COLDPLAY INTERVIEW
UEA’s independent student newspaper since 1992
www.concrete-online.co.uk
Issue 260 | Tuesday 8th November 2011 | concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete-online.co.uk
@Concrete_UEA
/ConcreteNewspaper Laura Smith
Music school rocked
While Coldplay recorded a Live Lounge session in the Blue Bar for Radio 1, music students protested outside as the guillotine hung over the School of Music Laura Smith
NEWS >> P3
Concrete UEA Catherine Hardy News Reporter
The Save UEA Music campaign is quickly gathering support following the first meeting to discuss the school’s potential closure. Since the release of a report by the University on 26 October recommending that the School of Music be closed, more than 4000 people have pledged their support to the department, with the names of Coldplay, Jools Holland and Lauren Laverne among those on the Save UEA Music petition. The review panel declared that the School was no longer financially viable, pointing to a running annual subvention of £165,000. Music academics have since protested against this decision, particularly on the grounds that the review was conducted with no engagement with anyone from the School itself. The review declared that by keeping the School open, resources would have to be diverted from other disciplines, thus putting them at risk. ViceChancellor Professor Edward Acton, who commissioned the review, said: “In a harsh and increasingly competitive and market-focused environment, that is a step that UEA cannot afford to take.” However, the Save UEA Music campaigners claim that these statements are incorrect. After expanding in 2002 the school stands at 12th overall (including conservatoires) and 8th among university music departments in the Guardian University League Table, with a National Student Satisfaction rating of 3rd in the UK. The school of music also recruits 37% of all open day visitors who choose to come to UEA. Continued on page 3
Let us know your thoughts on the potential closure of the School of Music
INTERNATIONAL >> P11
Aimee Dawes looks at the recovery of Rwanda, scarred by genocide in 1994
TRAVEL >> P13
Travel Editor Greg Lewry interviews Gap Yah creator Matt Lacey, aka Orlando
SPORT >> P23
Tom Shaw discusses the recent reappearance of racism in English football
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turf p7
comment p8-10
international p11
features p12-14
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Music school rocked Continued from front page He added: “We need to assess the impact on the whole university and the local community, as outreach programmes may be unable to continue. How will the cultural status of UEA and Norwich suffer because of the closure?” The issue has caught the attention of those outside the UEA and Norwich community as well, with articles on the matter published in the Times, the Huffington Post (which has a readership of 50 million) and The Eastern Daily Press. The recommendation to close the school is being taken to the University’s Senate at 2 pm on 9 November, before the final decision on the future of the
school is made by the Council on 28 November. Hundreds of students are set to protest outside the Senate on the 9th, with a rally being held at 12.30 before a march on the Senate at 1.30. Words have also been spoken on the subject of occupation further down the line if the campaign’s voice is still not heard. Live music has been performed in the Hive and the square during the past week and musical activity has taken place all over the city this weekend, as students and local musicians alike try to raise support. Students also turned up in force at a campaign meeting on 2 November to discuss ideas to ensure the School’s continuation. The Student Union have officially declared their support for the Save UEA Music
Campaign as part of the Stop the Cuts movement, which was ranked joint first by students in a recent priority poll. The School of Music is particularly aggrieved that the University has already sent emails out to students currently applying for the 2012 academic year to tell them of the School’s closure. One academic from the School of Music has emphasised the need for UEA to make connections with schools with vibrant music departments in order to combat the effects of this decision. Professor Acton has assured students: “Whatever the council may decide, we are determined that current students in the School are strongly supported and are able to complete their studies
successfully.” However, students are worried that the closure of the school will result in the departure of Music academics, so compromising their degrees and having consequences for employability. The School of Music have made a statement of demand, in which they declare that they will not accept any form of closure and that there must be no compulsory redundancies. They also say that UEA needs to retract closure emails sent to prospective students. However they are willing for an independent review of the school to take place. Another academic from the School said: “Music is a litmus test of intellectual, cultural and social health. It would be sad were UEA to fail this test”.
Contributors News
Catherine Hardy, Dan Pirozzolo, Riccardo Monni, Richard Joslin, Philip Thomas, James Dixon, Susanna Wood, Michael Drummond, Mark Shead
Turf
Rosie Rawle, Chris King
Comment
Joshua Resoun, Dominic Smith, Josh Bowker, Wil Hanford, George Hamilton-Jones, Alex Corps, Jess Collett
International
Ingrid Kornstad, Aimee Dawes
Features
Sam Warner, Fran Roberts, Nicola Walters
Travel
Sam Langan, Greg Lewry, Louis Keveren
Lifestyle
Jess Beech, Rianne Ison, Chris King, Harriet Matthews, Emily Burt, Holly Kite, Helena Murphy, Duncan Vicat-Brown, Freya Barry, Sophie Witts, Alfie Venner, Ally Kayler, Che Witcher
Sport
Matt Scrafton, Oli Platt, Chris Teale, Billy Sexton, Kris Nelson, Jenni Barrett, Tom Shaw, Sam Tomkinson
Copy Editors
Amy Adams, Harry Slater, Nikki Cox, Charlotte Cox, Harriet Smith, Matthew Weddig, Susanna Wood
lifestyle p17-20
NEWS
A word from the editor First of all, let me start by saying that I can’t believe it is November already. Three issues already done, four now, in fact, and it barely feels like a day has passed since the first. Yet with time comes maturity, and it’s fair to say that the early squabbles and fallouts with InDesign have given way to a (fairly) fruitful working relationship for most of our sub-editors, and the paper is all the better for it. We’ve got some great articles this issue, including a Coldplay interview, secured by a soggy and bemused Hannah Britt, who waited in the rain for hours before pouncing on Chris Martin. Also, make sure to come to MediaCrawl - it’s not often us, Livewire and UEATV get together and “party.”
Concrete is published by UUEAS Concrete Society ©2011 Concrete BMc. ISSN 1351-2773
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Editorial Editor | Chris King >> concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk Deputy Editor | Hannah Britt >> concrete.deputyeditor@uea.ac.uk News Editors | James Dixon and Susanna Wood >> concrete.news@uea.ac.uk Comment Editor | Josh Resoun >> concrete.comment@uea.ac.uk Travel Editor | Greg Lewry >> concrete.travel@uea.ac.uk Features Editor | Lauren Razavi >> concrete.features@uea.ac.uk Lifestyle Editors | Hasina Allen and Rianne Ison >> concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk International Editor | Rachael Lum >> concrete.international@uea.ac.uk Turf Editor | Becky Hazlewood >> concrete.turf@uea.ac.uk Competitions Editor | Sam Tomkinson >> concrete.competitions@uea.ac.uk Sport Editors | Matt Scrafton and Chris Teale >> concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk Chief Copy Editors | Amy Adams and Harry Slater >> concrete.editorial@uea.ac.uk Chief Photographer | Laura Smith Deputy Chief Photographer | Harriet Jones >> concrete.photographers@uea.ac.uk
Letters should be addressed for the attention of the Editor, Chris King. Letters must include contact details, but we will consider anonymous publication. We reserve the right to edit for length and clarity as necessary. Opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the newspaper. No part of this newspaper may be reproduced through any means without the express permission of the Editor, Chris King. Printed by Archant.
NEWS
Editors: James Dixon & Susanna Wood Email: concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
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“This is by no means the thin end of the wedge - UEA is a really important and very innovative music department that has been pumping out really important work and excellent graduates for decades. If we let them take this one down, nobody is safe”
“Absolutely shocked to hear about this. As a professional musician of 20 years, and currently a professor at the Guildhall school of music, some of the most creative musicians I’ve worked with over the years have trained at UEA. It will be a body blow the UK music scene if this closure is allowed to happen”
Royal Northern College of Music
University of Manchester
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... SUPPORT IS FLOODING IN FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY
Professor Richard Wistreich Dean of Research and Enterprise,
Professor Philip Grange
Tuesday 8th November 2011 - Issue 260
“The UEA music department has a long history of producing interesting, inquisitive and accomplished graduates as a result of its teaching ethos and staff. To close the department will be an act of cultural vandalism!” Judith Robinson, Arts Manager
AS THE SAVE UEA MUSIC CAMPAIGN TAKES OFF...
“The loss of the Music Department at UEA will leave yet another large swathe of the UK without the focal point for creative and artistic endeavour in music that such a department provides for a region. (The other is the South West). Furthermore the UEA will be consigning itself to the ranks of the second rate, as it cannot be mere coincidence that only the top universities in the country boast music departments”
www.concrete-online.co.uk
Carlos Lopez-Real jazz musician
“In the world of human dealings, music is a litmus test of intellectual, cultural, social “I am student at Wymondham College in year 13, and structural health - in universities still and the UEA music department has been hugely more so. It would be sad were UEA to fail beneficial. It has hosted the National Youth Jazz this test” Bill Vine Collective courses which I attended, and I have been Composer and PhD student at UEA’s part of the Ellington big band and the symphony Music Department writing in the Huffington Post orchestra. It would be very saddening to see such a successful department close” George Stronge Harriet Jones
local school student
YouTubed News This fortnight’s YouTube video shows that support for UEA’s Music Department is coming from a rather surprising source. The video shows Adolf Hitler launching into a tirade about the closure of the music department. The scene used, from the 2004 German language film Downfall, has been circulating as an internet meme since 2010, with the subtitles usually changed to parody current affairs or entertainment. Check it out for yourself by searching the title “Hitler reacts to UEA Music” or watch the link on www.concrete-online.co.uk.
SHOW SUPPORT FOR YOUR MUSIC SCHOOL HERE
Save UEA Music Name: School: Do you support the closure?: Why?:
Cut this out and hand it in to the Concrete office (upstairs in Union House), and we will pass your views on to the Save UEA Music campaign
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NEWS
Olympic Torch fails to ignite campus Dan Pirozzolo News Reporter The Olympic Torch’s arrival on campus failed to generate the
excitement and impact many had hoped for when it came to the university on 31 October, with the turnout described as “disappointing” by event organisers.
Arriving in a red Coca-Cola tour bus, that was parked outside Nelson Court, students and members of the public had the chance to have their photo taken with the Olympic Torch between
12pm and 6pm. Before the Torch arrived, the Union Communications Officer, Matthew Myles, hailed the event as a “fantastic opportunity to pose with the torch.” He continued: “It will also help us all get into the Olympic spirit ahead of the games in 2012.” However, midway through the event, Tour Brand Manager, Andy Cope, said: “We’re now only hoping for around 700 people to turn up today, when we usually get about 1,300 minimum.” The Event Manager of this Coca-Cola 2011 Olympic Torch Tour, Nikki Lindsay, said: “We’re providing a rare opportunity for people to get their photo taken with an official Olympic torch. The gold-plated Olympic Torch in our tour is one of just a handful in existence so far.” UEA was among some 20 universities that were selected to be visited by the Olympic Torch on its tour of the country this autumn. This is part of the National Union of Students’
London 2012 Inspired project “Be a Champion.” Lindsay said: “The torch has produced massive queues at some universities. For instance, we had so many people at one university last week that 1,200 photos were taken and we still had hundreds of people we had to turn away. That was well marketed though, in a way that has not been done here. The turnout has been disappointing.” Questions have been asked as to why the news of Torch’s arrival was not put up on Portal, a site visited far more often than the Union website, and more could have been done when Mr. Myles first found out about the event six weeks earlier, to try and match opposing universities’ efforts, whereby some had armies of volunteers handing out flyers to promote the occasion, according to Lindsay. While the turnout was lower than expected by the Tour, the other institutions visited by the Torch had populations larger than that of UEA.
Students targeted in unprotected deposit scams Laura Smith
American Studies launch city centre discussion cafés Riccardo Monni News Reporter Wednesday 23 November sees the return of the “Crisis and Contemporary America” Discussion Cafés at the Maddermarket Theatre, St. John’s Alley, focusing on issues facing contemporary America and their wider repercussions across the globe. The series, organised by Dr. Wendy McMahon in conjunction with the University’s School of American Studies (AMS), is hosted by final year students from the school participating in the “New American Century: Culture and Crisis” module. The discussion cafés run
throughout the month and are open to people of all professions and interests. Indeed, Dr. McMahon was keen to stress the five-part series’ appeal across all spectrums of society, saying: “[It is] a great opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to engage in discussion about the pressing issues of our time, which concern not just America but people in the UK too.” Although organised by UEA, the series receives sponsorship from CUE East, an organisation that attempts to foster greater cooperation between members of the public and Higher Education staff and students. The focus for the meeting on the 23rd revolves around the question: “The United States of
America? Is America the land of the free?” However, topics in other meetings range from comparisons of the present financial crisis with America’s Great Depression of the 1930s, to more socio-cultural subjects such as the impact of Globalisation and Nationalisation on national cultures. All of the discussions start at 11am on a Wednesday morning and continue until midday. The tone is informal, however, and one not need fear arriving late as there is no need to book places; participants may simply turn up. Furthermore, those who might be dissuaded by the discussion’s strongly academic focus need not be put off: tea and coffee are to be supplied.
Richard Joslin News Reporter A UEA student has discovered that her landlord and lettings agent have flagrantly broken their contract, possibly swindling the entire student household out of their deposit money. The student, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Concrete that in September she had discovered that she never received an email from the Deposit Protection Service (DPS). The DPS confirmed that an account had been set up in her name, but no money had been paid into it, despite the student paying the £300 deposit to her landlord nine months ago. The entire household found themselves in the same predicament. After repeatedly speaking to the lettings agent by phone, email and in person, the money has still not been paid into the account. As their lettings agent was breaking the law, the student
and her housemates took it to the Union Advice Centre (UAC), where they were given aid in trying to reclaim their unsecured money. “I personally just want to know that my money is safely protected and would much rather not be having to spend my time chasing the lettings agent to do this, especially considering I have upheld my side of the contract but they are breaching theirs and breaking the law. I would advise everyone to check that their deposit is protected because I believe that it is more difficult to get your deposit back once your tenancy has ended if your deposit isn’t protected and this is why these schemes were put in place.” The UAC urges all students to ask their landlords “Is my deposit protected”. For more information, call the UAC at 01603 59 3463, check out the Union’s housing webpage, www. ueastudent.com/housing or email the UAC at advicecentre@ uea.ac.uk.
NEWS
Editors: James Dixon & Susanna Wood Email: concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
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world News from around the world, brought to you by Concrete’s Philip Thomas and James Dixon GREECE Greece’s Prime Minister, George Papandreou, is to resign after a new coalition is formed amid the country’s financial woes. The announcement came after Papandreou narrowly won a vote of confidence. Greek televsion stated that the coalition government will have a life span of four months. Issues have arisen as Antonio Samaras’ opposition party have shown an unwillingness to join the coalition.
IRELAND The Republic of Ireland saw the election of a new president last month, with labour candidate Michael D Higgins ascending to the presidency having gained a majority over favourite Sean Gallagher. The seventy year old poet will be the ninth Irish president, succeeding Mary McAleese. Mr Higgins said, “We must now work to our strengths... not only cooperatively and collectively but sustainably for the benefit of all of our present generations and those to come.”
SYRIA Armed forces loyal to the regime of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad have reportedly resumed bombardment and gunfire in the western city of Homs, in an attempt to crush domestic unrest against the dictator. Despite ceasefire and withdrawal assurances made to the Arab League, activists have reported government tanks shelling some areas of the city, reputedly resulting in the deaths of nine people on Friday.
FRANCE The city of Cannes on the French Riviera was host to the meeting of twenty of the world’s major economies at the two-day G20 summit last week. During the negotiations world leaders agreed to increase funding of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in response to global economic problems. However representatives were unable to agree on action in the eurozone. This came amid the Greek debt crisis which threatens to jeopardise the Euro.
CHINA A minor earthquake triggered a mine explosion in China’s central Henan province that trapped 57 miners and killed 8. The accident happened in Sanmenxia where a 760m tunnel was being dug. The tunnel collapsed at 480 metres. Reports claim that seven injured miners were pulled from the rubble by rescuers. 36 hours later 45 remaining miners were rescued due to a 200m rescue tunnel dug by the other miners.
More cuts for education Project escapes closure... for now Dan Pirozzolo News Reporter Spending on education in Britain is decreasing at the fastest rate since the 1950s, says the Institute for Fiscal Studies, with funding set to plunge by 13% in real terms between 2010/11 and 2014/15. Luke Sibieta, senior research economist at the IFS, said: “The UK’s education budget is now set for a historically large fall over the next few years.”
“The biggest challenges lie ahead for the early years, youth services and 16 to 19 education, where spending is set to fall by around 20% in real terms.” The government promised state funding for schools would be maintained in real terms at the Comprehensive Spending Review last year, but Sibieta still sees “real-term cuts.” A Department for Education spokesman claims: “The government had to take tough decisions to reduce the deficit.”
Susanna Wood News Editor Concrete can confirm that Project Nightclub will stay open, despite the announcement that its parent organisation Luminar has gone into administration. Luminar is the UK’s biggest nightclub chain, owning all Oceana and Liquid branches country-wide as well as Norwich’s own Project. Luminar recorded
losses of £198m in the year to the end of February; a response, possibly, to the tough economic climate that students have been facing in the last year. While these figures have led to the potential closure of 11 clubs, Project seems safe for the time being, with Steven Lynn, the Head of Luminar’s marketing department, telling Concrete: “Project will remain open for the foreseeable future; it is by no means a loss-making club.”
Clubbers in Norwich are clearly not feeling the pinch, with ever-popular student night Propaganda still pulling in large crowds each Friday. However, the recent opening of a revamped and rebranded Mercy could threaten Project’s position as the current hotspot for student nightlife. One of the clubs set to close is Lava Ignite in Northampton, where a 22-year-old was crushed to death in last month.
Nelson’s bounty Tuition fees face sells for £20200 law case A letter written by Admiral Lord Nelson in 1799 has sold for £20,200 at an auction in Derby. Detailing the Viscount’s frustration at being unable to relay details concerning his blockade of Naples due to lack of government funding, the correspondence still retains its original ink lettering. Initially found in a house in Staffordshire, it was put forwards for auction in the same lot as a segment of Saddam Hussein’s toppled statue. The letter was eventually won by an anonymous bidder from London, who was reported to be a “big Nelson enthusiast” and paid around double its estimated value of between £8000 and £12000.
A pair of prospective university students have embarked on a High Court campaign against tuition fees. Their argument derives from a claim that the increase in tuition fees is a breach of human rights as the Human Rights Convention Act 1988 states that individuals should be able to attend university without artificial barriers being placed in their way. The outcome of the case could impact heavily on thousands of prospective university students. Helen Mountfield QC, is representing Callum Hurley and Katey Moore. The case is being heard by Lord Justice Elias.
Riccardo Monni
James Dixon
Greg Mann
Lizzie Ma
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NEWS
Editors: James Dixon & Susanna Wood Email: concrete.news@uea.ac.uk
Cameron survives EU referendum Modern media attitudes Michael Drummond News Reporter The Prime Minister David Cameron and the coalition survived a House of Commons vote on the possibility of an EU referendum. Held on the 24th October, the total vote count stood at 111 votes in favour and 483 votes against; meaning that the motion failed. The issue was raised after a petition calling for a referendum on Britain’s EU membership passed 100,000 votes. Although the official party line was to reject the proposal, however 79 Tory MPs voted in favour with another 15 abstaining and 2 tellers (vote counters) also voting for. This brings the total of Conservative MPs that refused to vote with the party to 96- a very large percentage of the 305 total. 19 Labour MPs also voted in favour of the referendum as did 1 Liberal Democrat and the only Green MP. Europe has always been a troublesome issue for the Conservative party; however this rebellion sees a test of not only Conservative opinion, but the strength of David Cameron’s
government. So what does this mean for the Prime Minister? Having so many of his own party openly defy him would not have been pleasing, especially in times when the coalition is already under strain from other issues such as tuition fees and pensions. The Conservative MP for Gravesham, Adam Holloway, resigned his post as Parliamentary Private Secretary
to Minister David Lidington when he, Holloway, announced his intention to vote in favour of the motion. Having survived this rebellion in his party, but in no way unscathed, it will be interesting to see how Prime Minister David Cameron reacts when the issue of Britain’s EU membership is brought up again and how much, if any, lasting damage has been caused by this vote.
to military women James Dixon News Editor
Professor Yvonne Tasker from the School of Film has undertaken a study into post-Second World War depictions in the media of military. The study covers many genres of media, including music, cinema, and drama. Tasker drew a wide range of resources, ranging upon from London’s Imperial War Museum to the National Archives in Washington. The study orbits around the pertinent question of whether or not women should be soldiers on the frontline of warzones. Professor Tasker said: “My goal is to make the military woman a more visible figure within film and television history.” Women have been stereotypically portrayed as auxiliaries to war up until the Second World War when they took on a more militaristic role in the proceedings of warfare. This auxiliary role often involved nursing, delicate munitions work or housekeeping whilst the male members of their family were away: a stereotypically feminine
contribution to various war efforts Britain. Professor Tasker explained that media depictions have struggled to find consistency with these “contradictory figures, unable to be both effective soldiers and appropriately feminine.” Traditional representations either emphasise the military woman’s capacity for salacious aesthetics or they veer towards physical strength and the level of endurance a servicewoman must have. Her research comes at a pertinent time for the British military as the armed forces have been engaged in a number of modern wars within the last decade. These wars, from the Iraq invasion to the bombing campaign in Libya, are emblematic of a new modern type of warfare. This modernisation of war may herald a new age in media attitude to military women as they become more integrated into the British armed forces’ bosom. Prof Tasker’s findings can be found in the recent book titled: Soldiers’ Stories: Military Women in Cinema and Television since World War II, published by Duke University Press.
