ISSUE 37 APRIL 2014 - FREE

E A S T E R S P E C I A L

The Mic Awards

What you need to hear this yearThe advent of Kanye West

100% DIGITAL IssueOur First Ever

(&100% Tree Fr iend l y )

^v

The beating heart of the city’s music scene, The Bodega is the place in Nottingham for new music, be it the hottest live acts before they make it big, or boundary-redefining clubnights of all

classes and creeds.

With the best garden in town, and an unrivalled beer, whiskey & jukebox selection, our award-winning bar is a staple of Nottingham’s nightlife landscape.

Come find us, and say hello to your new home.

www.bodeganottingham.com

The Mic AwardsWith all the glitz, glam and drama of the award season over the last few months, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to give out a couple more titles we reckon have been missed out by all the big names...pg 12

Fashion and Music1

Cass6

FEATURES

THIS YEAR

NME vs. Brit Awards10

The Advent of Kanye16

2014 Albums18

Writer’s Spotlight20

Bowie is Back24

MØ4

Nottingham Fests28

What to Wait For30Ones to Watch 32

Did you know that The University of Nottingham is currently the second

most environmentally friendly campuses in the world? Not bad. After

being voted #1 in 2011, UoN has continued to push the boundaries of

being green with sustainable transport, wind turbines and rolling leafy

parkland that would leave the National Trust green eyed.

As the University’s o�cial music magazine, The Mic prints thousands of

copies every year and it always has. We felt that it was time to ask, do we

really need to?

Our marketing bo�ns have pioneered new and innovative online media

tools to �nally bring the magazine into the present and right into

everyone’s hands. We’re very excited to announce that this 2014 easter

special is your �rst ever 100% digital, and 100% tree friendly issue.

Thank you for supporting your university, your local music scene and

your planet.

Luke Gallimore

Editor-In-Chief

THE MIC IS GOING GREEN(ER)

41

Did you know that The University of Nottingham is currently the second

most environmentally friendly campuses in the world? Not bad. After

being voted #1 in 2011, UoN has continued to push the boundaries of

being green with sustainable transport, wind turbines and rolling leafy

parkland that would leave the National Trust green eyed.

As the University’s o�cial music magazine, The Mic prints thousands of

copies every year and it always has. We felt that it was time to ask, do we

really need to?

Our marketing bo�ns have pioneered new and innovative online media

tools to �nally bring the magazine into the present and right into

everyone’s hands. We’re very excited to announce that this 2014 easter

special is your �rst ever 100% digital, and 100% tree friendly issue.

Thank you for supporting your university, your local music scene and

your planet.

Luke Gallimore

Editor-In-Chief

THE MIC IS GOING GREEN(ER)

By Jaisai Wongpichet

Talk a walk through campus and you will realise it is not that hard to make a

good guess of what might be on a person’s playlist based on what they

is undeniable that there are certain key fashion features that people with

statement snapback combo does scream House or Techno enthusiasts.

listen to than we’d like to admit.

Like how the Beatles sparked the collarless suit trend in the 60s or MC

that are most likely to be big in this year’s music and fashion scene.

Temples

Fashion and Music trends in 2014

Fashion and Music trends in 2014

The Retro/Vintage

year with the release of the trippy new band Tem

blouses just yet.

The Grunge

grunge rock sound with new bands like Jaws and Eagulls. Wolf Alice hopefully will release an album some

Swim Deep

Peace

Wolf Alice

Blood Red Shoes

shamelessly dance this year away with your secret guilty pleasure.

The Sultry Pop

tain ‘trend’ for the whole ‘pop’

There are probably the most

fashion under this genre and art

ists are more likely to end up on

at some point in their career.

darker turn with new faces like

The Rock ‘n Roll

ter. The key is to keep it clean

and simple. A crisp shirt with

go a long way with this trend.

glitchier and sultrier. This is translated

clothes and a lot of monotone. Beware

though; monotone is not necessarily

just the monochrome black and white

combo. That grim look should only be

ARCTIC MONKEYS The Drowners HAIM

BANKS FKA twIgs Say Lou Lou

4

-

Quite simply, her music doesn’t compromise; it’s loud, it’s heavy and it says exactly what everybody else seems to be ignoring.

