Sara Mizannojehdehi
Illustrator and Digital Storyteller
Concert culture started in brassy and velveteen rooms where musicians played their instruments for those who wanted to see them. In the 1950s, it evolved into something else entirely. The phenomenon of the rock concert occurred for the first time in 1953. It fuelled the evolution of the fanbase and the rockstar, and by the 70s, Rock was in full swing, and the concert reached its first peak.
The Evolution of a Star: Analyzing Two Icons Through their Fanbase and Music
We'll be looking at Harry Styles and Stevie Nicks. These are two icons that have gained their icon status from their charm, adoration for their fanbases, and relatability.
Concerts became more than intimate events that focus solely on music. They transformed into experiences to go through with friends. They became about dancing to the upbeat melodies and crying to the heartbreaking ones. They became about that instant when the musician's eyes caught yours in a dusty crowd, or the moment the bridge of your favourite song took over the amphitheatre.
In 2019, the euphoria of the concert is still alive. Though technology has made music infinitely more accessible, the charm and allure of seeing your favourite artist live still sells out stadiums.
How does one decide their favourite artist? A singer that can attract millions is a melange of musician, entertainer, and friend.
Yes, friend. The test of time has proved that being a friend is the deciding factor in whether a musician can attract an audience. The crowd has to be able to feel a connection to an artist for them to stay relevant. In the past 40 years, the standards of relating have evolved drastically.
To understand how fans can relate to an artist, we're going to be looking at the fanbase of two artists. These artists, one from 1979 and the other from 2019, have kept their fans for a long time. We're going to break down the evolution of their fanbases; what’s relevant to them in 2019, and what was relevant to them in 1979?