The impact of festivalization on the Dutch live music action field: a thematic analysis

Abstract

In the global pop music industries, revenue models have shifted from physical record sales to streaming services and live performances. At the same time, the supply of live music performances has changed as a result of festivalization. This study aims to understand the effects of festivalization on the strategic action field (SAF) of the Dutch live music ecology. This paper is grounded in a qualitative thematic analysis based on in-depth interviews with directors of pop music venues and festivals. Contributing to the scholarly literature on festivalization we approach this concept from inside the strategic action field (SAF) of live music and place it within the context of the rapidly changing music industries. Among other results we emphasize the significant multiple value creation produced by festivals, the strategic advantages of festivals in relation to traditional music venues and the potential co-evolution within the live music action field.

Sociocultural Practice in the Discourse of Creative Industries Development

“…Subsequent work examines specific practices in the discourse of the creative industries Rainoldi et. al., (2022), gaming industry as an example (Mulder et. al., 2020), (by the example of festivals), Derda (2020), Werber (2020), Trach (2018 (from the mass media and advertising); and the analysis of the role of the "city" in the development of the creative economy was carried out by Khoo & Chang (2021).…”

“…Sociocultural practices have undergone significant transformations due to technologization in the field of music as well. E. Hitters and P. Rutten (Mulder et. al., 2020) suggest that the music industry began to undergo significant changes in the 1950s when commercial pop music emerged.…”

Visiting pop concerts and festivals: measuring the value of an integrated live music motivation scale

“…In particular, the number of music festivals increased rapidly since the early 2000s (Getz & Page, 2020;Lashua et al, 2014;Westgate, 2020). Research in the Netherlands showed an accelerated growth of music festivals from 2005 onwards with a total amount of more than 1100 music festivals in 2018 (Mulder et al, 2020;Van Vliet, 2019).…”

“…Insights in music visitor motivations can help in answering these questions and provide understanding of live music behaviour. Moreover, these insights could benefit both concert and festival organisers and bookers, who vie for the same artists and audience (Mulder et al, 2020). A generally accepted definition of motivation is that it is "an internal factor that arouses, directs, and integrates a person's behaviour" (Murray, 1964, p. 7).…”

Showcase Festivals: Gatekeepers and Bridge Builders in the Music Industries

“…for sense-making and classification (Paleo and Wijnberg, 2006); and their pervasiveness as seen through the perspective of festivalisation (Mulder et al, 2020). In comparison, until quite recently, surprisingly little scholarly literature has been written about showcase festivals (Galuszka, 2021, p. 65).…”