Revision Break

If like me, you have been stuck in revision hell, then I suggest you take a much needed break this Friday. There are even statistics which prove that a bit of R & R helps the mind concentrate better on exams. So, unless you have an exam on Saturday (which would be the cruelest), then wiggle on down to Oh My God this Friday. Mistabishi is billed to play amonst others, and he alone is worth the £5 entry fee. Good luck with exams and hope to see you on Friday!

Mad For It...

3 words - GET YOUR TICKETS!
This will be a festival to remember so get your tickets before they sell out at http://madferretfestival.com/content/index.php
Be there or be a pathetic, boring, wet square...

Footgasm

Every once in a while, a force inside me rages up with such an intensity, I loose the ability to think of anything else. This force is my shoe lust, and only rears its wicked head when my eyes fall upon a pair of shoes so fabulous, I know that I need them. As with the start of every summer, I begin to edit my closet to make space for the ubiquitous summer outfits for festivals, BBQ's, seaside trips and days in the park. Out with the jumper dresses and snow boots, in with the cropped shorts and RayBan's. When I found this pair of sandals, which I can only describe as fucking brilliant, my shoe lust took over. I am now on a one track mission to hunt down a pair (they were apparently only sold in New York), as I feel these sandals could translate into any outfit. If anyone has any leads - please let me know...

Grunge Babe @ Caspa, The House That Dub Built

Grunge Babe sported another hot hot trend - patterned leggings from Manchester-based brand Daddy Long Legs. Saffle a pair here http://women.fashionbeans.com/womens-fashion-clothing/exclusive-daddy-long-legs-lace-leopard-leggings/. Her graphic tee was from a boutique in London.

Ethnic Jetset Collective @ Caspa, The House That Dub Built

The ethnic jetset collective wore a mixture of clothes from around the world. From the left, jetsetter wears a piece of fabric from Kenya as a dress, and the cardi was her mother's ex boyfriends. The middles sports sexy checkered chinos, tee and blazer from Berlin and the right wears a dress and head scarf from Peru.

Mckinaz AKA Bend @ Caspa, House That Dub Built

Call me biased but I had much love for my DJing partner Bend's outfit (thanks for the free tickets too)! His trench is by Supremebeing from a shop called Reef. His shirt was from H&M and his tee is by a Preston-based artist called Hicalorie (check out his website here http://www.hicalorie.com/index.htm). He also mentioned that his jeans came with a bottle opener - handy!

MC Yates @ Caspa, House That Dub Built

MC Yates was ahead of the game, sporting one of the hottest trends this summer - peacocks! Her long printed tee-dress was a bargain at £6 from Primark and her bag was from Cult Clothing. Matthew Williamson's collection for H&M features all things peacock so do an MC Yates and gt the look.

T-Bar @ Caspa, House That Dub Built

T-Bar's choice of a jazzy blue tee was a good'n for the event. At first glance I thought his t-shirt would have come straight from the early 90's but he actually bought it from T K Maxx. They have a huge selection of men's t-shirts at rock bottom prices so I recommend you check it out if you want to look as cool as T-Bar!

Arrive In Style @ Caspa, House That Dub Built

Forget your Chanel Bike and Hybrid Limo, I have discovered the ultimate way to arrive at an event in style. This motley crew arrived on a 5yr old pink girls bike, a plastic red push-car and a multi-coloured tricycle. The heralded their arrival by creating a holy racket cruising down the street heading to the Jabez. They then proceeded to produce numerous bike locks to chain up their rides before heading in for a big rave-up. I am currently looking for a mini tracker to go to my next event...

Caspa @ The House That Dub Built, Jabez Clegg (15.05.09)

It was the night I had been waited for. Caspa. I was lucky enough that my partner in crime won 2 free tickets, so no queuing for us! The Jabez is an appropriate space for a night like The House That Dub Built, with a smaller room playing reggae all night and a larger room to stage the main acts. The tunes were proper funky in the reggae room, giving us a good warm up before Caspa. The drinks were nice and cheap, not masses of choice but they sold beer so I was happy.

