It's absolutely no secret that music means a lot to me. It's a massive part of my life having grown up with huge music fans like my mum and pop. Music is all around me here in Manchester, it is the basis of most of my friendships and of course my relationship, it's one of the first questions I ask people I'm meeting for the first time, "what kind of music do you like" and I simply cannot function without some kind of music in my life on a day-to-day basis.
Recently, I've neglected my love of live music through no real fault of my own, or anyone else's for that matter. To put it quite simply, life happened. I simply forgot that one of my greatest passions is to see music live, how silly is that.
Until recently when I was lucky enough to see three shows in one week (see this post here for a mini review of each of them) and I felt I had my gig-going-mojo back once and for all.
It was only through these gigs that I really got to thinking about how different band merchandise is nowadays.
Gone are the days of having tour dates strewn across your back, I mean, thats only okay for the likes of Guns & Roses (etc), AMIRIGHT!? Nobody needs to know each and every date that Justin Beiber did on his world tour back in 2011...
And with my stint of three gigs in one week I was tempted by ALL of the merchandise on offer.
Father John Misty had fun tee's with his face drawn in a caricature fashion, with printed leggings & button down shirts, something I haven't seen done before and I was suitably impressed. Liam Fray of The Courteeners has always been pretty damn good with his choice of merchandise, but this year he simply sported sweatshirts and tee's with his initials LJF across the front, very subtle and totally wearable indeed (as you can see from this snap here)
But the one range of merchandise I was extremely impressed with was Mr Harry Styles (how could you tell?) and I ended up spending a whopping (and admittedly overpriced) £55 on this rather gorgeous pale pink sweatshirt.
I'd spied this online before the show and had my heart set on making a purchase, and when my heart is set, then my heart is set, you know what I mean? But I really could have gone WILD on the merch stand; T-shirt's printed with floral artwork that nodded to a portrait of Harry himself, with slogan tee's expressing "Treat People With Kindness" and of course, this rather spiffing little sweatshirt.
JACKET- TOPSHOP, SWEATSHIRT- HARRY STYLES, PINK POLO NECK- TOPSHOP, CORDUROYS- c/o SWEDISH HASJEANS, BOOTS- TOPSHOP, BAG- c/o CHLOE, EYE RING- c/o JULYS CHILD, GREEN & GOLD RING- c/o MONICA VINADER
And it's not just these three acts that have been opting for more wearable less in you face merchandise recently, the first I saw of this was Haim with their totally badass ringer tee's featuring tounge-in-cheek slogans and song lyrics; and although I never got the chance to pick one up (yet) I really loved how they brought a little bit of style and trends into band merch, I mean, if it was anyone that was gonna shine the spotlight on wearable, trend based merch it was gonna be those girls wasn't it! Plus, rumour has it they're bringing out a Christmas line(!!!) I think this may be my time to shine!
Fella's are following suit also with the likes of Blossoms and their oh-so Bella Freud-esque black knits, something I'm lucky to own a slice of but am yet to wear (note to self, wear this tomorrow!)
I'm finding this new lease of life for band merchandise so totally refreshing. It makes supporting your favourite band or artist that little less bitter as we all know that merchandise at gigs can be hella pricey, but when you know it's less in your face and more trend based (ooooo I rhymed...kinda) you don't mind handing over the dollar in order to show your support for your fave musicians.
I've worn my little Harry Styles sweatshirt SO much already both in and out of the house. It's a really inoffensive piece that to the untrained/non-Harry Styles eye looks like something you could pick up on the highstreet. I've been styling it with A-line skirts (of course) and here with the must have trew of the season, my trusty corduroys. These are by Swedish Hasjeans and I'm TOTALLY in love with them; tobacco in shade and therefore clashing wonderfully with the baby pink Styles sweat, what a combination ey?
Make sure to check out the merchandise I've listed above, I think you guys are gonna love it and plus, it's always wonderful to support music in someway, especially now Spotify and Apple Music are taking over the world.
x M
Love this jumper Megan!
