Cover bands and their activities are conspicuously under-researched, despite the fact that these musical practices take place every day on a local level. Based on participant observations at various types of events and qualitative interviews with cover band musicians, this chapter examines the different concepts of professionality and amateurism that play a central role with cover bands. The following two sub-questions serve as a guide to a systematic approach to the central question of the existence of parallel societies among cover bands: Who are the musical actors and what separates or unites the circulating idea(l)s of professionals and amateurs? Which related attitudes and musical practices come to light as a result, and how are they performed? Empirical research reveals how biography, musical education, genre-specific role assignments and specific hierarchies divide cover bands into amateurs and professionals while simultaneously establishing a large and characteristic space in between. From the researcherʼs insider position as a singer in cover bands for several years, this chapter aims to provide a critical assessment of this heterogeneous field for discussion. Cover band-specific status attributions, attitudes and musical practices are fluid transitions, reflecting various overlaps without the hard, simplistic boundaries of alleged parallels, which are evaluated and performatively produced by the actors involved depending on the interaction situation.
„Wer, wie, was heißt hier Parallelgesellschaften? Musikalische Praktiken von Profis und Amateur*innen im Feld der Jazz- und Pop-Coverbands: Eine praxisgeleitete Annäherung“ weiterlesenWer, wie, was heißt hier Parallelgesellschaften? Musikalische Praktiken von Profis und Amateur*innen im Feld der Jazz- und Pop-Coverbands: Eine praxisgeleitete Annäherung
