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Sound System: The Political Power of Music
Musicians have often wanted to change the world, and many—from underground grime artists to mainstream pop icons—channel that desire through the political power of music. Music has a unique ability to unsettle the most fundamental political and social conventions—or, alternatively, to stabilize the status-quo.
Sound System is the story of one musician’s journey to discover what exactly makes music so powerful. Years of touring, protesting, and performing have given Dave Randall an insider’s view of the music industry, enabling him to shed light on the most tightly held secrets of celebrity, commodification, and culture. He finds remarkable examples of music as a force of social change as well as something that has been used to keep people in their place throughout history. From the Glastonbury Festival to the Arab Spring, Pop Idol to Trinidadian Carnival, Randall finds political inspiration across the musical spectrum.
A blistering, intelligent polemic about the political power of music, Sound System investigates the raves, riots, and revolution of contemporary culture to answer the question—how can we make music serve the interest of the many, rather than the few?
Sound System is the story of one musician’s journey to discover what exactly makes music so powerful. Years of touring, protesting, and performing have given Dave Randall an insider’s view of the music industry, enabling him to shed light on the most tightly held secrets of celebrity, commodification, and culture. He finds remarkable examples of music as a force of social change as well as something that has been used to keep people in their place throughout history. From the Glastonbury Festival to the Arab Spring, Pop Idol to Trinidadian Carnival, Randall finds political inspiration across the musical spectrum.
A blistering, intelligent polemic about the political power of music, Sound System investigates the raves, riots, and revolution of contemporary culture to answer the question—how can we make music serve the interest of the many, rather than the few?
- GenresMusicNonfictionPolitics
224 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2017
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596 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
September 7, 2017
The book is an enthusiastic mix of analysis, manifesto and personal anecdote. While it might have it's flaws from an academic point of view, it is written from the heart and deserves to be read for its honest and important message.
(summed up): 1. We are living under what is effectively a "dictatorship of the shareholders" (p. 193). 2. Rulers have always used the arts in order to pacify the masses and reinforce their position. 3. Today this "meddling in the arts" are coming from big money, and not necessarily from the political leaders. 4. It is important to make music "by us for us" and not just buy into music "by them for us" (p. 97).
The concluding "Rebel Music Manifesto" contains points relevant for anyone interested in music.
(summed up): 1. We are living under what is effectively a "dictatorship of the shareholders" (p. 193). 2. Rulers have always used the arts in order to pacify the masses and reinforce their position. 3. Today this "meddling in the arts" are coming from big money, and not necessarily from the political leaders. 4. It is important to make music "by us for us" and not just buy into music "by them for us" (p. 97).
The concluding "Rebel Music Manifesto" contains points relevant for anyone interested in music.
February 18, 2021
¿Eres musica o músico?
¿Has organizado un evento de música?
¿Eres una persona obsesiva con la música?
¿Has escuchado a un solitario guitarrista desgarrarse la garganta frente a un micrófono en una manifestación?
¿Has bailado y dando tumbos en un bar de mala muerte con una banda de ska?
¿Has hecho tiktoks con rap feminista?
¿Has rolado un toque en un evento de reggae?
¿Has llorado mientras bailas con una nostálgica salsa que narra un suceso político?
Si le diste si a alguna de estas preguntas, o si piensas en otras que seguro van más allá de mi experiencia, este libro podría caer en tus manos y ser una maravilla. Dave Randall narra una vida que todos hemos visto pero que no hemos presenciado como él, la música y su relación con el poder político y también con los movimientos desde abajo. Ya sea que escuches o no música de protesta, no cae nada mal echarle un ojo a todo lo que hay detrás, hacer un playlist de lo que propone y pensar a qué music@s le agregarías.
Ya de últimas, no estaría nada mal hacer una lista de musiques con quienes quisieras conversar de lo que propone y observa Randall, la mía fue al menos: Rubén Blades, Anita Tijoux, Manu Chao, Rebeca Lane y Fermín Muguruza.
