Turns out Kendrick Lamar’s controversial win in triple j‘s Hottest 100 of 2017 isn’t the only thing that’s got music fans spitting fire.
Plenty of commentators are pissed about the lack of love for the heavier genres in this year’s countdown.
As Chris O’Brien, former Soundwave GM and current Head of Touring at heavy promoter Destroy All Lines tweeted: “Huge congrats to all the Metal/Punk heavy acts that made it into the #Hottest100 today starting with…oh wait there was none.
“Not surprised I don’t know anyone that listens to triple j that loves heavy music they have all switched to Spotify,” he added.
Huge congrats to all the Metal/Punk heavy acts that made it into the #Hottest100 today starting with…oh wait there was none. Not surprised I don’t know anyone that listens to triple j that loves heavy music they have all switched to Spotify.
— Chriswhatavibe (@chriswhatavibe) January 27, 2018
Arguably the heaviest song to feature in this year’s Hottest 100 was ‘Amsterdam’ by English alt-rockers Nothing But Thieves down at #70, but there was nothing else from the punk, rock or metalcore scene to be, well, seen.
And that’s a new low compared to recent years.
Last year’s Hottest Hundo saw The Amity Affliction chart three times, alongside tunes from Luca Brasi, Violent Soho and Blink-182, as well as Birds Of Tokyo’s heaviest tune ever, ‘Brace’ scraping in at #100.
Whereas the year before saw Parkway Drive chart twice, Bring Me The Horizon nab three songs in the countdown alongside tunes from Amity, Soho and The Bennies.
The heavier genres did get at least some love in the second-Hottest 100 or ‘Hottest 200’ of 2017, with tunes from Tonight Alive, Polaris, Architects, Trophy Eyes and Royal Blood all getting a guernsey this year.
But heavy music lovers are still taking triple j to task over the genre’s lack of representation overall, arguing that the shortage of votes for their favourite artists is aligned with the level of support that the J’s gives heavy music on its airwaves.
the largest festival in Aus music history (rip soundwave) celebrated all things heavy with no radio support whatsoever. Imagine if radio actually embraced it instead of flogging acts to death that are lucky to sell out a corner or two.
— Chriswhatavibe (@chriswhatavibe) January 27, 2018
Plenty of other pundits from the heavy scene have weighed in on the subject, including former I Killed The Prom Queen/Confession frontman Michael Crafter, Polaris manager Ash Hull, ex-Soundwave boss AJ Maddah and more.
This writer for one is gobsmacked that Ocean Grove didn’t figure into the Hottest 200. What the hell is wrong with you Australia??
Seriously though, I reckon it’s probably a very similar phenomenon to the kind of ‘voter fatigue’ that young people seem to experience with Aussie elections that makes them NGAF about participating. Most heavy music fans seem to feel pretty disengaged from triple J because it doesn’t exactly represent their interests. They feel like their vote won’t count anyway (especially when you have to lodge half of your top 10 in manually), so they just don’t vote at all.
Whatever your thoughts, this year’s Hottest 100 has triggered a big conversation about the amount of support that Aussie radio gives heavy music, which TBH definitely seems like a conversation worth having.
Have a read of some pundits’ and fans’ thoughts, below.
I have never understood it but even when Soundwave was at the peak it was still mainly ignored. Considering over 300,000 turned up one year alone you would think it would turn heads. Nope all the focus was on 15k festivals
— Chriswhatavibe (@chriswhatavibe) January 27, 2018
No matter how much evidence I presented there was always a "no, they're too left field for us" or "its too heavy/risky to play". Like you can literally train a new wave of loyal fans who'll keep listening for years by starting now and help deserving bands on the process…
— Paul 'Browny' Brown (@brownypaul) January 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/ash_hull95/status/957183317241032709
That’s because heavy music lovers have switched off in there droves. Too many years of being ignored so when there is a rare spotlight on a heavy act the listeners just aren’t there. They can get them back of course but it will take a sustained effort
— Chriswhatavibe (@chriswhatavibe) January 27, 2018
Yeah. I'm mostly Double J these days. ?
— AJ (@iamnotshouting) January 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/lochlanwatt/status/957490907162361856
Ya joking shoulda been higher https://t.co/xhxwCqpJ8b
— UNFD (@unfdcentral) January 28, 2018
Did triple J cut all the #Hottest100 votes for Heavy music due to complaints from recent years, what is this bullshit. I swear to God if @trophyeyesmusic get 101 there is some bullshit
— Reyman? (@Reyman_OG) January 27, 2018
https://twitter.com/MashThemeSong/status/957180243785146368
