after 36 years, despite not going on a proper honeymoon.” Now finding themselves with flourishing commercial success and some capital for more ambitious projects, Drummond and Cauty did what any sensible pop star would do – plough every penny into producing an impenetrable art movie.

Called The White Room, it documented The KLF's search for a mythical place which could release them from their ‘contract with Eternity.’ “We were always talking about doing a road film,” says Butt. “But we decided, if we did, we should do it without all the boring bits - like story, dialogue and anything actually happening.

We went out for a reconnaissance and found these great locations.” Much of it was filmed in Spain’s Sierra Nevada region, often featuring Ford Timelord driving around aimlessly and the pair gazing at majestic scenery. They also recorded a pop-house soundtrack which would accompany the film’s eventual release.

IT’S GRIM UP NORTH (1991)

Faced with several difficulties, the production ate through the pair’s money. To keep everything running, The KLF released one of the soundtrack’s most commercially accessible tunes, Kylie Said To Jason. An undeniably catchy slice of Europop, it paid homage to the two Neighbours megastars and seemed assured to hit the top spot. “That was really funny... We had just spent a few bob filming in Spain and London, so it was quite good to be able to use some of this footage for the video. Then it dumped. I don’t think it even got into the top 100. That was a good lesson.”

After this, production for The White Room was shut down. The only way of seeing any of its strange marvels became through low quality VHS bootlegs covertly sold at record fairs. That is until last year, when Butt was approached by the British Film Institute to finally bring together all of the KLF’s video work in one official volume.

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THE RITES OF MU (1991) Photo Credit Paul Graham

Assembling collected films of The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu, The KLF and The Timelords, 23 Seconds To Eternity is a fascinating documentation of one of music’s most enigmatic outliers. “The BFI had already archived a load of my films that I’d done with Echo And The Bunnymen. I’d got to know their Head of Archiving, Will Fowler, and we used to talk about the KLF’s stuff and how it would be good to put it all together.”

Part of the reason The White Room never saw completion was down to Drummond and Cauty getting distracted by other projects, although Butt suggests the pair losing the initial version of the film didn’t help. “They took it to Berlin for some show, but also put down astroturf and brought a herd of sheep into the venue. I’m imagining mayhem ensued. They probably just forgot about this copy, which they’d spent a lot of money on making and editing.” He had an inkling of what could happen, so elected to have a reproduction made of it beforehand, where this new theatrical version is sourced from. “Which is why you now see all these marks across the film, which indicate where dissolves should be.”

It was quite important to get at least one aspect of the KLF story out into the public realm. Recently, there’s been a few films examining the

pair’s work, including an Omnibus documentary which ended up ‘taking the piss’. “Which is inevitable really. What we wanted to do was just show our films. All my links are just explaining why we went from one thing to the next, rather than the story behind everything.

Because that’s probably best left as a mystery…”

Around the time that the film’s production shuddered to a halt, it became apparent underground DJs across Europe were increasingly playing What Time Is Love. This early single had previously failed to capture the British public’s attention, but it was becoming popular with the clubbers. In response, they recycled songs from The White Room’s soundtrack, layering them with crowd noises, more aggressive keyboard hooks and speedy Eurostyle rapping to create the Stadium House trilogy.

Now officially calling themselves The KLF (which stood for The Kopyright Liberation Front), new versions of What Time Is Love?, 3AM Eternal and Last Train To Trancentral all surged to the upper reaches of the charts. Each featured increasingly extravagant and bombastic videos, which stood apart from the usual MTV output. “We kept doing bigger and bigger stuff. But it seemed normal. It’s only when you stop that you realise it was a bit mad. But

all the better for it.” For the third single’s video a scaled-down city, (complete with mountains, roads and train lines) was built in a squat near Kennington. “That set was massive. It was some of the most complex things we did.”

Britain was gripped by the rave scene. Music you’d once only hear in a crumbling former cotton mill outside Blackburn was filtering through onto the radio. And the duo’s music fitted in perfectly with the new sound. Always wanting to take things a little further, Drummond and Cauty’s next few releases were even more audacious. But these would also see the eventual rejection of an industry they’d been blatantly trying to subvert. It was decided to release a more rock-oriented version of What Time Is Love? for an American audience.

The pair enlisted the huge vocal talents of Deep Purple frontman, Glenn Hughes, sampled some guitars and wrote America: What Time Is Love?. When it came to the video, the band wanted something memorable. An idea was formed to get Hughes to deliver his epic vocals on a longboat full of Vikings sailing through a heavy storm.

“Initially, we were going to buy that Viking ship and sail it across the North Sea,” says Butt with a small chuckle. “But I said it might be a bit

hectic doing that.” In the end, the band compromised with the iconic Albert R. Broccoli 007 Stage, filled it with water and let their imaginations run wild. “I didn’t know we’d get the 007 stage at the time, but that was the only one with a big enough tank. Glenn didn’t even know what the film was going to be. When a 12-cylinder engine wind machine started firing up, and the firehoses were directed at him, he wasn’t best pleased.”

