The wombats - Let's dance to joy division analysis

The genre of this music video is indie; the conventional music video for this genre is usually a band performance. The music video for this song sticks to the typical conventions as there is a performance, however it is intercut with shots of children dancing. This appeals to the target audience because it shows the people in the video breaking free, therefore they could to. The storyline in the music video is about the band forcing children to break free and gain their freedom. The video challenges Todorov’s theory of equilibrium disruption and new equilibrium. There is a slight disruption where the band members start flying whilst playing their instruments. There is never a new equilibrium as it finishes with the band members still flying. The disruption is never resolved.

The video begins with many close ups of the lead vocalist of the band plugging in the instruments, the close ups create a connection between the band and its target audience. The target audience is people with alternative style, generally teenagers at school. The target audience is also people who are seriously at music. The music video is aimed at both genders, this is because although there are all males in the video, the song is about breaking free which appeals to both genders and is also shown in the video. The music starts as the lead vocalist arrives at the microphone. They are in a white room with the band’s name written on the wall. This focuses all of the attention on the band itself and the name of the band, other than the surroundings. The only lighting in the room at the start is a flashing light and when it is on it creates key lighting on the lead vocalist. Most of the shots near the start are mid shots of the band playing their instruments which give the band all of the power in the video to engage their listeners. There is a close up of the band’s name written on the wall, it creates a sense of unity among the band members, showing that they are all part of one thing and the name that the audience is familiar with. It also advertises the band; some people may hear or see the video of the song but not know who it is. Having the name written on the wall in the video means that it’s audience can download or buy their songs.

The bands genre is demonstrated greatly by the mise en scene of the closed in room, and all of the instruments around them. This is because the people who follow the indie genre are farely enclosed in themselves and with their particular group of friends and other people in that genre. The actions in the video link to the lyrics of the song, such as ‘and raise our glass to the ceiling’ links to when the band physically rise to the ceiling, this creates a sense of chaos as it is out of the ordinary and something that the audience is unfamiliar with. It shows that anything is possible for the band creating a feeling that it can be the same for their audience. The clothes that the band is wearing are stereotypical of the genre such as skinny jeans and tops, usually with bands on it, or shirts such as the lead singer is wearing. It relates to the fans style and it puts them in a position which is closer to the fans which link the two of them.

Many of the shots are quick and usually from a hand held camera which means that the music video is unstable suggesting that people who like this genre of music are different and unique. There are many high angle shots which suggest that the audience look up to the band and shows that they are in control. The quick shots create a sense of chaos, yet again, but this is before the singing starts. As soon as the lead vocalist starts singing all the focus is on him and the camera is steady. There is then a mid – shot of the band members, with a black back drop. All the light is coming from them suggesting they are god like figures and they are trying to persuade their fans to break free. This is followed by many close ups of instruments that the target audience are familiar with creating a sense of security when watching the video after the scene of chaos that was before which familiarizes the fans with what is being seen in the video once more. 

Towards the end of the video the colour of the lighting changes, the room becomes all different colours. It flashes from a black room to being lit up by one of these colours. This focuses all the attention on the band when they are on the screen as it is only for a short amount of time before the room is black again. By the end of the video everything is chaos, which links to the fast pace of the song. There are many quick shots from person to person. It is a handheld camera again which means that the shots are very shaky and disorientating for the audience.