Tues 14 June - Music Quotas

The Brussels metro is soon to have music quotas so as not to piss off the Flemish, whilst also hoping to keep French-speakers (i.e. the majority of Brussels' residents) happy. As I've mentioned before, it's not uncommon to hear music being played on the platforms of the Brussels metro. I really like the idea. This was first introduced in 2005, but the music played was limited to the instrumental (and bland) variety.

Commuters were then given a mixture of predominantly English, but also Spanish and Italian music. A few months ago, and knowing it was probably going to be controversial, they started playing French language music. "Quelle horreur," the Flemish screamed (I'm sure they didn't, but it would have been wonderful if they did). "How dare you play French music in a Flemish city (even though over 80% of people here are French-speakers)?"

Actually, the point of their anger was the lack of Dutch-language songs. And so now the latter are soon to be gracing the platforms of the metro. It does only seem logical that in such a multi-lingual and multicultural city, a whole variety of music is played. Even if Brussels' commuters are now going to have to endure Dutch as well as French language music. Something tells me their grievance had nothing to do with music.