[quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1449048811' post='2920281']
I honestly don't know...though that may be partly down to my ignorance of modern chart music, and it's a very good question in any case! I'm tempted to say that it might be Ed Sheeran and Mumford clones - "nice young men" with acoustic guitars and just the right amount of facial hair. The best indicator is usually the heavily manufactured model the record company pops out within six months of a fad becoming popular, and I think Sam Smith's sudden appearance is probably the result of the big labels trying to create their own Mr Sheeran.
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Cheap and easy to develop in the first stages - two guys with acoustic guitars can probably get two or three gigs a week and run an open mic session or two every month. Less cost to landlord, less intrusive, so can fit in as background music, and without meaning to sound disparaging as it isn't meant that way, it appeals more to people who wouldn't go out specifically for music.