1. MINERVA
FABIAN
BELASSIE
The singer-
songwriter on
his journey to
the top
Arts|Culture|Music|Film|Dance
M a y / J u n e
2015
£2.40
This Month...
CHESTER
World Exclusive
'80s band Orchestral
Manoeuvers in the
Dark are back and set
for two-year world
tour starting this
summer
3. May/June 2015 MINERVA | 54 | MINERVA May/June 2015
Chester Fringe
Art, crafts, dance,
food, drink, music,
comedy, burlesque,
literature and
drama- you name,
Chester Fringe
festival has it. A
festival that makes
the most of the city
centre, visit www.
chesterfringe.co.uk
Midsummer
Watch Parade
Spanning over 500
years, this archaic
parade is a fantastic
chance to become
a part of the city’s
history. This parade
is lively, free and
suitable for all ages-
a perfect day out.
Moonlight flicks
Set in the beautiful Roman gardens, and steeped
in history, this open
air cinema is the only
event of its kind for
miles around. Don’t
forget to bring a
blanket! Visit www.
moonlightflicks.co.uk
for the full 2015 film
listings.
Chester Music
Festival
This two-week festival
exhibits an array of
world-class orchestral
musicians. Ticket
prices start at £19.50
with concessions
for children and
students. For more
details visit www.
chestermusicfestival.
co.uk
Northgate
Festival
The streets of Chester
are transformed into
a flurry of musical
performances,
historical reenactments
and art fairs. A truly
extraordinary day for the
Chestonians. Visit www.
thenorthgatequarter.
co.uk for more
information.
Essar Literature
Festival
While this date may come
nearer to the end of the
year, it is certainly high on
our list of events to visit. A
festival which welcomes
some of the most loved
and renowned writers
and critics. Visit www.
literaryfestivals/chester.
htmlMay 16
Oct 10-Oct 25
June 3-13 July 7-Aug 29
June 21, Aug 9, Aug 30June 20
June 20
May 30
Next Issue...
Manchester
If you’re a fan of House music, cheap drinks and young vibes,
then no visit to Chester would be complete without a night
at NGHTWRK. This night, which started in November 2013,
is proudly ran by students, for students- a fact which sets
them apart from any other student night in the city. To avoid
becoming overly repetitive, this DJ-led night only runs on
a monthly basis. You can catch these party animals at The
Live Rooms opposite Chester train station, the nucleus for
the city’s modern music scene. Visit www.facebook.com/
nghtwrkchester for details on their next night.
While not as prominant on the music scene as other venues
in Chester, as the new kid on the block The Church is
bustling with energy and brimming with talent every Friday
night. Housed in the most spectacularly converted church,
this bar-come-music venue has risen in popularity among
Chestonians. Whether it is your Sunday lunch location or your
last stop, the atmosphere in The Church is hardly religious.
and its free entry makes it a must-visit for weekend excursions.
Visit www.churchchester.com to see what they have to offer in
music, food and drink.
Hidden off a cobbled passageway in the city centre,
Alexander’s is renowned for its enthusiasm in the arts. The
club has seen many an act, big and small, grace their stage,
however, it is their dedication to comedy which is strikingly
unusual. Every Saturday night the venue plays host to
Chester’s biggest comedy club, with three acts, a mixture of
amateurs and professionals, performing weekly. Admission
is £12 and they even offer set menu and show deals starting
from £27.95. Visit www.alexanderslive.com for more
information on their music, film and comedy nights.
Every Sunday, Telford’s Warehouse, situated on the canal,
transforms into a platform for which musicians, singers,
dancers, and peformers of all abilities are given the
opportunity to showcase their budding talent. Inside, the
beautiful Georgian building transforms into a cultural hub for
both the young and old, with quirky artwork hanging on the
exposed brick and timber décor. For the locals, this weekly
event is a perfectly relaxing way to end their week.
Visit www.telfordswarehousechester.com for more
information on their upcoming events.
Dates for your diary...
T h e R e g u l a r s . . .
