The Sound of Globalization : Mapping the Dynamics in Contemporary Urban Landscape of Concert Venues

Abstract: This study compares and describes the urban landscape of concert venues in Berlin and Stockholm with a focus on popular music. It features research of spatial patterns among concert venues, gathered from participant observations and semi-structured interviews with agencies and officials in the music scene. These patterns make us want to understand the relationship between venues, why they sometimes agglomerate by size in a more gentrified environment. By comparing the spatial patterns with music export data, an illustration of globalization is developed. Further, this study connects to the political controversy of the contemporary view on music, as a source of economic growth or not. The central concept of analysis is the division between high profitable hit music and conventional music. Theoretical perspectives of global economic system is the base for the hypothesis that music is not a homogeneous entity. It is rather polarized in two spheres depending on the status in the global economic system. This study suggests thathit music is a cultural product built on immaterial values and place branding for political agendas, rather than a cultural expression or genre of music like any other. This part of the music economy show specific patterns of localization.