Before going on, you could listen to this clip from the session I ran with in ‘real life’ with the Sound of Pen students. It goes some way to summarising what we mean by significance, why YUNGBLUD is significant and the approach we’ll take to writing essays.

ACTIVITY 1

Start by reading the review of YUNGBLUD’s Wembley show…

YUNGBLUD,@ Wembley Arena

One thing that’s obvious tonight is how fit a rockstar needs to be. And before you start yelling about how looks have got nothing to do with anything that means anything, settle yourself down. I don’t mean fit as in drop-dead gorgeous, I’m talking about how much endless energy it must take to be YUNGBLUD. He runs around Wembley Arena like a dog that’s had its tail pulled for an hour and a half! I mean, I’m definitely keen on not becoming 100 per cent couch potato, but the kind of workout that YUNGBLUD puts himself through this evening? I’d need a good sit down within ten minutes. And I absobloodylutely would not be able to sing.

YUNGBLUD, though, doesn’t stop. He’s a raging hurricane from first song to last. Not that this should really come as a surprise. When have you ever seen him not ready to take on the world? His spirit is infectious – I only need to hear his voice and I start looking for a huge tree to climb or a hungry person to make a jam sandwich for. There’s just something about YUNGBLUD that makes me feel like I can do something BIG. And judging by the crazy noise being made by the effervescent crowd filling Wembley tonight, I’m not the only one. From the moment ’21st Century Liability’ explodes into life, there’s a fierce sense of unity within the venue – it’s clear that the underrated youth are right here and they’re ready for anything.

YUNGBLUD is very aware that he’s ignited a fire. And he’s also tuned into the fact that life is hard. Which makes his message to, “Always keep fighting, always keep kicking,” his most important. Sure, it can sometimes feel as if the cartoonish singer has emerged from the pages of a graphic novel – and the flames on stage tonight do add to the dystopian, dramatic effect – but none of this comes at the expense of soul. Yes, YUNGBLUD makes everyone laugh when he tells the prime minister to: “Listen to the kids… or we will eat you,” but this doesn’t make his hyperbolic style (as Matty Healy might have us believe) meaningless. Rather, it’s evidence of how YUNGBLUD can highlight serious issues without turning everything into a massive drag. And it’s The 1975 frontman’s loss if he can’t recognise that this is about empowerment, equality and empathy – just as much as it’s about eradicating any suggestion that it’s okay to make those ideals seem worthless.

What YUNGBLUD has created is important on so many levels. The sense of “connectedness and community” fizzing around Wembley Arena is testament to the impact he’s made on people’s real lives – as is the sound of EVERYONE singing along to the cathartic ‘parents’, the caffeinated ‘Die For The Hype’ and the colossal ‘mars’.

The critics can say what they want, but there’s no way I’d be betting against YUNGBLUD changing EVERYTHING for the better. Someday, in his usual “comic book style”, he’ll probably be elected leader of the universe! One thing’s for sure – he certainly has the stamina to handle such a role.

ACTIVITY 2

Now, read the analysis of that review – written in response to the task:

EXPLORE THE SIGNIFICANCE OF INEQUALITY

It is impossible to underestimate the significance of inequality for YUNGBLUD. His musical catalogue is dominated by songs that narrate the experience of the marginalised, and it’s likely the singer wouldn’t even be on stage if inequality wasn’t such a significant issue. His reason for being is inextricably linked to the unfairness he’s calling out.

Fighting inequality, battling those with warped ideas and values, wrestling with anyone who wants to replace love with conflict – these are the activities YUNGBLUD puts all his energy into. The article tells us: “He’s a raging hurricane from first song to last.” Hurricanes are particularly intense storms. That YUNGBLUD responds to inequality with parallel levels of intensity underlines the significance of the issue. The rhetorical question – “When have you ever seen him not ready to take on the world?” is key too. That a person is prepared to challenge an entity much bigger than themselves in the name of equality – surely that signposts the significance of the issue.

