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Articles by Amy Mescus
Joey Valence & Brae in Newcastle:
Ah, yes. They were most definitely sound checking. I made a mental note to pack some earplugs for later so as to not permanently damage my precious, youthful eardrums. Though I was already familiar with Joey Valence & Brae’s intense beats, something told me that I was not quite prepared for what was in store. Newcastle University’s Students’ Union venue has a capacity of roughly 1,200, with most visiting musicians not yet breaking 1,000,000 - or even 100,000 - monthly listeners on Spotify.
Alvo Jade at Newgate Social - women in rock proving themselves once more
Last Thursday (30 October), three-piece, alternative rock band, Alvo Jade, took on Newgate Social, a grassroots venue nestled above WonderBar in The Gate (NE1 5TG) to promote their newly released EP, Round Pegs and Square Holes. With every step on the staircase I took, the intensity of Polyfillas’ - one of the evening’s opening acts- sound check reverberated through my body more and more.
The Oram Awards in Newcastle
...And they're coming to our beloved city of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. In partnership with the Outlands Network, and in celebration of what would've been electronic pioneer Daphne Oram's 100th birthday, the Oram Awards are embarking on the oram/100 tour. With a focus on spotlighting grassroot venues, and an emphasis on connecting with young creatives outside of London, the tour will be travelling to Sheffield, Bristol, Salford/Manchester, Newcastle, Edinburgh, Derby and Wirksworth.
Three months on: is the Switch 2 worth it?
When I found out that the Switch 2 was releasing on my 21st birthday, it was a no-brainer that I had to have it. When the family asked the dreaded, “What do you want for your birthday?” I actually had an answer. I’ve had my original Switch since May 2020 and she’s definitely seen the love over the past five years - not just from myself, but my friends and family too.
video game - The Courier Online
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates 16th September 2025 4th March 2025
A review of 'Squid Game' season three
In comparison to the previous seasons of the world-renowned K-Drama, season three has felt like a complete airball. So much potential was there, but it has seemingly missed the mark with the masses. Perhaps it was the concept of season two and three acting as one story but being split six months apart that caused the hype to dwindle, or maybe it was due to the cliche, and terribly confusing, outcome of the show’s finale.
What the f*** is a Parmo?
To clarify, I'm from Middlesbrough, the home of the beautiful Parmo, so I can assure you that I have the appropriate credentials for this matter. Let's begin. Part one: What the f*** is a Parmo? (Yes, there's parts to this. It's that serious). A Parmo is arguably the most popular dish throughout Middlesbrough and Teesside. It is a breaded cutlet bashed until flat of (usually) chicken, but pork is generally another option if you fancy that instead.
Socks and sandals: cute or a crime?
I understand that, in reality, socks and sandals together is a little bit ugly — which is why it can only be pulled off when done right. You can't just put on the first pair of socks you find in your drawer with any old pair of sandals. There's a science to it, people. See Exhibit A. This is kind of disturbing to look at (sorry, Paul). The practically-neon blue and the dark brown are not working together. The style of sandals could definitely be better. And the length of the socks is WAY too high.
Newcastle's Gaming Market: what we bought!
Image Credit: Amy Mescus Firstly, we each bought a coaster from Mojoe Ink with a 4 for £10 deal, three with a Pokémon game design, and one replicating a lucky block from Mario. They are the cutest addition to our coffee table and have sparked up fun conversations at pre drinks! Arguably the most impressive vendor to us was Retro Dojo. Admittedly, we almost missed this one, but noticed it on our way out - and we were so glad we did.
Discussing Restitched: will Stuffy ever be Sackboy?
Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons, Pixabay (PaliGraficas), YouTube (IGN, Zebra Gamer) Sackboy must pass the baton on to his (alleged) successor, Stuffy. Sackboy saw me sit my year 6 SATs in primary school. He saw me cry over maths in secondary school, only to take it as an A-Level in college. He saw me give up my dreams of becoming an architect (because of A-Level maths), but watched me overcome it all and find passion in journalism at university instead.
Celebrating International Women's Day: my favourite women in gaming
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image Sources: IMDB, YouTube (Binge Gaming) Misty - Pokémon For me personally, Misty was one of the first and most prominent female video game characters in my life whilst growing up.
One for the bucket list: WW2 Museum in Gdańsk
From where I stayed in the Old Town of Gdańsk, the internet-sensation WW2 Museum was only a scenic, 15-minute walk along the Motława River. It was brisk. Very brisk. However, I went towards the end of January so it was no one's fault but my own. Gdańsk also offer plenty of rental bikes if you'd prefer to travel that way. Upon arriving at the museum, I was very impressed with the architecture.
