BACKGROUND TO THE MUSIC INDUSTRY AND SOME BASIC THEORY......
POP MUSIC GENRE

Genres are constantly being created and mixed together but most music would fit into one of genres:

• Dance: David Guetta
• R&B: Drake
• Pop: One Direction 
• Hip-Hop/Rap:Run The Jewels 
• Rock: David Bowie
• Punk: The Clash
• Country & Western: Taylor Swift
• Folk: Jonie Mitchell
• Jazz: miles Davis
• Blues: B.B King
• Latin: Shakira
• Gospel: Mary Mary 
• Reggae: Bob Marley
• New Age: Yanni

All the genres have sub genres which can be linked to other factors like hair, clothes and make-up(style).Each genre is supported by other organisations such as festivals such as 'Wilderness' which supports the genre 'Indie'.

Artists are judged into genres just based on their clothes and style even before they start to sing. The look of an artist is just as important as the sound because different styles mean different things. For example an 'Indie' artist would probably wear quite plain but quirky clothes, maybe a nice shirt or a flowing dress and the main singer would probably have flowers in their hair or be holding a mandolin!

Here is an example of an 'Indie' look. She is surrounded by flowers which represents her as free and wild(love and peace). There is some exotic bird in the top right hand corner which is sweet and different from normal album covers and this is what indie is about - being different. 

Even though artists don't like being categorised to a genre that is what it is like.Spotify for example See's what kind of genres you are listening too then recommends other music in that genre. Stores such as HMV split their music up into genres so that customers can easily find what they are looking for.

We can try to get away from genres but it is helpful and without them festivals and stores would all be in a muddle.