I had previously seen Olly Murs live, as a support act to Robbie Williams, so when I approached the Genting Arena in Birmingham to see him on Saturday 25th March 2017, I was adamant I was in for a good night. Guess What? I was not disappointed.
The thing about Olly Murs is that he is the younger version of Robbie Williams.; the typical cheeky chappie that you can't help but smile at when you watch him perform, whose songs that you can't help but sing along to and who is just an all round entertainer. This cheeky chappie persona really shone, as he belted out hits that fans know and love, such as Heart Skips a Beat, Dance With Me Tonight and Troublemaker. It was also good to hear some of the new, soon to be classic, hits, such as Grow Up, Kiss Me and You Don't Know Love, as well new album tracks, such as 24Hrs and Back Around. It was also quite interesting that he put an old album track, I Need You Now, from the album In Case You Didn't Know.
One of the other things that I think makes Olly great is he can sing a variety of genres, not just pop. This was proven when he did a 70's/80's/90's/2000's medley, consisting of That's The Way I like It (KC and the Sunshine Band), Never too Much, (Luther Vandross), She's Got That Vibe (R Kelly), Jump Around (House of Pain), Can't Touch This (MC Hammer) and Can't Stop the Feeling (Justin Timberlake). As proven on The X Factor, Olly can take songs and put his own Olly Murs twist on them without any problems. He even did the Travis McCoy rap on Wrapped Up.
The only down side of this show was that although the covers were good, I felt they took up a lot of time, which I felt could have been given to some of Olly's hits that, in my opinion, should have been on the setlist, such as Right Place, Right Time. Having said this, it didn't really matter as Olly more than made up for this by putting on a show full of catchy tunes, dance moves and cheeky chappie charm.
Overall, Olly put on a fantastic show. The audience loved it, I loved it and I am sure, in the future, that I will go and see Olly Murs live again. In fact, I recommend everyone to go and see him because, even if you are not a big Olly Murs fan, or pop music fan for that matter, he is guaranteed to always put a smile on your face.
****
Friday, 31 March 2017
Tuesday, 21 March 2017
Is Streaming a Good Idea for Music?
Hi guys!
This may be a bit controversial so bear with me but is streaming really a good idea for music? Back in 2014, it was announced that music streaming would count as part of the UK charts. Since then, I feel that there is not much variety in the UK music charts, notably in the singles charts.
It's not that I don't like the artists that are around these days. I like many different artists, such as Ed Sheeran, Clean Bandit, Zara Larson etc. However, I also like artists who may not necessarily get a fair chance in the singles charts, such as Blossoms. Okay, yes, often a lot of the singles off an album are released after the album is released, so that could play a part of it. However, the situation still seems different to 10 years ago...
In 2007, the charts were definitely more varied. We had the usual suspects in the charts, such as Girls Aloud, Robbie Williams, Will Young and other pop acts who set the charts alight at the time. However, we also had indie acts such as Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys and The Killers. Nowadays, we hardly hear a peep of them in the top 20. For example, when Blossoms, a fairly new indie act, released Charlemagne, it only just entered the chart at number 98.
However, if you think about it, the reason why different artists have different successes on the UK chart is down to various factors. Firstly, I think it is down to how popular an artist is. Take One Direction for example. They have millions of fans compared to other musicians. That means millions of downloads, streams and purchases of their songs and albums. It also could be down to how often the musicians are played. For example, Ed Sheeran is played constantly and he managed to get all 16 of his songs on his new album, ÷ (Divide), into the top 20. Furthermore, it also depends which radio station people listen to. People who listen to a radio station like Radio 1 or Capital FM are more likely to stream musicians like Drake and Little Mix, compared to those who may listen to Radio X, who are more likely to listen to Blossoms.
So, what can we conclude from all this? Well, music taste is subjective and if everyone liked the same thing, life would be boring. Yes, it is a bit boring that Ed Sheeran's whole album is in the top 20 but hey! If you like Ed, go for it. Also, often on streaming services (I definitely know Spotify does this), they create a playlist of songs by bands that are similar to musicians you already listen to. You never know, in these lists you might find your new favourite band. So, yep some people may think streaming is not good, due to the lack of variety in the charts. However, bearing what I have just said in mind, I believe that streaming is good and that you should listen to what you would like to listen to.
Em x
This may be a bit controversial so bear with me but is streaming really a good idea for music? Back in 2014, it was announced that music streaming would count as part of the UK charts. Since then, I feel that there is not much variety in the UK music charts, notably in the singles charts.
