◇ image via WikipediaThe Format
The Format is an act on the Starverb influence map. Their sound grew out of Ozma, Guster, Harry Nilsson, Electric Light Orchestra and The Beach Boys. Those roots explain a lot about how The Format arrange songs and choose their tones. They run in the same orbit as Ratboy, Copeland, The Early November, Hellogoodbye and All Get Out, sharing audiences, venues and reference points rather than a straight line of influence. Their influence carried into fun., Straylight Run, Bleachers, Vanilla Sky and Aim and Ignite, where the same ideas turn up rearranged for a later generation. Altogether the chart holds 32 connections around The Format, reaching back through Ozma and forward to fun.. Follow any of those threads to keep travelling the influence between bands and genres on Starverb.
Background
The Format is an American indie rock band, formed by vocalist Nate Ruess and multi-instrumentalist Sam Means. Their style has been considered a mixture of indie, alternative, punk and folk music, with elements of 1960s and 1970s pop music. The Format chose their name to make fun of the music industry's inclination towards a cookie-cutter "format" for a hit single. Formed in 2002, the band released two studio albums before announcing a hiatus on February 4, 2008. On February 4, 2020, they announced a return from their hiatus for a tour of special shows that were later cancelled due to the pandemic. In 2025, the band reunited for a second time and announced their third studio album, Boycott Heaven, which was released on January 23, 2026.
Hover or focus a star to read the connection. Click any star to make it the new centre.
The Format connections
The Format grew out of Ozma, Guster, Harry Nilsson and Electric Light Orchestra, shares an orbit with Ratboy, Copeland, The Early November and Hellogoodbye, went on to shape fun., Straylight Run, Bleachers and Vanilla Sky. 32 connections mapped across roots, kindred and legacy.
Who influenced The Format
Sounds and acts that shaped The Format.
Artists similar to The Format
Artists and scenes sharing an orbit with The Format.
- Ratboyartist
- Copelandartist
- The Early Novemberartist
- Hellogoodbyeartist
- All Get Outartist
- The Academy Is...artist
- Maeartist
- Jukebox the Ghostartist
- Dear and the Headlightsartist
- Starsartist
- Voxtrotartist
- Mates of Stateartist
- Say Anythingartist
- Remember Sportsartist
- The Weakerthansartist
- Margot & the Nuclear So and So'sartist
- The New Pornographersartist
- Gusterartist
- Baysideartist
- Grouploveartist
- Coconut Recordsartist
Bands The Format shaped
Where the influence of The Format travelled next.
Ideas. Vote for what you want to see next
Shapes the roadmapMusic Personality
Your taste as a shareable persona card, with a witty roast.
Quizzes & badges
Music quizzes that earn badges and climb a leaderboard.
Friend / taste matching
Match your taste with friends and see your overlap.
Gaps
Bands you've missed that listeners with similar taste already love.