Porterhouse Blue is a classic novel by Tom Sharpe that has been adapted into a TV series and a stage play. While the book's humor and satire mostly revolve around the academic politics of the fictional Porterhouse College, there are some interesting parallels to be drawn between the story and the world of concerts.
Firstly, both Porterhouse Blue and concerts deal with hierarchy and power dynamics. The main conflict in the book is between the old guard of Porterhouse, who want to maintain their elitist traditions, and the new Master, Sir Godber Evans, who wants to modernize the college and make it more inclusive. Similarly, in the world of concerts, there are often tensions between established artists and up-and-coming acts, between promoters and agents, and between different genres of music.
Secondly, the characters in Porterhouse Blue are prone to excess and indulgence, often drinking heavily and engaging in raucous antics. This can definitely be seen in many concert settings, where alcohol and drugs flow freely, and fans let loose in a celebration of music and camaraderie.
Finally, one of the key themes of Porterhouse Blue is the clash between tradition and innovation. At Porterhouse, the old guard insist on following outdated customs and rituals, while Sir Godber wants to shake things up. In the same way, concerts have historically been steeped in tradition – from classical music performances to rock concerts with elaborate light shows and pyrotechnics. However, as technology and consumer tastes change, there is always pressure to innovate and experiment with new formats, venues, and audience engagement strategies.
Overall, Porterhouse Blue may not seem like an obvious point of comparison for the world of concerts, but upon closer inspection, there are certainly some intriguing parallels to be found. Whether you're a fan of Tom Sharpe's biting wit or a regular concertgoer, there's something to be learned from the power struggles, excesses, and clashes of tradition and innovation that are on display in both arenas.