Distortion and Subversion: Punk Rock Music and the Protests for Free Public Transportation in Brazil (1996-2011)

In the early 2000s, the Brazilian punk and hardcore music scenes joined forces with political militants to demand the universal right to free public transportation, leading to protests and a reconceptualization of urban space. This book explores how the anti-capitalist, anti-bourgeoisie stance of Brazilian bands influenced the Campaign for the Free Fare Movement, including the Bus Revolt and Revolution Carnivals.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 360 pages
Publication date: 01 January 2023
Publisher: Liverpool University Press

At the dawn of the 21st century, a remarkable convergence unfolded in the vibrant Brazilian punk and hardcore music scenes, intertwining with political activists to ignite a transformative social movement that championed the universal right to free public transportation. These diverse groups united in a multitude of venues and media, including music shows, protests, festivals, conferences, radio stations, posters, albums, slogans, and digital and printed publications. Their shared demand for free public transportation reshaped the very fabric of urban spaces in Brazil, igniting a wave of protests that resonated across the nation. This captivating book delves into the intricate interplay between the anti-capitalist, anti-bourgeoisie stance prevalent in the discourse of several Brazilian bands that thrived in the underground music scenes of Florianópolis and São Paulo during the late 1990s and early 21st century. It explores how the rhetoric of the Campaign for the Free Fare, later known as the Free Fare Movement (Movimento Passe Livre, or MPL), echoed and resonated with the engaged bands, fostering a symbiotic relationship that contributed to the growth and evolution of both. Furthermore, the book offers insightful reflections on the Bus Revolt that erupted in the northeastern city of Salvador, shedding light on the traces of the punk and anarcho-punk movements. Additionally, it delves into the vibrant Revolution Carnivals that took place in the city of Belo Horizonte, a remarkable event that blended lectures, vegetarianism, protests, soccer, and punk rock music, creating a tapestry of activism and cultural expression.

Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781800856141