(did some edits since I posted this)

Here's a little gig report from the Joker Out Tilburg show, and I might put a bit of Amsterdam in too. I met up with the lovely @ljubitelj-sonca in Tilburg and it was fun to see many familiar faces in the crowd.

So far I've had a solid track record for Joker Out gigs on days where the rain just keeps pouring down. (N=2 so far, and N=3 if Het Grote Songfestivalfeest is included too). The traffic (both road and rail) was a challenge for a lot of people because of the weather. Out of nostalgia I brought the umbrella I bought last year while visiting the JO show in Vienna. I might have them sign it someday as I've decided it is my JO umbrella now.

Here's some little snippets and memories from an amazing night, in random order.

*The other 013 stage had a sold out show too and some Yung Lean fans ended up in the JO line and were visibly confused before realizing they had to be at the other side of the building.

*Kiki fans! Kiki missed the gig in London. Something was wrong with Vita's ticket to London so instead of joining the Jokers Vita and Kiki drove the van from Paris to Tilburg. There were many Kiki fans in the crowd and Kiki appreciation was loud. And deserved imo. Some fans gifted Kiki a chocoladeletter. Which is a customary candy for Sinterklaas, where Dutchies are gifted the first letter of their name in chocolade by either Sinterklaas or friends.

*More Sinterklaas! Someone gave Kris a plushy with a Sinterklaas costume. It was a Hamster plushy, the mascot of supermarket Albert Heijn. So much Dutchness packed in one gift. Sinterklaashamster spent a part of the gig on Jure's drum stage.

*JO played Supersonic twice and it SLAPS!! Loooooooove the synths.

*We Dutchies had to wait in anticipation until the encore before we were finally addressed by Kris in Dutch. His speech was brief but I will always love to hear him speak Dutch <3

*Bojan was in a MOOD. Right at the beginning he already mentioned he probably was going to talk a lot. He did, and I loved every bit of it. He was charismatic, hyperactive and having a really fun night. Soooo much yapping <3

*Not only Bojan was in a mood. The band was on fire in generally. Third show of the tour, still energized, it looked like they were having a blast. And so did the audience.

*Kris was been wearing a tiara (gifted by a fan that night) and the pink skirt (gifted by a fan at the 1st/2nd show) and he was simply SLAYING all. Bojan called him a princess at least once, right in front of our salad.

*Nace was all over the stage and having lots of interactions with all fellow jokers <3

*The setlist for this tour has mainly been the same for all shows until now. Loved the setlist, finally got to see and hear my beloved Bele Sanje live.

*I didn't get any merch, but that was 100% on me because of my own miscalculation and impatience. Will give it another try in Prague because I really NEED the dictionary.

*10 minutes of UM karaoke. We got many different languages, and while counting all UM karaoke signs at the beginning Bojan mentioned "Oh cool, that will be a first" when a guy mentioned wanting to sing. I don't know what happened, but he didn't sing in the end. And we had someone starting over for 2 of 3 times because they became very emotional. Bojan was a real sweetheart about it. Didn't pay a lot of attention at the stage during UM.

*It will never be boring to witness Jan playing live. He looks so ethereal and it's so mesmerizing seeing him putting in all his dedication and craftsmanship. For most of the gig he seemed to be mentally 2 galaxy's away from us, but we still did get some

*Jance crumbs!! Longing gazes during ASTP, Tokio zoomies, headbutting during SSOL. And the humping.

*The humping. WTF WHAS THAT?! I mean I'm not complaining.. Jan jumping and humping on Nace twice, and the pose where Kris was hanging unsupported on Jan's torso really was a choice. At some point I thought they were going to topple over into the audience but luckily nobody fell.

About Amsterdam. Well lets keep it brief. Bojan and Jere, WTF. Bojan casually pushing past security and having a mating Bojere ritual during the premiere of Disko Balls in front of 15k people. Bold. And fun. Kris wearing his skirt and Dutch t-shirt again. Jure filming being wheeled out on his drum stage. JO only got to play Carpe Diem (I was manifesting Supersonic too, but unfortunately no time for that during the almost 3 hour set by 27(?) artists) and everybody was happy.

