FEATURE:
All Together Now
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Can the Music World (and Fans) Unite for a Universal Movement?
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THAT question sounds both huge and vague…
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but what I mean is, as we are experiencing bushfires, climate change, and violence on the streets, there are a lot of people concerned and scared. There are a lot of issues and big problems that need tackling, and one wonders how much the world leaders are prepared to do. It is a tense time but, with so much passion and desire for change in the world, it seems like a revolt or peaceful movement might be needed. When it comes to passion, the music industry is no short supply! From musicians through to broadcasters, and journalists, there is a wealth of strength and activation. I know there are charities and movements that are dedicated to tackling climate change and other issues, but I wonder whether it is possible to create a unified movement that joins people in a common cause: to make the world a better place. We had Punk in the 1970s and 1980s that seemed to speak to a great many people but, in 2020, I think there are more problems and bigger emergencies that could benefit from mass action. Artists are talking about climate change and violence (and other subjects) in their music, but the industry is so compartmentalised and wide-ranging, one doesn’t see too much togetherness. Maybe it would take the form of a new musical movement; it does not need to be all angry and charged. I think a certain urgency is needed but, as I have said in many pieces, we need more fun and euphoria in music.
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That may seem inappropriate given the situation we are in, but I do think we all need to realise things will get better. I was researching for a forthcoming Peter Gabriel feature, and he was saying that the young or technological-minded will start a change/revolution in the same way Punk did decades ago. Music has the power to change so much; from an individual to the world itself, I think artists can affect change faster and more effectively than politicians. All is never lost, but it is evident we have a lot of fires to put out – both literal and metaphorically -, and music does not have the same movements that we used to see. Many artists today do not like genre labels but, rather than define this movement by sound, it can have a name instead; it can consist multiple sounds and ideas. Having a genre/movement that mixed together the positivity and Pop of Britpop with something akin to Punk would be fascinating. I look around music now and there are some great artists, for sure, but so many different sounds and colours. Variation is a great thing but, with so many people in the industry keen to do their bit, a strong and proactive movement would be much-needed. In terms of aims, I guess it would involve calling for change and raising awareness, both through song and in speech.
I think a lot of us are also feeling suffocated and frightened by the news and, whilst the truth needs to come out, another side of the movement would be a new euphoria; a sort of third Summer of Love. I know I have talked about that possibility before and, thirty years since its last incarnation, I feel now is a time to revive it. It would take a bit of work but, with so much at stake – in terms of the damage to the planet -, I do feel music can alter so much. With technology and the sheer potential of music itself, who knows what could happen? I was also thinking about viral campaigns and the fact we have not had one for a long time. Whereas previous viral campaigns have involved people doing certain tasks or dares, this would be music-based and either a playlist or a person nominating a song. They would share that on social media, and one will donate on a homepage that collates money for a single charity that tackles a range of problems. There are times when music has changed the world and, reading this article, it seems like a Live Aid-style event would be potent. So much money and awareness could be generated with a global concert that is broadcast around the world. I am just throwing ideas out there, but there is so much potential in music/musicians that is not being tapped. This year is one where so many huge issues will be put under the spotlight, and there are going to be various charities and bodies calling for action. I do think music has that ability to bring us all together and make the world better. Some sort of scene or movement could be just the start and, even though it may start as a rumbling, it could lead to…
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A huge tremor.