From the lush orchestration of Rodgers and Hammerstein to the anthemic rock ballads of Andrew Lloyd Webber, musical theater has typically been characterized by its polished, larger-than-life sound. However, a noticeable shift has occurred on the Broadway stage over the past decade. A growing number of musicals are turning to indie and alternative music, with stripped-back instrumentation, raw emotionality, and personal storytelling in lieu of the more traditional, polished Broadway sound. This rise of indie music in Broadway musicals signals a new era for the genre, where authenticity and intimacy take center stage.
Indie Influence in Musical Theater
Indie and alternative music, with their DIY ethos and rejection of mainstream commercialism, has always been a space for artists to experiment with form and explore deeply personal themes. As streaming platforms have given indie artists new avenues to reach their audiences, the genre has risen to new heights of prevalence in mainstream music culture. The amalgam of indie music and Broadway, a marriage of innovation and tradition, has swiftly followed suit in an industry constantly searching for the next bankable IP.
The evolution of the “typical” Broadway audience reflects this. Today’s theatergoers are younger, more diverse, and more accustomed to a deepening variety of musical forms. A generation that has grown up on indie rock and alternative music will naturally seek out musicals that reflect their tastes, concerns, and personal experiences. The traditional Broadway sound is less in tune with the more internal, introspective music that resonates with them. However, musicals that embrace this aesthetic provide an avenue for younger generations to connect with theater in a manner that feels authentic and emotionally raw.
Swept Away and The Avett Brothers
One of the most recent and high-profile examples of indie music on Broadway is Swept Away, a musical created by The Avett Brothers, an indie-folk band known for their heartfelt lyrics and rootsy instrumentation. Premiering at Berkeley Repertory Theatre in early 2022 and moving to Broadway in 2024, Swept Away brings The Avett Brothers’ signature sound to the stage.
Set in a coastal town facing the aftermath of a natural disaster, Swept Away tells a story about love, loss, and renewal. The stripped orchestration, using acoustic guitars, banjos, and subtle percussive elements, plays a central role in establishing the show’s emotional tone.
For many theatergoers, Swept Away represents a departure from the usual Broadway fare. The Avett Brothers’ music, blending harmonies, storytelling, and folk instrumentation, offers a sense of intimacy that traditional Broadway shows often lack. Instead of elaborate orchestrations and soaring vocal arias, Swept Away features simple, evocative songs that focus on emotional resonance rather than spectacle. This intimate approach allows the audience to connect with the characters more personally, fostering a sense of emotional connection. It reflects a broader trend in musical theater where authenticity and emotional depth have become just as crucial as dazzling production numbers.
Safety Not Guaranteed – Indie Rock Goes Off-Broadway
While Swept Away brought indie music to Broadway this season, its influence also rippled into Off-Broadway theaters. Safety Not Guaranteed, which opened at BAM Strong in September 2024 as a part of the Next Wave 2024 and Emerging Visions series, is a musical inspired by the 2012 film of the same name that blends indie rock sensibilities with a quirky, sci-fi premise, following a man who believes he can travel through time and the journalist who investigates him.
With music and lyrics by Ryan Miller of the band Guster and a book by Nick Blaemire, the score uses electric guitars, synths, and unconventional percussion to create an atmosphere that feels dreamy and disorienting—perfect for a story about time travel and the uncertainty of life.
Safety Not Guaranteed demonstrates the ability of indie music to add emotional complexity and intrigue to a musical. Rather than relying on traditional Broadway tropes, the show uses alternative rock’s experimental nature to innovate. The show’s success speaks to the growing appeal of indie rock musicals among Off-Broadway audiences, who are more open to unconventional, experimental productions that break away from the traditional Broadway mold.
1972 – A Folk-Rock Musical for a New Generation
The development of 1972, which played at Joe’s Pub at the Public Theater in November 2024, is another recent example of the growing exploration of the narrative possibilities inherent in the combination of indie music and musical genres. A folk-rock musical with strong ties to the social and political upheaval of the 1970s, the show blends acoustic instrumentation and protest songs with a coming-of-age narrative.
The score, written by Chadwick Stokes, is deeply personal and emotionally raw, reflecting themes of self-discovery, rebellion, and the search for meaning in times of crisis. With arrangements featuring acoustic guitars, harmonicas, and light percussion, the musical’s sound feels rooted in the folk tradition while embracing alternative rock’s edginess.
This combination of intimate, acoustic instrumentation and political storytelling is a perfect example of how indie and alternative music can transform the musical genre. By tapping into the energy and idealism of the folk-rock movement, Chadwick Stokes: 1972 evokes a sense of urgency and personal introspection that feels fresh and relevant.
The Future of Indie Music in Broadway Musicals
The rise of indie music in Broadway musicals represents a broader shift in the theater industry. As younger audiences demand more diverse, authentic stories that reflect their lives and experiences, musicals that embrace indie and alternative music are poised to become a key part of Broadway’s future. These shows speak to a generation that values vulnerability, raw emotion, and personal storytelling—qualities that are central to indie music.
For composers and lyricists, indie music offers an opportunity to break free from the constraints of traditional Broadway songwriting. By embracing folk, rock, and electronic sounds, indie-infused musicals can explore new musical structures, paving the way for more experimental and innovative works.
At the same time, indie music in musical theater offers a new path for aspiring artists who may not have considered Broadway a viable space for their work. As indie music becomes more intertwined with the Broadway ecosystem, it creates opportunities for composers, lyricists, and musicians from outside the traditional musical theater world to bring their work to the venue of a Broadway stage.
The rise of indie music in Broadway musicals is more than a passing trend—it represents a shift toward more intimate, emotionally authentic storytelling. Musicals like Swept Away, 1972, and Safety Not Guaranteed show that indie music can provide a potent framework for exploring complex human emotions, personal struggles, and social issues. As this trend continues to grow, it promises to reshape Broadway and bring fresh, innovative voices to the stage.
In a world where audiences crave authenticity and connection, indie music offers the perfect soundtrack for a new era of musical theater—one that values vulnerability, depth, and a sense of personal truth. As Broadway continues to evolve, indie and alternative music will no doubt play an increasingly important role in shaping the future of the musical theater landscape. The rise of indie musicals is not just a trend—it’s the beginning of a new chapter in Broadway’s story.