So... there's something really important that's on my mind.
I know almost all of us on the forum have been really supportive of Tara ... and this time around, even social media has been more supportive than I've seen in the past for some of the new girls.
That's great to see!
But as we all know, not all fans feel the same way and more importantly, not all fans follow the group closely. There will be people that buy the upcoming Celtic Woman album and go to see them on tour that will be completely blindsided to see her instead of Mairead Nesbtitt. These are the types of fans that are going to be shocked and disappointed (the word I hate most in the world). We've seen it happen many times before, most recently during the Destiny tour.
"Where's Lisa?" "Where's Chloë?" "Where's Mairead?" "It's just not the same
"
We've all seen it and it frustrates me like few other things in the world.
These are the types of fans, the fringe fans or on-and-off fans that really scare me the most, because they generate strong negative feedback and honestly, can ruin a performance for everyone else in the audience and for the girls. I read some horrible things during the Destiny tour (not a huge amount, thankfully). Things like people booing during the performance, walking out of the theatre during the show, and then bad-mouthing a group they know almost nothing about all over review sites and social media.
Whenever I see that stuff on social media, I do my best to intervene, but it's the people that aren't following the group on social media that are the most challenging.
To compound the issue, we know there will be MANY venues that will still have Mairead Nesbitt (and maybe Chloë and Lisa Lambe ... heck, maybe Orla) plastered all over their marketing material. And casual or "returning" fans won't know any better.
I'm not sure what we can do, if anything, but I feel like it's our responsibility as Celtic Woman's most dedicated fans, do whatever we can to ensure that the fans have the right expectations and that the girls have the best experience possible.
I'd appreciate any thoughts you have on this.
OMG PEOPLE ACTUALLY BOOED OUR CELTIC ANGELS AND WALKED OUT ON THEM DURING SHOWS?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH THEM?!
As you can tell, I feel the EXACT SAME WAY as you! I've tried very hard for years to keep my mouth shut about it, because I hate conflict, or even the possibility of it. But I get so upset when I see comments on the internet like that, putting down the "new girls" and being all "Oh, Celtic Woman isn't the same without so-and-so." As someone who loves CW as much as I do, and genuinely cares about them as human beings, not just as "my favorite band," it almost feels like those people are putting down my best friends, and I know how crazy that sounds. But Celtic Woman has made such an impact in my life. I honest to God believe I would not be alive without them, and to see negative things written or hear negative things said about them hurts me so much. I've gotten to the point where I try to stay away from the comments sections on YouTube videos and a lot of social media posts because I'll only be upset by the nagativity and it's not even worth it to me anymore to risk feeling that way again. I know I sound like such a cry baby, but part of it is because of my Autism. The other part is because of how much Celtic Woman means to me.
I honestly love it when a new girl joins. It makes me sad to see one go, but it also excites me to see what they do on their own, and to get to see new talent, hear a new voice and sound, and add a new member to the growing Celtic Woman family! I mean now we have 14 Celtic Cuties! 15 if you count Rebecca, even if she was only a guest in Destiny, but I still consider her a Celtic Woman.
I tend to look at the bright side whenever this happens, and even though this is a little different since it's Mairead N that left, I'm still so excited to see Tara. Every time a new girl joins, I immediately become a big fan, and it feels like the circle just gets bigger!
I was speechless when I saw that Mai N was leaving, but I can't wait to get her new album when it comes out, and I can't wait to see/hear Tara, and what she brings to the group, and it's awesome to see a growing number of Celtic fiddle fairies! <3
