The Soundtrack of the Terrace | Music & The Casual Scene

In an earlier Through The Turnstiles article, we spoke with photographer John Johnson, who was the official on-set photographer for the film Away Days. In this article we highlighted the intertwining of football, music & fashion.

In this piece, we will focus on music: When casual culture rose to its prominence in the late 1970s and 1980s, which bands were the Casuals listening to? Which modern bands are popular amongst working class match-going folk?

A Liverpool banner which plays on the lyrics of Oasis’ song ‘Live Forever’ | Photo Credit

But before we dive into that, let’s go back a few decades. Music influenced ‘terrace culture’ long before the very term even existed. Like with many things, the origin of football chants & singing at football games, is highly contested. What we do know is that by the mid 1960s, football fans across Britain were starting to adjust popular songs to include references to their team.

In 1964, BBC Panorama visited Anfield, Liverpool to witness the Kop in full swing. In the below clip, the Kop is pictured singing She Loves You by The Beatles in unison. This clip is an example of some of the first documented footage of fans singing at games. It highlights early evidence of music influencing what was happening in football grounds across Britain.

Mods, Skinheads & Punk

Whilst the casual movement sprung up all across Britain, the frontrunners were certainly the groups in London & those up in the North-West. London was already a hotbed of culture & in the 1960s & 1970s had witnessed subcultures such as the Mods & the Skinheads. 

In terms of style, it was a very natural progression to go from being a Mod to becoming a Casual. Bands such as The Who, The Small Faces and The Kinks had all been popular amongst Mods. The popularity of reggae & soul music also highlighted a crossover in tastes between the Mods & the Skinheads. The Jam, fronted by Paul Weller, were heavily influenced by the Mod scene. Releasing their first album in 1977, it was no surprise that they would be popular amongst Casuals in England’s capital.

Another sound which was popular amongst the London Casuals, was Punk, to be more precise Oi Punk. One of the most prominent Oi Punk groups was the Cockney Rejects. At a time,where football-related violence was at a high, the band's links with West Ham’s ‘Inter City Firm’ would often bring controversy upon them.

Paul Weller & The Jam \ Photo Credit

Up in Manchester & Liverpool, there was a plethora of talented bands coming through. On Merseyside, the ‘New Wave Scene’ was at its height with bands such as Echo & The Bunnymen, The Teardrop Explodes & Frankie Goes to Hollywood gaining popularity amongst Liverpool FC, Everton FC and Tranmere Rovers casuals. Meanwhile in Manchester, match-going folk were spoilt for choice in the late 1970s & early 1980s with bands such as Joy Division (later New Order) & The Smiths rising to fame.

Manchester City supporters reimagine a famous Smiths Song | Photo Credit

Madchester & Britpop

Perhaps the era of music associated with the Casual Culture is the ‘Madchester’ / Britpop Era of the late 1980s & 1990s.

By far the most  influential band from this era was Manchester’s The Stone Roses. Combining a variety of sounds, the band’s debut album has become one of the most iconic albums of all time. As working-class lads who loved their football, it was inevitable that this band would become a favourite on the terraces in Manchester & across the UK in general.

Whilst Oasis and the Gallagher brothers are also hugely popular amongst match-goers, The Stone Roses seem to be the band that unites football fans in the UK & the world over. As well as having a wonderfully unique sound, the artwork associated with the band was also iconic. This artwork has been recreated and reimagined countless times & is regularly featured  on the stickers & t-shirts of fan groups the world over.

Manchester United fans’ play on The Stone Roses classic, ‘I Wanna Be Adored’. | Photo Credit

Fast forward 30 years & the bands who were popular amongst football casuals during the formation of the movement, continue to be adored.

In terms of modern bands who strike a chord with match-goers, there is quite a broad spectrum & it certainly has become more difficult to pick out any one band as being unanimously popular amongst all football fans. Bands & artists who draw inspiration from the likes  of Oasis, The Stone Roses & The Jam, such as The Courteeners, Gerry Cinnamon or Kasabian are undoubtedly popular. It is the bands from yesteryear however, who really continue to be most influential on the terraces.

Bohemian FC fan group, the ‘Notorious Boo Boys’ unfurl a banner which includes a line from The Stone Roses tune, ‘Beautiful Thing’. | Photo Credit