What first comes to your mind when you think of “British Music”? What do you feel like is the current or past sound of the UK?

Posted by zandeye@reddit | AskUK | View on Reddit | 28 comments

I know this is a big question since this is decades and centuries of music history. but i’m curious what stands out and what comes to mind? what do you think of when you think of british music? Whenever I look at the top Spotify songs in The UK I always notice that there are dance/edm songs that aren’t popular in the US. I wonder if you’d associate that sound with the UK.

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28 Comments

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Kat8844@reddit

Radiohead,Portishead,Massive Attack. There are so many amazing artists from the UK across lots of different genres that I love but those 3 are like the holy trinity to me.

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KateEatsKale@reddit

The Who The Prodigy Oasis The Spice Girls One Direction Adele

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EmergencyOriginal982@reddit

First artist that came to my mind when I read this was Amy Whinehouse so that's my answer. I don't know if it's her character as well as her music that makes me think of that but it was the first name that came to mind.

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zandeye@reddit (OP)

I thought of Amy too. rip

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EmergencyOriginal982@reddit

I think the way she interacted with the press was another factor. British musicians *usually* are very much themselves with the media and aren't always the ones with massive egos or diva statuses. One reason Ed sheeran is loved is that he is 100% himself, I prefer his older more acoustic music but you can tell the music he makes now is just stuff he wants to do. From a completely different genre I also think Stormzy is liked because of this too, he is himself and a lovely guy. Especially liked his latest album as you can tell it is something he wanted to do and explore.

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zandeye@reddit (OP)

that’s interesting. but i like that thought and I feel the same about Ed. you get the impression that he realized he could be the biggest musician in the world and did it for 5 years and made Shape Of You. and then went back to making what he truly wants to make

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EmergencyOriginal982@reddit

Yeah for sure, the album that Shape of You is on was the real turning point I think. There was a lot more of non Ed sheeran type music I think. So whilst i don't like his new stuff I respect him for just doing what he enjoys doing now and what he enjoys making.

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harshnoisebestnoise@reddit

Nowadays it’s jazz and it’s almost completely uncontested. Even the jungle revival and post punk revival that’s been kicking about for a few years now is nothing in comparison to the sheer amount of groundbreaking jazz. Grime died down so quickly because everyone moved into the trap/drill sounds or moved to America. Even our hardcore scene is getting outdone by the Aussies and the deathcore revival is almost exclusively in America.

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EvilTaffyapple@reddit

I see Britain at the forefront of Electronic music. Ever since the late 80’s / early 90’s, we’ve been pioneers of nearly every dance genre, and creators of many genres, too.

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zandeye@reddit (OP)

I like this idm duo called Boards of Canada. I didn’t realize they were from Scotland. I wonder if there’s a larger idm sound there

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harshnoisebestnoise@reddit

Iglooghost and Kai whiston have been spearheading the U.K. idm scene for a while now. One from Ireland, one from Scotland

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EvilTaffyapple@reddit

Yeah Boards of Canada are pretty good. We’ve also spawned: • ⁠Orbital • ⁠Underworld • ⁠The Future Sound of London • ⁠The Prodigy • ⁠Aphex Twin • ⁠B12 • μ-Ziq • ⁠Squarepusher • ⁠Four Tet • ⁠Burial • ⁠John Digweed • ⁠Sasha • ⁠whole genres of music, like Jungle, Drum & Bass, Garage, Dubstep, UK Hardcore, IDM…

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thesaltwatersolution@reddit

Then throw in some trip-hop sounds, Massive Attack, Tricky, Portishead.

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CowFragrant2429@reddit

Punk is so British that people in other countries imitate the accents when singing. It's like the opposite of pop music, where British people sing like Americans.

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Green-Strategy-6062@reddit

PARKLIFE

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Front-Nectarine5165@reddit

The Beatles, The rolling stones, The animals, The kinks, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Elton John. To name a few. Sex pistols, undertones (irish), Oasis, Blur, Pulp, Arctic Monkeys, The Kooks, Lily allen, Kate Nash. Easy life are pretty new. There's fucking loads tbh Then you got the groups like Take that, sclub 7, steps, Blue, Westlife, Boyzone (irish). JLS, Littlle Mix and all that shite

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Simbooptendo@reddit

Town Called Malice

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Gogginscrotch@reddit

I see it in eras. The Beatles, Pink Floyd etc etc The Sex Pistols and all punk bands Bands like The Smiths, Primal Scream, Happy Mondays, Stone Roses Then the britpop era of Pulp, Oasis, Blur etc Nowadays most music sucks. Best in the UK right now are CasisDead for urban music and The Last Dinner Party

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indiekid6@reddit

You’re not looking in the right places if you think most music today sucks friend

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kaipee@reddit

After Britpop was Dance, House and Club. Then Garage and R&B. Probably now would be Grime or similar

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PuzzleheadedElk2039@reddit

BRING ME MY SWORD!!!

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Rare-Bumblebee-1803@reddit

Parry composed the music for the poem by William Blake.

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Inevitable-Height851@reddit

Tallis, Byrd, Purcell, Elgar, Britten

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Rare-Bumblebee-1803@reddit

I would add George Frederick Handel to the list. I know he was German but many of his major works were composed for George II.

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Wishmaster891@reddit

The Beatles, Spice Girls, Oasis

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I-Am-The-Warlus@reddit

Madness

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imminentmailing463@reddit

The Beatles were the first thing that came to mind. Which is interesting, as I'm not even a huge fan. Shows how ingrained they are into my consciousness I guess. To your specific question, dance music certainly is a significant part of British music.

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