The EDIT- Issue 7 September 2017

ISSUE 7 - SEPTEMBER 2017

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

RUNESCAPE: THE OLD GAME COMING SOON TO A PHONE NEAR YOU

GLASGOW’S BEST MUSIC VENUES

THE ULTIMATE FRESHERS SURVIVAL GUIDE INTERVIEW: GLASGOW ROCKS OWNER DUNCAN SMILIE

GETTING AROUND GCU

BRUNCHES TO CURE YOUR FRESHERS HANGOVER

EDITION

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

C O N T

N T S

News and Features 6 7 8 9

ISSUE 7 - SEPTEMBER 2017

Road to Success by your Full Time Elected Officers Getting Around GCU: The Essentials Lost in Translation The Great Student Menu

Arts and Culture

The Ultimate Freshers Survival Guide 10 Five Glasgow Brunches to Cure Your Freshers Hangover(s) 11

Hings: Review Long Distance Relationship Whilst Studying: Worth it? 12

Entertainment and Technology 13 14 15

Runescape: The Old Game Coming to a Mobile Phone Near You The Emoji Movie: Review Valerian: Review Belong: The Rebirth of the Internet Cafe

Fashion

A GCU Student’s Guide to Furnishing a Flat on a Budget 16

I Didn’t Wear Foundation for a Month: Here’s What Happened 18 Truly Effortless Freshers Style What to Wear to Clubs in Glasgow

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Glasgow’s Music Culture The Death of Digital

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Synths and Savages

The Best False Eyelashes You Need to Know About 20

Music

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Upcoming Concerts to Look Forward To The Best Venues in Glasgow

Photography

Sport 26 27 28 30 2

Summer Holidays: Sophie Thirkell and Maria Antheck 25

Murray to Climb the Mound Silence: Students’ Association Cuts Glasgow Rocks: An Interview with Owner Is UFC the New Boxing? /theeditgcu The EDIT

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

EDITOR Neil Alexander editor@theeditgcu.com

DEPUTY EDITOR Emma Storr deputy.editor@theeditgcu.com

DESIGN & ONLINE Lorna McKenzie design@theeditgcu.com

NEWS & FEATURES EDITOR Liam Ross news.features@theeditgcu.com

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR Luna Webster arts.culture@theeditgcu.com

ENTERTAINMENT & TECH EDITOR Joesphine Christie ent.tech@theeditgcu.com

MUSIC EDITOR David Walker music@theeditgcu.com

SPORTS EDITOR Jordan Campbell sport@theeditgcu.com

M E E T T H E

FASHION EDITOR Monica Allen fashion@theeditgcu.com

T E A M

Want to get involved?

Email one of these friendly faces

EVENTS Chelsie Grierson PR@theeditgcu.com

PHOTOGRAPHY Emma MacLachlan photography@theeditgcu.com The EDIT

SOCIAL MEDIA Rachel Watson online@theeditgcu.com

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

WANT TO JOIN A STUDENT GROUP? GCU has plenty of sports clubs and societies catering for a huge range of different interests. Here’s their committees to tell you why you should join them!

SPORTS CLUBS

Men’s Rugby

GCU Men’s Rugby are back again for another season and looking to recruit new players for the upcoming season!

Last year was one of our most successful yet, winning our league. We are looking for any new players, regardless of ability (this year we have a new development 10s team). We are also one of the most social teams at GCU with regular nights out.

Our training is every Monday night at West of Scotland Rugby Club, 7pm. We meet to travel up from the GCU Students’ Association at 5:30pm. For more information, send us a message and like our page: https://www.facebook.com/GCUMENSRUGBY/ or email rugbymens@gcustudents.co.uk

GCU Wolves Cheerleading

At GCU Wolves Cheerleading, everyone is welcome even if you haven’t danced a day in your life! We perform at university events, our own events and cheer on GCU’s sports teams at games. Cheerleading is a great way to stay fit but most importantly a great way to meet new people. We train twice a week along and hold multiple social events throughout the year. Come and see what we’re all about at our come and try on Wednesday 20th September at 3:20-4:40pm in the Arc. We can’t wait to meet you all!

Women’s Football

GCU Women’s football is a great team for anyone wanting to keep fit, have a laugh, and make new friends. The team is open to women of all abilities, whether you’ve never played before or have played in competitive club football.

We train on Mondays from 5:30pm-7pm at Firhill Sports Complex, a short walk from the university campus and our games are played on Wednesdays.

Alongside playing football we love a social which you will often find us out on!

For more information please contact Iain our coach at: iainjamespaton@gmail.com Or you can like us on Facebook @gcuwfc or follow us on Twitter @gcu_womenfootie

Equestrian

GCU Equestrian Club was nominated for best club last year, due to our ability to cater for every level and ensure each member gets as much as possible from being part of our club. So, whether you are a seasoned show jumper or you have never sat on a horse before, you have a place in the our family.

We train at Busby Equitation Centre which is a short train journey from the city centre. The Tuesday evening sessions are partially subsidised so members can ‘horse around’ without worrying about cash. If you want to know more; meet us at our Freshers’ Fayre stall, or send us an email at: equestrian@gcustudents.co.uk.

Women’s Basketball

GCU Women’s Basketball is one of the best clubs to join, fact. We are always wanting new players no matter your skill level, everyone is welcome. If you’re looking for a fun way to keep fit or if you’ve always fancied basketball or you’re in need of some eccentric new friends then you’ll want to be in this team. Our club isn’t just about the sport, we are ALWAYS up for a cheeky Wednesday Night Bamboo. Joining Women’s Basketball will mean you get a whole new group of gals to make your time at GCU even better. Have a look on our facebook page @gcuwomensbasketball for more details.

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G-Cal Muay Thai

Club of the year for 2016/2017, G-CAL Muay Thai is officially the best club to be a part of. We are proud to be an inclusive club with a diverse membership that helps create a sense of belonging. This isn’t just a club, it’s a family.

The club is open to anyone regardless of their experience including complete beginners. All training is delivered to a high standard by professional Muay Thai coaches. Training is held on Tuesday at 7.15pm and Thursday 7.45pm in the Arc. During freshers, a come and try event will take place in the small gym hall of the Arc on Wednesday 20TH September from 3.20pm-4.40pm.

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

SOCIETIES GCU Choir

Law Society

GCU Choir is now in its twelfth year, with members comprising undergraduates, postgraduates, current and former staff, and alumni. We sing classical, modern, and folk music in a variety of languages, and perform each December in the GCU Carol Concert. There are also socials held throughout the year, and a Spring Concert, where we perform with musicians from the RCS. We are an open Choir, which means no auditions – anyone with an interest in singing or music is welcome. You don’t even need to read music to take part, as our Musical Director guides us through each piece. It’s a lot of fun and a great way to relieve stress! But it’s also a wonderful experience to contribute to the construction of some beautiful pieces of music, part by part. If you enjoy singing, or even just want to give it a go, join us on Wednesdays from 1-2pm in the Faith & Belief Centre. Find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/GlasgowCaledonianUniversityChoir) and join us on Weds 20th September at our usual time and place for a ‘Come and Try’ rehearsal.

Fashion Society

The Fashion Society at GCU is for anyone who loves fashion! It is a place where we can share our mutual passion for fashion, have lots of laughs together and also share a drink (or two) over some food. But most of all, it is a place to meet new people and to have fun. With a new committee this year, we are excited to plan some cool events and we can’t wait for your ideas and suggestions.

Join us for some fun fashion-related activities such as clothes swaps, visits to fashion events like runway shows, themed nights out or a just a relaxed movie night.

We will have a “welcome-evening” (don’t worry, we won’t play a game to learn each other’s’ names) with some drinks and free food where we want to tell you guys more about the society. We would love to see you there! Follow us on https://www.facebook.com/gcufashion/ to keep up to date!

If you join any society this year then make it the Law Society. Don’t let the name turn you off if you don’t study law, this society aims to have an appeal for everyone. We offer a wide range of events; including fortnightly socials, pub quizzes, networking events, employability assistance, the annual mooting competition and lots more! These are all topped off by the hugely successful Law Ball which we hold at the end of the year! This is a hugely social and friendly group that would only improve your experience at GCU, whether you are looking for a group of people to have a drink and go out with or looking to further your professional opportunities (or anything in between) this society will have something for you! Contact us at lawsociety@gcustudents.co.uk or find us at the freshers fair!

LGBT+

Moving to the city is a big deal for anyone, but for those in the LGBT+ community, it’s almost a whole different story.

It’s freedom; it’s a fresh start; it’s a chance to finally let go and be true to yourself. And what better place to do that than in Glasgow?

Coming to Glasgow as a gay person, as a transgender, as a bisexual, as a genderqueer person; it really makes no difference to coming as a cis straight guy.

As new students in Scotland’s biggest city, of course there are loads of questions on your mind, but we all know the biggest and most important - one is where’s good for a night out?

Well, Glasgow’s LGBT+ nightlife is seriously second to none!

With a good number of different ‘gay’ bars and clubs, the LGBT+ community in the city is spoiled for choice on a night out.

And what’s better? Almost all of them are next door to each other in the ‘Pink Triangle’ in the Merchant City!

The GCU LGBT+ Group regularly hold night’s out in Glasgow’s Pink Triangle! Join us on Wednesday of Freshers from 7pm for our Alternative Bar Crawl. Find us on Facebook: GCU LGBT+ Liberation Group.

Psychology

The Psychology Society would like to personally welcome you to what we hope to be an action-packed year.

