In conversation with South Arcade, the pop-punk band behind the breakout hit “Supermodels,” their creative process unfolds as a fascinating journey.
It begins with Rihanna’s “Shut Up and Drive,” incorporates Korn’s nu-metal cover of “Word Up,” and takes a detour via Justice’s “Genesis.” The final destination? The “Just Dance” video game series.
“You know those dance mat machines in arcades?” singer Harmony explains. “I wanted to write a song that could be on one.”
South Arcade perfectly encapsulates the burgeoning Y2K core trend, a renewed appreciation for 90s and early 2000s culture. Their upbeat, guitar-driven sound feels perfectly at home on a 90s MTV broadcast or the soundtrack of a slasher film.
“It has this nostalgic vibe,” Harmony notes. Both she and guitarist Harry, born at the millennium’s dawn, credit their older siblings and friends for introducing them to this era.
Despite lacking firsthand experience, the band has been lauded by MusicRadar as “figureheads of a growing Y2K revival.”
“We couldn’t have missed it,” Harry laughs, “so we’re bringing it back single-handedly!”
However, South Arcade isn’t alone. Many of their musical inspirations are experiencing a resurgence. Korn headlined Download Festival, while Alien Ant Farm also drew significant crowds. Linkin Park released new music, and Limp Bizkit sold out UK arenas.
Harry attributes this to a shift away from the rap and dance music dominance of the past decade, with younger audiences discovering pre-2010 music.
“Pre-2010 was a golden era for bands and guitar music,” Harry observes. “Then it shifted, the pendulum swung.”
South Arcade’s rise also reflects the modern music landscape. TikTok played a crucial role in their ascent. A spokesperson for Newsbeat notes the Y2K hashtag boasts four million posts, with many featuring artists like Pitbull and Avril Lavigne.
Harmony explains their rehearsal videos attracted significant attention, a response to previous accusations of being an “industry plant” or “not a real band.”
They’re also not immune to the current economic climate. A recent US tour proved “expensive,” and maintaining innovative stage shows requires creative cost-cutting measures.
Despite these challenges, the band enjoys a diverse fanbase. “We see comments from people who lived through that era, noticing the references,” Harmony shares, “and younger fans hearing this for the first time. It’s cool to bring everyone together.”
The appeal to older fans is evident, but what draws younger generations to Y2K?
“Everything’s moving towards minimalist phones,” Harry explains. “But back then, rooms were filled with posters, action figures, gaming consoles—a tangible expression of personality beyond a simple Instagram feed.”
For Harmony, it’s a sense of escapism and nostalgia. “Those videos trigger a certain feeling,” she says, “and if we can capture that in our music, that sense of personalized spaces beyond digital feeds, it resonates.”
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