»Hulapalu, What Is It All About?« Embodied Performativity in the Relationship between Popular Music and Populism in Austria

Abstract

André Doehring and Kai Ginkel highlight the complex interplay of music and politics, with a focus on the socio-material assemblages of situated musical practice. They discuss the song "Hulapalu" by Austrian singer Andreas Gabalier (2015a) and its role in election campaign events of the far-right populist Freedom Party of Austria (FPÖ). They argue that to understand the political potential of Gabalier's music, one must acknowledge how his public persona is ultimately overshadowed by his embodied persona arising from the song's performance at FPÖ campaign venues resembling beer tents with their cheerful and seemingly inclusive disinhibition.