The infrastructure and environmental consequences of live music

Brennan, M. (2021) The infrastructure and environmental consequences of live music. In: Devine, K. and Boudreault-Fournier, A. (eds.) Audible Infrastructures: Music, Sound, Media. Oxford University Press: Oxford, pp. 117-134. ISBN 9780190932633 (doi: 10.1093/oso/9780190932633.003.0006)

Abstract

This chapter offers a backstage perspective on the physical and organizational structures of touring and concertgoing. In doing so, it addresses the global challenges of climate change and environmental sustainability through the lens of the live music sector, focusing on the UK as a case study. More specifically, the chapter investigates how actors in the live music industry—made up of artists, audiences, and organizers—perceive and address climate change and sustainability, one of the most urgent problems facing the wider global community. The chapter develops the concept of a “live music ecology,” arguing that an ecological approach to live music draws attention to three other factors: (1) the materiality of the infrastructures and buildings in which live music happens; (2) the interdependence between the actors who identify themselves as operating within a music scene versus other nonmusic work spheres who have a significant impact on live music; and finally (3) the sustainability of live music culture, where all the factors above contribute to meet the needs of the present ecology “without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” The underlying argument of this chapter is that the infrastructures at play in the production of live music are often directly at odds with the escapist ideology often found in live music performances as cultural events. Indeed, the chapter highlights some of the ideological contradictions embodied by concert spaces that style themselves as utopian and “green.” Ultimately, it argues that we need more efficient and sustainable musical infrastructures, and that a crucial part of achieving that goal involves developing critical infrastructural imaginaries.

• Item Type: Book Sections
• Status: Published
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Brennan, Professor Matt
• Authors: Brennan, M.
• College/School: College of Arts & Humanities > School of Culture and Creative Arts > Music
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISBN: 9780190932633
• Published Online: 21 January 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Oxford University Press
• First Published: First published in Audible Infrastructures: Music, Sound, Media: 117-134
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy