FOCUS ON
FEATURED INTERVIEW
A NATION WITH GLOBAL REACH
H.E. Edward Ferguson
British Ambassador to Serbia
TRAVEL WHERE SKY MEETS SEE
CULTURE BRITISH MUSIC THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
by Žikica Milošević
ECONOMICS | POLITICS | TRAVEL | CULTURE
Luštica Bay
IN 2024, FOR THE FIRST TIME, ANNUAL TRADE VALUE BETWEEN SERBIA AND THE UK REACHED A BILLION POUNDS!
Exploring Global Challenges, Partnerships, and Serbia-UK Relations
British Ambassador to Serbia, Edward Ferguson, and his wife Caroline have quickly become well-regarded in Belgrade’s diplomatic community. He is also the first British ambassador in 12 years to have Aleksandar Vučić attend the reception for the British monarch’s birthday. Despite the UK’s departure from the EU, Ferguson has remained actively engaged in Serbian society, from cultural events to digital communications conferences.
Initially conducted ahead of Christmas at his residence in Belgrade, this interview has been updated with new topics reflecting recent developments. The full version, available on the magazine’s YouTube channel, includes two answers in Serbian, a language he speaks fluently.
First, thank you for this pre-Christmas interview at the end of last year. Since you arrived in Belgrade a year and a half ago, have you gotten an impression of Serbian society? What do you value most in Serbian citizens, and what should we change in our habits if we want to progress and be part of the European family of nations? Well, yes, I mean, I’ve been in Serbia for about a year and a half now. And most of the time, most days, we feel very, very lucky and very, very happy to
be here. As you may know, we lived in Bosnia-Herzegovina for four years. So this is our second time in this part of the world.
This is how you learned so good Serbian?
Our daughter was born in Sarajevo, and we love people in this part of the world. People are so warm, welcoming, generous, and hospitable. That’s really what brought us back to the region. We loved having the chance to travel all over the country, from Novi Sad to Niš to Tara. And wherever we’ve been, people have been amazing. So it’s a pleasure to be here. Your more complex question is, what would you change?
When I was preparing for this job in London and Washington, D.C., much of what one hears about Serbia is not very optimistic. You hear about all the tensions with the neighbours. You hear about arguments about the past. Only when I arrived here did I find so many good stories. There are so many exciting things happening. There’s so much potential here. And so I
SERBIA HAS SO MUCH POTENTIAL AND AN EXCITING FUTURE TO EMBRACE
Edward Ferguson at the reception for King's Birthday
H.E. EDWARD FERGUSON
British Ambassador to Serbia
think I think, you know, obviously one can’t forget about the past, but I would love to see people feeling a bit less about the past and a bit more about the future because I think there’s a fantastic future to be had.
Are we often too oriented to events from the 1990s or the First or Second World Wars? That, yeah, there is. People spend much time thinking about the past. I think our countries—and this is not just a Serbian problem. I believe Britain also thinks of Serbia sometimes through the lens of the 1990s. And we need to move into today and think about tomorrow. Because, you know, if you look back at our history, we’ve been very good friends for most of the last 200 years. So, we must understand, remember, and learn from the past but think about the future.
WE MUST FOCUS LESS ON THE PAST AND MORE ON BUILDING A SHARED FUTURE
More than eight years after the Brexit referendum, where do you think the UK is today? What is the role in turbulent world turmoil today on the political and economic level?
It is a turbulent world at the moment. I feel nervous every morning when I wake up before I open the news.