-

-

-

-

-

MØ

5

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

By Ella Watson

MØ

C.A.S.S

6

a new singer and a new lease of life. Hot on the

C.A.S.S are everything a young band should be: passionate, determined, and completely in love with music.

a new guy in made us realise why we got into it in

‘he got the blood pumping again’. Although all four

didn’t know at the start if it would come to any

ing a frontman’.

est of guitar solos.

are guys who really care about what they are do

7

9

way few bands do.

general consensus that the music scene suits more

and we said to him “sing it like you’re really an

song that they like.’

mised by their decision to change their name from

Scapegoat because another band had copyrighted

sage of intent is heard loud and clear.

By @Alex_Orosa

8

By Priya Thakrar

and are in the process of recording a new record.

They incorporate unusual instruments such as

are set to release their debut album this May.

renowned for being the barometer for new and

status.

headliners look just as promising. Birmingham

In Love

Dot to Dot festival preview

way few bands do.

general consensus that the music scene suits more

and we said to him “sing it like you’re really an

song that they like.’

mised by their decision to change their name from

Scapegoat because another band had copyrighted

sage of intent is heard loud and clear.

By @Alex_Orosa

NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas 2014 The well-loved and possibly controversial NME awards were held on 26th February 2014, at the famous O2 Academy Brixton, London. The show was opened by the indie war heroes, Metronomy, performing the song from their newly-released album, . Other performers included Drenge and The Horrors.

-vis Cocker, went to for Best Live

onto stage, and frontman Alex Turner gave his speech: “As the sun sets on awards season for an-

about the Oscars and the NME Awards. That said

-ing and Two Door Cinema Club.

Lily Allen and as she went to collect it, she jokingly stated “This is kind of dumb because David Bowie was in

have truly shone over 2013-14. The category also included Arcade Fire and Queens of The Stone Age.

Some of the less serious awards went to Harry Styles for Villain Of The Year for the second year

David Cameron, Miley The 1975

were dubbed Worst Band, overtaking pop wonders The Wanted and .

The Horrors gave a debut performance of their -

ing album ‘Luminous.’ then per-

Stop’ and ‘The Boy With The Arab Strap’.

By the end of the night the had

Belle & for the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstand-

Haim for Best Paul McCartney for Song-

writers’ Songwriter.

Finally, Lily Allen presented Blondie with the high and mighty Godlike Genius Award. Blondie closed the show with a superb 8-song set, playing classics

Your Right To Party, Call Me and Heart Of Glass.

those who are serious about music, but just want to have some fun.

10

NME Awards 2014 with Austin, Texas 2014 The well-loved and possibly controversial NME awards were held on 26th February 2014, at the famous O2 Academy Brixton, London. The show was opened by the indie war heroes, Metronomy, performing the song from their newly-released album, . Other performers included Drenge and The Horrors.

-vis Cocker, went to for Best Live

onto stage, and frontman Alex Turner gave his speech: “As the sun sets on awards season for an-

about the Oscars and the NME Awards. That said

-ing and Two Door Cinema Club.

Lily Allen and as she went to collect it, she jokingly stated “This is kind of dumb because David Bowie was in

have truly shone over 2013-14. The category also included Arcade Fire and Queens of The Stone Age.

Some of the less serious awards went to Harry Styles for Villain Of The Year for the second year

David Cameron, Miley The 1975

were dubbed Worst Band, overtaking pop wonders The Wanted and .

The Horrors gave a debut performance of their -

ing album ‘Luminous.’ then per-

Stop’ and ‘The Boy With The Arab Strap’.

By the end of the night the had

Belle & for the Teenage Cancer Trust Outstand-

Haim for Best Paul McCartney for Song-

writers’ Songwriter.

Finally, Lily Allen presented Blondie with the high and mighty Godlike Genius Award. Blondie closed the show with a superb 8-song set, playing classics

Your Right To Party, Call Me and Heart Of Glass.

those who are serious about music, but just want to have some fun.

Brit Awards 2014

, who seemingly made a huge im-pact on both award ceremonies, opened the show with ‘R U Mine?’. The crowd roared as the torch-lit

the audience, and it started the show with a bang.

have the same vibe as in previous years; at least the NME’s humour was classic banter.

The highlights of the ceremony however were the

Lorde, Disclosure and Aluna Francis, the second be-tween and Ella Eyre. They were

we should see more of in the near-future.