K & J: Dramas to watch if you loved Squid Game
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image: IMDb Alice in Borderland This tends to be the first Asian drama people watch after completing Squid Game, and for good reason. Alice in Borderland is similar to Squid Game in the context that the characters in the show are playing games with their lives on the line. However, the games in Alice in Borderland are miles more extreme than the simple, child-like games as featured in Squid Game.
Fontaines D.C. to headline Exhibition Park next summer
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image credit: Wikimedia Commons, @wisebuys21 This follows the announcement for their other summer headline shows which include Finsbury Park in London, Cardiff Castle in Cardiff, and Wythenshawe Park in Manchester. Tickets for the show in Newcastle cost £61.60 in the first wave of presale. Although this seems like a reasonable price for a headline show at an outdoor venue, some fans (me) are left feeling slightly confused.
In Interview with G.URL
For those who are unfamiliar, how would you explain what G.URL is? G.URL is a magazine dedicated to all things feminine in gaming and online culture. It’s inspired by my love for chibi, pink, and cutesy styles from when I was little—but with a twist. Growing up, I loved those kinds of designs but always felt like something was missing. I wanted to see that same playful aesthetic blended with more mature topics and real-life issues, things that felt relatable to me as an adult.
Piece by Piece Review
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image source: IMDb Piece by Piece follows Pharrell’s rise to fame, from his revolutionary work with the Neptunes to his progression into a solo career and the success that accompanied it. The film also features favourite celebrities such as Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani and JAY-Z and explores how Pharrell’s collaborations with them were monumental in his journey of establishing himself as an artist.
Travelling can slow down ageing, new study finds
The study took place at Edith Cowan University in Australia, where researchers aimed to explore how travelling may counteract the physical and mental effects of ageing. By applying the concept of entropy, they investigated whether positive travel experiences could potentially have significant health benefits that can slow down the process of ageing.
Deadpool of the sea: The Immortal Jellyfish
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image Credit: WikimediaCommons - Bachware, 'Turritopsis dohrnii medusa' The Turritopsis dohrnii was first discovered in the Mediterranean Sea in the 1880s and has since left the world in awe at its remarkable skill of immortality. Life for the Turritopsis dohrnii begins as a simple planula - a type of larva - developed from a fertilised egg.
Flirting - do we do enough of it?
Image Credit: Starlaim at GoodFon I think a significantly contributing factor to the lack of flirting in today’s day and age is down to the digital shift in modern society. Texting, social media, and dating apps have made it much easier to connect with people, sure, but online messages simply cannot replace the feelings involved during in-person flirtation.
How porn is affecting sex and relationships
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image Credit: Unsplash, Manu Del Moral Porn’s pervasive presence in modern culture has introduced many challenges that are negatively affecting the intimacy and the emotional bond between partners. Many people in their relationships feel completely okay with their partner watching porn, and if that’s you, then that’s totally fine.
Do International Breaks Need to Stop?
Image: Thomas Couto, Flickr Although international competitions hold an undeniable prestige, the frequent interruptions during the domestic season caused by these breaks drastically disrupts the flow of club football, imposing significant challenges for both players and fans.
Newcastle's Most Iconic Statues
Image source: geograph.org.uk River God Tyne (Civic Centre) This amazing piece is found outside the Civic Centre, just outside of Newcastle University's campus. It is a strong, powerful piece that really speaks to the average viewer, evoking something emotive from inside of them. The statue, once a much darker, bronze colour, has now tarnished into a green and brown blend of colours due to the running water which used to flow downwards from his raised right arm.
Why is everyone starting a podcast and has it gone too far?
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Source: Plann, Wikimedia Commons The concept of podcasts is great: an insightful discussion provided by people genuinely passionate about a particular topic. Hosts can express their opinions in what feels like an intimate chat thanks to the relaxed, conversational nature of a podcast. The accessibility and informality of a podcast are its selling points. As well as that, when done right, they're amazingly educational.
Is TikTok ruining the music industry?
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Source: Flickr @Focal Foto The debate of whether or not TikTok has had a negative impact on the way artists make music has become widespread, following TikTok’s surge in popularity in recent years. With many devoted music fans claiming it has, ensues a multitude of others arguing otherwise. First and foremost, the undeniable truth is that there is a serious attention-span issue across many TikTok users today.
Multiplayer games to make, or break, your new university friendships
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Source: Pixabay Mario Kart/Party/Etc. Arguably the most obvious option on this list, hence why I’ll mention it first, is simply any pick from the Super Mario franchise. There is such a broad range of video games that are all bound to provide you, and several new friends, with a good few hours of entertainment.
Norwegian night walks and a bathtub of wine: in conversation with indie mavericks Sports Team
Source: Wikimedia Commons With the tour commencing in Manchester on 14 November and concluding in London on 25 November, Sports Team have a very busy schedule lined up for those two weeks. Additionally, they are finally returning to Newcastle after three years, this time sporting a different venue on November 20th - the Boiler Shop. "I actually really like Newcastle.
