Conventions of Britpop

Britpop

Britpop is a UK based music and culture movement in the mid-1990s which emphasised "Britishness", and produced bright, catchy pop music, partly in reaction to the popularity of the darker lyrical themes of the US-led grunge music, an alternative rock genre, and to the UK's own shoe gazing music scene. The most successful bands associated with the movement are Oasis, Blur, Suede and Pulp; those groups would come to be known as its "big four”. The time span of Britpop is generally considered to be 1993-1997, with 1994-1995, and a chart battle between Blur and Oasis dubbed "The Battle of Britpop", being the epicentre of activity.

Through Britpop is seen retrospectively as a marketing tool, and more of a cultural moment than a musical style or genre, there are musical conventions and influences the bands grouped under the Britpop term have in common. Britpop bands show elements from the British pop music of the sixties, glam rock and punk of the seventies, and indie pop of the eighties in their music, attitude, and clothing. Specific influences are: Blur and Oasis drew from the Kinks and the Beatles, respectively while Elastica had a fondness for arty punk rock.

How do we recognise the Britpop genre?

• Usually performance elements

It is important that we replicate this in our final music video. This is because a variety of successful bands use this element  in order to show the links to the Britpop genre. By many successful bands including this element, it suggests that it will help improve the quality of the music video, as it will link back to the genre.

• A story interwoven with scenes of band performing

It is important that we replicate this element in our music video because it will help attract the audience by creating enigma throughout the video. Therefore, the audience will try and workout the meaning of the song. Which means, the audience watch the music video throughout. Many successful Britpop bands use this element, which suggests that if we include this in our music video, it will help improve the quality of the music video.

• Low key lighting

We should replicate this element in our music video. This is because it helps establish the band members to the audience. The more important band members are normally in the light and the less important members are normally in the background in the dark. Therefore, by replicating this element it will help improve the quality of our music video.

• Colours - Red, White and blue

By researching the different colors that are used in Britpop music videos. We've realised that the common colors that are used in successful Britpop music videos are red, white and blue. This suggests that Britpop bands using the colours of the union jack is to show to the audience where they've originated from. As a group we need to replicate this common element because it helps improve the quality of the music video.

• Logo/symbols = tends to be the Union Jack (sometimes modern symbols - influence of 1960's/70's pop music)
  

As a group we should replicate this element in our music video. This is because many successful Britpop bands use this element to show where the band has originated from. Therefore, this gives the audience a sense of togetherness. Which means that the audience will like the band even more.

• Influenced by British guitar music of the past
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By making this post it will allow us to include a variety of Britpop conventions such as; camera shots and movements of the performing bands. This will help us create a professional Britpop music video. Also it will allow us to include a variety of jump cuts in the music video. Therefore, this will help show the pace of the music video, which implies to the audience the mood of the song.