It’s officially that time of year once again… the John Lewis Christmas advert has been released to the world this morning.
November is here, the festive season is right around the corner, the 2023 Manchester Christmas Markets officially start tomorrow, and now, after teasing it on social media for the past few days and leaving the nation waiting with baited breath, the department store retailer has finally unveiled its 2023 Christmas advert.
And this year, the company has taken things in quite a different direction to usual.
After John Lewis toned things down and took it back to basics with its annual festive commercial in 2022, choosing to “shine a light on the overlooked issue” of children in the UK foster care system amid the rising cost of living crisis, the meaning behind this year’s ad isn’t quite so poignant… or at least, we think?
With a Venus flytrap being the star of the show, and an Italian opera song by one of the genre’s most-famous names providing the soundtrack, the retailer definitely seems to have switched things up for 2023.
Titled Snapper: The Perfect Tree, and with the promotional strapline ‘Let Your Traditions Grow’, John Lewis’ refreshed approach to its festive marketing this year is one that focuses on fostering and nurturing family seasonal traditions… but not it the most obvious way.
The advert follows a young boy who begs his Grandma to let him buy a seed in a box from their local market, before showing him lovingly-nurturing the seed into a plant with the belief he’s growing a spectacular Christmas tree.
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But to his surprise, it’s not a Christmas tree at all, and actually turns out to be a Venus flytrap with a playful personality – which the boy names ‘Snapper’.
Despite not being traditional, Snapper wants to join in all the fun of Christmas anyway, but he sadly grows too big for the living room and is then cast out into the cold garden outside.
The 2023 John Lewis Christmas ad is out and it features a Venus flytrap and Italian opera / Credit: John Lewis
As the two-minute ad continues, we see Snapper eventually welcomed back into the home, after he dishes out presents with such joy and enthusiasm that the family finds new joy in gathering around their unconventional Christmas tree.
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So as you can see, it’s not what many were expecting.
The soundtrack of John Lewis’ Christmas ads are always another talking point, and are usually covers of well-known or under-appreciated songs and often performed by upcoming artists, but this year, the music is provided by the legendary tenor, Andrea Bocelli performing a song called ‘Festa’.
The Italian opera song was written and produced by Le Feste Antonacci specifically for the John Lewis advert.
The retailer has adopted the strapline ‘Let Your Traditions Grow’ for 2023 / Credit: John Lewis
“Many of us have our own unique festive traditions and that makes them even more special,” explained Charlotte Lock, who is the Customer Director at John Lewis, “and this film celebrates themes of family and evolving traditions.
“It shows that a ‘perfect’ Christmas is finding joy together with loved ones, whatever your traditions.”
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John Lewis’ Marketing Director, Rosie Hanley, says the retailer hopes the nation “falls in love” with the wannabe Christmas tree Snapper “as much as we have”.
“He embodies what’s magical about Christmas – bringing loved ones together, holding on to what we all love about Christmas traditions and embracing new ones.”
You can watch the 2023 John Lewis Christmas advert in full here.
Featured Image – John Lewis
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This is why ‘street nipples’ have started appearing on pavements across Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Have you happened to notice a bunch of so-called ‘street nipples’ popping up on pavements across Manchester?
Well, there’s a very important reason for them.
In case you weren’t aware, 1 October is the start of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and as a way of marking this hugely-crucial occasion, pavement studs across major UK cities like London, Edinburgh, and, of course, here in Manchester are being transformed into nipples as part of a bold conversation-starting initiative from charity Breast Cancer UK.
Pavement studs often go unnoticed, but this new campaign is designed to stop people in their tracks when they’re walking around the city centre.
The charity says it’s taking its plea for cancer prevention to the streets (quite literally) in a nationwide ode to the importance of early detection.
The attention-grabbing ‘breasts stencils’, which you can now spot around Manchester, are created with reverse clean graffiti – a technique that uses pressure washers rather than paint – and although the art will disappear naturally over time, the charity hopes the message will continue to resonate long after.
“If you don’t look for it, you could miss it,” the charity said in a statement.
Breast cancer is estimated to affect one in seven women in the UK over their lifetime, yet studies tell us that at least 30% of these cases could be prevented if detected earlier, this is why Breast Cancer UK is using the new ‘Street Nipples’ campaign to empower people with the knowledge and tools to reduce their risk.
‘Street nipples’ have started appearing on pavements across Manchester / Credit: David Parry (Supplied)
“We know that at least 30% of breast cancer cases are preventable, but for those that are not, it’s vital to know the signs,” explained Thalie Martini, who is the CEO of Breast Cancer UK.
“We are concerned that many women in the UK are forgetting to check what’s right in front of them, so that’s why this Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we are taking to the streets to urge women to take their health, quite literally, into their own hands.”
An interactive map of the nipple artworks, helping people track down all 15 of them in Manchester has now been published.
Those who spot and share a snap on social media using #StreetNipples, tagging @breastcanceruk and giving the account a follow, will also be entered into a prize draw to win a selection of Breast Cancer UK merch too.
Repercussion returns to The Warehouse Project for 2025 and its first-ever winter edition
Danny Jones
Fan favourite club event Repercussion is back for 2025, and this year’s Warehouse Project season is seriously starting to ramp up.
The annual Warehouse Project programme is now well underway and hasn’t disappointed us one bit so far upon its return to Depot Mayfield.
With the likes of Annie Mac, Fisher and Worried About Henry having already ticked off the opening events on the WHP25 calendar, there are so many other big nights now coming up – and there are very few that are quite as big and/or popular as Repercussion.
Judging by the calibre of acts they’ve got for what will be their first-ever winter edition at WHP, that reputation is only going to get bigger…
The Repercussion 2025 lineup is now yours. Underworld – true pioneers of electronic music – perform live, joined by Caribou (live), Floating Points, Joy Orbison, Job Jobse, Daphni, Chloé Caillet and many, many more.
As you can see, the Repercussion lineup for 2025 is absolutely stacked, with names such as Caribou (live), Floating Points, Joy Orbison and others already confirmed.
You’ve even got the likes of legends of London’s late-night scene like Shy FX and SHERELLE closing out the party as Greater Manchester’s most iconic clubbing institution goes full steam ahead into the early hours of the morning.
God, we’re a lucky bunch to have something as world-famous as WHP on our doorstep, aren’t we?
There’s plenty of the Manc music scene on show too, with local station CROP Radio taking over the nearby Star & Garter, as the pub and live music venue continues to champion top grassroots talent.
Furthermore, there’ll be plenty more spotlighting next door at Freight Island’s Plant Room, too, which boasts some of 0161’s finest selectors, including Metrodome, Joey T, Jim Bane, Camilla Reghenzi and Joe Motion.
There’s plenty more to be enjoyed beyond just the music itself, as well.
For 2025, Repercussion is also hosting a new record and retail market, featuring curated vinyl from Northern Quarter tastemakers and former record shop pioneers, Eastern Bloc, as well as lifestyle items from concept store, Suzy Loves Milo.
These collaborations are a celebration of Manchester’s independent spirit, and it goes without saying that Repercussion, Barry Can’t Swim, Homobloc, and so many other huge electronic nights wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for the grassroots tradition running throughout our city’s culture.
Pre-sale will be available from 9am this Friday, 9 October, and general admission goes live from 12 noon; get ready to grab your tickets HERE. In the meantime, you can study the rest of the WHP 25 dates in full down below.
Emily Sergeant -
9th November 2023 
