Music is an integral part of so much of what we do, therefore we are passing the Aux cord to an iGaming Expert and checking out what is on their playlist.
This week it’s the turn of John Chyriwsky, the Head of Marketing at Fincore, who revealed how Richard Ashcroft stole the show at Glastonbury and the gig that almost saw him shoeless.
What was your first-ever gig, and what was it like?
My first ever gig was James, 1993 at the Gmex Arena in Manchester. A heaving mass of sweaty bodies chaotically bouncing whilst singing loudly in unison.
It was an intensely brilliant experience. I remember thinking this is it…this is what it feels to be truly alive. And then I lost my shoe, it came off as I bounced, impossible to reach in the congested mass of bouncing bodies… so in the moment, I just forgot about it and got lost in the performance.
At the end of the gig, as the crowds departed, I found it at the front, just next to the stage…as flat as a pancake.
What’s the best performance you have ever seen live, and why was it so good?
Richard Ashcroft at Glastonbury. He headlined the night after the infamous Jay-Z performance. He just strolled on stage saying “last night was alright…but tonight is rock n roll”. He just exuded confidence and star quality, plus his live singing voice is simply amazing.
Is there an artist who, in your eyes, can do no wrong? If so, why?
If there is an artist that can do no wrong, it’s probably one that doesn’t do much at all. One of those that had an insanely brilliant first album and then just stopped, rather than churn out albums of ever decreasing quality.
Even the legends that have done it at the top for decades have turned out some stinkers. It’s the nature of art. Having said all that, I’ve now thought of one. Jarvis Cocker. In between all his brilliance, he’s turned out some stinkers, but I could never get bored of listening to the words he conjures and his soothing voice.
What is your most cherished album, and what makes it so special to you?
The Beatles 1967-1970. The blue one. It was in my Dad’s record collection and I used to constantly have it on the record player.
It was the soundtrack to my childhood, and I was fascinated with the creative and storytelling nature of the songs. Although I’m still trying to work out what the walrus was all about.
What song always makes it to your gym playlist? What activities do you usually do in the gym while listening to it?
It’s got to be The Eye of the Tiger – is there a better gym song than that to get you going? It would be good to replicate Rocky in the gym and punch some frozen raw meat carcasses or chase some chickens, but in reality I’ll probably be fiddling with my phone whilst I’m waiting for someone else to stop using the dumbbells I wanted to use.
Which artist or song helps take your mind off work? Why have you chosen this artist and genre?
Zander the poo. I would class this in the nonsense category. My six yr old son, the aptly named Zander, found this with the help of Alexa. And ever since then it’s been the soundtrack of our playtimes.
If you could go on a night out with any musician, who would it be, and where would you take them?
Assuming this involves being able to resurrect dead musicians, then it would be John Lennon. I think we’d just go for an adventure on a yellow submarine.
