Is nostalgia harming live music?

On 29 February my wife and I went to see one of my favourite bands in Leeds. It was just the two of us, we had a free pass with overnight babysitters sorted. We were both excited to see a band we loved in a new venue. What could possibly go wrong?

We were off to see Supergrass. If you're not familiar with them they burst onto the UK music scene in the 90's through to the early 00's. Following a long break the band reformed and were doing their first tour in years.

You can't have escaped it, can you? The news that Oasis are back together has sent the UK into a frenzy. Festivals are selling out in minutes, and the ticket resale market is already a minefield. While a part of us is buzzing to hear those anthems live again, it got me thinking. Is this obsession with 'nostalgia acts' actually holding back the next generation of musical talent?

It's a tricky one, isn't it? On the one hand, who can blame us for wanting to relive the glory days? On the other, are we creating an environment where new artists simply can't get a look in? The list of reunion tours is getting longer by the year, isn't it? We've seen everyone from Guns N' Roses and The Stone Roses to Steps, Busted, and even the Pussycat Dolls getting back together. Blur and Suede were back, and let's not forget the endless reunion talk for the likes of The Smiths. Even Led Zeppelin did a one-off show! It feels like a non-stop parade of artists from our youth.

Let's break it down.

The Problem with the Past

Picture this: you're a new band, fresh out of the rehearsal room, and you've just put out your first EP. It's brilliant, you're convinced you've got a shot. But then, you see the headlines. Oasis are playing five nights at Wembley. Or it's a huge festival bill with My Chemical Romance, Blink-182, and Linkin Park. Your chance to get noticed at a major festival or on the radio feels... well, a bit slim.

It’s not just the big names, either. Reunited acts like The Zutons, Supergrass, and Black Grape are filling venues that a new, original band might dream of playing. Even the pop world is at it, with Take That, Westlife, New Kids on the Block, and the Spice Girls (twice!) proving there's huge money in nostalgia.

Top 5 Ways Nostalgia Acts Can Hurt New Music:

Hogging the headlines: When a band like Oasis or Genesis reunites, it dominates the music press. All the oxygen is sucked up by the old guard.

Festival slots: High-profile festival slots, which are a massive platform for new artists, are often given to the same old faces, from Blur to Simply Red.

Radio playlists: It's often easier for a classic tune from Faithless or Elastica to get airplay than a new song from an unknown act, especially on heritage rock stations.

Audience habits: If your average music fan is spending all their money on an Oasis or a Bros ticket, they might not have the cash (or the inclination) to go and see a small, unsigned band in a tiny pub.

Record label pressure: Are labels more likely to invest in a guaranteed sell-out reunion tour from The Corrs or Sleeper than a risky new signing? You'd have to think so.

But What's the Alternative?

However, it’s not all doom and gloom. There's a counter-argument to all of this. Could these massive reunion shows actually be a good thing for the music scene as a whole?

For one, they generate a huge amount of money. This can filter down and help to keep smaller venues and independent labels afloat. Plus, a new generation of music lovers who might not have been around for the first time are being exposed to bands that laid the groundwork for today's sound. Think of all the young kids who will go to a Spice Girls gig and then get into new pop music because of it. And let's not forget the sheer joy of seeing bands like the Bay City Rollers back on stage.

Also, it's not like the music scene is completely stagnant. We've got incredible new artists breaking through all the time. They're just finding new ways to do it, often using social media to build a following from the ground up.

My top 3 reasons why nostalgia isn't all bad:

It's a gateway drug: An older sibling or parent dragging a teenager to see their favourite '90s band could be the first step on a journey of musical discovery.

Money talks: The massive revenue from these tours can support the wider music industry infrastructure.

It shows the passion is still there: The fact that so many people are desperate to see these bands shows that live music is as important as ever.

The Verdict

So, are Oasis and their mates wrecking it for everyone else? Honestly, it's a bit of both. It's a double-edged sword. While it's brilliant to celebrate the legends of British music, we also need to make sure we're not so focused on the past that we miss out on the future. The responsibility lies with all of us – from the radio programmers and festival organisers to us, the music fans. We have to make a conscious effort to seek out new sounds and support the artists of tomorrow. So, go on, get your parka out for the Oasis gig, but maybe also buy a ticket to see an unsigned band down your local next week. Sounds like a plan, doesn't it?

#nostalgia #music #oasis #britpop