Moon Palace Tour 2023: A Review

Holly Ullyott on 10 October 2023

Moon Palace is a vibrant and absurdly wonderful fusion of art and science. The school-bus-turned-mobile-observatory is a unique merger of celestial exploration and experimental art which leaves a dazzling effect. The observatory was designed by Artists for Leeds’ Year of Culture 2023 and is run by a vivacious team of Astrophysics Students from the University of Leeds and Coordinators of the East Leeds Project.

During a daytime event, visitors do not need a ticket and are welcome to explore and interact with the Artist and Science on-board Hosts who are keen to answer questions and chat about the huge, mobile art sculpture. There are activities and interactive elements installed all around the Palace, which guests are encouraged to play with. Anyone interested in learning about how to do astronomy and stargazing will find the Astronomer’s Stellarium guide particularly entertaining.

Moon Palace is a vibrant and absurdly wonderful fusion of art and science.

When attending a night-time event, a small group of guests can expect to gaze out into the nearby regions of the Milky Way (the galaxy within which we live) and spy on gas giants, the Roman Messenger: Mercury, as well as peek at the beautiful planet Venus, and the hopeful glint of humanity’s future in the vermilion glow of Mars. Visitors may even spot our closest galactic neighbour, Andromeda, which is hurtling towards a fantastic collision with us expected to occur sometime just before the Sun explodes in about 4.5 billion years.

Image Credit: Richard O’Brien

Following a crash course in telescopic observation, guests are invited to board the Palace with a mug of cosmic tea, served in the hollowed head of a local alien; an example of the specially commissioned ceramics handcrafted by the Artists. Aboard, the enveloping warmth of the gently lit hues melds with the soothing inner warmth of tea, and the show begins. In one half of the evening, the group are welcomed to float through conversation exploring the world around us. The natural intimacy of the session is a gentle impetus to reconnect with one’s self: the Universe within, and the Universe without. In the other half, imagination soars to the heavens as an apprentice Astrophysicist hosts an exploration of celestial musing.

Moon Palace is a place where forgotten childhood whimsy is sparked back to life with bubbling discussion and cosmic wonder. It inspires awe in the everyday, and we warmly invite you to come aboard.

The Moon Palace Tour is ongoing around various locations across Leeds. Tickets and information can be found on the Leeds 2023 website.

Local Artist Shaene plays Hyde Park Book Club

Emie Grimwood on 6 October 2023 

Written by Emie Grimwood
Edited by Eve Moat

On the 9th September, I had the pleasure of watching Leeds based, emo/lo-fi
project Shaene at Hyde Park Book Club. Following the release of her debut
album time lost/time regained, Shaene took to the stage and graced
audiences with a fresh sound, one previously unheard in the Leeds scene. The
album is an exploration of how childhood experiences have long lasting effects
on her current relationships, featuring themes of mental health, familial
alienation, and the trans experience.


The performance itself translated the message of the album. From set design,
to lighting and delivery of the songs. The blue lighting felt synonymous with
the album and Shaene and using the balloon display, typically associated with
birthday parties and celebration, felt like an ode to a loss of innocence. The
tainting of something so fragile due to traumatic experiences. The display
partnered with the music demonstrated how despite all, Shaene was taking
something back, regaining control and re-imagining experiences for what they
should be.

Image Credit: @musicthroughemiescamera on Instagram


The set was magical. The way the band took stripped back songs and elevated
them to a point that had the entire room captivated. The album time
lost/time regained was entirely self-recorded and self-produced, which
makes it more impressive. She displays an incredible ability to create beautiful
music, and on a technical level, can produce it too.

Artists such as Shaene are rare. It is no wonder that she is making a name for herself, being recognised by
names such as BBC Introducing, Yellow Button, Get in Her Ears and Wax Music. Shaene is such a unique voice, one I look forward to hearing more of and I’m excited to see what she does going forward.

Track List time lost/time regained:
1. june
2. bleach
3. sad
4. fair
5. dumb
6. snot
7. maybe

£1 pizza slices and mac n’ cheese on offer at new outlet on campus

Josh Elgin on 5 October 2023

Leeds University Union’s latest food outlet, Tantino Slice Bar, is offering pizza slices and mac n’ cheese bowls for just £1 this Friday (October 6).

Located on the lower ground level of the students’ union, the Italian food outlet says the ‘lunch madness’ will begin tomorrow at midday until stock lasts.

Tantino won the contract to take over the food served at the newly refurbished Terrace bar and opened its kitchen in April.

Its latest endeavour, Tantino Slice Bar, launched last month, offering Italian food on the go.

It serves pizza slices and customisable mac n’ cheese bowls.

The offer will be limited to one per customer. No gluten-free options are available but there will be limited vegan pizza.

“So come get the lot whilst you got the chance, because you don’t want to be in a queue around the corner, it’s not Alton Towers, it’s Tantino”

Vice-chancellor and President Professor Simone Buitendijk announces resignation

Em O'Riley on 4 October 2023

Today (4th October 2023), the University of Leeds’ Vice-chancellor and President announced she was leaving the role.

Professor Simone Buitendijk has been Vice-Chancellor since September 2020. In a press release on the University of Leeds website she said: “I feel the time is right for me to start the next chapter of my career in leadership in UK and international higher education”.

She cited the ‘Universal Values, Global Change’ strategy as a success of her time, saying the university has prioritised collaboration not competition.

The university says it will begin a global recruitment process to find her successor. In the meantime, the Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Hai-Sui Yu will be taking on the role.

Image credit: University of Leeds website

The role of Vice-Chancellor is the highest level of administrative and academic office in a university’s executive.