I love a good band Tee. I get mine from Amplified…. I have been wearing mine on nights out with jeans and heels. You can not go wrong with them in my opinion! I would love a few sweaters though!
Leanne | lemblog.co.uk
Thanks gorgeous! ahhh yes I’ve heard a lot about Amplified, will deffo have to check it out!
YESSSSS I adore wearing band tee’s on a night out oo, soooo understated! xo
Aww what a cute jumper! I haven’t bought band merchandise in aaaages due to it being so expensive, but after reading this post I’m intrigued! I’m going to see Wolf Alice tomorrow, and I’ll definitely be checking out their merch! xx
Laura // Middle of Adventure
Exactly, it’s such a shame they’re so overpriced isn’t it!
Oooo amazing have the best time and let me know what the merch situ was like? x
Awww that sweater is super cute! I really liked your insight on how band merch have changed: I think I’ve first noticed it 4-5 years ago, while looking at The Civil Wars merch: they sold monochromatic t-shirts with botanical prints, and I absolutely loved them (sadly I couldn’t get them and now the band has broken up).
I’m also loving Lana Del Rey’s new merch (but I may be biased, because she’s my favourite artist :’D).
Althought I like the new direction that band merch has taken, I wouldn’t mind sporting a t-shirt with gig dates 😉
Yeah it’s totally been going on for a while, it’s SO ace!
Ooo I’ve not seen Lana Del Rey’s merch, I’ll have to check it out! x
You’re killing it as ever Megan! I can see why you just had to pick that sweater up, it’s a right beaut! x
holljc.blogspot.co.uk
Thanks beautiful girl!
Isn’t it just! And so super snuggly too x
I LOVE how you incorporated band merchandise and made it look so oh so stylish! 😀 I’ve been wanting to incorporate more band merch into my wardrobe too, but it’s so hard to find merch here in Manila. :)) Btw, have you heard of the band LANY?? If not, you should totally check out their music. They’re my fave band! 🙂 I have to agree that band merch designs have gotten a lot better over the last few years!!
Ahhh thanks Izzy! Go on gal do it, hopefully the links I’ve shared make it easy for you to get your hands on some?
Ahhhh wow thank you, looking forward to checking LANY out x
Haha yes, I definitely checked out all the band merch through your links! 🙂 You’re welcome. Do let me know what you think of LANY. Might I suggest these songs: “Super Far”, “Pink Skies” and the stripped version of “ILYSB” 🙂
This is such a great piece of merchandise – I think it’s super refreshing too! Sometimes it’s so difficult to style band tees, and things, without opting for the same old look, but merch like this allows you to experiment a bit more! xxx
It really is so refreshing isn’t it! I love being able to have more fun with styling it! x
Oh, I wasn’t aware about Haim’s Christmas line, now I’m very excited! As much as I love the current vibe of the line, I’ve yet to find the perfect tee, so I’m very hopeful about this new line! Thank you for sharing, lovely post and style as always 🙂
http://fannyanddailybeauty.com
I wasn’t either until I saw their sneak peeks on instgram, it looks SO flipping cool.
Thanks so much for reading x
Hey lady ?
This was such a fun little post! I loved wearing band merch back when I was 16 and I think you may have sparked a resurgence. Thanks for the nostalgia!
Megan | Well Styled Wanderer
Ahhh thanks gorgeous, so glad you enjoyed!
YES girl, bring back the band merch loooove! x
I need that jumper! I swear nothing is better than wearing band mercy! X
https://ainsleylouise.com
AGREEEED!
Chic and cool look love the denim jacket 🙂
http://www.ivanasworld.com
Hi Megan literally wanted this shirt since I saw it on your vlog ages ago but did think it was a bit expensive. But saw it’s still on Harry’s website so gotta buy it as I’m still obsessed. Can I just ask what the sizes are like? Did you get your normal size? Thanks x