First large-scale study on mu­sic fest­ivals in Ger­many

 |  ResearchPress releaseFaculty of Arts and HumanitiesPopuläre Musik und MedienC:POP. Transdisciplinary Research Center for Popular Music Cultures and Creative Economies

"C:POP" research centre at Paderborn University is official scientific partner

The "Initiative Musik", the "Bundesstiftung LiveKultur" and the German Music Information Centre (miz) want to provide a comprehensive nationwide and cross-genre survey of the music festival scene in Germany with the first-ever "Festival Study". The experts at the transdisciplinary research centre "C:POP. Transdisciplinary Research Centre for Popular Music Cultures and Creative Economies" of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at Paderborn University were commissioned with the scientific implementation of the study. This should ultimately provide valuable insights into the structural, economic, ecological and social significance of music festivals - from classical music to electronic dance music and heavy metal. The study was launched in November and the project is expected to run until the end of August 2024.

Under the direction of Prof Dr Beate Flath and Prof Dr Christoph Jacke, who both form the Executive Board of C:POP and are members of the Executive Committee, a multi-perspective, transdisciplinary team will conduct the empirical study. Using a mix of online surveys and expert interviews, the study will analyse key economic figures, the social and cultural dimensions of music festivals and their significance in terms of sustainability, diversity and inclusion.

At roundtable events in Berlin, Hamburg and Würzburg, experts from the festival industry and neighbouring sectors have already exchanged views on the planned study design and the perspectives and experiences to be incorporated. These discussions have provided valuable insights that serve as the basis for the research concept and the realisation of the festival study. The great interest in valid data and the diverse orientation of the festival study has been demonstrated by the well-attended panels at various trade fairs and conferences, among other things. According to the team, the results will help to understand music festivals in all their facets, create a better understanding of their challenges and needs and thus provide important scientific findings and orientation - not least in the transfer for the festival industry and cultural policy.

The "C:POP" research centre aims to further advance research in the field of "Popular Music Studies" both nationally and internationally. Academics at Paderborn University have been dedicating themselves to research and teaching in various areas of pop music cultures for over 20 years (including in the "Popular Music and Media" degree programmes), which is why they can draw on a broad knowledge base with their expertise and networks.  

The project is made possible by special funding from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media (BKM). The team expects the first results by the end of May 2024.

Further information can be found on the "C:POP" website.

This text has been translated automatically.

Symbolic image (Paderborn University): The experts from the transdisciplinary research centre "C:POP. Transdisciplinary Research Centre for Popular Music Cultures and Creative Economies" at Paderborn University were commissioned with the scientific implementation of the "Festival Study".

Contact

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Prof. Dr. Beate Flath

C:POP. Transdisciplinary Research Center for Popular Music Cultures and Creative Economies

Write email +49 5251 60-4324
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Prof. Dr. Christoph Jacke

Populäre Musik und Medien

Theorie, Ästhetik und Geschichte der Populären Musik

Write email +49 5251 60-2960