Re-Framing Music Festivals: Exploring Space, Solidarity, Spirituality and Self with Young People

  • Eveleigh Buck-Matthews

    Student thesis: Doctoral ThesisDoctor of Philosophy

    Abstract

    This thesis is concerned with the representation of young people at music festivals, it seeks to challenge common, negative and superficial perceptions of young people as they take part in these annual events. The analysis of empirical, qualitative and creative data gained at music festivals over a three-year period, has enabled a re-presentation of youth in relation to music festivals; empirical examples of youth spaces; and the potential for music festivals to offer an alternative blue print for youth society.

    The research offers a challenge to prevalent stereotypes and representations surrounding young people at music festivals. Furthermore, an investigation of these youth spaces, shows they are used by young people, to explore space, solidarity, spirituality and self. The research seeks to offer a counter cultural landscape created by young people. The development of immersive and participatory research methods has enabled stereotypes to be confronted. The work has advanced theory concerned with young
    people’s agency and enabled a new focus on the way young people construct and subvert space in music festivals in the UK.
    Date of Award2018
    Original languageEnglish
    Awarding Institution
    • Coventry University

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