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scan.lancastersu.co.uk
S C
SCANLU
A
SCANLancaster
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1
STUDENT COMMENT AND NEWS
Established since 1967 Weeks 11-20 2024
LANCASTER: FIX INSIDE:
YOUR TIMETABLES
Lancaster’s Vice Chancellor
Sends Message on the
Israel-Palestine Conflict
FOR YOUR CURRENT
STUDENTS
The current Israel-Palestine conflict has
affected many Lancaster students. Recently,
the Vice-Chancellor has sent out a message
about the conflict. Read the full article to find
out how some Lancaster students and the
Lancaster community have responsed to the
conflict.
SEE PAGE 4 FOR THE FULL ARTICLE
First Aid
Myths Busted:
Separating
Fact From
Fiction to Save
Lives
SEE PAGE 13
Creative
Writing
Competition
Results
Revealed
Caitlyn Taft | NEWS
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
The timetables for the past
two academic terms have
generated controversy amongst
undergraduates at Lancaster
University.
Some students have expressed
“deep concern” for their current
Timetables for a multitude of
reasons.
These students have been
feeling overwhelmed by how the
organisation of their lectures,
seminars, labs, workshops and
more have been arranged.
Currently, the University’s
Timetabling and Booking Policy
states that teaching hours are:
“9am to 6pm on Monday, Tuesday,
Thursday, and Friday. 9am to 1pm
on Wednesday.”
For many students, these times are
not accurate.
Countless undergraduate students
have expressed annoyance with the
fact that they are unable to partake
in Wednesday afternoon sports
activities anymore.
CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
SEE PAGE 26
Women’s
Futsal
Pushes for
Place at
Roses
SEE PAGE 29
NOTABLE CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE
EFE IMOYIN-OMENE • NOOR RAKHA• LEXI JOYCE • CAITLYN TAFT
CONTENTS
News
Comment
Arts &
Culture
Music
Screen
Lifestyle
Creative
Writing
Sports
1-6
8-9
10-15
16-17
18-19
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Caitlyn Taft
scan.editor@lancastersu.co.uk
20-24
25-27
29-31
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Efe Imoyin-Omene
scan.associateeditor@lancastersu.co.uk
Firstly, happy New Year! I hope the new year is
treating you all well. We’re in the midst of the
Lent term and I don’t know about you, but I’m
feeling it.
It’s been a busy term for me! I’ve been sorting
out SPA nominations and trying to get this
issue ready. Also, apparently I have this thing
called a degree.
Honestly, I have so much
more in store for SCAN. I’ve
been loving my time as Editorin-Chief
and I’m so proud of
my team.
A Letter From The Editor
I have a lot of thanking to do, so let me begin.
A massive shoutout to the
world’s best Associate Editor,
Efe. Truly, thank you. You are an
asbolute gem. You’re not only
amazing at your role but you’re
an amazing person.
I love spending my Thursday mornings talking to
you on SCAN’s radio show at BailriggFM.
Also, I cannot forget to thank
Lexi Joyce, Noor Rahka, and
Bethan Williamson. You are
brilliant all and I’m so thankful for
your contributions to SCAN. You
make this job feel so rewarding.
Thank you to VP Education Sam Hedges for
discussing the timetabling article with me. You
have been a massive help. Thank you for allowing
me to discuss an issue that has affected so many
students.
Also, thank you to my boyfriend, Oli. He has been
incredibly supportive and has helped through so
much. He’s the best, maybe I’m just biased though.
There are some fantastic articles in this issue and
I’m shocked at the talent that our team has. I hope
you enjoy reading this issue.
If you are thinking about joining
SCAN but are unsure, come
along to our weekly meetings.
They take place in Furness Back
Bar every Tuesday 5pm-7pm.
I love workshops and I aim to hold more before the
term ends.
If anyone is interested in
workshops about any part of
SCAN (sourcing images, article
writing, formatting, etc), please
let me know!
I know this issue is later than the usual Lent issue.
Managing the entirety of SCAN whilst doing my
degree is very difficult. I’m doing fine but the
deadlines suck!
As it’s a new year, we would love to see new faces
as writers, photographers, illustrators, graphic
designers, website designers, and more. If SCAN is
something you might be interested in...
Join the team by messaging us on
Instagram @SCANLancaster
or email me at
scan.editor@lancastersu.co.uk!
Caitlyn Taft (@Caitlyn_Taft)
ARTS ASSOCIATE EDITORS
Maria Hill & Sky Fong
scan.artsassociate@lancastersu.co.uk
ONLINE EDITOR
Laura Johnson
scan.associateonlineeditor@lancastersu.co.uk
NEWS EDITOR
Adrian Collis & Emily Holtom
scan.news@lancastersu.co.uk
COMMENT EDITOR
Atiya Mahboob
scan.comment@lancastersu.co.uk
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Naomi Onakunle & Amy Dixon
scan.arts@lancastersu.co.uk
MUSIC EDITOR
Valentina Caneschi & Lexi Joyce
scan.music@lancastersu.co.uk
SCREEN EDITOR
Amy Brook & Freya Stoodley
scan.screen@lancastersu.co.uk
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Georgina England
scan.lifestyle@lancastersu.co.uk
CREATIVE WRITING TEAM
Noor Rakha & Elizabeth Brooks
scan.creativewriting@lancastersu.co.uk
SPORT EDITOR
Will Jones & Peter Murdock
scan.sport@lancastersu.co.uk
MEDIA & PUBLICITY OFFICER
Bethan Williamson
The Editorial Committee above is responsible for
all content and production of SCAN. Compliments,
comments and complaints to be addressed to
Editor in Chief in the first instance. VP Societies &
Media, Danny Goodwin, is responsible for all legal
matters and significant reputational harm and can be
contacted at su.vp.societiesandmedia@lancaster.
ac.uk.
(Printed by Mortons)
Uni News at a Glance
LUSU Elections:
Your New Full-
Time Officers
and Liberation
and Campaign
Officers 2024/25
The new student engagement
and attendance tool (SEA) will
It’s just been election season and the “bring together a range of learner
results for next academic year’s FTOs analytics from different University
and LCOs are in!
systems”.
Three out of the six
current Full-Time
Officers have been reelected.
President: Cerys
Evans (she/her)
Education
O f f i c e r :
H a r r i s o n
Stewart (he/
him)
Wellbeing Officer: Ella
Smith (she/her)
“We want our students to
understand what data is being
Activities Officer: Jack collected, what we will be doing
Watson (he/him)
with the infomation, and why.”
Womens+ Officer: Millie Ni-This academic year, learner
Elle Ashton (they/she) analytics will be availble to tutors
Students with Disabilities and staff within departments.
Officer: Em (they/she)
and Charley (they/them)
Congratulations to all of you!
SEA: New Tool
to Support
Lancaster
Students
Lancaster University is launching
a new tool to support students.
The SEA tool will track:
- Moodle use
- Attendance data from
iLancaster
- Assessment submission
- Use of library resources
Rebecca Heron, Head of
Student and Programme
Administration,
explained that:
You can request to meet with
your deepartment to discuss your
learner analytics data.
To find out more, check out the
university’s website.
Literary
Festival
Is Here!
The 45th annual Lancaster
Literature Festival is back. The
event celebrates all sorts of
literature in Lancaster and beyond.
Students and the public alike are
invited to author and poet
conversations and readings.
In light of the current cost of
living crisis, the festival events
are free/ pay what you can
(with a recommended ticket
price of £5 for all events).
Following on from last year’s
successful Writers in Residence
scheme, this year, the Chair of
Lancaster Litfest, Julie Bell, has
announced that the event will
be joined by children’s author Sophie
Anderson, naturalist Mark Cocker,
philosopher AC Grayling and poet
Hannah Lowe.
Litfest will also see their first
Lancaster History Lecture, which
will be given by Sathnam Sanghera,
the acclaimed author of Empireland.
It’s Litfest’s ambition to create a
platform for everything to do with
books and perfomance. This year,
Lancaster Litfest are welcoming
Lancaster Lore and Queer by Gum .
Book your tickets and find
out more on their website:
https://litfest.org/.
The Winner of
Lancaster ECO
Challenge Has
Been Anounced
From 24th July to 25th August, the
University Underpass was closed as
Green Lancaster’s ECO Challenge
has been
ongoing since
January and
now the winner
has be chosen.
The challenge is
in collaboration
with the nine
colleges, Work
in Progress, and
Team Mentors
from across
campus.
It encourages “experimentation,
having a go, and learning through
experience”.
Last year’s winning team ECOEats
went on to put their idea into
action. The team runs weekly
cooking sessions and in Welcome
Week successfully delivered 2,000
boxes of vegan chilli to student
kitchens across campus.
Fylde and Furness came in second
place with their ECORewards
idea, where students would get
rewardsfor recycling via an app.
Lonsdale came in first place with
their ‘Lonsdry’ idea, focused on
tackling the issue with the tumble
dryers on campus.
scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
3
Lancaster: Fix Your
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Timetables for Your
In the policy, it states that “Wednesday
afternoons (13:00 onwards) are reserved
for undergraduate sports activities.”
It continues, “As such no core, creditbearing
undergraduate teaching which
isn’t repeated elsewhere in the week will
be scheduled during the time except
with the express consent of the PVC
Education or their nominee.”
Some students have reported having
classes outside the times that the
University’s Timetabling Policy have
stated.
A few students have said that they have
classes that end after the 6pm teaching
hour cut off.
The lack of consistency in the
Timetabling system has left students
unable to unwind after their day. The
university encourages students to
join societies and partake in Sport
clubs.
However, some students cannot fit their
societies and clubs into their personal
timetables anymore. One student told
me:
“I can’t even go to my society’s
social tonight because I have a
lecture that ends at 7pm. I would
skip [it] but I don’t know if it’ll be
online later.”
The Timetabling system’s inconsistencies
have greatly disadvantaged many
students. For other students, they have
stated that the timetabling system has
been working fine for them, as one
student told me:
“My Timetable has been really
thought out and spaced out for me.
I don’t have to get into Uni super
early and I’m not in [classes] really
late either. It works really well for
me.”
Many students have been experiencing
“time poverty” due to core modules
being taught outside of core hours.
“Time poverty” is a concept defined
as the feeling of having too many
things to do and not enough time
in which to do them. This can effect
student mental health and expected
degree outcomes.
Some undergraduates who are in
their Third year have described feeling
“overwhelmed” whilst others are
“stressed but managing”. Two students
with opposing opinions have said to me:
“I’m in almost every day until 7pm
and then I have to travel back from
the Underpass which can take
ages. I get in and I feel exhausted.
There’s no way tutors want to be
in [university] this late either. How
are we supposed to make time for
our societies and sports if we’re
finishing so late? ”
“I’m normally in until late but I don’t
mind it. Staying on campus and
being in the library means I get work
done, so it doesn’t really bother
me.”
“Time poverty” has a higher chance of
affecting students who are struggling in
the current cost of living crisis.
Students, who have part-time work
whilst juggling their time for their full
time degree, will be forced to change
their possible working hours.
This may lead to part-time jobs
being more difficult to maintain for
students from low socioeconomic
backgrounds.
“Time poverty” also affects students
who commute to Lancaster from
other towns or cities. A student, who
commutes to Lancaster and has parttime
work, told me about their situation:
“I commute from Blackpool. I
normally have 9am-11ams. I have
to leave an hour or two early in
case there’s traffic and then I have
nothing [on my timetable] until 5pm.
So I’m stuck waiting on campus
when I could be doing a shift or
relaxing. It’s an absolute joke. The
uni doesn’t care about commuters.”
Students with Disabilities and chronic
illnesses may feel disadvantaged as they
are expected to work these long days.
Without the constraints of the Core
hours, students with disabilities and
chronic illnesses may end up unable to
attend all core material.
Current Students
One student told me that:
“My Wednesdays are full so I don’t
have a day off until the weekend.
My mental health and physical
health is really bad at the moment
so I feel drained by 2pm on
Wednesdays.”
Other students with dependants may
feel massively disadvantaged by the
non-core teaching hours. With core
modules being taught outside core
hours, this can result in these students
struggling to cover childcare.
For some students with dependants,
they may be forced to require nurseries
and afterschool programs which can be
expensive.
This leaves these students
economically and academically
disadvantaged compared to nondependant
students.
Recently, the current Full time officer
for Vice-president Education, Samuel
Hedges, attend a Union Assembly
discussing this very issue.
The purpose of the assembly was “to
affirm the Union’s position that there
should be no timetabling of core
materials outside the core teaching
hours.”
The assembly outlined the issues
of students who are disadvantaged
by the timetabling of core modules
for non-core hours and wants
the University to ensure that the
university maintains the University’s
set Timetabling and Room Booking
Policy.
This would ensure that no core teaching
is happening past 6pm and after 1pm on
Wednesdays.
The assembly states that the
Wednesday Afternoons should be
“free for sport, and recreational
activity” as it “is crucial for student
mental health”.
They fear that increased workload and
the inflation of student contact hours
are leading to greater risk of students
suffering from burnout.
The assembly has been approved to go
on to be debated on a wider level.
The University has a new framework
for education planned for Autumn
2024. This new curriculum model
will be underpinning “changes
are required to our academic
regulations, student administration
business processes and systems.”
For many students, they will not see
the changes or benefits of this new
curriculum model as they will be
graduating in Summer 2024.
This means students will continue
to experience the stress and
disadvantages of the core modules
being timetabled for non-core hours
which may affect whether they get
the grades they wanted.
The university has responded to this,
stating:
“While the Timetabling and Room
Booking Policy states “where
requested or deemed necessary,
teaching sessions may be
scheduled outside core teaching
hours”, undergraduate core
teaching is only ever scheduled on
a Wednesday afternoon as a last
resort, and only where the event is
repeated elsewhere in the week.
Students can request a move to an
alternative group to avoid attending
sessions on Wednesday afternoons.
6pm teaching slots are only utilised
as a last resort where teaching
cannot be accommodated in core
hours.
Any student who is struggling
with any element of their
student experience is strongly
encouraged to seek support from
the University’s Student Wellbeing
Services.”
Front Page Story Photo Credits:
Sadie Coll
Article Teaser Photo Credits: :
Sadie Coll, @lancasterfirstaid,
Eve Perring, and Max Bachellerie.
4
SCANLU SCANLancaster scan.lancastersu.co.uk
N e w s
NEWS EDITORS:
Adrian Collis
& Emily Holtom
Lancaster’s Vice Chancellor
Sends Message on the Israel-
Palestine Conflict
Adrian Collis
over 2 million Palestinians prior to the conflict
NEWS EDITOR
escalation.
In October, Lancaster University’s vicechancellor
Andy Schofield published a
statement to all students and staff, offering
support for those affected by the ongoing
conflict.
A statement sent in the University’s student
newsletter on the 13th of October outlined the
aforementioned support available to staff and
students in wake of the “deeply distressing”
escalation of violence in Gaza and Israel.
The Israeli government has declared
war on Palestinian militant group
Hamas following an attack on the 7th
of October that killed at least 1,300
Israeli citizens.
They are additionally upholding a siege, cutting
off electricity and food supplies to all who remain
in the area.
It has been estimated by OCHA,
the United Nations Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs,
that as of the 26th of October over
8100 Palestinians have been killed,
with at least 20,000 injured.
At least 7,000 have been killed in Gaza alone,
with almost half of Gaza’s population prior to the
conflict being under the age of 18.
In Israel, it is estimated that around 1,400 people
have been killed, with over 5,400 injured.
community towards the University’s
wellbeing services as well as the
24/7 wellbeing helpline and staff
members directly impacted towards
the Employee Assistance Program,
which they ensure readers is “free
and confidential”.
Schofield encourages readers to uphold
“Lancaster’s values of respect for individuals,
building communities and creating a positive
impact for good in this world” within the
University’s communities, both “to each other
and to the wide groups we engage with”.
Various action has been taken
regarding the conflict both oncampus
and in Lancaster’s town,
as some student groups urge the
University to take a stance on the
current situation or condemn the use
of violence to citizens on both sides
of the conflict.
A number of protests and rallies have occurred
in order to demonstrate student solidarity to
Palestine, with a number of student organisations
such as Lancaster’s Friends of Palestine society
requesting that the University condemn the
actions of the Israeli government.
Following two movements organised
by Lancaster’s branch of Socialist
Appeal, a communist organisation
expressing and providing pro-
Palestinian sentiment and resources
on-campus, security intervened with
the demonstrations and instructed
the students involved to leave
campus.
At this time, no other statements have been
made on the conflict by Lancaster University or
any official organisational branch affiliated with
the University.
The government has conducted a series of The vice-chancellor’s statement
airstrikes on the city of Gaza, which was home to also points members of the
ITV News Visits the Students’ Union to
Talk About Supper Club
SCAN STAFF
TV cameras were rolling in the
Students’ Union this month
covering the cost of living crisis
and what’s being done to help at
Lancaster.
Granada Reports journalist, Siham Ali,
got in touch after SU President Cerys
Evans highlighted the issues when she
was in the audience at a recording of
BBC’s Question Time in Lancaster.
Cerys had spoken powerfully about the
impact the spiralling cost of living was
having on students across the country
and asked what the political parties
were going to do to help.
Siham was interested to see what is
being done here at Lancaster and her
report showed the Pantry that has been
set up in the SU reception area and
the Supper Club that is running every
Thursday night.
Siham’s report featured interviews with
Cerys and VP Welfare Josh Newsham,
who spoke of their own experiences
and how the Supper Club was helping
students here at Lancaster.
Photo Credits:
Lancaster University’s
Students’ Union.
scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
N E W S 5
Plan on Travelling in 2024 ?–
Why Not Try a Flight-Free Trip?
Anna Foster
WRITER
Flight-free travel can significantly reduce
your Carbon footprint and can make travel
seem like even more of an adventure.
Flying connects the world like never before
opening travel to faraway places. But this comes
at a huge cost to the planet.
Only around 12-15% of the population are
frequent fliers, yet aviation contributes about
2.5% of the world’s total CO2 emissions and
produces many other pollutants that contribute
to climate change and other environmental
issues.
Buses often take longer and are slightly worse
than trains in terms of emissions but often
are much more affordable suiting the student
budget. No-fly travel often means adapting our
travel habits completely.
Instead of a week-long holiday with
a flight on either end and having one
location you’re based at you can
stop at a few places along the way
as you travel and can often be much
more flexible in when and where you
go.
I, like many other students and young people, am
keen to travel.
I think for me
travelling and
seeing how
beautiful and
diverse our
landscapes
and people
are reminds
me of why I’m
passionate
about climate
action in the first
place.
In 2018, a movement began in
Europe called flygskam meaning
“flight shame” in Swedish, the aim
being to encourage flight-free travel
that is slower and closer to home.
Often it can feel like the actions we take to
improve our lifestyles for the sake of the planet
only have limited impact but taking one flight
emits more than most people in the world do per
year, so not taking that flight can have a hugely
beneficial impact.
Travel by train is, of course, the best
option. Flying from London to Madrid
emits around 118kg of Carbon
Dioxide whereas the equivalent train
journey emits only
43kg.
But even driving in a
car alone is often better
than sitting in a cramped
economy seat on a plane.
Though train travel
is often seen as
more expensive
(particularly in the
UK where a train
from Edinburgh
to London can
cost well over £100), there are
ways to make overland travel more
affordable.
journeys in the UK
The St Ives Bay line is
considered one of the
most beautiful train
For the past couple
of years, I’ve been
flight-free and
mostly holidayed
in the UK hiking
in the Lake
District, Scotland,
and Brecon Beacons,
volunteering in marine conservation
in the Hebrides, and admiring the
Cornish coast on one of the most
scenic train journeys in the UK.
Being grounded has made me
appreciate my own country’s natural
beauty much more.
I’ve seen more wildlife than I ever have on foreign
holidays from Grey Seals, Minke Whales, Puffins,
Northern Bottlenose Whales, Red Squirrels, Sea
Eagles and many more.
And last year I even managed
to do some foreign travel. With
some friends I went on a trip to
Lille,
France on the Eurostar, it was only
an hour and a half from London and
by travelling in the middle of the
week during the summer holiday we
managed to get tickets that cost only
£39, this along with booking a cheap
hostel made it a relatively budget
trip.
