mika
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Post by mika on Jul 1, 2012 1:36:26 GMT -5
Tonight there was a wonderful moonrise sky - wispy pink clouds against a fading blue sky and a bright silvery moon. And I wondered how weird it must be for Adam to go back to his hotel room (I assume they let him rest before traveling) in the wee hours and try to chill after such a night - after truly unfurling all that spectacular talent for the better part of two hours with the energy of a kajillion people focused directly on him -- all while meeting and exceeding the expectations of legendary musicians.
I'm sure there were some emotional phone calls with the loved ones but after that maybe he just put it away and went to sleep or played Angry Birds or something. He seems to be savoring every moment and then moving on to what's next. As it should be.
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mika
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Post by mika on Jul 1, 2012 2:57:26 GMT -5
Just floating this for thoughts. I can delete or move if it seems too... whatever. Not looking to start anything here in the garden  I was looking at Numbers Thread and MyS*&@^#r posted this: H ad an interesting discusssion about demographics with aother ATopper the other day. Have you guys noticed the ads during 10 at 10 or the Chicago U Mix It or on the on line sites?
They are not advertising Clearsil or products for teens! Here are the big ads on the Q102 site right now:
Mazda
A Live Sesame Streeet Show
A resort in the Poconos
A Day Spa
Now, how in the world would those ads appeal to the supposed teen market?! *********** (This is esp interesting when you consider the article about Bieber having trouble getting airplay in past actually cited radio concerns that teens/tweens had no disposable income to appeal to advertisers (clearly kids have access to our disposable income.) Anyway, like many I've been pondering 'the radio problem' and still feel that no on has offered real evidence for any of proposed theories about what the problem is. If you're one of those that thinks it's the music, I would say that would be an end to it - no reason to pressure play of bad music. But if you're one of those (as I am) who thinks the music strongly merits radio play - esp the current single - then what next? Sage mentioned in same numbers thread that RCA didn't even bother to use twitter to promo Adam's Queen concerts. Which I realized does seem pretty basic, free PR for Trespassing - an intern could do it. And there's no RCA Ed (not that he was much to write home about) providing fans w/encouragement or focusing our energy in how to best support Adam (even which stations, which markets, etc) I usually give the label the benefit of the doubt - just because I don't know what they're doing, I think, doesn't mean they aren't doing anything. But in the absence of information or any meaningful outreach to Adam's fanbase, I am increasingly losing my inclination to think they are doing as much as they could. Perhaps they aren't willing to place their more 'radio acceptable' artists at risk w/radio by playing hard ball over Adam? I've been pondering something recently and what MyS*&@^#r was saying about advertisers is relevant to it - should we consider some sort of 'Occupy Radio' effort? I mean we already spend quite a bit of energy/time making requests, right? And that has def. shown some fruit but not enough. I'm not suggesting we stop requesting but just as we've made a list of radio (local/natl), I wonder if we should look at a direct reach to advertisers with consistent language (form letter or email or tweet) - strong but not hostile or inflammatory - noting we've requested the song but radio isn't playing (with no explanation beyond they aren't getting enough requests). And maybe posing the open question 'why isn't radio playing Adam Lambert' given the consistent feedback (from professionals not fans) that the song and album are perfect pop for radio now? ETA: Partially inspired too by Scarlett's tweet that Adam left blood on the stage. He always gives it all whether on stage or in promo and never gives up - I'd just like to do more to support/complement his efforts. |
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anjalee
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Post by anjalee on Jul 1, 2012 7:10:56 GMT -5
 "No words are necessary." - Sauli Koskinen strange I was watching a dragonfly on a mountain top today. |
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anjalee
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Post by anjalee on Jul 1, 2012 7:12:39 GMT -5
Looking for some deep insights on Kiev? havent been able to watch most f it myself but always happy to bask in your visions, moon-magicians.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 1, 2012 9:20:37 GMT -5
"No words are necessary." - Sauli Koskinen strange I was watching a dragonfly on a mountain top today. , I saw a flock of dragonflies on Friday in a very unexpected place. All of them whirling, twirling. Forwards, backwards. Leaping, spiraling. A ballet. Flying and showing their true colors at last. I wasn't afraid at all. I had the most uplifting, beautiful energy. I thought it might be an omen and it was. Among the Nez Perce (whom I have studied), the dragonfly represents “the dreamtime” …otherworldly experiences and creative, feminine energy. mika, I have thoughts but no time to share -- later. Hope we will hear from mooners about the concert and your post and other things today. |
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mika
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Post by mika on Jul 1, 2012 11:31:19 GMT -5
Anjalee - Your moment with the dragonflies - what a beautiful image! Your description is so vivid - I felt I was there with you . And thanks Junie for that really lovely pic and the insight about native american symbolism - for dreamers - how appropriate. One of the things that I've always loved about dragonflies and their imagery is that they are at once mundane (shooing them away from the picnic blanket and magical. Much like their night sister the luna moth~ Transfiguration of the common place. As with many things, leading back to Adam. Not that he is ever common place, but the very approachable, funny guy who makes you feel like you could sit and chat about anything and nothing then shifts and shimmers in the light and suddenly becomes something fantastical - a bit like the dragonfly and luna. Suddenly the brilliance and charisma and strength blooms into a more exotic creature, fulfilling the promise that is always pulsing just below the surface. And we are reminded of Why. Loving the videos. It doesn't count as an insight, but the only new thought I had was one in response to the many comments about how right Adam looks up there with Queen. And I do agree - I think the relationship with Freddie's legacy is special and Brian is amazing (though there's something about the way the more reserved Roger looks at Adam that really moves me). I want to pat his arm and say "I know, right?" and "Thank you for seeing him." But also I think that Adam could bring similar alchemy stepping into the arena set of many, many artists who are known for powerful performance and songs - not just classic rock - though I could stand to hear Adam doing Bowie - I loved the snippet of Life on Mars and wanted it all and more. Assuming he knew the lyrics  ... I believe Adam could walk onto the big stage for anyone from Gaga, Madonna, Matt Bellamy (Muse), Coldplay, U2, REM - and create something different but stunning and no less compelling.
