Month: January 2022

Wiggles’ cover receives mixed reactions

The Wiggles perform8ng ‘Elephant’ on Triple J’s Hottest 100

Children’s entertainment group, The Wiggles topped Triple J’s Hottest 100 last year.

They covered Tempest Impaler 2012 song, Elephant.

In case you’re wondering, this is the original:

 

 

‘Blue Wiggle’, Anthony Field admitted that if ot was up to him, they probably woukdn’ymt have done the song:

As an older guy, I would have said, you know, ‘Let’s do Easybeats’ ‘Friday on My Mind’.

Anthony Field after Triple J Hottest 100 victory

Personally, I thought The Wiggles did a good job. The bass isn’t as heavy as in original. But it’s still catchy. 

However, Triple J audience’s choice hasn’t been without controversy.

The result received backlash

From what I have read, people weren’t happy for two reasons. 

According to The Australian, some listeners took it as a joke.

One social media user didn’t like the winning song came out in 2012:

Ah yes, the hottest song…of 2012. Except it’s worse now.

Other artists that made the Top 100 included: Kid Laroi (real name Charlton Howard), Spacey Jane and Ocean Alley. 

Reasons why listeners found the result problematic

Luke Gurgis from The Industry Observer outlined the problems with the result. These were:

  1. The Wiggles are already established and not underdogs: I get this one. The Wiggles are a much – loved band around the world. At least traditionally, Triple J has been the home for the up – and – coming artists. Not those who are already mainstream.
  2. It wasn’t a ‘protest vote’: I think this relates to the first point. The Wiggles are mainstream. 
  3. It wasn’t satire: I didn’t know it had to be? I get that The Wiggles stayed true to the original. So, no, it wasn’t satire.
  4. Emotional votes don’t make sense: The article argued that the Gen Y voters who grew up with The Wiggles couldn’t have been an emotional vote, since the majority of the original members had left the band
  5. It robbed Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists: Yeah, I can see that. 

Did Triple J pick favourites?

I wrote in my first Patron – only post that The Wiggles were bought by the ABC back in the early 1990’s.

Triple J is one of the radio stations owned by the ABC.

Gurgis said The Wiggles’ win was a “great outcome for the ABC”.

The Like A Version (when artist makes unique covers of others’ songs) “stunt” benefited Triple J (and the ABC). 

The video of the song has already been viewed 3.7 million times as of today (26 January AEST).

So is it only a coincidence that a band kick – started by the ABC won? I’m not sure. To be honest, I don’t blame anyone for having their suspicions.

Maybe listeners wanted nostalgia

I’m guessing most Triple J listeners are of my era (Gen Y). We grew up listening to The Wiggles. Heck, that was the first band I saw live when I was about four!

While on

Y one original member remains, maybe hearing The Wiggles perform may still have been nostalgic. In the current situation, maybe that’s what people need.

What do you think? Do you like The Wiggles’ cover? Should have they won Triple J’s Hottest 100? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.

 

 

 

 

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

Hillsong slammed for concert in the middle of pandemic

Hillsong Church
Image: iStock

Australian music artists have condemned Hillsong for a concert at a youth camp. At the camp, around 200 people were singing without masks. The camp took south of Newcastle last Thursday.

Artist, Catherine Alcorn condemned the event as a “complete slap in the face” and a  “disgrace” on Sky News Australia.

However, despite the controversy, the New South Wales police didn’t fine Hillsong. 

Hillsong has issued an apology, but has also claimed that covid protocols were in place. 

Youth at a worship concert
Image: iStock

 

 

Australian artists express outrage over camp

The Australian music industry has taken a major hit the past two years. This year, organisers cancelled Grapevine Gathering in the Hunter Valley.

It isn’t surprising artists were outraged over Hillsong’s camp and their special treatment.

Country singer Troy Cassar – Daley expressed outrage on social media:

While all other music festivals are heading down the toilet same as last year, Hillsong are no masks, singing and dancing like we’ve all been told not to do. 

Montaigne accused the New South Wales government of double standards.

Governments give churches special treatment

Technicalities aside, one thing seems clear here. Hillsong have been given special treatment. And they (as well as other churches), have received special treatment for years. 

The most obvious, is the tax exemptions. And while, yes, many churches do charity work and work with limited resources, Hillsong should be treated as a business. I’m sorry, but they should be.

Over the years, Australian churches and church – run institutions such as schools, have been exempt from sections of laws such as the Sex Discrimination Act 1984.