¿Has organizado un evento de música?
¿Eres una persona obsesiva con la música?
¿Has escuchado a un solitario guitarrista desgarrarse la garganta frente a un micrófono en una manifestación?
¿Has bailado y dando tumbos en un bar de mala muerte con una banda de ska?
¿Has hecho tiktoks con rap feminista?
¿Has rolado un toque en un evento de reggae?
¿Has llorado mientras bailas con una nostálgica salsa que narra un suceso político?
Si le diste si a alguna de estas preguntas, o si piensas en otras que seguro van más allá de mi experiencia, este libro podría caer en tus manos y ser una maravilla. Dave Randall narra una vida que todos hemos visto pero que no hemos presenciado como él, la música y su relación con el poder político y también con los movimientos desde abajo. Ya sea que escuches o no música de protesta, no cae nada mal echarle un ojo a todo lo que hay detrás, hacer un playlist de lo que propone y pensar a qué music@s le agregarías.
Ya de últimas, no estaría nada mal hacer una lista de musiques con quienes quisieras conversar de lo que propone y observa Randall, la mía fue al menos: Rubén Blades, Anita Tijoux, Manu Chao, Rebeca Lane y Fermín Muguruza.
March 1, 2025
Dave Randall gives us an illuminating history lesson into the political power of music. Music is used both as a tool to augment liberty from oppression by the ruling classes and as a sword wielded by governments to maintain conformity to law and order. A super interesting read.
March 1, 2022
No sé per quin motiu me’l vaig deixar a mitges fa uns anys. L’he représ i m’ha deixat un sentiment d’esperança sobre com la creació pot transformar el món, sense caure en proclames excessivament idealistes. M’ha interessat especialment la visió d’interseccionalitat a l’hora d’analitzar la relació entre música i lluita. I, ara, quines ganes de seguir fent i compartint soroll!
August 25, 2022
Interesante ensayo con perspectiva de clase sobre los usos de la música y sobre qué podemos hacer para evitar su capitalización a manos del poder.
May 11, 2020
La primera mitad del libro merecía 4 estrellas fácilmente, incluso algo más. Dave Randall indaga y rebusca en la relación entre política y música y cómo la una y la otra se han ido intercalando e intentando utilizar. Hace una gran labor de documentación y, utilizando una amplia e interesante bibliografía, desgrana diferentes casos históricos a la par que va dando su punto de vista.
Sin embargo, en la segunda mitad del libro todo empieza a ir cuesta abajo. Si bien Randall es conocido —al igual que otros muchos artistas— por su implicación política y su visión abiertamente izquierdista, a lo largo de los capítulos se suceden las peroratas, que van perdiendo trasfondo a medida que se repiten y la moralina empieza a verse entre las líneas. El autor estira y repite ideas hasta la saciedad, como en una suerte de manifiesto inconcluso, y cae en contradicciones y populismos que hacen que seguir leyendo se vaya haciendo cuesta arriba.
Le doy tres estrellas como calificación final porque el libro ejerce de trampolín para lecturas más profundas y completas y por la bibliografía empleada.
Sin embargo, en la segunda mitad del libro todo empieza a ir cuesta abajo. Si bien Randall es conocido —al igual que otros muchos artistas— por su implicación política y su visión abiertamente izquierdista, a lo largo de los capítulos se suceden las peroratas, que van perdiendo trasfondo a medida que se repiten y la moralina empieza a verse entre las líneas. El autor estira y repite ideas hasta la saciedad, como en una suerte de manifiesto inconcluso, y cae en contradicciones y populismos que hacen que seguir leyendo se vaya haciendo cuesta arriba.
Le doy tres estrellas como calificación final porque el libro ejerce de trampolín para lecturas más profundas y completas y por la bibliografía empleada.
March 4, 2018
Sound System by Dave Randall is a book about the struggles of society through the ages, and the part music has played along the way.
I was initially sceptical about how interesting this book would be, but by the end of page one was proven completely wrong. Their are fascinating insights into, not just the history of music & instruments, but also the legacy they have left.
