ABSTRACT
Drawing upon extensive empirical research with jazz and classical music audiences in the UK, this chapter considers the nature of the concert ritual and the varying motivations and past experiences that bring listeners to live music. Comparisons are made across music genres, cities, and venues, as well as between newcomers and established audience members. Data from interviews, focus groups, and surveys shows how audiences are motivated by diverse factors, including musical preferences, venue loyalty, and friendship networks. The appeal of live music is accompanied by the risk of feeling out of place in an unfamiliar concert setting and a desire to feel welcomed by approachable performers and staff, as well as through informative but accessible program notes or spoken introductions. The chapter poses a challenge to concert promoters and academic researchers to consider the place of live classical music in contemporary society, and to address the needs of audience members beyond those who already attend.