As far as cities go, Chester is certainly one of
the most intimate in the UK. That doesn’t mean,
however, that arts and culture in the area take a
backseat- quite the opposite, actually! As part of
our journey to discover the country’s worst kept
secrets we have spent a great deal of time in this
small, Northern city. At first glance it could be easy
to disregard Chester as a place where the Romans
built long-standing walls, or where people flood to
bet on the horseracing, or even where you could
have a quiet, sophisticated lunch on the river for
triple the price of anywhere else in the North West.
Yet if you open your eyes to the hidden, cobbled
alleyways and the seemingly ordinary-looking,
independant coffee shops you will discover that
Chester holds the key to a world of underground
culture. Coffee shops by day double-up as outlets
of expression by night. This unassumedly quaint
city secretly uncovers the emerging artists among
its youth, yet also flaunts its talent with its stance
on license-free busking. Undoubtedly, one of the
most beautiful sounds is that of growing prodigies
flooding the streets of the city centre at every turn.
From mime artists to full brass bands, Chester has
it all.
CH ESTER Join us as we travel the length of the country to
find the biggest events that art, music, dance
and drama have to offer...
Young Guns
This band has stormed
the UK charts with hits
like Bones and I Want
Out. Don’t miss out on
£13.50 tickets (+ BF)
Under 16s must be
accompanied by an
adult. Doors open
at The Live Rooms.
at7pm.
Craig Charles
Head on down to
The Live Rooms to
see the legend play
his live funk and soul
DJ set. Tickets start
from £16 ADV for
those aged 18 and
over. Doors open
from 9pm.
Photo:www.tripadvisor.co.uk
Photo:www.churchchester.com
Photo:www.telfordswarehousechester.com
Photo:PaigeEdge
Photo:www.chester360.co.uk
Photo:www.flickr.com/photos/philncaz
Photo:www.chesterfringe.co.uk
Photo:www.winduprecords.com
Photo:www.chestermusicfestival.co.uk
Photo:www.midsummerwatch.co.uk
Photo:www.theliverooms.com
Photo:www.moonlightflicks.co.uk
4. Photo: Paige Edge
Fabian Belassie
Among the many musicians making noise in the cobbled city is London-born
Fabian Belassie. We met up with him to talk about his journey, where it’s
going, and why he isn’t clogging up our airwaves yet.
F
abian first arrived in Chester in 2010 in
order to start his university career. Like
many students, at times his attention veered
away from his studies, and in the process of
procrastination, music became an outlet, a hobby, a
passion.
Studying Creative Writing at the University of Chester
served as a convenient tool in his venture into song-
writing, something he admits he arrived at later than
most musicians. Once he had wetted his beak, however,
he had the bug. Almost immediately he was playing
every open-mic night the city had to offer, trialing
original material, and even learning a new instrument.
Having arrived at University only able to play piano,
he confesses he picked up a guitar reasonably quickly,
telling us that it was initially to be another song-writing
tool, however found his Yamaha Stage Piano an effort
to lug around Chester, and grew attached to the more
portable, lightweight instrument.
In this age of the Internet stars, reality talent shows
and up-and-coming Singer-Songwriters we asked
Fabian why he hadn’t been tempted by the lure of the
overnight stardom talent shows have to offer. He spoke
of his musical role models, how the likes of Passenger,
Ed Sheeran and Jay-Z used the old fashioned method
of hard work, practice and building an organic fan-base.
"I grew up listening to great musicians like Bob Dylan
and James Taylor, and I would love to be like that. I am
a firm believer in the theory, the quicker it takes you to
break into the music business, the quicker you are spat
back out by it."
Fabian has utilised the brilliance of the Internet,
however. YouTube, Facebook, SoundCloud and Twitter
all fill his tool-box, they are essential, he says, and even
though the world is getting bigger, and the ever-
expanding talent pool far easier to get lost in, all these
outlets still put you in your audiences pocket.
"I take a lot of inspiration from these YouTube stars,
maybe we want different things in life, but you have
to admit it, they are not half powerful in their ability to
expand their personal brand on social media."
Fabian has extended his reach past Chester in recent
years. From touring London, headlining the famous
music night at The Natural History Museum, to raising
money for the Teenage Cancer Trust supporting the
unlikeliest of musicians, Peter Andre, and being named
Artist of the Month by the infamous musical haunt The
Bitter End in New York City, his reach has not exceeded
his grasp.