Especially in the last couple of months, it’s been accelerating. Exactly. And, you know, all countries are grappling with real challenges, whether geopolitical, economic, or the more significant challenges around climate change, such as energy security. If I think about the UK itself, we are where we have been in many ways. I mean, we’re still a top-six global economy. We’re still a member of the UN Security Council. We’re still a leading member of NATO, the G7, and the G20, which I think gives us an essential voice in the world. We try to use that voice for good and, you know, to advance our values. In recent months and years, we’ve shown a real leadership role in Ukraine, standing up to Russian aggression and helping Ukraine defend itself. We’ve also shown real leadership on climate, recently becoming the first G7 nation to stop using coal for electricity production. We just had a very ambitious target of 81% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035. We’re trying to see where we can use our position for good to help achieve positive change. We must keep working with partners. And, you know, you mentioned Brexit. Our relationship with Europe and the European Union is different from the outside. However, many problematic issues immediately after Brexit have been resolved, including those around the Northern Ireland border. And in Northern Ireland, we must take that seriously. We have a new government now, which has been very clear. It wants to reset our relations with the European Union and with all of Europe, including non-EU countries like Serbia.
And globally, what do you think is the UK’s focus now, globally, after officially leaving the EU? Well, we’re an island trading nation. So we have interests around...
You have the Commonwealth, your former “Empire where the sun never sets.” You still have some overseas territories and many interests worldwide. Exactly that. Yes, well said. We do. And, you know, we depend on maritime trading routes remaining open from the South China Sea to the Suez Channel. So we have global interests. But right now, the security and stability of our continent is our priority. If you look at what’s been happening in Ukraine with Russia attacking its neighbour, you know, essentially trying to recreate a world where might is right and the strong can do what they want and ignore. This is a dangerous state of affairs.
What is the position of Great Britain as a member of NATO when it comes to Russian aggression against Ukraine and President Zelensky’s initiative to have his country accepted as an official member of NATO?
Well, we have an apparent position on this. We cannot accept a world in which strong countries can attack their weaker neighbours. We know what that can lead to. We saw it in the last century with the world wars, and we do not want more world wars on our continent. So we are very, very clear that this is entirely unacceptable. We are working very closely with Ukraine to support them in defending themselves, which is their right under the UN Charter. We have trained 50,000 Ukrainian soldiers in the UK. We provided three billion pounds of military support last year and will continue to offer it as long as they need it. We’re helping them with their air defence to defend against these appalling Russian missile and air attacks, you name it. I mean civilian infrastructure, cities, energy systems, churches. So we’re trying to give them all the help we can get. We’re also working closely with our partners worldwide to ensure that the world is taking this position and standing up for Ukraine’s right to exist as a sovereign, independent state and choose its friendships and alliances.
When I was in London last year in December, I saw both pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli protesters on the streets. How does Great Britain, home to many Muslims from all over the world, who mostly sympathise, of course, with the Palestinians but also home to many Jews, manage to find balance when it comes to the current crisis in the Middle East?
Well, yes, we’ve been talking about the challenges we face, and this is one of the most challenging, of course. And the situation in the Middle East is very, very worrisome. And, of course, we’ve recently seen the situation in Syria, which is still very uncertain.
Fall of Damascus in seven days... Exactly. As far as the situation between Israel and Palestine, we are very clear that Israel has a right to defend itself. And the hostages who’ve been held in appalling conditions for over a year need to be released straight away. But we also need to see an immediate ceasefire. The conditions that civilians in Gaza are experiencing are entirely unacceptable. And we need to see significant improvement. We need to see civilians safe. We need to see more humanitarian aid getting in. And that is our focus.
Edward Ferguson at World in 2025 Conference
You were, until recently, the ambassador of the UK in Sarajevo. How do you see the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina? When he was my guest on the show Sve U 16 on K1 Television, your fellow ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina to Serbia, Aleksandar Vranješ, told me that none of the inhabitants of that country want war, although politicians often exchange harsh words.
Well, I think I agree with Aleksandar Vranješ. No one in their right mind should want war. I mean, Bosnia-Herzegovina sadly knows all too well what war means and how brutal and pointless it is. And I think this region has seen too much war and needs to think more about building peaceful, cooperative economies. He is also correct that the political leaders in BosniaHerzegovina exchange harsh words, which I believe is more than necessary. And I would like to see them collaborate much more closely. That was my sense when I was ambassador there for four years; you know, it’s a country I love. And, you know, it didn’t matter whether I was drinking “Nectar” or “Sarajevsko” beer... Whether I was with the Croats, Bosniaks, or Serbs. They were the same warm, generous people who wanted to build a better life for themselves, their families, and their children.
