Nicole Smith
Pop Goes Punk
Emily Abrahams
Buyers vs. Burners
Alana Hamilton
Anime: An Art of the Future?
Caitlin McCarthy
Are Concerts Becoming Extinct?
Nicole Smith
You're standing in the crowd, ten feet from the stage. As the venue fills up, you can feel the energy building. You bought these tickets six weeks ago, and now the moment is finally here. Slowly, the lights begin to dim and the murmur of the crowd turns into a steady noise of cheers and applause. You scream and yell with everyone else, and your heart speeds up when you see the band walk on stage. It's a great moment.
But lately, it seems that fewer and fewer people are going to concerts.
Attendance is down, and for most students I talked to, concert-going is not a regular activity for them. For the past few years, the major US concert tours have been seeing a steady decline in overall ticket sales.
So if concerts are such a great experience, why don't more people go?
For many, the biggest reason is the cost. Sarah Didora, an OAC student, says that she's not a huge concert-goer because of "time and money. I was planning to see Alicia Keys when she came, but it was just too expensive."
And she's right. The average price of a ticket has gone from an already-high $40 (US) only four years ago to about $50 (US) today. That's around $80 Canadian, without even taking into account the service and handling fees that can add anywhere from $5 to $20 to each ticket.
"When bands come around, I don't have the money at the time - they can get pretty expensive," says Chris Murray, another OAC student.
But despite declining ticket sales, the total revenues of concert tours have actually managed to increase in recent years, because of the ever-rising ticket prices.
Essentially, the price of a ticket is decided by the artists, so they can choose to make their shows affordable. But don't expect those convenience fees to drop anytime soon.
For a band to plan a tour, they need to hire a concert promoter; a company to book the dates and venues - a company like ClearChannel, the behemoth US promoter. They usually run more than 30 major tours a year. They own, operate, or exclusively book 135 venues, and generated about 70% of American concert ticket revenue in 2001.
In 1998, they struck a deal with TicketMaster. They agreed not to create a ticketing company of their own, in exchange for part of the service fee revenue - fees that were originally created to cover the cost of placing a ticket order, but have become a way for the promoters and building owners to earn a profit.
There are currently no restrictions on service fees, either, but the general rule-of-thumb is the higher the ticket price, the higher the fee.
But for some people, it isn't the cost that's keeping them away. They just aren't interested in going. "I've got better things to spend my money on," says Ben Jensen, OAC.
"I'm not really one for the loud music and the millions of people crushing you," says Esmeralda Smith-Romero, a Grade 12 student. "I enjoy sitting at home and listening to my music."
And really, there isn't any need to go to concerts. In fact, there isn't much of a need for many artists to tour at all. It's a common occurrence today to see artists become famous and sell records without ever hitting the stage.
The top-selling artists in the record stores aren't always selling the most concert tickets. In 2001, only two of the artists with top-ten album sales also had a top-ten grossing tour: Backstreet Boys and NSync. None of the other eight album-sellers that year had a top twenty tour. And only one other act with a top-ten tour had an album in the top twenty.
With the MTV video awards, the MMVAs, and other performance-heavy TV specials, you can easily tune into a concert in the comfort of your own home. No crowds, no service fees.
But what about the emotional side of it all? Concerts provide the tempting opportunity to finally be able to see and hear your favourite band in person. Isn't that enough to get people into the seats?
"I like the atmosphere - everyone there together for a common cause and just having a good time," says OAC student Alana Hamilton. "But I'm still a fan if I don't go to a concert of a band I like. I don't have to go."
"A live performance gives people a chance to see the musicians they idolize, but it seems kind of impersonal," explains Esmeralda Smith-Romero. "They're singing out to you, but at the same time, the 'you' is like a million different people. But you can sit at home and listen to your tunes and have it just be one-on-one with the music."
So are concerts becoming extinct? Bands and artists don't seem to need them for success, so some don't even bother with them.