Sections 37 and 38 of the Sex Discrimination Act allow Christian organisations the right to refuse to employ or fire openly LGBTQ+ people if in “good faith”.

Is it any wonder why religious organisations flout rules and laws? From anti – discrimination, to covid restrictions? 

Jesus didn’t bend public rules

Before people come on here and slam me for “persecuting Christians” (I am one, by the way), let me just say this.

While Jesus was on earth, he didn’t advocate for anyone to flout the law. He demanded that his followers pay taxes. And they were under Rome.

Not once did he seek special favours from the government (again, they were under Rome).

Do you think he would have breached — or at least arrogantly taken advantage of grey areas in safety protocol? I can’t see it myself.

True worship

True worship happens in the heart. It happens in Spirit. True worship doesn’t demand that we take the law into our own hands. It doesn’t require us to expose loopholes in health mandates.

 

Christians should be a beacon of God’s light. And, yes, plenty of them are. However, it’s a shame that too often, scandals and law – bending are what Christians known for. Let’s reverse it. Go back to shining Christ’s light again. Within restraints of the law and to an extent, public expectations.

What do you think? Was Hillsong in the wrong? Should have they been fined? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below.

Categories
Opinion/Commentary

A – League player condemns homophobic abuse

Image: iStock

A – League player, Josh Cavallo publicly spoke out about homophobia he experienced while playing against Melbourne Victory last weekend. Spectators abused him while he was on the field and on Instagram.

He described the events as “disappointing”.

He also attacked Instagram for not doing enough to combat abuse.

To @instagram, I don’t want any child or adult to have to receive the hateful and hurtful messages I’ve received.

He went on:

I knew truly being who I am that I was going to come across this. It’s a sad reality that your platforms are not doing enough to stop these messages.

Football community offer support to Cavallo 

Luckily, Cavallo has received a lot of support within the sporting community.

When addressing the bullying, Australian Professional Leagues (APL) chief executive, Danny Townsend promised that the league would “issue sanctions to any people found to be involved”. 

Additionally, Melbourne Victory also vowed to work with Adelaide United and others to stamp out abuse. 

Lastly, PFA co – chief executives Beau Busch and Kathryn Gill condemned the abuse as “abhorrent” and “illustrated their [the bullies’] cowardice”.

Professional Football’s mixed history with the LGBTQ+ community

Australian football codes has a mixed history with LGBTQ+2 rights.

NRL player Ian Roberts was the first player to come out as gay in 1995. Unfortunately, he became a victim of a violent homophobic hate crime. 

In 2010 former Western Bulldogs champion, Jason Akermanis said that footballers shouldn’t come out as gay. He said he didn’t want gay footballers hitting on other men in the change rooms. He denied that he was homophobic.

Even if Akermanis didn’t intend to be homophobic, I think most people can agree that his comments were ignorant. It isn’t as if lesbian, gay, bi and homoromantic people hit on all members of the same – sex that they see. But I digress…

In 2015, the AFL premiered Pride Round. This was to commemorate the coming out of former footballer, Jason Ball back in 2012. The Sydney Swans and St. Kilda Saints battle each other in the Pride Round each year. 

The National Rugby League (NRL) have also publicly supported the LGBTQ+ community. 

On NRL’s website, they have a page openly supporting the LGBTQ+ community. The league claims that they are:

…proud to participate in Pride In Sport (PIS) Index; a recenlty established benchmarking instrument designed to measure and advise on the creation of inclusive and equitable environments for LGBTI players…

Is football still victim of macho culture?

Professional sport, especially football, has come a long way in LGBTQ+ inclusion. But old habits die hard. 

Even though same – sex marriage was legalised in Australia in 2017, it seems some people still have potentially outdated views about football, gender and sexuality. 

The football codes still have to be wary of largely outdated views on masculinity. Yes, gay, bi and pansexual men are ‘macho’ enough to play football, regardless of code. 

Also, why is someone’s sexuality a determinant on whether or not someone can play sport? Isn’t that what critics are always saying? To keep sexuality out of the public/ work, etc?

Yet, it’s critics that complain and harass LGBTQ+ public figures. It’s the trolls and bullies that keep shining a spotlight on a person’s personal life. Leave LGBTQ+ alone! It’s that simple!

YOU keep out of other people’s bedroom. YOU stop gawking when a same – sex couple hold hands or *gasp* kiss. And mind your own business. 

If you are LGBTQ+ and are struggling mentally, you can contact QLIfe on 1800 184 527 or their web chat.