I remember when I was a young boy connecting with my father through mainstream interests, we used to attend professional sporting events. At these events, each team had a ‘mascot’ who intended to get fans ‘fired up’ about the home team. I’m not sure how much adults enjoy mascots, but I feel like they function as some sort of ‘icon’ who can get people emotionally involved/invested in the game. They are also to attract ‘young fans’, inviting them to become a life long member of the team’s ‘brand’, even before the child ‘completely understands the rules of the sport.’

It’s interesting to see that the band WILCO got a mascot. I think that this means they are a ‘huge’ band, needing to reach new markets + demographics. A mascot will make Wilco shows more enjoyable, getting people on their feet, and doing things like ’starting the wavve.’ I feel like the mascot trend might seem ‘cheesy or lame’, but I feel like the early adopters to this trend won’t feel a backlash. Feel more worried about when indie bands with mascots reaches a 27% saturation rate, and people find it to be inauthentic, instead of whimsical and fun.

Do yall think that mascots are the future of independent music? Do u think that bands should accept their status as ‘marketable brands’ and create characters that might great assets when it comes 2 spreading their message? Are mascots ‘cheesy and mainstream’ or marketing tools that are more effective than twitter.

Not sure how 2 feel about the band mascot era. Seems like things are about to get ‘mad crazie.’

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Decided to ‘brainstorm’ mascots for popular indie bands. Let me know if yall have any feedback on these ideas. Some of these are metaphors.

Grizzly Bear

Neon Indian

The Arcade Fire

Deerhunter

Girl Talks

The Animal Collective

The Justice League

Bands with the word ‘deer’ in their name

Belle and Sebby

WAVVES

PHOENIX

Dan Deacon

Sigur Ros

Ratatatting

Cut Copy / the Presets / Empire of the Sun

Miscellaneous Aussie Band

MGMT

The Yeah Yeah Yes

Kings of Leon

Crystal Castles

Diplo [via old pizzaAlt meme]

Feist

The Strokes

Vampire Weekend

U2

The Killers

Coldplay

Air

Daft Punk

Fleet Foxes

Kanye West / Jay Z / Lil Wayne

MSTRKRFT

Friendly Fires

Postal Service

The Posting Services

Creed / Lifehouse / Christian band

Interpol

M.I.A.

At the Drive In

Bloc Party

Brokencyyyde

Bjork

The Polyphonic Spree

The popular new band Fruit Collective

Do yall think that any of these are good/bad ideas?
Do u ’see’ any metaphors in these mascot suggestions?
How should a band go about ’selecting’ their mascot? Fan voting?
Do u think u’d find music festivals more fun if there were mascots representing your fave bands?
Should festivals be more like a ‘competition’ with fan voting [via text]?
Can u think of any artists, and what mascot would represent them the best?
Are indie band mascots just marketing gimmick, or are they a legitimate marketing tool that will be here 4ever?
If u had an indie band, would ur mascot work the merch table, or would he be ‘in the front’ during the show 2 get ppl pumped?
Should u start a myspace page for your mascot, or should u just have a section dedicated to him on ur band’s myspace presence?

MASCOTS: THE FUTURE OF INDIEPENDENT MUSIC?

I am interested in this new era of the Crystal Castles. I thought that they were just going to be ‘irrelevant’ for 1.2 more years, then ‘release an overhyped+overblogged’ followup album that altNewsOutlets covered more bc of ‘familiarity’, and less bc of ‘artistic merit.’ But now it seems like they might be interested in becoming ‘the best Canadian band since the Arcade Social Fire Scene.’

All artists are trying to ‘be authentic’ and ‘provide an inimitable live experience’, and many bands achieve this by displaying their musicianship. I think ‘playing live’ might be a good idea for the Chrystie Cashes. Think all bands are ultimately trying to ‘look cool’ by looking like a male rocknroll band. ‘Playing guitar’ makes consumers feel comfortable watching ur band play. They don’t want to see bandmembers ‘hunched over a laptop’ or even just ‘playing tambourine’. A live audience needs to be ‘captivated’ by ur performance, and enable the much-blogged-about phenomenon of ‘word of mouth’ advertising to take place [via twitter].

