Here’s the thing. I am… a pretty huge fan of the boyband One Direction. A directioner, you could say (although please don’t, that term makes me cringe). And the fact that I can’t enjoy this type of music in peace without being judged any time I admit to liking them to another human being is so frustrating! The common concerns I get from people are: whether or not I’m aware I’m an adult and whether or not I listen to any other types of music (yes and yes). It all boils down to that term: “boyband”. They really aren’t your conventional boyband, though. They don’t dance, and as of late they’ve really moved away from that “boyband” sound. And one of them does play an instrument on stage:
Regardless, they are considered a boyband, and when you say you enjoy a boyband you’re usually immediately written off as shallow and vapid. Which is why I like to spend some of my hard earned money each year taking a trip to Toronto to see this boyband live, in the company of my fellow shamed fans. This is always an experience, to say the least, because nothing makes you feel old like sitting in a stadium full of teens and preteens while you’re just trying to enjoy your $10 beer. That’s not to say there aren’t a number of older fans that go to the show, but it does make you feel like it’s a guilty pleasure when their age demographic is for a younger audience (although I would like to point out that the actual band is my age).
There is an initial sense of wanting to remain calm in the midst of the screaming and hyper younger girls, I do get that sense of superiority being an older fan. Especially when the girls around you start screaming at any sign of movement on stage before the concert starts and it ends up being a crew member. But when the concert starts, I lose that notion and I completely succumb to the excited atmosphere—and it is so freeing. I have never screamed or yelled or sang at a concert as much as I have at a One Direction concert. It’s a beautiful thing and something you need to experience in person to really understand.
I mean look at this:
I may get burned at the stake for saying this but I’ve been to a Rolling Stones concert, I’ve seen Paul McCartney…and I’m telling you, One Direction in concert can give them a run for their money.
I guess what I’m trying to say here is that the people who are judging us have either never looked this band up and are basing their judgement solely on hearing the word “boyband”, or the only music video they’ve seen is their first one where they’re running around a beach telling a girl what makes her beautiful. They've come along way since then—they’re currently playing sold out stadiums. So, let us like what we like and really, you’re missing out on some awesome music.
I used to have a huge crush on Enrique Iglesias as a teenager. And I still love Celine Dion. The artists may get written off as cheesy or mass-marketed, but we still shouldn't have to feel guilty.
ReplyDeleteBesides, you never know what will survive and what won't. Shakespeare was pop culture in his time.
Exactly! They've now beaten a number of records that were previously held by the Beatles... I don't think that should be ignored just because of the genre they've been boxed into.
DeleteThe Beatles were a boy band too, screaming fangirls and everything. Although my parents tell me being a fan was very different then - they say that nowadays, it's not possible for a single group or singer to be as huge as the Beatles, ABBA or the Rolling Stones were in their time. Apparently because of the Internet and downloadable music, audiences are more diversified.
ReplyDeleteSome musicians still get everywhere, though.
I would actually love to look at a study done on how the fans of boybands have changed over the years. Like Regina said, The Beatles were a boyband, however, you weren't criticized for being a fan of them - unlike now, where you can't even listen to a One Direction song without posting a disclaimer that it's your "guilty pleasure".
ReplyDeleteI loved N*SYNC. Probably still would if they were producing music! ;)
I think what helped the Beatles is that, although they were considered a boy band when they started out, they all played their own instruments. With One Direction, they're kind of written off immediately I think when people find out they don't play their own instruments. Plus, a lot of people are under the impression they're still putting out music like What Makes You Beautiful I think.
ReplyDeleteI love One Direction too! I totally get shamed for it as well! I will admit the primary reason I started liking them is because of Harry's hair. However, after I got past that, it's true they've recently made pretty good music. I think the fact is because they're attractive, people assume they have no talent. In my opinion, I would say they have similar (not identical, but similar) music to Ed Sheeran, yet people who like Ed's music aren't as shamed. I think this is because Ed Sheeran isn't as conventionally "attractive" as members of One Direction, so people are able to just focus on his music.
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