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Rebecca Ferguson has been asked to perform at Trump's inauguration.


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Old 02-01-2017, 18:34
InMyArms
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http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsbeat/articl...ation-ceremony
Rebecca Ferguson says she's been asked to perform at Donald Trump's inauguration ceremony.

The singer tweeted she would "graciously accept" the invitation from the American president-elect if she can perform Strange Fruit.

"[It's] a song that has huge historical importance, a song that was blacklisted in the United States," she posted.
I guess everyone else Turned him down?
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Old 02-01-2017, 20:26
Daewos
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A rather strange story. Is she that well known in the States? Although the reaction to Strange Fruit would be interesting.
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Old 02-01-2017, 20:37
Dan R
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You hear that sound? That's my respect for her burning away!
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Old 02-01-2017, 20:46
An Thropologist
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You hear that sound? That's my respect for her burning away!
Really? My respect for her has gone up exponentially. She makes a pertinent point in an apt and powerful way. Good on her. I doubt that Trump even knows she has been invited though, let alone what her response was. But good for her for making her point.
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Old 02-01-2017, 20:49
manderley
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You hear that sound? That's my respect for her burning away!
Well her condition is that she sings Strange Fruit which as you know is an anti racist song made famous by Billie Holiday.
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Old 02-01-2017, 21:06
Hitstastic
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Well her condition is that she sings Strange Fruit which as you know is an anti racist song made famous by Billie Holiday.
He probably doesn't know hence the comment posted.
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Old 02-01-2017, 21:12
jerefprdterra
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Really pleased for her.
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Old 02-01-2017, 22:17
dizzie
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Really? My respect for her has gone up exponentially. She makes a pertinent point in an apt and powerful way. Good on her. I doubt that Trump even knows she has been invited though, let alone what her response was. But good for her for making her point.
Same here. I suspect she knows perfectly well that, by reaching her name on whatever list, the inauguration committee is kinda barrel scraping (in terms of known name acts). Her response is very dignified, and draws a lot of attention to the fact that she, of all people, is likely being asked possibly as a consequence of some contact at her record label indicating that at her level of fame, it's less likely that the acts make a stand about the kind of gigs they're prepared to do, if there's significant money involved (it seems Trump's inauguration is having to throw lots of cash around, in a very large departure to any previous inauguration).

I'm sure neither they or the record label expected Rebecca to taken a very strong moral stand - and additionally give them an inconceivable (for them) ultimatum - which I'm sure she's perfectly aware will never be acquiesced to. It really does indicate the almost total lack of support for Trump from the entertainment industry, both in the US and abroad. Almost no one is prepared to commit career suicide to get the exposure the inauguration would give them. Who's next to be asked? Olly Murs to sing 'Troublemaker'?!!!
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Old 02-01-2017, 22:17
HughOS
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Her response is genius to be honest, she's a smart girl who sticks to her principles. Good for her.
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Old 02-01-2017, 22:30
Dan R
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Well her condition is that she sings Strange Fruit which as you know is an anti racist song made famous by Billie Holiday.
There are better places to sing it though
It really isn't that hard to take a moral stand and say no to this one thing. Yes she isn't anywhere near an A lister (or even F-lister being honest now...) but she can't be that short on gigs and offers.
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Old 02-01-2017, 22:35
Jewels501
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There are better places to sing it though
It really isn't that hard to take a moral stand and say no to this one thing. Yes she isn't anywhere near an A lister (or even F-lister being honest now...) but she can't be that short on gigs and offers.
I think that by suggesting this as the song that she could sing, she is being both astute and principled. Who would care about an out and out rejection? Bigger and 'better' artists have already made that stand.

I really like her response.
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Old 02-01-2017, 22:43
sheila blige
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I think that by suggesting this as the song that she could sing, she is being both astute and principled. Who would care about an out and out rejection? Bigger and 'better' artists have already made that stand.

