Mainstream. That word gets thrown around a lot these days, doesn’t it? But what is mainstream, and why is it a good thing?

You see it all the time; small people with small minds actively disliking artists/bands who they used to like, purely because they’ve gone ‘mainstream’. Think about it; if a band’s good, the music they play is good and everybody likes them, what else is going to happen to them? Are they going to be obscure recluses for their entire career? No! They’re going to get onto the charts, into stadiums and into everyone’s ear canals.

Normally this issue wouldn’t bother me, the person in question would receive a sharp kick to the genitals, and I would carry on with my day. But when a YouTube user (they will remain nameless because I’ve forgotten their username) commented on a Kasabian video saying: ‘Great, Kasabian are mainstream now, I just can’t listen to them’, the straw was pulled and the camel’s back was broken. I couldn’t disagree with what he was saying; arguing with someone on YouTube is comparable to having an ‘About Me’ section on Facebook which is longer than two paragraphs, or physically enjoying a Justin Bieber album. Arguing would mean I’d hit rock bottom. And I’m not there yet.

First of all; are Kasabian mainstream? I mean, Katy Perry, No Direction and Beyonce can be considered mainstream; they have a colossal fanbase and largely dominate the charts. They’re repeatedly played on most radio stations and you’d be hard pushed not to find someone who hasn’t heard of them. And thinking about it, yes, bands like Kasabian, Arctic Monkeys and Muse are going mainstream. More people are listening to them, buying their albums and having pathetic arguments on YouTube about who listened to them first. And secondly, you know something? I absolutely love it when a favourite of mine goes mainstream! If a band/artist sells more albums, sees more people coming to their gigs and hearing positive feedback about their work, what are they going to do? Turn around and say; “Fuck this, I’m going to be a plumber”? No, they’re going to make more (arguably) great music! That ladyman called Skrillex is making his way into the charts, meaning he’s going to bang more scrap metal together and make more dubstep! Muse filled out countless arenas and Wembley twice with ‘The Resistance’, so what are they doing? Making a sixth album!

And what’s more is, in years to come; your band/artist will be remembered. People still remember and enjoy Queen, and they were pretty much everywhere in the 70’s/80’s. If they go mainstream, it means they’re good, it means their music makes a difference in people’s lives. Yes, I absolutely hate Justin Bieber, and feel that he’d only sound good going through a meat mincer on fire, but millions enjoy his music, and he will be remembered for years to come. That’s the thing; once you become big, the chances of you dying out become small.

So to finish boys and girls, stop bitching about your band/artist going mainstream. If they’re so God damn good and popular, how the hell are you going to keep them underground? Plus, if you were there at those first few sweaty gigs in a dingy pub, consider it an honour, not a reason to start shooting your mouth off on YouTube. In December, a chap called Miles Kane supported Kasabian. He’s got one album out, and he’s still doing the small hall rounds. But his talent and showmanship means that in a couple of years’ time, he’ll be doing the arena rounds.

And I’ll be there waiting for him.

Oliver Butler