It's not that I don't like the artists that are around these days. I like many different artists, such as Ed Sheeran, Clean Bandit, Zara Larson etc. However, I also like artists who may not necessarily get a fair chance in the singles charts, such as Blossoms. Okay, yes, often a lot of the singles off an album are released after the album is released, so that could play a part of it. However, the situation still seems different to 10 years ago...
In 2007, the charts were definitely more varied. We had the usual suspects in the charts, such as Girls Aloud, Robbie Williams, Will Young and other pop acts who set the charts alight at the time. However, we also had indie acts such as Franz Ferdinand, Arctic Monkeys and The Killers. Nowadays, we hardly hear a peep of them in the top 20. For example, when Blossoms, a fairly new indie act, released Charlemagne, it only just entered the chart at number 98.
However, if you think about it, the reason why different artists have different successes on the UK chart is down to various factors. Firstly, I think it is down to how popular an artist is. Take One Direction for example. They have millions of fans compared to other musicians. That means millions of downloads, streams and purchases of their songs and albums. It also could be down to how often the musicians are played. For example, Ed Sheeran is played constantly and he managed to get all 16 of his songs on his new album, ÷ (Divide), into the top 20. Furthermore, it also depends which radio station people listen to. People who listen to a radio station like Radio 1 or Capital FM are more likely to stream musicians like Drake and Little Mix, compared to those who may listen to Radio X, who are more likely to listen to Blossoms.
So, what can we conclude from all this? Well, music taste is subjective and if everyone liked the same thing, life would be boring. Yes, it is a bit boring that Ed Sheeran's whole album is in the top 20 but hey! If you like Ed, go for it. Also, often on streaming services (I definitely know Spotify does this), they create a playlist of songs by bands that are similar to musicians you already listen to. You never know, in these lists you might find your new favourite band. So, yep some people may think streaming is not good, due to the lack of variety in the charts. However, bearing what I have just said in mind, I believe that streaming is good and that you should listen to what you would like to listen to.
Em x
Monday, 13 March 2017
Who Runs the World? Girls!
Hi Everyone!
So, on Wednesday 8th March, it was International Women's Day. Therefore, let's celebrate the female musicians who I feel have been the most influential, whether it is for being themselves or for their influence on music. These are the females who show that girls truly run the world.
Adele
Ok, so Adele's music is everywhere. There is no denying it. However, what is so great about Adele is that despite her fame, Adele is what she is...a down to earth normal girl. Yes she has many Brit Awards and Grammys, as well as her albums, 21 and 25 being two of the best selling albums in the world, but she has not let fame change her. She has always maintained her privacy and she has not felt the need to suddenly slim down now she is in the limelight, showing that it is important to feel comfortable in your own skin. Finally, she always has time for her fans, with a staple part of her recent 25 tour being her inviting fans onto the stage with her. Go Adele!
Little Mix
They won The X Factor. Like a few of The X Factor winners, they could have just disappeared after the first single...never to be heard of again....
However, Little Mix have gained more and more success and now, they are the most successful girl group in recent times. Having had 4 UK number ones (the most for an X Factor winner), with the last Number one, Shout Out to My Ex, being there for three weeks, and a number one album for 5 weeks, Glory Days, it is clear to see that these girls are here to stay. This length of time with a Number one album for a girl group happened previously to the Spice Girls, in 1997 with Spice, proving that Girl Power is still around.
There is more to these girls than their success though. They are perfect role models for young girls. Yes, ok there was that Perrie and Zayn drama but apart from that, that is the only scandal that they have been involved in. These girls focus on themselves and their fans, and any criticism that they have received, they have ignored, showing girls that they can be, and do, anything if they put their mind to it.
Spice Girls
As soon as Sporty, Baby, Scary, Ginger and Posh are mentioned, people know straight away that these are the Spice Girls. Back in 1997, apart from Britpop, these girls were the late 90s. They coined the term "Girl Power," and showed that every girl is worth it. Apart from Little Mix, Spice Girls are one of the most successful girl bands ever. Not only did they produce one of the most iconic performances ever at the BRIT Awards, thanks to Geri Halliwell and THAT Union Jack dress, their success also branched out into merchandise, such as dolls and their own film. In fact, I doubt that we will ever have a girl group that has this much impact on pop culture again. Girl Power!
