Aisling O’Loughlin
Let grumpy Van the Man have his say on Covid-19
Between Jedward labelling Jim Corr a Covidiot and Van the Man calling on fellow musicians and industry insiders to fight the ‘pseudoscience and speak up’, at least we’re finally having a bit of a heated debate, no matter how surreal. It had all gone a bit dictatorial there for a while.
Follow the rules or else. If you’re not an expert, shut up and do as you’re told. Any opposing opinions were shot down with ‘Think of the front line workers’. It makes you think how easily manipulated we can be at the very mention of ‘killer virus’. Surely it’s time to allow for a more nuanced discussion about this ‘unseen enemy’ including opinions from across the board from layman to non-WHO aligned medical experts.
Van is right to a certain extent: We can’t go on like this. His call to action may have been met with a deafening silence but it’s a start. On September 3, the soon to be 75year-old music legend will take to the stage at Newcastle’s Gosforth Park, where fans will gather in groups of up to five on 500 separate raised metal platforms. As someone who’s not fond of being wedged up against the armpits of perfect strangers, this sounds appealing. I’m too claustrophobic for the collective spirit of concerts. The energy of the crowd, the connection with the artist, the united vibe of the moment, is something I’m happy to appreciate from afar. But I get it.
Wouldn’t it be a terrible shame to lose the magic that comes with a gathering of music lovers to celebrate their favoured musician? Remember the buzz after Tina Turner’s
Surely it’s time for a more nuanced discussion about coronavirus