Butt says they used 35mm film on all the videos, so needed proper movie crews who were accustomed to working in this format. “They worked for a fraction of their fees because what we were doing was quite interesting. We’d also get given cameras by Panavision and stock from Kodak. We’d even get deals at the labs. We paid a fraction of what we should have done for the stages at Pinewood and Shepperton.

People were fascinated by what we were doing. We were just lucky really.”

After releasing It’s Grim Up North, which offered a list of Northern towns over a pounding techno beat (the accompanying graffiti marketing prompting an angry early day motion in the House of Commons), they reworked an idea which had been floating around since the 1987 album. It was decided another big-name star was

23 Seconds THE WHITE ROOM (1989) BN1 MAGAZINE 47

needed for the vocals. “That’s Bill for you. They were just talking between themselves, and decided Tammy Wynette would be best for it. By the end of the day, he was talking to her and seeing if she’d be up for it.” The result was Justified & Ancient (Stand By Your Jams), an unlikely pairing of the hottest band on the planet and the Queen of Country.

“Tammy was wonderful to work with, but she didn’t really have a clue what was going on. She thought it was called ‘Justified And Anxious’! Which summed it up because it was a hard film to make. There were so many things which had to fit together.” Butt and The KLF paired her with an ice cream van, tribal dancers, a large choir and a submarine, in a video which still looks incredible today. “The worst bit is watching all the trucks arrive and wondering what you’re going to do with it all,” says Butt.

At the height of their fame, the pair just checked out.

But in the fiercest way possible. They announced their retirement from the music industry by depositing a dead sheep outside an afterparty for The Brits, with the accompanying message: “I died for you.” It was hours after winning Best Band at the actual awards show, where they performed with a thrash metal band and fired blanks from a machine gun at the bemused audience. The pair then withdrew all their music from sale. They later attracted further controversy, after subverting the Turner Prize and then burning their remaining royalties cash on the Scottish island of Jura in front of a small group of journalists. “I didn’t get involved with all the stuff at the end, like with the money… After the Brit Awards, I thought: ‘Blimey. It’s getting a bit extreme now.’”

Could there ever be a band like The KLF again? There’s been a long tradition of performers blurring the lines between music and art, but few holding an open contempt for the accepted way of doing things have found success. Butt says the pair achieved so much because they believed in themselves enough to put every penny they made back into their work. “If record companies are involved, I don’t know if there’ll ever be another band like that again. The intensity that they were working at does take it out of you. So, they were ready for a break.”

The release of 23 Seconds To Eternity seeks to cement The KLF’s legacy. There’s an enduring fascination with the pair, and this irreverent path to stardom. “There are sites concerned with every aspect of their work,” says Butt. “There’s also a KLF reenactment society.

Instead of dressing up as Roundheads and Cavaliers, they dress up as Bill and Jimmy and do various things.

Which sounds great! Bill has described 23 Seconds as being a KLF enactment. Basically, we’re all like a tribute act.”

In the end, perhaps Drummond and Cauty realised the industry was starting to pigeonhole them as pranksters who exploited pop music and DIY marketing to force their way into the charts. “It was certainly all thought through. Bill had been an A&R guy, as well as the manager of big bands. He also knew his way around production.” But, perhaps, The KLF were more of an informal conceptual art movement, which mostly existed in the reactions it provoked. Repeatedly through their work, you’ll find themes of fire, movement and sacrifice. Like Discordians in the 60s, they seem to have revelled in causing confusion and defying expectations.

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The Rites of Mu (1991) Photo credit Paul Graham

The wild stories and wilful trolling are too numerous to recount here. The pair officially reunited in 1997 for just 23 minutes and, most recently, announced the opening of care homes for elderly ravers. The truth is likely outweighed by the urban myths, and there’s good reason to think Drummond and Cauty were happy to let the supposition flourish. “I think it worked in their favour, but also in some respects against them. When they started out with the car as the spokesman for the band, the tabloids loved it.

That was great fun. Then when they stuck to it, and wouldn’t talk to journalists, people got pissed off with them. But they still maintain that anonymity. Like Banksy. Nobody really knows the full story.”

Bill Butt’s 23 Seconds To Eternity is available on DVD and Blu-ray now. Find out more at: www. shop.bfi.org.uk You find out more (hopefully) about KLF KARE at: www.klfkare.com

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BN1 MAGAZINE 49

Embracing Sobriety: The Benefits of Going Alcohol-Free in 2024 In recent years, there has been a growing movement towards sobriety and alcohol-free lifestyles. As we step into 2024, this trend continues to gain momentum, driven by a greater understanding of the benefits of living without alcohol. Here are some compelling reasons to consider an alcohol-free lifestyle in 2024: Improved Physical Health: Alcohol consumption has been linked to a range of health issues, including liver disease, heart problems, and increased risk of certain cancers. By going alcoholfree, individuals can significantly reduce these risks, leading to a healthier and potentially longer life.

Enhanced Mental Health: Alcohol can have a profound impact on mental health, contributing to conditions like depression and anxiety. Sobriety can lead to improved mood, better sleep, and a clearer mind, which are crucial for overall mental well-being.

Financial Savings: Alcohol is not only costly to one's health but also to one's wallet. Regular drinking can lead to significant expenditure over time. By cutting out alcohol, individuals can save a considerable amount of money, which can be redirected towards more fulfilling or necessary expenses.

Better Relationships: Alcohol can strain relationships, often leading to misunderstandings, arguments, or worse. Sobriety can bring more clarity and stability to interpersonal relationships, fostering deeper connections with friends and family.

Increased Productivity: Without the effects of alcohol, many people find they have more energy and focus, leading to increased productivity in both personal and professional life.

Self-Discovery and Personal Growth: Choosing an alcohol-free lifestyle often prompts individuals to explore new hobbies, interests, and social activities, leading to self-discovery and personal growth.

Positive Social Impact: The sober movement is not just about individual benefits; it also has a broader social impact. By reducing alcohol consumption, communities can see a decrease in alcohol-related accidents, violence, and health problems.

Environmental Considerations: The production and distribution of alcohol have environmental impacts, including water usage, pollution, and carbon emissions. By choosing not to consume alcohol, individuals contribute to reducing these environmental burdens.

Setting an Example: Choosing sobriety can inspire others to reconsider their relationship with alcohol. It sets a positive example, particularly for younger generations who are shaping their attitudes towards drinking.

Embracing Authentic Experiences: Without alcohol, experiences and emotions are felt more authentically. People often find that they enjoy social situations more and remember them better when they're sober.

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The decision to go alcohol-free in 2024 is not just a personal health choice, but a lifestyle decision with wideranging benefits. It's about embracing a healthier, more conscious way of living that positively impacts both the individual and the community. As we move forward in this decade, the choice to live without alcohol could be one of the most significant and beneficial decisions one can make for a happier, healthier life.

WEALD & DOWNLAND LIVING MUSEUM

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Over 1,000 years of history kept alive

By Stuart Rolt Situated next to the soaring beauty of the South Downs, the Weald & Downland Living Museum near Chichester has been preserving aspects of rural life in Sussex for over half a century. With a rich variety of working buildings and demonstrations from the crafts which characterised the region for over a millennia.

“We’ve 53 buildings,” says the museum’s Interpretations Manager, Hannah Miller. “So that’s quite a lot to look after…” This unique collection was conceived during the 60s, when a rash of development across the country meant many historic halls and houses were becoming endangered. “There was a gentleman who saw these timber-framed buildings being destroyed.

They were being cleared to make way for newbuilds. So, he started collecting them. The museum sprang up out of that.”

With 40 acres provided at an agreeable rent by a local landowner, any buildings of an appropriate vernacular were being rebuilt so they could preserve and appreciate how local people used to live and work. “Originally, people would happily donate their timber-framed barns which had been compulsory purchased or were just disintegrating. Now everyone sees the value of these buildings. So, we have less donations in that way. We don’t buy our buildings in the way some museums in Europe might.” The collection now boasts everything from mediaeval homes, like the Bayleaf farmhouse, to an operational watermill and other working buildings. While the collection is complete for the moment, the main focus onsite is conserving what they have through traditional methods and bringing to life the experiences of those who would have used these structures on a daily basis.

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“We’re a living museum, so there are things happening across the site all the time, which you can experience and enjoy. There are historical demonstrations, like flax processing or how to make cheese.

We also have volunteers who talk to visitors and also display different activities and demonstrations. You’re communicating what your museum’s collection is all about in lots of different ways.”

While The Weald & Downland Living Museum is a much-loved destination for history fans across the South East, it’s familiar to millions of TV viewers as the home of the BBC’s bucolic restoration treat, The Repair Shop. “It works really well for both them and us. What they’re doing really captured the zeitgeist. It’s such a big success in terms of people looking at objects and recognising there is a skill in being able to mend things and bring them back from being dusty old objects in the attic.” Miller says they get some people visiting to see where the programme is filmed who don’t realise the scope of what the museum does. “They do find themselves getting interested in what’s happening onsite, when they were just coming to see where Jay Blades works.

Both the presenters and the production team are a really nice bunch. They interact 54 BN1 MAGAZINE

with the site and are really sympathetic to the heritage craft side of what we do.”

Aside from being the hit show’s host, Blades is Co-Chair of the Heritage Crafts association. This charity works with craftspeople, groups, societies and guilds to promote and preserve traditional heritage crafts. Many are not formally recognised as being important to the national heritage, so the organisation works towards safeguarding skills and knowledge for the future.

Heritage Crafts is also part of the Weald And Downland’s growing network of tutors and craftspeople who love going here to teach or give demonstrations. “This has become a hub for people interested in heritage crafts and skills… or historic building, architecture and woodland management.” Currently, the museum

has a staff member who is farming the 12 acres using horses, ploughing and sowing in much the way it would have been for centuries.

