Author Archives: Katrina Longpre

A Cultural Shift in the One Direction Legacy

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On October 16th, Liam Payne’s passing paused the world. He was only 31 when he died.
If you’re a Liam or One Direction fan, you will definitely remember where you were when you heard the news. My older sister and I genuinely thought it was fake, and I was in genuine disbelief. The cultural impact this will have on a generation is insane. On the day it happened, I didn’t want to acknowledge it at all. It just did not feel real. Although some allegations were brought to light in recent news regarding Liam’s past relationship, fans never thought this was what it would come to. However, in the article, we are going to express how much of a shift this news has made in pop culture.
The Band and the Fans

One Direction debuted in 2010, the boys Niall, Liam, Louis, Harry, and Zayn had auditioned for the X-Factor. This was the spark that lit the wildfire. The boys were grouped, and One DirDirections was born. Although they didn’t win, they became one of the biggest boybands of 2010. The entire world knew One Direction, every girl had their crushes on each boy. Mine was actually Liam first, and then one day, I switched to Louis. They sold out stadiums and arenas worldwide, and fans would fight and scavenge to see these 4 little British boys and 1 little Irish lad. One Direction’s pop/rock music spoke to fans everywhere; if you were not a fan, you were considered weird or boring.

Many friend groups were formed because of this mutual love for these guys, and even as time went on, time changed, and the boys went solo. Fans continued to support and show love for each member in their endeavours. Liam’s passing created such significance because he was a part of many people’s childhood/adolescence, and there now is a missing piece of what was once a magical connection between the band and fans. Over the years, the fans have speculated and begged for a reunion, and the boys would always tease it, saying they wanted to do it, but no one was more eager than Liam was. Liam was not perfect, but focusing only on the One Direction side. It was nice to see the efforts in the media he made to reference the band. And Now the nightmare had come true.

That day will always have significance among a certain generation of fans, and there will be uncertainty about the future, but for now, one thing is for sure. Liam was a backbone for One Direction, influencing most of our most memorable songs and being a part of our musical upbringing.

Music is Culture: Movies

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Picture this: it’s a cold fall night. You’ve gotten yourself all ready to watch a horror movie because Halloween is right around the corner. The lights are off, no one is home, and on your TV, you’re watching the lead character walk along the dark, treacherous hallway with the intense noise of eery strings and the violent sounds of a piano key playing in the background. With every step the character takes, you feel a cold sensation of fear creep into your body. And then, suddenly, you hear the intense sounds of a piano as if each key was getting punched, and the killer pops up!

Music plays a crucial role in shaping movie culture, enhancing storytelling, and determining how the audience can connect with the film. From silent films, where live music was used to give life to the film, to today’s major hit movies with incredibly crafted scores, music has been a key factor in cinema.

One of the most potent ways music impacts movies is through its ability to create emotions. A well-crafted score can amplify the feelings of happiness, sorrow, and conflict. For example, the melodies from Indiana Jones, scored by John Williams, created a staple theme song that made the character a long-living legend. John Williams also curated the score for “Jaws” with its intense build-up music that captured the villainous nature of the sharks’ presence in the film. These musical cues guide the audience’s emotions, which makes watching movies a more elevated experience.

Furthermore, iconic songs from films have left an indelible mark on pop culture, evoking nostalgia and connecting us to the films they represent. Songs like ‘My Heart Will Go On’ by Celine Dion from ‘Titanic’ or ‘All the Stars’ from ‘Black Panther’ not only enhanced the films’ narratives but also found a place in our hearts, often bringing back memories of the films themselves. When a song is paired with a powerful scene, it transcends the film, creating a lasting memory that stays with the audience long after the credits roll.
Ultimately, music is a powerful tool that shapes movie culture, heightens emotions and sets the tone for the narrative. However, its most significant role is creating connections with the audience. Whether it’s through a haunting score, an iconic song, or a memorable collaboration, music enriches the cinematic experience and makes films more memorable and enjoyable. As long as movies are made, music will continue to play a pivotal role in the magic of storytelling, drawing audiences in and making them an integral part of the cinematic journey.

