Devil’s Music

The performance in Montana spread through social media due to people who watched the stage, took photos, or made short videos. The social media buzz started right after the concert that day, exciting many people and directing their steps towards Liverpool. The fact that Montana was performing elsewhere for three days was heavily advertised even before the start of Liverpool Sound City, so fans checked the homepage and moved to the venue.

Later that afternoon, the concert video hastily edited by Lynn was released on YouTube, and its impact exploded like an active volcano. The concert video reached ten million views in just five hours, and the number of comments and tweets doubled, flying across the internet. Particularly, when other musicians who participated in Liverpool Sound City left rave reviews along with short clips of the concert, music fans from the musicians' countries also showed great interest. The hugely popular performance even made it to a special broadcast on a British news channel that evening.

At 8 PM, on Channel 5, a middle-aged female anchor with a plump figure stood in front of the camera with a flushed face. Behind her, a large TV was set up, and on one end of the long anchor desk sat Norman Lebrecht, wearing a gray suit and smiling broadly.

As the 'On Air' sign lit up above the camera, the anchor greeted with a smile.

"Hello, Channel 5 viewers. I'm Grace Conte from the Channel 5 News Center, and our first news today is about Liverpool Sound City that started today."

Grace extended her hand towards Norman as she continued.

"Before we begin, let me introduce you to Norman Lebrecht, a world-renowned British music critic. Hello, Norman?"

Norman slightly leaned forward and nodded his head lightly.

"Nice to meet you, Grace. It's been a while."

"Yes, it's been a long time. Please say hello to our Channel 5 viewers."

"Hello, viewers. I am music critic Norman Lebrecht."

As the camera switched from a close-up of Norman to a two-shot with Grace, she turned to look at the Liverpool Sound City logo on the large screen behind her and said,

"Liverpool Sound City is a festival that has been spotlighting musicians from around the world and the UK since 2008. It's a festival where musicians from various countries participate to enjoy the diversity of indie music, but there was something unusual about today's festival, according to reports. Here's reporter Jordan Milner."

As the screen flowed through the large TV, Grace said in a surprised tone,

"What is this?"

The screen showed thousands of people forming a wave of frenzy as they danced and jumped, captured from a helicopter. As the recorded footage played, the lively voice of a male reporter burst out.

"The performance at the Liverpool One Shopping Center today has become a topic of discussion! As you can see on the screen, thousands of people have become one, dancing and jumping, a spectacular sight indeed. What's more astonishing is that this frenzy was caused by just one song from Montana's 'Fury,' unlike other musicians who play between three to four songs!"

As the screen switched, Geon leaned back and roared.

"AAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

Grace showed the goosebumps on her forearm to the camera as she opened her mouth wide in awe.

"Wow! That's Kay!"

Sweating and squinting his eyes as he seemed to break the thick bass guitar strings he was playing, Grace asked,

"This must be Kevin, the new member of Montana."

The screen switched to Carlos, who usually played with his eyes closed, feeling the vibe, nowhere to be seen, and instead, Carlos stood with his legs wide apart, one foot on the amplifier, playing aggressively. Even Norman opened his mouth in astonishment.

"Ca... Carlos Montana? Is this?"

After showing José deeply bowing his head and playing the drums as if tearing them apart, the screen changed to the aftermath of the concert, with the excited audience dancing in the background, and reporter Jordan Milner appeared.

"Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay! Kay!"

"Montana! Montana! Montana! Montana! Montana! Montana!"

Pushed by the people behind him yet holding onto the microphone, Jordan, seemingly lost in the performance, exclaimed with a flushed face.

"The scene at the Liverpool One Shopping Center right after Montana's performance was truly a frenzy! A festival itself!"

Although it was a scene transmitted through the screen, the intense heat was directly felt by both on the screen. Still holding the microphone with an excited face, Jordan raised his voice.

"Montana's 'Fury' has shocked both tourists visiting Liverpool Sound City and local music fans in the UK! And Kay was at the heart of it!"

