The Courier 1272 - Summer Pull-out

GUiDe TO THE

E T A m i uLT

sUmMER Illustration: Fran Ede

2.summerspecial

Welcome from the Editor A

nd like that, another year at Newcastle University has passed by – for some your first, and for others your last. Whether, like me, you’re leaving the University environment for good or you’re simply taking some well-earned time away before September once again rolls round, one thing is for certain: we all need a break. And some sun.

While chances of sunshine are seeming increasingly slim, the British resolve means we’re not going to give up having a proper summer holiday without a fight. There are only so many years where you get three whole months to do whatever you want, right slap bang in the middle of the calendar – you should choose wisely what you do with yours. Luckily, there are tonnes of opportunities out there, no matter what you’re into.

You might be planning on going travelling to fulfil the mini Kerouac within you – if so, take a look at pages 4 and 5 for Lifestyle’s satirical travelling tips and how exactly you’re supposed to pack one bag to last you more than a week. If you plan on heading abroad, have a brilliant time.

Maybe you’re not such an outdoorsy type and your kick comes from celluloid and shady rooms – lucky for you there are a bunch of film festivals taking place soon, and one of Tyneside Cinema’s all-night Cult Classic marathons. Speaking from experience, it’s not to be missed. Get inspired by what a cinema can offer you on page 3.

Or maybe you’re into the other type of festival – yes, it’s music festival season once again. Glasto is back and they’ve got the Rolling Stones and, erm, Mumford & Sons with them! Shame about the lack of Bowie and Fleetwood Mac, but there are always those secret slots on the Park stage to keep an eye on. Head over to pages 8 and 9 to check out some lesser-know UK and European music fests.

Then there’s Edinburgh. How to encapsulate in one sentence what the Scottish capital can offer in the next few months? Simply put, you can’t – there’s a multitude of comedians, theatrical performances, art galleries and more to look at. A bunch of it is at a student’s favourite price – FREE! – and when you can get return trains for £20, it’s an easy way to do something memorable without having to sell a kidney to make it happen.

Perhaps you’re more of a sporting type – sure, there’s no Olympics this year and anything after 2012 might seem like a step down, but there’s still that old British favourite Wimbledon to look out for. See page 12 for some alternative suggestions of exciting sports to look out for including an amazing-looking sumo wrestling tournament if you’re lucky enough to be heading to, um, Japan.

Sorry to all you Masters students – a whole summer lies ahead of dissertation, heavy books and library sessions. But that’s no reason to shrivel up into a ball and play dead over the coming months.

If you learned one thing during your undergrad, it’s that essay writing means extended essay breaks. And if you’re heading to see The Great Gatsby that’s almost educational, right? If Gatsbyfever has struck you hard, head over the pages 6 and 7 for a ’20s-inspired photo shoot at the beautiful Jesmond Dene House.

It doesn’t finish at the end of August either – in September, the British Science Festival is making its way over to The Toon from the 7th, and there are loads of opportunities to get involved. Have a look just to the right of this column for more information, it should be huge.

Thank you for reading The Courier this year – it’s been brilliant producing a paper for you every week. I hope this summer guide sends us out with a bang. Good luck with your degrees and I’ll see you on the other side of life – the scary side with adults and jobs and things. Most of all though – make sure 2013 is your best summer ever.

Yours, Ben Travis Editor

Monday 13 May 2013

The Courier

What’s it all about?

The British Science Festival is a national event which celebrates the brilliance of science. Taking place every year, this September Newcastle plays host. It combines hands on exhibits with talks from guest speakers, and popular media from the world of science. From Biology, to Chemistry, to Agriculture, and back again there truly will be something for everyone.

Festival officer Coralie Young says that with the festival “We want to bring a diverse, and exciting range of events to the city, that celebrate all the sciences; engineering, technology and maths. Central to it all, is our aim to bring science to everyone, so we try to cater for different audiences, with different interests, and provide something that absolutely everyone can enjoy and get involved in” Being one of the biggest celebrations of science, engineering and technology in Europe it really is something not to missed.

What we can expect?

Coralie said we can expect “diverse range of events, from workshops and lectures, to exhibitions, shows and debates. Similarly we cover a broad range of science, technology, engineering and mathematics, from astrophysics and anatomy to the science of food, drink and laughter” Last year at Aberdeen guest speakers included Brian Cox, Richard Wiseman, and Bill Bryson.

Talks and lectures take interesting topics and give them a unique and refreshing look delivered by charismatic experts in the fields.

Some titles last year included; sperm warfare, Food addiction: Fact or fiction and Titanic engineering.

Aside from the lectures there are hands on events and workshops for all ages for example The science behind food labels, and Can we grow missing body parts.

With something for everyone ranging from events for professionals to young children the festival aims to make science fun and accessible for people of all ages.

Newcastle University’s own Student Science team from the SAgE outreach programme will be on hand throughout the whole event providing fun and accessible science activities for people of all ages.

Jenny Rigby (pictured) is a street scientist and says “it’s great to be able to be part of getting Newcastle hyped up for the festival” She says she hopes “our science busking is sparking or re-kindling love for science in the public” Look out for them on Thursday 12th September around 5pm when they’ll be launching a Flash mob orchestra at Monument to celebrate the end of the festival.

Comprising of the street science team, buskers from Framwellgate School, and encouraging participation from members of the public. Instruments will be made up of a glove-a-phone and a drinking straw kazoo teaching the science of sound.

Anytime you think it’s getting quiet the street science team are going to hit you with science that you didn’t even know existed using household objects to educate the public and get people excited about science.

Keep up with what the street science team are doing on twitter: @nustreetscience

How can I get involved?

If you want to get involved with the festival, The British Science Association are recruiting Festival Assistants, so anybody keen to get involved should check out http://www.britishscienceassociation.org/aboutfestival/apply-be-festival-assistant - to find out how to apply.

Assistants can apply to one of three strands: helping at events, the Young People’s Programme, or the Press Centre. Events assistants take on a variety of roles, including jobs such as AV assistant, box office attendant, and audience assistant.

Young People’s Programme assistants will help to run the activities catering for thousands of school children that will be attending workshops and activities.

