Everything about Arena Rock totally explained
Arena rock, also called
stadium rock or
anthem rock, is a loosely-defined term describing an era of
rock music. It was spawned from
heavy metal,
hard rock, and
progressive rock in the
70s by bands such as
Styx and
Queen.
Characteristics
Arena rock takes its sound from
hard rock,
heavy metal, and
progressive rock. Arena rock is "heavy", but it isn't as hard and is "more commercially oriented" than other subgenres of hard rock and heavy metal. Songs are often linked by
concept albums, a trait inherited from progressive rock. Other features include "slick productions", an emphasis on the verses, and an "unnatural emphasis on big, anthemic hooks and choruses", the last trait "set[tingit] apart from its influences".
Arena rock isn't only defined by its sound, it's also defined by its concerts. It "is music designed to be performed live in stadiums and arenas". Arena rock shows often feature "smoke machines, laser light spectaculars, two-story mega-amps, and JumboTron video screens", as well as "guitar pyrotechnics".
History
Arena rock's origins can be traced to the late
1960s, with bands such as
The Beatles,
The Rolling Stones,
Led Zeppelin and
The Who. Those bands "set the stage for huge live performances in stadiums and arenas around the globe." The genre itself, though, was created by bands such as
Boston,
Styx,
Foreigner,
Journey,
Queen,
Peter Frampton, and (Phil Collins-era)
Genesis. Those bands would go on to "sell-out the world’s largest venues throughout most of (the
70s) and beyond" and help make arena rock popular in the
80s.
Arena rock's popularity peaked in the '80s with bands such as
Heart,
REO Speedwagon,
Cheap Trick,
Asia,
Kansas,
Bon Jovi,
KISS and
Aerosmith "were at the zenith of their popularity, selling millions of units". At this time, arena rock's popularity "only seemed on the way up."
Eventually, arena rock would lose its popularity to
alternative rock and
grunge for a number of reasons. One reason was the "limitations in the style". Many of the younger fans felt a more personal connection with genres such as
punk,
new wave, and
indie rock, and the older fans tired of stadium rock, as many of "the performers were ants on the stage from the upper decks." Other reasons include "declining admission sales and album sales" and stadiums decreasing in size. By the time
MTV had formed, "it no longer bore any relevance."
Further Information
Get more info on 'Arena Rock'.
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