Dr Ben Green is a cultural sociologist with interests in popular music and youth studies. He is a member of the Griffith Centre for Social and Cultural Research and teaches at Griffith University. Ben’s work exploring musical experience in memory, identity and belonging has been published in journals including Sociology, Popular Music and Journal of Sociology and in edited books including The Routledge Companion to Popular Music History and Heritage.

• Chapter 1: Introducing peak music experiencesChapter 2: Theorising peak music experiencesChapter 3: Histories of listening: First encounters, gateways and conversion experiencesChapter 4: Life-changing moments: Experiences of inspiration and influenceChapter 5: Why music? Peak music experiences as motivationChapter 6: Listening together: Peak music experiences and interpersonal relationshipsChapter 7: Live music experiences: Presence and affective spaceChapter 8: Ideal experiences: Scenes, aesthetics and belongingChapter 9: Themes and conclusions: Peak music experiences and new perspectivesAppendix 1: Interview participantsReferences

Green's book makes a major contribution to the sociology of popular music. Through introducing the term 'peak music experience' Green brings compelling new insights regarding the everyday meaning of popular music and its resonance with memory and emotion. Of equal importance is Green's consideration of how technological developments since the early 2000s also critically inform the way that people (re)experience music in their daily lives. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted in the city of Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia, Green also brings fresh perspectives to our understanding of the connections between local, trans-local and global scenes. This book will be essential reading for popular music scholars interested in music's significance as an everyday resource.Andy Bennett (Griffith University)