Some of our events planned include a trip to Edinburgh zoo (hopefully it’ll be warmer than it was last year), the prison trip, teachers vs students pub quizzes, movie nights, and multi-society events! We also hold academic events so hopefully something will take your fancy throughout the year. Fresher’s fayre starts September 18th so be sure to stop by our stall and say hello, we can tell you more about our taster events, what the society does and what we strive to achieve this year!

We also have several committee spaces open this session so please come along to our first general meeting if you’d like to be a part in the society. Please remember the Psychology Society is open to everyone (not just those studying psychology!) and it’s a great way to meet new people as well as broaden your horizons in the field of psychology!

Engineering Society

As a society, we’ve had a very successful initial year, which led to the Best New Society Award, and we will achieve our goals of improving over the coming year by hosting more events and getting everyone - not just engineering students - involved.

In last year’s second semester alone we held over 10 events!

This year you can expect a wide range of activities for our members throughout the year, minimally: 4 pub quizzes, 4 Engineering workshops, 3 presentations with guest speakers and at least one site visit.

By joining and supporting your society, you will be gaining a lot of valuable information, an experience in expanding your career prospects and great networking.

Follow our Facebook group and click the pinned link to find out more and join at our Student Association website www. facebook.com/groups/GCUEngSoc

The EDIT

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

ROA D TO SUCCESS On behalf of your Full Time Officer team, welcome to Glasgow Caledonian University!

A bit about us, we are your elected

representatives, responsible for representing all 17,000 students here at GCU. Coming to the University is about

A message from your GCU Full Time Elected Officers, Kevin Campbell (President),Yetunde Ogendebe (Vice President School of Health and Life Sciences), Rachel Simpson (Vice President Glasgow School for Business and Society) and Chris Daisley (Vice President School of Engineering and Built Environment)

studying a chosen area that will kick start your career, however making friends and finding your independence are just as import-

ant. Greatness can never be achieved by giving up; but attaining a good height is by enduring, trying hard, being disciplined,

managing time, focus and never forgetting to make good relationships.

A poem reminds us of how dreams can come true:

your tasks will be many, “AndOften more than you think you can do.

Often the road will be rugged And the hills insurmountable, too.

But always remember, the hills ahead Are never as steep as they seem, And with Confidence in your heart start upward And climb ‘Till you reach your dream.

For nothing in life that is worthy Is never too hard to achieve If you have the courage to try it And you have the believe you will achieve it.

Helen Steiner Rice (1900 - 1981)

”

We hope you have a great time here at GCU and achieve everything you’ve set out to do. Enjoy your study and stay.

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

GETTING AROUND GCU: THE ESSENTIALS

Starting university is a huge moment in your life and can be quite overwhelming when you first arrive. Here is some essential advice that the senior students wished they had known before coming.

Join a Student Group Student groups are where it’s at in terms of making friends when you start your course. There are around 60 societies and various sports clubs (as well as your friendly student media) to choose from when you first join, so whether you’re into football, dancing or Disney they’ll be something at GCU for you.

Time Management It takes a lot longer to walk from one building to another than you would think, so always take this into consideration. However, this has been improved by the recent renovation of the campus with all the main buildings now connected.

Get an student gym membership The university gym (The Arc) is where you will be able to use the extensive facilities on offer for a full workout. The prices are quite cheap for students compared to other gyms in the city so make sure to check it out.

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Utilise the 24 hour computer lab When you’ve decided to leave your assignment to the very last minute (which will probably happen) the 24 hour computer lab is a blessing located on the bottom floor in the students association. If you want to use this lab after 5pm on a weekday or at weekends, you will need to go to the campus security centre, opposite the George Moore building, to activate it for 24 hour use.

Always check the library website When using the library for the first time, bare in mind that this can be hard to navigate. When visiting, be sure to check the library website first to make sure they have enough the book you want and find out where you can find it.

Learn the building names Finally, it can be difficult to work out what classroom you need to go to for your classes. The letter at the start of the room number indicates what building you will be in. The next number is the floor the classroom is on and the final two characters is the room number. Once you have settled in, it becomes easier to understand.

by Emma Shearer

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

While travel tends to be fun, moving to a foreign country for extended periods of time can be rather worrisome, even if it is just for studies.

Now, if you’re reading this, you’ve probably made the leap and are happily enrolled at GCU. Granted, however this is only the first step, with many more to come, until you can call yourself a proud Glaswegian. As a scarred veteran (of three years no less, ho-hum) and survivor of all the trials and tribulations of this northern pearl, I do have some advice to offer for the initiates.

The first, rather obvious, matter to deal with is of course accommodation. A place to crash after a long day of studying. This is followed by a dignified savoring of naught with the highest offer of intoxicating beverages. A place to invite friends or awkward, shameful Tinder dates too. A place one can, dare I say, even call home. Now, for most new students the main two options are either uni halls or renting a flat/ room, unless you have any relatives or acquaintances living in the city, willing to offer a place to crash. University halls are great for meeting new people and even forging friendships that can last beyond graduation. True, but there’s no guarantee you’ll love all of your roommates, however that’s a gamble that could be worth taking for all the unforgettable (or hard-to-remember, amirite?) parties. Now, the catch is, it’s actually quite possible to find a flat or a room not far from the

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city center which is considerably cheaper the £400 price tag most halls ask for (my own took me back about 270 a month, bills included). Thus, if the ka-ching and privacy are a factor, I’d recommend scooping through Gumtree religiously.

Also, in my experience, private landlords tend to be a better bet. Since they can be more lenient with the occasional missed payment or you leaving for the holidays. Remember, besides paying the rent, bills and the deposit, you are not legally required to dish out for anything else; so don’t let any flat owners or tenement agencies try to bamboozle you.

A few more caveats.

Job hunting can be a bit of a pain, if that is the need, but larger store chains like Lidl or Morrison’s, or companies like G4S are a good bet. They’re always in need for new blood. None of these are dream jobs, but can serve as good starting points and a good starting block for your CV. By the by, you might have heard it rains in Glasgow. From a wee drizzle to full on The Day After Tomorrow type weather, it’s pretty hard to stay prepared.You must try to pack a jumper or a windbreaker with yourself, if you can. And don’t forget about that vitamin C, for those unavoidable sniffles.

Lastly, you probably won’t care about the downpour too much if you’re a football fan, because this city is indeed the Mecca of all things soccer (yeah, I went there). If you, like me, couldn’t care less, well…I’ll pray for you.

by Kaspars Zalans

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

The Great Student Menu

by Rachel Watson Have you ever seen someone cook a pizza that turned out both raw and burnt? Ever seen someone accidentally leave some chicken in the oven overnight and wake up to clouds of smoke the next morning? Ever met someone who can’t cook toast? These are just some of the disasters that could be waiting for you in halls but here are just a few tips to avoid becoming one of these disaster chefs.

Ask the parents Start early - get some simple recipes from whoever does the cooking in your house and watch them cook before you move out. Offer to help even, the best way to find out new things is by doing it yourself. Don’t be afraid to ask your mum or dad for advice - I phoned my mum the first time I made a few dishes just to double check I was actually making something edible.

Experiment Take these recipes and add your own spin on them. The best way to find out what you like and what you don’t is by experimenting with different things and so you’re not eating the same things over and over again.

Go veggie Vegetables are not only healthy for you, but they’re also tasty so should definitely make up a big part of your student diet. As anti-student as that sounds, it’s one way to avoid the inevitable freshers illness that gets us all eventually. Plus eating meat in every meal can work out pretty expensive so Meatless Mondays isn’t a bad idea.

Meal prep If you’re staying in halls, you will have a flat freezer - so try your best to make great use of this. Make food in bulk, a big pot of chilli or bolognese and freeze what you don’t eat. This means that if you ever find that you can’t be bothered cooking one day you have a healthier option than a ready meal or a takeaway. Plus buying extra mince or chicken and then freezing portions of it works out cheaper in the long run.

Don’t be lazy!

Do yourself a favour and don’t spend a fortune on pre-cut vegetables and grated/sliced cheese - as someone who works in a supermarket, I constantly see people spending extra money each week just so they don’t have to cut and grate.You pay more, but actually end up with less cheese and veg.

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

THE ULTIMATE FRESHERS SURVIVAL GUIDE

by Hannah Carmichael A new year of university is upon us, folks. For those of you just starting out – I’m totally jealous, by the way – this can be a really daunting time. Relax, you’ll have a blast! To ensure you make the most of your time as a student in Glasgow, I’ve come up with some pointers I quickly learned as a Fresher: Experience The Your lectures do Garage, at least once actually matter Ah, The Garage. It’s the Marmite of venues. And yet, it’s been an iconic location for 23 years’ worth of Glasgow’s students – mention the name to anyone who’s been out in the city centre since 1994, and there’s a 99% chance that they’ll relive a memory from there on the spot. Also, it’s the only club I’ve ever been to where I’ve been served freshly made waffles and Nutella next to the DJ booth – what’s not to love?

Don’t become that flatmate

If you don’t have that flatmate, chances are you might actually be that flatmate.

Don’t panic, it’s fixable. Just make sure you do your dishes, and don’t wait until 2am to creep into the kitchen and cook in order to avoid social situations!

Own a deck of cards

If Freshers week taught me one thing, it’s the impact a pack of playing cards has.

Friendships will be made, drinks will be had, information will be over-shared.

Lectures are important.

When I was a Fresher, I ignored this fact on the basis that it seemed like I was always attending introductions to the course – what was the point in showing up when I could self-teach? This will change. Attend your lectures, or be prepared to use your overdraft on a load of Red Bull come April-time!

Freshers flu IS a thing

I know, I thought it was a myth too. Until I caught it, and then I couldn’t shake it off for a number of weeks. Just be prepared, there is a relationship between the number of weeks elapsed in the semester and the number of coughs you’ll hear throughout a lecture.

