Two teenaged girls flashed cheeky smiles, braces a-twinkling, for a camera in the Orpheum Theatre lobby on a winter night. They stood awkwardly, their teeth clenched into grins, next to a super-size photo of singer Alicia Keys, while a photographer snapped away and barked out encouraging orders. Their memento from the concert: a keepsake photo for a $40-plus fistful of cash.
We saw Alicia! it screams, all giddy-like.
Such commercial expressions of fandom aren’t the exclusive realm of squirmy teens and chatty nobodies like us. Selma Blair reportedly boasts a rhinestone-studded Guns N’ Roses T she purchased for a cool $900. Madonna was spotted in a now-famous form-hugging Britney baby-T. Sure enough, wearing concert gear is an easy way for people to flash their musical taste, to be down.
But what was once a simple matter of picking up a logo-emblazoned T-shirt has morphed into a full-body experience: from thongs to towels, key chains to baby clothes, you can wear your musical preferences on your sleeve, chest, and um, elsewhere.
Rod Stewart thong. All you lusty ladies can wear the singing stallion close to your you-know-what with this fiery red th-th-thong, available for $12.95 at www.fanfire.com, or by calling (800) 767-7160.
Elbow baby clothes. Prove to your fellow playgroup parents that you haven’t become a big yawn since the arrival of the wee one. Outfit the newborn in Brit-pop gear, an Elbow jumper with snap access. Show you’re one of those coool parents. Sold for around $16 at an Elbow show, or through their Web site at www.elbow.co.uk.
KISS casket. Why should your undying love for KISS end with the inevitable? Till death do you part with your favorite band? Freak that! Purchase the KISS Kasket, complete with KISS FOREVER decorative slogans, and never leave the band’s side. It’ll cost you $4700 at www.Kissonline.com, or by calling (877) 278-2275.
Cyndi Lauper towel. Get as close as possible to your favorite wild ’80s rocker (who’s now back for more) by getting cozy with her terry-cloth likeness. On the beach, in your bathroom, wherever you like, pat yourself dry with an image from Cyndi’s 1994-’95 12 Deadly Cyns tour. Available for $12.95 at www.fanfire.com, or by calling (800) 767-7160.
Madonna body art and jewelry. You fancy her, with all her fake-British pretension, ripped arms, and out-there costume choices. Yet you’re not quite ready to take the permanent step of tattooing a declaration of your love of Ms. Ciccone on your flesh. So you paste on tattoo patches and body jewels and decorate yourself with a silver Madonna necklace. All done up just so, no one will mistake you for anything less than the devout fan that you are. Pick up the necklace for $9.95 and the tattoo and body-jewel set for $12.95 at www.fanfire.com, or by calling (800) 767-7160.
