Prism

prism Lifestyle news for those living life off the beat

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Summer // 2015 // Issue one

We’re here, we’re born! and we have Boomtown tickets to celebrate

KU IBIZA : THEN AND NOW SONAR @ BARCELONA

FULL EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

ISOBEL BARNES

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL 20

TOP UK SURF SPOTS THE DESPACIO SOUNDSYSTEM RETURNS WHY YOU SHOULD BE YARNBOMBING

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- issue one Summer 2015

As part of Ben Pier's photography, he shoots the meaning of summer. Visit his website benpier.com to view his other creations

Welcome to the very first issue of Prism. Feel priviledged

Hill Carnival is creeping up on us so we take a closer look at the weird and wonderful who attend Europe's largest street party. Yarnbombing is the new craze and it's not just for crazy cat ladies - go on, have a look, we have a feeling you might surprise yourself.

In issue one we catch up with up and coming director, Isobel Barnes, where we spoke about her latest projects. We've also been scouting the best festivals to attend over the summer; whether you want an alternative weekend break abroad or a festival which is simply a ticket to another dimension, we got this. The Despacio Soundsystem is back on the map as we learn why James Murphy and 2ManyDJs return with their iconic stacks. Delve into the madness of Ibiza during the 80s and see how it was then and is now, trust us, a lot has changed. We discovered how Gin is a bartender's favourite so we've put together a guide for the best ginbased drinks to get you wavy, not to mention some delicious, inexpensive Sushi recipes for an alternative feast. Notting

As part of an exclusive for our first ever issue, we are giving you lot the opportunity to win a Boomtown ticket for yourelf and two mates. All you have to do is follow us on Twitter and tweet us with a picture of your copy of Prism along with the hashtag #prismone. We will announce the winner on our Twitter page on September 1st.

as you hold the first UK magazine to offer readers lifestyle news with an unconventional twist. In this issue, we strive to provide you with extensive unique content to give you a taster of what is to come in the future.

We're excited to bring you our first edition which we have been lucky enough to put together. The team hope you enjoy reading issue one as much as we enjoyed creating it.

Yours Truly, Team Prism

PRISM

Creators: Molly, Yasmin, Katrina, Claire, Gabby.

EDITOR-IN-CHEIF Molly Stooke, Yasmin Young MANAGING DIRECTOR Katrina Russell, Gabby Howard SENIOR EDITOR Claire Stapley ASSISTANT EDITOR Emma O’Connell PHOTO EDITOR Vincent Simonades FASHION EDITOR Basil Erwin GLOBAL EDITOR Paul George ONLINE EDITOR Ceri Carsten ASSISTANT ONLINE EDITOR Maria Hughes CONTENT COORDINATOR Jeremy Wallace MUSIC EDITOR Frankie Arnold TRAVEL EDITOR Pete Spencer FOOD EDITOR Claire Stapley LIFESTYLE EDITOR Molly Stooke ASSISTANT LIFESTLE EDITOR Gabriella Howard LAYOUT Kat Russell ART DIRECTOR Yasmin Young WORDS Claire Stapley, Emma O’Connell, Molly Stooke, Yasmin Young, Maria Hughes, Jeremy Wallace, Frankie Arnold, Pete Spencer, Katrina Russell, Vincent Simonades, Basil Erwin, Ceri Carsten, James O’Donoghue.

PHOTOS Michelle Green, Pete Spencer, KU Ibiza Best Years, Boomtown Website.

ILLUSTRATIONS Claire, Gabby, Katrina, Molly, Yasmin COPY EDITOR Emma O’Connell

PUBLISHER University of Portsmouth BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT James Barnaby ADVERTISING DIRECTOR Leon Jones ADVERTISING MAGANER Eric Lindsay ACCOUNT MANAGERS Jonathon Cameron WEBSITE DESIGN Leah Geyer TYPOGRAPHER Adele Josephs PRODUCTION AND CIRCULATION MANAGERS Daniel Sena, Emma O’Connell COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR Merilyn Norton MANAGER OF COMMUNICATOINS Amelie Jaylin ACCOUNTANTS Rhianna Davies MANAGER OF I.T AND TECHNOLOGY Leanne Sherree OFFICE MANAGER Penelope Holden HUMAN RESOURCES Penny James DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH Richard Sena LEGAL ADVISOR Josie Ahearne COPYRIGHT E-MAILS claire@xmagazine.com, katrinaxr@xmagazine.com, gabriella@xmagazine.com, yasminyx@xmagazine.com, mollyst@xmagazine.com, content@xmagazine.com.

INTERNS Savannah Young, Jay Andrews, Anthony Normand, Trixy Oralee, Jodie Coleman, Miranda Casey.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lee Hazlewood and Nina Lizell on set for “Cowboy in Sweden”. (Photo Courtesy of Torbjörn & Kalle Axelman and Barton Hazlewood Separate Property Trust)

VOL 1 NUMBER 1 BOOMTOWN FAIR Why Boomtown owns every other festival out there...22

PURE SHORES The hidden places to cruise some waves in the UK.....46

YARNBOMBING The latest craze changing street arts reputation......36

KU IBIZA EDIT We take a trip through time to admire Ibiza’s “glory days’ at the infamous KU club.....12

KNOW YO’ SUSHI Delicious recipes made from the raw kinda fish....8

BUCKET LIST BLOCKBUSTERS Films to see before you die.....11

OUTCIDER FESTIVAL

THE FORTS Visit The Forts...It’s good there....18

SONAR @ BARCELONA Music at a new level.....32

GIN GLORIOUS GIN We want a drink. Right now....28

ISOBEL BARNES Close and personal with the director herself....44

NOTTING HILL CARNIVAL You won’t be disappointed....24

BRING THE BEAT BACK Despacio sound system....4

Glasses at the ready....40 3

BRING THE BEAT BACK JAMES MURPHY AND 2MANYDJS RETURN WITH THEIR DESPACIO SOUNDSYSTEM COLLAB FOR AN EXCLUSIVE SERIES OF SETS THIS SEPTEMBER

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e honest with yourself. When was the last time you went on a night out purely for the music? Not the 2 for 1 Jägerbombs, the guest set from the latest house ‘sensation’ or all the other gimmicks. Just the music.

The answer was most likely a while ago, if ever.

Over the past 10 years the clubbing scene in the UK has somewhat diminished with over half of the country’s establishments closing.

This month a survey revealed that there are just 1,733 nightclubs remaining. Considering there are over nine million young adults in the UK, it doesn’t leave much choice of where to go.

Of those that have survived there seems to be a common trend as to which venue can offer the most commercialised night.

Events surrounding a particular type of music have been replaced with themed ‘parties’ where freshers roll up in their PJs to get a pound off entry. Or special ‘celeb’ appearances from whichever reality TV Zlister decides they’re drying up on money and going to have to get a real job soon. All to the soundtrack of the same playlist week in week out.

It’s fair to say the majority of the clubbing scene today is, quite frankly, pretty shit.

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It’s about the people, the stacks, the music and them having a good time.

This is where Despacio comes in to play. The ultimate collaboration, formed of household names James Murphy and brothers David and Stephen Dewaele, whilst powered

by McIntosh that aims to revolutionise clubbing, bringing it back to its core.

Effectively the anti-dote of the current clubbing situation, Despacio takes the focus away from the DJs, all three respectively famous for their previous escapades (LCD Soundsystem and Soulwax/2manydjs), and places it on the music.

