When you think of boybands or girl groups, a certain type of music or a specific band may come to mind, and it’s no secret that this subset of music hasn’t always had the best reputation among music lovers. However, it’s nearly impossible to deny the impact that some of these groups have had on pop music.
“I think some boy bands have written and have been part of some of the greatest pop songs of all time. The Backstreet Boys and One Direction have probably produced some of the best pop music I’ve heard,” says Matt Wynter. Wynter is a music agent from the United Kingdom. He’s worked with several boy bands and pop artists throughout his career, including UK-based boy band Five. He is typically responsible for managing tours and booking live shows for his clients.
A boy band or girl group is typically a group of three or more artists of the same gender, usually all in their teens to early twenties. While genre and sound can vary, most of the more successful groups tend to find their niche within pop music. They typically don’t play their own instruments, relying instead on a backing touring band that is separate from the main vocal group. As for what makes them successful, Wynter says it’s pretty simple.
“What makes a successful boy band is so many different elements, but what makes a good boy band is just incredible songs, looking great together, and great styling,” says Wynter. “You don’t need to be the best vocalist in the world, but it just works. Every member brings something unique to the band.”
However, the art of boy bands and girl supergroups has shifted and thoroughly diminished over the years in the Western world. Groups that were popular in the late 90s to early 2010s have since disbanded, and there hasn’t been a group to fill that void in recent years, at least not in North America or Europe. The focus on boy bands has seemingly moved East, with a notable rise in popularity of K-pop groups.
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Brief History of Gendered Groups
Professional gendered groups began in the 1920s with girl groups like Three X Sisters and the Boswell Sisters. Their popularity grew through the Depression, WWII and right into the 50s and 60s. Pre-boy bands followed with barbershop quartets and rock groups like the Beatles. However, it was not until the ’60s and ’70s that boy bands really started to spring up with the introduction of the Jackson 5 and the Osmonds.
By the 70s, format and genre changed, and large recording companies managed groups. Girl groups like the Supremes led the way with multiple hit singles, such as “Up the Ladder to the Roof.” The Supremes led the way for other groups, boy and girl, to begin experimenting with sounds and genres. Disco groups during this period began popping up, including Hot and the Emotions. As the Disco craze ended and glam rock began rising, groups again changed their sound to fit the day’s trends.
The present sound began forming in the early 90s with groups such as New Kids On The Block and the Pussycat Dolls. The girl group scene was dominated by Americans while the boy band scene was a mix of American and U.K. artists. As the 90s rolled in, a second wave of British female artists began making their stamp on the sound of girl groups like the Spice Girls and Atomic Kitten.
While Western groups dominated the music scene in the 90s, Asian groups began to achieve global success in the 2000s and beyond. Eastern groups from Korean pop (K-pop), Japanese pop (J-pop) and Chinese pop (C-pop) have overtaken the popularity of Western-gendered groups as they began waning in the 2010s. Each genre has its own distinct style and cultural significance. K-pop groups such as BTS and Blackpink have become global phenomena charting in America.
The advent of the internet and social media has significantly shaped the evolution of boy bands. From the British Invasion in the 1960s to the global phenomenon of K-pop, the way in which boy bands reach and engage with their audiences has transformed drastically.
Early Cultural Impact of Boy Bands and Girl Groups
Formed in 1995, NSYNC and similar groups like the Backstreet Boys, defined the boy band phenomenon of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their harmonized vocals, choreographed dance routines, and polished image captivated millions of fans worldwide, dominating the music industry with hits like “Bye Bye Bye.”
NSYNC’s impact on pop culture was profound. They were among the first to show how boy bands could dominate both music charts and merchandising. Their influence extended into television and film, with members like Justin Timberlake transitioning into successful solo careers. The group’s ability to blend pop, R&B, and dance music set a template that many boy bands, including One Direction, would later follow.
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The Spice Girls, emerging in the mid-1990s, changed and shaped the music scene for fellow female artists and similar girl groups. Their message of female empowerment and friendship resonated globally, making them cultural icons. Each member’s distinct persona—Sporty, Scary, Baby, Ginger, and Posh—allowed fans to identify with their favourite Spice Girl, creating a sense of personal connection that fans enjoy.