As the screen switched, Kay ran back onto the stage after finishing the performance and jumped with the people, screaming. The other Montana members who followed shortly gave another impromptu performance. Since another musician was waiting, they couldn't continue the performance

 for long, but the already excited audience gave a big cheer to the unnamed musician who appeared next. The screen switched back to Jordan Milner holding the microphone.

"Kay has become a musician recognized by even the proud rock fans of the UK with this performance! And Fantagio has announced that 'Fury' will be released on all global streaming sites at 10 PM tonight, focusing everyone's attention! This is Jordan Milner from Channel 5 News Center!"

After his final greeting, Jordan threw the microphone and joined the men running and shoulder-bumping behind him, jumping as the screen froze. Staring blankly at the screen, Grace was startled by the shout of the director received through the earset and looked straight ahead.

"Oh, I apologize. I was a bit distracted. It was truly a remarkable performance! It's a regret that I couldn't see it in person. Don't you think so, Norman?"

Still watching the scene of Jordan jumping with people on the frozen screen, Norman turned his head and said.

"That's right. I was planning to go see the performance tomorrow, but seeing this, I feel like complaining to the magazine interview I scheduled today, haha."

Grace chuckled at Norman's light joke, apparently listening to the director's instructions through her earset before asking,

"I just received news that the 'Fury' performed today by Montana is different from the official album version of 'Fury.' Were you aware of that, Norman?"

Norman scratched his chin and nodded.

"I wasn't aware beforehand, but I found out through social media before the broadcast. It's fair to say that from the music to the lyrics, it's a completely different song."

Grace's eyes sparkled as she asked,

"According to reporter Jordan Milner, 'Fury' to be released on streaming sites tonight is likely to be a live performance, so it's different from the official album's 'Fury.' Then, the sudden surge in CD sales is likely to continue?"

Norman lightly tapped the table and replied,

"That's right! That's the power of Fantagio, or should I say, Montana's record label now. Although most of the album's revenue goes to their former label, Nephalim Records, since Montana switched to Fantagio after releasing the 'Fury' album."

Grace asked, surprised,

"Ah, is that so? Then why would Fantagio bother streaming the live performance?"

"There are a few reasons. First, although the copyright for the 'Fury' album lies with Nephalim, the copyright for the song 'Fury' itself is 80% owned by Kay. So, 80% of the revenue from this song alone goes to Fantagio."

Norman took a sip of water as he continued,

"The second reason is to reduce friction with the major streaming service companies. Although 'Fury' has already sold over four million albums, it hasn't been streamed yet. This would have been a huge loss for the streaming companies, so they must have put some pressure."

Grace's eyes widened as she asked,

"Pressure? Isn't it up to the copyright owner which platform to service their music?"

Norman shook his head and replied,

"That would be the logical thing, but the tyranny of large corporations is beyond imagination, ah, but take it with a grain of salt. I'm not saying this happened to Montana but rather that streaming companies wouldn't sit idly by when such situations arise."

"So, the live performance being streamed will also resolve that conflict?"

"Yes, and one more thing, since it's a completely different song even from the official album, fans who bought the album are very likely to purchase the streaming service's music as well."

"Wow! The more I hear, the more amazing it seems. Fantagio's capabilities are always surprising."

Grace touched her earset again as if listening to the director's instructions before turning to Norman.

"So, Norman. What's the difference between the old and new 'Fury'?"

As Grace finished her question, the lyrics for the new 'Fury' appeared on the large TV screen. Norman, having quickly glanced at the staff who ran up to give him some papers and then back at the documents, watched as the lyrics for the original 'Fury' appeared on the TV behind Grace. Taking her time to point out the lyrics as Norman reviewed the documents, Grace said,

"First, this part. 'Every child's story begins with their parents.' has changed. The original 'Fury' was thought by music critics to be about criticizing today's unqualified parents and expressing the anger of children growing up wounded and adults living with those memories."

As Grace saw Norman turn his head towards her after reviewing the documents, she asked just in time,

"So, what about the new 'Fury,' Norman?"

Just as Grace finished her question, the lyrics for the new 'Fury' appeared on the screen. Norman watched the lyrics with Grace for a moment and then nodded his head emphatically.