While the trio stay hidden away behind their decks, the focus falls to the real stars; the seven £750,00, 50,000 watt stacks which form, arguably, the best soundstystem and club experience in the world.

creating a completely unique experience, “ we’re the projectionists- that’s (the dancefloor) the screen.”

The sound produced has been described as providing an atmosphere like no other, even with the poor acoustics of a festival tents where the trio have made various appeareances in the last couple of years. An atmosphere where normal speaking voices can still be heard amongst the crisp and loud speakers.

On the competition of the music chosen, David says that it is not really a worry anymore, putting the audiences experiences over their DJing credibility. “ That competition doesn’t really gel with what we’re really trying to do which is to make us just be functional.

Of course we want to do an incredible set but we want

James, David and Stephen at their first set, Manchester 2013

Originally intended for Ibiza, the soundsystem debuted in Manchester’s New Century Hall in 2013.

However, the Balearic vibes remained. Named after the Spanish word for slow, the soundsystem, playing records that have been slowed down to between 95 and 115 bpm, gives the vibes of a chilled evening on the white isle.

In an interview with vinylfactory the DJs explained how the idea of the soundstystem came from their desire to create a night that they would want to go to.

“It’s all about the people, the stacks, the music and them having a good time” explained Murphy, continuing on to say how they do not arrive with a prepared setlist, instead preferring to choose tracks in response to the audiences reactions and the atmosphere of the night, 6

people to leave thinking that the experience was amazing and it wasn’t necessarily about who played the rarest track.”

In the current social and economic climate Despacio provides a welcome release where the crowd can engage solely with the music.

As well as various festival appearances this summer, Despacio are headlining The Roundhouse on Thursday 10th and Friday 11th September.

Tickets: £35 www.gigsandtours.com For more information visit : www.facebook.com/despaciosoundsystem

One of the 50,000 watt soundsystem stacks

Know Yo’ Sushi

PRISM’s’ co-founder and foodie Claire Stapley brings you her very best D-I-Y sushi recipe which will leave your friends impressed, and your stomach full!

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Dish: Sushi rolls with salmon, caviar and avocado paste

What it means to me: This is one of my sushi favourites. If you

are a sushi fanatic, you will understand the pain of not being able to find a cheap, and tasty sushi restaurant (as most of these leave your wallet pretty empty), and the thought of making your own just doesn’t seem to be the same. This is a quick and easy recipe that you can whip out when you want to impress friends, or you want to bring the luxury of sushi to your own dining table. Caviar can be fairly expensive, so instead you can use wasabi, or leave it plain. If you aren’t a fan of avocados or mayo, soy sauce will work just fine. I hope you enjoy this dish, and feel free to tweet us @PrismMag with your finished product.

Ingredients (Makes approx 6-8 sushi rolls): AVO PASTE 1 Avocado Salt + Pepper Half a lemon

THE MAYO Wasabi paste Any Mayo Half a lemon

OPTIONALS Pickled Ginger Caviar Soy Sauce Sesame seeds

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Step 2: Avo paste. While the rice is cooling, it’s time to

make the avocado paste. This is super tasty and goes hand in hand with pretty much anything.

Make sure the avocado is ripe, you can buy “ready to eat” avocados from nearly every supermarket. If the avocado is too firm, it won’t blend properly, and will taste slightly bitter. Throw it in a food processor with a pinch of salt and pepper and a dash of lemon juice.

(If you don’t have a food processor, just mash with a fork.)

Basic Talk: The lemon stops the avo from going brown so you can re-use it, and adds extra flavour. Once it creates SUSHI ROLL a paste, add more lemon juice at your leisure, but not so Sushi Rice (100g) Raw salmon (150g) it goes too runny. Put in a bowl and place in the fridge for later.

1 Cucumber 1 Spring Onion

Step 1: Preparation. First, slice the salmon, cucumber and spring onion as thinly as possible. You can “shock” the spring onion in ice cold water to give it a fresher taste, and add a bit more bite.

Refrigerate all of these.

At this stage, your rice should be cold. If not, don’t start rolling it whilst its warm, read a chapter of a book, watch an episode on Netflix. There’s no need to rush the sushibuilding process!

Next, measure out the rice. Boil it for 9-12 mins, and add sesame seeds half way through cooking time. Taste it throughout, and make sure to stir so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pan and burn!

Taste it throughout ‘til it’s sticky and delicious.

Step 3: Lay it down. Cover your sushi rolling board

Basic talk: Cook your rice right. You want the rice to be sticky

enough to roll, but if its too wet, the whole mixture will fall apart.

Don’t go crazy with seasoning, let the fish do the talking. The sauces and dips that can accompany sushi are rich enough. If you’re feeling fancy, you can replace the raw salmon with raw tuna instead, which tastes just as great.

with the cling film, then lay down the rice evenly, do this with a spoon if necessary, ensure that you have enough cling film to completely cover the board so it doesn’t get covered in rice. Place the seaweed sheet over the top and pat firmly so the rice sticks. Lay your fishy filling in the middle, and add the cucumber and spring onion too.

Basic talk: Don’t overfill, as if you do this your sushi won’t be compact enough, meaning that it will probably fall apart, and all your hard work will be ruined. Patience is a virtue! (use the photos as a guide to how much you should put in, and if you want a higher ratio of fish to cucumber and spring onion, do so accordingly!

Step 4: Start rollin’. Slowly roll your sushi, making sure to distribute the weight of your roll evenly so all the ingredients bind together nicely and there is no room for your filling to escape. Once rolled, fold the ends of the cling film tightly over the sushi roll to keep it compact and place in the fridge for 30 mins.

Basic talk: This is meticulous, and requires patience.

Get your roll perfect, just like this.

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The aim is to roll the sushi as tight as possible, but without causing a break in the rice. Wear gloves if necessary and wash your hands in ice water before rolling, so the heat of your hands doesn’t make the rice warm. Don’t forget to clean up!

Step 5: Mayo It’s easy. Get yourself a small bowl and put

a generous dollop of mayonnaise in there. If you aren’t a fan of spice, go easy on the wasabi. Ground chilli powder is recommended instead. Throw it all in, and give it a good mix. Pop it in your squeezy sauce bottle, and put in the fridge. If you don’t have a thin nozzled bottle, you can pick up disposable piping bags from nearly any shop, or if you’re feeling extra creative, you can make your own piping bag from greasproof paper, (though the team at Prism are fairly lazy when it comes to this kind of stuff.)

Step 7: Plating up the goods It’s time to be creative, and

show off your presentation skills. You’re going to want to Instagram this. Once the sushi has set in the fridge, pop it on a chopping board and start slicing. Around 1-2 inches thick, depending on how chunky you want it to be. Don’t forget to remove the cling film off each sushi roll, no one wants a mouthful of plastic!

Get a fancy plate like we have in our photos, and squeeze the mayo out in thin strokes. Don’t go crazy, as the sushi rolls don’t need to be swimming in the sauce. Place your sushi out neatly on top and garnish with caviar (if you’re feeling extra fancy), pickled garlic and a teaspoon or two of the avocado paste (see photo for guidance.)

Grab a drink - if you’ve been to a sushi restaurant before you’ll know how much they love fizzy water, but a glass of crisp white wine will also accompany this dish extremely well, I reccomend a Pinot Grigio or any prosecco.

Step 8: Eat it. Undoubtedly the best part of making delicious food. Dip into some soy sauce, coat it in your spicy mayonnaise and avocado paste. Instagram it, show it to your friends, Tweet it.

