Can Popular Music Ever Really Be Unplugged?

Hearing an artist 'unplugged' gives us a chance to hear what they really sound like acoustically; without the use of electronic technology such as the microphone, amplifier and electric guitar. Inventions such as the microphone allowed an artist to perform to larger venues and still be heard.Popular music requires a large audience in order to become 'popular' so the use of the microphone  has become compulsory. It helps artists to create that intimate sound that cannot be achieved acoustically and still be heard, evident in artists such as Bing Crosby.

In the 1950's amplification became a necessary part of rock 'n' roll. 'The Beatles' would not exist without the use of technology, as their music depended on miniaturisation and amplification. Popular genres such as hip-hop and dance music would also be inconceivable without the use of amplification; proving that popular music can never survive 'unplugged'.

“Without electronic technology, popular music in the 21st century is unthinkable” (Theberge).

Pop Goes the culture: What is Popular Music

Popular music is described by Raymond Williams as a term which was originally a legal one. The term has changed over many centuries; in the 16th century it meant vulgar/low, in terms of common people and continued to change. In the 19th century, american magazine came to take the word 'popular' as 'good'. Popular from the people of folk could include home-made, unpolished and unmediated music. Folk can be seen as authentic whereas pop can be classed as manufactured. As noted by some songs in the charts (bob the builder), popular is not always a synonym for 'good'. Popular music can also be commercially oriented meaning that profit is the primary aim. Popular music involves the use of technology, such as the piano, guitar e.t.c. Popular means contemporary, mass produced and consumed. It can also be described as “a hybrid of musical traditions, styles and influences”.