The O2 has played host to some of music’s top names from, Jessie J to One Direction, even the
late Justin Bieber did eventually descend on the stage. The question is could the leading lights of
country and western, hold their own, in the inaugural country to country event.

Brantley Gilbert

For those expecting to hear a traditional and perhaps stereotyped version of the genre, replete
with banjos and violins, they were sorely mistaken. Bradley Gilbert and the band, rocked the crowd
with something akin to hard rock, a far cry from the roots of the genre. Gilbert, severely tested the
venues sound system with some heavy guitar and cranked it up with the rubble raising “Take It
Outside”. In spite of their unique style, the band has lost none of the opinionated approach that sets
country apart, with its lead happily extolling what he would do should anyone lay their hands on a
woman .

The opening act who are responsible for the Grammy nominated “Dirt Road Anthem,” did an
excellent job of kicking things off with a very enjoyable set which included the very appropriate,
“Country Must be Country Wide”.

LeAnn Rimes

The singer born in Florida best known for her role in Coyote ugly proved to be one of the highlights
of the night with exceptional and emotional vocals. While showcasing an abundance of talent Miss
Rimes treated the audience to the title track from her impending album the feisty “Spitfire” as well
as old favourites “Can’t Fight The Moonlight” and “Last Thing On My Mind” minus Ronan Keating.

Throughout the set, Rimes was extremely grateful of her viewers warm reception and even teared
up during her rendition of another of her new material “Borrowed”. The emotions continue to flow
for all concerned as the multi award-winner closed the performance with a sensational take on
“Amazing Grace”, ensuring the punters had their money’s worth with only half the evening gone.

Darius Rucker

The anticipation was palpable, as even before the Georgia native took to the stage the crowd
greeted his name with excited expectancy. They were not disappointed.

Rucker, not only brought the feel good factor with new song “Radio” but also nostalgia with covers
of the Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker” and Hank Williams Jr’s “Country Tradition”. Even with Carrie
Underwood just around the corner, the 46-year-old held his own and even got the crowd singing and
bopping along and revved up for the big festival finale.

Carrie Underwood

The name of the latest album from the former American Idol winner aptly titled “Blown Away”,
should go a long way to telling you what you can expect from Miss Underwood. With power that
can blow away a small car and an intriguingly diverse set list there was never any question of being
able to satisfy demand. Right from the outset the American megastar’s extraordinary talents were
evident as she belted out lead single “good girl” with an apparent ease. The outstanding range displayed through the entire 90 minute performance, ensured that almost every song had the right to be called a showstopper.

This is not the first time Underwood has graced the UK with her presence, having played the Royal
Albert Hall in the summer of 2012. As the saying goes if it ain’t broke don’t fix it, and with that in
mind the 30-year-old stuck with a largely similar collection of songs that wowed on her first trip
across the pond.

This lung busting talent is truly a must see, combining tough subject matter mixed in with a bit of
humour and country sassiness, bringing together the very best qualities of the genre.

The verdict

The country to country event has already been green lit to return for 2014 and based on this years
showing, attendees will not be disappointed.

Overall score 8/10

March 25^th 2013

To help raise money to support the Southampton’s best little music venue, SONAR magazine called upon some local bands to put on a show – and what an exciting show it was.

Despite the freezing temperatures, everyone came out in force to support The Joiners on behalf of SONAR magazine. Poor Michael opened the show – after playing for BBC Introducing last month, the 3 boys from the South are wonderfully dedicated, have a great vibe and it was a pleasure having them involved.

Ahead of their EP launch next month, Mamas Lips followed with a soulful performance. Lead singer Jack Birks has a charming voice which envelopes the impressive talent of the Southampton 4-piece. The unique blues/rock sound of the band is something not to be missed.

Our headliners, The Lost Souls Club turned up the volume for their last performance of their 2013 UK tour with their new drummer. The band has a captivating rock sound that is complemented by their equally perfected acoustics.

If you missed out, you can catch the bands play at their next shows:

Poor Michael

www.facebook.com/pages/Poor-Michael/123620851020142

April 20^th @ Lennons Nightclub

Mamas Lips

www.facebook.com/mamaslips

April 13^th@ Lennons Nightclub

The Lost Souls Club

www.facebook.com/thelostsoulsclub

Words: Georgie Laming

With Valentines day, literally days away I thought to myself, what would I put into an ultimate valentines playlist?

So here I share with you, something which is clearly a thing of beauty. It’s got The Smashing Pumpkins, Arctic Monkeys and Band of Horses, what else could you ask for?

