Beats and Bleachers Goes to Europe!

 

Beats & Bleachers Goes to Europe!

Welcome to "Beats & Bleachers," where music meets the game! This is your ultimate destination for everything: music and sports! Each week on Thursdays, the "Beats" segment will bring you reviews and recommendations for five songs, each from a different genre of music, helping you discover new tunes and artists. Meanwhile, in "Bleachers," I will highlight top sports stories, including game recaps, athletic achievements, and more. Whether you're here for the rhythm or the roar of the crowd, there's something for everyone!

Beats: 

    Each week, in the Beats section of this blog, I will post my "Beats of the Week". For this segment of the blog, I will choose five songs, one from each genre of music: pop, rock, hip-hop, country, and jazz. I will give a brief synopsis and review of each song in the hopes that you might add a new song to your playlist. This week, I am writing from across the pond in Belgium and the Netherlands, as I am on tour with the Bradley Jazz Ensemble and Chorale. Because of this, this week's list of tunes is brought to you by European artists!

Pop: Viva La Vida -- Coldplay (England)

    Released in 2008 from Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends, Coldplay’s "Viva La Vida" is a sweeping pop anthem that skyrocketed the British band to new heights. Chris Martin croons about fallen kings and revolutions, backed by lush strings and a triumphant beat that feels both grand and personal. It snagged a Grammy for Song of the Year, blending introspective lyrics with stadium-sized energy. Inspired by Frida Kahlo’s painting and French history, it’s a rare pop tune that’s as brainy as it is catchy. Over a decade later, it’s still the go-to for anyone craving an emotional, singalong escape.

Rock: With Or Without You -- U2 (Ireland)

    Dropped in 1987 on The Joshua Tree, U2’s "With or Without You" is a brooding rock classic that defined the Irish quartet’s golden era. Bono’s aching vocals weave a tale of love’s push-and-pull, layered over The Edge’s shimmering guitar and a pulsing bassline from Adam Clayton. It was their first U.S. No. 1 hit, cementing their global takeover with its raw, slow-burn intensity. Recorded in a Dublin mansion, the track’s haunting vibe—amped by Brian Eno’s production—still grips you tight. It’s the kind of song that lingers, equal parts heartbreak and hope.

Hip-Hop: Les Princes de la Ville - 113 (France)

    From their 1999 album of the same name, "Les Princes de la Ville" by French rap trio 113 is a gritty snapshot of life in Paris’ tough suburbs. Rim’K, AP, and Mokobé spit raw rhymes about street hustle and immigrant roots, mixing French with Arabic flair over a funky, head-nodding beat. Hailing from Vitry-sur-Seine, they channeled the banlieue’s pulse, making it a anthem for France’s hip-hop boom—second only to the U.S. in scale. It’s unpolished and real, blending defiance with pride. This track’s a time capsule of ‘90s French rap swagger that still resonates.

Country: "Fisherman's Blues" -- The Waterboys (Scotland)

    Released in 1988 from the album Fisherman’s Blues, this Scottish gem by The Waterboys is a rollicking folk-country hybrid that feels like a windy seaside tale. Mike Scott’s soulful growl pines for freedom and love, backed by fiddles and mandolins that nod to Celtic roots with a country twang. Recorded in Ireland with a revolving crew, it’s got a raw, live-off-the-floor energy that hooks you instantly. It hit No. 32 in the UK, a sleeper hit blending Americana with Scottish spirit. It’s the perfect tune for a road trip or a pint by the fire.

Jazz: "Jazz Is My Lifestyle" -- Gunhild Carling (Sweden)

    Swedish jazz dynamo Gunhild Carling dropped "Jazz Is My Lifestyle" in 2014, a swinging ode to her freewheeling life in music. Her brassy vocals and trombone chops channel the roaring ‘20s, backed by a lively big band that’s pure retro joy. Known for juggling instruments—sometimes three at once—this track off her self-titled album is a love letter to jazz’s golden age. It’s playful yet polished, with a vibe that screams speakeasy cool. Carling’s a one-woman show, and this song’s her calling card—infectious and full of heart. 

