Show as a Phenomenon of Mass Culture: Intrinsic Features and Functions

The purpose of the article is to provide an analytical consideration of the concept of “show”, reveal the functions and essential features of concert shows in modern popular culture. The research methodology is based on a systematic approach, which allowed us to reveal the relationships between different types of shows, identify and conceptualise their functional characteristics; analytical and comparative analyses are used to clarify the conceptual apparatus. The scientific novelty of research findings is to clarify the essential features of a show as a cultural product of mass society, such as publicity, mass character, entertainment, high technological effectiveness, orientation towards the viewer, beauty, which is manifested in the state of the artist and the external entourage. Conclusions. It is claimed that technological achievements, democratic transformations, urban processes of the 19th–20th centuries became the basis for the creation of new socio-economic relations, the manifestation of a new type of culture — mass culture, which led to the development of new trends in culture and art. The author of the article analyses the multiple meaning of the term “show” in the cultural discourse: television and radio programme, theatrical performance, mass spectacle, fashion show could be referred to as shows. It is determined that a concert show is understood as a concert programme — solo or group, which is characterised by entertainment, mass character, brightness, and technological effectiveness of means of expression. A modern show is more “how?” than “what?”, that is, extremely spectacular, pompous, exciting, colourful, dynamic, and original, because the modern audience strives for unforgettable impressions. The article highlights the main functions of the show: hedonistic, compensatory, communicative, informative, and cognitive, the function of emotional regulation. It is noted that the concert show should contribute to the development of the creative potential of the audience, expand the worldview, and provide new information. Raising the level of society’s general culture could be considered as the highest objective of the organisers of the show