The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Popular Music

Now available in paperback, this Handbook covers the most important themes and concepts in the field of religion and popular music. Edited by Christopher Partridge and Marcus Moberg, it provides an accessible entry point for those new to the field.

Drawing on contemporary research from religious studies, theology, sociology, ethnography, and cultural studies, the volume comprises thirty-one specifically commissioned essays from a team of international experts. The chapters explore the main areas of inquiry and point to new directions for research. Featuring chapters on methodology, key genres, religious traditions and popular music subcultures, this volume is essential reading for anyone with an interest in religion and popular music as well as popular culture more broadly.

Religious traditions covered include Christianity, Islam, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Paganism and occultism. Coverage of genres and religion ranges from heavy metal, rap and hip hop to country music and film and television music.

“[The Bloomsbury Handbook of Religion and Popular Music] has a great deal to offer to students
and instructors … This is a useful resource indeed.” - Religious Studies Review

“As an introduction to the field for students on college and university courses, as well as researchers and librarians and the general reader, this handbook is very useful. Librarians, in particular where cross-disciplinary and cultural studies programs operate, will find the bibliography (cumulative at the end and perceptive in its own right) most timely.” —Reference Reviews

“The challenges of creating a comprehensive reader on religion and popular music are manifold. From the religious studies side arise questions about what counts as religion … From the music studies side, scholars face vexing questions about how to define popular music … Fortunately the editors and contributors to The Bloomsbury Reader of Religion and Popular Music have confronted these questions squarely and risen to the challenge.” —Reading Religion

“All the chapters in this excellent volume are accessible to readers without being a specialist in any of these particular academic disciplines … An excellent introduction to what is gradually being recognized as an important area of study … The Handbook will be of interest to musicologists, who are curious about the religious aspects of popular music; religious studies scholars and students who wish to know more about the importance of music for religions; and for anyone in cultural studies. I will certainly be using this Handbook for a number of my modules.” —British Association for the Study of Religions Bulletin

“The book's relevance to religious studies is not limited to connections between 'religion' and 'popular music': it also reflects a wider scope of research interests and phenomena in contemporary societies.” —Uskonnontutkija (Bloomsbury Translation)