Creative, Entertainment, Manchester

Elsie Magazine Live @ Texture, Manchester

0 234

Humanity Hallows Issue 5 Out Now
Pick up your copy on campus or read online


By Rachel Cook


Elsie Magazine is an independent publication created by Les Jones focusing on all things design, photography and culture.  On March 22 Les held an event at Texture in Manchester showcasing his recent editions in a highly comedic, visual presentation. Elsie magazine is filled with the most fascinating; quirky content based on the journeys he has embarked on and the things that inspire him throughout his career. All this is then combined into beautifully presented, colourful publications that have so much thought and passion clearly put into them.

At several points during the evening I could’ve sworn I was attending a comedy show rather than a lecture. Les is absolutely hilarious throughout, as are the methods involved in inspiring the ideas that go into creating an issue of his independent magazine. He goes to great lengths, albeit rather strange lengths, for inspiration. Previously having collected rubbish off the floor, discarded gloves from the side of roads and tracked down the people behind stickers left on a wall! But there is certainly method to his madness, shown in his final, finished magazines.

Elsie’s first issue particularly stood out as not one of it’s covers is the same as another, each is completely unique. It’s ideas like these that help set Elsie Magazine apart from the larger magazine industry, with its thoroughly refreshing concepts. In a world where digital media is taking over, Elsie is the kind of magazine with the potential to re-spark our love for print.

Les not only promoted his magazine, but thoroughly inspired and encouraged all in attendance to explore our own ideas and passions. He presented us with tips and advice in a sarcastic yet eye-opening way including ignoring what others say, ditching excuses and disrupting your thinking with randomness. He is a creative genius, and it is no wonder that Elsie has featured in the top 10 of the New York Library Journal’s best new magazines of the year, where they described it as “a unique treasure.” Elsie magazine truly is an innovative work of art and each edition is one to treasure. Keep an eye out for the next edition!

You can find out more about Elsie Magazine and Les’s upcoming tour dates on his website, Facebook and Twitter.

About the author / 

Humanity Hallows

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More News Stories:

  • Bloodstock 2026: Saturday review – Breaking the circle pit rule

    Featured image: Abbi Draper After an electrifying start to the weekend, with temperatures slowly climbing, many lather themselves in suncream, shed their band shirts and rise from their tents to trek towards the arena. Saturday has big things incoming for the humans of Bloodstock 2026. Some pace themselves for the day and hide from the early…

  • Bloodstock 2026: Friday review – Lamb of God reminds us ‘This is an Invitation’

    Featured image: Abbi Draper After a memorable Thursday opener, Bloodstock 2026 opens its gates once again onto the Hallowed Grounds of Catton Park, kicking off day two of its 25th-anniversary celebration of metal. As the sun rises on Catton Park, festivalgoers emerge from their tents to prepare for another day of mayhem. The morning brings…

  • Bloodstock 2026: Thursday review – Headbanging, legendary sets and dinosaurs

    Featured image: Steve Dempsey Bloodstock returned to Derby for its 25th anniversary this year, welcoming thousands of metal fans for an extended four-day celebration of the festival legacy and its place in the metal community. With a packed bill spanning a broad range of metal sub-genres, this is what Thursday had to offer. As the…

  • Truck Festival 2026: Sunday review – A fitting finale to an unforgettable weekend

    Featured image and gallery: Lucy Elson-Whittaker Sunday may signal the final day of Truck Festival 2026, but there’s still plenty to celebrate before the gates close for another year. From rising indie stars Keyside to the long-awaited return of Rizzle Kicks, festival favourites Circa Waves and headliners The Wombats, these are the performances that define…