What makes a boy band a BOY BAND? That is the ultimate question!

I was asked if I would be including bands like Thrice and A Day to Remember in my boy band throwdown – because they are bands, and they are made up of….you guessed it…..boys. And no shade to those bands – they are talented, successful and I am a fan of both – but I put them in a different genre of music altogether.

Billboard tried to define “what is a boy band” back in 2018 – and despite their attempt, the definition of “boy band” remains a grey area.

This made me think – I have my own thoughts on what makes a TRUE boy band, so before I get into grouping and ranking, I should probably share my criteria. So, while I am not the first (and likely won’t be the last) to try and define what constitutes a boy band, here we go!

I assign boy band criteria points based on the following:

Style of music…catchy pop-ish! I think this is fairly basic criteria that most people can agree on. Boy bands specialize in catchy pop sounds, sometimes mixed with and influenced by hip hop, trap, EDM and other genres. Basically, music that encourages serious dance moves.

Auditions of some kind.Most boy bands come out of auditions of some kind or are put together by someone – Maurice Starr, Lou Pearlman or Simon Cowell. Sometimes the members may have known each other before, and may have even formed a group prior to auditions (like early Westlife). But usually there is some kind of selection of group members before the boy band is formed.

Entertainers vs musicians. A true boy band is focused on entertaining, and showmanship. Not to say they aren’t musicians as well – some members go on to be super successful solo artists post boy band break up (Harry Styles and Justin Timberlake) – but during the boy band phase, they are truly focused on the show, fans and giving it their all on stage.

At least FOUR members. Anything less than a four member boy band stops being a boy band, and is something else. I’m not sure what it is – a pop group or duo, but not a boy band.

No REAL instrument playing. For me, boy bands don’t really play instruments. Sure, maybe one of them occasionally picks up a guitar like Niall Horan, but as a rule they don’t play their own instruments on stage. They are busy oozing swag or busting out killer dance moves.

Have I finally answered the question: What makes a boy band a BOY BAND?

What do you think? Have I got the criteria right? Have I finally answered the question: What makes a boy band a BOY BAND?