Notes from Abroad: Fresher’s Edition

Frankie Pinchard on 4 October 2023

Welcome (back) to Leeds! Whether you live 30 or 300 miles away, there is plenty to explore. 

I arrived in Leeds as a fresher straight after the Pandemic, my plans to go travelling having been cancelled. I was desperate to start exploring having realised that I only had six months of university a year. At the start of 2022, my flatmate and I decided to escape our student halls and take a spontaneous trip to Rome booking cheap last-minute flights and booking two hostel beds. We were so fresh out of covid restrictions, that we were flying the week PCR tests to Italy, France and Spain were cancelled. We had 48hours in total in the city and were determined to do everything. This was actually was a lot easier and cheaper in February without the infamous Roman crowds.

With Manchester airport only a 90-minute train from Leeds (and more free time on your hands as a Fresher) there are many opportunities to travel! The shoulder season which stretches from September through October in Europe is a period of off-season travel: which means cheaper flights and less tourists! It’s the perfect time to visit places in Southern Europe which are too hot in the height of summer. Destinations might include: Tirana, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid, Lisbon or Milan. In Spain, Italy, Greece and the Balkans the summer stretches into September and early October, making them perfect destinations to get some extra sun before heading into a cold winter in the North of England… 

And yet, if planes are not your thing or you’re an exchange student looking to explore the UK. Do not fear! There are plenty of places in England and Scotland close by to visit. Join the Leeds Hiking Society and explore the many National Parks close by, such as the beautiful Yorkshire Dales or closer yet, Ilkley Moors. If nature does not excite you and you prefer big cities, take the train or bus to Liverpool or Manchester. Both cities have excellent restaurants, museums, clubs and shopping centres. If it’s a beach you’re after, then you’re in luck! Head to Formby, just north of Liverpool, for miles of sand, sea and beautiful woodland or get the train to Scarborough: one of the most famous beaches in England! The water might be freezing but the fish and chips are great!

My name is Frankie and two months ago I moved to Copenhagen to start my studies in History and Danish. I wanted to study somewhere I’d never been before and where the culture was completely different to the UK. (I’ll come back to that later…) Not only have I learnt loads about Denmark so far, but my friends come from all over the globe, from Brazil to Japan! In fact, many of my friends from Leeds have also chosen to study abroad which has given me an extra excuse to visit new places! In fact, I’m on my way to Norway now to visit that same flatmate! See you soon Jess! 

This year, I will be writing this column Notes From Abroad about all things study-abroad/cheap/young/fun and affordable travelling!!!! 

GIG REVIEW: Holly Humberstone LIVE at The Wardrobe

Emie Grimwood on 3 October 2023 

Written by Emie Grimwood
Edited by Eve Moat
Photography by Emie Grimwood

If you have not heard the name yet, then I am certain that you will have done by the end of
the year. Celebrating the release of her debut album, Paint My Bedroom Black (out on 13th October), 23-year-old, rising sensation Holly Humberstone announced a run of intimate
live shows in partnership with independent record stores across the UK. I had the pleasure
of being invited to her second show on this mini tour at The Wardrobe on the 2nd October
brought to audiences by Crash Records.


I wanted to mention how wonderful the organisers and event staff were, from both The
Wardrobe and Crash. From arrival, everyone was incredibly friendly, talkative and the team
from Crash came out and greeted people waiting in line and sparked up conversation,
despite the miserable weather. From the beginning, spirits were high, and fans were excited
to see Holly.


It was my first time at the venue, and I fell in love. Walking into the bar area, I was surprised
at how warm and inviting it felt. The essence of the events space was carried through. It is
no surprise that Holly looked and felt at home on the stage of The Wardrobe. Despite selling
out La Fonda in LA, and amassing huge crowds at Lollapalooza, Reading and Leeds Festival
and Summersonic in Japan, her ability to captivate audiences in intimate venues is one that
not every artist can achieve.

Credit: @musicthroughemiescamera on Instagram

She arrived on stage around 40 minutes after doors, fans were cheering and smiling. The set was minimal: just keys and guitar. That is all that was needed. Part of the reason this show worked so well is due to her ability to translate her experiences so viscerally. Her raw emotion came through so strongly for me during Kissing in Swimming Pools. I felt like I got a glimpse into the complex relationship she was describing, a familiar feeling for her fans, I am sure.


Holly Humberstone is not afraid to expose her emotion, pain, or wrongdoings and that is
what makes her feel so real and refreshing. Antichrist, one of the singles released from the
album, is the perfect example of this, with lyricism stating that she ‘gave bad love’ and ‘you
should run for your life’ she conveys that human nature is to be imperfect. The blame is not
always with another but sometimes with us. I think for an array of young people out there,
this message is crucial. Holly is leaving no stone unturned and ensuring everyone feels
validated.


These themes and ideas were delivered without flaws during her set, a beautiful mix of new
music and old, fans were captivated by her presence, and I personally had a wonderful time. Prior to
the show, I had only listened to a few of Holly’s songs. Following the show, I know I will be
making a trip to Crash in Leeds city centre to pick up the new album on release, and I highly
recommend you do the same!

Credit: @musicthroughemiescamera on Instagram
PAINT MY BEDROOM BLACK (2023) TRACKLISTING
1. Paint My Bedroom Black
2. Into Your Room
3. Cocoon
4. Kissing In Swimming Pools
5. Ghost Me
6. Superbloodmoon (featuring d4vd)
7. Antichrist
8. Lauren
9. Baby Blues
10. Flatlining
11. Elvis Impersonators
12. Girl
13. Room Service

Pre-order is available from Crash Records now: https://www.crashrecords.co.uk/products/holly-humberstone-paint-my-bedroom-black-pre-order