If you’re planning to make your own valentines gift and you don’t want it to be like that time Chandler forgot and gave Monica a recycled gift from Janice ( I truly believe there is a Friends reference for everything) then please steal this from me and take the credit.

You can also nab some free lube and condoms from the SU this week as part of SHAG ( Sexual Health Advice and Guidance week). It’s a freebie all round!

Enjoy!

The National – Lucky You (Daytrotter Session)
The Smiths – There Is A Light That Never Goes Out
Interpol – Leif Erikson
Maximo Park – Parisian Skies
The Smashing Pumpkins – Luna
Simon & Garfunkel – For Emily, Whenever I May Find Her
Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps
TV On The Radio – Lover’s Day
Arctic Monkeys – Only Ones Who Know
Foster The People – I Would Do Anything For You
Bon Iver – Skinny Love
Maximo Park – Parisian Skies
Maximo Park – Your Urge
The Rumble Strips – Girls And Boys In Love
The Maccabees – Toothpaste Kisses – Single Version
Pulp – Do You Remember The First Time?
The Maccabees – Love You Better
The Postal Service – Such Great Heights
Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
Incubus – A Kiss To Send Us Off
Incubus – Here In My Room
Arctic Monkeys – Mardy Bum
Dashboard Confessional – Stolen
Frou Frou – Let Go
The Ordinary Boys – I Luv U
Incubus – Wish You Were Here
Bright Eyes – First Day Of My Life
Arctic Monkeys – 505
Friendly Fires – Paris
Smith Westerns – Weekend
M83 – Midnight City
Hurts – Better Than Love
The Holloways – Forever
Dntel – Breakfast In Bed
Dntel – (This Is) The Dream of Evan and Chan
Death Cab for Cutie – I Will Follow You into the Dark
Incubus – Echo
Band of Horses – No One’s Gonna Love You
Lisa Mitchell – Clean White Love
Bright Eyes – Lover I Don’t Have To Love
Wolfman – For Lovers

This hypnotic musical piece by worldwide phenomena Atoms for Peace has the impressive and creative vocals of Thom Yorke, the lead man of the hit British band Radiohead. In the beginning, the beats swallow your ears up. You feel like you’re floating around in space. From early on, Yorke’s soothing vocals slowly start to take control of the song.

The repetitiveness of the chorus makes the song more interesting. The backing vocals really take hold towards the middle of the song bringing the hype to a climax, with all of the instruments finally playing all together in preparation for the sharp ending.

Atom’s For Peace was formed towards the end of 2009. The band’s members include: Thom Yorke of Radiohead, Red Hot Chilli Peppers bassist, Flea, Radiohead’s producer Nigel Godrich on keyboards and guitar and Joey Waronker from R.E.M. on drums.

It has been recently announced that Atoms for Peace will be playing Glastonbury this year and an album due to land on February 25th, produced by XL Recordings.

Released: 11^th October 2012

After purchasing this album just after the Christmas period, I still feel the need to express how impressed I am with Bat for Lashes for creating such a masterpiece. After releasing two successful albums, Fur and Gold and Two Suns, Bat for Lashes’ new album The Haunted Man has extended her musical creativity to a whole other level, three years later.

The consistent harmonics throughout this slightly techno album emphasises Natasha Khan’s unique voice. A good example is the song Winter Fields, it has many different effects and musical instruments that keep your ears enticed for what seems like forever. The lyrics are relatable and meaningful and it is hard not to like this addictive and simplistic musician- simple, but yet so amazing.

Songs that you should listen to: Winter Fields, The Haunted Man, A Wall

Guildhall opens its doors and in piles a guy dressed in a full fox costume, a mixture of drunken teenage girls, boys in checked shirts and a few older guys, or you could just call them Twin Atlantic fans. With two support acts, all the way from America Dead Sara and Busted’s very own Charlie Simpson keep the eagerly awaiting crowd at bay until the real party starts with the four Scottish lads.

As Bohemian Rhapsody begins to fill the room sucking in the crowd and creating one of the loudest united sing a longs I’ve heard at a gig, a clever move by Twin Atlantic. One thing is for sure if the audience wasn’t in the mood before they definitely are now. It is perfect timing as the song dies and the band take to the stage.

As the guitar riffs and drumming booms through the speakers the band dives straight in with Time For You To Stand Up from their most recent album Free. It is clear Sam McTrusty and the boys are happy to be here with huge amounts of energy that only spurs on the adrenaline in the crowd as mosh pits break out throughout the fans.  The beat of the drums intertwined with Sam’s distinguished vocals with a twang of the Scottish accent sound even better than they do on the record.