"The most recent big gig I have done is that for
Teenage Cancer Trust in Harrogate, this February. It was
such an honour to have been picked by the organisers
themselves to perform. The whole day and night was
fantastic, and I think they had raised over £60,000 by
the end of the night!"
If you think he is phased by celebrities, think again.
One of the guest judges at the gig, a playful take on
BBC's The Voice, called The Voice of Charity, was none
other than Peter Andre.
"He was really down-to-earth, he complimented my
voice and told me I was worth his vote. We might not be
into the same musical genre, but compliments like that,
Interview: Paige Edge
One to watch...
5. So what's next on the cards for this talented 25-year-
old?
It seems like less gigging and much more
songwriting, "I am working on my debut EP at the
minute. This year has been hectic so I
want to make sure I dedicate the next
few months to pure writing- at least I
am not short of inspiration living in a
beautiful city like Chester."
That being said, he divulges to
us how he is ready for a change
of scenery, "I've been here for five
years, I'm ready to try something
new!"
With cultural hubs like Liverpool
on his doorstep, I doubt he will be
stuck for material this summer, and
if it all goes well we hope to see him
gracing our television screens soon!
One of the main reasons this
talented prodigy turned to music
is due to his family. "They are
enthusiasts to say the least," he told
us, "my parents were forever introducing me to new,
well old, musicians and seeing their love for it only
added to my fascination of it."
He seems to follow in the footsteps of both his father
and his step-
father when it
comes to his
musical talents.
"My dad was
in a band in his
youth, they got
quite far, actually,
until he decided
to take a different
career path into
advertising. He
8 | MINERVA May/June 2015
lives in New York now, which is a fantastic excuse for me
to go and play in the US at any opportunity!
"My step-dad has been a manager of many bands,
including the amazing Meatloaf, so it was only natural
that I would fall into the
music scene sooner or
later."
Yyet, you would be
mistaken in thinking he
would ask for either family
member's help with his
music career. "Using them
in that way would take away
from all of the hard work I
have put in over the last few
years. If i'm going to do this,
I want to do it properly."
If you are living in the
North West area, Fabian
tells us that he regularly
plays at open mics and
other small gigs, to keep
his creative juices flowing,
namely Telford's Warehouse open mic night every
Sunday.
What advice would you give anyone hoping to break
into the biz? "Constant gigging. Put your name down
for every gig, open mic and guest slot, both paid and
unpaid, you can find. The more you get your name
about, by using gigs and social media as a tool, the
bigger following you will recieve. Who knows? One day
I might get a call from SBTV."
We at Minerva expect great things from this young
talent. Keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for his
upcoming debut EP currently in production, and get to
know him now by visiting his Soundcloud and YouTube
page. You’re welcome in advance…
Visit www.fbelassie.com, follow @fbelassie on Twitter,
or like Fabian Belassie Music on Facebook.
“Peter Andre
complimented my
voice and told me I
was worth his vote- a
compliment like that,
coming from a world-
famous professional
was intense!”
Photo: Paige Edge
OntheRadar...
May/June 2015 MINERVA | 9
1 CHESTER-boy
Alx Green started
playing guitar in
college for various
bands, before
breaking away to
pursue his own
solo act. A year ago
the talented artist
brought out his first
EP, It Won’t Last,
which celebrated
its 1st birthday on
May 5 this year.
The 25-year-old
has the trademark
soothing sound
of artists such as
Ben Howard and
Bon Iver, with a
sprinkling of Matt
Corby too. This
Northern star has
recently played
Focus Wales
festival in Wrexham
and is said to be
recording his
second EP. Look
out over the next
few months as Alx
is set to release
a number of new
songs for free.
