5 Trailblazing Musician Pop-Up Shops
Musicians have found a new way to make up for declining revenue: pop-up shops. The huge crowds that have assembled at temporary retail outlets opened recently by Kanye West and Justin Bieber prove that fans are hungry for this kind of limited-time merch experience – egged on, of course, by the prospect of catching a glimpse of their idol. Here are five of the most noteworthy examples of the growing trend.
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The Strokes
Opening date: May 30th, 2016
Vibe: Retro. The band set up in an old furniture store near the former site of CBGB.
For sale: The band's new Future Present Past EP ($15), a T-shirt featuring their fake band name, Venison ($15)
Must-have item: A glammed-out varsity jacket ($150)
Did the band show up? Just Albert Hammond Jr.
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Justin Bieber
Opening date: May 4th, 2016
Vibe: Hot Topic at Christmas-time. Fans were let in 20 at a time to the shops, which were set up during Biebs' Purpose tour stops in New York and Toronto.
For sale: Purpose denim jacket ($350), sweatpants ($100)
Must-have item: "My Mama Don't Like You" tee ($50)
Did Bieber show up? Yes, with a police presence.
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Kanye West
Opening date: March 18th, 2016
Vibe: Hip-hop couture. His downtown NYC shop, followed two months later by an L.A. spin-off, took in a self-reported $1 million.
For sale: A Life of Pablo-themed jacket ($400), a Yeezy Season 2 zine ($200)
Must-have item: The Donda West/Robert Kardashian memorial tee Kanye wore on SNL ($55)
Did Kanye show up? No.
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Drake
Opening date: April 18th, 2016
Vibe: Frustration. All kinds of Beats Electronics gear was on display at the NYC pop-up, celebrating Drake's Apple Music exclusive, but nobody could grab or buy any of it.
For sale: Nothing. Every fan received a free black-and-white Views T-shirt.
Must-have item: The T-shirt
Did Drake show up?: Yes.
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Foo Fighters
Opening date: July 12th, 2015
Vibe: Rock-and-jock. Foos pop-ups in New York City and Chicago, respectively, promoted shows at local baseball stadiums last summer.
For sale: Chicago Cubs-style T-shirt ($30), Foo tote bag ($15)
Must-have item: Original bearded-skeleton concert poster for 2015 L.A. Forum show ($25)
Did Dave Grohl show up?: No.