These music merchandise innovations range from AR festival gear apps to exclusive sneakers that celebrate hip hop alter egos. While the 'King-fu Kenny' Nike Cortez shoe pays tribute to Kendrick Lamar's alter ego, Coachella's recent AR shopping experience app is a collaboration between the annual music event and American Express.
While music merchandise has been in circulation for decades, the resurgence of exclusive and hard to obtain pieces has changed the definition of luxury among Millennial and Gen-Z audiences -- thanks to the hype surrounding merch and its limited stock. In addition to the rise of wearable music merchandise that is an elevated take on classic concert tees, celebrities are branching out with personalized cosmetics collaborations, cook books and even charitable snack kits that are promoted with their personal stamp.
Other music merchandise innovations to note include limited run merchandise pop-ups that follow a streetwear business model while taking products outside of a concert or e-commerce environment and into a stand-alone, brick-and-mortar space.
- Gen Z
- Gen Alpha
- Gen X
- Millennial (primary audience)
