Are brands crossing a line in the pursuit of relevance?
The widespread mocking of Gary Barlow’s son proves that virality alone should not equate marketability. Oh boy, does the internet love a spectacle. Over the past week, a photograph of Gary Barlow’s son, Daniel, towering above his dad, went viral. The memes arrived shortly after, and overnight Daniel became a...
Current in Media
Explaining the controversy around the Mexican song ‘Tu boda’
Is it problematic for musicians to use femicide as inspiration for their art? In the last few weeks, the public has expressed mixed opinions over the release of the song “Tu boda” by Oscar Maydon & Fuerza Regida. The song has gone viral on social media and has secured the...
The Film and TV industry reckons with its own shortcomings
Reports of staff abuse and toxic work environments, particularly amongst Runners, are forcing industry regulators to face uncomfortable truths. The film and TV industry is often sold as a world of glitz and glamour, a pipeline to the stars where creativity reigns and dreams come true. But for the runners...
Let’s talk about MEXCLA Spotify: Palenque, Feria y Cotorreo
The festival, organised by the music streaming platform Spotify, was a celebration of Mexican artists, culture, and tradition. Last weekend – November 2nd and 3rd – the MEXCLA festival organized by Spotify took place. It had a 100 percent Mexican lineup, becoming the first festival of its kind in the...
This company is pressing indie music onto vinyl postcards
The first record subscription of its kind, Vinyl Post is bring back the nostalgia of listening to new music releases on vinyl flexi discs. I'm currently going through a “music lover” era, and I need to find more ways to enjoy music other than the conventional random playlist on Spotify...
Is film tourism now becoming a problem?
Movie fans are flocking to locations ill-equipped to handle them. Film and TV locations have drawn people from around the world for years. From the misty mountains of New Zealand’s ‘Middle Earth’ to Croatia’s mediaeval Old Towns featured in Game of Thrones. But the global pilgrimage of fans has started to...
Chappell Roan’s merch highlights the true cost of fashion
The singer has faced backlash for high prices, but sustainable clothing comes at a cost. Chappell Roan has established herself as a no-holds-barred, unapologetic breed of celebrity. Despite being only 26-years-old, the singer has made headlines for speaking out against harassment and candidly sharing her struggles with mental health and fame. This kind of boldness isn’t without consequences, of course. The media have jumped on Roan relentlessly since she entered...
Opinion – we should allow fans to mourn
Mourning is personal, not performative. Every now and then, the death of a public figure takes you by utter surprise. It’s a very different feeling to the heavy pit of sadness that comes from looking at your phone and seeing yet more war, genocide, and human suffering. These kinds of celebrity losses stop you in your tracks. They feel personal, intimate, and incredibly painful, but in a strange way that only...
Opinion – Tiny Desk revived our love of live music sessions
The virality of Tiny Desk sessions shows us that the public prefers a good live session. If you're a music fan, you've heard about the Tiny Desks, either because your favorite artist had a session or because once in your social media Feed, you discovered an artist you didn't know thanks to these sessions. And if you do not know, I’ll tell you a little about what is Tiny Desk is. This...
Has the world moved on from Euphoria?
It’s been five years since Euphoria first dazzled, shocked, and terrified us with its glitter-laden, trauma-soaked tales of teenage nihilism. The show became a cultural phenomenon, thanks in part to Zendaya’s searing performance and Sam Levinson’s high-octane vision of Gen Z chaos. But as the third season remains delayed by the pandemic, strikes, and the tragic death of fan-favourite Angus Cloud, the question lingers: does anyone actually need it anymore? What...
