In contrast to the tough social and economic crisis of 1970s Britain, the charts began to fill with performers singing of escapism, glamour and excitement.

Extravagance was the order of the day and the androgynous fashions adopted by the new pop generation – make-up and platform heels – expressed the sexual ambiguity of the music. But a darker vision of 1970s Britain soon appeared through albums like the post-apocalyptic Diamond Dogs by David Bowie.

Prog rock flourished in the albums market with classically-trained musicians and art school lyricists, who demanded ever more elaborate stage sets for their theatrical music. As the music industry expanded and audiences sought entertainment rather than political engagement, sell-out arena tours became the pinnacle for any successful artist.