Alternative Allure – SS16 Music Trends
Set to be a trend in 2016, the alternative allure concept will project a sense of reverence for sounds of the past. Inspired by the rise of alluring female front women such as Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice and Hannah Reid of London Grammar, prominent female front women are reminiscent of the 1990’s sub genre of alternative rock and are direct ancestors of Britpop.
The imagery associated with this movement will develop from the increasingly commercial success of all-female bands such as Haim, Warpaint and Savages. This generation of confident, stage-dominating female artists will evolve with a focus on one female amongst a band of males.
Stylistically, alternative allure will rely on introspective lyrics, beauty and fashion consciousness.
A new wave of female band members will effortlessly represent the future of a generation that challenges the insecurities of achieving perfection. Inspired by the Britpop era, ‘alternative allure’ depicts the way the female front woman can once again become noticed in the music industry.
The 90’s saw a wave of female fronted bands such as Sleeper, Elastica, The Cranberries and Echobelly benefit from the market saturation of male fronted acts such as Oasis, Pulp, Blur and Suede who once dominated the industry; this process will be replicated once more.
The foundations for this process are currently being laid; whilst male-fronted bands such as the 1975, Bastille, Arctic Monkeys and Bombay Bicycle Club have been enjoying a period of critical and commercial success, the emergence of British bands such as London Grammar and Wolf Alice will pave the way for more stylish female front women. Together with the 20th Anniversary of the Britpop scene, this will also be encouraged by grand dame Debbie Harry’s return to Glastonbury in 2014.
In 2016 the music industry will see a mass of 90’s-esque pin ups bearing the characteristics of icons such as Justine Frischmann (Elastica), Toni Halliday (Curve), Louise Wener (Sleeper) Dolores O’Riordan (The Cranberries) Candida Doyle (Pulp) and Sonya Madan (Echobelly). The alternative allure will embody the qualities of the captivating, charismatic songstresses possessing haunting voices and an element of gaucheness about their non-glossy style.
The move to alternative allure will encompass the appreciation of the female singer, encouraging the release of solo albums and collaborations with other acts. These singers will eventually gain their own loyal fan base and market themselves as a lucrative brand.