"It's evolved

."

Confused by Norman's abrupt comment, Grace asked,

"What? Norman, what do you mean?"

Norman stood up and walked to the front of the large TV, pointing at the lyrics as he explained,

"The first lyrics start with 'I exist because I am angry.' It symbolically specifies the reason for my existence as anger, and the rest of the lyrics aim for purification through the expression of anger."

Grace, looking slightly sweaty from the difficulty of the discussion, said, "Can you explain it a bit more simply for our viewers, Norman?"

Norman, facing the camera directly, prompted the producer to zoom in on his face. As his intense gaze filled the screen, he smiled and said, "If the first Fury was about expressing anger towards one's parents, the second Fury is different."

Grace turned back to the lyrics and asked, "So, in the second Fury, the target of the anger is oneself?"

Norman chuckled, leaned back against the sofa, shrugged his shoulders, and replied, "What we're seeing here is nothing short of a genius at work. Kay has changed the method of expressing anger from resentment to pure expression in the second Fury. Resentment, which is the lowest form of anger expression, usually directs the anger towards others. At first glance, the lyrics seem to speak of self-directed anger, but everyone who listens will feel it. You'll understand what kind of emotions you'll experience after hearing this music."

Grace, tilting her head, said, "Hmm, that doesn't sound like a simple explanation. Can you explain what emotions the listeners are supposed to feel?"

Norman was about to say something more but instead smiled and stated, "I don't want to create any preconceptions with my words. It's better if the listeners experience it for themselves."

After the news ended, Channel 5's news center homepage was flooded with comments triggered by Norman's words.

PM 09:16 Dervalient: I think I get it! I haven't heard the official album yet since it's still up for pre-order, but after listening to Fury, the excitement settled, and then a refreshing feeling washed over me! What about you guys?

PM 09:18 TaylorMaid: I agree. It's like clearing out a bowel that's been blocked for three days, isn't it?

PM 09:20 TomasC: That's a rather crude analogy for Kay, but I get what you mean.

PM 09:22 Laddude: I'm an official album purchaser. Actually, I couldn't play Fury loudly at home when my parents were around because the lyrics were openly resentful of parents. But the live video called Second Fury was really amazing! My mom and I watched it on the tablet PC, and we both got goosebumps!

PM 09:27 LadyManifesto: Whatever it is, good or bad, I only see Kay. I've been cursed to only see Kay for years! Because of this, I can't even date. When I go on blind dates, the guys look like squid monsters to me.

PM 09:30 Grumpa81: Live stream starts in 30 minutes!! I've been holding my phone for an hour already; it feels like the longest hour of my life.

PM 09:55 Daghi: The live stream of Montana Live - Fury Liverpool Sound City starts in 5 minutes, but it's already uploaded! Let's listen to it now!

All major streaming services struggled to manage the traffic as millions of fans logged in simultaneously. After several server checks and repeated apologies, they managed to resume normal service after 40 minutes. Fantagio, celebrating a festival atmosphere, reached number one in real-time on every major streaming site worldwide. Thanks to the time difference between the UK and China, their staff worked through the night and into the early morning, but the enormous revenue made it all worthwhile.

**

The next afternoon.

Although he had only performed one song the previous day, the tremendous energy expended meant Kevin slept through the afternoon. He woke up zombie-like, opened the curtains to the harsh sunlight, grimaced, and headed to the hotel restaurant for lunch. Wearing a stretched-out t-shirt, bobbled pants, and dragging his slippers, Kevin waited for the elevator. As he was about to step in, screams erupted from inside.

"Kyaaaah!!! It's Kevin!"

Stunned, he froze as two women inside screamed.

"Do you know me?"

"Of course! The bassist from Montana! It's Kevin, please give us an autograph!"

The women opened their notepads for autographs, and Kevin absent-mindedly complied. He then saw his reflection in the elevator mirror and recoiled.

"Yikes! I can't go out like this! Sorry, please go ahead without me."

