aAh! Magazine Issue #2 by aAh! Magazine

Photography : Georgina Hurdsfield

Student Media Coordinator

FEATURED ARTIST

Jade Hannah Smallshaw

aAh! is distributing 2,000 copies on Manchester Metropolitan University campus and across Manchester. A wide range of advertising packages and affordable ways to promote your business are available online and in print. Get in touch to find out more. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part without the explicit permission of the publisher. The views and opinions expressed within this publication do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Manchester Metropolitan University. To get the best from aAh! visit aah-magazine.co.uk for daily news, reviews, features and more. Follow @aAh_mag on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. CONTACT Email: aAh.editor@gmail.com Telephone: 0161 247 1951 Address: aAh! Manchester Metropolitan University, Geoffrey Manton Building, M15 6LL

Head Editorial

Editorial

Contributors

Natalie Carragher Bronte Schiltz Grace Atkinson Georgina Hurdsfield Maia Nikitina George Freeman Jack Warne Kate Relton-Grice Sam Peckett Shawna Healey Thalia Carr Zeina Al-Muhtaseb Alex Challies Amber Walker Andrea Maria Petrie Ben Thompson Joseph Crutchley Laura Potts Lewis Finney Maria Lykke Salling Masha Milenkovic

Creative Director

John Walsh

Design

Cindy Khin

Type Design

Jack Kimberley

Illustration

Jody Woodhouse

Photography

Georgina Hurdsfield Jade Hannah Smallshaw Megan Bailey

hello world, listen up

ur lovely liberal generation

is also unfocused and vague. We think we know everything, which we kind of do, but mostly we donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. aAh! hopes to present the opportunity for readers and writers to question their own ideas about the world weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve fallen into. Each print issue will interrogate one important contemporary notion as a theme running through our regular features, opinion pieces, spotlights, interviews, previews, art, poetry, flash fiction, photography and music. Welcome to the YES issue.

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welcome to yes

14 14

featured artists

16 not a yes : to understand consent

andy’s man club

yes, climate change is real

embrace sustainable living : a guide

30 jessica wade : success in china

34 heads up : listings

“change needs to happen”

moving abroad and staying positive

creative writing

finding acceptance and authencity in manchester

28 entrepreneurs : the “yes moment”

32 32

girl of now : ruby-ann

yes or no? red dead redemption 2

creative submissions

say yes to natural beauty FEATURED ARTIST

Photography: Jade Hannah Smallshaw

FEATURED ARTIST

Photography: Megan Bailey

men in manchester

ROOF TERRACE

PINK ROOM

BAR & FOOD

yes 1

BASEMENT

welcome to

KIDS & DOGS WELCOME

TILL LATE

But why pink? “Because every music venue is black.”

Culture Editor Sam Peckett catches up with two of the owners of YES, Manchester’s newest bar and venue space, to discuss music, “happy accidents” and how they’ve created an inclusive venue.

“It’s strange because Wes and Jon have done lots of nights at Joshua Brooks and Retro Bar and I’ve worked around this area with the Deaf Institute and Gorilla but we didn’t recognise it. I hadn’t noticed this building before but when you look at it it’s really interesting.”

Sat in a cosy booth up on the top floor of YES owners Ruth Hemmingfield and Wes Jones reflect on their hectic first five weeks. “It’s been amazing,” says Wes. “After four years it’s finally open!” It’s been a long time coming. Wes is one half of Manchester promotion team Now Wave with Jon Wickstead, YES’s third owner. He’s been involved in the Manchester music scene for a while, but it wasn’t until someone else suggested the idea of owning a venue that the idea really took hold.

According to Wes, “It looks quite traditionally Mancunian as well. You know like red bricks… it’s like an oversized terrace house. It’s an amazing building.”

“Someone approached us about four years ago and said would you be interested in opening a venue. It seemed like a really intriguing proposition. We’ve created gigs so it’s quite interesting to create a building and put our touch on things.” Ruth adds, “It’s been really fun doing the fit out. The summer of planning the interiors and what it’d look like was the best bit… so far!” Ruth has known Jon and Wes for years. Working in marketing for a variety of Manchester venues including Gorilla and Band on the Wall, she invited the Now Wave guys to the Deaf Institute, another venue she has worked for, as it opened. “Ruth invited me and Jon to look around because we were doing club nights at the time,” Wes explained. “We didn’t think the Deaf Institute was very suitable for clubs so we started doing live events, almost ten years to the day from when YES opened. If Ruth hadn’t asked us to look at the Deaf Institute we probably would’ve continued doing clubs.” The trio formed a friendship and when Wes thought Ruth was looking for a change, he suggested YES to her. She latched onto the idea and they began looking at buildings for their venue. “We’d had a really long day looking at places and this was the last place. It was just like… WOW!”

The venue and bar are set over four floors, something the team have thrown a spotlight on with their ‘four floors of yes’ slogan. There’s the basement space where they host gigs and club nights, the ground floor main bar, The Pink Room, which is one of the live music spaces, and the rooftop bar. Taking a look at Instagram, it’s The Pink Room that has swiftly become the public’s favourite. A quick search of the venue’s location shows an overwhelmingly pink collage of pictures, plenty of which are taken in the completely pink bathrooms. Getting this space just right is part of the reason the venue took so long to open. “We’ve done quite a lot of work on The Pink Room,” says Ruth. “Initially it had quite a low ceiling, so a lot of the reason it took a long time to open was because we needed to raise it, which raised the floor up here [on the top floor].” After all the work, The Pink Room didn’t have many original features so they decided to paint it a “mad colour”. But why pink? “Because every music venue is black,” says Wes. As Wes talks us through the space we’re sat in is evident YES’s unique style has drawn on original features. The deep green of the leather seating in our booth complements the original green-painted steel feature just above us. The bare red brick wall on the top floor is completely untouched. “We’ve kept as much as possible,” said Ruth. “But changing the ceiling height of The Pink Room meant that many of the original features in there were lost. So that’s then where the crazy ideas are allowed to come in.”

YES

FLOORS

FOUR

“Yeah, it’s a bit fancier up here as well,” adds Ruth. Wes agrees: “It appeals to different people and different age groups.” Making sure YES feels welcoming to all was extremely important to them. Wes talks us through how they’ve made the venue as inclusive as possible. “We’ve only been open for five weeks and we’re aware we haven’t covered all bases but we’ve tried to do events for families. We’ve tried to do a real broad selection of music. We’re trying to make it as open arms as possible… People take it in and treat nights as their own and welcome their friends or their community or people who like their type of music.” “I don’t feel like it’s not for anyone here,” Ruth adds. “There’s certain places where you might love but you won’t bring your mum on a Friday night when she comes to Manchester. This place is for everybody - hopefully.” The venue’s name ties into this philosophy too. “It’s very inclusive,” says Wes. Ruth agrees, “It’s very positive. We were chatting about the world of music… there’s a lot of people who try and be quite cool. People think that being cool is being negative and saying no a lot. How they assert themselves in the world is around stuff they’re not into. That’s not what we wanted to do, we wanted to do something really positive and open and fun.” The music world is something the team are extremely familiar with, having put on over 1,000 shows between them. Now Wave have put on events from tiny capacity gigs to huge, triumphant shows at Victoria Warehouse. So what made them decide to open a venue space with capacities on the smaller side of the scale? “I think those are the most exciting shows,” says Wes. “The first or a second time a band comes to a city is really good. They’re still enjoying it, it’s not become routine to them. I think the second show is the best one. That second time they come back when they know there’s going to be people there to see them but it’s still quite novel. A lot of my favourite shows have been about 200 people at the Deaf Institute, at Soup Kitchen and hopefully now here.” Ruth believes the same is true when working on shows, too. “Working on smaller shows, it’s maybe a bit more disorganised and ad hoc, but that’s fun!” “At the small shows, you’ll meet the acts, you’ll hang out with them,” says Wes. “At bigger shows, you deal with the tour manager or the crew. The band often arrive last, leave first. A good band no one has heard of is still a good band. We treat them the same way we’d treat any good band and then the ones that connect with people in a meaningful way shine through.” And Manchester’s history is full of good bands. From venues like the Haçienda, to musicians such as

“We wanted each floor to feel distinct from each other,” Wes explains. “You can have four different experiences in the same building. Maybe like a festival but within a building. So you might have a DJ on the ground floor, a live act in the basement, an acoustic act in The Pink Room then you can come outside [to the open rooftop bar] and have a smoke, cocktails. I don’t think drinking in the sun will ever go out of fashion!”

