Some things I agree with
(or not as the case may be)
Sunday, March 1 Happy to accept all comments except less-than-adoring ones?
Interesting... I just commented on an article off the BBC's sprawling U2 microsite, and although "all comments are reactively moderated" it seems that they're all being PRE-moderated too. Nice.
My comments were in response to the U2 rooftop gig; here's what I wrote:
So, er, does this mean that the Beeb is going to start doing more rooftop gigs to help promote new artists? What would be far better are some rooftop gigs for (truly) upcoming, quality artists who could do with some good free publicity far more than U2 does - I'm sure sales figures for their latest album would be just fine even if they didn't have a licence payer funded gig to help. ;)
Just seems a little hypocritical of the Beeb flying their "In New Music We Trust" flag, then little more than a year later giving a free gig in a coveted setting to a band that's been around for twenty years... Or is this just the start of a whole series of rooftop gigs? That would be genuinely exciting to see.
I'll be interested to see if the comment makes it to the page! I'm all for the BBC doing what it sees fit in the name of the public interest, and I largely support the BBC (particularly in their online and R&D sections of the organisation) but sometimes things smack a little too much of croneyism or rampant, thinly-veiled publicity to not say anything at all which is even slightly to the contrary of 'the public opinion' (and, as usual, the U2 fans will be shouting louder than everybody else about this rooftop gig).
As I mentioned in my original comment, what about some gigs for artists who may need the publicity a little more? For every U2 there's tens and hundreds of artists who are just as good if not better who could do with that leg-up far more. Come on Beeb, show us that you really trust In New Music.