Not taking their success for granted the band thanks the audience who are wrapped around their little finger. McTrusty even goes as far as saying it could possibly be “the best show yet”.

As the show comes to an end, the band leaves the stage only to create an eruption of feet stomping and chants of ‘more’ bringing them back. With a four song encore, the crowd has noticeably lost all their inhibitions and are lost in the moment as well as the four boys are who are still jumping around stage like little kids on a sugar high. United, tearing apart this respectable pillar standing in Southampton.

Watching lead vocalist Sam McTrusty edge towards the end of the stage there is only one way this is going, stage dive and crowd surf. As the crowd disperses, all still slightly buzzing, there’s the few ‘groupies’ left waiting around for the remaining guitar picks and even the piece of paper with the set list. Proving to be rewarding night for both Twin Atlantic and their fans.

Reviews: Laura Nicholls, Kristine Waite, Rachael Stephens and Francesca Stephens

Until the end of January, Solent’s SU are selling award winning Pieminster pie meals. All meals are served with minty gravy and mushy peas and are available in the Bottom Bar between 5-8pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Upload a photo of your pie to ‘Solent Pie’ or tweet #SolentPie and you could pie a Pieminster prize!

Peahock

Ham hock, garden peas & mustard

Appearance: 7/10

Texture: 7/10

Taste: 6/10

The Freeranger

Free range British chicken, ham hock, leek & cheddar

Appearance: 7/10

Texture: 7/10

Taste: 9/10

Wild Shroom

Wild mushrooms, asparagus, shallots, white wine & cracked black pepper

Appearance: 5/10

Texture: 8/10

Taste: 7/10

Moo Pie

British beef steak, carrot, real ale, green peppercorns & rosemary

Appearance: 6/10

Texture: 7/10

Taste: 8/10

Advertising

Natalie Stockholm

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African Carribean Society

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Arts & Crafts

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Believers Loveworld

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Capoeria

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Christian Union

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Criminology

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D20 Games Society

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DJ Society

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Enactus/SIFE

Kelly Collins

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Erasmus

Alexia Bunker

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Fashion

Georgia Watson

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Games Society

Kevin Oliver

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Japanese Arts & Media

Kieran Read

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Language Swap

Sophie Delaporte

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LGBT+

Zac Colbran

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Live Action Role Play

David Cowley

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MARS

Elliot Vine

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Model Yatching Society

Adam Scott Mackie

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Norwegian

Alexandra Kvanedman

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Pole Dancing:

Amy Velleman

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RAG

Martha Luke

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Sikh Society

Jaswinder Kaur Mudhar

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Sonar TV

Rowan Johnson

stationmanager@sonartv.co.uk

Radiosonar

Becca Chaplin

Station.manager@radiosonar.co.uk

Sonar Magazine

Amy Rose

online.editor@sonarmagazine.co.uk

Sonar Film

Kendall Turley

film.society@solent.ac.uk

Solent Finance and Accounting Society

Christian Hughes

9hughc59@solent.ac.uk

Solent Gig Society

Mike Barham

mbarham1138@gmail.com

Re:So is a small pop-up fashion and lifestyle boutique space created and led by students. A wide range of fashion students from Solent have created a shop with the tagline ëenter a world where punk collides with decaying elegance through the power of art, fashion and musicí. The shabby chic apartment look of the interior really entices you in with the contemporary but vintagesque ambience. The room was filled with rails of handmade and vintage apparel, accessories and quirky trinkets for sale.

The visual layout of the room was very quirky and had a sort of bohemian, ëkitschí interior feel which I loved and now want to re-create for my future house. Being a visual merchandising enthusiast, I was very happy to see some artistic thought had gone into the displays. There was a generic ladder being used as a display shelf and amazing mannequins displaying jewellery of all kinds in an extremely innovative way. The lighting set up was also simple yet unique.

I was invited to a live blogging workshop in November for fashion blogging tips and insider secrets from Brent Meheux, a successful industry blogger and expert who is also a lecturer at Southampton Solent University. For 2 hours, he told us inspirational stories about entering the world of blogging, how to make your blog into a successful career and get those must have seats at the front row and worldwide recognition. I was proud to be a part of the wonderful workshop they put on showcasing the Southís obvious talent.

It was a very fun and informative afternoon for myself as a Writing fashion and culture student and I have got lots of new plans to improve my own blogging thanks to Brentís great tips and tricks of the trade. The keen turn out of fashion students and blogging enthusiasts from all range of fashion journalism, fashion promotion, make-up and hair design backgrounds.

facebook.com/Re:So
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