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Where Have All The Bands Gone?

kjb

Proof reading not always a strength
The Pitchfork top 10 for 2017 is 100% made up of solo artists - no bands feature at all.

https://pitchfork.com/features/lists-and-guides/the-50-best-albums-of-2017/?page=5

The top 20 isn't that different - indeed if you take LCD Soundsystem as a solo vehicle, which it pretty much is if you look at the credits - and War of Drugs as effectively another solo vehicle - the top 20 lacks any bands.

Great bands always delivered their music out of a dynamic between members rather than being a vehicle for a single voice. Bands have made nearly all of my favourite records. Quite a few of my favourite solo artists were linked into, and made their best music with, great bands - Nick Cave, Patti Smith, Neil Young.

Is the age of bands over and now just a mainstay of the nostalgia circuit?

Who are the great bands left still making good new music?

Kevin
 
I have also become aware of the rise in the solo artist. I guess it is cheaper to tour if there is only one of you ! Technology also enables an artist to make a fine noise in a live environment.

I do love seeing a band play live and here are some of my favourites - for what it is worth.

Dutch Uncles ; Victories at Sea ; Field Music ; Pumarosa
 


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