The Three Main Music Video Styles -

Whilst the majority of music videos can be easily categorised into specific genres of music, others tend to 'transcend' genres and feature a variety of genre styles within the music video (commonly refereed to as a 'hybrid genre'). With regards to music videos, they can be categorised into three main groups. Either performance, narrative or concept, examples of which can be seen below -

Performance -

Performance videos are considered to be the 'easiest' music video to produce, these consist of the solo artist/group/band commonly accompanied with instruments/the actual band members playing a guitar/drums/piano etc. and or dancers to accompany the performance. Whilst these videos can be filmed in areas such as studios, live performances also fall into this category of music video and can be seen as an example below of a live 'Performance' based music video.

 

Narrative -

 

A narrative music video features a 'story' formed basis, in which footage, often presented in a linear structure is presented throughout, the telling of a story, such as that in Drake's 'Started From The Bottom' music video, in which Drake tells a personal story of starting from humble beginnings and working his way 'up to the top'. The video features footage from working in a grocery store and working his way up 'to the top' featuring him dressed in gold chains, driving sports cars, living in mansions etc.    

 

 

Concept -

 

concept is arguably the most uncommon form of music video and these can be tricky to identify, however concept music videos feature a 'single idea', there is minimal elements of performance, apart from a singing performance, there should be no dance or/and bands featured within a concept performance. An example of a concept performance can be seen in Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' in which the single idea of 'swapping' places with a person supposedly in heaven is considered.