A lot of influential bands of the past - The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Police - made it big largely because of touring; by paying one's dues and working out the kinks until a fanbase is built. It seems much more rare now to hear stories of bands working their way up through bar and club touring, then eventually signing a record deal and moving up in the music industry chain.
What does it show about the worth of performance, or of the music itself, when fans don't really care about anything but the studio CD? It follows suit that musical talent could easily become devalued.
"I think it's a matter of credibility for me," says Chris Murray. "With any band, it's important that they be able to put on a good live show. It shows that they're credible musicians."
"I would be disappointed if I thought a band was great then saw they put on a bad show," agrees Alana Hamilton.
But would you still buy the CDs?
"Of course. If the CDs were good."
Pop Goes Punk
Emily Abrahams
Well Kids, the time has come. Take down your Backstreet Boys posters, turn off the Mandy Moore CD, and cancel all fan club memberships. Times are changing, and fun dance pop and cute faces aren't in anymore.
The change appears to be a drastic one. Gone are the days of midriff-baring tops and glittery makeup. Music videos no longer require choreographers. "Bye Bye Bye" has been all but removed from popular radio stations everywhere. Scariest of all, Britney Spears is no longer the "it" girl.
So who's the replacement? Bring in spiked collars and old ties. Moshpits are now the music video premise of choice to go along with the new "rough" sound. Got your Walkman with you? Better crank up that Blink 182 CD loud. Lace up your Vans, grab your skateboard and you're ready to rock. We've even brought you a new idol. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Avril Lavigne.
Avril Lavigne, a self-proclaimed skater punk with a tough attitude and a hard-core style, is the anti-Britney. As Tushara Veerella, a Grade 11 student, puts it: "Punk is turning into the new urban trend and is taking over boy bands. The dressy but frumpy look is in. Everybody's doing the tie thing." Maybe I'm wrong, but Britney Spears is probably the last person anyone would call "frumpy."
On the flip side, maybe the change is not as drastic as we think it is. Although Avril Lavigne seems to be the opposite of the starlets before her, her reception is much the same. Similarly, the same kids who swooned over the Backstreet Boys and 'N Sync have moved on to Sum 41 and Simple Plan. Pre-teens are dressing like Avril, pasting pictures of Sum 41's lead singer Deryck Whilbley in their lockers and essentially are saying "look at me, I'm punk!"
This new fad may be popular among the teeny bopper set, but for the others it is not nearly as well received. People have called Avril Lavigne a poser because in contrast with her clothing, she actually sings pop music. People who listen to older punk, such as Bad Religion, the Sex Pistols and the Ramones are offended by the newest trend. Says Caitlin McCarthy in Grade 11: "Avril Lavigne is watered down punk. The punk trend is marketable and trendy, which is the opposite of what it used to be."
Complaints about the music lyrics, song messages, and attitudes of the bands are frequent as well. While the Sex Pistols sang about Anarchy in the UK, Blink 182's latest release is crudely titled "Take Off Your Pants and Jacket." The original punks were revolting against the government and anything else that was considered "normal". Now, punk songs are often about ex-girlfriends and high school proms and often include many sexual references. What used to be a "reflection of a social belief," says Caitlin, is now just a sound that is accessible to everyone." Put very simply by Sarah Khan, also in Grade 11: "It's not real punk."
Opinions aside, the next question: Why has this new trend become so popular? Sure, everything comes to an end, and a change was needed, but why punk? Tushara says, "It's mixed in so much with pop, so kids like it. People want to be cool and 'unique' at the same time because this is the age when they're trying to find themselves." And of course, what better way is there to fit in and be your own person than by wearing Dad's old tie? Marketers have cleverly promoted the idea that by wearing chains and baggy shorts, you can be different. What the naïve among us fail to realize is that no matter what you wear, unique means one of a kind. In this case the word just doesn't fit.
