What Happened in 2011?


BY BURAK ŞAHİN (IR/IV)
burak_s@ug.bilkent.edu.tr

This is my last column of 2011, and I would like to review the year in music. As in every year, we lost some important musicians, and saw some breakups, reunifications, success stories, unexpected fights and anticipated comebacks. Before ending the year, I'd also like to mention BBC's Sound of 2012, which predicts future stars. Here is the summary of 2011:

 

Adele's Success…
Adele affected us deeply in 2011. She was one of most inspirational women of the year, without a doubt. Even those who hate her can't deny her success. Adele even broke Amy's sales record in the UK, with "21" becoming the best-selling British album of the century, and went on to break sales records in the US as well.

PJ Harvey & the Mercury Prize
As I've mentioned before, the Mercury Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in the UK, and until this year, no one had ever won it twice. But now, PJ Harvey has won the Mercury Prize for a second time with her magnificent album "Let England Shake."

R.I.P. Amy Winehouse
A star has gone from the earth. Amy Winehouse died July 23, 2011, at age 27. While touring, Amy did not feel well, and performed her last gig in Belgrade. Although she arrived in Istanbul for another concert after that, she was not strong enough to go on stage. In the end, the worst possible news reached us. We will all remember her, with her unforgettable characteristics as well as her accomplishments.

Jazz Legend Passes Away
Another piece of sad news came from the jazz world. Gil Scott-Heron died on May 27, 2011. This American musician and poet was counted as one of the legends of jazz and also blues. He influenced many songwriters and singers with his brilliant lyrics and melodies.

R.E.M. Breaks Up
The American alternative rock band announced that they had split after 21 years. They released their last album, "Collapse Into Now," and ended their musical careers. Actually, this decision had been expected, but after the release of such a successful album, the split made us more upset.

White St'R.I.P.'es
Another breakup was that of White Stripes. This group, a producer of indie music anthems, decided to disband this year. Jack and Meg White could not stay together any longer, and so they divorced and also split up the band.

Stone Roses Reunites
The English rock band decided to recreate the best episode in its respective members' careers, and so reunited 15 years after its breakup in 1996. On October 18, we all heard the good news that Ian Brown was getting the crew back together. They've already announced their 2012 world tour. Our mission will be to catch them somewhere next summer.

Pearl Jam Celebrates 20th Anniversary
Pearl Jam challenged all the other bands by celebrating their 20th anniversary this year. Eddie Vedder and his friends released a documentary called "Pearl Jam Twenty," directed by Cameron Crowe, and proved that they'll keep on rocking.

Beyonce & Glastonbury!
One of the most important rock festivals in not only the UK but the entire world, the Glastonbury Festival, welcomed Beyonce as a headliner in 2011. This was the first time that a woman singer was the headline act on the famous Pyramid Stage.

Great Comebacks!
Some bands came out with highly anticipated new albums during the year. Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Strokes, Radiohead and Foo Fighters released new records that made us happy in 2011.

BBC Sound of 2012
BBC has announced its nominees for the sound of next year. Their choices have often made future stars -- for example, Adele, Mika, Jessie J, Keane… Here are some artists you'll probably hear more from in 2012:

  •  A$AP Rocky
  • Azealia Banks
  • Dot Rotten
  • Dry The River
  • Flux Pavilion
  • Friends
  • Jamie N Commons
  • Lianne La Havas
  • Michael Kiwanuka
  • Niki & The Dove
  • Skrillex
  • Spector
  • Stooshe