Research & Planning: Web Based Research Into Target Audiences

Dance

Dance music is stereotypically associated with an audience 18+, aimed at both males and females. Usually, of a middle class and working class and working class background. It is also associated with drugs such as LSD, Ecstasy, MDMA and many more. 

In the late 80's raves took place with a popular type of music at the time called 'acid house' referring to a type of trance, dance music. The raves were called 'acid parties', acid parties would usually take place in cramped buildings or warehouses with low-lighting. Some accounts claim that 'acid' was a reference to psychedelic drugs like LSD, which has the street name 'acid', which was very popular in the clubbing scene in that time period. 

Dance music today still has the same connotations of drugs and alcohol, which is strongly criticised in the media along with dance festivals like Tomorrowland. The personalities interested in dance music would stereotypically have a standard comprehensive school education, possibly a college education. The target audience would usually wear bright neon colours, the audience would probably still in education or working a full time job with long hours and low pay. The target audience would use the music as an escape from reality, entering their own fantasy world. 

Pop

Pop music is aimed at young audience, usually young females aged ten to late teens. Pop is a abbreviation for 'popular', as a genre pop is usually happy and upbeat often borrowing elements from urban, dance and country. 

Boy bands and girl bands are becoming increasing popular  young girls such as, One Direction and Little Mix. And solo artists like Justin Bieber, who are idolized by a young audience. The target audience will still be in education usually school or college, the music will be care free and reflect the lifestyle that the children lead. However, sometimes it can touch on sensitive issues and life lessons. Their clothing would be related to something they had possibly see on TV or a slogan top and jeans, usually quite random and unorganized. Their personality would be hyper and excitable and would have a juvenile outlook on life. They cannot finically look after themselves and would have to rely on an adult to provide for them. 

Country 

Country music is stereotypically associated with a much older target audience however, artists like Taylor Swift have taken country music and given them a modern spin. Country is aimed at males and females aged 16+, the majority of the country audience would be

middle class and have from a tight knit family or community.  

Their educational background could be from comprehensive school or a private school, most likely from a religious background. Their style of clothing would be fitting to the style of music, jeans, a check shirt, cowboy hat and boots. 

Their personality would be happy and relaxed, and they would come from a fairly wealthy background would high aspirations for life. 

Rock

Rock music is a very male genre, it does attract a female audience but is mainly aimed at males, usually around age 16+. The stereotypical rock music fan would come from a working class background and they would be interested in music, possibly create their own music and be in a band, socializing and music gigs. 

They would have a standard comprehensive school education, their style of clothing would

be usually be dull colours like black, grey, red and green, which are colours associated with the rock industry. They would stereotypically wear may be fitted like skinny jeans and a baggy vest top with a denim or leather jacket, they may also be in further education such as college or an apprenticeship or be in full time work. 

Indie

Indie music is a style of music created independently, usually away from major record labels. 'Indie', is an abbreviation of independent. However, recently indie music has been creeping into some major labels due to the popularity of the music from bands such as Arctic Monkeys. Indie music is aimed at young males and females aged 16+, usually a working class background helping them relate to the idea of being 'independent' and

working for your dream. 

The target audience would usually be in further education such as college or university, and have interests in music, art, photography and socialising. They would most probably have a part time job, providing them with some extra money to keep them relying on an adult. 

They would wear dull colours and usually jeans and t-shirts with images or band names, or quirky clothing that can purposely be miss matched. The target audience would have a positive outlook on life, and aspire to have more than a working class job entering the creative job sector in one of their interests.