Metal as Leisure Space and Tourism Industry Destination

What is the relationship between metal and the wider leisure, tourism and entertainment industries? How can metal be a place for countercultural resistance while being a part of the modern leisure industry? In this chapter, metal as a space for leisure and tourism is explored. It first discusses how metal is leisure, for musicians and for fans, by exploring the meaning and purpose of leisure and leisure’s relation to modern society. It looks at how metal is a part of the wider entertainment industry, and how that industry is best defined as commodified popular culture. Finally, the chapter discusses three specific forms of tourism and leisure industries that align with metal: tours, festivals and the recent growth of metal holiday cruises.