There are countless examples of places known through music. Not only sung places, but also places known through a video clip or an album cover. Think of the crosswalk in front of the Abbey Road Studio where the Beatles’ most famous photo was taken.
Researcher Leonieke Bolderman, cultural geographer at RUG, will investigate what it does for a city or place that has become known through music. “Music can make a place really popular, she thinks of Volendam, which became famous for Palingsound, or Zoutelande,” she tells Editie NL.
According to Bolderman, music can change the image of a place, among other things. “It’s beneficial for a city if people sing about it because then as a city you can attract a different kind of tourism. Besides the standard tourist, Zoutelande now also attracts tourists who had never heard of the place before.”
Music producer Tjeerd van Zanen had also never heard of Zoutelande. “It pushes me to go there. It becomes instantly visual through a song like that. That goes for Paris too, for example, because of all the music that’s been made about it, you have a certain image of it.”
Brabant
Because music evokes a certain feeling, according to Bolderman, it can also make people want to visit a place for a certain atmosphere. “Think, for example, of Brabant by Guus Meeuwis. It’s not specifically about a place, but it does attract people to the province.”
Some places are also known for a special show. “Everyone knows the Maastricht Vrijthof through the performances of André Rieu.”
Detroit
In the new research, Bolderman will also examine why some places don’t thrive on music. “I myself have lived in Detroit, a city where Motown grew up and where greats like Eminem and Madonna come from. Yet the city isn’t known as a music city, quite like Nashville and New Orleans.”
The research findings should help cities with marketing and tourism issues. “I will mainly investigate when a city is known for music and when it’s not. Because we don’t have the answer yet.”
