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Paper short abstract:

This study analyses rock/metal music's impact on collective identity/agency through lyrics and musicians' views. It uses the capabilities approach to show its role in social critique, empowerment, and mobilisation, highlighting its significance in social change and justice.

Paper long abstract:

This study delves into the pivotal role of rock and metal music culture in fostering collective action, particularly during times of crisis. It examines the synergy between this musical genre and the capabilities approach, offering a fresh perspective on how rock and metal music can be instrumental in critiquing social issues and promoting collective mobilization in the face of social, environmental, and political upheavals.

According to the capabilities approach, individuals need to be free to achieve things they value and valuable outcomes (Nussbaum, 2018; Sen, 2004). Freedom is the freedom of individuals and social groups from obstacles to using their agencies and taking action towards what they deem meaningful (Frediani, Clark & Biggeri, 2019: 4-5). Collective capabilities, as discussed by Ibrahim (2013) and Pelenc, Bazile, & Ceruti (2015), emerge through collective action and agency facilitated by shared experiences and motivations. In this context, rock and metal music serve as a catalyst for the formation of such collective capabilities by inspiring and motivating masses towards collective action.

Historical and contemporary instances underscore the significant influence of rock and metal music in inspiring social critique and collective mobilization. The genres have consistently served as a medium for social commentary, from the civil rights and anti-war songs of the 1960s and 1970s (Heilbronner, 2016) to more recent expressions of resistance against political and religious oppression, as seen in the metal scenes of countries like Indonesia (Wallach, 2005). Moreover, rock and metal music foster a sense of solidarity among their audiences, facilitating the emergence of social movements through shared experiences at concerts and festivals (Gardikiotis & Baltzis, 2012).

This research focuses on analyzing the role of rock and metal music in facilitating collective action through content analysis of 20 songs from the 1960s to the present and interviews with 12 musicians active in Turkish rock and metal scenes. The selection of songs will prioritize metal bands and aim to reflect the most listened to tracks over the decades. The thematic coding of these songs, alongside musician interviews, aims to explore the nexus between collective action and the musicians' lyrical content.

This paper reveals rock and metal's power in driving social change, spotlighting its potential to address injustices and inspire collective action for a fairer society.

Keywords: Metal, rock, collective capabilities, music.

Please click for the references:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Oc5DD_aPnGofPJtWvsGOfNDNZljwxPQ3670AmC87sJs/edit?usp=sharing