Popular Music
We are living in a fascinating time for popular music — one marked by dynamic changes and innovations that bring both exciting opportunities and significant challenges for musicians, the industry, and fans. The rise of digital platforms, streaming services, and social media has fostered unprecedented creativity, allowing musicians to reach global audiences, experiment with new sounds, and engage with fans in ways that were once unimaginable. However, these developments come with serious difficulties. Many musicians face financial struggles, with streaming platforms offering limited earnings and sustainable income remaining elusive, especially for smaller artists. The paradox of creative possibilities alongside economic hardships highlights a central tension in popular music today.
The aim of this collection is to reflect on the contemporary landscape of popular music, examining not only the industry's present-day challenges and innovations but also the evolution of listening habits over recent years and decades. Several key themes are explored in the featured articles. First, the collection delves into the music industry itself, analysing how the intersections of creativity, income, and policy shape the careers of musicians. It then explores the role of digital music platforms, investigating how streaming services, social media, and digital distribution systems have influenced listening practices, fan participation, and creative experimentation. The collection also considers the evolution of music fandoms, focusing on fan networks and their contributions to creative processes, as well as on fan experiences of listening and curation which drive broader patterns of engagement. Another key area of exploration is the material culture of music, examining how fans collect and curate music-related objects, and how these practices intersect with contemporary digital culture. Finally, the collection reflects on the broader relationship between music, culture, and society, considering how popular music reflects, shapes, and challenges societal norms, cultural identities and social movements. By compiling these diverse perspectives, our digital collection offers a rich analysis of the complex and evolving landscape of contemporary music worlds and cultures.
Edited by
Lucy Bennett(School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University)
Rafal Zaborowski(Department of Digital Humanities, King’s College London)