“We’re demonstrating these processes. We use our produce to feed animals and thatch buildings. We’re also trying to demonstrate yearly cycles. It creates an understanding of where your food comes from. Especially with things like woodland.” While you might think wood is there for burning, two members of the Interpretations Team are constantly looking at a coppice and thinking about what products they can get out of it – as well as using wood to fuel the site’s Tudor bread ovens and heat some of the houses.

Six of the houses have gardens laid out to represent what would be happening at the time they were first built. “So, we’ve

to the future. As we all emerge from the winter, and thoughts for some turn to the next harvest, Wassailing Day on Sun 14 Jan recreates a common practice for country folk of old. This is something which has built up, but it still has a nice and relaxed feel to it. It’s the blessing of the apple trees. We’re so disconnected with it now, but if your food wasn’t growing, you wouldn’t be eating. You’d be really invested in your crops being successful.”

got really unusual plants and flowers.

How would they be used? Well, you’ve got medicines, food and dyeing.” They try to create partnerships with contemporary organisations who are doing interesting things using traditional methods – including skilled herbalists or artists who use certain dyes like people did hundreds of years ago. “We’re constantly looking for those links. We don’t want to only look back.”

“You have this huge resurgence in things like heritage crafts. We encourage lifelong learning, so we have a lot of adult courses happening throughout the year; where you can learn how to do anything from felting to lime flaking or make a basic timber frame building. We also have a conversation course, which is linked up with the University of York.

While there is invariably something going on at the site, things step up a gear on the museum’s theme days. “We try to be intergenerational,” Miller tells me. “Our family activities are focussed during school holidays, which are a chance for younger people to come along and get involved.

Although, I believe that anybody should be able to come along and join in.”

A common favourite are the Past & Present weekends, which offer a chance to look at what people did in the past around things like recycling. “What did they do with food waste, or how did they clothe themselves?

We’re learning from the past and looking

It features a procession around the museum with musicians, and it ends with the blessing of the trees in the orchard. With origins in the pagan tradition, it shares a foundation with the Church’s Plough Monday - which would mark the start of the English agricultural calendar. “This wasn’t a religious thing. It was more of a celebration.

If you look at the time of year, it’s dark and miserable. You didn’t know for sure that you were all going to make it. Having these celebrations was really important.”

Miller says that much of the British obsession with weather can be traced to its impact on farming. “We talk about it all the time because it’s so changeable. It’s hard to imagine what it must have been like hundreds of years ago, when you didn’t Have forecasts. You didn’t know what was going to happen. You would be praying and investing everything in trying to make sure you could secure a good crop.”

Recycling and reviving is also a big part of the museum’s ethos. Over the Easter holidays, their Get Thrifty weekend looks at how we rarely threw anything away in the past. History has plenty of lessons to offer around sustainability, and their team of experts are on hand to offer advice on everything from mending to foraging.

The site also regularly hosts the Bodgers Ball, where woodworkers and traditional craftsmen will be showing off and sharing their skills.

work. Held in august, it was the last big celebration before the harvest began. For this the Weald & Downland bring in groups like Black Knight Historical, who bring the past to life in the museum’s Market Square with shows and mediaeval shops. “It’s a lot of fun. All of them are historians, so they’ve a lot of knowledge and skills they can demonstrate.”

One of the most precious aspects to the Weald & Downland is how it allows us to track progress in local architecture, from communal living in smoky halls to the more familiar houses of the industrial revolution when buildings started looking similar across the country. These developments in turn show us how trade and technologies were developing at the time. “Things have always been brought into this country.

We did a lot of trading as an island. And many people brought their skills and trade here. In terms of a museum, we’re looking at the vernacular materials which were available, and what people wanted to build with.” Miller tells me that canal, trains and Sussex’s close proximity to London and Southampton would’ve had a big impact on the region, but its roots sit firmly within agriculture.

Perhaps the beauty of the museum is that it’s able to appeal on different scales.

Miller acknowledges that the museum has been extremely lucky with the site it rents from West Dene estate. “They are incredibly supportive, and we’ve got this incredible landscape. We’ve been able to rebuild the houses in a context which reflects the local region. We’ve furnished some of the buildings and have domestic interpretations and activities. But you can just come and enjoy the café and have a wander round.”

Weald & Downland Living Museum is at Town Lane, Singleton PO18 0EU www.wealddown.co.uk

Another of their popular seasonal events is the Lammas Day Fayre, recreating a time of year when huge gatherings were common.

Merchants would be selling goods, while craftspeople would be looking for new

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We all love to impress our friends in the pub or at get-togethers, so here we’ve compiled some interesting SUSSEX FACTS to keep you busy.

Enjoy!

The name Sussex comes from ‘Suth-Seaxe’, meaning land or people of the South Saxons – a Germanic tribe who settled between the Downs during the 5th century.

