by
Standing in the fields of a stately home in the middle of Hampshire, the sun has been on the back of my neck all day and I've been bombarded by every pop group that could fit onto the array outdoor staging in front of me. As the sun begins to go down though, there's an indescribable atmosphere around me. Surrounded by families, 5-year-olds, pentioners and indie kids trying to be ironically clever, the reason for all this begins to make itself clear. I'm here for Busted. Everyone is here for Busted and Busted want us here, make us feel welcome - and for 90 minutes, draw us in to their world of unashamed pop glory. Melodies, hooks, harmony and remarkably sexy band members - this is what Summer days are made for and it's memories like this that will enable me to hold back my tears, as the news of Busted's demise spreads.
Busted were a group, in fact Busted were a BAND who made simple, effective pop music that changed many peoples' lives for the better - mine included. There are few things that compare to the feeling inside as the uncontrollable hook of 'Crashed the Wedding' pounds through your body, forcing you to jump and smile as if you were on-stage, performing it yourself. This is a band who were able to consistently sell-out 10,000 capacity venues all over the country, last year they equalled the record for the most number of sold out shows at Wembley Arena - 11, and in total filled more than fifty arenas in little over two years. There really has been no other act to compare to this kind of live popularity for quite a while now and the chances are, we will have to wait another 5 years for something to even come half as close.
Quite possibly the last band to sell singles in any great quantity as well, Busted were an industry sensation with a diverse and exciting fanbase. I have nothing but respect for three lads who put a pretty face on the front of some fantastically written tunes. Each of Busted's albums selling in excess of 1 million copies, 8 top ten hits and a host of awards and shockingly, critical acclaim. For a period, they were essentially the biggest band in the UK.
This isn't the point though, it's not the reason I'm writing the retrospective. The fact is, there is a hideous mentality amongst the most elite of music fans, a mentality that prevents them from being able to like anything that it isn't prescribed as 'cool'. Admit it or not, Busted had a true talent of writing a catchy melody, performing these songs and making people happy. THIS is the point of music, to entertain and enthrall. I completely appreciate that some of the people who claim to dislike Busted actually do not enjoy their music, but many did. Just because they aren't 22 and living in Shoreditch, it does not make their opinion any less valid.
If the elitist indie snob-set were to use its energy in a positive fashion, ranting about a fantastic band whom they saw playing last night or the new record they just bought that few have heard, maybe the industry would slowly sway in their favour, but the negativity prevails. It seems to be a lot easier to knock music than to get excited about it. To complain about the industry is to further the supposed destruction of our passion, music.
It's time to wake up, to direct our energy into the bands that we feel can make a difference in a way that we like, rather than knocking something that is not only successful in a commercial sense, but on a level that has made millions of people across the world happy.
Busted, rest in peace.
DiScuss: Leave your messages for Busted here, it's quite obvious with Charlie being so very cool now, that he'll have to read DiS.