Catch up with his
songs available on
iTunes, Soundcloud
and Spotify. Go
to @alx_green on
Twitter, like Alx
Green Music on
Facebook or visit
www.alxgreen.com
3 WELSH-born
Ffion Davies is a
singer-songwriter
who has been
performing from a
young age. She is
trained in musical
theatre which
gives an element
of the fantastical
to her pieces. As
an enthusiastic
performer you can
always find her
busking the streets
of Chester, taking
advantage of its
license-free busking
policy. With a
varied reportoire,
including swing,
rock, pop and
blues, it is doubtful
you would ever
get bored of
listening to this
talented artist. If
listening to songs
in English is too
tedious for you, this
enchanting singer
has also released
a number of songs
in Welsh. For more
information follow
@Ffilly95 on Twitter
or give her a listen
on
www.soundcloud.
com/ffion.davies
4 UP-and-
coming dance
theatre company
enCompass
Collective
originally started
out as a graduate
dissertation but
after winning a
Santander start-up
fund, managed
to form their
own professional
company. They
have performed all
over the country
for various dance
platforms and
currently deliver
dance workshops in
many schools and
universities. They
run a contemporary
dance class at
the University of
Chester every
Monday evening
and ask people to
get in touch if they
are interested in
joining in.
For more
information,
like enCompass
Collective on
Facebook, follow
@enCCollective on
Twitter or visit
www.
encompass
collective
.com
5SAM Ryley is
one of Chester’s
go-to people
in the arts and
culture scene.
He is a creative
photographer who
has worked with
many commercial
companies, from
global brands such
as Reebok, Toni &
Guy and Selfridges,
to smaller brands
in the North West
area. He has also
worked in the
live music scene
in partnership
with the likes of
Manchester’s The
Ritz and Academy
groups. His
keen eye for the
beauty found in
nature and is also
a keen fashion
photographer. You
can find examples
of both his
photography and
film work in adverts
around Chester city
centre.For more
information, like
SAM Photography
& Film on
Facebook, follow
@Sam_Ryley on
Twitter or visit www.
samryley.com
1
3 54
2
Clockwisefromtopleft:www.facebook.com/pages/Alx-Green-Music,ToppyParry,www.facebook.com/
samphotofilm,www.encompasscollective.com,www.facebook.com/ffidav
2 COMMUNITY
theatre
company, Tip
Top Porductions,
is based in the
heart of Chester
city centre at the
Forum Studio
Theatre. They
perform around ten
productions each
season, of which
includes various
plays, musicals
and pantomimes
through the ages,
from Shakespeare
to Shaffer. All
aspects of the
company are made
up of amateur
artists within the
community, from
the production
team to the actors
themselves. This
summer you will
be able to catch
performances
of Return to
the Forbidden
Planet and Steel
Magnolias. The
company also
works closely with
the University of
Chester to ensure
regular work for
drama graduates.
For more news visit
www.
tiptopproductions.
co.uk
Fabian performed in front of Peter Andre. Photo: Paige Edge
6. They achieved fame in the 1980s and early ‘90s, now this Liverpudlian band
are back, bigger than ever, to show these youngsters how it’s done. Meet
Andy McCluskey, Paul Humphreys, Martin Holmes and Stuart Kershaw from
Orchestral Maneovres in the Dark.
Architecture and
Immortality
10 | MINERVA May/June 2015
T
here have been some interesting things
happening this year already. Thanks to the
band’s efforts, National Museums Liverpool
won the award for Most Innovate New
Enterprise for the Dazzle Weekend and concert at the
Association for Cultural Enterprises annual awards. The
award winning Dazzle Ships event at the Museum of
Liverpool featured a live performance and a recreation
of the First World War marine camouflage originally
designed by Norman Wilkinson.
In addition to these amazing acclaimations, band
members Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphreys
recently visited Germany for the Dresden Prize
commemorating the City’s recovery following the
infamous fire-bombing by allied forces in the Second
World War.
Over the last few months there has been a palpable
buzz around the world as fan sites began to speculate
on new dates for this year. To many international fans'
disappointment, however, this year's tour is limited to
festivals in Europe, causing frustration in the US, Canada
and the Southern Hemisphere, who will have to wait a
little longer until next year, to see the band play live.
Frontman Andy was quick to reassure them there will be
gigs near them soon...
Andy: "We are currently looking into the very
complicated business of setting up schedules for 2016.
As you can imagine it can take a lot of coordination and
time to put everything in place."
Ahead of the first leg of their tour, Minerva caught up
with the band to discover what rehearsals have been
like, introduce the band to a whole new generation of
music enthusiasts, and see who has a crush on who.