I also went on an interrail trip
with my parents in Switzerland
and Italy where we travelled
through Pairs, Interlaken,
Chur, Varenna, Stresa and
Geneva and I did two of my
bucket list items – the Glacier
and Bernina Express!
Interrailing is a great
option for keeping train
travel costs down there
are interrail passes
available to all ages.
Interrailing has become a rite of passage for many
students and young people. If you’re looking
for a travel adventure for 2024 that’s affordable,
flexible and green interrailing is a great option.
Prices range from £167 for 4 days
in one month to £614 for 3 months
continuous. They can be useful for
short holidays as well as longer
periods of travel as well.
Choosing where you travel can also help keep the
costs down, Eastern Europe for example is often
more affordable than Western Europe.
And for the longer distances of travel that most
people would probably just take a flight for, why
not try a sleeper train?
There are many sleeper train
routes across Europe, and they
can be quite a good way to save
on accommodation and travel long
distances at the same time.
Even though 2024 will be the first year I fly again
since 2019 but I’ve very much fallen in love with
Flight-free travel.
I’d choose a train over a plane any day and
hopefully now you’re considering it too!
Photo Credits (in order): BBC, Anna
Foster, Anna Foster, and Back on
Track.
6
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scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
7
C o m m e n t
COMMENT EDITOR:
Atiya Mahboob
Golden Globes: Award Show
or Cesspool of Controversy?
Lexi Joyce
MUSIC EDITOR
The Golden Globes, established in 1944,
is an award show to celebrate significant
works in film and television per annum.
However jolly this seems, the ceremony
has been marred in controversy since its
inception, culminating in the tumultuous
events of this year’s broadcast.
Let’s consider if the Golden Globes are truly as
glamorous as they seem.
In 2010, the Golden Globes were rumoured
to be involved with bribery concerning their
nominations. Particularly Burlesque and The
Tourist, two rightfully acclaimed movies I enjoy.
However, perhaps these ‘Best
Picture’ nominations aren’t what
they seem. 2010’s host, actor, and
comedian Ricky Gervais joked that
these films only had nominations
because of the show’s alleged
involvement in bribery.
More seriously, a mere two months later, Phillip
Berk, a notorious Globes voter and long-running
President of the Association responsible for the
ceremonies was expelled for sending emails to
voters regarding Black Lives Matter. He called it
a ‘racist hate movement’. The Association was
dissolved from their involvement in the show.
and filmmaker Jerrod Carmichael.
Opening the show with an
unflinchingly biting monologue, he
stated ‘I’m here because I’m Black’.
Supposedly, making a comedic
spin on the heavy racist- intentions
the show was heavily affiliated with
previously.
Carmichael goes even further to call out the
Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA)-
previously run by Berk, hinting that they didn’t
air a show in 2022 due to the aforementioned
controversial comments. Saying ‘I won’t say they
are a racist organisation, but they didn’t have a
single Black member of the team until George
Floyd’s death’.
Carmichael encourages all of us
to look past the deceiving wall of
glamour and discover the ugly truths
behind it. Some of which were more
obvious in this year’s show.
Jo Koy, another American actor and comedian,
was in charge of hosting the summary of an
incredible year for motion pictures. Especially
with the cultural significance of Barbenheimer,
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour concert film, and new
stunning cartoons.
However, it fell very short, going viral
for all the wrong reasons.
In 2023 the show was hosted by
Black American comedian, actor, This show, initially a very exciting one, was
Who Really Took the Spot:
quickly diminished by Koy’s hacky jokes. All
of which fell very flat with little applause, and
concerned looks from the crowd of Hollywood
creatives.
Koy went on a tangent, glorifying
the historical representation of
Oppenheimer, and it being based on
a 700 page book of dogma around
the Manhattan Project. He used this
hyperbolic praise to belittle Barbie
in response, making a laborious joke
objectifying the doll, and in doing so,
almost all the women involved in its
creative process.
Photos( top to bottom): Michael Tran, AFP via Getty
Images, Getty Images, and Lancaster University.
Greta Gerwig (Barbie’s director, executive
producer and writer) did not seem pleased as
Koy reduced the themes of existentialism and
women’s empowerment in the blockbuster to
juvenile breasts’ jokes.
Race, Class and Nepo Babies
Efe Imoyin-Omene
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
On June 29, 2023, The US Supreme Court
struck down affirmative action in college
admissions. Affirmative action is an active
government effort to improve employment,
education, and other opportunities for
members of historically disenfranchised
groups.
Despite it being implemented to level the
playing field, many people rejoiced at its
cancellation under the belief that it unfairly
favours racial minorities, specifically Black
Americans.
Mr Blum, the founder of Students for Fair
Admission, celebrated his group’s success
in the blockbuster ruling, heralding it as the
‘beginning of the restoration of the colorblind
legal covenant that binds together our multiracial,
multi-ethnic nation’, calling affirmative
action and other similarly motivated schemes
‘discriminatory admission practices [that]
undermined the integrity of our country’s civil
rights laws,’.
Yukong Zhao, president of the Asian American
Coalition for Education, told the BBC he
welcomed the ruling, arguing that affirmative
action had negatively affected Asian American
students’ odds of enrolment at elite schools.
‘This decision will preserve
meritocracy, which is the bedrock of
the American dream.’
But by overturning affirmative action, far less
people have seen their American dream realised.
An historically all too familiar reality has made
good on threats to rear its ugly head yet again.
Emory University’s racist rejection
As a part of its 2023 Juneteenth programming,
Emory University’s medical school apologized
to 83-year-old Marlon Hood for rejecting his
application in 1959 because of his ‘Negro race’.
Thankfully Emory University was desegregated
three years later and Hood ended up studying
at the HBCU (Historically black colleges and
universities) Howard, retiring in 2008 after
having a successful career.
Still, the exclusion that Hood faced
endures today in much more
insidious ways.
ALDCS
A 2019 U.S. News study found that 43% of white
students admitted to Harvard University were
ALDCs. This refers to students who are recruited
Athletes, Legacy students, on the Dean’s interest
list (applicants whose relatives have donated to
Harvard), or Children of faculty and staff.
The study also showed that the
number of admitted Black, Latino
and Asian American ALDCs were
less than 16% from each racial/ethnic
category.
Moreover, the same study revealed that
approximately 75% of white ALDCs accepted
into Harvard would have been denied admission
if they had been treated as white non-ALDCs.
So, contrary to ill-conceived belief, it is
not Black students who are at a significant
He went on to
make a similarly
tasteless
joke about Taylor
Swift’s ‘overexposure’
on footage at NFL games,
when simply supporting her partner,
player, Travis Kelce.
Though I feel Koy’s humour left everything
to be desired, his monologue has been met
with some positive reception. The Guardian
commended Koy for taking on the difficult task
of relieving a crowd of ‘uptight celebrities’. This
perspective seems to add another dimension to
the conversation.
Seemingly, the Globes tend to
hire those with a natural ‘buy-in’,
intentionally bringing an element of
horror to the stage, a flux to deliver
or expose controversy.
Which indeed gets people talking about the
show, and ultimately, watching it. This also goes
beyond just the Golden Globes, just look at the
Chris Rock-Will Smith incident at the Academy
Awards.
But is this dramatisation a good look? Should
we be thinking more about who is running our
favourite television events?
advantage when it comes to the college
admission process. White students with deeply
entrenched social networks are the ones
enjoying the privilege.
To interrogate unfairness in higher
education, we need to look at
the ways class and race intersect
beyond finger-pointing and
scapegoating.
Ultimately, there is always going to be a
limitation on the number of students these elite
institutions can admit, even for those who hail
from the most privileged backgrounds.
The exclusivity is a part of what
makes these elite institutions elite.
So to all those who have been/
are/will be disappointed, look at
the legacies, please leave Black
students out of this.
Like Taylor Swift, they would very much like to
be excluded from the narrative, one that they
have never asked to be a part of.
8 C O M M E N T
LGBTQ+
History
Month
and the
LGBTQ+
Forum
Caitlyn Taft
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
For those of you that don’t know,
February is LGBTQ+ History Month.
While LGBTQ+ stories are always
important, this month extra effort
is made to raise awareness about
the significant contributions the
community have made to society
while continuing to imagine and
strive for a society where true
equality is second nature.
In honour of this month, Lancaster
University’s LGBTQ+ Forum has
been hosting numerous events.
One of which was a Trans protest in
Alexandra Square. Here is a list some
of their upcoming events:
23rd February: Cake Crawl 12pm-3pm
in town.
21st February: Fylde Welfare Event
College Stall 11am-4pm.
26th February: Weekly Coffee Evening.
Despite being a small group of student
volunteers, The Forum is dedicated to
advocating for LGBTQ+ students.
They have campaigned annually
for trans rights by protesting in
Alexandra Square. They have also
ensured that Sugarhouse provides
gender neutral toilets for attendees.
Alongside this, they have been
providing a safe space for queer
students by promoting sexual health
and active signposting for STIs. The
Forum also has fun sober and drinking
socials to ensure that everyone is able
to have a good time.
Due to their diligent campaigning, each
bar on campus will have a LGBTQ+
flag as well as a poster explaining
its meaning and significance for the
entirety of February.
Another important campaign
they have been leading is called
Rainbow Laces, which will be
available at the end of the month.
All proceeds will be used for
supporting LGBTQ+ people (either
through SU support or a charity.)
Rainbow laces will be purchasable
from the SU and the Forum.
If you are LGBTQ+ or interested in
the forum, I encourage you to check
out their Instagram or email Thomas
Cross, the current LGBTQ+ Officer.
Happy LGBTQ+ History Month
everyone!
Email: lusu.lgbtq@lancaster.ac.uk
Instagram: @lancasterlgbtq and
@lusulgbtqofficer
Efe Imoyin-Omene
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Whether it’s: Reggae, Dancehall
and Soca from the Caribbean,
Afrobeats, Ampiano and Alté
from the continent of Africa,
Drill, Garage and Grime from the
UK or R&B, Soul and Hip-Hop
from the States, the African
diaspora’s global influence on
music creation and consumption
is undeniable.
Like Fulani braids being falsely
credited as ‘Bo Derek Braids’ or Elvis
Presley being treacherously crowned
the ‘King of Rock and Roll’ when
he jacked most of his swag from
hardworking and underappreciated
Black artists like
Big Mama Thornton
and Little Richard,
innovations from
the African diaspora
have a sad history
of being stolen, or
appropriated.
How can we combat
this? Enter the
Producer tag.
What is a
Producer
Tag?
A producer tag is
an integral element
of many songs,
especially in R&B
and Hip-Hop. The
producer of the song
will insert a short
sound (typically at the beginning)
meant to familiarise the listener
with who is responsible for the
production.
It also makes mapping out
a producer’s oeuvre easier
as their audio watermark is
featured on the tracks they
handle.
It experienced a massive rise in the
late 2000s and early 2010s with the
rise of the trap subgenre of Hip-Hop.
A producer tag usually
includes someone saying
a short and memorable
phrase, announcing their
presence on the track; an
example of this might be
Young Chop’s producer tag
‘Young Chop on the beat’.
Another example is Lil Ju who is
most known for his acclaimed work
with the rapper and activist Megan
Thee Stallion.
‘And if the beat live, you
know Lil Ju made it’.
Alternatively, it can be a
notable audio idiosyncrasy
like Pharrell Williams’
signature ‘four count start’.
Due to the trailblazing work of
Black Americans, the art of forming
producer tags has extended outside
of the African diaspora with the
likes of Murda Beatz and DJ Khaled
creating their own as well. ‘Murda
on the beat, so it’s not nice’ and ‘We
The Best Music!’, respectively.
The History of the
Producer Tag
Producer tags originated in the
1990s, emerging naturally at the
intersection of hip-hop music’s
growing mainstream appeal and the
common practice of rappers loudly
announcing their names over the
instrumentals, which was known as
ad-libbing.
SCANLU SCANLancaster scan.lancastersu.co.uk
Make Your
Mark,
Ta g Your
Producer:
The History
of Producer Tags
They were initially used
as a form of protection
against somebody stealing
the beat; the musical
equivalent of an artist
signing their art.
Lucas Garrison of DJBooth wrote:
“When you send out a beat,
you have little to no control
over what happens to it.
Someone could very well
use it without giving you
credit, or even worse, claim
it as their own.”
“One way
producers can
prevent this from
happening is
through a drop.
Adding a catchy
little snippet at
the beginning is
like a watermark,
it ensures
everyone knows
who the beat
belongs to.”
Are
Producer
Tags
gendered?
Noticeably absent from this
conversation are female producers.
And that’s not because women
haven’t made significant
contributions to urban productions.
Quite the contrary.
However, according to
Forbes, women only make
up 3% of producers.
There are many reasons for this like
young girls having a lack of role
models in STEM fields as well as the
bias and ostracization many women
face even after shattering their
fraction of the glass ceiling.
In 2017, music producer Drew
Dixon accused record executive and
Def Jams Recordings co-founder
Rusell Simmons of raping her in
1995, breaking a difficult 22 years of
silence.
Sadly, her story is not
an isolated incident but
indicative of the violence
women face for daring to
tuck in their seats at the
table.
There is still hope with acts like
Missy Elliot who has worked with
everyone from Destiny’s Child,
Beyoncé, TLC, Aaliyah, and Whitney
Houston to rising stars like Chlöe,
FLO, and Anitta.
Both Elliot’s career and
others are inspiring
generations of young Black
girls to get in the driver’s
seat of their artistry.
Some of my favourite producers
right are now are women, like the
Grammy award-winning production
duo Nova Wav- responsible for
producing a good chunk of Beyoncé’s
Renaissance album. They have also
produced for Ariana Grande, Britney
Spears, Rihanna and countless
others.
What’s your Tag?
The concept of putting your
distinctive magic into your work
is not unique to the field of music
production.
No matter who you are
and what you do, you must
always bring your tag.
This can be as simple as vowing to
be honest with yourself and others.
And if that manifests in a striking
catchphrase… then so be it.
Photos( top to bottom):
Billboard.com and @novawav on
scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
C O M M E N T 9
Mirrors, Windows and Sliding Glass
Doors: Issa Rae and Black Creativity in
Hostile Territory
Efe Imoyin-Omene
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
A useful framework for thinking about
art and the ever-complex life it imitates is
Rudine Sims Bishop’s Mirrors, Windows,
and Sliding Glass Doors.
Art is a mirror when audiences can see their own
lives reflected back to them, a window when they
can view lives and stories that are different from
their own, and becomes a sliding glass door when
they feel immersed in the story’s world and feel
empathy for the characters.
In many ways, the work of
multihyphenate Issa Rae
encompasses all three. She is most
known for creating, producing, and
starring in the hit HBO dramedy
Insecure- depicting the lives and
loves of millennial Black women in
Los Angeles.
She is also known for starring in movies like the
blockbuster hit Barbie, American Fiction and
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Despite
2023 looking like a banner year for the mogul, she
admitted to TIME that last year was ‘not fun at
all’.
In January, her show Rap Sh!t was axed by Warner
Bros. Discovery. Sadly, Rap Sh!t wasn’t the only
black-led show that experienced an abrupt death
in the last two years- joining projects like The
Wonder Years, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Grand
Crew, South Side, All Rise, Raising Dion, Queens
and Rae’s reality show Sweet Life: Los Angeles.
One can’t help but be dismayed by Hollywood
seemingly backsliding on the Diversity, Equity
and Inclusion pledges made in 2020.
Due to the coalescing of the pandemic and
unavoidable conversations about America’s
anti-blackness, entities like Amazon, Netflix and
Walt Disney Co. vocalized their intentions to
financially support Black-led organizations and
initiatives. According to UCLA’s 2021 and 2023
Hollywood Diversity Report, there has been an
uptick in the casting and hiring of creatives who
are racial minorities.
However many stories with a culturally specific
lens like Rap Sh!t are ignored in service of more
‘universal’ (read: palatable) stories.
As someone whose published work revolves
around the lives of young Black Queer people,
I’m often praised for my ability to make my
characters universal, despite their identities.
I once took this as a compliment. But
why should I work extra hard to make
my characters relatable? Why isn’t
the fact that my characters, that I am,
that we are human relatable enough?
I guess when
you’re used to
mirrors, windows
and sliding glass
doors seem scary.
In 2018, 27% of children’s
books published
featured animals as
main characters—more
than books featuring all
non-white characters
combined.
In 2020, only 8.8% of
employed editors in
the publishing industry
were Black, according
to the Bureau of Labor
Statistics, and in a
collaborative study
conducted by Oxford
University and Reuters Institute it was discovered
that as of 2023 only 6% of UK top news editors
were people of colour and that 0% were in Brazil.
For a Black creative, these statistics feel bleak. The
industry gatekeepers, my lecturers, classmates
and teammates rarely look like me and in pitch
meetings it’s not uncommon for my work to be
met with dismissal.
The bigger the room, the more alone
I feel.
Due to the dual strikes of the WGA (Writers Guild
of America) and SAG (Screen Actors Guild), she
had to lay off eight employees and witness her
projects’ burgeoning wings clipped.
An Exploration into Academic
Snobbery within Universities
David Grice
WRITER
As university students, we are expected
to think beyond the realms of the ‘norm’,
beyond the ideals of the universal, but why?
Should we not attempt to broaden those
ideals to include all?
It may seem like an irrelevant discussion, but
perhaps the nature of being a university student
includes the expectation to study harder and aim
higher than our contemporaries.
Is that not why there are entry requirements and
required summer work, to test ourselves to prove
that university is for us?
The Rise of University Graduates
There has been a rise in the population of
university students and an increase in applicants
per year to university. According to Statista,
compared to 30 years ago, the amount of students
applying to university per year has almost
doubled, from 405,000 to 767,000. And in 2019,
over half of the UK population was educated to
a tertiary level.
To the great benefit of the UK, many
people are being educated at an
undergraduate level, if not further.
However, we should then ask, what
about those who aren’t?
There are many careers now that not only
recommend but require a degree, a phenomenon
that has increased over the last decade titled
‘degree inflation’.
According to a report by the Harvard Business
School, ‘in 2015, 67% of production supervisor
job postings asked for a [university] degree, while
only 16% of employed production supervisors
had one.’
They also stated that ‘while a majority of
employers pay between 11% and 30% more for
[university] graduates, many employers also
report that non-graduates with experience
perform nearly or equally well.’
More Accessible Universities?
The question, therefore, is whether universities
should be more accessible.
We cannot deny that universities are beneficial
for society. They inspire and teach many
valuable skills to people who may not have
the opportunities to do so at an age of mental
development and growth, but does this then lead
to snobbery beyond the confines of an academic
setting?
Every university, even one like Lancaster, known
for its prestigious positions within the league
tables, must ask itself, does it lead to academic
‘snobbery’?
Does it teach its students to consider
themselves ‘better than thou’?
Do the activities that the students
partake in seem elitist?
Though I have claimed earlier that over half of
the UK’s population does hold a degree, the BBC
makes it apparent that ‘only 7% of the world’s
population holds a Bachelor’s degree‘.
However, this does not negate the truth that
many employers within the UK will expect and
provide preferential treatment for applicants
Despite it all, Black innovation will shine. I think
of books like All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M.
who have completed a degree to a sufficient
level. The number of applicants with completed
Bachelor’s degrees is bound to rise.
Rethinking Our Attitudes
Having personally worked with numerous NHS
staff who did not have university training, I have
realised that they have a tenacious attitude.
They work tirelessly to provide a satisfactory
experience during a time of increased trepidation.
My biggest fear is for you to consider this article
anything other than a declaration that those
who have only received secondary education are
worthy of understanding.
Nor is it a claim that those who read
this are bound to commit the sins of
‘academic snobbery’, something that
we all may mistakenly do.
We must analyse the attitudes that we, personally
and as a society, might hold towards those who
only have a secondary education.
Moving Beyond Snobbery
We should perhaps move beyond the snobbery
that fabricates barriers between different class
systems and instead enjoy a more coherent
understanding of the entirety of our society.
Notable as our academic accreditation may be,
they should instead be seen as an addition to the
person we already are.
Why should certain forms
of entertainment or career
opportunities be withheld from those
Morrison
We deserve mirrors too.