Gig report

(did some edits since I posted this)

Here's a little gig report from the Joker Out Tilburg show, and I might put a bit of Amsterdam in too. I met up with the lovely @ljubitelj-sonca in Tilburg and it was fun to see many familiar faces in the crowd.

So far I've had a solid track record for Joker Out gigs on days where the rain just keeps pouring down. (N=2 so far, and N=3 if Het Grote Songfestivalfeest is included too). The traffic (both road and rail) was a challenge for a lot of people because of the weather. Out of nostalgia I brought the umbrella I bought last year while visiting the JO show in Vienna. I might have them sign it someday as I've decided it is my JO umbrella now.

Here's some little snippets and memories from an amazing night, in random order.

*The other 013 stage had a sold out show too and some Yung Lean fans ended up in the JO line and were visibly confused before realizing they had to be at the other side of the building.

*Kiki fans! Kiki missed the gig in London. Something was wrong with Vita's ticket to London so instead of joining the Jokers Vita and Kiki drove the van from Paris to Tilburg. There were many Kiki fans in the crowd and Kiki appreciation was loud. And deserved imo. Some fans gifted Kiki a chocoladeletter. Which is a customary candy for Sinterklaas, where Dutchies are gifted the first letter of their name in chocolade by either Sinterklaas or friends.

*More Sinterklaas! Someone gave Kris a plushy with a Sinterklaas costume. It was a Hamster plushy, the mascot of supermarket Albert Heijn. So much Dutchness packed in one gift. Sinterklaashamster spent a part of the gig on Jure's drum stage.

*JO played Supersonic twice and it SLAPS!! Loooooooove the synths.

*We Dutchies had to wait in anticipation until the encore before we were finally addressed by Kris in Dutch. His speech was brief but I will always love to hear him speak Dutch <3

*Bojan was in a MOOD. Right at the beginning he already mentioned he probably was going to talk a lot. He did, and I loved every bit of it. He was charismatic, hyperactive and having a really fun night. Soooo much yapping <3

*Not only Bojan was in a mood. The band was on fire in generally. Third show of the tour, still energized, it looked like they were having a blast. And so did the audience.

*Kris was been wearing a tiara (gifted by a fan that night) and the pink skirt (gifted by a fan at the 1st/2nd show) and he was simply SLAYING all. Bojan called him a princess at least once, right in front of our salad.

*Nace was all over the stage and having lots of interactions with all fellow jokers <3

*The setlist for this tour has mainly been the same for all shows until now. Loved the setlist, finally got to see and hear my beloved Bele Sanje live.

*I didn't get any merch, but that was 100% on me because of my own miscalculation and impatience. Will give it another try in Prague because I really NEED the dictionary.

*10 minutes of UM karaoke. We got many different languages, and while counting all UM karaoke signs at the beginning Bojan mentioned "Oh cool, that will be a first" when a guy mentioned wanting to sing. I don't know what happened, but he didn't sing in the end. And we had someone starting over for 2 of 3 times because they became very emotional. Bojan was a real sweetheart about it. Didn't pay a lot of attention at the stage during UM.

*It will never be boring to witness Jan playing live. He looks so ethereal and it's so mesmerizing seeing him putting in all his dedication and craftsmanship. For most of the gig he seemed to be mentally 2 galaxy's away from us, but we still did get some

*Jance crumbs!! Longing gazes during ASTP, Tokio zoomies, headbutting during SSOL. And the humping.

*The humping. WTF WHAS THAT?! I mean I'm not complaining.. Jan jumping and humping on Nace twice, and the pose where Kris was hanging unsupported on Jan's torso really was a choice. At some point I thought they were going to topple over into the audience but luckily nobody fell.

About Amsterdam. Well lets keep it brief. Bojan and Jere, WTF. Bojan casually pushing past security and having a mating Bojere ritual during the premiere of Disko Balls in front of 15k people. Bold. And fun. Kris wearing his skirt and Dutch t-shirt again. Jure filming being wheeled out on his drum stage. JO only got to play Carpe Diem (I was manifesting Supersonic too, but unfortunately no time for that during the almost 3 hour set by 27(?) artists) and everybody was happy.

JO fandom, are you still here? (Just press either yes if you see this!)

