Quench Issue 167 LONDON EDITION - November 2018

ISSUE 167 | MARCH 2018

THE LONDON ISSUE

VAULT Festival

Fashion investigates the

London’s

Fur Industry

Movie Map Quench’s Favourite

London Hostels

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If someone told me two years ago I would be sat here writing my fourth Editor’s letter, let alone have turned my creative ideas into a reality, I would have probably laughed and told them their nose was getting longer every second that passes. I know that Quench is set in Wales, and proudly represents Cardiff Uni, but I wanted to step outside of our comfort zone. Yes, I’m talking about Zone 1, 2 and 3 to be precise. London, baby.

Let me tell you a short story about how this very issue, issue 167, became a goal of mine since I was an inexperienced fresher.

Rewind back to first year.

Cover image by: Rowan Lees Editor’s letter image by: Rachel Jefferies

It only seems like five minutes ago I was a copy editor, pitching this entire magazine’s concept to the 2015-16 editor. When I was interviewed for my Features Editor position in summer 2016, I pitched the idea again. “I’d love for the Quench team to take a trip to London, and explore the nooks and crannies of London, it will be refreshing and something never done before”.

Rightly so. It was going to be a difficult project to achieve, so it fell on deaf ears. But when I pitched this idea for the third time in my interview for Editor 2017-18, I didn’t know that this time, it would actually become feasible. (Nor did I expect to be successful in my interview to land me as the Editor). So when it came to my realization that I was now the one with the power to make my idea a reality, I can assure you I did.

In issue 167, your Quench team took a trip to London, where each section spent the day researching, watching, interviewing and creating content solely for this issue. Music had a natter with underground buskers, film and TV captured famous London film locations, culture attended London’s Vault Festival, and food and drink… need I say anymore? Hello London cuisine!

After a tiresome yet brilliant day, we all had a meal together and brought home the London-themed content and article inspiration set before you. I hope that there is a little-Londonsomething in this issue for everyone, and if not, then don’t panic, we still have Cardiff related articles in there for you!

So I guess the moral of the story is, if you’re passionate about something, never stop working on it until you make it happen.

The project I was so hungry to build is finally here, and we all bloody loved making it.

Achieving this issue has been stressful (to say the least), but to be able to say I organised Quench’s first ever editorial trip, following it with a themed (and ‘special edition’ magazine, may I add), I could not be more proud of issue 167, and everyone who has been involved with making it one of my favourite Quench issues yet.

We still love you Cardiff, but London, you were a blast.

- Rach With special thanks to my Pret voucher for providing me free lunch in London (it’s a long story), Lucy, Katie and Molly Wyatt for their consistent hard work, and Georgia Lidington who has supported everything I do in our 18 years of friendship. You’re all gems (even you, Pret voucher).

INTRODUCTIONS

a letter from the editor

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MEET THE TEAM If you could live in any city, which would it be and why?

Twitter: @QuenchMag Instagram: @quenchmagcardiff

Editor-in-Chief: Rachel Jefferies New York. And if you think I wouldn’t live like they did in the roaring 20s, then you’re wrong ol’ sport!

Twitter: @RachJefferies_ Instagram: @rachel.jefferies

Deputy Editor: Molly Wyatt Sydney. I am still bitter about being too ill to do my semester abroad there. I am a city gal who desperately needs her daily dosage of sunshine and beaches.... not to sure I could cope with the critters though but I am sure the endless amounts of fro-yo stores and koala bears would make up for it.

Twitter: @mollymokkamole Instagram: @mollywyatt

Head of Design: Lucy Aprahamian Zurich. More specifically, in the Zurich Kunsthaus (The Museum of Modern Art).

Possibly somewhere between Mondrian and George Braque.

Twitter: @LucyAprahamian Instagram: @lucyaprahamian

Contributors: Gemma Gibson Becca Moody Esther Morris Molly Wyatt Andrea Gaini Betsy Kharas Ellie Harradine Hannah Marie Stait Abbie Rands Rowan Lees Megan Tomos Lleu Bleddyn Lottie Clark Nadine Pinnock Sarah Harris Josh Ong Molly Geddes Marielle Wilkinson Maisie Williams Megan Potterton Nicole Garcia Charlie Minett Erin Brown Max Modell

Page Designers:: Rachel Jefferies Lewis Payne Danny Brown Jamie Bains Joanne Brockbank Conan Cavanagh Joe Hermann Jessica Heap Maddy Steele Camille Stanley Natalya Sareen-Kadch Rich Jones Eizzy Awogu Molly Jackson George Caulton Ella Clucas Meriel Dhanowa Indigo Jones Rachael Aldridge Abby Wheeler Rebecca Cornish Rachel Nurse Josephine van Jascheroff

Lucy Aprahamian Niamphy Blackett Lleu Bleddyn Ashley Boyle Rebecca Cornish Lisa Doran Andrea Gaini Katie Huxtable Stephanie Rowe

Deputy Designer: Katie Huxtable Athens, Greece because my mum lived in Greece for three years when she was younger and I’d love to experience it like she did - plus I’d love the permanent sun tan!

Twitter: @katiehux Instagram: @katie.huxtable

Head of Illustration: Lisa Doran Cardiff because I love the lash... and I guess the other clubs are alright too.

Twitter: @L_Doran95 Instagram: lisadoran95

Clebar Editor Lleu Bleddyn Auckland. The only place in the world that comes close to game day in Cardiff. t @QuenchClebar

5 INTRODUCTIONS

Music Editors Erin Brown, Charlie Minett & Rowan Lees

Q3 Editor & Deputy Editor Sarah Thompson & Josie von Jascheroff

Travel Editor Molly Geddes

Sarah: London, because - when I was 7 - I promised my mum I’d always live close enough to her that I could visit on a regular basis.

Josie: San Francisco: for the boho vibe and healthy food. Oh yeah, and the weather, obviously! t @Q3_Online | i @Q3_Online

Hanoi- 30p beer, need I say anymore!! t @quench_travel | i @Quench_Travel

Features Editors Esther Morris & Becca Moody Esther: Edinburgh as it’s the most beautiful city, plus I can’t get enough of that accent!

Becca: Birmingham, because it’ll always be my home and I secretly love the accent. t @quenchfeatures | i @QuenchFeatures

Food & Drink Editors Nadine Pinnock and Lottie Clark

Technology Editor Rebecca Cornish

Nadine: I’d live in Berlin, a beautiful, modern city with an abundance of vegan food on my doorstep - the dream.

Lottie: I would live in Madrid! I love the architecture, museums and street entertainment. I love the heat and the food! Great night life and just all round FUN. t @quenchfood | i @Quench_Food

Sacramento! I know, it’s kinda cheating to have the capital of a state but California is the state of sun, fun, and lots of tech! t @Quench_Tech

Culture Editor Andrea Gaini For as much as I love the world, there is no place like home, therefore, good old Florence is where I want to be. My family, my people and the food (OMG THE FOOD IS SOOOOO GOOD!) is all i need to be happy. t @QuenchCulture | i @QuenchCulture

Columnist Gemma Gibson I would love to live in Madrid for the Spanish culture, music, language, and food, and if I’m lucky I may even get a lil tan.

Fashion & Beauty Editors Bethan Lawrence & Bryony Stephens Bryony: Paris for the lights, the shops and because that’s where Blair’s always retreats to in gossip girl so it must be good Paris for the lights, the shops and because that’s where Blair’s always retreats to in gossip girl so it must be good.

Bethan: Rome so I can eat pasta, drink wine, get fat and don’t care! t @quenchfashion | i @QuenchFashion

Film & TV Editor Molly Jackson Cardiff!! Oh wait no, nevermind... I would love to live in Edinburgh, it’s blooming gorgeous and I heard that a load of pubs allow dogs. Also, I’m a 16th Scottish so it would be cool to go back to my roots. i @QuenchFilmTV

Erin: Where I already live! CARDIFF! It has the city, the countryside and the sea all in one and not to mention the best music scene (find out more in this issue)...

Charlie: New York, because of the accent and the cwoffee.

Oh, and that I am here now and never going to leave, soz guys!!

Rowan: Berlin because there’s a ping pong bar there that stays open until the early hours. Heaven? I think so. t @quench.music | i @Quench.Music

Agony Aunt Rachel Nurse Paris: The most beautiful city in the world. So many theatres, exhibitions, festivals along with amazing architecture and fabulous food. Bon appétit! t @QuenchAgonyAunt

Copy Editors Hannah Stait, Courtney Bridge, Holly Weeks and Kate Eagleton Hannah: Dublin - one of my dream destinations, beautiful place and lovely people!

Courtney: Cape Town - It is the perfect mix of natural beauty and a bustling city, and it has a pretty cool mountain that looks like a table!

Holly: Rome so I could eat endless amounts of pizza, pasta and gelato everyday - what more could you want?!

Kate: Rome, because I love gluten-filled food!

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CELEBRATING CULTURE AND DIVERSITY

DATHLU DIWYLLIANT AC AMRYWIAETH

FRIDAY 9 MARCH 19:00 THE GREAT HALL TICKETS: £4 STUDENTS/ £5 NON-STUDENTS

DYDD GWENER 9 MAWRTH 19:00 Y NEUADD FAWR TOCYNNAU: £4 MYFYRWYR / £5 DDIM YN FYFYRWYR

CARDIFFSTUDENTS.COM/GOGLOBAL

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Contents ILLUSTRATION BY: LUCY APRAHAMIAN

COLUMN

8 London is a v big pond FEATURES

9 Is Comedy A Londoners Game?

12 Fast-Track Cities - HIV 13 An open letter to my philosophy degree CULTURE

14 Vault Festival 16 Short story comeptition 18 What makes modern art, art?

CLEBAR

19 Megan Tomos: O Gymru I Ganada 20 Serol Serol FOOD & DRINK

21 Polo Bar, London - A posh nosh review 22 Down it, fresher 24 The Restaurant That Has Stolen a Pizza My Heart: ModPizza Review

25 5 Cheap and Cheerful, SUPER

Speedy Noodle Recipes!

26 Food Photoshoot TRAVEL

29 Come Fly With Us… Airlines We’d Recommend

30 How to make the most of a trip: London Edition

32 Great British Breaks 33

Quench’s Favourite London Hostels

MUSIC The Art of Busking – A day with the London Buskers 34 Where you should visit London, based on your

36 Cardiff... The UK’s first ever music city 37 Broken up bands appreciation 38 Album reviews 40 music taste

FASHION & BEAUTY Fashion vs The fur industry

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Are mainstream ripping off -----

44 Cardiff ’s High Street Dupes 46 On-screen fashion icons 47 Fashion Photoshoot 48 independent artists?

FILM & TV

52 Not your average Cineworld 54 Film Reviews 56 London Centre Frame

TECHNOLOGY Green Living in London

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The Unseen Potential

60 Esports in the UK 61 of AI

AGONY AUNT Questions and Advice

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COLUMNIST GEMMA GIBSON TALKS ABOUT LONDON...

London. One of the maddest cities on this planet (for sure). Stand still for too long and you’ll get swept along by the hustle and bustle of commuters rushing to work, all with a steaming hot coffee from Pret in hand. After all, if you don’t go to Pret daily, do you even London?!

Walk amidst these crazy people (or try to- they walk at about thirty miles an hour) and explore the world that never sleeps. You will find yourself amazed at the beautiful yet utterly chaotic blend of culture, diversity, and opportunity. The capital is a place so powerfully unique, you would be an absolute wally to never experience it for yourself. With too much to explore in just one day, it usually and inevitably becomes a hurried tour of skyscraper buildings, famous, enchanting monuments, and tourist hotspots oozing sophistication, glamour and perfection. And then, of course, there are the endless markets, street performers and dainty, undiscovered cafes; if you have the free time there are always undiscovered treasures tucked away, waiting to be found.

Gemma Gibson is Quench's columnist this year. Third year Journalism student, she is here to discuss (or rant about) anything and everything on her mind.

Find her on Twitter @ GemmaaGibson or on her blog http s : / / g e m m a g i b s on 9 5 . blogspot.co.uk Illustration by: Lisa Doran

Sticking to my travel bug roots, I have visted London A LOT in my time, experiencing music, sightseeing, theatre or simply just walking around until I am completely lost within the crowds, and yet every time I explore the endless maze of streets, there is always something new to be found. Despite this I do have my own traditions in London; taking snaps outside B. Palace and London Eye, accepting as many free samples as possible from Camden’s food market, and dancing my socks off to the latest music at the O2 or Wembley.

Visiting London with my fellow Quenchers in January reminded me that London is actually HUGE with a lot more on offer than just that. I was introduced to the busker and street performer scene at Covent Garden, a mouth-watering Eggs Benedict was found at a hidden Bishopsgate eating spot (of course followed by a glass of bubbly or three) and finally, there was the annual Vaults Festival, that can only be entered via the graffiti paradise that is Leake Street Tunnel. Days like this remind me that, believe it or not, the world is a bloody big place. There is no point doing the same things times and time again (unless it involves really good food, obviously).

I used to travel to London a lot with my Nan, seeing as she was desperate to take me away from Salisbury; the medieval city of hairdressers and takeaways. Unsurprisingly, I have the memory of a goldfish, but what I do remember about my first journey to London was being absolutely terrified; was I going to get lost, left on a tube, kidnapped? Looking back, I realise no one would have kidnapped this toothless tot, but you can’t tell ten-year-old Princess Gemma that. But the minute we stepped off that train in Waterloo Station, surrounded by the bright lights, glossy shops, and the smell of the underground and Maccies, teeny-weeny me knew this was somewhere I wanted to explore from top to bottom one day. I knew it would take a while, but it was with no doubt that a chapter of my life would be London-based.

Boy, would I be a small fish in that pond!

You get told throughout the painful years of puberty the famous 80s phrase: it’s like being a big fish in a small pond, but in London it’s expected to feel the exact opposite. You’re not a big fish. more of a tadpole. Yet, from my first few trips to London with Nana Gibs, I knew it would be my goal to become a fish in that pond one day.

I guess you could say each chapter of our lives is like a pond, and from going out without parents for the first time to buying that debut boozy bev, everything we do helps us learn and grow in our personal pond every single day. It could be the end of final year at school, starting a new job, or even marriage (obviously, not for everyone) but these achievements and steps in life are effectively

your new ‘ponds’. The way you were living before is overdone, exhausted, boring…basically a change is needed. Exploring new ponds may seem daunting at first, but it is these moments that define us and help us discover more about ourselves; we meet new people, and, of course, there is spontaneity, the unknown, the big wide world waiting on your doorstep. Obviously, with every new memory born, so is a new selfie opportunity. When you get too big for your pond- by the end of school for example, you can predict happenings minute by minute, each day is a perfect yet routine blur, and you are just so fed up of answering Debra’s stupid questions every five minutes- you’ve definitely overstayed your welcome. Yeah, it may be great for a little while, being Queen B with everything feeling familiar, but when it becomes suffocating it’s time to move to a bigger pond for more adventures, new aspirations and a fresh start. My college was so big and scary to me I just felt like fish poo to be honest, however it was about one year into my studies that I realised I am a solid 7/10 writer, thus my love for print media was born. See how I got here? If I stayed in the same ‘pond’ post school, I would have been stuck at home selling shoes for a living and probably become a crazy cat lady WAY before my time. And if someone told me five or so years ago I would go to University, let alone in Wales (abroad!!) I would not have believed them. But of course testing new waters and making scary leaps to new worlds are what life is all about, right? I mean, for me it’s either that or getting a job at the local Coop with my Mother… no thank you.

Cardiff has been one of the best stages of my life FOR SURE. I think we can all agree our lives have been changed for the better thanks to £4 cinema tickets, basically every shop invented being under one roof, countless trips to Motorpoint Arena, the mad yet atmospheric rugby days and then to Stag for the ultimate hangover treats. And, of course, where would we be without the best nightlife in the world, AKA Live Lounge. On a more serious note, university changes us for the better, and from the hardships of living on your own, to submitting essays with minutes to spare and crawling to lectures after The Lash, we are successfully guided into our next pond. Every day something new is learned, even if you have the “I’ll do it tomorrow” motto like myself. With everything I’ve learned from Cardiff, I hope in the future London will give me a life of 50% work and 50% play, it’s a chance to make new friends and learn new things and hobbies, and hey maybe I’ll finally learn how to cook!

So returning to London - *turns on flashback mode* - takes me back to the good ol’ days when my biggest problem was what to wear on ‘Non-Uniform Day’ at school. My first trip to London was to see the West End Wicked, followed by staying at an adorable hotel on the London outskirts. As a youngster I was definitely experiencing the best weekend EVER- my friends were beyond jel. Anyway, from the theatre experience to roaming the streets of London that weekend, and at least twice a year since, seeing just glimmers of London life has made me realise that this is the next pond I want to be in. As University is ever so quickly drawing to a close (if anyone has any ideas what shoes I should invest in for graduation by the way, let me know,) I am becoming increasingly too big for the Cardiff Uni puddle, so it is almost time to venture on once more. As soon as I’ve got some money under my belt (who knows when THAT will be?!) - London I’m coming for ya.

The only thing is if I want to fit into the London pond perfectly, I’ll have to become one of those crazy commuters that carry drinks from Pret all the time. Sincere apologies, Costa.

- Gemma

‘ WORDS BY: BECCA MOODY DESIGN BY: LISA DORAN

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nyone who knows me knows that I love comedy. I’ve been to countless stand-up shows in Birmingham over the years and a fair few in Cardiff too since starting my degree. But one thing I have never done is see any form of live comedy at a venue in our capital: London. No tour shows, no club nights, no previews in the back of a pub. Zilch. I could give you a whole bunch of reasons, from money considerations to the fact it’s just easier to wait for the comedians to come to me than to scout them out in London. I’ve always intended, one day, to go and experience London’s comedy scene first hand. But why do I have this intention?

What is it that makes the London comedy scene unlike Birmingham, or Cardiff, and why do I feel like I need to go and experience it? London has always seemed different, stand-alone from the rest of the country, and I want to understand what makes it that way.

Suppose it’s a Friday night (right now it is). You want to see some live comedy in central London, but where to go and who to see? A quick internet search provides me with a whole host of interesting events. On the night I’m looking at, Stewart Lee is performing his Content Provider show at the Leicester Square Theatre, and Geordie comic Lauren Pattison is performing Lady Muck at the Soho Theatre (a show which saw her nominated for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2017).

Both shows have completely sold out. There are also comedy club nights happening all over this part of the city, from the Comedy Store in Soho, to the 99 Club and Café Mode in Covent Garden. Some comics’ names are even appearing two or three times, as they perform a set at one comedy club, then move straight on to the next (and sometimes the next). There are even shows that start as late as 10-11pm; closer to the finishing time of most comedy gigs across the country than the start.

There’s clearly a lot of comedy to cram in over the weekend, and there’s certainly a high demand for it too. London has a population of almost 9 million people, whereas Birmingham (my home city) comes in lower at slightly over 1.1 million. Cardiff, at the other end of the scale, is home to just under 500,000 people. So, by default we might assume that the demand for comedy is much, much lower in Cardiff than in London.

But is this all there is to it? Are these comedians flocking in their hundreds just to perform to bigger, more frequent audiences? It may be true that other cities in the UK just don’t have the same demand for stand-up comedy, but I’m curious to find out if this is the main attraction for stand-up comics working in London, or whether there are other factors that make this city such an appealing place to work.

Now, I’ve made it pretty clear that I know very little about the London comedy scene. But I have interviewed countless comedians about their theatre runs, new material nights and club nights in the city, and their insight has always proven most

And, after all, writing an article about stand-up comedians working in London, without speaking to any stand-up comedians who have worked in London, is about as useful as writing a dissertation on the social behaviours of ants but spending the whole time only speaking toddlers about their verdicts on such ant behaviours. I want to know what it is that draws young comics to the London comedy scene, because surely it can’t just be about the size of the crowds.

Lauren Pattison moved to London in the September of 2016. She confided in me at the time: ‘I’m worried moving to London was the wrong thing to do, I’m worried that I’m never going to be able to be in a position financially to leave my day job and just be a comedian.’ (See MoodyComedy’s interview: Seven Questions With Lauren Pattison). But since this conversation, Lauren has skyrocketed into the public consciousness. She regularly performs as tour support for the quick-witted Katherine Ryan, and is soon taking her acclaimed show Lady Muck to Australia and New Zealand.

It hasn’t been an easy ride, with financial worries understandably playing a big part in the comedian’s struggles to properly settle in London, but her success appears to be increasing by the day. I’m interested to know how Lauren is managing to make her move to London financially and creatively viable, so I started by asking her why she moved to London in the first place.

‘I moved to London because I felt a bit stuck in Newcastle,’ Lauren tells me, ‘I was doing alright for myself up North but felt like I didn’t really play anywhere down South – partly because I wasn’t known and partly because the expense of travelling and staying down there for a gig was so high that it would cost a week’s wage for me to go and do an unpaid gig. I had nothing to lose by moving to London (aside from my hopes and dreams).’ It seems that moving somewhere more central, such as London, is a way of opening up other parts of the country for Britain’s commuting comics. ‘A lot of places seem to be a bit easier to get to from down here! Leeds, Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham are all relatively easy to get to via train and being based down here means it’s much easier and cheaper to get to gigs down South.’

Stephen Bailey (a stand-up comedian from Manchester who also regularly supports Katherine Ryan on tour, it seems she has good taste) also lives and works in London: ‘I was living in London anyway because of my day job. Then, when I was in a position to leave the office, I kind of just stayed. For me, just breaking into TV, I feel like I need to be here for the meetings, the auditions, the showcases – as it would cost an arm and a leg for me to go back and forth to Manchester as a non-driver.’

