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The Sounds of the Suburbs? Experiences and Imaginings of Popular Music in Dublin

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Imagining Irish Suburbia in Literature and Culture

Part of the book series: New Directions in Irish and Irish American Literature ((NDIIAL))

Abstract

In setting out to redress the neglect of the suburban in experiences and imaginings of popular music in Dublin, this chapter begins by presenting an overview and appraisal of current venues, events, organisations and networks for popular music across the greater urban region. It draws on findings from the applied research project Mapping Popular Music in Dublin, and highlights the largely peripheral status of popular music in suburbs in respect of material support and representation. The body of the chapter explores relationships between Dublin-born popular musicians and suburbs, and identifies commonalities and differences in artist biographies, song lyrics and other musical components across the genres of folk, rock, punk, new age, singer/songwriter and pop-rock. It also looks at soundtracks, audio-visual media, blogs and other forums that highlight the significance of nostalgia and retro culture in current imaginings of popular music in Dublin’s suburbs. The chapter closes by appraising recent initiatives in suburban areas that suggest an emerging appreciation for the value of localised popular music experience.

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Correspondence to John O’Flynn .

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O’Flynn, J. (2018). The Sounds of the Suburbs? Experiences and Imaginings of Popular Music in Dublin. In: Smith, E., Workman, S. (eds) Imagining Irish Suburbia in Literature and Culture. New Directions in Irish and Irish American Literature. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-96427-0_12

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