As well as Beebs, Pezzer, Ushmeister, Pharrell, the Chilly Boys and ver ‘that.
Organising a huge fundraising event in Manchester less than two weeks after the tragedy is brilliant work from all concerned and quite touching, particularly from the acts from over the pond.
You’ve all done very well. Hope it raises millions.
Mike_H says
Yes.
Done the right thing.
No scaredy-cats refusing to travel this time, obviously.
Kaisfatdad says
Hats off to her and all those involved. It’s a fine gesture.
It cannot undo that awful tragedy but hopefully it can have a positive effect.
Colin H says
I was waiting for an appropriate moment after the Manchester event to say this – I have literally never heard of Ariana Grande. Never once heard her name let alone her music, and yet she fills stadiums. The nature of fame in the 21st C is interesting, isn’t it?
fatima Xberg says
I’d never heard of her either – and there are teens in our family who should know.
But then again, how many Brits have heard of Helene Fischer?
The engine Driver says
How weird is that? We were in Copenhagen last week and watched a concert of hers from Berlin. Not my cup of tea but gave a full on show
Sewer Robot says
Before this blog I’d never heard of The Mahavishnu Orchestra. In fact, as the first posts about them appeared I wondered whether they were a made up band and the poster was being mischievous…
Colin H says
Very good! But the difference is that AG is apparently filling stadiums during the most information-dense era in human history. How do 5 year old girls hear about preople like that? Do they have TV shows or something?
davebigpicture says
I asked my 13 year old daughter. She was on a Nickelodeon show called Victorious which was apparently very popular.
bobness says
And Sam and Cat, the spin off.
It’s all my 10 year old grandson seems to watch.
I didn’t realise she was stadium filler for her music, though.
dai says
I don’t think you are her target audience.
Colin H says
No, I realise that, but even with someone like Justin Bieber, who appeals to children, I’ve heard his name (though none of his music, because I’ve no interest). With Grande I had simply never heard her name before.
JustB says
My parents had never heard of a single band or artist I liked as a kid. I’m not sure why you’re surprised you haven’t heard of Ariana Grande: it would be like my folks having heard of Boy George in 1985, which they hadn’t.
minibreakfast says
But surely your dad must have sat in the corner of living room when George and co appeared on TOTP, muttering about how he can’t tell who is a boy and who is a girl these days? It was his JOB!
fentonsteve says
My daughter’s into the duo 21 Pilots.
You can’t hear the words, there’s no real tune, and every song goes boom-boom-boom.
They don’t write ’em like they used to.
I’m 47, you know.
Black Celebration says
Blurry Face by 21P is really good.
illuminatus says
Have you got all your own teeth?
fatima Xberg says
The difference to yer average parents is this (and I’m sure this applies to Colin as well) – I (sometimes) work for the music business, my job keeps me interested in all sorts of popular culture, and apart from the usual online sources (including exotic locations like the Hoffman forum and Chicks With Discs) I subscribe to a dozen music magazines and fanzines. And I’ve never heard of the singer in question (what was her name again…?) before those horrible news.
Colin H says
Yes, I’ve think you’ve underlined it Fatima – although I’m not ‘in the music business’ as such, I do a lot of work around reissue projects for various labels, browse two or three music discussion/review websites of a day, and buy at least one music magazine a month, plus two or three copies of the Times in a week, including the Friday edition with music reviews.
So I am, if you like, someone wandering through the music neighbourhood, not an old fogey huffily turning off the telly every time Chuck Berry comes on it and reading ‘Wisden’ in his pipe and slippers…
And my point remains: despite all this, I had never once encountered the name of this stadium-filling woman before.
fentonsteve says
I have a music-loving 13-y-o in the house and I know for sure we have downloaded the album, although she’s no particular fan. I can even picture the cover art (I nearly wrote “sleeve” there, but that would make me sound old).
I’ve never listened to it, though.
MC Escher says
It’s fabulous pop. I’m old but her songs are evolved to be fantastically catchy. It helps that they are wonderful melodies and superbly sung too. If it helps think of her like you used to think of [name of band who were big when you were 12]…. anyone you loved when you weren’t yet cool.
I’d rather listen to her than The Beatles at any rate. At least you can dance to it.
Clive says
Me too. No idea who she was before this.
Blue Boy says
Yes, amazing work and fair play to Ariana Grande – its a pretty brave thing of her to do apart from anything else.. There is a body of opinion amongst some people who were there that it is too soon however. I can understand that, and think it may have been better to go for a date in a couple of months time.
Gatz says
I understand the sentiment that it is too soon, particularly when some people are still gravely ill, but I tend to the other view – that such an immediate response shows defiance. In other news, I enjoyed this review of a Liam GAllagher fundraiser, particularly
I like to think it went to the tune of ‘She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain’.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/may/30/oasis-reunion-rumoured-for-liam-gallagher-manchester-solo-show-victims-fund-noel
nickduvet says
And it goes like this:
https://youtu.be/GeeCEkGTWjw
fentonsteve says
Yes. There are those who are content to moan about how “something must be done” (but not by them), and those who shut up and get on and do something positive. So good on all those involved.
Kaisfatdad says
Certainly agree that a later date would have been better. But it is a brave thing to do: the toughest gig of her career.
Not heard of Ariana? Where have you all been?
Down with the kindergarten kids, that’s me!
Colin H says
And in other news, just in case the kids have missed it, John McLaughlin will be doing a farewell tour of America in November playing a set comprised wholly of Mahavishnu Orchestra music (music he has resisted playing in the intervening 42 years, bar the odd tune here or there).
Kaisfatdad says
Two summers ago, my son had the radio on a lot and this catchy song by Ms Grande was on all the time. That was her firmly on my radar. The retro-kitsch video is quite fun too,
Ainsley says
I think doing the gig this soon says “fuck you” much better than it would in a couple of month’s time, so I’m all for it.
It’s only 3 or 4 years ago I was taking my boys to gigs like this (at the MEN , as well) and the news affected me much more than I ever thought possible. We really do need to say “fuck you” somehow.
pawsforthought says
Agreed.
Railroad Bill says
She’s quite popular with the younger bits of our house. She does a good Celine impression too…
bricameron says
Marvellous response.
Lemonhope says
My two eldest daughters are very excited to have tickets for the concert.
I think it’s a great idea, and as already said above, a fuck you to those that would seek to stop this kind of thing. I’ll watch it on the telly.
It’ll be emotional
Mike_H says
And furthermore..
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/video_and_audio/headlines/40142187/manchester-attack-ariana-grande-visits-injured-fans
Kaisfatdad says
I was very moved to read about Ariana visiting her fans in hospital. She really is giving her all.
minibreakfast says
Is anyone else watching the concert right now?
Leicester Bangs says
Yes! Isn’t it great!
minibreakfast says
It is! Mr B keeps getting teary, as do lots of blokes on my Twitter timeline. Bless ’em.
minibreakfast says
Ahh, a Crowded House song. Finally something Mr B vaguely recognises (apart from ‘Angels’).
chiz says
I mean, look, not that I’m watching this or anything, but; When they come / To build a wall between us / We know that they won’t win. That’s got me all blinky.
Kaisfatdad says
I’m sure that if I was watching it live, I might not be able to maintain my stiff upper lip. Crowded House! What an excellent choice.
Just been reading about the concert and it is quite remarkable that they have been able to put this extraordinary event together in two weeks. Pop stars (and their managements) can be impressively efficient.
One on the chin for all the hatemongers!
Native says
How bloody good was Liam!?
Black Type says
He was…ok. Did what he always does, plus a new song. The great thing about it was that he was there…it was definitely maybe a Moment.