Crowd

Crowd

To squeeze into an area.

I want to take this moment to honor the brave tributes from every American high school that dedicated themselves to mastering the Busta Rhymes verse from “Look at Me Now”. This iconic illustration of syllability (thanks for the term, Logic) is a mesmerizing depiction of the human voice as its own instrument. Our attention to meaning often deprives us of this experience, shrouding our ability to focus on the timbre and cadence of a voice. Instead of abandoning words to subvert content and highlight his musicality (think vocal runs), Mr. Rhymes crams words together to blur comprehension, leaving behind articulated sounds that can be consumed like drum rudiments.

Crowd

An assembly.

A vacant seat at a Champions League fixture sticks out like a raised hand—what self-respecting fans forgo the tribunals on hallowed European nights? The self-respecting fans that live in Italy, as it were. At least a section of plastic interrogatives were visible at three stadiums on Matchday Two, but only PSG and Lyon were suffering UEFA-imposed sanctions. The San Paolo’s barren appearance in Naples was a victim of a reflexive parasite plaguing the entire Serie A—low attendance. Fans go to games as much for the ambiance as for the live experience, and the 56% fill-rate of Italian stadiums is turning supporters away from gates and towards bars, where energy is a guarantee.