Music Generations in the Digital Age is a unique work at the intersection of cultural, media and music studies. In the book, Dr Rafal Zaborowski delves into how music engagement is changing in the digital era, focusing on key themes of participation, interpretation, circulation and cultural production.

The book investigates Japanese idol culture and particularly the rise of virtual idols – performers who exist as animated characters or holograms. Drawing on a decade of ethnographic research, Dr Zaborowski explores how we interact with music today, noting that our engagements are often multimodal, involving not just sound, but also visual and physical experiences. Music can enhance moods, alter our sense of time but also serve as a marker of social, national or generational identities. Yet, with the rise of streaming platforms and digital devices, much of our practice of listening have become background or incidental.

Japan, as one of the world’s largest music markets, has followed a unique path in adapting to the digital age. It has also played a pivotal role in shaping both regional and global idol and virtual idol industries, which are explored in depth in the book. Japanese audiences, deeply knowledgeable about music production and distribution, provide a fertile ground for creators and producers who seek to tap into this cultural expertise.

In this talk, Dr Zaborowski will particularly cover the topics below:

• Why do virtual idols sometimes feel more authentic than non-virtual ones?
• How can pop groups resonate differently across generations?
• How has the Japanese music industry evolved in the digital age?
• Can you tell the difference between real Japanese pop lyrics and AI-generated poetry?