Halftime Show

[CardiacKid]

I hope the next time a Grey Cup is held in Winnipeg, John K. Samson gets to perform “One Great City”. Despite its simple chorus of “I hate Winnipeg”, is not an angry song but instead a sardonic ode to the city.

Could easily be taken the wrong way but Winnipeggers seem to get it and they heartily sing along....

[Spud387]

Her full performance is available here on her Youtube page (with 2.8mil subscribers may I add).


This is why the younger/populous acts are used, exposure to the younger/non-traditional demographic that they need. Anyone asking for a "classic" act is missing the point and helping the league circle the proverbial drain.

Just read some articles about the league of late (like the 23% viewership drop). The league will get hit REAL hard soon by that missing generation (my generation & younger).

[JohnnyMusso]

I personally don't think her performing will generate more CFL fans. Most of the people who liked her and watched the show could careless about the CFL or football. Hiring young acts will have minimal impact on generating more interest in watching the CFL or the Grey Cup. Probably most turned off the TV after her performance. People watch the Grey Cup for the football not the halftime show, same for Super Bowl. I sincerely doubt Beyoncé attracted more NFL fans when she performed and she is way more popular than Cara.

[Toppy Vann]

I personally don't think her performing will generate more CFL fans. Most of the people who liked her and watched the show could careless about the CFL or football. Hiring young acts will have minimal impact on generating more interest in watching the CFL or the Grey Cup. Probably most turned off the TV after her performance. People watch the Grey Cup for the football not the halftime show, same for Super Bowl. I sincerely doubt Beyoncé attracted more NFL fans when she performed and she is way more popular than Cara.

There are benefits in getting the CFL brand and name in front of the music industry where young artists want to play. Any time you have the TV shows and social media trumping a current popular artist at a CFL game you're getting the message out more broadly.

There is an element of Field of Dreams in these acts: If you build it , they will come.

If folks looked at her dress (coat for example) and judged looks etc, then they're missing that today these artists aren't judged like the 50s and 60s when looks were critical to success.

[Spud387]

I personally don't think her performing will generate more CFL fans. Most of the people who liked her and watched the show could careless about the CFL or football. Hiring young acts will have minimal impact on generating more interest in watching the CFL or the Grey Cup. Probably most turned off the TV after her performance. People watch the Grey Cup for the football not the halftime show, same for Super Bowl. I sincerely doubt Beyoncé attracted more NFL fans when she performed and she is way more popular than Cara.

Rome wasn't built in a day. This is how long term advertising works. The CFL has to get its brand in front of the eyes of the younger generation whenever it can as often as it can in a positive way, so eventually it may entice some to tune-in/attend a game at some point in the future, whether it be tomorrow, next year or even a decade later.

[JohnnyMusso]

The younger generation is into NBA or NFL or hockey, well they are here where I live in Vancouver and likely the same in Toronto. CFL needs to find a way to attract younger people in the 3 big markets where most young people think the CFL is bush league and where Seattle Seahawks are more popular in Vancouver than the Lions. Half time shows will not solve that issue. I cannot even remember who performed 2 years ago, so people's memories are short.

I still think half time just are there to help market the Grey Cup and I would think most fans of Aleissa Cara are young women and I would think not many of them into football or even sports. Even she admitted she was not a CFL fan.

Anyway we disagree on this. But he drop of 23% in viewership is concerning. Maybe people bored of Calgary being there year and year. Change is good.

[Toppy Vann]

Alessia Cara going off social media as a way to get away from online bullying and fan criticism on Monday - the day after Grey Cup.

Caught a note on ET about the young Shawn Mendes and how he is impacted at times by social media criticism. He's barely out of his teens and these folks have tons of pressure as well as tons of opportunities.

So much for my comment earlier that fans today are less concerned with looks than in the 50s, 60s...

In some ways, we're more tolerant than ever and in other ways more divided on issues with more strident views when we judge things. This basically makes us a dumber society - more judging than understanding.

https://www.cp24.com/entertainment-news ... -1.4194379

[JohnnyMusso]

Though I did not like her show or the way she dressed, it is sad that she has to go off social media of idiots hiding behind their computer bullying her on her facebook page and other pages she may have. There was mostly love for her on the facebook page I saw and only a few criticisms of her performance, but nothing that would be considered harsh enough or bullying that would cause her to go off social media. Surprised she paid that much attention. Bob Dylan gets ripped all the time and nothing shut down. Maybe he is just more used to it, does not bother to read his Facebook page, has a thicker skin or so rich now he just does not give a damn what people think of him.