UCAS review promises change for uni appications Mark Shead News Reporter The university admissions service is considering significant reforms, including abolishing the practice of predicting applicants’ grades. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) will use prospective students’ actual exam results when considering applications.To achieve this, UCAS have proposed that A-Level exams and results are carried out by the second week of July, with applications to be completed by the second week of September. First year students would then begin university on the second week of October. The UCAS board reviewing the admissions process is also considering reducing the number of application choices to two. To allow students, schools,
and universities time time to prepare for these changes, the reforms would not be fully implemented until 2016, though UCAS plans to begin phasing them in in 2014. The review, which will affect universities across the UK, was carried out to accommodate changes in tuition fees and the substantial increase in university applications. UCAS hopes that the reforms will allow applicants more time to consider university applications to be more representative of applicants’ actual abilities, and to simplify what they currently consider to be an overly complex system. Described as “the most radical overhaul of university admissions for 50 years.”, The Guardian has praised the proposals. The newspaper feels that applications based on actual rather than predicted grades will remove the advantages seized by
many private schools, whereby they are encouraged to complete applications ahead of most state schools. It is suggested that this will allow private and state-educated pupils a more equal chance in the application process. From now until 20 January 2012, UCAS is encouraging feedback on these proposals from all those who may be affected by the changes, stating in their consultation paper “We want to understand as fully as possible those aspects of the proposals which you support and those which cause concern.” Another report based on responses to these proposals and more findings will be published in March next year. To respond to these ideas yourself visit the website at www.ucas.com/ admissionsprocessreview. UCAS needs to receive all responses by 20 January 2012.
CONTACT DETAILS Email concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk concrete.advertising@uea.ac.uk Contact 01603 593 466 (editorial) 01603 593 466Laura Smith
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No clothes? No sweat for People & Planet Recently People and Planet turned heads with a rather unconventional approach to campaigning. Rosie Rawle reports on the day’s events On Monday 24 October, the UEA square stopped in its tracks to witness an explosion of barecheeked bravery from 60 student campaigners who proved that they would “Rather go naked than sweatshop.” In a catwalk like no other, lines of activists strutted their stuff across campus, wearing little more than a cardboard box, or indeed, very little of a cardboard box, all to persuade the Vice-Chancellor to take action against labour rights abuses in sweatshops. Led by People & Planet Society, the demonstration announced the relaunch of UEA’s Buy Right Campaign, primarily aiming to convince the university to make their clothing ethical and affiliate with the Worker Rights Consortium (WRC). The WRC is an independent labour-monitoring company which conducts thorough investigations, and issues public reports on textile factories. It also
aids the workers at these factories to end labour rights abuses and defend their workplace rights. Abby Thomas, a People & Planet member, said: “When you consider that UK universities together spend over £8 billion a year on procurement, this is some buying power we’re dealing with!” Last year, the Union passed a motion to support the campaign and over 500 signatures were
presented to the Vice-Chancellor but unfortunately the response was minimal. For this reason, People & Planet decided to roll up (and take off) their socks to do something seriously big, generating the largest Nearly Naked Buy Right Action the country has ever seen. With great pride, the dynamic nearly nudes were pasted all over the internet within minutes, even reaching the front page of the
national People & Planet website. There are also whispers of the university being nominated for an award at the national Shared Planet conference for this courageous and stunning escapade. Most importantly, the action
has guaranteed that human rights are brought back on to the university’s agenda. ProVice-Chancellor, Tom Ward, said: “I was very impressed by that brave demonstration in the cold. The Worker’s Rights Consortium will be looked into closely by our purchasing department, but it is not a simple matter of saying yes. On the face of it this would involve quite onerous administration of things that we already do.” However, students disagree with this reasoning, as the University’s Sustainable Procurement information quotes little to no evidence of protecting worker’s rights in our supply chains. People and Planet were enormously thankful to all those that got down to the bare essentials and danced their way through campus, highlighting the naked truth about sweatshops, but the battle still continues!
Norwich: still under occupation Regardless of the freezing winter ahead, this protest camp is set to stay. Chris King writes on the Occupy Norwich protesters who are determined to fight for peace, equality, justice and freedom For the past three weeks, Norwich has been under occupation, mirroring events occurring around the world. Centred on a protest camp, stationed between McDonalds, Topman and Starbucks, lies the collection of tents that is the extent of Occupy: Norwich. Those involved hail from all walks of life, and include students from Norwich University College of the Arts, as well as UEA, teenagers, an NHS worker, the unemployed, and representatives of the Socialist Workers’ Party. The group has a multinational feel which provides a vastly different identity to its US counterpart; it is a coalition of ideas, and no two people are there for the same reason. Some camp out as a result of their view on the environment, others because of a political persuasion, and more still due to their opinions on the international economy, as this is, let it not be forgotten, a global
movement. Jandra Sutton, a Masters student in Modern British History at UEA, summed up the ideals of Occupy: Norwich: “The group aims to create a fairer and more sustainable system, in which everything is done by consensus. Many feel the House of Commons no longer represents common people.” In its infancy the Occupy: Norwich camp had only a few hardy souls and a handful of tents, but donations have kept it going, and included such useful items as a couch, a food tent, and a stove. Plans are afoot, indeed, to install a solar panel, and place a computer on site, in order to keep the message alive about the Occupy: Norwich movement. In this age of instant communication, and the inexorable rise of social media, the camp would appear to be a throwback to a bygone era, as well as part of the global Occupy movement. However, as Sutton
continues, it has a modern twist, despite the simplicity: “Many in the camp believe in sustainable living, and support the Transition Norwich movement. There are some hippies in the camp, but those involved still go to Starbucks to charge their
Maddie Russell
phones.” Yet the camp isn’t merely a return to a traditional way of life, and its political direction is yet to be established, continues Sutton: “There is a possibility of lobbying the government, and we have established a connection with
those who occupied the London Stock Exchange. “In terms of the immediate future we need to coordinate all groups nationwide and see what action can be taken, so that the best solution can be found for everybody.”
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COMMENT
Simon Wright talks to Concrete Joshua Resoun and Dominic Smith interview Simon Wright, Liberal Democrat MP for Norwich South. Josh: Thank you for joining us, Simon Wright, today we are going to ask you a few questions for Concrete, and Livewire 1350’s The Politics Show. Let’s start off, to ease you into it a bit: There hasn’t been a coalition government in Britain for a generation, how are you finding life as a minority member of government? Simon: Whilst numerically we may be a minority partner in the
government, we’re seeing the Liberal Democrats being able to make a real effect in delivering their manifesto commitments which were delivered through the coalition agreement. Things like the pupil premium, giving schools more money who take children from less-well off backgrounds; raising the tax threshold so workers on lower pay are not sucked in to paying income tax, things like delivering on environmental policies, where we’ve got the
green investment bank and our international aid commitments. These are all good Liberal Democrat areas we’re able to deliver on by being part of the government. I feel that the party is punching above it’s weight; if you just look at numerical terms we’re having a big impact within government. I think it’s a good way of working, putting aside any tribal prejudices from the past to come together to do what’s right in the national interest.
Lizzie Margereson
Dom: You talk about achieving a lot that is in your manifesto, but one of the major issues that got you elected in the first place was tuition fees. I know yourself voted against the rise, but the party voted for it. Do you feel betrayed by Nick Clegg and those at the top of the party for going back on their word? It obviously puts MPs such as yourself in a difficult position, whose constituency has a large number of students, which can determine your future in parliament. So do you feel betrayed by the top of the party for going back on this? Simon: I don’t feel betrayed, I think it was a very difficult position for the party to be in. Obviously we don’t have a Liberal Democrat government. If we did things would be very different, we’d be able to look toward implementing 100% of our manifesto rather than 70% or so that we’re actually getting through. Sadly the tuition fee’s policy was in the 30 per cent of our manifesto that we were not able to get into the coalition programme. When you have two political parties, Labour and Conservative, who are very much in support of the tuition fees system, it’s very hard as a third party to make the case why your policy should prevail over the other two, when they won more seats and votes than you at the general election. Nethertheless, I felt very strongly on this, and I am aware that I won a lot of votes
Save UEA Music Josh Bowker discusses the origins of the “Save UEA Music” campaign On 26 October, every student within the School of Music received a mysterious email requesting their attendance to a meeting that same afternoon. It was at this meeting where John Charmley, the Head of School, announced that the university was planning to close the department. Out of the 149 students in the music department, I would
estimate that 50 were able to attend, and each responded with the same combination of incredulity, anger, and sadness. It spoke volumes that each of our lecturers who were informed merely hours before were at the meeting, showing their support and displaying their solidarity with the students. One particular lecturer who addressed us was close to tears
as he spoke, following the news. It is this kind of emotional investment and passion that has made UEA’s School of Music so successful in both league tables and NSS ratings over the years. As a student in the school, I have felt that the university has undervalued the work of myself, my colleagues, and the lecturers. As the fateful Wednesday wore on, more facts became
apparent to us, such as the covert nature of the report which condemned the department, and our anger at the university grew with each passing minute. The big question on everyone’s lips was: “What can we do?” Our campaign began the next day. Just as Coldplay took to the Blue Bar to be broadcast live to the nation, myself and a few dedicated students took to the street with three tea towels, on which the words “Save UEA Music” were painted. The Union of UEA Students have expressed their full support, and have given us
over the issue. I have been very overt on my view of tuition fees, and I announced that I had to vote against the government. Josh: While we’re on the subject of education and tuition fees, obviously the higher education budget is being slashed over a four year period, cuts up to 40% are being made, teaching grants are down, 6% for the 20112012 period, and a further 16% in the 2012-2013 period. Obviously this is having a huge impact on the facilities that universities can provide. Here at the University of East Anglia, the university has announced the closure of the Music School, because of these financial cuts. In your opinion, are creative subjects, such as music, going to suffer disproportionally in the coming years? Simon: Well, let me correct you on one point, which is the origin of the School of Music decision goes back to 2002, at that time the school came under review by the University of East Anglia and was told to expand, for whatever reason.
For the full interview, go to our website: www.concrete-online.co.uk www.concreteuea.com To hear student feedback on the interview, tune in to the Politics Show on Wednesday 4:30pm on Livewire1350 direction. We soon had a petition going around, which by the end of the first day had over 700 signatures, and as I write this, the figure stands at well over 3500. We are holding daily campaign meetings, and the campaign has garnered support from students, celebrities and academics. The astonishing growth of the campaign shows the love that the students have for the School of Music. To close the school down shows that the university knows the cost of everything, and the value of nothing.
COMMENT for Alex Corps
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THE BIG DEBATE
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against Jess Collett
In the wake of the Occupy: London protests, and the resignation of St. Paul’s Cathedral canon chancellor, Dr Giles Fraser, Concrete asks:
Does the Church of England, and religion as a whole, have a role to play in modern political debate? “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” “Love your neighbour as yourself.” These are phrases that we are all familiar with, regardless of our individual beliefs. Whilst David Cameron may be currently reviving the ideals in the public consciousness with his picture of a ‘Big Society’, these adages have underpinned British society and its values for centuries. Our laws were first based upon these Christian principles, our moral compass – our ability to differentiate between right and wrong – were shaped by these same Christian teachings. Whether we care to admit it or not, Christianity was, and is, a strong influence within our political culture.
“Our ability to differentiate between right and wrong was shaped by these same Christian teachings. Whether we care to admit it or not Christianity was, and is, a strong influence within our political culture. ” Or at least it should be. There is an absolute imperative throughout the Bible that God’s heart is for the needy, the oppressed, the widows, the orphans, the foreigners, and the poor. This is where our priorities as a civil society should lie. If we ignore it, we run the risk of creating an overtly individualistic society; a dog eat dog culture where only the rich and the successful survive, and the rest are trampled underfoot with no regard. The Christian Church teaches that everybody, rich or poor, is of worth, regardless of who they are, what they have done. A society created around this value is highly appealing.
The church today can be misconstrued as merely a landowner who provides a place of refuge for campaigners. This is simply not the case. As an institution the church possesses great influence, and it should continue to use that influence within politics. Whilst the church should not become too tied to an individual political party, it should be able to support decisions that have been made. It should strive to promote equality, and it should assist in providing care within our society. Yet the church is more than just an institution. The church is a people, a people who are able to make a stand and contribute across the entire political spectrum. A people whose actions have encompassed everything from the abolition of the slave trade to the creation of a food bank here in Norwich, which provides emergency aid for those who have nowhere else to go. It is a people who are able to live out their faith, not
“The church is a people, a people who are able to make a stand and contribute across the entire political spectrum” just on a Sunday, but every day of the week. A people who can permeate their beliefs of justice and mercy throughout politics and society. It is far too simplistic to say that the church has no place in politics. It is wrong to use the mistakes of the past as a means of justifying against future involvement. Any institution, whether it is political, scientific, or religious, has, and will, make mistakes. A public body that recognises its responsibilities to those under its direct care and to those within its society should continue to play its part in modern political debate.
Comment at a glance Alex Valentine “If the church has to be incorporated in modern politics, its role should be extremely limited. Like to the monarchy, it is a more traditional institution rather than an instrumental one.” Connie Pringle “The church should be united and distinctive, but engaged with the world around it - politics included! Called by God to act justly, love mercy and follow Jesus, how could we think anything else?” Tim Rose “There is little reason for an organisation as outdated and increasingly unpopular as the church, to have any role in modern politics. However this is not to say that every action undertaken by it is wrong, as shown by its recent positive intervention to prevent the violent removal of protesters at St Pauls.” Ashley Davis “I do not believe the church should have any role in modern politics. Though it may look good to have a spiritual and religious candidate, I do not think it should play an important part in people’s decisions.” George Hamilton-Jones “The Church should represent its members and its clergy should be willing to speak their convictions. Elements of their current status like bishops in the House of Lords are problematic to some, but there is little evidence they abuse such privileges to the detriment of others.”
As an atheist, it is expected of me to have an automatic kneejerk reaction to this question, a most determined “No! Of course not!”, à la Richard Dawkins. The church, in my opinion, does have a definite role to play in the political debates of this country, but this role should be strictly outside of the ‘establishment’; it should be a moral compass for those in power, and that is where the line is drawn. The church should not play a part in policy making. This is not because of my personal beliefs, but rather it represents a severe conflict of interest on the church’s part.
“It should be a moral compass for those in power, and that is where the line should be drawn. The church should not play a part in policy making” The church needs to remain objective in matters such as the St. Paul’s protest because there are no benefits to be gained from them taking sides. No matter what course of action the church should take, they would have incurred the anger of those on the other side of the matter. The church, if it did take a side, would abandon their role as a movement which was firmly established in defending the poor and the disenfranchised. Claiming solidarity with either side is to alienate the other; something which is the natural course of politics. Religion in modern Britain is far too varied and diverse for them to take a clear stance in modern political debate. Sure, we have a national Church of England which is formally joined to our government
through the monarchy, but this is but one of dozens of denominations within Britain. Are they all supposed to take a side in political debate? This could, to describe one scenario, result in people rejecting the authority of the law and taking only the authority of the church as an outline of what they can and cannot do. We may be far off from the situation in the United States where the Christian Right is so influential within political discourse, but seeing the difficulties posed by religion’s heavy involvement in politics we need to ensure that we avoid this state of affairs as much as possible. There have been scandals over individuals not permitting homosexual couples to stay at their hotels, something which is against the equality laws of this country; it would also be disastrous if the church were to be allowed to oppose legislation designed to tackle climate change. The Archbishop of Canterbury should not be allowed to stamp out his own agenda of change within political legislation. He is a moral leader for all Anglican Christians, not just those who happen to agree with all his ideas. It should also be remembered that the church is an emotional body and the world of politics should be above the constraints of emotions. Politicians cannot be allowed to be swayed by emotion. Ruling a country means you must make tough decisions, no matter how horrendous, all in the name of the people. The church can be relied upon to provide a spiritual heart for believers, and as such, cannot be allowed to play a part in modern political debate.
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COMMENT
In defence of the Officer Training Corps In light of the OTC debate at Union Council last month, Wil Hanford reveals the role the OTC plays at university The role of the Officer Training Corps (OTC) is to develop the leadership potential of university students. It is not designed to recruit. Members of the OTC are not eligible to be deployed, nor are they committed to join the army after graduation. Rather, the OTC aims to introduce students to the values, standards and attributes which army officers depend upon for success. These include loyalty, courage, discipline, integrity, respect for others and selfless commitment. In contrast to the civilian world of dog-eat-dog competition, the army expects every member to put their colleagues and mission before themselves and operate as a single team. Additionally, the OTC provides a welcome addition to a student’s CV. Instruction is modelled on the Sandhurst syllabus and the training has been accredited by the Chartered
Management Institute. Moreover, the opportunity to put leadership skills into practice is unrivalled. Finally, the OTC offers students experiences that could otherwise be beyond their reach. Substantial aadventurous training and sporting opportunities are offered on top of military training. This enables students to spend their summers parachuting, hiking, kayaking, sailing or almost anything else. It is in the army’s interest to ensure that graduates have a positive view of them. Furthermore, it is in their interest to establish links between the military and civilians. It must be remembered that the army is tasked with defending the civilians of Britain, and it is themselves who are required to pay for this. It is therefore absolutely vital that the two worlds understand each other. The recent attempt to ban
OTC recruitment at SocMart was clearly against the interests of students. The opportunities
offered, especially the benefits for the CV, are leadership and life skills which are transferable
to almost any chosen career. Those who proposed the recent motion need to understand this.
Seven billion: smiling faces or mouths to feed? The United Nations has announced that the seven billionth person has now been born, George Hamilton-Jones ponders the consequences of population growth According to the United Nations there are now upwards of seven billion of us. With so many around the world starving already, there is clearly cause for concern.
“Doom-laden predictions really need to be put into perspective against Western profligacy” The idea that we could run out of resources to feed everyone stems from the theories of Thomas Malthus. Simply put: there is maximum food production, so more people equals less food, which leads to starvation. It sounds logical, but as it stands, we already have enough food to feed everyone. Take the drought and famine on the Horn of Africa. It affects, to name two countries, Kenya, and Somalia. Many of those starving are the victims of corruption. There is a logical limit to the number of people we can feed based upon land available, but we are not there yet.
The characterisation of developing countries as rabbit colonies is truly disheartening. Doom-laden predictions about increasingly large poorer populations really need to be put into perspective against Western profligacy. It is hard to reconcile individual liberty with systems of control, especially with food distribution. This is why it is unrealistic for us to expect that those in developing nations will slow their population increase while we in the West are so wasteful. However, the doom and gloom will get us nowhere; we need to reclaim some of our lost humanism. The environment does not care for itself, humans do. We must place significance in the world around us. There have to be pragmatic solutions for how we reconcile our own aging populations, especially with younger populations living abroad. Or, maybe we will be eating algae and insects before long.
INTERNATIONAL
comment p8-10
features p12-14
travel p15-16
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Norway and the call for humanity Ingrid Kornstad observes how Norway has picked up the pieces following the terrorist attacks earlier this year On July 22 this year, Norway was struck by the spectre of terrorism. Anders Behring Breivik, a 32-year-old ethnic Norwegian, set off a bomb in the government quarter in Oslo, killing eight people. From there
he drove to Utøya, where the Labour Party youth group's annual summer camp was taking place. Armed with two guns, Breivik walked around the island, killing 69 people before he was finally caught. Breivik is a
right-extremist. His actions were motivated by the belief that the Labour Party was ruining Norway by encouraging immigration and multiculturalism. In the wake of the attacks, Norway expressed its grief in rose
marches that filled the streets of Oslo and every other city in the country. People changed their Facebook pictures to Norwegian flags or the "OsLove" image. Prime Minister, Jens Stoltenberg, called for "More democracy, more openness and more humanity,” emphasising that the Norwegian democracy would not be broken by this. Ordinary citizens wished to convey the same message. Before the local elections in September, Facebook events which called for record-breaking levels of participation as a way of denouncing the attacks were created. In the end, 63.8% of the population turned out to vote. A slightly larger percentage than previous elections, but nothing extraordinary. By this time too, the feeling of community from the first few weeks had faded
and been replaced by constant criticism in the media of the way the police had handled the attacks, as well as detailed reports of Breivik's beliefs, his personal life, and imprisonment. The terrorist attacks may not have changed Norway much. There are no more flowers in the streets. The media have, by and large, moved on to new sensations. It is once again acceptable to question immigration and multiculturalism. But there are other sides to this lack of change too. The Labour Party recently launched tildeg.no, a campaign people can enter their addresses for a chance to have the prime minister visit them. The ideals of democracy, openness and humanity are still present, as they always have been. The terrorist attacks could not take them away.
Rwanda: a nation resurrected
Aimee Dawes follows the story of a woman and her family who have found the strength to move on since the 1994 Rwandan Genocide Sitting in a living room with bare concrete walls, containing only an uncomfortable bench and a small wooden coffee table, it would be easy for Martha to feel despondent. Instead, she laughs and talks about how lucky she is. Thanks to a British charity called Rwanda Restored, the family, who until recently were living on the streets, now have a two bedroom bungalow to live in, and Martha runs a small shop selling groceries.
“Rwanda, a small East African country about the size of Wales, still bears the emotional scars from the genocide but, like Martha, many Rwandans are optimistic about their future” Martha is mother to seven children, including three-year-old twin girls Faustine and Fabiola, who draw patterns on the dirt floor with an empty biro. Their father, whom they have never met, is serving a life sentence for his part in the Rwandan
Genocide of 1994, a violent uprising of the majority Hutu population, heavily oppressed by the Belgian colonial government, against the Tutsis who had held power in the country since precolonial times. He was told that if he refused to participate, his own family would be murdered in front of him. The legacy of the genocide is a vast number of widows, many of whom were raped and deliberately infected with HIV, orphans with nobody to look after them, as well as women like Martha with loved ones in prison. Rwanda, a small East African country about the size of Wales, still bears the emotional scars from the genocide but, like Martha, many Rwandans are optimistic about their future.The country has recently been accepted into the Commonwealth, which has brought much-needed investment into the country. In the centre of the capital, Kigali, glass buildings that wouldn't look out of place in London are springing up, providing jobs and symbolising the modernisation of a country that, only 17 years ago, witnessed the massacre of
an estimated 800,000 Tutsis and “moderate” Hutus who refused to take part in the killings. Gazing up at the modern
buildings surrounding them, Rwandans are forced to look at the sky, represented as a band of blue on the national flag – a
symbol of hope. You can find out more about the work of Rwanda Restored at rwandarestored.org.