And then you read newspapers and got the impression that tomorrow we’ll start a new war.
So it’s frustrating. When I was ambassador there, we tried to get political leaders to focus on specific, concrete socio-economic reforms to improve life and create opportunities, particularly for young people leaving BosniaHerzegovina in huge numbers. Unfortunately, some were more interested in developing artificial political crises and deepening divisions. So, you know, we have always tried to bring people together. We’ve always tried to put constructive ideas on the table. I would love to see political leaders of all options in Bosnia-Herzegovina thinking again much more about the future and less about the past.
How do you view the opposing narratives in the media in Serbia, as well as among some intellectuals, claiming that the English are always to blame for everything, from the coup on March 27th, 1941, to the present day?
THE
UK REMAINS A TOP-SIX GLOBAL ECONOMY WITH A STRONG VOICE FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Well, that’s a fascinating and complex question. I was recently in London with the Patriarch of Porfirije. The Patriarch received a book as a gift from the Archbishop of Canterbury, written by Nikolaj Velimirović when he was in England in 1915. He signed it. What fascinated me was that he dedicated this book to all the brave English doctors, medical nurses, soldiers, and monks who sacrificed their lives for Serbia. He also described Serbia as Britain’s most loyal friend. And 110 years ago, these were powerful words, but today, they are even more surprising. Unfortunately, we have lost much of that instinctive respect, understanding, and solidarity. I see my role as an ambassador changing to build more modern, positive relations with Serbia and focus more on the future. But I have to admit that it’s not always easy. You said there is much ordinary stupidity, but it’s not always easy. There are many stupid theories about Britain and the British. You mentioned the Coup on the 27th of March. Most modern historians agree that it was a domestic event. Of course, the British greeted him at that time. But I’ve been thinking about it since I arrived here a year and a half ago. I’ve read many similar stories. A few months ago, there was a story about the United Kingdom financing farmers’ protests in Vojvodina. I posted a picture of James Bond on Twitter on a tractor because sometimes the only honest answer to these stupidities is jocking.
It’s interesting that since the 1990s, especially since the bombing in 1999, the West has had a negative narrative. However, even the Germans, who were on the opposing side in both world wars, haven’t been treated in that way for the past 15 or more years like the British. It’s as if there is an endless production of these theories within some intellectual elite.
Well, it’s not always like that. I don’t understand why we are often the subject of these stories. Of course, I know people were disappointed by the bombings during the 1990s. But it is a little frustrating because these days, we are working on so many good things with Serbia. We are currently sitting in a British residence called L.C. Inglis. She was the leader of the Scottish hospitals during the First World War. They renovated 14 hospitals throughout Serbia, saving thousands of lives during the war and the typhus epidemic.
On 7 January 2025, it marked 110 years since the arrival of the first British medical mission in Serbia during World War I. What is the significance of this historical connection between our two nations?
On 7 January 1915, the first unit of the British medical mission arrived in Kragujevac, bringing hospital equipment for 1,000 patients. The humanitarian efforts of these British “heroes of compassion” who helped the Serbian people during the war and the typhus epidemic are still remembered in Serbia 110 years later.
As we look to the future, it is sometimes important to reflect on the past. Serbia’s courage in facing Austro-Hungarian and German attacks in 1914 and 1915 inspired the United Kingdom. Britain was among the first Allied nations to send humanitarian medical missions to Serbia, and it was notable for having a significant number of women—around 600 doctors, nurses, and medical workers.
Many of them made the ultimate sacrifice. Among the first was young British doctor Elizabeth Ross, followed by chief nurse Louisa Jordan, Margaret Fraser, Agnes Minnishull, and later Lorna Ferris and Mabel Dearmer. They are laid to rest at the Kragujevac cemetery, and their legacy is a testament to our nations’ enduring friendship.