Yes 87.3%

Also yes 12.7%

79 votes • Remaining time: 6 days 9 hours

bojan count: 1 bojan

what am i even doing

1. the small mole next to his eye! a very pretty detail to his already pretty face. good stuff

2. the two moles above his belly button, a joint deal. frankly they are whatever to me and i don't even want my mouth on them

3. the eyebrow mole, similar feelings as the first one. and like someone said, a very good spot to leave a little kiss. has done so much for the bojan unmirroring community

what am i even doing

1. the small mole next to his eye! a very pretty detail to his already pretty face. good stuff

2. the two moles above his belly button, a joint deal. frankly they are whatever to me and i don't even want my mouth on them

3. the eyebrow mole, similar feelings as the first one. and like someone said, a very good spot to leave a little kiss. has done so much for the bojan unmirroring community

Let me first make something very clear: the open letter reached them. They were tagged by countless people on Instagram stories, and they saw them - multiple times. They read it, and instead of making it clear to the fans whether they wanted to keep using AI or not and make it clear when they are using it or not, they chose to put a "veil" over our eyes.

If you have noticed, all the updates lately have been "Hi, it's x member here." followed by a vague description of what they are doing, followed by a random concert talk.

The first update we got from them since the letter was - allegedly - written by Kris. I can't send prints of the letters, so I'm adding the link (https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/787785684632158208/weekly-update-20250630?source=share). This is the worst offender of them all. Good job adding some stuff that makes it feel human, like "hahaha."; "And now? Sleep." and "A few days of “rest” (whatever that means)…" other than that? This letter is awful. Commas? Don't know her.

"We just wrapped up a show that honestly… left us completely speechless. Seriously – whatever happened out there tonight hasn’t happened anywhere else before."

Okay, "Kris", tell us more about what happened. Why are you speechless? One of the signs of AI is being really vague when it comes to descriptions and just saying generic sentences.

And not a mention of Nace? On his birthday? Seriously?

The following week, we got Jan (https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/788383223094870016/weekly-update-20250707?source=share). I actually believe Jan wrote this one. For the most part. This paragraph still feels a little vague, but since Jan wrote it past midnight, I can excuse vagueness:

"Let’s talk about Kranj. Because what happened there wasn’t about numbers. It wasn’t about how big the stage was. It was all about the energy. We’ve said it before and we’ll keep saying it. You don’t need thousands of people to create something that sticks with you."

And Jan thinking about Kranj feels very on Jan brand (yes, this is about Jance, shush)

Next, we got Mister Jordan himself (https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/789003749814370304/weekly-update-20250714?source=share). It's just so short but... that's not the problem. Again, some vagueness: "Let’s be honest. We all know what this week was about. I’m still collecting my thoughts from yesterday!" I don't know how to explain it, but it feels off.

Bojan's letter feels genuine (https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/789659789925990401/weekly-update-20250721?source=share) - at least the first part where he talks about what everyone is doing. (Though I wonder why they keep saying "WILD" every update. It makes them sound like an old man trying to connect with the youth.)

The genuineness in Bojan's letter falls a little when Jure's letter begins with the same typo (Baby Boo instead of Baby boos). Link: https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/790254037620670464/i-love-the-way-jure-writes-about-his-road-trip?source=share

Granted, Jure could have seen how Bojan did it and tried to replicate it, but look me in the eyes and tell me Jure wrote a letter. I love Jure, but that man can't remember to promote concerts on Instagram most of the time, and you expect me to believe he wrote this letter? It almost feels as if... someone wrote it for him.

So, I have a theory on what's going on, but first of all, this is not meant to throw any shade at anyone. It's just the observations I've made as a fan, and a lot of people have also pointed it out. Joker Out has a new social media manager. And that, in itself, is a good thing! It gives them time to focus on their music while not neglecting the communication side of things. It was something we wanted for a while! However, this manager is pushing them towards using GenAI, even though they had openly expressed a dislike for it before. People are allowed to change their minds, of course, but the response they got wasn't a positive one, and what we asked was clarity because we don’t want to see/interact with that shit. Instead, we got clowned on, of course. Instead, we get TikToks following crappy AI trends, of course. Instead, we got emails that were probably written by the social media manager with a mix of GenAI, of course.

