Rock ‘n’ roll is in hard times. The ‘rockstars’ of old are steadily tailing off and there’s an apparent lack of heirs to the throne waiting in the wings to take their place. The airwaves are filled with commercially friendly hip hop and melt-in-your-mouth pop music. In times like these, the day of the rock superstar seems little more than a distant memory. Still, when Kanye West professed himself to be the ‘Greatest living rockstar on the planet’ to the masses at Glastonbury this year, brows were furrowed. Surely, not? Many a puritan turned up their noses in disgust. How could this pretender, pratting about on a cherrypicker dressed in decorating clobber, dare to make such an audacious claim?
Then again, what is the litmus test for 21st century ‘rockstardom’ in any case? Is it an affinity with the audacity and glamour of rock ‘n’ roll’s extravagant heyday; the outrageous rider demands, the grandeur of limousine rides and feather boas? Or has it broadened beyond that, and come to define a more artistic, creative mindset; a seeming nonchalance, a knack for controversy and an unshakeable faith in one’s own brilliance?
The good folks of The Indiependent have aimed to answer this question once and for all: by making the case for who they believe is worthy of the title of ‘greatest living rockstar.’
Yannis Philippakis
Now, I will preface my portion here by saying I do not believe there should be a fight over the title of “Greatest Living Rockstar”- that there isn’t just one. Nor do I believe it should be some hip hop vs rock n roll fight, for both genres have shown that they can coexist and compliment one another. I do not believe rock n roll itself has ever been a contest. However, if one were to consider who may be one of today’s quote greatest living rockstars, my choice certainly should make that list – especially since indie rock, being the massive scene that it is, surely deserves a contender.
Yannis Philippakis – lead singer of Oxford, UK indie band Foals, and all around general badass, is an intense character on the UK music scene. Stocky, dark-haired and with a unique name that reflect his Greek heritage, Yannis has led the Foals fivesome from the Oxford house party scene to headlining sets on major festival stages around the world, and to some huge venues that most indie bands never dream to play. Not to mention the rest of the world, including “cracking” America, so to speak – all with a wild, tenacious stage presence and intense lyricism and vocals. Anyone who has had the pleasure of seeing Foals live knows the antics that often occur, most all Yannis’ doing. When he’s not crowd surfing with his black Travis Bean and a wireless kit, he’s climbing onto balconies and stage rafters before letting the audience catch him, and emptying his water bottle onto the first few rows.
Then there is his lyrical talents. Foals’ music has evolved from catchy, angular math rockish indie with seemingly nonsensical word salad lyrics, to at times atmospheric and nebulous, and at others, gritty, intense, and visceral. Yannis’ lyrics have always shown yearnings of the heart, laments of the brain and riproaring in-your-faceness. His vocal style, from the soft croons (think “Moon” and “Spanish Sahara”), to shouts (“Balloons”), to a near roar (“Inhaler”, “Providence”), is versatile and compliments Foals’ nonconformist style well.
Quite simply, Yannis Philippakis is the unforgettable face of one of the most innovative and popular indie bands in the world today. His ferocious stage presence, his lyrics – yearning, aggressive, poetic, and his dominating persona make the band all the more fascinating. After all, it was he who tweeted the immortal words: “Fuck Kanye. I am Shakespeare“.
Words by Nana Gongadze