North vs South for music

[CP-RJW]

I’m sure there’s been threads on this before. Been having this debate on twitter, and a fair few times in real life in the past. Seems ridiculously biased and blinkered to say anything other than the South (although plenty of northerners have managed it). You can have personal opinions on bands you prefer (I’d still comfortably pick South), but the record sales don’t lie, and 2 minutes of research shows me that of the 38 British acts to sell 50 million or more records, around 27 were Southern. 5 from the North, few from Birmingham and Wales. So, personal opinions on which side of the country’s music you prefer, and any counter arguments to the cold hard facts of popularity?

[El Aguila]

I don’t think sales are a very good guide, really. But I remember when Pete Shelley died, northerners in twitter talking to me about how important it was to them that he talked the way they did, and made things feel closer and more immediate to them. I was a huge, mad Buzzcocks fan, but I can understand that sentiment.

[CP-RJW]

I think sales are about as good an argument as you can make without it becoming a purely opinion based debate. And it’s not as if the acts making the sales are crap. The Stones, The Who, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Queen, Bowie, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Iron Maiden, Phil Collins, Black Sabbath, Fleetwood Mac, George Michael. I personally don’t like a fair few of them, but their influence etc can’t be overstated, and you can’t tell me for a second that the North has a list of massively influential and extremely popular acts in and out of the UK that can match that.

[El Aguila]

What, you’re counting Led Zep and Black Sabbath as southerners?

[CP-RJW]

I mean Led Zepp were formed in London weren’t they. Know Plant was originally from the midlands, but I can’t say I’m familiar with the others’ origins. Fair enough about Black Sabbath though, lets leave bands formed in the Midlands out of it.

[ExiledStirling]

Is being based in the South not a distinct advantage in an up and coming band being noticed and getting a record deal? I have no idea if this is true, but I have an impression it is, so that surely plays a major part in this.

[CP-RJW]

Originally Posted by ExiledStirling

Is being based in the South not a distinct advantage in an up and coming band being noticed and getting a record deal? I have no idea if this is true, but I have an impression it is, so that surely plays a major part in this.

Surely must be an advantage, London is just the place to be for all aspects of musical success. The south’s higher population could play a part too. But I’d say these points only support my argument. There’s a separate and probably interesting discussion to be had about how much wasted musical potential there’s been up north over the decades due to less resources then the south.

[El Aguila]

Originally Posted by ExiledStirling

Is being based in the South not a distinct advantage in an up and coming band being noticed and getting a record deal? I have no idea if this is true, but I have an impression it is, so that surely plays a major part in this.

Of course it is. Even more so back in the day. All the labels and all the media were in London.

[the digger]

And that's before you add the law of averages to the equation...

[El Aguila]

Until Factory started - that made it possible for bands up there.

[El Aguila]

Postcard, fast product…..

[chrisophiex]

From a personal point of view the North wins it by a country mile. Most of my favourite bands are from the north:

New Order
The Charlatans
Stone Roses
Embrace
Kasabian
The Smiths
Happy Mondays
Inspiral Carpets

[Ninjas Headband]

If I had to choose between South v North bands I'd have to choose North but it's a stupid argument as there have been great bands from all regions. Even Essex!

The country as a whole should be very proud of it's musical heritage. Even Essex!

[Worksop Palace]

Originally Posted by chrisophiex

From a personal point of view the North wins it by a country mile. Most of my favourite bands are from the north:

New Order
The Charlatans
Stone Roses
Embrace
Kasabian
The Smiths
Happy Mondays
Inspiral Carpets

^

[El Aguila]

It’s dead black Americans for me, on the whole.

[Stellavista]

Originally Posted by chrisophiex

From a personal point of view the North wins it by a country mile. Most of my favourite bands are from the north:

New Order
The Charlatans
Stone Roses
Embrace
Kasabian
The Smiths
Happy Mondays
Inspiral Carpets

The Bunnymen
The Fall

What about Scottish bands?

[KYLIE MINEAGLE]

How far back do you want to go?

[Big Gav]

Originally Posted by chrisophiex

From a personal point of view the North wins it by a country mile. Most of my favourite bands are from the north:

New Order
The Charlatans
Stone Roses
Embrace
Kasabian
The Smiths
Happy Mondays
Inspiral Carpets

From mine its the south

The Who
Rolling Stones
Clash
The Jam
The Stranglers
Small Faces
Kinks
Sex Pistols

[Oli28]

Originally Posted by chrisophiex

From a personal point of view the North wins it by a country mile. Most of my favourite bands are from the north:

New Order
The Charlatans
Stone Roses
Embrace
Kasabian
The Smiths
Happy Mondays
Inspiral Carpets

Agree with those. Also Pulp and Oasis for me. Not a massive fan of The Beatles but if we're going on record sales...

[switchboard]

My favourites would be 50/50 split between North and South.