We shashayed into the main room in anticipation for Caspa's arrival. Nucleus Roots was mixing some pretty creamy dubstep tracks and everyone was skanking nicely. Then Caspa took to the decks and began with a track so liquid it was like being covered in honey. This didn't last long however, before he plunged into some killer drops and played some of the best dubstep tracks of the moment (I have listed the tracks I remember him playing below). The room was so hot, I don't think I've sweated that much since being semi naked in Bora Bora last summer, and they only thought to switch the air-con on after Caspa had finished. The system wasn't the best and I don't think Caspa was that impressed. He said after, "system was shit but the Manx were proper! Big up all the ravers!". He set was amazing, and I am very much looking forward to seeing him at Mad Ferret Festival in June. Check out all the pictures from the night here http://www.flickr.com/photos/manc-closet/sets/72157618328760530/show/

Songs from Caspa's Set (from memory)

• TC - Where's My Money (Caspa Remix)
• La Roux - In For The Kill (Skream's 'Let's Get Ravey' Remix)
• Caspa - Cockney Thug
• Deadmau5 - I Remember (Caspa Remix)
• Rusko - Jehova

I Want All Of Them!

As much as I love clothes, if some gave me a £10 to spend, I would spend it on accessories. I have enough pairs of earrings to wear a different pair every day and I own more scarves than skirts. I found this amazing shop on Ebay called LovePalyPaly, and almost all the jewellery is handmade like this gorgeous necklace. There are loads of amazing kitsch pieces that I want, and recommend you have a look. I especially love the Scrabble jewellery which I will be buying asap. The postage is always 80p which is a bargain considering Ebayers often make money on high postage. Also, it always feels nice to wear something independent and different from all the Topshop that adorns many features. Check out the shop

http://stores.shop.ebay.co.uk/lovepalypaly__W0QQ_armrsZ1

Did You See This Man @ Logistics

If you were at Logistics, there was a high chance that this chappy thrust his lens into your face to snap your sweaty face. After he had taken several snaps of me and my mates, I grabbed him to ask him who the hell he was! He told me he was called Christian Ollier and he was shooting pictures for a book he was making. The book, which as of yet has no set release date, is about the many weird and wonderful nights Manchester has to offer. Watch out for him on future nights out - he will be back!

Lucy @ Logistics, Hit & Run

I particularly love Lucy's glasses, oversized frames only suit some people, as you can risk looking like a twat, but she definitely pulled it off. Her dress was from American Apparel and her cardi was from Primark.

Sarah @ Logistics, Hit & Run

Sarah skirt dazzled my eye with her mermaid-esque skirt. It was a find from the rails in Oxfam. I think her outfit was definitely my fave of the night. Her lace top was from Topshop, adding a gothic twist to her jazzy combo.

Foxy Ladies @ Logistics, Hit & Run

I met these two lovelies outside Mint Lounge, forgot to ask their names tho! Foxy Lady 1 (the taller one) wears a leotard from TK Maxx - an essential for any wardrobe. Her shorts were originally a pair of jeans which she cut, and she bought them from a boutique in France. Her watch, which you can't see very well but was pretty swish, she had swiped from her Dad. Foxy Lady 2 was apparently wearing all of Foxy Lady 1's clothes! This seems to be a reoccurring trend I think! Her polka dot top is from Comme De Garsons and her skirt is from good old H&M. Her jewellery is her Mum's, which she found lying around her house.

Logistics @ Hit & Run, Mint Lounge (11.05.09)

If you didn't witness the magic that went on last night at Mint Lounge, then where the fuck were you? When we arrived, Unbalanced Jack was piling on the dubstep thick and fast, and the dancefloor was already teeming. Rich Reason took over to get the crowd suitable hyped for the arrival of Logistics. Rich spun some wicked tunes, and demonstrated his amazing ability to mix genres with effortless ease (I recommend you go and see him at some point). Everyone was itching to see the main man after Rich dropped his last tune.

