Please them, please them...

On the nature of fandom

I’ve been thinking a lot about the nature of fandom lately. In the wake of the strange backlash that Chappell Roan seems to have invited just by putting in some healthy boundaries for herself and safeguarding her mental and physical health, I’ve been asked by a number of broadcasters and news outlets to come and talk about my opinions about what is “owed” to music fans and whether or not I think that Gen Z artists are just too “soft” (I don’t) to have what it takes to “make it” (whatever that means…).

I’ve had a strange and chequered history with the nature of fandom for that last decade and the impact it can have on your mental health. Ever since I unwittingly said a somewhat naive “yes” to the invitation to join Simple Minds back in 2014, I’ve seen both the good and the bad sides that stepping into the spotlight can bring. Ever since I have tried to retain some sense of privacy and carve out a corner of life which is just for myself and doesn’t overlap with the job that I’ve chosen to do. I’ve also tried, and often failed, to maintain some kind of balance between my health and the dreadful unrelenting treadmill that the industry and touring in particular can be.

I haven’t always got it right.

I’ve toured when I definitely should have stayed at home.