Latest news with #Happenings
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
What is the new Sky Sports Premier League intro music? Iconic artist behind latest song
As the new Premier League season gets underway on Friday, Sky Sports has announced a change to the usual programming after tweaking the intro music to its coverage Sky Sports has confirmed another change to its programming as the new Premier League season gets underway on Friday. And viewers will be keeping their ears perked up for a different soundtrack ahead of this weekend's football coverage. Celeste's 'Stop This Flame' has been the Sky Sports anthem of choice for Premier League coverage since 2020. However, the new season is already bringing about major changes with the announcement of a fresh intro song. A reworked version of G.O.A.T by Kasabian ft. Cristale will be the new title track for the 2025/26 Premier League campaign. Singer Serge Pizzorno has rewritten and remixed the track, which was originally taken from their chart-topping album, Happenings. The compilation reached No. 1 in the UK following its release in 2024, with G.O.A.T featuring as one of the headline songs on the album. READ MORE: Football fans reveal reasons they feel disconnected from modern game Kasabian's iconic Club Foot was the soundtrack to the broadcaster's intro for the 2009/10 season. The indie-rock band have also had numerous songs featured on the FIFA video game series since 2003. Fans will hear the specially designed track live for the first time as part of Sky's build-up to the opening game of the season. Reigning champions Liverpool take on Bournemouth at Anfield on Friday evening as Arne Slot's men look to start their title defence with a bang. The Reds were recently disappointed to lose the FA Community Shield to Crystal Palace on Saturday. That's after the Eagles twice came from behind to draw after 90 minutes and nose their way to the title on penalties. However, the stakes will be far higher as the Premier League gets back underway on Merseyside. And the hosts will be hoping Kasabian's return to centre stage can act as a positive omen that they're also in for a repeat this term. Stop This Flame was the longest-running intro track Sky Sports has used following its five-year cycle with the broadcaster. And she'll hope to hold her place on the throne for a little longer after getting another go in collaboration with Kasabian. Sky Sports and NOW will broadcast over 215 Premier League matches exclusively live this season Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Perth Now
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Kasabian plot new album
Kasabian will release a new album next year. The Fire hitmakers only released their last LP Happenings in July 2024 but frontman Serge Pizzorno has revealed they are hoping to achieve their eighth successive number one record in the near future. Serge told The Sun newspaper's Bizarre column: 'It's been seven number ones in a row. 'I'll tell you why I know. It's because, outrageously, the first [album] went to number four and the rest all went to number one. 'It's been amazing for us." Serge has been inspired by the wave of energy the band experienced during their recent gigs. He said: 'If we're not on stage, I'm in the studio. I am always making music. It's a constant thing. 'We just played two warm up shows and two huge festivals off the back of these shows. It feels so exciting. 'The new generation that have got into this record and the generation that have always been with us — they're combining and it is wild. 'We've never seen anything like it. I am telling you, the gigs we have just done have been the most amazing energy. It's a massive party, a rave. 'These shows have set up the next record so well. We are looking to get something out next year. And after being in the audience for the first night of Oasis' reunion tour in Cardiff, the 44-year-old rocker was blown away seeing brothers Noel and Liam Gallagher back on stage together again for the first time since 2009. He said: 'I had to see the first one, to be there for the walk on. To see them arm in arm was really special. 'It was surreal and beautiful — and sonically incredible. They sound so, so good. 'You know it was a big moment, a poignant moment. It was inspiring.' Kasabian have teamed up with Cristale for a new version of their song G.O.A.T, which will be used on all of Sky Sports' Premier League coverage and Serge was keen to "reimagine" the Happenings track. He said: 'Sky heard the song on the record and it was straight away, 'This is perfect.' 'I wanted to reimagine it. I made it quicker and more epic. 'Cristale is so cool. Someone sent me a link to her Spotify and I was like, 'Wow, she is great.' She has an amazing flow.'
