Can popular music ever really be unplugged?

The success of popular music is driven by electronic technology. Both the flawless production of the music and the easy access and consumption for its audiences depend on technology. It is therefore plausible to suggest that popular music can never be ‘unplugged’. The development of technology through the microphone, amplification, recording and the electric guitar enabled music to break free from the constraints of classical music, in turn leading to the birth of 1950s Rock N Roll which changed the way people thought about music. Setting aside the point that without being plugged in music festivals, large concerts and access to music at home would not be possible, it is also clear that the unique creativity of each song would be limited. Therefore no such thing as popular music would exist, all music would sound similar and therefore no music could stand individually presenting itself as exciting or innovative to its audiences. 

What is popular music?

There are many debates on how to define what popular music actually is. These debates question the primary aims of popular music often suggesting commercial recognition and profit over artistic and cultural creativity. As a result of this it is often referred to as a light form of music which lacks substance. Initially I would have linked popular music to the current music within the charts, sharing the view of theorist Adorno that popular music is commercially orientated, produced by the mass media with the only intention of profit in mind. However this view rejects music produced by artists such as The Who whose artistically intentional music invoked its popularity and profit. Therefore as defined by Shuker (1994) it is clear that popular music is a combination of artistic intentions and the commercial nature of the production and distribution bound together in order to create great significance for its consumers.