The Smiths, Oasis and The Stone Roses, the city has a rich musical heritage. Wes tried to put his finger on what it is about the city that breeds this creativity. “I think the appeal of Manchester is not immediately obvious. I think the atmosphere of the city forges really strong friendships and I think people make much stronger connections here with each other than they do in a lot of cities. When you find something good you cling to it. Manchester is a night-time city, I think. Every night there’s amazing things happening. I think musicians and artists and creative people respond to that in a really positive way.” Ruth agrees, “I came to Manchester because of the musical history and I think that’s the case for a lot of people who aren’t from Manchester. I think a lot of people are drawn in by it but then it becomes a place that you don’t leave.” Talk of Manchester’s musical heritage led to discussion of the tragic passing of Jan Oldenburg, owner of Night and Day, and Scott Alexander, owner of Big Hands and Temple Bar. “I think Jan is almost single-handedly responsible for the Northern Quarter,” said Wes. “The legacy is absolutely massive,” Ruth nods.

“15 years-ago when I came to Manchester, they were the places to go. Their legacy was huge, both of them. They lived and breathed it. That’s why it worked so well.” It’s a Friday night and the bar is full, but there’s still an easy-going feel to the place that isn’t lost in the buzz of the evening. That feeling is something Wes is extremely proud of. “Some of my favourite things people have said since it’s opened is they felt welcome and they felt at home like the moment they came in. It’s been really satisfying that people have said that. That’s what we want.” Part of what creates that environment seems to be the team’s ability to find the right vibe for each artist who visits. In early October, Jess Williamson played one of Ruth and Wes’ favourite shows so far in The Pink Room. But what made it so special was a bit of a happy accident – the show hadn’t sold out so they added seating to fill the room out. “We’ve not been open very long and we’ve had so many crazy nights,” Ruth said. “So, to walk into The Pink Room full of chairs, really chilled but with a really intently interested audience, it was nice. And it sounded even better live than it did on the record.” Maybe that personal touch and innate ability to turn a negative into a positive is why Manchester has taken to YES so quickly. “We’re having some happy accidents,” said Wes. Ruth began to laugh as she explained how they booked one of their artists for the opening weekend. “Wes was in Piccadilly Gardens the weekend before the launch party and there was this really amazing kora player and Wes was like ‘maybe we need a kora player on the roof’. He didn’t want to ask him on his own but it was like, no you’ve got to go!” “I did, which is exceptionally rare for me!” exclaims Wes.

With the first month under their belt, the team are beginning to look ahead to the future of YES. “We’re trying to listen to what the building is telling us,” said Wes. “I’m quite interested in getting bands to play more than one night so they can do different sets over two nights. And it gives the chance for people to see a bigger band in a slightly smaller venue. Bodega are going to play twice and Ibibio Sound Machine are going to play twice. So that’s something we’d like to experiment with more.” Moving from promotion to owning their own venue has changed the way they book acts. With Now Wave, the team would wait until an act was touring then find a suitable venue. “Now we’re sat here with an empty diary, so if a date isn’t filled we’re thinking of what we can do on that day,” Wes explained. “We spoke to our staff and they’re mega passionate about films so we’re trying to empower them to do their own film night. I think they’re going to do a thing where they show two films and there’s like a connection between them that isn’t immediately obvious.” Ruth jumps in, “A theme running through or something that’ll make you think ‘oh yeah that’s why those two were put together!’” “We’re kinda making it up as we go along!” says Wes as they both laugh. Ruth grins. “Yeah, we’ve got an open book really!” YES is located at 38 Charles Street, Manchester, M1 7BD

yes-manchester.com

“He faced a massive fear and did it and we ended up having this kora player here on the first night and it was so great. The next night we asked him to come back. He came back but he brought like four of his mates!” “All drummers!” added Wes. Ruth laughs, “The speakers and the production got bigger and bigger and again, it was a happy accident. More of that!”

“A good band no one has heard of is still a good band.”

Photography: Ruby Tuesday Penson

By Joseph Crutchley

“What I once loved doing became tiresome and I suppose I was lonely. It wasn’t until I started collaborating with other artists that it allowed me to gain an insight to a wider view of the possibilities of music.”

n a small, hot and over-crowded club in central Manchester, the sounds of conversation and the smell of cigarettes and cheap beer linger throughout the venue as 200 people witness Ruby-Ann transition from a shy and reserved solo artist, to an IRL headliner with the band, “Family Ranks”.

After emerging from the back of a dimly-lit room, an acoustic guitar is accompanied by haunting and thumping drums. “You angel!” shouts an audience member as Ruby launches into ‘Better’, her newest single with a video garnering nearly 50,000 views not even a year after release. “Go on gel!” yelps another, after a small technical hitch halts proceeding. “The show must go on!” Ruby-Ann shouts, followed by a loud roar of applause from the audience. After a brief silence, the lights go down and the band launch into their debut EP track ‘Speak Up’. It’s this positivity and resilience that is captivating from the minute we meet the next day after her set.“Excuse the mess!” Ruby-Ann says, welcoming me into her home studio. “I started writing a new song into the early hours of this morning. I only intended to write one verse!” she laughs, removing a guitar from a chair. She sits down on a bright green beanbag and takes a sip of a freshly brewed tea. “Last night was so good! Everyone seemed really into it,” she continues in a welcoming Mancunian accent. “And I got the chance to play some new music, which I think went down well!”

The Manchester-born star has been singing since childhood, first picking up a guitar aged 10. Born Ruby-Ann Patterson, the young songstress admits to being a curious child. “’Why’ was my favourite word and I would spend a lot of time thinking,” she tells me. Gaining interest at an early age to the music industry benefited her as she was soon in touch with singing coach, Yvonne Shelton. “Yvonne gave me the confidence to put myself out there. She really helped me believe in myself,” Ruby-Ann reveals. After starting a solo career, which saw her support Jazz and Soul royalty-Gregory Porter and Charles Bradley, Ruby-Ann tells me, “My confidence in myself and the industry was low.” She admits she couldn’t bring herself to write alone. Nonetheless the question she always gets asked is what’s her direction for sound? “Electronic hip-hop soul?” she ponders for a while. “It’s hard to define. I like to think I bring something completely different so it’s a mixture!” Her commitment to artistic fearlessness couldn’t be more evident than in her lyrics. Her songs speak of longing, lust and obsession, all emphasised through a melancholic tone and sensuality that ranges from submissive to dominant within a few bars. Dark, hard-hitting groves are centred around her introspective songwriting. “I loved recording ‘The Water.’” The track, taken off her debut EP, includes a string quartet arrangement contrasted against Ruby-Ann’s raw vocals.

Ruby-Ann admits it’s not always been easy, “There have been situations where my confidence was lacking or I wasn’t really sure what I wanted...” She pauses, “Now I listen to my intuition, make decisions based on how I feel and use my support system to feel things out.” She adds, “Saying yes is easier short term - it might save a little energy and emotional labour. For me, it’s a battle to speak my truthI like to think I win – some of the time!” Ruby-Ann takes a final bite of her digestive biscuit and checks her iPhone – she has a studio session later on in the evening. “I have this demo of a track I’ve been working on.” She then turns off the light and lights a few candles as well as an incense burner and plays me a track, currently untitled. The track is rhythmically reminiscent of Timbaland’s early staccato beats and vocally as close to Lauryn Hill, while using chopped up vocals in the chorus. Closing her eyes, she lets the sound wash over her, soothing both her ears and her heart. As it crescendos, her movements become more pronounced swaying up and down on a rainbow printed rug completely lost in the composition. She looks at ease. For a few moments there’s no judgement or pressure: simply a woman dancing in a world of her own creation.

not a yes

What is consent? What is the capacity to consent? How aware are you and those around you of what truly represents an acceptable ‘yes’? Have you ever stopped to ask yourself?