Johnson, Here Again Now
by Okechukwu Nzelu,
and Honey & Spice by
Bolu Babalola. I think of
shows and movies like
Everything Now, I May
Destroy You, and Rye
Lane. I think of music like
Chloe X Halle’s The Kids
Are Alright and Ungodly
Hour, Natanya’s Sorrow
At Sunrise and Solange’s A
Seat At The Table.
My (read: our) Black
Creativity is surviving in
hostile territory. When it
feels hopeless, all I can do
is keep writing.
‘If there’s a book that you
want to read, but it hasn’t
been written yet, then
you must write it.’– Toni
Photos (above and below): Djeneba Aduayom
for TIME
(@djeneba.aduayom on Instagram) and
@lancasteruni on Instagram.
who have not attended university?
We must also note that as university students, if
we are provided with roles that require academic
accreditation, we should use it as a source for
good, to expand and envelope those who may
not have gained their university certificate and
to propel them to positions based on merit and
experience rather than documentation itself.
On the brighter side, a recent article by the BBC
displayed improvements regarding student
applications on UCAS to ‘top uni courses’ from
disadvantaged backgrounds, that there has
been an increase of 7% since last year that have
applied to medicine, dentistry, veterinary studies
and Oxbridge.
While this perpetuates the ideology that one must
go to university to be of use, it also encourages
those who have not had the opportunity that
they are not to be forgotten.
Experience Beyond Our Degrees
For even ourselves, we should become more than
solely ‘university students’, but rather to prove
our merit and abilities, attempting to impress
those around us, as we did before we arrived on
the tiles of Alexandra Square, boxes in hand.
However, I do not write this to claim
that the reputation of Lancaster, nor
the expectations placed upon the
students, should diminish.
Instead, it should be the expectation that the
toll that universities as an entity place upon us
should entice us to experience more than just the
courses we’ve enrolled on.
10
SCANLU SCANLancaster scan.lancastersu.co.uk
Arts & Culture
Reclaiming My Identity
When My Native
ARTS & CULTURE EDITORS:
Naomi Onakunle
& Amy Dixon
Photos:
Caitlyn Taft
and Alison Taft
Language is ‘Dead’
Caitlyn Taft
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
To most of you, my language is dead and
has been for centuries now. A language
that’s often thrown aside and rendered
pointless. To most of you, my country is not
even a real country.
Honestly, for most of my school life, I thought the
same. Telling people that I am Welsh felt like a
lie for years.
How can I be Welsh if I can’t speak
it? (Mae’n ddrwg gen i, dw
i ddim yn siarad Cymraeg.)
How can I be Welsh if I can’t
read the road signs in my
own country? (Mae’n ddrwg
gen i, dw i ddim yn darllen
Cymraeg.)
There is a deep remorse I have for that teacher
now. Who told her to be ashamed of her
upbringing?
Who told her to forget the language
in her last name, claiming it to be
dead, buried, and replaced by the
English words of hate she spread
during a festival about celebrating
the cultural importance of Cymraeg
and Cymru?
I was born in a Welsh hospital and I lived down
the road from a bilingual primary school. Eight
year olds can speak better Welsh than me, a
twenty year old who only has an A grade in Welsh
GCSE as proof of her nationality.
I felt like a fraud to my ancestors,
despite most of my family not
speaking our language apart for
the odd Wenglish sentence. Still, I
carried my guilt until it turned into
rage.
My language has
always been a joke.
With the rise of the
political party Plaid
Cymru, talks of Welsh
independence were
laughed at amongst
my classmates.
S4C, especially Rownd a Rownd, and learning
pronunciations.
I’ll give my Cymry friends love
spoons and celebrate Dydd Santes
Dwynwen every 25th January
silently and pridefully.
My language and culture are not dead. Even with
the struggle of free Welsh learning resources,
Welsh speakers are on the rise, even with
Duolingo ‘pausing’ their Welsh course to focus
on “more popular languages”, despite 3 million
active learners, I’ll keep telling you that in the
line to Sugar and in hushed conversations in
lectures.
With the name restoration of Yr
Wyddfa (previously called Snowdon),
Welsh culture is becoming integral to
building modern Wales.
In First Year, every time I told someone
about my Welsh identity, they asked the
same question. “Can you say something
in Welsh for me?” It could’ve been in the
queue to the bathroom in Sugarhouse,
or in the never-ending Greggs queue. No
matter the place, they always asked.
Shamefully, I’d string
together random
Welsh words I
remembered from
secondary school.
“Rydw i’n chwarae pêl-droed” (I play football)
and “Rydw i’n ysmygu sglodion” (I smoke chips)
are compliments to them, not beginner entry
Welsh and gibberish sentences.
The monolinguals would clap and
wish they were Welsh.
Most of the Welsh I use daily is the odd word or
phrase thrown into normal English sentences.
Let’s have a look becomes let’s have a gweld.
“Wenglish” is incredibly common in
North Wales, it defines my identity
as a North Walian and as a Welsh
person.
I didn’t learn Welsh in primary school. “cinio or
brechdanau” (dinner or sandwiches) were the
only Welsh words I knew.
We were taught that Wales is rich with Celtic
history. Some of our history is forgotten about,
overwritten for most of modern Welsh history.
For example, the stories of the warrior princess
Gwenllian being widely forgotten.
Our history was full until 1536 when
Henry VIII arrived and banned
our language. Until 1942, for four
hundred and six years, it was illegal
to siarad Cymraeg in court.
If their children were caught speaking Welsh in
school, they were punished and stuck with the
“Welsh Not” around their necks to shame them.
English was required as a result of the Treachery
of the Blue Books, forever affecting the nation’s
language and culture. No matter what happened,
the English were set on drowning us out.
My classmates,
who had
grandparents
whose mother
tongue was
Welsh, laughed.
I never got the joke,
and I still don’t.
The rage I
carried turned
into passion
once I started
realising that my culture is not dead.
The mourning I felt for my language and my lost
culture was a feeling that was misplaced. I am
still angry but it’s no longer targeted towards
myself. It’s aimed towards the ignorance to my
language.
Many non-Welsh people have been taking a
Welsh word that’s untranslatable and crucial to
our culture.
Hiraeth doesn’t mean a longing for
any random place you’ve never
been. It is an unending longing
for Cymru before the English
colonisation. So, let us eat our bara
brith and mourn what we have never
had in peace.
Ignoring the angry visitors who hate the
restoration of the mountain’s name, this is
incredibly important and a massive achievement
for the language.
Thanks to the rising support in Wrexham A.F.C,
due to Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney’s
purchase and documentary of the club, people
are realising the potential of Cymry.
Our culture is rich in sport, music, art,
and folklore.
I encourage anyone, Cymry, Saes, or an avid
language learner, to pick up learning this rich
language.
Read Welsh literature, listen to
independent Welsh artists, have a
gweld at some Welsh art, or watch
an episode of Rownd a Rownd.
For the Welshies who feel the same as me, I want
to remind you that you can determine how your
identity is formed.
Your lack of speaking the language
doesn’t make you any less Welsh.
Grieve what you don’t have and
learn to love our country within or
from afar.
After years of struggling with my identity, I am
comfortable in my Welshness.
I recall one of my teachers before our Eisteddfod,
a yearly festival on celebrating Welshness, told
my class, “we’re learning Welsh because the
government is forcing us.”
Did they succeed in this? No, you
cannot drown out a language older
than your own.
In recent years, I’ve spent many hours
rereading, respeaking, and relearning Cymraeg.
I’m no longer embarrassed about my lack of
knowledge about my country. I enjoy watching
My language is beautiful and I am
proud to be Cymry.
Cymru am byth until the day I die.
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A R T S & C U L T U R E
11
Exploring the Complex Legend of Elvis
Presley
Amy Dixon
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
On January 8, 2024, admirers
worldwide commemorated what would
have been the 89th birthday of the King of
Rock and Roll, Elvis Presley.
His remarkable legacy, spanning music, fashion,
and culture, have enthralled generations
globally, including myself. His profound impact
on the fabric of American life remains a subject
of fascination.
Born to humble beginnings in
Tupelo, Mississippi, to Gladys and
Vernon Presley, Elvis faced early
hardships with the stillborn death
of his twin brother, Jesse, and the
desperate poverty of the area.
This hardship haunted him and was instrumental
in shaping his extremely generous and socially
conscious nature, as well as songs like ‘In the
Ghetto’.
His initial songs, including ‘That’s All Right,’ ‘Blue
Suede Shoes,’ and ‘Jailhouse Rock’ - all recorded
at Sun Records - not only dominated the charts
but became anthems for a generation, fuelled by
his bold, unique, and rebellious spirit.
Rapidly catapulted into unparalleled
fame and wealth, Elvis acquired
Elvis quickly became the
ultimate embodiment of
American values, but in his
own words,
“The image is
one thing, and
the human being
is another. It’s
very hard to live
up to an image”.
Graceland, a mansion
in Memphis, along
with numerous cars,
horses, and lodgings
for his loyal staff and
many girlfriends.
This era of extreme celebrity took a troubling
turn as his manager’s relentless pursuit of
wealth led to endless shows in Las Vegas,
resulting in addiction to prescribed drugs and
the disintegration of his marriage to Priscilla.
Ultimately, this led to his untimely death.
Elvis’s tragic demise has added
complexity to his historical figure,
as it becomes clear that he was
a vulnerable, desperately lonely
soul exploited by wealth-grabbing
mismanagement.
As the lyrics of “Suspicious
Minds” suggest, he was “caught
in a trap”, unable to walk out and
leave the spotlight.
Elvis mania is experiencing a
recent resurgence, fuelled by the
biopic starring Austin
Butler and directed
by Baz Luhrmann,
described as a ‘blistering,
turbocharged chronicle
of the King’ and ‘a
kaleidoscopic portrait
of the king of rock’n’roll
and his puppet-master
promoter’ by The
Guardian.
Following closely is the release of
“Priscilla,” starring Jacob Elordi and
Cailee Spaeny and directed by Sofia
Coppola, aiming to capture the
intricate, knotty dynamics of one of history’s
most famous couples from Priscilla’s perspective.
Having had the privilege of hearing
Priscilla Presley, now 78 years old,
speak at the London Palladium last
year, her memories of Elvis seemed
primarily loving, yet tinged with
heartbreak following the recent
death of their daughter Lisa Marie
Presley.
I also explored
the ongoing Elvis
Exhibition at the
London Arches,
running until April
2024, which was
a deeply moving
experience. Countless
possessions from
Graceland, including
his iconic flamboyant
concert jumpsuits,
told the story of his
profoundly eclectic
life.
The opportunity
to sign a birthday
card for Elvis, a gesture that will
reach Memphis, underscored
the tragedy of his story and the
unwavering loyalty of generations of
fans.
All the tributes at the museum underscore the
enduring appeal and timeless quality of Elvis’s
music in a vastly different world, solidifying him
as an irreplaceable icon.
In an intriguing technological twist, later this
year, a world tour of an AI-generated Elvis
concert is set to showcase his electrifying
performances in a modern reimagining, for
those who are interested.
Photos: Amy Dixon
Popular 2023 Books for Every
Emotion in 2024
Naomi Onakunle
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Emotions are complex. They can be
mental states such as anger or fear,
and are subjectively experienced in
response to people, situations and
more.
Here are some emotions you can experience,
and the books you can link with them:
Happiness
It is characterised by feelings of joy, content
and fulfilment. When
an individual practices
self-care, or has good
relationships for example,
a sense of happiness can
be evoked.
The Book That
Wouldn’t Burn by
Mark Lawrence
is a high fantasy
novel about the
lives of two isolated
individuals colliding.
This is the first book in Lawrence’s
The Library Trilogy so if you enjoy
this then there’ll be more to check
out!
Disgust
It is described by feelings of
revulsion towards something
offensive and unpleasant. The
actions, ideas, and appearances
of others, or simply the five
senses can stimulate feelings of
disgust.
Clémence
Michallon’s The
Quiet Tenant is a
psychological thriller
about a serial killer and a victim
that he has decided to ‘keep’
(TW: abuse of various kinds).
The book is narrated from the
perspective of the daughter, the
victim, and a restaurant owner.
Sadness
This emotion is
associated with feelings of
disadvantage, despair, and
disappointment. Losing a
loved one, or having trouble
at school or work can cause
feelings of sadness.
Hello Beautiful by
Ann Napolitano
is a tale of love,
sisterhood, and
family. It follows
the story of college students, Julia
Padovano, a young ambitious girl
who hails from a close-knit family
and William Waters who’s family is
dysfunctional to say the least (TW:
suicide).
Fear
It’s an emotional response to a perceived threat
or danger, thus triggering the
body’s fight-or-flight response.
An individual may feel
uncertain or unsafe around
deep water, which could
therefore elicit a sense of fear
if they were to be near it.
Some People Need
Killing by journalist,
Patricia Evangelista
is a memoir which
documents the many
deaths of Filipinos, at
the time of the Drug War, during the
administration of Filipino president,
Rodrigo Duterte.
Anger
Categorised by feelings of stress, frustration,
and irritation, anger can occur when you
feel wronged or if someone is being abusive
towards you.
Chain-Gang-All-Stars is a
dystopian novel by Nana Kwame
Adjei-Brenyah detailing a battle
between death row inmates for the
chance of freedom, all in the name
of entertainment.
Surprise
It is a feeling of shock as a response to something
unexpected. An individual could come home
to their loved ones holding a surprise party for
them, thus evoking a sense of surprise.
Prince Harry,
Duke of
Sussex’s
memoir,
Spare, details
the intimate
moments of his
life within
the royal
family. The
controversial
book sparked global surprise as
well as outrage due
to the disclosure of
personal matters.
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A Festive Weekend Getaway
to Edinburgh
Amy Dixon
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
To reward myself for making it through
the term, I decided that it was time for an
enchanting escape to Edinburgh, a city I
had never explored before, but had always
been on my Lancaster university bucketlist.
I boarded the 10:09am train from Lancaster
station and arrived at Edinburgh Waverly
at 12:17pm. This gave me the rest of the
afternoon to explore the iconic sights.
I began at Princes Street
Gardens which offered
stunning views of the city
skyline, including the dominating hilltop
presence of the Castle.
Next on the itinerary was a leisurely wander
down The Royal Mile, so called because of the
mile-long parade of shops that connect the
Castle and Holyrood Palace.
Lined predominately with tweed,
cashmere, and whisky shops, I was
certainly spoilt for choices of places
to buy gifts!
Along the Royal Mile is the magnificent St
Giles’ Cathedral, built in 1124 and gearing up to
celebrate its 900-year anniversary this year.
It’s vaulted ceilings and candlelit
ambience provided a welcome
refuge from the bagpipes and the
bustling city.
Sunday began with a rare glimmer of sunshine,
so I made my way to the
imposing Edinburgh
castle, an enduring
symbol of the city’s
resilience. The castle
housed a variety of
museums that told of its
history.
I explored the
eerie prisons
that dwelt in the
castle’s vaults
and discovered
graffiti made by
the inmates that
dated from the
1700’s.
To explore the literary
legacy of Scotland and
to ensure I had not
entirely forgotten my
degree, I next went to
the Writer’s Museum.
Within its cosy rooms were the
artefacts that make up the rich
tapestry of Scottish literary legends.
As night descended, I headed to Greyfriars,
where I practiced the tradition of rubbing the
bronze nose of the endearing Bobby statue to
gain good luck.
This testament to man’s best friend
memorialises a dog who loyally
guarded his owner’s grave for 14
years, until his own death in 1872.
I then took a frightening stroll around Greyfriars’s
Kirkyard in the dark to connect with the ghouls
of Edinburgh’s past and find the graves that
inspired Harry Potter characters, such as the
grave of Thomas Riddle.
This saw the end of
my weekend escape
to the outstanding city
of Edinburgh.
I boarded the 18:51pm train
from Edinburgh Waverley
and made it back to rainy
Lancaster at 20:56pm, giving
me plenty of time to get ready
for lectures on Monday.
It is remarkable how
much of Edinburgh
I could see in one
weekend.
(A literary recommendation
to accompany this trip
would be The Antiquary by
Sir Walter Scott).
Photos: (flag) @Normann on Flickr
and (photographs) Amy Dixon
What’s on at The Dukes this Term?
Naomi Onakunle
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Fancy watching a theatre production
or a comedy show?
Perhaps there’s a
film that you didn’t
get a chance to
watch in your local
cinema? Well, look
no further! Below
are just SOME of
the productions
available to
see, during this
academic term!
From February 15th to
March 20th, you could
watch:
- Sir Ian McKellen reprising his
role in Hamlet.
- Your Fat Friend, a powerful
documentary which discusses
body image.
- American Fiction.
Golden Globe winning
film, Oppenheimer will
also be screened for a
final time, alongside
Wonka, so be sure to
secure your tickets!
Accompanying these
viewings will be the
screening of a mystery
film, so if you like
surprises, then this may
be for you!
-
And a performance from
comedian Geoff Norcott in his
show, Basic Bloke.
There are many more productions
available, so head over to The Dukes
website to check them out!
- The highly anticipated musical
adaptation of a beloved
American classic, The Color
Purple.
- The Boy and the Heron.
And these are only the film screening!
Some of the stage performances are:
- Peak Stuff.
- Showwomen.
- The Dream Collector.
Photo (left to right): Claire Folger
Orion Releasing, The Dukes, Rosie
Powell, and The Dukes
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A R T S & C U L T U R E 13
The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood:
The Stories of Those Who Were Silenced
Valentina Caneschi
MUSIC EDITOR
Many people know who Ulysses/Odysseus
is: the protagonist of the Odyssey; the guy
who helped the Achaeans to win the Trojan
War thanks to his invention, the wooden
horse; that person who took ten whole
years to get back to his home, Ithaca.
Yes, many do forget that he spent seven of those
years with Calypso, cheating on his wife Penelope
over and over again, while she was literally just
waiting for him to come back to her and her son,
faithfully. But yeah, Odysseus, a great guy.
But that’s not the character Margaret
Atwood decided to centre. Her
choice, was to carve out literary
space for his wife, the very under
appreciated Penelope.
But who is she, really? Who is the woman
regulated to a mere footnote in Odysseus’s story,
used just to make him look like this amazing man
who saved his poor wife from a bunch of savages?
These questions are answered in
beautiful detail by Atwood in her
novel The Penelopiad.
With a wonderful and engaging first person
narrator, we witness a Penelope who does not
pretend to be the strongest or most beautiful
woman who ever lived.
No, in this novel,
Penelope just tells
her story from the
land of the dead,
remembering her
past, from the
moment she was
born, to the moment
her husband killed
all her Suitors.
It is a story of pain, tears
(quite a lot of them),
jealousy, and attempted
brightness. But, most of all,
it is a story of death, love
and regret.
And all that is not
only experienced by
the queen of Ithaca,
but also by someone else, someone
even more under appreciated who
are finally given a voice: her Maids.
For those who are not too familiar with the story,
do not worry, I am about to quickly explain why
they are so important.
In all the years
Penelope had to wait
for her husband, she
had a lot of helpers,
some of them being
her Twelve Maids,
loyal and trustworthy
girls who had been
living with the queen
since the day they
were born.
This novel partially
chronicles the lives of
those same Twelve Maids,
who tell us about how they
have been abused for their
entire lives, how they had
no chance of changing their
futures, ever since birth.
They tell their
stories through the form of a chant,
a musical poem, and once, even
through the form of a play that they
themselves enact.
Penelope is undeniably not the luckiest
woman, but hearing about their lives from their
perspectives definitely reminds us that, in the
end, she is still a royal.
So yes: poetry, prose, play, different
point of views, characters nobody
ever talks about, raw and truthful
emotions: these few but intense
pages have everything one could
ask for.
If you ever want to explore Greek mythology
outside of those wonderfully interesting, but told
and retold stories of the same men and gods, The
Penelopiad will let you do just that.
With this novel, Margaret Atwood just
confirmed that she is an extremely
skilled writer: never boring, never
obvious, always new.
She is a true creator of masterpieces.
First Aid Myths Busted:
Separating Fact from
Fiction to Save Lives
Amy Dixon
ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
There are many common myths about first aid
techniques that can be very dangerous and
cause more harm than good.
As a trained first aider, I have put together a list
of five common myths and corrected them with
clear instructions.
