Pitty’s opinion on fellow The Town artists responding to criticism

Held in September, the first edition of the The Town brought great shows to the Autódromo de Interlagos, in São Paulo. However, it is not possible to please everyone — even more so considering that in addition to the audience that reached 100,000 people per day on site, the event was broadcast to millions of people on TV and the internet.

Even so, some artists seem to have been frustrated by negative reactions, whether from the public or the specialized press. Brazilian artists like Jão, Marina Sena, Alok and Luísa Sonzaas well as the Australian rapper Iggy Azalearesponded by refuting critical comments in different ways.

What do you think Pittyalso included in the lineup of The Town and with more time on the road than the other artists mentioned, about this type of stance? In an interview with the newspaper The State of S. Paulothe singer sought to reflect on both sides of the issue.

First, the artist made it clear that “if you are presenting a show, it is subject to public appreciation”. Therefore, it is necessary to understand that people may react positively or negatively — although she recognizes that the internet allows musicians to also express their opinions.

“When I started having a band, there was a very strong tradition of music magazines. And album and show reviews were very important. The artist could feel wronged and there wasn’t even social media for us to defend ourselves. Today, the artist can add that touch.”

Despite understanding both sides, Pitty highlights that “it is also necessary to respect the opinion of those who saw it”. Sometimes, a negative review can truly indicate that something needs to be improved.

“However, it is also necessary to respect the opinion of those who saw it. Think: ‘Is this person not saying something right? Shouldn’t I have prepared better? Was I really ready to do this?’. As an artist, I put myself in these two places.”

The list below compiles situations involving artists from the The Town who responded to criticism.

1) Iggy Azalea

The first case in this article involves an international artist — and is perhaps the most regrettable case, as it involved ageism.

Australian rapper Iggy Azalea was the first foreign attraction to perform on stage Skyline (the main) of The Town. She performed her show on September 2nd, after MC Hariel, MC Ryan SP and MC Cabelinhowho, together, opened the work in that space.

The performance that ended a four-year hiatus without visits to Brazil, however, did not leave the entire audience satisfied. There was a lot of criticism on social media, including allegations that the artist was lip-synching.

The journalist José Norberto Fleschknown for anticipating the arrival of international attractions to Brazil, commented on X/Twitter that the newspaper The State of S. Paulohad chosen the shows Iggy Azalea It is Alok like the worst of The Town’s first weekend. It is important to emphasize that this was not the opinion of Flesch, but from the aforementioned vehicle. The reporter’s text Dora Guerra says about the performance:

“The rain didn’t help and the artist herself said it was an arduous and chaotic show. But if she had prepared something special, none of it appeared on the event’s biggest stage. Iggy He praised Brazil a lot, but he didn’t measure up to the country. It’s no exaggeration to say that the Australian was behind national rappers like Tasha It is Tracie It is Karol Conkáwho performed a richer show for a much smaller audience on the same day.”

The Town 2023’s worst shows to date.

1 – Iggy Azalea
2 – Alok

The list was made by Estadão.

— José Norberto Flesch (@jnflesch) September 4, 2023

The artist, however, seems not to have noticed that this was the artist’s opinion. Estadãonot of Flesch, which doesn’t even work for the vehicle. In this way, he publicly responded to the journalist’s post with insults. In addition to calling him “old” and “ugly”, the singer also said that she doesn’t make music for him.

“It’s not my fault you’re an ugly old man, I don’t make music for you. It’s for the bad guys, you’re not invited!”

The rejoinder followed. The journalist stated:

“From the lyrics of her ‘songs’, I always realized that she wasn’t good at interpretation, now, in addition to being stupid, she has shown herself to be prejudiced. And I don’t think there is that much of an audience to want to say that older people are not their target audience. But message given: if you’re older, don’t listen Iggy Azalea. She doesn’t make music for you.”

Hey, @IGGY AZALEA

From the lyrics of her “songs”, I always realized that she was not good at interpretation, now, in addition to being stupid, she has shown herself to be prejudiced. And I don’t think there is that much of an audience to want to say that older people are not their target audience. But message given: if you… https://t.co/TSOg4wuUtY

— José Norberto Flesch (@jnflesch) September 5, 2023

In another interaction, with the profile Pop HQ — which also echoed the worst list of the weekend made by Estadão — Azalea stated, at least giving up ageism:

“I want to see you put on a pair of heels and perform on a slippery floor in a rainstorm. Do it, bitch! And do better… All you do is talk about me, because you are not the subject and never will be! Remember this!”

