NOIR

Noir Magazine,

stripping the fashion and arts industry bare.

I fink u freeky...

The big question on everyone’s lips is are Die Antwoord just a comical rap parody group or a walking, talking conceptual art exhibition, representing the slum culture of South Africa? According to them they are neither. They are simply just “a rap group”.

Die Antwoord were first heard on You Tube back in 2009 when they released the video for Enter the Ninja. It was stupid, idiotic yet catchy and entertaining, however there release of their first studio album “$O$” didn’t do as well as the originally planned. It wasn’t till there 2012 release of “ I Fink U Freeky” catapulted them into the limelight. They have performed at huge music festivals all over the world, had Lady Gaga ask them to be the opening act for her recent Born This Way Ball (which they declined) yet still they have never had a single song reach chart position.

Ninja and Yo-Landi Vi$$er have Introduced us to their weird yet wonderful world. Even if you don’t like their “zef” rap rave style music with potty mouthed lyrics and there over sexualised music videos, you can still get a sense of thrill out of them. The South African duo are insanely intriguing . They describe themselves as “zef”, the Afrikaans word meant for white trash or common. It’s associated with poor people who are fancy, sexy and have style. People who rock gold chains, have fast cars. They are essentially the South African versions of chavs.

If there is any hint of intelligent design behind their efforts it’s the fact that there live shows draws so heavily from their online videos and commits brilliantly to a completely distinct personal brand. This act should not be as fascinating as it is. As much as it seems like a weird, brilliant act of genius, it’s also a disturbing celebration of lower class culture.They have stuck to their roots and don’t have a mainstream bone in their body. There tribal, bizarre and downright good fun. They could easily be described as the Marmite of the music industry you either love them or hate them, but that’s just Die Antwoord.

2-faced

Time’s are changing in Newcastle, the underground movement has finally hit and taking the city by storm. Join Ellis Stephenson as she explores the obscure world of grunge clubs, filthy bass lines and skanking till dawn.

People l ike variety. Too many of the clubs are the same: same crowd, same music every week, it’s easy to get bored. People enjoy coming here because they can come straight from work, not having to wor-ry about going home and getting changed. To enjoy good music that the more mainstream clubs won’t play- Ben Whitfield, The Cut.

Two nightclubs, two queues, same street! As I look to my left I see mountains of hair extensions, piled on top of petite, terracotta coloured bodies, towering above in skyscraper heels. This is nothing new for the city of Newcastle. The “Geordie Shore” look is something which is desired in this image conscious city. The doorway is filled with people on I-pads, scrolling down the long list of names on their guest lists, turning people away if they don’t have the right look. However as I look to my right, I see boys and girls in…well everyday clothes. Muddy trainers, ripped jeans, oversized tee’s, not a high heel in sight. A sea of dip-dyed hair and supreme hats greets me. One club worker on the door, cheerily welcome’s you as you enter. They are entering one of the city’s more understated clubs. A place where the hipster crowd meets for one thing and one thing only…to have a good time

A city famed for its party culture, it’s no surprise hundreds of students flock to the North East each year. Nights such as “Koos’day” made famous from MTV’s shocktastic reality success “Geordie Shore” and Newcastle’s most prestigious nightclub “Tup Tup Palace” reel in the most glamorous for a night of social climbing, overpriced drinks and seedy hook ups. These clubs have pulled in power celebrities such, as Drake, Will.I.am and the cities own Cheryl Tweedy. Where champagne flows, bejewelled girls dance on podiums and the bar tabs are always big. However, a change is coming to Newcastle, a string of obscure clubs have popped up into the city, places where people can go to enjoy music, watch world class acts and not be judged.

The rise of the underground

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Over the past years, Newcastle has come into its own, trying hard to compete with the extreme music scenes of London and Manchester. Warehouse rave Shindig has made a huge impact on the North East, the secrecy and exclusivity creates excitement, with electro megastars Carl Cox, Heidi and Maya Jane Cole’s gracing the DJ booth. Super club Digital brings in thousands to there club nights, featuring mainstream DJ’s such as Calvin Harris and Laidback Luke, who have hosted two sell out events in 2012. In 2005, Newcastle gained its 02 Academy, showing international acts to small local bands on their main stage, the academy has been a success in the city. A huge gap in the market was heavily seen, the lack of weekly alterative clubs was the cities biggest downfall. Now with the rise of furtive nightclub’s, The Cut, Cosmic Ballroom and House of Smith, Newcastle’s music scene has blossomed, with intrigued Brits travelling up and down the UK to see some of the biggest House and Dub step name’s play in these explosive nightery’s.