Logistics, the king of Liquid, started bag on time, unusual for a drum & bass night. He opened with his new single, which is good, but won't make your head explode. But, on true form, he built his set up to what seemed like an hour long climax, where every single song was so fucking good. He dropped everything from Chase and Status to Jenna G (I have put a list of songs which featured in his set below). The highlight for me was 'Together', my favourite Logistics song. I knew it was a blinding night as my legs were ruined this morning from all the dancing! If you ever get the chance to see Logistics, don't turn it down. He was one of the best DJ's i've seen in ages - and I have seen a LOT recently. Check out all the pictures from the night here - http://www.flickr.com/photos/manc-closet/sets/72157617951439291/show/

Songs from the set (all from memory so some may be VIP's or Remixs)

• Chase and Status - 'Smash TV'
• Logistics - 'Together'
• High Contrast - 'Basement Track' (Upstairs/Downstairs Remix)
• Robin S - 'Show Me Love' (Blame Remix)
• High Contrast - 'If We Ever'
• Danny Byrd - 'Gold Rush' ft. Brookes Brothers
• Jenna G - 'In Love'

Befuddled on Bank Holiday?

Aside from the less than perfect weather, Bank Holiday fever is definitely in the air. What's the worst thing about a Bank Holiday? Deciding what to do! If, like me you have been tempted by many, many events and can't decide then maybe I might be able to give you a few ideas.

Tonight, there is a reggae dancehall/dubstep/breaks night on by Dreadzone Soundsystem @ The Attic which might suit people wishing to satiate their need for bass. For a more upbeat night out, why not try the Calvin Harris after party @ Blink, with a DJ set from the man himself plus Dj's from the Murkage cartel? For a quieter night with room for internal retrospective, there is a Cancer Research event on at the Armitage Centre in Fallowfield, with live music from students, starting at 8ish.

Sunday also brings masses of nights to choose from. I will be heading the the Family BBQ @ Kro 1, with food and the legendary DJ Derek on from 5pm till 12pm, with an after party @ Roadhouse. After the BBQ I will be heading to the mighty Belly of the Beast @ Music Box & Jilly's. With huge names such as Andy C(arrrh!!!), Duke Dumont, Benga, Ivan Smagghe and local hero James G, its going to be massive. Over 20 DJ's are scheduled to play, and there are still some tickets available from Skiddle - http://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Manchester/Music-Box/Belly-of-the-Beast-2nd-Birthday/11280021/. If trance is your thing, then Tangled presents Trance Classics @ The Attic should suit you. Sankeys are hosting a nostalgic trip back to the Hacienda day's, and if your after a bit of good old fun, try 5th Avenue for their pirate themed foam party!

Alex @ Font, Fallowfield

Alex had on a cotton ruffle top from Topshop and jeans from Gio-Goi. Coral is a big feature in many summer collections in the shops at the moment. If you don't feel you can pull the colour off as well as Alex, try a coral coloured corsage on your jacket or on a headband.

Siobhan @ Font, Fallowfield

Siobhan was rocking H&M all the way, with her waistcoat and vest both from there. I am a huge fan of the waist coat, especially the more casual styles such as hers. Her skinnys are from Topshop.

Nicola @ Font, Fallowfield

I loved the whole of Nicola's combo. I tend to steer clear of black but she proved that black can be reinvented as many times as Madonna. Her shirt dress was from H&M and her tassled leather boots from River Island. She had an unusual necklace on from Topshop which completed her look.

Grace @ Font, Fallowfield

Grace and friends were sat on the balcony of the new Font in Fallowfield. She was wearing a gorgeous sequin-embellished shirt from New Look which I am definitely going to be buying. Her leggings were from Matalan and her shoes were good old Primark.