Now you never have to wonder how they made it look so pretty in a restaurant. YOU are the sushi master.

Your sushi will only keep for a day or two, so make sure you eat it all up and enjoy every last mouthful!

Here at Prism, we love to see how your food came out! Give us a tweet @PrismMag or hashtag #prismfood on either Instagram or Twitter!

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Bucket list blockbusters We’ve lined up 8 awsome classics for you to add to your list of films to watch before you die - you’re most welcome.

Pulp Fiction (1994)

Quinten Tarantino’s classic masterpiece is about the intertwining tales of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster’s wife and a pair of bandits. The film explores these characters and their connection through themes of violence and redemption. It also features the greatest dance sequence, performed by Uma Thurman and John Travolta, which is both iconic and brilliant.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

This seriously underrated film is a piece of cinematic brilliance. A couples once perfect relationship begins to turn sour, resulting in them undergoing a procedure to erase their memories. The story unravels in a beautiful way as they find their way back to each other in an attempt to hold on to the memories they once shared.

Schindlers List (1993)

Trainspotting (1996)

The Breakfast Club (1985)

Requiem For a Dream (2000)

This film is definitly not your typical highschool-based film. It sees five very different students who come together in detention.

Set in a single day, the group gradually form an unlikley bond as they pour their hearts out to one another and make the discoery that they have a lot more in common than any of them ever expected.

Prepare yourself for some confusing, yet mesmerising drug-induced utopias that are experienced by four people with four different addictions.

The story follows them as their addictions grow stronger and their lives become connected. It shows the brutally honest way that drugs dislocate these people from the world and themselves.

500 Days of Summer (2009)

The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Liam Neeson stars in this wartime classic, playing the German businessman, Oskar Schindler.

Based on true events, this film sees Schindler turn his factory into a refuge for Jews. The real life Oskar managed to save 1100 Jews from being killed. This gives the film a degree of honesty and real emotion. I highly recommend having a box of tissues handy when watching this one.

Warning- this is definitely not your typical rom-com. This film tells the story of a man who falls in love with a woman. Basic stuff, right? However, the twists and turns of the couple’s relationship means that things do not run so smoothly. This film shows wit, love and heartbreak and not to mention to greatest soundtrack.

Danny Boyles gritty drama tells the story of Renton who finds himself deeply immersed in the Edinburgh drug scene. You follow his struggle in trying to kick his heroin habit whilst also being drawn into temptation. Boyle manages to bring an element of humour to some scenes but constantly reminds you of the perils of their lifestyle choices.

A spectacular mixture of a drama, romance, thriller and sci-fi are all captured in this one film. A young man blocks out harmful memories but as he grows up, begins to find a way to reconnect with these memories and discovers a supernatural way of changing these memories, therefore altering the way his life 11

KU IBIZA: THEN AND NOW prism take a look at KU Ibiza, the venue that attracted the weird and wonderful before its transformation into Privilege

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Childrens party named “Somos Como Niños”, KU of Ibiza, 1986. Photo courtesy of Faruk Gandji & KU Ibiza best days.

biza, I remember it well. 10 days of tanning, drinking, eating, and being able to visit some of the most prestigous clubs on the island - one of them being Privilege, formerly known as KU Ibiza in the 1980s. After visiting Ibiza myself for the first time in 2013, and experiencing Privilege for myself, I was shocked at how hollow, and commercial the club seemed in comparison to its competitors like Sankeys, DC-10 and Ushuaia, which oozed character and happy, vibrant people that were just there for a good time. The music at Privilege seemed saturated, and something that appealed to everything that Ibiza wasnt. I was fortunate enough a couple of years later to learn about the history of the club, and to track down Faruk Gandji, one of the main members of the ‘KU family’, who watched the venues rise, and fall before its transformation to Privilege in the naughties.

First, a short history lesson for those that have no idea what KU even is. KU originally started off as a small restaurant in Sant Rafael in the 1970s, and soon after started hosting events such as ‘White Full Moon’, ‘Babylonia’, ‘The Temple Of Love’, ‘Hell’ and ‘Prison’ which attracted a large enough crowd to have the club open multiple times a week. KU also hosted parties celebrating the four seasons, as well as inspirational places and parts of the body. Each year brought old and new partygoers, all things weird and wonderful were welcome at KU. Since 1995, it has grown into the club modern partygoers flock to each season, the infamous Privilege, that now has a capacity of over 10,000 people, and is just round the corner from Amnesia. KU was home to some of the biggest names in showbiz. The likes of Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones and Roman Polanski were just some of the regulars to attend, and Freddie even performed the infamous “Barcelona” at KU in 1987. In its heyday, it seemed that no club could compete with the atmosphere that KU brought, and it appeared to be the only place that attracted an A-List celebrity crowd.

Faruk Gandji, along with a small PR team located in Ibiza, have kept the spirit of 1970s and 80s KU alive, by running a Facebook page celebrating the best day and night events that the venue had, and sharing the beautiful photos that truly capture the magic of the island. The interview itself came with a strange price - 500 friend invites to their page or I was denied the content I desired. I don’t think the PR team believed that I was an up and coming writer, as the Facebook page had been featured on huge publications like the Daily Mail and Ibiza Spotlight. So, after much deliberation, and a lot of clicks on my laptop, there I was, exchanging e-mails with Mr Gandji himself. I only managed to squeeze a few answers out of an (evidently) bitter Faruk, who gave me a bit more information on KU. Shortly after, the PR team came to the conclusion that I hadn’t given them enough ‘likes’ on their page, so I guess you could say the interview was slightly unfinished, as I didn’t get to ask Faruk one last burning question, but nevertheless, it was a pleasure to get a hold of him, and to be provided with such stunning images.

Hi Faruk, thanks for agreeing to answer a few questions.

Could you tell us a bit about KU Ibiza?

The KU of Ibiza was always a work in progress growing and expanding until its last breath. It began with some friends gathering around the Olympic sized swimming pool to play cards and ended up being classified by the Guinness Book of world records as the “World’s Biggest Club”, just some 12 years later. During its run, it was a haven for Europe’s most eccentric clubbers attracting the jet set, gays, celebrities, hippies and free spirits making it the most fashionable disco on the planet at the time. The music was coming in from all over the world and we developed our own style called the “Balearic Beat”, which was mainly a mixture of New Wave, Rock, Funky and, it was the beginning of electronic music.

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KU after changing owner in 1993. Photo courtesy of Faruk Gandji

What types of events were held there?

“There were a wide range of events held there as the same party was never repeated twice during the short summer season.