And it’s essential that you know I’ve lived in Bosnia; I know how painful these memories are for people. But what’s important is that people need to talk to each other and find a common language that allows them to come to terms with the past, learn from it, and then discuss building a shared future as neighbours. You can keep your geography the same. People are going nowhere. And so it’s essential to improve the political foundations to build a better future for people, particularly young people, who want to see a positive future.
In your opinion, in which spheres is cooperation between Serbia and the United Kingdom at a satisfactory level, and which are the areas where there is still room for improvement?
The situation in Kosovo is again at the centre of attention after the recent incidents. In your opinion, what are the prospects for this frozen conflict to stop murdering the relations between Serbia and Western countries that recognise Kosovo’s independence? Serbia and Kosovo must find ways to address the open issues between them. Britain and Serbia start from a different position because we recognise Kosovo as a sovereign independent state. But what’s important is what we can agree on. And what we can agree on is most things. I agree that all communities must be protected and able to live safely, grow their businesses, and raise their families. The Kosovo Serb community, for example, in northern Kosovo, is no exception. They need particular support, and we are very involved in trying to help them where we can. Serbia needs to fulfil that potential we’ve been discussing to resolve open issues with many of its neighbours. It’s not just Kosovo with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, etc. And that’s really about political leadership. It’s about open dialogue and a willingness to hear the other side. Next year is going to be a year of anniversaries. There will be some significant.
There are three anniversaries: 30 years after Dayton, 30 years after Srebrenica, and 80 years after Jasenovac. The risk for the region is that, once again, it gets pulled back into arguments about the past rather than focussing on what I think most citizens want to see, which is the future.
When summer comes, in “normal countries”, people go on holidays and vacations. When summer comes in our region, in July every year is the anniversary of Srebrenica, and in August every year is the anniversary of Oluja. And we have big tensions every summer.
WHENEVER THE BRITISH AND SERBS MEET, THEY DISCOVER MUCH IN COMMON
I’m very ambitious, so I’m never delighted. But I’m glad I can say that we have many positive stories and achieved some results, especially in the field of trade, for example. Last year, for the first time, we exceeded the annual trade value between Serbia and the United Kingdom by a billion pounds. What I find interesting and exciting is that the biggest growth is in the most modern sectors – new technologies, the digital sector, renewable energy, and so on. We agreed on some arrangements with the Ministry of Trade here and with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which means that now I think we don’t have many problems with trade. And I believe that the future is very bright in this field. I would like to see a little more of the relationship between our people. In my experience, whenever the British and Serbs meet, they find out they have much in common. And that gives me much optimism for the future.
The British Embassy and NALED have launched the Small and Powerful project to support women in public and business life in Serbia. What is the main goal of this initiative?
The Small and Powerful project aims to create concrete support mechanisms to help women entrepreneurs gain easier access to key resources and opportunities for the growth and development of their businesses. As part of this initiative, we will also award five grants to women-led small and medium-sized enterprises.
The UK Government firmly believes that women and girls worldwide play a crucial role in building better, more equal, fairer, and more prosperous societies. Educated, empowered, and equal, they should not face barriers in realising their full potential. I hope this initiative will provide a more supportive environment for women entrepreneurs and female leaders in the public sector. Investing in women entrepreneurs means investing in Serbia’s future. Research shows that when women succeed in business, entire communities benefit—new jobs are created, innovation is fostered, and overall economic development is strengthened.
INTRODUCING HORIZON
Luštica Bay’s New Neighbourhood Where Sky Meets Sea
A private sanctuary on Montenegro’s pristine coast with panoramic Adriatic views, offering residents access to an exclusive Clubhouse, Luštica Bay’s amenities, and innovative new payment options
Luštica Bay has redef ined the art of coastal living in the past decadeemerging as a compelling investment opportunity and a gateway to Montenegro’s natural beauty and rich culture. The launch of its newest neighbourhood, Horizon, represents a further milestone in Luštica Bay’s commitment to elevated living, and adds to its existing portfolio of luxury residences.
Horizon has a towering vantage point above the Adriatic Sea. For thousands of years, locals would gather at this point to observe the sun and stars, and to scan for local mariners returning home safely. Fast-forward to today, Horizon will welcome residents back with open arms, providing them with a place to retreat, reset and renew. Somewhere they feel they belong.