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turf p7
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international p11
FEATURES
travel p15-16
lifestyle p17-20
sport p21-24
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Tuesday 8th November 2011 - Issue 260
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research does seem to suggest that this can produce success, but this only by chance. On the other hand, less procrastination inevitably leads to superior results. It is evident that most students procrastinate, whether it is chronic or solely in relation to academic tasks. A Catawba College study has found that the
motivation and personality of an individual are the main factors to take into account on the frequency of procrastination. Imagine “trying to diet with a magic floating spoon of ice cream following you round,” Piers Steel, off the University of Calgary says: “Yes, it is difficult to deter, but can be avoided if one simply says “no.”
The psychology behind procrastination As essay deadlines loom, Sam Warner provides an insight into the widespread student practice of procrastination “Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow,” said Mark Twain. Yep, it has reached that time in the semester when assignments and deadlines start to pile on like a ton of bricks. But there’s another irritating thing that takes over your life, and it seems to heap on even more. Procrastination. Most people do it. In fact, certain studies have shown that on average 60-80% of university students procrastinate in relation to academic tasks, a notably large percentage. Differences also lie between women and men, the former fearing failure much more than
the latter, and being more likely to have perfectionist traits. As a result, research claims that they tend to set extreme goals that are often unobtainable. But why do students procrastinate? There have been many findings and a number of different conclusions. All of these could spread the findings across the whole of this paper and still not find a definitive answer. However, here are a few general ideas that provide some pointers. Firstly, a key aspect to note is motivation, of which there are two types: intrinsic (a person’s internal drive) and extrinsic: you can probably guess that one!
“In fact, studies have shown that on average 60-80% of university students procrastinate in relation to academic tasks, a notably large percentage. Differences also lie between women and men, where the former fear failure much more than the latter”
People are commonly driven by rewards, central to one’s internal motivation. However, this can be undermined by the conditions of educational and work environments, for example, if the workplace is generally distracting. Procrastination can be divided into two categories: “arousal” and “avoidant.” Arousal denotes a thrill or “high” in cramming in tasks at the last minute, whereas avoidant indicates a postponement because of fear of failure or success. However, one researcher found that, on average, students avoided academic tasks but not other aspects of their life.
Chris King
This implies that it is not a chronic problem for most, but a simple aversion to work. Two of the main problems, certainly in terms of avoidant procrastination, are perfectionism and a fear of failure. People will generally perceive tasks with much anxiety and pessimism as a deadline approaches, and much of this could be due to
self-created barriers that are highly unfeasible. Especially with chronic procrastinators, this “self-handicapping” lays the blame on an outside attribute for one’s own inevitable failure, as people do not generally criticise themselves. For example, they may blame a lack of time in which to complete an assignment. This in turn will help retain self-image,
thus allowing for others to see them in a “positive light.” Another factor to take into account is indecision. This is a problem for procrastinators, as it is detrimental to foreseeing the outcome of choices. Thus wavering individuals will put off a task in order to avoid a resolution. However, it is not all doom and gloom. For certain students,
procrastination does have its benefits, notably at the start of an academic term. Here, they will generally be less anxious about academic work as they will not be as focused on submission and deadlines. However, when it actually comes to deadlines, they may be reliant on the luck of a sympathetic lecturer or a burst of sudden inspiration. Surprisingly,
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FEATURES
What is “alternative” culture? Fran Roberts debates the key differences between alternative and mainstream lifestyles, and how they manifest themselves in cultural terms The question of what means alternative is a recurring one. What is it any more, and where is the line between what is alternative and what is mainstream? The word alternative refers not only to aesthetics but also what people choose to do with their lives. Years ago, getting any kind of body modification would have been seen as quite an alternative thing to do, but nowadays the media is awash with images of popstars, athletes, actors who have decided to customise their bodies with the use of needles. Walking around campus or the city centre, it is easy to spot someone with a tattoo, a piercing, or an unnatural hair colour, and nobody really bats an eyelid any more. Can something so common still be considered alternative or is this act of rebellion against the way your body was still as alternative as it was for previous generations? Music is something frequently described as alternative. The Waterfront in the city describes itself as being “The region’s
number one alternative venue”. On campus there is the Deviant, alternative music society, and elsewhere, Amazon has a section dedicated to alternative and indie. A quick browse of Amazon reveals that Coldplay, Florence + The Machine, and Katy Perry are all listed as alternative, a curious categorisation given that all three are popular mainstream artists. It is possible to be both alternative and popular at the same time though, as Rage Against the Machine having the Christmas number one in 2009 proves, but it is a fine line to tread.
“It is possible to be both alternative and popular at the same time” A more personal and somewhat more controversial form of being alternative takes place in the bedroom. Vanilla sex is not for everyone but very few people are comfortable discussing or trying the alternative, and when it is discussed, it always seems to come up in a negative light,
condemned for its deviance and witch hunted when it goes wrong, and is thrust into the limelight, as the 2004 dungeon murder of the literary agent Rod Hall illustrates. However, the scene is becoming more accepted within the mainstream, with a regular munch, or meet, happening every third Saturday at The Golden Star pub in Norwich, and Rihanna’s fetish inspired music videos get regular rotation on MTV. The mainstream is slowly beginning to loosen, and get tied up. At the most extreme end, some people choose to live every aspect of their lives in a way that falls outside of societal norms. There are travellers, freegans, those who live in communes, and those who live in full time sub/dom relationships. Everyone is a little bit alternative. If they were not, we would all be clones of each other, even if it does sometimes seem that way with the pressures put on us to conform to acceptable standards, to think, dress, and live the same way.
ePetitions: ask and you shall recieve Nicola Walters discusses how to raise fears, concerns and discontents with your elected government in the digital age “And I think both the Left and the Right should celebrate people who have different opinions, and disagree with them, and argue with them, and differ from them, but don’t just try to shut them up.” (Roger Ebert).
“When a petition is signed by more than 100,000 people, the government is forced to consider it for debate in the House of Commons. But what is to stop them refusing to debate difficult issues?” For as long as there has been democratic government, people have complained that their views and desires are not being taken into account by those supposedly elected to represent their interests. “We have no voice!”,
they cry, conveniently forgetting having a voice is only any good if the person you are aiming at knows they should be listening. In light of this consideration, attention should be drawn to a facility which, although many people have heard of it, still seems chronically under-used in light of the many complaints and protests regarding the direction of policy one can overhear on any given Tuesday in Zest or simply sitting in the square. I refer, of course, to HM Government E-Petitions, a service which is forcing the government to debate issues ordinary people are concerned by, such as the benefits situation of convicted rioters. This is the main beauty of the system: that when a petition is signed by more than 100,000 people, the government is forced
to consider it for debate in the House of Commons. This is all very well, but what is to stop them simply refusing to debate difficult issues? If a petition meets the criteria [if there is not an existing one on the same topic, and if it does not contain offensive or joke material] it is sent to the backbench business committee, who decide whether or not it is suitable for debate. This committee is made up of members from all three of the major parties, meaning the ruling party has no control over the issues under discussion. Anyone with an interest in how their country is run, or politics as a whole, should visit the E-Petitions website [www. epetitions.direct.gov.uk], get started on this incredibly useful service and help to give it the mass awareness it deserves.
TRAVEL
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From terror to tourism: life after civil war Sam Langan discusses how countries previously affected by crippling civil wars can rise from the ashes to become popular tourist destinations Colonel Muammar Gadaffi’s death on 20 October 2011 signified the end of a tyrant, the fall of a totalitarian regime and the culmination of a brutal civil war which had been raging in Libya for nine months. So what now for the Libyan people? A vote on a referendum which will lead to democratic elections in 2013 is expected, but until then ongoing debates between members of the National Transitional Council (NTC) will address certain ways in which the country can grow elsewhere. Libya has high oil reserves, and if they can return these resources to their full potential postwar, the economy will receive a huge boost. But it should also look at other countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas for guidance on how to rehabilitate its structural and social image after such turmoil. One of these methods is boosting tourism. It has been a successful tool for many years in transforming the opinions, stereotypes and finances of many places. Tourism in South East Asia (an area that has been through war, genocide and other horrific atrocities) really started to take off in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Thailand, despite having
an oppressive government for many decades, has been a hot spot for the intrepid backpacker. However, Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos became more liberal to foreigners visiting their country and profited from the cash flow that inevitably followed. Cambodia has been the subcontinent’s rising attraction in the past decade and its main attraction are the temples of Angkor in Siem Reap, commonly referred to as an “eighth wonder of the world.” From 1975-1978, the terrorist cell and political group the Khmer Rouge took control of Cambodia. Part of their social doctrine was to rid the country of Buddhism. Although some temples were destroyed, fortunately, many still exist and are well worth the trip. Peru has only recently come out of its “Internal Conflict,” (1980-2000), but it remains one of South America’s most popular destinations. Despite there being troubles in and around the city of Puno as recently as June this year, the country has been relatively stable for a decade. Peru combines famous sites such as Machu Picchu, also known as the Sacred Valley of the Incas, located high up in the Andes, but also quaint and ancient cities along side beaches enveloped in the Pacific Ocean.
Sri Lanka’s civil war began in July 1983. It involved a militant group named the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam fighting for an independent state in the north and east of the island. Officially, Sri Lanka’s civil war ended in 2009, but pockets of violence remain. Despite this, the country has remained a favourite for many backpackers for countless generations and due to the end of the conflict, tourism has slowly begun to increase. The Sri Lankan people are infamous for their generosity and kindness, and the laid back attitude of the island is charming. An increase in tourism also has a dark side. People are always willing to take advantage of an influx of tourists, whether it’s as minor as touting or extreme as prostitution. At some of the more famous landmarks or beaches, particularly in Asian countries, begging becomes an industry in itself with children being sent to tourist hotspots instead of school. However when you consider how visitors help local business and how cultural relations are improved on every level, the benefits far outweigh the drawbacks. It’s always a contentious debate whether tourists have the right to see everywhere on earth.
Questions after Qantas chaos Greg Lewry Travel Editor Australia’s national carrier Qantas has been taking up the column inches in travel news across the world, after a labour dispute with its workers led to the airline grounding its entire fleet. Over 70,000 passengers were affected by the dispute, with 108 planes standing still at 22 airports worldwide. The disruption reportedly cost the world’s 10th largest airline £13m for every day the dispute went on, adding to the £48m that various strikes have cost since they began in August. What will be more hurtful to the airline though is the damage to their brand. Qantas is one of Australia’s proudest and most prominent companies
sponsoring everything from the prestigious “Australian of the Year” awards to the nation’s football and rugby teams. The company released a statement expressing their regret that the dispute had impacted their customers. Flights have now been resumed, but the future of Qantas is in the balance after revelations that its international operations are set to lose £126m this year and many jobs are being outsourced from Australia to Asia. An independent tribunal ordered a pernament end to the industrial dispute, allowing flights to resume. But the matter is far from over, with many of the passengers on the 447 cancelled flights vowing to never fly with Qantas again. The problem for Qantas, unlike in decades before, is that passengers in Australia and
worldwide now have a choice of carriers in Asia. The aviation industry has never been more competitive, and with cheaper labour and fuel costs in Asia compared to Australia, Qantas’ competitors such as Emirates now have distinct advantages. Qantas is fighting back by making a success out of its subsidiary, Jetstar, which operates out of Vietnam and Singapore. However, this has attracted more criticism from the Australian media for drifting away from the country that it calls home. Reporters have argued that Qantas’ famous tagline, “The Spirit of Australia,” should be changed to “The Spirit of Asia” instead. For those affected by the grounding, the question of Qantas’ future will remain despite normal service in the skies.
It could be argued that some should perhaps always remain undiscovered. But a country that has received so much negative press such as Libya should look to recover by showing tourists its new image. A peaceful and prosperous nation will always be an attraction worth seeing for the open minded traveller.
The facts > Tourists travelling to emerging economies make up 47% of the tourism market, up 5.6% from 2000 > Cambodia has seen its tourist arrivals shoot up 17% in the last year although it only takes up 1.2% of the Asian tourist market > Vietnam suffered an 11% drop in tourism in 2009 but has achieved a 34.8% rise in 2011 > Tourism in Peru is steadily growing with a 7.2% improvement on 2009 figures
From top to bottom: Siem Reap in Cambodia and Machu Picchu in Peru
> Sri Lanka is on a par with the tiny islands of Fiji in terms of tourist marketshare in Asia, but tourism has ballooned by 46% in the last two years
Wish you were here? Outside an idyllic hotel “Rio del Mar” in Dominical, Costa Rica, lies a hidden opening with a real sense of nature. The sight explains the appeal of spending holidays in Costa Rica. On your
left, a thick maze of rainforest, teeming with wildlife and to your right, the endless expanse of the Pacific Ocean. Louis Keveren
CONTACT DETAILS
Louis Keveren
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news p2-6
turf p7
comment p8-10
international p11
features p14-17
TRAVEL
Life on Orlando’s sloaney planet Greg Lewry talks to comedian Matt Lacey and his alter-ego banterologist Orlando, star of Youtube sensation “Gap Yah”, about his newly released guidebook, the story behind that famous video, taking “naughty salt” into Burma and the banter of naked bungee jumping in New Zealand How did the idea for Orlando come about? It’s kind of a composite character. Really it just started off as me doing a silly voice and it kind of got more and more developed into the character whilst writing sketch comedy and, well basically I would write down bits and pieces that I had overheard people say. The character’s called Orlando and I met this guy at a house party and he was so posh that genuinely when he introduced himself I couldn’t understand a word he said. He said: “Hi my name is Orlando,” but his vowels were so lazy to an extent that I thought he said “Miranda!” Were you surprised by the YouTube success? Well, I think if you had expected what consequently happened it would be quite a weird thing to expect. I was watching the figures go up and well, the sketch had always gone down well live, but when we put it up on YouTube it was watched by a few people like friends and my mum. We just sat there for two weeks, got to about a thousand hits and I had thought it would do better than that and then one Friday we jumped from 1000 to 40,000 just like that. It was crazy! We kept on
refreshing asking what was going on! It blew from there and started to get 50,000 to 100,000 hits a day. I think to expect just a little silly thing, filmed sitting on a bucket in a front garden of a terraced house in London pretending to be in Burma, to become what it was would be lunacy.
Did you take a Gap year? Yeah I did, but I actually spent most of it working in a Chinese restaurant in Ireland run by Romanians! I did then take a slightly more cliché trip to Tanzania (Not Tanzanah?) No, I didn’t call it Tanzanah at that time! It was nice to see the world really.
So what does the future hold for ‘Gap Yah’? I’m on “Live with Gabby,” it’s a Channel 5 programme but other than that, bits and pieces. A bit like with the book meetings, I’m now talking to film and TV companies but it’s such a undependaponable world. And I did just make that word up! It’s difficult to say where it’s going really. I’m constantly writing new sketches with my sketch group - the “Unexpected Items” - on our channel. One of the guys that I collaborate with also had a big internet hit of his own. It was called “Newport State of Mind,” a Jay-Z parody. Unfortunately for him it got taken down. They remade it for Comic Relief but Jay-Z’s lawyers had him take the original down. We’ve been quite lucky with how things have gone with the internet. It’s always difficult to follow a hit but really we’re just seeing what happens next to us.
Do you have any future plans to travel? Where in the world would you want to go to? I had an absolutely brilliant time when The Telegraph sent me out to South Africa to a lion reserve, where there was a lion reading my book! They wanted me to write a warts and all piece about volunteering but I was just like: “The lions were brilliant!” I’ll go wherever someone pays me. Ok, if you could switch to Orlando now. (Puts on a pashmina). Amahzing, it’s like mahgic. So, Orlando, what made you decide to take a gap year? Basically all my friends were going and I just thought, mate, why not? The world is literally an oyster. That’s probably the reason why most people go on Gap Years? Kills the time, doesn’t it? And also when your mates are going on about “O.M.G. we just did this thing in New Zealand,” you have to be like: “Yeah mate I bungee jumped off it and took a shit behind a tree.” As everyone does... Exactly, otherwise you’d have no banter.
Lizzie Margereson
Following on from that, what was the most banterous moment on your gap year? Actually the whole bungee jumping incident in the book was probably the most banterous. Basically this American guy called Kurt who was such a meathead. You know what Americans are like, they just can’t take their drink. He was giving me and this South African guy loads of shit, there were bets made, people decided to go bungree jumping. We had decided to do the jump naked by the way; things kind of take on a life of their own when you’re travelling. So he jumped
off and the South African guy, pure banter, was like: “Mate, your rope’s not attached.” Pure bants. This guy literally shat himself on the way down. It was like a bat hanging upside down covered in his own shit. Pure bants. Sounds good! So you have an art for coining new words. What’s your favourite word at the moment and can you come up with a new one for us? I come up with them all the time. Shakespeare made up words, so why can’t I? A lot of people like using the word “vomcano.” General punnage around the words banter and lash. I quite like calling myself the Archbishop of Banterbury. I tried to move on the Occupy London protest guys by being the Archbishop of Banterbury but they didn’t listen. Then I thought why not just protest anyway? Protesting is pure bants so I just got a tent out instead. I’ll think of a word that I’ve just made up. Costa. No relevance to the coffee shop we are in right now? I’ve just come up with it. Costa Banter? Costa del Lash! That’s going to be the location for our interview! Did you learn anything from your gap year apart from not to take “naughty salt” in Burma? Oh no, totes don’t do that. I actually did learn something on the lines of Burma. If you are ever imprisoned in a foreign country, do not call Amnesty International because basically they will start a thing to free you and get all the world media involved. It’s actually a lot easier if you just call your old man because he probably went to school with one of the corrupt military junta, who was a notorious bugger and probably doesn’t want anyone to know about it, so he can just get you out the back door. That whole situation would have been ruined if I’d called Amnesty. So it’s not what you know it’s who you know when you go travelling? Oh yeah and basically when you get to the Full Moon party it’s full of old Etonians and Harrovians.
It’s great bants, great chat. So you’ve got a song out as well, “Gap Yah ft. The Banter,” which I actually think is not a bad tune. I would dance to it if it came on in a Norwich club! It’s just a silly thing. I’ve always seen myself as a superstar DJ and this was just an outlet for that talent. Did you DJ on your gap year at all? Oh yeah I would basically just start DJing even if I wasn’t supposed to. If you walk in with confidence into places people just presume that you’re supposed to be doing that. Any upcoming travel plans or is it the job hunt for Orlando? Well I came back from my gap yah, got a place at St Andrews doing Theology. What’s Theology? I’ll find out I guess. Just keeping up with that banter. Best and worst part of your Gap Year? Best part probably the general lashage. Specifically seeing Africa, so spiritual. Worst part probably being imprisoned in Burma. It was really spiritual and political, but also quite demeaning. It wouldn’t have been the same without the jail time though. Totes, you live your life. I think Kesha said that. Whats your top piece of gap year advice for students? Do your fundraising and stuff to get out there, but basically you just need enough for the plane ticket out there and then just emotionally blackmail your parents into picking up the tab for whatever you’re spending. That’s a top tip! Bank of Mum and Dad... Yeah it’s a great bank! More solvent than most of our banks. Political banter! Finally, Kate Middleton or Pippa Middleton? Mate, don’t choose, go for both! To read the full interview and further banter with Matt and Orlando, visit www.concreteonline.co.uk.
LIFESTYLE
international p11
travel p12-13
features p14-16
facebook.com/ConcreteNewspaper @Concrete_LifeS
sport p21-24
www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 8th November 2011 - Issue 260
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The realities of student drinking
Lifestyle writer Jess Beech faces up to the often unmentioned consequences of a typical university night out 11 am: crying with your head down the toilet, not understanding why there are blue bits in your sick, before realising it’s the paracetamol you just took. Trying to move but it’s far too painful, curling up in a ball all day with a box set and swearing you will never drink again. Sound familiar? This, for many of us, is the reality of the morning after the night before. Unable to function and seriously believing that you
will die. Trying to piece together in your mind the events of the previous evening, cautiously checking your sent items and dialled list and hoping that your friends will be able to fill you in on the blurry bits. Hopefully they will know whether you were one of the guys trying to fight with anyone and everyone, including his friends; or the girl with the mascara stained face in the kebab shop.
The truth is so many students come under the category of
binge drinkers. Binge drinking counts as eight units of alcohol for men (that’s three pints of strong beer) and six units for women (two large glasses of wine). With students starting nights out with games such as “Edward cider hands” and “Amy wine hands,” the state of us the next morning should come as no surprise, having consumed way over the daily limit. Society initiations and events like St. Patrick’s Day promote this binge drinking culture which could be seriously affecting students’ health.
The morning after the night before:
So much advice is available, through TV advertising, leaflets and online, yet students do not sufficiently take it on to break the cycle of this culture. With licensing laws due to change over selling cheap alcohol, the thought
of having to pay more than £2 for a Jägerbomb breaks many of our hearts. Being at university is a break before going into the world of work. A time when waking up at 11 is completely acceptable. So despite the NHS warnings, and the memory of last week’s hangover, many of us will probably just do it all over again next week, and the cycle continues.
Did you know? 1) Alcohol actually lowers your body temperature despite the common conception that it increases it 2) Approximately 10 million people each year drink according to the guidelines issued 3) If you drink three double gin and tonics everyday you will gain four pounds a week 4) A pint of lager has the same calorie intake as a burger and a glass of wine has the same amount of calories as a slice of cake 5) Drinking after a gym workout cancels any gains
LCR confessions
Rianne Ison
Chris King
Harriet Matthews
Lifestyle editor, 20
Concrete editor, 21
Lifestyle writer, 20
The drinks list: 3 pints of lager Bottle of wine 1 VK
The drinks list: 4 double vodkas, soda water and lime 2 gin and tonics
The drinks list: 1 double vodka and orange 3 double vodka lemonade and lime 1 double vodka and Red Bull 1 VK 2 shots of sambuca 1 shot of Apple Sourz How many units do you think you consumed? I don’t know how many units are in anything! A lot I assume... 15? The results: 14 units. 900 calories In food: A doughnut, a danish pastry, a jaffa cake, a burger, a slice of pizza and two onion bhajis
How many units do you think you consumed? About 20?