2) Alok

Estadão’s negative assessment also came to the attention of Alok. The Brazilian DJ, who performed on stage Skyline on Saturday (3), he took with good humor the criticism that he presents a kind of “electronic Christmas tree” that would better belong in the amusement park.

An excerpt from the analysis, signed by Rodrigo Ortega, said:

“O The Town, like all other major commercial festivals, has a reinforced amusement park sector. There is a Ferris wheel, zip line and two roller coasters. The laser show, motivational phrases and hurried hits of Alok It is, after all, the best ride in this park. With all due respect. Especially because everyone knows that a good part of the public goes to a festival like The Town more interested in this kind of fun.”

The artist then replied:

“Who doesn’t like Christmas and an amusement park? The best answer for me is the public reaction. Thank you for your energy.”

Who doesn’t love Christmas and an amusement park? 😂😂
The best answer for me is the public reaction. Thank you for your energy yesterday! https://t.co/wi0bNvVabCpic.twitter.com/vK1Na7Xd9B

— Alok (@alokoficial) September 4, 2023

3) Marina Sena

Stage attraction The One on the last day, September 10th, with a show in honor of the late Gal Costa, Marina Sena made a general outburst after a series of criticisms of his presentation. Videos of her performance had gone viral, with negative comments aimed at her vocal interpretation of the songs.

This is a meme, right? pic.twitter.com/iZqUf0m1f5

— Flavio Garage (@flaviogarag) September 10, 2023

Also in X/Twitterthe singer mentioned her origins when declaring that “there was no reason” for her to have reached her current level other than her own “courage, dedication, authenticity and talent”.

“Ces [sic] Do you swear that if I were bad I would be a girl from Taiobeiras who is achieving so much? Why would all this be given to me? For free like that? I don’t have a last name, I had no money, no influence, I had absolutely nothing. There was no reason for me to be here other than my own courage, dedication, authenticity and talent. You guys bite yourselves!”

In another publication on the same network, Marina made it clear that she does not want to present herself as “the new Gal”. Her idea is just to pay homage to the artist who passed away last November, aged 77.

“For the rest of my life, wherever I go I will carry the name of galI don’t want to be the new one galI just want everyone to know where the initial pulse of this movement of the body, soul, spirit comes from, which gal made it possible for me and so many people [sic] to feel. I am one of the many daughters of Gal in this country. Her voice is where I connect with God. And I will forever be grateful for her expanding my soul so much.”

4) Luísa Sonza

The case of Luisa Sonza it’s a little bit different. In general, the singer’s performance on September 3rd at Palcy Skyline — right before Alok — was praised. However, in addition to being unaware of previous criticisms, the artist spoke out to defend Marina Senaas well as other contemporary names that also face rejection.

Again by X/Twitter, Sonza pointed out, without specifying, that people can “only diminish” young musicians and that they “refuse to see what is already open”: the vivacity of the current Brazilian scene. She also commented that she has made history with her colleagues.

“We are creating a new generation of new big names in Brazilian music but what you achieve is only to diminish and refuse to see what is already staring you in the face. Brazilian music is alive, it’s diverse, it’s referenced, it’s cool, if you don’t admit that, for now, it won’t stop us all from making history.”

If the critics were not specified, the artists who are making history in the opinion of Luisa had their names mentioned in another publication. And she included herself on the list.

“Marina Sena it’s fucked, John it’s fucked, Pablo Vittar it’s fucked, Iza it’s fucked, Ludmilla it’s fucked, Anita it’s fucked, Gloria Groove It’s badass, I’m badass. This depends on your opinion.”

Marina Sena is cool, Jão is cool, Pabllo Vittar is cool, Iza is cool, Ludmilla is cool, Anitta is cool, Gloria Groove is cool, I am cool. This depends on your opinion.

— LUÍSA SONZA (@luisasonza) September 11, 2023

5) John

Another peculiar case on the list is that of Johnas he did not respond to criticism of his presentation later — the negative comments were about his career in general and the defense took place during the show itself The Town. He was responsible for closing the stage The One on the last day of the event, September 10th.

According to the transcription of Estadão, the musician pointed out that “the happiest moments of my life are also the moments when the most people appear to attack from all sides”. Despite this, he assured that he does not usually take a verbal stance against criticism because he chooses to respond with his work.

“We dreamed about this for a long time. And it’s crazy how the happiest moments of my life are also the moments when the most people show up to attack from all sides. And many people around me ask me, they say, you need to defend yourself, you need to say something. I prefer to respond with my work, with shows, with sold-out stadiums and with our connection.”