Don’t blow all your money on pizza

Try not to write off weekday clubbing

I mean, don’t be irresponsible with your studies, either.

But for a good month or two after starting uni, I insisted on Saturdays being the designated time for nights out. I didn’t get the point in going out on free entry nights – as the legendary Chainsmokers song “#SELFIE” goes, “who goes out on Mondays?” Everyone.

Everyone goes out on Mondays, because it’s free.

Embrace the embarrassing photos

One day you’ll be in your final year, looking back at photos of yourself sprawled on the kitchen floor dressed as Princess Peach. Not that that’s what I’m doing or anything. But as the years go on, you’ll come to appreciate any form of documentation – stop deleting those Facebook tags!

It happens, okay!? Don’t judge. Some of us don’t have takeaways at home, the temptation becomes too much and then you end up blowing all your dough on… well, dough.

Luckily, Dominos have really decent student codes.

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

FIVE GLASGOW BRUNCHES TO CURE YOUR FRESHERS HANGOVER(S)

by Luna Webster C AFE STRANGE BREW Nothing fixes a hangover better than eggs and a stroll around the Southside’s Queen’s Park. Head south to the highly reputable (and dog friendly!)

Café Strange Brew for some of the highest rated brunch in the city. Their breakfast dishes are beautifully presented and customer service is fantastic.

We recommend the “That Guy” – comprising of poached eggs and avocado on toast with chilli hollandaise.

Mmm.

ROSE AND GRANT’S Vegans need love too!

Rose and Grant’s understated café on Trongate caught the city’s attention after introducing vegan square sausage to their delicious breakfast menu. It’s a peaceful spot in the city centre that serves full Scottish vegan breakfast all morning and has delicious baked treats galore, as well as some of the best coffee this side of the Clyde. It’s one of the few stockists of Sgaia’s vegan meats, so head down to see what’s new.

TRIBECA With four locations in the city already and plans for more in the near future, Tribeca’s New York style brunching is clearly a hit among Glaswegians.

Featuring an extensive menu of pancakes, waffles and meatier choices, this indulgent spot will satisfy your cravings from 11am to 5pm, Monday to Sunday. They also serve bottomless coffee to keep that hangover sluggishness at bay.

McPHABB’S

McPhabbs, located just off Charing Cross, is the place to be for weekend brunch.

Offering trendy takes on traditional breakfast foods, Saturday and Sunday’s menu is served from 11am until 4pm, which is perfect for the lazier customers among us. From time to time they serve bottomless brunch which essentially lets you eat until you burst, so keep an eye on their social media.

COIA’S CAFE

A Glasgow breakfasting institution since 1928, Coia’s on Duke Street is an absolute must for morning bites. With a bountiful selection from eggs to granola to the full shebang, Coia’s is bound to have something for everyone. Check out their deli too for some baked treats to take home with you.

HINGS: REVIEW

by Luna Webster

Fresher’s week is a time to meet new people, immerse yourself in the party atmosphere and embarrass yourself in front of strangers.

Your only peaceful moments will involve you lying alone in a pitiful alcohol induced state of suffering, unsuccessfully attempting to stomach bites of buy one get one free Dominos. After a while you’re going to wish you were tucked up in your single bed with a green tea and a nice book. And we have just the paperback for you.

Glasgow’s own Chris McQueer has been making waves on Twitter for some time with his short stories.

Despite earning comparisons

to Limmy and Irvine Welsh, the 20-something has made quite the name somebody twice Chris’s age. for himself as a unique and The tales may be short, but original writer within the they are the perfect length Scottish publishing scene. for showcasing his sheer skill.

After months of anticipation The characters are bizarre, online, his debut collection but they feel real. Any one of of short stories “Hings” hit them could be that strange the market in July to readers’ person you keep overheardelight. ing on the bus – the kind of The themes in “Hings” range person who you listen to and from morbid encounters with think, “you couldn’t make it dodgy seafood, secret raves in up.” privately owned garden sheds, “Hings” has left me fulltaxi driving football stars on belly laughing on public and the dangers of swapping transport. It has fascinated shifts. Each story is writme to the extent that I ten with a level of comedic have read story after story expertise you’d expect from without even considering The EDIT

looking up. I’ve re-read some of the pieces again and again, wondering how Chris’s mind could invent such hysterical people and situations.

There is no doubt that Chris McQueer’s debut has been incredibly successful, and I know for certain that there will be more brilliance to come from this young star on the rise very soon.

Follow Chris on Twitter @ ChrisMcQueer, and pick up a copy of “Hings” from your local Waterstones!

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

Long distance relationship while studying.

Worth it?

Relationships in general are not easy, but long distance ones require extra effort and are a little bit harder. I can tell you this from firsthand experience, when I got myself into one during my second year of studying. I had already got a taste of how student life is, and yet I chose to give this relationship a chance without overthinking it. And in my experience, this was the best way to start - by not overthinking.

Studying away from home can alone be stressful, so knowing that you are leaving a piece of your heart behind can put you off your game. Of course student life requires working hard and being responsible but it also requires a bit of partying and carefreeness. Being a person that when I’m in a relationship I lose my balance in life, the night outs that I sacrificed for Skype calls were countless. It started as something new and exciting but then inevitably became an unhealthy part of the relationship. I started going out less and less convincing myself that I was over the “going out phase”.

Guess what? Huge mistake. Without even realising it when you two really want it to work you end up isolating yourselves either by refusing to go out just so you can Skype each other or by going out only to be checking your phone the whole time. This happens because you think the best to make this work is by giving all your attention to your partner thinking this will cover up their physical absence. The physical absence cannot be covered up, either by calling or texting. The truth is that you need to find a way of communicating so you don’t trapped into an unhealthy situation.

The most important thing is to realize that you need to put your mental health on top and keep in mind that your student years will never come back. I am not saying that you should be out drinking and partying every day, but there are a lot things to do when you are a student that will make you a more complete person. Trips, meeting new people, trying new things, getting out of your comfort zone and much more. Unfortunately your long distance partner might not enjoy that and they’ll most ong distance relationships. Are they likely show it. worth the tears, the fights, the goodbyes Instead of drifting away from all and those precious these things to keep your partner happy and you relationship “functionmoments you finally al”, you should make a compromise.

“The most important thing see each other? Do you like Talk to each other openly about the someone but your goals and is to realize that you need things you want to do or planning to dreams are in the way at the to put your mental health on do, and never hide anything. If they moment so you have to sail don’t seem to understand your need to another country or move top and keep in mind that your to live your student years to the to another city to study? student years will never come fullest, then proceed to the nearest exit.You’ll save yourself from so much You’ve got nothing to lose to back.” drama, believe me. try and see for yourself if this After all, if this relationship doesn’t could work. Most certainly work, another will. When you’re in your twenties, your number one priority should be you. you’ll get valuable experiences from this. But, Relationships should make people happy, not miserable. If there are a few things you need to know first. you can’t handle the burden of a long distance relationship then part ways in the nicest way and keep a sweet memory of the whole experience.

L

by Antonia Papantoniou The EDIT

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

Article by Neil Alexander

All photos courtsey of Jagex

R U N E S C A P E The old game coming soon to a mobile phone near you

If you’re a fan of Massive Multiplayer Online games (MMOs to the hardcore among us), then chances are you will have been one of the over 250 million registered Runescape accounts and played the game in it’s fifteen year existence.

This summer, the classic game has announced that for the very first time it will make the jump from desktop computers to phones and tablets, allowing players to use it on all devices.

In Winter 2017, Old School Runescape (a 2007 version of the game released and available to play for all accounts) will go fully mobile with the most updated Runescape game following suit in 2018.

Old School Runescape (OSRS) has been a hugely popular release for Jagex, with many players coming back to visit Gielinor as it was in 2007. But how does an older game version manage to keep its fanbase motivated to play?

The EDIT spoke to Mathew Kemp, the Product Manager for Old School Runescape, about the Old School game fandom.

The premise behind OSRS was simple, release a classic version of the game

that fans could enjoy and relive a classic Runescape experience.

“The one motivation was the players.

Because Runescape had been around for 12 years and it was modernising. Because of that Runescape was changing and a whole load of players were saying ‘it’s great and all but we want to play the old one.’”

A vote was called on the Runescape website about the idea of releasing a 2007 version of the game with around 500,000 players voting. The widespread popularity of the concept led to Jagex assigning an entire development team to the Old School game.

Much of the success of OSRS is about speaking to and understanding the playing community. All new content additions to this game’s version are approved by player polls and Kemp believes that it is “undoubtedly true” that this form of engagement has added to the success and playing numbers of Old School Runescape.

“It’s created a huge amount of trust between us and the players and because we needed to communicate effectively with them the ideas and thoughts we were trying to get across it’s created this relationship with us.”

To introduce a new flavor to the older game version, OSRS has also seen the introduction of Deadman mode - a new game type where the whole playable world is player vs player (pvp) instead of just a few specific zones.

Deadman mode has the added twist of The EDIT

massive experience bonuses as well gaining almost all of the loot from players that you kill in the game. High rewards are available then in this game, but the price of being killed is very risky and this experience offers something truly unique to other MMOs. “You think of an MMO as something where you level up and you continue levelling and you get your xp, you get your items and it just increases and increases - you’re constantly building. So I thought,

what if we take that away so that if any point you get killed you lose all your xp, you lose all your items. It creates this massive feeling of fear.”

This different mentality has proved popular and has also seen the introduction of ‘Deadman Seasons’, with cash prizes for the best players.

