La Scène musicale française vue par Les Inrockuptibles , 1986–1992

Abstract

In its early years (1986–1992, when it was still a bimonthly), Les Inrockuptibles was often viewed as dismissive of French popular music. In reality, a close examination of the first thirty-four issues reveals that the coverage of French artists by the magazine was eclectic, inquisitive, and largely positive. Les Inrockuptibles saw value in the traditional vein of French rock, perhaps still indebted to English and American influences but now legitimate in and of itself; it took a keen sociological interest in the rock alternatif movement; it established its own chanson francaise canon; it championed a new form of pop music characterized by the blending different genres; and it used popular personalities to mythify the past. Through the idiosyncratic lens of Les Inrockuptibles, consistent with the distinctive positioning the magazine within the music press industry, the French musical scene appeared diverse and unquestionably worthy of interest.On a souvent presente Les Inrockuptibles premiere periode (198...