Magical Mystery Tour at Ganesha Music Event
Two Seminar CC rooms at the West Wing of ITB (Bandung Institute of Technology) were transformed to be exhibition spaces. There was no key speaker. Those who spoke were pieces of papers—completed by photographs and remarks—assembled in certain way, therefore they were deployed as a timeline-alike. It was a history line of world’s music.
Room one exhibits early years of music history; since the baroque music, classic, blues, jazz up to The Beatles, when this band released their phenomenal album, “Sgt. People Lonely Heart’s Club Band”, and it was concluded at pictures of the historical concert, Woodstock . Inside this room, visitors were accompanied by documentary movie of Queen’s concert. Inside the room two, there was history line of 70’s music up to the New Millennium, completed by another documentary movie; Global Metal.
“This agenda is an annual program of Appresi ITB. Besides music stage, there was also exhibition of world’s music history. This exhibition is the opening activity (of the event—Ed),” Bram, the chairman of the exhibition, disclosed. Appresi is one of ITB students’ activity units that have interest in music. Then, on Saturday (16/4), the Ganesha Music Event was held by taking the theme; Semesta Apresiasi (Universal Appreciation).
1970 – Now
Observing important moments of music history was interesting. Since the era of 70’s up to the date, each decade brought out pop icon, along with their each work which influenced music colors. The development of technology and information underpinned the music development itself. The cultural and ideology aspects shall not be neglected as well, being heavily involved.
The decade of 70’s marked the utilization of multi-tracks recording and synthesizer. The British super group, Pink Flyod, launched their album, The Dark Side of The Moon (1973), which occupied pop charts in a quite long time. Music columnists implied this band into the genre of art rock, other bands on this lane–-who also influential—among others are; Genesis, Yes and ELP. In the beginning of this era also marked Metal birth through Black Sabbath, by the releasing of their album, Black Sabbath (1970).
On genre of soul, there was name of Marvin Gaye, who was an important figure. The album “What’s Going On?” became milestone of the first soul album that tells about war and racism issues. Marvin Gaye actually was declared as a directive of live for modern soul-pop musicians.
The appearance of Bob Marley added contents of music library through his reggae, also his provocation of using cannabis and neglecting war. His release of album Exodus (1976) got the world’s public attention. The English-band, The Police was one of those whose were influenced by reggae music.
The middle of 70’s also marked the appearance of Sex Pistols. Their first concert in 1976 at Manchester , which was attended by more than 50 spectators—among of them were Morrisey, The Smith, Peter Hook, Joy Division and Pete Shenley of Buzzcoks—brought out punk music. Another one that shall not be forgotten was the appearance of Kraftwerk. Their single, Autobahn (1975), has been assumed as pioneer of world’s electronic music.
The decade of 80’s marked the first broadcast of MTV (1981) in New York City. The emergence of music television became the beginning of new era of music commercialization. The importance of clip video replaced the trend of single, concerning promotion of a song.
The most historical and phenomenal one was the appearance of album Thriller (1982) of the late Michael Jackson. Jacko produced a clip video with concept inside, as if in production of a common cinema. His stage act hypnotized his fans through his Moonwalk dance. As a result, he got title of The King of Pop. Meanwhile, the title of The Queen of Pop belongs to—surely—Madonna. Some of her hits, such as “Like a Virgin”, “Material Girl” and “Papa Don’t Preach” predominated world’s pop charts. Another important milestone was the appearance of Joy Division, which then changed their name to be New Order. Their single release, “Blue Monday”—which deployed electronic tools, drum machine and futuristic rhythm—initiated electronic pop era in British territory.
One interesting thing is that the 80’s era was hustled by various colors of music. New Wave became a trending topic, then disco and glam rock got their grandeur, whilst REM initiated the birth of alternative rock by releasing their album, Murmur (1983). In the middle of the year, the embryos of the emergence of the Big Four of Trash Metal; Metallica, Megadeth, Slayer and Anthrax, marked the era.
At the end of the era, Niggaz Wit Attitudes (NWA) – Arabian Prince, PJ Yella, Dr. Dre, Eazy E, Ice Cube and MC Ren altogether made breakthrough by releasing album Starlight Outta Compton. The album was rejected to be broadcasted through MTV and radios in USA. They initiated the birth of Rap and Hip Hop.
In the era of 90’s, alternative rock musicians determined to be still in the scene of underground. The scene was since then known worldwide as indie rock. However, the indie rock does not absolutely refer to alternative rock, in common. Whilst in England, the sub-alternative rock—Britpop—through faces of Oasis and Blur got its heydays, while in USA, the alternative music was transformed to be Grunge through the emergence of Nirvana. The Nevermind album marked the mainstream of Grunge. At the end of the era, Napster—as a result of information technology development, through internet—marked the change of trend in selling music.
Year 2000 was a new Millennium and era of new music. Napster offered digital formatted music and they were disseminated through internet. The new era of rock music was inaugurated from the year, adorned by electronic elements. This new era was marked by the launch of album Kid A from Radiohead. The album has been acknowledged as the best rock album of the decade.
Thus were pieces of music history which contains significant influence. Pictures that were displayed on the exhibition comprise stories’ affluences. One thing real is clearly apparent before our eyes; that England and USA are still the patrons of world’s music. And music development has not been detached from the early pioneers. There was jointed chain of histories. Amazingly, they (West) have preserved archives, and the musicians are also not anti-historians.
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