Finally, Press Centre assistants will be involved in the day-to-day running of the Festival Press Centre.

The festival runs from 7-12 September inclusively so get yourselves down to the events. Most of them are free and are going to be on your doorstep. You’d be mad to miss it!

James Simpson

The Courier

summerspecial.3

Monday 13 March 2013

Sun Screen: how to ‘do’ film festivals The Great Tyneside Cinema Anniversary Celebration 25-26 May With 29 cult classic movies, £1 entry, a 10pm start and an 11pm finish the next day, the Tyneside Anniversary Overnighter is an event not to be missed! Last year, pyjamas, blankets, sleeping bags, coffee, alcohol and Red Bull littered the screens as the people of Newcastle dug deep to see their favourite films at 3am.

This is an event that everyone should do at least once in their lives. The combination of great films at absurd hours is enough to drag people in, but when adding alcohol and energy drink consumption, this overnighter takes on a life of its own. No one has to have a massive appreciation of cinema, you don’t have to be a cult classic fan or a connoisseur of film to come along and enjoy; this is pure unadulterated fun surrounded by good people. There are ups and downs with people falling asleep in the cinema, getting drunk and walking into the wrong toilet, but it’s just as fun as a night out.

The Tyneside experienced its 75th Anniversary last year and as the Cult Classic Overnighter did so well, they brought it back. From Pulp Fiction to My Neighbour Totoro and The Rocky Horror Picture Show to The Shawshank Redemption, there’s something to satisfy everyone - if you can stay awake. Advice from previous years has been to have a coffee every other movie and maybe go for a little stroll around the Monument to get some fresh air. But ultimately it’s how you play it, like any festival you’re in it till the end and going fast and burning out isn’t wise, so take it slow, take a nap in the Tyneside Bar before grabbing another beer and soldiering on.

This is one of the most interesting nights you’ll have. The historic building, matched with friendly staff and good movies is an irresistible mix. You’ll have lots of nights out, but the capacity to keep going through all these films will separate the men from the boys and the geeks from everyone else! So go on down for a night you’ll never forget.

Aisha Dinn

Sheffield Docfest 12-16 June

Sheffield Docfest descends upon the city with the same cultural stranglehold as Edinburgh’s Fringe but in many ways is much more than a festival - it’s a perfect platform for anyone wanting to work in digital film or broadcasting. Uniting the movers and shakers of the industry through a incredible programme of premieres, workshops and after parties, you have the chance to meet everyone from the makers of Blue Planet to Louis Theroux, with last year’s opening film Searching for Sugarman trailblazing to a subsequent 2013 Oscar success.

With the festival sinking its talons into Sheffield’s cultural venues, including the local Picturehouse Cinema and the historic Crucible theatre, the variety allows punters to pick and choose select screenings via the purchase of single tickets.

However if you are after a more immersive VIP experience, there is also a Festival Pass option for £299 allowing access to every event, talk and after party in the programme, which considering the calibre and standard of guests, could be a good investment towards a host of networking opportunities.

An alternative is also the Doc lovers pass, offering entry into every film on the programme for a mere £60. As an irresistible week of storytelling, industry information and arts events, Docfest is a must on the summer festival calendar. Tickets go on sale from the 13th of May.

Edinburgh International 19th - 30th June

Edinburgh International Film Festival is renowned around the world for discovering and promoting the very best in global cinema and is consistently at the cusp of innovation in global filmmaking trends. If that sounds a little bit too industrial festivals are basically film marketplaces anyway - the result for film fans is that Edinburgh’s cinemas and cultural sites are transformed into centres for incredible cinema, discussion and debate. For almost two weeks the city is flooded with industry bigwigs from around the world.

While the programme in the past has included everything from Patrick Stewart Q&A’s to special nationally specific world premieres - including Pixar’s Scottish set Brave – Edinburgh has been pivotal in showcasing and setting trends for world cinema, with notable past premieres including Amores Perros, Little Miss Sunshine and even The Hurt Locker as Edinburgh specific premieres. Although the line-up announcement is often posted very close to the date (29 May), leading to a massive spike in hotel prices around the city, the festival itself is a lot like Fringe allowing a huge selection of activities, workshops and films everyday that can be bought on a single ticket basis.

While there are festival passes available, many of the special events sell out incredibly quickly so if you are adamant to meet Patrick Stewart, doing your research Is a safe bet. Whether you have access to a friend’s couch or are just in Edinburgh for a couple of days, don’t let Edinburgh International Film Festival pass you by; you won’t regret it!

Frightfest

22-26 August Growing from a small journalist led event in Prince Charles Cinema in Leicester, Frightfest festival has gone from strength to the strength over its 13 year legacy, emerging as the UK’s most authoritative horror genre festival.

Now situated at the heart of Leicester square’s Empire Cinema and sponsored by Film 4, Frightfest showcases the cream of both home-grown and international horror while providing the guests that fans want to meet.

With previous icons including Dario Argento (Suspiria), and George.A.Romero (Night of the Living Dead) alongside memorabilia, incredible Q and A’s and an entire screen dedicated to classic horror, Frightfest is the perfect place to be consumed by the shambling hordes of UK horror culture.

With a wealth of UK premieres and a roster of 30 plus special guests, Frightfest also puts you at the immediate heart of horror with Empire, Total Film and every major website/magazine represented. Don’t miss the chance to meet journalists such as Kim Newman (Empire) and even Simon Pegg , often hiding away from fans in the darkened auditorium.

One the best things about Frightfest is the festival pass itself, providing a guaranteed seat in the main screen for the duration of the festival taking away the worry of missing a film due to a sell- out.

However being one of the highlights of the UK festival calendar does make Frightfest passes a hot commodity, with tickets on sale online from the 29th of June: although the annual tradition of dedicated fans queuing overnight outside Empire in the ‘sleepy queue’ is an hilarious experience in itself.

Chris Binding

4.summerspecial

Monday 13 May 2013

The Courier

School’s out: What to do in summer 2013 Uni is nearly out for the summer, so how are you going to spend your time when all you have to worry about is applying your factor 30, or finding things to occupy yourself with in the not so predictably scorching Blighty ? Whether it’s a holiday with your mates, girlfriend or you’re off to find yourself in Africa, we have the tips for a jolly good time.

