Music "Trusts", Lies and Deceptions: Modest! Management Not So Modest and the Power of Being Brave

That's what last week was like when the Narnia discussion from June 16, 2019 was thrust into the spotlight and once again our crystal ball was not too far off the mark.

Harry McGee and Richard Griffiths (Modest Management) receive Music Industry Trusts Award

 

Just as we had anticipated five months ago when the announcement was first made, the kinda, sorta One Direction "command" performance came into being at the Music Industry Trusts Awards for Harry McGee and Richard Griffiths on November 4, 2019. The high profile gathering meant to ensure there was ample evidence that all four members would be involved in the ceremony, with the Evening Standard providing almost an afterthought mention of Louis' "participation" to support the illusion of unanimity. Guess we're just expected to take their word for it since there was not even a contrived quote presented as proof of life.

Other stars that honoured the businessmen included Louis Tomlinson, 5 Seconds of Summer, Murs and last year's winner, co-head of the CAA Emma Banks.

Alright-y then.

Perhaps TPTB did not feel Louis needed to be more conspicuously associated with the Modest! celebration given that, unlike his bandmates, he has been made to pay his personal penance directly to Simon Cowell instead. A penance that has followed Louis into the hiatus with the imposition of contractual shackles (metaphorical choke collars) like Babygate, Eleanor 2.0, America's Got Talent and X-Factor Judge assignments, the LAX Airport Arrest, multiple Larrie denials, etc.  The multi-year career sabotage by his own "team,"  accompanied by nauseating headlines like,

Simon Cowell says Louis Tomlinson

is the new Simon!

Watch Simon Cowell hug Louis Tomlinson following emotional X Factor tribute to his late mum Johannah Deakin

One Direction Breakup — Is Louis Tomlinson, Simon Cowell Bond Cause Of Beef With Harry Styles?

Louis Tomlinson Just Denied

~Larry Stylinson~

Once And For All

Still, as noted in Narnia's June post, last week's Music Industry Trusts Awards was nothing but predictable. The occasion offering  another very public platform designed to push back on all those massive rumors of Simon Cowell and Modest Management brutally closeting and abusing One Direction for years. Nasty rumors they would like to have us believe were started by those "delusional" fans we've heard so much about in The Sun and Daily Mail. *rolls eyes* 

C'mon, all you naysayers, No-nonsense Niall would  never have continued to associate himself with Modest into the hiatus if there had been any truth to those mounting allegations, right? And no way would Harry and Liam have taken the time to publicly extend their effusive praises at the event last week if there was even the slightest hint of a rift between them. Or, if McGee and Griffiths really had been involved in any kind of abusive treatment or homophobic, brutal closeting of band members. 

There's certainly nothing suspicious going on here. 👀 No cover-up. No bad feelings. No rewriting of history. No continued harassment or closeting of two young men who have been in love since they practically first laid eyes on each another. The living embodiment of the lyric: "Everyone else in the room can see it." 

And who knows what this carnivorous cabal of power brokers has been unleashing upon Liam Payne; wrapped in an even more cleverly hidden package away from public view.  After all, Liam had his own Ziam rumors since 2012 with his bandmate, Zayn Malik. Therefore, does anyone really think that only Louis and Harry would be singled out for retaliation? Back in the day, Liam could sometimes be just as rebellious as Louis. In fact, he often was Louis' partner in crime when it came to fighting back. Particularly in 2015 when Louis and Liam's friendship seemed to grow stronger every day. Perhaps both men were reminding us that under adversity is when friendships are forged the strongest.  

Meet LiLo:

Kansas City, July 28, 2015 OTRA Tour

  

Kansas City, July 28, 2015 OTRA Tour 

                                           Detroit, Michigan August 29, 2015                                           

                                       

Remember, the throwing of the doll on the stage in Helsinki, Finland, June 27, 2015... eighteen days BEFORE Louis' Babygate was even announced to the world on July 14, 2015? In retrospect, what, at first appeared odd, was actually an artfully planned message to the fans, executed beautifully during the final performance of the European leg of "The On The Road Again Tour," right before 1D headed off to North America; only two performances were left before all hell broke loose in People Magazine. Well, guess who enthusiastically assisted in that choreographed reveal, cleverly telling everyone that the baby was not real. That brave guy was one Mr. Liam James Payne, that's who:

Liam: "That is for all those people out there who 
think that was a real baby."

So, with all the stories about drunken, "raunchy" photoshoots, Liam's own Babygate 2.0, bearding scandals, (one directly associated with a Cowell minion), and now not touring his first album which has been inexplicably delayed for three years, one has to wonder just how random the toxicity really is. 

The official story for public consumption was that Simon was never interested in signing Liam. In retrospect, however, it is so obvious now that certain someones behind the scenes have been making Liam's life a living hell throughout this hiatus. Liam may not be officially signed to Sony/Syco, but it is so obvious through image clauses and other contractual obligations to Sony/Syco that Liam is far from free. Not quite convinced, yet? Well, let's ask the question: Why would Liam Payne, a member of the biggest boyband in the world, choose to sign with Doyen Global to launch and manage his solo music career? A sports management group with no proven track record in the music industry until they signed Liam Payne in July 2016. Not only was the rollout uninspired, and at best low-key, Doyen Global lazily used an old pic of Liam (shades of Louis' rollout with Arista Records in 2019) and retained the lame twitter name of @fakeliampayne in the announcement. It was obvious where this "partnership" was headed.

With this context in mind, let's fast forward to the Trusts Awards ceremony. Still represented and a current golf business partner with Modest!, Niall was naturally more visible at the event, actually performing in person, while extending his admiration and adulation. 

 

"I love these two men, can’t talk highly enough for them. They deserve every single thing that comes their way, including all the wine and cheese they demand at every single place they go. Richard and Harry, I love you both.” ~ Niall Horan

Whatever, Nialler.


While Liam not only sent his lavish praise, 

“Starting off at a young age as we did, I don’t think we could’ve really asked for better mentors at the start of it.

“It became so much more than just work, as it was a family. We grew up with you guys, so I can't thank you enough for that.”

...he appeared in a playful mockumentary-styled video, alongside Niall, portraying the role of a nerdy IT guy. Nothing to see here, people. Everything's good. Just like family.

And what would all this damage control orchestration be without  Harry Styles chiming in as well? Because surely the rainbow loving, gender bending, "Lights Up" music man, who is so obviously free to do whatever he wants *cough cough* would never mislead, or have a reason to lie:

Treat people with kindness, indeed. How wonderful the world would be if the likes of Simon Cowell, Modest! and Rob Stringer reciprocated with that very same message. But, then those guys are much too busy still winning awards on the backs of One Direction, continuing their abuse only this time behind the scenes with the strings hidden, and gaslighting the world into thinking that they are and have always been good and decent men. Supportive of gay rights. Individuals who would never forcibly closet anyone. Men incapable of power, lies, corruption, and chaos. 

We see you, Louis.

Oh, and just for fun, since Narnia's October 8, 2018 post compiled various "28" coincidences from Louis and Harry over the years, let’s end with yet another upcoming numerical “happenstance”.   

It's All In the Number

And how could we ever not notice you, Harry!

And, don't ever think you are not seen and heard too, Liam. Loud, clear and heroic. 

pic sources:  Daily Mail, Tumblr, Twitter, Evening Standard Online
our playlist:  Too Young - Louis Tomlinson
                      Wonderwall - Oasis
                      Night Changes - One Direction 
authored by:  Methodical Muser