Theatrical Performance and Popular Music

By David Pattie

This book explores the ways in which theatrical techniques are used to create shared performance environments for musicians and fans in popular music.

Readers will discover how stage lighting, costuming, choreography, character adoption, and spatial design transform concerts into large-scale theatrical experiences. Through engaging case studies of artists and bands such as The Weeknd, Lil Nas X, Taylor Swift, BTS and Lana Del Rey, the book reveals how these practices have adapted to changing technologies and cultural trends, offering both historical context and contemporary analysis.

Essential reading for undergraduate students in performance studies, music, and cultural studies, this accessible book will also appeal to general readers interested in understanding the theatrical artistry behind modern music performance.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0367134055
• ISBN13: 9780367134051
• Release Date: November 2026
• Publisher: Routledge
• Length: 198 Pages