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When people think of bands, the music is the first thing that comes to mind when many associate with a particular artist. What many people don’t realize is that image is just as important as music. Whether it’s a particular look of an artist, a mascot or a stage show, branding is an all-important aspect when it comes to making the music be as memorable and fun for the audience.
Mascots
Eddie From Iron Maiden
Whether it’s Eddie from Iron Maiden, Vic Rattlehead Megadeth, Algie the Pig from Pink Floyd, mascots help music fans identify with the music. While celebrities and casual music fans can be seen sporting band t shirts despite not having known a single song, they wear them because they recognize the brand. Yes, it is cringy that they only wear the brand of the rock star without having listened to a single song, but from a marketing perspective, the band’s image is seen by millions. This opens the door for big opportunities for guest spots at festivals where the band would feel out of their element but gain new fans. This is all due to being a recognized brand because of having identifiable mascots.
The Look
Like the Roxette song of the same name, the look of the band is just as important as having a mascot. In the 70’s and even today, fans across the world have put on iconic makeup as worn by KISS. People recognize The Star Child, The Demon, The Cat, and The Spaceman before they can name one KISS song. Gene Simmons, one of the most notorious marketers in music, helped make this so. He emphasized the look of the band, sometimes with the music taking a backseat, why? He knew for a fact people would want to emulate it and make it look like a part of their lifestyle. The look engrains KISS into the minds of fans everywhere as a result.
Angus Young, eternal schoolboy.
AC/DC are another good example of marketing an image. The instantly recognizable school-boy outfit worn by lead guitarist Angus Young has been parodied in movies, live concerts and more for decades. This is all since when audiences see the outfit, they associate it with the brand that AC/DC represents when they are not onstage being a band.
Separating Bands from Brands
The world’s most recognizable logo.
When bands take the stage, recording studio or just there to jam. They are first and foremost a band, they are all about the music, the audience interaction and putting on a great show. Off stage, they are a brand. There is a reason the music industry emphasizes industry for a reason. There are thousands of bands competing to be beloved by thousands of fans. How they do that is through branding. Getting their image to as many fans as possible. Social media, merchandising and promotion through interviews help the band’s image get out to as many fans as possible.
When you listen to your favorite band, think of what made them memorable. The music or the image?
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