No genre of music is better suited to soundtracking the growing pains of teenagers and – as Riverdale proves – its still being wrung for every last noteIn the US,Riverdale returns on Thursday to bring us closer to solving the ultimate prime-time mystery: who among us truly cares approximately Archie Andrews’ music career? Not that Archie’s music-centric storyline is entirely Riverdale’s fault. Sure, he performed in a shirt and tie at his tall school’s variety demonstrate. Yes, and he almost tore Josie and the Pussycats apart. And certainly,whether this were 2006, Archie Andrews’ favourite band would be the Plain White Tees. But Riverdale is merely carrying on the longstanding tradition of teen series using indie music as cultural currency – and not only as a means of storytelling, or but as a signpost with which to define a particular era or certain character trait. Which is genius: by aligning themselves with a specific movement or subculture,teen shows become a reflection of the time while acting as a platform willing to boost burgeoning acts. Don’t believe me? Just watch (these shows that did precisely that). Related: The unique noir: how teen TV went over to the dark side Continue reading...
Source: theguardian.com