Taking it back to the old school

Many people associate the word ‘rock’ with the music of the 1960s-1970s. However, rock music did not become popular until the 1950s. Nevertheless, when it did catch on, rock music quickly became the epitome of cool. In addition, many rock songs have become instant hits and endured for decades. Music fans have enjoyed a variety of rock genres over the years. As long as rock remains popular, there will be a thriving rock scene.

The 1960s saw rapid growth in the popularity of rock music. Rock concerts – which used to attract only teenagers – now drew in crowds of all ages. Some rock bands performed live on television for the first time in the 1960s as well. Subsequently, the practice spread around the country as more and more bands picked up live performance along with their instruments. Even now, live shows remain an integral part of most rock genres. By comparison, few people listen to rock on their mp3 players or computers these days. Even when playing at full volume, most people find listening to rock overly noisey and outdated.

Hip hop – which came about a decade later – gained popularity by appealing to new generations of music fans. In contrast to rock music of earlier decades, hip hop songs were typically short and to the point. These days, hip hop has a number of different genres that each have their own unique soundscape. Some hip hop scenes are dominated by electronic dance music while others focus on old school rap music or street dance themes. Regardless of which genre people prefer, hip hop has proven itself relevant in contemporary culture.

While most other musical scenes developed around other genres of popular music, old school music (OSM) still thrives among some music fans. This is especially true for fans of classic rock- or hard rock- or those who prefer older music from the 1940s through 1970s. In fact, some fans have even revived oldies concerts where groups perform vintage songs from this era. Fans dress up in retro clothes and era-appropriate accessories for these shows- but many concert-goers still look contemporary as well. Old school enthusiasts have their own online community where people from all backgrounds can discuss this classic genre of music.

Electronic dance (EDM) has become one of the most popular forms of music in recent years. These days, almost every popular band has a designated EDM song they are known for performing live. Many iconic songs from past decades now get remixed with electronic instrumentation for modern audiences to listen to again. These remixed songs often reference electronic dance music by name to distinguish them from older versions that used instrumentation instead of MIDI notes. Electronic dance music has brought a new type of scene to the music world that is still evolving as new popular genres arise around it.

As with any form of artistic expression, certain types of music draw dedicated followers who want to experience that particular scene firsthand. Rock remains one of those popular genres thanks to its history as well as its current appeal among young and old audiences alike. While some people prefer other types of rock- or hip hop- or even EDM- certain scenes thrive because they cater to specific demographics with their unique soundscapes and conventions [1]. Ultimately, people want to enjoy different types of music since each genre represents a different facet of life and culture [2].