Merchandise has been a big part of the music industry ever since Beatle lunchboxes carried Beatle thermos flasks, Beatle juice, Beatle bars and Beatle licorice records to school in the ‘60s.
Beyond the standard t-shirts and posters, innovation in merchandise has flourished where the audience demographic and band brand cozy up.
Case in point: One Direction Uggs and tweet pillow.
Jimmy Buffett took it to new heights this week with Margaritaville retirement communities. 10,000 people have joined the waiting list for their chance at silver surfing and sunshine, cocoa cocktails and righteous arthritis.
For any Flaming Lips fans out there, you decide what the band’s marijuana-flavored gummy skulls containing USB sticks full of music say about you.