We visit a number of points in history, and even more places on our journey around the globe, looking at conflict, revolution and a communal sense of isolation. Which have driven, and been driven by the development of music from both ends of the political spectrum.
Well worth a read!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this Goodreads Giveaway.
I was initially sceptical about how interesting this book would be, but by the end of page one was proven completely wrong. Their are fascinating insights into, not just the history of music & instruments, but also the legacy they have left.
We visit a number of points in history, and even more places on our journey around the globe, looking at conflict, revolution and a communal sense of isolation. Which have driven, and been driven by the development of music from both ends of the political spectrum.
Well worth a read!
Thank you to the author and publisher for this Goodreads Giveaway.
July 18, 2019
Dave Randall logra un relato ameno de la protesta social y la lucha de clases en distintas geografías y épocas a través de su música combativa. Hace un llamado de atención en relación a combatir en primera instancia la alienación, impulsada por nuestro entorno, con una solidaridad musical, no solo entre músicos sino entre todos los entes activos alrededor de este arte: público, ingenieros, gestores, etc. Mientras que se extrañan (más) ejemplos de América Latina y Asia, existe un análisis y relatoria de eventos sociales y su 'soundtrack' en África, el Caribe, Europa y EE.UU. Lectura enriquecedora e indispensable para les activistas musicales.
July 26, 2017
If consider yourself more liberal and a music fan, you'll love it. Doesn't pull any punches toward right leaning people. Made really great historical references and ideas that will definitely stick with me for a long time.
June 12, 2018
Inspiring and informative! Highly recommended
August 23, 2018
A very interesting perspective with the possibility of being inspirational. Easy to read with lots of fascinating illustrations and first hand knowledge that enhance his argument.
October 18, 2025
An introductory look at music and its political relations.
Randall is heavily influenced by Adorno (esp. at the start), Fischer and Finkelstein (the latter two near the end) and tries to present an understanding as how music has been influential in many different forms of politics.
Very (former) SWP (but now Counterfire, so...) in its politics, so there are some moments where Randall's views on the Soviet Union and the Arab Spring get in the way of any attempts at developing his ideas further. There are a lot of moments where I read something, put the book down and sighed (heavily).
Still, I learned a few things from it and compared to Goldman's book on feminist music, the prose in this is much better and nowhere near as disjointed.
The newer sections are mainly an extension of his chapter on Palestine updated for early 2025 and a new chapter on Spotify and generative AI in music. The Spotify/AI chapter is a bit underdeveloped though. I feel like the manifesto chapter doesn't really tackle anything more structural either, it leaned into a slightly generic left-wing DIY approach to music.
I think that the start of the book tries to present a more historical materialist approach to music as well, exploring theories from Adorno, only for the later chapters to be more about his personal experiences and presenting general information on different political and music situations.
Overall, this book was fine.
Randall is heavily influenced by Adorno (esp. at the start), Fischer and Finkelstein (the latter two near the end) and tries to present an understanding as how music has been influential in many different forms of politics.
Very (former) SWP (but now Counterfire, so...) in its politics, so there are some moments where Randall's views on the Soviet Union and the Arab Spring get in the way of any attempts at developing his ideas further. There are a lot of moments where I read something, put the book down and sighed (heavily).
Still, I learned a few things from it and compared to Goldman's book on feminist music, the prose in this is much better and nowhere near as disjointed.
The newer sections are mainly an extension of his chapter on Palestine updated for early 2025 and a new chapter on Spotify and generative AI in music. The Spotify/AI chapter is a bit underdeveloped though. I feel like the manifesto chapter doesn't really tackle anything more structural either, it leaned into a slightly generic left-wing DIY approach to music.
I think that the start of the book tries to present a more historical materialist approach to music as well, exploring theories from Adorno, only for the later chapters to be more about his personal experiences and presenting general information on different political and music situations.
Overall, this book was fine.
