BEST OF 2021: EVENTS
It’s been a crazy year for everyone in the music industry, so the team here at Square One share their list of their biggest events from 2021.
#3 - taylor swift releases the ‘all too well’ short film
WORDS BY ERIKA ANDREJUSKINAITEThe world stood still for 10 minutes when Taylor Swift dropped her directorial debut short film for ‘All Too Well’. And then, just as the depicted relationship dramatically reached the breaking point, so did the viewers who poured out praise for Swift as quickly as their tears. This cinematic masterpiece delicately explored the unbalanced power dynamic between Sadie Sink and Dylan O’Brien characters, and the full lifetime of a relationship that was ultimately doomed to failure. Swift’s poetic lyrics are personified on screen without being too obvious or cliched. Nothing was as devastating as hearing the juxtaposition in “You kept me like a secret, but I kept you like an oath”. This is a story that feels quiet yet causes ripples of heartache for anyone too familiar with manipulation and emotional abuse in relationships.
Fans of Swift took apart the Easter-egg riddled piece frame-by-frame. Many pointed out the obvious parallels between Swift’s relationship with Jake Gyllenhaal and so was born the infamous ‘red scarf’ that may as well be a ‘red flag’. The video and song feel like a defining moment in time and those that were there feel like they were part of a special journey, healing from heartbreak alongside Swift herself.
#2 - SHOWS RETURNING AFTER WORLDWIDE LOCKDOWNS
WORDS BY EMILY YOUNGIt’s been an insane two years for everyone, filled with uncertainty, panic and stress. Tours were rescheduled time and time again, many cancelled completely, but nothing will beat the feeling of relief when all of that stopped, and we could all set foot in a music venue once more. The world is still a strange place, that much is certain, but having the opportunity to bond with people over a shared love of live music and being able to continue our jobs in the music industry after so long is a feeling we’ll never forget.
#1 - the astroworld tragedy
WORDS BY EMILY YOUNGThe tragedy that occurred at Astroworld this year hit everyone hard - except Travis Scott, it seems. As the artist arrived on stage for their headline set, crowds surged and rushed to get closer to the rapper, causing attendees to become trampled under the overwhelming pressure at the Texas festival. Despite many individuals calling out for help, going as far as climbing onto the sound desk and begging for help, calling out that “people are dying”, staff paid no attention and continued to allow the situation to unfold more - ten individuals sadly losing their lives while many more were hospitalised from their injuries. If you would like to help those impacted by the tragedy at Astroworld, please click here.