It’s Freshers Week, the time of year where friendships are forged, noodles are necked and first lectures are missed in the fug of a hangover. But organised freshers events – you know the kind of thing – PA from a Made In Chelsea star, deals on shots – aren’t for everyone. If dressing up in neon and heading to the SU for a clubnight isn’t your thing, there are plenty of alternative freshers events for you to enjoy. Here are some worth checking out in the UK’s big student cities.
Leeds
Mint Festival
Venue: Tetley complex
Date: September 24
About: Now in its fifth year, Mint Festival welcome big names like Craig David and Skream to Leeds alongside rising stars of grime, garage, house and techno.
More info
The Kills
Venue: Leeds Beckett Student Union
Date: October 1
About: The American indie rockers are hitting the SU following the release of their fifth studio album ‘Ash & Ice’.
More info
Manchester
Stay Fresh Fest
Venue: The Deaf Institute
Date: September 24
About:
Stay Fresh is a “two floor fest of fresh bands”, including newcomers from Manchester and further afield. Leeds’ Cowtown, Glasgow’s Catholic Action and local group Ethan & The Reformation are all on the bill.
More info
Pangaea Festival
Venue: Manchester Student Union
Date: September 24
About: Jump down the rabbit hole with 6000 fellow students into a world of puzzles and live music including the likes of the euphoric Eliza and the Bear, pop queen Ella Eyre and new kids on the block Anteros performing alongside Fuse ODG and Kiko Bun.
More info
Liverpool
Clean Cut Kid
Venue: Mountford Hall
Date: September 21
About: Scuzzy indie-poppers Clean Cut Kid are playing a homecoming gig to welcome new arrivals to the city.
More info
International Festival of Psychedelia
Venue: Camp and Furnace/Blade Factory/District
Date: September 23/24
About: Get an education in psychedelia with this renowned festival. The Horrors, The Wytches, Acid Mothers Temple and more will play.
More info
Sheffield
Rat Boy DJ set
Venue: The Leadmill
Date: September 16
About: Catch everyone’s favourite little rascal, Rat Boy, open the Freshers events at the Leadmill. Tickets to watch him spin some of his favourite songs are only a fiver.
More info
Peace DJ set
Venue: The Leadmill
Date: 19th September
About: Suckers for DJ sets at this place, aren’t they? Join Peace‘s Doug Castle and Dom Boyce for another night at the Leadmill. Drinks are only 50p so you’ll soon be doing the dance from the ‘Lost One Me’ video.
More info
👕👌🏼 @HarrisonKoisser pic.twitter.com/uKYzONAuYX
— Dominic Boyce (@domboyce) February 25, 2016
Nottingham
Alternative Freshers Fair
Venue: Rescue Rooms
Date: September 29
About: Let’s face it, the only things you gain from any Freshers Fair are pens that you’ll lose within a fortnight. The Rescue Rooms are hosting their own two-day affair where you’ll be able to discover the coolest hangouts, watch some live art, and be treated to a couple of DJ sets.
More info
Paradisco
Venue: The Bodega
Date: Every Thursday
About: How many club nights have a live sax player on stage? Not that many. Paradise in Nottingham does, though. Every other Thursday night, the night offers up a mixture of disco, funk and hip-hop, plus sax, at the Bodega.
More info
Leicester
This Feeling
Venue: The Cookie
Date: October 8
About: This Feeling have built a reputation for showcasing the best newcomers at their nights over the years and this Leicester edition will be no different. Hazy psych band White Room will play independent venue The Cookie in October.
More info
Quiz Night
Venue: The Cookie
Date: October 19
About: The Cookie also host regular quiz nights, but there’s no general knowledge rounds. Previous themes have included the likes of The Simpsons, Peep Show and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and their next quiz is all about Pixar.
More info
Birmingham
Rocky double bill
Venue: Mockingbird Theatre
Date: October 1
About: The Mockingbird Theatre will be showing the first two Rocky films back-to-back at one of their many movie nights.
More info
Record Fair
Venue: The Custard Factory
Date: 15th October
About: Digbeth. It’s arguably the best part of Birmingham. Nestled in the heart of the area is the Custard Factory, a hub of music and arts. Get down to this record fair at the venue and pick up some new vinyl to treasure.
More info
Bristol
Rollerdisco
Venue: Trinity Centre
Date: 17th September
About:Show off your moves or cling to the side at this rollerdisco. Not owning skates is not an excuse, as tickets can include hire.
More info
Macmillan Fest
Venue: Thekla
Date: September 24
About: Jump on the good boat Thekla for this year’s Macmillan Fest, hosting artists from the city and beyond.
More info
Burlesque Wonderland
Venue: The Fleece
Date: October 1
About: The launch event of this burlesque night has a Alice in Wonderland theme, porn star martinis, DJs and an array of entertainers from drag queens to fire performers.
More info
London
Merge Festival
Venue: Bankside
Date: September 24 – October 7
About: Last year Merge made music from attendees’ brainwaves, so who knows what this year will bring. Drawing on the rich heritage and contemporary culture of the Southbank, the majority of exhibitions are free.
More info
Hackney Record Fair
Venue: Epic Dalston
Date: September 25
About: With an on-site bakery and craft beer on offer, you’ll have all of the energy to find the hidden gems at this record fair.
More info
Noel Fielding live performance and signing
Venue: Rough Trade East
Date: September 28
About: The mighty Noel Fielding will be performing before signing copies of his stand-up record.
More info
Cardiff
Take The Mic lip sync challenge
Date: Every Friday
Venue: The Radyr Court
About: Fancy yourself as a lip sync champion? Is your performance worthy of the champagne prize? Work your way through the rounds, or give up/lose and laugh at the others.
More info
We Shall Overcome Weekender
Venue: The Full Moon
Date: October 7/8
About: Musicians, activists and artists are coming together as a community to host a free gig (but donations are welcome) to help those affected by cuts to the economy.
More info
Glasgow
25 Years of Nevermind Forever
Venue: King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
Date: Sept 23
About: Celebrate 25 years of one of the world’s most iconic albums with your new flatmates. Locals Pinact will perform before they record their second album, as well as American Clay and Codist. All profits will go to the Scottish Association for Mental Health.
More info
Edinburgh
Acquired Taste
Venue: The Bongo Club
Date: September 23
About: This regular night showcases what they consider to be the best in live music. Put your faith in them and discover something new.
More info
Oktoberfest
Venue: Princes Street Gardens
Date: 5th – 9th October
About: Enjoy a long weekend of German music whilst indulging on beer and hearty food.
More info