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Chart-topping band reveal Oasis have ‘inspired' upcoming new album as frontman lifts lid on new record
Read on for shock rumours over Kylie Jenner and Timothee Chalamet WE'RE ON FIRE Chart-topping band reveal Oasis have 'inspired' upcoming new album as frontman lifts lid on new record IT has only been just over a year since Kasabian landed their seventh consecutive No1 album with the brilliant Happenings. And us fans won't have long to wait for another one, as seeing Oasis provided the spark for Kasabian to fast-track their plans as frontman Serge Pizzorno tells me their next record will drop next year. 14 Kasabian frontman Serge Pizzorno reveals the band have been inspired by Oasis to speed up work on their next album 14 The band's new album is set to drop next year - with hopes for an eighth no1 Credit: Neil Bedford 'It's been seven No1's in a row,' Serge says. 'I'll tell you why I know. It's because, outrageously, the first [album] went to No4 and the rest all went to No1. 'It's been amazing for us. 'If we're not on stage, I'm in the studio. I am always making music. It's a constant thing. READ MORE FROM BIZARRE LAYS DOWN LAW Liam Gallagher banned from popular act at end of Oasis gigs after fan injured 'We just played two warm up shows and two huge festivals off the back of these shows. It feels so exciting. 'The new generation that have got into this record and the generation that have always been with us — they're combining and it is wild. 'We've never seen anything like it. I am telling you, the gigs we have just done have been the most amazing energy. It's a massive party, a rave. 'These shows have set up the next record so well. We are looking to get something out next year.' Like me, Serge — a fellow Leicester local — was at Cardiff to watch Oasis's first night. And, as we chat, he admits Noel and Liam Gallagher have helped him along with the new album. He explains: 'I had to see the first one, to be there for the walk on. To see them arm in arm was really special. Iconic Noughties band returning with huge homecoming show and new album 'It was surreal and beautiful — and sonically incredible. They sound so, so good. 'You know it was a big moment, a poignant moment. It was inspiring.' Today, Serge and his bandmates will release a brand new version of their Happenings album track G.O.A.T after Sky Sports announced it would be the new title track for the 2025/26 Premier League season and beyond. Serge et al teamed up with rising London-born star Cristale for the tune, which will be used on all the Premier League coverage from today. Serge says: 'Sky heard the song on the record and it was straight away, 'This is perfect.' 'I wanted to reimagine it. I made it quicker and more epic. 'Cristale is so cool. Someone sent me a link to her Spotify and I was like, 'Wow, she is great.' She has an amazing flow.' A fellow football fan, like my step-dad Alan, Serge is a die-hard Foxes fan and admits it was tough saying goodbye to his pal Jamie Vardy, who left the club earlier this year. 'It was emotional,' Serge says. 'It really is that Hollywood story, a non-league player until his mid-twenties, signing for Leicester, he was £1million. He was so raw. There was a spark there because he was so exciting to watch. 'And then it clicks and he became a true legend. Not just for Leicester. 'He is one of the best Premiership strikers we've seen. 'Think about the legends there are, he's in that pantheon. 'We go all around the world and people know Leicester's number nine. And that is a crazy thing. 14 Serge is a die-hard Foxes fan and admits it was tough saying goodbye to his pal Jamie Vardy, above, who left the club earlier this year Credit: Getty 'We play in Tokyo and Buenos Aires and people are talking about Vards. That's the impact he had. 'He is hilarious. He is cheeky. And he's got great energy. 'He has stayed true to himself even though his life changed so much.' That sounds very much like you, Serge. A proper Leicester legend. Has Kylie called Tim-e up? 14 Kylie Jenner enjoys night out with pals amid rumours over her romance with Timothee Chalamet Credit: BackGrid Rumours are swirling about Kylie Jenner's relationship status after fans claimed her romance with Timothee Chalamet was over. But the beauty mogul clearly isn't paying attention to the speculation. Kylie was seen grinning on a night out at Cucina Alba in West Hollywood with her best pals Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid. Fans of Kylie and Timothee got their knickers in a twist after she shared an Instagram story with a load of well-known break up songs over the weekend when she was celebrating her birthday. One thing's for sure, her momager Kris Jenner will be making sure that whatever has happened between them will be saved for the next series of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Break-ups are always a ratings winner. Tom: I'll smash it 14 Tom Grennan says he is ready to conquer life and music with his new album coming out soon Credit: Getty 14 Cat Burns has also dropped new music with All This Love Credit: Getty 14 Former Eurovision star Bambie Thug has put out the defiant anthem Redrum Credit: The Mega Agency There's no shortage of new albums to get your ears around this weekend, with Tom Grennan leading the charge. On getting to a good place in his life so he could release the record, he said: 'I'm mentally prepared and physically prepared. I'm in athlete mode now. 'I've fought all these demons, and now I can go out and smash up life in a good way. For the first time in my career, I'm ready for it.' There's an exclusive chat with Tom about his new album Everywhere I Went, Led Me To Where I Didn't Want To Be in today's paper. While Tom is hoping it will become his third No1 next Friday, he faces stiff competition from Alison Goldfrapp, Conan Gray and Maroon 5, who are all releasing new albums. On the singles front, former Eurovision star Bambie Thug has put out the defiant anthem Redrum and another rising Irish singer Moio has released Figure It Out. Cat Burns has dropped All This Love and pop disruptor Ashnikko has released Trinkets from her album Smoochies, due to be released on October 17. And for Noughties fans, Supergrass have announced a 20th anniversary edition of fifth album Road To Rouen, out October 3. It includes previously unreleased track Don't Leave Me Alone, which you can hear right now. A new band that has caught my eye too are Velour Fog – who fuse rock, hip-hop and grunge. The British group are working with producer Nick Tauber, who previously collaborated with bands including Thin Lizzy and Def Leppard, and have got new tune The Zone out now. Roses G-force 14 Comedian Chabuddy G with England's Red Roses as they prepare to kick off their Women's Rugby World Cup Credit: Hope & Glory 14 The funnyman has been named by O2 as the squad's official PR and has filmed a hilarious new video with the players Credit: Hope & Glory Comedian Chabuddy G gives England's Red Roses a pep talk as they prepare to kick off their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign next Friday. The funnyman has been named by O2 as the squad's official PR and has filmed a hilarious new video with the players – including my old football teammate Emily Scarratt – to show the public a different side to the team. Fans can check out the video on O2's YouTube channel. I hope you'll be joining me in getting behind our girls next Friday when we take on the USA in our first match. Most brides opt for a chilled night before getting married. But Charli XCX decided to scare herself to death with fiancé, The 1975's George Daniel. Charli, who married in London last month, said: 'You guys recommended Heart Eyes. "It's a movie about a serial killer who likes to kill couples. George and I watched it the night before we got married. It was silly.' I assume she was too afraid to sleep. Nothing compares to upcoming Sinead movie A biopic about Sinead O'Connor is in the works. The life and career of the Nothing Compares To You singer, who died in 2023 at the age of 56, will be celebrated in the film, which is being directed by Josephine Decker. Variety magazine said the film would follow 'how one young woman from Dublin took on the world, examining how her global fame may have been built on her talent, but her name became synonymous with her efforts to draw attention to the crimes committed by the Catholic church and the Irish state.' Rob: We felt Ozzy mischief 14 Metallica's Robert Trujillo Credit: Getty Ozzy Osbourne's pal Metallica's Robert Trujillo reckons the Black Sabbath rocker was pranking them from beyond the grave during his funeral. Robert, above, who attended the remembrance service last month, said: 'It was a small group of people but very beautiful. It was very sad, but at the same time some of the speeches were pretty funny. 'It had been raining at the beginning of the service for longer than an hour before. 'And then as it sort of progressed through the service, the weather would change and different things would happen, like when Ozzy's daughter Kelly was singing, the wind blew her lyrics away. 'It was almost like Ozzy was having fun with her.' He added: 'There were a lot of tears with Sabbath especially with Geezer Butler. 'Geezer broke down crying. And then he came back and delivered an amazing eulogy. 'When Geezer spoke, the sun came out – I'm not kidding. Then it was beautiful from that moment on. There were magical moments. 'There's so many stories, so many heartfelt words. 'It felt like there was closure from this. 'I am glad my wife Chloe and I went and shared the day, and we were able to have that moment with the family.' Noel rider takes the biscuit 14 An unusual item has been spotted backstage at the Oasis reunion gigs Credit: Splash 14 Noel Gallagher's podcaster pal Matt Morgan was shocked to see Wagon Wheels in the green room Credit: Alamy Noel Gallagher is keeping things retro backstage on the Oasis reunion tour. His pal, podcaster Matt Morgan – who watched two of the Wembley, London shows – was shocked to see Wagon Wheels in the green room. Speaking about hanging out backstage, Matt said: 'There's friends and family – and then someone says, 'Noel, inset, has requested you for his private chamber'. 