A CORNER OF CALM
Horizon’s residences benefit from being close to the action and community of Luštica Bay - minutes from Marina Village, Centrale, and a new golf course - yet still in a quiet and secluded area overlooking the Bay of Trašte.
HORIZON WILL WELCOME RESIDENTS BACK WITH OPEN ARMS, PROVIDING THEM WITH A PLACE TO RETREAT, RESET, AND RENEW—A SERENE OASIS OF PRIVACY AND ELEGANCE
The architectural language of the residences blends modern luxury with traditional Montenegrin charm to maximise views across the Adriatic Sea. Every living room, bedroom, terrace and balcony is orientated around blue vistas and natural scenery. Generous open-plan living spaces boast floor-to-ceiling windows, warm local stone, earthy colour palettes, and Mediterranean shutters. And cascading infinity pools and outdoor terraces are surrounded by lush gardens and fragrances of lime trees and lavender. All of this works to create a serene oasis of privacy and elegance.
A COMMUNITY OF LIFE
Residents will have access to Horizon’s exclusive Clubhouse for socialising, dining and entertainment. Expansive terraces with swing sofas and sun loungers offer additional per-
spectives over the Adriatic, while the elevated Skybar is made for sunset drinks and alfresco dining. The Clubhouse also features an infinity pool, private cinema, state-of-the-art fitness centre, and a dedicated kids’ club.
Luštica Bay’s boutiques, restaurants, events and sports facilities provide further year-round recreation. In addition to its high-end marina, five pristine beaches, and three sea lounges, Luštica Bay will soon be home to Montenegro’s first golf course: an 18-hole Gary Player Signature Champion Course. This course will establish Montenegro as a premier golfing destination and be one of the few in the world to possess sea views from every hole.
AN INNOVATIVE INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY
Horizon residences range from €450,000 to €1,452,000 - with a 20% downpayment and flexible payment terms. A unique payment structure includes a zero-interest plan extended up to four years, with up to two years of post-delivery flexibility. This allows owners to generate rental income for up to two years before making their final payment, effectively off-setting their investment through Luštica Bay’s professional Property Rental Service.
CAPITALISING ON MONTENEGRO’S RAPIDLY ASCENDING LUXURY MARKET
Situated within three hours of Europe’s major hubs, and with three international airports
HORIZON RESIDENCES RANGE FROM €450,000 TO €1,452,000, WITH A UNIQUE ZERO-INTEREST PAYMENT PLAN EXTENDED UP TO FOUR YEARS, ALLOWING OWNERS TO GENERATE RENTAL INCOME BEFORE COMPLETING THEIR INVESTMENT
nearby, Luštica Bay offers modern connectivity and appealing investment opportunities. While comparable residences in established
European markets command inflated prices, Luštica Bay’s property values show consistent year-on-year growth that outpace many Mediterranean counterparts.
As Montenegro cements its position as the Adriatic’s newest luxury destination, Horizon is ideally positioned to offer owners long-term value creation and a new standard for Mediterranean living.
HORIZON
BRITISH MUSIC THAT CHANGED THE WORLD
The Sounds of Rebellion, Reinvention, and Global Influence
The British are unmatched in popular culture, which has a touch of high culture and refined taste. Their films, iconic TV series, and pop music have permanently changed the world and all of us in it, leaving an indelible mark on people far beyond Britain’s shores.
HOW ELVIS BECAME PROMETHEUS, AND HAMBURG SAVED BRITAIN
It all began in the southern United States, where African Americans played the blues and, in the early 20th century, created new forms of guitar music that later evolved into rock and roll. Just as Prometheus stole fire from the gods and gave it to humanity, Elvis Presley took “black” music, adapted it to a white audience and his own sensibility, and – rock and roll became a global phenomenon!
