MySQL Like query not recognising anything but first word in database

Basically I am trying to use a $gen variable to match a user query to a string stored in a database describing a genre of music. My problem is that if the genre is Indie/Pop and the user selects Indie as a search query the event will display. If they select Pop the event does not display.

Here is how i am querying the database.

$sql="SELECT * FROM $tab WHERE genre LIKE '$gen%'AND dateForm = '$datepicker'";

Any help appreciated as ever