While the county was absorbed by the Kingdom of Wessex and eventually became part of England, there remains a vibrant independence movement which hopes we can one day be free of the English tyranny.

Uncovered in 1960, Fishbourne Roman Palace is believed to be the largest building of its era found in the UK and potentially Northern Europe.

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Despite its exceptional sound system, super-comfy seats and brilliant projection gear, Brighton’s Duke of York’s Picture House is understood to be the oldest cinema in continuous use in the UK.

There’s some debate about how Brighton’s Royal Pavilion survived WWII intact. There’s a suggestion that Hitler had designs on the building as a holiday home and ordered the Luftwaffe to avoid bombing the city, despite the area enduring 56 recorded occasions during the war.

Although the Nazis did inadvertently enable a much-loved local landmark. Mr Herbert Tennent lost his seafront refreshment hut due to the beach area being cleared in preparation for a potential invasion.

Instead he was allowed to open the Pavilion Gardens Cafe in 1941.

SUSSEX FACTS

The name ‘Worthing’ means ‘people who are valient’ in Old English.

Whitehawk FC is the greatest football team on the planet.

George Everest, the former Surveyor General of India, is buried at St Andrew’s Church in Hove. While the world’s tallest mountain is named after him, he never actually saw it.

Worthing is one of only two towns to have hosted the men’s World Bowls Championships twice. Beach House Park is informally known as the spiritual home of bowls and hosts the National Championships annually.

Sir Winston Churchill went to school on Hove’s Brunswick Road.

Arguably the father of modern theatre, Nobel Prize winning playwright Harold Pinter lived in Worthing for a while, where he wrote his classic tale of a feuding family, The Homecoming.

The world’s first recorded cargo flight.

Took off from Shoreham, where a box of lightbulbs was transported to Hove Lawns.

William Blake penned his classic poem, Jerusalem, at his country home in Felpham.

The National Trust’s first acquisition was Alfriston’s The Clergy House.

Sussex only got its own official flag in 2011, which displays six gold martlets across a blue background.

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Bognor Regis is officially the sunniest place in the UK, enjoying a pleasant average of 1902 sunny hours every year.

William the Conqueror didn’t actually land at Hastings in 1066. He instead set ashore at Pevensey, clearly attracted by its picturesque cottages and easy access to Sussex Cream Teas.

The South Saxons forced Cædwalla from Sussex and were able to lead a campaign into Kent, replacing its king.

In Elizabeth’s reign, Sussex was open to the older Protestant forms practised in the Weald as well as the newer Protestant forms coming from Continental Europe; combined with a significant Catholic presence, Sussex was in many ways out of step with the rest of southern England.

Bognor - by Ian D Wheatley

Oscar Wilde wrote his masterpiece, The Importance Of Being Earnest, while staying in Worthing with his family during 1894. Which is why its hapless protagonist shares a name with the resort.

Prince Edward, the son and heir of Henry III, was captured at the Battle of Lewes in 1264.

There was a huge influx of Huguenot craftsmen into Sussex, who were fleeing the religious wars in Europe. They brought new techniques. This

In 1903, Eastbourne Buses became the world’s first municipally-owned motorbus service.

Worthing is the only town where it’s normal to live in a house with a boat-shaped porch.

Wivelsfield railway station was originally known as World’s End, in line with the area surrounding it, until a horrific train crash in 1899 where two trains collided in thick fog.

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Sussex was characterised by downland, marshes and woods for centuries, before it became the centre of the nation’s iron industry. Huge swathes of trees were felled for fuel, then people began to realise the benefits of farming in the Weald’s sticky clays and acidic sands - and the landscape quickly changed into what we can see today.

Sussex-lad and romantic poet, Percy Bysshe Shelley, was the heir to Castle Goring. After he died while sailing through a storm, his wife, Frankenstein author Mary Shelley, inherited the stunning country home instead.

The oldest human remains in Britain were discovered at Eartham Pit in Boxgrove near Chichester. Speculation that they passed away 500,000 years ago while at the back of Gatwick’s border control queue is entirely unsubstantiated.

The world’s oldest aquarium is Brighton’s Sea Life Centre,

Covering 127 acres, Brighton Marina is the largest marina in Europe.

After finding himself in a spot of bother, the future King Charles II escaped to France from Shoreham. He made the crossing into temporary exile upon a ship called Surprise, which was captained by Nicholas Tattersall; whose grave can be found at Brighton’s St Nicholas’ Church.

Image: Gravestone of Sir George Everest at St Andrew's Church, Church Road, Hove. By The Voice of Hassocks

SUSSEX FACTS

While there’s an urban myth that Eskimos have over 40 words for snow, the Sussex dialect legitimately has at least 30 words associated with mud. This folds neatly into the myth that Sussex women have the longest legs, because these stretch when being pulled from the mud at every step. Any true local can differentiate between Cledgy, Clodgy, Gubber, Grabby, Ike, Pug, Slabby, Slob, Slub, Slummocky or Stug. There isn’t a term for dirt splashed across a 4x4 which has never ventured beyond the school run, as that’s never been needed.

