Categories: uncategorized
Date: 02 October 2006 19:34:43
One interesting bit of the Gen Y book was the way it recognised that watching soaps is still a point of inter-connection between the generations. It's one time when parents and kids will gather around the large screen, on a semi-regular basis rather than hiding away in their little spaces, watching smaller screens. They will then voice opinion on what they have seen. I think this makes perfect sense, as it is likely to be when table-less families also eat together.
Music on the other hand, is still seen as a place of seperation between the generations. Rather than coming together around music we may share a background sound, but increasingly we plug in to our own soundtracks.
I think though that music still has the potential to unify, to some extent and this is the beauty of festivals. They are multi-generational events where people connect around a shared soundtrack and experience. Also, sometimes, taking the time to explore the other generations soundtrack can lead to the discovery of treasure. I've just discovered P!nk properly after downloading one of Third Party's albumns onto my machine - rather than just hearing the odd track - and I have to say I am bowled over. Some of the less commercial stuff on I'm Not Dead is absolutely amazing, particularly enjoyed Dear Mr. President (a collaboration with the Indigo Girls) and I Have seen the Rain (a collaboration with her father).
So perhaps, just perhaps you should open your mind and raid the ickle people's collection and see what you find.