Music is Culture: Sports

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Music and sports culture share a deep connection, creating an ecstatic landscape that enhances both the athletic experience and the emotions surrounding it. From the awesome anthems that can fill an arena or stadium to the personal pre-game playlists athletes listen to, music plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere of sports.

Music acts as a significant crowd enhancer at major sporting events. The perfect song can ramp up the game, hyping up the players and fans. Classic anthems like “We Will Rock You” by Queen or Vancouver Canucks “Where the Streets Have No Name” by U2 and along with other iconic songs are used to bring life into the game. These tracks bring a sense of community and equal passion, turning spectators into a collective fan base supporting their team.

Furthermore, athletes use music as a major factor in their preparation and performance. Many players use personal playlists made to their liking. NBA players like Kevin Durant and LeBron James are known to have created some pretty great playlists to get them ready before a big game. Sometimes, a great playlist can really determine your mood and get you in the zone. It is truly a mental warm-up alongside the player’s physical warm-ups.
The relationship between sports and music can extend beyond the game, fashion influences, branding, and culture. Athletes are continuously seen as cultural icons, and their endorsements and collaborations with musicians can increase both their brands and the sport as well. Partnerships like Travis Scott and Nike have generated a lot of revenue, and fans all over the world want to get their hands on the collaboration’s products. Rihanna and Puma have also been major collaborations between artists and sports.

Additionally, music genres have also intertwined with specific sports cultures. For example, hip-hop and RnB music have a close relationship with basketball, influencing the athlete’s style and the culture surrounding the sport. Similarly, with Hockey, rock and roll music has represented the sport for a while now. During last year’s playoffs, the Vancouver Canucks used Creed’s “My Sacrifice” to promote Game 2 against the Edmonton Oilers

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In conclusion, the relationship between music and sports culture is incredible and versatile. Music brings emotion to a sporting event, motivating athletes and fans and creating a sense of community. As both industries continue to grow, their partnership will grow even further, driving innovation and creativity across the cultural spectrum. Whether it’s found in a room full of thousands of fans or the locker room playing your ear just before a big game, music will continue to be a crucial element of sports culture.

Music is Culture: Fashion

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Imagine a world without Music. How quiet and dull would this world be? Music brings colour and immense culture into our everyday lives. We see it every day in fashion, movies, and sports. Music is the backbone of many things. But today, we’ll delve into the fashion world, and Music ties it all together.

Fashion
You can truly express yourself through the clothes you wear and the Music you listen to. Now, I’m trying to stereotype looks and outside appearances because I see them as art. But also, the best part about it is that you could be completely wrong. Let’s say you have a girl who, on the outside, goes for a more gothic, emo, mysterious kind of style to find out she loves country music. Or that same girl’s favourite is My Chemical Romance, and that band’s style and aura could influence the way she dresses and presents herself. It also has tested time with the style influence throughout the decades. There have been shifts in trends and fashions, all tied in with the styles of Music playing at the time.

They are intertwined with one another, which creates a vibrant cultural tapestry that influences them. Artists use fashion as a visual extension of their Music, which can shape their identities and connect with their fans on a deeper level. An example of this is Tyler, the Creator, who uses fashion and Music to express his culture and identity. Through his brand Golf Wang a lot of his pieces through time has aligned with the Music put out. This is always exciting to see as a fan because you can appreciate the artistry beyond the Music.
Additionally, Fashion designers usually get inspiration from musical movements, reflecting emotions or messages that are derived from lyrics and melodies. This symbiotic relationship can lead to many collaborations between luxury brands and musicians, solidifying Music’s role in fashion.

Furthermore, music festivals are also used as a platform for fashion expression, where goers showcase their style influenced by their favorite artists. This further shows how Music not only shapes individual fashion but also influences trends within the industry. Ultimately, the mix between Music and fashion fosters a dynamic culture, embracing creativity and self-expression at the same time.