You may think that I'm making JO the sole responsible for the AI usage, or that I'm making the new manager the sole responsible. The truth is that I think both are equally responsible. The manager for coming up with these AI ideas we don't want and are not helping the band, and JO for letting it be published and following blindly.

One thing they did since the letter was shut up about the cartoon. I don't know if we'll see a comeback, but for now, they haven't mentioned it since the contradictory statements on its usage of AI, but, in my PERSONAL opinion, that was a good decision.

Why do I need to say all of this now? I already unsubscribed from the open letters because I WILL NOT promote this and keep being clowned on. But one of the things that has been bothering me lately is their TikTok.

What happened?

Genuinely.

Joker Out was always so funny even when they were senseless. We are still laughing at ARE YOU?? after all this time even though we don't understand it and now we get Italian ai brain rot, labubu and God knows what else (I'm not on TikTok, I'm always late to trends, sorry). It's not the type of content that makes me go "Oh, who are these people? Oh, they do music? Let me listen/go to their concerts", it just makes me want to scroll away. "It's ai again, it's capitalism again, idc".

I have a big question: who's this content for? Right now, it feels like JO doesn't know who they are aiming their content at. Is it your current fandom? Even though we have expressed we don't like this? Is it for new people who don't know you? That's the first impression you want them to have of you?

I'm just so tired.

I love JO and I want to go to their concerts, and buy merch and have fun in this fandom, but instead I have to be piecing together if they are using GenAI - a tool that promotes anti-intellectualism, capitalism, destroys the planet and steals from artists – because they can’t give it up, let alone give us clarity.

An unpleasant read but honestly every Joker Out fan should read this. Because while Joker Out don't seem value honesty anymore - we as a fandom do. I have a lot of thoughts about this but I will let everyone form their our opinion. One thing for sure - I have unsubscribed from their email and from their official accounts because the blatant LYING is making me sick. (apparently you can send an email back to their weekly updates. if you want to let them know how you feel about all this new direction).

Anonymous asked:

I need to get this off my chest: the Joker Out weekly updates are still AI-slop.

Let me first make something very clear: the open letter reached them. They were tagged by countless people on Instagram stories, and they saw them - multiple times. They read it, and instead of making it clear to the fans whether they wanted to keep using AI or not and make it clear when they are using it or not, they chose to put a "veil" over our eyes.

If you have noticed, all the updates lately have been "Hi, it's x member here." followed by a vague description of what they are doing, followed by a random concert talk.

The first update we got from them since the letter was - allegedly - written by Kris. I can't send prints of the letters, so I'm adding the link (https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/787785684632158208/weekly-update-20250630?source=share). This is the worst offender of them all. Good job adding some stuff that makes it feel human, like "hahaha."; "And now? Sleep." and "A few days of “rest” (whatever that means)…" other than that? This letter is awful. Commas? Don't know her.

"We just wrapped up a show that honestly… left us completely speechless.

Seriously – whatever happened out there tonight hasn’t happened anywhere else before."

Okay, "Kris", tell us more about what happened. Why are you speechless? One of the signs of AI is being really vague when it comes to descriptions and just saying generic sentences.

And not a mention of Nace? On his birthday? Seriously?

The following week, we got Jan (https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/788383223094870016/weekly-update-20250707?source=share). I actually believe Jan wrote this one. For the most part. This paragraph still feels a little vague, but since Jan wrote it past midnight, I can excuse vagueness:

"Let’s talk about Kranj. Because what happened there wasn’t about numbers. It wasn’t about how big the stage was. It was all about the energy. We’ve said it before and we’ll keep saying it. You don’t need thousands of people to create something that sticks with you."

And Jan thinking about Kranj feels very on Jan brand (yes, this is about Jance, shush)

Next, we got Mister Jordan himself (https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/789003749814370304/weekly-update-20250714?source=share). It's just so short but... that's not the problem. Again, some vagueness: "Let’s be honest. We all know what this week was about. I’m still collecting my thoughts from yesterday!" I don't know how to explain it, but it feels off.