Here we have it, folks. 13 year-old girls calling themselves punk when, at the time of the Ramones' popularity, they had not yet been born. Trendy shops such as Claire's Accessories have removed the hairbrushes labeled "Diva" from their shelves and replaced them with "Freak" wristbands. Seventeen Magazine is featuring articles on how to dress punk. In a few years, will the young people be dressing like cowboys and singing country music? Only time will tell.
Buyers vs. Burners
Alana Hamilton
Not long ago there was no other choice but to buy your music from the likes of HMV or Sunrise Records. But, "the times, they are a changin'" and more and more people are choosing to get their music through downloading rather than buying. People are divided into two categories when it comes to getting their music: either you are a burner or you are a buyer.
Walk through the halls of Jarvis and you'll see that the average Walkman and CD player is being replaced with MD's and MP3's equipped with hundreds of hours of downloaded free music. Downloading music from the Internet, or burning it, has a lot of advantages over buying music. It seems that once people start to burn, they can never return to the music store.
"Well you have the wonderful option of customizing your play list to your very own emotional needs for minimum dollar wastage," says OAC student, Damir Maltaric, regular burner.
It is this convenience and cost (or lack of it) that attracts most people to downloading.
"By burning, I don't have to pay $20 for a CD that's not necessarily that good," comments Robert Whillans, OAC student.
On the surface, CD burning sounds ideal for the average music listeners but it is not without flaws. There is of course the big ethical and legal debate over the issue which all started a few years ago with Napster, the popular music download program which was shut down about a year ago. Is downloading right or wrong? Stealing or burning? This is a hot topic that everyone has his or her own opinion on. Though, even with all the attention, it appears that the ethical and moral debates over burning have not proven to be very discouraging.
"Peer-to-peer users are getting more free content than they ever did through Napster," says Matt Bailey, a Webnoize analyst who led a study on music downloading. "Despite the millions of dollars spent trying to kill off pirate networks, the popularity of music sharing continues to grow."
Aside from the ethical and legal issues, downloading also presents some problems when it comes to the technological side of it. Unreliable Internet connections and viruses can leave burners frustrated and without music. Though, in the end, people would much rather get one CD for the price of none and build up an album collection without giving one penny to the people who created the songs.
The few who have stayed loyal to the music store, the buyers, might say that those who get their music via downloading are missing out on the true music experience. The music store is a place where music lovers can browse through the endless selection while the downloaders are sitting at their computers waiting ten minutes for one song. The music store is its own culture where people can meet and interact because they all share a common interest, which is their love not only for music but the actual albums. The feeling of tearing off the cellophane wrapper, cracking open the plastic case, revealing the shiny new disc is one of the ultimate music experiences which burners miss out on.
"It's an emotional thing. I like owning and collecting actual albums rather than individual songs," says music store loyalist Nicole Smith.
Buyers do have one major disadvantage over burners. This is obviously the price of CD's, which is now at the average cost of $20 before taxes. This is a lot to pay, especially since people only usually like one or two songs off the album.
However, the high cost of CD's is not enough to persuade some to downloading.
"I need to have the case, the liner notes, the actual CD even if I only like a few songs off the album. I'm not against downloading music because of the ethical reasons behind it, I just want to build a music collection with actual albums," says HMV shopper James Hall, 21.
Whether you are a burner or a buy or maybe a mixture of both, you will find that both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. The two sides may have their strong differences and conflicting views but they do have one thing in common. Burners and buyers are joined together with their love for music. It just goes to show that music can accomplish just about anything..
Aside from the ethical and legal issues, downloading also presents some problems when it comes to the technological side of it. Unreliable Internet connections and viruses can leave burners frustrated and without music. Though, in the end, people would much rather get one CD for the price of none and build up an album collection without giving one penny to the people who created the songs.