How many units do you think you consumed? 12 The results: 10 units. 550 calories
The results: 18 units. 1299 calories In food: A doughnut, a slice of pizza, two jaffa cakes, an onion bahji, a danish pastry, a burger and a hot dog
£1547 if you continue to drink this amount once a week.
£1317.16 over the year if you continue to drink this amount once a week.
How many nights a week do you go out and drink this amount? I only go out once a week I’d say, except on special occasions.
How many nights a week do you go out and drink this amount? Twice maximum, but usually only once a week, I’m not a student anymore!
In food: A jaffa cake, a danish pastry, a doughnut and an onion bhaji £1071.20 over the year if you continue to drink this amount once a week. How many nights a week do you go out and drink this amount? On average two. I would usually drink a lot more. I wasn’t aiming to get drunk because I had tennis the next day. Sport always comes first.
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Editors: Hasina Allen & Rianne Ison Email: concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
All work and no play? Part-time employment for students Emily Burt Lifestyle Writer What with the current economic climate and the ridiculous new tuition fees, lots of students are making an effort to find part-time work alongside their degree. It looks good on the CV, detracts from the oh-so-familiar habit of spending 70% of the day face down in bed, and normally results in a bit of disposable income. So what’s the employment situation
like in Norwich? Being a student has its uses. You can apply for on-campus work in The Hive or the Union Bar, or get paid a tidy amount to escort wide-eyed A-level students around our concrete fortress. The UEA Employability website advertises a plethora of local student jobs, divided into areas such as education, finance and arts- helpful if you’re looking for work in a specific field; “Personnel People” are currently in search of an “experienced Pippa Artus
large animal handler” in case anyone is interested. Many of the clubs (Lola Lo, Project, and Tao) are frequently on the lookout for promoters and bar staff if you find yourself confined to campus during the daylight hours, and chain restaurants and pubs such as Wetherspoons or Pizza Express advertise local job vacancies online. This reporter has found that if you’re really serious about finding a job the best move is to get out into town with a fistful of CVs and go from door-todoor looking for work. Norwich is a student town, and as such many employers are prepared to take on part-time student workers. This technique landed me a part-time job waitressing at
Pinocchio’s restaurant. Keep your eyes peeled when wandering about the city centre and you’re bound to happen upon a few job advertisements in the windows of pubs, restaurants, and the kitsch shops on the cobbled side streets off the market square. Even places with nothing in the window can be swayed (intimidated) into potentially taking you on if you go in with a big enough smile. Be proactive and enthusiastic, and you may be surprised at the number of opportunities which arise. To find vacancies and possibly secure a part-time job of your own check out www. employability.uea.ac.uk for vacancies and to find a part-time job of your own.
LIFESTYLE
101 tips For students By students
17.
Do not leave your coursework until the day before the deadline. You’ll only end up panicking. Holly Kite
18.
Have a pen in every bag. There’s nothing worse than turning up to a seminar and not having one. Especially if you don’t know anyone who can lend you a spare. Helena Murphy
19.
CliveCares
A problem shared is a problem halved
If you have a burning issue then Clive Ashcroft is the man for the job. Contact him at: clivecaresconcrete@gmail.com
JET setter Dear Clive, I’m applying for the JET scheme, which would involve leaving England and everyone I know. It has just registered that Japan is nine hours ahead of England and this means I won’t be able to speak to my mum. It’s so far away. Should I apply? Help! Dear reader, I’m sure your family and friends will support you in whatever you decide. Please don’t be scared. This is your future and a chance to travel. There are many ways of communicating with people from home and this could be a new challenge for you. Also there are many kind people in Japan who will help you to settle and you will make new friends. Whatever you decide, I wish you every success. Good luck!
Mistaken Identity Hello Clive, I was wondering if you could help me. I have been told recently that I give off a really bad first impression and apparently think I’m better than everyone else. I don’t want this to be the case and want to change so that people do not think this. What can I do? Dear reader, First impressions can be very deceiving. Being told something about your personality may affect your selfconfidence, but remember you have friends who like you for who you are and they wouldn’t want you to change. The fact that you are asking this question means you are trying to please people and gives me the impression that you are a very considerate person, so why change? Take care.
Forget Dolmio sauce: buy a carton of passata for about 40p, which basically does the same thing. Also, invest in a handful of herbs and spices. They’ll last forever and you’ll save absolutely loads. Duncan Vicat-Brown
20.
Familiarise yourself with the library before the mad rush during the exam period. Rianne Ison
21.
Try and make the best possible impression during freshers’ week. Don’t become known for that time you threw up in front of everyone. Chris King
If you have a tip that you would like to share with the rest of campus tweet us at: @Concrete_LifeS #101tips
LIFESTYLE
Editors: Hasina Allen & Rianne Ison Email: concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
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Dinner battle: INTO vs. Zest Lifestyle writer Freya Barry reports on the ultimate campus food-off and where we should all be eating this year When you’ve been working late at the library on that essay or lab report you’ve left until the night before, eating on campus can be a godsend. But what about when a bacon sandwich from the UFO doesn’t quite cover it and for some reason that snakebite from the bar isn’t aiding your productivity? The easiest way to get a fast, nutritious meal is to dine at one of the campus restaurants – Zest and INTO. I conducted a totally scientific investigation to compare and contrast the meals offered at both establishments. I headed down to INTO on a Sunday and enjoyed a delicious Turkey Roast for £4.50. If you visit during the week you can get a veggie main with two sides for £3.50. That’s some seriously good value eating. Portion sizes are generous and definitely worth the dollar. My turkey roast is certainly tasty, with a good range of steamed and roasted veg, plus potatoes to satisfy your five-a-
day. The only real draw-backs to INTO are its lack of meal deals
and location. Next to the medical centre, it is a comparative trek
from the library and lecture theatres. But at weekends INTO
Natasha Legg
is your only option for getting a hot, cooked meal on campus. Despite offering the £5 meal deal which includes dessert, a main and a starter, Zest has less generous main meal portions. The main meals themselves range from £4.50-£4.95, so going for the meal deal definitely makes more sense. Zest also run themed weeks which are a nice twist on the standard meat and two veg. I enjoyed the goat’s cheese quiche with chips, and rhubarb crumble with custard. The alternative options were a chilli con carne and fish with ratouille. Whilst the quiche was very tasty, the chips and added side of beans were uninteresting and not particularly eyecatching. The dessert was pleasingly oldschool with crumble always a great choice for those in need of comfort food. The big draw for Zest is definitely its location, near to the library and halls (as well as the bar, for when you really can’t hack working anymore.
The INTO meal:
The Zest meal:
Roast turkey dinner with all the trimmings
Quiche, chips and beans, plus rhubarb crumble and custard
Freya Barry
Freya Barry
Student friendly sushi Sophie Witts Lifestyle Writer Walking through Norwich city centre in the last few weeks, anyone would find it hard to miss the queue stretching out of the door of the city’s newest restaurant. YO! Sushi is attracting attention for being one of the most exciting places to eat, so does the dinner live up to the demand? It’s not hard to understand that the primary attraction of the restaurant is its novelty. YO! Sushi has taken the idea of the Japanese “kaiten” sushi bar and brought it to the English public. Diners are seated around
a continuously circulating conveyor belt of dishes, from which they are free to take whatever they like. The rules are simple: plates are colour coded according to price, ranging from £1.70 to £5.00 each, and these are simply added up to a final total at the end. Though the service was admittedly not fantastic (our request for tap water was forgotten) the food itself made up for this. Avocado maki and spicy chicken iso were delicious off the conveyor belt with the complimentary soy sauce, wasabi and pickled ginger on our table. The highlight by far was the hot food made to order. Though they had disappointingly run
out of the popular chicken katsu by the evening, dishes like the sweet and sticky teriyaki chicken and firecracker rice were a nice contrast to the cold sushi rolls. For the penny-pinching student it would be wise to add up your plates as you go along, as eating at YO! Sushi can potentially bruise a budget. On arriving you are offered a deal of unlimited ‘filtered’ water for a cost of £1.05, which for all but the fussiest student surely results in a request for tap water. However, with this in mind combined with the generous 25% off student discount (registration for this is required online), the restaurant offers a fun, quick and tasty dining experience.
Issy Mitchell
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Editors: Hasina Allen & Rianne Ison Email: concrete.lifestyle@uea.ac.uk
LIFESTYLE
Spoilt for choice: recipes of the week
MUSHROOM RISOTTO Alfie Venner Lifestyle Writer Lads, put down your Davidoff, put on your aprons and listen up. A well executed risotto will get you further with that special woman than hours in the gym, five minutes of facial hair grooming, and three slim fit shirts from Topman. Don’t shake your head, this matters. Ingredients: One onion, finely diced Butter: about a quarter of a pack Mushrooms: about eight or nine, chopped into 8 or so pieces Risotto rice: two handfuls (not basmati or long grain; go to a bigger supermarket) White wine, one bottle: one quarter for cooking, the rest for drinking Stock: about 800ml Parmezan, grated: about a handful Plenty of pepper
Ally Kayler
1. Make the stock (cubes or powder) and keep it simmering in a pan on a low heat. 2. Soften the onions in the butter in another pan on a low heat for three or four minutes with a lid on. 3. Take the lid off, add the rice and the mushrooms and stir for a minute so that the rice absorbs all the butter, but don’t let it go brown! 4. Now add the wine and keep stirring. When all the wine has been absorbed. 5. Start adding the stock, about a ladle at a time. Don’t swamp it, be patient and keep stirring, only adding more stock when the last ladle has been absorbed. 6. After 25 minutes or so, you should be nearly there. The rice should be slightly al dente, don’t make mushroom rice pudding! Add the parmesan and pepper and stir. Bon appétit romancing!
and
good
Tip: Serve with a balsamic dressed salad and if she arrives early, make sure you get her involved.
RASPBERRY CREAM CHEESE BROWNIE BLISS Ally Kayler Lifestyle Writer Brownies: 2/3 cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon cinnamon ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ cup dark chocolate chips ½ cup milk chocolate chips ½ cup margarine 2 teaspoons vanilla extract 3 eggs Filling: 8 ounces cream cheese at room temperature ¼ cup granulated sugar ½ teaspoon vanilla extract 1 egg yolk ½ cup seedless raspberry jam 1. Adjust your oven rack to the lower-middle position and preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter an 8’’ square-baking pan. Fold two 16’’ pieces of foil lengthwise to measure 8” wide. Fit one sheet in the bottom of the greased pan, pushing it into the corners and up the sides of the
pan. Fit the second sheet in the pan the same way, perpendicular to the first. Butter the foil and set aside. 2. Whisk the flour, salt, cinnamon and baking powder together in a small bowl and set aside. 3. In a medium bowl, combine the chocolate and butter. Melt in microwave at 50% power for one minute, until completely melted and smooth. Whisk in the sugar and vanilla extract; leave to cool slightly. 4. Make the cream cheese filling by beating the cream cheese, sugar, vanilla and egg yolk together in a small bowl until evenly blended. 5. Back to the chocolate mixture: whisk in the eggs, one at a time, fully incorporating each before adding the next. Keep whisking until the mixture is completely smooth. Add the dry ingredients and whisk until just incorporated. 6. Pour half the brownie batter evenly into the prepared pan. Drop half the cream cheese mixture by spoonfuls over the
batter. Repeat, layering the remaining brownie batter and cream cheese filling. Lastly, add dollops of raspberry jam. Use a knife to gently swirl the mixture, creating a marbled effect. 7. Bake until the edges of the brownies have puffed slightly, the centre feels not quite firm when touched lightly, and a toothpick or cake tester inserted into the centre comes out with several moist, fudgey crumbs adhering to it. 8. Cool the brownies for five minutes. Remove them from the pan using the foil handles. Place them on a wire rack and allow to cool to room temperature. 9. Refrigerate until chilled, at least 3 hours. Cut into 16 squares and serve.
Tip: The less you swirl the batter in the pan, the more contrast there will be between the dark brownie and the white cream cheese mixture!
SAUSAGE DISH: A WINTER WARMER Che Witcher Lifestyle Writer Ingredients: Sausages 1 Large Onion 2 Potatoes For the sauce: 1/2 pint of milk
1/2 pint water 1 piece of gravy salt 1. Chop the onion and place in a square baking dish. 2. Peel and slice potatoes and place them with the onion in the
baking dish. 3. Pierce the sausages with a fork and place them over the top. 4. Mix sauce together in a jug or bowl and wait for the gravy salt to dissolve. 5. Pour over the top of the dish.
Tip: This is the perfect dish to be served with vegetables.
SPORT
turf p7
comment p8-10
Editors’ Column
On a night when Middlesbrough Football Club comprehensively beat Doncaster 3-1 to continue their charge for promotion, such matters seemed trivial compared to the moving tale of the home side’s striker, Billy Sharp. Just a couple of days before Tuesday night’s Championship fixture, Sharp received the devastating news that his newborn son, Luey, had died just two days after his birth. The supreme courage and bravery shown by Sharp to play is utterly admirable, and shows a side to the sport that is often overshadowed by tales of prima donna footballers, personal greed and well... Carlos Tevez. In a week blighted by allegations of racism and homophobia at the top echelons of the English game, it’s refreshing to hear of the gallantry of Billy Sharp, who not only played two days after enduring the devastating circumstances, but also opened the scoring with a sublime volley into the top corner. Somewhat ironically, the goal was assisted by El-Hadji Diouf: a man renowned for spitting at a fan and racially abusing a young ball boy. A fitting tribute followed, as he lifted up his Doncaster jersey to reveal the phrase “That’s for you, son” emblazoned on a t-shirt. It should also be noted that the referee deserves credit for not showing a yellow card to the player, when technically the letter of the law suggests it was a bookable offence. Thankfully, common sense prevailed. Sharp then also netted in Saturday’s win at Ipswich Town; a game in which both his goal and subsequent substitution was received by a standing ovation from all four stands of the stadium.
international p11
features p12-14
travel p15-16
lifestyle p17-20
facebook.com/ConcreteSportUEA @ConcreteSportUEA
So You Think You Know Water Polo?
Oli Platt Sports Correspondent Boasting a BUCS Division One team among their ranks, the recent success of UEA’s Water Polo club make them an exciting team to get involved with this year. Water polo is a competitive, physically demanding sport with teams of six players and a goalkeeper competing in
four eight minute quarters at university level. The game is played similarly to handball – only with the added condition that you must be swimming at all times. On the back of last season’s BUCS Division Two league title, which they won after staying unbeaten, the UEA men’s team will face the stiff challenge of matches against Oxford, Cambridge and Warwick this season at the highest level of university competition. The women’s team compete in
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Division Two of the BUCS system and will face tough tests presented by the likes of Warwick, King’s College and Nottingham. UEA’s teams also take part in the UPolo university leagues at a regional level, where they have enjoyed great success. Both the men’s and women’s teams were crowned South East League champions last season and the men’s team have started this campaign as they left off with two wins out of two so far against the University of Essex and UCL. This winter also sees UEA competing in the Southern Universities Water Polo (SUWP) tournament, with the men’s team having stormed to the top of their group after the opening two fixtures courtesy of big wins against UCL (11-3) and Imperial College (9-1). The women’s team will hope to replicate that early success in a group featuring UCL and King’s College. The water polo teams train on Sunday evenings at Riverside Leisure Centre from 8-9.30pm, and play their matches fortnightly at nearby Wymondham Leisure Centre.
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BUCS results
Wednesday 2nd November 2011
Badminton Cambridge I UEA Men’s I Football UEA Men’s II Leicester II
3 5 2 1
UEA Women’s I Nottingham Trent II
6 1
Hockey UEA Women’s I Oxford Brookes III
3 1
Netball UEA Women’s I Birmingham III
43 46
Rugby UEA Men’s II Northampton I
8 47
UEA Women’s I Nottingham I
10 34
Tennis UEA Men’s I Nottingham III
6 6
UEA Men’s II Northampton I
12 0
Men’s Hockey battle to impressive victory Sports editor Chris Teale sees UEA record a tense win over Loughborough IV in blustery conditions at the Sportspark UEA Men’s Hockey I Loughborough IV
2 1
UEA Men’s Hockey I secured their first win of the season in a tense 2-1 victory over Loughborough IV at the Sportspark after coming back from being a goal down in the second half. The game was played in sunny conditions but with a strong breeze blowing across the pitch, and in the early stages both sides struggled to exert any real authority on proceedings. Despite this, both teams looked comfortable in possession and their respective defences held firm and did not allow many clearcut chances. The away side were the first to
forge a genuine opportunity with a backhand shot that went wide, but UEA then found themselves with a chance of their own thanks to the first penalty corner of the game. Unfortunately it was cleared by the Loughborough defence after some intricate passing, but there was definite hope for both sides that they could find further scoring opportunities. Both sides spent the half trying to win a midfield battle, with both sides being very evenly matched and unable to convert possession into any goalscoring chances. As the half went on, frustration began to creep into Loughborough’s game, with the away side’s captain being green-carded for dissent late in the half. UEA then found themselves with a gilt-
Matt Scrafton Laura Smith
edged chance to open the scoring after a well-worked passing move, and were only denied opening the scoring thanks to a diving stop from the away side’s goalkeeper. The half ended scoreless, but both teams had room for optimism for the second period. The second half began in a similar vein to the first, with both teams evenly matched in terms of possession and territory. However, after Loughborough’s substitutes were warned about disputing the umpires’ decisions from the sidelines, it was the away side that opened the scoring after UEA gave the ball away in their own half. It was slotted home comfortably, and the home side found themselves 1-0 down early in the first half. This seemed to galvanise UEA, and they earned themselves a penalty corner almost immediately, from which they scored the equalising goal, levelling the scores at 1-1. Both teams then began to throw caution to the wind and attack with more freedom, but as in the first half, neither could create any clear-cut chances. Both sides
earned more penalty corners, but found the opposition’s defence impregnable, and able to deal with any pressure. There was then some controversy, as Loughborough had the ball in the net but it was ruled out by the officials, a decision that was again criticised by the more vocal members of their team. However, UEA found some more attacking energy, and after some pressure in the away side’s half, managed to forge an opening, which was finished well on the backhand side to give them a 2-1 lead late in the half. Loughborough then threw all their players forward in a desperate attempt to find an equaliser, but UEA’s defence stood firm in the face of a number of attacking moves. They managed to hold out in the tense closing stages for a 2-1 win, their first of the season in Midlands Division 2A of the BUCS league. UEA next face Oxford III away in the first round of the Midlands Conference Cup, and will look to keep the momentum going from what was a hard-earned and deserved victory.
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SPORT
Canary Corner Netball fall short against Lincoln by Billy Sexton Having previously secured a well-deserved draw against Liverpool, and proving they are a Premiership force to be reckoned with, Norwich City hoped to gain all three points from their home tie with struggling Blackburn Rovers. But it was the visiting team who scored first, David Hoilett producing a spectacular strike from 20 yards out. Steve Morison put Norwich back on level terms after the break, but two goals in two minutes from experienced striker Yakubu and colossal defender Chris Samba put Steve Kean’s side back in front. Norwich remained composed and a deflected shot from Bradley Johnson put them back in the game with just eight minutes remaining. And when Steven Nzonzi was deemed to have handled in the box, Norwich talisman Grant Holt stepped up and slotted home an injury time penalty to rescue a point. The Canaries then travelled to Aston Villa in what would be a tight clash, Villa just one place below Norwich before the game. Norwich struck first, with
Laura Smith Anthony Pilkington firing in a free kick 25 minutes into the game. Norwich could only hold onto the lead for five minutes before Villa’s lethal strike partnership of Gabriel Agbonlahor and Darren Bent linked up, the latter netting from just four yards out after Agbonlahor’s precise cross.
“Norwich just couldn’t match the firepower of Alex McLeish’s team” Agbonlahor netted a goal himself in the second half and then set up fellow Englishman Bent with another superb cross, allowing the former Sunderland striker to slot home his fifth goal of the season. Morison scored a consolation header for the Canaries but Norwich couldn’t match the firepower of Alex McLeish’s team. With just one point from two games which they could have won on another day, Paul Lambert’s squad will be looking to be back to their best for their next fixture: a mouth watering home tie against a re-energized Arsenal.
UEA Netball II Lincoln I
41 53
Matt Scrafton Sports Editor A spirited and valiant performance from UEA’s second side was unfortunately not enough to beat Lincoln in Wednesday afternoon’s netball match. Right from the offset, it was clear the visitors were a skilful side whose fast movement and exceptional handling skills were to provide UEA with perhaps
their toughest test of the season thus far. Two early mistakes from the home side led to the first goals of the afternoon for Lincoln, who had begun the match in perfect fashion. However, as the first quarter wore on, it became clear that, despite their opponents’ dominance of possession, UEA were the more efficient side with their shooting, and were taking full advantage of the chances that came their way. The hosts did well to keep within one or two points, but they came off the court at the end of the first quarter feeling disappointed at not matching the visitors in possession. On the contrary, UEA were well beaten in the second period, Lincoln’s rapid movement and swift passing was too much for the home side, and consequently they began to run away with the lead. The hosts showed glimpses of good play but they had a mountain to climb after the halfway point and, ultimately, they realised they would have to drastically improve to get back into the game. After a lively team-talk, play restarted and there was a
noticeable difference in UEA’s play. Their passing was much faster and slicker than in the previous two periods, and from here on they proved to be the better side. In addition, UEA were now scoring on a consistent basis thanks to the ruthless finishing of their Goal Attack, Emily Carpenter. The only downside to the third quarter was Holly Irving suffering a couple of nasty falls, but fortunately she was able to carry on playing. UEA were now pressing far more efficiently as a team and Lincoln found it difficult to create opportunities, as the hosts continued their fight-back against the tiring visitors. To their credit, the away side improved in the final quarter and were able to see out the remainder of the game, as both sides traded a number of goals. This was now UEA’s second consecutive defeat, leaving them second bottom of the Midlands 4B division, but there were some encouraging signs for the hosts who battled well against a clearly talented Lincoln side, whom they will face again in the first round of the Midlands Conference Cup.