If you would like to learn more first aid or
simply practice your skills, then the Lancaster
University First Aid Society (which meets every
Monday at 8pm) is a great group to join.
Alternatively, head to the St John Ambulance
website for step-by-step instructions, videos,
and diagrams.
Myth 1: You can swallow
your tongue if you are
unconscious.
Fact: It is not physically
possible to swallow
your tongue, even when
unconscious, as it attached
to the base of your mouth
with soft tissue.
However, it can block the airway by falling to the
back of the throat, so if somebody is unconscious
you must open their airway by placing two
fingers under their chin and your hand on their
forehead and tilting their face gently.
You can then put them in the recovery position
and call an ambulance.
Myth 2: Keep someone
on their back if they are
vomiting.
Fact: When someone is
drunk or very ill, they are
likely to throw up.
It is crucial that the person is rolled over onto
their side, ideally in the recovery position, or at
least with a cushion or something similar that
prevents them from rolling onto their back.
This will stop the person choking on their sick,
which can be fatal.
Myth 3: Tilt someone’s
head back to stop a
nosebleed.
Fact: If you tilt someone’s
head back when they have
a nosebleed, they are
likely to swallow the blood
and make themselves
sick, as the nose, throat
and ears are all connected
by canals.
Instead, you should ask the patient to pinch the
soft part of their nose and lean forward to stop
blood dripping onto their clothes.
The bleeding should stop within 10-20 minutes,
but if it does not, you should seek help from a
healthcare professional.
Myth 4: If someone is
having a seizure, put
something in their mouth.
Fact: Forcing any object
into a person’s mouth
when they unconscious
or having a seizure is
very dangerous. It could
damage their teeth, or
they could swallow the
object and choke.
You are also putting your hands at risk, as during
a seizure their jaw muscles will tighten and bite
down. You do not want to get your finger bitten
by someone else!
Instead, clear a safe space around the person
and try and place something soft like a jacket
under the person’s head. Once the patient has
recovered, ask them if this was their first seizure.
If it was then they need to go to hospital.
Myth 5: Apply butter or ice
to a burn.
Fact: If butter is put on
the burn, the grease will
prevent the release of
heat from the skin, which
prolongs the pain. When
ice is put on a burn it
reduces the blood flow
to the burnt area as the
capillaries contract from
the cold.
This can reverse the healing process and even
cause an ice burn.
The only effective and safe way to treat a burn
is by running it under cold water for 15-
20 minutes. Make sure that you remove any
jewellery or other obstructions that are near the
burn site.
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15
M u s i c
MUSIC EDITORS:
Valentina Caneschi
& Lexi Joyce
Chloe and Chlöe:
The Thematic
Throughlines of a
Superstar
Efe Imoyin-Omene
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Chlöe was introduced to the world as Chloe
Bailey, one half of the genre b(l)ending
sister duo Chloe X Halle. Together, they
have achieved great success.
But when the two set off on their solo endeavours,
many criticised Chlöe’s progression into overt
sexuality and a more pop-friendly sound as
‘cheapening her uniqueness for mass appeal’ and
‘doing too much’.
But if you listen closely, while there
are sonic differences, there are
undeniable thematic connections
between Chlöe and Chloe X Halle.
‘Ungodly Hour’ (2020) and ‘Treat
Me’ (2022): The Command for
Reciprocity
While the former is a nocturnal groove and the
latter is braggadocious Pop&B, both songs state
the Terms & Conditions to get with them.
Chloe described ‘Ungodly Hour’ as ‘owning [their
sexuality]’.
The song is about an ‘electric’
‘situationship’ where ‘someone isn’t
ready to fully commit or settle down
with you’. Instead of pleading for
a partner unable (read: unwilling)
to make things official, they rest in
‘[their self-worth]’, only opening the
door…
When you decide you like yourself
(Holler at me)
When you decide you need
someone (Call up on me)
When you don’t have to think about
it
Love me at the ungodly hour
Here ‘Ungodly Hour’ serves as a coy nod to
nocturnal rendezvous calls- alluding to a
sexuality Chlöe would unabashedly unleash in
solo offerings like ‘Treat Me’– and a heartfelt
command for unconditional love, even on the
days when our imperfections reign supreme.
This continues with ‘Treat Me’ as Chlöe
declares that anything less than ‘exceptional’ is
‘unacceptable’.
Here, she sees her self-love as the baseline for any
potential suitor.
Treat me like I treat me
Yeah, you know I do it right
Oh, I make me feel so nice
Treat me like I treat me
Love me
completely
now
Oh, oh,
treat me
I treat me
Both
‘Ungodly
Hour’ and
‘Treat Me’ send a
positive message to
listeners. Know what
you deserve and refuse to
settle for anything less than.
like I love me
and deeply,
‘Busy Boy’ (2020)
and ‘Body Do’ (2023):
Situationships and The
Guise of Empowerment
The road to healing is never
linear even for It-Girls like
Chloe X Halle. Stars-they’re
just like us!
oh,
like
In ‘Busy Boy’, the duo flips the misogynistic
saying ‘nice guys always finish last’ to ‘that’s why
the nice guys, they will always last, that’s why the
playboys always finish last’.
The girls proceed to blast a twotiming
guy [who] keeps ‘sending
[them] too many pictures of [his]…’
and has a ‘baby comin’ any day’. But
they still ‘play with [him]’, ‘tell [him]
what [he] wants to hear all the time’,
‘just because [he’s] so damn fine’.
Even though they know this guy isn’t worth
seeing them at the ‘Ungodly Hour’, they settle
for a situationship that contradicts their
aforementioned Terms & Conditions.
While the song is an inescapable groove, there is
an underlying tone of sadness, as we know the
superstars are settling for fleeting fulfilment.
That’s why I don’t play with you
I spend a little time, don’t stay with
you
I tell you what you wanna hear all
the time
Just because you’re so damn fine
Busy, busy boy
Busy boy, busy, busy boy, aren’t
you?
Like ‘Busy Boy’, ‘Body Do’
sees Chlöe settling for
a situationship over a
misleadingly buoyant
beat. Tired of ‘all the
fighting’ and aware he’s
untrustworthy; she asks
him to just do the ‘lyin’
in [her]’.
Once again, it
is notable that
she is aware of
her partners
deal breaking
limitations and
disheartening she
‘deserve[s] better’
but keeps coming
back for the feeling
‘[she knows]’.
You know I
can’t trust you
(Ah)
As far as I can throw you (Ah)
But I’ma trust what that body do
(Ah)
‘Cool People’ (2018) and ‘In
Pieces’ (2023): An Ode to Loved
Ones
Misery can seem like your only option if there are
no cool people in your world willing to pick you
up when you’re in pieces. These two songs show
how a drop of kindness can make an ocean of
difference.
In ‘Cool People’, Chloe X Halle
acknowledge that today’s youth are
coming-of-age in hostile territory
where only endless precarity is
guaranteed.
This makes them feel ‘down on the regular’ but
when they are together ‘the rain dries out’.
This song illustrates how even when
wickedness seems omnipresent, it
is important for us to remember that
‘there’s still cool people in the world’.
‘Cause darlin’, when you smile it’s
like the rain dries out
Now there’s no more room for
clouds
Got me singing Hallelu, ah, Hallelu,
oh
When you hold my hand it just
reminds me how
There’s still cool people in the world
‘In Pieces’, the title track from Chlöe’s debut solo
album takes what she first explored as a teenager
further.
While promoting the project, she was
candid about how the ‘darkest times’
had her questioning her life.
Here she comes to her loved one(s) in the glory
of the ‘Ungodly Hour’, with a deep desire to be
‘where [they] are’.
The lyrics are poignant yet universal, creating
vivid imagery of the reciprocal relationship she
commanded in ‘Ungodly Hour’ and ‘Treat Me’.
They need each other like ‘fire needs a spark’.
‘Cause I don’t wanna go on
Oh, livin’ a life that you’ve been
missin’
And I don’t want nobody else
To hold me when I’m in pieces
Whatever the form, ‘Cool People’ and ‘In Pieces’
spotlight the transformative power of community
love.
‘I’m just being who I am, unapologetically and
completely, and if people think that’s doing
too much, well then, I guess I am. I would be
doing a disservice to myself if I tried to be less
than who I am and dim my light.’- Chlöe Bailey
Photos (top to bottom): Daniel Boczarki/GI and YouTube
Space NYC
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Taylor Swift, The Eras Tour Film
Review: Is this the Peak
of Concert Cinema?
Lexi Joyce
MUSIC EDITOR
As a Swiftie, this review may be biased due to my immense
appreciation of Taylor Swift’s phenomenal lyricism and
incredible work ethic.
But either way, let’s talk about Swift’s 2023 live-concert film,
The Eras Tour: The Film. It was formed of high-quality videos
from Swift’s concert tour, spanning three nights at LA’s SoFi
stadium in August 2023.
The Film, is an exact replica of the usual Eras tour
show, excitingly chronicling Taylor’s ten musical
eras through stunning visuals and theatrics that
showcase how far she has come as an artist.
She starts with songs from Lover, and everything is very
pink and sparkly, easily recognisable amongst Swifties as
encapsulating the overall Lover era.
Supposedly, Taylor starts the set with this era
because it was the one interrupted by COVID-19,
which halted the live shows that were planned
around it.
Aside from being a treat for her devoted fandom, Swift’s
film has proved to be very profitable, grossing over $250
million worldwide.
According to Blockbuster, this makes it the most
successful concert adaptation in history. So now
that we know how glorious both the tour and the
film are, let’s get into why.
The most prominent question once the film was announced
was what surprise songs would make it into the adaption.
Taylor selects two or three ‘surprise songs’ in her over
decade-long discography to play per show.
Everyone prayed their favourites would make the
cut, not just for their booked show(s), but now the
film. In some ways two of Taylor’s most careerdefining
songs made it.
‘Our Song’ from her debut album, Taylor Swift, and ‘You’re
On Your Own Kid’ from Midnights.
Speaking for everyone watching the film, this
took us on an emotional rollercoaster, from one of
Taylor’s first songs, to one summarising her own
personal journey. Very mesmerising.
As the film and show progresses, the atmosphere shift is
palpable through each song or era.
And the shots of the audience, united by their
light-up bracelets, make it more of an interactive
experience, even while I was sat in Lancaster’s
Vue cinema of thirty people. It almost felt like a
stadium of thousands in North America.
The tour was done justice by the big screen, and the music
both sounded, and felt incredible. The bass was pounding
and you could feel almost as elated as you would from a live
gig.
This is an incredible way to give fans who weren’t
able to score tour tickets a chance to experience
Taylor live, arguably the most commendable
aspect of the adaptation.
I left the cinema with even more respect for Taylor’s
endurance and enthusiasm for a spectacular, three hour
long show.
She was truly shown as the ultimate pop-star.
Now available to own on Sky and Amazon Prime
post-cinema viewings, you can watch the Eras
Tour anywhere you wish, without the stress of
having to buy tickets. What a blessing!
2023 was a big year for Taylor’s career, seemingly
skyrocketing more than anyone could have imagined, and
the concert film really shows the
extent of her progress and loyalty to her
fans.
It will
how
and
we
be exciting to see
2024 follows Taylor,
what easter eggs
have missed for
upcoming news.
As I write this, Taylor has announced the release of her
eleventh studio album, pausing her current
re-recordings schedule.
It will be intriguing to see how Taylor will go about
adding a new era to the show. What songs will be
sacrificed?
Director Sam Wrench has stunning shots not just on
Taylor’s emotion and energy, but the hard work of her band,
team of dancers, and even the crowd.
All of which can be overshadowed in the moment
of seeing your favourite artist live, or on blurry
Instagram live streams.
In this release, you can see the miraculous stage presence of
everyone and the gratitude from the whole production.
An unforgettable experience and a perfect time capsule of
one of the most successful global tours of all time.
It shows that music history is being made right
now.
Whether you’re a fan of Taylor, or just enjoy live music, this is a
must watch, stunning and almost magical.
Photos (top to bottom):
@marceloendelli on
Instagram (@gettyimages on
Instagram) and @taylorswift
on Instagram
Tate McRae: A Star in the Making
Valentina Caneschi
MUSIC EDITOR
Tate McRae might be only 20 years old, but
she’s been making songs for a whole decade.
She became internationally recognised after her
single ‘You Broke Me First’, dropped in 2020.
However, her true breakout came with
the smash hit ‘Greedy’.
Since coming out in September 2023, it’s gained
rapid virality, reaching number 3 on the Billboard
Hot 100.
The parent album (her sophomore effort)
critically acclaimed THINK LATER was
released on December 8th of the same
year.
Enjoying immediate success, it debuted in the top five
of the UK Albums Chart as well as within the top ten
in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, Norway,
Ireland, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Sweden, Denmark,
and the US.
The most famous song aside from ‘Greedy’
is definitely ‘exes’, which she says she
wrote in only half an hour, making it even
more impressive than it already is.
Tate McRae’s music while mature is unequivocally
Gen-Z, charting the relatable waters of toxic
romances, breakups, issues of self-esteem and self
love.
While her songwriting can veer into
the formulaic, her unflinching honesty
always shines through.
It is truly wonderful to see the world appreciating
young women being themselves, so go stream her
music, dance, cry, enjoy it, and join us in anticipation
for the next album!
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M U S I C 17
Tyla: South Africa to the World
Efe Imoyin-Omene
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
If the name Tyla doesn’t ring a bell to you, it’s likely her
delicate yet powerful voice will. It is behind the 2023
viral hit Water. Laced with innuendos, coy flirtation and
an addictive dance challenge, the track was poised for
success.
Make me sweat, make me hotter
Make me lose my breath, make me water
The bells are ringing now, huh?
While she is not new to the music scene-having released
her debut single ‘Getting Late’ in 2019 right after
leaving high school- ‘Water’ has certainly
placed her on the international stage.
With ‘Water’s viral
success, she became
the youngest South-
African and the first South-
African soloist in 55 years to
enter the US Billboard Hot 100,
her song peaked at No. 7.
It peaked at number one on both the UK Hip Hop/R&B
and Afrobeats charts and as of writing this article, the top
15 in places like Nigeria, Norway, Singapore, and Switzerland.
Seemingly, taking the world by storm.
Furthermore, she won Best African Music
Performance at the 2024 Grammys.
On December 1st, she released three singles,
‘Truth or Dare’, ‘Butterflies’ and ‘On and On’,
teasing her self-titled debut album stated for a
March 22nd release.
It goes without saying (even
though I’m literally about to say
it), that this is Tyla’s moment.
But moments aren’t just given,
they’re made.
This is the making of Tyla’s moment.
Engineered for Virality
Firstly, ‘Water’ has an undeniably catchy chorus. While it was wellcrafted
for virality, unlike other viral hits, the songwriting is never
compromised.
Although many modern songs tend to be shorter
to accommodate for consumers’ dwindling
attention spans, ‘Water’ is a breezy 3 minutes and
20 seconds and a breath of fresh air in an endless
rotation of microwaveable ‘hits’.
She cooed it best on the song’s second verse:
You ain’t gotta go nowhere
You can stay inside it
Additionally, she uses a lot of earworm phrases and melodies in
the choruses and hooks of her songs. This helps them get stuck in
our heads.
Now you care? (Ah)
Truth or dare?
Are you playing?
Truth or dare? (Tell me)– Tyla, ‘Truth or Dare’
Let the party go on all night long
We can go on, on and on- ‘Tyla, On and On’
Another person known for this is Rihanna (one of Tyla’s chief
influences).
You can stand under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh,
eh, eh
Under my umbrella, ella, ella, eh, eh, eh– Rihanna,
‘Umbrella’
Just get ready fi work, work, work, work,
work, work
He said me haffi work, work, work,
work, work, work- Rihanna, ‘Work’
Versatility
Tyla’s music combines
R&B, Pop, Afrobeats and
Ampiano, which is a Nguni
word loosely translated to ‘the
pianos’. It is a subgenre of House
music that emerged in South Africa in the
mid-2010s.
This diversity makes her
unpredictable, with the only sure
thing being excellent quality. This
prevents her from being boxed in by
genre.
Through this, she has created the freedom to
experiment whenever and with whatever she
chooses.
Moreover, this allows her to appeal to
many different markets. More on her
mass appeal later.
The percussion-heavy nature of
Ampiano music gives her songs
a unique sense of danceability
too.
While non-dancing pop acts became the norm for
a while, thanks to the increasing visibility of black
female artists like Normani, Tinashe, Chlöe, Victoria
Monét and Leigh-Anne and the international
popularity of K-Pop, the girls (and some of the guys)
are giving choreo again.
Beauty is in the eye of the… Desirability
Capital!
There’s no subtle way for me to phrase this so I’m
just gonna be real: Tyla is drop dead gorgeous!
Ten, ten, ten across the board.
Her face card never declines,
my gawd.
As much as society enjoys trotting out
trite phrases like ‘beauty is only skin
deep’ and ‘what matters is what’s on
the inside’, we rarely practice what we
preach.
Most celebrities are conventionally
attractive, not by coincidence but by design.
And with her light-brown
skin, dainty noise, toned frame and mixed
heritage (her family is of Zulu, Indian, Mauritian
and Irish descent), Tyla fits a racially ambiguous
beauty standard, thus benefitting from colourism
(prejudice or discrimination against individuals with
a dark skin tone).
This allows her to appeal to many communities in a way that her
unambiguous and/or dark-skin Black counterparts struggle to.
The African Wave
From artists like Tems (the first Nigerian female artist to be
nominated for an Oscar) to Wizkid, Burna Boy, Ayra Starr, Davido,
Rema, and many others getting well overdue international
recognition to Western artists like Beyoncé, Ed Sheeran, Selena
Gomez, Justin Bieber and countless others rushing to collaborate
with them, it is abundantly clear that the cultural temperature
is finally warming up to the heat African music has always been
serving.
Consequently, Tyla is now being showcased to
an audience ready to enter her world. On top of
that, she is working with Western producers and
songwriters like Tricky Stewart, known for his work
with hitmakers like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Britney
Spears, Mariah Carey, and many others.
This gives audiences unfamiliar with South African music a sense
of comfort when listening to her as while her sound is fresh, it’s not
entirely foreign.
Photos (top to bottom):
Annie Reid/Press and Sony
Music
Innuendos
In a recent Genuis interview, Tyla mentioned
the 2001 song ‘Rock The Boat’ by late R&B
singer and actress Aaliyah, which is
about rocking something else, if you
catch my drift.
‘Water’ is similar in the fact that its
allure rests in what’s implied, like
the R&B songs of the 90s and early
2000s.
Nowadays many
songs about sex are
gratuitously explicit.
Tyla, by returning
to tradition,
plays on our
collective
obsession
with nostalgia
and seamlessly
places herself
in conversation
with the icons she
one day hopes to
become. And by
alluding to the intimate,
her music can be enjoyed
by all ages and cultures.
This is Tyla’s moment. I’m here for it.
Are you?
18 M U S I C
Most-anticipated Releases for
2024 to Keep an Ear open for
Lexi Joyce & Efe Imoyin-Omene
MUSIC EDITOR & ASSOCIATE EDITOR
With a new year comes new music, and
this year seems like a promising one. But
can it top 2023? Here’s a simple guide to
some of the interesting new releases and
possibly ground-breaking albums that are
(coming) out this year.
The Snuts with Millennial
The Glaswegian alt-rock band dropped their
new album February 23rd. This follows their
artistic shift to more politically motivated
themes, heavily
showcased
in Burn the
Empire from
their second
album.
MGMT
Loss of Life is
a relatively big
comeback from their
2018 release. A lot has
happened since then,
so it’s exciting to see
the direction their
muses take on this
outing. Like Millennial,
Loss of Life hit streaming platforms.
The Last
Dinner Party
The Last Dinner
Party’s A Prelude to
Ecstasy follows their
tour with Hozier,
and critical acclaim
for their stunning
live performances,
with fancy dress themes, incredible visuals,
and of course, music.
The indie prince
returns to his throne
with his third album
What Happened to
the Beach? With the
release of its three
singles, this album
is more versatile,
and a bit more jazzinfluenced.
This is
definitely one to
enjoy in its entirety.
