As promised yesterday on Twitter, I’m revisiting the subject of our fan community today in the blog. Ok, so the reality is that there’s no breaking Duran news for me to report….I admit it. 😉 In all seriousness though, is it just me or does anyone else out there in Duranland (Duranverse? Durankingdom??) notice how cutthroat the community can be at times?
I have no frame of reference for other fan communities, as I only have enough time and energy for one truly favorite band! I just know that after so many years of being a Duran Duran fan and being involved in the community – it’s very hard to ignore the constant game playing that seems to take precedence over friendship whenever the band is involved. That said, why is it so important to make sure that you have the “most”? For instance, the most pictures with the band, the most drumsticks from Roger, the most meet and greets, or the most and best information with regard to where the band is staying or hanging out after a show. Are those things really that important, and do they really make someone more or less of a fan if they do or do not have them? I’m not sure I can really answer that question within the framework of our blog…so let me bring up a few thoughts to ponder:
Why is it that men don’t seem to have a problem “sharing” the band? What I mean by that is specifically – when I’m on a board, or at a show and I want to know something, whether it’s where everyone is staying before a show, where I can find a picture/unreleased song/album, etc, where everyone is going after a show, etc – if I ask just about any Duran fan that is male – they have absolutely no issue telling me.
What do we really get out of playing “the game”? Honestly. Think about that. Yeah, I suppose you could say that you’ve got a boatload of drumsticks at home, or an entire album filled with pictures of yourself with all members of the band….but really, does that REALLY get you anything else in life? Call me crazy, but if you’re willing to throw other fans, possibly other friends under the bus in order to get closer to the band…what are you really getting out of it?
Lastly for today, when does it end? Meaning – at what point do you think the band will become less of a trophy to win and more like something special that connects all of us? The band is something to be celebrated, not something that should require strategic networking, secrecy and deception. I’m not saying that we should all go to our nearest Duran Duran board and broadcast that the band is staying at such and such hotel – that’s just stupid – but on the same token, the next time someone comes up to you after a show and says “Hey, where are you guys hanging out after the show?” Maybe, just maybe….you’ll feel comfortable telling a fellow fan. After all, at this point in our lives, we should be celebrating the fact that the band still tours and plays a great show.
Tomorrow (barring any exciting news from the band…): A set of FAQ’s for any “new” fan to a message board!
-R
I would absolutely LOVE, LOVE, LOVE if other fans would come in and respond to this, including Duranies and people from other fandoms!
-A
I am happy to know Duranies who are willing to let me come along witht hem for the fun, even though I am not an uber-fan — I don't have a pile of drumsticks at home, I've met the band once and feel that is enough for me and am not jockeying for position to meet them again. I enjoy seeing Duran and the fun that goes along with it, but once the games begin, as you know, I'm happy to hoof it back to my hotel!
That is EXACTLY the point, Avellana – we don't think anyone should HAVE to be an uber-fan. Our community has gotten so incredibly judgmental, and really, that's not helping anybody. Call me crazy, but I'm more than happy to hang out at a bar after the show with my good friends and laugh away the night. That's really what being in a COMMUNITY is all about. The rest of that nonsense…well, that's really all it is, isn't it? Sure, meeting the band is fantastic – they've been our idols for years at this point (*coughs* decades….), and yes…yes it's amazing to be able to say you hung out with them somewhere – but what good is all of that if you come away with nothing else? I think it's the friendships you make along the way that are worth far more in the end. Thanks for commenting!!
Thanks for pointing out something I have seen in the fandom since 2000. There are fans out there that would sell their family members if it meant getting to be near the band. I've seen so much back-stabbing and drama in the fandom its mind blowing. I just happened to be staying in the same hotel as the band for a show in St. Louis, July 22,2005 and the stuff I saw was appalling. I saw the most reprehensible behaviour from what were supposedly grown women. The guys were being mauled, literally. Nick managed to escape to the elevator, to his room, not to be seen again. Simon and Roger eventually holed themselves up in the Wine bar. I've since then been distancing myself from the fanbase. Done with the drama.
Well, I can't really comment directly about St. Louis because I wasn't there. That said, I can certainly agree with the circus I've seen after other shows. It's a shame, to be honest. I know of other bands that can actually go to a bar after a show, be friendly with fans and not have the fans go ballistic….but for some reason, with Duran Duran, that still isn't the case. Perhaps that's a good subject for another blog! Good seeing you here, Netrage!