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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Entertainment
William Mata

Lizzo’s love for Nickelback attracts online frenzy: “They get too much s***”

Nickelback have thanked Lizzo after the American singer defended the band, who she said she feels “get way too much s***”.

Unafraid to support the band who have rarely, if ever, been considered cool by music insiders, Lizzo released a video where she sings and dances to How You Remind Me.

Nickelback are about to complete a tour on the back of their 2022 album Get Rollin’.

And the band have shown their appreciation for the “kind words” from one of the hottest pop stars by giving her an open invite to “any show, any time”.

Why do some people not like Nickelback?

With big chords, anthemic vocals, and a classic rock style so camp it borders on parody, Nickelback have simultaneously achieved huge record sales and critical derision.

The Canadian band, who these days are a four-piece, have released 10 albums since forming in 1995, but have not strayed far in style since the pop rock of their 2002 breakout hit single How You Remind Me.

This winning formula has helped them sell more than 50 million records worldwide, with five of their 10 albums reaching the top five in the UK charts. They have a loyal fanbase and remain enough of a pull to sell out large arenas, almost 30 years after they started playing.

However, a perceived lack of variation or depth in their canon has perhaps led to mediocre ratings, with five of their most recent albums receiving ratings between 41 and 62 per cent averages on Metacritic.

Rolling Stone named Nickelback as the second-worst band of the 1990s and 50,000 once signed a petition to stop them playing a half-time sports stadium show in Detroit. Patrick Carney, of the Black Keys, went as far as saying: “Rock is dying because people became ok with Nickelback being the biggest band in the world.”

Why does Lizzo like Nickelback?

Lizzo is lined up to headline Glastonbury having released her acclaimed fourth album Special last year. She is not putting her career in jeopardy by endorsing Nickelback, but it could be considered an unexpected move.

“Why do people not like Nickelback?” she asks in the video. “I feel like Nickelback get way too much s***. I think this [song] is a jam.”

She proceeds to dance to How You Remind Me, which she says has a “beautiful climax”.

Nickelback replied: “Thank you @lizzo for the kind words! Open invite any show any time.. maybe see you in Houston this summer?”

Both Lizzo and Nickelback are now trending on UK Twitter on the back of the post on Wednesday afternoon (April 12).

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