Men’s Football battle to hard-earned draw Sports correspondent Kris Nelson watches as UEA hold off the challenge of Nottingham Trent I to stay undefeated in BUCS this season
Laura Smith
UEA Men’s Football I 2 Nottingham Trent I 2 Both UEA and Nottingham Trent maintained unbeaten records at the top of BUCS Midlands 1A with a 2-2 draw at Colney Lane. All four goals in the fixture came through set pieces, with Josh Kelly and Taylor Hastings both scoring direct free kicks for the hosts, and Trent scoring directly from a corner and, later, from
the penalty spot. In truth, UEA probably deserved all three points, but lax defending on two occasions cost them dear. The hosts made the worst possible start to the contest, conceding directly from a corner after only four minutes. The set piece was driven into the penalty area at waist height and UEA were made to pay for their decision not to have a defender on the near post, as it eluded Kavi Luchowa and
handed Nottingham Trent the lead with their first attack of the game. This unlikely goal gave the visitors confidence as they began to take control, pushing forward in numbers to test the UEA backline, twice having good penalty appeals waved away by the referee. Eventually, however, UEA were able to show their class; Josh Kelly dragging them back level with a perfectly executed direct free kick that caught out the Trent backline and with a slight deflection beat the goalkeeper to tie the score at 1-1. With the scores level, UEA will be disappointed that poor defending again gave Nottingham Trent the opportunity to take the lead, this time from the penalty spot after one of their strikers was felled by an outstretched leg from one of the home side’s defenders. The resulting spot kick was
dispatched with ease and the visitors entered half time with a slightly undeserved lead on the balance of play. After the break, UEA were once again able to make their dominance count and another free kick was perfectly dispatched, this time by Taylor Hastings, leaving the Trent keeper with no chance whatsoever, as it nestled in the top left corner of the net five minutes from time.
Laura Smith
With the exception of Hastings’ individual brilliance, the second half was broken up by numerous stoppages, meaning both teams decided to dig in and settle for a draw. UEA will be disappointed not to take all three points, but will undoubtedly be content that they are still well positioned at the top of the division ahead of a BUCS Trophy fixture away to Canterbury Christ Church next Wednesday.
SPORT
Editors: Matt Scrafton & Chris Teale Email: concrete.sport@hotmail.co.uk
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www.concrete-online.co.uk Tuesday 8th November 2011 - Issue 260
Hockey bridge the Trent to stay unbeaten
Laura Smith
UEA Women’s Hockey I 4 Nottingham Trent II 0 Jenni Barrett Sports Correspondent Women’s Hockey remain top of Midlands Division 3B after a highly impressive 4-0 demolition of Nottingham Trent II in a superb all-round performance. With a UEA pushback starting off the match, the home side
clearly dominated possession in the first half. Playing the ball deep into the Nottingham Trent II half from the start, only five minutes elapsed when UEA’s first shot on goal came from Catherine Green. As the UEA team applied continual pressure to the away side, their defenders were put to the test very early on, and although they began well, the cracks were soon starting to show. UEA’s persistence quickly paid off and it wasn’t long until
one of their short corners resulted in a goal by Chantelle Farrell, who sent it past the keeper and straight into the top right corner of the goal. Play gradually started to drop into the UEA half, but with strong play and support offered from Hannah Chorlton in the middle, no opportunities were given to the away team to even up the score. However, the attacks on the Nottingham Trent goal were continual, primarily led by Chantelle Farrell, with numerous short corners given. Unsurprisingly, UEA’s second goal wasn’t far away, with Milou de Boer feeding in the ball and giving a golden opportunity to Pip Williams who sent it straight into the goal. Barely two minutes later, UEA managed to tap in another thanks to a strong cross by forward Katie Hale. Having scored two goals in such quick succession, the home side were getting well into their stride, and with the away side appearing somewhat deflated,
UEA wasted no time in trying for another. Their determination was rewarded just before the half time whistle, as Felicity Williams took the ball up the line and fed it in to Esméralda Barber who reverse swept it into the back right corner of the goal, putting UEA 4-0 up at half time. The second half saw a very different game unfold. Nottingham Trent had gathered their thoughts and played a much calmer, stronger game. With the fast-paced away side now venturing into goal-scoring territory, UEA’s defence was both surprised and challenged for the first time in the match. With the game seeming more even and attacks on goal now coming from both sides, UEA’s more experienced players like Grace Mansfield proved their worth. After one final attack on goal by UEA the final whistle was blown, resulting in a 4-0 win for the home side, keeping them top of the league, and unbeaten so far this season.
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Rory McIlroy quids in after Shanghai win Sam Tomkinson Sports Correspondent In the richest event in golf, Rory McIlroy displayed his credentials as one of the world’s finest golfers. The new world number 2 took the lead after a bogey free first round on the par 72 Lake Malaren golf course and never looked back. There was a lot of media build up surrounding this event, primarily because it has the largest prize money available in a single event, but also because of the shock split between McIlroy and his manager Andrew “Chubby” Chandler.
The problem of abuse in English football Sports correspondent Tom Shaw examines the continued existence of racial and homophobic abuse in the game In what was thought to be a problem under control, racism in football has been brought back to the forefront of the game in light of both the TerryFerdinand and the Suarez-Evra disputes. Recently, clubs have been promoting anti-racist sentiments through campaigns such as “Kick it Out” and “Show Racism the Red Card.” However, players are still reporting racist abuse. Most recently, Newcastle United reported abuse aimed at striker Sammy Ameobi over Twitter after the player featured in their win at Stoke. As well as the ongoing race
issues, Brighton and Hove Albion have made a plea to the FA to take action against homophobic chanting at football grounds. Despite both homophobic and racist chanting being illegal, it is clearly still a major problem. What is particularly concerning is that investigations conducted by the police of this nature will not lead to the end of the issue. As seen on many occasion with the England national football team, nations are charged with abuse yet such chanting continues. In 2002, Emile Heskey was racially abused in Slovakia and again in 2008 by Croatia fans. In
Madrid in 2004, Shaun WrightPhillips and Ashley Cole were subject to monkey taunts and in England’s recent qualifier with Bulgaria, Ashley Young and Theo Walcott both suffered abuse at the hands of some sections of the home supporters. All of these incidents were not in England, yet the problem seems to have been carried over to English football grounds. Blackburn Rovers striker Jason Roberts has recently been quoted as saying although racism is a lot less prevalent today, it is still in existence. With regards to the homophobic chanting raised by
Brighton, an issue many thought not to be widespread, as much needs to be done to quash this abuse as racism, particularly as the only ever openly gay footballer in English football, Justin Fashanu, was driven to suicide in 1998 after suffering years of discrimination. A greater deal needs to be done by the FA to stop abuse in football, as well as inflicting greater punishments among those found guilty. In an age where the internet is a main source of expressing opinion, more now than ever before needs to be done to prevent abuse.
McIlroy put the episode firmly behind him as he led throughout, bar a brief spell on the final day, before winning a playoff against Anthony Kim by holing the 18th for a par to Kim’s bogey. Things were not as smooth sailing though on the final day for the Northern Irishman, as had been the case during his previous rounds. Memories of Augusta started to come flooding back as he let an overnight lead of 3 slip on the 11th as another error saw Kim leapfrog him to take the lead. McIlroy, however, showed tremendous resolve and tied Kim at the top of the leader board by birdying the 15th. He then putted from 2 feet in the playoff to claim the prize. Even though there were no ranking points at stake this was an important victory for the Ulsterman and will now go into the next event as one of the favourites. His last hole birdie at this weekend’s HSBC Champions Event has now moved the 22-year-old US Open winner up to second in the World Golf Rankings, behind Englishman Luke Donald. McIlroy is now also third in the European Tour’s Race to Dubai money list.
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concretesport
issue260 08november2011
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ueasport
>> So You Think You Know Water Polo? | p21 >> Hockey match reports | p21 & p23
Inside concretesport this fortnight:
• Jenni Barrett reports on another victory for women’s hockey, while Kris Nelson watches men’s football battle to a draw • Tom Shaw examines the continuing problem of abuse in football and Billy Sexton analyses the recent results of Norwich City
Baseball celebrate another national success Chris Teale Sports Editor UEA Blue Sox are celebrating winning their second Fall Cup in three years after a highly impressive 18-5 demolition of Nottingham Thieves in the final game, earning the right to call themselves national champions once again. The annual tournament, this year hosted by UEA in Norwich, saw Nottingham Thieves, Southampton Mustangs, Imperial College Falcons and the University of London Japanese Society (ULJS) compete for the trophy, won by Imperial last year at the Hertfordshire Baseball Club in Hemel Hempstead. The opening day saw all five teams play in a league format, and it did not start in the best way for the hosts, who were beaten 9-5 by an efficient ULJS side. Meanwhile, champions Imperial had an impressive start as they defeated Nottingham 5-3 and then drew 4-4 with Southampton, meaning the league was wide open. In the second round of matches, UEA began with a comfortable 11-2 win over Nottingham, while ULJS won the London derby with a 9-3 victory over Imperial. The Japanese then ended the day undefeated with a 17-4 victory over Southampton, while the hosts also secured victory, 9-3 over Imperial. The second day began with both Imperial and ULJS forfeiting their remaining fixtures as they were unable to attend, so the format was changed to a round robin between UEA, Nottingham and Southampton, with the Blue Sox and Thieves assured of their passage to the final. The home
Read about Women’s Hockey’s victory over Nottingham inside see page 23 Laura Smith side picked up where they had left off with an 11-8 victory over the Mustangs, and the side from the south coast completed their weekend with an 11-3 defeat to Nottingham. This left just the final, between arguably the two best sides across the weekend: UEA and Nottingham. In the very
first inning, UEA set the tone for the encounter by scoring 11 runs, with every one of their nine batters getting on base and then scoring. This left the Thieves and pitcher Max Flajsner shellshocked, and while they looked to spark a recovery themselves when they batted, they were unable to find a way past Blue
Sox pitcher Sam Rounce and some impressive fielding across the whole side. At the end of the five-inning matchup, the final score was 18-5 to the home side, who are now national champions once again. After the final, Rounce, who is also President of the Blue Sox, said: “It’s a deserved result for
a great squad of players who have all contributed to a brilliant victory. We’ve been building for this tournament since the start of the year, and for us to be national champions on our home field is a superb feeling. It was a real team effort, and I’m so happy for every member of the squad, and for the club as a whole.”
VENUE
Concrete’s fortnightly culture pullout
music | interviewed tinchy stryder | p. 4 wired | discuss the gta v trailer | p. 8 fashion | talk menswear | p. 10
Photo by Maddie Russell
issue 260 | 08/11/2011
FREE COACHES TO STUDENT ACTIVISM 2011
INTERESTED IN ACTIVISM?
We’re running free coaches to this event in London on Saturday 19th November The UK’s biggest ever student activism conference. Student Activism 2011 aims to bring together student activists from across the political spectrum to learn, share and inspire a generation of campaigners. The FREE event will enable students, students’ unions, student groups, NUS and other campaigning organisations to debate, discuss and organise for both local and national action on the issues affecting students today. The event will be delivered through a huge menu of workshops, talks, discussions, master classes and debates, and culminate in a mass rally.
If you’re interested in attending register at: ueastudent.com/campaigns/studentactivism2011 or email: union.community@uea.ac.uk Union of University of East Anglia Students (UUEAS) is a registered charity England and Wales no 1139778
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VENUE CONTENTS
ssue 260 | 08.11.2011 ditor-in-Chief | Chris King | concrete.editor@uea.ac.uk
V
enue Editor | Alex Throssell | concrete.event.uea.ac.uk It’s been a ridiculously busy week for me. I say busy, I’ve been busy thinking about all of the things I have to do, but actual work has been more than often replaced with general worry and feelings of deeply self-involved pity, I’m sure it all sounds familiar. With all the lack of essay writing going on though, it’s nice to come into the Concrete office and be surprised. It’s a sentiment that sounds a bit disparaging, but truthfully, all of you who contribute and all of my sub-editors consistently do amazing work and have come on leaps and bounds since the start of the year. The photos which have graced this issue are brilliant, and praise should go out to everyone who submitted their images for the front cover competition. Inside this issue more and more surprises reveal themselves. Music, in a rare moment of vulnerability let their ‘cool and aloof’ facade slip and interviewed pint-sized grime artist Tinchy Stryder, Wired let their imagination run wild with the seeds planted by the GTA V trailer and Arts took a slightly more sombre turn, looking at Wilfred Owen and his war poetry. To be perfectly honest, everything’s good this issue, so get reading...
Music | Editors | Alex Ross & Jordan Bright Music Contributors> Lauren Cope, Harry Denniston, Christopher Ogden, George Hamilton-Jones, Joe Murphy, Cheri Amour.
Alex
Wired | Editor | Josh Mott Wired Contributors> Andrew Wilkins, Theo Cresswell, Tom Mott, Robert Austin, Josh Mott. Fashion | Editors | Hannah Britt & Milly Sampson Fashion Contributors> Jess Beech, Anthony Shaw. Arts | Editor | Emma Webb Arts Contributors> Harriet MacDonald, Rachael Lum, Chloe Seager, Hannah Thomson.
TV | Editor | Matt Tidby TV Contributors> James Sykes, Lucy Etherige, Matt Mulcahy. Creative Writing | Editor | Ella Chappell Creative Writing Contributors> Michael Drummond, Matt Mulcahy, Marco Bell, Chun Shun Xuan. Compeitions & Listings | Editor | Sam Tomkinson.
Photo by Rika Yudate
Film | Editors | James Burrough & Anna Eastick Film Contributors> Tim Bates, A. J. Hodson, Meg Fozzard, Gemma Morris, Radosava Radulovic, Kieran Rogers, Sammie Rogers, Joseph Murphy, Darren Jamieson.
MUSIC
08.11.2011
concrete.music@uea.ac.uk
Interview
Lauren Cope
It’s been a busy couple of years for Tinchy Stryder: opening the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, supporting Akon and Rihanna on tour, launching his own iPhone app, as well as a national tour and the release of new single Off The Record. He manages to squeeze in ten minutes to talk to Venue about Calvin Harris, football and the X Factor. So the new single is out on the 6th November and is produced by Calvin Harris. How did that collaboration come about? Yeah, me and Calvin are cool. I like the sound of his music, so when I was recording the album I reached out and he sent me about five tracks. It was pretty hard to choose between them, but I went for the one that I thought people wouldn’t expect from me. This is the second single from your fourth album, have you decided on a name yet? No, I keep going back and forth between about three names. It’s a personal thing I think, like it should be, and I’m the sort of person who overthinks things. I’ll probably end up going back to the one that I started with. Do you want to name it for me? Yes please, if I can get some credit for it! You’re also going on your first nationwide tour since 2009 in November. Where did the name The Rollercoaster Tour originate from?
talks to
Yeah, well normally people go on tour after an album but I thought I’d do, like, a mini tour. It’s not massive at all, so everyone feels like a part of it. Obviously, in my new single it’s got the lyrics “my life is like a rollercoaster” so it came from there really. Do you prefer the intimacy of smaller gigs to larger audiences then? I do like larger audiences but I feel the more intimate ones are closer and more personal. In the big arenas you can’t reach out and touch people.
04
Tinchy Stryder
finding new talent and helping them start out in the business, must have been very rewarding. Yeah, definitely man. It’s not even a business so much, but friendships that have been built. It’s more personal. These people have been doing it for a while so their opinion is key.
Do you still get nervous performing in front of large crowds? No I don’t really, it’s more of an adrenaline buzz.
So how do you feel about shows like the X Factor? When I was coming up you didn’t really have them. A lot of people work for it and you have to have that hard work to appreciate it. You do find talent on them, but they didn’t take the route I took and they don’t understand what gives them the “x factor”. They can’t understand the pain it takes.
You’re obviously part of this year’s Children in Need single Teardrops and participated in 2009’s War Child Charity song I Got Soul. Do you feel like you get a lot back from charity singles? Yeah I do. They approached me a while back and I just thought “yeah man, no reason why not to”. It’s nice to give something back. Going back to a lot of people on set, a whole collection of us, was nice.
You’ve also got your own clothing brand Star in the Hood. How creatively involved are you with the brand? Yeah, I am really involved with it because I really like clothes and fashion. I can base it on things I like to wear, and I speak to the designers. I can obviously approve whether I like it or not, although it’s not just what I like because you have to reach a wide range of people.
But you’re a businessman as much as a musician; founding Takeover Roc Nation with Jay-Z, where you spend a lot of time
Is the business side something you’d like to expand more or is performing your first love?
Yeah, performing is definitely my first love. You have a degree from the University of East London. As a student, it’s obviously a time when I’m deciding what I want to do with the rest of my life. Did you know what you wanted to do when you were a student? I’ve read you were going to be a footballer when you were younger. You know what, I was on a three-year course but on my final year I was mainly on tour with N-Dubz, so I wasn’t there a lot, but football was a hobby. I did gain a lot of knowledge in the time I was there. Who do you support now? Manchester United! (Laughs when I say I’m an Arsenal supporter). Who were you listening to at the time? Well, I’ve always liked hip-hop and R&B but all different things really. I’ve always been open-minded; if I hear something I like that’s different it doesn’t matter. At university I liked Green Day, which you wouldn’t expect. I really like The Script. So lastly, you’re performing at The Waterfront in Norwich on the 12th November; do you think you’ll be able to make time to come visit us at UEA? Yeah, course, course. I’ll be in Norwich all day so if I can, definitely!
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08.11.2011
MUSIC
concrete.music@uea.ac.uk
Album Reviews
Florence + the Machine Ceremonials It can certainly be easy and indeed often fashionable to dislike Florence and her almighty Machine, but it seems that second album Ceremonials gives a deeper, more interesting reason to add to the cause of this dislike. To her credit, 25-year-old Florence Welch seems not to have felt what must have been the immense pressure of following up the phenomenal success of her debut, and the twelve songs certainly seem confident and assured, to say the least. The problem lies in the fact that the music seems all too often to brush the individual listener aside in its desire for scale, grandeur and impact. Ceremonials is, effectively, an exhausting collection of singles. There is nothing necessarily wrong with this; this is pop songwriting at its most powerful and, arguably, best. Every song contains a juggernaut of a chorus, ready to be sung along to by gigantic swathes of stadium crowds and festival goers, but from this magnitude, combined with Paul Epworth’s impenetrable production, springs a disengagement: the songs fail to build a
Coldplay Mylo Xyloto
personal relationship with the listener. Indeed, you feel you can only watch them as they hurtle by, and not actually engage with them. The album centres around themes of love,
death and its demons, and it is obvious that Welch has tried to progress both lyrically and musically, but the “ghostly” theme gets tiresome very quickly, and the album is full
With its glaring graffiti album art and its exotic title, Mylo Xyloto sees Coldplay attempting to build upon their successful Brian Eno-led reinvention in Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends as a stadium band for the iPod generation. Rather than continuing to embrace Viva’s baroque stylings of gloomy cemeteries and winter snow though, here the band explore a futuristic space full of flashing city lights and the synthetic textures of electronica, pop, and R&B. A swooning introduction leads into the glitterting tunnel rush of Hurts Like Heaven, and once Paradise launches into its military rhythm section and helix falsetto run, it’s patent that Chris Martin and company are gunning for a larger sound than ever before: Jonny Buckland’s expressive guitarwork rings clear and bright, with thumping bass and drums shoved right to the front of the mix; you can even hear festival-ready clapping during the crescendo. Charlie Brown blends the skyward reach of Muse’s Starlight with M83’s earnest atmosphere, and a song named Every Teardrop is A Waterfall needs no help in expressing its
own sheer grandiloquence. Even softer, potentially soggy songs like Us Against The World and U.F.O, the acoustic fundamentals of which wouldn’t have been incongruous on Parachutes or A Rush of Blood to the Head, are made to soar with the support of echoing arpeggios and strings under Eno’s slick production. The ballad Up In Flames starts with a skeletal dubstep click-beat and staccato piano before Martin coos tenderly over them, as if James Blake wrote songs that weren’t vaguely uncomfortable. In this comfort lies Mylo Xyloto’s main stumbling block, a problem which is regularly seen to undermine Coldplay’s music as a whole: the music is indisputably rich, but in trying so hard to be evocative to everyone, it ends up easily digestible but only briefly filling, like a fat slab of Galaxy Caramel. Catchy melodies are regularly preferred over any evocative storytelling or emotional subtlety: anthemic open vowel choruses are abound, and the only indications of this being a ‘dystopian concept album’ (Chris Martin’s words) are a few 1970s computer warble samples in
of lyrical annoyances about interpreting animal entrails, kissing eyes and burying horses. Opener Only If For A Night sets up the template for what is to follow; snappy drums, harp flourishes and a chorus of backing Florences leave the song oversaturated. Welch’s voice can at times be emotive, but largely she chooses to bellow her words over the cacophony of the other musicians. Lover to Lover’s 70’s rock vibe still feels opaquely modern, and Seven Devils stabbing, Exorcistlike piano is utterly grating. Breaking Down is almost crescendo-free, and serves as brief respite from the assault. Lead single Shake It Out comes close to a stand-out, but the song peaks with the first rendition of its enormous chorus, and does not trough again for the rest of its four minutes and thirty seconds. There is a sense that Welch should just calm down, instead of throwing chorus after chorus at her music, to make it resonant and meaningful. One could argue that Welch’s epic attitude is what makes her refreshing and great, but her music is not actually good enough to support the ambition and demeanour that she is channelling. Indeed, whatever she is trying to exorcise or “shake out” on Ceremonials is simply quite boring, and the album exudes a sense of transience. When held against the music of her chart companions, Ceremonials may seem like a brief light in the dark, but in attempting to step up to the big league Florence falls drastically short, due, ultimately, to just trying too darned hard. Harry Denniston
the instrumental M.M.I.X. and Martin’s notoriously patchy lyrics, which veer the menacing Major Minus towards Bill Bailey territory: ‘They’ve got one eye watching you, one eye on what you do, so be careful who it is you’re talking to.’ The polished exterior is a distraction from what is lacking within. Princess of China is the most shameless attempt at crossover, more Rihanna’s song than Coldplay’s, with moody, stuttering electronics and shimmering oriental guitars only existing for her to turn up with a heavy R&B thump and drop meaningless majorkey platitudes on top of them. Ultimately, it’d be mean-spirited not to laud Coldplay’s ambition on Mylo Xyloto. There’s skill and magnanimity in writing songs as unabashedly huge as Don’t Let It Break Your Heart, and the sonic textures here are kaleidoscopic. Like the Bonfire Night fireworks this past weekend or the band themselves visiting campus, Mylo Xyloto is dazzling at first but it’s better to recognise the carnival as temporary. Christopher Ogden
MUSIC
08.11.2011
concrete.music@uea.ac.uk
CD Reviews Summer Camp Welcome to Condale Boy-girl duo Summer Camp’s debut Welcome to Condale sits easily with current trends stateside. With its granular melange of retro 80s and 90s sounds, it is right at home with the products of the chillwave boom. Its summer holiday lyrical sensibilities lend weight to comparisons with the group Tennis. Condale has an excellent starting five song run. From Better Off With Out You to Summer Camp, it’s a kitchen sink approach to pop
David Lynch Crazy Clown Time David Lynch has made an electro-pop album. Allow that statement to sink in for a few minutes. If you’re still totally baffled then don’t worry, you’re not alone. You would have thought he’d be content with being one of the most acclaimed directors of all time, responsible for masterpieces like Mulholland Drive, Blue Velvet, Inland Empire and The Elephant Man, but apparently not. The
These Ghosts Footsteps On A Frozen Lake [Single] The digital age is upon us. Way back in 2004, the front page of music industry bible Billboard declared that after nearly 20 bumper years, the reign of the compact disc might be coming to an end as digital downloads made a bid for the throne. Everyone, from pop tart Ke$ha to post-punk pioneers Gang of Four
with nods aplenty to synth sounds of the 80s and 90s Euro dance. Brian Krakow combines their ebullient pop stylings with the grumps of The Jesus and Mary Chain’s Kill Surf City. I Want You combines the big drums of 80s power ballads with the slicing synth pads of Cold Cave’s Heaven was Full and slowly turns the dial for pounding contemporary beats. Summer Camp just dares you to call its synth refrain cheesy. The album clocks in at 37 minutes; fairly short, but it is all Raw Power needed. It’s a good move that demonstrates a desire to avoid filler material. It’s ample time to showcase the Summer Camp box of tricks: short but very sweet. The boy-girl duets, the syrupy guitar modulation effects, the knowing referential sensibility, it all lends texture to a genuine effort at pop to get you out of your chair. The production is punchy and brings to the
foreground great programmed sounds and the power of the dueting vocals. When they are good, they are very good. When they are soso, they are still worth listening to. A lot has been said in recent months about so-called retro-mania and music’s retrospective posture, but look at the playfulness on show here. Albums like this, that rely so much on retrospection and dreamy recall, tend to have a dark-side. It’s well negotiated here with the bad girl break-up anthem Better Off Without You and the isolation of Nobody Knows You, as well as the aforementioned Jesus and Mary Chain touches. If granules are your thing then why not go further and check out David Speck’s wonderful project Part Time on Youtube or Spotify—the album What Would You Say is a perfect manifestation of the granular approach. George Hamilton-Jones
most surprising thing about the whole affair however, is not that it happened, but that some of it is actually very good. Opener Pinky’s Dream benefits from some inspired guest vocals by Karen O and the song’s shifting, disjointed synths strike a balance between the eerily beautiful and the downright creepy. It’s a balance that carries on throughout the album, made even more delicate by Lynch’s high, nasal whine of a voice. The same thin line is walked throughout the album’s best tracks, and it comes as no surprise that it often sounds like the soundtrack to a Lynch movie. He’s certainly learned from the melodic brilliance of his film soundtrack composer Angelo Badalamenti. His lyrics are as cryptic as any of his plots, but the biggest surprise is that the music is often fairly straightforward.
