Issue 37 November 2016

We’re back at the controls for our penultimate issue of the year, suitably spooked and fireworked up.

Ben Ashton’s art is of the ilk you’ll see in galleries regularly and often, but in the context of a free magazine will divide opinion. Whichever side your bread’s buttered, be sure to check out the painterly precision of his portraits – you can click the ‘toggle’ icon in the top left corner to see the full pieces on the page.

Our music section this month features words with post-rock evergreens 65DaysOfStatic and Manchester promoter Jay Taylor, with opinion and self-reflection on frontmen and ghostwriting.

Stage sees our interview with Francesca Martinez, the comedian who’ll join the Stand Up For The People’s Assembly bill this month at Academy 2.

Zachary Freeman launchs his Down in the Mouth series, while Word Life continues with the theme of ‘elements’. Reviews include the ever-popular IndyManBeerCon in Food and a pair of live music shows, Khruangbin and Plume.

Finally, to our opening pages, Localcheck, which this month include a chat with the folks behind the recently established Social Science Centre and a look at what NHS privatisation really means.

Dig in and enjoy the ride.