Sackboy's Big Farewell: LittleBigPlanet Servers Close
On 19 April 2024, a message was uploaded to the social media platform, X, from the official LBP account, explaining that the LittleBigPlanet 3 servers for PS4 will be kept offline indefinitely.
End of a Gaming Era: MatPat leaves Game Theory
Arguably the worst start to 2024, MatPat announced his retirement from YouTube in a video titled 'Goodbye Internet' back in January after an incredible 13 years of uploading. Regardless of what your gaming niche was as a child (mine was FNAF), he covered anything and everything in such thorough and innovative ways.
My ideal partner
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image credit: Unsplash, The HK Photo Company For the longest time, I believed I had a certain type when it came to romantic relationships, and then I met my boyfriend who is practically the total opposite. Now I almost look back in disgust at what I thought I was interested in.
Introducing: Night-bound Eyes Are Blind To The Day
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates ImageCredit: WikimediaCommons I think hearing this album lived changed the trajectory of my life forever. If you enjoy any music that resembles the shoe gaze genre, I've got you covered. Welcome to your new favourite album to drown out all your thoughts to. Incase you're unaware, this is the second album released by the alternative, melancholic rock band, Whitelands.
Is wearing makeup to the gym the ultimate pre-workout?
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image credit: Liubov Ilchuk, Unsplash I firmly believe that going to the gym is a 'look good, feel good' type of situation. I appreciate being able to catch a glance of myself in the gym mirror and not looking like I've just died and came back to life... twice. It's almost motivating.
love and relationships
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates 1st November 2022
How to skip the 'ick'
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image credit: Pexels, Pavel Danilyuk I am pretty sure that by now we have all seen that random account on TikTok with its extensive list of 'icks'. But do these really apply in a relationship? To be honest, I think it depends on what stage your relationship with someone is at. If you’re just a few weeks or months deep into dating, then okay, maybe walking downhill(?) can be a slight turn-off.
The best and worst relationship tropes
Image credit: Flickr, Wyatt Fisher Firstly, the worst one: the love triangle. No way should you compete against someone else for a place in someone’s heart. If you’re an option, leave! Moving on… An extremely popular relationship trope is enemies to lovers. Don’t hate me for saying this... I can’t quite get behind it. I appreciate the excitement when sly digs become subtle flirts, but why would you want to date someone you despised for so long? Though maybe I’m just stubborn.
Introducing: Lei Hope
Image credit: Instagram @lei.hope An aspiring black indie, R&B artist with a big future. Here’s the rundown on your playlist’s newest addition, Lei Hope. Based in Manchester, a city with rich music history, Lei Hope is a completely self-produced artist who takes his inspiration from many great musicians of the past and present. If you enjoy acts such as Steve Lacy, Phoebe Bridgers, Japanese Breakfast, and more, keep reading. Hope released his first EP, Autonomous Affection, back in 2021.
2024's Relationship Resolutions
Sign up to our mailing list so you never miss any future updates Image credit, pixabay Sammy-Sander New year, new you, but most importantly, new standards, people! Here are the red flags you need to avoid in 2024. Firstly, anyone that is giving you mixed signals or leaving you with the dreaded, "What are we?" question is immediately getting put into the bin. We're loving and caring about ourselves before anyone else this year.
2024, A UK Festi-flop?
Now I never thought I would say this, but has Reading and Leeds festival saved the UK from a festi-flop this year? It's not wrong to say that Wireless has blown its budget in 2023 on an immense line-up and are now left scrounging whatever they could for this year. There are still some big names on there such as Future and 21 Savage, but... hopefully the rumours of Drake going as a surprise guest are true, otherwise this line-up is possibly too far gone to try and save.
Is the Animal Crossing: New Horizons update worth the 5-year wait?
Five years later, the ACNH community had began to lose hope of ever seeing any additional content and instead turned their focus towards a potential new Animal Crossing game for the Switch 2, convinced that this could be the only explanation for a lack of updates on ACNH. However, after a gruelling wait, the ACNH 3.0 update was released on 15 January, 2026.
Trans rights - The Courier Online
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Natalee Barnett - The Courier Online
Is it really 'The Girl's Spot' if it's not for all women?
Student Success Stories: Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean)
Image Source: GoodFon Rowan Atkinson graduated from Newcastle University in 1975 with a BSc in Electrical and Electric Engineering, proving he's not just incredibly talented and hilarious, but a genius as well. After graduating from Newcastle, Rowan impressively went on to complete his MSc at Oxford University, also in Electrical Engineering, graduating in 1978. So if you need some rewiring done in your student house, maybe Mr. Bean is the guy for the job.
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