The Spice Girls’ influence extended far beyond music. They became fashion icons, with their bold, eclectic styles influencing trends in the 1990s – a style that is making its return in today’s fashion. The Spice Girls showed that girl groups could be both commercially successful and culturally significant, paving the way for future acts like Little Mix.
Current Cultural Impact of Boy Bands and Girl Groups
One Direction, formed on the British television show “The X Factor” in 2010, quickly skyrocketed to global fame. Their success was credited to the unprecedented level of fan engagement, particularly through social media platforms like Twitter and Instagram – talk about great timing. This direct line of communication between the band and their fans created a sense of intimacy and loyalty that propelled their popularity. Musically, One Direction’s catchy pop tunes like “What Makes You Beautiful” appealed to a broad audience, while their ordinary personas made them relatable and charming. One Direction highlighted and used the power of social media to their advantage to build and maintain a fanbase, setting a new standard for how artists interact with their audience.
Little Mix, was also formed on “The X Factor” in 2011. Known for their powerful vocals, dynamic performances, and strong messages of empowerment, Little Mix has inspired a generation of young women. Their music often addresses themes of self-worth, independence, and resilience, resonating deeply with their fanbase.
They have also been vocal advocates for body positivity and mental health, using their platform to promote important social issues. Little Mix’s cultural impact lies in their ability to combine entertainment with advocacy, making them role models both on and off the stage.
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The Rise of Social Media: One Direction
The advent of social media in the late 2000s revolutionized how boy bands connected with their fans. One Direction, formed in 2010, exemplifies this shift. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube allowed the band to share behind-the-scenes content, engage in real-time with fans, and build a global fanbase almost instantaneously. Social media bubbles enabled fans to create a close-knit community, amplifying their collective voice and influence.
Wynter explains that before One Direction, there was no social media. Instead, “They had Simon Cowell and The X Factor to launch them off.”
According to Wynter, the industry is lacking a proper platform nowadays.
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The K-Pop Phenomenon: BTS
K-pop, particularly the boy band BTS, has unprecedentedly leveraged the internet and social media. BTS’s use of V Live, Weverse, and TikTok has created an immersive fan experience. Their strategic use of social media has enabled them to build a dedicated fanbase, known as ARMY, which actively promotes their content across various platforms. This digital engagement has played a crucial role in their global success, allowing them to break into markets traditionally dominated by Western artists.
According to Wynter, there has been a shift of boy bands from the Western to the Asian music industry.
“I don’t even know anyone there is, apart from the Korean,” he said. “The bands are coming out of there right now, there’s certainly no Western boy bands that I’m aware of.”
The internet and social media have drastically altered the boy band landscape, shifting from traditional media to interactive digital platforms. This evolution has enabled boy bands to cultivate global fan bases and engage with them in real time, creating a more dynamic and participatory fan culture. From The Beatles to BTS, the trajectory of boy bands underscores the powerful role of the internet and social media in shaping modern music fandom.
Boy Bands and Girl Groups Shifting to the Asian Market
In the global music landscape, bands play a significant part in cultural phenomena, particularly in Asia. One of the most prevalent forms of music is Korean pop (K-pop), which has gained extensive popularity globally in the past 10 years. Japanese pop (J-pop) and Chinese pop (C-pop) are minor contributors to Asian music culture and the global entertainment industry.
As of the beginning of 2024, the K-pop landscape has over 300 groups, with an estimated 99 million fans worldwide. Despite being relatively new to Western culture, these groups dominate the charts, shape fashion trends, and significantly influence social behaviour, contributing substantially to the global music industry. In recent years, music lovers worldwide have heard at least once names like BTS, BLACKPINK, TWICE, or NewJeans.
Another format of Asian pop culture is mixed groups, which can be seen earlier in Western music culture, like ABBA and S Club 7 in the late 20th century. Representatives from K-pop are KARD, AKMU, and Triple H. However, the top tiers in this culture are single-gender groups.
