anyway... even tho it's not celebrated anywhere but the states... I do wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving...

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/li...-1971-20141125

My tweets - no probs, glad to get some extra airspace

Whew! Thanks! They were excellent suggestions! I'm glad I didn't have to contact the mods requesting a delete, because I have no idea how to do that...lol...

Again, thank you!

Haven't been here for a while, find I agree with a lot of Pithy Witch's posts.
I agree I can't see a future for them in Ireland/UK for a few years, and they must lose the 'bouncy clown' image - I like that description.
Going to the USA for a long term and growing their career there, with a change of management to a manager who knows the US market - that is what I'd like to see.

I like their songwriting, they have a talent for tackling themes bigger than 'I love you' which are relevant to all ages. Sadly if they had a strategy for releasing a self penned album as an event, its disappearing into a line of individual single releases - before long we'll have eaten the while jar of sweets and there'll be nothing left. Fingers crossed they'll have made a few pennies from TV appearances so they can buy some more recording/production time next year.

On the whole I find the emotional downs are dominating my Jedward fan experience these days: its painful seeing them struggling to be taken seriously, at a time when they are opening out with some very personal songs; and painful feeling the fandom dwindle away.

If there's one change I wish for them its that they would listen to professional objective advice and follow it; and for two changes that they would accept they've done some of their best work as part of a team and go back to working with a team of professionals around them.
I am under no illusions, I doubt very much either of these will happen in the short term, maybe never.

I totally agree about the pain of watching the struggle for credibility especially as the self written songs we've heard so far are very good - far better than I'd anticipated. It is a shame that it's difficult for them to get airplay when perhaps lesser acts wouldn't encounter the same prejudice.

Also agree that its always beneficial to listen to advice especially from experienced individuals with a good track record of success. I'd also support them working with a team - to share the load for a start - but it does need to be a team that works with and for them and not one that that stifles creativity or thinks they are in charge. It does need to be true teamwork that brings out the best in everyone.

I think a move away from Ireland would be a good thing for lots of reasons and certainly Nashville and/or Memphis would be places where they could get privacy whilst soaking up the atmosphere and musical history and roots.

BTW I quite often agree with Pithy but I just haven't really got anything new to contribute that hasn't been said before.

Jedward + band at Childline http://t.co/4ckzlYd2Yo Free Spirit
http://t.co/EL4qYFWHHi Ferocious
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlM-j_6lfls Make your own luck

never thought they would feel feel comfortable with a band (where the members are male) on stage, but they look so great with a band behind them.

Here's a nice write up about the Childline concert.

http://www.evoke.ie/showbiz/childlin...-to-the-stage/

I've googled and can't find one that mentions the twins. So if anyone finds one, please post. Thanks.

Nothing yet, but there are a few photos of the boys here:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...9319547&type=3

Childline was fabby and it was great to see the boys perform with a band. I loved Make Your Own Luck and it was totally different to their other songs - funky/disco/soul. Reminded me of Imagination but I expect their were inspired more by Justin Timberlake

Glad you enjoyed it Ally. Was the band there just for J&E, or did they play for other acts as well?

There are a few more photos of the twins here:

http://www.dublinconcerts.ie/cheerio...3arena-photos/


It seems like the reviewers have decided to ignore J&E's contribution to the concert. I'm not sure if that's part of a conspiracy, or just because there were a number of bigger acts there to write about? Let's hope none of their performance is edited out of the televised version!

Every act, other than Hometown had a band, and the instruments were changed around a bit for the different performers. For example, Jeds had two keyboards bought on stage.

I'm not entirely convinced the band played 'live' all the time but it was difficult to tell.

I'm sorry, but the first thing that popped into my mind when I saw the proposed MYOL artwork was...

Pee Wee Herman

I had to google him as I don't think we've had him over here, but I see what you mean!

I must admit it's not my favourite look, but some people seem to like it.