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Both Stephen and Lauren agree that London is a great place to develop yourself as a comic and potentially get noticed by important industry people. However, you have to be clever about which gigs you choose to do, otherwise you can find yourself out of pocket and performing to smaller crowds than you could be. ‘I think the good thing,’ Stephen tells me, ‘is that you can perform several times, every night of the week, which can arguably help you get better. On the flip side, it’s so oversaturated… you could just be playing to other comics if you don’t know where to look.’ Lauren’s comments back this up: ‘Comics can literally do something every night of the week without having to leave London. It helps your hone your act and you can notch up a lot of gigs in a short space of time, but on the flip side I think what made me the comic I am is by not just gigging in one place but gigging in different rooms, in different cities with different audiences.’

But just because there might be more opportunities in our capital for hopeful stand-ups, you can’t just move there and expect a career handed to you on a plate. The sheer amount of comedians working in London goes to show how much effort needs to be put in to make sure you stand out from the crowd. Not only do you need a clear, original and genuine comic voice, but you need to be savvy about where and when you perform.

Lauren confirms my suspicions: ‘People tell you, “you can gig every night of the week!”. You soon find out that yes, you can, but none of those gigs are paid and you’re on with twenty other comics and there’s no progression and you’re lucky to have an audience. For me it was about not just saying yes to everything (which is what I usually do) but sussing out which gigs were worth my time and effort. Focusing my energy on the gigs I knew would get me places or swing a tenner my way so I could cover my tube fare soon made me much happier.’

Money is, and I expect always will be, a massive obstacle for comedians working in London to overcome. Starting out in comedy is an expensive game anyway, with many people continuing to work different jobs in the day and working on the stand-up circuit during the evening. The financial aspect was a big problem for Lauren (she continued to work as a waitress when she first moved to London), and I suspect she is just one of many creatives who struggle to make living and working in London financially possible for themselves. ‘I was burning the candle at both ends, working a day job and going straight to a gig after. Yet at the end of the month I was still broke. All my wages were being pumped into affording travel to gigs and trying to cobble together rent.’

And it doesn’t help that some comedy clubs seem to be in no rush to pay comedians for their work. Lauren fills me in: ‘I’ve had nightmares before where I’ve had to chase promoters for months for £50 and you’ve got bills to pay and food to buy and travel to cover to get to another gig. If any other job didn’t pay on time you’d be straight to HR but there isn’t really an HR department in comedy and it’s not unusual to wait nearly two months to be paid.’ Stephen tells a similar story: ‘Good acts that are working the circuit have to quit because they can’t get their payments off promoters.

You have to be good at budgeting as most places just pay you as and when they feel like it. I am owed money from December. I am always chasing payments. The longest I ever had to wait was a year. Jongleurs didn’t pay for ages, kept booking in more gigs then went bust so most comics lost dollar for work done. Not cool.’

For me, just breaking into TV, I feel like I need to be here for the meetings, the auditions, the showcases – as it would cost an arm and a leg for me to go back and forth to Manchester as a non-driver.

Jongleurs announced on the 17th of October 2017 that they were closing down. In a statement, the company said: ‘Every possible effort has been made to keep the company viable, including cash injections of over £200,000 from the director and shareholders since late 2014. Unfortunately there are now no more funds available to inject into the company.’ The closure left many comedians out of pocket; some had even racked up a whole year’s worth of gigs that they hadn’t been paid for.

So maybe working in London as a stand-up comic isn’t a plausible reality for many comedians working today. But while working in London can help get you noticed by industry professionals and audiences alike, and will thus inevitably help you to establish yourself as a comedian, it surely isn’t the be all and end all. There are other big cities with a large variety of people making u p their comedy audiences. I asked Lauren what she thinks about this prospect, and she felt a similar way: ‘I don’t think London i s necessarily the best place to be working as a stand-up comedian for everyone. I think it’s not necessary to move – for example if I lived in Manchester or Birmingham and could drive I wouldn’t move as everything would be more accessible via car and living costs would be lower.’ If you want to access cities aside from London, then any city that is relatively central could be a good place to set up camp, opening up cities in the North and the South, whilst avoiding the housing prices of the capital.

You may have noticed whilst reading this article that Birmingham is where my heart lies. It’s where I’m from, where I spend the majority of my time, and my favourite city to go and see live comedy in. One quick search of comedy events next Friday night flags up lots of results. Though admittedly not as many as my search of London venues, I still find that Patrick Monahan is performing his show Rewind Selector 90s at Birmingham Glee Club, there is a Machynlleth Comedy Festival Showcase at the MAC (Midlands Arts Centre), and Dane Baptiste is performing G.O.D. (Gold. Oil. Drugs.) not too far outside of Birmingham at the Leamington Spa Royal Spa Centre, plus more.

If you want to take advantage of the vast range of opportunities that working as a stand-up in London can bring, are prepared for the potential financial struggles and willing to put the work in, then I’m sure that London can be a wonderful, vibrant place to live and work. One final thing that Lauren says sticks with me, and proves to me once and for all why she has found such great success in recent years: ‘I am beyond pleased I gritted my teeth, kept my head down and ploughed on. Yeah it can feel harder for sure if you’re less privileged, but rather than sulk about it I’ve always tried to find a way to still make it happen – even if it takes a bit longer and I have to eat noodles for weeks.’

This sums everything up for me: you can make your way in comedy, wherever you’re working, if you have passion and grit (and perhaps a day job on the side). Yes, being based in London can help you to reach more audiences in a shorter time frame, but if you’re not financially able to live in the capital, that’s not the end of your chances of making it big time. London is a place where comedians can gig as much as they like and develop their material and comic voice, but, at the end of the day, there are audiences in every town and city if you’re prepared to root them out. Comedians, the world is your oyster.

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A

s the capital city of England and something of an emblem of Britain to the rest of the world, it only makes sense that the City of London should be leading the rest of the UK in implicating major developments. Red telephone boxes, black cabs, the London Underground; all these things spring to mind when one thinks of the incredible and constantly developing city, but London isn’t just stereotypes and symbols – it is the hub of Great Britain, and this year it has made a historic pledge to take action against the spread of HIV as a new member of the Fast-Track Cities initiative.

In January this year, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, made history in signing a pledge alongside partners from London Councils, Public Health England and NHS England to join this initiative. So, what exactly does it mean for London to be a member of Fast-Track Cities?

Established on Worlds

AIDS Day in 2014, the

initiative is essentially a partnership between high HIV burden cities across the globe. London’s membership aims to push to reduce the rate of new HIV infections and eradicate the stigma surrounding HIV in London, as well as aiming to end new HIV infections entirely by 2030.

HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a virus that attacks the immune system, and without treatment can eventually lead to AIDS, which can be life-threatening.

While a cure has not yet been found for HIV, treatment can be extremely effective in enabling victims to live as normal a life as possible. HIV affects people all around the world, and despite first being clinically observed in America in 1981, the stigma surrounding it is still very much present. In 2016, 36.7 million people across the world were living with HIV, and yet misconceptions about the virus are still common today; in 35 per cent of countries with available data, over 50 per cent of people report having discriminatory attitudes towards people living with HIV.

the Fast-Track Cities initiative and attempt to meet its targets, as a large proportion of the epidemic is carried by the city. About 38,700 people were living with HIV in London in 2016, which makes up 43 per cent of all people living with HIV in England; this includes those both diagnosed and undiagnosed. Before the Fast-Track Cities pledge was signed, however, London was already taking steps towards meeting the aforementioned goals; in 2016, London boroughs released a new phase of the HIV prevention campaign, Do It London. Additionally during 2016, the UN’s 90:90:90 targets were all met, with 90 per cent of people living with HIV infection diagnosed, 97 per cent of people diagnosed receiving treatment, and 97 per cent of people receiving treatment being virally suppressed. Incredibly, London is only the third city to have met this target so far, joining Melbourne and Amsterdam.

With just 26 cities originally signing the Paris Declaration

Fast-Track Cities: a look at Londons involvement in the initiative 19-year-old Mercy Ngulube, who lives in Wales, was born with HIV, and felt she was unable to share this fact with others until the age of 16. Currently campaigning to challenge the stigma surrounding the virus, she spoke to the BBC about her experience with the stigma in Wales: “When I was able to be open about it with my close friends in Cardiff, the reaction I had was really positive.

And when I’ve had a reaction that isn’t so positive, it’s usually just down to misinformation that the person has - the fear of the unknown.”

This stigma, or “fear of the unknown” as Ngulube aptly refers to it, cannot be underestimated in its effect on victims of the virus. Anxiety and/or depression are common in those diagnosed with HIV, and shockingly, roughly one in eight people living with HIV is being denied health services because of stigma and discrimination.

It is fitting that London should be one of the cities to join

for the initiative, it is evident that the Fast-Track Cities initiative continues to grow, currently holding over 200 signatures. London’s involvement in the initiative is sure to not only reduce the rate of new infections and diminish the stigma against HIV within the UK, but also to raise awareness of the disease and the way it affects the lives of those around us; as Ngulube states, “I might be living with this virus but I’m no less than any other person..

1. http://www.unaids.org/en/resources/fact-sheet 2. UNAIDS (2015) ‘On the Fast-Track to end AIDS by 2030: Focus on location and population’ 3. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-43076383 4.https://www.avert.org/professionals/hiv-social-issues/stigmadiscrimination 5. Unless stated otherwise, all statistics are taken from Public Health England’s report: Annual Epidemiological Spotlight on HIV in London: 2016 data, 2018: https://www.gov.uk/government/ publications/hiv-london-annual-data-spotlight.

WORDS BY: ESTHER MORRIS

DESIGN BY: KATIE HUXTABLE

13 FEATURES

DESIGN BY KATIE HUXTABLE

An open letter to my Philosophy Degree An open letter to my Philosophy Degree Dear my Philosophy degree, I’m writing to you because I don’t think you really get enough credit, not least because people don’t seem to understand you. I’ve noticed a common misconception during my time as a philosophy student: you often seem to be viewed as a subject filled with wishy-washy nonsense; insubstantial. But this view is rather closed-minded, I think, and that’s why I’m here backing your corner.

The first time I remember encountering philosophy was whilst walking to primary school one morning with my dad and younger sister. We somehow entered in a discussion about the colour of the sky. ‘Is my blue the same as your blue?,’ I remember my dad asking. I had no answer, but I knew I’d be thinking about that question for some time.

And I think many of us have had similar conversations growing up, as we begin asking questions about the world and the human beings within it. Maybe questions about the existence of our world and the experiences of other people are a great gateway into deep philosophical discussion. But this kind of epistemology isn’t everything that philosophy about, and it can get quite annoying when people respond to your choice of degree with an ‘Ooh… are we really here?’. I don’t know mate, I missed that lecture.

Philosophy, I have only been a student of your subject for around four years, and I’m just halfway through the second year of my degree, but the things I have studied have really opened my eyes to the inconclusiveness of all our debates, and shown me how the things we take for granted are really just based on our own assumptions.

The fact of the matter is, I believe other people have minds just like my own, I believe that murder is wrong, and I believe that the cosmos was created without the input of an omnipotent god. But we’re all just making the best judgements we can, without having enough (or any) conclusive evidence to act as proof, in most cases. And it would be ill-judged to take my own assumptions for granted. Yes, we may use our assumptions as working truths, to be tweaked or discarded as humanity’s scientific knowledge and experience progresses, but surely these opinions cannot be facts.

And many might find this prospect frustrating (believe me, at times I do too), but I firmly believe that you can’t just ignore the deep existential issues that philosophy raises. Because ignoring things won’t make them go away (I think we’ll sidestep the whole ‘if a tree falls down in the forest and nobody hears it, did it really make a sound?’ debate here).

Philosophy is by no means an easy subject, but passionate lecturers make up for the slog of early mornings that aren’t really that early but feel as though they are. The vigour with which some lecturers speak about their favourite thinkers, from Aristotle to Kant, is enough to reassure me that this is the right degree for me. Ever since humanity first began recording their ideas, hundreds upon hundreds of inquisitive minds have been engaging in thorough discussion of subjects such as mortality, ethics, metaphysics and art. And although the readings are often very dense and uninviting (trying to understand what Hegel really means by the term ‘spirit’ isn’t an easy task on a Thursday morning), when things click into place the payback is very rewarding.

I have always relished a challenge and arguing has consistently been something I found easy, much to the delight of my parents, but, philosophy, you have turned me from a cynical teenager into a more imaginative and creative thinker. You taught me how to write properly and showed that my gut reaction isn’t always the most plausible answer to a problem. And yes, you are frustrating; horribly so. There are days where I sit in lectures and dream about getting on the first Megabus home (my parents always taught me to dream big). But you are big and all-encompassing and important, and I will continue to preach your worth to anyone that will listen for the rest of my time on this strange planet.

Thanks for everything,

Becca

14

WORDS BY: MOLLY WYATT | DESIGN BY: ANDREA GAINI Our theatre-obsessed deputy editor in chief, Molly Wyatt, sat down with the founder of Vault Festival – Tim Wilson. Sitting on bean bags, surrounded by tapestries and candles, the two discussed all things Vault! · How did Vault Festival come around and how would you describe Vault Festival? o Practically speaking, Vault is an 8-week arts festival, in Central London, in a labyrinth of old railway tunnels. Speaking from the heart, it came about as a series of accidental improvements on a wild idea to present as much work, back to back, as we possibly could in an environment that’s as supportive for artists as it is for audiences · How has it developed since its birth in 2012? o In the first year, we had 12 live days and we had about 14 companies. · Was it still here? o Yeah, it was! And, now in year 6, we have 40 live days and 350 groups of artists. Audiences in the first year were seven and a half thousand, and this year there’ll be 65,000. · That’s incredible! o Yeah, it’s pretty nuts. · When it comes to putting the festival together, how does the programming work? o Now, this a really important point for people to realise, you really have to get your ducks in a row, you’ve got to be organised because we open applications in June and they stay open till August. The day Edinburgh Fringe Festival finishes, we shut our applications and then our team goes into a month of programming. We had 1200 applications this year. Out of 350 that got chosen, 120 are stand-up comics. So really you can say that in terms of performance and theatre-makers, there’s around 200 out 1200 that get selected for the festival – competition is very tight! · I saw that this year, 52% of the shows are female-led. Was that a conscious decision? o Yeah, absolutely. People get very afraid about quotas and all of the different ways of doing it, but if you’re going to be upset about quotas, then don’t be upset about that being more important than the quality. If you’re going to be upset about not enough women being represented in the higher ends of national theatre, then don’t be upset about quotas. So we tread a line where these things are important to us, we measure it and are really open about it. If you go to other festivals and venues, who else is being public about what their percentages are? It’s quite shocking. · Very true! And it’s great to hear how progressive you’re being in making it more equal. Okay, so tell us a bit about the Immersive Theatre at Vault Festival. o Every year we have a big immersive show. In the ‘old days’ we started off with an opera, and in the second year we had a Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Since then every year we have had a different type of carnation. This year we have Neverland, which is a reimagining of both the world of JM Barrie’s own life and also the world he created. · That is on for the whole duration of the festival, isn’t it? o Indeed. As is Becoming Shades, which is, as far as we are aware, the world’s first immersive promenade circus experience. · What’s been your highlight of the festival this year? o A feminist production called Bicycles and Fish by Katie Arnstein, which was – well there’s no way to describe it except perfect. · This is something I wanted to touch on, this festival is a great platform for emerging writers, is it common for playwrights to use Vault Festival as a stepping stone? o Over 60% of the work shown at Vault has never been seen before. And many stand-up comics bring their work as a sort of test, for example, Bridget Christie’s Work In Progress. · Which I am seeing tonight! o Oh cool, Bridget is brilliant! So, yeah we occupy a place for both emerging artists and people who just want to try out new work. · Where do you see Vault Festival going? o We change a lot every single year. You can never see beyond one year. So next year, it will be a lot better, I’m sure… · How many people are in your team? o Not many. The core is three people and we’re not paid the year round. And it is a year-round job. · Kudos to you! Now you’ve already said your highlight was the Bicycle and Fish. What have other two performances stood out for you? o I’d say, ‘The Thing that Came to Dinner’ which is really fantastic. And then, I always like Helen Duff, she’s a comedian. · I know her! In fact, the first time I saw one of her shows was the first time I ever came to Vault Festival, back in 2016. o Yeah, her show of How Deep is Your Duff was great this year. She’s so smart and just incredible. She only had the one night at Vault, but it was one of the best things I’ve seen this year. Mad, but wonderful. · Finally, why do you think people from Cardiff should pay a visit to Vault Festival? o An important thing I’d want to mention is keeping an eye on the application if you’re interested in creating theatre. If you’re interested in coming to Vault Festival, chances are, you’re interested in presenting work at Vault Festival. It’s a festival like no other!

Vault Festival runs underground in Waterloo from 24th January – 18th March 2018, Wednesday to Sunday. Make sure you follow Vault Festival on Twitter at @VAULTFestival and more importantly, make sure you go check it out before it closes for the year!

CULTURE

TUMULOUS Let me start this review by simply saying this; we may only be a quarter of the way through the year, but Tumulus is already the best piece of theatre of 2018.

Christopher Adams brings to the stage an exquisitely crafted play about the dark side of ‘chemsex’ culture. With a cast of just three and somewhat cramped theatre space, what could have the prospect of a play falling flat in its depiction of homosexuality and drug-taking, Tumulus in fact exceeds all expectations.

The play revolves around protagonist Anthony (Ciaran Ownes) who discovers that his one-night stand has been found dead on Hampstead Heath. Rejecting the speculations that the young man is just another casualty of the culture’s horrifying drug scene, Anthony becomes increasingly certain that there is more to this than meets the eye.

The rest of play follows Anthony on his quest to solve this chemsex murder mystery. The other two cast members, Ian Hallard and Tom Rhys Harries, are commendable in their multi-rolling of numerous characters that Anthony encounters. What really makes their characterisation all the more distinct and captivating, is the use of sound within the play. Pitches and voices are changed and manipulated through their microphones, and what could have been comical, in fact provided a sinister ambience.

It must be noted that the physical aspect of the play is highly impressive; whilst frantic and complex, the inventive use of scenery entices the audience into a somewhat dreamlike, cinematic experience. Very few props are used but when they are they are implemented imaginatively. However, what really sets this play apart from the rest is the dialogue and performance; the actors’ portrayals of the characters are second to none, providing a real sense of all that the play encompasses – paranoia, lust, hysteria and desperation. The fast-paced monologue, the onstage chemistry and intricate caricatures of each of the actors truly does this neat, gritty piece of (tremendous) writing more than justice.

Only negatives to say about the show? Not so keen on the polyester shorts, and it desperately needs to go further afield. UK tour, a run in The Old Vic, just don’t let this be the end of Tumulus.

- Molly Wyatt

FOR A BLACK GIRL

GREAT AGAIN: THE MUSICAL

For a Black Girl is a truly inspiring and thought-provoking play. The two main characters, Nicole Acquah (also writer of the play) and JP Stanley, embark on a journey into the deepest and darkest entrails of racism and sexism to protest against such an idea as “racism does not exist”.

The play is brought to life by Nicole and JP, and six other actors/dancers who at times become the scene itself, moving around props and creating different scenarios. Their interaction with the two main characters is vital and represents the base on which the performance is built on.

Nicole and JP open the show with a dialogue about whether racism exists or not. JP argues that it does not because neither himself nor any of his friends have ever experienced it.

This short dialogue acts as a recurring thought all throughout the hour we spend with Nicole which gives an idea of how this belief presents itself in our lives. How many times have you found yourself discussing whether something is racist or not? How many times have you excused your racist actions with a “I’m just kidding”? How many times have you ignored a sexist joke because “they didn’t mean it”?

The show is cleverly shaped, with lots of changes in the emotions and feelings it transmits. However, at the times the scenes have a feel of repetition and almost seem like examples of racism and sexism are thrown to the audience as in a lecture at university. The staging helps the flow of the play, which goes by very quickly and is always quite interesting.

Yet walking out of the room, it leaves a feel as if something was missing in the plot to be just perfect.

Ms. Acquah, nevertheless, does an excellent job at representing the reality we live in: a politically-correct sexist and racist society. Her final joke incorporates all the rawness and harshness of our society; we may move on with our lives right after the show ends and forget about all that has been said, yet out there, there are women being raped, people killed or accused of terrible crimes because of their skin colour. Nonetheless, we remain seated comfortably in our chairs, watching this horrible show, complaining because the room is a bit chilly.

- Andrea Gaini

If Donald Trump is now President of the United States of America, there’s a reason. This is investigated in the clever and well-written musical Great Again.

The musical follows the story of two students, Kelsey (Eleanor Jackson) and Josh (Jacob Bradford), who embark in the Trump campaign to support the leader on his way to Presidency. The story is simple and intriguing, focusing on two friends, their love for Trump and their moment of independence when they decide to start campaigning for him around the U.S. The plot is very interesting, taking a closer look to what the Presidential elections meant for Trump voters and going beyond their stereotypical representation. Digging into a historical event which has certainly changed the way we look at politics to better understand the power of the “silent voters”.

Nevertheless, the stage representation put on at the Vault Festival was quite close to being a theatre disaster.

Musically wise the show was a massive flop; from intonation mistakes to hearing problems, the show failed to deliver a positive musical performance.

The musical was entirely performed without microphones, a highly risky move considering that most modern singing techniques are based on the essentiality of the use of microphones. As a matter of fact, none of the singers in the show had enough mask resonances to be able to go over the one single instrument playing the music. Eleanor Jackson was able to make her voice heard in her top notes, but in her lower range her voice completely disappeared under the piano.

Ensemble pieces were even worse, none of the lyrics were understandable and in the harmonies voices tended to cover one another making it difficult to appreciate the altogether sound.

The acting brought the show back together to create an overall sufficient performance, which however did not fulfil the potentials of an interesting piece of musical theatre.

