New genres can arise by the development of new forms and styles of music and also simply by creating a new categorization. Although it is conceivable to create a musical style with no relation to existing genres, new styles usually appear under the influence of preexisting genres. The genealogy of musical genres expresses, often in the form of a written chart, the way in which new genres have developed under the influence of older ones. If two or more existing genres influence the emergence of a new one, a fusion between them can be said to have taken place. The proliferation of popular music in the 20th century has led to over 1,200 definable sub-genres of music.
A music genre is a conventional category that identifies some pieces of music as belonging to a shared tradition or set of conventions. It is to be distinguished from musical form and musical style, although in practice these terms are sometimes used interchangeably. Recently, academics have argued that categorizing music by genre is inaccurate and outdated. Alternatively, music can be divided on three variables: arousal, valence, and depth. Arousal reflects the energy level of the music; valence reflects the scale from sad to happy emotions, and depth reflects the level of emotional depth in the music. These three variables help explain why many people who like similar songs from different traditionally segregated genres.
Noel Gallagher performing with Oasis on The Main Stage in 1995 during Glastonbury's 25th Anniversary Festival
Cover artwork for The Jam's debut album 'In The City' released in 1977
Paul Weller onstage with The Jam at the Rainbow Theatre, London in 1979
Paul Weller photographed for The Face magazine (April 1983 - Issue 36), not long after he formed The Style Council with Mick Talbot.
Limited edition giant vintage pin badge featuring artwork of The Stranglers album Rattus Norvegicus by artist Tony Dennis AKA Tape Deck Art
Paul Weller onstage with The Jam during a gig at the Friars, Aylesbury in June 1978.
Paul Weller, with The Jam, plugging in his guitar live onstage at the Rainbow Theatre, London in April 1980.
At the 1995 Glastonbury Festival Joe Strummer relaxes behind the scenes
Björk beautifully captured by Jill Furmanovsky at her London studio in May 1995.
Bob Dylan captured with his classic stare whilst performing on The Main Stage at the Glastonbury Festival in 1998
Jarvis Cocker performing one of his signature moves with Pulp on The Park Stage during the 2011 Glastonbury Festival
Jeff Buckley performs at Glastonbury in 1995 as part of his Mystery White Boy Tour
Liam Gallagher owning the stage whilst headlining with Oasis at the Glastonbury Festival in 1995
Paul Weller performing on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2015
Contact sheet of The Jam's photo shoot for the cover of their debut album 'In The City'
The Jam relaxing at Frank's Cafe in Soho during their photo shoot for the cover of 'News of the World'
This atmospheric photo perfectly captures the spirit of Glastonbury with its ticker tape sky.
The flags and sign for the Glastonbury Festival sit against the tranquil calm of the Somerset countryside
Paul Weller, with The Jam, performing live onstage at Guildford Civic Hall in June 1981
The Jam photographed by Martyn Goddard for their first album 'In The City' shot in London in 1977
Colour contact sheet of the Beastie Boys hanging out at Mike D's house during a photo shoot for The Face Magazine in 1994.
Colour image of Pink Floyd performing during their British Winter tour in 1974
Nile Rodgers enjoying the crowd when Chic played the Glastonbury Festival in 2017
Tina Turner photographed by Brian Aris at Holborn Studios in London in 1983.
Nick Cave relaxing in a Brazilian rooftop bar with Saõ Paolo as the backdrop. Taken in February 1994
Noel Gallagher is regarded as one of the UK’s most respected musicians and the mastermind behind Britpop super group Oasis.
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band who were in the vanguard of the British music Invasion that became popular in the US in 1964–65.
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk.
Pulp are considered to be one of the most innovative and popular bands of the late 20th century and key figures of Britpop
Here are the very latest prints we have added to our collection. We hope you love them as much as we do.
Discover our specially curated collection of limited edition prints from renowned music photographer Gered Mankowitz
Jill Furmanovsky is one of the greatest ever rock & roll photographers with a huge archive of iconic shots of the world's best music artists
Browse our collection of popular graphic art prints including iconic images by Storm Thorgerson and stunning work by contemporary artists.