Mainstream dance Vs Alternative dance

[twinkletoes]

;) ;) Hi guys, im needing your help . . . . im a media student studying youth culture and music; as a fellow member of the community im using it as an excuse to do stop partying - im investigating 'the difference in culture between Mainstream dance and Alternative dance'. so if you wanna give me any ideas, or comments please do. i want to know your definition of 'Mainstream' and 'Alternative'; our ideas together may be used to produce a future edition of 'Youth Dance Culture'. i look forward to your replies . . . .
thank for your time.


k a t i e
x x x

[Blagsta]

Define 'mainstream' and 'alternative' and have a read of the book "Club Cultures" by Sarah Thornton.

[Blagsta]

Originally posted by Ilson-Youth
Alternative dance - almost anything other than the above, its made without chart success expected, this doesntmean that it wont happen, eg. - Delerium - Silence, Rank1 - Airwave (okay, this was a massive hit in the clubs, they then put over some shitty vocals to make it more commercially viable).

I'd class those tunes as mainstream personally, along with all that Gatecrasher/Sundissential/God's Kitchen/Passion stuff.
Clubs that take out big adverts in the music press and put on huge corporate festivals are mainstream IMO.

[twinkletoes]

i was intersested to know if you guys thought the difference was just musically based, or if it involved various fashion cultures and roots. Your comments are all interseting, any more opinions are massively welcome; so far you are helping me frame a media project. i went to see fat boy slim last nite, got some interesting stuff for the 'youth culture' side. interestingly enough did you spot the advert for 'godskitchen' on the aeroplane? possibly a link to mainstream dance with the thousands gathered on the beach from all round england. if you went hope you had a wicked time, any stories?!
take care

[Blagsta]

Originally posted by twinkletoes
i was intersested to know if you guys thought the difference was just musically based, or if it involved various fashion cultures and roots.

Definitely to do with culture/attitude and roots of the scene.
IMO 'alternative' or 'undeground' is much more about doing it for the love of it, for the buzz, it has more 'meaning'. Mainstream is generally about product and money.
If you have to actually search for these things, go to obscure record shops, keep your ear to the ground for the parties etc, then its more about the music, the love of it than it being handed to you on a plate. Its also about the search for 'authenticity'.
I recommend that Sarah Thornton book, a lot of discussion in there about mainstream vs underground.

[Skive]

Originally posted by twinkletoes
i was intersested to know if you guys thought the difference was just musically based, or if it involved various fashion cultures and roots.

Just my to cents...

I don't mean to stereotype but it seems to me that a lot of the followers of mainstream dance are there for the image and to look 'cool', where as the underground crowd are in it more for the love of the music.

The organisers and promoters also seem to have different reasons for putting on these nights. Maintream clubs like Godskitchen and Ministry may be popular but the main driving force for the promoters seems to be money and profit where as the alternative dance events are put on by people whose aim is rarely to make a profit but to have a good time.

If you go to a big event like Sundissential and then go to an illegal forest party banging out Acid House and Gabber then you will quite clearly see that the main difference's, is the attitude amongst the ravers/clubbers, and the money amongst the organisers of these parties!

[felis]

Ah but sundissential's run by a mad scary old coke head innit? (alledgedly)

[Blagsta]

Originally posted by felis
Ah but sundissential's run by a mad scary old coke head innit? (alledgedly)

Madders? Heard some very dodgy stories about that bloke.