These underground venues have seen the talented up and coming DJ’s to the legendry’s who have graced the nightclubs of Miami to Ibiza. Porter Robinson, Theo Parrish and Richy Ahmed part of progressive house group Hot Creations to name a few! The music they play is for a very select, niched audience, it’s where all the kool kids want to be seen, a playground for the unfashionably fashionable. Each venue has its own personality; Cosmic Ballroom and The Cut have a run down, unloved feel to their décor. Purposely made to look shabby chic, brick walls, graffiti art in heavily smoked room’s gives these hangouts a real underground warehouse feel. The newest venue, House of Smith has a more Ibiza club ambiance. Velour interiors, flashing lights and private booths with a vintage twist, it has an elegant vibe yet still manages to pull the quirky crowd in.

As I ventured into one of the clubs, The Cut, the sound of electro beats fills the air, you can feel the bass from the speakers run through your body, as bottles vibrate on the bar tops. I am slightly overwhelmed at how comfortable I feel going out in a pair of denim shorts, a t-shirt and trainers. Smoke fills the air, your unable to see what lies ahead. As it clears I am fascinated by what I see. I almost feel like I’m on safari, watching creatures in their natural habitat. People are doing a bizarre, wild dance, they are skanking; there bodies are jumping, gyrating, most in no time with the rhythm of the music at all. Girls and boys are intertwined; thrusting themselves upon each other, an ugly yet flirtatious dance, it’s almost too intense to watch. Everyone there has let their inhibition’s go. They are untameable, euphoric, but most of all they are free.

Apart from the music, the fashion scene in these venues is monumental. Everywhere you look there is someone interesting; whether it be the girl in the vintage maxi dress teamed with some converse, a denim jacket and a septum piercing or the boy, covered head to toe’s in tattoo’s, snapback placed sideward’s on his head dressed in a hole covered tee and denim three quarter lengths. Normally you’d look on to the dance floor and see a mass of clones, looking like they’ve all stepped out of a Miss England pageant, but not here. Mainstream fashion trends such as tie-dye, studs and leather are taken to the next level, everyone putting their own unusual twist on their outfits. Everyone is individual, unique. It’s refreshing to be amongst people who dress the way they want, because they like a certain piece, not because a magazine tells them too.

All these new faces fill the room, smiling, happy faces. It’s nice to come out and not know anyone, not be judged by the girls parading around on the podiums, or the sleazy promoter trying to catch a grope as you walk past. Everyone’s so colourful, so confident. You can hear the faint sound of laughter from underneath the bass line. On the dance floor I find myself smiling, lost in the skank, completely carefree, a far cry away from the pouty slow, sexy dance I am used to. I feel like I’m in a secret warehouse rave, located in the heart of east London, not in a rooftop bar just off the corner of Collingwood Street. The ambiance has a way of transporting you to another world, a world far away from foggy streets of Newcastle. It’s hard to believe that just next door is a club filled with tiny skirts, muscle men and Rihanna’s latest perfume fills the air.

As I sat in the more relaxed area of the club, I slouch down into the black leather, sunken booth, surrounded by eroding wall and red strobe lights, I wonder about the people who come here. The group of giggly girls in the corner, in tattered Levi’s and slogan tee’s, toasting with jaeger bomb in hand. The couple kissing in the dirty, dark booth, tangled up, lost in love or the group of b boys, having a break dancing battle just off the paint splattered dance floor. Are they regulars, or have they just came to try something new? Some of the most fascinating people I have ever seen, all in one room. A place for students, professionals and the unemployed to become one, to become equals. When you speak to these people, you get the sense that they are here to enjoy the music, relax from the stresses of everyday life, and escape from the Nicki Minaj song that’s being repeatedly played all over town.

This new Newcastle excites me, the edginess, the rawness of the music, the décor and the people that help create a blissful vibe. I am enticed into this new world where you can be anyone you want to be without getting poisonous stares from the glamour girls. In this club it doesn’t matter what shoe’s you’re wearing, what table you’re sat at or what size clothing you are. It’s about people coming together to enjoy music. The atmosphere brings me back to my endless summer in Ibiza; the dark, dusty raves, the unknown excitement of what tomorrow may bring, the happiness the music gives you. There are no limits. No rules. No regulations. I feel chilled, at ease and more importantly as the music fades I feel myself not wanting to go home, not wanting to return to reality.

Tribal Youth

Those who walk alone will find themselves in places no one has ever been before...

those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.&

All photos and articlesEllis Stephenson

ModelsRebcca Eland

Jessica AskhamConstance Richardson

Rosie Stuart

StylingEllis Stephenson

Make-upJennifer Sproat

She saw the world in black and white.