Abstract
This chapter explores the consumption patterns and leisure pursuits of young people residing in the popular Australian tourist destination of Byron Shire. Based on ethnographic fieldwork, I argue that the various migratory trends and socio-cultural fabric of the region have created images of a “laidback”, “hippy” and “fun” environment conducive to particular forms of entertainment–rave or “doof” parties being one such choice among young people. This chapter focuses on the important function that doof neo-tribes play among young residents, including the symbolic and political meanings attached to the non-conformist consumption choices made by these youth in the face of a heavily regulated night-time tourism economy. Doof neo-tribes thus function as landscapes of a shared identity and foster young locals’ need for belonging and communitas.
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Notes
- 1.
The influx of (y)oung (u)rban (p)rofessionals (yuppies) to the Byron Shire and their uptake and involvement in the rave or doof scene is peculiar as in a European and North American context yuppies are not generally regarded as individuals who would be interested in raves. There is thus an interesting demographic and socio-economic distinction here that would suggest class-based conceptualizations of youth cultural affiliations are indeed a thing of the past (Bennett 2011).
- 2.
Youth workers and other key adult stakeholders were interviewed to explore their perceptions of the challenges and opportunities that young people face growing up in the Byron Shire. Findings from these interviews provided a useful longitudinal perspective of youth cultural practices in the area.
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Canosa, A. (2018). Consumption, Leisure and “Doof” Neo-Tribes in the Byron Shire. In: Hardy, A., Bennett, A., Robards, B. (eds) Neo-Tribes. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-68207-5_10
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