'A few of us were taken through to another bit that was Noel's special little bit. 'They had Wagon Wheels in the friends and family area. 'I thought, 'F***ing hell, that's mad on the rider – it probably came from Noel'. 'You get back there and it's black curtains, it's dark and there's free booze.' Something decent to dunk your Wagon Wheel in at least. Perrie struts out 14 Perrie Edwards has revealed her new track, If He Wanted To He Would, will drop in the coming weeks. Credit: BackGrid Perrie Edwards has got a lot to smile about after announcing the name of her new single. The ex Little Mix singer revealed her new track, If He Wanted To He Would, will drop in the coming weeks. She was spotted leaving Heart FM's studios in London's Leicester Square in a white T-shirt and baggy jeans as she hit the promotional trail for the song. Fans have been directed to a pre-save link for the track, which will see Perrie trying to better her song, Forget About Us, which got to No10 in the charts. Subo's delight at Liam's shout-out 14 Susan Boyle is beaming after being given a shout-out by Liam Gallagher at Oasis' final Murrayfield Stadium gig Credit: Instagram Susan Boyle is giving Liam Gallagher a massive thumbs up after he gave her a shout out at Oasis' last show at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. The singer put on a bucket hat and a band T-shirt to thank Liam and his brother Noel for shouting her out. Before performing Stand By Me, Liam told the sold-out crowd: 'This one's for Susan Boyle.' Posting a snap of herself in her merch, Su-Bo said: 'Thanks so much for the dedication Liam Gallagher. 'You've made this old girl's day.' What a legend.
The Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Chart-topping band reveal Oasis have ‘inspired' upcoming new album as frontman lifts lid on new record
IT has only been just over a year since Kasabian landed their seventh consecutive No1 album with the brilliant Happenings. And us fans won't have long to wait for another one, as seeing Oasis provided the spark for Kasabian to fast-track their plans as frontman Serge Pizzorno tells me their next record will drop next year. 14 'It's been seven No1's in a row,' Serge says. 'I'll tell you why I know. It's because, outrageously, the first [album] went to No4 and the rest all went to No1. 'It's been amazing for us. 'If we're not on stage, I'm in the studio. I am always making music. It's a constant thing. 'We just played two warm up shows and two huge festivals off the back of these shows. It feels so exciting. 'The new generation that have got into this record and the generation that have always been with us — they're combining and it is wild. 'We've never seen anything like it. I am telling you, the gigs we have just done have been the most amazing energy. It's a massive party, a rave. 'These shows have set up the next record so well. We are looking to get something out next year.' Like me, Serge — a fellow Leicester local — was at Cardiff to watch Oasis's first night. And, as we chat, he admits Noel and Liam Gallagher have helped him along with the new album. He explains: 'I had to see the first one, to be there for the walk on. To see them arm in arm was really special. 'It was surreal and beautiful — and sonically incredible. They sound so, so good. 'You know it was a big moment, a poignant moment. It was inspiring.' Today, Serge and his bandmates will release a brand new version of their Happenings album track G.O.A.T after Sky Sports announced it would be the new title track for the 2025/26 Premier League season and beyond. Serge et al teamed up with rising London-born star Cristale for the tune, which will be used on all the Premier League coverage from today. Serge says: 'Sky heard the song on the record and it was straight away, 'This is perfect.' 'I wanted to reimagine it. I made it quicker and more epic. 'Cristale is so cool. Someone sent me a link to her Spotify and I was like, 'Wow, she is great.' She has an amazing flow.' A fellow football fan, like my step-dad Alan, Serge is a die-hard Foxes fan and admits it was tough saying goodbye to his pal Jamie Vardy, who left the club earlier this year. 'It was emotional,' Serge says. 'It really is that Hollywood story, a non-league player until his mid-twenties, signing for Leicester, he was £1million. He was so raw. There was a spark there because he was so exciting to watch. 'And then it clicks and he became a true legend. Not just for Leicester. 'He is one of the best Premiership strikers we've seen. 'Think about the legends there are, he's in that pantheon. 'We go all around the world and people know Leicester's number nine. And that is a crazy thing. 14 'We play in Tokyo and Buenos Aires and people are talking about Vards. That's the impact he had. 