Mainstream Vs Indie artists

Mainstream Vs. Indie artists

Mainstream

The definition of mainstream is the ideas, attitudes, or activities that are shared by most people and regarded as normal or conventional. Therefore, this can be related to the music industry in different ways. For example, mainstream artists are the artists which are usually more publicised than indie artists therefore more people would listen to them. Not always but usually mainstream artists would dominate the charts which is supported by the fact that the X factor winner would normally top the Christmas charts regardless if the song is better than any other in the chart but the fact that it was most publicised on Television. Also you can argue that there is  mainstream genre which is Pop/ RnB as most people enjoy this genre therefore becoming a normality or a convention. Mainstream music would be more regularly played on bigger radio stations such as Kiss or capital than in die music therefore adding to the ides that the media controls what we listen to meaning they control what mainstream is. This is linked the Adorno and Horkheimer's theory of 'the Culture Industry' which meant that the music industry turns and changes artists to make them more mainstream which means they can sell more records and make more money. 

A good example of a mainstream artists is pop band One direction. This is because they came from the talent show The X factor meaning they were already in the public eye. Also their image is seen as mainstream they are five young good looking boys which would appeal to young girls and teens which would make them very popular. One Direction have been standardised and changed to be more mainstream so they can sell more records and merchandise as more of an image rather than focusing on their music.

Indie Artists

On the other hand, Indie artists are directed at a more niche market therefore not being as publicised. For example you do not see Indie artists on the front cover of the Billboard magazine but on NME magazine. Indie artists are usual signed to minor record labels as again they are focused on more of a niche market. Most indie artists prefer this anyway as they have more control over their music and their image and believe that the label really care about the music rather than just the money. Indie artists do not follow Adorno and Horkheimer theory as they do not change their music or image to appeal to the wider audience to be able to sell their music and products. 

An example of an indie rock band would be Arcade Fire as they are signed to Rough Trade which is an indie label therefore they are not always in the public eye. However, they have won many awards such as a Grammy for album of the year. Also they have not changed their image to appeal to anyone to sell themselves more therefore do not follow Adorno and Horkheimer's theory of the culture industry.