h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

..is wondering if he's stepped into a timewarp. On at the Cardiff International Arena in the near future: Status Quo, Simple Minds, UB40, Mark Knopfler.

Doesn't anyone do any new music anymore? Has X-factoridol stifled any innovation whatsoever out of us...?

It's not a benefit gig to rebuild the harbour area after the Torchwood hub blew up is it?

Who was, um, Sting perhaps?, that said recently that x-factor et al are public karaoke or something. Rather dismissive he was

So, how many of those gigs have you got tickets for then?

Well I wasn't a huge fan of any of those in the 80s - and some I actively dislike - so I'm not likely to really now.

It just struck me as a bit of a shame really - all the big advertisements were for bands/artists from 20 years ago or more.

I've managed to escape the manacles of X-factor as my other half was so insulted by the charade last week that she now refuses to watch it.
Thanks for that. Nice to see the penny drop at last.

Mind you seeing as they were up for murdering all the music of my favourite band (Queen) this weekend, you'd have had to have tied me to the chair and pin my eyes open to get me to watch it on Saturday. I'm not sure I'm happy having been on the same continent as that crap this week.

Wow, I seem to have really grown a dislike for it this year, having just reread my post.
I just used to think it was mildly amusing tosh - where did this hatred come from?

heh! Slowly building up over time I guess. Possibly due to having actually seen it

Yes that must be it.

Still, at least she's not into Strictly

- could have sworn was a smiley.

No, but is... and then there's

I think those groups are still appearing now - and are so successful - because their fans from back then, who were probably in their late teens at the time can now afford the extortionate ticket prices.

Surely there are some latter-day people who are filling the arenas, though. At the moment, I can only think of women: Buffy, Amy McDonald, and from the States people like Pink, Lady Gaga, etc etc. Some of those girls write good stuff and can perform. Not all of them got a leg-up from X-factor type shows. (As far as I know - I don't know the details)

Among the male performers, it seems that you have to go old-fashioned and be Michael Buble or something similar. Which takes us way back before Mark Knopfler et al.

Whoops - Duffy, not Buffy - sorry, lass.

Well in the name of sanity were not watching Emmerdale, I'm a celeb(cough),and X factor.
Though I have to admit seeing Spandau Ballet in Manchester the other week.It was the missues who got the tickets and to be impartially honest, i thought it was a good gig.
So perhaps some of the 80's bands are the best we can stump up.

Having said that I've never seen Calvin Harris, Kasabian, Kaiser Cheifs, Pink & other recent artists live for a comparison but I do like a lot of their music.

R4

Hey R4, long time no see! Not been able to get myself down either the gym or swimming pool of late - too much bloody w**k to do


I'm not really complaining so much as a bit mystified as to why there doesn't seem to be more emphasis on the younger crowd.

There must be a demographic change to all this I think. The 30-40somethings didn't go for all this back in the day did they? My parents were more more into watching plays and operettas than seeing the reformed 60s bands (although that didn't really happen back then).

Clearly also, the old bands have cottoned onto a moneyspinner when they see one - there's more bands from the 80s reformed than have remained apart these days as far as I can see.

I've seen Calvin Harris on the news today. Maybe there is something I might like to have seen from Saturday's X-factorial after all.

Hey Orcus,
Sorry to hear you've been under the cosh. Try and get some' me time' every now and then, even if it's not regular, better than nowt.
Must admit I have been a bit of a stranger to the Gym recently, mainly due to ill health and time constraints We'll maybe a bit on the time thing.
Deadlift around 100-110 KG at last attempt

Think your comments are spot on
Wonder if it's a lack of demand by younger audiences or the powers that be finding it easier to manage online' marketing. Festival's and Shopping Malls seem to be the biggest live events these day's.
Is the deliberate lack of concerts for younger audiences fuelling the hysteria seen at JLS in Brum?
ITunes, iPod, iPhone, iPlayer any idea where it's all going?
Must admit to loving my iPod…so much in so little space!
Getting back into the music of my youth makes me feel young again.
Can you imagine the sleeve pull out to Bicycle races if they used the same ladies for a re-take? Calendar Girls………….my a*se as Jim Royal would say.

Well, if nothing else, the 80's revival has made a few people talk again. Even if it's only about money, which is probably why many of them stopped talking in the first place.

R4