Music is malleable. It changes with the times. Evolving along with generational quirks and fashions. So is art. If you were to combine these two elements and place them on a time line, you’ll be amazed how the evolutions of the poster art reflects the generations they’ve emerged from.
We’ve listed the top 3 music & poster art from each generation that best reflects the times they’ve arose from.
Music Posters by Generation
The Silent Generation | Baby Boomers | Generation X | Generation Y
The Silent Generation
If you were born in the 1920s and 1930s, you are in The Silent Generation and listened to big bang and swing music. The most iconic musicians for that time were Duke Ellington, Tommy Dorsey, Glen Miller Orchestra, Count Basie. Art wasn’t used in music posters during these times, but the flyers that emerged did represent the formal attitude of the times.
You’ll probably want these music posters on your walls if you’re a Silent Generation-er.
Duke Ellington Poster
Count Basie Poster
Glen Miller Orchestra Poster
Baby Boomers
If you were born in the 1940s and 1950s, you are in Baby Boomers Generation and listened to rock and soul music. The influential music bands at the Baby Boomers time were: Grateful Dead, Led Zeppelin, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones, the Allman Brothers Band.
You’ll notice the beautiful psychedelic art that graced these posters. Posters at the this time no longer served to be an advertisement for when the musicians will play but a printed motif of what type of music the bands played, there was a more psychedelic feel to the posters.
Still Your Mind Poster Art Print Grateful Dead
Pink Floyd Concert Poster Boston 1975 Frank Kozik
Haight Ashbury Come To Middle Earth Poster 1967
Generation X
If you were born in the 1960s and 1970s, the mix tapes you had in your walkman is grunge and hip hop. The music artists most influential at this time was: Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Snoop Dogg, Public Enemy, De La Soul, Bestie Boys.
The poster art had more a symbolic view of the world and displayed more of the societal changes that were happening during the time.
Snoop Dogg Concert Poster Seattle 2012 Justin Hampton A/P
Pearl Jam Concert Poster 2000 Linsdey Kuhn Signed Phoenix
Public Enemy Poster w/ Dilated Peoples & Blackalicious 2002 Concert
Generation Y (Millennials)
If you were born in the 1980s and 1990s, you most likely have in your iPod hip hop, modern pop, alternative rock, emo, and electronic. The music artists influential from the Millennials are: Gwen Stefani, Taylor Swift, Drake, Barenaked Ladies, Blink 182, Britney Spears, NSYNC, Eminem.
Poster art during these times had their own meaning that really didn’t reflect the time or music. This standalone poster art coupled perfectly with the vibe of the concert and captured more than the event but a look into the artistic tastes of the musicians.
Barenaked Ladies Concert Poster 2003 BGSE-31 Alcatraz
Yeah Yeah Yeahs Poster w/ Har Mar Superstar & Entrance 2004 Concert
The White Stripes Poster w/ Yeah Yeah Yeahs 2003 Concert
While there is an overlap here between the different music genres that aren’t considered. But it’s fair to say that these musicians and music genres had the most influence on the music and the people of the generation that it arose from.
Generation Alpha aren’t yet old enough to have their own generational music. However, Generation Z (those born in 2000s & 2010s) have music influences like Billie Eilish and Kehlani to direct the generation’s musical fancies.
What do you think about the generational music and poster art? What musicians would you add?