- Andrea Gaini

16

QUENCH’S CREATIVE CONTEST In this issue, Quench’s Culture section ran a short story competition, of which we received a popular amount of submissions. Quench would like to thank everyone who submitted pieces.

Congratulations to the winning short story: The Queen’s Head by Betsy Kharas WORDS BY: BETSY KHARAS DESIGN BY: ANDREA GAINI

Over the years, the nails-on-chalkboard scrape of the rusting

danced. Her breath had smelt of warmth and whiskey.

metal hinge had become one of life’s great comforts. The

She had always been a terrible dancer. He swallowed a

man in the doorway inhaled deeply. The familiar miasma of

mouthful of brandy. It burned the back of his throat.

blue smoke that seemed to hang from the ceiling like gauze no longer made him wheeze, but instead seemed to caress

It was getting late, and the ebb and flow of customers

his throat; delicate, loving. The door shut behind him with

began to wane. The man at the bar in the faded jeans

a dull thud as he made his way to the bar, dust and grime

lit a cigarette, and inhaled deeply, feeling the smoke fill

from the floor collected on the hems of his distressed, faded

his lungs. ‘Last call’, said the barmaid. He shook his head

jeans. He took his place on his usual bar stool and motioned

slowly. He smiled at her, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes.

to the barmaid, who acknowledged him with a dull smile.

He looked on as a young couple drained the last of their

‘The usual?’ she asked, not waiting for his answer before

warm beers. She was wearing red lipstick. He watched as

filling a tumbler with a double shot of brandy. She handed it

she leaned over and kissed her lover on the mouth. They

to him. He drank it and she refilled the glass.

were unashamed, blissfully ignorant in their youth.

Old Irish folk music played in the background as the pub

The night was cold. The breeze bit, unyielding, at the

gradually started to fill. He imagined how she would act

man’s uncovered neck, face and hands. The murky glow

now, remembering how she would hold onto his arms as she

of the streetlamps clashed with the stark whiteness of the

got up from her bar-stool, swaying her hips in time with the

full moon. He looked up and counted some stars, before

music, pulling him with her. Her red lips would be pulled back

making his way home. I love you, you know, he whispered

over her teeth in a wicked smile, the curves of her body soft

into the night.

in that yellow dress. ‘Dance with me, you old fool’, she would say. He remembered the way her hands had felt on the back of his neck, the rich, woodiness of her perfume. ‘I love you, you know,’ she had said to him, her face close to his as they

17

These are little snippets of some of other brilliant stories that have been turned in!

Full versions of these stories, and more, can be found online at http://cardiffstudentmedia.co.uk/

“Her bed was at the back-left hand corner of her room, next to the South facing the window.

She lay there, like a breathing corpse, emaciated and weak and wrapped like an infant in her bedsheets and in a baggy nightgown. I pulled up the wooden stall from her dressing table and took place at her bedside...” (Blue Eyes - Ellie Harradine).

“There she lay, on her back, straight as an arrow, with her hands folded on her stomach.

Another sleepless night. Another night spent pondering the unchangeable. Another night in which she felt the urge to sit up and scream. When had her life become so restraining?

Why couldn’t she simply suck it up like everyone else? She’d had a decent, stable life, the one many dreams of. In fact, she had everything she always thought she wanted. And yet...” (The blissful comfort of a rug in the night-time by Josephine von Jascheroff).

“Sam knew it was merely a myth, one story among many that his grandmother had told him of the Sky Watchers, weaving Sam into stories of adventure involving gods and goddesses of the sky and beyond, claiming that she herself had been spirited away by the God of the free wind. She’d tell me how he’d whisk her to the wonders of the universe simply to dance. They’d waltz over rays of light as he’d manipulate the wind to make a sweet melody for which they would whisper sweet nothings to each other...” (The Sky Watchers

by Hannah Marie Stait)

“Across from me, hunched over in an unceremonious heap on the carpet and surrounded by an eclectic assortment of art supplies, Eleri scratches away in a sketchbook. I can feel their eyes on me every so often, taking in the curve of my neck and fingers on pages, turning my monochrome hair and skin into an explosion of colour. Without having to look, I know that a rainbow of oil pastel marks the backs of their hands, where they test and match colours, and smeared across their forehead where they push their fringe back out of their eyes every few strokes...” (Polyamory by Abbie Rands).

CREATIVE

RUNNER-UPS

18

The Tate Modern is a fantastic venue, filled at every hour with enthusiastic kids running wild, arty students surveying the new exhibitions, tourists getting told off for whipping out the selfie-stick. Since opening at the start of the millennia they have exhibited some of the finest and most groundbreaking artworks of the last few centuries. Mark Rothko, Guerrilla Girls, Ai Wei Wei, and Tracey Emin are just some of the names whose creations have passed through the walls of the Tate. The venue receives over 5 million visitors every year and its cultural importance to London could not be overstated no matter how you tried. The building, a repurposed power station, is a work of art in itself and the feeling of walking into the Turbine Hall is absolutely magical.

As the name suggests, the Tate houses mostly what clever art folk would consider to be capital letters ‘Modern Art’. At risk of making myself sound like a proper pretentious knob, in this article I’m going investigate what makes Modern Art. Historically speaking, the movement was a result of the mid nineteenth century industrial revolution in Western Europe, where technological and cultural advancements like the invention of photography and Sigmund Frued’s psychoanalytic theories began to spread into wider society. To get even more arty bollocks about it, Modern Art was seen as the move away from avenues of artistic realism like the commissioned portraits of the time, towards more abstract expression with new mediums, techniques and ideas.

With all this in mind, after a customary bite for lunch on the carpet of the Turbine Hall and a bit of mental preparation for all the art awaiting me, I set off up the escalators and into the galleries above. Bruce Nauman’s works were most definitely the main attraction of the trip, his multimedia art pulling in a crowd of all ages. Walking into the neon lit rooms you receive a full frontal attack on the senses, lights flashing off and on, strange phrases emerging from screens in the corner and in a separate, darkened room, a close up video of a man’s face rotating and groaning.

Although when you looked around the room you experienced a complete bombardment on the brain, each artefact drags you in closer and forces some further consideration of the individual thing on display. Apparently his most well known creation, a neon light that reads in a spiral ‘The true artist helps the world by revealing mystic truths’ offered a pretty good explanation as to what Modern Art has attempted to do over time. By experimenting with new mediums, as Nauman has with neon lettering and looped videos, artists have created bizarre and unthinkable Things which we are asked to contemplate and which express thoughts unable to be put into words.

Things get even weirder than rotating groaning faces however, three exhibited artworks called ‘Blank Paper’, ‘Blank Paper’ and ‘Blank Paper’ were ... exactly that. Often the kind of response to these things are along the lines of ‘Anyone could have made that’ which is a valid point, anyone could have made DESIGN BY: ASHLEY BOYLE CENTRE IMAGE SOURCE: DAVID H. CHU VIA FLICKR WORDS AND IMAGES (TOP AND BOTTOM) BY: ROWAN LEES

it. Nevertheless Liu Jianhua did make it and it was sold to the Tate, so what do we know? Sometimes things like this can make Modern Art feel unreachable, a big joke that you’re not in on, but someone had to go and make the effort to acquire that and put it on display in a gallery, and so I’ll trust that it really did mean something to someone and choose to focus on the art that had an impact on me.

My personal favourites of the entire gallery, what happened to stick with me on that day anyway, were the pieces by Joseph Beuys entitled Four Blackboards and Jenny Holzer’s Inflammatory Essays. Beuys’ a sort of stream of consciousness piece, four blackboards taken directly from a six and a half hour question and answer session in 1972. The boards contain various thoughts that Joseph deemed worthy of note from the gathering, scrawled down in white chalk. To me this piece is artful for the unapologetic way it draws from real life. At first it’s frustrating, my initial thought being ‘he’s just taken a blackboard and put it in a gallery, where is the art?’. Eventually though I began to see the beauty of the decision to exhibit these boards, they represent and focus on the process behind art. All the considerations, all the discussions that have led the artist to believe something, to want to put something out into the world, are on display in these boards.

Holzer’s pieces too were a stand out and despite their innocuous placement on a wall by the stairs of the Blavatnik Building they caught the eye of many a gallery-goer. Her pieces read like nothing else I had ever seen. With her Inflammatory Essays, within the wide realm of Modern Art, Holzer has in a sense created almost a new genre of writing and used it to express a series of thoughts she had.

Eventually I got gallery legs. The tiredness after a good few hours of intellectual art looking began to set in and I decided to decide what makes modern art. For me it’s the overstepping of a boundary within a genre, going against the expectations of the crowd and with it expressing some thought that has never been expressed before, or perhaps a thought that needs expressing some more. By breaking the norms in art we allow ourselves to learn more about what it is to be human, and what we are capable of.

The gift shop was great too.

Clebar

19

Profiad myfyrwraig ail fwlyddyn sy’n astudio rhan o’i gradd yng Nghanada

Y GWIRIONEDD AM ASTUDIO DRAMOR

GWNEUD Y MWYAF O’R CYFLE

Dwi’n cofio yn y chweched, pan oeddwn yn ymchwilio i mewn i brifysgolion, fod rhan fawr o’n dewis i yn dibynnu’n fawr ar gyfleoedd astudio dramor. Roedd Caerdydd wastad ar dop y list, ond roedd cyfleusterau adran ‘Global Opportunities’ Prifysgol Caerdydd yn chwarae rhan fawr yn fy newis terfynol. Mewn gwirionedd, does gennai ddim ateb call pam wnes i benderfynu symud i wlad arall am dymor i astudio, ond ma’r syniad wastad wedi bod yn apelgar. A pan ges i fy nerbyn allan o’r cwrs cyfan i fynd, mi oddo fel petai freuddwyd plentyn bach wedi’i gwireddu – ac oni’n barod i dderbyn y sialens. A bellach dyma fi yn byw yng Nghanada, gyda dwy droed yn yr eira a’m mhen i dal yn yr awyr ar goll rhywle rhwng Caerdydd a Gogledd America!

Heb os, wrth astudio dramor yn rhywle mor anhygoel â Chanada, mae’n rhaid manteisio ar y sefyllfa. Ers bod yma rwyf wedi teithio i Toronto, Montreal a Quebec ac efo cynlluniau i fynd ym mhellach wedi cwblhau arholiadau’r gwanwyn. Mae astudio dramor yn agor drws i fyd llawn o gyfleoedd a phrofiadau newydd ac mae’n rhaid cymryd mantais o’r rhain. Mae’r agwedd rydach chi yn ymdopi tra ar brofiad fel hyn yn unigryw, dwi hyd yn oed wedi dechrau mynd i’r gym cyn darlithoedd bore a mynd am hike yn yr eira ar ddiwedd dydd i glirio pen – mae’r profiad wir yn newid eich agwedd at fywyd.

Mae rhoi trosolwg o brofiad astudio dramor yn her yn ei hun. Gan amlaf mae pobl yn edrych heibio gwir bwrpas astudio dramor – symud i wlad arall ar eich pen eich hun i ail gychwyn bywyd prifysgol mewn diwylliant hollol anghyfarwydd. Mae hyn yn sicr yn codi llawer o heriau, ond maent yn heriau rwy’n hapus i’w taclo gan mai’r misoedd yma yw’r rhai o’r misoedd fwyaf buddiol a goleuedig byddaf byth yn eu cael. Dwi wastad yn trio teithio’r byd gymaint a dwi’n gallu, a phan gyrhaeddes i Canada, roedd y cyffro o gyrraedd rhywle newydd yn gyfarwydd ac yn braf. Roedd gadael gaeaf glawog Cymru a hedfan at oerfel rhewllyd Canada yn fwrlwm ac yn brofiad anhygoel yn ei hun. A hyd yn oed ar ôl setlo yma, mor bell i ffwrdd o adra, dwi dal yn teimlo’r cyffro.

HERIO’R HIRAETH Does dim cuddio’r ffaith fy mod i yn teimlo hiraeth yma. Roedd gadael yn anodd gan fy mod i wedi setlo mor dda yng Nghaerdydd ac roedd meddwl am adael ffrindiau, teulu a pherthynas ar ôl yn troi’n stumog i ma’n rhaid i mi gyfaddef. Yn sicr, mae’r peidio gweld y bobl da chi’n caru am fisoedd yn boenus, ond mae’n rhaid cadw’n bositif ac edrych ymlaen at y fath aduniad fydd yn disgwyl fi yn yr haf. Teg dweud er hyn, fod hiraeth wedi’n siapio i yn berson cryfach a fwy annibynnol gan fod rhaid i mi sefyll ar ddwy droed ac wynebu’r ffaith eich bod chi ar ben eich hun ar ochr arall y byd. Gyda’g

agwedd optimistig a hwyliog mae’n hawdd ymdopi gyda’r sefyllfa a gwerthfawrogi’r cyfle anhygoel. Mae’r holl broses yn sialens ac yn un sy’n dychryn pobl pan maent yn ystyried astudio dramor, ond y gwir ydi fod yr her yn un o’r agweddau pwysicaf a fwyaf buddiol o’r profiad.

Mae cymaint mwy i’w ddeud am y profiadau dwi’n cael yma yng Nghanada, a dwi wir yn edrych ymlaen at allu rhannu fy storiâu pan dwi nol yng Nghaerdydd yn yr haf.

Heb os, astudio dramor ydi’r peth gorau a’r peth anoddaf dwi erioed am ei wneud. Mai’n brofiad unigryw, gwallgof a hollol anhygoel, ac os dwi’n gallu ysbrydoli o leiaf un person i fanteisio ar gyfle o’r fath fyddai yn hapus. Dwi wir yn edrych ymlaen at ddod yn ôl i Gaerdydd, ond am rŵan dwi’n hapus fy myd yn yr oerfel rhyfeddol yma dwi’n gallu galw yn adra.

20

Ers eu gig cyntaf yng Nghlwb Ifor Bach y llynedd mae Serol Serol wedi mynd o nerth i nerth gan chwarae yn rhai o ddigwyddiadau cerddoriaeth mwyaf y Sîn Gerddoriaeth Gymraeg gan gynnwys y Ddawns Rhynggolegol, a Gwobrau Selar lle enwebwyd nhw fel Band Newydd Gorau eleni.

Yn wreiddiol o Ddyffryn Conwy mae’r cyfneitherod Leusa Rhys a Mali Sion wedi creu cryn argraff ers rhyddhau eu sengl gyntaf ‘Cadwyni’ nôl ym mis Mehefin y llynedd gan dorri tir newydd gyda cherddoriaeth space pop Cymraeg. Er mai genre digon prin yw pop seicadelic ar hyn o bryd yn y sîn gerddoriaeth Gymraeg, mae dylanwad bandiau fel Omaloma, Tame Lmpala a Tops i’w glywed yn gryf yng nghaneuon Serol Serol.

Gan gadarnhau yn ddiweddar y bydden nhw hefyd yn perfformio yn Eisteddfod yr Urdd a’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr haf hwn yn ogystal â chydweithio a Llŷr Pari a George Amor i ryddhau eu halbwm gyntaf edrychwn ymlaen i glywed mwy ganddynt dros y misoedd nesaf.

GEIRIAU GAN : LLEU BLEDDYN LLUN GAN : NADINE BALLANTYNE

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHS BY: CHARLOTTE CLARK DESIGN BY: ASHLEY BOYLE

A POSH NOSH REVIEW

On a cold afternoon in London, I walked with my band of Quench Food groupies into Polo Bar, looking for a meal to warm me up and tickle my taste buds. Upon arrival, we were welcomed by staff who ushered us to a cosy booth upstairs and we were quickly offered drinks and a menu. The initial feel of the place was homely, quaint and welcoming, and the décor screams ‘true London’: the cool chic design and the cosy layout of the café meant that this was not a touristy gimmick café. The history of the café itself tells you this: as a family-run business dating back to the 50s, this café has always prided itself on offering great quality food, in hearty portions, to hungry Londoners. It does not claim to be fancy, it just aims to be honest. And that, if you can put those words into feeling, is exactly how this café makes you feel: comfortable.

So, on to the food. As I sipped on my prosecco (I was on holiday, of course), I perused the menu and struggled to make a choice – my grumbling belly was impatient for anything and my overexcited brain wanted everything. But as the letters all started to get fuzzier and everything became that bit funnier, I realised I needed something hearty and alcohol-absorbent to rectify my over-giddy, light-weight body. So, me being me, I let the burger win again. I went for the Chilli Cheese Burger, which was a thick meaty burger topped with a three-cheese-andchilli combo of melted gooeyness, with lettuce, tomato, caramelised onion and relish, on a seeded brioche bun. Obviously, I got some thin-cut crispy chips on the side too. All in all, it was a delicious meal, the Polo Bar relish was one of the nicest burger relishes I have tasted, and the three-cheese combo hit me in all the right places. What is even greater than the taste is the ethics behind it: with 100% British Red Tractor beef, and everything is homemade and fresh. The difference between the standard of food at Polo Bar, and the less-lovingly prepared food in the Wetherspoons opposite, is enough to make your lunch a WHOLE lot nicer. The best bit is you wouldn’t even notice a shocking price difference, with my burger coming to just around the £8 mark! A fair price for a hearty meal.

My co-lunchers opted for Chorizo Benedict and a Vegan Benedict – yes, the breakfast menu is available all day! The Chorizo Benedict was a toasted English Muffin, with

guacamole, topped with poached eggs and chorizo, and it was incredible. She had to stop herself from licking the plate after. The Vegan Benedict included Sweet Potato, guacamole, hummus and homemade salsarossa relish, and my friend was super impressed and happy to finally have a vegan option in a restaurant that was unique and thought-through. So, kudos Polo Bar for that! Other vegan options include a vegan club sandwich and a vegan brekkie, as well as vegan pancakes!

The Polo Bar often likes to encourage eating challenges too so is a great place for you and your friends to go head-to-head, with pancake eating challenges, and the option to super-size meals upon request! They even had a pancake day challenge where the prize was a bottle of bubbly!

As a 24hr bar, the Polo Bar transforms at night into a funky bar/club for young economics students and any local partiers. With food served all night long, it’s also a great place for a late-night munchies craving. If you can’t be bothered to get out of bed for your late-night fix, or your mid-morning breakfast, they even deliver! Honestly, this place is the bomb, right? So there really isn’t any excuse not to be trying out Polo Bar’s array of tasty, affordable and accessible food! We will be heading back the second our feet next land in Paddington station.

Find them on their social medias at:

@polo24hourbar OR in London at:

176 Bishopsgate, Liverpool Street, EC2M 4NQ

FOOD & DRINK

21

22

years. Probably noticed mostly by those who choose not to drink at all, 22% of NUS respondents admitted that not drinking has a very negative impact on enjoying nights out. Olivia, a final year student, chooses not to drink out of personal taste. On the subject of drinking pressures, she told us ‘I often feel like I shouldn’t go to certain events (socials with my sports clubs) because I don’t want to drink. People often tend to buy me a drink which makes me feel rude when I refuse it. I don’t go on nights out often even though I really enjoy them because I’m scared people will prejudge me as a “non-drinker.”’ Most students agree that getting drunk isn’t essential to a great night out, so this underlying expectation of students is probably responsible for a lot more unwanted drinks than just Olivia’s.

Social expectations can’t account for all our drunken behaviour (unfortunately), and as students we do actively make our own decisions regarding alcohol. Second-year JOMEC student, Connor discusses how it’s our choice to drink as opposed to the pressure to fit in: ‘There is no debate that uni has an effect on the levels of drinking in young adults but I don’t think there is any pressure on them to do so.’ The majority of students (61%) don’t feel expectation from their friends to drink regularly, but they also do drink regularly. ‘It’s more the freedom you get at uni that leads to going out more. Back at home, most people are restricted by the fact that they have a whole day at school five days a week whereas at uni, although you still have lectures, your amount of free time is hugely increased. Especially in first-year, where your mark doesn’t count. This then follows on to second and third years wanting to keep up their club nights after being introduced in first-year’. A third of students drink alcohol more than once a week. Could it be, that we drink… just because we can?

Students can, and do, drink often because it fits into their lifestyle. With later starts and free days during the week, our social and educational lives should fit together seamlessly, right? But raise your hand if you’ve ever been too hungover to make it to those dreaded 9am lectures. You’re not alone, as almost half of students surveyed confessed to missing lectures and seminars at university as a result of drinking alcohol. As a second year, Emily has become wiser through experience. ‘I know my limits now and know when to stop. Due to an increased workload, I prefer staying

University and drinking go hand in hand. From our early days during Fresher’s Week to the post-exam celebrations, alcohol appears to be the key ingredient to a socially fulfilled, de-stressed student life. For most of us, drinking alcohol is a fun and harmless way to shake off nerves, so long as we can handle the hangover. But resilient as we may seem, students are not exempt from the serious effects that alcohol can produce, and our physical and mental health is on the line if uncontrolled. So why is drinking so central to our university experience? We might all feel the invisible pressure to live up to our shared expectations; students are known to party after all. Maybe there’s no pressure, but while we’re young and have the time - and money which appears magically in our bank accounts three times a year - we simply take advantage of regular club nights and cheap drinks. Taking a close look at the student bubble, we want to know why so many of us drink, and what university is like for our mates who don’t want to ‘get it down in eight.’

Drinking and getting drunk is part of university culture. At least, that’s what 85% of students agreed, according to the National Union of Students’ 2016 Alcohol Impact Report. Clearly, there is an expectation laid upon students arriving at university, and 72% of the respondents think that students drink to fit in with their peers. We were all warned about peer pressure as innocent ten year-old kids, but can it still reach us? Now we’re technically adults and make almost all of our daily decisions without having to phone our parents. It’s likely that peer pressure does have a bit of influence on us, but not in such blatant terms. More of a half-hearted, oh-go-on-then sort of way. Emily is a second-year History student, and wouldn’t describe herself as a big drinker, but a bit of a granny who prefers a cuppa. She tells us drinking alcohol is ‘not necessarily forced on you, but a lot of socials do include drinking aspects, so it’s quite hard to avoid.’ Peer pressure, unsurprisingly, affects first years more than anyone.

