Last Friday Indy's beloved Twin Cats performed in a contest called "Indy's Next Big Thing" in which they competed against 3 other local bands for a large marketing package and studio time. The Cats were the obviously dominate band, evident by their massive fan base. Alas, the winner was chosen by three judges, not the level of audience support. After the announcement was made that The Last Good Year were the winning band, the entire venue booed the announcer. Minutes later, a group of people began chanting "Bullshit!".
Although I was just as disappointed as everyone else, I found the chanting to be incredibly inappropriate.
Admittedly, I chuckled a little when the crowd started booing after the announcement. It felt nice to sort of "stick it to the judges" to make it known that The Twin Cats had the biggest fan base and that we all felt they should win.
However- when that smaller group of people started chanting "bullshit!" I was a little appalled. That was a totally unprofessional representation of the Twin Cats fan base. As their biggest fans, our words and actions are a direct reflection of the band. Imagine how that would have felt to be one of the Twin Cats shaking the hands of The Last Good Year members and congratulating them while the crowd completely minimizes the amazing accomplishment they've just made.
If the roles were reversed, how would we (the local Twin Cats fans) feel if the guys took first place and some other band with a fan base that dwarfs our own came out and starting chanting bullshit to the fact that they won? We'd say, "Wow. Those guys are a bunch of pricks. I'll make sure I never go see them live."
The Twin Cats had an opportunity to enhance their already-massive local following last Friday and win over fans from a completely different musical genre. But because everyone got caught up in winning and losing, we overlooked the fact that the event was to support and celebrate local Indianapolis talent and be happy for the band that won.