The Volunteering Project For something completely different and unique one option is to head to one of the more under-developed countries the world has to offer, and spend some time volunteering. These include Africa, Cambodia, Brazil, and Sri Lanka. I didn’t go on a gap yah, so Mummy and Daddy have promised me that they will give me my trust fund account that they’ve been saving since like forever so I have loads of money to go away with. I’ve found a few really interesting projects which I’m so totally all about.

1

2 4

The first is in Africa working to build a well or something, but I don’t want to be working on a holiday so that one is definitely not for me. Also isn’t Africa full of flies and stuff, and it’s just complete extreme poverty. There’s also no beach for me to get out my cracking six pack. Also this one time, Tarquin told me that a friend of a friend went to Africa, and managed to catch some disease from an elephant or something!

The second one is in Cambodia working at a really poor children’s orphanage. Jamie did this last year and he said it was so totes worth it.

There’s like all these kids that have no parents (how do they pay for anything?) and they can’t even speak English. So you go out there and teach them, it’s really rewarding and people think you’re a really nice person yah. Plus in Cambodia I’ve heard there’s some really good hostels for a bit of travelling banter, and it’s next to Thailand so I could go and party with all my friends which would be really rad.

Another idea I had was to go to this Buddhist monastery in the Blue Mountains. I just really feel that with all the stresses of Unay life I would just love to escape to a tranquil place where I can really just find myself and who I really am without material pleasures or money. And then I could totally blog about it on my iPad mini which Daddy got for me.

3

The other one is this dissertation project that I’m so totally interested in. Basically I would get to go away to the Indonesia for a whole month to study tigers and the conservation surrounding them with one of Daddy’s friends. My friend Henry did it last year and he said at one point the tigers were so amazing he cried.

Don’t forget if you’re going to go and do one of these projects you have to get the really cool and unique picture of yourself surrounded by all the children who you’re helping. It is also a really good idea to have one of your Daddy’s producer friends make a Comic Relief type montage and post it on Facebook so all your friends know just how selfless you are. Just remember, that when you’re out there, it might be hard to hold back the raw emotion, but have a totes amazeballs time.

James Simpson

The Holiday That Never Was So whilst your friends are heading off to Malia, Magaluf or somewhere else beginning with M, you are stuck at home for summer with soggy English weather and an overdraft you’d rather not show your parents. Fear not! OK so you probably won’t be experiencing Happy Hour at a poolside bar or catching the eyes of the locals, but you can still experience the English equivalent. I appreciate that a drink at your overpriced local trying to avoid the town lecher is not quite the same but we English are known for making the best of a bad time. Here’s a list of fun ways of making the most of your stay-at-home holiday.

1

Have a BBQ – There is nothing better than sitting in your back garden, fishing supermarket value sausages from the charcoals of your BBQ. Yes, it’s only meant to be sunny for about two hours, yes everything you’ve cooked has been cremated, yes you’ll probably get food poisoning but at least you can spend the next day moping in the house rather than have to brave a banana boat in the Caribbean Sea.

3

2

Garden parties – We all love an excuse to get drunk and we all love a can of warm Pimms (since being at university, cans of already mixed alcohol have revolutionised our pre drinks). Garden parties are therefore a win. Except a family garden party… there’s a reason you haven’t seen your uncle since you were eight.

Go to the beach – Who needs the white sands of Zante when we have perfectly good, faecal buried beaches here in the UK? Buy a bucket and spade from Poundland and build an epic sandcastle on Whitley Bay seafront. Who knows, you may even be able to bare up to your calf if the weather permits.

NB: Majorca may have authentic paella but it does not sell lemon top ice creams.

5

Get a job – Because even though your friend is chocolate brown and struggling to scrimp together some money for an ice cream come August, you will be pale and rolling in it!

Haterz gon hate!

4 6

Catch up on a new TV series - So your friends have been catching up with the locals while you’ve been catching up on Breaking Bad. They may have experienced authentic Dubai but you are able to see the final series in the comfort of your own bed, with Ben & Jerrys and not have to watch it online. Not your problem when their internet connection has gone down accidentally on purpose.

Take up a hobby - Whilst your ‘friends’ have been scuba diving in Kos, you have been learning the Cello in Carlisle. Friend 0, Cultural new you 1.

7

Moan – Do what the English do best and just sit at home moaning and crying. Moan because life’s unfair, moan because you are cold and pale and moan because The Hobbit did not live up to your expectations.

And worse comes to worst, you could always go next year (and not invite them!)

Kate Stokes

The Courier

summerspecial.5

Monday 13 May 2013

Illustrations by Daisy Billowes and Ellie Hegarty

Lads Abroad

The Romantic Minibreak Finally, you have reached that stage of your relationship: the holiday. This is a big operation but the first rule is, it must look effortless. It doesn’t matter if your luggage ends up in some unheard of country or you get a million mosquito bites. This is the happiest experience of your life.

Firstly, make sure you sunbathe on your front to show off your Greek-Goddess-like body.

Keep your man near you to demonstrate what a beautiful couple you are (ensure that he is permanently tensing to really enhance the look). An ideal couple sunbathing position is to lie side by side holding hands. This suggests that you are too cool to be all over each other in the blazing sunshine (because, of course, the sun will be blazing all throughout this perfect experience) but too in love to possibly bear letting go of each other.

When the sun finally sets (but the temperature keeps at that perfect, warm but comfortable level), the only place to be is at an expensive restaurant. Try to be placed in the window – not for what there is to see, but to be seen. Ensure you pick somewhere with lots of candles for the ultimate romantic feel, and hold hands across the table, even whilst eating. This setting is particularly good for finding out how he will propose, planning the wedding and debating baby names. Make sure you talk loudly so everyone can hear. Whenever there is a silent moment declare your undying love for him. It is only kind to let your neighbouring diners share in your intimate moment.

Remember that as the perfect couple on the perfect holiday, it is your responsibility to spread the love. This means you can indulge in your passion for one another 24/7. Never, ever let go of his hand, although ideally he should have his arm around you at all times. The arm-around stance is very convenient for whispering loving secrets into one another’s ears. Remember to giggle when he does this to you. Kissing at every opportunity is another must. This tells those around you that you only have eyes for one another and to be separated would lead to the crumbling of your entire world.