The problem is that Pee Wee was a comical character whose target audience was small children.

Pee Wee is a household name in the States (for several different reasons)... if the twins are only marketing themselves in Europe, then I guess this 'look' will be fairly non-detrimental... but if they're thinking about the States (now or in the future), then this probably isn't a good look for them.

wait... have 2 of the 3 Christmas concerts been cancelled?

Is this correct?:

1) Nov 17th per MJ... "JEDWARD have been asked by their good friend Philomena Begley to be guests on her Christmas Variety concerts, 15th, 16th and 17th Dec."

2) Nov 17th per MJ... "More exciting news to follow soon re. new Vip Packages on the afternoon of each of these dates, 15th Dec., 16th Dec., and the 17th Dec."

3) Nov 17th per MJ... "Tickets for Christmas Variety Concert DEC. go on sale tomorrow. THE VIP Package DOES NOT INCLUDE TICKET TO THE Christmas Variety Concert."

4) Nov 18th per MJ... "TICKET for the NIGHT CONCERT is NOT INCLUDED in the VIP PACKAGE. Night ConcertS ticket are available NOW to book from the Venues."

5) Nov 20th per MJ... "Jedward VIP Intimate Afternoon Concert Packages for 15th,16th &17th Dec on sale TOMORROW 9am Friday 21 Nov http://www.ticketmaster.ie"

6) Nov 20th per MJ... "TICKET for the NIGHT CONCERT is NOT INCLUDED in the VIP PACKAGE. NIGHT CONCERTS TICKETS are available NOW to book from the Venues."

at this point, many Jedfans scamper off to buy tickets for the VIP packages, but not for the concerts themselves.

7) Nov 24th per PJ... "Cannot wait to see you all in 3 weeks time at Jedward VIP Intimate Concert Packages 15th, 16th, 17th DEC (link to Ticketmaster for the VIP package only)"

8) Dec 8th per MJ... “All our VIP Intimate concert packages in Mohill 15th Dec. Enniscorthy 16th Dec. and Tullamore 17th Dec. are all taking place as advertised.”

9) Dec 8th per MJ... "Yes, the night show in Tullamore 17th Dec. is no longer taking place, that is out of our control.”

Yesterday… remaining two concerts cancelled

11) Yesterday per MJ…” YES ALL VIP Jedward Intimate AFTERNOON CONCERT Packages are taking place on the 15th, 16th and 17th Dec as advertised on Ticketmaster.”

Would it have been that difficult to have the concert tickets included in w/ the VIP package? That way, at least the concerts would have sold better. I mean, sure, the Jedfans are happy… but what about the non-jed fans who booked the concerts?

If Ms. Begley is such a ‘good friend’, is this fair to her and her other booked acts’ fans? While I’m sure these are unintended consequences, it will probably talk around and make other kind gestures from others a bit more scarce (as if things aren’t bad enough already).

It’s called management. Do it properly or hire someone who can. Management is not connect-the-dots; it’s a long term strategy that involves brand perception and building relationships. Sabotage (whether intended or not) is no-go territory.

You’re promoting a brand; a brand that used to mean hard-work, dependability, reliability, & loyalty. Please tell me that this brand does not now mean: do anything to make money, use other occasions/invitations to promote only yourself, burning bridges… I could go on, but you get the drift.

Alternatively Jedward might have been invited onto the show to try and generate more ticket sales? If the other artists had that many fans that could go there wouldn't be a problem - of course I don't know that, just speculation.

I agree though that it would have more sense to link the two things together like they did in Dublin.

Unless I've missed an announcement, which is possible, I think the Tuesday concert is still going ahead. It's sponsored by SouthEast Radio so the ticket sales might have been better.

oh... the Wexford concert is going forward... I stand corrected.

I can't access the Sun article... am gathering that J&E turned down another crappy offer from xf.

Good for them!

Just popping in.......seems other Irish media have copied the story from the Sun:

http://www.goss.ie/2014/12/jedward-c...ubbing-finale/

Thanks!

