How much influence do popular artists have over their young listeners

Today I am in a hangover like state, dwelling in the come down after seeing many of my favourite bands play at Soundwave. It's in seeing these bands play live that a flood of emotions can hit you and you realise what a tremendous influence these bands, and their members, can have on shaping the lives of the young and impressionable. 

The crowd was littered with all sorts of people, many of them identifiable to their respective fandoms. Black Veil Brides fans were easily the most notable with stitches drawn across their face akin to Andy Sixx’s makeup. While these aesthetics are mildly amusing at best it made me think about how much deeper the influence these bands ran. 

Even today I am frighteningly devoted to the band that has had more influence on my life than any other and I hope that I am not naive in my belief that this influence has been positive. I am drawn to wonder how much of who I am has been crafted by that band that I adore so much. Without their influence would I still be living a vegetarian lifestyle? I like to think so but maybe it was their influence that pushed me over the edge. They are a band who’s lyrics I have not only sort comfort in but my endless hours of watching interviews may have led me to adopt their beliefs. Or perhaps this is a chicken or the egg scenario. Was it the similarity in ideas that drew me to them or were my ideals shaped by their words? While it would be wonderful to have an answer to this I don’t, and in the long run I don’t think it really matters. I think that regardless of which causes the other it is important for the band members to be aware of the influence they have on young and developing minds. Promoting anarchy and self-expression is all well and good as long as it isn’t hurting anyone.

I know that I lot of parents and guardians get hung up on the lyrics of what their child is listening to but I think we need to be more aware of what the artist behind it is promoting. Lyrics are where comfort is sought but the ideals of the artist that are far more likely to influence the behaviour of the listener. This is from my experience of course. 

My favourite band might sing the lyrics 

While I waited I was wasting away
Hope was wasting away
Faith was wasting away
I was wasting away

But if at the same time the members whom I admire so much are spreading messages of compassion towards other people and animals and promoting abstinence from drugs and alcohol, this is the message I am going to take away from them and their lyrics just become a way to feel less alone when the world seems to be against you. 

What I am trying to say with all of this is that I hope public figures take upon themselves the serious responsibility of influencing the beliefs and lifestyle choices of the next generation.