ABSTRACT
In the general sense of the word, ‘politics’ permeates popular music studies. Practically every aspect of the production and consumption of popular music involves theoretical debates about the dynamics of economic, cultural and political power and influence and the reproduction of social structures and individual subjectivity. In addition to ongoing debates over the perceived negative ‘effects’ and influence of popular music (considered in Chapter 13), there have always been attempts to harness the music to social and political ends and arguments around the validity of notions of music as an empowering and political force. My discussion here is on the role of popular music in fostering social change and its mobilization within social movements. I consider several examples of direct political activism and the phenomenon of ‘conscience rock’. A major issue in each case is the influence of such cultural interventions and the role of music in bringing about social change. The last part of the chapter continues my earlier theme of identity and popular music, introducing the role of music in constructing identities in relation to gender (and sexuality) and, more briefly, to ethnicity and social class. While each of these ‘classic’ social categories is considered separately, their interrelationship needs to be kept in mind, as they frequently reinforce and interact with one another.