‘Last year I felt a lot more pressured to drink because I was a fresher and my housemates were a lot more pushy, whereas this year I’ve had predrinks with my housemates where I drank tea instead of alcohol because I didn’t want to drink’.

Perhaps the pressure eases off after freshers fortnight, but alcohol definitely doesn’t disappear from the social sphere in later university WORDS BY: NADINE PINNOCK DESIGN BY: ASHLEY BOYLE

in as going out and recovering from a hangover takes up the next day or two, which sometimes I can’t afford’.

We don’t all have the discipline of Emily, though, as much as we try.

45% of students told NUS that it can be difficult not to drink too much, and excessive drinking can quickly make its impact. The effects of overdrinking can range from feeling embarrassed about your drunken behaviour (cue hastily deleting last night’s Snapchat story), to much more serious impacts on our health and wellbeing. Although very few students actually worry about alcohol’s effects on their health, we can’t pretend that our student ID is some kind of get-out-of-liver-failurefree-card. Looking at the short term, the vast majority of students have vomited or passed out from consuming alcohol. We often put ourselves in dangerous situations too: arguments and fights with friends and strangers, or unprotected sex – which 25% of NUS respondents admitted to following consuming alcohol.

With the overwhelming expectation for students, especially freshers, to drink alcohol and fit in, it’s unsurprising how many social events organised for students involve drinking. Club nights all across Cardiff boast low prices for entry and booze, even if you’d rather just a lime and soda it’s against our student instinct to miss out on a bargain. University societies arrange socials where the main goal is, simply, to get drunk or get a first-year drunker (sports clubs, we’re looking at you). Despite this, most students feel that there are plenty of events that don’t necessarily involve alcohol, and sober socials at our Student’s Union are numerous.

For the most part, students drink a lot of alcohol. Pressure to drink does exist and is rife within freshers, but mainly due to the nation-wide expectation that we have to drink, rather than the cruel peer-pressuring of our flatmates. Students who choose to avoid alcohol completely inevitably feel the weight of this pressure the most, as turning down a drink is never a simple ‘no thanks’ but a barrage of little questions: ‘are you sure?’, ‘oh, go on’, ‘but why not?’. Despite this pressure, the choice is there and it’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to drink. So if you’ve been chugging the VKs but secretly dreaming of sipping a humble orange juice, order the OJ. You don’t have to down it, Fresher.

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FOOD & DRINK

24 24

T HE RE S TAURANT T HAT HAS S T O L E N A P I Z Z A M Y H E A R T

WORDS BY: MOLLY WYATT

IMAGE TAKEN BY RACHEL JEFFERIES

ModPizza Review

W

ave goodbye to bog-standard pizzas, with lacklustre options and extra charges for extra toppings. You’re going to want a pizza-this. Mod Pizza is bringing DIY pizza to the forefront, catering for all of us (vegans and gluten free included) by offering up a whole array of pizzas.

Fast-food meets restaurant as you go up to the counter to select your pizza (or salad) and directly speak to the pizza makers as you choose your toppings. Now, these toppings are not just any old toppings… I mean, yes, they have the usual toppings of tomatoes, mozzarella, pepperoni etc. but Mod Pizza is truly raising its game on ingredients here. From roasted cauliflower and roasted butternut squash, to marinated artichokes, VEGAN CHEESE. Oh, and the most scrummy chickpeas man has ever eaten. Long gone are the days where you can only choose from a tomato sauce base; Mod Pizza has five different sauce bases for you to choose from, six different cheeses, and to top it off, they have a bucket load of different ‘drizzles’ to perfect your personalised pizza – the fig balsamic glaze drizzle was un-fig-ettable!

The staff at Mod Pizza, despite all the unique pizzamaking they have to do, are not just incredibly welcoming and friendly, but are so chilled?! There’s a certain Australian vibe in the eatery; for what could be very stressful in designing your own pizza, it is actually, super laid back. I’m surprised the staff aren’t wheeling around on penny boards!

If you really can’t be bothered to come up with your own pizza, fear not, they have a menu of exciting pizzas that are bound to tantalise your taste buds. Their garlic bread pizza is second to none – Domino’s, eat your heart out! And if you have more of a sweet tooth, they make inhouse cinnamon pizza strips which come with drool worthy caramel, strawberry and chocolate dips.

YUM.

If you want proper good pizza (or salad) where you truly get your money’s worth, in a chilled environment, Mod Pizza is your place. Now, they just need to open a branch in Cardiff…

Special shout-out for the staff at Mod Pizza in Leicester Square for catering for the Quench team on our trip t o

London!

Finally, you may be thinking… yes, but what about Pizza Hut’s infamous Pepsi Max machine?! Well, Mod Pizza not only has a Coca-Cola machine that has hundreds of combinations with their fruity flavourings, but they have a homemade lemonade fountain! It’s all very exciting, some may say it’s ‘Fanta-stic.’

ILLUSTRATION: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/461267186821570041/

25

5 cheap and cheerful SUPER speedy noodle recipes!!

Supernoodles have and always will be a staple in each university student’s kitchen. When I first arrived in Cardiff and did my first ‘grown up’ grocery shop, I stocked up on Supernoodles in awe of how cheap they were. Managing to easily fill my cupboards with about 15 packets for less than a fiver made me the happiest little fresher in Cardiff and I was adamant that I would never get sick of them. But as weeks went on, the noodles became blander and more boring. I’ve always loved cooking and I thought university would be the chance for me to be the new Julia Childs and finally ‘master the art of French cooking’ (bonus points if you get the reference) along with other cuisines but the truth is, by the time you get home from a long day of 9-5 lectures, you barely have enough energy to open a can of beans. There are many reasons Supernoodles are such a hit amongst students and one of the reasons is the fact that they literally take about 5 minutes to make. This little guide will teach you how to make interesting meals without breaking the bank!

Chicken Pad Thai Supernoodles - Tamarind Sauce (70p) - Spring Onions (55p) - Salted Peanuts (48p) - Lime (35p) - Diced Chicken Breast (£3) - Soy Sauce (£1.30) - Fresh Coriander (70p) - Garlic (30p) - Supernoodles (81p) - Eggs (89p)

- Chicken or Beef (£3) - Cheese (£2) - Sour Cream (£1.70) - Guacamole (£1.70) - Tortilla (90p) - Mexican beans (70p) - Supernoodles (81p) - Taco seasoning (70p) 1. Boil water and cook Supernoodles.

2. In a pan, heat some oil and cook either Beef or Chicken thoroughly. Coat in Salt, Pepper and Taco seasoning. Once fully cook, shred meat using 2 forks.

3. Fill tortilla with meat, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, beans and Supernoodles and wrap. Don’t overfill.

4. Wrap the burrito in foil and broil for 5 minutes.

-A small piece of Ginger (80p whole) - 1 clove of Garlic (70p whole) - a packet of Chicken Super Noodles (81p) - 125g of pork mince (£3) -a few heads of Broccoli (Or alternative green vegetable) (60p) - Spring onions (55p) 1) Start by finely mincing the garlic and ginger and combine it to form a paste-like consistency.

2) Add the paste into a medium heat saucepan and add the pork mince. Allow this to cook for 1-2 minutes until the pork has cooked through.

3) Once this has been done, add 300ml of boiling water from the kettle followed by the soup packet from the Super Noodle package.

4) Immediately afterwards, add your heads of broccoli to the pan. (If you do not have broccoli, any leftover green vegetable will do just perfect!)

5) Once these have turned a dark green, add the noodles to the pan. Once they have become loose enough to break the block apart, stir them around to spread the ingredients equally.

6) After 2-3 minutes, remove the Noodles from the pan and serve in a bowl with the soup, garnishing the top with Spring Onions. Get stuck in.

by Josh Ong Supernoodles Alfredo

1. Boil water and cook Supernoodles.

2. In a pan, heat a little oil and then add Chicken Breast. Coat in Salt & Pepper.

3. Chop up garlic and spring onions and add to pan along with the peanuts.

Simmer on low heat till chicken in thoroughly cooked.

4. Add 20ml Soy Sauce, freshly squeezed lime juice and Tamarind sauce (you can find this in the Asian food section at Tesco or Lidl) and coat the chicken.

5. Bring in the Supernoodles and chopped fresh coriander.

6. Make a hole in the middle of the noodles and add 2 eggs. Scramble the eggs and wait till they’re fully cooked before mixing it in to the rest of the noodles.

7. Serve with extra peanuts and fresh coriander to garnish.

Noodle Burrito

Warming Winter Pork Noodles: After a long day of working, sometimes there is nothing more satisfying than a simple bowl of noodles. This recipe builds upon the simplistic, humble Super Noodle to create an easy to make, cost effective dish to warm yourself up back up from the cold outside.

Supernoodle Soup

- Smoked Bacon (£2) - Double cream (£1.05) - Parmesan (£2.10) - Chives (70p) - Supernoodles (81p) 1. Boil water and cook Supernoodles.

2. In a pan, heat some oil and then add diced bacon. Cook till crispy.

3. Add double cream and simmer. Then add grated parmesan and cook till cheese melts.

4. Snip some chives and then add to the cream mixture.

5. Add the Supernoodles and mix it all together.

6. Serve with extra grated parmesan to top.

- Chicken or Vegetable stock (40p) - Red chillies (60p) - Soy Sauce (£1.30) - Fish Sauce (optional) (£1.60) - Carrots (£1) - Green Beans (£1) - Supernoodles (81p) 1. Boil water and add stock cube.

2. Add 2 tbsp. soy sauce and 1 tsp. fish sauce (optional).

3. Chop chilli, carrots and green beans and add to the water. Leave to simmer for 15 minutes.

4. Add the noodles and wait till they are cooked.

5. Top with some chopped chillies to serve.

By Sarah Harris

FILM & TV

5 Things You Can Do With Supernoodles

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photography by: rachel jeffereies

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FOOD & SRINK

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Astroid Boyz

Dodie

The Rend Collective

March/Mawrth

April/Ebrill

Waterparks 08/03/18, £15 ADV

Andrew W.K. 13/04/18, £20 ADV

Skid Row 15/03/18, £25 ADV

Bedlam Presents: David Rodigan 27/04/18, £15.50 ADV

The Wombats 16/03/18 - SOLD OUT/ WEDI GWERTHU ALLAN

May/Mai

Dodie 28/03/18, £18 ADV

Jungle 05/05/18, £22 ADV

Astroid Boys 30/03/18, £12 ADV

The Rend Collective 10/05/18, £18 ADV

Super Hans 31/03/18, £16 ADV

Machine Head 14/05/18, £27.50 ADV Lucy Spraggan 20/05/18, £18 ADV

29 TRAVEL

Airlines We’d Recommend

WORDS BY: MOLLY GEDDES DESIGN BY: LUCY APRAHAMIAN As young jet setters at a time where travel is at its most accessible and airfare is now readily affordable, I’m sure many of us fly at least once a year, if not more! When planning a trip, we put endless thought into where we are going, how we will spend our time and what to pack.

What airline we choose to fly with, I’m sure receives a lot less of our attention. When we take out car insurance, we take time to research the reputation of the provider. If we book a hotel, we will read through the reviews to see whether the hotel has previously provided good service.

Is this the case when deciding which airline to fly with?

Flying with an airline you trust is surely an important factor when deciding on flights, or do we just focus on the price tag?

We asked our readers their opinions on a variety of different airlines. When asked which they believed to be the most trustworthy, 55% of voters chose British Airways, and Emirates followed with 27%.

Unsurprisingly, American Airlines received 0% of the votes, arguably due to recent airline controversies.

Readers voted EasyJet as the most trustworthy budget airline, with the company securing 64% of votes. Ryanair trailed behind with 21% and Monarch and Wizz Air received just 8% and 7%. Each vote produced results with one clear winner, suggesting that some airlines are front-runners in the battle for our trust. However, what makes us trust these airlines so heavily?

Both British Airways and EasyJet are British airlines, suggesting that we trust what we know. There’s something comforting in being familiar with flying with British companies, which could be a major factor in gaining its customers’ trust. Emirates, which also received a fair percentage of the vote, has been named the world’s best airline. This title is a huge selling point for the airline, as not only are they recognised for their luxury, but also their reliability. In an article revealing Emirates’ world class status, Richard Quest discusses what makes the world’s best airline. “The answer is consistency. With any airline there is no point having a great flight on Monday, an awful flight on Tuesday and a mediocre flight by Friday. It is the ability of an airline to provide what it promises on every flight, every day that makes the difference”.* This consistency that Quest speaks of is a crucial factor for airlines, as not only does it increase their reputation, but this in turn makes us trust them.

However, 100% of readers said they would more likely choose a flight due to the price rather than the airline, and as a poor student myself, I don’t blame them. But how cheap really are cheap flights? Just days ago, I booked a return flight to Naples. I searched the internet for days and settled on the most cost effective flight with Ryanair.

At just £54 return, I couldn’t believe what a bargain I’d bagged myself! However, this was before additional costs. To add a check-in bag (which is a necessity if you plan on going anywhere longer than a few days), was another £50 on top. That’s almost the price of my return flights, just to take a bag with some undies and shampoo.

Since you have to pay the earth in additional costs, we did some investigating here at Quench to find out how you can save as much money as possible on your flights.

Firstly, always use price comparison sites rather than looking directly through the airline. This allows you to search through a range of airlines, and will most likely find you the cheapest option. Quench recommends SkyScanner or Kayak to hunt out those bargain deals.

The timing of your booking is crucial too. Typically, the further in advance you book a flight, the less you will have to fork out; unless you bag yourself a last minute deal. Research carried out by price comparison site Momondo, found that the cheapest time to book a flight is 53 days in advance, and this will save you a whopping 26%. However, it’s also worth considering the timing of your flight itself. Momondo found that Tuesday is the cheapest day to fly and an evening flight will be less harsh on your bank balance than one earlier on in the day.** Something as small as the time of your flight could save you enough money to pay for a whole night out; I know where my priorities lie.

Finally, rumour has it that if you repeat search a flight, the airline picks up on your browser cookies and raises the price to pressure you into buying it. Make sure you switch your browser into incognito mode when booking flights to avoid airlines picking up on your browser history. We already pay up to nine grand a year for our lecturers to read off the board, we can’t afford any other unnecessary costs.

* Quest, Richard (2013) ** Momondo (2014)

30

Camden Town

Depart 14:00

Arrive 12:40

Kings Cross St Pancras

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20

Arrive 14:20

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Picadilly Circus

15:30

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12:40: Arrive at Ca mden Market. In dulge in some of street food and the wonderful mooch about th e many stalls.

14:00: Take the tube from Cam den Town southw at King’s Cross ards, switching St Pancras Statio n to the Piccad the tube at Cove ill y Line, leaving nt Garden Statio n.

14:20: Explore Co vent Garden on

foot.

15:30: Walk the short distance into London’s So explore the bout ho district and ique shops. Hea d for Supreme or love streetwear, Palace if you Burberry or Mic hael Kors for a bi tackle the famou t of luxury, and s Hamleys if you fancy being extr a touristy.

17:00: Make yo ur way towards Piccadilly Circus stopping to take tube station, some snaps of th e famous junctio brightly coloured n lined with Billboards or ev en stopping for one of the many a bite to eat at eateries in this di strict.

17:30: Take the Bakerloo Line south from Picc changing at Em adilly circus, bankment for ei ther the circle O getting off at W R di st estminster. rict line and 18:00: As it begi ns to get dark, ex plore the area. W stopping to see e recommend Big Ben, the Hou ses of Parliamen Westminster as t and Palace of they begin to lig ht up.

19:00: Continue back on the Circ le or District Line make your way to Victoria and over to the coac h station with pl find your coach en ty of time to home.

20:00: At approx imately 8 o’cloc k depart London tiresome journe and start the y back to Cardiff .

TRAVEL

Quench’ s i d e a l i t i n e r a r y

9:30 - 12.00: Ca rdiff> London Megabus arrivin Victoria Coach g into London Station at appr oximately midda y.

12:15: Head to Vi ctoria Tube Stat ion and purchase enable easy and a day pass to swift transport.

12:20: Hop on a tube from Victor ia Station on th switching at Eu e Victoria Line, ston onto the N or thern Line to Ca Station. mden Town

>> Plan Ahead As with any trip, it’s vital you plan and do some research in advance.

With so much going on in London, it’s essential you plan your day as best as possible so you can cram as much in as humanly possible. Figure out thing you would like to do with your day in advance and prioritise.

As the city is so vast, an itinerary is seriously recommended so you can follow a pre-planned route rather than waste your day popping back and forth to attractions.

>> Transport The Mega bus from Cardiff to London usually stops at Victoria Station, starting you off in a prime location for your day of exploring. As London is so big and often main attractions are a good distance apart, making sure you can travel efficiently about the city is crucial. Luckily with London, your method of transportation is an attraction in and of itself; the famous London underground. Mapping your way around the city, hopping on and off tubes and slowly gaining confidence and feeling like a real Londoner throughout the day is part of what makes a trip to the city so memorable. We would recommend buying a day ticket from one of the tube station ticket offices, as this allows you to jet about as much as you want for one day; eliminating queues, saving money and time.

However, if the busy tubes aren’t for you, a hop-on-hop-off bus is the perfect way to explore London at your own pace. Many of these buses offer a set route around London, running regularly and stopping at most major attractions. With open top roofs and a recorded tour guide, you can see and learn about London without even having to use your feet.

This form of transport ensures that you don’t miss out on anything.

>> Food Chances are, London restaurants are too expensive for our tight student budgets. Plus, being sat inside waiting on table service, minimises the time spent exploring this bustling city. Quench recommend heading to one of London’s many diverse markets and trying out some local street food. A fraction of the price, but not one bit less delicious. Borough Market is a foodie’s heaven. Located on the South Bank, Borough is near London Bridge, Tower Bridge and the Tower of London. With a huge selection of street food vendors, you will not be short on choice. Borough market offers tangy Asian meats, fresh produce and picture-worthy artisan cakes. London however, is home to an array of markets, each with its own individual quirk. We recommend the weird and wacky Camden market where cheap street food is readily available.

>> Attractions As much as we all want to be tourists and have our picture taken with a wax figure of Beyoncé and see London’s skyline from a Ferris wheel that moves slower than the Hoffi Coffi crossroads; it’s not the most efficient way to spend your short day in London. As tempting as they may be, the main popular attractions will ALWAYS be busy, and chances are you will spend 80% of your day queueing. Fast-track options are available, but if you don’t want to be living off Tesco Value tomato soup for the rest of term, we have some alternatives.

Plenty of London’s main attractions require no queue. Head to Covent Garden in London’s West End and be entertained for free. The stunning piazza is home to many shops, markets and entertainment venues. As you wander around the area, you will find yourself fixated by many weird and wonderful street artists, who can capture your attention for hours. Covent Garden is often hailed as being one of London’s most vibrant areas and you can soak up the atmosphere, free of charge(!). If you want to explore a little off the beaten track, try to locate Neal’s Yard (behind Monmouth Street); a small cobbled courtyard filled with brightly coloured buildings.

It makes for a brilliant picture and there are an array of alternative shops and cafes to mooch in.

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quench’s favourite london hostels There is so much to do in London, you could easily fill up a whole week, even a month, no problem! However, it’s easy to be put off by the price of most London accommodation. Thank goodness for hostels. Here at Quench, we have saved you a job and selected our favourite, student-friendly London hostels.

Hootananny Hostel, Brixton Just a short walk from Brixton Underground Station, Hootananny Hostel has great links to central London.

The hostel itself is a traditional Edwardian public house dating back to the 19th century. What makes Hootananny so appealing is its fun yet chilled-out vibe. The hostels’ bar offers a 20% discount to guests (perfect for us broke students!) and has even been named one of the best live music venues in London.

On top of this, Hootananny Hostel will only set you back £16 for one night in a six-bed dorm (£1 extra for a four-bed) Facilities: Affordability: Interior: Location: Palmers Lodge - Hillspring at Willesden Green Named as having the “Best Customer Service” by the British Education Travel Association in 2012 and 2013, Palmers Lodge is a friendly hostel. Located in North West London, Palmers Lodge requires a tube journey to reach the city centre. Equipped with a lounge and a restaurant the hostel is perfect for those who are looking for a more chilled out vibe. The interior is extremely modern and the hostel is often praised for its cleanliness. Despite not having the student, party vibe we all so desperately crave, Palmers Lodge is extremely cost-effective. A space in a fourteen-bed same-sex or mixed dorm can cost as little as £13.30. In addition to this, Palmers Lodge offers a free continental breakfast between 7-10.30am and offers restaurant meals for as little as a fiver; perfect for our tight wallets”.

Facilities: Affordability: Interior: Location:

WORDS BY: MOLLY GEDDES DESIGN BY: KATIE HUXTABLE BACKGROUND BY: SKETCHEPEDIA VIA FREEPIK.COM ILLUSTRATION BY: JINHO JUNG VIA FLICKR

Clink78, King’s Cross Clink78 is a modern, fun and cool hostel in a prime location. Located minutes from King’s Cross, the hostel is within easy access to all areas of the city.

Built into an old courthouse and previous workplace of Charles Dickens, the hostel is a little piece of history. As well as it’s brilliant location, Clink78 is also renowned for its nightlife. The hostel has its own basement entertainment venue which plays host to DJ nights and live music, meaning you don’t even have to leave your hostel for a night out, BRILLIANT! The whole hostel boasts a funky vibe with its bright and modern interior providing a huge selling point.