ver more prominently in the contemporary world,

By Alex Challies

the issue of consent crops up again and again, with seemingly little change in the general public’s perception. Be it issues of coercion, he-said-shesaid narratives, victim-blaming, or some other variation on the topic; the attitudes of many do prevent truly meaningful progress. This is not necessarily through malice, but rather through wrongful assumptions and lack of a general understanding. India Gillespie, graphic design graduate from Manchester Metropolitan University hopes to change this with the launch of NOT A YES magazine. Set to contain a wide range of content including original artwork, creative and factual written pieces, and multimedia engagement, the magazine aims to encourage people to talk more openly about sexual consent. “I thought a magazine was the best way forward. I wanted the creative space to be able to discuss all of the issues surrounding sexual consent. I really felt it’s important to educate people, especially younger audiences about the importance of it,” explains India. “I feel like we’re just never told and people don’t necessarily understand it fully. I mean I have friends who are my age and just don’t understand things, it’s quite upsetting really. “Especially once people reach 18 and start going out and start drinking, there’s such a fine line between what’s right and wrong. It’s just so important, especially around that age I think. From my own perspective, I would have liked to have been educated about it or had something I could go to understand it more.” A key area planned for the magazine is the history of issues surrounding sexual consent, highlighting on-going problems such as objectification of both men and women in the media. In particular, India notes that social media has a substantial impact on people’s perception of themselves and of others. The constant barrage of interconnectivity and endless, often meaningless content, serves to suppress a person’s individuality and positive view of themselves. This effectively links to the theme of NOT A YES magazine’s first issue, ‘Respect’. India explains, “Quite simply everyone deserves to be respected and deserves to be listened to. We should be able to feel like we’re in control of our words and our bodies, and other people should respect that.”

India Gillespie

With such a lateral thinking approach to educating people about sexual consent, NOT A YES looks to explore not only what consent is and when it can or can’t be given, but also why it exists as such a complex issue. By exploring connected themes, India aims to provide a coherent and valuable informative tool that both entertains and enlightens readers. Discussing the common misconceptions around the issue of consent and what appears to be the biggest challenges to communicate to the public, India says, “I think the main one is ‘what is consent and what isn’t’, as simple as that. Like if you’re drunk and if you say yes to someone, it’s not consent. It’s just not.” In addition to a person’s capacity to consent, or lack thereof, India illustrates a scenario of assumption within a long-term relationship. “If it’s your partner and you don’t say yes, that’s still not consent. If you’ve been with someone for years and years it doesn’t mean you own the person.” A subtle warning on falling into unhealthy habits, many people in long-term relationships don’t tend to consider whether or not their partner has legitimately provided consent. “Another really big thing for me is people constantly in the media who are ‘victim-blaming’. I think people really struggle to understand what they can’t believe, like people can’t imagine that happening.” India believes this problem flows from misunderstanding, that often times people can’t see the reality of an event if something doesn’t line up with their own interpretation of the narrative.

A hugely important misrepresentation that India also aims to educate people on is the typical depiction of a sexual assailant. The generalised view that each incident is somehow extraordinarily horrifying with a textbook unpleasant perpetrator. In actuality this is far from the case, as the majority of sexual assault victims did in fact know their assailant. Alongside this the assault may not be as explicitly obvious as assumed. India highlights this grey area in the general public’s knowledge, “It’s very unclear to a lot of people what is and isn’t consent.” “People can’t imagine it to be the CEO of a company or a student, people can’t see that and they can’t understand that maybe people did say no. The assumption that they just kind of let it happen and people think ‘why did you not shout for help’, ‘why didn’t you do this’. There’s lots of doubts and I think because they struggle to understand it, sadly that causes them to sometimes blame the victim.” NOT A YES magazine hopes to generate conversations that shatter misinformed opinion, as for anyone who has not experienced an assault will naturally feel distant from any perception of it. Priming each issue for a unique theme related to consent, India is driven and passionate about the project and eager to create something special and important. “I’m looking to put on some events and to launch the magazine this year,” said India, aiming for an A5 publication with 60 - 100 pages.

Anyone interested in getting involved with NOT A YES magazine; artists, designers, photographers, filmmakers and writers, are encouraged to get in touch via notayes@outlook.com

it’ s okay to talk: andy’ s man club By Lewis Finney

The world has never been a simple place, and in the last few years it seems that it’s making less sense by the day. Pressure is being applied from every angle and the negativity is palpable, especially, it would seem, for the UK’s male population. Whether you agree with the sentiment or not, for many men the societal pressure of being a provider for one’s family or the need to appear strong on the exterior, is a real issue. The stats back this up. Of the 4,727 recorded suicide cases in the UK in 2016, 3,570 were men. Suicide is the biggest killer of men under 45 and studies have revealed that 42% of men aged 18-45 have considered it as an option. It’s been described as an epidemic and it’s easy to see why. There’s a lot of information out there that aims to help people who are struggling. Charities such as Samaritans and Mind as well as the NHS are focussed on providing services for those suffering mental health issues.

Another such organisation is Andy’s Man Club, a group set up in 2016 by Luke Ambler. When his brother-in-law Andy took his own life, Luke felt he had to do something to address the stigma that surrounds male mental health. The problem, as Luke saw it, was that there wasn’t enough real human communication. Andy never made his feelings known and perhaps he wasn’t pushed enough to reveal he was hurting. This formed the mantra of Andy’s Man Club: “It’s OK to talk.” The organisation provides weekly group sessions that act as a safe space for men to go and discuss their feelings. Participants are encouraged to find positives from their week, that might not have been immediately obvious. The aim is to help these men leave in a happier or more content frame of mind than when they arrived – and it works! Keiran Holliday is a service-user-turned-facilitator at Andy’s Man Club. He is a massive advocate for the work they do and he has seen and felt the difference talking and listening can have. Keiran sat down with aAh! to tell us what Andy’s Man Club has done for him, what they could do for you and the need for a change of attitude:

I T S

“If you do know someone is struggling or you do notice that things are different to the norm, maybe a conversation is what’s best. Listening is actually as good as talking. You don’t have to say anything at all. You listen to everything that this person has to say, not say a word and they might feel better for telling you and getting it off their chest. There’s also the other side of it which is him listening to you. Even if he doesn’t talk back it doesn’t mean that he isn’t taking it on board. I also have to mention the NHS. Say that you’ll happily go with them to find out what the problem is. Having someone by their side, rooting for them can be a really big help.”

What advice would you give to people who have someone close to them struggling with mental health issues?

Why is it particularly hard for men to open up? “There’s a stigma that men don’t want to look weak. There’s a bravado. Sometimes it’s a family man who wants to do right by his wife and kids so doesn’t want to say exactly what they’re going through. They don’t talk to their wife and kids and they don’t want to talk about it to their friends because they think they’ll make fun of them. “It’s a manly thing to do isn’t it? To say: ‘Nah I’m all right, me.’ It’s a lot harder to say ‘No, actually I’m not ok.’ I call men bottles of coke. If you let things shake up too much, eventually it’s going to pop on its own and it’ll go everywhere and then you’ve got a mess. But if we can get these guys to talk about it, it’s like opening that bottle just a little bit at a time and it simmers down and eventually you open it and it won’t go everywhere.”

What’s your role within Andy’s Man Club?

O T

What’s next for Andy’s Man Club?

A L K

“Our goal is the same as we’ve always had: make more people aware, make more people realise that they’re not alone and to make more people realise that they can come somewhere safe to talk about it.” Luke had a two-year goal of opening up five clubs and within a year he opened up 15. “We want to expand to the point where everybody knows about this and no one stigmatises it. Let the man talk, let everybody talk! No matter what it be. Whether it’s big or small you should be able to talk about it without feeling like you’re going to be judged or whether you’re going to look weak.”

Andy’s Man Club has recently received charity status which has allowed them, for the first time, to employ two full time workers – a fact the Keiran was very proud of. Their message is also beginning to reach a more global audience after being a part of events in the Netherlands and Australia. They have had help from celebrities too. They held a charity football match with some stars of Coronation Street, had social media support from IBF featherweight champion Josh Warrington and they have recently recorded a podcast with rapper, Professor Green. There’s not a lot of negatives surrounding men’s mental health but Luke, Keiran and everyone else connected with Andy’s Man Club, are trying to turning some of life’s most difficult circumstances into positive change. With the organisation going from strength the strength, they would love for anyone who might be interested in helping out in any way to get in touch. If anyone can relate to anything mentioned in this this article there is lots more information out there. For more information visit andysmanclub.co.uk

“If you want to help yourself: don’t try, just do it. The more you try, or the more you think about it the more you can talk yourself out of it. It gets easier step by step. If you get pointed in the right direction, for example if you read this article, just do it. You don’t need to do it by yourself. Ask around and see if people don’t mind helping you on your way too. Accepting that help from other people can be quite difficult.”