I am interested to see them on tour, and see if Alice can play some mad ‘riffs’ on the guitar. If CC comes out to your area, let me know how ‘the Alice on Guitar’ experiment works out.

As I have grown older, I have started to see ‘the larger picture’ about ‘the concertgoing experience.’ The truth is that concerts are ‘always the same’ but the only thing changing about the concert is U. You are growing older, moving from demographic-to-demographic. The way you feel about ‘life’ is constantly changing, and based upon the version of ‘loneliness’/'fulfillment’ that you feel, you will interpret any experience differently–concerts are an essential part of the modern human experience.

These are the general age demographics who ‘attend concerts’ and a synopsis of ‘their general conscious experience.’

Ages 12-17: The era of idealizing ‘the modern indie concert experience.’

You don’t really understand what ‘indie rock’/etc. usually is, and experiences like Warped Tour, Coachella, and Regional music festivals are ‘lumped into a category.’ You see music as something that brings people with similar interests together. You are going to graduate from high school soon, and after that, who knows what might happen? Maybe u’ll be able to go to famous clubs, see famous bands, meet internet-famous people, and live the idealized life that is somewhere between ‘Almost Famous’ and ‘Gossip Girl’ or some other tv show/movie.

This is just an era of ‘being naive’ and ‘not knowing the correct websites to view’ in order to stay relevant. You have a lot of important formative experiences, but generally every1 experiences the same thing at this age. How much money your parents make ultimately decides ‘how alt’ u will be.

Notable stereotypes in this demographic:

• teen bros wearing crombie but liking indie music,
• entry level alts in Am Appy,
• tween bros who only shop at name brand places and come out with t-shirts that have designs on them that theoretically ‘look cool’ but are obviously from Old Navy/Billabong/J.C. Penny’s ‘trying to be cool’ type of clothing line,
• groups of kids who seems scared to make decisions on their own and end up making group decisions where 10 kids get the same t-shirt and wear it to high school the next day to ‘prove that they went to a show’
• tweens with older siblings who are ‘authentic and chill and let them drink beer 1 time’
• tweens who will 1 day ‘be self-aware’ and reconnect with some1 about ‘that terrible band we both used to like!’

Ages 18-20: The ‘being old enough to get in’, but ‘not old enough to drink.’

This is usually the most ‘thrilling’ era of ‘being a bro who wants to see live music.’ This is the age at which various subplots ‘beyond the music’ can evolve, such as ‘getting into a 21+ show’, ‘getting drunk before the show’, ’sneaking in a flask of ______’, ‘meeting people from ur local college who like indie music too!’, and other experiences that you have theoretically ‘been waiting for your whole life. This is sort of when ‘meaningfulcore’ music appeals to you the most, because unlike in the previous era, u have the means to ‘truly appreciate’ what ‘life is all about.’

To some extent, ‘your whole life is still ahead of you’ and you have started to enjoy your context. You feel like your ‘personal connections’ with people are the reason that you are on this Earth, and you seriously feel like you have an unmatched group of friends who really ‘get’ it more than any other group in the world. You want to have the most amount of friends possible, and just share experiences in large groups.

You do not feel alone. This crowd of people. This independent music. This is you. You have arrived.  Back when the Arcade Fire ‘first came out’ 75% of ‘alternative music lovers’ somehow had the mindset of this demographic.

Notable Stereotypes in this demographic:

• Entry level alt girl covered in am appy
• Proud Bro in first Am Appy tshirt/hoodie
• Packs of bros/broads
• Mixed groups of people who ‘get into drama’ about dating/drugs/being straight-edge
• Bros who just moved to college and are lookin 4 new friends
• People with fashion choices that mix their mainstream past with their desire 2 be more authentic/alt
• People who accidentally like ’shitty generic indie rock’ bc they just want to identify with an aesthetic

Ages 21-23: The era of ‘having legal fun’ while still ‘feeling like your life is ahead of you.