Most importantly, you must consider the best way to share all of this perfection with the world of social media.

Tweet constantly in the days/weeks/months leading to departure. Upload a few photos a day onto Facebook with lots of hearts as the caption.

Remember that the selfie is a wonderful invention; it allows both of you to be in the picture at once, so for Gods sake use it. Kissing selfies are a must; otherwise you risk people thinking your holiday was a passionless one. Save the best photos for the three part holiday album on your return. Ideally hire yourself a professional photographer to get romantic portraits under palm trees and in the sea at sunset. Where this isn’t available (and even when it is) absolutely use Instagram to the best of your ability.

Remember to follow each photo with a never-ending reel of hashtags denoting your undying love.

Lastly, when you return, talk constantly about the holiday. Everyone will want to hear every single detail. Only stop talking about it when you can start talking about your next one.

Sarah Pratley

Sun, sex, and a load of top shelf banter is what you can expect from a lads holiday. Top choices of destination include Ibiza, Malia, Magaluf, Zante and Kavos; all dirt cheap to get to, and come with a no banterback guarantee.

Get yourself onto icelolly.com to book a nice little getaway in a beautiful 1 star hotel with a flushing toilet. With tiled floors for easy chunder removal and the best in uncomfortable mattresses, you’ll have everything you need in your typical Copa del lads lads lads.

In the weeks before it’s important to remember that you must be looking your best for all the birds that are sure to be looking your way. Hit your local fitness establishment and remember that it’s really important to lift as much weight as you possibly can to ensure you’re accepted as a true lad.

You really don’t have that perfect beach body until your pecs look like they need a bra, and your arms are almost as wide as your head. And don’t forget those legs; don’t want to be looking top heavy now boys.

Before you go don’t forget to get yourself down to Topman to get some vests that are 3 sizes too small for you but make you look like The Incredible Hulk but less green. Oh and make sure you get white, and then you look ten times more tanned than your pasty ginger complication shows. Pop into Kwiktan at the bottom of Northumberland Street for that classic Geordie glow and you’re almost set to go.

You’ll need to bag yourself a pair of the best Rayberries to protect those blossoming blue eyes you have. And don’t forget to pack sun cream, mainly just to draw knobs on your mate’s back when he passes out from one too many fishbowls.

Don’t forget your official Borat mankini for complete originality and a lads holiday just wouldn’t be complete without your souvenir T-shirt with a massive pair of tits and your laddish nickname on. It’s probably something to do with that filthy thing you did in Sinners that one time isn’t it? But it’s all in the name of banter.

Getting around the resort is as easy as flicking your wrist and you’re all good at that aren’t you? Hire yourself some quadbikes so you can fly round the resort at top speed. Don’t forget to sound your horn every time you see an attractive young female as they absolutely love it.

A lads holiday wouldn’t be complete without a booze cruise. Book yourself on one of these bad boys and you’ll be talking about it with the lads for years to come. Pay one price and drink all you want on a massive boat with loads of classy birds.

What better way to remember your holiday than a tattoo saying ‘Maga 2013’ on your arse cheeks, or you could go with something really deep and meaningful like ‘YOLO’ on your wrist and every time you have a really important decision to make, you can look at that and remember your true laddish colours.

So if you’re heading away this summer, make sure you do it properly, maybe even make yourself a bucket list. But remember, when you’re going at it in the sun, always use protection.

Bucket list: • Motorboat a MILF • Skinny dipping • Top banter on a booze cruise

James Simpson

The art of packing your bags

Sophie Main gives us her top tips for travelling light and avoiding those dreaded excess baggage charges this summer.

For someone who has been through the shame and expense of paying over £100 for excess luggage, I have learnt my lesson the hard way. Packing light is not easy for the fashion conscious, but if you are planning on swapping your handbag for a backpack this summer, condensing your wardrobe is a must.

Luckily, my housemate is the traveller type and has mastered the art of the backpacker look. Here are a few of her essential tips for those of you who are new to backpacking:

1

Denim is to be avoided. As tiny as your shorts are, they will still be a nightmare to get dry. Damp denim will be heavy and uncomfortable, so as excited as you were to find those Levi shorts in the sale, leave them at home.

2

Whilst backpacking through a particularly religious or conservative area, a pair of trusty leggings will make even the shortest of outfits more respectable, so make sure you pack a pair to avoid offending the locals.

3

If you’re a talented enough packer to have space left in your backpack – don’t fill it!

You never know what fabulous fashion finds you might come across on your travels, so save that space for bargains that you’re bound to come

6.summerspecial

Monday 13 May 2013

The Courier

The age of opulence With the long awaited ďŹ lm adaptation of The Great Gatsby just around the corner, the 1920s are roaring back into style.

The Fashion and Beauty Team headed down to Jesmond Dene house to recreate the glitz and glamour of the decade

The Courier

summerspecial.7

Monday 13 May 2013

Win tickets!

Tyneside Cinema have given us two tickets to give away to one lucky winner.

Which rapper was chosen by director Baz Luhrmann to curate a soundtrack for Gatsby?

The Great Gatsby opens on 17 May

Email your answer to editor.union@ncl.ac.uk before midnight on Thursday 16 May to be in with a chance of winning.

Location: Jesmond Dene House Hotel Photography: Amy O’Rourke Models: Hannah Goldstein, Georgia Morgan, Aditya Sharanya, Hannah Louise Walsh, Ashley Waterhouse and Charlie Scott Hair and Make-up: Emma Graveling, Sally Greenwood, Elizabeth Hampson, Elissa Hudson, Amy Macauley and Alison Stainsby Directed and Styled by: Sally Greenwood, Elizabeth Hampson and Elissa Hudson For outfit details and prices visit www.thecourieronline.co.uk/fashion

8.summerspecial

Monday 13 May 2013

The Courier

Wild wild fests

The Courier Music Team bring you their picks from the upcoming festival season, both home and away...

Evolution Where?

Newcastle Quayside

When?

May 26-27

How much?