Watch out for Runescape Mobile, coming soon to a phone near you - remember fans of the classic game get it that little earlier around Christmas time. What better present for a Runescape fanboy like myself! To read the full interview, be sure to check out The EDIT website.

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Photo:YouTube

THE EMOJI MOVIE: REVIEW

by Cameron Frew

Not many people would look down at the emojis on our phones and think of the immense potential for a film, but that’s what the geniuses over at Sony did. In what feels like the brainfart of the laziest creative meeting in history, The Emoji Movie is a soul-crushing, insultingly terrible catastrophe, lacking any merit or message that could even justify its existence.

The story goes like this; Gene (TJ Miller), a Meh emoji, is forced to go on a journey to fix himself after he cannot control his emotions and nearly ruins everything.

Sounding vaguely familiar? We’ll get to that in a second.

Gene lives alongside the other emojis including Laughter, Hi-5 (voiced by a sadly aggravating James Corden), Poop (voiced

by Patrick Stewart – really) and Smiler. Together they live inside a young boy’s phone and pop up when needed to show his emotions. Sound even more familiar? That’s because it is the most blatant rip-off of Disney’s Inside Out; a charming, moral family drama that deals with psychological issues. Whereas The Emoji Movie is at times staggeringly dark, blending family fun themes with unsettling totalitarianism, reinforcing the need to restrict your emotions more than the need to show them.

The different worlds within the phone, ranging from YouTube to Candy Crush, may keep kids amused, but they are some of

the most terrifying, nightmarish incarnations in recent memory.

The animation lacks any style or flourish, feeling like the standard of generic Poop that your less prolific kids channels squeeze out every day. The writing too is absurd, desperately clinging on to the hope that we as an audience will laugh at every poo pun under the sun – there’s a scene with the emoji literally hitting a fan. The only people getting a laugh here are the companies we see throughout the film who will have made a killing off the relentless product placement forced upon us.

Whilst the idea behind the film isn’t the worst, its execution encapsulates all that is wrong with Hollywood, who have grossly underestimated their audience’s intelligence. The story itself lacks any coherence, for example we see real humans in the YouTube world yet the “real world” is animated, a phone wipe is entirely undone by unplugging it, and it has a trash section, similar to a computer, where deleted apps and emails go – not a thing. This total disregard to a logical plot will make you scoff and clench your fists, alongside the rest of the atrocities committed across the board.

The only emoji I want to use is Rage. This is more than a flop – it is an unmitigated cinematic disaster that deserves to be mercilessly beaten in a brutal, bloody fashion.

Rating: If you can give 0/5 then do it, otherwise 1/5.

“The only emoji I want to use is Rage. This is more than a flop – it is an unmitigated cinematic disaster that deserves to be mercilessly beaten in a brutal, bloody fashion.”

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VA L E R I A N

AND THE CITY OF A THOUSAND PLANETS: REVIEW As divisive as he may be, Luc Beeson is a visionary. His crowning work, a labour of love and passion, The Fifth Element, cemented his work to demand the world’s attention.

His later work hasn’t always landed, but as the tagline tells us,Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets is a supposed masterpiece a lifetime in the making.

Whilst it doesn’t reach these heights, it’s an utterly breathtaking spectacle.

When Alpha, a space city beyond your imagination, is under threat from a deadly force, agents Valerian (Dane DeHaan) and Laureline (Cara Delevingne) must uncover the mystery and eliminate the threat for the protection of the whole universe.

The trailer for Vale-

Photo: flickeringmyth.com

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rian, which features 2WEI’s haunting twist on Gangsta’s Paradise, bombarded our imaginations with an array of spectacular visuals.

The film as a whole is a masterclass in ambition. From the first 20 minutes alone, showing the peace and fall of a glorious alien world, you’ll lose yourself in Beeson’s soaring fantasy. At times it feels almost like a dream, sadly though, this is also where it fails.

At times, you may not be entirely sure what you’re seeing across the series of episodic mishaps and victories of our two agents. This does lead to Valerian feeling a little empty as you walk out the cinema.

Despite this however, you’ll be staggered by the beauty conjured up throughout as we

traverse through an endless stream of mind boggling environments and meet delightfully odd and at times disgusting creatures.

It’s refreshingly original and bold, but regretfully its ambition may have been its downfall.

The performances across the board are unlike the effects, stunningly average.

Dane DeHaan is surprisingly adequate as a leading action hero, bringing a deadpan charm to a role that so could have easily been lead with an overly charismatic, typical character. His partner, Cara Delevingne, is fed some measly writing, and could have done

with showing a touch more enthusiasm for the material. It almost feels like she doesn’t immerse herself in the world like the rest of the cast.

The writing itself isn’t all bad. Any scene featuring three cheeky little aliens always garners a laugh, and Ethan Hawke’s severely under-utilised ‘club’ owner is a total highlight. The sequences have an old-school feel, almost so much that John Williams could compose a score over them. It’s an interesting twist on the tone, but when the material itself starts to feel ignored in favour of impressing us, this loses its appeal.

BELONG: The rebirth of the Internet Cafe tribe in Glasgow is called the Clyde Claymores and the arena has been named The Armoury.You can even rent out the area if you’re planning a get-together or having a party.

The arena will hold qualifying nights throughout the year for games such as Overwatch, Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare and League of Legends. The qualifying nights will decide if you move on to the ArenaClash to play against other UK wide teams. The winners will get cash and the knowledge that they are the best in the UK. It is fair to note that this idea is not particularly unique since cafes like this already exist across the world. The main difference here is the infrastructure that Belong is building to create a network of these Arenas across the UK. Competitive gaming has come a long way in the past ten years and this is a The EDIT

by Cameron Frew

Photo: Belong Glasgow

The idea of an Internet Cafe is nothing new, but we’ve definitely seen a decline of them in recent years. However, the UK’s leading gaming retailer GAME has decided to breath some life into the concept. Belong by GAME is a collection of ‘gaming arenas’ situated across the UK. In Glasgow, you will find Belong alongside GAME on Union Street, outside Central Station.

Belong Glasgow is home to 16 gaming stations, each with a PS4 Pro, an Xbox One S and a high spec gaming PC. The arena also offers VR experiences with an HTC Vive and various VR games to choose from. And what’s a good gaming session without some snacks? You will also be able to grab some American candy at the arena.

Each Belong store has its own ‘tribe’ of gamers. These tribes are set up to create competition between the locations. The

Funnily enough, the graphic novel this stems from heavily inspired another, lesser-known franchise, Star Wars.You can see the similarities, for example the pair’s ship looks and sounds like the Millennium Falcon. Where Valerian is hugely ambitious, perhaps even more so than Star Wars, it fails to capture the pure sense of euphoria it needed, meaning it’ll likely be a hit without much longevity.

Albeit slightly hollow, Beeson’s far-reaching mind-blower is a kaleidoscope of dazzling set pieces and admirable originality.

smart move by GAME to cash in on this growing market. This is something that will continue to develop as competitive gaming evolves and becomes more mainstream. If you want to grab a glance of what is to come, head on down to Belong on Union Street and if you are interested in a bit of competition go for one of the qualifying nights.

by Andrew MacKinnon

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

A GCU STUDENT’S GUIDE TO FURNISHING A FLAT ON A BUDGET

by Monica Allen

All photos Emily Devanney @ed_photography99

So, everyone knows Primark is a shop which many people swear by, for lots of different reasons.

My personal one, which I want to share with you all, is that it is AMAZING for finding hidden gems!

The joys of shopping at Primark is that you don’t have to wait until the end of the month until you have more disposable income (or for us students SASSMAS) their products are just so affordable yet

Pop up storage bin: £3.50

the quality is still brilliant; you can shop there any time of the month.

When I recommend it to people who haven’t visited the store in a good few years their breaths are taken away because their prices are that impressive!

We visited the Glasgow Sauchiehall Street Store to see the best buys for furnishing a flat on a budget!

You can get this bundle of flat necessities for a mere £23.50think of the money you’re saving compared to shopping in a high-end home store!

Single anti allergy mattress protector: £5.50 16

Two Pillows: £4

13.5 tog Duvet: £10

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Now, at the start of the University year meeting new flatmates and fellow students can seem like a daunting task, you want to give a good impression of yourself and you can easily do this on a budget by shopping at Primark Sauchiehall Street.

Blue sequin throw: £15 Basket: £6

They have several bed sets and sheets available in various colours sizes and styles for a fraction of the price of normal retailers.You can also purchase cute little decorative accessories to make your flat seem more homely and give it your own special touch.

A5 Cinema light box: £8

Paisley pattern single duvet:£8

single bed sheet: Checked pattern single duvet:£8 Set of 2 pillow £2.50 cases: £2.50

colourful pillow: £5

reed diffusers: £1-£5

pink large throw: £9 Gold lights: £6

Primark sell amazing candles, room sprays and diffusers of all different sizes and styles that all smell amazing, their prices range from £1 to £5.

pattern single cute Cactus: £3.50 duvet set :£8 So, if I were you I’d head on down to the Glasgow Sauchiehall Street Primark Store and have a look around at what bargains you can bag yourself, whether you’re moving to Glasgow for University or choosing to commute, I’m sure there’s something there that will tickle your fancy!

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I didn’t wear foundation for a month: Here’s what happened

by Emma Storr I’ve never been the type to wear a lot of makeup, what constitutes a lot being subjective to who you’re asking.

But even so, my normal makeup routine consists of at least eight products excluding brows, eyes and lips. I’ve also never had terrible skin, my Italian heritage has me blessed with a face that isn’t spot prone, but eczema has always been my downfall with dry skin, redness and discolouration leading to extreme paranoia and a firm attachment to full coverage foundation.