This is a pretty useless era. It is usually dominated by mindsets from the previous two eras, except you are ‘having legal fun.’ Probably ‘the most costly era’ of them all, since you are ‘buying sooo many drinks’ and usually ‘have to buy your tickets early’ [via online ticketing website]. Some people ‘are in a relationship’ that is probably ‘too serious’ during this era, and concerts are a place for both them to ‘get insecure’ about all of the other attractive ppl around.

This might be the ‘prime’ of ‘being alt’ in terms of ‘ur last days of glory.’ Soon you will graduate from college, and you will ‘become a different person’ after you ‘enter the work force.’ You just want to enjoy this time, and ‘be sillie’ or ‘absurd’ and have as much fun as possible, before your parents ‘expect u to get a real job.’   This is sort of the mindset that fueled ‘the bloghouse/electro’ era.

Notable Stereotypes in this demographic:

• Couple who ‘are looking forward to breaking up after college’
• Bro who spends 50% of his income on weed, liberal arts major bro,
• entry level alt in Am Appy/headbands,
• girl ‘dressing alt’ for the first time,
• Person who is ‘new in town’ and decided on a personal brand makeover after not fitting in their previous context/life
• Girl who still acts like she is 17
• bro ‘trying acid’ for the first time after ‘weed and booze got boring’/not ‘eye-opening enough’
• bros ‘preying’ on girls who are between 17-21, and being some sort of ‘mentor’ about ‘the scene’ in exchange for sexual favors/attention until girl ‘piggybacks’ the bro and finds a more valuable member of ‘the scene’ who wants her sweet vagina more than the previous bro
• people who ‘twitter’ the whole show
• Ppl who ‘get too drunk’ at shows
• the bro who ‘grinds on tons of bitches.’

Ages 23.75- 25.5: Feeling ‘disenchanted’ about where ur life is, and finally realizing that you’re not 19 any more/the people you are watching on stage are living the life that you thought you would be living.

This is a post-college, post-being fully supported by your parents era. ‘Concerts’ are sad reminders of where your life is, and how you have theoretically been ‘the same simple person.’ You might be in a serious relationship, and you might ‘resent this person’ since they are the first direct representation of ’settling’/'becoming complacent’ with your life. You see people who are younger than you, and feel ‘incredibly old.’

This is probably the last era where you are most likely to ‘find a good mate’ but at the same time, there are still feelings like ‘u have a lot left to do with your life’ even though you probably ‘aren’t as young as you think’, at least in terms of ‘accomplishing your goals.’ Feel hopeful, but more of a ‘false hope.’

Concerts are ‘okay’ but you should probably be ‘burnt out’ on ‘going out’/’seeing kewl bands’/'finding new music’/etc pretty soon.

Notable Stereotypes in this demographic:

• Bros who are still trying to ‘make it’ as a band and go to a show to ’study’ the band
• people who ‘twitter’ the whole show
• Couples who are in what seems to be a fight
• Bros who ‘won free tickets’ since they have no job and waste time on the internet all day.
• AngstyBros
• Bros who are ‘raging against’ society/the machine

Ages 26.7-35: Admitting that you’re ‘an old bro’ and ‘going to the concerts to see a good live show’ and as a night out with your wife.

When you are this old, you can only go out to a concert if you ‘really, really, really like the band.’ The band is most likely only 14% relevant by this time, and you might actually ‘have the best time you’ve had in a while’ listening to this band that ‘used to mean everything to you.’ You will more than likely wear a slimming plaid shirt, or some other ‘comfy apparel’ that hides some of the weight you’ve put on.

Your alternative life is basically over, particularly if you are ’successful.’ You go to the concert and walk around meaningful parts of the city–life seems to have ‘passed u by’, but you feel okay when you see a ‘guy who is 35 and works at the door’ or like ‘oldbro who has some stupid altJob.’ Most of you feels ‘relieved’ but you also sort of question ‘why u r on this Earth’ and wish you didn’t drive such an affordable, untrendy car.