    The Bradley Jazz Ensemble had the incredible opportunity to play three shows with Gunhild back at the end of February, 2025 as a part of the Kolb Women In Music Concert and the 20th Anniversary Bradley Jazz Festival. She is a powerhouse of energy and talent that simply radiates joy to everyone in the room with her. I had the pleasure of getting to duet her arrangement of "Mack the Knife" with Gunhild, and I will remember it forever. Go check out the amazing music of the Queen of Swing: Gunhild Carling.

Bleachers: 

    Welcome to the "Bleachers"! Here, we will take a dive into the thrilling world of sports, bringing you anything from the latest highlights, game analyses, athletic achievements, and much more! Whether you're celebrating a big play or witnessing a nail-biting finish, the bleachers are where the magic of sports truly comes alive. As I previously mentioned in "Beats", I am writing from across the pond in Belgium and the Netherlands while on tour with the Bradley Jazz Ensemble and Chorale. Because of this, I thought this would be the perfect time to get out of my comfort zone and talk some Premier League football!

The Premier League:

   The Premier League is England’s top-tier professional football league, renowned as one of the world’s most competitive and widely watched sports competitions. Launched on February 20, 1992, it broke away from the Football League, which had governed English football since 1888, to seize control of its own lucrative broadcasting rights—a move sparked by top clubs wanting a bigger slice of the TV revenue pie. Initially comprising 22 teams, it settled at 20 by the 1995-96 season, operating on a promotion-relegation system with the EFL Championship: the bottom three drop, and the Championship’s top two plus a playoff winner rise. Governed by its member clubs rather than the FA, it’s a corporate beast run by a CEO (Richard Masters as of late), with its first season kicking off in August 1992 and Manchester United claiming the inaugural title under Sir Alex Ferguson. Over three decades, it’s grown from a domestic league into a global juggernaut, fueled by iconic moments like Arsenal’s 2003-04 "Invincibles" run and Leicester City’s fairy-tale 2015-16 triumph.

    Fast forward to today, and the Premier League’s 2024-25 season is mid-stride, showcasing its enduring dominance in both football and European culture. With a 38-game campaign stretching from August to May, it pulls in over £6 billion yearly from broadcast deals, sponsorships, and ticket sales, dwarfing most European rivals—think LaLiga or Serie A—and luring stars like Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah. Its cultural clout spans 212 territories, reaching 643 million households, turning pubs from London to Lisbon into matchday hubs and inspiring fashion, music, and even slang (“top bins” anyone?). This season’s tight race—five points between fourth and tenth—mirrors its unpredictable appeal, while its push for net-zero carbon by 2040 nods to Europe’s green wave. English clubs’ success in Europe—five of seven still alive in continental competitions—could snag up to seven Champions League spots for 2025-26, cementing the Premier League’s heavyweight status on the continent.

The Latest in Premier League News:

    The past week has been a rollercoaster in the Premier League, with today’s action stealing the show. Nottingham Forest’s 2-0 win over Ipswich Town on March 15 has them nipping at Arsenal’s heels, just one point off second, while Manchester City’s 2-2 draw with Brighton—Haaland’s penalty undone by Joao Pedro’s free-kick—marks their fifth straight game without a win, per The Independent. Last weekend’s stunner saw Forest topple City 1-0, shoving Pep Guardiola’s side out of the top four, while Chelsea climbed with a 1-0 Leicester scalp, per Yahoo Sports. Mid-season standings are wild: Liverpool lead with a 15-point cushion, followed by Arsenal, Forest, and Chelsea, with City fifth and a pack including Newcastle, Bournemouth, and Villa within striking distance. Off-field, the league’s eyeing a U.S. Summer Series in July, but today’s headlines belong to Forest’s Champions League charge—45 years since their last taste—and City’s rare wobble, shaking up the title race.

That's a wrap for this week's Beats & Bleachers! Thanks for tuning in! I hope you enjoyed my European-inspired "Beats of the Week," as well as the latest news out of the Premier League. Whether you were here for the music, the sports, or both, I appreciate you joining me. Stay tuned for more beats to move to and more games to cheer for. Until next time, keep the music playing and the spirit of the game alive!