The Independent In Defence Of Jarvis
In Defence Of Jarvis
by Brian Eno
From the "Another View" column of The Independent, Thursday 22nd February 1996.
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Michael Jackson's show at the Brit awards on Monday was one of the most
self-aggrandising and unpleasant things I have ever seen on a stage.
It was as though a great balloon of pomp, hype, bad taste and flatulence had
descended.
It completely dominated the proceedings and the other artists seemed to be
treated like cattle - sort of inconvenient obstructions to the Messiah who
had - AMEN! - risen to Grace amidst his steaming pile of sub-Disney doo-doo.
Of course, this is only my personal opinion, you understand.
When Jarvis Cocker mounted the stage and did his waggle dance (shortly after
God had been embraced by a rabbinical figure, adored by assorted kiddies and
was being hoisted to Heaven on a crane), we jumped up and cheered. I just
wish I'd had the presence of mind to do it myself, and I think most sentient
creatures in the room felt the same way. Someone had to say: "NO! This is
total crap and not what we're about".
The contrast between the ironic, bright, self-aware and radical British
musicians present - who included Tricky, Pulp, David Bowie, Oasis, Radiohead
and Massive Attack - and Jackson's self-serving, sentimental, wide-eyed
eco-gloop was excruciating. Jarvis, here seen as the voice of the people,
pricked the balloon, and the big men on stage disguised as deprived Third
Worlders jumped him. Naturally he lost his balance, as you do when grown-up
men try to mount you, and on the way down may have brushed some poor, poor
babies whose parents are now reported to be considering legal action.
It is also alleged he stepped on someone's toe which any reasonable person
would agree is almost the worst thing you could do to a child.
Anyway, after the "show", the Emperor's army apprehended the boy who had
laughed, and he spent the night in the deep, cold dungeons. But all the
people of the city had seen what happened and they whispered behind the
Emperor's back, and spoke only well of the boy...
The destruction of the rainforests and the plight of the world's poor, which
is what Jackson's performance was "about", are real and serious problems.
Michael Jackson is a great musician and a great dancer. Unfortunately, he is
also turning into a great prat.
So I say: Free the Pulp One! Use all means to defend citizen Cocker.
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