£29.50 for a day £39.50 for the weekend

Last year’s Evolution Festival brought such huge names as Dizzee Rascal, Deadmau5 and Noah & The Whale to our very own Tyneside. This year it’s back, and the line-up is no less impressive: The Vaccines, Paloma Faith, Rudimental, Bastille and Ellie Goulding are all set to play the Spillers Wharf stage this May. Few other festivals of this size manage to cater to everyone’s tastes as well as Evolution. Fans of indie music have The Vaccines and Jake Bugg to look forward to, as well as Bastille, who are likely to be the band to catch this summer. Rap fans also need look no further, and UK MC P Money will be performing on Monday, and Lethal Bizzle will be around on Sunday to ensure that festival goers remain ‘dench’ for the whole weekend. Fans of dance music will be overjoyed at this year’s Ballast Hills line-up which boasts Sub Focus, MistaJam, Bondax and Modestep to name but a few.

What is so unique about Evolution Festival is the way in which it draws in huge artists from around the UK, and still manages to shine the

spotlight on local acts. Flying the flag for the Toon this year are The Lake Poets – lyrical indie for fans of The Futureheads – and Lulu James, the most soulful performer you will see this summer.

For those that haven’t been before the two stages – Spillers Wharf and Ballast Hills – are situated either side of the river, which along with the Tyne Bridge and Baltic Centre, makes for the perfect festival backdrop. All stages are on concrete, so for the love of god please leave the wellies at home. The festival also has a more relaxed, family-oriented vibe than your average, but that doesn’t mean you won’t also see plenty of vomit-covered fourteen-year-olds passed out, bottle of Frosty Jack’s in hand.

At only £39.50, tickets are cheap compared to any other festivals boasting a similar line-up.

Be sure to get yours from their website, The O2 Academy, Beatdown Records, or our very own NUSU Reception.

Lewis Lister

Creamfields Where?

Halton, Cheshire

When?

How much?

£75 for a day £160 for the weekend

August 23-25 A quintessential Cheshire farm becomes the hub of dance music for one weekend a year.

Creamfields always boasts the greatest dance, house and trance DJs in the world, with the likes of The Prodigy and Knife Party set to bring Cheshire to a standstill.

The Jack Wills brigade won’t know what’s hit them when ‘The Harlem Shake’ drops on Saturday. With back up from Eric Prydz, Sub Focus, Annie Mac and Groove Armada to name but a few, it looks set to be one of the most intense Creamfields in a long time.

Beacons Festival Where?

Skipton

When?

Now in its second year, the gang at Beacons HQ have brought some great names with them including Bonobo, Gold Panda, John Talabot, Wolf Alice, Local Natives and Solange. Providing a nice smorgasbord of music tastes, it also throws on a load of film screenings and excellent food, provided by a range of vendors including the excellent Fish&, and Portland Truckers. At a pretty decent price and in the delightful surroundings of Yorkshire, Beacons is the ideal budget festival that still manages to pack tonnes of character in.

Chris Taylor

Beach Break Where?

When?

How much?

£40 for Silver access £84 for Gold access

June 20-24 This year, Beach Break are going bigger and better than ever before, boasting over thirty venues. They’re set to hold secret gigs, surf lessons, rooftop raves, art installations, pool parties and, best of all, a 24 hour music policy. It seems that ‘mischief ’ is high on the Beach Break agenda, so expect flash mobs and boat parties galore.

With this much fun to be had, the line-up almost becomes irrelevant. Fortunately, the organisers have enlisted the help of Jake Bugg, AlunaGeorge, Skream, Gentleman’s Dub Club, Foreign Beggars and Shy FX to name but a few.

Lewis Lister

End of the Road Where?

North Dorset

When?

August 30 - September 1

How much?

£175 for the weekend

£35-40 for a day £99.50 for the weekend

August 16-18

Josh Nicholson

Newquay, Cornwall

How much?

End of the Road is a proper ‘boutique’ music festival. It isn’t really about the partying and it’s not going to be mental, but it’s a few good bands playing with less of the hysteria that you often find at the bigger music festivals.

The ethos of the organisers was to create an intimate festival with a friendly and relaxed feel.

They pride themselves on the ‘little touches’ that will really augment your festival experience, including live comedy and cinema. Belle & Sebastian, David Byrne and St Vincent, Sigur Ros, Warpaint and Dinosaur Jr headline.

Mike Slaski

The Courier

Exit Where?

Novi Sad, Serbia

When?

July 10-14

How much?

£95 at face value, but this might be an ebay job

Tomorrowland Where?

Boom, Belgium

When?

July 26-28

summerspecial.9

Monday 13 May 2013

How much?

€47.50 at face value, but this might be an eBay job

Exit is held in an 18th century fortress by the river Danube. The surrounding area is lush, with a sandy beach by the river’s edge This, coupled with the extreme likelihood of excellent weather, should make it a very attractive festival destination.

It’s not the most bold of line-ups, but that won’t necessarily put you off. The organizers have opted for many well established acts of the ‘safe bet’ variety. Snoop Lion, née Dogg, is a superstar but there must be some doubt about how well his new reggae persona will be received, and his headline set could go either way. Bloc Party, The Prodigy and Fatboy Slim are sure to provide an energetic live experience, and many people will look forward to Diplo.

Elsewhere Eric Prydz and Dubfire headline a dance arena that will also see DJ sets from Chase & Status and SBTRKT. Thom Yorke’s new group Atoms for Peace will headline, and are arguably the most intriguing spectacle of the weekend.

All in all it’s a decent line-up but it doesn’t feature many fresh artists at all.

Mike Slaski Tomorrowland is widely regarded as one of the world’s biggest EDM festivals, taking place in Boom, Belgium every year since 2005 and attracting crowds of around 180,000 electro-heads to see legendary acts such as Faithless and Moby, along with more recent bigwigs like Skrillex and Deadmau5, grace the decks. This year promises to be just as big, with headline slots from DJ Tiësto, Avicii and Fedde le Grande, and even more acts still to be confirmed. Not only is this a big festival in itself, it also provides what UK festivals such as Creamfields cannot: guaranteed sunshine for the whole three days. It’s like a holiday and a festival in one, no wellies necessary.