What can you do if you are facing some of these issues yourself?

“It is a difficult one. I always say to people, ‘You can see a broken leg, but you can’t see what’s going on inside someone’s head.’ You can only know about it if someone tells you. It’s harder to recognise it in a stranger that someone you see on a regular basis. You can’t just walk past someone on the street and know. You might walk past me in the street and think I’m fine but I’m actually schizophrenic. Some people can be very good at masking. This is why we do what we do.”

How can we recognise people who are dealing with mental health issues?

“My role is to facilitate the meeting. I get there around half an hour and get the room set up. I then stand by the doors and usher people in and greet them. If there’s any new people joining us, I give them a warm welcome and a rough idea of what’s going to happen. My secondary role is a member. I may be a facilitator and help run the group but I’m also there to help myself too.”

FINDING ACCEPTANCE AND AUTHENCITY IN MANCHESTER Photography : Philip Orton

n estimated 215,000 LGBT people live in Manchester, but what does it mean to start studying here as an LGBT person?

Renowned for its wildly popular Pride festivals, lively Gay Village, and for being draped in rainbow flags every August, it is no surprise that The New York Times describes Manchester as ‘West Hollywood, England style’. Universities across the country are generally very gay-friendly zones. You’d be hard pressed to find a university in this country that doesn’t have an LGBT Society, or at the very least, a large community of LGBT students. It can be almost bizarre to witness the openness that comes with being at university, and though the acceptance of homosexuality should not feel a bizarre tact – the absence of aggression can feel odd, sometimes disconcerting. Secondary schools on the other hand, can be swamps of homophobia, from the casual utterances of hateful abuse to the more extreme: “I’d kill my son if he ever turned out gay.” (And yes, I’ve overheard conversations like that.) Transitioning from a toxic environment like that into increasingly relaxed space can be a shock to the system. Sometimes I still feel like I’m walking around with a chip on my shoulder, expecting somebody to insult me at any moment.

Universities offer opportunities that I can’t fully appreciate. Thankfully, I live at home with a very accepting family. Others aren’t so lucky. For them, going to university is the only chance they get to embrace their authentic selves, and to live a life free from the judgements they face at home. Sayf is a third-year student from an ethnic-minority background. His father doesn’t approve of his sexuality, believing it goes against their family’s cultural and religious values. However, university is worlds apart from any of those expectations: “University has been liberating in a sense because it has given me the freedom to experiment and shape my identity. When you’re surrounded by new people from diverse backgrounds, you tend to explore different aspects of yourself.” Second-year student Hasan expressed similar sentiments, and he now feels, despite struggling for the first year, that he has truly embraced his identity: “University exposed me to a whole new population of individuals. The sheer diversity was something I’d never seen or experienced before, so when telling people that I am gay, most either didn’t care or were supportive.” It’s easy to see why university would offer the potential for a wider set of outlooks. It’s been said that it’s impossible to go to university and remain close-minded – the plethora of people you meet open your mind and lead you to view the world in an entirely new way.

However, we should never expect a utopia of harmonious acceptance. Even in Manchester, you can run afoul of the occasional homophobe on the street. In extreme cases, this can result in violent attacks, verbal abuse, or intimidation. These experiences can be shocking, and at times, university can also actually offer up challenges to LGBT students. Andy Harmon, Wellbeing Officer at Manchester Metropolitan’s Student Union, explained to me that “students who are LGBTQ+ tend to need that little bit of extra support, as they might experience loneliness and isolation and they might not be quite sure that there are other people like them”. However, Harmon clarified that most homophobia on campus tends to take the form of subtle microaggressions rather than overtly violent acts of homophobia. This could take the form of people automatically assuming somebody is straight, for instance, or making casual use of homophobic language. Those unpleasant experiences, though, should never diminish the conviction to stay authentic. There is no better opportunity to be true to yourself than going to university, regardless of the dirty looks that you may receive (thankfully few and far between). Embrace the experience, and remember to say yes to authenticity.

By Ben Thompson

yes, climate change is real By Shawna Healey

Illustration: Jody Woodhouse

he earth’s environment is at breaking point and as the IPCC warns us that we have 12 years to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C, it is becoming harder to deny the devastating effect of climate change, making NOW the time to address the problem.

Those who are sceptical about the significance of climate change, often dwell on the fact that the earth has gone through both hotter and cooler periods throughout time, which is true. However, there have only been seven cycles of glacial advance and retreat, and the end of the last glacial retreat occurred 7,000 years ago. Furthermore, throughout all of humanity’s history prior to 1950, the global carbon level was below 300 parts per million. Since then, the carbon dioxide concentration has been steadily increasing, with the current carbon level at 400 parts per million. The probability that momentous increase in carbon emissions is the root of current climate change is, according to NASA, said to be 95%. As many know, or have perhaps forgotten since GCSE science, carbon dioxide is a heat-trapping greenhouse gas, which is released through both natural processes such as human respiration and volcanic activity, and human activities, such as deforestation and the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal. The greenhouse effect is a natural process that warms the Earth’s surface. The issue is that this process has been excessively enhanced by these human activities. Dr Mark Cresswell, a principle lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University who specialises in climate change, says that “there is hard evidence that the climate has and will continue to change”. Cresswell also states that: “Predictions give us the luxury of being able to make decisions to prevent any future disasters that may occur as a result. Whether we act on that information is for society as a whole to decide.”

Warming of the Earth isn’t the only problem that we’re going to face. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (the IPCC) released a report in October 2018, stating that we have just 12 years to limit climate change to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. Rising temperatures increase the risk of coastal and river flooding, crop yields, extreme weather events and coral die-off, just to name a few destructive outcomes of environmental destruction. Coral reefs are shallow-water ecosystems that occupy less than 0.1% of the ocean floor, yet play multiple vital roles, including housing high levels of biological diversity, as well as providing key ecological goods and services such as habitats for fisheries, coastal protection, and appealing environments for tourism. Coral reefs are dying out, but limiting global temperature increase to 1.5°C will limit the impact to a still horrifying 70% to 90%. At 2°C, however, coral reefs will become essentially extinct. The melting of sea ice is one of the most infamous effects of climate change. While sea ice primarily exists in the Polar Regions, it influences the global climate by reflecting sunlight back into the atmosphere through its bright surface. As rising temperatures are gradually melting sea ice, fewer bright surfaces are available to reflect sunlight back into the atmosphere. More solar energy is therefore absorbed at the surface, and ocean temperatures rise. This begins a cycle of warming and melting: warmer water temperatures delay ice growth in the autumn and winter, and the ice melts faster during the spring. Climate change is real, and the IPCC says that we have 12 years to limit global temperature increase to 1.5°C before we lose the coral reefs, before global sea levels rise to indiscriminate levels, and before we lose crops. What’s more, scientists specialising in climate change have been warning us of this possibility since the 1970s. It won’t be too late to salvage the planet in 12 years, but if we don’t significantly reduce our damaging impact on the planet, we will need to invest significantly more financial resources into reducing climate change through a shift in mitigation and adaption, something which many global powers seem reluctant to provide. The pressure is on for all of us to do what it takes to save our home.

EMBRACE SUSTAINABLE LIVING

Your guide to a planet-friendly lifestyle

By Kate Relton-Grice

We’ve all seen the photos, the terrifying statistics and the doom-laden warnings that accompany any discussion about the environment. David Attenborough’s Blue Planet dragged us into the reality of the world’s plastic dependency, and when faced with the knowledge that 9 million tons of plastic enter the oceans every year, you can forgive the average person for descending into depressed inertia. So, let’s flip it round and take a look at this a little differently. Forget the judgement; look for the things you can embrace. Small, achievable changes make a huge difference. No need for guilt, take a look at each part of your life and have fun with new ideas. Here is a step-by-step guide to embracing to sustainable living, starting from NOVICE and leading you through to THE MASTER.