Declan Mckenna
Everything Everything
Mountainhead
The Manchester
alt-rock electronica
band will release
their next album on
March 1st.
Big names in rap are
dropping in 2024, including ASAP Rocky, Future,
and everyone’s queen, Megan Thee Stallion. She
recently announced she will embarking on the
aptly titled Hot Girl Summer Tour this summer.
February is the month
of Usher.
Usher
The King of R&B
released his ninth
studio album ( first in
eight years) COMING
HOME 2 days before he
headlined this year’s Super Bowl Halftime show.
Boasting collaborations with heavyweights like
Burna Boy and Jungkook, this project is truly the
moment.
Tyla
South African
singer Tyla’s selftitled
debut album
arrives March 22nd .
She is a buzzworthy
name at the
moment thanks
to her Grammy
winning hit Water.
It’s exciting to see a
young talent’s career unfold before us.
Faye Webster
Faye Webster’s,
Undressed at the
Symphony comes out
March 1st. A wonderful
lyricist and vocalist,
Webster is always worth
investing in.
Khruangbin
Khruangbin are an eclectic Texas trio. Their
upcoming album A la Sala, slated for an April
5th release,
will be more
focused on soul
and psychedelic
rock. An exciting
evolution for
their almost
15-year-long career.
Chlöe Bailey
Chlöe’s Untitled sophomore
album- Talking to People
Magazine, she said ‘I can’t
wait to put out this new
music. I think [the fans]
will be very happy and very
proud of me.’ Using words
like ‘dance’ and ‘groove’,
we can interpret this as a
tacit confirmation she’ll
be leaning into the Pop&B
sounds of her previous solo
songs ‘Have Mercy’, ‘Treat
Me’ and ‘Body Do’.
While the album’s first single FYS is mid-tempo,
she ‘never wants to put [herself] in a box’,
promising listeners a true fusion.
Halle Bailey
Speaking of Bailey’s, younger sister Halle has
also been teasing solo music. Off the heels of The
Little Mermaid, The Colour Purple, her first solo
Grammy nomination, and the birth of her son
Halo, Halle will undoubtedly
have a lot to explore in her
debut solo album.
Speaking to British Vogue
in early 2023, she described
her debut project ‘as a sonic
mash-up of [my] jazz and
grunge influences’ with
celebrating her ‘newfound
independence’ being a
prominent theme. While
vague dates/promises have been thrown out
across her social media channels, nothing has
been confirmed yet. We’ll be patiently waiting.
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Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande’s
seventh studio
album Eternal
Sunshine comes
out March 8th. It
is supported by the
serviceable lead single yes, and? that takes aim
at those that circulate rumours about her body
and draw salacious conclusions about her love
life. Her first album in four years and since her
divorce, the cohesive narrative flirtatiously blurs
the line between autobiography and fantasy.
Beyoncé
Beyoncé has stopped the world yet again with
the announcement of her upcoming eighth
studio album slated for a March 29th release.
She dropped an epic Verizon commercial and
two new Country songs TEXAS HOLD ’EM and
16 Carriages (one joyful, one contemplative)
during
the
Superbowl, strongly
contrasting the
House and Dance
numbers on Act 1:
Renaissance.
No news on the title
of Act II, but keep
your eyes peeled for the marvellous ways this
three act journey unravels.
Hopefully, Queen Bey taking ownership of
Black genres that have been co-opted and
appropriated continues to open doors.
Beyoncé has stopped the world yet again
with the announcement of her upcoming
eighth studio album Act II: Cowboy Carter.
Photos (in order):
Gary Williamson,
@whoismgmt
on Instagram, @
thelastdinnerparty
on Instagram, @
thedeclanmckenna
on Instagram, Clash
Magazine, Mega/Gamma,
Jeremy Soma, Michael
Tyrone Delaney, C.C.,
Wonderland Magazine,
AB+DM, @arianagrande
on Instagram, and Mason
Poole
A Key to
Motivation?
Podcasts To Get You
Inspired This Term
Lexi Joyce
MUSIC EDITOR
When I was writing this article on my Notion
page, I was picking an image to go at the back
of my writing. What came up when I simply
searched ‘podcast’ was a neon sign at the back
of an office, saying ‘you are what you listen to’.
So on that note, here are some podcasts to keep you
positive and motivated this term.
Growing with the Flow by Nayna Florence does
exactly what the title suggests by focusing on topics
that range from lifestyle, art, and culture to everyday
life chat, and even themes of advice and self-help.
Hosted by Nayna Florence, she explores her University
journey from Undergrad to her current Masters. Her
voice is so calming and what a beautiful soul she
seems to be! Definitely someone that understands her
audience and knows how to motivate you in simple
ways. Like a virtual friend, or big sister.
Working Title by Margot Lee may sound like a
confusing name for a podcast, but it perfectly captures
how difficult staying motivated in your work, study,
self-growth, and even general life can be.
The podcast focuses on how to reach your own idea
of ‘success’ in your 20s, perfect for this age group and
any student.
The daunting task of ‘figuring out’ life is made more
approachable by Lee’s friendly voice. The episodes
tend to be around 30 minutes, perfect for your
commute to and from campus, or for your lunch
break at the library.
World Book Club by BBC World Library. I feel the
power of reading for your own leisure and enjoyment
is ignored as we get older and obligations begin to pile
on. I am certainly guilty of this.
When my seminar prep reading list reaches
astronomical heights, audiobooks can be a way to
read in a way that fits in with the rest of my daily
routine.
But if you can’t find time to commit to a book, I
recommend the World Book Club hosted by the BBC
World Library. The podcast often gets authors in to
chat about their popular books, providing a great
summary and breakdown of what you’ve read, or
are interested in reading. They have a great selection
of genres, and times, and spotlight international
authors.
This is a more easily digestible form of getting yourself
lost in a good story, and a good way to relax and
escape for a while, so you can come back to studying,
or general duties with a renewed mindset.
TED Talks Daily is perfect for growing your mind.
These TED talks span across every subject, idea, and
concept imaginable. There’s something for everyone
and you will learn something each time. It is an
incredible way to find content that relates to your
studies.
Whether music, cooking, politics, sports, or even
crime mysteries interest you, there’s always a podcast
for it. You never know you may find your favourite
soon.
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19
S c r e e n
SCREEN EDITOR:
Amy Brook &
Freya Stoodley
From Wicked to Dune: My Ten Most Anticipated Films of 2024
Sky Fong
ARTS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
After the Barbenheimer fever of 2023, the audience
is more than ready to go back to the cinemas to
watch films after the few years
of disruption that COVID-19 has
caused to the industry.
If you don’t know what films to look out
for in the coming year, here’s a list of the
ten most anticipated films I have on my
radar for 2024!
Honourable Mentions:
- Close Your Eyes (dir. Victor Erice,
releasing in April)
- Evil Does Not Exist (dir. Ryusuke
Hamaguchi, releasing in March)
I’ve had the honour of watching
these two brilliant films by Erice and
Hamaguchi at the London Film Festival. And I would
absolutely recommend everyone to check these films out
when they are coming out.
Number 10: Wicked: Part One
Release Date: 29/11/2024
Director: Jon M. Chu
Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey,
Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh
As a musical fan, I am intrigued by how Chu would bring
this popular stage show onto the screen. He had just helmed
In the Heights a few years ago, which I adored.
Will Wicked be able to capture the same
magic?
Starring Erivo and Grande, will they be able to bring the
beloved musical characters to the big screen?
Number 9: Bird
Director: Andrea Arnold
Starring: Barry Keoghan, Franz Rogowski
The chaotic bisexuals have been truly represented on
the screen after Keoghan’s performance in Saltburn and
Rogowski’s Tomas in Passages.
These two are teaming
up in British filmmaker
Andrea Arnold’s first
narrative film since
American Honey.
It will be fascinating to see
how the Fish Tank director’s
social realism will bring these
two rising actors together in
this film. The details of the film
are still under wraps.
Number 8: Problemista
Director: Julio Torres
Starring: Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton, RZA, Greta Lee,
Catalina Saavedra, James Scully, Isabella Rossellini
A24, having brought us Everything Everywhere All at Once, is
once again distributing a surrealist comedy film examining
the immigrant experience.
Torres’ directorial debut follows an El Salvador toy
designer assisting an eccentric artist to get a visa
to stay in New York City.
With promising reviews coming out of SXSW last year and
produced by Emma Stone and Dave McCary’s Fruit Tree,
let’s hope this will land UK distribution soon.
Number 7: I Saw the TV
Glow
Director: Jane Schoenbrun
Starring: Justice Smith, Brigette-Lundy-Paine,
Danielle Deadwyler, Fred Durst
Schoenbrun’s follow-up to their directorial
debut, We’re All Going to the World’s Fair,
premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in
January with rave reviews.
They again evaluate our relationship
with screens in the digital age, where
two teenagers bond over a late-night
television series, but reality begins to
crack as the film progresses.
Also produced by Fruit Tree and distributed by A24, I Saw
the TV Glow garnered comparisons with David Lynch and
David Cronenberg’s films. Schoenbrun is certainly one of
the most exciting filmmakers of our generation.
Number 6: The People’s Joker
Director: Vera Drew
Starring: Vera Drew, Lynn Downey, Griffin Kramer, Kane
Distler, Nathan Faustyn, Phil Braun, David Liebe Hart, Scott
Aukerman, Tim Heidecker, Maria Bamford, Bob Odenkirk
The queer coming-of-age comedy made headlines as its
screenings were cancelled due to “rights issues”. Drew
unofficially parodies the DC comics, with herself starring
as a transgender Joker.
Financed through crowd-funding
and made in front of a green
screen, the film has gained quite
a positive reputation through its
festival run.
Critics have praised it for being “deliberately
outrageous” while providing “a genuinely
moving story of self-acceptance”. Fingers
crossed the film will land a UK release.
Number 5: Mickey 17
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Steven Yeun, Naomi
Ackie, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo
Bong Joon-ho’s long-awaited follow-up to his Best
Picture-winning Parasite is a sci-fi film based on
Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7.
Pattison plays an “expendable”, whose
body regenerates with most memories
after failed expeditions to colonise an ice
world.
With a stacked cast and an exciting premise, will Bong
return to the Oscar stage this year?
Number 4: MaXXXine
Director: Ti West
Starring: Mia Goth, Elizabeth Debicki, Moses Sumney,
Michelle Monaghan, Bobby Cannavale, Lily Collins, Halsey,
Giancarlo Esposito, Kevin Bacon
This film is West’s third instalment in the X trilogy after
X and Pearl. This time, he is taking the slasher genre to
the home video era, where Maxine pursues her career in
Hollywood.
Goth has said this story would be the best of the
series.
Having adored those two previous films, I cannot wait to
see what West will do with this cast.
Number 3: Love Lies Bleeding
Release Date: 19/04/2024
Director: Rose Glass
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Katy O’Brian, Jena Malone, Anna
Baryshnikov, Dave Franco, Ed Harris
The Kristen Stewart-starring film is Glass’s sophomore
feature after her breakout horror film Saint Maud.
The film is a romantic thriller about a gym
manager and a bodybuilder’s love, leading to
violent events.
Coming fresh from Sundance and heading to Glasgow and
Manchester Film Festivals, lucky ones might see
Stewart in the UK in person.
Number 2: Megalopolis
Director: Francis Ford Coppola
Starring: Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Nathalie
Emmanuel, Jon Voight, Laurence Fishburne, Aubrey Plaza,
Shia LaBeouf, Jason Schwartzman, Grace VanderWaal,
Kathryn Hunter, Talia Shire, Dustin Hoffman, Giancarlo
Esposito
Coppola is arguably one of the greatest directors of all time,
having directed The Godfather series, Apocalypse Now and
many more iconic movies.
Megalopolis is his return to directing
since his last film more than a decade
ago.
The extent he has gone through to make
the movie happen through self-financing
is astonishing. With all the behind-thescenes
disputes during filming akin to
those during Apocalypse Now, Coppola’s
passion project might very well be another
masterpiece in his filmography.
Number 1: Dune: Part Two
Release Date: 01/03/2024
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Rebecca Ferguson,
Josh Brolin, Austin Butler, Florence Pugh, Dave Bautista,
Christopher Walken, Léa Seydoux, Stellan Skarsgård,
Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem
Villeneuve’s Dune was one of the best films of the decade,
and it is exciting to see him bringing this A-list cast together
again to explore more into the world of Arrakis. Chalamet
describes the film as “the baseball ball coming through and
cracking it”.
Christopher Nolan compared Dune: Part Two to
The Empire Strikes Back.
I can’t wait to dive deeper into this epic journey while
putting my hands through the Dune popcorn bucket.
Are you ready for the movies 2024 has to offer? What
are your most anticipated movies of 2024?
Photos (left to right): A24, JIFF, Warner Bros., and Warner Bros.
20 S C R E E N
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The Hunger Games: The Ballad of
Songbirds and Snakes - Film Review
These are the first Games in which the tributes are given mentors, Katniss’ Panem who mercilessly kills. His betrayal and deception
Hannah Cochrane
an attempt to make more Capitol citizens watch the murderous pierce through the musical nature of the film.
entertainment.
WRITER
As soon as I found out that The Ballad of
Songbirds and Snakes was going to be
adapted into a film, I knew I wanted to read
the book before I watched it. I was (and
still am) an avid fan of Suzanne Collins’
fictitious dystopian world.
I rewatched the original Hunger Games series,
released from 2012 to 2015, at the start of the
summer when they were added to Netflix. The
Hunger Games films bear a striking resemblance
to their book counterparts, building upon the
source material with perfect casting and an
incredible film score. I could only hope the same would be true of
the prequel.
The book was beautifully reminiscent – easily one of the best books
I’ve read all year. Needless to say, I had very high expectations for
the film. I paced through the 500+ page book in less than a month
and finally watched the film trailer straight after I’d finished the
final page.
The trailer and following teasers inundated
my Instagram made my anticipation rise to an
astronomic level – and for good reason, as I
figured out the minute the film started playing.
With Tom Blyth as young Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler as
Lucy Gray Baird, the casting was immaculate. The film follows
Coriolanus as its protagonist (though he is the antagonist of The
Hunger Games trilogy), and his challenges as the mentor for Lucy
Gray, a District 12 girl, in the 10th annual Hunger Games.
As with the novel, the film was split into three
sections – ‘The Mentor’, ‘The Prize’ and ‘The
Peacekeeper.’ Each section correlates to before
the Games, the Games themselves, and the
aftermath of the Games for Coriolanus.
Set 64 years before Katniss
Everdeen’s Hunger Games, there’s
nothing of the luxury the tributes
enjoy before the Games.
Dehumanized, the tributes are transported to
the Capitol in a livestock train, left in an empty zoo cage for
the spectacle of Capitol citizens.
Hoping to make the Capitol, and eventually the districts, watch
and root for the Hunger Games, Coriolanus devises several of
the aspects of the Hunger Games that the audience knows from
Katniss’ storyline. Tribute interviews, donations, betting, and
drone-delivered provisions are all the future President’s inventions.
The whole story was fascinating to watch unfold,
especially as it was such a close adaptation of the
novel.
As with any solid villain origin story, you want to root for
Coriolanus – or ‘Coryo,’ as his cousin Tigris calls him. Insinuations
of evil seep through his actions, though one can’t help but hope
that his connection to good-natured Lucy Gray saves him.
The links to Katniss, Snow’s future nemesis, are
gorgeously constructed.
Lucy Gray’s words and actions – even her musical ties with the
Covey – cement subtle foreshadowing of the character of Katniss
Everdeen.
While I don’t have many criticisms for this film,
some of the musical moments, namely the
Reaping in District 12, felt unnecessary and a bit
awkward.
It worked well in the book but didn’t quite carry across into the
film in the way I’d hoped. In the book and film alike, some of the
characters’ fates aren’t fully shown; namely Lucy Gray, and Tigris.
We know from Mockingjay: Part 2 that Tigris is a disgraced stylist
from earlier editions of the Hunger Games – though how she
reached the point of helping district rebels, we’re never told.
Lucy Gray doesn’t have a clear ending either, though, as Olivia
Rodrigo’s ‘You Can’t Catch Me Now’ song for the credits implies,
her disappearance will forever haunt Coriolanus.
Their almost-love story hardens his heart against
the district and against any ideas of rebelling
against the Capitol, poisoning his heart as he will
poison so many others.
Overall, I think The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is one of the best
films to come out in a long while, another excellent instalment in
The Hunger Games franchise that adds an intriguing depth to the
greatest antagonist in the original series.
But The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes is not a love story. It is the
origin of President Coriolanus Snow, the cold-hearted ruler of
We Don’t Have to Settle for Mediocre: Ni No
Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Remastered
Caitlyn Taft
So, I never finished the game because it meant
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
finishing the time spent with my Dad.
Video game production has been on a rapid decline these
past few years. When Cyberpunk 2077, Pokémon Scarlet
and Violet dropped, there were countless complaints from
avid gamers about the various bugs, glitches, and low frame
rates that plagued these releases. With every new game,
the bar seems to descend lower and lower. Should that
really be the standard?
In 2013, the localised version of the Japanese Role-Playing Game
(JRPG) Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch was released for
PlayStation 3.
My Dad, a man I got the
love for this game genre
from, would show me
game trailers every day
after school for months.
We were both really
excited for one big
reason.
It was Developed by Level-5, known for their Professor
Layton games, and got the help of Studio Ghibli to animate all of
the major cutscenes in the game.
The game’s soundtrack is magnificent, as it was
composed by Joe Hisaishi and performed by the
Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra. The game looked
and sounded gorgeous.
When it came out, my Dad bought the game for me. I spent the next
year engrossed by it, rushing to take my shoes off after school, and
playing it until tea time.
You play as Oliver, a thirteen year old boy from
Photo: Hannah Cochrane
Photo: Caitlyn Taft
Motorville who travels to the Other World after his
mother dies tragically. Alongside him is his now
alive stuffed toy, Mr Drippy.
He tells the boy that there is a way to save his mother though. He
just has to find the Great Sage Alicia, his mother’s ‘soulmate’ and
rescue her from the Dark Djinn Shadar.
There’s the typical JRPG elements in the game:
combat, items, gear upgrades, and side quests
but Ni No Kuni shines in its addition of familiars.
Familiars are in some way the game’s version of
Pokémon but if they had swords.
You explore the fantasy world, filled
with a dark evil that only Oliver, the
pure-hearted one, can expel with his
magic. Throughout the adventure, you
explore a desert palace with a queen
who loves cheese, a town run by a
cat whose ‘soulmate’ is Motorville’s
shopkeeper’s cat, and a pig inspired
Steampunk kingdom. You meet
likeable allies who assist you in
combat.
The story is heart-breaking and funny. Mr Drippy, with his
beautiful Welsh accent, always brings a sense of levity, even in the
heaviest situations.
I was, and still am, in love with this game to the
point I purposefully never finished it. I continued
for months attending to side quests and battling
with my familiars and allies.
Playing the game in 2013 was one way my Dad and I bonded. He has
always been busy with work. When he wasn’t working, he would
help me with the hard boss battles, as the combat system isn’t the
best at times.
When I received my Nintendo Switch for Christmas, I also received
the remastered version. I’ve started replaying it again and the game
is truly wonderful. It’s not the same as playing in my lounge with
my Dad helping me when I get stuck or lost but it still holds up a
decade later.
As gamers, we may gravitate towards the big
franchises but we don’t have to settle for mediocre
or half-baked games. I want to feel like I did back
in 2013, rushing home from work or university to
play a game that feels full of life.
The love put into Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch feels lost
compared to the big name games coming out now, and I say that as
a loyal Gamefreak fan.
Even Ni No Kuni’s franchise went downhill after
their new gacha mobile game, proving that big
game companies only care about one thing:
consumers’ money.
Good games, at their core, are rich with story and beautiful graphics.
Why can’t big named game franchises understand that?
I’m thankful that indie games are on the rise. Even though they have
much less than the budget of big game companies, they manage to
create compelling stories with stunning graphics.
Some of my favourites that I have enjoyed over
the years are Celeste, Turnip Boy Commits Tax
Evasion (or, Turnip Boy Robs a Bank), Hollow
Knight, Slay the Princess, and Subnautica.
If you’re looking for a fun game to treat yourself to after exams, I
wholeheartedly recommend Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch.