Need any more convincing? Watch last year’s Official Aftermovie on YouTube, and you’ll get an idea of just how big Tomorrowland – a kind of worldwide summit of electronic aficionados - is going to be. With initial tickets having sold out in just 35 minutes, and another release imminent, fans should prepare for disappointment – but hey, there’s always eBay. Al Bell

Festival fashion

Melt!

Where?

Saxony-Anhalt, Germany

When?

How much? €135.90 for the weekend

May 26-27

Roskilde Where?

Roskilde, Denmark

When?

June 29 - July 27

How much?

£216.47 for the full festival, £109.93 for a day

Whilst the likes of Django Django, Everything Everything and Woodkid may salivate many a student tongue, the main attraction for newcomers to the area of Ferropolis is the showcase of gigantic machines and other man-made structures which create the ‘look’ of the festival.

It’s a very industrial angle to take, and one that sets Melt! apart as something more than ‘just another music festival’. Whilst the wealth of bands announced so far will surely bring in punters far and wide, it’s worth noting that there’s an entire sub-demographic who will be drawn in by the faux-museum atmosphere brought about by having some of the world’s biggest coal excavators and cranes towering above them across the weekend of the 19th of July.

Whilst the headliners are yet to be announced, the bill is already stacked pretty high with the likes of LCD Soundsystem’s James Murphy, producer whizkid Mark Ronson’s DJ set and indie wavemakers Alt-J, not to mention dubstep powerhouse Fantastic Mr. Fox and alt-rockers The 1975.

Scott Tailford The most noticeable thing about Roskilde is just how similar it is to Glastonbury, often hailed as its Scandinavian equivalent. The two often share similar line-ups, as well as focusing on more than just the music; Roskilde Festival boasts a full arts schedule. It’s truly the best thing to come out of Denmark since Alphabeat.

The line-up this year boasts a whole range of music acts. Headliners range from massive names in pop like Rihanna to thrash metal favourites Slipknot, and German electro legends Kraftwerk, as well as Queens of the Stone Age, Sigur Ros, and The National. Other acts featuring across the weekend include Kendrick Lamar, Azealia Banks, The Lumineers, Of Monsters and Men, Crystal Castles, Disclosure, James Blake, and The Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.

If you missed out on a Glasto ticket this year, weep no more, as Roskilde will provide you with a similar experience but with loads of really nice Scandinavian people instead of irritating 16 year old posh kids.

Tim Sewell

The Courier Fashion Editors pick out some of this year’s most stylish-yet-sensible festival gear...

Jacket: Urban Outfitters, £65 Shirt: Burton, £25 Shorts: ASOS.com, £25 Sunglasses: Primark, £2 Wellies: Hunter at getthelabel.com, £74.99

Top: Primark, £8 Shorts: missguided. co.uk, £22.99 Sunglasses: Primark, £2.50 Boots: Office, £90 Bag: River Island, £60

10.summerspecial Top 10 things to do in between shows 1. Eat some Haggis

So whilst the idea of eating a stomach with your eggs and bacon, may make you feel a little queasy. Get over it. You’re in Scotland.

Eat that haggis up, lass.

2. Drink a wee dram o’ Scotch The Scotch Whisky Experience offers an excellent liquid tour of the country’s finest and rarest, as well as a fun-filled barrel ride for £11. Or you could just skip the barrel, go to the pub and order a scotch.

3. Climb a Volcano

If you’re still feeling sprightly after haggis and scotch, clamber up the tallest of Edinburgh’s seven hills and dormant volcano, Arthur’s seat. It’s well worth the view and the sense of achievement when you get to the top.

4. See some art If you’re still feeling starved of culture despite the Fringe’s thousands of acts, check out one of the city’s free art galleries. With the Scottish National Gallery, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery to choose from, you’re spoilt for choice.

5. Freeze ya willies off Hire a wet suit and board and head down to one of the many beaches for a wee spot of surfing. It will be cold, you will feel slightly insane, but it’s all part of the Scottish experience.

6. Dance like a mad man Whilst the city offers numerous Scottish dancing classes that requires time, money and organisation – find a bagpiper on a street corner and get jigging.

7. Pretend you’re the last King of Scotland No trip to Edinburgh is complete without a quick spin of the castle. Located high above the city, it’s a dream of period features. Open every day 930am - 6pm for peasants and royals alike.

8. Go on a ghost hunt Apparently the Scots are pretty keen on their ghosts as Edinburgh offers a range of nighttime tours to call up the dead. The City of Dead tours promise to be especially paranormally hysterical with their underground tour taking you to ‘the closest place to hell on earth’.

9. Spy on the festival goers See the city through the Camera Obscura in the ‘World of Illusion’. Camera Obscura is a system of mirrors that projects a periscope image of the city on to a white disc in the centre of a small-darkened room, giving you the chance to unashamedly gawk at passers-by.

10. Go to the zoo Edinburgh Zoo is the city’s second most popular attraction after the castle and the only zoo in Britain that’s home to giant pandas and house koalas, and who doesn’t love pandas?

Millie Walton

Monday 13 May 2013

The Courier

Edinburgh Fringe Festival’s Big Guns With thousands of shows to choose from and a brochure that’s over 300 pages long, Edinburgh Fringe Festival can be an incredibly overwhelming experience. To help narrow things down, Arts Editor Millie Walton chooses her top 5 favourite acts from this year’s line-up

Faulty Towers: The Dining Experience

Words In his sell-out show, Words, Scroobius Pip demonstrates that spoken word isn’t just theatre for grannies.

The show explores the human condition using a unique combination of the comical and the heart wrenching.

Words made a huge impression at Latitude Festival in 2012, drawing in a crowd of 4,000 and is a must see at this year’s Fringe.

This hilarious comedy act is an old Fringe favourite and since only a third of the show is scripted you are promised a different experience every time. In a two -hour sketch of highly charged comedy theatre, Basil, Sybil and Manuel serve up a three-course meal with the audience as diners in their hotel.

Diva Gigs Winner of Buxton Festival Fringe Spirit of the Fringe Award 2012 and Nominated for Best Solo Vocal, the UK’s first operatic cabaret Diva Gigs: A week in the life of a diva promises a night of beautiful vocals, humorous stories and impressive characterisations. Sarah-Ann Cromwell proves that opera isn’t just for the cultural elite.