After stopping the closing door with his arm, Kevin rushed back to his room. He showered, applied wax to his hair, changed into a black rider jacket and new black jeans, switched his shoes for boots, styled himself, and then headed to the restaurant. As he entered, he received many stares.

'Good thing I changed. It would have been so embarrassing otherwise.'

Choosing a buffet-style meal, Kevin felt awkward as people followed him around with their eyes, making him walk stiffly like a robot. Finally settling at a secluded window table, he picked up his fork when the clicking of cameras

 started. People thrusting their phones forward to take pictures of him eating made it hard to tell whether food was going into his mouth or his nose, leaving him nearly dyspeptic. Then, a loud scream erupted at the restaurant entrance.

"Uaaaah!! It's Kay! Kay is here!!"

"Ah! Where, where!!"

"Kyah, he's really handsome! I might fall for him!"

"Kay! Look over here! Kay! Kay!"

Nonchalantly with his hands in his pants pockets, Geon looked around the restaurant and noticed the stunned Kevin staring at him. He waved and approached.

"Kevin, you up?"

As he walked over, still receiving shouts from people, Geon smiled and waved back, sitting down opposite Kevin.

"I just got up. You up early?"

"Uh? Uh... no, I just woke up too."

"That's good. Oh, is that an avocado sandwich? Where's it from?"

"This? You want some?"

"Sure, hand one over."

Kevin passed a sandwich to Geon, who stuffed it into his mouth. Despite the camera flashes still going off, Geon nonchalantly chewed, prompting Kevin to quietly ask.

"Doesn't this bother you at all?"

With his cheeks full, Geon raised his eyebrows as if asking what Kevin meant, then glanced around at the fans and poked the table with his fork.

"Look, dozens of people in this restaurant are staring at us! I can't even tell where my food is going, but you seem unaffected?"

Geon looked around briefly, and as he turned his head back to the people, another scream erupted. Yet, he continued chewing his sandwich and smirked.

"You're from Montana. You'll probably live like this for the rest of your life."

"Huh, for life?"

"Yep, for life. You'd better get used to it."

Kevin looked around with a forlorn expression.

"So I'm never going to be able to eat in peace for the rest of my life?"

"Ha, no. You'll get used to it soon enough. I was like you at first, but it quickly becomes normal. Of course, I wear a mask to avoid recognition sometimes, but if people recognize me, I just deal with it."

Kevin looked at Geon enviously as Geon picked another sandwich from his plate.

"What did you do yesterday?"

After the performance, Geon had gone straight to his hotel room without stepping outside, so he asked Kevin about his previous day.

"After the show, I went to scout the location with Hose."

"Which place was it again? Some park, you said."

"Yeah, Saint John Gardens. It's a lawn in front of a Gothic-style building that's the concert venue."

"Oh, that sounds cool. And?"

"That's it, really. Except mom called to say she watched the show and suggested we have a meal together when I return to the States."

Geon casually listened while eating his sandwich.

"And?"

Kevin leaned on his chin and stirred his salad with his fork, saying,

"It's weird... Normally, I wouldn't go to a family dinner. I don't mind seeing my brothers or mom, but I still feel uncomfortable around dad. But yesterday, I just answered 'Yes, okay.' without thinking. After hanging up, I wondered why I did that. The funny thing is, I didn't feel any aversion. It's been almost 10 years since I've had a proper meal with my dad. Isn't that strange?"

Geon, grinning broadly, watched Kevin, whose confusion seemed to amuse him even more.

"Whoa!! Maybe I'm the weird one!"

Kevin banged his head on the table, which deepened Geon's smile.

"Stop it. You'll bruise your forehead. We've got a show to do today."

When the topic of the performance came up, Kevin quickly checked his forehead through his phone camera. Seeing only a slight redness and no bruises, he sighed in relief. Geon then stood up and asked.

"Going in?"

"Yeah, the show's at 7, right? What time are we leaving?"

"It's nearby, so leaving around 6:20 should be fine. Let's meet in the lobby at 6:15."

"Okay, see you later."

"And until then?"

Geon smiled and pulled out his phone, spinning it in his palm.

"I might call home for the first time in a while."