TikTok pop-punk fandom doesn’t stop at viral hits, however. "One of my more popular TikToks was just listing a bunch of pop-punk songs," Maddee says, "and a lot of people commented like, 'I've never heard this genre before, do you have any song recommendations?’'' In response, Maddee shared a playlist featuring a broad range of bands, from The Starting Line to Stand Atlantic.
You'll also find videos that share the genre's history for newer fans. "I try and do these educational videos to make people feel a bit more welcomed to the scene," Yasmine explains, emphasising that gatekeeping is a sure way to put off newcomers while also recognising that some fans will move on and others are cultivating a core fanbase on the app. Either way, it’s important they all feel accepted.
So pop-punk die-hards are revelling in their nostalgia, bringing both old and new fans along for the ride… but why on TikTok in particular? Well, for one, there's less work involved in discovery compared to other platforms. Open the app and you're greeted with a curated For You page, which constantly adjusts the content according to your interests, determined by previous positive interactions.
“TikTok's algorithm is unlike any other,” Yasmine says, explaining that all you have to do is check out #poppunk once and the content will begin appearing on your For You page. So if a lot of users are feeling nostalgic, lonely, or just missing live music, liking one pop-punk clip will trigger a positive feedback loop of similar videos, which TikTok can then push to other users it deems to like similar things. What makes TikTok the go-to app for funny videos is also what makes it ideal for discovering both established and underground bands. "The algorithm is really helpful if you want to dive in headfirst and have a whole pop-punk phase," Yasmine confirms.