Beyoncé
Let's be honest, you can't have an influential female musicians list without Beyonce. This woman does everything, from creating incredible tunes to being an all round icon. Not only is she queen of R 'n' B, she is also seen by many as a face of Black Power. She notably announced that she was expecting twins on February 1st, which just so happened to be the first day of Black History Month. Not only that, she also has previously condemned the treatment of Black Americans. However, Black Americans are not the only people she has been standing up for. Recently, she joined a long list of celebrities who came out in force to support transgender students, after Donald Trump's controversial plan to withdraw protection that these students were to receive at their schools. She has also supported same sex marriage.
Additionally, it is not only her support towards important causes that makes her great. it is her girl power anthems, from the Destiny's Child songs, Survivor and Independent Women, to her solo track, Run the World (Girls). These songs, along with her other popular tunes, show why she deserves the 22 (!) Grammy awards, 24 MTV Music awards and even three Guinness World records, earning biggest power couple in 2009, with Jay-Z, highest annual earnings by a female singer in 2008 and earning the fastest selling album on iTunes, with Beyonce, in 2013. With all these accolades, it is clear to see that the ultimate Queen within music is the Queen Bey herself.
All Hail Queen Bey!
Em x
So, on Wednesday 8th March, it was International Women's Day. Therefore, let's celebrate the female musicians who I feel have been the most influential, whether it is for being themselves or for their influence on music. These are the females who show that girls truly run the world.
Adele
Ok, so Adele's music is everywhere. There is no denying it. However, what is so great about Adele is that despite her fame, Adele is what she is...a down to earth normal girl. Yes she has many Brit Awards and Grammys, as well as her albums, 21 and 25 being two of the best selling albums in the world, but she has not let fame change her. She has always maintained her privacy and she has not felt the need to suddenly slim down now she is in the limelight, showing that it is important to feel comfortable in your own skin. Finally, she always has time for her fans, with a staple part of her recent 25 tour being her inviting fans onto the stage with her. Go Adele!
Little Mix
They won The X Factor. Like a few of The X Factor winners, they could have just disappeared after the first single...never to be heard of again....
However, Little Mix have gained more and more success and now, they are the most successful girl group in recent times. Having had 4 UK number ones (the most for an X Factor winner), with the last Number one, Shout Out to My Ex, being there for three weeks, and a number one album for 5 weeks, Glory Days, it is clear to see that these girls are here to stay. This length of time with a Number one album for a girl group happened previously to the Spice Girls, in 1997 with Spice, proving that Girl Power is still around.
There is more to these girls than their success though. They are perfect role models for young girls. Yes, ok there was that Perrie and Zayn drama but apart from that, that is the only scandal that they have been involved in. These girls focus on themselves and their fans, and any criticism that they have received, they have ignored, showing girls that they can be, and do, anything if they put their mind to it.
Spice Girls
As soon as Sporty, Baby, Scary, Ginger and Posh are mentioned, people know straight away that these are the Spice Girls. Back in 1997, apart from Britpop, these girls were the late 90s. They coined the term "Girl Power," and showed that every girl is worth it. Apart from Little Mix, Spice Girls are one of the most successful girl bands ever. Not only did they produce one of the most iconic performances ever at the BRIT Awards, thanks to Geri Halliwell and THAT Union Jack dress, their success also branched out into merchandise, such as dolls and their own film. In fact, I doubt that we will ever have a girl group that has this much impact on pop culture again. Girl Power!
Beyoncé
Let's be honest, you can't have an influential female musicians list without Beyonce. This woman does everything, from creating incredible tunes to being an all round icon. Not only is she queen of R 'n' B, she is also seen by many as a face of Black Power. She notably announced that she was expecting twins on February 1st, which just so happened to be the first day of Black History Month. Not only that, she also has previously condemned the treatment of Black Americans. However, Black Americans are not the only people she has been standing up for. Recently, she joined a long list of celebrities who came out in force to support transgender students, after Donald Trump's controversial plan to withdraw protection that these students were to receive at their schools. She has also supported same sex marriage.
Additionally, it is not only her support towards important causes that makes her great. it is her girl power anthems, from the Destiny's Child songs, Survivor and Independent Women, to her solo track, Run the World (Girls). These songs, along with her other popular tunes, show why she deserves the 22 (!) Grammy awards, 24 MTV Music awards and even three Guinness World records, earning biggest power couple in 2009, with Jay-Z, highest annual earnings by a female singer in 2008 and earning the fastest selling album on iTunes, with Beyonce, in 2013. With all these accolades, it is clear to see that the ultimate Queen within music is the Queen Bey herself.
All Hail Queen Bey!
Em x
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