 

What Makes a True Sports Fan

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I was not athletic growing up; I was scared and fearful of many things. I started bawling my eyes the first time my feet hit the ice to skate for the first time. I danced for a tiny bit of my life; however, that was cut short because I couldn’t handle so many activities at once when I was a little girl, and honestly, fair enough. So I stuck with swimming lessons. That’s about as far as I went with sports growing up. My parents had a fear that because I had bad vision as a kid, they shouldn’t put me in sports, which, again, fair enough, I get it. Although there is a part of me that wished I played more sports growing up other than swimming and ultimate frisbee (don’t judge, it’s fun), what I lacked in skill, I gained a significant interest in watching sports.  

First, I was exposed to hockey and football, but I never was completely into them. What I was the most drawn to was WWE. The theatrics, the drama, the storylines were everything. Obviously, at the ages of 5-9, I thought it was real, I have to admit, but I know I’m not the only one who thought so too. When I moved into my teen years, that’s when hockey and football really grabbed my attention a lot more. 

It was easy to get into football because the high school that I attended was really big on football, so I figured I would learn the sport to better understand the culture and how the game is played. My dad was a huge help. He was so excited when I started watching with him, and it gave us something to do together, especially since my WWE phase had passed. 

For some reason, I was mainly drawn to the New Orleans Saints, and I loved watching them play throughout the week. But every family has one team you must root for, and mine, unfortunately, is the New York Giants. If you’re a Giants fan, you know how rough it is out here. Nevertheless, football was such a fun sport to get into, and it was a gateway for my interest in watching sports expand. 

Now if you live in Vancouver 9 times out of ten, one of the main conversations is about the Canucks or hockey in general. Hockey was a sport I had watched closely growing up just because I was most exposed to it. However, it has been a rough ride for fans and loyal viewers. But things were looking up this past season, and we were hoping for continuous success in this 2024/25 season. 

Overall, I think that whether you play sports or not doesn’t dictate whether you can be a fan. If you like watching the sport and it has been a big part of your life, there is enough pride and joy in that itself.

 

B.C. Lions’ Big Upset to The Riders

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Our BC Lions faced off against the Saskatchewan RoughRiders in a big game last Friday, and needless to say, the outcome could have been better compared to their last win against the Stampeders. A win from the Roughriders secured them home-field advantage going into the playoffs

1st Quarter:

In the first minutes of the game, the B.C. Lions gave away the ball with a missed catch by Stanback intercepted by AJ Allen on the Roughriders, bringing it down the field for the game’s first touchdown. The Riders continued their dominance throughout the first Quarter, moving the ball down the field with every pass connecting. The Lions defense fell short. The Roughriders then closed off the first with a field goal, making the game 1-13.

2nd Quarter:

The Lions had a better start to the 2nd Quarter, continuously moving the ball down and connecting those passes. Rourke and his team were looking a little more alive. At the 10-minute mark, the Lions finally answered with a touchdown by fullback David Mackie. As soon as the Riders gained back possession of the ball, dominance was brought forth, and they crept down the field to score a field goal to make it an 8-point lead. And just when you thought the knife couldn’t twist any further, the Riders picked the ball off and have yet again gained possession of it. In the last minute of the second Quarter, Trevor Harris threw a long beauty of a pass to Sterns for a touchdown, bringing the score to 23-8. At this point in the game, the Rough Riders were capitalizing on the turnovers, with another interception made for a field goal, and the Lion’s defense and offense were just missing. (Score 26-8)

3rd Quarter:

Moving into the 3rd Quarter, the Riders secured another 1st and goal, and the Lions deemed to accept their fate. The Riders just continued to showcase their dominance in the game. This was upsetting to watch, especially coming back from a major off of last week’s game against the Calgary Stampeders. However, that game highlighted issues that the Lions have to clean up before moving into the playoffs. This ended the Quarter with a touchdown caught by Schaffer-Baker. (Score 36-8)

4th Quarter and Final

At The end of the night, the Riders scored a field goal to settle in defeat. Ultimately, the most significant definition of this game would have to be given away. The amount of turnovers that were made in this game was huge. By the half, B.C. had 11 first downs and 186 yards of total offense, while Saskatchewan had 14 first downs and 224 yards. Things look a little bit brighter going into the playoffs. The Lions face off against the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday at 4. Go, Lions, Go!

