Synth-pop

Synth-pop is a subgenre of pop music in which the synthesizer is the main musical instrument. An electronic music genre, synthpop is additionally influenced by rock genres such as New Wave music and punk rock, as well as disco music. It is most closely associated with the era between the late 1970s and early to middle 1980s, although it has continued to exist and develop ever since.

Synth-pop
Stylistic origins	Electronic pop new wave disco post-punk glam rock krautrock
Cultural origins	Late 1970s Early 1980s Germany United Kingdom South Korea Japan
Typical instruments	Synthesizer Drum machine Tape loops Drums Guitar (in latter incarnations were added Sequencer Keyboard Sampler)
Derivative forms	Electroclash Bubblegum pop Ambient pop
Subgenres
Electroclash
Fusion genres
Futurepop Synthpunk
Other topics
Electropop

Synth-pop Media

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  The Prophet-5, one of the first polyphonic synthesizers. It was widely used in 1980s synth-pop, along with the Roland Jupiter and Yamaha DX7.

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  Kraftwerk, one of the major influences on synth-pop, in 1976

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  Yellow Magic Orchestra in 2008

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  Gary Numan performing in 1980

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  Midge Ure performing with Ultravox in Oslo in 1981.

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  Eurythmics (Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox) on stage in Germany in 1987.

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  The Pet Shop Boys performing in 2006.

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  Elly Jackson of La Roux performing in 2010

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  Martin Gore of Depeche Mode photographed in Los Angeles in 1986, wearing some of the fashions that were criticised for gender bending.