Highlight Good Day Today is a radio friendly synth-pop tune with the less appealing aspects of Lynch’s voice hidden under layers of effects. Fans of Lynch may know of the care that goes into the sound design of his films, and Crazy Clown Time seems to have undergone the same level of attention. It’s an impeccably produced album, which makes listening to even the most obscure tracks worthwhile. There are many places in which it simply doesn’t work, and it is far too long, but for the most it’s a fascinating and often enjoyable listen. David Lynch’s films are many things: brave, bold, eerily beautiful, infuriatingly ambiguous, often flawed but always fascinating, and his move into music is no exception. Joe Murphy
have embraced this new era, often only for the mere cost of parting with your email address. Even prog masters Pink Floyd finally settled their disputes over downloading their concept albums in order to allow distribution of their individual tracks from such seminal releases. Disputes aside, digital downloads are certainly a powerful tool for bands in this modern age and local three piece, These Ghosts are wielding their trump card with new single Footsteps on A Frozen Lake. Having already received rave reviews from Artrocker and Huw Stephens himself, their new single is not only entirely free but also well worth the download. A celestial delight of swirling delay and choral decadence snatched from the fingers (and desk) of some of Bright Eyes’ finest digi moments, Footsteps creeps in with looming
bass line and heavy reverb. Yes, it’s ambient and almost cinematic, but above all, this is simply captivating. At points, some might say that These Ghosts carry the same dark atmosphere of hipster NY types Interpol with their intricate guitars and brooding vocals but there’s more than moody minimalism here. This trio offer something more refined than that; something more ethereal and something quite unlike any other band is currently making, and you don’t need the rise in download popularity to tell you that. While Footsteps might implore you to “open up, it’s all you’ve got,” this most certainly isn’t all that this bright young band have to give. Download your copy now: http://theseghosts.bandcamp.com. Cheri Amour
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SIGN THE PETITION! So far Jools Holland, Zane Lowe, Brian Eno, Huey Lewis and Coldplay have all
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WIRED
08.11.2011
concrete.wired@uea.ac.uk
Revealed: Grand Theft Auto V
“Why did I come here? I guess it was the weather, or because of the, well I don’t know, that thing, that magic…” When viewing the latest announcement trailer for Rockstar’s Grand Theft Auto series, this mention of magic is exactly what comes to mind. After months of speculation and rumours, the Grand Theft Auto V trailer has arrived worldwide, bringing it with it many answers and many more questions. Arguably the most important question on everybody’s mind was where the new game would be set. Rockstar’s decision to remake Liberty City in GTA IV led many fans to
speculate that GTA V would follow suit and remake the world of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, which combined Los Angeles, San Francisco and Las Vegas. Although it’s too early to be sure of all the geographic details, GTA V is definitely going to be set in Los Angeles with a large and accessible surrounding countryside. The trailer shows off a much brighter and more diverse world than that of Liberty City. Glimpses of beaches, mountains, downtown skyscrapers, ghettos and high-rise apartments show that Rockstar has given a unique identity and feel to each area in the game. The new GTA protagonist is almost always
Retro Column: Metal Gear Solid While it’s safe to assume that snakes don’t really belong in Alaska, Konami’s Metal Gear Solid (1998) does belong in every PlayStation owner’s collection. One of the earliest members of the stealth action genre, Metal Gear Solid set a high that very few have even approached more than 13 years on. How is a game this old still the best in its genre? To start with, the plot, in contrast to the stealth based meticulous game play, is rather fast moving. Without giving too much away (because you have to go and play this game), it provides a mature and tense atmosphere while weaving an epic story around a team of genetically-enhanced special forces soldiers (known collectively as FOXHOUND) that are threatening the U.S with a massive nuclear-capable war robot known as Metal Gear R E X .
The player must defeat this team of misfits as protagonist Solid Snake, a previously retired expert in infiltration, sabotage and hiding in cardboard boxes to remain undetected. This last “special skill” comes in handy more than you might expect against the angry henchmen of FOXHOUND, so when you buy this game don’t forget it. The game’s levels are designed with stealth as the primary solution to nearly all problems. Consequently, the player will find it difficult to complete the game “all guns blazing.” The tension created by sneaking past guards and avoiding the gaze of countless security cameras becomes so addictive that you will soon find yourself gladly taking part in the true tactical espionage elements of the game. Finally, each section is punctuated by a boss fight, all of which are nothing short of fantastic. Personal favourites include an invisible ninja cyborg, a half naked Alaskan shaman and a nightmareinducing, gas mask sporting psychic able to read your memory cards, see what other games you play and then scare you with this information. He even asks that you put down your controller and then proceeds to move it via vibration. Scary stuff! Theo Creswell
as important as the new environment, and this time Rockstar has taken an intriguing approach. Players appear to take control of a retired Mafioso who is trying to restart his life in Los Santos. Offering a character who not only wants to steer clear of the criminal path, but who also has children, is a bold step for the series and shows that Rockstar always has a way to make the same formula feel emotionally fresh. If GTA V is going to be a remake of San Andreas, then fans will be expecting at least some of the old features to be brought back. The trailer gives the impression that GTA V will offer a greater level of character customisation than the previous game. Shots of people going for runs, hiking up mountains and working out in their homes suggest that physical fitness and appearance can be more directly controlled by the player. The ability to buy a home and own a pet is hinted at, which could see some fans complaining of a move too close towards something like The Sims. This however, hardly seems to be the case, as Rockstar will almost certainly maintain the emphasis on action and entertainment. The vehicles should send fans into hysterics, with jet skis, crop dusters and harrier jets all making
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subtle appearances. Until further information is released the finer details can only be speculated on. But what is certain is that Rockstar knows how to deliver a superb and immersive gaming experience and by the looks of it, Grand Theft Auto V will be just that. Andrew Wilkins
Preview: Skyrim The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim is an open-world RPG, developed by Bethesda to be released on November 11 2011 on most major platforms. It is the fifth instalment in the series, following The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion; however Skyrim is not a direct sequel to Oblivion, but a new chapter in the series. The game is set two hundred years after Oblivion, and in this preview Wired will give you a brief introduction to the events that unfold before and during Skyrim. As there was no heir to the Emperor’s throne, the Empire began surrendering its territories to the Elven nations it once ruled. After the king of Skyrim’s assassination, civil war broke out amongst the native Nord race who wished for Skyrim to split from the Empire.
As with Oblivion, the game begins with the player as a prisoner, on the way to their own execution for involvement with the Stormcloaks, the group founded by the king’s assassin. You escape, and eventually learn that Skyrim’s civil war is last in a sequence of prophetic events foretold by the Elder Scrolls, which also foretell of the return of Alduin, the Nordic god of destruction. Taking the form of a gigantic dragon, Alduin is prophesied to burn the world to ash. The player is the last Dovahkiin, a dragon hunter chosen by the gods to defend Skyrim and Tamriel from Alduin. With Skyrim boasting a staggering 300 hours of content, it’s fair to say that come 11.11.11, many will not be venturing out of their rooms for some time. Tom Mott
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08.11.2011
WIRED
concrete.wired@uea.ac.uk
What Does The Future Hold For Microsoft Game Studios ?
2011 has been an interesting and exciting year in the world of gaming. With the rise of first person shooters Battlefield and the annual Call of Duty series dominating the adult gaming market, and a new generation of gaming studios emerging, Microsoft’s own game studios have a reason to be worried. Microsoft Game Studios (MGS) was created in 2002 to coincide with the release of the Xbox. MGS creates and publishes games for all Xbox and Windows XP exclusive releases. After nearly 10 years of unparalleled success though, question marks have begun to arise about the company’s future as one of gaming’s elite developers. Following the lukewarm and shy introduction of Kinect and a host of heavily criticised game content created for the Xbox’s ‘revolutionary’ new platform, does Microsoft have a future as a studio? Following the finale from the Gears of War franchise and the efforts of Microsoft to resuscitate Halo, Xbox’s definitive game, into a new trilogy of games, it would appear that the studio is running out of time, patience and creativity to produce new games. Halo and Forza Motorsport,
also created by Microsoft, and a host of Kinect featured games such as the Kinect Adventures series is all Microsoft have left to cling on to. Besides Kinect based games, Halo 4 is the only scheduled release for the studio, but we’ll have to wait until Christmas 2012 for its main protagonist, Master Chief to return and save Microsoft from gaming blues. The company’s general manager, Dave Luehmann admitted Microsoft needed to step up, and in particular lead the way in PC gaming, but with delays on several titles earlier this year including Fable 3 and the updated Age of Empires multiplayer, fans and critics alike have taken shots at the unprofessionalism an apparent lack of interest from the studio to deliver
Byte Review: Battlefield 3 After a $100 million marketing campaign, Battlefield 3 found itself as one of the most anticipated games of the year. Promising an unparalleled multiplayer experience and a single player campaign to rival that of the Call of Duty series Battlefield 3 was gunning for the top spot in first person shooter hierarchy. The single player part is in fact very forgettable, with players following the cliché storyline of trying to thwart a terrorist plot in several locations around the world. However the Battlefield series is not known for its single player components and it is the multiplayer features where this game exceeds itself. Co-op provides several varying scenarios for players to progress through, which in fact prove difficult as there are no checkpoints meaning when you die you return back to the beginning of the level. Conquest, rush,
and team death match return as the only modes in the online multiplayer, however the depth of each mode is vast. Vehicles offer added interesting gameplay features and the inclusion of jets is welcomed. On console versions there have been problems with the EA servers and players have been finding it hard to connect. EA have been working rectify these problems, however at the time of going to print these problems persist. Graphically, Battlefield 3 is top class with jaw dropping texturing and animation. The game also has fantastic sound design, with all the wizzes, bangs, and cries of warfare captured perfectly. Overall Battlefield is a solid shooter with one of the best multiplayer components in around. Josh Mott
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compelling and investment worthy games across more than its infamous 360 console. Microsoft as a company is still thriving, and despite it being the oldest modern console in comparison to its rivals, the PS3 and the Nintendo Wii, the Xbox 360 remains the number one best seller, but as for the studio, who has the responsibility of filling the console with what it perceives to be the best games, it is not delivering the quality Microsoft needs for it to be a fierce competitor. If nothing changes, the definitive Xbox games, which defined a generation of gaming and gamers will define the next generation, the one after that and that one after that. With a brand new console in the works and a rumoured 2015 release, the questionable future of Microsoft’s
juggernaut status hangs in the balance; whether they can fill the new console with new classics like they did with the inception of the original Xbox remains to be seen. Right now Microsoft’s Kinect shows little signs of a revolution, though despite its numerous flaws, Kinect is a step in the right direction, but it’s not Microsoft’s finished product. Old games and old characters can’t live forever, no matter how big, no matter how popular. Microsoft’s reliance on the past could make or break the studio, but with little to look forward to one can only be optimistic Robert Austin
Appy Corner: Doodle Jump Few can deny the influence that Lima Sky’s Doodle Jump has had on the app market in recent years. Since its release on iOS back in April 2009, the four legged alien has jumped his way up to 10m downloads worldwide. Players take control of a loveable little creature called Doodler, who must navigate his way up a series of platforms to get a high score. Doodle Jump is very much a throwback to the old online games of the high school era, as a means of filling the void of a boring ICT lesson by any means possible. Some may mistake it for any of the thousands of platform jumping games on the market such as Winter Bells or PapiJump, but Doodle Jump takes this recycled idea to creatively fresh new levels. Doodler encounters a variety of obstacles on his journey, including several exotic looking monsters, black holes, and UFOs. Even the platforms themselves present a threat for players and are recognisable by their individual colours.
Brown platforms break in half, blue platforms move horizontally and red and white platforms explode and disappear. Players tilt their handheld device left or right to guide Doodler across the screen enabling more momentum to be created with more precise movements. The ability to fire projectiles from Doodler’s nose and take down oncoming enemies diversifies the game even further and makes it a constant attention grabber. With free updates for the game always available online, doodle jumpers are able to download new maps and enemies at their leisure. The Christmas map and space map are notably memorable but even without these additions, Doodle Jump remains at its core one of the best gaming apps ever. Its enjoyment is rivalled only by its addictiveness, which can be so lethal, you’ll be fighting your own hand to put it down. Andrew Wilkins
FASHION
08.11.2011
concrete.fashion@uea.ac.uk
Menswear: More Than Just Metrosexual... Smokin’ Justin Bieber He raps now. Next step, fitness DVD.
Steve Jones Apparently now seeing Nicole Scherzinger. Lucky girl.
new season menswear. With an abundance of men now using the phrases “oh it’s vintage” and “I just picked it up in a charity shop” when complimented, the idea that men do not take an interest in fashion is being turned on its head. The previously clear line between men and women’s interest in fashion is becoming increasingly blurred. When high street chain H&M revealed a preview of their much coveted collaboration with fashion house Versace, it came as no surprise that the range included cutting edge men’s wear. The range is not for the fainthearted, including statement pieces such as graphic monochrome print shirts and pink blazers. It is definitely nice to see men being given a helping hand in looking good from the high street. Hopefully soon gone will be the days when men are forced to resort
to womenswear in search of a good fitting pair of skinny jeans. Too many times have I heard guys complaining about the shame of having snide remarks and even heckles made at them in shops. One friend of mine has even been escorted across shopping centres by staff from Topshop to try jeans on in the Topman changing rooms. But it does show the high price of their dignity that some men are willing to pay to get the kind of look they see in the press and on celebrity icons. Do not be fooled into thinking all men are ready to throw off their tracksuit bottoms and pore over the next issue of Glamour, but men’s fashion is becoming more and more acceptable and accessible. But, a word of warning, no matter how popular male grooming becomes, guy liner is, and always will be, a step too far. Jess Beech
Photographer: Helen Haines / Models: Jamie Freeman, Alexander Maciag, Jamies Leatherbarrow
The Hotlist
For those amongst us that have been stealing our boyfriend’s jackets and shirts for years, it has been clear that they must be getting something right. You only have to look around campus to see that men have had their finger firmly on the fashion pulse for much longer than we have realised. Men’s fashion is big news. In comparison to the amount of direction given to women in fashion through magazines and TV segments, men have been left almost entirely to their own devices. As a result of this lack of guidance has sprung out many individual and eclectic styles, but also some serious fashion faux pas. But this is set to change as magazines such as The Sunday Times style supplement, Look and ASOS magazines are frequently dedicating pages and whole issues to men’s fashion. London Fashion Week earlier this year also debuted a day devoted entirely to
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James Cordon So wrong. So right.
Chokin’ MUggs Joey Essex wears them. You shouldn’t.
Kris Humphries Dumped by Kim Kardashian after only 72 days of marriage. Ouch.
Frankie Cocozza We hear the X Factor stage has to be sprayed with spermicide after he performs.
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If anyone actually stole any of my clothes, shoes, colognes, whatever, I would not notice and I would not care. I would go to the nearest shop and just buy another... but if they stole my guitar I would flip a shit. Check out www.concrete-online.co.uk for just what the boys wear and care about, by Madz Abbasi, as well as this season’s menswear trends and where to buy them in Norwich, by Helen Haines.
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concrete.fashion@uea.ac.uk
FASHION
Photographer: Harriet Jones / Model: Carl Silverstone
Photographer: Harriet Jones / Model: Carl Silverstone
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08.11.2011
Vanity Unfair You’re in a rush. You briskly walk in and before you’ve had a chance to properly survey your situation you come face to face with the most awe inspiringly beautiful man you’ve ever seen. For a moment you stand, mouths agape, your eyes level. You reach up to ruffle your hair and he does the same, you take a step closer and so does he, could this symmetry be a sign? Could this be the most perfect moment ever? It would be if not for the sink in the way and the tooth paste spatter all over the mirror. We’ve all been there, locked in a photo-finish staring competition with our own reflections, but there has to be a limit to how much attention we lavish upon face time with ourselves. Mirrors as we know them today have been around since about the first century
AD and these days several can be found in any home, handbag, or mirror shop in the country. However it doesn’t stop there; reflective surfaces themselves have been around long before even Jesus had invented water. As a man I have not only noticed others but found myself using ever more innovative reflectors to check that I still look the same as I did when last I checked (30 seconds ago). Any and all windows, the side of a car, someone you’re meant to be listening to’s sunglasses, phone screens, TV screens, small change, polished forearms, even judging how bouffant you’re hair is by your shadow. I have seen all of these methods used by men to make sure they’re still looking dapper, often accompanied with a Facebook worthy pout or checking the triceps under the cover
of a stretch. But where does this obsession with self image come from? It’s possible that most men just prefer their own company and a reflection is a lot more tangible than an inner monologue. Maybe it’s an infatuation with the self, but then again I don’t think I’ve had the privilege of witnessing same sex identical twins/lovers. More likely is the fact that most of us are so judgemental that it appears to go without saying that we are going to be under an intolerable amount of scrutiny ourselves. Charles Horton Cooley summed this up beautifully in his statement: “I am not what I think I am and I am not what you think I am; I am what I think that you think I am”. The clothes, the hair products and the moisturisers: all attempts to keep us
simultaneously in and out of the spotlight. As such you would be forgiven for a degree of vanity, it is a coping mechanism to make one feel comfortable in a world full of clandestine sentience. However any self respecting gentleman wouldn’t be caught carrying a mirror around with him (I appreciate the need for women to apply make-up with a compact), but using every passing pane of glass to smile at yourself is quite frankly a copout. As such I think we could all stand to benefit from stepping back from the pool Narcissus died by and looking at the clouds or something instead.
Anthony Shaw
ARTS
08.11.2011
concrete.arts@uea.ac.uk
Top Hat - Theatre Royal
Summer Strallen as the beautiful Dale Tremont, object of Jerry’s affection and original role of Ginger Rogers.