Enthralled by the wealth of an unscathed America and a language they already spoke, Britain immediately embraced rock and roll. However, much of it was merely derivative, largely consisting of covers of American melodies. This wasn’t enough to conquer Europe, let alone the world. Europe was singing French chansons and Italian canzoni at the time, and listening to Sanremo was a major cultural event across the continent. Europe was much smaller in an artistic sense than today – Turkey, Greece, Spain, and Portugal were under military juntas or rigid, closed regimes, while the Eastern Bloc lived in its own world.
Then, an obscure five-piece band from Liverpool travelled to Hamburg and returned as a four-piece, transformed by their experience and reshaping global music under the influence of German existentialists.
Of course, that band was The Beatles. When they first arrived in Hamburg, they wore glittery jackets, styled their hair like Elvis, and performed covers of American hits. But their fifth member, Stuart Sutcliffe, met the German beauty and photographer Astrid Kirchherr, who moved in existentialist circles. They dressed in blazers, black turtlenecks, or white shirts and swept their hair over their foreheads. A new aesthetic was born – the defining look of 1960s Britain – and a new sound. Sutcliffe devoted himself to painting, and The Beatles remained the greatest band of all time, spawning an entire pantheon of British stars unlike anything the world had seen before. They conquered America, triggering what the American press called the First British Invasion – infectious melodies, sharp suits, the image of sophisticated charmers… The counterculture was born, and the world moved away from chansons and canzoni as everyone began imitating
THE BEATLES REMAINED THE GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME, SPAWNING AN ENTIRE PANTHEON OF BRITISH STARS UNLIKE ANYTHING THE WORLD HAD SEEN BEFORE
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Britain and the British. The Rolling Stones, Gerry and the Pacemakers, The Who, The Kinks, The Animals… The world went mad. Teenagers, unwilling to live in the same world as their parents after the horrors of World War II, changed everything. Even the USSR and Yugoslavia, where records were smuggled or pressed onto X-ray scans, weren’t immune to the revolution.
THE ENCHANTING BOWIE AND THE WILD SEVENTIES
When the director of A Knight’s Tale was asked why he used 1970s music in a film set just before the discovery of America in 1470, he replied: “The ‘70s are the ‘70s in every century!” After the decline of the hippie movement in the early ‘70s and its descent into drugs (the near-simultaneous deaths of Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, and Janis Joplin marked its tragic end), the post-hippie generation turned to flamboyant hedonism and experimentation. Suddenly, another taboo was shattered – flirting with bisexuality became fashionable, as did a feminised image: long hair, makeup, and high heels.
PERHAPS THE BIGGEST ‘BRITISH-SOUNDING’ HITS ARE NO LONGER MADE BY BRITISH ARTISTS, BUT THEY STILL SOUND UNMISTAKABLY BRITISH
David Bowie, the greatest figure in popular music history (not for the number of No. 1 hits or records sold, but for his sheer innovation), created personas that he fully embodied – Ziggy Stardust, Aladdin Sane, the Thin White Duke… Queen won hearts with their melodies, while T. Rex did the same with their music androgynous style – feather boas, eyeliner, and glitter. Elton John dazzled with ever-changing glasses and flamboyant suits at the piano.
The sexual revolution was in full swing – AIDS was not even on the horizon – and once again, the world danced to Britain’s rhythm, now more colourful than ever. Everyone imitated them – look at Bijelo Dugme in that era! Prog rock introduced epic, 25-minute-long songs and intellectual depth, while hard rock took off, with bands like Led Zeppelin filling stadiums with intricate ballads and electrifying guitar riffs.
And then came punk. Almost out of nowhere, in 1976, a group of angry, working-class youth emerged from Sex, a boutique run by Malcolm McLaren and designer Vivienne Westwood. They wanted nothing to do with flamboyance and glamour – they were raw, rebellious, and broke. Their songs were furious, unpolished, and barely lasted two minutes. None of them pretended to be skilled musicians, nor did they care.