We organized mainly parties, contests and runway shows with the occasional sponsored diner gala. Parties were such as full moon parties (giving each moon a different theme such as Luna Romantica, Luna Loca, Luna Erotica, etc...), Noche En Ropa Interior (where everyone showed up in their underwear), San Fermin (where a baby bull was set free to run around in the club and everyone wore white with red scarves), as well as a huge children’s party, on a Sunday afternoon, called “Somos Como Niños”. The crowd in attendance to these various events made the night even more special by dressing according to the various themes. There were a variety of contests such as Miss KU, Mr KU, Miss Tanga, Mr Tanga, Strip Tease Amateur, Miss Fantasy, etc., all of which attracted the international press. Also, fashion shows for Ibiza designers like Dora Herbst and Moda Adlib were huge and beautiful productions, all created in and by the KU. The KU was like no place else in the world, it was a totally unique and surreal atmosphere. KU’s unbelievable success attracted an amazing A-List crowd, but it also attracted many free loaders, parasites, drug dealers and con artists. The owners were overly generous and naive. They also began believing that the KU was an unsinkable institution much like the Titanic. In 1986, it was clear to me that this was the beginning of the end, and I predicted KU’s downfall.”

possible, painting it red like a scar on the horizon and, hiring English promoters to perform live sex shows in order to fill it up with a very different crowd. The change that occurred was like a knife driven deep into my creative heart. I had once believed that the 1980’s in KU would usher in a new age in human evolution, but instead it brought gross commercialization and all that was unique and special was lost. The entire island was shaken to it’s core and Ibiza was forever changed.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get hold of Faruk for the final question, which was “how would you sum up Ibiza as an island?”, but I think its very clear that Faruk dislikes the modern Ibiza. Privilege club is not for everybody - certainly not myself, amd definitely not for the rest of the KU family. Nevertheless, the club must be doing something right. With peak season tickets going for €65+ a night and the club still going strong some 20 years later, it is clear that Ibiza is changing. The island could be considered commercialised, it could be labelled as tasteless, but nevertheless, Ibiza is still considered one of the number one hotspots for house and electronic music lovers, and the island has always had much more to offer than meets the eye. In spite of this, the photos and memories still live on, Faruk and his PR team were kind enough to provide me with some images that he felt captured the spirit of what the ‘golden days’ were like at KU club. I hope you enjoy them just as much as I, and the rest of the team at Prism do.

How did you feel when KU finally closed down?

My thoughts when it finally did close were shock, because of Santa Maria’s murder by the E.T.A. terrorists in January 1993, and great sadness for the loss of the most amazing era I had ever lived. When it became Privilege, I was disgusted by how tastelessly they carried on, closing the club up as cheaply as 14

If you ever visited KU, and have some snaps you want to share with us, don’t hesitate to either tweet us @PrismMagUK with the hashtag #PrismKU, or e-mail us at prism@mag.co.uk.

Girl at KU of Ibiza in the early 1980s. Photo courtesy of Flickr.

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Man strolling by the poolside at KU, 1983. Image courtesy of Faruk Gandji

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Two babes at KU. Img courtesy of Flickr

“girls just wanna have fun” at KU.

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Photos courtesy of Amazing Venues

The Forts

Spitbank and No Man’s Forts in Porsmouth WORDS BY KATRINA RUSSELL

If you ever feel like being completely secluded from the world and truly want a break, without all the hassle of flying, you can simply take a short boat trip to The Forts. While being blatantly luxurious, The Forts are full of character and history and aren’t overcome with pretentious flair. The ambiance is adventurous and different, rather than stiff upper-lipped.

The Solent Forts are made up of Spitbank Fort and No Man’s Fort. They are two of Britain’s most unusual and fascinating venues, retaining their historic features whilst providing high quality facilities and a unique experience for guests.

Spitbank Fort is now run as a private island hotel, sleeping 18 guests in beautifully renovated suites overlooking the Solent. The Fort is also home to four exclusive function rooms, each taking in 18

aspects of the Fort’s location and history.

It specialises in private parties, exclusive events and weddings. The facilities include a rooftop hot tub, gym, sauna and lighthouse, ideal for entertaining guests and taking in the stunning views over the Solent.

Spitbank Fort is a private island hotel in the sea off Portsmouth built to protect the harbour from attack from Napoleon III. You can Arrive there in only 30 minutes by boat from Gunwharf Quays, only 2 hours from London.

Whether you’re organising a milestone birthday, a special anniversary, a wild stag or hen party, or just want to throw a lavish party, this is the place to do it. Completely surrounded by waves, only accessible by boat and with the ultimate facilities, this party venue will

blow everywhere else out the water.

No Man’s Fort opened in 2015, and is now an exclusive hotel and private venue. Three times the size of Spitbank Fort, it sleeps 44 guests, and features a truly unique laser battle arena, making it the ultimate party venue. You can have the entire Fort to yourself, imagine the party! Plus there will be absolutely no noise complaints.

The 75,000 square foot Fort boasts rooftop hot tubs, a sauna, large sun deck and a beautiful lighthouse with unrivalled sea views. It caters for private events in a large range of historic function rooms, from the Officer’s Mess to the Cabaret Bar, and is one of the most exciting wedding venues in the UK. An inspiring private island in the Solent, 1.4 miles from the Isle of Wight,

boasts its own Lighthouse with spectacular views across the solent.

It’s the ultimate party destination complete with a Cabaret Bar. It also features a truly unique Lazer Battle Arena. A perfect base for exhilarating RIB rides, yachting & water sports.

A trip to the Fort can be as relaxing or action packed as you wish. For those intent on relaxation, No Man’s offers rooftop hot tubs, sauna, a choice of bars and a large sun deck. For thrill seekers, work up an appetite enjoying RIB rides across the Solent and Lazer Battle in the sea bunker!

The flexible event spaces are ideal for themed entertainment, one off experiences, drinking and dancing. If you’re looking for an adrenaline fuelled, action packed break, then there is nowhere else quite like No Man’s Fort.

Get your friends or team together for the ultimate Lazer Battle challenge, party in your very own private nightclub, or enjoy the most spectacular barbeque imaginable in our hot house.

There is also an extensive list of activities to enjoy such as; Wine Tasting - Surrounded by racks and racks of tempting vintages it’s the ideal setting for sampling a glass or two.

Gin Tasting - Explore the wonders of gin, tantalize your taste buds and learn about the history of this popular drink which dates back to the 17th century.

Cocktail Making - Learn the difference between a Cosmopolitan and a Kamikaze, taste the perfect Margarita and have a go at making a Blue Hawaii. You’ll be mixing and shaking like a true professional by the end.

RIB Rides - A trip to Spitbank Fort would not be complete without an exhilarating RIB ride through the Solent. This glorious stretch of water provides opportunities for terrific excitement and adrenaline.

You can even take it to the next level and take part in one of the most thrilling treasure hunts you will ever experience!

Fishing - Cast your line over the side of the Fort and see if you are lucky enough to hook a fish, or take a boat out for some deep sea fishing. Whichever you decide to do, make sure you bring your catch back on board and the chef will cook it for you!

Poker - If you like to exercise your competitive side, enjoy a game of poker in the Games Room or Crow’s Nest.

They have the table and chips and can organise a croupier if you require.

Granted it’s difficult to think ahead to the end of the year in the peak of summer but No Man’s Fort offers a deluxe family get-a-way for Christmas.

Set sail from Portsmouth across the Solent to your own island where you will spend the festive season mastering the art of Champagne Sabrage or toasting marshmallows around the fire pit whilst singing Christmas Carols.

The package includes being greeted with freshly prepared mulled wine on Christmas Eve, a sumptuous buffet lunch, a luxurious double room, yours for the two nights.

Celebrate with an evening drinks reception and feast on a delicious festive three course dinner with a glass of house wine, and then end the evening under the

stars, singing carols around the fire pit with toasted marshmallows and hot chocolate.

Christmas day begins with a full english followed by a sumptuous five course festive lunch. Spend the afternoon tasting the delights of the Caribbean with a selection of fine rums.

Speed across the Solent on a Christmas Day RIB ride taking in the views of the trio of Solent Forts. Spend the afternoon uncovering the secrets of the perfect festive cocktail or try your hand at fishing for the catch of the day and watch how it’s prepared ready for your evening supper.