It has taken 77 years but finally Top Hat, the motion picture that Fred Astaire and Ginger Rodgers made so famous, has taken to the stage. American tap dancer Jerry Travers, played by 2008 Strictly Come Dancing winner Tom Chambers (Holby City, Waterloo Road), flies to London to appear in his first West End show. Whilst tap dancing in his hotel room he wakes up beautiful Dale Tremont, played by Summer Strallen (Sound of Music, Lover Never Dies, Hollyoaks) who asks him to keep the noise down. From then on Jerry does all he can to win her heart - he sends her masses of flowers, follows her to Italy and of course, shows off many of his tap dancing skills. There is an evident chemistry between Tom and Summer, particularly demonstrated in their dancing scenes together. The most renowned scene of the film is Fred and Ginger’s performance of Cheek-toCheek; Summer and Tom certainly do the scene justice with not a tap out of place. Although the imitation of Ginger’s iconic ostrich feather dress worn by Strallen is not flattering; with too many feathers it does not have the same sophistication as the original. The play boasts many comic elements, especially the much-loved character Bates the butler (played by Stephen Boswell) and Dale’s admirer Alberto Beddini, played by Ricardo Afonso. Both had the audience in hysterics: Bates with his awkward, nerdy mannerisms and Beddini, particularly so, in the scene when he prepares for his wedding
night; sproudly tripping down to his tight all-in-one under piece and sock suspenders. Unfortunately there was a technical hitch in the first half of the play, when the setting did not open at the right time, but being the first performance this can be forgiven and it did not affect the rest of the show. Overall, the production was a fantastic experience. The musical score included a host of Irving Berlin classics: Cheek to Cheek, Isn’t It A Lovely Day to be Caught in the Rain?,
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Top Hat, White Tie and Tails, Let’s Face the Music and Dance and I’m Putting All My Eggs in One Basket. Each song was performed spectacularly and the glamour of the 1930s pervaded the theatre, created by the talented and well put together ensemble and the many enthusiastic audience members who chose to come dressed in evening dresses, suits, gloves, glitter and, of course, top hats. Harriet MacDonald
All The Fun Of The Fair - Theatre Royal
Funfairs are not all about bright lights and exotic thrills, as shown by Jon Conway’s All the Fun of the Fair. The musical production strips away its glamorous front and tells a heartwarming tale of a fairground owner, Levi (played by 1970’s pop star David Essex),
who tries to balance between finding closure following his wife’s death and maintaining his relationship with his son, Jack (Rob Compton). In the meantime, they have a travelling funfair to run and love affairs to handle.
Jack becomes romantically involved with the daughter of a gang leader, which causes trouble for their funfair family. The touching storyline explores what it means to be stigmatized as an ‘outsider’ and the realization that such ‘outsiders’ share the same everyday problems that people have beyond the colourful tents. Essex may not be the smooth crooner he used to be, but there is now a rasp in his voice that fits perfectly with Levi’s weary character. Despite his shaky start during All the Fun of the Fair (the song in which the musical is named after), Essex’s overall delivery is emotional and nostalgic. Adding to the nostalgia are some of Essex’s old hits, such as A Winter’s Tale, Gonna Make You a Star, Me and My Girl (Nightclubbing) and Rock On. There are also other soundtracks that are written for the play, some of which are commendable especially Dangerous and Here We Are All Together. Louise English, who plays the gifted gypsy Rosa, steals the limelight with her captivating rendition of A Winter’s Tale. Tim Newman and Susan Hallam-Wright, on the
other hand, deserve recognition for their refreshing takes on the doe-eyed Jonny and the heartbroken Mary respectively. One of the most alluring features of the musical is undoubtedly the set design. A desolate street bursts into the beautiful funfair in a matter of seconds, carousel horses descend from the ceiling during the song He Noticed Me, cable cars race onto the stage and a motorcycle levitates in Silver Dream Machine. The detailed props and creative stage settings capture the vibrant nature of the fair, the spectacle of which leaves the audience constantly in awe. Throughout the musical, Essex alludes to his younger days as well as both past and contemporary cultural references. While some of these jokes may be lost to the younger crowd, they are definitely treats for die-hard Essex fans. In other words, All the Fun of the Fair can be described using one word: entertaining. Sad moments exist but they do not last long. More often than not, it is a feel-good ride that brings you to that surreal fairground of your imagination. Rachael Lum
13
08.11.2011
ARTS
concrete.arts@uea.ac.uk
Observe The Sons
of
Ulster Marching Towards The Somme
Somme - Drama Studio The first thing to note about DramaSoc’s production of Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme (not including the mouthful of a title!) is the ambition of staging a play set in the First World War. The horror of war is a difficult subject to convey and it is a testament to the cast’s acting that the vast amount of psychological trauma in the play was expressed. This was particularly true of the leading male Jon Moss, whose portrayal of the young soldier Kenneth Pyper accurately conveyed the character’s absorbing instability. Congratulations are also due to the cast for their convincing Irish accents, which rarely slipped and never detracted attention from the scenes. The first act was set purely in the army barracks and relied on the soldiers’ banter and bonding, which was very entertaining. The second act began with the soldiers on leave, and the stage was split with the eight actors in four pairs performing different scenes. This was occasionally difficult to follow and the lighting was at times distracting, but it nonetheless gave the play a little more movement and intensity. It also provided an opportunity to delve deeper into the character’s personal lives and relationships, and here the play further explored the themes of God and religion
(especially the divide between Protestants and Catholics), and homosexuality. The sexual tension between Pyper and his comrade David Craig (Matt Carson) was an interesting twist that was unexpected and extremely well executed. The split scene that worked particularly well was between characters William Moore (Sophie Greenham) and John Millen (Charlie Mealings), with each actor positioned in a different window above the audience. Sophie’s moving portrayal of Moore’s dangerous journey on the bridge had the audience on the edge of their seats. The play’s visuals were simple without a large range of colour or shade, but certain elements were very effective; the costumes (traditional army outfits) worked well with the naturalistic scenes, and the live musical accompaniment was a great addition and very appropriate for the tone of the play. Overall Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme was a good performance, full of skilled actors dealing with difficult topics; the issues raised by the play gave the audience a lot to think on afterwards. It was tragic, provocative, amusing and most certainly a success. Chloe Seager
This Week In Arts History ... 1918 To commemorate Memorial Sunday, Hannah Thomson discusses Britain’s most tragic war poet. For centuries, soldiers have used poetry to describe the horrors of war while honouring the loss of young men’s lives. Among the many celebrated war poets, there is one who is widely recognised as the great voice of the genre through his haunting descriptions of the realities of World War One: Wilfred Owen. Through his poetry he depicts his personal experience of the physical and psychological trauma of war; Owen is the poet who, for many, has built the memorial in our minds from which we can remember those who have been lost in war. Wilfred Owen was born in 1893 in Shropshire and from the age of nineteen he wanted to be a poet. However, up until 1917 Owen had written almost no poetry, but his deployment in France that same year gave him a first-hand account of life on the front line. It was this immersion in the horrific action that inspired him to write. By the summer of 1917, Owen was diagnosed with neurasthenia, or what we now know to
be shell shock, and was sent to Craiglockhart Hospital in Edinburgh where he met the already known poet, Siegfried Sassoon. It was here, with Sassoon’s influence and guidance, that some of Owen’s greatest poems were written. Dulce et Decorum est is Owen’s most famous poem. Translated from Latin, the title is finished in the last line of the poem: “That old lie: It is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.” Overwhelmed with bleak realism, the poem conjures up the images of the devastating effects of gas: “If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood/ Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs/ Obscene as cancer, bitter as the cud/ Of vile incurable sore on innocent tongues.” These brutal and graphic lines confront the reader with Owen’s intention, put forward in his preface, that “…all a poet can do today is warn.” Once recovered, Owen returned to the front line, where he was awarded the military cross before he was killed on 4th November,
aged just twenty-five. This year, Remembrance Sunday commemorates the 93rd year since the end of World War One and the 66th year since the end of World War Two. The poignancy ingrained in Owen’s lines holds the memory of those lost in war to this very day. What is striking about Wilfred Owen is that he is not only the voice of that generation, but as the poet Dylan Thomas states, “He is a poet of all times, all places, and all wars.”
FILM
08.11.2011
concrete.film@uea.ac.uk
The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn Director: Steven Spielberg Country: USA Starring: Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel
14
Craig
Tintin has always been a cultural oddity; very popular in his native Belgium, France, and to a lesser extent, here in England, he has never been able to translate his particular brand of boy’s-own adventures anywhere else. With this, the first film to star the character, Steven Spielberg and Peter Jackson have attempted the impossible; to translate a classic hand drawn comic series into a photorealistic piece of animation, and to bring the wild adventures of a mild mannered Belgian reporter to American audiences. We’ll have to wait until December to find out if they’ve succeeded in the latter, but it’s already clear that they’ve hit the former out of the park. For those of you unaware of the titular wonder-kid, Tintin (Jamie Bell) is a young investigative journalist whose adventures spanned 24 graphic novels over more than 45 years. If Spielberg and Jackson wanted this to become a franchise, they’ve chosen excellent points to start, detailing the meeting of Tintin with his constant travelling companion in the series, Captain Haddock (Andy Serkis). Together with Snowy, Tintin’s faithful white terrier, and the buffoonish Interpol agents
We Need
to
Thomson and Thompson (Nick Frost and Simon Pegg), they set out to uncover the mystery contained within three models of the same ship that may reveal the location of a long forgotten treasure. It is a story that will take them from Tintin’s home in Belgium across the high seas to the African desert and Morocco, all the while pitting them against the villainous Ivan Sakharine (Daniel Craig). For anyone who has ever read a Tintin
Talk About Kevin
Indeed, we do need to talk about Kevin, for it is a film that just works on all levels. The story focuses on the relationship between a mother and her son Kevin, (who appears to be, throughout his childhood and teenager years, for want of a better word, “evil”) before and after a horrific incident that he has caused. In the hands of a less talented director this could have easily turned into some unsubtle, moralising film about bad parenting. Instead, director Lynne Ramsay leaves us largely in the dark about who is to blame in the end for the atrocity that Kevin eventually causes. Was it nature or nurture that created the monster? This isn’t a film for the faint of heart, particularly with its use of rather disgustingly
exaggerated images and sound effects that make even a jam sandwich eerily significant. We Need to Talk About Kevin really excels in its combination of this tapestry of cleverly conceived images, which will have most avid film critics talking for hours, and a plot structure that keeps the audience guessing for want of that final piece of crucial information: what exactly did Kevin do that was so abhorrent? Tilda Swinton excels as the psychologically and socially tortured mother who has become hated and excluded by her community whilst Ezra Miller and Jasper Newell both reach Hannibal Lecter heights as Kevin. It is truly an exceptional piece of filmmaking. A. J. Hodson
story, it would appear impossible to translate those action packed still frames into continuous moving shots without gutting the series’ trademark look. It doesn’t take more than one action sequence to put those fears to rest, and make you realise you are watching a perfect meeting; Herge’s aesthetic looks are made for Spielberg’s direction, and the whole thing is held together by a great cast and witty, energetic script (as to be expected from Doctor Who writer and director of Hot Fuzz
and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World Edgar Wright). The debate about whether or not the animation ever crosses the line into creepy will continue, but when the spectacles on show include a desert transforming into a pirate ship, and a literal crane fight, it’s hard to argue. If you’ve ever picked up a Tintin book, or you’re just sad that there hasn’t been a decent Indiana Jones movie since 1989, you need to see this film. Tim Bates
The Help
While “inspirational” and “revolutionary” are words often used to describe time around the civil rights movement in America, “funny” is not really one that springs to mind. This film, however, can use all three. Adapted from the bestselling novel by Katheryn Stockett, it is told from the rare perspective of black maids known as “the help”, as they take a stand by sharing their stories of both their affection for and conflicts with the white families they work for. If you think this sounds like emotional viewing, you’d be correct. However, the stories and the characters behind them are also brilliantly funny, usually at the expense of the detestable
housewife, Winnie, who makes the suburban bitchiness of Desperate Housewives seem tame. Emma Stone is perfectly cast as the gutsy writer Skeeter who refuses to fit in, using her comedic skill from previous films to deliver some of the wittiest dialogue, whilst still proving she can handle a more serious role. Only occasionally is the film guilty of glossing over the hardship or segregated America. Think Forrest Gump, or The Green Mile: both Oscar-winning films that The Help deserves to be mentioned in the same breath as. Meg Fozzard
15
08.11.2011
Anonymous
FILM
concrete.film@uea.ac.uk
The Ides
of
March
Anonymous is not quite your typical Roland Emmerich film. Yes, there are one (maybe two) explosions in it, but, for the most part, earlier Emmerich actioners such as Godzilla and Independence Day remain firmly out of mind. Through a series of flashbacks, the film reveals that the man we all assumed to be William Shakespeare was actually an illiterate actor, whilst the real hand behind the world’s most famous plays and sonnets was another man altogether: the Earl of Oxford. Shakespeare loyalists: beware. If you can suspend your disbelief for two hours, Anonymous is a fairly entertaining film. The set-pieces and costumes are beautifully designed, and special mention must go to Rafe Spall’s hilarious portrayal of Shakespeare, with Rhys Ifans managing well as the brooding and tragic Earl of Oxford (though there a few moments of ham acting that had the audience giggling). However, the tone of the film awkwardly meanders between grave and sombre to flamboyant and silly, and more than once the CGI looks a little off. Although the plot is riddled with historical inaccuracies, and the amount of poetic license used may incense some viewers, at the very least you’ll have fun playing “guess-the-historical-figure”.
Tension is high in George Clooney’s latest directorial venture which follows Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) as he gets caught in a world of political scandal whilst working on a pre-presidential campaign for Governor Morris (George Clooney). Clooney shows not only his acting talent but also his directing ability; the film is laden with striking and inventive cinematography which perfectly captures the tone and emotions. Although the film quickly sets out how many plot points will develop, there is a rather surprising, but at the same time ironically obvious twist, that turns the film on its head. However, performances from such a well chosen cast are truly the shining element of the film. Clooney, with his charm and incredible knack at speech-making, is easily believable as a presidential candidate, while Gosling successfully portrays the effect that loosing your faith can have on a person. Nailing the fast paced political spiel, Gosling’s golden moments are perhaps those with limited dialogue, saying much more with a look. The concept of dirty politics is hardly a revelation, but Clooney and Gosling, along with Giamatti and Seymour Hoffman, offer an excellent example of loyalty, power and how much a person is willing to give up for another.
Gemma Morris
Radosava Radulovic
A
few words from...Gerard
In terms of a challenging role, where does this one rank? GB: In terms of acting chops and what it took, the complexity of the character, the journey he goes on and the emotional depth it was the hardest role I’ve had to play and it took the most out of me. It was the most challenging but ultimately the most rewarding as well for that reason. Would you consider it a role of a lifetime? GB: It felt like a great opportunity to say so much and really pack a punch or not, which is why it was exciting because you could also do this and fail miserably and there are a lot of ways to play this badly. It was a fine line to traverse and to try and get all those different things that are Sam [Childers]. Before I met Sam I’d never heard a man described in so many different ways because the director, the writer would say “this is who he is...” and it was always different.
Butler
What did you expect when you first met him? GB: Well, you see the guy that you read about in the script and so you expect to see this gun toting wild man, maybe screaming and shouting, loud and obnoxious. I expected somebody larger than life with a lot of energy and what I experienced was that, yes, there’s a lot of energy and he is very charismatic, but it’s very contained. I was also well aware that this is Sam now and also he’s not in a warzone and not currently fighting for his sanity. So the man I actually met was a man who was quite considered, he would sit back and he was studying me and studying the situation and kind of enjoying the attention in a way; this was what all of his hard work had come to. Just like I can say I enjoy it when people enjoy a movie I’ve made, well, this was his moment to shine and kind of go “look, Gerry Butler has come to visit me…” [laughs] Did you feel as though he was sizing you up? GB: Oh I am sure he was thinking “are you up to the task Mr Gerry Butler?” and there’s me with my Scottish accent. He didn’t say anything at the time but he has since told me that that’s what he was thinking and I knew, I could see his mind working. Not just thinking about me, but about all of these people who had come from such a different world to his and that even though he knew he could harvest that and it would be great for his cause, there was kind of a lack of trust because he is, in some ways, a simple hardworking guy. Check our website for our review of Machine Gun Preacher.
Straw Dogs
Sam Peckinpah’s 1971 cult-hit Straw Dogs was designed to shock audiences at a time when violent cinema, particularly concerning British film, was crossing taboo. 40 years on, the problem facing Rod Lurie’s remake is whether it remains relevant in an era defined by “torture porn”, where audiences have become desensitised and subjected to all forms of violence. James Marsden replaces Dustin Hoffman as David Sumner, who travels back to his wife Amy’s (Kate Bosworth) hometown to encounter some antagonistic neighbours, whose atrocities escalate. There’s an immense tension that builds between Sumner and his wife’s former friends, of false smiles and accusing glances, before it all explodes in the final brutal act. Here, the violence doesn’t hold back. You feel every blow. Yet, besides a change in location (from rural England to southern America), the changes between old and new are incremental. There are still messages to be read about religion, the over-empowerment of women, and the animalistic morality of men, that the original so controversially contained. The difference is that, whilst the violence is uncomfortable to watch, it’s lost its shock value in cinema’s contemporary landscape. Without it, it’s possible to question the necessity of this release. Kieran Rogers
Ranter’s Corner This week, Sammie Rogers targets the literary adaptation If there is one thing that has always been in ample supply in the film industry, it is the film adaptation. A vast amount of both books and plays are being transformed for the big screen. But is this a problem? Some may say that it is inspiring to see their favourite novel or play in movie format but for others it is tiring and unimaginative. Where is the originality in the film industry? Where are the writers who formulate their own ideas instead of using pre-written stories? Is it so hard to actually come up with your own storyline? It is extremely frustrating when movies ignorantly ruin brilliant books, such as My Sisters Keeper, which literally changed the final plot twist to suit the Hollywood format. It is also infuriating when non-readers get to indulge in new worlds without even bothering to pick up a book just as many did with Harry Potter. Yet adaptations are still popular for readers and non-readers alike. Does the industry know this or do they just have nothing better to do? Whatever the reason behind this excessive trend, it is one that is always full of mixed views.
FILM
08.11.2011
concrete.film@uea.ac.uk
Talking Movies
16
Following the controversial remake of Sam Peckinpah’s Straw Dogs, Venue reflects on the highly debated topic of Hollywood remakes. Looking at recent cinema releases, you’d forgiven for thinking that Straw Dogs, Sam Peckinpah’s highly controversial study of revenge and violence from 1971, had been given a rerelease. Instead, this is a brand new remake: inexplicably switching the action from rural England to the American south, replacing Dustin Hoffman’s unhinged original performance with the offensively dull James Marsden and removing all of the film’s moral complexity. It is genuinely puzzling as to why anyone would consider this a good idea, as it will alienate lovers of the original while not being good enough to find new fans. But remaking (calling it rebooting or reimagining isn’t fooling anyone) movies for no apparent reason other than profit seems to be Hollywood’s new obsession, most notably with horror films. In the last few years we’ve had pointless new versions of A Nightmare On Elm Street, Halloween and The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, to name just a few. All of which removed everything that made the originals unique, exciting and provocative, replacing it with a standard horror colour pal-
lette of dull browns and a cast hoping for work in the next series of The O.C. So strong is the call for anything and everything to be remade, that even the notorious grindhouse shocker I Spit On Your Grave has been remade. This is by far the most baffling remake of recent years, as the few who didn’t find the original morally repugnant will surely see no reason for a new version. One of the best examples
from recent years is Neil LaBute’s universally maligned remake of The Wicker Man, which has at least found a second life as an unintentional comedy due to the ludicrous sight of Nicolas Cage punching an old woman while dressed as a bear. Obviously this problem has not been limited to horror films, as the remake of Straw Dogs proves, but it is the area where it seems to be most widespread. And we’ve
not even touched upon the issue of English language remakes of foreign films, or shot-forshot remakes, both of which deserve a debate entirely of their own. Remakes don’t have to be bad. Werner Herzog’s Nosferatu, John Carpenter’s The Thing and Cronenberg’s The Fly all prove that when those involved have something genuinely new to add to an old story, the results can be spectacular. But there are some stories that are just best left alone. Joseph Murphy
Slackers Club Attention Slackers! This month, Cinema City offers all students free entry to Miranda July’s new indie gem, The Future.
The Future is coming to Cinema City on the 17th November. Book your tickets online at www.picturehouses.co.uk
The Popcorn Chart Top 5 Movie Soundtracks
Grease (1978)
33 years down the line, the incredibly popular musical will forever remain a contender for having one of the best film soundtracks of all time. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (along side a stellar cast) capture the teen-angsty spirit of the 1950s, immersing the viewwe in a nostalgic soundtrack. With unforgettable and joyous pop classics, including Summer Nights, Greased Lightnin’, You’re the One That I Want and We Go Together, several of which achieved pop-hit status, the soundtrack carries a repeat value that will continue to stand the test of time forever (and succeed).
timeless classics. Releasing a burst of adrenaline as soon as Miserlou kicks in, it delivers a number of delights, including Son of a Preacher Man and Girl, You’ll Be a Woman Soon, continuously reminding the listener of the film’s unforgettably chilling events. The soundtrack is a demonstration of Tarantino’s exquisite taste when it comes to film music. In the words of Jules, it’s simply “Kool and the Gang”.
Quentin Tarantino is renowned for carefully handpicking each track to accompany his cult masterpieces. Featuring memorable snippets of the film’s dialogue, Pulp Fiction’s soundtrack contains a powerfully diverse selection of songs, ranging from rock ‘n’ roll to a number of
a perfect complication alongside a charming romantic comedy, one could only wish that its playlist was infinite.
Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist (2008)
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy Pulp Fiction (1994)
storming down the hills of Helm’s Deep, hairyfooted Hobbits in the Shire, and the picturesque New Zealand landscapes. Shore’s approach to the soundtrack completely enhances the mood and setting, ultimately adding to the considerable immersion of a believable world that encompasses The Lord of the Rings.
