Indie is now one of the biggest music genres in the UK but some complain about whether it really can be called indie? What does indie exactly mean? In musical terms, indie is the independence from a major commercial music label and has a strong following to the DIY ethos of approaching music.
Many people are now arguing that indie is used as another bandwagon onto a scene of hipsters and trendy’s who only use it as a label of popularity. Quite a few bands have been criticised for creating the same mediocre music just so they can make more money. One band in particular is American band, Kings of Leon. The band has been praised in the past for creating fantastic albums such as Youth and Young Manhood. Lately, however the band have adopted a more media friendly style such as the whole skinny jean, chequered shirt look that is so popular in today’s fashion. Even though the latest album, Only By The Night has gained critical acclaim from critics and new fans alike, many old fans have felt that the band have created mediocre music and let them down.
The most recent bands however haven’t been the only ones that have been criticised for selling out. Paul Weller himself, who needs no introduction, has been slated for the formation of post Jam band, Style Council, who took a more R n B approach which disappointed many Jam fans. Razorlight have slated the band Kooks, one of the biggest “indie” bands for, “bending over and waiting for Radio One to f**k them in the a**e,” although coincidentally, Razorlight have been slated for selling out themselves.
Even if we take a look at the world of consumerism and advertising, the evidence that indie is taking on a more mainstream approach is there. Popular high street store Topman takes on a very rock/indie theme and is one of the biggest shops all around the world, a total step back from the idea that indie isn’t a commercial idea. Anyone can just go into one of their stores, purchase the “indie look” for £60 and come out saying, “Topman made me one of the cool indie guys.” I recently did an interview with Babyshamble’s Drummer Adam Ficek who even expressed his own concerns that indie music is no longer special and that he hopes that in a few years time, the whole thing will die down and indie music will finally become special again.
Certain magazines that are considered to cover indie bands have been slated for being edited just to fulfill commercial and political reasoning. These magazines have also been slated for covering bands that no one needs a specialist knowledge for and also taking on a look resembling that of popular women's magazines.
It's up to you whether you think the latest stream of indie bands are really independent at all or whether they’re just another set of bands joining the bandwagon in order to become popular for making the same set of music. Who knows when this whole argument will finally be put to rest, maybe it will take a few years or last for as long as popular music is around?
We are constantly looking for passionate writers to volunteer their work. Do you think you have what it takes? Why not get in touch by emailing us at news@citylifelive.co.uk
Many people are now arguing that indie is used as another bandwagon onto a scene of hipsters and trendy’s who only use it as a label of popularity. Quite a few bands have been criticised for creating the same mediocre music just so they can make more money. One band in particular is American band, Kings of Leon. The band has been praised in the past for creating fantastic albums such as Youth and Young Manhood. Lately, however the band have adopted a more media friendly style such as the whole skinny jean, chequered shirt look that is so popular in today’s fashion. Even though the latest album, Only By The Night has gained critical acclaim from critics and new fans alike, many old fans have felt that the band have created mediocre music and let them down.
The most recent bands however haven’t been the only ones that have been criticised for selling out. Paul Weller himself, who needs no introduction, has been slated for the formation of post Jam band, Style Council, who took a more R n B approach which disappointed many Jam fans. Razorlight have slated the band Kooks, one of the biggest “indie” bands for, “bending over and waiting for Radio One to f**k them in the a**e,” although coincidentally, Razorlight have been slated for selling out themselves.
Even if we take a look at the world of consumerism and advertising, the evidence that indie is taking on a more mainstream approach is there. Popular high street store Topman takes on a very rock/indie theme and is one of the biggest shops all around the world, a total step back from the idea that indie isn’t a commercial idea. Anyone can just go into one of their stores, purchase the “indie look” for £60 and come out saying, “Topman made me one of the cool indie guys.” I recently did an interview with Babyshamble’s Drummer Adam Ficek who even expressed his own concerns that indie music is no longer special and that he hopes that in a few years time, the whole thing will die down and indie music will finally become special again.
Certain magazines that are considered to cover indie bands have been slated for being edited just to fulfill commercial and political reasoning. These magazines have also been slated for covering bands that no one needs a specialist knowledge for and also taking on a look resembling that of popular women's magazines.
It's up to you whether you think the latest stream of indie bands are really independent at all or whether they’re just another set of bands joining the bandwagon in order to become popular for making the same set of music. Who knows when this whole argument will finally be put to rest, maybe it will take a few years or last for as long as popular music is around?
We are constantly looking for passionate writers to volunteer their work. Do you think you have what it takes? Why not get in touch by emailing us at news@citylifelive.co.uk
Independent on the mainstream - By Alex Yau
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