The Evolution of British
Music
From the 60’s to modern day
Contents
1. Introduction
2. the 60’s
3. the 70’s
4. the 80’s
5. the 90’s
6. the 2000’s
7. The 2010’s
8. Modern day
9. Conclusion
Music- is as iconic to UK culture as Queen Elizabeth II or
Brexit. It's a cultural pillar that defines the UK.
The UK is a legendary hub for musicians, home to
world-renowned talents like Pink Floyd, The Beatles,
Eric Clapton, and Amy Winehouse. It's truly a realm for
music makers and enthusiasts.
60’s
Modern UK bands and artists are globally
recognized, yet the classic ones remain equally, if
not more, celebrated. We’ll start with the 60s,
spotlighting The Beatles, a globally adored
English rock band, journey through musical eras
like punk and Britpop, wrapping up with today's
stars like Ed Sheeran.
The Beatles
The Beatles, a British rock band from Liverpool, are
considered the most influential in history. In April 1964,
they held the top five spots on the Billboard Hot 100.
Over ten years, they recorded twelve albums and
composed over 200 songs. Their music spanned genres
from skiffle and rock 'n' roll to pop, Indian music,
psychedelic rock, and hard rock.
The Beatles drew from various influences,
including Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Chuck
Berry, and Little Richard.Throughout their career,
they explored many genres, broadening pop
music's scope. Their genre-defying nature was
evident in songs like "You Know My Name" and
"All Together Now".
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=wXTJBr9tt8Q&ab_channel=TheBeatlesVEVO
70’s
Punk - A faster, rawer, and more temperamental approach to the early
influences of the rock n' roll. A full scale phenomenon in the UK, Punk
would define the second coming of British music just as The British
Invasion had 15 years earlier. The Sex Pistols and The Clash would
revolutionize the youth of England in ways that have not been seen
since
Glam - An exclusively British music craze of the early 70's. Glam was
structured around simplistic guitar riffs accompanied by theatrically
dynamic melodies, reminiscent of early American rock n' roll. What set
Glam apart was "sexual ambiguity", portrayed in part through their
popular stars: David Bowie with his Ziggy Stardust persona and Marc
Bolan of T.REX.
Metal - The most extreme in terms of volume and masculinity, Metal
found its first roots in England during the late 60's. Beginning with heavy
guitar bands such as The Who and Cream, it would develop an even
moodier exterior with the likes of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin.
Heavy Metal would find a much greater audience in North America.
80’s
New Wave - Directly following Punk, New Wave was accompanied with a softer
approach all the while maintaining the unnerving edginess. Artists like Elvis
Costello, XTC, and The Police we're stylistically diverse in their approach marking
New Wave as one of the more groundbreaking genres of the 80's.
New Romantic - Created upon a sleek, danceable approach to pop- the New
Romantics took their influences from New Wave but also Glam of the early 70's.
With make-up and stylish cloths, bands such as Duran Duran and A Flock of
Seagulls set about the pathway for synthesized pop of the 1980's.
Madchester- Catchy choruses, psychedelic nuances and
danceable grooves is what Madchester (dubbed ecstasy
music) was all about in the late 80's and early 90's. An
extremely popular genre for its time, Madchester's two
most popular bands, The Happy Mondays and The
Stone Roses would be cited by Blur and Oasis as major
influences.
90’s
Brit-pop -The definition of English music in the
90's. Dominated by such bands as Oasis, Blur,
The Verve, and early Radiohead. Brit-pop kept up
with The British Invasion approach, guitar driven
songs accompanied by irresistible melodies. Brit-
pop was mainstream in the truest sense -it was
big, fun and all about rock n' roll.
Trip-hop The dance music of England circa 1995.
Trip-hop was a term coined by the musical press
to describe the bands that incorporated detached
electronic beats with flourishes of jazz and R&B
Bands such as Portishead, Massive Attack, and
Prodigy would lead the pack.
2000’s
British music in the 2000s was exciting. It was a diverse mix
of genres like pop, rock, indie, and electronic music. Some
popular British artists from that time include Coldplay, Oasis,
Arctic Monkeys, Amy Winehouse, and Adele. There were
also some iconic bands like Blur and The Spice Girls
making waves. It was a great era for music.
2010’s
It was a decade filled with a wide range of genres and
talented artists. Pop music continued to dominate the charts
with artists like Ed Sheeran, Adele, and One Direction
gaining massive popularity. British indie bands like Arctic
Monkeys, Florence + The Machine, and Mumford & Sons
also made a big impact. Electronic music saw a surge in
popularity with acts like Disclosure and Calvin Harris ruling
the dance floors. And let's not forget about the rise of grime
music, with artists like Stormzy and Skepta bringing their
unique sound to the forefront. Overall, the 2010s were a
vibrant and exciting time for music in the UK
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYEDA3JcQqw
Modern day
British music in the modern day is still as vibrant and
diverse as ever. It continues to push boundaries and
showcase incredible talent across various genres. In the
pop realm, artists like Dua Lipa, Harry Styles, and Lewis
Capaldi have gained international recognition with their
catchy tunes and powerful vocals. Indie music remains
popular, with bands like Arctic Monkeys, The 1975, and
Foals captivating audiences with their unique sounds. And
let's not forget about the influence of British rap and grime,
with artists like Stormzy, Dave, and Little Simz making
waves both in the UK and globally.
Conclusion
British music has evolved into a powerhouse of talent and
creativity. From the iconic sounds of the past to the vibrant
and diverse music of today, it's clear that British artists
continue to make a significant impact on the global music
scene. Whether it's pop, rock, indie, electronic, or grime, the
UK consistently produces groundbreaking artists who
captivate audiences worldwide. British music has become a
symbol of innovation, pushing boundaries, and setting
trends.