(2001-2003)
Howard Shore’s attempt to evoke the visual spectacle of Middle-Earth results in a stupendous soundtrack of similar epic proportions. The sheer grand scale of Peter Jackson’s trilogy is juxtaposed with truly evocative and immense orchestral music, transporting the listener to the film’s memorable moments: ferocious Uruk-hai
Since music is a predominant focus in Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, a well-chosen soundtrack was essential to accurately convey a narrative revolving around the characters’ passion for music. Well, arguably, it’s the film’s prime highlight. Offering an array of contemporary material by some of indie rock’s finest artists (Vampire Weekend, The Submarines and We Are Scientists), each song is a sweet compliment, creating a rich and eclectic mix of 15 tracks. Its soundtrack will inspire listeners to get acquainted with the artists’ other work. With
The Social Network (2010)
Undoubtedly, Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails) and Atticus Ross fully deserved both a Golden Globe and Academy Award for Best Original Score for The Social Network’s haunting soundtrack. Its dark ambient and minimalistic sound, composed of electronic instrumentation, warm and subtle orchestration, and hypnotic rhythms sets a distinct tone for the film’s darkest moments. From the gentle and beautifully melodic Hand Covers Bruise, to an experimentation of the classic In the Hall of the Mountain King, Reznor and Ross’ debut score creates the perfect atmosphere to express every depth of human perception, bringing one of the finest scores to cinema. Darren Jamieson
17
08.11.2011
TELEVISION
concrete.tv@uea.ac.uk
The Student On Screen With Fresh Meat recommissioned for a second series, Venue ask whether the student life is represented well on TV?
If you think about how you would go about representing students ‘fairly’ on television, it’s really not that easy. Students are probably one of the most difficult groups of people to get right on TV, because there is so much scope for getting it horribly wrong. Recent attempts such as Off the Hook (BBC3) have aimed for the middle of the road and as such have been mercilessly run down. However, the latest student-centred show Fresh Meat (C4) falls somewhere more intriguing, between surprising success and lacklustre failure. Where it gets it right is in attempting to depict a variety of student archetypes. The effort to do this is clear and should be applauded. At least it is not the grossly misconceived and bafflingly alienating Skins, anyway. It is all very well to say all students get hammered constantly, sleep with everyone on campus and can cook nothing but pasta, but that’s not actually true, is it? People are a little more complex than that, and reducing such a wide and varied group of individuals to such basic characters is bound to be a little unsatisfying to watch. Fresh Meat features two ‘average’ students: the blonde girl who bonks Jack Whitehall, and the guy played by Simon
off The Inbetweeners, who is essentially playing Simon from The Inbetweeners. This is partly due to the script, but also the fault of his one acting trait apparently being to ‘do funny eyes’ whenever something awkward
Frozen Planet
James Sykes
The X Factor
BBC1, Wednesdays, 9pm
If there is one thing that the BBC consistently gets right, it is the making of an epic nature documentary. Their recent efforts, Human Planet and Ocean Giants, narrated by the silky tones of John Hurt and Stephen Fry, were compelling and widely watched, but it is when the BBC collaborates with Sir David Attenborough that television heaven is made. Frozen Planet premiered to 6.8 million viewers on BBC1 and, alongside the name David Attenborough, became a Twitter trending topic across the world. Focusing on the Northern and Southernmost parts of our planet, it follows the changing seasons and the effects of these transformations upon the animals that live there. Mesmerizing camera footage tracks no fewer than 10 species which, combined with Attenborough’s sensitive and unique narration, shows an aspect of our world that few of us will ever experience. The show creates a narrative that allows the viewer to become personally involved with its animal cast, so that they care if the penguin outruns the sea lion or
happens. As the average student goes however, they are not bad portrayals. They worry a lot, and drink a lot. Which, for me at least, is quite a reassuring thing to see on television because it means I don’t feel so
bad about myself (obviously the only reason why anybody watches television). Plot-wise is more where student shows fall down, because they are more often than not comedy shows, which need to be more exaggerated and more ridiculous if they wish to remain funny. This inevitably results in shows becoming too removed from reality to fairly represent students. But you could also argue that a show which did represent the ‘average’ student’s life, without the added drama of TV, would just be plain dull. A show, for example, catering to my student life would be an epic in which I drink obscene amounts of red wine and watch old episodes of Doctor Who. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing to be doing. It’s not. It’s brilliant. But I’m not sure many people would want to watch it. And I already live it. Nevertheless, Fresh Meat is a definite step in the right direction, but I’d suggest that a show with less overt comic intentions is the way forward. You can’t escape silliness but perhaps a show aiming for something higher might achieve something more satisfying and more genuine.
ITV, Saturdays and Sundays, 8pm
the wolf catches the bison. This process of anthropomorphism is a key ingredient of every modern and successful nature epic. Taking four years to make, Frozen Planet is a seven-part documentary and, like its classic predecessors, contains images that are unforgettable, such as David Attenborough, who is eighty-five, presenting literally from the south pole. However, the main difference with this series to his previous work is that, in the final episode, Attenborough will divulge his opinion on Global Warming, an argument that he has previously refrained from becoming embroilded in. Indeed, the ratings for Frozen Planet speak for themselves; the public know what to expect with shows in the Planet series and will undoubtedly continue to watch everything under the Attenborough seal of quality.
Lucy Etheridge
Having been a staple of British television and popular culture since 2004, numerous concerns have been raised about the state of the current series of The X Factor. For a show so resolutely and unashamedly formulaic, its problem has always been the creation of engaging ‘drama’. However, the headlines this year have been unusually negative: tabloids nationwide continue to question whether ‘the next generation’ of X Factor judges (consisting of Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, Tulisa Constotavlos and the ever-present Louis Walsh) are up to the task. Rowland’s absence from the panel on Saturday night due to a mysterious and apparently very rare throat infection added fuel to the journalistic fire, and rumours abounded that the ‘illness’ had something to do with her public spat with Constotavlos the previous week. Both judges have independently denied any such claims, with Constotavlos claiming that “What happens on the panel, stays on the panel.” The argument, which stemmed from
Rowland’s act, Mischa B, being accused of bullying the other contestants, caused some controversy, but one has to ask whether an X Factor judge would really miss a week of mentoring their acts because of a petty feud. It seems unlikely, after all, arguments among the panel are as much part of the programme as each week’s performances, and are often the most enjoyable parts of the show. Nevertheless, regardless of any frosty relationships between the judging panel, one cannot deny the raw talent of some of this year’s contestants: the energetic and soulful Marcus Collins is a joy to watch and listen to, while the sweet, haunting voice of Janet Devlin (best displayed during the recent Halloween-themed special) never fails to give me goose-bumps. If the panel does really fall apart, hopefully the contestants’ performances will be enough to hold the show together.
Matt Mulcahy
COMPETITIONS
08.11.2011 concrete.competitions@uea.ac.uk
Crossword 1
ACROSS
2 3
4. A brand milkshake
6
6. The capital of Cameroon
4 5 7
18
8
8. The biggest manufacturer of gummy and jelly sweets in the world
9 10
11
10. The star sign name for the crab
12
13
13. Chelsea player caught up in a race row 14. A method of hiding
14 15 16
17
16. A person who moves from one place to another without a permanent abode 18. A carved stone grotesque
18 19 20
19. A house robot from Robot Wars designed to resemble a dinosaur 21. The name of unsuccessful song by Andrew Cole
21 22
22. Pakistani cricketer recently charged with corruption
DOWN
Competition
1. The windy city 2. Name of the jedi in the Star Wars franchise played by Liam Neeson
This week we are giving away tickets to BOTH Adam Cohen and The Damned at UEA’s LCR!
3. The name of failed perpetrator who has a day named after him
Adam Cohen, Leonard Cohen’s son, is bringing a special, early evening (7-10pm) seated acoustic performance to the LCR on Saturday 12th November, whilst The Damned will be celebrating their 35th Anniversary Tour in suitably raucous style on Monay 14th November.
5. The reality star under fire over divorce
To be in with a chance of winning, bring your completed crossword to the Concrete office by 3pm on Friday 11th November. You will be contacted by telephone and email if you have won. Name: Telephone number: Email address:
7. Confectionary mounted on a stick 9. A yellow vegetable 11. Veined I talian blue cheese 12. Freshwater crustacean that resembles a small lobster CONTACT DETAILS 15. Old number seven 17. Finnish multinational communications corporation 20. To hold in an affectionate manner
19 Tuesday 8th LCR Club Nights: Pyjama Party (10:00pm 1:30am) Price: £3.50UEA LCR
Sunday 13th
08.11.2011
NOVEMBER 2011 Wednesday 9th Waterfront gigs: Maverick Sabre (7:30pm) Price: £10.50 The Waterfront Go Spike Volleyball (7:00-9:00pm) Price: £3.50 UEA Sportspark
Monday 14th
Waterfront Gigs: Turin Brakes (7:00pm) Price: £18 The Waterfront
LCR Gigs: The Damned 35th Anniversary Tour (7:00pm) Price: £18 UEA LCR
High School Rocks (6:30pm) Price: £12.50£15
Waterfront Gigs: Alkaline Trio - 15th Anniversary Tour (7:30pm) Price: £16.50 The Waterfront
Friday 18th Waterfront Club Nights: The Wonderful World of DJ Yoda (10:00pm) Price: £12/ £10 NUS The Waterfront
LISTINGS
concrete.listings@uea.co.uk
Saturday 19th Waterfront Gigs: Higher On Maiden (7:00pm) Price: £10 The Waterfront Waterfront Club Nights: MELTDOWN + METAL LUST (10:00pm) Price: £3.50 NUS The Waterfront LCR Club Nights: The A List (10:00pm) Price: £4.50 UEA LCR
Thursday 10th LCR Gigs : Rise Against (7:30pm) Price: £18.50 UEA LCR ‘Freedom’ (7:30pm) Price: £8.00 Norwich Puppet Theatre
Tuesday 15th Waterfront Gigs: Guillemots (7:30pm) Price: £15 The Waterfront
Friday 11th LCR Gigs: Motorhead (plus special guests UK Subs and Anti Nowhere League) (7:00pm) Price: £26 UEA LCR Waterfront Club Nights : Color (10:00pm-4:00am) Price: £10/£8 NUS The Waterfront
Wednesday 16th Waterfront Gigs: Dimmu Borgir (7:30pm) Price: £16 The Waterfront
Saturday 12th Waterfront Gigs: Tinchy Stryder (6:30pm) Price: £12.50 The Waterfront Waterfront Gigs : MELTDOWN + BRITPOPPIN (10pm) Price: £3.50 The Waterfront LCR Gigs: Adam Cohen (7:00pm) Price: £14/ £9.50
Thursday 17th Waterfront Gigs: Madina Lake (7:30pm) Price: £12.50 The Waterfront
The Comedy Store Listings (7:00pm-10:00pm) Price: £12.50 The Forum
Sunday 20th Waterfront Gigs: Aynsley Lister (7:00pm) Price: £12 The Waterfront
Monday 21st Waterfront Gigs: The Naked and Famous (7:30pm) Price: £14 The Waterfront Waterfront Gigs: Exit Ten + Fei Comodo + Never Means Maybe (7:30pm) Price: £8 The Waterfront
Tuesday 22nd Flamenco Dance Classes + live Flamenco guitar Every Tuesday (7:45-21:00pm) Price: £7.50 Heather Millan School Of Dance & Performing Arts
Photo by Aliya MacKenzie
Coldplay |
Chloe Hashemi
27.10.11
When Concrete Met Coldplay brain just switches on, I can’t really explain it. I’ve had a few gigs where I’ve thought, “oh I won’t really try”, because I’m not feeling well. But, when it comes down to it, you can’t help but go for it. Which is why sometimes you end up getting sick or something. I never feel like I don’t want to do this. Have there been many times that you’ve been poorly and you’ve had to go on? Not that many, touch wood. Look at like what Adele has to do, she has to do it all on her own, she doesn’t have a band. So she has, like, four times the workload. The only thing that stops someone is when their body kind of collapses, but the brain never does. Is it true that Norwich was one of your first gigs as a band out of uni? Yeah it is true. In fact, it was in the same room downstairs where we were sound checking just now. The LCR? Right. We realised that there were more people in that sound check just now than there were when we first played here. We heard that the doors weren’t even open by the time you first started playing… Ha! Were you supporting someone? We were supporting three people... Oh right, were you bottom of the bill? Yeah, we were opening for the openers of the openers. And now look at you! Well what’s funny is that it’s still the same four/five people, you know? That’s what makes it fun. How have you kept that going? So many bands fall apart, or at least a couple of members drop off. We share credit. And we share money. You promote fair trade and equality, does this ethic extend to the working of the band? In 80% of what we do, yes.
Max Hetherington
A
s far as dignified actions go, running in wellington boots after Zane Lowe is not in the top one hundred. But there we were, chasing after one of the coolest men on the planet. Concrete wanted Coldplay and, in the hours leading up to this moment, every avenue had been tried. And, one by one, we had failed at every turn. Zane had to help us. And he did. Taking his advice we stood outside the backdoor of the LCR and, upon the band’s arrival, we yelled. We yelled like a 14 year
old from Kansas would at Justin Bieber. It worked. Chris Martin himself came over to see what we were making a fuss about. Grabbing his hand, we asked him for an interview. He agreed and, after the band’s sound check, we were led into the green room. The most striking thing about Chris Martin in person is his eyes. He has the most intense stare, the kind that takes your eyeballs in its hands and won’t let them go. He’s fascinating to talk to, measured and careful, yet relaxed and funny. For
all the bravado about Coldplay being the “biggest band in the world”, Chris Martin was humble and un-starry. It was a genuine pleasure meeting him.
It is lovely to meet you, Chris. What was it like coming back and playing a small venue? [Coldplay recorded a live lounge for Radio 1 in the Blue Bar]. Well it’s wonderful. It’s humbling and it reminds you why you’re doing it. If you still enjoy that, then you’re still in the right job.
Do you know what I mean? Without all the smoke and the mirrors and thousands of people watching. We realise that actually we’re a little band and we just love playing. To a load of pissed students! Do you ever get up on stage and think, “ahhh it’s just another 30,000 people?” Do you become numb to it? No, not at all. Even if you’re feeling terrible, there’s an adrenaline that kicks in as soon as you think that anyone has paid or made an effort to be there. Something in your
So there’s no animosity? No there’s no animosity at all over money. If one of you is much, much richer than the other and arrives to work on a skateboard whilst another one lands on the roof in a helicopter, it’s going to cause problems. I’m sorry for eating whilst talking to you by the way. [Chris is eating his dinner, chunky vegetable soup]. It’s fine! Keep going. How do you feel when you listen to Parachutes? I don’t.
[Laughter]. Not that it’s a condensed album but it’s stripped down. And now that you’ve got bigger as a band, your sound has evolved hugely. Is that something that you’ve done consciously because you’ve been playing to bigger and bigger audiences? We’re always doing what we think we like. On our new record there are some stripped down moments but we haven’t done a whole stripped down record since then.
Yeah turquoise I like. Anything kind of marine…
Thank you, Kevin! He doesn’t let me speak to anyone!
Are you going to be Beyonce and Jay Z’s godfather? Are you a fucking tabloid journalist?! You’ve gone from a lovely lady into… [laughter].
We are forever indebted, we feel very honoured… What is the best gig you’ve ever done? Glastonbury, this year 2011
I’m just throwing it out there! We’re curious. I have no idea. I’ve never even met them.
Who would you say is your biggest influence? Now? Bruce Springsteen.
Would you like to do another one? I don’t know. I like varying it. I like jumping from small to big and from big to small. I think since Parachutes you could probably make another whole album that sounded like it by taking bits off the other records. But then we did that and... I don’t know. Each time we just follow what we’re excited by.
Har har. What I will say about Beyonce is that at Glastonbury, she was the best thing there. Secondly, she was pregnant and feeling sick and she still beat everyone else into the ground.
Your favourite Coldplay song? Er, they’re all the same.
What are you excited by? It could a keyboard sound. Or, it could be the idea of playing Glastonbury. What was it like playing Glastonbury? Because that’s something that we, well never say never but…we’re going to say are probably not going to experience. That for us is as close as we can get to having a home, albeit one which only exists once a year. But often when we’re writing and we’re putting stuff together, when we close our eyes, that’s the view that we see, in terms of a frame for how the music is going to be. So that has an influence on certain choices of songs. We’ve written an awful lot of acoustic things but in my head I’m always conscious of the Glastonbury stage. So the things that I don’t think would work there, don’t make it. It’s a wonderful place because it’s so natural and so uncorporate. It’s still a family event, as in it’s still run by Michael and Emily. Did you go to it? [Joe] Yeah I was there! It’s wonderful isn’t it? It’s insane. And you guys were amazing. Thanks man. We really worked hard for that. What’s so great about Glastonbury is that it’s kind of all the positive things of life. If you don’t like one thing then you go and watch something else. And if you don’t like that then you go watch something else. So you don’t have to moan about anything… Apart from the mud. That is true… The mud is part of it though. Chris, it’s serious question time. Is your favourite colour yellow? Ha! No. What is your favourite colour? Blue. Interesting. We’d have said turquoise…
She’s phenomenal … It was phenomenal at the time but after I learned how she was feeling I felt even more depressed. I was like, “we gotta try a lot harder!” The new album is fantastic. Thank you. The album hasn’t been out long… But, where are you going to go from here? I don’t know. Maybe nowhere... Is it possible to get bigger and better? No. In this day and age it’s only possible to get smaller, which I’m sure we’ll do. And worse, which hopefully we won’t. Hopefully we’ll get smaller and better. Well, hopefully not smaller but you know what I mean, bands aren’t as much of a big deal as they once were. However, like I said, we love it, be it in a student union or headlining Glastonbury. If someone’s interested in listening, we’re interested in playing, you know? Do you feel maybe that you break that mould? You say you’ll become smaller but you saw here at UEA that people queued overnight to get tickets to see you. I don’t really know how we are, I think if you start taking in all that positive stuff, you have to take in all the negative stuff. So for every new fan you get, you get another person who really thinks you’re shit. And, being British, we’re always very aware of both sides. So we try to put blinkers on. Does it upset you, even now, when someone says something negative? No, it doesn’t upset me, I’m just aware of it. I don’t want to get too full of myself because of that faction. I don’t care if someone doesn’t like us, that’s fine. Go watch some TV or listen to Oasis. Whatever. You know what I mean? It’s music, not a fascist regime that we’re trying to impose. So, it’s completely fine not to like us but, like I said, that’s the thing that stops you from being too “rockstar-y”. [A man walks up behind Chris]. This is Kevin by the way, he’s allowed this interview to happen, he’s the chief of our label.
Ha, that’s a quote right there! Not like that! What’s your least favourite Coldplay song? We don’t play it. It used to be a song called Talk, only because Guy (Coldplay’s bassist) doesn’t like it. So, I don’t like playing it because I know he doesn’t like it. Oh, and speed of sound because we never got it right. Favourite fruit? Mango. [Chris is picking bits of kiwi out of a bowl of fruit salad]. Is there any mango on that platter? Nah there’s not. There’s some melon though… That’s close enough… This is Jonny by the way. [Jonny, the lead guitarist strolls over to see what’s going on]. He plays, um… I think he plays drums but I’m not sure. Ha! Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us. So do you guys want to do this when you’re older? That’s the plan. Do you get to see many people that come through UEA? Yeah we see a few people when they come to Norwich. [Hannah] You were bloody hard to get hold of though. Do you know what it is? It’s because if we do too many bits of talking, we end up saying stupid things. But you grabbed me and asked me so I agreed. Yeah thank you so much! And it really didn’t take long once you asked me! No it didn’t! If you want to do this as a job it’s good to be outgoing and to take your chances. Are you wearing wellington boots? I am. I was walking my dog on the Norfolk broads earlier today and then I got a text saying I should come and try talk to you. So I came dressed for walking Muffin. It’s cool, it kinda adds to the local theme. Well, when in Norfolk after all…
live
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uea lcr
Max Hetherington Six BRIT Awards, 50 million albums sold worldwide and 15m “likes” on their Facebook page. The band is Coldplay, and they are headlining the LCR, a room described by Radio 1 DJ Zane Lowe as a “shitty little box.” The atmosphere is electric, and unsurprisingly so. Some waited all day and all night in the cold and slept in the Hive to secure their place. Others, like this writer, got lucky with the great ticket scramble that followed the mammoth queue. Immediately, you realise this is no ordinary gig. As Zane Lowe limbers up on stage; playing the sort of set that would be worth at least a fiver and more than satiate a typically inebriated LCR crowd, the excitement builds. A couple of famous faces join the New Zealander on stage, namely Fearne Cotton
and UEA alumnus Greg James, and are greeted by the spine-chilling sound of the assembled crowd chanting “Oh UEA is wonderful,” claiming the packed arena as their own. The lights go down on Lowe’s set, and Coldplay emerge to rapturous applause: Chris Martin dominated the LCR stage with the prowess you’d expect from such a seasoned artist of international renown. They open with Hurts Like Heaven, a song from new album Mylo Xyloto. Those fearing a barrage of songs from the new album needn’t have worried, as the hits poured forth from the “best band in the world.” The LCR was sweltering, the sweat visible on Martin’s face even from as far back as the end of the dancefloor, but the heat diminished not his energetic
performance. The entire set was a triumph of the virtues of intimate venues such as the LCR over the sanitised, commercial and distant feel of stadium gigs and branded arenas. God Put A Smile Upon Your Face was unarguably the highlight, with a longer intro building to crescendo as the crowd sang along to every word. Predictably, the ever poignant Fix You provided the evening’s emotional peak, as Martin dedicated the song to Jordan, who died when he was just eight days old, at the request of his father Carl Lake, on the 12th anniversary of his passing. Enormous credit must be given to Martin for this dedication, which far too many bands would have ignored. Few would have criticised Coldplay for doing just this. However, the lead singer was suffering himself, and the band’s encore
was thus shortened to three songs to allow Martin to fly off and see his father. The set ended with an obscure trio of songs, including Green Eyes and two tracks from the latest release, but Coldplay had already more than satisfied their brief. As the band walked off to another cacophony of noise, and the lights came up on the now empty LCR stage, the feeling gave way to an almost palpable numbness. Around 1,700 people just saw Coldplay headlining the LCR, a venue they played some years ago almost bereft of support. Such an event will likely never happen again, and nowhere else could it have generated the sort of frenzied excitement that shrouded this most special of gigs. Chris King