Hull

The Alternative (Student) Guide

Ok, so it's a little cliched and it may even alienate half of the people who read Sandman, but in celebration of ten years since I came to 'ull and became a student I thought I would scribble a few things - concentrating on how to get your little musical kicks.

A great deal of freshers will find themselves stuck away in Cottingham; half-an-hour bus ride from University, the fun of Newland Avenue and its surrounding area. The food will seem great at first; however, once you have tasted the chicken for the umpteenth time you will be desperately seeking alternatives. Where to find the food on offer comes as your first great adventure: Cottingham public houses. This is not only a chance to discover a new drinking hole, but there are a number of pubs that now offer live music.

The King Billy (or King William) has a legendary acoustic/open-mic night; I have heard many a tale of the great acts that have been discovered by friends there - oh and many a comedic turn about some of the poorer acts; laughter is exactly what you need to be able to warm your friends with on a cold 9.15 lecture.

A newer development in Cottingham is the Hallgate Pub (incidently my local in Cottingham during my first year) putting on a few local musicians – see the listings for more details.

Fear not those of you who are outside of Cottingham as there is plenty on offer around the bohemian Avenue's area (including Newland) - also buses to the area are regular whilst a taxi, especially with 4 of you, won't cost the earth.

Firstly and non-musically, Newland Avenue is a shopping mecca. It has two mini-supermarkets, a host of greengrocers, two mighty fine butchers, Heron - so much more than just a cheap frozen food store - a couple of fashion shops for all you scenesters, bakeries galore, no end of hairdressers, and that is without talking about the various things on Princes Avenue. If you have a spare hour or two between lectures (which you will) have a first look with a wander down.

Hidden away down De Grey Street is the Adelphi and a curiouser music venue you could not wish for. Ok, it isn't turned out like a wine bar - character can not be built with such stylings. Hull's longest running and greatest music venue is about community, new experiences and growing together - without sounding like a hippy it is something that I believe University (and life) are all about. Simple: get yourself down there and soon; be it when your favourite out-of-town band plays, someone at the excellent USA Direct night, or at the magical Monday musician's night.

Being a part of the Adelphi is its own reward, plus you get to experience some great music and you might even catch one of those legendary nights: in the past Josh Pearson played his first gig in x years and in the summer just gone Franz Ferdinand appeared in front of 130 people.

Second best independent venue in Hull (and the UK?), only to the Adelphi, is Lamp. It is a little closer to town but no less friendly and will offer you all that the aforementioned did, but with more of a nod towards the mainstream. Under The Influence and the sister promotional night Adventures in the Backroom are constantly bringing a stream of up-coming and established bands to the City with support from top local acts.

If you want to witness at first hand the talent in this city then a visit to 'The Sesh' is a must. Every Tuesday at The Linnet and Lark, Princes Avenue DJ Mak hosts a night of live music from Hull's premier bands, with the party carrying on at The Attic with free taxis waiting to carry you there from outside the pub.

Bar culture is rife in the city at the moment with Bar Fusion and The Ruby Lounge being the newest additions, but it is the original, Pave (on Princes Avenue), that remains the best. It has regular comedy with live Jazz for all the cool cats on Sundays and Tuesdays.

If you are more of a dancer or wanting somewhere to celebrate seeing your new favourite band then there is plenty on offer. The Welly is a quick walk (or a quicker Taxi ride) from the Adelphi, Lamp or a number of the bars mentioned above, with Thursday nights serving all your needs with three rooms; one playing dark emo, a second with up-lifting indie, and another blasting out new and classic pop. There is also Club NME on a Saturday with hotly tipped bands playing sets, plus of time to get your moves going on the dance floor.

In the mists of deepest Hull resides Spiders; discovered by the Goths of the early-Eighties, and now populated by the weird, the ironic, and the absurd. Legend has it that to uncover the route to the club you have to experience a bizarre right of passage ritual ­- involving drinking a number of brightly coloured potions (or cocktails). Fortunately, most taxi drivers know the way.

Honourable clubbing mention also has to go to Yo-Yo at The Piper, where DJ Priya has been spinning indie-classics for what seems like eternity.

I hope you have fun checking all of it out. Remember to use our listings to check what is going on at all the above and as I continue my student style life I may even see ya there.

Mike Reynolds