Overtime…Again

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After a reckless loss against the Calgary Flames in our season opener, the Canucks have not been bringing a smile to the fandom’s faces as of recently. Going into their second home game against the Philadelphia Flyers, things were unpredictable and hopeful, but nerves lingered from the previous loss. In a tight match, the Canucks ultimately fell short in a shootout after a 3-2 draw in regulation. 

The first period started with a strong defense with several scoring opportunities for both teams, but neither managed to pull through the score. As the game continued, the Flyers broke zeros scoring in the second period taking advantage of a defensive mishap by the Canucks. However, the Canucks responded swiftly, equalizing shortly after with a goal that set the stadium up in a frenzy. 

Vancouver did lose a major player defensively, Tyler Myers, less than two minutes into the game after getting taken down by Flyers Joel Farabee along the boards. He then spent quite a while being looked after by trainers before he was taken to the locker room. 

In the third period, the energy had definitely shifted with much intensity, with both teams trading chances. Canucks had a brief lead with a shot by Bleuger in the second period; however, the Flyers equalized, which forced the game into overtime. Despite chances from both teams to take over, they moved into a shootout round. 

As things were looking up for Vancouver with DeBrusk getting a goal in; however, in the game’s last moments, Flyers Morgan Frost scored to snatch the win from our Canucks, and least to say, it was a tough loss. 

Overall, this matchup against the Flyers was a small part of the Canucks season, which, as a fan, we all know, generates many, many ups and downs. These past two games have highlighted what the Canucks need to improve on going forward for the rest of the season.

Check Out The New Media Gallery!

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Located on the third floor of the Anvil Centre on 777 Columbia St, New Westminster’s New Media Gallery is a hidden gem you must check out. Their current exhibition is titled “Master” running from September 14 to December 1

Brief Look into “Master”: 

The “Master” exhibition explores how art can represent and reinterpret cinema, also referenced as cinematic appropriation. This was influenced by Philospher Jacwues Derrida’s “hauntology” concept, which questions what is real and how our past will continue to affect us today. 

Six artists from five countries have taken inspiration from the films of a decorated Director. With this, they have created new works that showcase contemporary life and imagination while using themes of emotion, technology, and the human experience. Each piece is a unique perspective on how AI interacts with humans, memory, and the constant relations between time and space. 

The exhibition design exudes an authentic cinematic experience within a comforting atmosphere, featuring soundscapes that take visitors through memories and surreal moments. Celebrating a decade of New Media Gallery “Master” showcases the evolution of art over the past 24 years. It mixes new and old interpretations and remastered works. This exhibition highlights the creativity and innovation of artists connecting with film and new media. 

Artist Featured: 

J Tobias Anderson (Sweden) 

Scott Billings (Canada) 

Gregory Chatonsky (Canada/France) 

Lee Henderson (Canada) 

Les LeVeque (USA)

Daniele Puppi (Italy) 

The New Media Gallery is a public art gallery, so there is no entry fee. I recommend checking these pieces out because New Westminster is one of metro Vancouver’s gem cities, with a lot of culture and history behind it. As a bonus, it is close to many great food spots, especially along the pier, just across the street from Anvil Centre.

Concert Culture in Vancouver

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I’ve been to many concerts in recent years, and I’ve seen all the different types of fan culture, attire, vibe, and so on that each concert has given and provided. Vancouver really is home to so many different cultures and people from all walks of life. I’ll be talking about Vancouver’s most prominent venues, Rogers Arena and BC Place, and shows I have seen, and maybe you can resonate with any of them.