I'm asked to meet them in Leaf on Bold Street,
Liverpool and almost immediately I am drawn to the
idea of meeting world famous pop stars in somewhere
as laid-back and intimate as a Bold Street cafe. As
someone who has grown up on the outskirts of
Liverpool, I am always surprised to see famous faces out
and about in the city.
After a stressful train journey I arrive at the venue-
late, as always- and panicking about losing my cool so
early into the interview. Thankfully, to my surprise, the
band was caught in traffic on the way and had not yet
arrived. Soon after, they walked through the doors one
by one with such a calm demeanor.
Immediately it is easy to see how well they all click
with each other, after the introductions there is hardly a
lull in the conversation as they instantly make me feel at
ease in their presence. You might even say I am one of
Interview: Paige Edge
Photo:www.omd.uk.com
7. 12 | MINERVA May/June 2015
the lads now.
Finally, the questions turn towards the band's
reunion, with the men all carrying themselves with such
a confidence that would be welcomed on stage.
So, thank you for meeting with me. First of all, I need
to ask, how has the transition been? Was it easy to get
back into the swing of things after so long and how is
the preparation for the tour going?
Paul: “We have had two weeks of full band rehearsals
and there are a few days planned just before we go
to Spain. We tend to prepare individually and then
pull it all together in the rehearsals. I have been busy
reprogramming the synthesisers and modifying the live
sounds for the summer."
Stuart: “I’ve been practicing on
my own in a practice room since
December last year, re-learning
how to play the drums. It’s a bit
like riding a bike, you remember
how to do it and then its just a
case of the more you do, your
confidence increases and its not
long before you start jumping off
kerbs and pulling wheelies etc,
metaphorically speaking.”
This provokes a shy smile from
Stuart and a chuckle from the other
guys.
Andy: “I have literally been
riding my bike everyday keeping up my cardio fitness
and eating healthily. After so many years I don’t really
need to practice much. Except for remembering the
lyrics of course.”
How have relationships between each of you
changed since reforming?
Andy: “Obviously with Mal [Holmes] retiring from live
performances following his serious illness back in 2013
there has been a certain amount of adjustment for this
year’s shows. Most significantly this includes the return
of Stuart Kershaw on drums.”
Malcom Holmes was the original drummer back
in the 1980s and had rejoined the band
since 2007 until he collapsed on stage in
Toronto back in 2013. Stuart was pivotal
to OMD’s '90s comeback co-writing with
Andy on the multi-platinum album Sugar
Tax. This included the Single Sailing on the
Seven Seas which is also the highest UK chart
placing for the band, reaching number 3 in
1991. He toured playing drums
live in the 1990s and later went
on with Andy to form Atomic
Kitten in the late '90s.
Paul: “I think we all found it
a bit weird with Mal not being
there in rehearsals, but Stuart
is doing really well and the live
shows will be quite a refreshing
and new experience for us all
again after this time apart.”
Martin: “It certainly was
strange to look up and see someone else behind the
kit but Stuart is really fitting in brilliantly. I miss Mal but
once we’re playing the songs if I close
my eyes its like he’s there in the room
with us.”
Stuart: It was clear I wasn’t the only
one who found it all a little unnerving
at first. There was a bit of an elephant
in the room, but the lads never made
me feel like the new guy. It was all
very respectful as you’d expect from
seasoned campaigners preparing
for gigs. Once we started playing the
songs together, barring a few hilarious
howlers, everything quickly fell into
place and we are getting tighter every
time we play now."
Andy: There is a slight alteration of the dynamics
in the band, personality-wise, but the songs are still
sounding as great as ever."
I then believed it to be the appropriate time to ask
the band some ever so slightly lighter questions…
So...The answer that everyone has been waiting for...
Stuart: "Oh this sounds ominous..."
What is your favourite vegetable?
Andy: "[chuckles] You have me worried for a minute,"
he declares, relaxing back into his armchair, "I'd have
to say artichoke, I love it with Italian meats and
salamis."
Paul: "Asparagus is my new favourite food,
I'm on a massive health kick to get in shape
before the festivals this year. Gotta show off
this figure! [laughing]"
Martin: " Well, if we're sticking with the
A's, I'll go for...What else is there?"