End the day in the roof top hot tub, with staff on hand to bring your drinks to you.

Visit www.amazingvenues.co.uk/solentforts for more info

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BOOMTOW Britain’s most inspiring, independent festival

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Boomtown festival is a place of peculiar happenings, eccentric citizens and abnormal behaviour. A place of mystery and new-fangled nonsense. Nowhere on the planet is quite like Boomtown and this year, the city returns for its seventh chapter of mystical madness.

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WORDS BY MOLLY STOOKE

When Boomtown emerged from the underground in 2009, it soon became known that it was a wild, sprawling community of music and art fanatics.

Each year, thousands of people embark on a four day adventure where citizenship is granted to the most loyal residents.

Every kind of musical genre is represented in abundance there, fulfilling every citizen's needs.

Ska, reggae, dub, jungle, electro-swing, techno and bass are to name a few.

The lineup offered is an alluring array of diverse talent; this year the likes of Stephen Marley, Noisa, Protoje, Mungo's Hi-Fi, Gentlemen's Dub Club and the High Focus boys graced the stages.

Boomtown's ambition is to spread unity, freedom and spirit across the town, whilst also providing a magical escape.

The city is all about releasing your inner

free-spirit in a place where being a maverick is the right way to conform.

Being an independent festival allows Boomtown to thrive from diversity and freedom of expression. The festival progresses on its journey each year, whether that be an alien invasion or a corrupt town mayor, both are eccentric storylines but adds a new dimension to an already intricate festival.

Boomtown is increasingly being recognised for its individual character and attention to detail and tickets are becoming more and more in demand.

Once Boomtown wishes fairwell to its citizens, the building for the next groundbreaking festival commences as residents wait for the next crazy chapter to begin.

Photos courtesy of Boomtown Fair

WN Stephen Marley performing on the Lion's Den stage at Boomtown Fair '14.

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oomtown isn’t your average festival – it’s full to the brim of intriguing characters, all playing a part to make the city come to life. The city is divided into ten districts where you’re able to set up camp and delve into the intricacy of it all.

There are a handful of reasons why Boomtown should be on your summer bucket list and these are to name a few: It’s the perfect excuse to dress up as extravagantly as you wish. Fancy being a mime for the day but want to spruce it up with a rat’s tail and an impressive set of wings? Do it, nobody’s stopping you and to be quite honest, you’ll fit right in.

Forget sweaty mosh pits in a festival tent, skank to some serious dub in the Tangled Roots, a tucked away treasure kitted out with a colossal sound system capable of uprooting its wooded surroundings.

There’s never a dull day. You might happen to walk past the Mayor of Boomtown who will pass you a leaflet inviting you to a top secret street party. Only a selected few are told but the time is still unknown. All you know is it’s on Sunday in Mayfair.

You’ll never run out of places to explore. It almost feels like the festival is a never-ending whimsical play area. The Job Centre may look like a standard stall to sign up for Boomtown challenges, but somewhere, there’s a hidden door that will lead you to into a dingy dubstep-ridden tent.

You can take part in various Boomtown initiations and collect stamps to fill your Boomtown passport.

Whether your initiation means re-enacting a wedding in front of hundreds of Boomtowners or take part in a yoga session with some very unsettling characters, the whole experience will be bizarre and probably one you’ll continue giggling over for months to come.

Sick of walking up the dreaded hill that is literally the lifeline between the downtown camp and Mayfair?

Well, not to worry, because the machine-driven scorpian can take the weight from your feet. Yes, it is literally a mechanical scorpian the size of a car, and yes, it sounds odd but it blends in amongst the Boomtown abnormality.

If you need a break from the festival bustle, stroll through the spiritual area where the likes of massages, palm readings and Pilates are on offer. Fancy learning how to wood-turn? Now’s your opportunity. Hell, take a circus workshop if you have the energy.

With Boomtown Fair firmly etched on to the festival map, its repertoire of performers is expanding with talent and is likely to impress anyone even slightly interested in the alternative music scene. Boomtown is a place to truly let your hair down and experience something that is bursting with originality.

This year, Boomtown returns for its chapter entitled ‘The Palace Has Risen’ on 13-16th August 2015 . The last of the tickets are still available online.

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Notting Hill Carnival

In preperation for Prism’s favorite event, we are aiming to give you the low down on exactly what to expect, who to listen out for and what to eat at this years Notting Hill Carnival.

August bank holiday can only mean one thing. That’s right, it’s carnival time! Nothing celebrates the end of summer more than Notting Hill’s exceptional display of music, food, culture and celebration.

London’s Notting Hill Carnival began

in 1964 as an offshoot of the Trinidad Carnival. The two-day extravaganza is held in West London where a staggering two million are expected to attend this year’s event, compared to only 500 who attended its first year. This makes it the second largest

carnival in the world. The carnival is a free for all event to enter and is spread out over three days during the bank holiday weekend at the end of the month. Not sure what to expect?

Here’s a quick guide of what you can expect to see on each day.

Day 1 - Saturday 29th August Although the carnival does not officially kick off until the Sunday, there are still plenty of events planned and things to enjoy to get you in the carnival spirit on the Saturday. A free open air event, Panorama, will host competitive performances by steel bands from across the country, while the Association of British Calypsonians is putting on its London Calypso Tent, bringing together storytelling, poetry, political commentary and many more - or as we like to call it the calm before the storm.

Day 2 - Sunday 30th August The carnival officially begins on the Sunday, which is the day that is mainly targeted towards children and families as the famous colourful parade takes place. However, this does not mean the adults can’t also enjoy themselves! The early risers or those who have yet to go to bed - can enjoy proceedings from 6am to 9am, when J’Ouvert takes place.

This opening ceremony features spectacular dancing and musical performances and is intended to set the tone for the following day of celebration.

Day 3 - Monday 31st August Bank holiday Monday is when the main parade and all the fun truly begins. The parades begin at about 10am and start to wind down at around 6.30pm. 38 static sound systems are scattered throughout Notting Hill and will broadcast diverse genres of music. Around 60 bands will provide the rhythms as the brightly-dressed carnival-goers parade around the area. People from all walks of life fill the streets and come together to get merry and enjoy the music. - this is definitly what carnival is all about!

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Reggae beats to London streets The sound systems are without a doubt the highlight of every Notting Hill Carnival. Nothing gets you more in the carnival spirit than the background sound of an array of pretty much every sound you could imagine. Originally, the West Indian community of the Notting Hill area set up the event in 1966. The carnival has since grown into a full-blooded

Caribbean carnival that is celebrated by many different cultures through different styles and sounds of music.

Notting Hill Carnivals commitment to reggae music in particular has been evident ever since the late 1970s. The carnivals music comes from a heavy influence from many different African and Caribbean sounds. The reggae artists that feature at the event have

become increasingly popular over the years. This is no doubt because of the positive and chilled atmosphere that exudes from listening to reggae.

All music at the carnival is worth giving a listen to and there is definitly something for everyone. Below are three examples of our personal favorite roots & culture and reggae artists that are not to be missed.

Aba Shanti Aba Shanti was introduced to roots and culture by his father who shared his passion for the music. He now travels the country sharing his honest and raw lyrics and has become a regular and popular addition to the Notting Hill Carnival lineup. You can find him performing in South row and East row at this years event.

Channel One Sound Channel One is one of the World’s top sound systems playing roots and culture music. Their mission is to break all barriers with their music by taking their unique sound all around the world. Channel One’s dedication to bringing positive vibes means they will be taking the stage for the 32nd year running at Leamington Road.

