The Sounds of Our World: Navigating Live Music and Artist Growth in Harare

Abstract: Increasingly connected to urban development and vitality in modern discourses of urban sociology, live music is a social and cultural phenomenon with great potential for improving people’s, including artists, well-being. Still, the systems and networks which shape live music are specific to their local social, cultural and institutional contexts, leading to a range of perceptions. Focusing on the urban context of Harare, Zimbabwe, this study adopts a live music ecology framework to examine diverse perspectives from key actors in the live music ecosystem. Semi-structured interviews, participant observation, and informal discussions offer a unique look at the networks and structures that shape the perceptions on upcoming artist development within Harare's live music scene. The study's key findings highlight the significance of live performances as tools for artistic expression and audience engagement, contributing to artists' creative identity formation and recognition. While at the same time address the need for further research to clarify the social, cultural, political and economical dynamics within live music. Additionally, the research unveils the role of gatekeeping, audience, and the distribution of social and cultural capital in shaping artist development opportunities. By exploring live music through local perceptions, the research goes beyond explaining music as a depiction of urban life to music as part of urban life. Recognizing the challenges and potential interventions identified in the study, stakeholders like the policymakers and practitioners in the music industry can work towards creating a more inclusive and sustainable live music ecosystem in Harare.