My music, my world: using the MP3 player to shape experience in London

This paper examines the ways in which individuals use Mp3 players to shape their experiences of the London commute. To investigate Mp3 listening practices, I conducted semi-structured qualitative interviews with eight DJs and ‘listeners’ living in London. I argue that Mp3 players enable individuals to use music to precisely shape their experiences of space, place, others and themselves while moving through the city. In doing so, individuals experience great control as they transform urban journeys into private and pleasurable spaces. While experienced effects of Mp3 player listening were similar among respondents, pre-existing relationship to music appear to relate to motivations for use. This paper draws upon a variety of social theorists ranging from Simmel, Adorno, and Lefebvre in order to interrogate the experience of control Mp3 users describe, and understand the implications for the autonomy of urban inhabitants.