Cotton/mesh shopping bags – we’re all in the swing of this at the supermarket, but if you can get in the habit of taking small reusable bags with you everywhere you can use them for everything from books and clothes to fruit and groceries. You can buy inexpensive re-usable coffee cups, and re-usable water bottle save plastic waste and mean avoiding nasty plastic toxins!

If you’re not already recycling then it’s time to get on it! Its best to be organised about it so get a couple of bins or bags to separate. A food waste bin is great at preventing smelly food from sitting for too long in a large bin. Be aware that not everything can be recycled, for example most take away cups and teabags!

SWITCH OFF

ECOSIA

Make switching TVs and lamps off at the plug a part of your bed time routine. Leaving electrics on standby means wasting energy while you sleep.

Ecosia is a search engine that uses 80% of its ad revenue to plant trees where they’re most needed. So every search you make is helping to fight global deforestation.

THINK ABOUT YOUR SUPERMARKET 49p in every £1 spent in UK households is spent in supermarkets, and if you’re going to use one, you can choose the most ethical brand for your budget without leaving your high street. The Ethical Company Index ranked all 11 of the big hitters in UK supermarkets, judging them on everything from environmental impact to animal welfare and human rights. These are the top stores.

ICELAND LIDL SAVE YOUR PENNIES!

SAINSBURYS CO-OP

WAITROSE MARKS & SPENCER TREAT YOURSELF

New to this? No worries! It’s incredibly easy to start making a difference.

RECYCLE

NOVICE

THINK RE-USEABLE

BRONZE CONSUME LESS MEAT The meat industry is a huge part of environmental destruction, so it’s important to try and cut down. Pulses can be a great protein substitute, and by cutting down on meat and upping the veggies you might find yourself feeling much healthier!

GET THRIFTY

Beeswax wraps – if you want to banish the plastics from your kitchen entirely, consider these nifty wraps. Natural, reusable and biodegradable, you can use these for wrapping your pack lunch, keeping your bread fresh or covering leftovers. Vegan wax wraps are available too.

WHERE DO YOU BUY YOUR CLOTHES? We all know the struggle between high street sales and the guilt of wondering where your new clothes have come from, and at what cost. Luckily, the market is filling up with responsible companies who sell ethical, fun and affordable fashion for those of us with a big conscience and a small budget.

SAVE YOUR PENNIES!

Microfibre cloths – From the bathroom to the kitchen or the car, get yourself a pack and banish the dreaded disposable wipes. Use, wash, repeat. No waste, no guilt and they’re generally more effective than those pesky wipes. Metal tupperware – most people have reusable cups now so why not take the next step and upgrade your food storage. From metal pack lunch boxes to freezer-proof glass containers – it’s never been easier to find alternatives that work for you.

Before you buy, try some upcycling! Find your local charity shop and grab yourself a bargain, or organise a clothes swap with friends and find some treasure in another man’s trash.

NEW LOOK RIVER ISLAND H&M

BUY SMART

Check out websites like Babipur – a one-stop shop for all your home and lifestyle needs. It can point you in the direction of other ecofriendly brands.

DEBENHAMS WHITE STUFF ASOS

SEA SALT PEOPLE TREE FAT FACE TREAT YOURSELF

SILVER MAKE YOUR OWN

HEALTH AND BEAUTY

Try making your own cleaning supplies. The cleaning properties of natural ingredients like vinegar and tea tree are well documented; so why not have fun harnessing the power of nature and whip up a batch of planet-friendly cleaning products. From laundry detergent to multi-purpose cleaner, there’s an abundance of inspiration online for creating a recipe that works for you. Try searching the Friends of The Earth website or find some easy recipes on Seeds and Stitches to inspire you.

Some might not think about the impact a daily beauty regime can have, but disposable cotton pads and wipes are often not biodegradable. There is thankfully a range of products that look after that: Keeping it clean Solid deodorant, shampoo and soap are all easy swaps that are kinder on the environment and last longer so they’re easier on your wallet too! Discard single-use

GO INDIE it’s easier than ever to find quirky, exciting brands that care about the environment: Wyatt and Jack make accessories from upcycled bouncy castles and deckchairs; Lucy and Yak make colourful and responsibly sourced clothing, working together with the manufacturers to create a fair and ethical brand; Community Clothing is a company designed to provide quality British clothing alongside job opportunities and sustainable work for factories around the UK.

Ditch the face wipes and use a flannel! Swapping to reusable cotton or bamboo cloths is healthier for your skin and environmentally guilt-free! Menstrual and sexual health There are greener ways to do most things, even when it comes to reproductive health. Condoms made from carbonneutral, environmentally friendly rubber, biodegradable tampons, organic lube and reusable fabric sanitary towels are achievable swaps with added health benefits for you. Ethical cosmetics Look for brands whose ingredients you recognise. Skin and planet-friendly options are available widely if you take a little time to look.

GET CYCLING Cut down on Ubers and grab yourself a bike, it’s the best way to travel in the city and keeps you fit, too!

YES TO... SOAPER DUPER SAVE YOUR PENNIES!

BURT’S BEES TIME OF THE MONTH OHME

NEAL’S YARD YES YES YES ORGANIC CHEEKY WIPES TREAT YOURSELF

MASTER Congratulations! If you’ve made it here you have become the master of sustainable living! The key to finding your way through the barrage of scary environmental reports and terrible images is knowledge and action. Arm yourself with skills, learn something new and get creative to make a difference in your own world.

HAVE A SKILL SWAP Organise a get together with friends and teach each other something new. Baking, sewing, mechanics, knitting, carpentry – get hands on with your creativity and eliminate the need for buying new or wasting old.

GO VEGAN It takes a complete change in lifestyle and is quite an adjustment if you do eat meat, but it is the best way to minimise your impact and if done right is incredibly healthy! Check out websites like act-veg. com for tips and motivation.

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER Find your local environmental workshops and talks to acquire the tools to make and repair, the possibilities are endless. Take a look at Stitched Up in Chorlton for sewing courses, repair cafes and clothes swaps.

GO LOCAL Support your community, look at what’s on offer in your area and try to work with the seasons – vegetables grown in a field behind your house this week will always taste better than those flown overseas out of season. Information for your local communities should be available in libraries or health food shops and cafes. Try Eighth Day on Oxford Road, Unicorn Grocery in Chorlton and Real Junk Food on Oxford Street.

GIVE YOUR TIME Volunteer where you can. There are projects of all sizes going on wherever you look. Think about what is practical and sustainable for you – this isn’t punishment, it shouldn’t feel like a chore. Find a project you’re passionate about and give it whatever you can; small is enough. Try sites such as environmentjob. co.uk/volunteer for opportunities.

Fearless Alice Custom Fearless Alice Custom is a Manchester-based brand. With a store in Droylsden, Fearless Alice sells both commercial and handmade, personalised garments and accessories that are quirky, feminine and colourful. Featured in Elle Magazine, they have developed a strong brand on Instagram featuring social media influencers such as Oliva Bowen and Chloe Patton. For owner Niamh Bryan, her ‘yes moment’ came following finishing a fashion degree in 2017 and struggling to find a graduate job. She set up a clothes shop and started creating custom items in her spare time. She explains that this was hard work and time-consuming, but ultimately worthwhile as her business started to gain traction. “It was hard starting the brand as people have to trust you before buying, but by taking better photos for Instagram, and finding the style of the brand more and more, you get more genuine followers who like and buy my stuff, it’s paying off.”

Em’s The Label Feeling that the high street did not provide the clothing she wanted, Em created her own unique, high-quality festival and party-wear in 2014. She started selling clothing on Depop, using the money from the sales to fund and to grow the brand. Em’s The Label has nearly 12,500 followers on Instagram and sells on her own website, Depop, Wildthing, Asos, Coexist, and SHS. For Em, realising that there was a gap in the market for festival-goers was a key part of her success. She says, “Launching my first very own website where people were actually buying the garments was my lightbulb moment. I didn’t expect it to happen so quickly and so I realised there was a demand for my clothing.” Now the brand is Em’s full time job, where high demand in the summer means employing extra help. “I love being able to work to my own schedule. I’m able to go away for a few days without answering to a boss.”

