What band is the Beatles of our day?
It seems like we don’t really have that one, cohesively agreed-upon rock idol these days. But there are a lot of great bands out there; it just seems like everyone has different tastes.
Also, I think that the music culture has really shifted to the local scene recently. Independent music is big—and great local bands are finally getting the attention that they deserve. I know that here where I live near Portland, Oregon, the music scene is incredible. We are home to The Shins, Modest Mouse, Matt Kearney, the Decemberists, Elliot Smith, Hyperstatic Union, and Storm from Rockstar Supernova. Consequently, people’s focus has turned to the local artists that they can actually go out and see play live very frequently. People are noting that music played live in person is a whole different experience than listening to a record. The national rock bands who everybody knows (i.e., like the Beatles were, and still are) aren’t as personal as the in-town artists.
Of course, everybody still loves the Beatles—and always will. But I’m seeing a definite shift towards the local and independent music scenes, at least in my own city. This makes it hard to identify one band or bands that are the "Beatles of today." Some widely-popular bands have recently had their five minutes of fame (i.e., The Fray, Snow Patrol, Green Day, Nickel Back, etc.). But it’s doubtful that these bands will really endure through the generations the way the Beatles have.
So who do you think are the Beatles of today?
And is the independent music scene as popular in your city as it is in mine?
I don't think there is a Beatles of today. You're right about the local scene. I used to live in New Orleans and now I live in Austin. Both these cities have their own scene, especially Austin. I think this is a good thing because musicians don't have to be as dependent on the L.A. scene. It's actually possible to stay in your home town now and be successful.
There is no Beatles of today, and I don't think it's possible for one to exist. With their being so much music and such a wide array of taste and style AND a way to get a hold of all of it, people are just spread too thin. Add to that the fact that in our current society things can be either "cool" or popular. No matter how good a band is, once they reach a certain level of popularity they will be shunned by a group of people.
-Tim
"It costs nothing to be honest, loyal, and true." -Avett Bros.
Theoretically, you could say that the Beatles were just like say...Ok Go. My reasoning is that the Beatles were not truly appreciated as incredible innovators of rock until after they split up. While they played, there was also the Who, the Rolling Stones, the Byrds, Bob Dylan, etc. It was up to the tastes of the people of the day to decide which group they would listen to the most, just like nowadays. Sometime in the future, when music historians look back on our music, they may say that Ok Go were the greatest innovators of 00's music. Basically, we will not know the Beatles of our day until after they have passed.
There is a house in New Orleans they call the Rising Sun.
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy and God I know I'm one. ~The Animals
I disagree. While the Beatles may not have been appreciated for the genius of their music fully until later on, they still sold something like 100 million records by 1965, and hit 1 billion by 1985. That's just totally amazing and ridiculous.
-Tim
"It costs nothing to be honest, loyal, and true." -Avett Bros.
True, but so do the artists of today, so long as the albums are bought, not copied... In any case, I believe my point is still valid.
There is a house in New Orleans they call the Rising Sun.
And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy and God I know I'm one. ~The Animals
Yes, they were popular, but why not ask for the Lynard Skynard of today, or the Black Sabbath of today, or the Queen of today? I would like to think that wouldn't have to label a band a "insert band here of today", because they should be original enough to make a name for themselves.
There is no Beatles of today...they were one of the greatest rock bands ever, and there is no way that you could compare then to any band that exsists today.
Appropriate that a Beatles song came on my iTunes as I read this. I agree with everyone else, there is no Beatles of today. Bands like that don't just come along every day.
Bands should be unique, and shouldn't be compared to old bands.