You might also be bald, and have a difficult decision to make about ’shaving your head’/'wearing a cap’/etc, but you realize that ‘balding’ is a natural process. It’s okay to be bald–it is out of your control, and young people who don’t ‘get’ that scientific fact are ‘idiots.’ It’s just part of growing old. One day you will die, but tonight, you will enjoy this concert with 2.5 beers, and grab on to your significant other’s love handles–bc 2nite they are actually full of love.

These people are the probably the most valuable bros to ‘good bands’ because they are the assholes who buy albums off iTunes/buy pre-sale tickets for shows. Not sure if this will ’stay the same’ when the current younger-generations ‘grow up’ after years of knowing how to ‘find leaks.’

Notable Stereotypes in this demographic:

• general cool dads in plaid,
• somewhat insecure prematurely balding bro
• people who are ‘alt for life’
• free spirited moms
• girls with huge thighs who wear ’summer dresses’ that go down to their ankles
• Dudes who ‘limit themselves’ to two beers
• Bros with hands on the hips of their girlfriend’s expanding waistline.

Ages 35+: You ’should probably just focus on your kids’

I think that the only time you should go to a concert when you are over 35 is if it is in some sort of seated auditorium, or if you have to chaperone your kids to a music festival/concert for his/her birthday party. Sort of like the modern version of ‘taking your kid to a baseball game.’ Ultimately, you do want your child to be cultured, but at this point, it seems like a circus/spectacle. You look back to when ‘things meant something’ and you wouldn’t look at things like ‘fuck–i paid $50 x 3 for my son, his friend, and me to get in here. Could have paid my utilities bill.’ You used to have a dream of learning the guitar/synth and starting a meaningful band that got tons of ‘press’/'internet buzz’, but now you are older, and the majority of your life is behind you. You are happy with the concerts you attended, the moments you shared with your friends, and don’t feel as resentful of the person who used to ‘have a meaningful experience’ at concerts.

Notable stereotypes in this demographic:

• Out of place mom rubbing sun screen on her embarrassed son’s face
• Dad who ’secretly drinks 10 beers’ while his son moves to the front of the show
• Dad cheating on wife, using blackberry to text mistress the entire time
• Dad with kids who have ‘a spunky personality’/'long hair’
• Mom with daughter who will ‘grow up 2 be the indie slut she never was’

WHICH DEMOGRAPHIC R U IN?

WHICH DEMOGRAPHIC R U IN?

WHICH DEMOGRAPHIC R U IN?

WHICH DEMOGRAPHIC R U IN?

DO U ‘DIE’ AFTER U TURN AGE __?

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Every time you go to a concert, you are surrounded by a group of people who have something in common with you–they paid $10-100 to see the same artist as you. They most likely made the same consumer decision to purchase the same album that you did. They had the same convos about ‘what their fave song was’ and even had ‘the same moment alone in the car where you felt happy while listening to this band’s album.’

Life is a battle against your insecurities. There are things you want to do with your life, and an image of yourself that you think you will eventually ‘be.’ Some days, you feel closer/further away from accomplishing this

Life is a choice–do you want to be an individual, or do you want to find a group of people who ‘understand u.’ Concerts are theoretically one of the best places to find people who ‘are living a similar life to you. Either you can be threatened by the 10-15% of people who look like you, or you can ‘find solace’ in knowing that there are people out there who are just like u.  

Which will u choose?

Activity Questions for this post:

• What do concerts mean 2 u?
• Why do u go to concerts?
• Do u feel like u are ‘just a stereotype’ when you go to concerts/shows and see people ‘dressed like u’?
• Is it more authentic to call a live musical experience a ‘concert’ or a ’show’?
• Should I commit suicide at a ’show’ as a ‘thinkpiece’?
• Is this post ‘fucking bullshit’ because it never mentioned ‘actual music/musicians’?
• Do u just ‘enjoy the music’ and ‘avoid all thoughts’ about ‘the people who surround u’?