Winter Recipes

The Snowy Peak Soup When the frost bites, bite back with this creamy, dreamy soup.

It's like a hug in a bowl, but less awkward at family gatherings.

Ingredients:

1.

•

1 large butternut squash, peeled and cubed

•

2 carrots, diced

•

1 onion, chopped

•

3 cloves of garlic, minced

•

1 litre vegetable stock

•

200ml coconut milk

•

A pinch of nutmeg

•

Salt and pepper, to taste

•

Olive oil

Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil until they start spilling their secrets.

2. Add squash and carrots, sautéing until slightly softened, like your resolve to avoid winter carbs.

3. Pour in vegetable stock, bring to a simmer, and cook until everything's tender enough to squash with a spoon.

4. Blend until smooth, add coconut milk, nutmeg, salt, and pepper. Warm through.

5. Serve with a swirl of cream and a sprinkle of smugness.

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Congratulations, you've just made winter bearable. Now go wrap yourself in a blanket like a human burrito.

Recipes

The Cheeky Chilli Chocolate Stew This stew is the culinary equivalent of a fireplace. It’s spicy, chocolatey, and guaranteed to make you forget you can’t feel your toes.

Ingredients:

1.

•

500g beef stewing steak, cubed

•

2 tins of chopped tomatoes

•

2 red bell peppers, chopped

•

1 onion, diced

•

3 cloves garlic, minced

•

2 tsp smoked paprika

•

1 tsp cumin

•

1 tsp chilli powder (or more if you’re brave)

•

50g dark chocolate (70% cocoa)

•

Salt and pepper

•

Olive oil

Brown the beef in a pan with some olive oil. Transfer to a pot.

2. In the same pan, gently fry the onions and garlic until they’re as soft as your favourite slippers.

3. Add smoked paprika, cumin, and chilli powder, cooking for a

Serve this saucy number with a side of rice or a hunk of bread. It’s not just dinner; it’s an experience.

minute.

4. Tip this spicy fiesta into the pot with beef, add bell peppers and tomatoes.

5. Simmer for 2 hours, or until the beef surrenders.

6. Stir in the dark chocolate until it melts into oblivion.

7. Season with salt and pepper.

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The “Better than a Blanket” Baked Risotto Risotto without the arm workout?

Yes, please! This baked risotto is like wearing a cashmere jumper, but for your stomach.

Ingredients:

1.

•

300g Arborio rice

•

1 litre vegetable stock, hot

•

1 onion, diced

•

2 cloves garlic, minced

•

200g mushrooms, sliced

•

100g spinach

•

100g Parmesan cheese, grated

•

50g butter

•

Salt and pepper

Preheat your oven to a cosy 180°C.

2. In an ovenproof dish, melt butter, then gently fry onion and garlic until they’re as golden as a winter sunset.

3. Stir in rice, cook for a minute, then pour in all the stock. Cover and bake for 40 minutes.

4. Stir through mushrooms, spinach, and half the cheese. Bake for another 10 minutes.

5. Sprinkle the rest of the cheese on top. Return to the oven until it’s as melty as your heart watching a puppy video.

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Serve immediately, ideally while wearing your comfiest socks.

This dish is comfort food at its lazy, delicious best.

Recipes

The Frosty Fire Whiskey Toddy This toddy is like a winter campfire in a glass. It’s the perfect remedy for cold hands, cold feet, and even a cold heart.

Ingredients:

1.

•

50ml whiskey (preferably a smoky variety)

•

1 tbsp honey

•

2 cloves

•

1 cinnamon stick

•

Juice of half a lemon

•

Hot water

•

A slice of lemon and a cinnamon stick, for garnish

Combine whiskey, honey, cloves, and cinnamon stick in a mug.

2. Squeeze in the lemon juice like you’re squeezing the last bit of daylight from a winter’s day.

3. Top up with hot water, stir gently with the cinnamon stick until the honey is convinced to dissolve.

4. Garnish with a lemon slice and an extra cinnamon stick for that

Sip slowly and let the warmth seep into your bones. It’s like a fireplace you can drink.

‘Instagrammable’ look.

The Northern Lights Mocktail This mocktail is a dazzling display of flavours. It’s like catching the • Aurora Borealis in your kitchen, but without the frostbite.

Ingredients:

200ml cranberry juice •

100ml grape juice • •

• •

1.

Juice of 1 lime Sparkling water

A few mint leaves

Lime slice and fresh cranberries, for garnish

In a shaker, mix cranberry juice, grape juice, and lime juice

with a handful of ice. Shake it like you’re trying to wake up a hibernating bear.

2. Strain into a glass filled with ice.

3. Top up with sparkling water for that fizzy northern lights effect.

4. Garnish with a lime slice, fresh cranberries, and a sprig of mint.

Enjoy this refreshing burst of flavour.