Clink78 also provides a great base to explore the city, with free walking tours going daily and its own travel shop selling discounted tickets, the hostel really helps you make the most out of a trip to London. However, it’s abundance of facilities does nothing to diminish Clink78’s affordability. With a range of private and dorm rooms, with and without en-suites, guests with a range of budgets can enjoy this establishment. A twelve-bed dorm provides the most cost-effective option, at roughly £16 a night.

Facilities: Affordability: Interior: Location:

Wombats City Hostel London Minutes from some of London’s main tourist attractions, Wombats City Hostel is brilliantly located.

A huge selling point for students and young travellers is its close proximity to up-and-coming party central, Shoreditch. The hostel operates on a self-catering basis, with facilities available for guests to make their own food and drinks. Most notable about Wombats City Hostel is its glorious chic interior. Each dorm has wooden bunks and the hostel kitchen looks like something from a home interior magazine. The whole hostel has a feel of luxury about it. This, however, is not represented by the price. Although slightly more pricey than our other recommendations, Wombats City Hostel is well within our student budgets, especially for a short stay. An 8-bed dorm will set you back just under £20, or £26 for a four-bed. However, this price will be more than worth it for an insta in the kitchen of your dreams.

Facilities: Affordability: Interior: Location:

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Bath, England

Bath is the place to go if you want a stress-free trip away. The train station is located right in the city centre and all the main touristy spots are within walking distance.

The Roman Baths, in my opinion, are a bit overpriced for students (£14.50) but the museum is worth a visit as the place has a lot to show apart from the steamy baths (you can’t go in them, soz). You will get enticed by the history of the Romans in Britain at the Baths and I promise you will not get bored! Plus, your ticket includes a discount at the restaurant at the end of the tour. Outside the Baths is the Abbey, an impressive Perpendicular Gothic building that costs only a £2 donation fee for students to enter.

The Abbey is a pinnacle building in the centre of Bath which lavishly shows off the city’s use of Bath Stone, the city’s main building material. If you are not interested in the touristy stuff, you can walk through the city’s lanes and arcades which offer a lot of small, independent shops as well as high street stores. Not into shopping? I recommend popping into Colonna and Small’s Speciality Coffee café shop, you will not be disappointed.

Marielle Wilkinson

Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh has that magical element that comes with having a combination of centuries of history and the fast-paced feel of a modern city — there’s something for everyone, from history buffs to alcohol aficionados to food enthusiasts. Make your way to the 11th century Castle through the Royal Mile, a long street dotted with an equal number o f landmarks and souvenir shops. Take a walking tour if y o u want somebody to explain why ‘gardeloo’ was once a popular saying (it involves buckets full of questionable substances being thrown out of windows), and go back at night time if you want a terrifying account of haunting stories that belong to the city. Move onto Princes Street and its beautiful gardens for some shopping. You don’t even have to give up the view, as the castle will be to your side. The West End is littered with endless independent boutiques and restaurants that are as delicious as they are Instagrammable, so make sure to get lost in the side streets for a while. If you feel like a bit of cardio head to Arthurt’s Seat and chase the endless peaks and valleys for miles and miles of the Scottish landscape.

Whether you’re looking to indulge, get fit, learn, or a little bit of everything, all you need to do is get yourself to Edinburgh.

Nicole Garcia

Great British Breaks

Bude, England

If you’re looking for a seaside holiday destination in the UK, head to Bude in the North of Cornwall. Its relaxed, beautiful beaches are perfect for enjoying everything that Cornwall has to offer and it’s so close to the Devon border that you won’t have to travel for ages to enjoy it. Why not head to Summerleaze Beach, which boasts an impressive sea pool that is cut into the rock? It’s perfect for a calm swim when the sea is too rough.

Or, for the more adventurous types, there are plenty of surfing schools where you can try out the sport for a day while being taught by a qualified instructor. If you’re looking for somewhere to eat, Rosie’s Kitchen is situated just behind Crooklets Beach – they offer a range of delicious meals, snacks and award-winning ice cream, with beautiful views of the Cornish sea. For a fun afternoon activity after a morning at the beach, you can hire a pedalo or rowing boat along Bude Canal for around £8 per hour. All of this, alongside access to the South West Coast Path, means that there really is something for everyone in this relaxed seaside town.

Megan Potterton

York, England

The city of York is one of Northern England’s hidden gems. Steeped in culture and heritage the historic city offers an alternative location to metropolitan cities of the North and hosts an array of activities for you to fill even just a short weekend break.

Not only can you find a selection of recognizable high-street brand stores, but the quaint and quirky Shambles offer a labyrinth of independent small businesses and cafes. York is also home to many historical landmarks. You can spend an hour or two learning the fascinating story of York Minister Cathedral, or visit Jorvik Viking Centre for an immersive educational experience into the Viking invasions that shaped the North East of Britain. If you’re a bit of a foodie, York is home to a selection of eateries, from traditional British pubs to a wide selection of coffee houses and tea rooms.

Alongside familiar fast food and restaurant chains, there’s plenty this small city can offer, including bars and nightclubs (it is a university town after all!). If you choose to visit York during the Winter festive period, you’ll have the opportunity to explore their Christmas markets, which include a vast variety of stalls selling boutique clothing, local food produces and luxury items.

Maisie Williams

Bristol, England

Looking for an edgy city escapade? Brizzle is the perfect place for you! Banksy’s hometown is just an hour away from Cardiff on the train and has a lot to offer. The city centre is a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads train station, and you can take the route that goes along the River Avon. You will walk past St Mary Redcliffe Church (which has amazing gothic architecture), the Arnolfini Gallery and Arts Centre, the Bristol Harbor and Bristol Aquarium – each place worth a peek! In the heart of the centre, the old meets the very new. There are a lot of churches for the architecture freaks, as well as several vintage clothes shops for the hipsters. Bristol’s Museum near the University of Bristol offers interesting exhibitions, including a special Banksy original. If you want amazing photos that will boost your number of followers and get bare likes on Instagram – I recommend going out of your way and visiting the Clifton Suspension Bridge, where you will get breath-taking views of the River Avon. Bristol is also a crazy night out, offering some of the country’s best underground raves at Stokes Croft. ‘‘But, how do I get back to Cardiff after a good lash in Bristol Auntie Maz?’’, I hear you ask. Mega bus single tickets are £3 in advance. Party away!

Marielle Wilkinson

DESIGN BY: KATIE HUXTABLE IMAGES FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: PEDRO SZEKELEY, TOM GAULTON VIA FLICKR

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TRAVEL

As thrilling as a trip to London is, it’s by no means all that our wonderful little island has to offer. If you fancy something a little different to the English capital, here are our best-recommended locations for a Great British Break.

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ROWAN LEES DESIGN BY: KATIE HUXTABLE

A day with the London Buskers

London is a cornucopia of incredible, diverse art and a stroll through the city centre will let you know this in beautiful detail.

Bbarely a second goes by on a walk down the Southbank where you won’t hear a tune being sung into the smoggy London air.

On the Quench trip to London we decided to spend a day among the street artists and find out what busking is to them.

Many of the big names in music grew from their humble beginnings of street performance. Passenger left school at 16 to play to the streets of England and Australia, Tracy Chapman juggled university and got herself signed in the process, Rod Stewart took his busking abroad and got himself deported for vagrancy. Swings and roundabouts, I guess.

Regardless of the success stories, busking is an invaluable part of our culture. Not only does it allow aspiring artists to get experience and practice in a live setting, it exposes the rest of us to new and exciting music. Not just new songs either, there were a good few unidentifiable instruments spotted around Covent Garden, what a way to eat your meal deal, sitting on a bench across from a street harpist.

Talking to the musicians themselves, you get the sense that there are many different motivations to bringing your music outside into the winter cold. After finding us a spot out of the wind where he could roll a post-performance cigarette, Rob Falsini explained that the motivation for busking in his youth was really just to build up some beer money. Realising that this small-time hustle could be turned into a living Rob moved to London in 2003 and worked his way up to his current regular post performing in Covent Gardens.

Before I approached to ask some questions, he’d already won my little indie heart with a string of incredible Radiohead covers. “It’s an art in itself ” he tells me, “I think it’s the purest form of performing, you have to win people over every day”.

For Rob the idea of performing on the street is not done for the day to day donations, he’s sold an incredible 20,000 CDs out of a guitar case over time and his performance expertise has taken him all over the world, but the art of busking itself seemed to be what really made him tick.

Although surprising, this seemed to be the case for most musicians and street performers acting out in the lovely settings of Covent Gardens. A lush gig for a busker if you can get it, apparently no performer at the Gardens is known to have another significant form of income, their acts and resultant gigs and bookings sustaining a career. What struck me most about learning this fact though was the sense of community it suggested between performers, that they really knew such personal details of each other’s lives. The same was the case at changeovers between artists. While they dismantled and set up their rigs respectively, words rattled back and forth about the day’s takings and the weather (we are in Britain after all).

It wasn’t all polite chat though and you got the sense that by their displays of artistry and musicianship, the people who

performed around each other on so many days had developed a more intimate bond. Perhaps by finding out their similar music tastes, or just sharing in the experiences of singing to the streets every week, the musicians and other entertainers seem to have created a healthy and happy community in London’s most loved piazza.

I think this sense of community could only stretch so far, you see local groups form in different places. Another stop on the search for buskers was the Southbank of the Thames. The weather rained off play outside the Tate but Justin Coultrup found shelter for the afternoon, the acoustics of an urban alcove by Blackfriars station brilliantly amplifying his guitar and vocals.

Justin peeled himself away from the performance corner and generously agreed to take some questions. “I’m basically just out here to get signed you know”, he mentioned when considering the monetary rewards of busking. Each day is another opportunity for those in the profession so endurance and perseverance are key characteristics for a busker, you don’t want to be performing below your very best when a Simon Cowell rolls through. Perseverance isn’t as easy as it looks here either. The winter months can get you pretty chilly, the evenings bringing drunken arms around shoulders and the general feeling of being ignored by hordes of headphone wearers must be pretty demoralising too. Some people do the opposite of ignore however, a nearby shopkeeper apparently makes his annoyance known at the volume of the music in the sheltered space, it’s not for everyone I guess.

The location of a busker seems central to the practice, living anywhere you will become familiar with your local buskers. Cardiff itself has the daytime drummers of Queen Street, an ever present saxophonist, and there’s always that one guitarist playing Oasis after a night out isn’t there? Touristy spots like directly outside the Tate apparently were a pretty good choice, the heavier the footfall the better the income, although no-one really wants to go for that slot on a rainy Saturday morning. Justin was set on performing within this specific Southbank area too, brightening the days of many who day tripped or commuted through the spot with their harmonising vocals.

Rob mentioned he’d noticed a definite change in the attention span of the street audience whom he has played to and observed over the years. Hopeful of a solution to the problem, he put forward some ideas to keep up with the times. Laughing as he suggested a contactless payment system “it’s not working out right now, but we’ll figure it out”. We might not be paying as many coins, or as much attention as we should to our street artists but motivated by their passions for music from every genre, culture, and corner of the world, they will play on.

Thanks to Rob Falsini (‘robcoventgarden’ on Facebook) and Justin Coultrup (‘Justin Coultrup singer song writer’ on Facebook and ‘Justin P Coultrup’ on Youtube) for agreeing to take part in interviews on such a classically British winter Saturday.

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MUSIC

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Farringdon In London’s artsy district of Farringdon is one of the city’s better kept secrets, Piano Works. It is said to be London’s only non-stop live music venue. You can relax with your G&T while two pianists are there at your own disposal to play any songs recommended by the audience.

Dalston Vortex Jazz Club is one of London’s largest jazz clubs (and one of the world’s best).

This venue has kicked off the careers of the likes of Polar Bear and Portico Quartet.

This is the perfect place to go if you enjoy a chilled-out dance to some top-quality jazz music.

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Tower Hamlets Yes, you guessed it. Tower Hamlets is the home of grime. This London Borough is the home of Dizzee Rascal Wiley and Tinchey Stryder, so if you are a true grime fan, this is the place to be. Grime is such a thriving genre in this borough, Tower Hamlets Arts, have introduced a workshop for young aspiring artists, ‘Mark Your Grime with Young Minds & Ruff Sqwad’. Get your gun-fingers ready.

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Yes you know it, Chelsea is the place of the posh antics and with your champagne in-hand you should head down to Cadogan Hall.

An infamous venue which houses some of the biggest international orchestras and their own resident orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic.

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Brick Lane For all you indie loving people out there, hit up Brick Lane. You can find record store Rough Trade’s flagship UK store. Blur and Queens of the Stone Age have even played here, so it’s an indie’s must. It began as a record label, signing bands like The Smiths and The Libertines. It now has a line of shops which hold regular in-store gigs.

Don’t forget to get a picture in their famous photobooth.

Shoreditch After your vodka fuelled pre-drinks, Shoreditch is the place for you to go. When you hear about Shoreditch you will almost certainly automatically think of hipsters and ‘edginess’.

However, it is home to one of London’s most famous night clubs, ‘Cargo’ which specialises in house, techno and dubstep. This proves that you really do not need to be a hipster to hang out in Shoreditch.

37 MUSIC

Cardiff - the UK’s first ever

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By quenchmusic 24 SONGS

CARDIFF’S BEST OF 2018 Entering 2017 with a fearful volume of uncertainty… Cardiff ’s independent musical hub saw itself under threat. One by one, venues began to close down as Cardiff ’s music scene was crumbling before our very eyes. Then… invading unarmed and weakened territory, the businessmen arrive. Suited and booted with their corporate agendas, ready to attack our creative space with hotels, apartments and sports bars; unwanted and unnecessary ventures which held our beloved Womanby Street and its surrounding musical spaces under threat.

1. Uma Thurman - Rainbow Maniac

Now, one year on, how things have changed. Assemble your Red Stripes and your dancing shoes as it is time to party!

Cardiff ’s eclectic and vibrant music scene has won the battle resulting in the trophy that is Cardiff as the UKs first ever music city. A well-deserved triumph which has been achieved due to the spirit and passion of Cardiff ’s music community throughout the fight to save Womanby! Bands, promoters, venues, fans and even politicians united together to save Cardiff ’s music scene as we know it and results have gone above and beyond. A great show of both strength and resilience on behalf of Cardiff ’s creative community. With actions such as the Save Womanby Street campaign, the march on city hall and a lot of petition signing it was evident Cardiff were not willing to let such a valued and sacred part of our city fall short to corporate pressures. This turn of events is an inspirational and emotional showcase of Cardiff ’s tightknit and passionate music community which simply highlights how important music truly is to Cardiff as a city!

3. Face Behind Her Cigarette - Boy Azooga

However, nobody quite knows what Cardiff ’s new title of UK’s ‘first music city’ truly means. What will happen now Cardiff is the UK’s first ever music city? First of all, it will aim to develop a new strategy to protect Cardiff ’s music scene by looking after our current venues whilst also creating more in order to prevent incidents like the Womanby Street threats again. Additionally, it means Cardiff will work with Sound Diplomacy who have previously worked for cities as big as New York, Barcelona and London. They will now be collaborating with Cardiff to increase the value of music in our city, benefit our economy and strengthen our communities (not that we need help with that!). Not only that, but this will really place us on the map by boosting our international profile as the music city!

This all sounds a little overwhelming but it is clear why this is all happening to our little Welsh home. First of all, look at the amount of festivals that infiltrate our streets every year; we’ve got the ever-growing Swn Festival, Hoy Festival, Hub Festival as well as our very own Xpresstival and many more! Additionally, the extent of our independent music venues is extraordinary! Cardiff is a place to find a varied mix, accommodating to each and every genre. One night you may stumble into The Moon and witness a tranquil, folk set and the next, you can fall into a night of all out, metal head rock.

However, the importance of these venues can often be overlooked. Without these venues, some of our favourite artists would be non-existent. These spaces offer a place for upcoming artists to experiment, promote and play. Without it, the music sphere would be simply stagnant which is scary as so many of these hubs see themselves under threat every day. If you’re yet to immerse yourself in these independent venues of Cardiff, then check out Minty’s Map to Cardiff, a project which pinpoints every single existing music venue in the city. The extensity of this map simply demonstrates how lucky we are and how musical Cardiff truly is. I dare you to check out one a night as you will be surprised with what you might find.

However, it would be of course wrong to celebrate Cardiff as a music city without exploring the music that has been birthed amongst these very streets. Right now, the musical talent our city is producing is perplexing. Pumping out a lengthy line of incredibly talented artists curating sounds like no other, Cardiff artists are taking the UK by storm. The likes of Boy Azooga, Himalayas and Chroma are stepping across the border and doing us proud by showing the rest of the UK who we are with their enticing and varying sound. In the meantime, we are seeing this prestigious Cardiff line up grow before our very eyes with new born artists such as Rainbow Maniac, Buzzard and Sock adding to the talent!

This is an exciting time to be a part of Cardiff ’s vibrant and extraordinary music scene. And it’s time for you to become a part of it. Head down to our independent venues, see a band you’ve never seen before and immerse yourself in the music because it’s bloody good!

We’ve created a celebratory Cardiff playlist highlighting Cardiff ’s very own gorgeous sounds of 2018. Hope you enjoy…

WORDS BY: ERIN BROWN DESIGN BY: LISA DORAN

2. In Vain- Buzzard

4. Thank God I’m Not You - Himalyayas 5. Take Me To The River - Kidsmoke 6. Fratolish Hiang Perpeshki - Gwenno 7. Try Me - CHROMA 8. I’m Not Your Girl - Estrons 9. Dusted - Astroid Boys 10. Shake It Up - Keys 11. Your Appointment will Be Yesterday - Quodega 12. Fei i Fod - Adwaith

Don’t forget that Cardiff ’s music stems so much further than Spotify with other bands such as such as Private World, Sock, Perfect Body, Charlie Says and so many more! You can find some of our local best bands also on Soundcloud, Bandcamp and Mixcloud. Or even better… head down to a local Cardiff record shop such as Spillers and treat yourself to a record. By doing this you’re not only supporting your local bands but your local businesses too.

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SOURCE: TVBOMB.CO.UK VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

SOURCE: MARK KENT VIA FLICKR

Hypothetically speaking, a reunion of The Jam is possible. However, in reality this is an all to distant dream which Paul Weller has regularly distanced himself from in interviews. Consequently, I will never get to experience the band I love so much live. Thankfully I have ten years of material to draw from. Active through the late 70s and early 80s, they produced five albums and more hits than I could fit on my very first, admirably small MP3 player.

First discovered in my Mum’s CD rack, The Very Best of The Jam was one of the first albums which led me to fall in love with music. However, for many years this was the limit of my exposure to The Jam. While I regularly listened to them at first, they soon got lost in sea of Arctic Monkeys and The Killers. I later came to explore the full extent of their discography, moving beyond the twenty-one tracks which made up The Very Best of The Jam. This is the point The Jam moved from a passing curiosity in my formative music listening years, to the soundtrack of my mid-teens. Sixteen-yearold me walked everywhere with the sound of the angry rebellion of youth which was The Jam filling my eardrums. This helped form the person I am today and in hindsight was one of the most important listening experiences of my life.