'He is hilarious. He is cheeky. And he's got great energy. 'He has stayed true to himself even though his life changed so much.' That sounds very much like you, Serge. A proper Leicester legend. Has Kylie called Tim-e up? 14 Rumours are swirling about Kylie Jenner's relationship status after fans claimed her romance with Timothee Chalamet was over. But the beauty mogul clearly isn't paying attention to the speculation. Kylie was seen grinning on a night out at Cucina Alba in West Hollywood with her best pals Hailey Bieber and Bella Hadid. Fans of Kylie and Timothee got their knickers in a twist after she shared an Instagram story with a load of well-known break up songs over the weekend when she was celebrating her birthday. One thing's for sure, her momager Kris Jenner will be making sure that whatever has happened between them will be saved for the next series of Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Break-ups are always a ratings winner. Tom: I'll smash it 14 There's no shortage of new albums to get your ears around this weekend, with Tom Grennan leading the charge. On getting to a good place in his life so he could release the record, he said: 'I'm mentally prepared and physically prepared. I'm in athlete mode now. 'I've fought all these demons, and now I can go out and smash up life in a good way. For the first time in my career, I'm ready for it.' There's an exclusive chat with Tom about his new album Everywhere I Went, Led Me To Where I Didn't Want To Be in today's paper. While Tom is hoping it will become his third No1 next Friday, he faces stiff competition from Alison Goldfrapp, Conan Gray and Maroon 5, who are all releasing new albums. On the singles front, former Eurovision star Bambie Thug has put out the defiant anthem Redrum and another rising Irish singer Moio has released Figure It Out. Cat Burns has dropped All This Love and pop disruptor Ashnikko has released Trinkets from her album Smoochies, due to be released on October 17. And for Noughties fans, Supergrass have announced a 20th anniversary edition of fifth album Road To Rouen, out October 3. It includes previously unreleased track Don't Leave Me Alone, which you can hear right now. A new band that has caught my eye too are Velour Fog – who fuse rock, hip-hop and grunge. The British group are working with producer Nick Tauber, who previously collaborated with bands including Thin Lizzy and Def Leppard, and have got new tune The Zone out now. Roses G-force 14 14 Comedian Chabuddy G gives England's Red Roses a pep talk as they prepare to kick off their Women's Rugby World Cup campaign next Friday. The funnyman has been named by O2 as the squad's official PR and has filmed a hilarious new video with the players – including my old football teammate Emily Scarratt – to show the public a different side to the team. Fans can check out the video on O2's YouTube channel. I hope you'll be joining me in getting behind our girls next Friday when we take on the USA in our first match. Most brides opt for a chilled night before getting married. But Charli XCX decided to scare herself to death with fiancé, The 1975's George Daniel. Charli, who married in London last month, said: 'You guys recommended Heart Eyes. "It's a movie about a serial killer who likes to kill couples. George and I watched it the night before we got married. It was silly.' I assume she was too afraid to sleep. Nothing compares to upcoming Sinead movie A biopic about Sinead O'Connor is in the works. The life and career of the Nothing Compares To You singer, who died in 2023 at the age of 56, will be celebrated in the film, which is being directed by Josephine Decker. Variety magazine said the film would follow 'how one young woman from Dublin took on the world, examining how her global fame may have been built on her talent, but her name became synonymous with her efforts to draw attention to the crimes committed by the Catholic church and the Irish state.' Rob: We felt Ozzy mischief Ozzy Osbourne 's pal Metallica's Robert Trujillo reckons the Black Sabbath rocker was pranking them from beyond the grave during his funeral. Robert, above, who attended the remembrance service last month, said: 'It was a small group of people but very beautiful. It was very sad, but at the same time some of the speeches were pretty funny. 'It had been raining at the beginning of the service for longer than an hour before. 'And then as it sort of progressed through the service, the weather would change and different things would happen, like when Ozzy's daughter Kelly was singing, the wind blew her lyrics away. 'It was almost like Ozzy was having fun with her.' He added: 'There were a lot of tears with Sabbath especially with Geezer Butler. 'Geezer broke down crying. And then he came back and delivered an amazing eulogy. 'When Geezer spoke, the sun came out – I'm not kidding. Then it was beautiful from that moment on. There were magical moments. 'There's so many stories, so many heartfelt words. 