It’s like a winter wonderland in a cup, minus the need for snow boots.

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TV GUIDE FOOL ME ONCE MON 1 JAN NETFLIX

Maya Stern (Michelle Keegan) is trying to come to terms with the brutal murder of her husband, Joe (Richard Armitage). But when she installs a nanny-cam to keep an eye upon her young daughter, she is shocked to see her husband in the house.

Meanwhile, Maya’s niece and nephew are trying to find the truth about their mother’s murder, several months earlier. But are the two cases connected? Fool Me Once follows this family on a thrilling hunt for the truth. This journey will reveal plenty of shocking secrets and maybe change all of their lives forever.

JAMES MAY: OUR MAN IN...

THURS 4 JAN AMAZON

The mild-mannered man of motoring takes on his greatest adventure yet. May is embarking upon a 3,000-mile coast-to-coast trip across India, in an exploration of the most populous (and perhaps most extraordinary) country in the world.

Starting by the Arabian Sea and finishing at the Bay of Bengal, his epic journey will encompass incredible landscapes, from the baking deserts of Rajasthan to the dramatic Himalayan foothills.

Trying to understand India is no mean feat, for it can be a complex and bewildering place for the uninitiated. May will be trying his hand at everything - from the ancient art of kite flying through to a bit-part acting in local TV.

CRIMINAL RECORD WEDS 10 JAN APPLE TV+

BAFTA Award nominee Paul Rutman (Vera, Indian Summers) unleashes a powerful new London crime thriller. Starring Academy Award winner Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who, The Thick Of It) and Cush Jumbo (The Good Wife, Getting On), it promises to be dark, deadly and mysterious.

An anonymous phone call draws two brilliant detectives into a confrontation over an old murder case. One is a young woman in the early stages of her career, the other a well-connected man determined to protect his legacy at any cost. When these worlds collide, it uncovers issues of race, institutional failure and the quest to find common ground in an increasingly polarised Britain.

BOY SWALLOWS UNIVERSE THURS 11 JAN NETFLIX

This sweeping coming-of-age story, set in 80s Brisbane, blends the magic and innocence of youth with the brutal reality of the adult world. A lost father, a mute brother, a recovering addict mum, a heroin dealer for a stepfather and a notorious criminal for a babysitter. Eli Bell is just trying to follow his heart and understand what it means to become a good man, but fate keeps throwing obstacles in his way.

Adapted from Trent Dalton’s iconic Australian novel, Boy Swallows Universe examines the crossroads where a boy becomes a man, good toys with evil and the everyday meets the extraordinary.

TRUE DETECTIVE: NIGHT COUNTRY MON 15 JAN SKY ATLANTIC

Eight men working at the Tsalal Arctic Research Station mysteriously vanish, so Detectives Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Keli Reis) are tasked with finding out what really happened. But while investigating the mysterious goings-on, the pair need to confront both the darkness they carry themselves and the haunted truths which lie buried under the eternal ice.

To complicate matters, the pair don’t really get along with each other. So, to solve the case, they’ll need to embrace the Alaskan cold and put their differences aside. This is already shaping up to be the most gruelling season yet of this enormously popular anthology thriller.

MASTERS OF THE AIR FRI 26 JAN APPLE TV+

Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg created definitive World War 2 dramas with Band Of Brothers and The Pacific, and now they complete the trilogy with this big budget blockbuster.

Based on Donald L Miller’s book, Masters Of The Air follows the men of the 100th Bomb Group.

Conducting perilous bombing raids over Nazi Germany, they are forced to grapple with frigid conditions, a lack of oxygen and the sheer terror of combat at 25,000 feet.

The psychological and emotional price paid by these young men sits at the heart of this lavish production. While many were shot down and captured or killed, some were lucky enough to make it home. But a toll was exacted upon them all.

HAZBIN HOTEL FRI 19 JAN AMAZON

Charlie is the Princess of Hell, and she’s pursuing her seemingly impossible goal of rehabilitating demons to peacefully reduce overpopulation in her kingdom. After a yearly extermination imposed by angels, she opens a hotel in the hopes that her guests will be ‘checking out’ into Heaven.

While most of Hell mocks her ambition, her devoted partner Vaggie, and their first test subject, adult film-star Angel Dust, stick by her side. When a powerful entity known as the Radio Demon reaches out to assist Charlie in her endeavours, her crazy dream is given a chance to become reality. I get the feeling there’s a metaphor in there somewhere…

SEXY BEAST THURS 25 JAN PARAMOUNT+

It’s 90s London, and it’s raining geezers! Gal Dove (James McArdle) is a rising thief, who gets offered an opportunity to escape his mundane life and expand his criminal enterprise.

Unfortunately, it involves a job with leading gangsters Teddy Bass (Stephen Moyer) and Stan Higgins (Paul Kaye).

