'We got the power!': the political potential of street choirs Campaign Choirs Writing Collective

Abstract

This article champions the power of song and looks at the activities of 'street choirs'- groups that sing together with collective political intent in public space, as a form of cultural activism. In addition to a socialist core, street choirs in the UK coalesce around feminism, the peace and anti-nuclear movements and, more recently, environmentalism and LGBTQ activism. The authors discuss the emotions that song and singing release, and the connections and solidarities that may then be created between people. They also explore the wider context of music and emotion, and look at the relationship between words and music and between music and place. They argue that social movements can both learn from and educate through song, and that choirs can engage in acts of citizenship by following up on the emotions released by their performances, and engaging in debate on the issues raised. The article includes excerpts from interviews with choir members.