Fashion Editor Shawna Healey speaks to young successful entrepreneurs about their calling in fashion and the lightbulb moments that made their businesses what they are today. For many young people, it can be hard knowing where you want to go in life. Industries are increasingly competitive, and fashion is no exception. We speak to four young brand owners who are making their way in the world of fashion to discover the secrets to their success. They reveal where they find inspiration and show us that if you have enough passion, ideas and determination, dreams can be realised and great things can happen.

entrepreneurs share their “yes moments” Bandeau Babes

Maisey Rawlins

Bandeau Babes, run by Stephanie Seymour, is a fierce clothing range designed to empower women. Her best-selling product is the classic bandeau, which she sells in a multitude of colours and fabrics. Bandeau Babes pride themselves on making fashion inclusive, designing clothing for people of all shapes and sizes.

Maisey Rawlins sells a variety of clothing, from personalised bikinis, to winterready neon and leopard print jumpers, to handmade shorts and printed tees.

For Stephanie, it all began in July, 2017 where she made her first garment and wore it on a night out. She tells us, “I was getting ready to go out with nothing to wear […] I decided to whip up a little bandeau and went out. That night, I got loads of compliments”. After Stephanie’s A levels she found that she had a lot of time on her hands, “I started making a few here and there for my friends and then it exploded.” From there, Seymour started to create clothes for her friends and family, and now ships her hand-made garments all over the world. Stephanie says, “Everyone buys from me, from yummy mummies, girls going to festivals to people looking for bandeaus for nights out”.

The best thing about the brand is Rawlins’ pride in models of all sizes. She says: “I don’t really like ‘plus-size’ ranges. I think there should be one range for all without separate designs for different sizes.” When creating the brand, Maisey’s time at university taught her the practicalities of owning a clothing line, but her passion and determination to be successful is what continued to drive her brand. Maisey’s ‘yes!’ moment came in July 2018, in the form of her first sale on ASOS marketplace. She says, “It felt right […] seeing how confident the girls were posting pictures in my outfits also contributed.” Her goal is to have a stand in high-end shops such as Selfridges, but the current goal is to concentrate on the brand’s online sales.

jessica wade: success in china

By Shawna Healey & Thalia Carr

New designer success as Jessica Wade wins international fashion award. Manchester School of Art BA (Hons) Fashion student Jessica Wade, scoops the coveted International Youth Design Competition hosted by the Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT), showcasing fashion design students and graduates from across the globe. Wade, who is very humble about the prestigious award, says: “I overwhelmed to be a finalist for the competition, so to have won the first prize was just incredible!” The collection was featured amongst 31 other collections from across the globe. Wade describes the experience as one “money can’t buy”. After undertaking a ten-week internship programme in China, during the second year of her fashion degree, Wade was inspired to design her collection for the BIFT award. In 2017, Wade debuted her work at the International Foundation for Fashion Technology Institutes (IFFTI) where she completed her internship as a placement module. Wade describes the experience of travelling to China and showcasing her work, “It was amazing. It was non-stop from 23-hours travelling, to fittings to accepting the award!” The award is a huge step forwards towards working in the fashion industry, which Wade says has given her a lot more confidence. Wade describes the process behind her collection: “I use handcraft and textile processes to add a sense of expense to everyday materials. This process allows me to turn these objects into luxury fabrics.”

the age of protest: change needs to happen By Masha Milenkovic

The history of protest and struggling against the powerful stretches back generations. From the Suffrage Movement, to outrage at unpopular wars, those who were desperate or passionate enough about a cause have gathered, petitioned, marched and demanded to be heard and share a point of view. With the current state of modern society seemingly overflowing with increased levels of social injustice, the youth of today are becoming keener than ever to participate in protests. From increased anti-gun violence demonstrations in the USA, to a demand for better road safety in Bangladesh, 2018 saw the rise of student demonstration worldwide.

In the UK young people are showing a higher interest in politics than ever before with Britain’s 2016 decision to leave the EU acting as a catalyst for this. In October 2018, over 700,000 protesters took to the streets of London demanding a second referendum. This was followed up by the People’s Vote protest in March, which saw thousands hit the streets to show their support and over six million sign a petition to ‘Revoke Article 50 and remain in the EU.’ Among those leading the marches were groups of students who had gathered from all over the country with some arriving on buses that were paid for by the likes of TV cook Delia Smith, comedian Eddie Izzard and actor Steve Coogan, to name a few. Earlier this year student organisations in the UK with close to a million members joined forces by writing to MPs demanding a second referendum on the final Brexit deal. With Brexit directly affecting student’s futures it comes as no surprise that more and more young people are raising their voices.

Statistics show that the Brexit referendum saw 64% of 18-24-year-olds voting – this being the highest percentage seen in any general election since 1992. Carmen, a spokesperson for the student-led anti-Brexit group ‘For Our Future’s Sake’ (FFS) and a participant in the first People’s March in London said, “It’s so important that young people are involved and engaged in politics. If you look at who’s currently in power, it isn’t representative. Young people are realising this and that’s why you see hundreds of thousands of them here today demanding change.” When asked about the effectiveness of protesting she added, “I think that protests are a massive part of moving towards change. It shows a collective voice and seeing so many young people on the street makes a mark and is very powerful.” Julia, a marketing director and fellow People’s March protester added, “I’m starting to believe that there could be a chance for a second referendum after a turn out like this. Young people are open and they are the brightest and most attentive of an audience.” Former policeman, Simon Muggleton, a fellow protester recognised a change in the movement. He said, “Young people can finally see what’s happening to the country. They’re finding it increasingly difficult to find jobs out of University and they know change needs to happen.” Research by economists from Harvard and Stockholm Universities show that protests do in fact have a major effect on politics. However, their findings show that the success of a protest isn’t down to big crowds changing the minds of policy makers but rather in the fact that they get people politically activated.

Photography: Philip Orton

With students showing an increased interest in today’s politics, it’s important to consider all roads to change and protesting just might be the first step towards securing a greater future.

By Maria Lykke Salling

International student Maria Lykke Salling, on the power of positivity and where it can take you.

I always dreamed of moving away to study. So, I never thought it was a big deal or even considered what consequences it might have, so when I suddenly had a letter in my hand saying, ‘Go time!’ and had bought a one-way ticket – the seriousness kicked me straight in the face. I’m still saying ‘yes’ to this country every day. Here’s how...

Keep in contact with your long-distance friends

Write down your reasons to move

It’s so incredibly important to keep your loved ones close, even if they aren’t physically near. I found this especially hard in the first two months. You want hugs and eye contact, but taking your phone on a walk helps can help you pretend they’re right there.

There are so many different reasons why you might want to move, so sit down and put pen to paper before you go. Your reason can be as simple as ‘I want to experience something new’. You can then take out this list as a reminder for why you decided to make the big move, but are feeling homesick or unsure. It was written by your best, hopeful self, to you. Don’t let them down. Learn the language

Be proactive

Quite possibly the most important one. As I moved to England, I had already the language at school – but there’s a lot slang and cultural things that I am still learning each day. If you’re not moving to a country that speaks a foreign language, at least read up on the culture. Do they greet each other in a different way or is something you consider normal considered rude there? Check. Double check. I have had many an awkward encounter because I simply did not know.

You’ve moved away, you’re independent and you can run your own life. There are days when it will all feel horrible. Your family is more than just a train journey away, you’ve gone days without hearing or speaking your native tongue, but there are things you can do to help. I work as a translator and subtitler, which I would recommend for people who want to hear their language in day-to-day life. If you just stay positive, it will all look up again. Whatever reason you make the move– to study, for love, for work – but you have a purpose. Fulfil it.

Socialize and try new things Being in familiar surroundings and surrounded by family can make you complacent. You can’t be that once you’ve moved. There’s no better time to start doing new things than when you’ve literally had a fresh start. No one here knows the previous you, so re-invent or just do things you wouldn’t before. Join a yoga class, go to poetry readings, and meet new people. Proactivity is what keeps your brain alive.

