# Subway Hoedowns The Xylopholks Entertain New Yorkers In Furry Animal Costumes By Juan Carlos Bonilla | Published 2009-04-16 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/xylopholks-nyc-subway References: [flavorwire](http://flavorwire.com/17685/exclusive-x-is-for-xylopholks) & [myspace](http://www.myspace.com/xylopholks) They play in the New York City subways to make people happy: the Xylopholks are doing something simple to help people avoid the stress of underground commuting. Since a lot of people have been laid off, the band believes this type of unexpected entertainment is exactly what New Yorkers needed. “The Xylopholks are a dynamic group of musicians who mostly play novelty ragtime music from the 1920’s (featuring the xylophone!),” their MySpace page explains. “They do so while wearing [furry animal costumes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fluffee-floss). The Xylopholks wish to make people happy and perhaps even dance.” Anything is possible on the subway, from [guerrilla campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/follow-the-frank-line) to art installations, but this one is very fun, and I am sure the Xylopholks will put a smile on a lot of people’s faces! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 93% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) > [Media](https://www.trendhunter.com/media) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Underground Entertainment:** Opportunities to provide unexpected and innovative forms of entertainment for commuters, using the unique space of the subway. - **Nostalgic Music Revival:** Exploration of popular music genres from previous decades, and their potential to create new fan bases and communities. - **Furry Costumed Performers:** A potential niche market for performers who use costumed characters as part of their entertainment. ### Where This Applies - **Transportation:** Opportunities for transit companies to partner with artists and performers to create immersive, entertaining experiences for commuters. - **Music:** Reimagining older music genres to create new fan bases, and exploring the use of performance art and costumed characters in live shows. - **Entertainment:** Creating new opportunities for performers to expand their audiences and create unique performance experiences through the use of costumed characters. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Singer-Themed Transit Takeovers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sony-and-olivia-rodrigo.md) - [Neighborhood Music Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/summer-music-in-the-park.md) - [Tape Deck Instruments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/magnetic-folklore.md) - [Illuminating Animal Holiday Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bronx-zoos-holiday-lights.md) - [Outdoor Singalong Experiences](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-rock-and-roll-playhouse.md) - [Insect Orchestra Concerts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cicada-symphony-orkinstra.md) - [Heritage Sound Playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hornscape-playground.md) - [Digital City-Inspired Art Works](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/grand-central-station.md) - [Musical-Themed Kinetic Structures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daydreamer.md)