August 17, 2020
I really liked it. I am very interested in the connection between music and politics. Music and culture has always seem to be of extreme political importance to me, but it's something I would like to put into words better. So I have been looking for books that investigate the connection. This book is a bit of general account, but I actually liked how there were examples from Imperial China to the Church in Medieval times to the CIA during the Cold War. Somewhere in the last chapters Dave Randall comes out as an activist (and former SWP member) and it becomes a little bit more manifesto-like which found slightly less interesting
I would still like to read more accounts of politics and club-culture or the radical politics of rave and sound system collectives. Randall references Luton's Exodus and Spiral Tribe but doesn't go deeper into them as he argues that for most of the ravers it wasn't about the politics.
I would still like to read more accounts of politics and club-culture or the radical politics of rave and sound system collectives. Randall references Luton's Exodus and Spiral Tribe but doesn't go deeper into them as he argues that for most of the ravers it wasn't about the politics.
January 8, 2020
The writer is a musician session for several famous pop musicians. This book is interesting because it was written by musicians working in the realm of pop music but can write a book about how music can be very political.
Moral of the story is, that whatever the type of music, music can be very political. Political music does not necessarily become the exclusive rights of certain genres such as punk or hip-hop, which is said to have been political since the womb.
I read this book quite slowly, only after a few months. However, I did not consider those months to be harmful because I finally gained a new understanding of politics in music and political music. Highly recommended for all who like to observe the intersection between music and politics.
Moral of the story is, that whatever the type of music, music can be very political. Political music does not necessarily become the exclusive rights of certain genres such as punk or hip-hop, which is said to have been political since the womb.
I read this book quite slowly, only after a few months. However, I did not consider those months to be harmful because I finally gained a new understanding of politics in music and political music. Highly recommended for all who like to observe the intersection between music and politics.
September 18, 2017
It's very interesting to get a musician's view on the political power of music and the reflections from within the industry. This is a great primer for the ideas and movements of music within history and a look at some cases where it really has played its part in commenting on our world and in some cases helping to change it. There are many interesting stories (some that I needed to share immediately out loud). With such a vast topic it can of course only scratch the surface, but it does so with wit and passion, and a call to action in the rebel music manifesto too.
December 20, 2021
Brilliant book, covers a few complex topics but very accessible. Well written, thoughtful. Heartily recommended for everyone interested in the space where politics and music coincide (clue: everywhere).
July 28, 2017
A well-intentioned book about the possibility of music to be employed to service the fight for democracy. A few references to Adorno, Trotsky, Ernst Fisher etc
October 26, 2017
As fascinating to read as he was to listen to during his lecture in Leicester.
August 15, 2020
really good! Much better than i expected actually
August 30, 2022
Muy recomendable, todo acto artístico puede y debería ser político. Me falta que se mecionen más ejemplos femeninos, pero no está mal.
November 21, 2025
Dave Randall is my guitar tutor and gave me a copy of his book for free. Awesome read, thanks Dave.
July 17, 2021
I love music, so automatically I was intrigued to read this book.
The best thing is that I felt like I was learning whilst reading it. It's amazing how one can listen to music just for the pure enjoyment of it, and not think about the context of it, or how it affects the world. I'm not very good with the history of music, and this book has enlightened me.
The best thing is that I felt like I was learning whilst reading it. It's amazing how one can listen to music just for the pure enjoyment of it, and not think about the context of it, or how it affects the world. I'm not very good with the history of music, and this book has enlightened me.
Want to read
May 20, 2017Have got to say this not kind book I would normally read but it looked interesting and it was a Goodreads giveaway so I entered to win a copy ,have been a music lover from the age of 7 so was interested in what the author had to say. I am one of those that likes the sound of music more so then what's being sung and like the sound of a voice or voices over the song its self , so this book given me I new way to listen to music sit back and listen to what being said and the way it being said, have re listened to some my music collection and really heard it for the first time only to find there some beautifully written songs out there who's vocals make you hairs on back of one neck stick up,
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews