Over the past few weeks I have really enjoyed researching music histories and the live music experience. It is interesting to note how much attention is given to certain types of music  in comparison to others. Pop music is covered in large doses in the media, with plenty of attention given to top 40 artists and their daily life shambles. This, I feel, is a shame. There are plenty of other topics which deserve coverage by the media and attention from the general public. The live experience and local music being one of these.

Here at Popular Music Press the team have attempted to present stories, articles, photos, media analysis and scholarly research on the live music experience in order to present an alternative topic and view to the general public. In doing this we hope that insight has been given into the struggles, benefits and general social debate on the topic.

Just to rehash live music is not all about anti-social behaviour and is not primarily driven by economic gains, as alot of media articles articulate. Instead the live experience should be thought of as a socially demanded activity that not only brings joy and entertainment but also social cohesion and a sense of community, as relevant theorists quoted in previous posts have suggested.

This sense of social cohesion and community has been argued by some as further intensifyed by technology such as the internet. The internet has rapidly changed the way we use, store, distribute and interact with music. This communication medium has opened up a world of possibility for musicians, allowing artists, particularly aspiring artists, to promote and distribute their work to thousands of people around the globe. However some believe that the impact the internet has had is indeed a negative one. 

Musicians such as Sir Elton John highlight the possible devastation within the music industry that may occur as a result of the internet, not only on decline in sales and profit but also on the level of musical creativity.

There have been fears of technology wiping out the live experience. I do not believe that this will be the case any time soon. From the research I have conducted I have found that people will always enjoy the live experience. The audience craves the personal connection with the artist and the music they produce, they crave the raw sound and the whole product, the scenery, social interaction and embrace the music created right there and then.

There have also been fears for safety not only for the individuals engaging in a live performance but also the safety of society. Riots, rampage and drug and alcohol abuse have all been linked to the live experience. Although these are apparent, they have always existed and should not influence the demise of the live music experience.

Popular Music Press hopes that the live experience blog has opened up your eyes a little to the world of live and local music and has sent waves of interest and excitement through your veins. Let’s hope that in the future local, live music will receive more attention by the media and the government and the social and economic benefits it can provide are realised.  

Thanks for reading!!