Gladdy Wax Always playing a huge role in the Notting Hill lineup, Gladdy wil appear this year outside 306 Portobello road.

He is best known for his commitment to reggae music but his sets are also known to showcase sounds of soul, funk and r&b. Gladdy’s attention to detail is second to none and is certainly an act not to be missed.

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Taste of the Caribbean

Jerk chicken, rice and peas and curried goat - what more could you ask for?

The food at the carnival is often seen to be a main attraction and pulls in crowds and queues of people waiting to taste what is on offer. But worry not, there are around 300 stalls lining the streets so nobody has to miss out on trying the wonder that is Notting Hill Carnivals jerk chicken.

Its popularity is proven in the amount that gets sold. 5 tonnes of chicken was consumed last year alone. Yep, you heard right.

The smell of this popular dish hits you before you even see it.

Jerk chicken is cooked in a ‘jerk drum’, which is basically an oil drum turned sideways, mounted on stilts and used as a barbecue creating that very distinctive smell.

The traditional Caribbean rice and peas is also a must. This has to be eaten with your jerk chicken - you’ll thank me later.

Curried goat is another favourite at the Notting Hill Carnival. Now, some people usually get put off when they hear ‘goat’, but believe me if you do not try this dish you will be missing out. The meat is

simmered slowly, and served in a sauce that ranges from mild to hot, depending on the vendor. It should be very tender, and you’ll find pieces of bone to nibble around too. And, if you’re thinking of what drink to wash all this delicious food down with, wonder no more! The famous Guinness punch is a guiness based Caribbean style cocktail that is combined with sweet condensed milk, spices like cinnamon and nutmeg and mixed with rum. This tipple is a must-try for any carnival reveller.

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Gin, glorious gin When summer hits, we turn to clear spirits for our cocktails. And of all clear spirits, gin is king. Complex, slightly bitter, and refreshing, gin is made for summer. There’s nothing we crave more on a hot day than a refreshing glass of gin and tonic topped with a fresh slice of lime. The only way this classic drink can be beaten is by making it into a delicous cocktail.

We’ve rounded up our three favorite summery gin cocktail recipes for you to try yourself.

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Raspberry Martini Ingredients: - 50ml gin - 1 splash of dry vermouth - A handful of raspberries - 1 sprig of fresh mint Method:

Pour the dry vermouth into a martini glass.

Place three raspberries as the bottom of the glass. Put the remaining raspberries and mint into a cocktail shaker and press down. Add the ice cubes and the gin and shake. Strain into the martini glass and garnish with fresh mint.

Orange Blossom Ingredients: - 50ml gin - 100ml of tonic water - 1 freshly squeezed orange - 10ml of blossom honey - Orange slice for garnish Method: Pour the honey into a glass and add the gin.

Stir to mix then fill the glass with crushed ice. Top the drink with the lemon tonic water and add the juice from the orange.

Finally, garnish with a fresh orange slice.

Gin & mint Ingredients: - 50ml Gin - Two top sprigs of mint - A 1cm slice of cucumber - 125ml of elderflower pressĂŠ - Lemon wedge to garnish Method: Place the gin, mint and cucumber into a cocktail shaker. Stir and press down the ingredients to release the flavour. Strain into a glass full of ice and top with the elderflower pressĂŠ. Garnish with extra mint leaves and a lemon wedge if desired.

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Hotspot Gin & Olive

As far as cocktail bars go, the Gin & Olive in Southsea is definitely up there with the best. This little bar that is situated in a seaside town in Portsmouth offers a wide range of different types of gin which are used to make just about the most delicious drinks you have ever tried.

have tried before. Not only are their cocktails delicious, but also probably the strongest and most generously sized cocktail you have ever had – no complaining here!

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These gin geniuses have a display of over 100 different types of gin, meaning you are never short of choice and there is likely to be something for everyone. Something this bar/resturant boasts is their uniqueness in being “the only real gin bar in Hampshire”. They offer their customers the chance to try many different kinds of gin based cocktails that you are unlikely to

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“We consider ourselves to be the ONLY real Gin bar in Hampshire.”

that drinking the best way to soak up the booze is to tuck in to something from their tasty menu. Surprisingly, the food is just as good as their array of drinks as they pride themselves on choosing the kind of food which compliments the variety of gins to whet your palette.

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If getting a little worse for wear on cocktails isn’t exactly your style then this bar also offers a great wine list and a huge choice of prosecco and many other spirits. Most of the gin on offer are around 40-45 percent alcohol, with the exception of Strane Uncut, a guest gin at and eye watering 76 per cent. After all

The style of the place gives off a very comfortable and quirky vibe. Gin & Olive pride themselves on being somewhere where you can come to relax and be in a friendly and chilled enviroment. Its mixture of new and old definitly gives the bar a slight edge. It has to be said that this bar definitly stands out from the crowd compared to others in its area and is no doubt worth giving a visit.

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Sonar

Barcelo Sonar is a festival where music from the periphery is given a spotlight. The weird and the wonderful is what Sonar thrives from and the audience is always up for an eccentric quirk. Sonar by Day has subdue vibes whilst the Barcelona sun beats down. Sonar by Night is where the abstract and menacing qualities inďŹ ltrate the audience. Sonar is weird. But that's how it should be.

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WORDS BY MOLLY STOOKE

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he pressure of booking an extravagant holiday abroad each year proves to be getting harder with an ever-shrinking budget. Jetting off to Croatia for its marvellous array of festivals sounds feasible, that is of course before you take into account flights, transfers, festival tickets, camping, spending money and emergency money (emergency meaning ‘shit-I’ve-ranout-of-money-but-still-have-2-days-left-of-partying’). A trip like this can easily spiral way above your original budget and leave you living off 13p noodles for months afterwards.

Barcelona is cheap and an unflawed alternative. With return flights starting at £70, this is a city bursting with culture that is literally on our doorstep.

the hit Carnage. As you can imagine, everyone went mental, especially if you measure the madness on how many lost wallets you could spot on the floor.

Grime veterans, Skepta and JME gave a legendary performance on the Saturday night. Not a single member of the audience could contain themselves during this set, ladies pelting out "That's Not Me" and "Dont @ Me" at the front confirmed to me why Boy Better Know is a group that really will go down in history. Grime was brought to Spanish soil that weekend and it's probably there to stay after the boys performed that heroic set.

Jamie XX gave an enchanting closing performance on the Friday night as he let rip with his own material ‘Gosh’. The whole crowd erupted and danced like majestic animals, or at least tried - it was 5am after

Sonar has been at the top of its festival game since the beginning when it was founded by three house and techno heads in the early 90s.

Every June for the last 22 years, Barcelona has been the music hub of Europe with a little help from the music festival and industry event, Sonar.

Ever since its creation, it has attracted thousands of those alike to soak up and indulge in the diverse range of music for three days and three nights.

Sonar is not a festival in the way us Brits understand a festival; there is no camping, no tents and definitely no portaloos. Instead, the ‘festival’ exists as two separate events, Sonar By Day, held in the grounds of the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Arts and Sonar By Night which is essentially a huge rave held in a disused aeroplane hangar. Capacity? 80,000.

This year was a spectacular event which saw hundreds of performers pass through and leave its spectators speechless. Chemical Brothers performed a show with huge visuals, created in collaboration with filmmaker Adam Smith.