[Sir Purrcival]

I'm listening to it as I read this thread and she strikes me as a worthy choice. I don't really know her or her music but she has energy, a nice voice and I would happily sit in the stands to see her perform. She is better than some previous choices IMO. I'm very torn about how it relates to football fans. I can say with confidence that a bad choice for half-time certainly wouldn't help sell the game to new potential fans but there might be a few that tune in to catch the show that might just hang around after especially if it is a good game with a good half time show.

[Toppy Vann]

3DownNation story states that Alessia Cara got off social media temporarily due to responses about her half time show.

What does this say about fans who got treated to a top current young performer versus their favourite rock hero who wasn't asked to perform. The irony is that those who would criticize her clothing style are often those whose own clothing styles make you raise an eyebrow and think - 'WTF - who are you to criticize?'

Earlier in the week the Grammy-winning pop artist announced she was taking a break from both Twitter and Instagram, saying she needed “some time away” from the sometimes vicious messages sent to her by strangers.

Cara says the comments – captured in a post she’s since deleted – reflect “a way larger issue” with online bullying.

“When you say those things to somebody, even if you’re trolling or just trying to make a joke, it makes that person’s day that much harder – at least speaking for myself,” Cara said.

“It gives people a platform to not only put people against each other but feel like they can say whatever they want to anybody all of the time. It sucks and it doesn’t feel good.”

Her decision was accompanied by screen shots from her Twitter account that showed users criticizing her appearance and firing obscenities at her.

We should be proud of these new Canadian singers as they're making a mark not just here.
http://top40-charts.com/artist.php?aid=16764

[VictoriaFan]

ive been a musician for over 40 years, and have been exposed from everything from old country, new country, classical, R&B, and frankly pop hip hop is just a generic mushy type of music that is just plopped out for the nothing burgers that couldn't care less about the CFL .Colour me old school but give me some real music.

[Toppy Vann]

ive been a musician for over 40 years, and have been exposed from everything from old country, new country, classical, R&B, and frankly pop hip hop is just a generic mushy type of music that is just plopped out for the nothing burgers that couldn't care less about the CFL .Colour me old school but give me some real music.

LOL

I do concede that the half time entertainers might best be chosen to reflect the current audience and maybe this will happen next year given that the CFL doesn't need bad publicity. It's also a tough venue for artists - bad sound as little time to get it ready, cold weather and a fake audience in front of the stage and the 50,000 or so in the stands are more into Victoria Fan's musical interests.

At least those who chose Cara and the performers recognize the importance of giving new artists a chance.

I suspect Alessia Cara has a few more fans, awards, hits and authored songs than you- unless you're Victoria's David Foster and I doubt he's say that lol .Cara is just 22 years old.

Apparently, the new album was written entirely by Cara. Impressive.

https://genius.com/a/read-all-the-lyric ... of-growing

[Toppy Vann]

I was in the stands and I enjoyed both shows. I liked the Reklaws set and I am not typically a fan of country music.

As for the halftime show, I thought she acquitted herself just fine. I actually thoroughly enjoyed it and I would neither count myself as an Alessia Cara fan or part of the target demographic as I just sneak in over 50.

Marko Ianuzzi also loved it if his Twitter feed is to be believed.

Ed Willes started a Twitter thread that I took to be tongue in cheek that was longing for some old school rockers. The suggestions were both laughable and lamentable...Trooper, Rush, Gordon Lightfoot. I enjoy their music but good lord, can’t we move on from these old-timers?

How about The Weeknd? Monster Truck? Big Sugar? The Glorious Sons? New Pornographers? Do you go indie with street cred or mainstream rock? Adult alternative or R&B?

Personally, all I want in a half time show is to not regret staying in my seat. Not high expectations I know but I am there to watch football. If I want live music I will go to Rock the Shores.

This is the kind of response a half time performer should get versus downright trashed by fans on Twitter.

Also the thread starter was fine too but we live in times where there are getting to be fewer and fewer who can simply try to appreciate efforts of others versus judging negatively. HERE I'M referring to the TWITTER criticisms - not this site. lol

[Honour Dewalt]

I'm in my 40s and while I don't keep up on all the current artists, I knew who she was because ever since I heard her first song I thought she had creativity and a beautiful voice. I thought she did a great job and really I can't understand why people are so passionate one way or the other about the halftime shows. Last year everyone piled on Shania Twain. And for this year I welcome a younger performer. We can't always have Gordon Lightfoot.

[KnowItAll]

I didn't like her voice or style of singing, but I really don't like those who got in her face, so to speak, about it.

miserable people who just want to make others as miserable as they are