The 1975 Rogers Arena:
If you went to this concert, you know the show was quick and on schedule, which is rare for artists now. But the reason this was the case was because the lead singer Matty Healy was feeling ill before the show; however, he refused to cancel it, and also, it would’ve been quite challenging to reschedule because the Vancouver Canucks were coming back to the city for a few home games. Moreover, this vibe was so amazing. I always loved to see what people were wearing, and I always loved to feel that everyone attending this concert knew what to wear because everyone had similar yet coordinating outfits. People were wearing their long coats and suits. Dress shirts and black ties because the album they were touring was an unspoken dress code that was made for the concert. The age demographic differed, but this band has been around for some time, so seeing the diversity was incredible. Vancouver rocked this show because the crowd was unique and truly unforgettable.

Beyonce BC Place:
The dress code was simple: Silver, only Silver, and Vancouver showed up for this one. I have never seen such a wide spread of beauty and diversity of fans ever in my life. This was one of the best shows I have ever been to because seeing everyone but in the effort to dress up and come together as fans just put a big smile on my face. Everyone knew the words word for word. I will never forget a spectacular moment when Beyonce sang “Love on Top,” and BC Place killed it. As she sang at the end, she cut the music, and you hear tens of thousands of voices filling up the city with the stars shining above us. I’m always afraid that Vancouver fans won’t bring the true hype and excitement for the artist to play off of, but Vancouver was really putting their best work forward for the Queen Bee.

Ultimately, I have yet to see all the different types of fans this city has to offer, and I am beyond excited. I have a couple of shows lined up in the next month, and I am hopeful to see how Vancouver will support their favourite artist.

 

Hometown Hero? Ryan Reynolds and his VanCity!

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Ryan Reynolds has continuously showcased Vancouver’s wonderous culture and beautiful landscapes through his films. By doing this, he contributes to a growing appreciation for the city beyond its use as a backdrop posing as another city. Reynolds has used VanCity as a filming location and intertwined it with his famously devilish characters, “Deadpool” and “Definitely, Maybe.”

Through “Deadpool,” Reynolds plays a yapping antihero, Wade Wilson, and in the series of films, the setting in Vancouver adds a particular groove to the story. The filmmakers took advantage of the city’s different architecture and urban landscapes, creating a vibrant yet rough-looking backdrop that portrays the characters and the film’s tone throughout the series. Locations like the Vancouver Art Gallery and Gaston were used as major spots to create those movie magic elements we see in the film. Following, the setting and scenery used Ryan’s Canadian like humour mixed with the breaking of fourth wall character really created a one on one feel with the audience which made it even more spectacular and it also invited the audience to see the cities culture.

Looking beyond the physical spaces, Vancouver’s cultural diversity is also found in the characters and narratives he chooses to promote. In one of my personal rom-com’s “Definitley,Maybe” the film shows themes of love and identity. In this film there are a lot of different neighbourhoods used that reflect on some of the suburban areas in Vancouver that really give off a sense of comfort and nostalgia. It also showed how many different cultures and identities Vancouver holds.

Furthermore, Reynolds is not shy about showing his love and appreciation for this city on and off screen. He uses his platform constantly to support local causes and support the community. His involvement with the food bank and other charities and initiatives makes this city no stranger nor forgotten by Reynolds. He gives Vancouverites a sense of pride when he gives the city a shoutout, and we are always here for it. Maybe when he’s not supporting his Ottawa Senators, but regardless, he’ll always be welcomed back with open arms.

Overall, Ryan Reynolds’s efforts to promote Vancouver through his films are a gem and will always be appreciated. His utilization of this city’s culture and scenic beauty by incorporating landmarks and diverse narratives is so great to see. Not only does he entertain, but he also educates and gives his audiences a taste of what life is like on our West side.