With hip-hop sub-genres on the rise such as grime and trap, artists such as Skepta and JME, RL Grime, Grammatik and Cashmere Cat took a leading roll this year. The influential star and leader of the A$AP Mob, Rakim Mayers, aka A$AP Rocky, gave a dazzling performance enriched with energy and dynamic visuals.

The North American multi-talented musician didn’t diminish his rock star persona as he threw a copious amount of money into the audience whilst performing

all. In fact, Jamie XX was possibly one of Sonar's most exclusive performers as almost every ticket holder anticipated his performance the whole weekend. His set was perfectly allotted, the ravishing beats detonated the SonarPub venue just as the sun was rising. Bliss.

Sonar’s music programme over the three days was inspiring, where emerging talent from experimental bass, disco, house and hip-hop graced the stages alongside some very impressive audiovisual art.

Sonar took music performance to a new level where boundaries were pushed and artists weren’t afraid to take their set to a different dimension.

When a festival such as this is so hugely successful and attracts such a warm and friendly audience, there should be no question when deciding what holiday to book for next year.

The Sonar 2015 lineup was intense and it would be difficult for you to pass up the offer for next years party.

Whether you want to see an impressive visual show or jam to some alternative music, Sonar has it all and everyone is welcome.

Next year, Sonar Barcelona will take place June 16-18 2016 and early bird tickets are on sale now.

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Photos courtesy of @sonarfestival

Left to right: A$AP Rocky lays in dollar bill after his Sonar By Night set; Modeselektor plays at the SonarHall; Novelist and The Square vibing before their set; Sonar graffiti

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Out with the old 36

Olek pop up, St. Williamsburg 2013

Knitting and crocheting are no longer just reservered for grannies and crazy cat ladies. Gabriella Howard has a go at ‘yarnbombing’, the new craze changing street art’s reputation

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rocheting and street art aren’t two words that are normally associated. After all, people who crochet or knit are stereotypically grannies sat in their rocking chairs passing away the time until Christmas when they can present the family with their new personalised jumper, looking like a TV character straight out of the 80’s.

Once just seemingly reserved for this, recently crocheting has blown up as a hobby. Group sessions are popping up all over the place and DIY kits are now available on websites like

Urban Outfitters and Topshop.

However, there’s much more to this old fashioned craft than just clothes. Crocheting is now fast becoming a new form of feminist street art.

Guerilla knitting, or ‘yarnbombing’ as it’s more commonly known is a growing street art trend that involves covering objects found in the street with brightly coloured knitting; much like a modern feminine graffiti.

Perhaps the pioneer of yarnbombing, Polish born artist OLEK has become synonymous with the activity. Her bright 37

installations, often emblazoned with feminist statements have been emerging on the arts scene of New York over the past five years. Gaining popularity and encouraging others to do the same in their own part of the world.

A quick internet search, bringing up hundreds of groups in the UK advertising a chance for women (and of course men) to get together over a tea, have a natter and plan to deface local items with their brightly coloured, kitsch and fluffy graffiti. And of course there are even more Youtube videos detailing techniques and providing inspiration for those who fancy taking the pastime into their own hands.

Armed with my laptop, some crochet needles and a ball of yarn, I thought I’d take a look for myself at the sudden appeal of yarnbombing and also to see the reactions of people living around my local area.

Whilst scrolling through Youtube tutorials I decided on settling on one entitled ‘Easy granny square,’ a video designed to teach you how to make the beginnings of the popular crochet blankets.

Having already grasped the basics of crocheting through a period last summer spent trying to flog crochet crop tops to naïve teenage girls; thinking they could emulate Kate Bosworth’s boho Coachella chic style, whilst simultaneously drowning in mud and cheap cider somewhere in a field in the British countryside, I thought a granny square would be an easy start.

Boy, was I wrong.

An eight minute tutorial ended up taking near on half an hour, only to produce what looked little more than bundled mess. Definitely not the intricate design I was aiming for. I decided to continue regardless.

5 hours passed and my patience was testing. While knitting seems relaxing at first it soon gets tedious and I found my mind drifting to all the other much more productive things I could be doing.

Goodness knows how OLEK has had enough time to complete so many installations. Some of her work involves crocheting the entire inside and furnishings of a room. At this rate I might be able to finish a jumper by Christmas.

I chose to call it a day and place my, somewhat small, first piece of street art around a concrete bollard over the road.

Given the fact that my house is the youngest and only student residence within the quite cul de sac we live in, and we are not exactly the neighbour’s favourite residents, I wasn’t too sure on what their reactions would be.

Surprisingly, it wasn’t half as bad as I thought it would be. The lady from number 18, who I had often seen but now know as Jane, asked what my housemate and I were doing and commented on the fact that we were young and knew how to crochet.

“I might try this myself you know,” she exclaimed.

Despite being happy at the interaction and unity the yarnbombing had brought, I couldn’t help but think at what her reaction would have been like if I was spray painting a banksy-esque design instead.

Perhaps getting more females and people of different ages to be involved in community activities like yarnbombing will bring a greater understanding and appreciation to street art as a whole, instead of it automatically being dismissed by many as vandalism.

OLEK’s most recent exhibition, “I don’t expect to be a mother and I don’t ecpect to die alone” can be seen at Tony’s gallery, London. For further information or inspiration for a future project visit www.oleknyc.com 38

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No tribute bands.

No Carling lager. No hipsters. No tossers.

OutCider Festival 2015 WORDS BY KATRINA RUSSELL

Fighting their way out of England’s cold, conformist, consumerist majority come The OutCiders. A ragged community of free-thinkers, drinkers and music lovers, they live by a simple code of honesty, friendliness and good humour.

This is their festival.

Following the overwhelmingly positive feedback after the 2014 event, as expected, a majority of festival-goers return in 2015 to Fernhill eco-farm in Compton Martin. With its unique atmosphere guests enjoyed a line-up including The Black Rats, Beans on Toast, The Skimmity Hitchers and all-girl pop-punk indie band the Tuts.

Featuring a mixture of alternative music genres, including folk, with songs openly dealing with the topics of politics, sex and drugs. The lineup was eclectic, with something for everyone.

Festival favourites and worthy headliners Ferocious Dog were the most popular set of the day with the crowd impressively big - and - impressively drunk.

Louise Distras performed an artist for a world grown exhausted of Simon Cowell’s X Factor synth-pop, there’s a raw emotional honesty to this Brit punk sensation that might be considered too incandescent, all too real. And that’s exactly what this festival is about.

12-year-old Ned “The Kid” Dylan took to t h e stage

with his acoustic guitar and amazed the audience with his original material and mature stage presence.

Influenced heavily by Bob Dylan the young boy impressed the OutCiders.

The lively bars were every cider drinker’s idea of complete bliss.

Behind the many bars on the farm are a great range of ales & lager from Sunny Republic Brewery, an independent brewer from Dorset.

The extensive list of ciders includes the Huna Red, a new age red ale brewed with five malts, citrus hops and hibiscus as well as the Beach Blonde, a refreshing and hoppy pacific pale ale with aromas of grapefruit and lychees.

Keeping it local, OutCider Festival serves home grown ciders from Somerset such as Hecks, Laurences and Harrys. If you can drink (a lot) and are there for nothing but fun, this is your haven.

OutCider Festival 2015 got it just right. Great music, friendly people and a fantastic carefree weekend to match. Everyone was part of it from the bartender to the crowd. Whether they were a drinker, a festival regular, a first-timer or a music lover - OutCider had something for everyone and opened its arms to all.

