Music plays an integral role in so many of our lives, and given that it is now more accessible than at any other point in history, music fans often seek out the weird and wonderful niches in the market in an attempt to find something that is fresh and grabs the attention.
Throughout music history, established artists have toyed with the idea of experimental music, and unknown artists have defined new genres, propelling them into the mainstream.
Musical purposes
For centuries, music has been used to convey a plethora of emotions, to amplify film scenes or as a fitting backdrop to video console and casino gaming. The latter is intriguing, as many commentators within the gambling industry often cite the music used in pokies as a factor that can help designers stand out from the competition. Top pokies don’t just rely on music for their titles to stand out, but it does help casino gamers identify specific brands. Fast moving, hectic slots have music that matches the speed of the game. On the other hand, slower games will have a more measured tempo. Music is an integral element and a vitally important part of the slot gaming design process.
Ultimately, this leads to the game becoming a success or not. Outside of casino gaming, music helps to drive home the emphasis in iconic film or TV sequences, or bottle our emotions and freeze them through the prism of nostalgia, melancholy or euphoria. Social gatherings or dating is also something often enhanced because of music.
#1 – Alternative rock
Stretching back to the late 1980s and early to mid-1990s, alternative rock permeated culture and music charts to such an extent that it crossed over and became a pop phenomenon. Bands like Nirvana, which would have traditionally been operating in the niches of the music industry, famously kept Michael Jackson from the top of the charts with their landmark album Nevermind in 1991.
Nowadays, alternative rock music has taken a back seat in the music industry and it is considered a niche again. However, with such a decorated and essential presence in music, there are plenty of gems in the alternative rock genre to check out.
#2 – Conscious rap
Those people who dismiss the impact and quality of rap music are often uninformed about the broad scope of the genre. While gangsta rap might be the most evident and mainstream version of the genre, there are rappers such as Kendrick Lamar, Mos Def and Nas, all of whom focus on social, political and economic issues.
Conscious rap has long acted as an antidote for those people put off by the audacity and machismo of popular rap, and the critical acclaim Kendrick Lamar now has under his belt because of his socially aware approach to the genre has helped to validate it in the eyes of many rap fans. Despite Kendrick’s popularity, however, it remains a niche genre.
#3 – Classical
Often, the samples used in EDM and rap stem from classical music. Although opera and classical concertos remain popular as a live genre, the music charts don’t reflect this popularity. Considering this music has remained well-liked for over 300 years, its timeless and perpetual nature makes it one of the critical niche genres to explore.
#4 – Heavy metal
Similarly to alternative rock, heavy metal music crossed into the mainstream throughout the 1970s and 1980s. Early pioneers like Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin achieved notable success. Sabbath’s iconic frontman, Ozzy Osbourne, went on to have a glittering, stellar solo career in the 1980s and spearheaded the rise of other heavy metal acts like Kiss and Metallica. Although heavy metal music might not be for everyone, for those who love the genre, it is a way of life.
#5 – Shoegaze
Shoegaze and dream pop are two genres that often intertwine. Modern bands like Beach House have helped to keep the genre semi-popular, but it remains a niche element of guitar-based music. In the early 1990s, My Bloody Valentine released Loveless, the seminal album in this genre. It later inspired a range of popular alternative rock acts such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Radiohead, The Cure and Brian Eno.
Despite this mountain of acclaim, and Loveless holding one of the most untouchable legacies in modern-day rock music, shoegaze remains a niche genre. Other bands, including The Verve, Slowdive and The Brian Jonestown Massacre, have explored this genre with success too.
Given the extensive history of rock music, it can be challenging to find genres that genuinely innovate or captivate listeners. However, shoegaze definitely achieved this goal in the early 1990s and still provides an excellent avenue for those who enjoy niche rock music to explore the latest innovative bands in the genre.
