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. The Xylopholks wish to make people happy and perhaps even dance."
Anything is possible on the subway, from guerrilla campaigns 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!
Subway Hoedowns
The Xylopholks Entertain New Yorkers In Furry Animal Costumes
Trend Themes
1. Underground Entertainment - Opportunities to provide unexpected and innovative forms of entertainment for commuters, using the unique space of the subway.
2. Nostalgic Music Revival - Exploration of popular music genres from previous decades, and their potential to create new fan bases and communities.
3. Furry Costumed Performers - A potential niche market for performers who use costumed characters as part of their entertainment.
Industry Implications
1. Transportation - Opportunities for transit companies to partner with artists and performers to create immersive, entertaining experiences for commuters.
2. Music - Reimagining older music genres to create new fan bases, and exploring the use of performance art and costumed characters in live shows.
3. Entertainment - Creating new opportunities for performers to expand their audiences and create unique performance experiences through the use of costumed characters.