People have always approached me with the phrase “Oh you don’t wear much makeup” which always sounded more like an insult than a compliment.

This summer has seen me working 45 hour weeks and travelling on my days off so making time for makeup is scarce but still essential. I decided a month ago that I needed to make a change.

The decision to cut foundation, and any other base makeup, out was a difficult one, you’re probably reading this thinking “shut up you’ve just said you have good skin,” but let’s be honest, after wearing foundation most days since the age of around 14 not having that extra layer is a scary prospect.

My main concerns starting this venture were that my skin would break out due to change in routine and that I would constantly look blotchy from eczema.

One of the most challenging aspects of this process was resisting the urge to cover up spots and discolouration on

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days where I didn’t feel my best.

It’s fair to say things got worse before they got better. During week one all I could think about was if people were staring at my face, if they were judging my lack of face makeup and if I just looked completely awful, but I kept up my daily eye bag reveal and courage.

Halfway through week two I was starting to really enjoy the process, getting ready in the morning was so much faster and I could itch my face whenever I wanted without worry. But then disaster struck, my moisturiser ran out. Any person who has spent countless hours matching the perfect moisturiser to their skin type will understand my pain, especially since I was at home 100 miles away from my skin’s chance of hydration (Soon to start a petition for The Body Shop to open more stores in small Scottish towns).

With a change of moisturiser came what I’d feared all along…SPOTS! Now I might be being a bit over dramatic here, two white heads happened but that was enough to make me doubt myself.

Despite the pimples, I powered through and by the end of week three my skin had started to improve and a lot of the discolouration was gone which had me wondering if all the paranoia was for nothing in the first place.

After a month I have one bit of advice for you, try this! Despite the occasional flash of fear, the confidence I have in my skin and my face overall has increased by so much and it’s got me wondering what

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other things I can try to become more comfortable with me (cue an article on embracing my natural curls for a month).

The next time I reach for foundation it will be exclusively for nights out and maybe the odd university presentation where you don’t want to look too hungover.

T H E

P R O S

- Extra time in the morning to perfect eyeliner skills - Increased confidence in skin and general appearance - Ability to scratch face without worrying about ruining makeup - General improvement in skin health

T H E

C O N S

- Initial and other occasional paranoia about skin looking bad - Less protection against the sun (make sure you use a moisturiser with a good SPF rating if you’re going to try this) - A lack of control over what blemishes and eyebags look like throughout the day - The need for patience

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Truly e f f o r t l e s s freshers style Freshers can be a very contradictory time. It’s your first chance to really make a good first impression on people you’re potentially spending the next four years with.Yet for many new to university life, their entire Freshers’ will be spent either drinking or hungover, sometimes not the best way to make an impression.

Early morning introductory lectures with a hangover are killer, believe me.

Even worse than sitting in a boiling hot lecture theatre with a thumping head could be the thought of having to actually get up for it.

The snooze button on your alarm can only go off so many times before you are left with 2 choices; going to class looking an absolute mess, or not going at all.

Don’t start off your university life that way. Follow these handy tips on how to look like you’ve made an effort without really trying to.

Brand new city? Brand new University?

Brand new friends? That means no need for brand new clothes. Chances are the majority of people you’ve met at uni won’t have seen you in most of your clothes before, so this is your chance to look like you’ve just stepped out of the dressing room because to them everything you wear is new. Result!

A nice summer jacket is a key staple.

As Freshers could still technically count as summer it’s the perfect chance to pull that out of your wardrobe for what could potentially be the last few times before it’s winter coats galore. A leather jacket goes with just about everything, so no matter what is under it, you can still look great, same with a denim jacket (Even double denim!).

Jeans and jeggings are your best friend when you have to get ready quickly.

While leggings may be comfortable, jeggings are just as comfy but look 10 times better in terms of looking like you’ve made an effort and they don’t have to take a huge chunk out of your student loan.

Learn the skill to a messy bun and/or ponytail – a fantastic way of hiding your potentially unwashed hair. Or disguising the fact you’re on your 4th day in a row of using dry shampoo. There are so many tutorials for this online, so you can find the best look for you to avoid the Miss Trunchbull look.

Some simple (and cheap) hair products give a great look without any effort at all. I love V05’s Give Me Texture Sea Salt Spray to give a beachy wave. The best part is it requires minimal effort but looks great!

Concealer. A very tired girl’s best friend. Hide your lack of sleep with some concealer and no one will know you’re running on 4 hours of sleep with a litre of Lucozade (other hangover/ sleep deprivation cures are available).

Concealer can do wonders to hide those designer bags under your eyes and help brighten that smile.

Perfect the art of simple, quick everyday makeup so you can do it in a flash and not waste too much time that could be spent having an extra 40 winks.

Brows, mascara and lipstick tend to be the easiest to make look effortless.

They’re also the things you tend to have down to an art, plus lipstick can act as a good distraction from the dark shadows of the night before.

“jeans and a nice top,” follow these tips so you’ll never feel awkward or out of place.You can save me in your phone as “Short Lorna.”

Clubs like Bamboo, Kokomo, Kushion, Shimmy, Sugarcube No matter what night of the week, the clubs in Glasgow tend to be dressy. A fixture of every Fresher’s week - you’ll think these places have some sort of sponsorship deal with Missguided. Kushion especially, is where you can channel your inner Instagram style blogger. Top tip, the swing chairs are perfect for fake candid pictures.

Clubs like ABC, Firewater, Subclub, The Garage These are all decidedly less fancy affairs. Subclub in particular – no heels, ever. If you’ve recently invested in a bucket hat, Firewater is where to finally break it out. If you’ve ended up in the Garage… let’s be honest, you’ve probably had enough drinks not to care what you’re wearing.

Pubs and Bars If you’re not really into the whole clubbing scene but still like a wee drink, Glasgow has some great pubs and bars. There’s craft beer havens like Inn Deep, student go-to’s like Vodka Wodka, and all your usual chains like Wetherspoons and Walkabout. Most pubs and bars are somewhat casual, so if you’ve went straight from lectures there’s no need to worry about running home to change.

In all honestly, it’s about wearing what you like and what you want to wear. No one can stop you wearing a ballgown to lectures, and if you want to experiment then more power to you. Please, just don’t look down on me when you’re wearing Louboutin’s to class and I’ve brought my duvet.

So, there you have it. Your tips on how you can have the best Freshers; ever and not look like you’re suffering the next morning (or for most of the next day if we’re being truly honest). Hopefully, these tricks come in handy at some point in the next four years, you can thank me later.

by Rachel Watson

What to wear to clubs in GLASGOW So, it’s Fresher’s week in Glasgow.

You’ve made plans with people who you met five minutes ago.You haven’t even gotten to surnames yet. They’re all just saved as things like “Tall Anna” or “Ginger Ben” on your phone.You never have to worry about them hacking your Facebook since they don’t know your mum’s maiden name or the street you grew up on.

But wait! You’re not friendly enough with them yet to ask a million questions before the night out.You don’t want to seem like you’re completely clueless. Who are you going to send the infamous “what are you going to wear tonight?” text to? You can’t let Tall Anna know you’re not fun, cool, experienced and don’t know everything.

No matter where you go in Glasgow, there’s an unwritten dress code. Some very strict, some a lot more lenient. To avoid the excruciating pain of turning up in your highest heels and tight bodycon when everyone else has stuck to

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by Lorna McKenzie

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The best false eyelashes you need to know about Personally, I love a good night out and love putting on a full face of makeup and looking done up.

However, what I never used to know was the best false eyelashes and glue to use and when. From natural to statement eye-popping lashes, I’ve spent time finding out the best ones on the market.

I’ve tried and tested the best ones out there so whether you would like flirty long-length or natural looking but lengthening lashes then you’ve come to the right place!

Firstly, when it comes to looking good in a pair of falsies, application is key! However, as practice

by Monica Allen makes perfect I am here to help you skip that step. I advise you to start by cutting your lashes to size - measure your desired lashes against your lash line and cut off any surplus length before you begin applying them, as well as ensuring that they’re clean and dry. Next, apply your chosen eyelash glue precisely along the lash line of your chosen false eyelashes. Now, the key step is to allow the glue to air dry for at least thirty seconds or until it is slightly tacky but not dry. When the glue is tacky use a pair of tweezers to press the eyelashes down along your eyelash line

starting at the inner corner of your eye and working outwards, pressing the false eyelash onto your natural eyelash line lightly and precisely. Wait until the glue is fully dry before you curl the eyelashes or apply some more mascara. An insiders tip; the less mascara you apply to your falsies, the more times you can reuse them. Don’t just throw out your falsies after one application, most tend to be reusable.

Eyelure Naturalities False EyelashesGlamour No. 116 £5.40

This type of eyelash is great for a dramatic evening look. They’re easy to use and long-lasting and a great buy under a budget.

Ardell Demi-Wispies £5.49

These eyelashes are my personal favourite. They give a more natural yet still full and bold look and can be reused several times if applied the correct way.

Eyelure Exaggerate False EyelashesNo. 143 £7.25

These Eyelashes are a great full and fabulous pair which give short but full finish and dramatic volume.

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Ardell Wispies- 601 £5.49

These eyelashes are great to wear to a more upscale event like a wedding or big party. They are full and they give that amazing eye-opening look for anyone.

Kiss Blooming False Lash- Peony- £6.75

These false lashes are natural looking and they blend beautifully with your own lashes thanks to their multi-angle technology on a single band.

Kiss True Volume Lash- Ritzy £4.99

Now these show stopping lashes will make all eyes turn to you whenever you walk in a room. They’re so lightweight that you’ll forget you’re wearing them!

