Progressive rock legend does not like effusive reactions during the shows, such as “whistling” and “screaming the names of the songs they want to listen”
Many artists from other countries often make compliments to the Brazilian public, including interviews abroad. It is not the case with Ian Andersonleader of Jethro Tull and progressive rock icon.
The vocalist and multi-instrumentalist, notorious for the use of the flute, said in an interview with Classic Album Review (via Blabberouth / Igor Miranda website) who does not like how the audience of Brazil reacts to the musicians in show. The 77 -year -old Briton revealed discomfort with fans who whistle and scream during the performances, although it recognizes that this point represents the culture of each place.
The subject came after the interviewer asks the inspiration of the letter of “Puppet and the Puppet Master” (“The puppet and the master”), music from the next album by Jethro Tull, Curious Ruminantwhich comes out on March 7th. Ian said initially:
“I want to get rid of the feeling that I am somehow having to fulfill the wishes and demands of other people. And the more demanding the public is, the less I like it, because there are times when sometimes you get a volatile audience due to cultural trends in specific places. ”
Then the direct mention is made to Brazil. He said:
“I could quote Brazil, for example, where the audience thinks it’s ok to whistle, shout, boo and shout the names of the songs they want to hear. I find it incredibly rude, I really don’t like it. This does not happen throughout the show that I play in Brazil, but I came across this a few times last year when I was touring in Brazil. And that’s how they are. ”
However, in Anderson’s view, it is not an isolated behavior of the Brazilian public. According to him, other countries – such as the United States – have fans of the type.
“You’ll find it sometimes in the United States, where people think it’s OK to scream and whistle. This is not ok. I’m trying to focus on, sometimes, very difficult songs, and I don’t like to have this interference. I like to have flexibility to do this. If the public tries to manipulate you in any way or influence your way of playing, that’s not good. For me, it’s enough, at the end of a song, to see smiles on the faces and someone applauding at the right time. It means everything to me. I don’t want to be interrupted while I’m playing. ”
Still during the interview, Ian Anderson made it clear that he was not complaining about it. He only made a realization and reflected on the subject in one of his compositions.
“This can apply to a dancer, an opera singer or an actor in the middle of a dramatic piece of Shakespeare. It happens to all of us. We are controlling, and yet in a funny way we are also being controlled. And in a kind of sadomasochistic way, some of us may like it. Artists may like this feeling of having to work within the expectations of an audience and want to satisfy it. They are a little annoyed if the audience is not jumping, waving their hands in the air, taking selfies and doing whatever it is. They probably feel they are being ignored. ”
Ian Anderson recognizes that opinion is unpopular
Finally, Ian Anderson stated that he appreciates “a respectful and relative silence until he reaches the end of a song – just there is time to applaud.” And he acknowledged: his opinion is somewhat unpopular.
“Some people may find it hard to understand, may not like it, but that’s how I always went. And the way I am, on the rare occasions when I go to a show, I won’t start whistling, screaming and asking for songs that I want to hear. Or boo. What is the sense of doing this? You may well leave the place and go to the pub earlier. ”
Jethro Tull was in Brazil for the last time in April 2024. The band performed in Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre, Curitiba and Sao Paulo. During the shows, the use of cell phones was not allowed, only in the BIS.
See this photo on InstagramA publication shared by Igor Miranda (@igormirandasite)
+++ Read more: Jethro Tull’s Ian Anderson confesses that he gave up the rock half a century ago and that not being a great musician ‘helps him to compose
+++ Read more: 70% of the audience is bothered using mobile phones in shows, says research
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+++ Follow journalist Igor Miranda @igormirandasite on Instagram
Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