The response YUNGBLUD receives speaks just as loudly for the significance of inequality. “The crazy noise being made by the effervescent crowd filling Wembley tonight,” signifies how deeply YUNGBLUD’s fans care about the fact that a person might be disadvantaged because of their gender, their sexuality or the way they identify. The enthusiasm inherent in that “effervescent” adjective points to the relief everyone in the venue feels now that they’re surrounded by people who value equality. Think of the bubbles that escape from a bottle of champagne in the moment it’s first opened: those bubbles symbolise the feelings YUNGBLUD’s crowd let go of as they dance around. Inequality must be significant if it makes people feel so restricted in day-to-day life and if the feeling of escaping it is so exhilarating.

It’s worth noting, too, however, that although inequality is clearly significant in the sense that it serves as motivation for the whole event being reported on in the article, it is actually not significant enough to destroy YUNGBLUD and his audience. When he encourages those listening to, “Always keep fighting, always keep kicking,” the adverb (“always”) highlights his belief that the inequality will not crush anyone to the point of being unable to fight back. Insecurity might be significant enough that we have to consciously resist it, but it’s not significant enough that resistance should be considered impossible. Yes, the repetition of that adverb does remind us how significant inequality is – our struggle with it will be long-term – but as individuals, we can find the strength to transcend it.

And it’s important that we finish on that more optimistic note. Yes, inequality is significant. It has, after all, served as the catalyst for Dom Harrison’s transformation into YUNGBLUD. His whole aesthetic has been informed by the inequality he’s rebelling against. Equally, it’s rallied the people who have journeyed to Wembley and – somewhat ironically – fuelled their sense of: “connectedness and community”. Both those words (“connectedness and community”) demonstrate that, ultimately, inequality is not as significant as the desire to overcome it. The repeated “c” consonant is indicative of the underlying fearsomeness at the heart of concepts that might otherwise be misinterpreted as cosy rather than capable, passive rather than powerful.

In conclusion, then, inequality may well be embedded in human history and, as a result, there’s no denying its significance – but YUNGBLUD’s metaphorical “comic book style” helps us to understand that, in the end its significance – right now, at least – is not as non-negotiable as the equality being fought for. And, when YUNGBLUD is referred to as a “comic book” character, we’re reminded that the kind of superheroes we find in comics always win out against the evil that comes their way. Yes, that evil is significant – it acts as fuel for the action – but, ultimately, good will prevail. It is that good – in this case, equality – which repeatedly proves the most significant factor.

ACTIVITY 3

Finally, use the structure outlined in the essay you’ve just read to help you write your own essay.

Choose one of the 5 titles below and EITHER write about a text that you’re studying in class OR write an essay about your own favourite band or singer. Analyse an article you’ve read about that particular artist – or instead of analysing an article, use lyrics from their music to support each stage of your argument.

Here are the titles:

  • Explore the significance of isolation.
  • Explore the significance of dependency.
  • Explore the significance of anger.
  • Explore the significance of despair.
  • Explore the significance of suffering.

Whichever title you pick, use the colour-coding and structural tips to help you…

Opening line: a clear idea and an absolute sense of you being committed to that idea. 

In red font, you’ll find some words we’ll use again – words that will help you to sound as sophisticated as you are (see bottom of page for definitions of these words).

Argue that the theme in question is obviously significant because look at the fight it sets up. Look at the battle it creates for – and the energy it demands from – the main character/artist. Look at how it acts as a catalyst for the character’s/artist’s words and actions.

Argue that the theme’s significance is evidenced even further in the response the masses have to it. Look at how the people other than the main character/artist respond to it – or how they’re reported to have responded to it.

Argue that actually the theme we’ve discussed can ultimately be seen as less significant than the hope/unity/togetherness/positivity it actually ignites.

Aim to use these 4 words in your writing:

  • catalyst: something that serves as the cause for a sudden action or change.
  • inextricably: in a way that is impossible to disentangle or separate.
  • transcend: to go beyond or rise above a limit; to be greater than something ordinary.
  • aesthetic: a set of principles underlying the work of a particular artist or artistic movement.

Enjoy!