Hip-hop or barnyard rock?
And music can shape in many ways, Schiller stresses. ‘It can inspire us to wear certain clothes or take a different haircut, but it can also zoom in on how we think about social issues such as masculinity and femininity,’ Schiller explains. Certain genres present a very traditional image, while other music questions what is masculine or feminine. Through music, prevailing norms and values are negotiated.'
During the symposium From Hinterland to Europapa, co-organised by Schiller, scientists discussed the connection between music, identity formation and placemaking in the Netherlands. Among other things, researchers will discuss differences between cities and the countryside and the role of dialects in music.
'Genres like hip-hop have had a major influence on urban culture and on our image of big cities, Schiller argues. A genre that stands out outside cities, in regions such as the Achterhoek, Overijssel and Drenthe, is boerenrock (farm rock). ‘In that music, artists set themselves off, sometimes jokingly, sometimes seriously, against the big city.’ Occasionally, a certain worldview shines through in that music. Schiller: ‘Like the feeling “we're not being listened to”.’
Immersing during festivals
It is precisely these political implications of music that interest Schiller. 'Think about the role of music in elections or protest movements. Music can have a political function, confirming, strengthening or questioning certain ideas or feelings.' Schilller is especially curious about what links exist between major phenomena such as polarisation and social change and the music people listen to on their way to work or over drinks with friends. 'To find out, as researchers we immerse ourselves in particular musical communities. For example, I myself have attended many boerenrock festivals, very interesting.'
What struck Schiller most during those festivals: ‘The idea of us the farmers, against them the city dwellers is very much alive, as is the performance of traditional images of masculinity and femininity. I also noticed that visitors wanted to lose control en masse, for example by drinking a lot. That seemed almost intended as a statement, like ‘we don't follow the rules here’ that normally apply. Of course, you may wonder how rebellious it is when you all don't stick to the rules...'.