Andy: "Aubergines!"
Martin: "All right,
aubergines, especially
in moussaka!"
Stuart: "Gotta be
spuds. They are just so
versatile."
I laugh and admit
they are mine for the
very same reason, and
just cross my fingers
that he wasn't joking.
If possible, what super power would
you have, and why?
Paul: “It would be great to be able to
“Once we started
playing the
songs together,
everything
quickly fell into
place”
Bottom: Andy and Paul pose for album cover in 1988, photo: Andrew Catlin.Top:
the band performs on Top of the Pops in 1981, photo: Arnold Williams. Right: Stuart
Kershaw first joined the band in 1988, photo: courtesy of www.facebook.com/stuker-
shaw. Far right: Andy McCluskey performs as part of the Liberator Tour in 1993, photo:
Neil Taylor. Bottom right: Stuart now feels he is ready to tour after months of long
rehearsals, photo: Paige Edge.
May/June 2015 MINERVA | 13
fly. We could save a fortune on air
fares."
Always thinking, Paul.
Andy: “I was going to pick that
so I’ll say, the ability to become
invisible so I can avoid being
recognised! [belly laughs]”.
He is almost too enthusiastic
which leads me to believe that
he does not get mobbed by fans
quite as much as he once did.
Stuart: "Telekinesis, then I
could play the drums without
moving my arms!"
An answer which is met by
several nods and even an, "ahh
yes".
Martin: "Then perhaps I would
go for some extra fingers so I
can play more notes at once."
Stuart: "I did not know
where that was going for a
minute, Martin..."
Ok, now he million-dollar
question, if you had to kiss a
man without judgement who
would it be?
Paul: “Robert Moog, the
inventor of the synthesiser,
well as a young man at least."
Andy: “Nikola Tesla, for his
part in the invention of the AC
alternating current system
which revolutionised the use
of electricity."
Oh yes, I should
have guessed, with the
references to two different
OMD songs.
Stuart: “Erm, I’m going to say Kit
Harrison, because he plays Jon Snow in Game of
Thrones and also he’s an actor, so he’ll be used to doing
that sort of thing."
Nice save, Stuart. Finally, however, a fellow Game of
Thrones fan! I resist the temptation to journey off onto a
blissful tangent of dragons and scheming queens.
So, what's next?
Well the band reveals to me that they have a new
album planned for 2016, with a large scale tour to
promote it, giving
those faraway fans a
chance to see their idols
perform. They are also
planning a special event
at the Royal Albert Hall,
London in May next year
featuring Dazzle Ships
and Architecture and
Morality. As McCluskey
maintains, “We aim to
work our way around
the world again,
spreading
our particular
brand of English Electric
Music.”
Dates of the tour
confirmed so far include
the 2015 Primavera
Sound Festival in
Barcelona May 27, as well
as three UK dates with
the band headlining the
Rewind festivals in Perth
July 26, Cheshire August
9 and Henley August 22.
For those of you who
still require a further
education in '80s
electrpop visit www.
omd.uk.com for more
information and news on
their upcoming gigs.
And if you think OMD
isn't your style, just
remember that since
annoucing their reunion
this year they have
already been featured
on the soundtrack to the
2015 Prada show, and
well as the Primavera
Sound Festival YouTube
advertisement.
So, backcomb your
hair and don your
shoulder pads, because the '80s are making a revival.
Clockwise from left: Stuart's previous band,The Calling,
in the early '80s, the team briefly reunited for Night of the
Proms in Germany in 2006, the band poses for photos in
Germany with both drummers. Photo: All courtesy of www.
facebook.com/stukershaw
OMD’s
Reign:1978
Band forms.
1980
First album
Orchestral
Manoeuvres
in the Dark
released.
Second album
Organisation
released.
1981
Architecture
and Morality
released.
1982
Orchestral
Manoeuvres In
The Dark, an
unauthorised
biography by
Mike West
published.
1983
Dazzle Ships
released.
1984
Junk Culture
released.
1985
Crush released.
1986
The Pacific Age
released.
1991
Sugar Tax
released.
1993
Liberator
released.
1996
Universal
released.
Band splits
due to waning
public interest.
2006
Band
announces
plans to reform.