While not to the extent they used to The Jam still form an important part of my music universe. If you only know The Jam from a ‘Town Called Malice’ or ‘Going Underground’, do yourself and favour check them out. – Max Modell

By the time I got into The Maccabees it was already too late. They were on the second of their three farewell tours they came to Gateshead for the 6 Music Festival and headlined the last night. My mum and I had been looking for tickets after it sold out when one afternoon, Mary Anne Hobbs’ permanently understated voice announced a final release of tickets. So, brilliantly and quite irresponsibly, Mum took me along the night before my history mock exam for the festival. The Maccabees headlined, blew the crowd away and sent me home looking through their back catalogue. I fell in love first with their debut album, Colour It In – a fantastic intro to their indie rock sound where energy and nostalgia fill the modest 50-minute running time. Each minute is worth its weight in gold, though to me, it’s an album with no skippable tracks (and that’s something that can really get a music nerd going). Just months later As always with the Maccabees, the affair of breaking up was an overall heartwarming one. The split being entirely amicable they could even squeeze in a couple of years of farewell touring for the fans, likely their pension funds too but who can blame ‘em. Front man Orlando Weeks is now continuing his musical talents through writing and a love of illustration through the release of ‘The Gritterman’, a book and album touchingly focused on ageing and obsolescence. The project is based loosely on his late Grandfather, also the subject of the first track of the band’s first album: ‘Good Old Bill’. Colour It In was my reminder to see beauty in passing moments and memories and the rest of their discography will be adored by fans long into the future. Cheers for the extensive farewell touring, come back anytime you like, lads.- Rowan Lees

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My Chemical Romance was the first and only band I have ever been truly obsessed with. As many (now former) “emo” kids did, I became a huge fan after ‘The Black Parade’ came out – a song which may as well have replaced the national anthem for angsty teenagers like me back then. For a good few years I retained this obsession to the point of knowing the tracklist for every album; eventually leading myself to attend my first gig at Wembley Arena a good few years later in 2011. I had no idea it would be their last tour (for now!) and so I do also quite enjoy holding the bragging rights that I exercise every now and then, too. The band and their music never really fit into ‘respectable’ rock music though, being a pretentious 15-year-old, (I did of course argue that it was ‘real’ music instead of ‘generic pop rubbish’). Nor did they penetrate through to the heights of mainstream pop culture despite their successes. It is instead the blend of their theatrical, dramatic and camp style that made them feel so freeing to myself and many others in the first place – with the band being somewhere in between the plain-dressed guitar-led rock bands that dominated and a self-expressive and camp presentation which could only be described as Bowie-esque. Behind this dramatic presentation was something very real and seemed to act as an authentic expression of solidarity to anxious teenagers who didn’t really fit in for one reason or another. Whilst I look back on the extent of my obsession as being embarrassing now (having never shut up about them to others) it is true that this band meant more to me than I may care to admit. After passing the teen angst and ridding myself of an overly long fringe, I now have the pleasure of listening them purely for enjoyment and nostalgia as opposed to any cathartic or miserable-teenager reasons. Fellow ‘emo’ band Fall Out Boy have managed to reform – evolving their music past the mid-noughties angst – and as their fans have grown up, they have too. Despite having a more varied music taste nowadays, the band still holds a special place in my heart; and if there is ever a reunion tour, I will doubtlessly be first in line. – Lewis Payne

SOURCE: @PIXELFIXMUSIC VIA INSTAGRAM

They say the most provoking nostalgia is scent. Well, whoever said that clearly hadn’t heard a song that’s tied to specific memories or timeframe. The indie-techno sounds of Pixel Fix were always perfect for studying to, which is why when they come on shuffle, they throw me right back to the good ol’ days. A levels (A2, if we’re being specific). Oh those were the days. Some of you reading this might think “Pixel who?”, but my god, they were a golden find. At my prime-time of my indie-genre phase, I specifically listening to this Oxford-based band on the bus on the way to work after college. Although (after all this time) I still don’t know what the hell Marcus is singing (lyrically), it somehow perfectly complements the band’s techno rhythms, relaxed beats and head-swaying genius riffs. Pixel Fix are genuinely like nothing else I’ve heard before, and since their split in 2016, I have been looking for an artist to fix the Pixel-Fix-shaped hole in my heart. Maybe nostalgia’s just the way. Tracks Lungs, Fall and I Want You The Same are my personal favourites. In the words of Fallout Boy, thanks for the memories. - Rachel Jefferies

SOURCE: RACHEL JONES VIA FLICKR

This one goes out to Busted. My second favourite band of the noughties (second to McFly, of course). Busted are the only band that I cried about when I heard the devastating news of the split, I guess it was more a sort of welling up (McFly haven’t technically split up so I haven’t shed a tear over them yet). Looking back on Busted now, their lyrics are extremely childish but I guess that’s why they were so popular back in the day. Lyrics such as “triple breasted women swim around town totally naked” and “I’m glad I crashed the wedding” as well as songs about girls wanting to look like them and about teacher fantasies, only Busted could get away with. Their ridiculous songs cannot be forgotten and must be appreciated. – Charlie Minnet

Like many others, I was first introduced to the sounds of Noah and the Whale through arguably their biggest and most popular song ‘5 Years’ Time’ back in 2008 (which also featured vocals from Laura Marling), and it soon became synonymous to both my friends and I with those viciously hot, long school days, where it became our favourite summer anthem every year. We would be listening to it on repeat throughout our exceptionally boring biology lessons with Mr. Watson, and constantly singing it out on the school field, and it made us wonder what we too, would be doing in five years’ time.

My next big love affair with the band happened after they released their third studio album, Last Night on Earth three years later in 2011. This album was the soundtrack to the two years of studying for my GCSEs, and my friends and I would again be listening to their songs such as ‘L.I.F.E.G.O.E.S.O.N.’, ‘Life Is Life’ and ‘Tonight’s The Kind Of Night’ to get us through those school days. In fact, I was so besotted by this album I bought the CD twice, as my dad was forever borrowing it.

So, back in 2015 when the band announced their decision to split, it did feel as though a big part of my teenage and school years had also ended. It feels as if no singers or bands have since been able to fill this huge void left by Noah and the Whale; no other band has a similar sound to the vocals of Charlie Fink, and very few use string instruments, such as the violin, so prominently within their music. However, whenever I listen back to their songs, I am instantly transported back to my teenage years where everything was a little bit simpler and easier. – Joanne Brockbank

SOURCE: AURELIEN GUICHARD VIA FLICKR

SOURCE: CERNUNNOS XPP YAUN VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

MUSIC

39 Heartbroken your favourite band/artist have broken up? Us too. Here’s a shoutout to our favs.

Mark E Smith’s death in January gave us a timely reminder of what two things The Fall have taught us about musical endeavour over their spellbinding career: You can write critically acclaimed albums of songs consisting only of two guitar chords complemented by absurdly meaningless vocals, and it is possible to maintain prolific commendation and musical output despite the coming and going of 66 different members over 42 years. On the topic, Smith famously jibed “If it’s me and your granny on bongos, it’s The Fall”.

My first experience of The Fall was in 2016 when listening to their third album Grotesque (After The Gramme), released in 1980. A politically charged bleak outlook on Thatcherite Britain, it opened my eyes to how musical and lyrical creation could be so effortless, humorous and minimalist; the first track ‘Pay Your Rates’ sees Smith rhyme ‘rates’ with itself fourteen times, for example. The album took on themes such as conspiracy theories, the middle-class’ adoption of punk and the lack of career opportunities for the working-class, with Smith’s signature lyrical satirising of all he saw shining through time and time again; “The lower-class, want brass, bad chests, scrounge fags/The clever ones tend to emigrate” he quips in ‘English Scheme’.

Delving deeper into their goldmine discography, the brilliance of The Fall becomes clearer and clearer – Hex Enduction Hour (1982) is an astounding piece of artistry – commanding, jarring and utterly compelling; The Wonderful and Frightening World of The Fall (1984) offers immense bassline driven headbangers, while The Infotainment Scan (1993) sees Smith and co. take on Madchester beats in an enthralling journey of indie-dance experimentation.

Admittedly, on first listening The Fall can be extremely difficult to follow. They are exceptionally idiosyncratic, reject the current trends of the day and demand great patience from the audience – Smith remarked in 1990 “We do make deliberate decisions to alienate people”, owing to their abrasive and repetitive song structure and production. Though with time you begin to welcome their sounds with open, longing arms. It is impossible to resist the thundering chord sequence of ‘Mr Pharmacist’, the sheer speed and velocity of ‘Jawbone and the Air Rifle’ or the hectic, distorted mess that is ‘Lay of the Land’. I could go on, though I fear the list may be everlasting, perhaps never ending.

Smith’s death – bringing with it the end of The Fall – symbolises a growing disappearance of a vital era for musical creativity, both poetically and instrumentally. The post-punk breed has lost an extravagant yet solitary figure of anti-fashion that broke all rules of conformity and trend, offering up 32 albums of pure rejection and retreat, yet remaining as current, confrontational and up front as physically possible. They are one of a kind, though they’d probably reject that too. – Jamie Bains

DESIGN BY: ASHLEY BOYLE

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Bombay Bicycle Club weren’t originally a favourite band of mine. In fact they were very far from anything like that, when my sister first showed them to me back in year eight (when I was around thirteen or fourteen). I thought that the singer sang weirdly, and that they were like every other indie band… But at the time I had just started teaching myself bass, and through my sister forcing me to listen to their first album, I Had the Blues but I Shook Them Loose, I happened upon “Always Like This”, and from then, my life and my opinion on them changed. I vouched at that moment that I would learn that bass line, and when I learnt it, I would be good (at least) at bass. Now this album, and that song, is one of my favourites and I can’t imagine not listening to them as often as I do, I can’t picture what I’d be like without the determination and persistence that I got from wanting to be able to play their song.

I was a bit late finding out that the band had broken up, as I’m not one to follow a band in depth other than listening to their new material. I only found out that they had split when I came across Jack Steadman’s first solo single “Angels / Your love”, released in early 2017, I decided to see what was up with that, and I found that Bombay Bicycle Club had, technically, not split up, but had gone on a hiatus through a statement on the bands’ official Twitter: “We aren’t working on any new music and we don’t have plans to do so any time soon”. Seeing this news, I was genuinely really upset as I had never been able to see them live, but I realised how much they meant to me and it’s made me excited to see what the outcome of this hiatus will be… I’m quietly hoping that next year they’ll do a 10-year anniversary tour of their first album. - Danny Brown

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AHAM : LUCY APR D E S IG N B Y

IA N

m u b l A s w e i v Re Unknown Mortal Orchestra Sex & Food Words by Erin Brown After the success of MultiLove, Unknown Mortal Orchestra’s Sex & Food, available on the 6th of April, can be highly anticipated. With a theme of existential questioning provided through a chilled out, electro synthtastic lens combined with dashes of psychedelic funk and at times, a trippy and slacker sounding element. So far, already released, riiffy, bassy ‘American Guilt’ does not tease listeners of what to expect from the record as the rest of the album opposes this upbeat track with a much more ambient sound.

Starting off with an intense, explosion of trippy, psychedelic funk ‘A God Called Hubris’ and ‘Major League Chemicals’ show a heavy enforcement of hypnotic synths and funky bass to kick the record off. However, after this, the album mainly tones it down for a much more calmer and chilled out replacement. For me, ‘Ministry of Alienation’ stands out as an extra-terrestrial, out of this world kind of vibe; a mellow, slacker ambience is combined with UMO’s signature synth sounds creating a trippy hazy, dazy track which is supported by a dash of saxophone. Following this, ‘Hunnybee’ provides a chilled out and yet irresistibly, hip wiggling, toe tapping number which truly isolates Ruban Nielson’s beautifully sounding soulful and soft vocals.

Overall, the record is slightly tamer than the last; slower, mellower, calmer. It doesn’t offer the same element of bigness that can be found in Multi Love but it’s the perfect album for a lazy, sunny day so I recommend you get this one in for those hazy summer days that are soon approaching…

MGMT Little Dark Age Words by Conan Cavanagh 2007 – Unknown duo MGMT release Oracular Spectacular, its glittery synth pop takes the alternative music scene by storm with revered zeitgeist anthems ‘Kids’, ‘Time to Pretend’ and ‘Electric Feel’. Stardom beckoned for the indie dancefloor fillers. In the years that followed Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser fought against this success opting to subject fans to experimental jazz groove records. 2018 – MGMT has stepped out of the mire, returning to form with their latest release Little Dark Age. This fourth album sees the US duo incorporate dark synth pop elements whilst retaining that anthemic quality which bought them success on their debut effort.

Lyrically splendour, MGMT take quips at modern culture with songs poking fun at phone addiction ‘TSLAMP’ (Time Spent Looking At My Phone) and health crazes ‘She Works Out Too Much’. The band on this album has created a more focused and, more importantly, fun body of work which abandons the lucid, meandering experimentation found on previous records. Re-entering the limelight the duo have delivered what fans have been clamouring for; smash hits in the form of 80s retro ‘Me and Michael’ and the title track ‘Little Dark Age’. MGMT have returned to the forefront of the indie scene after a decade’s absence, once again laying down the gauntlet for fellow bands to try and surmount.

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Insecure Men Insecure Men Words by Joe Herrmann Sit back, relax and forget everything you know about Saul Adamczewksi and Ben Romans-Hopcraft as they bring their ‘apocalyptic-exotica’ to the masses.

Insecure Men exist in a world of daytime TV, immoral celebrities, dead-end suburbs, off-white walls and airport terminals. Set to lingering vibes, soaring synths, naff drum machines and the sweetest deadpan vocals this side of Penge. It’s perfect kitsch pop taking its cues from Pub Rock and Easy Listening.

As the North Korean Propaganda sleeve depicts, the songs are idyllic scenes with sinister undertones. ‘Whitney Houston’, a morbid ballad from Bobbi Brown to her mother and ‘Mekong Glitter’, a glam stomp detailing the disgraced Gary Glitter’s sexual exploits.

From the slow ride of ‘Subaru Nights’ to the throwaway pop of ‘I Don’t Wanna Dance’, the drab airport romance of ‘Heathrow’ to the moving Kinksesque closer ‘Buried in The Bleak’ this is a debut which hits all the marks.

If you like your pop to reference gulags, sausage suppers and erectile dysfunction, please, look no further. As Adamczewski’s most complete record yet ‘Insecure Men’ cements him as a bona fide genius and with Fat White Family’s new album penned for 2018 the group’s future has never looked so promising. 5/5

Richard RussellEverything Is Recorded Words by Rowan Lees Everything Is Recorded is the brainchild of Richard Russell, founder of the record label behind some of the UK’s greatest musical exports, XL Recordings. Turning his focuses to production, Russell decided to bring together some of these talents he has promoted over a long musical career into one collaborative project. A bit of a strange concept for an album, Everything Is Recorded brings us big name artists from Sampha to Syd, Giggs to Peter Gabriel in the most graceful way imaginable. Aside from these prominent vocal features, the production felt slightly confused at times, unsure which avenue of the UK sound, or of world music, to follow. That’s a criticism which fell away after a few listens however because you can equally praise the great variety of styles found on the record. Russell pieces together this world music I am too ignorant to accurately place, with splashes of old soul, against a juxtaposition of the world’s newest musical frontrunners. A sometimes calm but never understated affair, this project is both a fantastic celebration of established modern music up to now, and a masterful amalgamation of the new talent Russell has come across in more recent times. He did sign a teenage Adele after all, so pay close attention.

EP Reviews The Regrettes Attention Seeker Words by Jessica Heap With the core sound of a 1960’s girl group, there is added grit with the lead singer’s voice, taking the EP in a rougher direction, veering towards pop punk. The lyrics are smart, pointing out flaws in the way modern girls live as well as traditional relationships.

Everything appears to be incredibly honest, reminding me of both Lily Allen and Kate Nash (although with far less expletives). Like many young bands at the moment, they all come across as the genuine article. The EP features 5 tracks, 2 of which are acoustic versions of previously released singles. My favourite song is ‘Come Through’; an anthem for women who have been taken for granted too many times. The music video for this was created by an all-female crew adding a further punch to the message itself. If you’re feeling a tad agitated or just need songs to strut down the street to I bring you the next contender. These girls are sassy and strong and I can’t wait to see the response they get here in the UK. Having gathered critical acclaim in the USA, The Regrettes are set to feature on the Reading and Leeds line up.

Pale Waves All The Things I Never Said Words by Charlie Minett This four track EP released on Dirty Hit Records, is an excellent representation of BBC’s Sound of 2018 shortlisted band, Pale Waves. Singer, Heather Baron-Gracie’s moody vocals add to the indie pop, but temperamental and dark vibe that they seem to have created. The EP includes two tracks, ‘The Tide’ and ‘Heavenly’ which were both released as demos back in 2015 but have both undergone slight production improvements. ‘The Tide’ is certainly the track that seems to brighten up this teenage heartbreak sort of EP. The name of the band ‘Pale Waves’, seems to be juxtaposed with just about everything the band stand for, from Heather Baron-Gracie’s gothic smudged eyeshadow look, to their tear-jerking songs, to their album artwork, which is just a mysterious square of black. It is an interesting mix of ideas which have not been tied together yet. Maybe their debut album can pull them together a little bit more.

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Maddy Steele tells us how animal cruelty is a plague that has infected so many corners of our society.

WORDS BY: MADDY STEELE DESIGN BY: LUCY APRAHAMIAN

In a world where we grow up eating meat, wearing leather and fur, using cosmetics without regards to their production process and going to circuses and zoos, we have become blind to the horrific mistreatment of animals that occurs behind closed doors. For many, myself included, we have avoided opening that door as we fear what we will find behind it. I have recently done my own research and I am sickened.

You may be aware of the protests that arose in response to Canada Goose’s opening of their first UK store in February this year. Canada Goose was founded in 1957 in Toronto and almost sixty years later it is one of the world’s leading makers of ‘luxury apparel’. This however comes at an expense and I’m not talking about the whopping £600-£1600 price tags. The fur and downtrade conducts violent exploitation of animals and it is the brand’s use of these materials that has attracted attention. Upon the opening of their London flagship store, protestors gathered to voice their disapproval of Canada Goose’s use of fur and down. The signs they held said ‘fur on your back, blood on your hands’ whilst they chanted ‘fur trade, torture trade, fur trade, death trade, fur trade, murder trade’ in efforts to indicate the disturbing mistreatment that animals undergo in the fur trade. But how bad really is the fur and down-trade?

The ruthless treatment of animals in the fur and down trade starts at their horrific capture; animals are caught in the wild using steel-jaw metal traps, these brutal machines often leave them to suffer awaiting collection with crushed legs, ribs or necks. An alternative is using water traps, this involves the slow and painful process of drowning for the animal which can take up to 9 minutes. Once they reach the fur farms (many don’t due to the brutality of their capture or travel), they live in cramped, filthy cages which are both highly distressing and extremely unsanitary. In poorer countries, methods of killing often fall back to those cheapest available: suffocation, gas, poison or electrocution. In China, where much of western fur originates, the animals are

bludgeoned, hanged, bled to death or skinned alive. Is this torture of innocent beings worth it for you?

Jessica Chastain, Miley Cyrus and Woody Harrelson all pride themselves on a vegan lifestyle.

Canada Goose’s ‘Expedition Parker’ in the 80s was nicknamed the ‘Big Red’ which is highly ironic when you think of the amount of blood spilled for the production of these ‘luxury’ jackets. But Canada Goose haven’t always been completely devoted to the torture and murder of animals, in 2007 they collaborated with Polar Bears International (PBI) to launch a collection which funded support for the Polar Bear habitat conservations – what happened!? Canada Goose prides itself on a history of epic adventure, but when this is fuelled by the torture of innocent animals, can you really call this impressive?

Is a jacket marked with the death of an animal really that desirable? Apparently so. Canada Goose claim on their website that ‘authenticity is everything’, where is their compassion? ‘Ethical’ is a word repeated on their website, but how “ethical” can you be when you condone the torture and slaughter of animals?

Some designers and retailers have also gone cruelty free: Calvin Klein, Michael Kors, Gucci, Giorgio Armani and Jimmy Choo are some of the fashion giants that are taking a stand against animal cruelty. Following its 2016 pledge to become fur-free, The Kooples teamed up with animal rights company PETA with the launch of a vegan leather clutch, the proceeds of which will help finance vital protection programmes for animals in the fur trade. “Through the launch of this original accessory, we aim to promote practices that are more respectful of animal life,” (Nicolas Dreyfus, CEO of The Kooples) “Our approach also contributes to an awareness of the importance of making fashion a more ethical and sustainable sector”.

PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) is the largest animal rights organization in the world and they fight against this mistreatment. Founded in 1980, PETA focuses on 4 major areas in which animals are exposed to suffering and mistreatment: laboratories, the clothing trade, the food industry and the entertainment industry. As pioneers to the fight for animal rights, their motto is ‘Animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on, use for entertainment or abuse in any other way’ and people need to hear that loud and clear.

And it’s not just the backlash of animal cruelty that we wear on our backs, we wear it on our faces too.

The cosmetics industry is another major player in the practice of animal cruelty. Despite laws banning animal testing in the UK being implemented in 1998, it is still legal elsewhere abroad where companies are not required to truthfully label their products and can therefore deceive customers with false ‘cruelty-free’ advertising.

Consequently, companies with global partnerships that sell products in the UK cannot guarantee cruelty-free products. This is where we come in, as consumers we must take responsibility for researching brands and only buying from trusted cruelty-free companies.

Celebrities are also taking action: Oscar winner Anjelica Huston recently donated her furs “By donating them to PETA, I’ll be giving them a new purpose by providing orphaned wildlife with bedding and helping the homeless keep warm.” Mariah Carey, Kim Cattrall, Mary Tyler Moore and Sharon Osbourne have also donated their furs for this cause. Outside PETA’s charity work, other celebrities are also adopting a cruelty free lifestyle; Ellen DeGeneres, Ariana Grande, Alicia Silverstone,

Unfortunately, far too many giants in the cosmetic industry are still choosing money over morals; Benefit, Clinique, Estée Lauder, Maybelline, MAC and Victoria’s Secret are just a few of the companies that still test on animals. Don’t be fooled by the innocent pink packaging, these brands are shamefully choosing profits over principles. But if you’re looking for genuinely cruelty free products then head to PETA’s website for a list of reliably cruelty free brands. These include Lush

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Fur test research inspired by PETA UK: (which also has a bragable minimal packaging policy) and The Body Shop; both have a zero tolerance policy to animal cruelty.

Further brands with a conscience for ethics include; Bare Minerals, Illamasqua, Burt’s Bees, Marc Jacobs Beauty and Soap and Glory, all of which are totally cruelty free. WE SALUTE YOU. The more information I gather about the mistreatment of animals, the harder it is to continue consuming them. Society refuses to discuss and acknowledge the facts. Is that because we know that we won’t like the truth? Awareness is key and we need it in the mainstream. As consumers, we have the power to free animals from the torturous processes of what has become ordinary in human consumption. We do not need to put animals through excruciating pain and violent mistreatment to live the lifestyle we choose. Why do we? Stop now. Stand up. Make a change. They don’t have a voice, but we do, so let’s use it.

This doesn’t mean throwing away everything you own that was made from animals or their by-products, but it means making the pledge to only buy cruelty free products. Going forwards, it is the responsibility of consumers to stop the horrific suffering that animals undergo for unnecessary human greed. Please stop accepting the empty words on food and fashion packaging ‘humane’, ‘responsible’, ‘sustainable’ because if careless murder for the consumption of things we don’t even need is somehow tolerable then what happened to human compassion?

For years I have let the corruption of animal cruelty remain behind locked doors out of sight, because that is the easiest place for it to be. Please do your own research and think about where your clothes and food is coming from. Look around you and see the leather, the skin of a murdered animal; the lining of that jacket, the fur of a murdered animal and that MAC foundation on your dressing table is the repeated chemical torture upon animals. Why do we let this pass as ‘acceptable’? Let’s call enough to accepting ‘free-range’ as a compromise for the brutal killing of animals for meat. Take a look behind the walls that society has built to protect profits and stop ignoring the facts. This brutality is reality and it needs to stop. With so many alternatives to using animal products, it is completely unnecessary to permit the violation of rights that animals should have. With such an abundance of alternatives, there is no excuse.