Bojan's letter feels genuine (https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/789659789925990401/weekly-update-20250721?source=share) - at least the first part where he talks about what everyone is doing. (Though I wonder why they keep saying "WILD" every update. It makes them sound like an old man trying to connect with the youth.)

The genuineness in Bojan's letter falls a little when Jure's letter begins with the same typo (Baby Boo instead of Baby boos). Link: https://www.tumblr.com/musicalislife/790254037620670464/i-love-the-way-jure-writes-about-his-road-trip?source=share

Granted, Jure could have seen how Bojan did it and tried to replicate it, but look me in the eyes and tell me Jure wrote a letter. I love Jure, but that man can't remember to promote concerts on Instagram most of the time, and you expect me to believe he wrote this letter? It almost feels as if... someone wrote it for him.

So, I have a theory on what's going on, but first of all, this is not meant to throw any shade at anyone. It's just the observations I've made as a fan, and a lot of people have also pointed it out. Joker Out has a new social media manager. And that, in itself, is a good thing! It gives them time to focus on their music while not neglecting the communication side of things. It was something we wanted for a while! However, this manager is pushing them towards using GenAI, even though they had openly expressed a dislike for it before. People are allowed to change their minds, of course, but the response they got wasn't a positive one, and what we asked was clarity because we don’t want to see/interact with that shit. Instead, we got clowned on, of course. Instead, we get TikToks following crappy AI trends, of course. Instead, we got emails that were probably written by the social media manager with a mix of GenAI, of course.

You may think that I'm making JO the sole responsible for the AI usage, or that I'm making the new manager the sole responsible. The truth is that I think both are equally responsible. The manager for coming up with these AI ideas we don't want and are not helping the band, and JO for letting it be published and following blindly.

One thing they did since the letter was shut up about the cartoon. I don't know if we'll see a comeback, but for now, they haven't mentioned it since the contradictory statements on its usage of AI, but, in my PERSONAL opinion, that was a good decision.

Why do I need to say all of this now? I already unsubscribed from the open letters because I WILL NOT promote this and keep being clowned on. But one of the things that has been bothering me lately is their TikTok.

What happened?

Genuinely.

Joker Out was always so funny even when they were senseless. We are still laughing at ARE YOU?? after all this time even though we don't understand it and now we get Italian ai brain rot, labubu and God knows what else (I'm not on TikTok, I'm always late to trends, sorry). It's not the type of content that makes me go "Oh, who are these people? Oh, they do music? Let me listen/go to their concerts", it just makes me want to scroll away. "It's ai again, it's capitalism again, idc".

I have a big question: who's this content for? Right now, it feels like JO doesn't know who they are aiming their content at. Is it your current fandom? Even though we have expressed we don't like this? Is it for new people who don't know you? That's the first impression you want them to have of you?

I'm just so tired.

I love JO and I want to go to their concerts, and buy merch and have fun in this fandom, but instead I have to be piecing together if they are using GenAI - a tool that promotes anti-intellectualism, capitalism, destroys the planet and steals from artists – because they can’t give it up, let alone give us clarity.

mint-ty

An unpleasant read but honestly every Joker Out fan should read this. Because while Joker Out don't seem value honesty anymore - we as a fandom do. I have a lot of thoughts about this but I will let everyone form their our opinion. One thing for sure - I have unsubscribed from their email and from their official accounts because the blatant LYING is making me sick. (apparently you can send an email back to their weekly updates. if you want to let them know how you feel about all this new direction).

Transcript and review by @moonlvster, translation and subtitles by IG marija_rocen, proofread by @flowerlotus8

Note: Rakija is the collective term for fruit spirits (or fruit brandy) popular in the Balkans.

Transcript and review by @moonlvster, translation and subtitles by IG marija_rocen, proofread by @flowerlotus8

Note: Rakija is the collective term for fruit spirits (or fruit brandy) popular in the Balkans.

now, fast forward a couple of years, the book sits proudly next to the other ones he owns, or maybe even also next to Nace's if they already have their own place together, a physical reminder of how their beautiful story started

now, fast forward a couple of years, the book sits proudly next to the other ones he owns, or maybe even also next to Nace's if they already have their own place together, a physical reminder of how their beautiful story started