Band perform
with Night of
the Proms in
Germany.
2009
The band’s
orchestral
performance
with the Royal
Liverpool
Philharmonic.
2010
History of
Modern
released and
reaches No.28
in the UK
Albums Chart.
European tour
announced.
2013
English Electric
released and
reaches No.12
in the UK
Albums Chart.
Band performs
at Coachella
festival.
2015
Band
announces two-
year world tour.
AndyMcCluskeyin1978.Photo:www.omd.uk.com
Top: Stuart
practiced for months
before meeting up with
the band, left: Martin,
Paul, Mal and Andy on
a photoshoot in 1980,
below: the band is at
the height of their fame
in 1987.All courtesy of
various photographers
on www.omd.uk.com
Paul and Andy pose with touring
equipment in Spring 1980. Photo: www.
omd.uk.com
8. 14 | MINERVA May/June 2015
The Avengers: Age
of Ultron
Undoubtedly, one of
the biggest films of this
year, the new, highly-
anticipated Avengers
is bigger, faster and
funnier than the first.
Considering the sheer
amount of action,
not one character is
neglected, with the
personal storylines of
each one poignantly
addressed, making this
film, not only exciting,
but touching too. Good
work, Whedon.
Rating: ***** (5/5)
The Hunger Games:
Mockingjay Pt. 1
It was always going
to be tricky splitting
Mockingjay into two
films, yet it is hard to
argue that this film
is as exciting as its
predecessors. This film
encompassess all of
the necessary build-up
to the final fight in the
last film, however, it is a
somewhat tiring watch.
Yet it is all improved
by Philip Seymour-
Hoffman, to whom the
film is heartbreakingly
dedicated to.
Rating: *** (3/5)
Interstellar
Off the back of his
Batman brilliance,
Christopher Nolan holds
true to his reputation
in filmmaking. This
captures the same
genius that he brought
to the superhero genre.
The characters don't get
lost in special effects, a
testament to his writing
and McConaughey's
and Hathaway's
performances. Visually
monumental, thought-
provoking and heartfelt-
Inception meets Apollo
13.
Rating: **** (5/5)
The Babadook
This film seems to
embody the modern-
day classic. The
Babadook does not
stoop to loud, jumpy
bangs, but creeps
up behind you and
keeps you peering
through your fingers.
It doesn’t dawdle, but
it does slow-burn until
the end which, in low
budget, Exorcist-esque
glory, the instensity
is increased for the
finale.
Rating: **** (4/5)
The Hobbit: The
Battle of Five Armies
It is hard not to compare
this trilogy with Peter
Jackson’sprevious
Middle-Earth
masterpieces,
unfortunately it is
disappointing. Jackson
continues his habit from
previous Hobbit films by
inventing plotlines, in
this case writing battles
and love stories that
seem like an attempt
to attract a broader
audience rather than
staying true to Tolkien.
Rating: ** (2/5)
The Imitation Game
Is it possible not to love
Mr Cumberbatch? I
don’t think so. Yet this
blockbuster seems
to miss the point of
the great story of the
accomplishments of
Mr Alan Turing. By
fabricating storylines
and diminishing Turing’s
hard work to mere
accidental miracles, the
producers have failed to
a point where not even
a star-ridden cast can
save it. Sorry.
Rating: *** (3/5)
Mark Knopfler: Tracker
If you love Dire Straits, then it will be hard not to
instantly fall in love with this
album. Knopfler has perfectly
bridged the gap between the
old and new by incorporating his
iconic, beautiful guitar riffs into a
modern sound, making this album
perfectly placed into today’s
charts.Listen out for Broken Bones and Basil.
Rating: ***** (5/5)
Mumford & Sons: Wilder Mind
Do they ever disappoint? They’re back and this
time they have swapped the banjos
for electric guitars while retaining
their individual sound. This fresh
new album delivers a different
identity in every song, yet each is
notably more emotive than any-
thing they have ever done before.
Listen out for Believe and Snake Eyes.
Rating: **** (4/5)
The Cribs: For All My Sisters
After a long break, it would seem likely that
these boys would come back bigger
than ever. However, you would
be mistaken. They seem to be
teetering on the brink of old and
modern indie music, which is
reflected in their confusing sound.