Other performers on the night included Ellie Gould-ing Katy Perry, Bruno Mars and the absolutely unmissable Beyoncé. The show

Pharrell and Nile Rodgers. -ple’s faces.

Prince, a so-called game

the lack of David Bowie -

Overall I think the NME awards definitely trumpedthe Brits.

Now, all we can do is wait and see

and whether next year’s Brits host can make it more enjoyable for viewers.

By Gabby Ahmed

11

The Mic Awards 2014

With all the glitz, glam and drama of the awards season over the last few months, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to give out a couple more titles we reckon have BEEN MISSED OUT BY ALL the big names

The Mic Awards 2014

With all the glitz, glam and drama of the awards season over the last few months, we’ve taken it upon ourselves to give out a couple more titles we reckon have BEEN MISSED OUT BY ALL the big names

You

as himself. A man that wants to create and be crea

be near impossible to learn them without the aid

Chocolate t’s

makes a point of telling the crowd that the band

able to compress their sound into such a compel

cept to the likes of Sex, Chocolate and Girls

By Mikey Smith

MOST CREATIVE: MATT HEALY

13

MOST CREATIVE: MATT HEALY

15

Hottest: tHE nEIGHBOURHOOD (NBD)

Formed in 2011, The Neighbourhood hails from the West Coast and consists of band members Jesse

Notable for their single ‘Sweater Weather’, this band is quick to

catchy beats, harmonies and overall inimitable image i I Love You, is reminiscent of a kind of

achieved through the dark yet

lyrics

#000000 & #FFFFFF ‘Unfair’ and ‘Silver’

to the list of 2 EPs and 1 album released so far, it is clear that The Neighbourhood

By Aishani Sharma

14

16

Hottest: tHE nEIGHBOURHOOD (NBD)

Formed in 2011, The Neighbourhood hails from the West Coast and consists of band members Jesse

Notable for their single ‘Sweater Weather’, this band is quick to

catchy beats, harmonies and overall inimitable image i I Love You, is reminiscent of a kind of

achieved through the dark yet

lyrics

#000000 & #FFFFFF ‘Unfair’ and ‘Silver’

to the list of 2 EPs and 1 album released so far, it is clear that The Neighbourhood

By Aishani Sharma

HIDDEN GEM: Cause & Affect

“the guy on all those Hannah Wants tracks”. While

of their own – think Boddika but more urban.

original tune Poppin’ made for those basement

with something special added to it.

tro dropped in their set played at a warehouse club

Within they are wiping the slate clean and rewrit

ing the way underground dance music is created

and heard.

By Ben Dungworth

15

THE ADVENTOF

kanyewest

On October 23, 2002, Kanye West

was driving home from a recording studio

in California. But an exist-ing schedule meant he fell

-

16

THE ADVENTOF

kanyewest

On October 23, 2002, Kanye West

was driving home from a recording studio

in California. But an exist-ing schedule meant he fell

-

Kanye West --

ing for smaller acts during the mid-1990s led him

record deal. But the murmurs of doubt slowly crept into his mind. And then it happened.

-

-

have to do.’”

-

mould.

-

-

all highlighted and examined societal themes. And

On the 10th Anniversary of his debut album’s re-

-

was a long road, a constant struggle and a true la-bor of love to not only convince my peers and the

that art out for the world to hear.

“I am extremely grateful to each and every person along that road who helped, lent an ear, lent their

honored and humbled by my fans, for the unwaver-ing support and love over the past 10 years.

“I wake up every day trying to give

something back to you that you can rock to and be proud of.

Ten years later, I am still the same kid from Chicago, still dreaming out loud, still banging on the door. The doors may be heavier, but I promise

you WE WILL BREAK THEM.”

By

18

19

21

Spotlight On… Our Bloggers

the screen into the big wide world of print.

‘Sorry, who again?’

‘The Jukebox’

‘Hip Hop 101’

look good enough to eat.

1) Use what you already know and like.

ing people you already can’t get enough of listen

2) Going solo.

go solo and because you may only know them as

ably not.

3) Don’t be afraid to like Movie/TV

soundtracks!

great way to get a taste of the music they make.

4) People you may have already seen.

support acts with them to get you going for their

bring slightly smaller and more obscure acts to

thing you can stop listening to.

