<\/p>\n
The documentary focusses on one the quintessential UK sixties band, The Beatles. It is fair to say that every household in the country would be able to name at least one Beatles song, but what was \u2018Beatlemania\u2019 all about?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
‘The passionate reactions of the mainly young women who watched a concert or encountered the musicians in public caught media attention as well as a good measure of disapproval and some alarm. The film documents the moral panic that ensued, with a lively roster of fans, academics and practitioners.’<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Producer George Martin, who was tasked with recording a live album for the Beatles, noted that the noise from the crowd was \u2018like putting a microphone at the end of a 747 jet\u201d, but what was the reason? Was there any?<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Newson argues that \u201cmusic has a very powerful effect on the brain that\u2019s still not fully understood\u2026 coupled with that comes an emotional response\u201d she continues, \u201cwe listen to the music, and we watch as well, we\u2019re watching people move in synchrony which is a powerful marker of group identities\u2026. An emotional release has to happen\u201d. This makes us realise that screaming was more than intense excitement, but rather marks the creation of community and belonging, which is incredibly powerful.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cI just sat there and screamed\u201d Judy Keen, a fan, noted \u201c\u2026 I don\u2019t even think I listened to anything they sang. It\u2019s just watching them there and I just screamed myself stupid\u2026 it was just like sitting in something that was so awe-inspiring\u201c.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u201cHow do you describe the feeling you get when they sing?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n
\u201cIt just drives you crazy, you don\u2019t know what to do.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
<\/p>\n
Coming together to watch this band of four men created an intense emotional release at a time when women expressing individuality was still not encouraged societally.\u00a0 Many found The Beatles\u2019 gigs combatted those limits and find a group identity. This is what Dr Newson highlights, that the electric response received was because of the solidification of belonging and companionship that was brought to them through the mutual love for the boys and their music.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Archive footage of fans running for the train to a Beatles gig.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
The documentary at this point clearly identifies that, due to the repression of women and their individuality, they found that going to see concerts \u2013 like the Beatles \u2013 was ultimately a way to express themselves, as well as an emotional release.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\u2018Beatlemania\u2019 was often portrayed in the media as a negative phenomenon,\u00a0 the raw emotion from these young fans misinterpreted by bystanders as \u2018demonic\u2019, but hearing from fans interviewed here, now grown women, it is clear that it was far from that.<\/p>\n
Newson argues that screaming, like many physiological processes, has been (unjustly) moralised.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n <\/p>\n
\u201cThe problem is that we have cultural prejudices around, particularly women\u2019s, physiological expressions\u2026 we\u2019ve moralised screaming as either appropriate or outright wrong.\u201d Dr Newson explains, \u201cwhen you see what was titled \u2018mass hysteria\u2019, it looks very much to me like the kind of ritual display you get in any tightly bonded group.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Overall, Dr Newson\u2019s comments in the documentary highlight the importance of group identity, particularly for young women, in times of repression, such as the early 60s. Despite the reception being coined as \u2018hysteria\u2019, she believes that it is in fact due to unity.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Newson specialises her research on groups and bonding\u2013 ranging from football fans bonding over defeat (found here)<\/a>, and conflict between football fans (found here<\/a>).\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n
Watch the full documentary here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
Dr Newson\u2019s pages can be found here<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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