My year as station manager has come to an end. It’s hard to believe that it has been more than a year since my own elections, and that by next month Air3 will no longer be my responsibility. My predecessor, Callum, told me that my year as station manager would be both the best and worst year of my life; he couldn’t be more right. - Air3 isn’t just ‘the radio society’ to me anymore, it’s been my life for the past year. Air3’s successes have been my own, as has it’s shortcomings. I’m sure that over the next few months I will begin to look back on this past year and think “why did I take that so seriously; why did I get so stressed?” but I will also think about the great shows I’ve listened to and taken part in, the incredible events that have been put on over the past year - notably New Music Live - and the people I’ve been lucky enough to spend the year with!

Air3 really pulled together as a society this year to put on our massively successful event, the 24 hour broadcast. We not only had bands in for sets but we had interviews, quiz shows and shows from other societies to really strengthen our relationships and prove what we can do as a radio community. During the 24 hour broadcast we may have had a couple of server issues, but only because of how successful the event was and how many listeners the event had!

We’ve saved an incredible amount of money for the society through changing our streaming provider, which will go into updating the studio in the (hopefully foreseeable) future. We’ve been the 3rd biggest society in the students’ union this year and we’ve broadcast 20 hours a day, 7 days a week this semester! Not to mention the money you and the features team have raised for charity through the production of two charity albums of incredible standard!

I have said for a long time that "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble” (Hellen Keller) and I hope that I have done this with Air3 and that it has helped us strengthen the society (but it would also explain why I got so stressed over the little things...)

This year has been a massive learning curve, and I almost feel like I’ve finally got to grips with the role of Station Manager only to need to pass it on. I wish Romain all the best in his year as Station Manager, and hope he understands that the world doesn’t end when the little things go wrong. The last thing I need to say is Thank you to you! Thank you to the members for getting involved and creating incredible shows for us all and for producing content for the website; to the Stirling Students’ Union who’ve been incredibly supportive of the society, funding us and supporting me in particular and to the listeners - because what is radio without someone to listen to it! Thank you.

The Casual Vacancy

From the offset, The Casual Vacancy doesn’t seem like a massive creative leap from the best selling author of the Potter series. The main character is called Barry. Enough said. The story surrounds the lives of the inhabitants of Pagford, a small village. The novel starts with the death of Barry Fairbrother, a local council member. His death leaves a vacancy in the town council. This is where the novel really gets going. The main problem facing the council is that of the fate of "The Fields" (the extremely impoverished area of Pagford). Should it be considered part of Pagford or the neighboring town of Yarvil? If it is no longer part of Pagford, the methadone clinic (Bellchapel) would have to be shut down. The council are currently split 50/50 on the view, so the new councillor that fills the vacancy will have the deciding vote.

After the election date is announced, things take a turn for the worse, as the teenage children of various candidates and existing council members sabotage their parents' ambitions through anonymous postings on the council's website. Meanwhile, the teenagers themselves are caught up in their own, school and relationship-related dramas.

The novel turns to look at the life of Krystal. Krystal is a hard faced character, and this is clearly due to her upbringing. She could have easily been painted as a “Vicky Pollard” type of character, but what Rowling puts forward is a lovable, intelligent and frankly misunderstood young girl. Krystal gets raped by a drug dealer, her three-year-old half brother falls into the river and drowns while she's having sex in a park, and finally *SPOILER ALERT* the book ends as it opens, with the death of Krystal (suicide) and a funeral.

The novel is a social commentary on the UK. Those seeking to be in control of the town have no actual concern for the lower class residence they strive to represent. Instead there is a fierce and almost ruthless competitiveness between the middle class. The people that live in The Fields are forgotten about, almost brushed under the carpet. This could be seen as a direct reflection of modern society.

As in stands, The Casual Vacancy isn’t a literary masterpiece. The writing style is typical of J K Rowling, simple action with plenty of adverbs and metaphors. Although this is, to some readers, boring and almost mundane, it is a direct reflection of the town itself. The lives of the inhabitants are boring and tiresome. There is no escape from the town and the only member of the society to escape The Fields and become a success is Barry, who dies.

For any hardcore Hogwarts fans wanting to read this book, be warned, it is not like anything Rowling has written before. It is a dark comedy that turns quickly into an apathetic tragedy. The social aspects of the novel are hard to overlook and I came away from the novel questioning my views of an empathetic society. It is easy to assume that the lives of those in lower classes are overlooked by those who wish to represent them. I would recommend this book for a rainy day, but not something I would actively go out and purchase. Distinctly average in writing style and plot line the novel failed to grab me and leave me wanting more.

Isle of Wight Preview

Since restarting after a thirty two year break in 2002, the Isle of Wight festival has continued to produce impeccable line ups worthy of worldwide recognition. In recent times the festival has boasted high calibre headliners such as The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen and Muse. Isle of Wight has also become a Mecca for upcoming superstar talent, allowing for new bands to have their defining moment. For 2013 the Isle of Wight festival proudly presents a bill featuring the likes of Bloc Party, Bon Jovi, Paul Weller, The Killers, The Script and The Stone Roses!