By Jack Warne

YES OR NO RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2 : THE FIRST NARRATIVE EXPERIENCE THAT CAUSED ME TO FEEL MY CHOICES

Galloping through the heartlands of America in the late 1880s, I stumble upon a hunter who has met the misfortune of trapping his leg in a bear trap. His cries for help cause me to stop and, for a moment, it feels as if my brain is responding to a real person. I was in a rush to reach another destination to undertake a story mission, but I felt an obligation to help. I was captured in the illusion of a real situation. Later in the game, I bumped into this same individual who stopped to thank me. It was then I realised the narrative and world I was in was organic and responsive and my decisions, for the first time, seemed important.

This is Rockstar’s new western-epic Red Dead Redemption 2 and is the first time I’ve experienced guilt, emotion and reflection while playing an interactive narrative-game. The Old West is dying. Capitalis civilisation is spreading across America and the gunslingers and gangs of the past are being hunted down. Rockstar’s attention to detail is staggering, the various mountain ranges, forests and new cities reaching photo-realistic graphics, and the world’s inhabitants feeling almost alive.

This is crucial for two reasons in terms of making moral decisions in this game: It creates a narrative and an environment which indulges the player in a world which responds to you organically, creating an effect which makes you question your own decisions in a scarily comparable way to which we do in our everyday lives. It is the situations you stumble across while exploring the vast world which seem revolutionary in storytelling experience. The world feels alive on every single-level, from the subtle facial expression in its inhabitants, to the every-day routines of each character – working, eating, fighting, and drinking. These minute-long details all contribute to a narrative

that allows emotional investment from a player.

An elderly civil war veteran begs me for money and tells me of his sorrows as I walk past him. I don’t have to stop, but the raw emotion I can witness on this man’s face means I feel morally inclined to help and instead of ignoring the gentleman, I offer him some money and have a brief conversation with him. The gratitude he gives me in return is feels as authentically as if it was in real life. Another time I ignored him, and later on in the game other characters in a nearby saloon comment on my implicit unhelpfulness. In this experience, my actions had consequences and the world around me responding to my moral decisions in a way that was organic and realistic enough to trigger in me a real guilt. This isn’t the generic video game narrative experience of killing what’s in front of you, I consciously had to evaluate moral dilemmas before saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to an action, and, in this, Rockstar Games have started a compelling conversation that may tell us more about ourselves than any novel, film or piece of music. By teleporting us into life-like yet impossible situations, we are forced to think deeply about moral issues and situations in our every day. Rockstar Games have opened up a very interesting can of worms that presents a new narrative experience which may tell us more about ourselves than any novel, film or piece of music, by presenting us in realistic situations that might not occur in everyday life and forcing us to think deeply about moral issues and situations.

EMMA SMITH: 5HZ AND EUPHONIA

HOME: 6/04/19 - 19/05/19

Artist Emma Smith spent a year researching psychological and neurological responses to the human voice and her findings have led to her latest exhibition, 5Hz and Euphonia. Investigating the sounds we make to connect with each other, the sound installation features the 5Hz language, a collection of sounds that work beyond language barriers.

THE SUGARHILL GANG & THE FURIOUS 5

Club Academy: 29/05/19

The group that needs no introduction. Arguably the founders of recorded hip hop music with their instantly recognisable ‘Rapper’s Delight’, and ‘Apache’, The Sugarhill Gang are bringing the classics back for an anniversary tour. If you’re a fan of old school hip hop, these are two artists you need to see.

FAT WHITE FAMILY

02 Ritz: 04/05/19

Regent Trading Estate, Salford: 05/05/19 It’s the 15th anual celebration of new music as independent promoters, collectives and club nights hold a selection of acts accross Salford pubs and bars. The line-up includes performances from Aadae, Black Futures and See Thru Hands. Grab your sunnies, some grub and get ready to experience the best of up-and-coming artists.

THE LEISURE SOCIETY

Manchester Academy: 18/05/19 Dubbed the UK’s answer to Grizzly Bear, Department of Eagles and Fleet Foxes, The Leisure Society come to Manchester with singles such as Save It For Someone Who Cares, This Phantom Life and Dust on the Dancefloor. Co-founder Nick Hemming has written music for films such as A Room for Romeo Brass and Dead Man’s Shoes.

With beginnings set in the squats of South London, Fat White Family are a band you would have heard of, even if not for their music. Freshly-signed to Domino Records, who even themselves exclaim to be “delighted, if slightly nervousl”, Fat White Family are set to come to Manchester to promote their latest album, Serfs’s Up!

MANCHESTER JAZZ FESTIVAL 2019

City Centre: 23-27/05/19 The 24th MJF returns to the city this May, covering the length of St Ann’s Square and Exchange Street with a host of free stages, food stalls and festival bars. This year they’re throwing new venues into the mix including YES and The Bread Shed. Check out the full programme (available online) and snap up one of their £5 student tickets.

Band On The Wall: 01/05/19 Known to wear vintage football shirts on stage as an ode to his step-father, its this sentimentality that has seperated Loyle Carner’s lyrics from the rest of the UK’s contemporary hip hop scene. Not Waving But Drowning, an album we’d all been holding our breath for is out now, following his Mercury Prize-nominated 2017 debut.

PILOT LIGHT FESTIVAL

IAN MCKELLEN ON STAGE

Manchester’s own television festival dedicated to celebrating the best in TV & web series from around the world returns for its fourth season. Featuring a communal TV watching experience, exclusive screenings of series old and new, plus Q&As, panels and workshops with the people behind the series we all love.

Celebrating his 80th birthday, Sir Ian McKellen tours a charity performance across the UK, all proceedings from his Manchester performace going to help HOME keep its doors open. It’s set to be an eclectic mix of McKellen’s ‘best of’, saying: “The show starts with Gandalf and will probably end with an invitation to act with me on stage. Inbetween there’ll be anecdotes and acting”.

Gorilla: 28/05/19

FOALS

LUCY DACUS

It’s been ten years since the clanging of the Foals’ first album, Antidotes, came to the public’s attention, and their new and fifth album, Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost, has already left an impression. In June, they come to Manchester and we can’t think of a better way to spend a summer’s evening.

Lucy Dacus is an American indie rock singersongwriter from Richmond, Virginia. She has released two critically acclaimed albums: No Burden (2016) and Historian (2018). In 2018, she formed boygenius with Phoebe Bridgers and Julien Baker. Catch her show in The Pink Room at YES.

HOME: 16-19/05/19

HOME: 05-06/06/19

Victoria Warehouse: 11-12/06/19

BENJAMIN ZEPHANIA & THE REVOLUTIONARY MINDS

British poet Benjamin Zephaniah is widely regarded as one of the greatest poets of his generation. Working alongside producer The Sea, Zephaniah will be performing poetry and lyrics set to a selection of dub-reggae from his band The Revolutionary Minds.

YES Manchester: 12/06/19

COURTEENERS, JAMES, DMA’S & PALE WAVES

Heaton Park: 15/06/19

Heaton Park: 08/06/19 Cardi B, The Streets, George Ezra, and Solange are just a few of the household names announced for 2019’s legendary Parklife. Other names include Major Lazer, Mark Ronson and Loyle Carner. A rite of passage for students, Parklife is perfect for post-deadline fun.

Courteeners play their biggest headline show to date this summer, with a show at Heaton Park, following their release of a re-recorded version of their eponymous debut album St Jude, inspired by Liam’s solo acoustic tour. They will be joined by Manchester icons James as well as DMA’s and Pale Waves.

MANCHESTER DAY 2019

City Centre: 23/06/19

Manchester’s people, cultures and communities - and their achievements in industry, science, music, fashion, education and sport - will all be recognised at Manchester Day 2019. Based around the theme ‘10 out of 10’, the city will celebrate a decade of this free family festival featuring music, dance and outdoor theatre.

NEIL HAMBURGER

The Bread Shed: 23/06/19 “America’s #1 Funnyman” Neil Hamburger is the hardest working comedian in existence, performing up to 399 shows a year internationally to critical acclaim and audience bewilderment. He has toured as the hand-picked opener for Tenacious D, Tim & Eric and Faith No More. He comes to The Bread Shed this June.

JIMMY CARR: TERRIBLY FUNNY The Lowry: 30/06/19 We get the feeling that the 8 Out of 10 Cats host’s stand up show is not for the faint-hearted: “Jimmy’s brand new show contains jokes about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible things that might have affected you or people you know and love. But they’re just jokes – they’re not the terrible things”.

