The Proclaimers... another reason to love them

[AMouseWithValour]

Sunshine on Leith makes me cry every single time, but who would have thought that they would come out swinging for women's rights?

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/efa9ba470db8e0cd

The interview is very punchy, and well worth a read.

'That, though, wasn’t the primary reason that, in May’s Scottish parliamentary elections, Craig didn’t vote SNP for the first time since 1983. That reason was “the anger that I still feel that they passed a self ID bill which was so badly [formulated]”. He’s talking about the 2022 Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill that makes it easier for individuals to change their legal gender. “It’s so badly done that it inevitably led to violent men, including convicted rapists, being sent to women’s prison. For me, that is unforgivable.”'

I'm going to stream the new album as soon as I can. And, as a side note I think they are one of the best bands I've seen.

Sad times David. Sad times.

Jools

Thoughts and prayers to David Tennent and Russell T Davies who's leaving video from Doctor Who was the cast and crew singing '500 Miles.'
It's very entertaining.

Grew up in Edinburgh, loved the Proclaimers, saw the "letter from America" video being filmed in Holyrood Park in about 1987 when nobody had a clue who these twins were who sounded Scottish, not American like all the other acts around at the time.

Sort of went off them at the time of the Indy Ref as it was SO toxic and nasty. Good to see them speaking out so publicly about this as it will very much offend a lot of their former mates in the SNP. Not a Hibbee, but Sunshine on Leith is an anthem for all of Edinburgh.

Wow. Not only do I agree with everything he said but I have huge admiration that he spelt it out so strongly after so many choose to duck below the parapet.

I love it when someone wades in and points out so unequivocally that this whole situation is nonsensical.

Can’t remember which TRA it was that recently was saying, “we’ve lost the narrative,” but I genuinely feel that is starting to be the case.

Whether public opinion ever reaches the politicians is still to be seen. Their bubble is industrial in strength.

This is just wonderful.

Absolutely delightful news.

Thanks, lads. I hope it is a good kick up the arse of all the other acts in the arts who are too feart to fucking say anything.

😮

Speech is free, so are we I am assured
But too much rational thought
Needs to be cured
So suppress the facts that prey upon your mind
For the greater good of always being kind
That old street called tolerance
Runs both ways or makes no sense

Fucksake.

Hayfever, at this time of year?

😭

What a fantastic song.

'I think 10 years ago um this country felt maybe freer and certain I think it felt more tolerant than it does today. I think the internet is probably a lot to do with it. I think people are self censoring. I think people are afraid to say what they think. If you've got 60,000 people who get visits from the police because what they've put up on on the internet.
Now some of it may be racist. Some of it may be inciting violence, but a lot of it isn't. And I think people are more um cautious about expressing themselves now than they were even a decade ago.'
...
'I think if you're in the public eye, uh you've got an extra duty to do it [speak your mind] really.'
...

[Can music make a difference?]

'If you bother. I think an awful lot of artists now don't appear to bother. They don't appear to confront the most volatile febrile time since the 1960s at least and a lot of them don't seem to address it which I find baffling really.'

Pink News - deploy maximum scare quotes, lads!

https://archive.ph/gVWmz

That was fascinatingly neutral, I thought. They've realised the balance has tipped. 'Please let us know what you think in the comments and keep the CONVERSATION respectful'. Bloody hell. Never thought I'd see the day.

the balance has tipped

Yes.

I love this, very well said Craig and Charlie. Both live near me and I see one of them quite regularly (never sure which one!), tempted to thank them next time I do.

That’s so interesting about music- and so right. The 60s was full of protest songs (not that I was around in the 60s but that’s my perception). Nowadays: fuck all. Some artists lecture the audience about Palestine in the middle of their concerts but hardly anyone is actually making art about anything meaningful. Probably because many ‘artists’ now aren’t actually artists; they’re just singing songs and playing tunes.

Ren is a brilliant modern artist but still not as well known as he should be. Many of his works make social commentary- mainly criticising greed and power. Hopefully he’ll tackle cancel culture and telling the truth at some point too.

They've boycotted so much already, is there anything that they're still allowed to do/like/buy/watch/read?!

You should! I'd love to say thank you to them for this.

Oh dear Pot Noodle is upset...

Edited to say apologies I've just realised I've posted two GIFs in the one thread! Not my usual style but I'm feeling cheerful 😂

Please do on behalf of all of us!

The algorithms gave me "Hi Ren" on a playlist yesterday, and I loved it. Had to stop work and read the lyrics ❤️

Miserable bunch, they'll have to cheer themselves up with Pot Noodles efforts.

Anyhow, not a chance, I had a look at The Proclaimers tour dates and they've sold out everywhere in Scotland, (Edinburgh twice) apart from Aberdeen, I suspect that'll sell out soon!
(I am open to suggestions of which type of cake I need to eat if I am wrong, I draw the line at eating garments or accessories)

edited to clarify that Pot Noodle has not sold out any tour dates

Wow, I didn't think the definition of transphobe could stretch much wider but there you go. Now it encompasses consuming any art that has had involvement from anyone who made comments Sophie molly doesn't like.

I'm actually surprised this article quotes so much of the Telegraph interview verbatim without editorialising alongside. I imagine the comments and Trans Reddit aren't very happy.

Can we send them a 'Mumsnet Approved' sticker for their new album? 😁

https://the.proclaimers.co.uk/the-gigs

Bloody hell, sold out all over the country.

Still a few tickets available for Aiberdeen, December - let Sophie Molly know!

How come they have so many fans in Sweden, mind you there are still tickets for Orebro and Karlstad?