Three Reasons Grizzly Bear Isn't Some Snobby Hipster Indie Band

Victor Gonzalez June 5, 2013 12:00PM

[
          {
            "name": "Related Stories / Support Us Combo",
            "component": "12278355",
            "insertPoint": "4",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "6"
          },{
            "name": "Air - Billboard - Inline Content",
            "component": "12278351",
            "insertPoint": "2/3",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "7"
          },
          
          {
            "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size 2",
            "component": "12278352",
            "insertPoint": "12",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
          },{
            "name": "Air - MediumRectangle - Inline Content - Mobile Display Size 2",
            "component": "12278352",
            "insertPoint": "4th",
            "startingPoint": "16",
            "requiredCountToDisplay": "12"
          }
          
            ,{
              "name": "RevContent - In Article",
              "component": "13536732",
              "insertPoint": "3/5",
              "requiredCountToDisplay": "5"
            }
          
        ]

With an average Pitchfork album reviews rating of 8.6, Grizly Bear is undeniably one of hispterdom's most popular bands of the 21st century.

Their latest record, Shields, with its whimsical melodies and deeply emotional lyrical content, is being heralded as the group's best. It debuted in the Top 10 of the Billboard 200, and was named one of the 50 best albums on 2012 by Rolling Stone.

However, Grizzly Bear's reach extends much further than the New York City hipster social circle it stems from; they're universal.

From rappers to daytime talk show hosts, New Times wanted to highlight a short list of Grizzly Bear diehards ahead of the group's June 18 gig at the Fillmore Miami Beach. Find out who made the list after the cut.

Jay-Z Loves Grizzly Bear

The Internet nearly imploded on August 30, 2009 after Jay-Z and Beyoncé spent date night watching a free, outdoor Grizzly Bear show in New York City's East River State Park. Evidently, media outlets forget that (a) Mr. Carter's musical palette wasn't limited to Roc-A-Fella Records, and (b) rappers also appreciate indie artists.

"I don't understand why people are always surprised to see me at shows," Jay said a 2009 interview with MTV.

"[Grizzly Bear is] an incredible band... What the indie-rock movement is doing right now is very inspiring. It felt like [rap] in the beginning. These concerts, they're not on the radio, no one hears about them, and there're 12,000 people in attendance."

KEEP MIAMI NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started Miami New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Miami, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.

Make a one-time donation today for as little as $1.

Victor Gonzalez

Contact: Victor Gonzalez