'It felt like there was closure from this. 'I am glad my wife Chloe and I went and shared the day, and we were able to have that moment with the family.' Noel rider takes the biscuit 14 14 Noel Gallagher is keeping things retro backstage on the Oasis reunion tour. His pal, podcaster Matt Morgan – who watched two of the Wembley, London shows – was shocked to see Wagon Wheels in the green room. Speaking about hanging out backstage, Matt said: 'There's friends and family – and then someone says, 'Noel, inset, has requested you for his private chamber'. 'A few of us were taken through to another bit that was Noel's special little bit. 'They had Wagon Wheels in the friends and family area. 'I thought, 'F***ing hell, that's mad on the rider – it probably came from Noel'. 'You get back there and it's black curtains, it's dark and there's free booze.' Something decent to dunk your Wagon Wheel in at least. Perrie struts out 14 Perrie Edwards has got a lot to smile about after announcing the name of her new single. The ex Little Mix singer revealed her new track, If He Wanted To He Would, will drop in the coming weeks. She was spotted leaving Heart FM's studios in London's Leicester Square in a white T-shirt and baggy jeans as she hit the promotional trail for the song. Fans have been directed to a pre-save link for the track, which will see Perrie trying to better her song, Forget About Us, which got to No10 in the charts. Subo's delight at Liam's shout-out Susan Boyle is giving Liam Gallagher a massive thumbs up after he gave her a shout out at Oasis' last show at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. The singer put on a bucket hat and a band T-shirt to thank Liam and his brother Noel for shouting her out. Before performing Stand By Me, Liam told the sold-out crowd: 'This one's for Susan Boyle.' Posting a snap of herself in her merch, Su-Bo said: 'Thanks so much for the dedication Liam Gallagher. 'You've made this old girl's day.' What a legend.
Boston Globe
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Orien McNeill, artist/pirate prankster who made merry mischief on the water, dies at 45
Soon, a cohort of street artists and dumpster-diving freegans -- the anti-consumerist foragers of the late aughts -- who might otherwise have been squatting in Brooklyn warehouses, were drawn to the same lawless territory. It was a last frontier and haven in the ever-gentrifying New York City boroughs. They made art from scavenged materials and held events that harked back to the Happenings of their 1960s predecessors, although the events were intended for no audience but themselves. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up No critics were summoned, and not much was documented. Mr. McNeill was their pied piper, guru, and pirate prankster, who hatched extravagant, loosely organized adventures involving costumes, flotillas of handmade rafts, and, once, a pop-up bar on a sinking tugboat. Advertisement When Caledonia Curry, otherwise known as the artist Swoon, began to conceptualize 'Swimming Cities' -- winsome floating contraptions built from salvaged materials that she launched on the Hudson River in 2008 -- Mr. McNeill, her classmate from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, was an inspiration, project architect, and co-pilot. Advertisement 'Some of the funniest and proudest and most exciting moments were with Orien, just making things," said Duke Riley, a fellow traveler in art and antics. Duke Riley/NYT The following year, when she reimagined the project for Venice, Mr. McNeill played the same role. With a crew of nearly 30, Curry sent her materials to nearby Slovenia, where customs inspectors initially held up their shipping containers: They were confused by the contents -- they thought it was garbage. The crew members built their fantastical crafts in Slovenia and sailed to Venice, where they crashed the annual Biennale, enchanting the assembled art crowd as the vessels floated through the canals. Mr. McNeill served as the escort and advance guard, scooting about in a battered skiff in case someone fell overboard. 'Orien introduced me to world building,' Curry said in an interview. 'He was living this beautiful, feral existence on the water -- the center of this artist community. He shied away from the limelight, but his spirit informed everybody.' She added, 'With artists, there's always this thing about what's art and what's life, and nobody held that closer to the bone than Orien.' Duke Riley, an artist known for releasing thousands of pigeons outfitted with LEDs into the night sky above the Brooklyn Navy Yard, as well as building a wooden replica of a Revolutionary War-era sub and launching it at the Queen Mary 2, was a co-conspirator on a variety of adventures. One was the sinking bar, which Mr. McNeill persuaded Riley to help him build in a half-submerged tugboat with a rusted-out floor. The bar opened at low tide, and as the hours passed, guests eventually found themselves waist-deep in water. They swam out