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Music

We Asked a Bunch of Teens from Quebec Why They Liked Boston (the Band, Not the City)

Kids these days reeeally seem to love "More Than A Feeling."

Laurye, Julie, Victoria, Kennedy, Adrienne. All of whom consented to this photo

Last night, Quebec City held day seven of their 48th annual music festival Festival D’ete featuring a roster of today’s best new acts and popular and highly heralded legacy bands. Legendary 70s rock band, Boston certainly holds the title of the latter. With over 31 million albums sold in US alone (and probably the US alone), Boston is an American institution—but more importantly they are the godfather of Nirvana’s biggest hit and responsible for classic rock staple “More Than A Feeling.” As I’m sure you can guess, 50-and-over citizens, dad-bods, and fans of U2 B-sides were all in attendance in Quebec, ready to relive the wonders years of their youth. And yet, for whatever reason there was an oddly large amount of teens—namely young women—also there to watch the show. Some of them even seemed… excited to see the band. Perhaps the young denizens of Quebec City are a more culturally advanced group than the rest of the world, or maybe on the strength of their talent the band had crossed the generation gap?

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Curiosity piqued, I journeyed to dig up the truth all whilst having to preface every conversation with “do you speak English?” and the intense gaze of passer-bys as I asked for the age of minors. In accordance with the legal process and respect of minor’s consent, we must note that most of the parties involved declined to take a photo. As such we’ve replaced them with pictures of Boston.

Continued below.

Plaunt, Legal guardian and Alicia, 15

Why do you guys like Boston?
Chauvette: Because I like the sound of the guitar and the music, yeah.

Do you guys have a favourite song?
Alicia: “More than a feeling” I would say.
Plant: “More than a feeling” and “Amanda.”

Why do people like Amanda?
Plant: [sings] I’m going to tell you… I’m going to tell them right away, another day Amanda. You don’t know the song?

No, I don't. I thought you wrote that but this is great for research.
Plant: They’re great it’s like the Doobie Brothers but with a lot of songs and that’s it. But we really like them although we’re here for the whole festival.

For those who don’t know who Boston is, what would you like to tell them?
Alicia: We don’t know much.
Plant: The guitarist is one of the 100, on this list. Yeah, one of the 100 best guitar players like he just starts playing like this [starts air guitaring]
Alicia: He’s a pianist.
Plant: He is also the hundred best in the world so this is a good musician.

Mariko,14 and her friend, Mute.

When did you first hear about Boston?
Mariko: I had to sing some of their songs at talent shows but seriously I don't know the titles of the songs. I just know them That makes sense. [laughs]
Mute:

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How long have you guys been waiting to get in?
Mariko: Not long it was really fast; half an hour to forty minutes. Actually, no we were waiting for like 20 minutes.

What should people know about the band Boston?
Mariko: They’re a really old band. I think it's a classic band. Well like I don't know how to explain it, it's like folk-pop but… it's kind of hard to say.

Why did you want to see them?
Mute:

Does Boston make happy or sad music?
Mariko: Really happy. So if I broke up with my girlfriend or wanted to kill myself there would be no songs in their discography that I could listen to?
Mariko: I don't know about that maybe there are some songs there.
Mute: They’re great

Galibeau, 15

Why do you like Boston?
Galibeau: I only know one or two songs and it was in the game Guitar Hero. I heard them in that game.

Now for somebody who doesn’t listen to Boston why should they?
Galibeau: I don't know. I just know that song. Umm… “More Than A Feeling.”

But you’re going to be waiting almost two hours for them to play right?
Galibeau: Yeah.

Kathia and Roxanne-Rose,18

What’s your favourite song by Boston?
Kathia: “More Than A Feeling.” It’s the first one I ever heard and it's catchy.
Roxx: Yeah that’s the same thing for me.

Now for somebody that doesn’t listen to Boston why should I listen to their music?
Kathia: They’re popular and their songs give you feelings.

So Boston makes very emotional music?
Kathia: Yeah, just any song by them if you have a memory connected with them.

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What memories are those?
Kathia:It reminds me of my Dad. I don't cry when I listen to it but it's like oh my god my Dad

Laurye, Julie, Victoria, Kennedy, Adrienne, 15

What’s your favourite song by Boston. Wait, let me guess…
Together: “More Than A Feeling”!

What does everybody say that?
Together: The lyrics are very inspirational.
Laurye: The message conveyed in the songs is really something.

Have you ever had a special moment with that song, is that why you like it?
Laurye: On vacation in Florida. Kennedy: I was with her.

Did you guys only come here for Boston?
Adrienne: No, we also came here for a boy. Well she did. [points at Victoria] *they all giggle*
Laurye: And Skrillex.

Aww, does your boyfriend listen to Boston?
Victoria: Yeah.

What's his favourite song?
Victoria: I don’t know. Probably “More than A Feeling.”

Somebody told me earlier Boston makes very emotional music. Could I cry to their music?
Victoria: Yes, you will cry. Oh, you will cry.

Is there anything else I should know about Boston?
Laurye: It’s an old people band.
Adrienne: Normally, it's only for old people but you will like it.

So, only old people will like this band?
Adrienne: Normally, but we like them.

Because you’re different?
Together:YES!

Lydia and Zoe, 17 & 18

Why do you like Boston?
Lydia: My Dad showed me the music so I grew up with it and I love it. I love 80s bands. Zoe: Yeah my Dad played it around me when I was younger.

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What’s your favourite song?
Together: “More Than A Feeling”

Jesus, don’t they have any other songs?
Lydia: I don’t know it just pumps you up. I drive to it all the time it's like the first song on my CD I just go for it.

Wait, I don’t hear an accent. Do you guys even live in Quebec?
Lydia:No, we’re from the US but not Boston.

Does Boston make happy music?
Zoe: think happy.

So, you’ve never cried to Boston?
Lydia: No. Like I’m sure there’s music from them you could listen to but I like listening to peppy ones.
Zoe: I don’t really listen to a lot of their songs I only really listen to like two.

Oh good they have more than one song.
Zoe:Yeah I can’t remember the name. I’m kind of having a brain fart right now.
Lydia: Like a lot of the songs I know, I don't even know the name of them but I grew up with the band and I know they’re awesome.
Lydia: What’s your favourite song from Boston?
I’m a fan of their deeper album cuts so probably, “More Than A Feeling.”

Jabbari Weekes has more than a feeling he will go to jail after this - @DaysandWeekes