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Post by LindaG23 on Jul 1, 2012 13:47:55 GMT -5
Anyway, like many I've been pondering 'the radio problem' and still feel that no on has offered real evidence for any of proposed theories about what the problem is. If you're one of those that thinks it's the music, I would say that would be an end to it - no reason to pressure play of bad music. But if you're one of those (as I am) who thinks the music strongly merits radio play - esp the current single - then what next? ... I've been pondering something recently and what MyS*&@^#r was saying about advertisers is relevant to it - should we consider some sort of 'Occupy Radio' effort? I mean we already spend quite a bit of energy/time making requests, right? And that has def. shown some fruit but not enough. I'm not suggesting we stop requesting but just as we've made a list of radio (local/natl), I wonder if we should look at a direct reach to advertisers with consistent language (form letter or email or tweet) - strong but not hostile or inflammatory - noting we've requested the song but radio isn't playing (with no explanation beyond they aren't getting enough requests). And maybe posing the open question 'why isn't radio playing Adam Lambert' given the consistent feedback (from professionals not fans) that the song and album are perfect pop for radio now? ETA: Partially inspired too by Scarlett's tweet that Adam left blood on the stage. He always gives it all whether on stage or in promo and never gives up - I'd just like to do more to support/complement his efforts. Radio, radio, radio .... it is enough to give a well person a headache. I have thought about this a lot as have we all and can come up with no real conspiracy theories. To me, anyway, it is evident that it is not about requesting because I would guess based on the onslaught of voting that gets Adam ranked in nearly every contest/survey there is that there is some parity with other artists when it comes to requests. I don't think it is about the music because, as you said mika, based on professional opinions it is better than the majority of what is out there. Which brings me back to what you and mys*&@^#r said. ADVERTISERS. Ultimately, radio is a business like everything else and so it is necessary to determine where their revenue stream comes from and that is advertisers solely. Period. Tie that to some flexibility on the part of program directors to chose what they want; advertisers would be where to target our energies next. I know that stations post what they play and when, do they also post who are the advertisers during the crucial peak periods (i.e. not at 3 am)? Do those advertisers have a twitter presence that could be addressed? I think the mass tweeting to Graham Norton had a positive effect as he tweeted back, 'all right already' or something to that effect. Do they have email addresses that could receive requests? Are they on any lists, like a GLAAD s**t lis,t that would indicate that tweeting would have an adverse effect. Those could be avoided because it would do no good and only harm. Further, who are the advertisers on the syndicated shows because same procedure could apply. All of this might take some research. Yikes - someone might have to listen to a CHR programming to determine first hand. I don't really have a list of the important syndicated programs and their time slots, but it could be done. Certainly, this is ultimately all about the money. |
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annala
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Post by annala on Jul 2, 2012 1:32:02 GMT -5
I don't know if I have any deep insights into the Kiev show, but I loved it. Adam's performance of 'Who Wants to Live Forever" will stay with me for a long time.
In an odd way, Kiev kind of reminded me of Gridlock, Adam's first real performance with his band. Gridlock was not perfect and had some rough edges and mis-cues, same as Kiev. Also in Gridlock, Adam started out a bit hestitantly, but grew in strength and confidence as his show progressed - same as with Kiev. Kiev is the first time that Adam has performed with Queen for a full two-hour set, and in front of most likely the largest audience Adam will ever see. In a way, Kiev was a "warm up" for performances to come - same as with Gridlock. However, there is something about the rough edges that bring out such an innate human quality.