Duo Strip Adhesive White Clear 7g- £5.99

Now the norm when buying eyelashes is that they come with a tiny little bottle of eyelash glue. I have found after trying and testing the best glue is the DUO Glue which comes with any Ardell False Eyelashes you purchase.You can buy this glue in a big tube which will last you months.

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

GLASGOW’S MUSIC CULTURE

G

lasgow is revered by bands around the world for the unrivalled fandom the city produces and the vibrancy of its crowds.

However, the city has lost its unique music appeal to many of those who grew up here. If you’re gearing up for your first year at university, you better get used to pretending to enjoy monotonous dance music. If anything, the standard of music in Glasgow city centre must form part of the motivation behind why students are such avid drinkers.

When there is no novelty factor to be had, the homogenous nature of modern music offers little

excitement to those familiar with crowds at Scottish gigs.

T in the Park has been in a hiatus for the past two years and looks set to continue for the foreseeable future; a result brought on by abandoning its indigenous audience in order to cater for those who enjoy watching Calvin Harris nod his head repeatedly.

Its replacement?

TRNSMT. How very appropriate.

There can be no greater metaphor for the lack of originality of today’s music and the palate of those who enjoy it than deleting all two vowels from a word.

It’s tempting to

say that Glaswegian millennials must be the most difficult ‘Guess Who’ players or online daters anywhere.

“What sort of music do you like?”

“Eh, mmmh, I like everything really.

Anything in, like, the top 40. I like a lot of different styles.”

Having witnessed La Mercè in Barcelona and the Catalans adoration of Reggaeton, it is clear that the fondness of generic music stretches far wider than just these isles.

Go into any student bar or nightclub and you will hear a collection of songs being sung mostly by a computer which sound suspiciously identical to another song that

was so memorable you vaguely remember having the exact same thought when you heard that for the first time too.

There is still terrific music out there to enjoy that has integrity and originality at its core, but it’s getting harder to find.

This summer’s Stag & Dagger festival was a roaring success, showcasing the best underground rock music from the UK. DMA’s, an Australian Britpop-inspired group, headlined the day-long festival, but the scale of it was a depressing reminder that non-mainstream music is becoming more and more marginalised.

In the next few

months Royal Blood and Reverend and the Makers will visit Glasgow but the majority will be oblivious to it.

Glasgow used to produce outstanding bands such as Primal Scream, The Skids, Teenage Fan Club, Deacon Blue and even Travis. Unless you actively delve into the internet basement of unsigned potential then it is unlikely we’ll hear the sounds or messages these bands produced again for a considerable time.

So, if you’re a fresher, choose to expwerience the full range of Glasgow’s nightlife music scene (we recommend Firewater) and relieve yourself of the chore of faking it.

by Jordan Campbell

the DEATH of DIGITAL Photo: Apple

by Callum McQuade

It is no secret that downloading music to your iPod from your computer via the poorly designed iTunes Store is becoming a thing of the past and this summer marked the end of two of Apple’s most famous devices.

The iPod Nano and the iPod Shuffle, two of the early 2000s most popular music devices, were removed from Apple’s official website in July leaving just the iPod Touch, the company’s only remaining iPod device.

Listening to music through audio streaming services has become the most popular method of music consumption thanks to websites and apps such as Spotify, Deezer and Apple Music offering users a chance to listen The EDIT

to their favourite music on their smartphone at any time.

These services have probably been the single most damaging invention to the iPod collection, which already had its classic device discontinued in 2014, as owners can only store music purchased on iTunes or from physical music providers such as CDs. Since you are reading this you are probably a student who pays no more than £5 per month to access a bank with tens of millions of songs. Therefore, it begs the question of how can these music streaming services make any money?

Well, online music services have helped to boost the UK music industry revenue to a

five year high at the end of last year with 11% of the adult population in the UK being subscribed to audio streaming websites and apps such as Spotify and Apple Music.

In fact, during the first quarter of this year alone audio streams within the UK rose by 55.6% year-on-year to over 15 billion which is all thanks to their user friendly service which recommends new music based on your listen history.

With the UK music industry making three quarters of its profit from audio streaming websites in the first half of this year it remains to be seen just how much life the iPod Touch has ahead of it.

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‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’, we’re taught it from an early age.

I would dare to argue, however, that the same doesn’t apply to fans and their music preferences. Granted, with the onset of streaming and other digital means of music consumption, the value of being a ‘true’ fan has lessened.

No more do you need to spend countless hours reading tonnes of zines or going to every other gig, major or local, to be seen as an erudite in your favourite type of muzak, whether it be metal, hip hop or anything else.

Still, certain sounds do attract certain types of people, just as certain philosophies or beliefs do and sometimes stereotypes do have some basis in truth. Metal and punk have been seen since inception as the realms of the disenfranchised, hip hop as the vehicle for those frustrated on a social level, while country and Trump supporters go together like gin and tonic.

For a while now, I’ve also been interested in how certain genres seem to gain more ground in certain countries or even cities, with Finland, for example, having the most metal bands per capita in the world. I’ll compare Glasgow to my own native Riga, since these are the two metropolises I’m the most familiar with.

As a land of about 2 million people, Latvia, by definition, has a small market. This, in turn, influences the music that does or does not gain ground. Judging from the popularity of certain bands and speaking with musicians I know personally, it’s evident there’s an inherent contradiction in the music scene. Bands aren’t afraid to experiment with genres

and sound because most are certain they won’t be able to make a living with their work anyway, despite unorthodox bands like Instrumenti and Triana Park having gained a stable and dedicated fan base in the old country, the latter even representing this Baltic state in this year’s Eurovision.

Bands that do want to gain notoriety outside this frozen wee land tend to cynically mimic popular trends in the larger international music scene, a perfect example of

American and Scandinavian scenes of the nineties, the latter still referencing Biggy and Tupac in their work more than any other artist (obviously, you won’t understand the lyrics, but you can follow the flow and the beat).

Again, a lot of this can be traced back to the non-commercial approach to music, but also to the historical reality of a country that regained its independence from the USSR in the nineties and, thus, was unaware of a lot of the musical movements and changes that happened in the preceding decades across the Western world.

Glasgow’s music scene would seem rather typical of most Western European cities in comparison, but all is not as simple as it would seem. Of course, there’s the pleasure of seeing and hearing such international monumental acts as Metallica, Wu-Tang Clan and Nick Cave. But, despite the variety of music on offer, in my experience dance, house and techno still seem to be the holy trinity. And in this city they are more than just preferred genres for a large portion of the population: people’s love for electronic music is also exhibited in their attire, slang and aspirations of dj-ing.

Of course, in no way does it make other genres less worthwhile, but the popularity of the this being the indie rock darlings aforementioned styles is still a Carnival Youth who tend to play mystery to me. Whether tied to more gigs in Europe than in their the drug culture or just to the home state and recently also fea- Glaswegian love for a good night tured in the South by Southwest oot, I do believe that this serves festival. as an example of how cultural Pop music aside, there’s a mentalities and musical preferstrong-minded old-school apences are intertwined. But what proach to genres like metal and do I know? After all, I’m gazing at hip hop in Latvia, the former being Glasgow’s scene through the lens more influenced by the old, raw of a culture of musical hermits.

by Kaspars Zalans

Synths and

Savages

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

u p c o m i n g c o n c e r t s to look forward to

by Emma Shearer Shane Filan SEC Armadillo 21/09/17

I am a MASSIVE fan of Girls Aloud & when I first heard the duet “I Could Be” with Nadine Coyle and Shane, I instantly fell in love with the song & his voice.

Since then I have listened to some of his music, all of which I am loving.

I am very excited for Shane to perform live and I hope to get tickets.

Lorde O2 Academy 02/10/17

I have a very varied taste in music & have always enjoyed the sound created by Lorde. She is a year younger than I am & I believe she has an incredible talent for her age. I feel that Lorde has a completely fresh sound and is very creative with her songs.

Therefore, I would love to see how this creativity pans out on a live stage.

Lady Antebellum SSE Hydro 07/10/17

Ever since about 2014 I have become a huge fan of country music and one of my favourite bands is Lady Antebellum. I have eagerly waited for Lady Antebellum to come to Scotland in the UK and until now have never seen them come here since I’ve been a fan.

This anticipation has built up and I am now incredibly excited to see them live!

Nothing But Thieves O2 Academy 07/11/17 I told you my taste in music is varied! I have only discovered the music by this band in the last month or two but have really enjoyed it. I enjoy discovering new music so I would love the chance to get to know their music and style even better through a live gig. I feel that you get a truer sense of a singer/bands personality when you see them perform live.

Creeper O2 ABC 03/12/17

This is a band I have only just discovered recently of which I have loved from the first moment I listened to one of their songs.

One of my friends suggested for me to listen to their music.

That friend as well as another are going to this gig, which I am also planning to get tickets for seeing, as they are quite cheap.

the best venues in Glasgow

by David Walker Glasgow has a big reputation for being a musical city, with bands such as the Fratellis, Franz Ferdinand and the Jesus and Mary Chain all hailing from here. So as a student new to this bustling city, where do you go to find the next big hidden musical talent or to just simply enjoy some good tunes and a relaxing atmosphere?

BROADC AST

Down Sauchiehall Street you’ll find a wide variety of bars that also play host to an eclectic mix of music from minimal pop punk rock to electronic music in the vein of Moby or Kraftwerk.

Broadcast is known to host small indie events like This Feeling, where up and coming bands showcase their new music. The underground basement venue gives the place a real alternative vibe, and there’s a decent beer selection, which is always a plus.

Definitely somewhere to go for fans of Oasis, Catfish and the Bottlemen or Kasabian.