before the tide rose too high. Advertisement 'He never let personal safety get in the way of a genius idea,' Riley said. He added: 'Some of the funniest and proudest and most exciting moments were with Orien, just making things. . . . Maybe, in time, people will look back and realize what an important catalyst he was.' Mr. McNeill was irresistible, said Dan Glass, a fellow artist and frequent collaborator. He was like a combination of Auntie Mame and George Carlin -- or like a Martin Scorsese character but in a Wes Anderson movie, he added, noting Mr. McNeill's singular style. (Mr. McNeill favored blazers and jaunty feathered hats.) He made meals into performance art. He once served a roasted alligator to Riley in lieu of birthday cake (there were candles). Another event featured martinis made from Pepto Bismol and garnished with Band-Aids (surprisingly drinkable, by all accounts). He conceived an annual adventure he called 'The Battle for Mau Mau Island,' named for a lump of landfill circled by a creek near Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn. Hundreds of intrepid people would organize themselves into themed gangs and set out in homemade crafts of dubious seaworthiness through Jamaica Bay to compete, 'American Gladiators'-style, with various props and pseudo-weapons. The 'boats' disintegrated once the shenanigans were over. For McNeill, the intent was to highlight the potential of the city's waterways 'as a frontier of temporary arts and theatrics,' he told Gothamist magazine in 2016, while pointing out the scarcity of free creative space on land. Mr. McNeill's most ambitious project was inspired by Curry's 'Swimming Cities.' He wanted to do the same thing, but bigger, and conceived a 500-mile trip along the Ganges River to Varanasi, the sacred city and pilgrimage site in northern India. He called it 'The Swimming Cities of the Ocean of Blood.' Advertisement Mr. McNeill and a group of collaborators built five metal pontoon boats in Brooklyn -- three of them powered by motorcycles, one by sail and oars, and another by paddle wheel -- which he would captain. The boats were designed to lock together for camping on the water. In 2010, they shipped the components to a small Indian university in the city of Farrukhabad, which had agreed to host them while the collaborators reassembled their crafts. Though they had spent two years raising money through events that Mr. McNeill orchestrated, they were still underfunded and under-provisioned. It was an arduous monthslong trip. Marauding monkeys attacked their camp. They often saw bodies floating in the river. At one point they encountered a quarter-mile-wide concrete dam -- a terrifying 'Class 5 rapid,' said Porter Fox, a participant who knew his waterfalls (he had been a white-water guide). Mr. McNeill tackled it first. Fox went next, his boat flipping end over end as it plummeted over the torrent. Clearly, it was not going to be possible for the rest of the boats, or their crews, to survive the dam. Mr. McNeill single-handedly disassembled the remaining boats on shore, somehow found a tractor for hire, and set off on land to bypass the dam. 'I remember seeing him coming over a rise, like Lawrence of Arabia, waving from the tractor,' Fox said. 'It was just so herculean. No one else could have sallied their spirit enough to think about getting out of this jam. Everyone just wanted to go home, and he's, like, 'No, we're not done.'' Advertisement Orien McNeill was born Dec. 7, 1979, in Manhattan, the only child of Van Cleve, a filmmaker, and Malcolm McNeill, an artist, author, and television director. His mother and father are his only immediate survivors. Mr. McNeill's godfather was author William S. Burroughs, with whom the elder McNeill had collaborated on a graphic novel. Burroughs baptized Orien with a dab of vodka from his afternoon drink. He also turned over the lease on his loft in Tribeca to the family. By age 10, Orien was drawing, painting, and sculpting 'as well as any mature artist,' Malcolm McNeill said. He taught his son how to use an airbrush at 12 and a vacuum forming machine, for molding plastic, at 13, because Orien wanted to build a spaceship. 'Otherwise, I got out of the way,' McNeill said. 'He could make anything.' After graduating with a degree in industrial design from Pratt in 2001, Mr. McNeill spent a year traveling, stopping in New Zealand, Borneo, India and Ireland. When he returned, he bought the Chris-Craft, parked it in the Gowanus Canal and began homesteading there. He later lived on a sailboat, which he reconfigured by cutting the mast off to make room for a massive deck -- the kind one might build for a house, cantilevered over the boat's bow -- so that he could host more people. 'He would do anything to create the ecosystem he wanted,' Fox said. For his 10th birthday, Orien had asked his parents to get him business cards. His father still has a few. 'Orien McNeill,' they read. 'All your dreams made real.' Advertisement This article originally appeared in
