Music Beyond Airports

This collection of essays, Music Beyond Airports, explores the evolution and significance of ambient music in today's cultural context.

The book Music Beyond Airports is a collection of essays that emerged from the Ambient@40 International Conference, which took place in February 2018 at the University of Huddersfield. This conference was not solely a celebration of Brian Eno's groundbreaking work and the iconic release of 'Music for Airports' in 1978. Instead, it aimed to explore the evolution of the ambient genre, its influence on broader musical culture, and its relevance in today's rapidly changing societal landscape.

In the context of the conference, ambient music was examined through various lenses, including aesthetics, influence, appropriation, processes, strategies, and activities. While each of these topics could warrant extensive exploration, Music Beyond Airports does not attempt to provide exhaustive analyses or a comprehensive history of the ambient genre over the past four decades. Rather, it offers a series of provocations, observations, and reflections designed to spark further discussion and inquiry.

As a starting point for future research, Music Beyond Airports invites readers to critically interrogate the essence of ambient music, its effects, and its potential for continued relevance in the contemporary music landscape. The essays within this collection encourage a deeper understanding of ambient music's role and significance, making it a thought-provoking read for anyone interested in the genre's past, present, and future.