Musicians have often wanted to change the world. From underground innovators to pop icons many have believed in the political power of music.
Rulers recognise it too. Music has been used to challenge the political and social order – and to prop up the status quo.
Dave Randall is a musician and activist. He has toured the world playing guitar with Faithless, Sinead O’Connor, Emiliana Torrini and many others. His book Sound System: The Political Power of Music is the story of one musician’s journey to discover what makes music so powerful.
Dave uses his insider’s knowledge of the industry to shed light on the secrets of celebrity, commodification and culture. It is a book of raves, riots and revolution and poses the question: how can we make music serve the interests of the many, rather than the few.