MANCHESTER INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

City Centre: 04-21/07/19

The world’s first festival of “original, new work and special events” returns to Manchester this June, with its strongest programme to date. Highlights include Yoko Ono’s launch of the festival with an invitation to the people of Manchester to gather in Cathedral Gardens and send a message of peace to the world and David Lynch’s complete takeover of HOME, described as a “unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of the pioneering American artist, musician and director of such works as Blue Velvet, Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire: 18-21/07/19 Celebrating fifty years since the Moon Landings this July with a four-day spectacular combining music, science, cosmic culture and more beneath the Lovell Telescope, say hello to Bluedot 2019. The first headliners have been announced - featuring Lovell Stage performances from Kraftwerk 3-D, New Order and Hot Chip, ground-breaking sets from the Grammynominated likes of Jon Hopkins and Tokimonsta, science and culture talks from Liz Bonnin, Helen Pankhurst, Jim Al-Khalili and Tom Shakespeare, and much more.

SOUNDS OF THE CITY Castlefield Bowl: 06-13/07/19 Sounds of the City is bringing the biggest names in pop and indie to the stage. The line-up at Manchester’s Castlefield Bowl sees headline performances by the The Wombats, Elbow, The National, Kylie Minogue, The Kooks and Hacienda Classical, each joined by special guests.

CHETHAM’S LIBRARY SUNDOWN SESSIONS Chetham’s Library: 11/07/19

BELLE AND SEBASTIAN Albert Hall: 03/07/19

One of the most cherished and celebrated acts of recent decades, Belle and Sebastian have released 11 critically acclaimed albums including the epoch defining Tigermilk, If You’re Feeling Sinister and The Boy With The Arab Strap. See how their sound has evolved.

Steeped in history, Chetham’s Library invite you to wander around the medieval grounds “as the slanting rays of the evening sun illuminate the stone passages and richly-panelled rooms”, with intimate acoustic performance curated by Hey! Manchester. They promise a traquil atmosphere while you enjoy a glass of wine or beer in the Baronial Hall.

THE BEAT-HERDER FESTIVAL The Ribble Valley: 14-16/07/19 Described as “the most spell-bindingly brilliant small festival in the land”, BeatHerder is certainly different to other festivals. Its 14th instalment is packed to the brim with an eclectic line up, 20+ stages and world-class DJs - Beatherder is the escapist’s utopia.

LIVERPOOL INTERNATIONAL MUSIC FESTIVALL

Sefton Park: 21–22/07/19

Exploring the theme of Co-Exist and Connection, LIMF showcases a diverse set of global household names alongside emerging new talent. DJ Jazzy Jeff, Trevor Nelson, Toddla T, Tim Westwood, Example, DJ Wire and Haçienda Classical are this year’s main acts.

ALIYAH HUSSAIN: ALWAYS MYSTERIES OF THE TONGUE HOME: 26/06 - 15/09/19

Manchester-based multidisciplinary artist Aliyah Hussain presents a new series of ceramics, drawing, collage and print to explore the complexities of communication and miscommunication.

LEEDS FESTIVAL

GIA MARGARET

The number one UK music festival taking place over August Bank Holiday Weekend. This year’s line up is an electric mix of hip hop, pop and alt rock with Foo Fighters, Post Malone, Anderson. Paak and Twenty One Pilots as headliners. Other acts include Blossoms, Mura Masa, and Batille.

Gia Margaret’s debut self-produced album hit multiple international critics’ Best Of lists. Her There’s Always Glimmer debut weaves elements of “folk, shoegaze and ambient electronics whilst retaining the exposed charm of her early bedroom recordings”.

CREAMFIELDS

THE TAPE FACE SHOW

If dance music is more your thing, Creamfields, the UK’s biggest dance music festival, should be on the top of your list. Celebrating its 22nd anniversary, the 2019 instalment promises to be the biggest to date. Dance, electronic and DJ acts will dominate the three-day festival, with performances by Fatboy Slim, Deadmau5, Annie Mac and Calvin Harris.

After storming into America and being seen by 51 million people online, Tape Face lands back on UK soil and hits the road. As seen on America’s Got Talent and the Royal Variety Performance, Tape Face promises: “New jokes, new props, same tape”.

Bramham Park: 23-25/08/19

Cheshire: 22-25/08/19

Various, City Centre: 30/08/19 The Australian singer-songwriter Courtney Barnett is set to headline this year’s Manchester Psych Festival, as part of their biggest line up to date. She will be joined by psych-rock outfit Temples, post-punk fourpiece Goat Girl and lo-fi local duo The Lovely Eggs.

YES Manchester: 02/09/2019

The Dancehouse Theatre: 07/09/19

what if god we’re one

Late again, but uncaring and weary, The day just beginning, yet his outlook so dreary. Turning on his computer, he slumped in despair, Hundreds of new emails, prayer after prayer. Day after day, and week after week, His inbox grew larger and his outlook turned bleak.

Humans are selfish, always wanting the same, Greed and power and fortune and fame. Some pray for money, others for sex, Some pray for things that you’d never expect.

“Dearest God, I’m not sure if you’re there, But if you are please, please answer this prayer” Each and every email he took on the chin, Whatever his response, he just couldn’t win.

When he said no, the outcome was bad, “God just doesn’t care” , nothing made him so mad! But when he said yes, people called it a fluke, “God isn’t real, you must be a kook.” His eyelids drooping, he was desperate for rest, For life, he had lost his once great zest.

His last day off seemed a lifetime away, Cooped up in this office, day after day. ENOUGH! He thought, it has to be said: “I give up. Done. I’m off, back to bed.” But prayers don’t just stop, how would he amend? For every incoming, a reply should be penned. “EUREKA! I’ve got it! An end to my stress, Every new email would be met with a yes” Mankind would be happy and he would be free, And it’s 24 hours, how bad could it be? He set that up and was off, out the door, Tomorrow he’d be back, but for today, no more. Perhaps just exhausted, or caught up in his day, But he failed to notice the sky turning grey. In this world there is goodness and those who are kind, But always beware, evil is never far behind.

Tomorrow will show he deserves all he got, For you never know who is praying for what.

By Andrea Maria Petrie

I think the fools have transmitted long Enough of how huge and debauched and unbelievably planned it will be, convinced we’ll have time to dig a hole first and have a child first and drink all the water so it doesn’t go to waste. But when the sunrise backhands the earth more quickly than we expect, we’ll be in the middle of downing a cup of tea or day-dreaming about the 9-to-5 we don’t have when the rubble falls. I think our minds have been so parched of hope that the bomb shelter could be an affordable two-storey house and the powdered food could be a four-course meal and a grimy love-starved hand caressing a hard metal ceiling could be what finally ends us.

By Andrea Maria Petrie

CREATIVE WRITING

I think it will take the burnt end of a candle and the last lean of a tree for us to see the lidded fish-tank we live in. Yes! The wonders we’ll witness! Like how the moon is chalky and constant and only a blink away from appearing in the sky and we’ll only see that when it’s lodged into the side of the earth.

The world in your ember days lit up its lights in a biblical rain. Long and far, the crack of the night in that dark throbbing room showed your four-medal war arms, your eyeballs stars. The nightjars were still and did not stir you when Death in his formal garden took the bones of my grandfather, took the hissing skin that brimmed with disease in all the mists of that morning, the dawn at the edge of his sleep something last, lost, gone. Your terminal cry I heard long.

friday

when the world ends

The evening of your days I remember always on the other side of a hospice night. A funeral in my face, your ghostcandled fatherlight still laughing, bright, white in the winter of your age.

After that, the morning hours ran on. In a dawn darkly, on a singing white page at the rim of my memory, the long wartime age of your history I scrawled: your lost laugh, your long love, all the days of your life and never your death at all.

By Laura Potts

FEATURED ARTISTS

By Daisy Holland

By Nerissa Cargill Thompson

call for submissions We are always looking for writers, editors, social media marketers, illustrators, designers, filmmakers and photographers on an ongoing basis to help make aAh! an informed, inspiring, witty and opinionated collection of student voices and talent that make our city brilliant. All Manchester Metropolitan students are invited to contribute. Get in touch.

issue 2 summer 2019