The Music Cities Paradigm

Because music cities are fast becoming economically important urban spaces for neoliberal capitalism, this chapter draws a map of this emerging field of research. Using thematic analysis, it offers an overview of the current debates connected with the development of music cities, focusing on two key issues, definitional problems, and the music city branding process. Building on these issues, the chapter examines a set of algorithms used to describe the development of neoliberal music cities, based on economics, the creative cities index, and heritage. In case studies of the size, scope, and significance of London, New York City, and Los Angeles, it uses algorithms to unpack the branding of these neoliberal cities as music city superstars. Uncovering a global music ecosystem based on a three-tiered cultural hierarchy of authority, where the city on the highest tier has the most power and influence in the global music industry, it notes that London is highest in the hierarchy because it is seen as the music business capital of the world. Representing the digital music and music consumption capitals of the world, New York City is second in the hierarchy, and Los Angeles, viewed as the entertainment capital, is third. The chapter concludes by offering a summary of what the study of global music cities might look like in the future.