More POP at Reading/Leeds

[jump]

It shouldn't be considered a genre. Just an abbreviation of the word popular and that's were the problem lies.

[AcademicPistol]

But how popular does something have to be to be considered pop or if a popular artist strays away from their established "pop" sound to something more experimental/alternative is still considered pop ?

[jump]

Well for a start I don't think considering any music as pop is helpful.

When something get's in the top 40 or goes platinum, you could say: "That artist/song/band has become popular" if you want.

But the term/genre 'pop' has become such a grey area, umbrella term it's rendered itself useless.

Edited November 14, 2012 by jump

[AcademicPistol]

What if a new boy band is launched and their single/albums flops, is that considered pop/popular music even though the act itself isn't popular?

[jump]

No it shouldn't because this hypothetical boy band weren't popular.

I can tell my man!

[thesecretingredientiscrime]

The whole Bugg thing is making me laugh at the moment, him calling himself an "enemy of X Factor and pop music" as if he's some radical new thinker changing the way music is made.

[thetime]

The whole Bugg thing is making me laugh at the moment, him calling himself an "enemy of X Factor and pop music" as if he's some radical new thinker changing the way music is made.

[AcademicPistol]

What genre would an unpopular boy band be then?

Edited November 14, 2012 by AcademicPistol

[mrtourette]

No it shouldn't because this hypothetical boy band weren't popular.

[jump]

I don't know. What does their music sound like?

[thetime]

marketed at specific audiences used by putting a lot of emphasis on image and brand association.

[LondonTom]

Can we just call it "Shite" music then?

[AcademicPistol]

Maybe it shouldn't but it is. Words change meaning over time all the time, just because the history of the word pop is popular music doesn't mean that the phrase pop can't or hasn't evolved to also be used as a description of a genre primarily meaning manufactured commercial acts who don't write their own music marketed at specific audiences used by putting a lot of emphasis on image and brand association.

[rug568]

Yep. Because pop has become a dirty word, the vast majority who listen to pop - such as the sort of music which dominates EVERY festival (bar a few very specialist ones) - refuse to accept that they're listening to pop.

Metallica? pop music.

Foo Fighters? pop music.

Just about every 'indie' band ever (post '84)? pop music.

Etc, etc, etc.

[AcademicPistol]

Like every other boy band, their songs are about "I love/miss/want you baby" with the usual Westlife, Take That, Backstreet Boy sound all of which don't play instruments and just dance and sing.

[2rare2die]

But what if the term 'pop' as in popular music refers to the popularity of the sound or style played rather than the popularity of the band/artist playing it? (which i always assumed it did)

[AcademicPistol]

But what if the term 'pop' as in popular music refers to the popularity of the sound or style played rather than the popularity of the band/artist playing it? (which i always assumed it did)

[jump]

Well if I was in charge of genres and I wasn't allowed to label it as 'cheesey' or 'Nickelback without guitars' I would probably rename as something like 'boyband'.

But I am not in charge of genres. So the lazy, hard for people to define term 'pop' won't be going anywhere.

The only labels we need is good or bad.

[2rare2die]

Defining good and bad is even harder to define pop music.

[thetime]

James arthurs class though.

[2rare2die]

James arthurs class though.

[thetime]

Who's he?

[2rare2die]

Xfactor get with it.

[Andy0808 v3.0]

It will be an extremely sad day when i listen to Zane Lowe announcing the line up in March and hearing him say Example, Labinth, Ellie goulding, etc.

[AcademicPistol]

Defining good and bad is even harder to define pop music.