LSMedia or Liverpool student media at liverpoolstudentmedia.com is a brand new website launched by the University of Liverpool's students to promote and support talented Liverpool student's creative written, visual or radio content.

 

 

So it seems that this years race for the Christmas No.1 is going to be a two way showdown between this years X-Factor “winner” (let’s face it, Simon Cowell is the real winner every year) Joe McElderberry, as he shall from here on be known, with his single The Climb and rap/metal giants Rage Against The Machine with the ever popular and profane Killing In the Name Of. Now don’t get me wrong, in one way I can totally sympathise with those of you on the side of Rage and the sentiment behind the campaign to get them to No. 1, but something still bothers me so allow me to share it with you. Why is it that the two songs most likely to top the charts on Christmas Day have absolutely nothing to do with Christmas? I mean what on earth has happened to the Christmas single? Well actually there’s a clutch of them, from Julian Casablancas’ I Wish It Was Christmas Today to Kevin Devine’s Splitting Up Christmas to Laura Marling’s Goodbye England, Covered In Snow to the genius that is Bob Dylan’s Must Be Santa. Now let me be straight, I love Killing In The Name Of, it’s been the soundtrack to numerous bouts of drunken pogo-ing and moshing over the years, it’s a powerful and bold statement from an important band. But do I want them to be Christmas No. 1? In a word, no, and I’ll tell you why. It’s hard to think of a less festive song, or indeed a less festive band to occupy such a position. I think it will be great to knock Simon Cowell of his smug perch but can’t we do it with a Christmas song?? That’s what I want to see top the charts over the holidays and that way we could truly reclaim the most important chart position of the year for Christmas itself.

 

 

 

 

 

Back in the days when the Christmas Number One single was based upon talent and charisma (as opposed to the trend of the new millenium in which the winner of the latest music reality TV show- namely the X Factor- is destined for the inevitable fate of reaching this pivotal career point), Christmas was a time for celebrating music and being incredibly excited to see which everyday artist would sweep the yuletide chart position. Amongst carols and festive numbers, each year there is always one song that will be synonymous with Christmas from that day forward. A particularly special one of these, claiming the 1981 title, was The Human League's Don't You Want Me. The synthpop sound of this hysterically catchy dance number, inspired by the lead singer Philip Oakey's reading of a "trashy tabloid" article, was a camp and lively addition to that 80's Christmas and has remained to be popular ever since. Merry Christmas!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 There's nothing that ignites the Christmas spirit quite like the classic switch on. The instant cheer, the countdown that unites communities, the mini fairy story within a crowded city centre, the odd D- List Celebrity, ... the excessive use of electricity....

After the UN meeting in Copenhagen last week, the issue of climate change is extremely prominent and the prospect of a 'Day after Tomorrow' scenario is constantly looming. So how much do we have to sacrifice to respect the energy cut backs? Will the Christmas we know and love still be around by 2015?

Although it seems impossible to answer these questions ( to the non scientific genius' anyway ), The University of Liverpool seems to have the right idea. Over on 'The Dark Side' A.K.A The Wirral, Ness Botanic Garden's- a University owned public garden, hosted a different kind of Christmas illuminations event, 'IllumiNESS'. Here the beautiful, groomed gardens were transformed into a mystical Christmas wonderland, illuminated using Solar Powered lights and Bio-Fuelled Generators.

Is this the future to all of our Christmas's? Only time- and possibly Gordon Brown (although this seems highly doubtful),will tell...

 

 

 

 

Happy Birthday Guadalupe is the latest in the Killers ever-growing list of Christmas songs, following 2008’s Joseph, Better You Than Me.  It could not however, be more different to its predecessor; where Joseph was a romantic Christmas tale featuring two giants of British popular music, Happy Birthday is a shuffling Mexican ballad, featuring two less familiar US bands: White Light, and Mariachi el Bronx (a pseudonym for New York Punk outfit The Bronx). This latest offering continues the Killers’ tradition of producing endearing festive records, well aided by some of their contemporaries.

