Entertainment For Lively Minds
I predict a riot
There's quite a history of riots at gigs - from teens being sent into such a frenzy by watching Bill Haley and the Comets that they rip out the seats of a provincial cinema, through the near mythical Jesus and Mary Chain three-blokes-and-a-dog-have-a-punch-up "riot" through to the misguided revival of the Woodstock Festival in the '90s.
But was there ever a gig riot as unlikely as this?
(taken from the superb http://www.nickelinthemachine.com)
"Less than a week before Emily Davison’s tragic death at the Derby, Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring was premiered in Paris at the Théâtre des Champs-Élysées. The complex and modern music caused chaos in the audience which soon degenerated into a riot. At the interval the Parisian police had to intervene. It was the slight discordant notes behind the initial bassoon solo at the beginning of the piece that set off the violence. "
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Classical musical fans …
… have long enjoyed a good ruck, though. Rioting at the first performance of a new work has a long, distinguished history, although the ever-reliable Wikipedia notes: "The usual respectful and sedate manner of classical music audiences means that any sort of rough behavior, ranging from catcalls to shoving, can be seen as a comparative 'riot'."
Shoving, eh? What is the world coming to, going to hell in a handcart, etc.
A forerunner to Father Jack?
This from Wikipedia on the premiere of Parade, a ballet by Erik Satie:
"The premiere of the ballet resulted a number of scandals, including a classical music riot. According to the painter Gabriel Fournier, one of the most memorable scandals was an altercation between Cocteau, Satie, and an unnamed music critic who gave Parade an unfavorable review. Satie had written a postcard to the critic which read: "Sir and Dear Friend, You are only an arse, but an arse without music. Signed, Erik Satie." The critic sued Satie, and at the trial Cocteau was arrested and beaten by police for repeatedly yelling "arse" in the courtroom. Satie was given a sentence of eight days in jail."
History does not record whether Cocteau interspersed his "arse" comments with "drink", "feck" or "girls" interjections.
Anyway, they don't write postcards like that any more.
Thanks
For the link - I've just spent a couple of happy hours hopping from one great London blog to another, instead of doing what I should be doing. Fantastic! (Though the guilt is starting to kick in.)