Title: Soft city, hard sell: Manchester's popular music soundscape

Authors: Peter Schofield

Addresses: Management and Management Sciences Research Institute, Salford Business School, University of Salford, M5 4WT, UK

Abstract: The paper examines the concept of |soundscapes| with particular reference to Manchester|s popular music heritage and the production and consumption of tours connected with it. It focuses on the popular music tourist|s hyperreal experience and the significance of this product as an alternative to the city|s more traditional heritage. Within this context, the analysis focuses on the construction of place through music mediation and the role of Manchester|s popular music audioscape in providing a distinctive dimension to the city|s tourism offer and place brand.

Keywords: popular music; city images; soundscape; heritage interpretation; pop music; Manchester; UK; United Kingdom; music tourism; audioscape.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTP.2009.023271

International Journal of Tourism Policy, 2009 Vol.2 No.1/2, pp.24 - 36

Published online: 16 Feb 2009 *

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