He agrees and pulls together a group of loyal boys, but soon comes to understand that everything comes with a price. After meeting Deedee (Sarah Greene), a renowned adult actress who seeks full control over her career, Gal soon becomes transfixed. But with a wedding to his sweetheart on the horizon, and increasingly demanding jobs drawing attention from rival gangs, his world gets increasingly complicated.

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FILM ONE LIFE FRI 5 JAN

James Hawes (Slow Horses, Undercover) explores the incredible true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, who rescued 669 children from the Nazis. Starring Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Flynn (Lovesick, Stardust), Helena Bonham Carter, Lena Olin (Alias, Hunters) and Jonathan Pryce, it tells us how Nicky visited Prague in 1938 and found families living in desperate conditions with the borders about to close.

In later life, Nicky is haunted by the fate of the children he couldn’t bring back to England, blaming himself for not doing more. It’s not until a TV show reunites him with some of the grownup survivors that he comes to terms with the guilt and grief he has carried for five decades.

GUIDE

PRISCILLA

POOR THINGS

THE BEEKEEPER

After Baz Luhrman’s Elvis brought a new wave of attention to the king of rock’n’roll, we now get to look at the life of his greatest love. Starring Jacob Elordi (Euphoria) and Cailee Spaeny (Devs, Mare Of Easttown), Sofia Coppola’s new biopic is based upon on Priscilla Presley’s celebrated book, Elvis And Me.

Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe star in this Yorgos Lanthimos-directed (The Lobster, The Favourite) darkly comedic fantasy. A young woman is brought back to life by a boundarypushing scientist after a suicide attempt.

The Stath is back, round-kicking the parts other action-stars simply can’t reach! Directed

by David Ayer (End of Watch Sabotage, Suicide Squad), this powerhouse of an action thriller assembles Jeremy Irons, Emmy Raver-Lampman (Central Park, The Umbrella Academy), Bobby Naderi and Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, Five Nights At Freddy’s) alongside Jason Statham.

FRI 5 JAN

Later a star in her own right, we get to see Priscilla’s life between the ages of 14 and 27, including her first meeting with Elvis and their world together under the spotlight. The film endeavours to disassemble much of the mythos around the pair, and portrays them as normal human beings living through extraordinary circumstances.

FRI 12 JAN

She becomes eager to learn more about the world around her, so runs off with a slick and debauched lawyer. Suddenly free from the prejudices of polite society, she begins to demand equality and liberation. This extravagant adaptation of Alasdair Gray’s brilliant novel gets packed to the brim with insight, dry humour and sumptuous production values, to create a dazzling and spicy postmodern fairytale.

FRI 12 JAN

Mr Clay is a rather capable former operative of a clandestine organisation. When his friend and neighbour dies by suicide, after falling for a phishing scam, he becomes determined to deliver some rough justice to the people responsible. But on this brutal campaign of vengeance, the stakes suddenly go through the roof…

MEAN GIRLS

ALL OF US STRANGERS

JACKDAW

Tina Fey gives us a new twist on her modern classic. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by an elite group of popular girls called ‘The Plastics’ - the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika).

Based on a novel by Taichi Yamada, BAFTAnominated writer/director Andrew Haigh (Weekend, Looking, The North Water) presents a compelling supernatural drama. Paul Mescal (Normal People, Aftersun) and Andrew Scott (Fleabag) star as two residents of a neardeserted tower-block who have a chance encounter.

A former motocross champion and army veteran now cares for his younger brother, but he’s facing increasing financial troubles. Running out of options, he agrees to do an open water pick up of a mysterious illegal package in the North Sea. A resulting double cross and his brother’s disappearance set him and his old bike on a violent nocturnal odyssey through England’s northern rust belt.

WEDS 17 JAN

However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend, she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. She then tries to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of outcasts Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), while learning how to stay true to herself and navigate the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.

66 BN1 MAGAZINE

FRI 26 JAN

As a relationship develops between them, one becomes preoccupied with haunting memories of the past. He finds himself drawn back to the suburban town where he grew up. Then he discovers his parents appear to still be living in his childhood home, just as they were on the day they died 30 years previously.

FRI 26 JAN

This debut feature from Jamie Childs (The Sandman, Willow, His Dark Material) stars Oliver Jackson-Cohen (The Invisible Man, The Haunting of Hill House), Jenna Coleman (Doctor Who, Victoria) and Thomas Turgoose (This Is England) along with some sweepingly cinematic locations across Teesside.

2024

UK TOUR

SUNDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2024

BRIGHTON DOME

BY ARRANGEMENT WITH WASSERMAN MUSIC WWW.THEVACCINES.COM

SUPPORT FROM

b y a r r a n g e m e n t w i t h DM F

Seth Lakeman Kitty Jay 20th Anniversary Tour

- Performing the Mercury Prize nominated album and more -

Thursday 22 February

- Brighton -

SUNDAY 09 JUNE 2024

BRIGHTON DOME

BY A R R A N G E M E N T W I T H X- R AY

T I C K E T S

A V A I L A B L E

F R O M

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