UK Music vs US Music?

Question

Why is it that US music, regardless of how creappy it might be, is welcomed with open arms over here, but very few UK acts have an easy time conquering the US market?

Answer 1

Simple,

USA is a bigger place to conquer so its not like the bands just have to go on Radio 1 and they'll reach everyone, in USA bands have to travel across the country promoting themselves and if they dont do it quick enough then the hype dies down and they are forgotten.

The business is different in USA too, they are more saturated with mediocre music so unless you stand out by a mile then no-one will want to help push your record.

Another thing about USA bands, the record companies have major international distribution wings that deal with conquering the world, UK being the first stop for European sales. The UK does international too but its lacks the forcefullness of the USA.

(I'm english by the way living in USA and working in music)

Answer 2

The UK is a more open market music wise than the States, though The Kooks are the most used band for advertising over there, acts such as the Scissor Sisters had to make it big here before they got recognition in America. There are similar markets in Europe as the French one is really hard to break into.

National radio stations here in the UK spread new music to a far further audience than radio can in America due to country sizes and more local stations being used, but as music is there to be enjoyed by all if you like it what difference does it make where it comes from?

Answer 3

I don't know why. Bands like Led Zepplin and Judas Priest are still played here, and Pink Floyd is the greatest band of all time. I grew up on MTV when every other artist was from the UK.

Right now, you don't have anything that catches my attention much, but I've also written off many American bands from the last fifteen years.

Answer 4

It does kinda suck how that works, and not just UK music. I love metal, which basically started in UK, and most of the best bands are European to this day. It is sometimes hard for me to find the kinds of metal bands I like because American metal is more noise than not. There is no Nightwish here, or Stratovarius, Blind Guardian.... US lables push so much crap it isnt funny and many of my fellow Americans eat up what the media feeds them, following the crowd all too willingly.

Answer 5

You're kidding me, right? I can't honestly say I know what's on the charts in the UK but it seems to me we have more UK bands making waves here than American. And not that I care. I grew up listening to the Beatles, Led Zep, the Who, Sabbath, Floyd, Dire Straits, Motorhead, Def Leppard, Judas Priest, & AC/DC (or were they Aussie?). Anyhow, today we have COLDPLAY, ARTIC MONKEYS, OASIS, the HIVES, the DARKNESS, and many others I couldn't recall immediately. I think it's cyclical more than anything. Sometimes your guys are making the popular music; sometimes it's our guys.
Peace~

Answer 6

UK have produced some of the greatest rock n roll bands ever, so I have to go with them, although the US have some great bands like The Doors, Jimi Hendrix Experience, Aerosmith, Van Halen and so on.

Answer 7

UK Music.

Answer 8

Because we have a more open minded view to music and no pre-conception about people who prefer'creappy' US music.

In the States, their policy is 'American is best' and so for a UK group to do well over there just goes to show how good they are.

Answer 9

Like Jimmy Hendrix you mean? The Americans didn't understand him and he had to come to the UK to break into the music scene.
British audiences are more able to accept new ideas but we shouldn't generalise.

Answer 10

I'd say uk music, but too much from the states is taking over here and i like their groups more than i like theirs