I really like her response.
I know this may sound a bit silly - but would Trump and his supporters even know the meaning and importance of the song to realise that this is a way of politely declining.
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Old 02-01-2017, 22:51
dizzie
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There are better places to sing it though
It really isn't that hard to take a moral stand and say no to this one thing. Yes she isn't anywhere near an A lister (or even F-lister being honest now...) but she can't be that short on gigs and offers.
I'm sure Rebecca has relatively few problems securing gigs, she was performing steadily throughout November and December. However, you need to put it into context. The last UK gig she performed was at De Montfort Hall in Leicester - several hundred person capacity. Compare to Obama's first inauguration, which garnered TV audiences of nearly 40 million, just in the US, and many millions more worldwide. Being asked to perform is extraordinary exposure for an artist - especially a relatively unknown one. Rebecca has done exactly the right thing, for an artist at her level. She's not refused, but dictated such conditions that it will never happen. Other artists have done similar things - offered their services, or accepted an offer 'in principle', and then attached very specific 'riders' that mean they'll never actually perform - like Alec Baldwin, who's said he'll only appear if he can sing 'Highway to Hell'!
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Old 02-01-2017, 22:53
Jewels501
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I know this may sound a bit silly - but would Trump and his supporters even know the meaning and importance of the song to realise that this is a way of politely declining.
Probably not, but that isn't the point for me at least. Her 'acceptance' is conditional on the one thing that would make her unacceptable.

I just think that she is being very smart and I like her for it. The fact that this would probably go over the heads of those that invited her just adds piquancy to the whole situation for me.
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Old 02-01-2017, 22:54
Chris1964
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I think that by suggesting this as the song that she could sing, she is being both astute and principled. Who would care about an out and out rejection? Bigger and 'better' artists have already made that stand.

I really like her response.
It is good but if I was Trump I would accept her offer. Politics is a strange thing, it can be spun in limitless directions and Trump is a maverick-unlike any other President.
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Old 02-01-2017, 23:10
Chris1964
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Same here. I suspect she knows perfectly well that, by reaching her name on whatever list, the inauguration committee is kinda barrel scraping (in terms of known name acts). Her response is very dignified, and draws a lot of attention to the fact that she, of all people, is likely being asked possibly as a consequence of some contact at her record label indicating that at her level of fame, it's less likely that the acts make a stand about the kind of gigs they're prepared to do, if there's significant money involved (it seems Trump's inauguration is having to throw lots of cash around, in a very large departure to any previous inauguration).

I'm sure neither they or the record label expected Rebecca to taken a very strong moral stand - and additionally give them an inconceivable (for them) ultimatum - which I'm sure she's perfectly aware will never be acquiesced to. It really does indicate the almost total lack of support for Trump from the entertainment industry, both in the US and abroad. Almost no one is prepared to commit career suicide to get the exposure the inauguration would give them. Who's next to be asked? Olly Murs to sing 'Troublemaker'?!!!
It certainly does, but 61 million Americans voted for Trump. Will all these people have to spend rest of their lives hiding their faces away and refusing to admit they did I wonder. Presumably they are all entertainment consumers themselves. Do the artistes want this colossal band of people to buy their product-or if it was possible would they ban them from doing so. I mean I find Trump a pretty scary prospect at the moment but clearly not everyone does.
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Old 02-01-2017, 23:13
sheila blige
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Probably not, but that isn't the point for me at least. Her 'acceptance' is conditional on the one thing that would make her unacceptable.

I just think that she is being very smart and I like her for it. The fact that this would probably go over the heads of those that invited her just adds piquancy to the whole situation for me.
What if they accept and she performs ... and the words to the song are drowned out by his gormless supporters shouting 'U S A / U S A' as usually happens in a Ryder Cup contest.