NICE N SLEAZY Nice N Sleazy’s is almost next door to

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Broadcast, and offers a completely different experience.

A “trendy” live music bar, it offers open mic nights on Mondays, and a variety of different gigs throughout the week ranging from alternative rock to house music. It can also be a bit of a hidden gem on Saturday nights, as it offers techno and disco tunes downstairs.

KING TUT’S

King Tuts is widely known throughout the UK as a place where new bands can start off on the way to stardom.

Priding themselves on discovering the next big things, King Tuts played host to the likes of Oasis, Biffy Clyro and Blur before they made it big.

A very diverse range

of music is played there, with consecutive nights maybe consisting of a small acoustic gig and then a heavy rock band.

F I R E W AT E R

Of course, you can’t venture down to the deepest, darkest sections of Sauchiehall Street without mentioning the best club in Glasgow. Firewater, although not a music venue per se, offers some of the cheapest drinks and best tunes on a Thursday night.

A small bar/club, Firewater Thursdays are somewhat legendary amongst the students of Glasgow, with the music coupled with the deadly £1.80 vodka mixes meaning that it is very easy to “sleep in” for your Friday The EDIT

morning lectures every week (pretty sure I missed the majority of Friday lectures in first year).

A must-visit for fans of Arctic Monkeys and the Stone Roses, or terrible vodka connoisseurs.

THE BARRAS

The Barrowland Ballroom, or the Barras, is known as Scotland’s premier rock venue. A raucous and in-yourface atmosphere is obviously expected along with numerous mosh pits and a few of yer das’ there to relive their long forgotten past. While many may believe the place is long past it’s sell by date if you compare it to its contemporaries like the O2 ABC and the Hydro, you can still

expect loud and unforgiving music. Definitely something that any music fan must experience at least once in their life.

SUB CLUB

Glasgow is also the home to a club that was voted one of the top 50 clubs in the world by DJMag.com and also one of the top 10 in the UK by The Guardian. It’s obviously Sub Club, or as it’s affectionately known around Glasgow, Subby. An intimate and claustrophobic venue, Subby is not for the faint-hearted. The centre of dance music in Glasgow for 25 years, it is incredibly hard to describe and needs to be experienced.

Sophie Thirkell

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

SUMMER HOLIDAYS Maria Antheck The EDIT

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

Murray to Climb the Mound

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parting ways with two of his long-term backroom staff: training partner Dani Vallverdu and fitness coach Jez Green.

It was the split with Lendl that many critics pinpointed as the reason for Murray’s poor form. Without the tennis powerhouse who helped him achieve his Grand Slam winning dreams, they believed he lacked mental toughness. In that

bad loss to Dimitrov, his performance was described by the Guardian as: “Playing as if invaded by some foreign virus that had drained his tennis brain and paralysed his normally smooth movement over the grass of his favourite tournament, he could not resist Dimitrov’s educated power and sharp, well-hidden switches of direction that kept him guessing in every exchange.”

That loss to Dimitrov also dropped Murray to a ranking low of 10th in the world.

But showing great resilience, he bounced back from these setbacks and over the next two years Murray played some of the best tennis of his career.

With Lendl back in his corner, he won back the Wimbledon title in 2016 while also making the finals of the French and

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Australian Open.

Now the main question is can he do it again? If you compare him to his contemporaries you have got to think so.

Federer looked a shadow of his former self just last year, suffering from a severe back injury and many tipped him for retirement. But the man many think is the greatest of all time had a great resurgence, winning both the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year.

The same can be said, to a lesser extent, about Rafael Nadal.

Once the most feared tennis player in the world, Nadal’s fall from grace in 2014 and 2015 came as the result of niggling injuries, just like Murray is suffering at the moment.

His form dropped massively as he fell to ninth in the world, a long way down from the coveted top spot. Again though, he returned to form this year, winning a record tenth French Open Title.

Murray needs to recover properly from his injuries before he can perform at his best once again, and at the age of 30, he needs to start to look after his body properly to prolong his successful career.

A 100% Murray can beat anyone on his day, and we haven’t seen that maybe at all this season.

His form has bounced back before, and if history is anything to go by, I’m sure it will again.You heard it here first, Murray is going to be the 2018 Wimbledon Champion.

by David Walker

Photo Credit: Carine06

It’s been a year of turmoil for Scotland’s own Andy Murray. After a blockbuster 2016 where he regained his Wimbledon and Olympics crown, becoming world number one for the first time, he now seems to be at a low ebb.

A poor run of form this year has been compounded by a series of niggling injuries, resulting in just one tournament win all season.

He looked a shadow of his ferocious self in this year’s Wimbledon quarter-finals, where he crashed out to the unfancied American Sam Querrey without a whimper.

The question is, what happens now for Muzza?

At the age of 30 surely he’s not reached his sell-by date, considering the feats of Roger Federer who, at 35, is playing some of the best tennis of his career and is coming off of a record-breaking eighth Wimbledon title?

Murray fans will hope that it is just a temporary lack of form brought on by a series of accumulating injuries which he ought to have taken proper time off to repair, and that he will be back to his peak condition soon.

Right now though, the future is unclear for the Scotsman.

His last bad run of form came back in 2014, where he won three tournaments all season and failed to make a Grand Slam Final, sacrificing his Wimbledon title with a humiliating straight sets defeat to Grigor Dimitrov, the eleventh seed, in the quarter-finals.

The year was full of coaching turmoil, with Murray splitting with his most successful coach Ivan Lendl in March before

OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

SILENCE Higher education in Scotland continues to be a controversial and often widely debated issue; At GCU, this is no different.

In December 2016, Universities Scotland (a collective umbrella group for institutions across the country) told a Holyrood inquiry that public funding had been reduced by 12 per cent since 2010/11 and warned that universities were at “tipping point”.

The GCU Students’ Association 2016 accounts revealed that the university had been cut by 5% by the Scottish Funding Council. As a result, the Students’ Association block grant given by the university was cut by 5% to match this.

When asked, the Students’ Association said of the cuts: “The Students’ Association has been reviewing its profile and expenditure levels to ensure they meet not only the needs of students today but the students that will be applying to GCU in years to come, in tandem with this we have also been ensuring that we articulate the significant impact we have on the student experience at GCU to the university and the wider community in Glasgow.”

The EDIT received confirmation from Robbie Stewart, the new chair of the GCU Sports Council, that the role of Sports Assistant had been cut by the Association. When asked, he said: “The SA’s choice to remove the dedicated ‘Sports Assistant’ position was one that was not discussed with myself or any other members of the Sports Council prior to its decision. We were given no say in the matter, or the chance to voice our concerns, that will have severe consequences to the GCU Sports activities and infrastructure. The fulltime ‘Sports Assistant’ position played a crucial role in the day-to-day activities of each of our 30+ sports clubs, of which these full-time demands have been passed over to the Activities Manager,

who already has full time responsibilities. Therefore, Sports in its entirely will suffer at GCU due to the lack of ability to provide the level of support it has in the past. The SA decided to keep the full time ‘societies co-ordinator’ position which I do not agree with, since societies are not as active on a weekly basis compared sports clubs. The 2 positions could’ve been converted to part time positions to ensure both societies of sport clubs were hit equally due to cuts.

Because of their decisions, the SA have shown that they show a bias preference towards societies over sports at GCU.” A comparison of the recently updated Students’ Association staff organisational chart confirms that the role of Sports Assistant appears to no longer exist within the current Association staff framework. Other roles which no longer exist without an obvious replacement that did in the 2015 staff framework include: Student Voice Team Leader, Student Voice Co-Ordinator (both of which work with class representatives and School Officers), as well as a Student Advisor position.

In light of the publishing of these charts, we asked for the Students’ Association to confirm for all involved students which roles would not exist going forward, to put to bed any concerns or doubts they might have. Again, the Association declined to comment, saying they are “not at liberty to discuss individual staff positions due to our staff/student protocol”.

The EDIT attempted to reach out to other student engagement areas such as societies and representation departments, but there was no contact information available for any involved students in responsible positions.

We also reached out for comment from the University; asking them for comment on the cuts they gave to the Students’ Association block grant and The EDIT

By

Ne

il A lex an de

r

Students’ Association quietly cuts staff roles with sports clubs losing out

the resultant loss of staff support positions. A spokesperson said: “We are proud of the work the Students’ Association does on behalf of GCU students and we recognise the important contribution it makes to the student experience and the welfare of everyone who studies here.

Like other universities across Scotland we are facing efficiencies due to cuts in our core funding and this has resulted in challenges when setting budgets. The Students’ Association has presented an ambitious programme to the University and we are confident the Association has funding in place to deliver its priorities to the benefit of every student.”

The EDIT asked the university how the cuts would affect controversial annex campuses’ like GCU New York, but there was no response to this matter.

The only forum at which Student Association budgets are openly discussed and altered are within unpublished draft budgets which are only presented at Trustee Board as well as Executive Committee, the committee formed of the four annually-elected Full Time Officers.

With the organisation keeping a tight lid on staff positions and funding being strictly and privately discussed at only these Association forums - which have a grand total of four appointed students at trustee level - where then does any such cut backs as this get held accountable?

At the first meeting of Student Voice (the student governing body, similar to a student parliament) affiliation costs such as NUS and BUCs are part of the only regularly discussed financial papers, making-up a very small part of the overall budget. Will at this meeting in October students finally hear the details of which staff member positions have faced the axe? Will there finally be reasoning given for these already divisive decisions?

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

GLASGOW

ROCKS

Our sports editor Jordan Campbell talks to Glasgow Rocks’ owner Duncan Smillie to find out why basketball is the new sport in our dear green and blue city.

