Ideology

Music is full of genres, each represented differently, therefore each genre has its own ideology - their own set of beliefs.

There is a big dichotomy between pop and rock, and therefore it affects the representation of them.

Pop: Conformity 

This genre often conforms to what is seen as socially acceptable.

• Clean cut image - this is one of the key factors to the success of the artist, a typical example of this would be a boy band - they are purposefully meant to look perfect, as their music is predominately aimed at teenage girls. 
• Songs about love - due to their target audience, pop artists songs are usually asexual and are non threatening - they are free of expletives. 
• Perform in a conventional way - typical song structures, consequently meaning why lots of pop music often sounds similar.
• Ability to play live - this is less important for the pop genre as it is to the rock, as many music today is edited in studios.
• Conforms to norms - pop music generally sticks to a certain structure, again, a typical example of this is that all girl or boy bands follow are certain formula.
• Manufactured - this means that the music is made to sell to thousands, resulting in much of it being created by others.
• Kids - the audience is mainly for the younger generation
• Seen as ephemeral - this is the attitude of 'here today, gone tomorrow' which is typical of most music because it tends not to last over decades. 

Rock: Rebellion 

This genre is seen as rebellious and wild, and often goes against what is seen as socially acceptable. 

• Dirty/untidy - this often gives the impression that it is less important, rather than like pop bands, rock bands have a 'don't care' attitude.
• Songs about sex - the music is largely about subjects like sex, drugs, anger, this consequently largely differs to pop, so the music is predominately aimed at the older generation. 
• Loud - the genre is abrasive and sometimes deliberately offensive to mainstream music, an example is the sub - genre 'screamo'.
• Ability to play live - more important than pop, rock bands end o play gigs and concerts, their music is less edited and more authentic.
• Non - conformist - the music is often deemed socially unacceptable with large amounts of suggestive themes and artists are associated with illegal substance abuse.
• Classic - it is seen as 'meant to last'  the music often survives, a example of this would be that the Rolling Stones are referred to as classic. 
• Adults - the audience is mainly for the older generation, as a result from sex, drugs and anger 

Although theses genres are largely different, it is becoming increasingly apparent that these two are beginning to bleed together. This is shown by the fact that now, the clean cut image of pop artist are now breaking out from the perfect image and beginning to cover themselves in tattoos, break the law, and more recently, getting arrested (Bieber).