I just think it could backfire on Rebecca.
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Old 02-01-2017, 23:20
Jewels501
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It certainly does, but 61 million Americans voted for Trump. There is always this feeling as to whether those people should spend the rest of their lives hiding their faces away and refusing to admit they did. Presumably they are all entertainment consumers themselves. Do the artistes want this colossal band of people to buy their product-or if it was possible would they ban them from doing so. I mean I find Trump a pretty scary prospect at the moment but clearly not everyone does.
I think that the dichotomy between what these 'popular' artists see as the best path forward and what the 'man' on the street has chosen speaks volumes for the societal schisms that we have seen in 2016 not just in the US. I have no answers and this (the X Factor forum!) is clearly not the best place to discuss the whys and whereofs but good for Rebecca I say.
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Old 02-01-2017, 23:24
Jewels501
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What if they accept and she performs ... and the words to the song are drowned out by his gormless supporters shouting 'U S A / U S A' as usually happens in a Ryder Cup contest.

I just think it could backfire on Rebecca.
I understand your point but I really see this as a 'win-win' situation for her. No-one in the US really knows who she is and even in the UK, she isn't a huge star- albeit well-respected.

At the worst, she sells herself on a global platform and at best she cocks a snook at those who are fairly ignorant. Like I said, if she'd just said 'no thanks', no one would talk about it.

As it is,she is unlikely to be really invited and confirmed but she has made a point. I do admire her for that.
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Old 03-01-2017, 01:54
Singy Thingy
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Hello from the states.I love her voice but she is unknown in America and chances are the Trump admin hope she, being British, will not know enough about Trump to make the wise decision and say nope or realize that Trump can't get any decent USA artists to perform or support him because most intelligent informed Americans loathe him so much that it would harm an artist's cred to be associated with such a frankly gross and despised man.


Don't do it Rebecca! You're a treasure and Trump is trash...also,numerous public records prove he is extremely racist trash and anyone who voted for him should be ashamed
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Old 03-01-2017, 06:45
mgvsmith
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....

I'm sure neither they or the record label expected Rebecca to taken a very strong moral stand - and additionally give them an inconceivable (for them) ultimatum - which I'm sure she's perfectly aware will never be acquiesced to. It really does indicate the almost total lack of support for Trump from the entertainment industry, both in the US and abroad. Almost no one is prepared to commit career suicide to get the exposure the inauguration would give them. Who's next to be asked? Olly Murs to sing 'Troublemaker'?!!!
The vote for Trump has been interpreted as a vote against the political establishment but it seems to be a reactionary or regressive vote and not a revolutionary or progressive one. Hence, it is unattractive to those in the entertainment industry?

The positive thing about this is that pop music has been able to maintain its aura of liberalism (small 'l') even in an era where popular politics seems to have swung to the Right. Rebecca is maintaining that perception and I admire her for that.

I presume that some of the 61 million who voted for Trump have also bought Springsteen, Beyoncé and Kanye music at some time? Their idea may be that the music is good even though it is made by liberals, I don't know. And it may be that music by Springsteen, Beyoncé, Gaga or the Dixie Chicks doesn't sell as well in the future. We'll see.
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Old 03-01-2017, 08:01
jerefprdterra
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It is an opportunity that she would be silly to turn down as it would be for any artist regardless of what you think about the political side to the event.
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Old 03-01-2017, 08:22
Eva_Coco_May
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Sod that! Don't do it Rebecca
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Old 03-01-2017, 08:28
Jewels501
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I doubt that she ever be offered a firm invitation (assuming that she hasn't already been). There is an article in The Sun (of all places) which talks about her 'invitation' and her very pointed response.

I think Rebecca has made her point very clearly and good on her. I have never really listened to her music but will now make sure that I do so. I really admire her classy response and stance.
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Old 03-01-2017, 14:45
kleinzach
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It is an opportunity that she would be silly to turn down as it would be for any artist regardless of what you think about the political side to the event.
You really are showing your naïveté here. Most artists are thinking beyond the here and now. In a year or so, there is a good chance that many americans will hate him and this could backfire on artists that perform at the inauguration. If there had been a vote for "None of the Above" like in Brewster's Millions" then that would have won. When people find out they have been deceived by Trump, they will be angry. And as much as any artist performing at the inauguration might say they don't endorse Trump, that's not how it will be seen by the general public.
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