Adorning the feature wall of his office is a custom designed canvas portrait of Michael Jordan with Glasgow’s skyline providing a picturesque backdrop, hand-crafted by his good friend. At 7x4ft it’s not far off the dimensions of his club’s biggest player.

Overlooking the stadium of his beloved Celtic, Glasgow Rocks owner Duncan Smillie is a new tenant in his glass office on the top floor of the Emirates Arena, but he plans on making it a home as he looks to scale the heights of the British Basketball League.

After taking over Scotland’s only professional basketball team in April, the Glaswegian millionaire has wasted no time in setting the ball rolling on the franchise’s summer of revolution.

Having made his fortune in the technology industry, Smillie looked to sport to provide the stimulus needed to whet the appetite of his business brain after earning his coin down in England.

He said: “I wanted to work in something that I really enjoyed and loved. I knew that was sport, but I would be lying if I said that was basketball. I wanted to get an in to a sport and I got a look at 28

the Rocks from a fan’s perspective and absolutely loved it.

“I was introduced through some community work I was doing in Glasgow. I was fortunate enough from a business perspective that I was done with the chief executive and managing director jobs.

“It’s my nature that I can’t just get partially involved in something, I need to go all in. The timing was good for it in that Ian Reid, my predecessor, was looking to sell his shares and retire.”

Smillie is a recent convert to the sport but since immersing himself in the operational side of the Rocks he has developed a passion hitherto reserved for football, saying it is “taking over his life.”

“I don’t have another job. There are a couple of other boards I sit on as a non-executive director but I am here most days and I want to be hands on. The general manager runs things day-to-day and doesn’t need help, so I’m focusing on how we make the club more visible in the city and how we can raise more cash.

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OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

“

It’s been good for me to come in and get my feet under the table while we’re not actually playing games so my priority was to get some more money that we can put on the court and into the team to make us more successful.”

In a city with two sporting behemoths in Celtic and Rangers, the ingrained culture is difficult to break for teams attempting to challenge the rite of passage between generations by attracting them to a minority sport.

Glasgow Warriors’ profile has grown drastically in recent years, as has Braehead Clan’s, showing that perceived class and geographical confinements are eroding in modern society when it comes to participation in sport.

Glasgow Rocks’ work with Scottish Sports Futures in delivering educational programmes to primary schools sees the club engage with tens of thousands of pupils, a key component of the club’s identity Smillie is looking to nurture.

He said: “It was part of Ian Reid’s philosophy and is part of the club’s DNA. Our players are contractually obliged to deliver a minimum of six hours work a week through coaching, mentoring, fitness, health and diet to kids in and around Glasgow. That is an income stream for us too but any potential player has to sign up to that, it’s not an option.”

Enticing those youngsters to attend games is needed to secure the next wave of Rocks supporters, but promoting to the general public what captain Kieron Achara described as a “hidden gem” is of paramount importance.

The recent £500k deal with Forrest Group Media which will see the basketball team’s adverts beamed on their CityScreens outside places like Central Station and the Hydro is a huge step in increasing the club’s exposure.

“The guys at Forrest have been genuine partners with us. The sort of visibility and advertising they’re giving us, in pure cash terms, is something that we couldn’t afford. It would be beyond our wildest dreams to have thirteen or fourteen images with our images up there every day is really exciting and that should raise awareness around that.

“Hopefully we should see our number on social media increase but, ultimately, more people coming to games is what it’s been put in place for. If we can’t get more fans in as a result of being in front of the whole city for the week then I’d be both surprised and disappointed.”

A contingent of the Rocks’ fanbase voiced concerns over the motivation of Smillie’s purchase, especially after the sacking of long-term coach Sterling Davis, but the swift appointment of the reputable coach, Tony Garbelotto, has installed renewed belief, with season ticket sales on track to be the best recorded yet.

General Manager for the last seven years, Dan Bajwoluk, attested to the gear change the club has undergone in recent months, outlining how the club has progressed from a basis of simply staying afloat to the current burgeoning ambitions.

Smillie is backing the club to have their own Andy Murray-style breakthrough in the near future after so many glorious failures, but wants trophies on the mantelpiece to show for his investment.

“I hate losing. I’m on record from day one as saying that I want us to win silverware. Anecdotally, we’ve been in nine finals and lost nine finals and that has to change. So, in terms of my expectations this year, I’d be looking for at least a top-four finish in the championship, which gives us a good position in the play-offs to hopefully go far, and to win one of the cups. It’s been too long for us not to win something and I haven’t come here not to be successful.

“I think that’s the next big thing for us, to start winning stuff and for people to see that as we’ll get good media coverage off the back of that and I think that’s when people start getting more involved: when they see us as not just being a nice club doing the right things, but that we’re actually pretty successful, regularly finishing in the top league places.

“We’ve not been able to convert that into silverware, but with the new coach, the back office team and some extra revenue it allows us to put more depth into our squad, so there’s no reason why we shouldn’t be winning things.

“I’m chomping at the bit to get going.”

The EDIT

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IS UFC THE NEW BOXING? OFFICIAL GCU STUDENT MAGAZINE

by Evan MacFarlane

It’s not often that Scotland can claim to be better than Brazil, but for one night this past July, we were. The crowd at UFC’s recent Glasgow event are still being talked about as one of the best in the company’s history.

That’s right, better than Brazil, widely renowned as the best MMA crowd in the world.

“I looked at my corner and said that crowd is the loudest I’ve ever heard in my life” – UFC Lightweight Paul Felder.

The former Lightweight champion is just one of many fighters and journalists to heap praise on the raucous Glasgow audience. The 10,500 + that packed into The Hydro were loud and excited the entire evening, into almost every bout from bell to bell. They added to what was already an entertaining card, and made for one of the most enjoyable UFC events in recent years.

Just down the road at Braehead Arena a couple of weeks before, Josh Taylor added the WBC Silver belt to his Commonwealth title in a pulsating contest with Ohara Davies, in front of a considerably smaller crowd, however.

Taylor isn’t a massive name, though he is one of the brightest prospects in British boxing, and he’s Scottish. There wasn’t enough of a demand to see him at The Hydro though. Ricky Burns is about the only fighter to get that privilege in Scotland, but there were plenty of empty seats at his last bout.

The question must be asked then, is there more interest in UFC now than there is boxing?

Social media figures would back that up.

UFC enjoys a healthy Twitter following of almost 6 million and wipes the floor with boxing when it comes to searches online. PPV numbers are up and mainstream attention in UFC and mixed martial arts as a whole has never been higher.

What sparked this though?

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UFC itself has been around since the 1990s, why is it only now getting recognition? Connor McGregor is a very big part of it. He’s the promotion’s first real crossover star, attracting mainstream media attention wherever he goes, just as Muhammad Ali did for boxing.

McGregor will never be as famous, or as talented as Ali, but he’s having the same effect.

People who had no prior interest in combat sports beforehand go out of their way to see his fights. It could be argued he’s become bigger than the sport itself, his fight with Floyd Mayweather just one example of him outgrowing the octagon.

It’s not all on McGregor though. Ronda Rousey drew a lot of eyes to UFC during her undefeated run, her clashes with Miesha Tate and Amanda Nunes in particular. The entire women’s division and the legitimisation of it was a real step forward for the company, spearheaded

by Rousey.

What represented real progress for UFC though was their event at Madison Square Garden in 2016. Not only had they managed to overturn a 20+ year ban on MMA in New York, but they ran the world’s most famous arena.

MSG is an old building and for TV broadcasts requires the use of its own production company, which comes at a significant price. It is rarely a money-making exercise for those running it, but it’s a statement. Performing at MSG shows that you’ve arrived, and you are legitimate, and that’s exactly what it did for UFC. Boxing doesn’t have someone with the star power of Connor McGregor or the aura of Ronda Rousey. It’s not in a bad way though. Boxing still has the capacity to sell out venues and super fights can still pack out Wembley like Joshua vs Klitschko did.

Anthony Joshua himself will be one of

the biggest names in boxing for years to come, but he won’t get near McGregor’s level of popularity.

UFC has borrowed a lot from WWE in recent years when it comes to promotion and storytelling. They have the ability to make even the most unknown fighter matter by telling his backstory and getting the audience invested in him.

Their on-demand service, UFC Fightpass, has allowed them to generate content which showcases their fighters’ personalities and character traits, though the video packages on their PPV events have done this excellently for years.

Boxing struggles with this. It doesn’t have the stars and it doesn’t have as many opportunities to develop them.

Money and politics have also made it more difficult to arrange particularly bigger fights in recent years. Boxing isn’t on the ropes, but it’s locked in a never-ending contest with its toughest opponent, itself.

As boxing promoters squabble amongst themselves over money, venues, fighters and pretty much anything else, the UFC juggernaut rolls on. Rousey and McGregor’s MMA days might be behind them, but someone else will come along.

Brock Lesnar and Jon Jones have them covered for now anyway. There’s unlikely to be anyone on the same level of popularity as McGregor, but that doesn’t matter as much now. The sport and spectacle that is UFC has finally been recognised and embraced. It is no longer exclusively American, it is a worldwide entity.

UFC will continue to pack out The Hydro, Wembley Arena and Madison Square Garden. It will attract the biggest names from showbusiness, the biggest advertisers in the world, but so too will boxing.

Boxing isn’t going away, but for the first time, it has legitimate competition. UFC is here to stay, and there’s not a lot the world of boxing can do about it.

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Brand NEW Bar on campus.

Level 1, Students’ Association Building.

Food to order

£2

£3 Spirit & mixer

£2

Double Spirit & mixer

Pint of Fosters Tri 1 deal

£2.50

Burger & pint for

£5

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