Description

Dave Randall is a musician, author and political activist. He has toured the world playing guitar with Faithless and Sinead O'Connor (along with many others). Hence, Dave has a unique insider's view of the music industry, which he has used to remarkable effect in his intelligent account about the political power of music. Sound System investigates the raves, riots, and revolution of contemporary culture. He finds remarkable examples of music as a force of social change; and how it has a unique ability to unsettle the most fundamental political and social conventions or, alternatively, to stabilize the status-quo.

Dave argues that musicians have often wanted to change the world, and many - from underground grime artists to mainstream pop icons channel that desire through their art. From the Glastonbury Festival to the Arab Spring, X Factor to Notting Hill Carnival, Randall finds inspiration across the musical spectrum.

Randall has been associated with a number of campaigns and organisations and has performed for the Stop The War Coalition, Love Music Hate Racism and the People's Assembly. He is a patron of the Palestine Solidarity Campaign and wrote and produced the campaign song Freedom for Palestine by One World in 2011. He also contributed music to Jeremy Corbyn's Labour leadership campaign videos in 2015.


'This engaging, hugely readable book describes aspects of the musical world I recognise - alongside other deeply shocking aspects of which I'd never been remotely aware. It should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in the state of the world - and in the essential, life-affirming role music can play in changing it for the better.'
Tom Robinson, BBC 6 Music

'A deeply intelligent look at music and society and in particular pop's tempestuous relationship with commerce. Thought provoking, readable and clever stuff.' - Mark Radcliffe, BBC Radio 2

'Adventurous and spellbinding work that fuses traditional and contemporary, political and poetic' Q Magazine

Description

Flass Street,

Durham,

County Durham,

England,

DH1 4BE.