I've recently become a more regular reader of classy publications such as Cosmo and Company. When I say, regular I mean every time I'm going to be in a car for more than 3 hours and am not behind the driving seat. And by more, is in comparison to previously, never.
The appeal is simple, right? gawk at other people and talk about things you wouldn't generally talk about. Yeah, sure it's entertaining . I'm not one of these people who buys OK! and News of the World, I don't really care if I don't hear about where my favourite celebrity shops for baby clothes. I don't really have a favourite celebrity! And so I suppose I am sympathetic to them being stalked all the time and pleading for privacy even if some of them clearly thrive on it and go out of their way to attract it.
Well, I'm sympathetic to appreciating that it could be annoying but then it's a small price to pay for the "Celebrity" tag bestowed on them. In other words, they owe it to the people who put them there.
And so when I see celebrities who have been part of an industry undergoing revolution, such as music, where before they made money by selling records and appearances on MTV but now have to put up a show and work harder for their celebrity stardowm, the least we can expect and demand, is some effort.
Last year I went to see Madonna live at Wembley Arena, London as part of her hot and sticky tour. Sure, I'm not the greatest Madonna fan in terms of her music but I certainly don't deny her the appreciation as a creative performance who not just stayed ahead of the curve but essentially defined the trend. To say the least, I had decent expectations for what to expect. I went coz its Madonna and well, it's worth witnessing a global phenomenon at least once even if its just for the experience.
But what a disappointment!
First the acoustics and set up were poor for someone of her reputation. Second, she just didn't care. Its not even that she didn't sing live, but even in terms of the antics and jumping around, there was no energy. It was lacklustre. Nothing can explain it other than lazy celebrity syndrome. She can't remember where she came from and takes her fan base for granted.
At the other end of the spectrum I went to see the relatively obscure MGMT at the O2 Brixton. one expects a young, one hit wonder band to make an effort. But not these kids. They made their quick buck and now they are taking it easy. If I criticise 50+ years old Madonna for lacking drive in her performance, MGMT, as snotty-nosed teens, ought to be banished for their pathetic live event. They didn't even sing live and they couldn't even be bothered to pretend to play their instruments. While one kid jumped around the front in an half assed attempt in one song (which was one of the 2 reasons everyone seemed to have gathered there that evening) the rest hung around at the back of the stage, chatting.
For their celebrity type, I absolutely have no sympathy to their cause of illegal downloading piracy. They don't work hard enough to deserve our adoration, attention and £$.
But ah, Dave Matthews. What a performer! I've heard a few things about his difficult tendencies backstage but to his audience, the people who made him, he gives everything. he actually sung live in a live event which seems a novelty these days and wow! he had great banter. Is that too much to ask for a £50 ticket and trek to O2 arena?
It's a new age for celebrities. Technology brings them closer to us and makes them more accessible. For fans to reach them and for them to gain visibility. That should not however reduce their effort in giving back to their fans. Lazy celebrities are only a short run phenomenon. i for once am glad to have Internet pirates making illegal downloads available to adoring fans if that means celebrities are forced to abandon their mansions and go on tour to earn their keep.
Long live Bit Torrents!
The appeal is simple, right? gawk at other people and talk about things you wouldn't generally talk about. Yeah, sure it's entertaining . I'm not one of these people who buys OK! and News of the World, I don't really care if I don't hear about where my favourite celebrity shops for baby clothes. I don't really have a favourite celebrity! And so I suppose I am sympathetic to them being stalked all the time and pleading for privacy even if some of them clearly thrive on it and go out of their way to attract it.
Well, I'm sympathetic to appreciating that it could be annoying but then it's a small price to pay for the "Celebrity" tag bestowed on them. In other words, they owe it to the people who put them there.
And so when I see celebrities who have been part of an industry undergoing revolution, such as music, where before they made money by selling records and appearances on MTV but now have to put up a show and work harder for their celebrity stardowm, the least we can expect and demand, is some effort.
Last year I went to see Madonna live at Wembley Arena, London as part of her hot and sticky tour. Sure, I'm not the greatest Madonna fan in terms of her music but I certainly don't deny her the appreciation as a creative performance who not just stayed ahead of the curve but essentially defined the trend. To say the least, I had decent expectations for what to expect. I went coz its Madonna and well, it's worth witnessing a global phenomenon at least once even if its just for the experience.
But what a disappointment!
First the acoustics and set up were poor for someone of her reputation. Second, she just didn't care. Its not even that she didn't sing live, but even in terms of the antics and jumping around, there was no energy. It was lacklustre. Nothing can explain it other than lazy celebrity syndrome. She can't remember where she came from and takes her fan base for granted.
At the other end of the spectrum I went to see the relatively obscure MGMT at the O2 Brixton. one expects a young, one hit wonder band to make an effort. But not these kids. They made their quick buck and now they are taking it easy. If I criticise 50+ years old Madonna for lacking drive in her performance, MGMT, as snotty-nosed teens, ought to be banished for their pathetic live event. They didn't even sing live and they couldn't even be bothered to pretend to play their instruments. While one kid jumped around the front in an half assed attempt in one song (which was one of the 2 reasons everyone seemed to have gathered there that evening) the rest hung around at the back of the stage, chatting.
For their celebrity type, I absolutely have no sympathy to their cause of illegal downloading piracy. They don't work hard enough to deserve our adoration, attention and £$.
But ah, Dave Matthews. What a performer! I've heard a few things about his difficult tendencies backstage but to his audience, the people who made him, he gives everything. he actually sung live in a live event which seems a novelty these days and wow! he had great banter. Is that too much to ask for a £50 ticket and trek to O2 arena?
It's a new age for celebrities. Technology brings them closer to us and makes them more accessible. For fans to reach them and for them to gain visibility. That should not however reduce their effort in giving back to their fans. Lazy celebrities are only a short run phenomenon. i for once am glad to have Internet pirates making illegal downloads available to adoring fans if that means celebrities are forced to abandon their mansions and go on tour to earn their keep.
Long live Bit Torrents!
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