TEST

GENUINE FUR

FAKE FUR

Feel: Feel the difference by rolling the hairs between finger and thumb.

Feels smooth and soft, easily rolls between the fingers.

Feels coarse.

Look: Blow on the hairs so they divide.

Often made up of several layers of thin, almost curly hairs which form a dense under-wool, through which the longer hairs stick out. The base is leather.

Simpler in structure, individual hairs are often the same length and simpler even in colour

Pinch with a pin: Through the base.

The leather resists, pin is hard to push through.

Pin easily goes through the base.

Burn test: Pull a few hairs from the fur and hold them to a flame.

Singes like a human hair and smells similar.

Melts like plastic and smells like burnt plastic. Forms small plastic balls at the ends that feel hard etween finger and thumb.

44

Are Mainstream

Ripping Off Independent Artists?

WORDS BY: CAMILLE STANLEY DESIGN BY: LUCY APRAHAMIAN

When the issue of plagiarism is raised students automatically think about, essays, copying, ‘accidental borrowing’. Yet, the issue of plagiarism extends much further than academia, it is also prevalent on our high street and committed by the mainstream brands we glorify. The form of plagiarism which exists in the fashion industry occurs when mainstream brands copy the designs of a smaller, independent artist and essentially ‘rip off ’ their content without any credit or support given to the original artist. This practice, unknown to most consumers, happens frequently and has detrimental effects on the independent artist and the integrity of the fashion industry.

How should copying be viewed - as a compliment or as an attack on one’s identity? For example, its 2012, you are soon to be entering year 10, your friend walks in wearing the exact same top you bought and smugly showed-off merely a week ago. I’d be questioning if I could even continue wearing the top, would I have to text her every time I chose to wear it? Would we be matching? Should I demand she return it? Is that mean? Will I ever be individual again? This mindset tends to disappear as people get older and they become more comfortable with their individual style and take it as a compliment instead. It also becomes clear that inspiration is a way of life and that soon you will take inspiration from the next person. Thankfully, I was able to get over this particular

insignificant problem. Yet what happens when small inspiration turns into blatant copying? When careers and money are at stake? This latter issue is what is experienced by independent artists who see their design used by others, yet benefit them in no way. Comparing this high-stake plagiarism to my personal example earlier it becomes less a case of ‘getting over’ it, but more importantly about fighting to protect your livelihood and your unique creativity.

Like any millennial I often come across interesting voices and topics through the wonders of the internet, particularly social media. So unsurprisingly, I first came across the issue of fashion brands copying another brand being directly challenged on the Instagram page ‘diet_ prada’. The creators of this page share images of designs or advertorial campaigns from two different brands alongside each other. Even to an onlooker uninterested in fashion brands, the designs displayed are immediately and obviously similar. ‘Diet_prada’ goes on to use their captions to name and shame the clothing brand which has copied an item or design from another brand, with such sassiness that I’m sure brands fear being featured on the page. Missguided was challenged for launching a collection of clothing suspiciously similar to that seen in Kanye West’s clothing brand Yeezy, just days before West dropped a new collection. Furthermore, Chanel’s team had created an advert very similar to a cover previously

seen on i-D magazine. Yet, ‘diet_prada’ pointed out how this behaviour was surprising considering how fashion houses like Chanel often have experienced creative teams who, you would assume, would not need to copy others. However, this is where the difference between mainstream and independent lies. The mainstream brands can afford to copy others without much repercussion. They are often so established that they won’t lose their loyal following of customers and any lawsuits that did come their way could be dealt with due to their large profit.

This is an issue Tuesday Bassen, an independent artist based in Los Angeles, faced when the popular highstreet store Zara copied Bassen’s pin designs, without communication or consent. Bassen owns her own shop at shoptuesday.com where she sells accessories, zines, prints, and has worked with brands such as Nike. It came to Bassen’s attention that her designs had been copied when her followers on Instagram informed her and subsequently she took action after seeing a copy of her design in person. Bassen’s badge designs are simple yet distinctly her own. Zara’s versions, which she placed side by side to her own for comparison reasons, appear strikingly similar with no change to the wording or design of Bassen’s. The independent artist then took action by contacting Zara’s lawyers about the case, but she notes in an Instagram post that to simply get a lawyer to send the

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letter she had to pay $2000. Zara’s response, which Bassen posted on her social media page, appeared somewhat ungracious. The company claimed that Bassen’s designs were not distinctive enough to be recognised across the world and they dismissed the complaints they had received about the similarity because in comparison to the monthly visits to their website (98,000,000) the numbers were too few. Yet, should the popularity of a brand allow them to steal designs from others who are not yet as successful? If this were the case it would potentially hinder the growth of smaller businesses and affected the amount of unique and diverse pieces we as consumers see on the fashion market. In this case Zara held power financially and socially over Bassen. A lot of the marketing of brands is now done through social media handles such as Instagram, so comparing Zara’s 24.1 million followers to Bassen’s 168,000 followers demonstrates why Bassen would have felt challenged

by Zara’s actions. The mainstream brand was going to be able to reach higher volumes of consumers and therefore potentially sell more of the designs which were essentially Bassen’s, yet she would not be profiting from these sales. According to a Guardian article Zara later pulled the copied designs from sale and an investigation was opened. Yet, this was not the first independent artist affected by Zara and it appears the means by which mainstream brands settle these claims allow them to keep repeating the same actions.

An article on jezebel.com discussed how the American brand Forever 21 has also been accused by multiple independent artists of creating items remarkably similar to their own. As of 2011 the brand has had to settle more than 50 disputes over copying in its 27 years of existence. Professor Susan Scafidi, a professor of copyright law at Fordham Law School, was quoted in the article explaining how the company could continue copying others works because the only damage they’d face would be public exposure, occasionally a lawsuit. To deal with the complaints from independent artists the popular company would offer financial compensation, because they could afford to, and would often settle with the other brand through confidentiality agreements.

In the face of such powerful companies the smaller, independent brand could potentially feel this as the best, and in financial terms, only way to settle the dispute.

The issue of copyright laws also differs between America and Europe. In the EU the Creative Designs Directive and the European Designs Directive are in effect to protect new designs for three or five years, whereas in America fashion designs are not subject to copyright laws. This therefore allows companies in America, such as Forever 21, to copy more of someone’s design than would be allowed in the EU. The business of copying can be lucrative, for example the Business of Fashion website notes the difference in sales between original designers

and their imitators. They refer to the designer Narciso Rodriguez who designed Carolyn Bessette Kennedy’s wedding gown in 1996 and sold 45 more of the same dress. By comparison, one copyist sold 80,000.

The case of copying within the fashion industry is unlikely to change unless the laws surrounding copyrighting are tightened. In one aspect, we live in a world where for many designer goods are out of reach, so by high street chains copying these designs they become accessible to the masses. Yet, it becomes a different matter altogether when larger brands compromise the success of independent artists by copying, as this stifles growth and creativity within the fashion industry which creative teams and consumers will both suffer from. Whilst inspiration is a way of life, credit should be given if someone’s livelihood is at stake. By mainstream brands creating collaborations between themselves and independent artists they could potentially reduce the risk of being labelled as creative thieves and in turn promote an artist who would benefit from the exposure. Independent artists are often the backbone of establishing a community’s identity and it is therefore essential that we support and champion them whenever we can. So if you see what you expect is a knockoff in a high street chain it never hurts to follow, promote and buy directly from an independent artist you appreciate and who deserves your support.

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Cardiff’s High Street Dupes 2018 is well under way, and this new year promises to bring a range of brand new trends and must-have fashion pieces. Cardiff is one of the UK’s top shopping destinations and boasts a range of big chains, as well as several fantastic smaller independent stores.

We’re incredibly lucky to have such a wide range of retailers on our door-step, so here’s a look at what Cardiff has to offer in terms of cheaper and more unique alternatives to the latest make up and clothing trends!

Hobo’s Vintage Clothing (25 High Street Arcade, Cardiff) – Sunglasses and Jeans Hobo’s describes itself as ‘an independent vintage store that specialises in 60s, 70s and 80s clothing and accessories’. Located in the High Street Arcade in Cardiff ’s city centre, Hobo’s unique vintage pieces are individual, cheap and, most importantly, fashionable!

They get new stock in store all the time, so it’s always worth taking a look, however their Instagram proves they are on top of the fashion game this year. (Check them out @hoboscardiff).

If you’re looking for a new pair of sunglasses in anticipation of the sun returning to Cardiff, there’s no need to splash out on a pair of Ray-Ban’s. Hobo’s have just announced the arrival of a range of sunglasses in store, and at only £8 each there’s no reason not to check them out. In a range of colours, shapes and designs, Hobo’s have exactly what you are looking for, and you’re more likely to find a pair that no one else will have (that won’t empty your bank account!).

Jeans are also the perfect staple for your Spring wardrobe, and high waisted jeans are everywhere at the moment. Why not stand out from the crowd in a colourful pair from Hobo’s? They recently advertised a lovely red high-waisted pair on their Instagram, so go and check them out in store! If bright colours aren’t your thing, they also have a range of vintage jeans (from Levis to Wranglers), which will be considerably cheaper than the denim featuring on the runways at the moment.

Primark (St David’s Shopping Centre) - Lipstick It’s no surprise that Mac lipsticks are as popular as ever in 2018. Their range of colours and long-lasting nature mean that everyone is splashing out on Mac’s make-up must haves. Most expensive, however, does not necessarily mean the best! Cardiff ’s high street offers loads of make-up stores boasting cheaper alternatives, but surprisingly your best bet might be the cheapest store of them all – Primark! Bloggers and reviewers are giving Primark’s cruelty-free lipsticks some top ratings, and for only 90p each, they really are worth try! For a significantly cheaper version of Mac’s ‘Velvet Teddy’, Primark’s ‘PS…Lustre (In the Nude)’ is perfect. It’s not just Primark lipsticks that are getting brilliant reviews either…try out their highlighters, foundations and eyeshadows for some extremely cheap, on trend, cruelty-free make-up!

New Look (St David’s Shopping Centre) – Wrap Dress A trend that is set to take off in 2018 is the wrap dress. Comfy but not too casual, it’s the perfect piece for when you want to look like you’ve made an effort, but you haven’t got loads of time to get ready (so…every day at uni?) The style suits most body shapes and is perfect for the upcoming season. Of course, there are some very expensive versions of this piece around. Rixo, for example, are selling their Gemma Red Ditsy Thorn Wrap Dress for £255. Cardiff ’s high street, however, is the perfect place to find cheaper alternatives. Why not try out New Look in St David’s Shopping Centre? Their dresses are on average around £15-£35, and they have a huge range of pretty wrap dresses for sale at the moment. From reds to blues, and florals to block colours, this is definitely the place to find your own version of this on-trend piece!

WORDS BY: MEGAN POTTERTON DESIGN BY: LISA DORAN

Sobey’s Vintage Clothing (31 Royal Arcade), Cardiff Located in Royal Arcade in the city centre, Sobey’s is the place to be for all things vintage! They have a range of exciting and affordable pieces in store at the moment, including vintage dungarees, sweatshirts, jeans and jewellery. Check out their Instagram (@sobeysvintage) for inspiration - they advertised some gorgeous Disney sweatshirts this month that are bound to be snapped up quickly! Or, if you’re looking for a way to add some colour to your outfit, Sobey’s are currently selling Barry M nail polishes for just £1 (that’s almost £2 cheaper than Boots!) What better place to go to find cheap and fashionable wardrobe staples than Sobey’s?

These are just a selection of some alternatives to the most in demand fashion pieces that can be found here in Cardiff. There are plenty more, and it is always worth hunting around the other smaller independent shops in the city centre to find some bargain pieces!

FASHION

On-Screen Fashion Icons WORDS BY: SOPHIE DIMMERY DESIGN BY: LISA DORAN

Ever watched a film or series and admire the way a character dresses or has a continious ‘on-screen’ style? Yep, thought so. We’re all guilty of wondering how that plain-tee-and-jeans style can look so darn good. Tips please? Sophie Dimmery is here to the rescue.

As Friends has now graced the nations’ screens once more after being our new go-to series on Netflix it is no wonder the Rachel Green buzz has been restored. This stylish, 90s, iconic babe has undoubtedly been a fashion and lifestyle icon since Friends first aired, but why? Alongside her to-die-for hairstyles and ever-changing, now vintage fashion sense I think we can all relate to Rachel Green in some way, whether it be her tragic employment struggles or her even more tragic relationship tribulations.

It may be Rachel Green’s romantic end that leads us to take inspiration from her, if we dress like Rachel Green and act like Rachel Green, we may become Rachel Green herself. This confidence that exudes her persona in every episode inspires those who replicate her in reality – if you look the look and walk the walk, in turn, you can talk the talk.

It is not only Rachel Green whom we take inspiration from, many on screen heroines are to thank for the way we, as females, are evolving and changing by the second. Take Cher Horowitz for example, Clueless is an iconic film that changed a nation of girls and women and their outlook on femininity and girl power. Firstly, Cher’s classic style is something girls and women take inspiration from even today, whether it be the iconic yellow plaid combo or the red ensemble she sports while ‘not having a boy around’, wearing similar outfits to these gives us a Cher alter-ego to refer to if we ever find ourselves in an ‘as if!’ situation. Cher’s resistance to succumb to the male infatuation of the time gave a refreshing inspiration to girls around the world to never settle for less than the absolute best with no qualms, as much like Cher herself, ‘I’m not a prude, I’m just highly selective’. She also taught us that it is okay to be ‘totally bugging’ over a guy if you think he is Mr. Right.

Undoubtedly, Mean Girls is another utterly iconic piece of film that shaped a nation of females in many departments of life. From Regina George’s desperate attempts to lose three pounds to Cady’s tragic Halloween costume attempt. These situations were explicitly relatable and familiar to the audience and may have mirrored their everyday lives. Therefore, it is not a surprise that those watching could mirror these characters and were able to identify a Regina George and ‘too gay to function’ Damien in their real lives. Girls across the globe took inspiration from Regina herself to be in with a chance of bagging the Aaron Samuels of their school, whereas others related to Cady Heron, struggling to find their place in a foreign environment and ultimately trying to hard, they fail.

It is interesting to think about why we take inspiration from the characters in these films and series’, but ultimately it comes down to one simple thing. We want our lives to be like theirs, we want to create an alter ego that is just like Regina George as she is the most popular girl in school, and we want that. We dress like Cher Horowitz because she is an iconic, privileged, classy girl, and we want to be like that. We style our hair like Rachel Green because she has men chasing her in every episode of Friends, and we want that. We emulate these characters so that our life can mirror even a snippet of theirs, and taking inspiration from all these different women who are each heroine in their own right makes us heroines, even if it is just for a little while.

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Model: Natalya Sareen-Kadach Beige coat - Pretty Little Thing, £25 Scarf - Primark, £6 Grey Jeans - (originally Topshop)

Depop, £12 Pink jumper - (originally Missguided)

Charity shop, £5 Shoes - Charity shop, £9.50 Sunglasses - Rayban, £80 Model: Rich Jones Jeans - Primark, £10 Jumper - Zara, £25 Light blue jumper - Zara, £15 Trainers - Reebok, £30 Coat - Zara, £40 photography by: Rachel Jefferies

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Model: Eizzy Awogu Jumper - Brandy Melville, £20; White crop top - £4 (Primark); Floral pastel pink trousers - £10 (Primark); Grey duster coat - £20 (Primark); Gold coloured statement necklace - £3 (Primark); Gold coloured leaf earrings - £1.50 (Primark); Purple Suede kitten heels - £7 (New Look); Mustard colour cross body bag - £17 (Accessorize)

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London Centre Frame Going to London and being a Film and TV nerd is very exciting. You accidentally stumble on places you recognise from the telly box or walk past bars where your favourite reality TV break up happened. Sherlock to Skyfall, Alfie to Made in Chelsea, Paddington to Les Miserables, we went on a mini-tour to find some of our favourite London film and tv hotspots. And we were bloody knackered by the end of it.

WORDS BY: MOLLY JACKSON

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Notting Hill - Portobello Road Sheeeeee may be the reason I survive, the why and wherefore I’m aliiiive. It’s honestly impossible to walk down Portobello Road and NOT sing Elvis Costello.

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Named after the very popular station, we went to find the place where Britain’s favourite bear began his journey in the Big Smoke. Little Paddington Bear was rescued by the Brown family on one of the platforms.

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not your average cineworld 1

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3 6 Bored of your average Cineworld? Fancy more than just a reclining red chair and a bog standard coke for the price of a medium-sized house? Had enough of bland nacho cheese and stale chips? Well, if you’re ever in London and fancy something different than the usual, try to make a stop at one of these cinemas that are a bit different. Cardiff, take notes.

Initially beginning in founder Dom’s back garden (well he’s definitely not from Cathays), Backyard Cinema has now become one of the most successful cinema experiences with tickets that sell out super duper fast. Hosting events both indoors and outdoors, no experience is like the other, with every event being unusual and exciting but also, completely immersive. The sets built are the products of heart and soul, as they create a complete physical world to engage the audiences fully with the movie. Using actors, live music, immersive sets and props, (and great food and drink too!) you’re placed into a whole new world (don’t start singing Aladdin). Luhrmann’s iconic Romeo + Juliet featured a live choir and was screened in a beautiful church, whereas 2017’s Snow Kingdom saw audiences travel through a wintery wonderland to find an area full of comfy bean bags and an icy bar, ready for a cosiest night in. If you’re up for something out of the ordinary, make sure you check out Backyard Cinema, but be quick to buy your tickets!

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Screen on the Green With lights to decorate the exterior that Blackpool Illuminations would be jealous of, this Everyman Screen on the Green in Islington Green, is known for being perfect date territory.

The single screen cinema opened in 1913, and is therefore one of the oldest running cinemas in the UK. Famous for comfy sofas, scrumptious pizza and a bar to provide you with beers as the movie runs, honestly what more could you want?

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Picturehouse Central If Instagram was a cinema, it would be Picturehouse Central.

Just give this cinema a little search, and immediately you’ll want to save the images to your ‘home inspiration’ collection.

It’s glamorous, it’s chic, and it’s accommodating. Four floors high, the cinema boasts a modern cafe, a reasonably priced (but delicious!) restaurant and a roof terrace with views your snapchat story would be begging for. Showing the top blockbusters, indies, RSC productions and more, this cinema can cater for all. Especially your social media followers.

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Regent Street Cinema One of the earliest formations of cinema as we know it today, Regent Street Cinema is regarded as the British film motherland and became the first screen to show moving image. A venue to host exclusive premieres, screenings, documentaries, experimental films and more, the cinema can also show both 16mm and 35mm film, but also manage to show 4k films, too. Talented, right? The cosy and classic interior helps the cinema to retain its historic heritage, but also allows the cinema to echo its importance within the film and media industry. Recently restored and reopened by the University of Westminster in May 2015, Regent Street Cinema hosts a wide array of films as well as exhibitions and even lectures. Move out the way, Birt Acres. Shira from Regent Street Cinema continued to say that her top experience with working at the cinema, was when THE Terence Stamp came to visit a screening and felt like the cinema had been “touched by acting royalty”. If anyone wants to do anything similar, the Cinema’s own advice states entrepreneurs should be prepared to compromise due to the long hours and “do not lose your sense of humour!” Shira finalises.

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Olympic Cinema I think the cinema’s favourite colour is red. Red carpets. Red walls. Red curtains. Red seats. Red tables for your - wait for it red wine. The Olympic Cinema is just what you imagine a classic cinema to look like. In the swinging 60s, the cinema became a recording studio and was treated to the original recording of The Beatles’ ‘All You Need is Love’ AND The Rolling Stones

WORDS BY:MOLLY JACKSON DESIGN BY: NIAMH BLACKETT

were among the first few to use the studio. So that’s pretty cool.

Since then, Olympic has transformed back into a cinema and is furnished with bespoke fittings, a customised Dolby Atmos 3D sound system and a locally sourced cafe. Customer luxury is at the forefront of Olympic, so this combined with a rich history dating back to 1906, you definitely need to give it a visit.

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The Prince Charles Retro and independent (...what I aspire to be) defines The Prince Charles in Soho. Screening films that have only just finished showing in the bigger cinemas, movie marathons AND regular sing-a-longs are all nothing out of the ordinary for the cinema. It’s funky, it’s quirky and it’s innovative.

Hosting two auditoriums, both with very different interiors, The Prince Charles is perfect for entertaining, from private screenings to presentations and customised film seasons. It’s the perfect destination for cinema fans and those who wish to watch Mean Girls for the 23rd time, but this time, not in bed.

Rich Mix

Fancy feeling cultured? Fancy feeling ‘arty’? Head down to Bethnal Green for a visit to Rich Mix cinema, in which customers regard as a gathering place for artists from diverse backgrounds and industries. A well-used location for screenings and a host of film festivals, Rich Mix has now become an independent multi-arts venue and can even cater for performance artists. Delivering art in the best possible standard to a diverse and engaging audience has become Rich Mix’s main mission they strive to achieve - whether this is through film, music, dance and more.

Rich Mix is renowned for being vibrant and quirky, and can always offer something exciting to visiting customers.

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The Lexi Cinema An independent boutique cinema mostly run by volunteers, hosting one screen and all profits go to charity? The Lexi Cinema is a win-win-win. Foreign films, Q&As, and the recent blockbusters can always be found screening at The Lexi.

The cinema is also sister to The Nomad: an outdoor cinema that pops up across London locations. Marrying elements of both the film and the environment, The Nomad is just that little bit different and offers a memorable experience for all.

