Back catalogue touring and the ephemeral archive: personal memory and popular music heritage

Among the waves of new popular music disseminated via live music tours globally, a distinct pattern of live touring based primarily on back catalogue material is increasingly evident. This article takes a closer look at recent practices of music reissue and revival, which point to a movement beyond the traditional processes of popular music 'heritagisation' at a time when pop music's recent past now plays a significant role in production and consumption. This article reflects on artist perspectives in theorizing the popularity of back catalogue touring with its nostalgic effects. Drawing on concepts from music heritage and memory studies, the article first makes a case for an original concept of the 'ephemeral archive': the flood of personal memories that can occur during live music performance, contributing to 'lifetime soundtracks' for both artists and audiences. To elaborate on manifestations of the ephemeral archive, the authors present a case study on the Australian band Regurgitator, who have a tour history of over 30 years, including recently completed anniversary tours of their widely successful albums Tu Plang (1996) and Unit (1997).