Britpop went mainstream in the mid-1990's as new wave faded by drawing on elements of British rock and pop from as far back as the 1960's, but also on glam, punk and indie rock from the '70's and 80's. As a consequence it has been labelled a regressive movement, looking backwards to the heyday of the guitar-based beat combo for it's inspiration. While this is partially true, in reality britpop was also the product of a feeling of optimism in Britain at the time, and a response to the nihilistic overtones of grunge in the United States

As its name implies, britpop comments on and reflects British life without too much concern for how it is received across the Atlantic, thereby limiting its broader appeal to some extent. Some regard Paul Weller as the pioneer of the movement, but it's first true protagonists were the hard-hitting band Suede, who led the way for Blur, based in London, and Oasis, based in Manchester to engage in a high profile media-induced regional rivalry. At the same time, Jarvis Cocker's Sheffield-based Pulp hit the big time with 1995's Common People, a song since raised to the status of britpop anthem.

While Blur, Oasis, Pulp and Suede form the core of the movement, others succesfully latched onto the sound and mood. The Manic Street Preachers emerged as a major force after the mysterious disappearance of lead singer Richey James, while Travis, The Verve, another Welsh band Catatonia, Supergrass and The Lightning Seeds also achieved considerable commercial success while at the same time Radiohead, more of an experimental/indie outfit, were developing their angst-ridden, brooding sound which, although expressing alienation, somehow manages to retain its accessibility to the mainstream listener.

By 1999 this second wave of bands was in decline, but a highly diverse third wave including The Doves, Muse, Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand, Keane, Snow Patrol and The Libertines took up the banner, and they in turn were followed into the new millenium by Elbow, Razorlight, The Arctic Monkeys and many more.
The stylistic diversity within this list indicates that britpop is less a breakaway movement, such as rock & roll, punk or even new wave, and more an encapsulation of much that had gone before - a showcase for Britain's regional diversity and creative vitality.

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