      The track has a charismatic Latino sound; it is filled with rattling snare drums and caressing Spanish guitar, with the occasional hint of brass heard through breaks in the vocals. One of the most appealing aspects of the song is the way the lyrics such as “Deck the halls with rosaries/Wish upon a Christmas tree” truly express the universal nature of the festive season, without ever really straying into the realms of tackiness. But Happy Birthday Guadalupe is at its finest in a harmonic chorus emphatically filled with the Killers front man’s strong vocals, with a depth added by the more subtle tones of his fellow vocalists. What is most noticeable though, is that this in no way a stereotypical Christmas record, there are no overbearing chimes or bells to be heard; a million miles away from the world of Mistletoe and Wine, this is a festive tale from the dusty wastes of Central America.

      Happy Birthday Guadalupe is a refreshing and unique take on the Christmas song genre, and undoubtedly Killers’ fans will be impressed at their almost limitless versatility. Add to this the fact that all proceeds go to the Product Red campaign, and it is a record worthy of the few pence that it costs.

 

Release Date: 12 December 2009 (Worldwide)

 

 

 

 

Ok, so we’ve all been there, spending weeks on end debating over where to see in another year of the student lifestyle. The following guide to some of the UK's New Year events will make sure you make the right choice over where you spend it, making seeing in 2010 that little bit more than just another passing of time.

 

We all know that Liverpool’s a great night out so why not spend your new year in this wonderful city courtesy of Chibuku’s New Years Eve Fancy Dress party.

 

DJs Include:

 

Luke Carr
Andy Carroll (We Love .. Space)
No Fakin, Six AM
Rich Furness, Dash
Revo
Mr Paul & James Rand

With special guests all night long in INK, including:

Rob Casson & Andy Curries (Freeze)
Mark Mac & Arron Hunter (Coco De Mer)
MC's Mad Rush & SAS

£15 adv
 

General & Ticket information:
The Masque / Seel Street / Liverpool / L1 4BH
Chibuku info / 0151 706 8045 / www.chibuku.com

Tickets available from:
www.chibuku.com/shop
www.ticketline.co.uk / 0161 8321 111
www.ticketweb.co.uk
www.skiddle.com

3b Records
Slater Street Liverpool (nus) / 0151 353 7027

Resurrection
Bold Street Liverpool (nus) / 0151 709 2676

 

Why not spend your night out in the Midlands and realize that not everyone speaks like they are from Dudley. Birmingham has something for everyone. This year’s hottest ticket is for the legendary Custard Factory. Boasting 5 music arenas holding up to 3,000 people in the city’s home of live music, Digbeth, the event plays host to the most popular nights the city has to offer, including:

 

STUPID UNDERGROUND
BIGGER THAN BARRY
ATOMIC JAM
BREAKTHRU
EARDRUM
BRUM
 

With a line up including:

...amongst many others

 

Tickets will set you back...
£15 Earlybird
£20 Standard
£25 VIP – Queue jump, exclusive private area in The Gallery with extra bar, comfy seating area & ambient lighting – This VIP will be well worth an extra fiver!

Online Tickets, available here
 

 

The countries capital always have a firework display that impresses the pants off you. It is also host to some of the best new year nights, out there.

If money is no object to you this New Year, Ministry Of Sound Live is definitely the place for you.

Head to London’s 02 Academy (previously The Millennium Dome) to spend your night with the likes of...

Calvin Harris (Live)
Deadmau5
Justice (DJ Set)
Plump DJs
Dave Spoon
Example (Live)
Special Guest: Eric Prydz
With more to be confirmed...

 

Expect multiple stages, breathtaking lighting, pyrotechnic displays and an aerial walkway that will see artists and entertainers performing along an LED lit stage high above the crowd. Calvin Harris takes you into 2010 alongside some amazing DJ sets from the cream of the crop.

Tickets will set you back a costly (but well worth it) £75+B.F
(Available here)

 

Much hyped about electro-indie pop threesome head to Manchester on NYE. If you haven’t seen the band in action yet, then now is the time to act. Heading for big things when there album is finally released in January, Delphic are the perfect new band, playing on the perfect night at the perfect venue. The legendary warehouse project has already played host to the likes of La Roux, Friendly Fires and has many more to come.

 

Acts confirmed:

 

Alex Metric
Cassette Jam
Delphic [ DJ Set ]
Doorly [ Radio 1 ]
Krysko
Greg Lord
Now Wave DJs
Prostitutes & Policemen
Rich Reason

 

Tickets will set you back £25. More info here