Overall the album is quite dull with
no song being greatly memorable.
Rating: ** (2/5)
Laura Marling: Short Movie
Arguably the most well-produced album in her
reportoire, her latest release is, with
her distinctly enchanting voice, a
refreshingly upbeat change to her
ususal country-esque sound. This
is, however, with the exception
of Strange which sounds like it
belongs on a Tenacious D album.
Expect more electric guitars, drums
and pop lyrics.
Rating: *** (3/5)
Reviews Blur: The Magic Whip
The beginning of the album is promising,
however that is where is ends. Initially,
they seem to have brought their
trademark ‘90s sound into the
21st Century, yet it quickly
becomes apparent that every
song is a sad cry back to their
former selves. By
the end of the album your ears are ringing with
the sound of screaming cockneys.
The Prodigy: The Day Is My Enemy
If you thought you had heard the last of
The Prodigy- you thought wrong, yet
after hearing their new release you
will find yourself wishing you were
right. They don’t seem to have
evolved at all, and even sound as
though they have sampled some
of their earlier songs, to judge for
yourself listen out for Nasty and Ibiza.
Rating: * (1/5)
Find out what DVD and album releases we have rated and slated
Review: Paige Edge
May/June 2015 MINERVA | 15
Mold, Flintshire was the scene
this May for the great Richard Alston
Dance Company as they performed
a beautiful triple bill, Nomadic,
Burning, Overdrive. As always, it
was the magical music unto which
the pieces were set, that was
granted the highest priority from
Richard Alston himself. However,
this fact did not take away from
the sheer brilliance of the dancers’
movements.
Yet Clwyd Theatr is no stranger to
the dance company, and this venue
has been an integral part of every
national tour for many years.
While we look back at some of
their magnificent moments, it is not
hard to remember the thousands
of aspiring dancers who have been
influenced by Alston’s innovative
and imaginative pieces. London
Contemporary Dance School,
nicknamed The Place, is where
Alston chose to reside, helping to
give experience to younger dancers
coming through and therefore
continuing to cultivate the longevity
of contemporary dance in Britain.
Richard Alston is, historically, one
of the first British contemporary
dance choreographers of the late
twentieth century and is often
famed for his varied repertoire,
from discerning abstract pieces
to those of which have a distinct
narrative. Yet one stylistic feature of
Alston’s work is his prevalent love of
music. Whether modern or classical,
Alston is able to create vivacious
visualisations of music on stage as if
the notes themselves were dancing
before your eyes.
All of the company’s dancers
are trained in classical ballet and
contemporary dance which allows
for phenonmenal strength, agility
and fluidity. These attributes
becomes fundamental when
performing iconic pieces such as
Overdrive (2003) which is renowned
for its highly technical movements.
This piece has become such an
inspiration that it is used in schools
and colleges throughout the UK as
a benchmark for budding dancers.
More recently, however, the piece
has been reworked and modernised
to perform during their twentieth
century tour this year. You can now
book tickets for the Alston At Home
birthday party at The Place, June
10-13.
Take A Bow
As the Richard Alston Dance Company celebrates its twentieth birth-
day this year with a breath-taking performance at Clwyd Theatr, North
Wales, we take a look at their best moments.
Photo:www.richardalstondance.com
Photo:AllDVDpicturesarecreditedtowww.IMDB.comPhoto:Allalbumpicturesarecreditedtowww.apple.com/uk/itunes
9. Orchestral
Manoeuvres in the
Dark
Pimavera Sound Festival
Barcelona Forum Park, Spain
Wednesday 27th May
Retropop
Emmen, Netherlands
Saturday 13th June
Rock Zottegem
Zottegem, Belgium
Saturday 11th July
Rewind Festival
Scone Palace, Perth, Scotland
Sunday 26th July
Rewind Festival
Capesthorne Hall, Cheshire, England
Sunday 9th August
Frequency Festival
St. Pölten, Austria
Friday 21st August
Rewind Festival
Temple Island Meadows, Henley-on-Thames,
England
TBC
Brussels Summer Festival
Place des Palais, Belgium
TBC
Photo:www.omd.uk.comPhoto:www.omd.uk.com