I'm relieved J&E (and their mom) are finally understanding that if they are serious about being taken seriously as musicians, then they need to move on from the xf stigma.

I just saw the vid of the xf mash-up... oh, my... I'm soooooooo happy the twins did not participate.

And for those saying the twins should have taken the offer to appear during the break: I don't agree. Yes, it's a large audience... but it's an audience hard-wired to think of J&E solely as a novelty act.

Re the whole 'banned for life' thingy... first off, hats off to the twins for getting the news out there first. I'm heartened that they are now proactive w/ the press.

Secondly, I find myself wondering if the xf producers genuinely believe they can simply whistle past acts back and they will come, no questions asked. There's no way anyone would sign a contract w/ the terms: '... and all future requested appearances on the show are to be honoured, no matter the size or exposure'... no rational person would commit themselves to that.

To threaten banning simply due to a declined invitation doesn't sound very professional to me. Were other acts banned if they declined? I've always been impressed by the professionalism of the aired show... so this has disappointed me. It smacks of bullying, coercion, & a sense of entitlement that I'm not certain x factor deserves.

What with all the back and forth on twitter about whether J&E should have done the xf novelty act performance, my impression is reinforced that the local fans are simply wanting the twins to do anything that will bring them to their country so the fans can see them personally .

Game shows, reality shows, anything that will provide a chance for a crave & pic with little thought as to the public perception of the actual tv appearance itself. The aired show is what the majority of the public sees... not the crave beforehand.

I also have the impression that the twins know quite well that their staunchest fans will travel quite a distance to see them in any venue... and are not above capitalizing on this.

My question is: Is this really a strategy for moving forward as serious musicians? Yes, J&E can make enough money locally. Yes, their local fans are happy. But how long can this last?

Can any of us really imagine the twins doing the same thing in 2020?

These Christmas shows/VIP concerts are a perfect example. The small group of fans that can afford to go are happy, which is understandable & perfectly ok, but to the larger world these tiny concerts seem like a real step backwards from where the twins were just a year ago.

The problem I have is that I still believe that, with the right marketing & training, the twins could actually make it. But it's hard watching them wither away in Ireland.

http://t.co/q5VaH7ao7b set list of the songs which they sing/sang at the concert today (but it was tweeted that they did more than what Edward wrote on this) + fans got pics+a christmas card+ time with J&E

My opinion J&E do TV to make money, because they want to invest it into their music. Music was never the work which made for them the most money and it will never be music which will make much fortune for them. There are simple to many bands/singer... in music business and every month come more and more singer/bands. Only a few can survive for many years in music business.
J&E try to stay in music business but how long can they make music without TV work?

Okay they made some million euros over the last years but they had to pay for L.W. +Liam+the dancers+other people who worked for them +their costumes+the song writer (for the old songs)+for the music videos .....
How much money will they really still have ?
Turning down TV work (where they are not treated like clowns) would make it hard to make their own thing&their music.
+Non-fans see that they are still in showbusiness

Many tried it to make a career in USA but many failed e.g. Robbie Williams who is a big superstar in Europe and who sold over 70 million singles/albums worldwide

(just my opinion)

I love them as enetertainers/singer(love their voices( even in the songs which they did not sing well)) but especially as people.

But to be honest I don´t see their future in music business . I see them much more as entertainers who have their own TV shows (something like the irish Stefan Raab) but at moment they are too young (unless they want to do kids TV again)


I know that both (but especially John) have a passion for music but sometimes it does not really work out.

from Twitter:

"It really is kinda sad how the old AT has basically become one persons personal blog."

Like I've said many times, I post just to keep the thread going.

It sounds like I need to take another break so others can post. I'll sit out a year this time... that should give all the posters plenty of time to discuss all things Jed.

I do hope everyone has a joyous holiday season! Please accept my best wishes for a happy and healthy 2015!