As if hearing ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ did not hurt enough after England barged home another try, matters are about to get worse.
There is no bigger example of passionate, patriotic boisterousness than being in Twickenham on the day of a big match.
English rugby’s headquarters is a daunting place to play and the white-hot atmosphere has driven the home team on and gotten the better of opposition sides on many occasions.
When, then, the RFU is opting to pipe in rock and pop music after tries are scored during the Six Nations is beyond us.
Nothing says real sporting drama like novelty music being piped into the ground after a try
— Emlyn Begley (@EmlynBegley) March 21, 2015
The union has confirmed to The Telegraph that it will play ‘try stings’ whenever an English player crosses the white-wash in games against France, Italy and Scotland. The playlist is likely to follow songs from the following acts:
- The Rolling Stones
- Madness
- Queen
- Blur
You wouldn’t find them piping in Oasis at ‘Twickers’…
An RFU spokesperson told the newspaper that the practice was tested during last November’s Test matches at the stadium. The spokesperson commented:
“We tested a number of different approaches… including not using music at all during two of the games.
“Fan research during and after the series showed that music at key moments – and only at the key, big moments, and not played regularly throughout the game – is popular and can add to the atmosphere.
“This is about enhancing an intense sporting atmosphere in a packed stadium. Our approach to music will be ‘less is more’ – and we will use it for the big moments where it can add to and not detract from an authentic, passionate crowd.”
Where piping artificial music into sports grounds is concerned, less is definitely more.
