Community spirit

Have we lost a bit of old-fashioned community spirit?

I admit it.  I don't pay much attention to my neighbours.  I live in a city and people are generally less chatty to strangers.  However, community spirit does exist in some places if you really look for it.

I'd like to think that there is a bit of community spirit on my LoveBananarama social media accounts.  I'm genuinely interested in other peoples point of views, as long as they are respectful and rational.  

Like most people, I love to see people with their pets or read about the music their listening to - or if they've written something particularly insightful.  I'll even go as far as being happy to see what peoples food choices are too.  It's actually sometimes quite inspirational if I'm low on ideas.

The pages of the Pop Justice forums are quite entertaining too.  There are some names on those pages that have been around for years - and although some people can be a bit Judge Judy, there is a community of mostly like-minded music fans, who are there to dissect every element of a song in an often comedic and entertaining way.  I love a good natter about pop.

But...back to the real world...

So, on 28th April at the Glee Club in Birmingham, I'll be there with my lovely friends - do come over and say hello.  I'll no doubt be wearing a hat, as that's my thing.

Ted. x

Sitting in the back row

The thrill of seeing an artist perform on a large scale.  The pyrotechnics. The large screens. Lasers. A troop of 20 dancers. An array of extravagant costumes.  It all sounds so amazing, doesn't it?  Unless you're the one who is sitting at the back of the arena.

I ask myself, is there any point going to a gig if I'm not as close to the stage as possible?

Many years ago, I went to Madonna in concert... and of course she was amazing, I assume - because some of the stage was obscured by the overhang of a balcony.

Then recently, I went to see Kylie Minogue and the VIP area was so enormous (and not very full) that the positioning wasn't anywhere near as good as it perhaps should've been, despite the lengthy queuing.

When the Olympics came to London, I was at a party at my friends house.  They had just purchased an enormous HD television and there was a particularly exciting event on - but it was the sheer quality and enormity of those images that brought it home to me.  Why would you bother going to see an event when you can watch everything in amazing detail on your television screen, in the comfort of your home?  You'll never get to experience the view from multiple angles in a sports arena.  You won't be able to pop the kettle on for a cup of tea during the boring parts.

I think I've just aged before my time - but seriously, I can't be alone with these thoughts, surely?

R Kelly: Music and ethics

I've just recently watched the R Kelly documentary series and it's every bit as shocking as the promotional material suggested.

It got me thinking about music and ethics.  At the ripe age of 45, I'm much more considered about my musical choices and the artists that I support.  I'm not sure if it's related to my maturity or whether I'm led by the mass outrage on social media which is hard to avoid.

Obviously, I prefer musicians to not be utter complete bastards and I don't expect other people to be completely on my wavelength but I can't work out why anyone would support an alleged child-abuser - even if they have created an amazing album?

It seems that a portion of the buying public don't always agree when it comes to moral choices and supporting artists.  News stories, no matter how hideous, are simply promotion for artists and the record companies sometimes take advantage of that.  Sales often increase in those scenarios and readers, this is where I struggle.  A record company paying for an front page advert on iTunes during an artists ongoing court case is pretty fucked up.  Yes, they invest a lot of money and time on artists but there really is no excuse.  Suck it up and do the right thing.