Daniel Sloss: Stand Up Interviewed for The Courier last year, Daniel Sloss takes his new stand-up show to Edinburgh. Following a busy year of live touring, television and a debut DVD release, Sloss is fast becoming a big name in comedy and promises to have you rolling in the aisles with his sharp wit and immense stage presence.

Harder Please Suggestively titled, Harder Please is a racy piece of theatre documenting the life of Lottie Cocks as she struggles to make ends meet, but still wants it to be harder. Given the promise of a super-dupertriple recession, Lottie’s ready and willing to let us in let us in on her deepest, darkest p‘leisures’...

This year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival runs from 2-26 August throughout the city centre.

How to pull in the crowds

Marketing at the Fringe can be tough even for the stars. For the month of August the city is awash with flyers, posters and dedicated marketing teams working on behalf of the thousands of shows that compete for your box office capital. The sheer over-saturation of advertising makes one wonder how any show manages to stand out - let alone the small shows which the lack the big-budget marketing clout of some of their more affluent competitors. But where there is a will, there is a way. Dale Pearson remembers last year’s most creative marketing attempts

An Evening with Dementia Trevor T. Smith’s poignant one-man show powerfully portrays the effects of dementia and examines the way in which society views those who suffer from it. Smith dresses in slippers, a dressing gown and slowly shuffles up and down The Royal Mile with a poster for the show on his back. The vision of the intentionally grotesque old man is disconcerting, but compelling enough to make you take note. Last year, the show sold well and he certainly showed that marketing teams do not have to be ‘all up in your face about it’.

Sex Ed The Musical This hilarious musical by Out Write Productions may not have had the biggest of budgets, but what budget they did have, they spent on a 6 ft papiermâché model of a sperm. The giant sperm costume paraded around The Mile, giving away free condoms as it went, and in doing so, certainly caught the attention of the theatre-going public.

Macbeth: Who Is That Bloody Man? Naturally, the Scottish Play gets done a lot at the Fringe (I counted at least 5 productions last year) so how does one stand out? Well, one could mount the Weird Sisters on stilts, give them a rattle and get them to stalk the people of Edinburgh.

Standing faceless and aloft at 12 ft high, Macbeth: Who is that Bloody Man? stood out both figuratively and physically at the Fringe last year.

Hi-de-Homo

Not all productions are so dark and unnerving in their marketing tactics, sometimes just a good song and dance will do. The all-gay man’s musical, Hi-de-Homo entertained Fringe goers with their daily rendition of ‘Mr Sandman’ containing

camped-up lyrics. After all, nothing sells like barbershop. With extravagant tactics like these, The Royal Mile itself can often be just as entertaining and thought provoking as the shows themselves.

Let’s hope that Edinburgh Fringe 2013 is no different.

Dale Pearson is a writer studying at Newcastle University. His play ‘Splatter’ will be performed by NUTS at the Edinburgh Fringe from 2nd to 18th August.

The Courier

summerspecial.11

Monday 13 May 2013

Get clued-up for Fringe

If you’re panicking about organising a trip to Fringe, fear not Beatrice Walker puts an end to all your anxieties with her handy tips to surviving the festival

How do I get tickets?

You can buy tickets on the day for most shows at discounted price, but if there’s something you’re desperate to see you can book online via the Fringe’s official website: https://www.edfringe. com. If you’re running low on cash, there’s also a wide selection of free shows to choose from.

What’s the best form of transport?

If you live down South, flying is probably the quickest option and the airport is only eight miles away from the city centre. Alternatively, you can get a train right into the heart of the city, but ticket prices tend to sore during festival time so it’s advisable to book well in advance. Driving to Edinburgh is also relatively straightforward, but having a car in the city during August tends to be more of a hassle than a benefit especially as the streets are packed with pedestrians.

Where do I stay?

Edinburgh offers a variety of accommodation for all budgets from luxury hotels to B&Bs, including youth hostels, university rooms and self-catering private apartments. Scotland’s tourism agency provides an easy online booking service and can be very helpful in terms of general advice. Visit their website: http://www.visitscotland.com/accommodation/ or call 0845 22 55 11.

What do I do first?

The best place is to start is The Royal Mile where there will be hundreds of energetic, costumed performers competing for your attention and willing you to choose their play or act to see later that day. Watch as many taster acts as you can and collect all flyers so you can then make an educated decision. INSIDER TIP: don’t be swayed by bright

lights, songs and dance; sometimes the least suspecting, most seemingly unappealing plays can turn out to be your Festival highlight.

Where’s the best place to eat and relax at lunchtime?

If you’re on a budget then head to The Brass Monkey for a delicious Panini and soup for just a fiver!

You can then retire on their inflatable bed the size of a room to watch a screening of an old school movie; a perfect break from the hustle and bustle of the hectic festival. Alternatively, discover the Grassmarket vintage shops and grab a pulled pork sandwich at one of the many food stalls lining the middle. If the weather is good, it’s also a great place to relax on the grass and work out your day’s timetable.

Where to go? The best Fringe venues During the Fringe, Edinburgh’s streets are heaving with different acts using telephone boxes, restaurants and the backs of camper vans as their stages - quite literally anything goes.

Here are five venues you can’t miss out on.

1. Pleasance Courtyard

During the festival, The Pleasance Courtyard is transformed into the biggest beer garden in the city showcasing live music, comedy acts and cabaret. Provided it’s not pouring with rain, the Pleasance Courtyard is the best place to spend a boozy afternoon.

What will get me in the party mood?

If you still have some energy after a full day of wandering and laughing, then head to Cabaret Voltaire for some nighttime fun. It’s a buzzing bar where lots of different casts mingle and exchange inside fringe knowledge.

Ultimate Insider’s Tip: don’t be afraid to walk out. It’s better to feel like a bitch than have to endure two hours of embarrassing comedy or a play that really doesn’t do it for you.

There’s so much to see you can’t be wasting time being nice and its probably best the performers know they’re doing something wrong!

2. Hill Street Theatre Exclusively for Fringe, the historic Masonic Lodge is transformed into a theatre every August.

A two minute walk from the Assembly Rooms and tucked cosily away down a quiet side street, Hill Street Theatre is a real hidden gem.