The Killers make a return to the UK festival scene fresh of the release of their hit album ‘Battle Born’. The Killers provide the soundtrack for the Saturday evening and their own brand of unique musical evolution will be sure to light up the faces of onlookers watching. Rock and Roll hall of famers Bon Jovi bring the festival to a spiritual close, with songs everyone’s inner rock god adores and an impressive back catalogue of hits; this is one band you don’t want to miss this summer. For a lesson in musical history Paul Weller arrives at IOWF with a style and swagger rightly accredited to the former ‘The Jam’ man. Weller will be sure to bring a set list of his excellent solo material and a couple of ‘The Jam’ classics to send the crowd wild.

For those of you who prefer your music a bit more 8 bit, the electonica line up at IOWF is up there with the very best you can find in the UK this summer. Living legends like Grandmaster Flash, Alex Metric, Damain Lazarus, Lee Foss and Jaguar Skills grace the Dance Tent with more beats than you could possibly dub step to. While over at the Big Top tent chart toppers such as Ellie Goulding, Rizzle Kicks, Fun. Little Mix and Imagine Dragons present a stellar line up for something a bit more poppy than the rest of the festival bill. Oh and one more thing about the Big Top, BLONDIE headlines the Sunday night – and take it from me, Blondie is just as incredible live as she ever was and she features a couple of cheeky covers during her sets.

Isle of Wight Festival is not just about stellar line ups! The festival features a wide variety of activities for those wanting a break from the music. Retro Discos and Beach Bars can provide a change of scenery for those wanting to unwind but still get their boogie on. While for those truly wanting a relax after a day of partying can find comfort in Intoxicating Tea Rooms, Open top hot tubs (that’s a tongue twister and half) and an excellent selection of Cafés and Food vendors to bring you back to strength.

So what are you waiting for? Come join Air3 at what is surely going to be an incredible weekend of music and entertainment. Tickets are a reasonable £185 for weekend camping and £75 for a Day pass and can be purchased below!

http://www.isleofwightfestival.com/tickets.aspx

Set on the streets of Liverpool, Blood Brothers is one of the most successful plays of all time. It is also one of my personal favourites, which is why, when I found out SUDs would be putting on a production of it, I got very excited!

Deserted by her husband, Mrs Johnstone (Alex Barr) already has five children and is expecting twins. She cleans house for childless Mr and Mrs Lyons (Lewis Bunning and Morgane Cadot) who offers unofficially to adopt one of the babies. Mrs Johnstone reluctantly agrees; she knows that the child will be well brought up in a prosperous household. But, there is a prophesy that twins parted at birth will die when they discover the truth, and both mothers do their best to keep the twins, Mickey Johnstone (Malcolm Rumbles) and Edward Lyons (Roger Best), well separated.

The situation becomes harder for both women when Mickey and Edward meet while playing in the street and when an immediate bond is formed between the two. They become "blood brothers". Distraught Mrs Lyons eventually moves to the country.

Soon after, Mrs Johnstone is rehoused nearby and the boys meet again when they meet and fall in love with the same girl, Linda(Megan Milne). But as Edward goes on to higher education, Mickey must take a boring job. After marrying Linda he loses his job. He turns to crime but gets caught and sent to jail. On his release he becomes dependent on tranquillisers. Linda turns to Edward, now a councillor, for help. Edward gets Mickey a job - and a house. Then Mrs Lyons tells Mickey that Edward is having an affair with Linda and Mickey goes after Edward armed with a gun. He finds him at a meeting but cannot shoot him - until Mrs Johnstone bursts in and tells them the truth.

The play was put together in just three weeks, which is quite an achievement in itself, and just makes the performance of the cast even more impressive.  Megan Milne’s performance was excellent, from playing a young girl to a real woman. The two mothers we’re very convincing, Barr and Cadot were fantastic and the main ensemble of Calum Swan, Laura Brennan, Rosie Moyes and Rowan Birkett were fabulous. Ross Menzies’ portrayal of Sammy was an outstanding contrast of both humour and darkness.

Also, the narrator of the story, played by John Bruce was flawless, adding a sinister edge to the deeper meaning behind the tale. He added tension and mystery to the play and made it even more captivating. Malcolm Rumbles and Roger Best we the perfect pair for the leading roles and the chemistry between them was easy to see. Rumbles’ performance was impeccable, especially in the second act, he played the role of a character with severe depression with conviction and sensitivity. Best was notably outstanding, playing the role of an uptight upper class boy to absolute perfection.

Massive credit goes to Director Charlotte Ryder and producer Chrissie MacDonald. Putting together a play in such a short space of time must have been a challenge, but it was executed brilliantly. Changing the setting from Liverpool to Glasgow didn’t make a difference at all was probably a good decision to avoid some tragic accents. The play was a complete success, I felt a huge range of emotions, I laughed and cried along with the characters on stage. I left the theatre feeling fully satisfied and eager for the next SUDs performance.

Cast

Malcolm Rumbles: Mickey

Roger Best: Eddie

Alex Barr: Mrs Johnstone

Morgane Cadot: Mrs Lyons

Lewis Bunning: Mr Lyons

Megan Milne: Linda

Ross Menzies: Sammy

John Bruce: Narrator

Ensemble:

Calum Swan

Isla MacLean

Katherine McKnight

Laura Beaton

 Laura Brennan

 Rosie Moyes

 Rowan Birkett
Sarah Dendy 

Crew:

Sound Production: Iain Mulkerrin

Lighting: Lauren Pope

Costumes: Katrina Allen

Backstage:

Theresa Dewa

Michael Wilson

David Pellow

Sarah Sutherland

Producer: Chrissie MacDonald

Director: Charlotte Ryder