'You gotta love this city': The Whitlams and inner Sydney

Author(s): Connell, J.

Journal/Book: Aust Geographer. 2000; 31: Rankine Rd, Basingstoke Rg24 8Pr, Hants, England. Carfax Publishing. 141-154.

Abstract: This analysis of music ill cultural geography, in the con of the inner Sydney-based band The Whitlams, traces thr creative links between sounds,'scenes' and places. Based bz Newtown, The Whitlams art associated with political values, evident ill the band's name, and social values tied to and opposed to urban changes, such as gentrification, where community is threatened The band's lyrics emanate from their experiences, challenging commercialisation of city life at different)Ef scabs and reflecting the anomie of city living, but defending its virtues, whilst also fostering place stereotypes. The audience was similarly inner-city based until th band's recent commercial success, which has challenged The Whitlams' identity and radicalism, and resulted in mainstream appropriation. Though The Whitlam's continue to reaffirm their local identity, and local audiences have remained, the popularity and commodification of their music has challenged concepts of shared meaning, the link between bands and their fans, and the connection between music and its place of origin. The Whitlam's music nevertheless remains a means of evoking and sharing a sense of place.

Note: Article Connell J, Univ Sydney, Div Geog, Sydney, NSW 2006, AUSTRALIA

Keyword(s): popular music; cultural geography; The Whitlams; inner Sydney; Newtown; community; sense of place; commodification; appropriation; POPULAR-MUSIC; PLACE

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