‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’? Nirvana, Rolling Stones on Trend Again

When’s the last time you saw a Nirvana T-shirt? Was it at the height of the band’s fame in the 1990s? How about AC/DC, Guns N’ Roses, Slayer or Pink Floyd?

Vintage band tees have come back into style. But they’re not mementos from concerts attended in yesteryear. They’re stocked on the racks at chain retail stores like Target and teen-favorite H&M.

In Target, you can find a gray, made-to-look-vintage tee for Metallica or another featuring the Rolling Stones famous logo.

So why would a teen want to wear a Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon” tee if he or she has never even heard a song by the band?

It’s simple. Bands, their logos and their album art are associated with a particular brand, and clothing companies are capitalizing on it. The concert tee isn’t just a symbol of fandom anymore – it’s a fashion choice. A teen might feel that the Pink Floyd brand is a good fit for his or her personal style.

Of course, there are still plenty of genuine fans of these legendary bands who buy the tees. Streaming services, iTunes and YouTube have made it possible for young people to hear the music and see the concerts from their parents’ and grandparents’ generations. So, a teen walking down the street wearing a Nirvana tee may be paying homage to a band he or she really loves.

Or, maybe I’m just defending them because I bought a Prince “Purple Rain” T-shirt at Target. Much like rock ’n’ roll, this seems to be a trend that will never die.

What old concert tee is still hanging out in your closet? Share your favorite concert memories in the comments below!