Gig etiquette & Big Fan: Swiftie edition💿🌹
Ciao cuties! Cén chaoi bhfuil sibh? Podcast and Playlists below ❤️ Sula dtosaím, I can confidently say that this is the best song of the month:
Bíonn mí an Mheithimh ar fheabhas do cheolchoirmeacha, agus is mé atá buíoch! Bhí/tá togra mór léiriúcháin idir láimhe agam a fhágann nach bhfuil mórán saoirse agam na deiridh seachtaine a chaitheamh ag féilte (ná an chuid eile den tseachtain ag tíocht ar ais chugam féin), ach tá mo dhóthain ceoil agus craice faighte agam fós fhéin..
Life is a rollercoaster at the moment. Work’s been a ‘mare if I’m being honest, but I have been lucky enough to punctuate the more difficult weeks with moments of pure joy: I had my heart filled up at Paolo Nutini, broken by Lana Del Rey, raised up again by Florence + the Machine, and danced my cares away at SZA and Sylvan Esso. It’s been gorgeous and I’m feeling very grateful.
There’s been a lot of talk recently about gig etiquette and how we’re behaving at crowds, something that’s been on my mind since this summer season kicked off.
The internet loves a Millennial v Gen Z argument, and blame lack of manners on the fact that the younger generation don’t know how to act, but I have to say that’s not what I’ve seen. The crowd at Paolo were somewhat older and most seemed like they’d be happier in the pub. They talked through most songs, joining in only for Candy, and in general just seemed to be there for the pints, which in itself isn’t bad, but definitely dampened the atmosphere. On the other hand, the crowd at SZA were ten years my junior (truly, not a soul over 20) and I was blown away by their unfaltering devotion. They sang every word, hugged their friends during songs that were meaningful or hyped each other up when their favourite songs played. Very cute.
In the case of the outdoor gigs (Paolo was at Malahide Castle), I wonder if maybe we’re just buying tickets since Covid as a way to attend events, because we’re dying to do everything all the time again, as opposed to buying them because of dedication to an artist - especially as outdoor gigs offer that festival feeling without the effort of dedicating a weekend to camping in the rain. There’s also the recent incidents that directly involve the celbrities on our stages - P!nk being handed a wheel of cheese and a box of someone’s ashes(?!), a phone thrown at Bebe Rexah’s head, Taylor fans printing hundreds of pictures of her dead grandmother to hold up during gigs…
Rolling Stone blamed “attention starvation” since the pandemic, that people want to be noticed - especially by stars they have developed intense parasocial relationships with online, but I wonder if it also has to do with our collective attention deficit. We’re used to seeing highlight reels of gigs on TikTok, but in reality you stand for hours waiting for those moments. This, combined with ‘main character energy’, seem to be driving these antics. I think a lot about community v individualism, and worry that social media is making us more and more individualistic. I don’t want to diss the internet, as fan projects (like we discussed on last month’s Harry Styles Big Fan podcast - listen here!) can develop online to create a sense of community. But the more common use of social media now, attending gigs to capture or create a viral moment for TikTok clout is exactly the opposite of that.
Then again, David Bowie and Lady Gaga have faced these issues in the 70s and 00’s so maybe we’re all just a bit grumpy and intolerant of crowds ? We discuss this a little on this month’s podcast too, below.
Another phenomenon that arose during our chat was post-gig amnesia. I saw Lana Del Rey. Cried. Felt fully present at the time.. but can’t really recall the gig now at all? Apparently Swifties have been experiencing this too: “Taylor Swift fans report 'amnesia' following Eras show” - BBC News
Which bring us to this month’s Big Fan Podcast: the Taylor Swift edition:
And on all other platforms here: rss.com/podcasts/bigfan/ 💿🌹
This month’s Big Fan is Alswyn Ní Aonghusa, of the GaelGals podcast and we are of course discussing Taylor Swift, The Eras Tour, the HYPE, fan theories and everthing else. On all platforms now. HUGE go raibh maith agat le chuile dhuine a sheol teachtaireachtaí, glórnótaí, ceisteanna agus a chur go mór leis an eagrán seo, mo cheol sibh!
Luaigh muid conas ticéid Taylor Swift a cheannach anseo in Éirinn ag tús an chláir, agus ar Splanc ar Newstalk an tseachtain seo caite, agus phléigh muid na cúiseanna a bhaineann leis an athaifead atá ar bun ag Taylor anseo.
We spoke about Easter Eggs, The Man video that references the rumoured Karma album, and fan friendship bracelets like these (yes that is Jennifer Garner).
Cúinne Cultúir
The Cop On: a podcast making sense of things you probably don't care about, with a hefty side of lukewarm social critique. Like if Mina Le and Alice Chappelle were Irish and had conversations about everything from internet addiction to botox, guaranteed laugh out loud moments, excellent one-liners and sometimes it’s just nice to hear people your age and from your background have shared experiences and thoughts. They’re doing a drunkcast next and I think it will be good chaotic.
Taste - Stanley Tucci: I’m in a reading slump (fáilte roimh mholtaí) and I was in a cooking slump, and this has kind of cured both. It’s not the best book or biography ever, but it is charming and full of recipe ideas. Stanley Tucci is obviously one of the most endearing people on the planet, but he is also genuinely passionate about food and his excitement gave me a new lease of life in the kitchen. Win win agus molto blasta.
The Most Wuthering Heights Day Ever: an iconic event, amárach i bPáirc Naomh Áine óna 11. A must for Kate must Fans.
Seinnliosta na míosa
Mí Iúil táim ag éisteacht le Caoi De Barra, Kean Kavanagh, new Soda Blonde!, new CMAT!, old Yazoo, More to Life by Stacie Orrico is 20 years old!! - agus tuilleadh ar fáil anseo:
Agus focal scoir, thaitin an leagan álainn seo le Ellie Goulding den amhrán Shark Eyes le Sorcha Richardson go mór liom, agus chuir sé i gcuimhne dom leagan Ellie de Roscoe le Midlake, also worth a watch. Bain sult as!
GRMA as tíocht chomh fada leis seo, as clárú agus as an scéal a scaipeadh, is mór agam é agus tá súil agam go mbainfidh sibh sult as podchraoladh na seachtaine seo!
Grá mór
Emma xxx