With music on the entire weekend, right up to the end of the night when everyone can get involved in sitting around the campfire with their guitars and create their very own OutCider band.

If you feel like you suit the OutCider vibe there is the opportunity to perform at the event, just apply online and next year it could be you on the stage.

The festival creators are keen to source new talent and welcome people to use the festival as a platform to gain some fans.

OutCider Festival will return in 2016 with promises of a fresh new line-up with a few familiar faces thrown into the mix.

From the huge success of 2015‘s event the festival will be more popular than ever amongst the OutCider’s of this world.

Saturday & Sunday tickets allow entry from Saturday morning and camping in tents on Saturday and Sunday night. If you wish to arrive for the Friday entertainment and camping you will need to add a Friday Early Arrival Ticket.

the festival spirit by day and recharge your batteries at night to make sure you can dance and drink all day.

But if you are up for camping it is highly recommended with a fantastic neighbourly attitude between all festival goers - a fantastic place to meet fellow music lovers.

Camping and day tickets are available online at www.outciderfestival.co.uk.

A limited amount of luxury accommodation on the farm is also available at Wren Cottage, Hive Hall & The Basement so you can get involved in

Photos courtesy of OutCider Festival

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The next generation of film

Up and coming feature film director Isobel Barnes spent her late teenage years attending The Central Film School in London, part of The University of Gloucestershire studying Practical Filmmaking. Here, we get to know her and what she’s about..

What skills did you learn whilst studying?

There I learnt every aspect of filmmaking from camera and lighting to producing, which has helped me massively in the long run. I have graduated with amazing experience ready to get straight into the industry.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

I see myself as the next big director in the off-beat, quirky film industry. I’ll be going to the London Independent Film Festival in April and my dream is to have one of my films shown there.

Where are you working now?

I am currently working as a 1st Assistant Director (1st AD) on a feature film called Immigrant, which is about an Indian taxi driver who falls in love with a British prostitute.

Where do you see your films being shown?

I would love to see my films in independent cinemas. If a film of mine was successful in the mainstream film industry then of course I’d be happy, but I love abstract film, with depth and a message – you don’t so much see that in your blockbuster hits.

What projects have you worked on previous to this?

The projects I have made myself have mainly been short films, I don’t write them I produce them and gather crew together.

Recently just finished a 60hr film challenge where we made a film called Back Roads. A lot of genre I seem to be involved with is comedy, or dark comedy.

What actors would you think would suit your style of filming?

Felicity Jones would be perfect for a film I am directing, she is absolutely brilliant – my favourite actress of all time. I’m personally not a fan of using actors with big celebrity profiles because the film becomes about them, using unknown actors also makes the characters more believable.

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“I want people to know it’s my film as soon as they start to watch it, I want to be unique”

What are your roles as 1sty Directors assistant?

As I say, I’m currently working on a project as a 1st AD which is basically in charge of the set and making sure everything runs on schedule and in a smooth way. Not only this, I am involved with many departments; I have to make sure everyone is working and behaving.

At what stage is Immigrant in?

We are still in pre- production but are shooting from 9th November - so very soon - so I’m busy making the schedule on Movie Magic and making sure the crew, producer and director are happy with it.

What is your personal style of filming?

I want to break the mould of film and post-modernise into a whole new genre. I love British culture films but to take away all the violence and add in the cinematic features that I love to use would be how I see my films being recognisable to an audience. My films always have a message, a principle or a social comment. I want people to know it’s my film as soon as they start to watch it, I want to be unique – like Quentin Tarantino.

What films have you directed yourself?

To build my portfolio I have directed Melvyn, which was a spoof Western and Cosmic Blues about a man grieving the death of his wife.

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What do you find so interesting about the industry?

All the different people with so much character I get to meet everyday is what makes me so hungry for success in the industry.

The talent. Sending a message to an audience in a hard-hitting yet enjoyable way. Nothing is quite as rewarding as someone approaching me after seeing one of my films and questioning me over it or telling me how thought-provoking it was and that is had an affect on their life. Film doesn’t just have to be entertainment - it can be life changing.

What surprised you about the industry?

How long everything takes! I had absolutely no idea when I got into the artform just how much work goes into it all, the process is so intricate. Thankfully I work with incredibly talented people who make it run smoothly. As you get closer to completion it’s so exciting and it’s hard not to rush to the finish line.

What is next for you?

Once we wrap Immigrant, I’ve got a really exciting film lined up that I am directing, I’ve been working closely with the writer and I’m so excited. It’s quirky and wild and challenges the conventions of film. I’ve made some great connections through University and have so many people that I can’t wait to work with. Especically the writers, it astounds me the stories they can tell so originally. Unfortunstely I can’t say much more. But watch this space!

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PURE SHORES Away from the donkey rides, melted 99’ers and patchy sunburn, Britain’s beaches harbour some of the best kept surfing secrets. Here is our guide to some of the top surf spots the UK has to offer.

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CHAPEL PORTH, CORWALL

THURSO, SCOTLAND

Far away enough from the crowded Newquay beaches yet still close enough to return for the nightlife, Chapel Porth makes the perfect escape for the more serious surfer. Situated on the North West coast of Cornwall this quiet beach experiences some of the best waves in the area, something which the locals are very potective over.

Only for the brave, Thurso harbours not only some of the most powerful waves in the UK, but the whole of Europe. Pro surfers from across the world have been known to ride the waves in this small Scottish town. With wave heights up to 15ft this beach is perfect for more confident surfers wanting a quick getaway, without having to travel far.

CROYDE BAY, DEVON

CAYTON POINT, YORKSHIRE

The perfect all - rounder Croyde Bay’s vast sandy beach and decent waves are putting the up and coming location on par with the likes of Newquay and Watergate Bay. As with the prior, Croyde Bay is home to annual surf and music festivals such as Goldcoast Oceanfest, previously featuring performances by Ben Howard and Newton Faulkner.

Frequently disregarded by many within the surf community, the North East is actually home to some powerful waves.

Cayton Point in Yorkshire has been a popular spot for Northerners for decades.

Although, quiet busy in the summer months, the beach is definitely worth a visit if you are in the area, to explore its three breaks.

BOSCOMBE, DORSET

PRAA SANDS, CORNWALL

Perhaps one of the most interesting beaches in the Uk, Boscombe is home to the country’s first artifial wave break.

Already very popular with youngsters from the surrounding areas, Boscombe is now starting to draw attention from more experienced surfers, intrigued by the reef created using the strategic placement of giant sandbags.

A good choice for beginner to intermediate level surfers, Praa Sands is a small beach situated on Cornwall’s South coast. Benefiting from a steady swell practically year round, Praa Sands makes a perfect place to practice or enjoy a session when the rest of the coast is flat. Body boarding and SUP are also popular activities here.

LLANTWIT MAJOR, WALES

CROMER, NORFOLK

Wales features some of the best kept surfing secrets in the UK. The westernly location means the country recieves a similar swell from the Atlantic as the ones seen in the popular Cornish locations. Llantwit Major is a very quiet beach perfect for a weekend away purely dedicated to the surf, as well as the beautiful surrounding area.

Better known for its arcades and coach trips Cromer is now home to a surf school. Although not popular with more experienced surfers, this Norfolk coastal town is the ideal place for complete beginners. The small waves, up to 4ft at their best, are a calm alternative to other coastlines and a welcome to dubious beginners.

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