It’s a little pricey but there’s about 50 hours of gameplay available.
S C R E E N
scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
21
Saltburn Review: Eat the
Rich and Leave You Hungry?
Freya Stoodley
SCREEN EDITOR
The 2023 film about lust has left much to be desired.
How has Saltburn (2023) divided its audience as both an
accomplishment and a failure?
‘Eat the rich’ is taken very literally in the film. Various scenes go to
the extreme in showcasing Oliver’s carnal longing for access only
inheritance will ever truly grant him.
Though, was Oliver truly infatuated with the
Cattons, or was it just their property?
Amongst the major cinematic achievements of 2023, namely
Barbie and Oppenheimer, Saltburn has emerged as one of the
year’s most infamous offerings.
By garnering a viewership divided between
intrigue and repulsion and TikTok virality, one
can’t help but question: is it just too much?
Saltburn is a stunning collage of unresolved
themes where the line between satirizing and
glorifying the elite becomes thin.
The film’s lead ‘Oliver’, performed by Barry Keoghan is a complicated
embodiment of dangerous desires. Keoghan- as the negligible and
unorthodox Oxford undergrad- is a complete standout. However,
his performance is overshadowed by the narrative’s inability to
make an ideological commitment.
Instead of focusing on Oliver’s psyche, the
ending chooses to focus on creating a shocking
twist, ultimately falling flat, and not following
through with these interesting themes of class
consciousness and University life.
Photo: MGM/ Amazon Studios
Wonka – A Chocolatier
Who Conquered the Big
Screen (and Many Hearts)
Valentina Caneschi
MUSIC EDITOR
Now, let’s be honest with each
other: nobody expected Wonka
to be good. After Gene Wilder
and Johnny Depp’s impeccable
portrayals of Willy Wonka, this
reimagining had massive shoes
to fill However, it is safe to
say that Timothée Chalamet’s
performance has silenced the
doubt.
If you’ve watched the star in Call
Me by Your Name (2017), Lady Bird
(2017), Little Women (2019), Beautiful
Boy (2018) and Dune (2021), then
you know that he’s a versatile actor
who brings a sombre nuance to his
characters, making his shift to the
musical genre with Wonka all the
more confounding.
Wonka is a film about a
slightly unhinged and
magical chocolatier who
saves lives. It was the
ultimate departure for
Timothée Chalamet and
he landed with enviable
precision.
This musical fantasy film directed
by Paul King focuses not on Charlie’s
adventures, but on the origins
of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate
Factory.
Wonka brings magic
to Europe, immediately
posing a threat to the
already affirmed
chocolatiers in
the city. He goes
through many
challenges, always
assisted by his loyal
friend, Noodle,
played by the
instantly loveable
Calah Lane.
One of the biggest critiques lobbied
against the film when the trailer
aired in the summer of 2023 was
the presence of Hugh Grant, cast as
Oompa-Loompa. Hugh Grant.
The dreamy British actor
who starred in Notting
Hill (1999), Bridget Jones’
Diaries (2001) and Love,
Actually (2003)... playing an
Messaging is a major issue in Saltburn. While many have lauded the
film as a takedown of the disconnected aristocracy, it fails to meet
this praise by depicting the Catton family as naïve over sadistic.
Moreover, their archaic reign over the Saltburn
castle is a considerably weak one, easily
unravelled by Oliver’s machinations.
Their actions are suggested to be out of ignorance rather than
cruelty, making their subsequent downfall feel unjust and out of
the blue. This incoherence spills over into Oliver’s character shift,
reducing Keoghan’s nuanced performance to be more in line
with the calculated villainy of Lex Luthor rather than the morally
complex and sympathetic Walter White.
The character at his ultimatum is worse than the
wealthy family he surrounds himself with, ruining
the moral ambiguity of Keoghan’s performance.
Photos (left to right):
Warner Bros.
and Netflix
Oompa-Loompa? But what
a majestic job he did! His
portrayal was filled with
sassiness and wit, making
him the perfect comic
relief.
The set design is also
phenomenal: the
chocolate shop’s sweet
flowers, the hotel’s
dark and worn out
halls, the gallery’s
grandiosity…
Everything has been
thought out in incredible
detail, and viewers cannot
help but feel like they’re
also a part of this magical
world.
Of course, many still criticise
Wonka, calling the whole
musical over the top, others
saying Timothée Chalamet
was not ‘crazy’ enough to
portray the mad-hatter.
But where do you stand? As the fantasy
musical is leaving the cinema, now is
a great time for you to give it a watch
and enjoy (or not) the performances
and beautifully designed sets.
Noor Rakha
CREATIVE WRITING
EDITOR
Blue-eye Samurai
is an action adultanimation
set in
Edo-period Japan.
Mizu (Maya Erskine) is
an outcast, perceived
as a demon by her
people for the blue
eyes that she received
from her father, a
white man.
Now, she seeks
retribution for what
made her a ‘monster’.
There were four white
men present
in Japan at
her birth,
and Mizu
means to kill
each one of
them.
Disguised
as a
man, her
mission knows
no bounds.
Interestingly
exploring gender
positions in the
fictional setting.
The animation style is
A strange quality of Saltburn is its ability to be both nostalgic and
distant. The setting of the mid-2000s brings back familiar strands
of indie-rock and early Oxford posh-casual fashion. The film takes
us back to the era without depending on it entirely, supported by a
stunning soundtrack.
The Saltburn and Oxford settings have a timeless
and unidentifiable quality to them, equally
fantastical and psychedelic.
Competing with predecessors to the cautionary rich obsession
story, The Talented Mr Ripley (1999) and even 2019’s Parasite,
Saltburn doesn’t pave new directions in class conflict discourse.
One thing, however, that can’t be understated is
Saltburn’s entertainment value. Everything from
the comedic one-liners to reflexive references to
Pulp’s ‘Common People’ and the overall aesthetic
of the film makes it a compelling watch.
Whether it’s to appease the TikTok frenzy or for the stand-out
performances, Saltburn (2023) is a must-see.
Blue-eye Samurai:
Patricide, Patriachy, and the
Path of Revenge
gorgeous, like a goreflecked
painting. The rich
colours of the landscape
and their sheer scale is
mesmerising.
The violence is
visceral, cutting
through the
tranquil beauty of
each scene.
Mizu is a calculated
protagonist. Her resolve
at points blurs between
self-destructive and
supernatural, whilst
her seemingly ‘assured’
demeanour hides a
multitude of scars.
I particularly
enjoyed the
exploration of
patriarchy through
two seemingly
privileged women.
Mizu’s disguise as a
man allows her to go
unquestioned on her
conquest.
Princess Akemi (Brenda
Song) resists the rigid
roles her society expects
from her and desperately
attempts to escape them.
I would be amiss
to not mention the
lighter aspects of
the show, such
as Ringo (Masi
Oka) the handless
optimist with
aspirations for
greatness.
Then there is
Taigen (Darren
Barnet), a
samurai from
Mizu’s past, with a
quest for honour;
his stubborn
demeanour leads
to the funniest
lines in the show.
It’s a rare thing to find
a show as delightful as
this. Blue-eye Samurai
manages to be truly
faithful to its themes
and characters, whilst
remaining to be an
entertaining, gore-filled
adventure.
22
S C R E E N
Poor Things as Male Fantasy
of Female Sexual Liberation
Maria Hill
ARTS ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Ever since the trailer release, I was absolutely itching to watch
Yargos Lanthimos’ Poor Things. It appeared to encapsulate
everything I love about cinema: strangeness, humour, and
an exploration of new styles (and, of course, featuring the
talented Emma Stone). Yet, I left the cinema with a bitter taste
on my tongue.
On the surface, Poor Things can be viewed as a weird, comedic “girl
boss” movie.
Poor Things is centred around Bella, a science
experiment and a “born sexy yesterday” architype
who goes on a journey around the globe to gain
knowledge while having a lot of sex.
It’s very easy to engage with the text as pseudo-feminist: ultimately,
Bella takes control of her life within a patriarchal society, gaining
knowledge and power along the way.
However, while Bella is growing as a person, the
audience comes to either forget, or to simply not
care about, one main factor: Bella has the mind of
a new born.
This infant-woman hybrid is Bella.
Such a subject matter has the potential to be an interesting
philosophical debate. Certainly, in the original book written by
Alasdair Gray, this is presented through a question of the male gaze
in a Lolita-style.
Written from the perspective of Max McCandles, the book focuses
on him being an unreliable narrator telling Bella’s story – a
narration which is disproven, critiquing how his male gaze and
warped perception of woman (or, in this case, infant girls, but we’ll
touch upon that later), is completely wrong.
SCANLU SCANLancaster scan.lancastersu.co.uk
Early on in the film, it’s revealed that Dr Godwin Baxter found the
half-dead body of a pregnant woman after she jumped off a bridge
into a river. Dr Baxter then removed the brain of the mother and
Photo (above and below): Searchlight Pictures and Paramount Pictures
put her unborn child’s brain inside the fully grown woman’s skull.
Mean Girls (2024)- Can She Sit With Us?
Efe Imoyin-Omene and Naomi Onakunle
ASSOCIATE EDITOR AND ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Whenever a beloved classic is being remade or adapted
there’s a mutual knowing between everyone involved that
it’s going to be an uphill battle. Especially if what’s being
adapted is the endlessly quotable pop culture phenomenon
Mean Girls (2004).
Serving as the chief inspiration behind an Ariana Grande music
video, millions of Halloween costumes and an international holiday
(October 3rd), this new movie had massive heels to fill. But like the
trailer-which tried her very best to hide the fact that this imagining
is a musical- ‘This Is Not Your Mother’s Mean Girls’.
Mean Girls (2024) is an eclectic combination of the
Broadway musical and the 2004 screenplay, which
itself is based of off Rosalind Wiseman’s 2002
book Queen Bees and Wannabees.
Filled with elaborate numbers, hilarious narration from instant
standouts Janis (Moana’s Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Tony and
Grammy Award nominated Jaquel Spivey), inescapable product
placement, stellar vocal performances from most of the main cast,
celebrity cameos, breakneck pacing and TikTok used surprisingly
well for plot progression, can the new Mean Girls sit with us?
Spoilers ahead!
Like its predecessor, the film opens with the quiet home-schooled
teenager, Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) preparing for her first High
School experience after travelling to the USA from Kenya. From
here we experience her musical number, What Ifs which details her
anticipation and anxiety about this new adventure.
Instead of briefly mentioning her background in ‘Africa’ through
dialogue like in the original movie, we actually have a specific
location (Kenya) and get to feel immersed in the tall grasslands of
wildlife all via low-tracking shots before seamlessly transitioning to
the school courtyard.
This depiction solidified the contrast between Cady’s childhood and
that of her peers. It also serves as a nice lead into the Apex Predator
song later in the film.
Reneé Rapp reprising her role as Regina George from the
Broadway musical, elicits a different kind of power than
Rachel McAdams’ portrayal. While both embodied the mean
girl mentality/aesthetic, Rapp’s depiction evoked a more
bold persona through her towering frame, flirtatious and
conniving energy, and most importantly, her striking voice.
From the moment she appears on screen
during the ‘Meet the Plastics’ number, up to
her climatic song World Burn, Rapp seizes our
attention like the Queen Bee she is.
On the other hand, Bebe Wood’s portrayal of Gretchen didn’t
have the same impact as Lacy Chabert’s due to the lack of
screen time given to her friendship with Regina. While we can
appreciate the homage to the iconic lines ‘That’s so fetch’ and
‘You can’t sit with us!’, when it came to spilling Regina’s secrets to
Cady, the sense of betrayal did not hold the same effect.
It’s only through Wood’s song, ‘What’s Wrong With
Me?’ that we get a brief glimpse into the girls’
friendship and how it’s impacted her.
Lines like ‘Mama called me beautiful, don’t believe her anymore’
and ‘What’s wrong with me? Could it be you? It’s probably me’
wonderfully demonstrate how detrimental her ‘friendship’ with
Regina has been on her self-esteem. As beautiful as the song was,
it’s unfortunately the only insight we get into Gretchen’s life. Bebe
feels severely underutilised.
One of the areas that left much to be desired in this adaption was
the worldbuilding. We don’t get much of the Plastics interacting
with other students and outside of the principal cast, we don’t learn
a lot about the interiority of these teens’ lives, making moments
that were impactful and poignant in the 2004 movie (namely the
all-girl intervention and the prom scene), ring hollow.
This is not helped by the pacing that travels at a
lightning speed, undercutting the impact of Cady’s
transformation into a Plastic and Regina’s betrayal
of Aaron.
Within the movie, though,
there is no room for critique.
The story is told from the
perspective of Bella, who
goes on a sex rampage. The
debate around male gaze is
stripped completely.
Disguised through the idea of female sexual liberty, Bella’s character
is sexually assaulted multiple times throughout Poor Things.
I was particularly disguised when, not entirely understanding
her situation nor what comes with being a sex worker, she joins a
brothel.
We see her constantly in discomfort,
trying to gain some kind of control
over what is happening to her.
However, these moments are framed
not with disgust but with comedy.
Any conversations that could be had regarding the ethics and
horror of child prostitution ( for that is what is going on) are
brushed over with comedy, and that Bella’s character is written
with minimal emotions.
The horror that is happening to her is deemed
okay, for she views it as an “experiment” to gain
experience of the world.
As summarised in a LetterBoxed review by user ‘bananakarenina’,
“This is such a male fantasy of what female empowerment/
feminism could be. All clit, no feelings. […] people don’t even
seem to be bothered that these men are having sex with a literal
child-brained person”.
Through the movies usage of TikTok, it
perfectly captures the precarity of popularity
and how Gen-Z and Gen Alpha are coming of
age in hostile territory, their every fall during
a risqué Christmas dance routine plastered
on every For You page (including the Hot
Girl Coach herself, Megan Thee Stallion’s),
immortalized in Internet history. By
integrating social media, this movie speaks
to the concerns of 2024 teens, the same way
the 2004 one did for millennials.
‘Sexy’ and ‘Someone Gets Hurt’ are definitely
standout numbers in the film. With the clever
incorporation of today’s culture through
TikTok in the former song, performed
by Karen (Avantika Vandanapu) and the
Euphoria-esque vibe achieved in the latter performed by Rapp, the
theatricality of both along with the wonderful choreography elevate
the viewing experience, more than justifying this reimaging’s
existence to the legions of Mean Girls purists.
While the anti-bullying message at the end was a
little saccharine, what disappointed me more was
the fact we don’t get a glimpse into how the girls
are after learning the lesson. Has Karen found a
way to overcome being shamed by Regina for her
sexual history? Will Gretchen find a new clique or
forever stay under Regina’s thumb?
Even if it’s the end of the movie, getting a sense that these characters
live beyond our screens highlights how high school is only a little
part of their big, complicated and messy lives.
Overall, the musical adaptation was a joy to see and is definitely a
force to be reckoned with in its own right.
Standout numbers: ‘Apex Predator’, ‘Sexy’, ‘Someone Gets Hurt’,
and ‘World Burn’.
Standout Performances: Reneé Rapp (as Regina George), Auli’i
Cravalho (as Janis ‘Imi’ike), Jaquel Spivey (as Damian Hubbard) and
Avantika (as Karen Shetty).
scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
23
L i f e s t y l e
LIFESTYLE EDITOR:
Georgina England
A Day at
Animal Care
Georgina England
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
What began as a necessary
antidote to missing my little Jack
Russel Ruby whom I left at home,
has turned into a love affair
with the animals at Animal Care
Lancaster.
I now dedicate a few hours
every week to volunteering at
the animal shelter where I am
working, walking and spending
time with multiple dogs and cats.
Established in 1978, Animal
Care is a sanctuary for
dogs, cats, guinea pigs
and rabbits. The shelter
rehomes roughly 800
animals annually.
Helping to ensure
that the animals of
Lancaster are looked
after and find good
homes.
Though the place opens
to volunteers at 10 am I
usually arrive just before
so that I have the rest of
my day to do whatever
else I need to.
This time is also
perfect for the dogs’
morning walks.
Each animal should
be given regular
exercise, for the dogs
this means at least
two walks a day and
exercise that lasts
roughly 20 mins.
This could mean a short walk on
the lead around the grounds of
the shelter or being taken off the
lead in one of the enclosures so
they can play freely.
This morning I took out a
little 11-year-old Jack Russell
terrier called Spot.
Spot had lived most of his life in a
loving home but when the owner
got older, he was no longer able
to give Spot the care and time
that he needed.
Though we may love our
animals it is important that
they be given the best
quality of life possible, and
this can sometimes mean
giving them to a more able
household.
Spot was also going partially
blind, so it was important to be
slow and gentle with him. This
goes for all of the animals who
are in shelters as some have
come from difficult backgrounds
or have temperaments that new
visitors are not used to.
To ensure the safety of all
the volunteers, the staff and
the animals, everyone must
check in to an online system
so the staff can see who is
on the premises and how
much exercise the dogs
have been given each day.
Grabbing a few treats and a dog
water bottle I headed into the
kennels. With a lead in hand, I
found Spot’s pen and opened the
door to let the little guy out.
The grounds of Animal care boast
many paths across the meadow
which lead to three different
paddocks. The enclosure allows
the dogs to run around off the
lead and play with toys freely.
Spot is a big fan of the
tennis ball so going to the
paddock means playing
endless games of fetch, but
for bigger dogs it allows
them to run properly and
play without the limits of the
lead.
Each of the
a n i m a l s
has their
own unique
personality
and the staff
are dedicated to
finding the perfect
home to suit their
needs.
Each animal is assessed
on how they behave in
various scenarios, so do
they like other dogs? How
well do they get on with
children and cats? Do they
have a lively temperament?
At the centre, there are indoor
spaces where volunteers
are able to play with the
dogs away from the rainy
Lancaster weather.
Once inside, Spot
opted for a little
squeaky carrot to
play with, which
provided numerous
games of fetch. After
a few belly rubs and
some treats, it was
time to put him back
in his pen.
It is always hard to say
goodbye to them simply
because they are so cute.
All volunteers can stop
by the café on their way
home for their free cup of
coffee or tea.
The tables outside
offer a view of
Lancaster City
and Morcombe
Bay so with a
book in hand
and a piece
of a homebaked
cake,
serotonin
levels have
never been
higher.
The work that the
volunteers and workers at
animal care do is so essential
both to the community and to
the animals that they help.
Our
animals
become a
reflection of ourselves and
deserve to be cared for,
respected and loved.
It is also especially important that
after Christmas we remember
the importance of understanding
the responsibility of owning a pet.
They are not just for Christmas
and when getting a pet you are
looking after a life, and that
responsibility needs to be taken
seriously.
The RSPCA commented
seeing a rise of 25% in the
number of stray animals
found in the UK.
The charity has now launched the
Adoptober campaign which aims
to encourage more people to
consider adopting and fostering
instead of buying from breeders.
If you want to find out more or
would like to become a volunteer
head to https://www.animalcarelancaster.co.uk/
where you can
register to be a volunteer or
donate to the organisation.
Photos: Georgina England
Rising Mould
and Chill
in Houses:
How to Stay
Warm this
Winter
Lexi Joyce
MUSIC EDITOR
Here are some tips on how to stay
warm, especially with the rise of mould
and damp in these wintery months.
- Try your best to keep your windows
and window-sills dry.
- Avoid drying your clothes indoors on
a drying rack.
If you have to, open windows
to allow aeration, and prevent
excessive moisture build-up.
- Reduce steam in your bathrooms by
running the cold water before the hot
when showering.
- Keep your windows open when you
can, but make sure you’re still staying
warm.
- An electric blanket is an item I swear
buy. You can buy it or ask for it as a gift.
It’s an easy way to stay warm
and avoid using central heating,
especially important if you’re outside
of University accommodation.
- Keep a bottle of mould removal spray
at hand, best to attack it at first sight,
to lessen the chance of growth or illness
from it.
- Layer up! Lots of little layers help your
body retain heat longer than one thick
layer. Thermal socks are also good for
wearing to bed and around your home.
- Hot Water bottles are probably one
of the most cost effective ways to get
warm and cosy.
You can just fill it up with boiling
water from the kettle. Microwavable
‘hotties’ (as I call them) are a great
option too.
