Power relations in global pop music
An interdisciplinary conference co-organized by the Institute of Musicology at the University of Bern from 18 to 20 October will focus on the anchoring of popular music in a globally networked world.
Questions of power, position, access and representation characterize the production, distribution and reception of popular music yesterday and today. In Nigeria's hip-hop culture, for example, the globalization of the pop market means that the free use of samples is in danger of disappearing: the pressure to adopt international copyright regulations has become too great. Or in Egypt, musicians without a credit card are denied access to the online music market. "The aim of this conference is to examine these phenomena scientifically and highlight the complex dynamics involved," says Hannes Liechti from Bern University of the Arts, co-organizer of the conference.
The program is characterized by a wide variety of topics and an international line-up. In addition to German-speaking countries, researchers from the USA, Turkey, Finland and other countries will be presenting their findings. Jenny Mbaye, a renowned music and media researcher from City University in London, will kick off the conference with a keynote speech on cosmopolitan music practices in urban Africa. Presentations on the Eurovision Song Contest, pop music in a post-socialist context, the role of music after the Egyptian revolution and the significance of music for Afghan refugees in Europe are just a small excerpt from the German and English-language program. In an effort to narrow the gap between science, musical practice and media presentation, the artists Ali Gur Pir (Pakistan) and Umlilo (South Africa) will respond to the lectures with artistic interventions. Finally, the installation "Arkestrated Rhythmachine Complexities" by ARKollektive makes the complex history of the dissemination of pop and pop rhythms as well as their technical necessities visible and audible.
The conference is organized in collaboration with the Bern University of the Arts, the Institute of Musicology at the University of Bern and the Bern-based music research network Norient. Artistic interventions and a sound media installation will accompany the academic debate.
More info: http://www.musik.unibe.ch/forschung/tagungen/poppowerpositions/index_ger.html