How to Find Great but Unrecognised Artists

‘I’m sorry, who again?’

by Jack Greenard

YouTube.

be able to pick out elements of their more rec

commercial song released by possibly the most

it’d be rude not to include her in this playlist.

leased a musical short of Timon singing the song

track and a real showcase of The Cure’s talent and

By Kamiah Overaa

The Jukebox

Hip Hop 101: 5 Rappers to Look Out for in 20141. Isaiah Rashad

much more.

2. Rapsody

protégé of the legendary 9th Wonder and signed

of noise recently as she constantly displays her

lyrical ability as a phenomenal emcee and her

ing heads and it’s unlikely to be long before she

ing ability.

3. Krept & Konan

years now and they look ready to take their con

Time as they look to break into the US rap scene.

4. Lil Boosie

Southern rapper this year.

5. Nipsey Hussle

and Nipsey plans to follow up with his highly an

light this year.

By Anthony James

24

25

26

27

29

PARKLIFE VS. NO TOMORROW

-

First Up:

The Parklife Weekender

-

-

28

PARKLIFE VS. NO TOMORROW

-

First Up:

The Parklife Weekender

-

-

29

The New Kid on the Block:No Tomorrow

-

-

-

-

plays dance music.

do try to get the audience to respond to the music;

we want to be a part of what they’re doing and we

want them to be a part of our performance.

really good music.

Dojo that we

used to play at a lot.

Start the Bus [in Bris

guy called Hicks. He’s painted a wall of a restaurant

Ones to Watch in 2014:The Other Tribe

during the day.

James: It’s got to be the live shows.

really looking forward to playing in the snow in the

but we might also be playing a secret gig in a really

atmosphere.

probably be about 70% new material too.

back one for a change.

By Max Saito

plays dance music.

do try to get the audience to respond to the music;

we want to be a part of what they’re doing and we

want them to be a part of our performance.

really good music.

Dojo that we

used to play at a lot.

Start the Bus [in Bris

guy called Hicks. He’s painted a wall of a restaurant

Ones to Watch in 2014:The Other Tribe

31

ELLI INGRAM

KWABS.

DENAI MOORE

10 REASONS TO HANG ON UNTIL THE END OF

THE YEAR deep shame.

34

ELLI INGRAM

KWABS.

walking the streets of London listening to the radio

DENAI MOORE

35

CHANCE THE RAPPER

DARLIA

Nepalm

THE ORWELLS

really are a breath of fresh air but apparently they

ally come here to entertain us. How are you not

36

EUGENE QUELL

House a Home

especially on the unbearably short ‘Make a House a

SOHN

is not me saying that they similar in the type of mu

his soundcloud.

By Stephanie Ete

The ComitteeMel WadeLuke GallimorePreyesh ChampaneriKamiah Overaa Jess SalterJennifer YuDan HattonHana Bayley

DesignersLuke GallimoreJennifer YuJames TaylorStephanie EteElla VickermanJaisai WongpichetEbony Inyangete

EditorsKamiah OveraaDan HattonAlex OrosaKatie HarrisonGabby AhmedCherry FlettEmma Quaedvlieg

ContributorsKamiah OveraaGabby AhmedJess SalterElliot DruceJaisai WongpichetOlivia WatkinsPreyesh ChampaneriStephanie EtePriya Thakrar

Aishani SharmaMikey SmithBen DungworthMax SaitoElla WatsonAnthony JamesJack GreenardAlex Orosa

Follow us on twitter @TheMicNotts

Find us on facebook /TheMicNotts

Our Team

The ComitteeMel WadeLuke GallimorePreyesh ChampaneriKamiah Overaa Jess SalterJennifer YuDan HattonHana Bayley

DesignersLuke GallimoreJennifer YuJames TaylorStephanie EteElla VickermanJaisai WongpichetEbony Inyangete

EditorsKamiah OveraaDan HattonAlex OrosaKatie HarrisonGabby AhmedCherry FlettEmma Quaedvlieg

ContributorsKamiah OveraaGabby AhmedJess SalterElliot DruceJaisai WongpichetOlivia WatkinsPreyesh ChampaneriStephanie EtePriya Thakrar

Aishani SharmaMikey SmithBen DungworthMax SaitoElla WatsonAnthony JamesJack GreenardAlex Orosa

Follow us on twitter @TheMicNotts

Find us on facebook /TheMicNotts

Our Team