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Secret Cinema Famous for immersive cinema and providing experiences like no other, Secret Cinema has had past events in places like abandoned warehouses to churches and more. Offering the audiences to be completely immersed in the screened film, audiences have the opportunity to be part of the film as the set and reality merge. These adventures and experiences however still keep the secret of Secret Cinema intact, with the location of the events only being sent to the audience members only a few weeks before. The next event hosted by Secret Cinema, Ridley Scott’s classic Blade Runner: The Final Cut, offers the experience for audiences to gain a new ‘identity’ and become immersed into 2019 dystopian LA. Successful past events have included Moulin Rouge, Back to the Future and even a Star Wars evening. Secret Cinema sure does know how to pick ‘em.

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Film Reviews

LADY BIRD Director: Greta Gerwig Certificate: 15

THE DARKEST HOUR Director: Joe Wright Certificate: PG Approximate run time: 122 minutes

Joe Knights’ Darkest Hour possesses a wild inventiveness that thoroughly, yet elegantly, explores the peaks and troughs of some of the UK’s most defining moments throughout its turbulent history.

Following the story of Winston Churchill’s inner turmoil surrounding the state of the UK amidst the takeover of Europe by Nazi Germany, the film tastefully unravels the social complexities of an extremely difficult individual who is tasked with deciding the fate of the UK and its peace talks with Hitler.

Gary Oldman plays the perfect Churchill. Despite the role having previously being played by the likes of Simon Ward, Robert Hardy and Albert Finney, Oldman offers a particular uniqueness to his interpretation. Providing some of the most motivational and realistic speeches throughout the duration of the film, Oldman is spot on with Churchill’s ‘insufferable’ personality as his life becomes more and more absorbed with politics and strategy. Other than Oldman, Kristin Scott Thomas was terrific in her role as Churchill’s wife, Clemmie, as she is effectively portrayed as being his rock throughout the daunting backdrop of the second world war.

By combining both elements of the social with the political, Darkest Hour exceeds expectations by exposing the multifarious layers of a deeply complex time in British history.

Words by George Caulton

Approximate run time: 94 minutes

Written and directed by the wonderful Greta Gerwig, Lady Bird follows a tumultuous teenager’s turbulent relationship with her best friend, family and future. This coming-of-age story introduces Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson, played effortlessly by Saoirse Ronan, as she prepares to leave her hometown of Sacramento, California for any college situated out of state. Though the idea of the struggling teen desperate to escape imposing pressures may initially feel overplayed, Ronan’s portrayal of Christine is both unique and flawless: her construction of a character, that notably had the potential to be painfully clichéd, is actually a charming and fascinating whirlwind – she is intelligent, witty and entertaining whilst also being openly vulnerable, unafraid to be afraid of what her future holds. What sets Lady Bird apart from other films within this genre is the artistic playfulness of Greta Gerwig’s storytelling – her semi-autobiographical love story with Sacramento captures an original and personal journey in a well known, established and particularly relatable scenario.

Without being unoriginal and expertly avoiding predictability, Lady Bird tackles classic pre-adult problems such as parental pressure, the concept of virginity and what it means to lose it, the politics of relationships and the undoubtedly difficult struggle to fit in. Gerwig’s film ultimately captures a world of teenage difficulty and combines it with mature and clever comedy, creating an original and relatable journey. In Lady Bird, we watch a character much like ourselves take on the irreversible move into adulthood: from just a girl to a little-bitless girl, and a little-bit-more woman.

Words by Ella Clucas

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COCO

EARLY MAN

THE SHAPE OF WATER

Director(s): Lee Unkrich,Adrian Molina

Director: Nick Park

Director: Guillermo del Toro

Certificate: PG

Certificate: PG

Certificate: 15

Approximate run time: 105 minutes

Approximate run time: 87 minutes

Approximate run time: 123 minutes

In true Aardman Animation fashion, Early Man has the same familiarity and charm that we’ve grown to know and love. Following their rule of “funny and thumb-y”, a day of work is equal to 20 seconds of film; with this knowledge, the film becomes even better than it already is. We meet Doug (Eddie Redmayne) the wonderful heart-on-sleeve hero trying to save his home from the clutches of Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) by playing football. Along with a whole host of expressive characters voiced by a famous roster of celebrities, there is nothing to falter. And for the first time in a while, a thoroughly enjoyable flick has been created without a romantic storyline.

This unconventional love story sees its protagonist Elisa (Sally Hawkins), fall deeply in love with an amphibian man (Doug Jones) who is held in captivity. Hawkins’ effortless portrayal of a mute, not only emphasises her underdog status through the trials and tribulations faced to make their unusual relationship work. But simultaneously, accentuates her unmistakeable passion for this creature, proving that actions do in fact speak louder than words in this twisted modern-day version of Romeo and Juliet. The nod to traditional black and white films and classical music/dance numbers, exudes romance and the French influence of the film (which coincidentally contrasts with the sci-fi esque plot), proving that it’s a film that covers all thematic bases.

Coco is an unforgettable coming of age story that centres around Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez), a boy who desperately wants to become a musician, despite his family forbidding music. But when he tries to take the guitar of his deceased idol, Ernesto de la Cruz (Benjamin Bratt), he is thrown into the Land of the Dead where he must find his way back home with the help of his new friend Hector (Gael Garcia Bernal), while discovering secrets about his family’s past.

The film fully embraces the colourful culture of Mexico in every way from depicting various Day of the Dead traditions to the vibrant music - though the main theme is universal in the importance of family and honouring ancestors. Many screenings have had their audiences crying due to several potent poignant moments, and mine was no exception.

However, the story provides just as many uplifting parts to create a perfect balance, with immensely likeable characters as well as Pixar’s breathtaking interpretation of the Land of the Dead. This is truly some of their finest storytelling and animation work, and definitely a mustsee if you love Pixar and are looking for a sincere story that will capture your heart.

Words by Meriel Dhanowa

If you do end up seeing this film (an action I highly recommend) make sure to do it during school/nursery hours, so as to avoid children who do not understand cinema etiquette.

Words by Jessica Heap

Words by Indigo Jones

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Green Living in London Why London has been labelled one of the best major cities for green living in Europe

WORDS BY: RACHAEL ALDRIDGE DESIGN BY: STEPH ROWE

Green living is a hot topic in 2018, concerned with balancing the conservation of the Earth’s natural resources and habitats with human action.

One of the most famous cities in the world which is involved heavily in trade, transport and other high-energy processes, the metropolis of London probably does not give a ‘green’ impression to an outsider. Londoners commuting to work on tubes and trains each day are sheltered from seeing green aspects of the city. Waterloo Station alone has over 82 million passengers per year, each person with their own energy habits, polluting the city to another level when commuting. The city in fact was home to more than 8 million inhabitants in 2017, with this number prospected to reach 10 million by 2030. This extortionate population comes with an abundance of waste and pollutants, including commercial, domestic and industrial waste. Calls have been made for the London Mayor to notice this waste and improve policies, because as the city’s population is growing, concerns with the environment are growing too.

So why has London been labelled one of the best major cities for green living in Europe? It shouldn’t be assumed that a large population is inherently tied with unsustainability, and London can be an excellent example of this. From sustainable transport options like Santander Cycles to more ecological architecture designs than ever before, the city is considered an advocate for green living. Public transport is becoming greener, with proposed lowemission zones expected to reduce no emissions by 84%. But what trumps these examples are the Royal Parks within the city, examples being Richmond Park and Greenwich Park, which are great examples of green urban living.

London boasts a huge amount of green space, which takes up almost half of the city. Greenwich Park, located in the world-famous area in South East London, is a huge green expanse, beneficial for urban well-being because of the free space available for walking, running, cycling and boating. The park is a key aspect of green living because of the sustainable impact on the wellbeing of Londoners and tourists alike, and the space makes a healthy change from the urban landscape surrounding it. Richmond Park in South West London covers a total of 2500 acres, offering another huge green space in the city. It’s hugely influential to urban green living because of its legacy in regards to maintaining biodiversity, being an amazing resource for education and general wellbeing.

Due to the fact that the Royal Parks are some of London’s biggest spaces, they provide an essential function of cooling urban temperature and reducing wind speeds.

The parks also have the function of absorbing pollution and excess water, including reducing the impact of floods. So although at first seen as pleasurable areas for leisure, London’s parks actually play an essential role in maintaining the urban landscape. Tourists and locals come to the Royal Parks on a regular basis, which is negatively impacting the environmental landscape. As they are so essential for sustainability in London, the parks need to be maintained. The impact of climate change is also putting pressure on the parks, due to extreme weather conditions and diseases. Consequently, the Royal Parks need to be managed sustainably in order for London to continue possessing its ‘green’ reputation.

With an increasing trend in low-carbon design, London offers premium examples of top-quality modern architecture. The Crystal is one of the world’s most sustainable buildings, which opened in 2012 and

functions as an events venue. With an annual heating bill of £0, and £100% of WC flushing using recycled water, anyone can see why The Crystal is an architectural wonder. Interest in green living needs to be maintained within the communities and cultures concerned, who are ultimately doing the most damage to our planet. London is just one global city with the potential to have a huge influence on green living, and The Crystal maintains the interest of Londoners whilst acting as a template for modern architecture.

Although London’s huge population could easily make it unsustainable, the free, open green space in London makes it a leading example of a green city. Global cities like London are known for the notorious amount of waste and pollution they produce, down to their large populations, all having both their own modern necessities and luxuries.

Yet, as the city has a global status, London should aim to be a leading example for the future of green living.

Considered a lifestyle, green living can be achieved on an individual scale, by recycling more and cutting down on energy within the home. Changes can also be achieved via the city as a whole, through policies concerning large scale urban issues. The problem London experiences in the face of green living is that it can’t be sustained. The open space and sustainable architecture in London make a huge impact at the moment, but how about the future of the city? Sustainability in cities is not a walk-in-the-park, but London is doing a pretty good job at maintaining the interest of its citizens whilst promoting green living.

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TECHNOLOGY

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Artificial Intelligence

The unseen potential of AI

WORDS BY: ABBY WHEELER DESIGN BY: STEPHANIE ROWE

Artificial intelligence is something that many fear but also many don’t realise they rely on in day to day life. The most famous artificial intelligence in our lives being Apple’s virtual personal assistant Siri, introduced in 2011.

Though AI is often portrayed as something to be feared, including the fear of jobs being taken away from people and questions over whether devices like Siri and Amazon Echo really only listen to the user when they are directly speaking to them. However, artificial intelligence seems to be helping humanity in a way that most often don’t realise, and the future of AI is very much something that will benefit humans.

Prosthetic limbs are something most would not consider artificial intelligence, seeing traditional prosthetic limbs which are often just designed for support. But the idea of prosthetic limbs being artificially intelligent was touched upon when Imperial College London had a conference recently where they questioned whether AI could ever be creative. In this conference Dr Aldo Faisal touched upon the fact that AI is now able to bridge broken links between your neuro systems and other functions, such as your limbs. This sort of advancement in human technology could help many that use prosthetic limbs to be able to have almost functional, if not fully functional AI limbs in the future. Though this is in the very early stages as scientists have only just revealed the first portable bionic arm that has a sense of touch, the use of prosthetics will be a very large use of artificial intelligence in the future. The use of AI in prosthetics could be the one of the most beneficial uses of AI like no other, not just for convenience but for the improvement in the quality of people’s lives.

However, AI has such a wide scope of potential the use in prosthetics only touches the surface. On a very different level, people fearing artificial intelligence and the idea of ‘robots taking over’ may not be completely unfounded. The infamous Sophia the robot who was introduced to the public in 2016 is a divisive figure.

Some scientists brand her as a mere gimmick and some people even believe that she is in fact a hoax and human technology isn’t this advanced. But as for the future, there may be the prospect of robots living in harmony with humans as citizens. This could even potentially be in the next twenty years as the advancement of AI is increasing at such a rapid pace. Sophia is even the first humanoid citizen. There is even possibility that one day AI could be self-aware and indistinguishable from humans. The opportunities for AI to evolve into what science-fiction films have often debated about, and perhaps could indeed happen one day, although unlikely in our lifetime.

However, commercially speaking, AI is still on a simple level and quite easy to understand. Siri having basic conversations as well as Amazon Echo’s ‘Alexa’ being able to pick up if someone is speaking to it on the other side of a room whilst they speak at a normal level is the most well-known use of artificial intelligence in everyday life. Even this type of AI is often surrounded by conspiracy theories of marketing companies trying to get information to sell things more efficiently. As of now though, nothing has been proven either way. The majority of people will not dispose of their technology at the fear companies would listen to them. Basic AI is everywhere from voice activated entertainment devices to simply computer anti-virus software, or even Netflix recommendations made are based on previous choices.

Although Elon Musk, the inventor of Tesla smart cars, strongly believes and is in the process of trying to prove that the world is a high-tech simulation from the future.

Which poses the question: are we all just artificial intelligence?

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The UK’s Place in the Esports Scene

WORDS AND DESIGN BY REBECCA CORNISH It’s estimated that the global revenue of the esports industry will break $1 billion by 2020. With the long-term investment by Blizzard into their Overwatch League which broke 300,000 viewers on Twitch alone on the opening night of their inaugural season, it seems possible that this could be the case.

Despite naturally being dominated with American teams, the UK is represented in the Overwatch League by the London Spitfires, owned by esports veterans Cloud Nine.

Yet UK representation in other games is lacking. Shortcomings of the formal infrastructure to host regular tournaments outside of events such as Insomnia and on a local level as now encouraged by BELONG, as developed by GAME. I spoke to Luke Cotton of Code Red Esports who are working alongside Cloud Nine and the London Spitfires to discuss the place of the UK in esports, and his hopes for the growth of esports on a national level.

From Quake tournaments in the 1990s, to huge tournaments such as the Overwatch League broadcast worldwide with over 300,000 people watching on the opening day, how do you feel the UK’s place in the esports scene has developed and where do you think the UK’s place is within this?

In terms of results, we’ve gone backwards. We don’t have top players in any of the three games that have typically been considered as the main esports: League of Legends, CounterStrike or Dota2. However, we have the best broadcast talent in the world, and more events organisers are basing themselves in the UK, such as ESL, Faceit, Multiplay & Gfinity. We’ve had a lot of success in other games like F1, FIFA and Call of Duty. That’s where the UK’s casual player base is; particularly in regards to consoles rather than PC. We do have more people playing in a competitive manner, though that is more informally through matchmaking rather than in leagues and ladders.

The good news is that there are many organizations trying to correct this and help esports in the UK grow, like the BEA (British Esports Association), UKIE (Association for UK Interactive Entertainment) and London Spitfire.

Despite its development, do you feel like the UK is still underrepresented in esports?

Yes, we don’t have the top level players in the UK that we would hope for. There’s no one reason for that but more broadly it is due to cultural differences. A high cost of living dissuades players from taking the risk to go pro, and until recently the wider population hasn’t taken esports - or even video gaming as a hobby seriously. As a nation, we’re also playing more casual games rather than the top tier esports titles. Over time we hope to see more of our players playing at the top level.

Now with the rise of the London Spitfires representing the UK in the Overwatch League in what became the 20th­­most watched esports event ever after the first day, do you think that more young people will be encouraged to branch into esports as a career?

Having a professional team in London will of course encourage people to aspire to be pro players when they see Spitfire’s success, which is something that the UK has not really had previously. There are further plans to help the whole UK esports ecosystem from the grass roots up to the professional level.

TECHNOLOGY

Aces High

62 TECHNOLOGY

Leading on from this, an article in the Daily Mail states that Code Red will be helping establish a local base for the Spitfires and their fans. What is goal do you have in mind when approaching this?

Our primary goal is to win the first season of Overwatch League. We want to help grow esports in the UK. A key part of that is establishing a base in London for our team to play their home matches from in front of Spitfires’ fans. We want to do more to promote UK players and would have loved to have British players in our OWL team, but it simply was not possible to acquire suitable players. We’re building our Contenders team currently, which we hope will include British players and hope helps enable more British players to join Overwatch League.

Since speaking to Luke, the London Spitfire have indeed announced their team for Contenders, the British Hurricane, which boasts an entirely European roster with three British players; hopefully further encouraging more Brits to pursue their esports dreams.

My personal hope for the future of esports within the UK is that it is further developed as a career path. The Overwatch League guarantees at least $50,000 a year salary ensuring the financial security of the players and a revenue stream outside of streaming on Twitch. Blizzard is ambitious with its hopes for the Overwatch League, but this is not necessarily a bad thing and, so far, it is exceeding the expectations of many people. With the larger potential for financial security, perhaps esports can also be further acknowledged more broadly as a valid career path; encouraging talented players to pursue it.

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Rachel, Quench's very own Agony Aunt, is here to answer any pressing questions you might have.

Quench would like to welcome Rachel Nurse as our first-ever Agony Aunt! She is in second year, doing an English Literature degree, and is here to answer all of your questions about uni life.

Do you have something on your mind? Are you struggling with university or with your finances? Quench's Agony Aunt is here to help!

To submit your questions, please get in touch via the link: https://t.co/bf5lOrvn2i or email Rachel at: agonyaunt@quenchmag.co.uk Illustration by: Lisa Doran

I am newly single and I don’t know what to do with myself. Any advice?

Being newly single can be both fun and terrifying at the same time. First things first you must keep yourself busy, whether that be focusing on university work, joining the gym or doing something that you enjoy that maybe you haven’t done in a while. The two big mistakes are rushing back into a relationship without giving yourself the time to heal, reflect and work on yourself. And the second mistake is resorting to unhealthy coping mechanisms such as drinking, overeating or undereating. You need to look after yourself and surround yourself with positivity; yes, it is going to be tough, and seeing other couples can make you miss being in a relationship, but take delight in this new-found freedom and venture into things you may not have before. Take a well-deserved break from any stresses in your life, find a new hobby, or rekindle old friendships. This doesn’t have to be extravagant- take the train to the nearest town, go on a road trip or do what I did and hop on a bus and visit your best friend who doesn’t live in Cardiff.

Just take some time to enjoy being you!

I feel like I am going to fail my exams. I didn’t do well in my autumn results. How do I make myself feel better?

Firstly, do not be hard on yourself. It is easy to beat yourself up over this but it not the be all, end all. So many students will have experienced this in some way or another. I would recommend speaking to your personal tutor about how you are feeling and put together some sort of plan for revision and effective studying methods. You are certainly not the only person who feels this way! Lecturers are there to help you and make you feel more reassured, and help you achieve your best. You can discuss your autumn results and your tutor will be able to offer you the advice you need to get a better mark next time. Importantly, this is not to say you’re not allowed to become a recluse; ensure you are still socialising with your friends and doing things you enjoy! A healthy, happy mind will only benefit you. The effort you put in will reflect the result you get, but never be afraid to ask for some help!

I hate who I’ve become in uni. I’ve lost myself trying to fit in. I think I’m having an identity crisis. What shall I do?

Identity isn’t something that comes overnight, it takes years of lessons, memories and mistakes to find out who you really are and it can be the hardest yet best years of your life. The thing is, everyone has moments of acting certain ways just to fit in and the problem with that is you end up in a circle of people all trying to impress each other - and that can’t feel great. What you can do is learn to recognise these moments where you feel like you’re not being yourself and say, ‘nope this isn’t me’ and become a genuine version of yourself. Never think that you have to hold back on the way you are, those things that you might feel insecure about just might be one of the reasons that people love you! You tend to hear of this idea of ‘finding yourself ’ and it seems like those who try to do this are still searching ten years later! Don’t focus too much on how others see you if you’re happy with your beliefs and your image then don’t panic too much about what others think. So, don’t worry about identity just yet - these are the years that you can let loose and gain those life experiences that can show you the kind of person you are. Get involved with societies, go to socials, chat to people on your course; all these elements will begin to mould you as a person. When you find the things that make you truly happy, the true you will being to shine through.

My girlfriend and I have been in a long distance relationship for years. Pressures from moving away from home, both being in university and money problems are building up and I am worried about the next time I will see her. Help?

Long distance is going to be hard. Distance can make things hard for a relationship, especially if you’re used to seeing each other all the time. Thankfully, we live in a world where the types of communication is endless. You can get a skype account (if you haven’t already got one) or facetime if you both have iPhones or iPads. We also live in a world where a short text is common.

Sending a postcard or a long email now and again is a great way of keeping the romance. There is nothing more romantic than a handwritten letter. Set aside your own special hour on a certain day of the week and just talk, whether on Skype or on the phone.

As for your worries, you need to be real. All relationship face conflict at some point. You are more likely to feel relationship pressures compared to couples who are not long-distance. Both partners should always feel comfortable sharing any issues they are facing. Plan a trip to see her if you are able, talk about your money problems and share your university worries. Honesty is the best policy, and I am sure your partner will be understanding and want to listen and support you. If there’s one piece of advice I can give you, it’s to remember that if it’s meant to be, you’ll get through it all.

I have no money until my next student loan. I am panicking and I don’t know what to do!

From your question, I’m not sure whether you work but if you don’t, a great way to finance your uni experience is to get a part time job! Joining the Jobshop at the Student Union is the perfect, most supported way for you to earn money. There are also so many companies that offer flexible contracts that can allow you to make some extra money while still focusing on your degree the only thing I can say from experience is look every day! Jobs pop up all the time and who knows, you might gain some life experience as well as the extra cash! The most important thing when being in uni is to budget... which is definitely easier said than done. I’ve found the best way is to list all your outgoing costs so rent, food, utilities, social etc. Then you can work out how much money you have coming in and when, and then you’ll be able to see how to divide up the dollar! Managing money is a hard task at the best of times, so just make sure you have someone you can talk to about your worries - the uni even offers financial advice and will help you come up with a budget plan and help you think of ways to stretch out your student loan to really make the most of it. The worst thing you can do is sit on your worries and pretend that they’re not there, so my advice is to tackle it head on, and never be afraid to ask for help! If you are struggling to afford even your groceries let alone money for other things, I would definitely advise you to book an appointment with Advice and Money Team at university.

AGONY AUNT

Agony Aunt