3. Mound Precint Located on Princes Street, Mound Precinct is a public space constructed by the National Galleries where you can spot some of the world’s best street performers, comedy and acrobatic acts all for free. INSIDER TIP: this is also where you’ll find the Virgin Half-Price Hut selling tickets for the day’s shows at a discounted 50% off the regular price.

4. Underbelly With seven unique performance spaces, four bars, an outside courtyard, free wi-fi connection and some of the best acts Fringe has to offer, Underbelly is one of the festival’s liveliest venues located in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town. If you’re looking some originality this is the place to go.

5. Summerhall Formally the Royal Dick Veterinary Hall, Summerhall is an artistic hub comprised of 10 performance spaces, various displays and a Dissection Room Bar (who knows what goes on there…).

Millie Walton

12.summerspecial

Monday 13 May 2013

The Courier

An alternative sporting summer With the Ashes and the Lions dominating the headlines, it is easy to miss out on some of the obscure sporting events of the Summer. From Sumo to Sweden The Courier covers them all

Summer Basho - Sumo Wrestling The annual Summer Basho is one of sumo wrestling’s largest tournaments and whilst it may not get much recognition in the UK, there is little doubt that the people of its host city of Tokyo and Japan as a whole take considerable notice of this unusual event.

The Summer Basho is one of six annual ‘honbasho’ events which are the tournaments that determine the ranking of sumo wrestlers.

The participants battle it out over the course of 15 days in an effort to establish a winning record and thus get promoted to a higher division; the most successful make it into the top two categories which are known as ‘makuuchi’ and ‘jūryō’.

In addition to fighting for promotion, there is also a championship prize which is awarded to the wrestler with the most wins at the end of the tournament.

This year’s tournament has just begun and will culminate on 26 May; it is being held in the Ryōgoku Kokugikan, an indoor venue that has a

capacity of 13,000.

Much of the talk in the build-up to the event has been about the MongolWian wrestler Hakuho who is already ranked joint 4th in the list of alltime championship winners with 24 to his name.

injury in a very physical sport.

Sumo wrestling has also been plagued by match fixing in recent years with one notable instance occurring in the summer tournament in 2010; the organisers will be hoping this year’s event is not

“Much of the talk in the build-up to the event has been about the Mongolian wrestler Hakuho who is already ranked joint 4th in the list of all time winners” This is a very impressive achievement in what is regarded by many as a strong era for sumo, and at only 28 he still has several years in which to surpass the all-time record of 32 championships held by the legendary wrestler Taiho.

Much will depend on how his rival Harumafuji performs and whether Hakuho can stay free from

tarred my more incidents of this nature.

If you can’t make it to Japan in the next couple of weeks (admittedly, not the easiest to get to) then perhaps you might consider attending the next honbasho which will be the Nagoya Basho in July.

Freddie Caldwell

SUMMER SPORT MAY 25th Champions League Final 25th - 7th June Isle of Man TT 26th - 9th June French Open Tennis

JUNE 1st Epsom Derby

Women’s European Championships - Football After a long qualifying campaign, the European Championships take place in Sweden at the end of July. Filling the all-too-short gap between Premier League seasons, Hope Powell’s team will be confident of a strong performance after an excellent qualification saw them finish unbeaten in their group.

Their reward for their determination – which saw them move up to 7th in the FIFA rankings – is a winnable group featuring teams ranked 2nd, 10th and 13th in Europe in the guises of France, Spain and Russia respectively. England are 4th in the UEFA rankings, with only Germany, France

and the tournament hosts above them.

Having not lost a match since March 2012, England have powered to results against highly rated teams; including a battling 2-2 draw with France last October. The rise of England as a power in international women’s football is no-doubt down to the establishment of the Super League, now in its third full season, which has seen teams like Arsenal, Birmingham and Everton rapidly developing strong talent from their feeder clubs, and Chelsea bringing in talented players from countries already at the forefront of the sport such as Brazil and Sweden, where this kind of league structure

has been present for several years.

With the BBC committing to showing all England matches, along with the semis and final, the successes of the Great Britain team in making the quarter finals at the London Olympics started a sea change in the perception of the Women’s Game, which is now beginning to bare fruit. The semi-finals will be the minimum captain Casey Stoney and her team will be aiming for, but there is a very real possibility of a first major international trophy for England.

James Docherty

IPC World Championships - Athletics After what can only be described as an excellent Paralympic Games last year, Lyon hosts the first major sporting event for Paralympic Athletics since many were introduced to “the Superhumans” by Channel 4’s coverage from London.

While most of the headlines will certainly be filled by Oscar Pistorius, whether or not he travels to the event, this tournament – held almost simultaneously with the London Anniversary Games – will give all of Team GB a chance to once again show they can shine on the world stage.

Preparations are already beginning to show results, with Aled Davis breaking the world record for the shot while representing Cardiff Met at the BUCS Outdoor Athletics Championships last weekend and strong finishes for both Shelly Woods and David Weir at the London Marathon.

Paralympic Gold Medallist Jonnie Peacock will

be eager to replicate his memorable run in the T44 100 metres, where he famously outsprinted Pistorius and 200 metres champion Alan Oliveira on “Thriller Thursday”, that saw the host nation

Head Coach will have had a positive or negative effect.

Though third place overall last summer was an excellent result, all the athletes and support staff

“most of the headlines will certainly be filled by Oscar Pistorius, whether or not he travels to the event, this tournament will give all of Team GB a chance once again to show they can shine on the world stage”

take six golds and obliterate their medal target.

With these championships, the British Athletics Team will be eager to see whether the movement of Peter Eriksson to UK Athletics and his subsequent replacement by Paula Dunn as Paralympic

will be striving for further success at these competitions and, with the continued support from UKA, this could lead to further Team GB successes over the summer.

James Docherty

1st - 6th July Lions Rugby Tour 6th - 23rd ICC Champions Trophy 13th - 16th US Open Golf 24th - 7th July Wimbledon 29th - 21st July Tour De France 30th British Grand Prix

JULY 10th - 25th Aug The Ashes

AUGUST 26th - 8th Sept US Open Tennis