From Flower Vase to Film Emperor in Hollywood

Anson-Wood: "Sorry I didn't watch this year's award ceremony; but I heard it was a successful event, and the award ceremony was wonderful. Congratulations to every winner."

Reporter: ...

Academy: ...

Question: Did Anson just slap the Academy in the face?

Understated, calm, poised, and free.

That carefree and content demeanor, the subtext was too obvious: I don't care.

On the one hand, the Academy was wholeheartedly preparing to retaliate against Anson, flaunting its power like a peacock displaying its feathers, trying to grab Anson's attention, to make Anson regret, to make Anson annoyed, to make Anson know his insignificance.

On the other hand, Anson didn't care at all, and didn't even watch the award ceremony.

So, who won?

The Academy executives had their breath stuck in their throats, their cheeks flushed red, they simply couldn't believe that they had been slapped in the face by Anson again—

Whoever cares, loses.

Petty, narrow-minded, small-minded, and shameful.

This is how people now see the Academy executives.

The point is, after Anson responded, the media was silent, not kicking them when they were down, not gloating, not even following up with reports.

The topic of "Academy VS Anson" disappeared just like that.

A small number of netizens noticed, and they said that the Academy must have silenced the media, making it a taboo topic, forbidden to discuss.

If that's really the case, then the Academy has lost all face, both literally and figuratively, lacking grace, magnanimity, and brains.

Academy: It wasn't me, I didn't, I don't know anything.

This time, they were telling the truth. The Academy didn't pressure the media. Instead, it was Eve who told the media to stop, saying there was no need to continue humiliating the Academy.

The media also realized the seriousness of the matter. If they continued to relentlessly attack the Academy executives, losing face was a small matter, but provoking them to anger would be bad.

So, one by one, they stopped, and the topic came to an abrupt end.

However, things were not that simple.

When all subsequent topics disappeared, there was a dead silence. Not only did netizens notice the anomaly, but buckets of dirty water were naturally poured on the Academy; and reporters also noticed the anomaly. That silence turned into pity and sympathy for the Academy, or perhaps fear and dread.

Precisely because things were bad enough, the reporters were afraid of angering the Academy, so they chose to remain silent, but such silence proved the Academy's misery.

Silence also became an attack, completing the final fatal blow to the Academy, beating a dog when it's down.

Awkward.

The Academy never expected that even though the award ceremony was a great success, and even though Anson was just an insignificant pretty boy, why did they still feel like they had lost?

...What's going on?

However, this was still not all, the nightmare was not over—

February 29th, the day of the Oscars; at the same time, it was also the day Warner Records joined forces with Apple to throw a blockbuster news into the North American music market.

First, Apple, August 31st Band's performance of "Another Light" at the Grammy Awards, was officially launched on iTunes on February 29th.

Secondly, Warner Records, August 31st Band's debut album "Midsummer Midnight" special deluxe edition will be officially released on February 29th.

Academy: ...Is this a publicity stunt?

This is a publicity stunt, this is 100% a publicity stunt. Following the Grammys, Apple and Warner Records also chose to do a publicity stunt. What are you planning?

Warner Records said, what publicity stunt? Don't talk nonsense.

August 31st Band chose to release the single and the special deluxe edition of the album on February 29th because of this day, the special existence of the leap year, just like the band's name, it is the last day of summer. They chose February 29th, this special day that only comes once every four years, to release the single "Another Light", representing a unique existence.

Moreover, the Oscars are an award ceremony, and August 31st Band is only releasing singles and albums, not even a concert. The nature of the activities is completely different and there is no comparability. Please respect yourselves, Academy, get rid of the idea of ​​being paranoid, and stop clinging to Anson.

The Academy was directly choked. Were they being turned on?

However, Warner Records didn't care whether the Academy's group of old scholars were happy or not. The hot topics of the Grammys and Oscars were there, and they would use them if they didn't. They weren't doing charity work. It was the truth to fully use hot topics to hype news and create topics.

Choosing to release the album and single on February 29th, those settings were not nonsense. Warner Records and Apple did have well-thought-out ideas; however, what's wrong with taking advantage of the Oscars' popularity?

However, do fans care?

The answer is no.

At this moment, there is only one thought in the minds of fans:

"Another Light" is coming!

Finally! This time, there is no need to wait bitterly for two years like "Wake Me Up". Soon, they will be able to repeatedly listen to and collect this song on their own devices.

Moreover, "Midsummer Midnight" is actually going to release a special deluxe edition!

Generally speaking, albums with excellent sales will launch deluxe editions, special editions, collector's editions, etc., in order to drive sales and promote publicity.

Fans often complain about "record companies using unscrupulous means to make money", but they still can't control themselves from continuing to collect those special editions.

Previously, "Midsummer Midnight" had launched a limited edition vinyl record and received rave reviews. Fans praised Warner Records for not taking the usual path and using money-making methods, but they didn't expect to be slapped in the face in a blink of an eye.

When Warner Records announced that it would launch the "Midsummer Midnight" special deluxe edition, there was a wave of scolding on the Internet, and they attacked August 31st Band for being crazy about money, and they were willing to destroy their reputation and embark on the road of making money, which was really disgusting.

The so-called special deluxe edition is probably just adding a song "Another Light", but it requires fans to open their wallets again for this song and spend ten dollars or even more expensive to buy the special deluxe edition.

"One song, ten dollars."

This has also become a meme on online forums, spreading mightily.

Of course, some netizens also maintain August 31st Band—

When the band won four Grammy Awards, this album is worth a special edition, and they are willing to buy an album for collection.

What's more, the vinyl record is limited, and countless fans wanted to buy it for collection but were unable to do so. Now the special deluxe edition can finally fulfill their wishes.

"Midsummer Midnight", worth it!

However, no matter how supportive and supportive the voices are, controversy has still arisen, and various different voices have begun to emerge, vaguely out of control.

The voices of expectation and unease, accusation and praise, complaint and support are intertwined, coupled with the double blessing of the Grammy and Oscar topics, the "Midsummer Midnight" special deluxe edition debuted on February 29th.

Of course, there is also the single "Another Light".