- Finally, if you have taken some steps to
diminish mould, but it’s sticking, don’t
be afraid to call your landlord/rental
company to help fix the increasing
damp.
Warmest Wishes,
Lexi Joyce
24
L I F E S T Y L E
SCANLU SCANLancaster scan.lancastersu.co.uk
Solo-Star: The Underrated Joy of Going
to Concerts AloneOnly £15 for a ticket, I saw it as a sign, not
Chlöe: September
even thinking to ask if anyone wanted to
2023
Efe Imoyin-Omene
go with me. I deserve(d) joy, pleasure, uplift.
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Me and the Music. Anybody that knows me or has taken
one glimpse at any of my Instagram highlights knows I
love music. However, up in until last year I’d never been
to a live concert. Why? I’m glad you asked.
Money
Up until recently, I’ve never had the money to pay for the tickets
and travel for even intimate gigs, let alone the blockbuster
stadium shows I was dying to see.
Because of that, I always enjoyed the thrill of performances from
DVDs, shaky Twitter videos/ grainy Instagram lives, and reviews.
However, after a few years and some jobs, I was finally in the
position to make my dreams come true.
Here are my biggest take-aways from my new gig experiences.
Scared to stick out
Before last year, there were several instances when I was close to
seeing some of my favourite artists live but because I couldn’t get
any friends to come (or was too timid to ask), I decided to forsake
myself joy.
I was afraid of how weird I would look going to a concert alone.
The painful silence of my own company setting in as huge groups
of friends rave about all the incredible memories they would be
making together.
Stepping Out
At the end of 2022, I was amid the healing (and hurting) process
of letting things and people go, while learning to let new people
in. Then I saw that the girl group FLO (who I’d been passionately
following since their debut single earlier that year) was coming to
Manchester in April 2023.
And for as much as I chat about music, it
was about damn time I experienced it live.
FLO: April 2023
I am so glad that FLO was my first ever
concert. Despite initially feeling awkward
standing in the line by myself, once
their angelic harmonies started I was
transported to another planet. I sang (read:
screamed) every word, copied every riff and
run, sweated buckets, and danced like no
one was watching.
Despite getting lost on my way to and from
the Travelodge, I had an amazing time. I
even met their choreographer and two girls
complimented my dancing. Apparently, I’m
‘a vibe.’ But I was just getting started.
Beyoncé: June 2023
There was drama with Queen Bey. I bought my ticket in February
but found out in May that the concert was the night before my
English Language exam. I wasn’t going to sacrifice Beyoncé though,
she called dibs.
So I did something wild. I went to the concert, stayed in Euston
station until 5 the next morning when I caught the train to
Lancaster, and did my exam at 9AM.
The concert was yet another display of Beyoncé’s unrivalled
prowess as a performer, producer, historian, vocalist, and athlete,
and left me with a new motivation.
On a less positive note, my phone died, I lost my water bottle, the
videos I took were awful because I couldn’t stand still and I had to
pay £10 because my bag was too big. Read the venue rules people!
Where To Eat During Your Study
Break: Meal Deal Edition
Caitlyn Taft
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Finding a yummy and good valued meal
deal can be a challenge, especially in our
current cost of living crisis.
Meal deals are a topic I am very passionate
about. After years of intense research
(munching on sandwiches across the UK), I’ve
taken it upon myself to tell you, what you could
be eating for better value, taste, and variety
during your study breaks.
Tesco
The nation’s favourite. I felt truly heartbroken
and somewhat betrayed when the price
increased to £3.90 without a clubcard. It was a
day the UK will never forget.
As someone who had an embarrassing 72 meal
deals in 2023, I’d like to believe I’m well advised.
Taste: Brilliant. The sandwiches always feel
fresh and the snacks are as tasty as ever.
Variety: Tesco have a wide range of vegan and
gluten free products. Even if you’re not a fan of
sandwiches, there’s a good selection of pasta as
well.
Value: Is it worth it? With a clubcard (£3.40), I’d
say so. It’s definitely not something I would eat
daily, ignore my shameful Tesco Wrapped stats.
It’s a lovely lunch to have maybe once a week.
Boots
I feel like people forget that Boots do meal
deals. Although the Boots’ meal deal section is
nowhere near campus, personally, I’m appalled
that more people don’t know about them.
I’m a bit biased because there are only two meal
deal options in my town: Morrison’s or Boots.
Taste: After a long day of shopping for flat
necessities, a good Boots meal deal always
cheers me up. Not to be biased again but the
sandwiches are excellent quality. A cheeky
guilty pleasure of mine!
Variety: Some may be shocked to find out that
Boots has a fantastic range of gluten free and
vegan products.
Value: This is where Boots turns me away
sometimes. The taste and variety is impeccable
but the price? £3.99 without an advantage card
is not sustainable for a student. I frequently lose
my advantage card, I’m certain I have one for
every email I’ve ever made.
Greggs
Every Lancaster student’s favourite place to buy
lunch!
Taste: Can’t get better than a Greggs, can it?
Sometimes it tastes like regret when you’ve
waited in the long line at 1pm.
Variety: Sandwich wise, there isn’t a lot of
variety. I always get the same sandwich and I
don’t really plan on trying the other few out.
Value: Recently, the Greggs meal deal price
rose to £3.90. For a meal deal without a snack,
that feels absurd. Maybe it’s better to save your
money and make a packed lunch some days.
Spar
My First Year hangover cure was a Spar meal
deal.
Unsurprisingly, they’re a bit ruined for me now.
Taste: It’s a basic meal deal. Personally, I’m not a
fan of some of the sandwiches.
Variety: There’s a good few selection of
sandwiches. However, you only have the choice
of a handful of drinks. Sometimes I don’t want a
Fanta fruit twist or a flavoured sparkling water.
Value: Like the other options I’ve discussed,
Spar’s price has increased. It’s currently £4.25.
Personally, I don’t think it’s worth it unless
you’re really fancying a certain sandwich.
LUSU Shop
Even with the name change, it’s still Central in
my heart. I enjoy the short walk to it during my
library breaks, except when it’s raining.
Taste: If I’m looking for good food and I’m okay
with a little walk, Central/ LUSU Shop is where
I’d go.
Variety: No one talks about how much variety
it has! Loads of different drinks, snacks, and
sandwiches (vegan and gluten free).
Value: I do wish that it was a bit cheaper
because of the cost of living crisis but maybe
I’m just nostalgic for the £3 meal deal days.
Compared to some outrageous prices, I think
this meal deal price is quite fair.
Overall, it’s up to you where you spend your
money. Personally, I’ve bought a meal deal
from each of these options over the past
academic year.
As long as you’re eating during a busy uni day,
that’s all that matters.
My last concert of 2023 was
actually with one of my
closest friends, seeing Chlöe.
Learning from my solo
misadventures, I made sure
to bring my portable charger,
asked him to take videos,
packed the two of us plastic
water bottles and we booked
a cheap hostel five minutes
away from the concert hall.
The concert was a beautiful time and we got particularly
sentimental when she performed her final ballad In Pieces.
Cause I don’t wanna go on
Oh, livin’ a life that you’ve been missin’
And I don’t want nobody else
To hold me when I’m in pieces
With life leading us in exciting but very different directions, these
moments will become rare. As bittersweet as that is, I’m glad we
got to share this.
2024 concerts
Last month I saw RAYE in Bristol. Next month I’m going to see
Samara Joy (with the same friend) in London and I’m currently
planning more trips of joy.
Through my tumultuous, yet euphoric experiences, I am no longer
afraid of being alone at concerts because I always find someone to
talk to like the mother-daughter duo I was set next to at Beyoncé’s
Renaissance.
Breaking the ice is easy when you know you have one major interest
in common. If there is something you love, don’t let the fear of
looking weird stop you. Look weird. Have the time of your life!
How Often Should You
Wash Your Sheets?
Georgina England
LIFESTYLE EDITOR
Moving away to University and living alone means
having to complete little tasks around the house that
are usually delegated to another more responsible
adult. One of these is the washing of towels and bed
sheets.
Thanks to social media, there has been great debate
about how frequently we should wash our sheets, and
the length of time that people leave this boring task
varies greatly.
Many were enraged and disgusted to find that some
people only wash their sheets every few months.
Though this is certainly not the longest stretch of time
that dirty sheets have gone unwashed it is far longer
than the recommended time.
Laundry experts (yes there are such things) have
suggested that bed sheets should be washed once
a week and only to be left a maximum of two weeks
before they are changed and washed.
Our beds accumulate all sorts of dirt and grime ranging
from pollen and sweat to dust as well as any pet hairs if
we allow them in our beds.
Considering we spend a third of our life in bed, it now
does not seem such a struggle to believe that bedding
should be such a breeding ground for germs and mites.
Though these mites may only be dust mites, according
to Centres for Disease Control and Prevention they
can trigger asthma and allergies. Considering the
events in Paris during fashion week only last year and
the rampage that the bed bugs which are particularly
resistant to insecticides went on, people have become
more cautious when it comes to bedding.
So the best way to ensure your bed (or for some people
your office) is clean is to wash it on a hot wash of 60
degrees as the hotter the more germs are going to be
killed.
scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
25
Creative Writing
CREATIVE
WRITING TEAM:
Noor Rakha
& Elizabeth Brooks
Ravens & Writing
Desks – A Podcast by
Writers For Writers
Valentina Caneschi
MUSIC EDITOR
Ravens & Writing Desks is a podcast
held by Lancaster University Master
student and published writer Beth
Train-Brown. It is available on Spotify,
with new episodes uploaded every
week. You can also catch it on Bailrigg
FM every Thursday at 3pm.
In each episode, Beth interviews a new
writer about their craft. The podcast
usually begins with a conversation
about a specific topic with them
reading out work that is related to that
topic. Finally, each episode ends with
an interactive writing exercise that
listeners can get involved in.
As a writer, I found the podcast
to be very useful, and recently, I
had the pleasure of interviewing
Beth about her wonderful project!
How the Project Started
The project emerged due to a gap Beth saw
in writer’s podcasts. They were ‘annoyed at
how few writers’ podcasts gave practical
Photos Credits: Megan Taft and Alison Taft
advice’. While ‘a good conversation about
the philosophies of writing’ is great, Beth
hopes their new platform can balance that
with ‘genuine, usable advice’.
When researching other platforms
for her show, Beth was inspired by
Yvonne Battle-Felton’s podcast,
Bookable Space. On Bookable
Space, Battle-Felton invites writers
to read some of their work.
Beth appreciates the platform it provides
for emerging and underrepresented writers,
something she hopes she can do with her
new show. As someone with an ‘auditory
processing disorder’ she finds some of the
longer segments of reading to be difficult
to hold on to, which is why on her show she
‘love[s] adding in sound effects and backing
tracks’.
It is wonderful to see Beth use their
experience with disability to make
their show more accessible. There
are unfortunately many barriers to
creativity but Beth is intentional that
Ravens & Writing Desks is a part of
the effort to shatter them.
As Beth was constructing the show, they
drafted a few segment ideas (including an
Agony Aunt for writing) before
finally landing on writing
exercises.
‘These have become
my favourite part of the
episode! I’ve written some
of my best poems and
snippets of prose during
these exercises.’
Each writing exercise is split
into two parts: the first is
governed by a prop chosen
by the guest writer, related to
the show, and the second is a
twist prompt that she chooses,
designed to take the writing
written up to that point in an unexpected
direction.
‘We listen to four songs chosen
by the guest writer that they often
listen to when they’re writing and
I’ve collected all of these into a
Ravens & Writing Desks playlist that
can also be found on Spotify.’
Beth’s Favourite Episodes
While all the episodes are amazing, Beth
does have a few favourites. The inaugural
episode, ‘On Writing Weird Poetry’, is
particularly special to her.
She invited one of her close friends (and
previous co-host of another radio show she
had), Lucy Whalen, to talk about the new
artistic writing movement of The Weird.
‘It was a riveting episode to make,
discussing the ways in which
this contemporary art is shifting
the way people engage with and
perceive poetry.’
They also have a soft spot for ‘On Writing
Lyrical Poetry’ and ‘On Storytelling in
Poetry’ because ‘I wrote two of my all-time
favourite poems in each of these.’
The first was a poem about a
burlesque cabaret event that she’d
performed in and the second was
about Robin Hood’s secret lover,
Will Scarlet.
If you’re looking something wildly useful,
the podcaster suggests ‘On Macro-Editing
Your Novel’ and ‘On Writing Your Opening
Scene’. Finding them extremely inspiring,
she walked away from both with pages of
notes for her own writing.
Finally if Sci-Fi is your gig, ‘On
Writing Surrealist Sci-Fi’, ‘On Writing
Historical Fantasy’, and ‘On Getting
Young People into Writing’ might be
the episodes for you.
‘All three conversations were riveting —
from the merits of fan fiction to the Year
With No Summer (real thing), and finally
having 2001: A Space Odyssey explained in
such a way that I actually understand it.’
New episodes
On the topic of new episodes, Beth raved
about a recently recorded episode with Ed
Mooney.
‘It was an utter barrel of
laughs, so much that I
have four and a half hours
of audio to edit.’
It also inspired the author to create Ravens &
Writing Desks: After Dark (The Uncut Edition),
which currently features the full unedited
version of this episode. If Greek Gods, Loki
and breaking into song sounds exciting to
you, check out this episode for all the feels.
‘This spin-off show is in no way
affiliated with Bailrigg FM. This spinoff
doesn’t even know her.’
‘Throughout the uncut episode, you can
hear both Ed and I lament at how we are
twenty minutes then thirty minutes then
an hour then two hours late to drinks at our
mutual friends’ house while we write duet
songs about Loki and Thor.’
While Season 1 is wrapping
up, Beth, the eternally
prepared superstar, already
has the entirety of Season
2 and Season 3 mapped
out with plenty of episodes
recorded.
A very special songwriting
exercise, mental health talks with
a professional counsellor and
fantasy author, discussion with a
D&D Game Master, a puppeteer
and playwright, a drag queen and
a BookTok wonder are just some
of the things listeners of Beth’s
podcast have to look forward to.
How can people be part of the
show?
This sounds like a wonderful show to be on
and the best part is that you can.
‘If you’re a writer interested in
coming on the show, send me a
message on the show’s Instagram
(@RavensWritersPodcast) or to my
personal account
(@BethTrainBrown).’
Photos: courtesy of
Elizabeth Train-Brown
26
C R E A T I V E W R I T I N G
World’s Gone
Beautiful
The world’s outside doors
that will never again open,
All these trees have seen
many things, but they’ve never
seen the ocean,
Coloured leaves will have to
go so fresh green ones will
take their place;
I wonder if the wind will carry
them to sea, before winter
snow gives chase,
Just to see what freedom
looks like, just for once in their
seasonal lives,
Rather than brush them onto
roads, just to get crushed by
the human drive:
To not think twice, to not give
up, and I’m no coward, I’ll do it
right,
Accept my fate once and for
all, I will go quietly into the
night.
Comments from the Editor
This poem is beautifully melodic
thanks to the consistent use of couplets
throughout the piece.
The use of caesuras reflects the idea of
stopping and starting, attempting and
failing as you carve a path for yourself
in life.
Adam measuredly captures so many
emotions and sensations in this poem.
From its beautiful imagery to its sonnet
structure and poignancy, ‘World’s
Gone Beautiful’ is more than
deserving of its title as winner.
But someone needs to water
that one flower in my room,
When you’re halfway down the
view, that’s when you have no
right to choose;
I’ve seen the people crossing,
knowing the world’s given
them time,
For the world’s gone beautiful
and I am fine.
If only I could climb and reach
the future that was truly mine,
The world from halfway down
is worth my time.
The art for this piece is
originial artwork from
Third Year student, Eve
Perring.
SCANLU SCANLancaster scan.lancastersu.co.uk
‘Lost in the
Middle’
Writing
Competition
by Adam Lawrence
POETRY WINNER
I Will Write this Year, I Promise!
Noor Rakha
CREATIVE WRITING EDITOR
The new year is upon us, and I have
nothing but a feeling of trepidation for the
impending term. The mounting number of
essays has left me with very little time to
write for my own pleasure.
It has been a while since I’ve written
something worthwhile. Now, when I sit
down to write, the prose ends up being
skeletal.
When this happens, I have a
couple of tricks to help me get
back into my stride.
Note that although I am a prose writer,
and this advice relates to prose, most of it
can be taken up by any writer.
Read a book.
I think of reading as an input and writing
as an output. This however does not mean
you should read absolutely anything – you
should be judicious.
Read in your genre and form, and
refamiliarize yourself with the
format, style, and structure.
Think of how your style as a writer differs
and is similar to the works you’ve read.
Make a nice playlist.
I construct my playlists around the
emotions I want to evoke in my writing.
Listening to film or television
soundtracks helps me get
immersed in the world I’m
creating.
Songs aren’t my preference but choose
whatever gets your creative juices flowing.
Find a desk.
Say it with me now; I shall not write in my
bed right before I go to sleep. I know your
sleep schedule is barely existent, don’t
make it worse.
Clean up your desk and put all
those random receipts and post-it
notes in the bin. Maybe go to the
university library and find yourself
a secret spot.
Get a warm beverage and a little snack,
stick on your headphones, and put on a
timer.
Brainstorm and outline.
I understand planning is not the most
exciting thing in the world, but drafting
your piece of work ten times until it
becomes vaguely cohesive doesn’t sound
too thrilling either.
First, you need to write out all your
ideas, and dump it all onto a Word
document. Once all of it is out, you
can piece together what works,
what doesn’t, and what gaps rest
in between.
From here, you can create an outline. Now
remember, an outline doesn’t mean your
story is set in stone, but it does make the
writing process a lot more straightforward.
Rest.
There are some days where you’ll write a
lot, there are some days where you won’t.
No matter the amount you write,
you will always need rest.
You put yourself under a lot of strain while
writing, and you will always need time to
recover.
Find a writing buddy.
Writing can be quite self-involved, even
isolating. Critique partners/groups can
help with this. Groups like these can help
with developing your skill as a writer, as
well as providing feedback and advice.
These all might seem like simple
things, but they’re all small steps
towards progress.
Once I become consistent, maybe I’ll
finally be able to write that novel I keep
annoying everyone about.
This is probably my
favourite Janet song but
lately listening to it makes
me sad. Not an immediate
and sharp sadness. But one
that is subtle and lingers in
the air minutes, hours, days
after a listen. A sadness that
stealthily dominates my
thoughts.
It mutates as I realise
that they only reach out
when they need someone
to mediate a fight. Why
do I have to be useful to
be noticed and why do I
care about people who so
effortlessly prove they don’t
care about me?
While Janet’s delicately
yearning for her ‘you’ back,
I’m forced to reconcile with
the fact that I have never
That was me last year, the
day of my eighteenth. The
momentous departure
from childhood trappings,
the ultimate voyage
into adulthood and new
possibilities. But even on
that day, sadness glided my
weary fingers across the
school keyboard.
Now a month into nineteen,
not much has changed.
Sure, I’ve made new
friends and I’m trying my
best to float in this cold
and confusing world. My
smile remains crooked. My
effervescent joy artificial.
My energy is simply a legacy
of a body that refuses to die.
I’m still grieving a love I
never had.
I pretend I’m the dragon
breathing fire, but I’m
broken and I’m crying.
C R E A T I V E W R I T I N G
scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
27
PROSE
The Bridge
WINNER:
‘
I
had a ‘you’. That the many
there, grin compliantly as
get so lonely, can’t let potential ‘You’s’ in my life With all that weighing they explain away another
just anybody hold me have moved away, created on me and not enough transgression.
an unbridgeable distance, stabilizing my self-esteem,
You are the one that lives in or simply discovered ways I start to think that my
me, my dear
to shatter my heart.
uniqueness is my barrier to
acceptance, the obstacle
I want no one but you’ -Janet
preventing me from finding
Jackson, I Get Lonely (1997)
my ‘you’.
My mum says she’s proud
that I’m not afraid to be
unique. I chuckle. If I’m
going to be gawked at, I
might as well be a spectacle.
If I baptise myself in a lake
of fire maybe my thirst for
acceptance will cease even
as I burn. Maybe the ghosts
in my group chats won’t
haunt me.
