The Music Trends That Shaped 2023

Nov 30 2023

Spotify Wrapped for 2023 reveals intriguing trends that shaped the musical landscape.

Eurovision winners Loreen and Käärijä impacted the global charts, while Gen Z embraced a genreless approach, seamlessly navigating various sounds and prioritizing mood-driven playlists. Colombian enthusiasm for Mexican music surged, making Colombia the fifth-largest consumer of Mexican tunes, with an 85% consumption increase.

Indian classical instrumental music gained traction globally, with a remarkable 500% growth in consumption on Spotify in the last 24 months, primarily driven by listeners under 25. Afrobeats witnessed a 550% growth since 2017, with Rema’s “Calm Down” reaching a billion streams in 2023, marking a milestone for the genre.

Mandopop, featuring artists like Jay Chou and JJ Lin, experienced a 45% surge in monthly streams.

Notable Spotify listener habits included the creation of 200,000 breakup playlists, dominated by Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande tracks.

The release of Disney’s The Little Mermaid led to a 320% spike in its soundtrack streams, while the Barbie Official Playlist saw a staggering 1,560% increase following the film’s premiere.

Additionally, September witnessed a 580% rise in searches related to the Roman Empire, predominantly from male users, featuring songs like Coldplay’s “Viva La Vida” and Queen’s “Another One Bites The Dust.” Overall, Spotify Wrapped 2023 reflects a diverse and dynamic year in music consumption worldwide.

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Festive Fun For All The Family At Esplora Interactive Science Centre!

Nov 30 2023

Visit Esplora Interactive Science Centre for a Christmas extravaganza that fuses the enchantment of the holiday season with the wonders of science and technology. This year, Esplora is thrilled to announce a special collaboration with the renowned Danusan, adding an extra layer of joy and wonder to your holiday festivities. Make memories and celebrate the magic at Esplora from 8th December 2023 to 7th January 2024 from 6:00pm to 10:30pm.

Immerse yourself in a world of festive wonder as you journey through interactive experiences designed to delight and amaze. From the whimsical Check-In experience, where worries are magically whisked away, to the Snow Show exploring the science behind snow, every station promises a unique blend of holiday spirit and scientific discovery.

Plant your own Christmas plants in the Christmas Garden, meet the Wise Elf who predicts your wishes, and become a singing reindeer in the photo opportunity station. Delve into the art of letter-writing to Santa, discover the secrets of Santa’s age, and explore sustainable Christmas practices to reduce waste.

Throughout your journey, you will be able to engage in activities that combine festive joy with educational experiences.

As you progress through your enchanting experience, engage in laser obstacle courses designed to teach elves agility, and navigate through sound checkpoints that challenge you to sing your favourite Christmas tunes. Each station offers a unique adventure, weaving together the magic of the season with opportunities to learn and delight in the spirit of Esplora Christmas Wonderland.

Your Christmas adventure will continue at Villa Bighi, where you can capture cherished moments with Father Christmas in his enchanting grotto. Afterwards, you can relish the festive atmosphere at the Christmas market in Villa Bighi Plaza, adding the perfect finishing touch to your Esplora Christmas Wonderland experience with an abundance of entertainment and holiday cheer.

Esplora’s Christmas Wonderland will be open on all of the specified days with the exception of December 11th, 18th – 21st, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Buy your tickets from showshappening.com/Esplora-Interactive-Science-Centre/Esplora-Christmas-Wonderland

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Spotify Wrapped 2023’s Top Artists, Albums And Songs

Nov 30 2023

Who was on your Spotify Wrapped Top Rankings?

In 2023, Spotify Wrapped highlights the musical landscape shaped by major female pop stars, diverse chart-topping sounds, and the global influence of powerful genres.

Taylor Swift claims the top artist spot with over 26.1 billion streams, celebrated with a creative puzzle piece reveal across billboards globally. Reggaeton sensation Bad Bunny secures second place, followed by The Weeknd, Drake, and Peso Pluma.

Miley Cyrus’s “Flowers” earns the title of the year’s top song, surpassing 1.6 billion streams, while SZA’s “Kill Bill” and Harry Styles’s “As It Was” take second and third place.

Bad Bunny’s “Un Verano Sin Ti” reigns as the most-streamed album for the second consecutive year, followed by Taylor Swift’s “Midnights” and SZA’s “SOS.”

The podcast realm sees The Joe Rogan Experience as the global leader for the fourth consecutive year, followed by Call Her Daddy and Huberman Lab. The diverse podcasts spotlighted key moments in pop culture, including reflections on female empowerment in media and discussions about the rise of AI throughout the year.

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Archbishop On His Funny ‘Bovril’ Encounter On Plane

Nov 29 2023

During an interview on RTK with Gabriel Lia, Archbishop Charles Scicluna talked about how he handled being called by his nickname, Bovril.

Scicluna recounted how he was on a flight and encountered two very different groups and encounters. The first group, a couple from Sliema, greeted him with ‘your grace’ and asked him to pray for them.

The second group however, three youths, greeted him with ‘aw bovril’. The youth told him that some people are afraid of flying, to which Scicluna responded, tongue in cheek: ‘tell them a bit of bovril will help.’

As the laughter from the audience faded, Scicluna revealed that he had embraced the nickname and even came up with an acronym: ‘bniedem onest, veru ragħaj, integru u leali (an honest person, a true shepherd, integral and loyal).

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Source: Newsbook Malta, RTK103