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Music bands have a long history in Asia, especially in Japan and South Korea. In Japan, the trend started in the late 20th century with groups like SMAP in 1988. SMAP’s success opened the way for other popular groups like Arashi and Hey! Say! JUMP. J-pop idol culture heavily influences girl groups, with AKB48 being one of the most prominent examples. The girl group follows the “idols you can meet” concept, allowing fans to interact closely with their favourite members through performances and fan-sign events.
South Korea has elevated the music band concept with K-pop and started gaining significant international fame in the late 2000s and early 2010s. One of the key milestones in K-pop’s rise to global prominence was the success of PSY’s “Gangnam Style” in 2012, which became a viral phenomenon and the first YouTube video to reach one billion views.
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In recent years, boy groups like BTS and EXO and girl groups like BLACKPINK and TWICE have become global cultural icons known for their perfect visuals, elaborate performances, and catchy rhythms. Their influence extends beyond music to fashion and international entertainment.
Two outstanding representatives, boy band BTS and girl group BLACKPINK, have reached numerous records on platforms like YouTube and Spotify. They have also won multiple global awards and nominations throughout their careers, such as the American Music Awards, Asia Artist Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Bravo Music Awards, and Bravo Otto Awards.
In parallel, there are distinct gender roles and stereotypes in every aspect of society, and these roles are also present in the music industry. According to Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA), gender roles are “how we’re expected to act, speak, dress, groom, and conduct ourselves based upon our assigned sex.”
In the Asian music industry, gender roles can be seen in the artists’ images, group concepts, and how the audience observes them. Male groups often indicate the masculinity image. They might present a “boy-next-door” image, embodying youthful energy and friendliness, or a more mature and charismatic image, as usually seen in Korean drama’s male characters. The concept of “flower boys” or “pretty boys” is also prevalent in K-pop. Female groups often balance between portraying cuteness (aegyo) and sexiness. Concepts can range from innocent, youthful themes to powerful, confident, and mature images. Fashion and beauty are heavily emphasized, and members often become trendsetters. Emerging trends such as Y2K or the cotteque core also blend into the K-pop girl group image.
K-pop music is a mix of pop, EDM, R&B and hip-hop. Both sides concentrate their music on diverse topics, including relationships to personal struggles, social issues, and self-empowerment. Male artists express their music with complex choreography and strong stage
presence, while female groups’ concepts focus more on self-love and various aspects of romance.
Music bands in Asia profoundly influence fashion, beauty standards, and popular culture not only in Asia but globally. For some music lovers, they serve as role models and trends settle through their music and fashion. However, their impact and the expectations placed on them can differ based on gender norms within their respective cultures.
Altogether
Girl groups and boy bands have left an undeniable mark on the music industry, shaping cultural trends and capturing the hearts of fans worldwide. From the harmonized melodies of The Supremes to the synchronized choreography of NSYNC, these groups have not only entertained but also defined eras with their distinctive styles.
In recent years, boy bands and girl groups in the Western world have seen a decline, contrasting with the rise of K-pop. Despite their dedicated fan bases and chart-topping hits, many bands have taken hiatuses. Western audiences find themselves yearning for reunion tours and comeback albums.
Wynter suggests that this could be attributed to social media: “One thing I noticed was that “Night Changes” by One Direction started to become popular again recently, and I think that’s because the kids listened to the lyrics on TikTok.” They reflect on a time when the band was still together and fondly remember their fandom.
Despite disbanding in 2015, One Direction maintains one of the largest fan bases worldwide. Wynter discusses their shift to solo careers: “I don’t think the songs are very boy bandy now. Louis Tomlinson definitely isn’t boy bandy. It’s rock. They’re not really continuing with that phase. Hopefully, they’ll get that together one day though. I’d love to see a good boy band come into the world again.”
In fact, The Vamps recently announced new music and a tour, following a two-year hiatus. The British pop band re-released their 2013 hit “Somebody To You,” this time titled “Somebody To You (ReVamped).” Leigh-Anne Pinnock’s hint about a possible Little Mix reunion within the next five years has also stirred excitement among supporters.
One Thing is for Certain…
Fan bases will continue to show unwavering dedication on social media, hoping their collective enthusiasm will encourage bands to abandon their solo careers and reunite.
For more pop music stories check out Funktasy Magazine.
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