Thomas Massam

On 23rd May 2011, Lady Gaga released her most pivotal album to date, Born This Way, and changed her career forever. After the juggernaut success of her prior two albums, The Fame and The Fame Monster, many of us began to wonder how Gaga could reinvent herself and stay relevant within a mainstream pop music landscape. The media had already scrutinized Gaga to a high degree. Critics compared her work to that of her female peers – Madonna, Katy Perry and Christina Aguilera...

Theatre has become a significant part of people’s lives over the last few decades and has given them a chance to escape reality for a few hours through the arts. Liverpool’s historic theatres from The Everyman to The Empire theatre are no exception. As a result, the arts contribute an estimated £10.8 billion to the UK economy each year. Unfortunately, 2020 hasn’t been the same following the unprecedented outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic.

BACK in February, when Kevin Robinson-Hale created Everton Together to bring a sense of community to the Everton area, he did not imagine the project would adopt an even more significant community purpose - following the unprecedented outbreak of COVID-19. Kevin, 34, is the former Chairman of Everton Labour,. He recently stepped down to focus on Everton Together, a project very close to home.

Following the unprecedented outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of Liverpool-based organisations have been adjusting their online platforms in order to keep the LGBTQ+ community engaged and connected which has (like many other local communities) endured major hardships during the current crisis.

Since the 1960s, LGBTQ+ people have been writing stories in which they share with us their journey towards equality. According to Stonewall, the UK’s LGBTQ+ rights charity, almost three in 10 LGBTQ+ people who visited a faith service or place of worship in the past 12 months has experienced discrimination, because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. So why has it taken until 2019 for the reconciliation of LGBTQ+ and faith to be acknowledged? On Saturday 23rd November 2019, a diverse range of speakers met for the first time at Leaf on Bold Street for a one-off panel discussion called Queer Faith Voices...

Just imagine spending your Tuesday night in the same room as Christina Aguilera, who is dressed like a sparkly little Christmas fairy. It’s like Christmas came a month early when the five-time Grammy award-winner brought The X Tour to Manchester, her first U.K tour in 13 years. Emerging onstage sat atop a circular throne, a diamante-clad Christina ensures that the remainder of this colourful, multi-layered extravaganza compensates for her late 9.25pm start (although one of her dancers did inju

When we hear the phrase ‘Medieval History’, we think of the Middle Ages, the time between the fall of Imperial Rome and the beginning of the early modern Europe. However, what about the actual texts which originate from the Medieval period?

If you perceive Russia as a discrete nation where language, society and culture all coincide, then you might want to think again. Transnational Russian Studies is a timely volume that proposes a new approach to Russia's engagements with, and transformation by, the world beyond its boundaries.

Where do we begin on the subject of gender ideologies regarding women in film? A good place to start is through the image of The Reclining Nude, the first book about the reclining nude in film. Filmmakers Agnès Varda and Catherine Breillat, along with American photographer working in Paris, Nan Goldin, revisit the work of numerous artists, in order to re-imagine, and re-purpose their images of female beauty, display, (auto)eroticism, and intimacy.

The world of politics has and always will be a fundamental part of our society-I am sure you are aware of the Brexit situation by now. However, what about the man who was known as "the best MP Scotland never had”? Jimmy Reid went from a poverty-stricken background in Govan, Glasgow, to being at the forefront of the major turning points in the history of industrial relations and politics in Britain, particularly when he gained international recognition as the leading spokesperson for the Upper Clyde Shipbuilders Work-In from 1971 to 1972.

To this day, Black Artistry and History remain underrepresented, despite being foundational to the battle for equality and diversity in our society today. Professor Lubaina Himid CBE is a Black British artist, curator and winner of the prestigious Turner Prize for British visual art. Alongside Celeste-Marie Bernier, Alan Rice and Hannah Durkin, Himid theorizes her development of an alternative visual and textual language, within which to validate the hidden histories and untold stories of Black women, children, and men bought and sold into transatlantic slavery.

Baltic Profiles explores the innovative and creative minds behind everything Baltic Triangle. From digital creators, guitar makers and tech entrepreneurs (and many more). This week’s Baltic Profile is with Sonic Yootha – a monthly social event based at 24 Kitchen Street. Sonic Yootha will be celebrating their 4th birthday 29th June and continues to be one of the city’s biggest and best club night’s. Imagine this: a club night for people of all age groups, races and sexualities in the Baltic Triangle...

Andrew Owens, 44, from Litherland, is taking part in The Speed Cycle challenge across the U.K between 1st and 2nd June along with 20 other cyclists, in memory of the late former Everton player Gary Speed. The 230-mile The Speed Cycle will visit all the football clubs that Gary Speed played for, starting at Newcastle United, before cycling to Leeds United, Sheffield United, Bolton Wanderers, then back to Goodison. All the money raised will go towards The People’s Place, an Everton-based facility which is very close to Andrew’s heart...

TBC Events recently hosted a drag show called Tuck Shop at Hinterlands in the Baltic Triangle on 27th April, to offer family-friendly eleganza and serve up ‘true drag queen realness’. Tuck Shop was originally held at last year’s Liverpool Pride in the Cunard Building. Due to the show’s success, the organisers decided to reinvent Tuck Shop at Hinterlands this year, working with the same drag queens as they did the first time. Tom Barrie, the creator and host of Tuck Shop, said: “The purpose of creating Tuck Shop and making it family-friendly was because there is an increased interest in this sort of show and I wanted to make it more inclusive, taking it out of just being able to see drag queens in clubs. This show is for kids of all ages.” ...

The Baltic Weekender is here and the Baltic Triangle is all geared up for another amazing weekend of live music. We caught up with Ioan Roberts, the founder of Baltic Weekender (and the owner of one of the Baltic Triangle’s most popular venues, 24 Kitchen Street) to discuss Ioan’s personal and professional development, his experiences of working in the Baltic Triangle, the growth and success of Kitchen Street and his hopes for the future. Back in the summer of 2013, Ioan and his colleagues bought 24 Kitchen Street with the express view of changing it into a mixed-use arts and music venue...