MAIN QUESTION
Is it possible to formulate an increased chance of mainstream breakthrough for musicians across various genres based on specific touring patterns, regions, and/or venues? If so, what does it constitute?
SUB-QUESTIONS
Are there certain venues and/or festivals that foster musicians in specific genres?
Are there any significant differences in touring patterns between North American and European musicians?
Are there any other characteristics that might affect each artist’s timeline to success (gender, race, etc.)?
INITIAL BRAINSTORMING
This project was inspired by UK musician Frank Turner’s archive of all his performances, which includes both concerts from his solo career and his time as the frontman of post-hardcore band Million Dead. Turner went from playing 150-capacity bar shows to performing at London’s Wembley Arena to a sold-out crowd of 12,500 within a matter of years, and this significant amount of growth stirred up questions about how Turner was able to accomplish this feat and how his journey to mainstream success might be similar or different to that of other musicians.
REFINING THE RESEARCH QUESTION
The initial question was limited to simply asking if it is possible to deem specific touring patterns, regions, and/or venues as major steps into mainstream breakthrough for musician. While the general idea of this inquiry stuck, the question was expanded upon to be more provocative and to include several sub-questions that would address specific components of the data, such as specific festivals or special events and the characteristics of each artist.