Ironically, while the British press—already accustomed to Bowie’s makeup but allergic to working-class rebellion—dismissed punk as “filthy lucre,” punk conquered the world. It burned fast, but in its ashes, it gave birth to a new movement still considered one of the greatest in music history. And that was…
THE SECOND BRITISH INVASION
New Wave! Punk lived by the mantra “live fast, die young”; true to its word, it burned out quickly, destroying everything in its path but lacking a clear vision for what came next—like all revolutions. However, its more polished successor, soon known as New Wave, retained punk’s raw energy in a more refined, intellectual, and accessible form, making it more appealing to a broader audience.
This was the dawn of the Second British Invasion, a movement with surprisingly fascinating origins. It coincided with two significant historical and technological shifts. The first was the rise of cable television in the United States at the beginning of the decade, and the second was that by 1979, most households had colour televisions. But what’s the point of having a colour TV if the programmes remain dull and muted? Viewers craved something vibrant and flashy, while cable networks struggled to fill their airtime.
Enter MTV, launched on 1 August 1981, a channel dedicated to Music Television. The problem? The American music industry had ignored music videos mainly. Old-school rockers saw them as unnecessary, and most US hits had no accompanying videos—those that did were often just concert footage. As a result, when MTV launched, it had no choice but to air a huge number of British New Wave music videos.
The first video ever broadcast on MTV in the US was the 1979 Buggles hit Video Killed the Radio Star. To the music industry’s surprise, record sales for artists featured on MTV skyrocketed as listeners started calling up radio stations demanding to hear those same songs. And the videos? They were vivid, extravagant, and dripping with style. Duran Duran led the charge with their exotic, cinematic videos for Rio, Save a Prayer, and Hungry Like the Wolf, filmed in Sri Lanka and Antigua. They became both style and music icons, influencing an entire generation. At the same time, darker, more alternative movements emerged from unexpected corners of Britain. The Smiths, Joy Division, The Jesus and Mary Chain, The Cure, and the entire goth subculture created some of the most influential cult bands in history—shaping entire new musical genres, almost by accident.
Meanwhile, the British press masterfully fuelled rivalries with its signature dichotomy approach, setting up dramatic musical face-offs: The Beatles vs. The Rolling Stones, The Stone Roses vs. The Happy Mondays, and Oasis vs. Blur. So, again, Britain led the world in music, fashion, and culture—as it always had.
BRITPOP:
THE NEW NEW WAVE
Just as Americans were recovering from the shock of the Second British Invasion, they struck back in the late ‘80s with bands like Guns N’ Roses, Bon Jovi, and Nirvana. But Britain had its own counterattack brewing quietly, with the rise of shoegaze, then with bands like The House of Love, The Stone Roses, and The Happy Mondays.
And then, in 1993, the madness called Britpop began. A catch-all term for a fresh wave of British music, Britpop was led by Suede, Oasis, Blur, and Pulp—each unique yet unmistakably British, but the times had changed. The world now had its own favourite genres. In 1984, Duran Duran was the biggest band simultaneously in Germany, Yugoslavia, Italy, and Britain. But by 1994, British music didn’t travel quite as far. Americans were deep into R&B and hip-hop, Europe was dancing to Eurodance, and East Asia was quietly building what would soon become the world’s biggest cultural phenomenon—J-Pop and K-Pop. Yet, the influence of Britpop was still enormous.
From 2003 to 2013, the biggest musical trend was the indie revival, led by British acts like Franz Ferdinand, The Ting Tings, and Editors. But something strange happened—the biggest bands of this era weren’t British, but American bands that sounded British.
When The Killers, The Strokes, and Interpol emerged, many were surprised to learn they were American. And this, in itself, is proof of Britain’s musical dominance—by then, the seeds sown by British music had taken root worldwide, perhaps even surpassing the original source. That’s the highest compliment possible.
Even today, when you hear The Weeknd (Canada) or Rosé (New Zealand/ Australia/Korea), whose duet with Bruno Mars (Apt.) is one of the catchiest hits in years, it’s clear they grew up on ’80s British music and the indie revival.
Perhaps the biggest “British-sounding” hits are no longer made by British artists. But they still sound unmistakably British. And that is the greatest testament to the influence of this small island nation—an undisputed musical superpower.
Photo: Tyler Nottley / Shutterstock