Tuning into Tensions: Music and Affective Polarisation in Protest Movements

Music is often seen as something that brings people together, and it has long been a powerful way for people to share experiences, values, and calls for social change. In times of social tension, unrest, and cultural conflict, however, music linked to political protest can play a more complex role. While it can build solidarity and help people express shared concerns, it might also deepen divisions by strengthening feelings of “us” versus “them.” This project explores how music is used in protest movements across different parts of the political spectrum, and how it connects to broader patterns of political division (often called affective polarization). By better understanding these dynamics, we can gain insight into how polarisation takes shape and how democratic societies cope with it.