When we left Gridlock, I said to my son that while I want to see more and more of Adam I knew that future performances would be more polished and we would miss the raw edginess we just saw and would never see again.
As for Kiev, the "train wrecks" that Brian alluded to will be corrected and smoothed over in subsequent performances - but there's something about those "rough edges" that appeal to me.
I don't know if I'm expressing myself well here, but for me it was like witnessing very human reactions and interactions between these artists striving together to produce their art - music.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 2, 2012 11:18:39 GMT -5
Regarding the concert. I have had three superior experiences in my life as a fan:
1. My first concert. It was Bruce Springsteen in 1978. I was 13. He played for three hours. It was epic and life-changing.
2. When Texas won the college football national championship in 2005. All of us fans won, too, for the long, dry years of hope and disappointment. The game was truly a magical classic of struggle and triumph. I screamed and cried my heart out.
3. Saturday.
Saturday was the culmination so far of my entire Adam fan experience, which began with the AMAs. Sometimes, Adam seemed to me to be all potential, an unexploded bomb who seemed like he could do anything, but somehow he never did. All of that changed on Saturday. At last Adam had a stage worthy of his breath-taking world class talent.
My sister said she kept looking over at me as we watched together on her computer and seeing the concert reflected in my glasses, and said she kept thinking I looked just like Pops (the old guy with the glasses) in this movie scene. I just rewatched it (totally worth it) and nothing I could write about Saturday could say it any better about "Wonderboy" and his fans than this:
***
Mika, I have pondered your post about radio/advertisers and have no specific answers. I sometimes think we as fans are missing the larger dissolution of the entertainment industry in which Adam has been ensnared.
It seems to me that radio executives and label executives, along with their peers in the publishing and the movie and television industries, have just plain lost trust in their own judgment.
There's a famous story about the old-time movie industry about Herman Mankiewicz having dinner with uber-mogul Harry Cohn. Cohn explained that he knew a film was too long because his posterior began to ache – and so would everyone else’s. “Imagine that,” Mankiewicz famously replied, “The whole world wired to Harry Cohn’s ass!”
But the truth is that Cohn's test was probably more reliable than all the audience testing and focus groups used now. We all know, to steal a phrase from midwifespal, that as much as we might love or not love BTIKM or NCOE, that they don't represent Adam at his "mojo-i-est." ;D
I am reminded of the breakdown in society, the anomie that Durkheim described in the 1890s when life was revolutionizing to become urban and complicated. People no longer knew what to expect from each other. He described a social condition in which people felt purposeless and alienated
It seems to me that we have reached such a state again in all of society, and it is of course reflected in entertainment too. Editors don't understand their readers -- I know this from my own dealings with the publishing industry. They literally don't know who is still buying books or why they buy what they do. An editor can't simply read a book and experience it as a reader and say, "Great book! Let's publish it!" That initial response has been crushed under the weight of massive, intuitive guesswork.
The last few months we as fans have been ripping ourselves up - WHO is the audience anyway? WHAT do they want? HOW to reach them? It is clear that neither RCA nor radio knows the answers to these questions any better than we do. The anomie in our creative arts/industry has become a cancer devouring it.
After Saturday, I believe that the fact that Adam is a prophet without honor in the United States has reached the level of a national disgrace. But until radio and Adam's own label stop trying to divine the unknowable taste of faceless strangers, and begin to respond to the music in front of them (as hundreds of thousands and millions did on Saturday), I honestly don't know the answer to getting Adam in front of a mass audience.
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annala
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Post by annala on Jul 2, 2012 13:31:19 GMT -5
JunieMoon, The Kiev concert was incredibly special to me too, as well as to many many others, and here we were just sitting in front of our computer screens, not even there in person. Thanks to Queen, Adam was finally able to really show the world who he is, and what a proud and emotional moment it was for all of us who truly support and care about him.
I don't know what to say about radio play in the US. I look at the list of what's popular and being played at the moment, and just wonder. I think it is about money. However, this is not a new thing where mediocrity seems to triumph over real talent and artistry. Look at the contrast between Mozart and Salieri, and what Mozart had to deal with during his lifetime.
BTW - Another topic which I may bring up to us Moon Garden folks after the excitement of these upcoming summers concerts settles down a bit - and that is, If you could invite 5 people to have dinner with Adam (dead or alive), who would you choose? I remember that Adam has been asked this question in an early interview. Anyway, one of my choices would be Mozart.
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... I believe Adam could walk onto the big stage for anyone from Gaga, Madonna, Matt Bellamy (Muse), Coldplay, U2, REM - and create something different but stunning and no less compelling. 