The few who have stayed loyal to the music store, the buyers, might say that those who get their music via downloading are missing out on the true music experience. The music store is a place where music lovers can browse through the endless selection while the downloaders are sitting at their computers waiting ten minutes for one song. The music store is its own culture where people can meet and interact because they all share a common interest, which is their love not only for music but the actual albums. The feeling of tearing off the cellophane wrapper, cracking open the plastic case, revealing the shiny new disc is one of the ultimate music experiences which burners miss out on.
"It's an emotional thing. I like owning and collecting actual albums rather than individual songs," says music store loyalist Nicole Smith.
Buyers do have one major disadvantage over burners. This is obviously the price of CD's, which is now at the average cost of $20 before taxes. This is a lot to pay, especially since people only usually like one or two songs off the album. However, the high cost of CD's is not enough to persuade some to downloading.
"I need to have the case, the liner notes, the actual CD even if I only like a few songs off the album. I'm not against downloading music because of the ethical reasons behind it; I just want to build a music collection with actual albums," says HMV shopper James Hall, 21.
Whether you are a burner or a buyer or maybe a mixture of both, you will find that both methods have their advantages and disadvantages. The two sides may have their strong differences and conflicting views but they do have one thing in common. Burners and buyers are joined together with their love for music. It just goes to show that music can accomplish just about anything.
Anime: An Art of the Future?
Caitlin McCarthy
When thinking of great art of the past, what comes to mind? The delicate brush strokes of Monet? The experimental style of Picasso? The suffering, yet beautiful works of Van Gogh? Maybe I'm just old fashioned, but I have a hard time picturing Sailor Moon placed in the same category as the Mona Lisa. I mean, if Sailor Moon is art, who exactly is the artist?
Many argue that this new art form is just a reflection of our new, highly digital, highly technological society. Our world is heavily dependent on computers; our citizens are obsessed with pop culture; commercialism calls for everything to be mass-produced. If anime can exemplify the pillars of our "new" age, is it truly the "new" art? Throughout history, great art has always represented the times in which it was created, so justifiably, I suppose it is. The answer, however, is not that simple.
Anime now appears on everything from bottle caps to television screens, its popularity extending to well-known characters now used to sell fast food products. Gone are the days when we needed brushes, paint and, dare I say it, creativity, to create popular art. In today's newly vamped, overly campy world, we can now create illuminating artwork by the click of a button. I'm fully aware that this may get me in trouble with many Jarvis students, and I am in no way criticizing the talent of these anime cartoonists, but can this really be considered art? Can art fight crime? Can art sell hamburgers? Can art, in some mysterious way, always feature eyes of very unnatural proportions? If this in fact really were art, wouldn't the anime culture be a means of exploiting it?
"I think it could be really great," says Dylan Berryman, a Grade 10 student, "but it's been pushed too far. It's been made cheesy. I don't want to see art on the back of cartoons, and as action figures, and now that it's so popular it looks exactly the same."
Rachel Betts, a Grade 12 student, shares a similar view: "Things like Pokemon aren't art, they're entertainment, and while their paths have often crossed, art and entertainment will never be interchangeable...real art is something that can be viewed independently from all other things."
The idea that anime all looks the same, as mentioned by Dylan, is something thought by many who believe it to be fun cartoons and not serious art. It is mass-produced and to me, it all seems to follow a specific outline. Though much of it is very eye catching, art is about creativity. Nothing about anime is created; there is no thought behind it. How can you truly show expression and passion through something that digs no deeper than cute figures, which look almost identical to those on your pencil case?
In one hundred years will the Louvre feature a print of Dragon Ball Z? Will a six-foot sculpture of Pikachu stand beside Michelangelo's David? Personally, I don't think so. Anime is fun, it's eye pleasing, and it's often very pretty. It does not, however, contain that which is needed to be great art; it's not experimental, it's not groundbreaking, and it's not unique. Anime is wonderful illustration, and to me, it stops at just that -- illustration. When the day comes that I find myself battling evil and rescuing my "sailor" friends, we'll talk again.
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