I am submerged in sadness
deeper than my motivation
to be happy. I talk to people
on the daily, but it takes
effort. I simply cannot be
or else I fade into a second
thought, another forgotten
invite. I need to be funny,
insightful, articulate, loud
but not too loud, strong
but too much resolve is
aggression. So, I sprinkle
a few aphorisms here and
My heart is bleeding on my
sleeves as I stitch gold out
of the discarded, knot by
knot. My hands get frail and
my wings heavier. My mind
dilapidated from decoding
intentions from their
inaction.
‘Well, I care
I know you don’t care too
much
But I still care’- Beyoncé, I
Care (2011)
I am angry. And anger like
mine can’t be contained.
Tomorrow I’m meeting
them at the middle of the
bridge.
Comments from
This piece is hauntingly beautiful.
Emoefeoghene (Efe) captures a
melancholic weight that encapsulates the
entire piece with a sense of yearning.
The art for this piece is
originial artwork from
Third Year student, Eve
Perring.
the Editor
The piece brilliantly explores the fear of
going into the world, and the nostalgia we
feel for our childhoods.
The use of metaphor and imagery creates a
rich and colourful world, that is ultimately
dimmed by the approaching idea of
adulthood.
by Emoefeoghene (Efe) Imoyin-Omene
Urire and Akpofure
Efe Imoyin-Omene
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Black is the colour of my true love’s
hair
Little did 16-year-old Akpofure know
that September 20th 1992 was going to
change his life and create two.
‘I’ll call you.’ He declared.
‘How? You don’t even have my number.’
She responded with incredulity
burrowing her delicate brows.
‘I’ll find it.’
Church
It began as innocuously as any other
day. Akpofure was strolling back to his
estate from church. Then a friend called
him over. That’s when he met her.
That night Akpofure was on the quest
of his life. Thankfully, both of their dads
worked for the same company so he
was able to find it.
Urire.
She was adorned in a loosely fitting
knee-length dress, had a low cut, and
radiated an addictive warmth. Even
back then, her beauty needed no
assistance. She had a light so bright it
was blinding to the uninitiated. But
Akpofure knew how to bask in her glow.
Urire and Akpofure started walking
together, the conversation was so easy
they couldn’t even feel the dawn setting
in on them.
‘5041 was the number!’ He sings right
before he drops me off at the train
station.
‘A number I’ll never forget.’
Thank you mum and dad for your love.
It’s what got me here.
Photos: Urire and
Akpofure Imoyin-Omene
28
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scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
29
S p o r t s
Bombers Set to Fly
High in 2024
SPORTS EDITORS:
Will Jones
& Peter Murdock
Getting
Ready for
the 2024
Olympics
Peter Murdock
SPORTS EDITOR
The Lancaster University American Football
society- the Bombers- will come into the
second half of their season brimming with
confidence.
At time of writing, they are enjoying an undefeated
season, with the prospect of it being capped with a
double bill, consisting of a clash with UCLAN that
would see them promoted into Division 1 North A,
and of course, a home Roses.
It’s a palpably exiting time to be a
Bomber. Rookies who joined the
society at the start of 2023 have
cemented themselves into the team
over the course of the last term.
After a successful bootcamp following the
Christmas holidays, the club is ready to carry the
momentum on and off the field into the new year.
Speaking to Vice President Kaie Turner, it became
clear just how tight a unit
the society is, stemming
from a delicate but crucial
balance of values that exist
outside game day. Turner
was quick to emphasise the
key pillars of the squad-
“It’s a club team. It’s
about supporting and
growth.”
He then followed that with
a grin, and the equally
important admission that,
“We enjoy winning
and we are good at
it.”
They certainly are good at
it, but by no means does
that come from simply
turning up and putting in
a performance Any Given
Sunday.
The necessary
preparation that goes into a week
of training is in-depth and allencompassing.
From ‘chalk-and-talk’
analysis sessions, to position-specific
training, no stone is left unturned.
The nature of American Football, with it’s
seemingly endless rulebook and tactical approach,
is something that the Bombers actively lean into.
Turner explained that depending on
their opponent, Lancaster players have
to learn new tactics and positional
play, which is practised and filmed in
training, before being reviewed by the
team and the coaches.
Despite this in-depth approach, Turner was quick
to point out how within the society.
“Everyone is learning.”
The ethos around building relationships which feed
into team performance is something that Turner
embodies.
“We rely on veteran players and coaches, lads
that really know what they are doing- I’m not one
of them! I have to turn around to people like Jack
Watson and Coach Swimmers.”
The calibre of both the playing and coaching roster
has encouraged growth. Headed by Lea Hall, the
coaching team is comprised of individuals whose
expertise has been crucial in constructing game
plans and general management.
During the two-times weekly training sessions, the
work of Defensive Coordinator Coach Swimmers
(Matthew Berry) and Offensive Coordinator Coach
Rosie (Andrew Morrow) have helped build a wellrounded
and competitive squad.
Many members of the Bombers, past
and present, have been selected to
play in the BUCS All-Star North vs
South game, providing opportunities
for players to gain experience and
if they stand out, to be potentially
scouted.
Ruby Watson, who joined the Bombers at the start
of the academic year, is a current member of the
Great Britain American Football Team, and has
been a vital cog in the team’s success during the
2023-2024 season.
To have a player like Ruby Watson is a rare luxury.
The size of the sport within the UK makes for a
small player pool.
According to the British American
Football Association, in 2019, around
4,230 students were engaged in
BUCS Football.
It’s hard to judge whether this relatively low number
of students, compared to many other university
sports countrywide, has since risen or decreased in
the aftermath of Covid-19.
The wider placing of American
Football in the UK sports scene is an
interesting topic. Since the 1980s,
various news outfits, beginning with
Channel 4, quickly cottoned onto the
popularity of the sport within Britain.
However, the engagement that has since been
shown towards the NFL and College Football
across the pond, has not corresponded to local
interest in British American Football.
Kaie Turner believes that a mixture of funding
and media attention, coupled with a grassroots
approach, would see the game make strides. Quite
clearly the picture needs to change-
“There are so many UK fans of
American football but if you turn around
to an American Football fan in England,
and ask who’s your favourite local team,
they’d respond with ‘I didn’t realise we
had one.’”
Across Britain, the amount of American Football
teams is slim. Indeed, when asking Turner about
the mixed gender makeup of University American
Football, it became clear that for men and women,
opportunities to play at a local level are significantly
less than many other typically UK-based-andplayed
sports.
“When else in my
life am I going to
be able to join
an American
Football team and
get stuck in? Why
would I pass up
the opportunity?”
Happily, for all
students, BUCS
American Football
provides that chance.
The 2024 Lent
Term promises
more of these
chances. The
clash with
UCLAN on
Superbowl
Sunday promises
to be epic, with
the Bombers’
chance of promotion hanging on that
game.
Following their bout, the team are hosting a Super
Bowl party at The Crafty Scholar in town, which
will surely be a night to remember.
Wednesday night socials will also be
back firmly in full swing, alongside
weekly flag football sessions that are
open to the entire university.
Of course, there’s the small matter of Roses at the
start of May, where the Bombers will seek to make
it a hat-trick of victories over York Centurions.
With a truly unique team spirit and ethos, led by
individuals like Kaie Turner and the Club President
Matthew Chadwick, who’d bet against them to do
just that.
If you are keen to join the Bombers, head to their
Instagram @lubombers and get in touch via DM.
Photo Credits: Ottillie Peterson
Valentina Caneschi
MUSIC EDITOR
Whether you’re tuned in
for the incredible displays
of athleticism or for the
wonderful opening ceremony,
the Summer Olympic Games
are a must-watch.
This international sporting event has
existed since the late 19th century,
taking inspiration from the Ancient
Greek Olympics.
Happening every
4 years (with some
exceptions), this year’s
Summer Olympic
Games are coming back
July 26th and ending
August 11th. They will
be held in Paris, which
has been preparing for
them for years.
According to the Olympics official
website, the estimated viewers for the
opening ceremony are 1 billion, around
1/8 of the world population. 206
countries will be participating, putting
together a total of 10500 athletes.
While the athletes are
working hard to bring
pride to their country
by participating in the
Games, Paris is quickly
finalising all the details
and event spaces, and
the viewers are waiting
in anticipation.
Paris 2024 have decided to take the
opportunity provided by the IOC in
the Olympic Agenda 2020 to “propose
additional sports to enhance its
programme and overall concept.”
The four additional
sports that will be
added this year include:
Breaking, a type of
dance, Sports Climbing,
which involves boulder,
speed, and lead,
Skateboarding, and
Surfing.
But the real question is... will the USA
win again, as they did for the past three
games, or will a new country be at the
head of the medal table?
We will soon find out!
30
S P O R T S
SCANLU SCANLancaster scan.lancastersu.co.uk
Excitement Builds as the Cricket
Club Gears Up For BUCS and Roses
Will Jones
SPORTS EDITOR
In a bid to elevate their performance in the upcoming
BUCS season and Roses, the cricket club is undergoing a
strategic shift in its training approach.
The club’s leadership, spearheaded by First Team Captain
and Vice President Gregour Carr, is placing a heightened
focus on individual drills to fine-tune player skills and
ensure they hit the ground running when the competitive
season kicks off.
Carr, an enthusiastic advocate for structured training
programs, emphasized the importance of returning to the
rhythm of playing cricket.
“This will give us the best opportunity to play at
our best during the BUCS season and Roses,”
Carr noted during an interview.
The club’s commitment to individual drills is seen as a
crucial element in their pursuit of success.
Despite the inevitable loss of some graduating
players, the teams remain relatively stable.
Carr expressed confidence in the ability of the new crop of
freshers to seamlessly integrate into the squad.
“I believe both the 1s and 2s are good enough
to push for promotion in BUCS,” Carr declared.
The Second Team, having finished runners-up for the last
two years, is poised for a breakthrough. Carr is optimistic
about their chances, stating,
“It is about time the result goes their way, and
we get that desired promotion.”
The club’s aspirations extend beyond BUCS success, with
Carr setting his sights on repeating the triumphs of the
previous year at Roses.
“The boys can get the job done,” Carr affirmed,
illustrating his unwavering belief in the team’s
capabilities.
The First Team Captain is particularly enthusiastic about
the upcoming season and sees it as an opportunity to
showcase the team’s talent and determination.
One player who promises to be a standout
performer this season is Josh Little.
Hindered by injury last year, Little was unable to participate
in Roses. Carr is eagerly anticipating a full season with
Little, emphasizing his significant contributions both with
the bat, boasting an impressive average of 40,
and as an electric wicketkeeper.
Carr believes that having Little on the
field for an entire season will make a
substantial difference and contribute
positively to the team’s dynamics.
Reflecting on his role as captain, Carr expressed
his enjoyment in guiding the team through the
season.
He relishes the opportunity to help his
teammates enhance their skills during training
sessions and views the captaincy as a new
dimension that adds to his own game.
“I love a challenge,” Carr stated,
underlining his eagerness to step
onto the pitch and lead the team to
success.
As the cricket club intensifies its preparations, anticipation
among players and supporters alike is palpable.
With a renewed focus on individual drills, a stable team
composition, and key players like Josh Little poised for a
stellar season, the club is gearing up for an exciting and
competitive journey ahead in BUCS and Roses.
Carlos Alcaraz: The New Ace of Our Time
Peter Murdock
SPORTS EDITOR
I was seriously annoyed when I realised that I wouldn’t be
able to watch the 2023 Wimbledon Men’s Final.
Tuning into Wimbledon every summer has
routine, usually with the shameful but
unique admission of not having watched
any of the other tournaments during the
season.
But as soon as I was able to,
watched the entire final back in
full- a testament if nothing else
to Carlos Alcaraz, and how he
captivated me during the
course of Wimbledon.
Coming into the tournament as the
Men’s World No. 1 seed must have
carried a serious amount of pressure, and
following his winning of the US O p e n ,
the expectation and curiosity
surrounding Alcaraz was
tangible.
become
hardly
I
tennis
Would he be able to rise to
the challenge of playing on grass?
Would he even make it out of the first
round? Even by the time of the final, could
he beat 7-time Wimbledon winner Novak
Djokovic? Resoundingly, all answers were in
the affirmative.
My interests have usually centred around team sports.
Rugby, Football, more recently Ice Hockey- they have
always captured my attention.
I find them to be more naturally supportable from a
distance, and an easy and entertaining discussion point
with other sports fans.
There is much to be said for the value of
team sport. But sport is also entertainment,
and at the highest level, sometimes that
can be forgotten and swept up into the
maelstrom of the professional industry.
Sportspeople have personalities, and
when playing individually, much of that
personality is laid bare to the audience.
For me, that is enthralling.
Tennis has a tendency
to serve up some of
the most polarising,
and crucially,
entertaining characters
of the
sporting landscape.
From John McEnroe,
to more recently
Nick Kyrgios,
entertainment that
fulfils various definitions has been
provided.
Alcaraz perhaps does not possess the
more explosive personalities of the above.
Undoubtedly, the indispensable fire and
drive is there, and those watching inperson
or on television bear witness to
that.
But his manner is exemplary, and he really
seems to love playing, particularly
in moments with everything on the line.
I’ve been lucky to grow up with the modern
greats of the sport, so why in under a year
has such a special affinity developed?
Unquestionably, his style of play is box-office, from
his sheer speed around the court, to the disguised
drop-shots that almost seem too nonchalant
to work.
Maybe it was the fact that
he seemed to be the one to
fill into the void left by
Federer, Nadal, Djokovic and
Murray.
The simple answer dawned on
me a while after watching the
final. Carlos Alcaraz is my age.
All things being well, he is set to
become the player of my generation.
Whilst I grew up watching Andy Murray winning
Wimbledon, I will grow alongside Alcaraz.
He will be a reference marker to me for
years to come, and I will always be able to
remember the starting point.
No pressure, Carlos.
Photo Credits (from both articles):
@lancasteruniversitycc on Instagram,
@carlitosalcarazz on Instagram
and Getty
scan.lancastersu.co.uk SCANLU SCANLancaster
31
These Violent Delights:
The Catharsis of Kickboxing
Noor Rakha
Strangely, the fierce nature of the sport
a sense of clarity.
CREATIVE WRITING EDITOR
makes it a lot easier to connect with people,
Exercise in general has been proven to improve your mood. What is
as you’re always trying to make sure your particularly attractive about kickboxing is that it is not only exercise, but
blows aren’t too hard.
it can also alleviate pressures in a controlled, supportive environment.
I started kickboxing in my first year of university, via the
LU Kickboxing Society (@lukickboxing). I didn’t have any
prior experience, and I frankly had no idea what I was
doing.
Despite this, I continued to turn up every other week and made it a part
of my regular schedule. Surprisingly, it wasn’t only self-defence that I
learned in those sessions.
The society usually meets twice a week, on
a Wednesday and a Sunday, for sessions in
the George Fox Foyer.
Although the proper techniques are taught, we are often advised to be
gentle during sparring matches, just in case.
Most people might expect a martial arts
society to have an intense atmosphere, but
that couldn’t be further from the truth. The
sessions feel very welcoming and inclusive
with a patient exec always willing to help.
The sessions usually encourage you to pair up, meaning you end up
meeting new people every week.
There are a plethora of reasons why people start kickboxing, but I think
the reason why people continue to do it is far more interesting.
Khalisah Mahmood, President of LU Kickboxing Society told me:
“I enjoy kickboxing for a lot of reasons, but
what made me continue doing it over the
years was it allowed me to clear my mind. It
helps me resolve any tensions, stress and
helped me become a lot more focused and
confident.”
It might sound strange to associate catharsis with martial arts, but there
is something very therapeutic about it.
Like Khalisah, I found that kickboxing aided
me when I felt stressed or overwhelmed
with my course and assignments. I found
a sense of relief, which meant that when I
returned to my studies, I approached it with
S P O R T S
I was quite timid when I started. There were a few times that I outright
refused to punch people during sparring sessions, which, as you can
imagine, was not a very smart strategy.
I’ll never forget what the coach told me
afterward; “You just have to go and punch
someone in the face.”
The point of sparring was contact, and I didn’t believe I could hold my
own. I lacked confidence, and so I gave up before I had even started.
So, after that session, I decided not to be
timid.
A year and a half later, I punched someone in the face during a sparring
session. I was swiftly kicked thereafter, but it showed how much I’ve
grown in confidence over time.
Kickboxing isn’t only about self-defence;
it can be a safe outlet for stress or an
engaging way to build up your confidence.
But most importantly, it’s really freaking cool.
Women’s Futsal Pushes for Place at
Roses
Peter Murdock
SPORTS EDITOR
Up until the last few months, there’s
been no way for women to play
Futsal at Lancaster University.
Hopefully, that is all about to
change.
The creation of a women’s Futsal
team is a mission that Max
Bachellerie and other members of
the Futsal team have been on for
a while and, as the academic year
wears on, is one that they are close
to achieving.
The idea to set up a women’s side
was born at Freshers Fair. Whilst
running the Futsal stand, Bachellerie
had several inquiries about whether
there was a team for women.
“We just had to say ‘No,
there isn’t a women’s team.’ My original excuse
was that there wasn’t the demand- It became
fairly clear that there definitely is the demand
for it.”
From that moment, his interest in fulfilling that demand
only increased, despite the difficulties that come with
wanting to create a new team.
“It’s still really early. We’ve only hosted a
handful of sessions, but I think women’s Futsal
can grow massively at this university.”
“The team has to demonstrate sustainability,
and I firmly believe that this is a sustainable
avenue.”
Sustainability is an important part of the journey. Creating
a team that doesn’t exist for more than one season is
simply not a potential outcome that Bachellerie, or more
importantly, LUSU Sport, are interested in.
Indeed, no BUCS team has folded since
Covid- a proud record that LUSU wish to
maintain.
However, the rewards of forming a
women’s Futsal team surely outweigh
the risks.
Bachellerie hopes that “if all goes well, next year they’ll be
in a BUCS league, playing as much as the current men’s
team does.”
Since joining the men’s team, Bachellerie has
been part of a tight-knit 25-strong playing
squad that competes in BUCS and of course,
against York.
Competing in a team at Roses is a truly special experience,
and Bachellerie is determined to provide women that are
keen to play Futsal with that chance.
When will that chance come? This question
applies to Futsal as a whole.
Away from the fledgling women’s team, Bachellerie also
wants to better engage the existing men’s squad. He’s
already applied for a men’s second team Roses match,
which would see the players not picked for the second
team still competing.
The player pool for men and women is
unquestionably there.
Moreover, the sport occupies a notably unique relationship
with other societies. The 11-a-side team has players who
come to Futsal to give their players extra game time.
Futsal also draws international students, with
players from four continents in the current
men’s team.
The society tries to appeal to as broad a student population
as possible. There’s no reason why this couldn’t apply to all
Futsal teams.
Responding to a question about his desired outcome, Max
Bachellerie was clear.
“The dream is for Women’s Futsal is to become
its own autonomous entity.’
In other words, the hope of it becoming a fully-fledged
society. If this article does anything to further this goal,
then its writer will be content.
For further details surrounding training times- currently
every Tuesday morning at 11:15-12:45 in the Sports Centrehead
to their Instagram @lufutsalclub
Photo Credits: Max Bachellerie
32
SCAN PUZZLES
1) Against (4)
6) Diner’s request (5)
8) Reflection (6)
11) Tiny British bird (4)
15) Voiced by Chris Pratt
(8)
16) The university world
(10)
ACROSS
DOWN
1) Pooh’s bouncy friend (6)
3) None (4)
4) Look up to someone (6)
5) ‘Feel Good Inc.’ band (8)
7) Christmas drink (6)
9) Turn bitter (7)
17) In depth (8)
18) A criminal (5)
19) Say sorry (9)
20) Infomation from lectures (5)
21) Garden grass (4)
22) Football match (8)
10) Ancient item (5)
12) Mental obstacle to
creativity (7, 5)
13) Idiot (3)
14) To Explode something (8)
17) Healing plant (4, 4)
It’s the middle of Lent term. Why don’t you do some
puzzles on your study break? It’ll keep your mind active!
The answers will be released on our Instagram very soon!
Message us at @SCANLancaster to let us know what
other types of puzzles you want to see in our issues.
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