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Drug checking services (DCS) allow people who use drugs to submit substances of concern for chemical analysis and then provide results and specialized counselling when needed. DCS intersect risk management, from a public health perspective, with an activist take that provides people who use drugs with agency over their use by helping them detect and avoid unwanted substances. This paper presents data from an exploratory study of people's motivations for using the Boom Festival DCS and the meanings attributed to their interactions with the service. Semi-structured interviews (n = 22; mean age 29 years, range 24–43; 68% cisgender men) were conducted, and an inductive approach was applied informed by Iterative Categorization and reflexive thematic analysis. Participant narratives were organized around three themes: "Drug Checking as a Responsible Practice", "Drug Checking as a Care Practice," and "Drug Checking as a (Mis)trust Practice". Through these themes, the analysis focuses on the concepts of risk and the ideals of responsibility, care and trust among people using the DCS. Our findings expand the current literature that demonstrates the usefulness of DCS as an intervention to mitigate individual risks of drug use by demonstrating the more communitarian potential of this type of intervention as a means to expand the social networks of people who use drugs and support a "culture of care" among partygoers. Our participants relied on friends and trusted suppliers to get information about drugs and make informed decisions. Hence, there is a potential for those involved in drug use and supply to actively participate in harm reduction services, particularly DCS, as a way to disseminate information to a broader audience that does not want or cannot access the service. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taiwan's music festival landscape has blossomed, attracting global music enthusiasts with its cultural richness and diverse offerings. Using structural equation modeling (SEM), a survey of festival-goers revealed the intricate relationships among factors like skill performance, self-congruence, ambiance, and consumer interaction, shaping authenticity, satisfaction, destination loyalty, and behavioral intentions. Interestingly, memory was identified as a moderating role, which interlinking satisfaction, behavioral intentions, and destination loyalty. These findings provide both theoretical insights and practical strategies for enhancing festival experiences and cultivating destination loyalty within Taiwan's thriving music scene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to redefine tourism development from a holistic regional perspective? On Costa Brava (Spain), known as a sun and beach destination, alternative strategies are being explored to strengthen territorial resilience through the promotion of existing products, such as music festivals. A mixed methods research based on the qualitative analysis of interviews with key informants and the quantitative analysis of a battery of indicators will provide the necessary information to analyse the potential of these festivals in a context where the dependence towards tourism and the nature of the tourism model itself are being contested. Lessons learnt from last decade might contribute to a more adequate tourism development in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Music festivals offer new opportunities for leisure and tourist experiences. The aim of this study is to analyze whether the motivation to persist with music festivals will remain or whether the concept of the music festival should be reinvented. Through a mixed-method approach, this study depicts motivations, perceptions, and behavioral intentions of attending traditional or online festivals with a structural equation model. Content analysis helps to further examine the attitudes of festivalgoers in the new contexts. They feel safe in traditional festivals if screening units and limited access is implemented, but if social pleasure is to be kept, music festivals should turn to online formats that allow interaction among participants. As such it can be concluded that in this new context, traditional music festivals are still a possibility if safety is ensured; nevertheless, online festivals seem to be the most obvious solution at least while the pandemic situation endures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Noise music scene in Indonesia has grown its popularity in recent years, thanks to the movie Bising: Noise and Experimental Music in Indonesia (2014) about people who do Noise in Indonesia, Senyawa who plays everywhere, and the Jogja Noise Bombing Festival, which draws attention from Noise musicians and fans around the world who come to attend the annual festival. It is already acknowledged not only abroad, where it first gained its popularity, but also by several national media and music festivals who feature some Noise musicians in their programmes. From an unknown yet obscure genre, Noise music has been part of the independent music ecosystem in Indonesia. Nowadays, the Noise scenes in Indonesia are not limited to Java island, but include other islands such as Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Bali, Sumatra, Batam, and spaces in between. Studying the connections between the Noise activists in these islands through their network of touring, releasing an album together, or simply via Whatsapp group chat is interesting. This article aims at exploring the connections between Noise scenes in Indonesia. After studying the network directly through direct involvement and conducting interviews with some key figures in the scenes, we found some interesting facts such as the historical origin of its performers as well as infrastructures of the scenes (including but not limited to records labels, venues, communities, instrument builders, and festivals). The motivation of these Noise artists for networking and their desire to connect on a broader scale has helped the Noise scenes to achieve recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Methods Results Discussion and Conclusions Harm reduction strategies at music festivals seek to create a safer environment for patrons. The Emerging Drugs Network of Australia–Victoria (EDNAV) project is a state‐wide toxicosurveillance network that derives drug intelligence from a sample of patients presenting to hospital with illicit drug‐related toxicity. This publication describes the preliminary outcomes of conducting toxicosurveillance for critically unwell festival patrons within on‐site medical facilities.Blood samples were collected from patrons who presented with severe illicit drug‐related toxicity across three festivals (2022/2023). Blood samples were analysed via liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry for over 700 pharmaceutical and illicit drugs.There were 1603 individual medical encounters across the festivals, 228 of which were illicit drug related. A blood sample was collected for 24 patients, with a median age of 22 years (range 18–39 years). A median of two drugs (range 1–5 drugs) were reported and four drugs (range 0–8 drugs) were analytically confirmed per patient. The most frequently reported exposures were congruent with analytical results, 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (reported n = 17, detected n = 20), ketamine (reported n = 9, detected n = 13) and cocaine (reported n = 9, detected n = 12). An unreported illicit drug and/or new psychoactive substance (NPS) was detected in 18 patients, including methylamphetamine (n = 10), a cathinone (n = 7), benzodiazepine‐type NPS (n = 6), N‐ethylamphetamine (n = 1), 3‐hydroxyphencyclidine (n = 1) and/or 4‐hydroxy‐N‐methyl‐N‐isopropyltryptamine (n = 1).EDNAV toxicosurveillance serves as an additional tool within a multi‐faceted approach to harm reduction at festivals. Continued data collection will allow for the characterisation of high‐risk drug use patterns to provide evidence‐based messaging to festival patrons and key stakeholders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicolò Palazzetti's book, "Béla Bartók in Italy: The Politics of Myth-Making," explores the composer's relationship with Italy and the formation of his myth in the context of Italian politics. The book challenges the perception of Bartók as an anti-fascist, arguing that his reputation as such is a myth of our age. Palazzetti examines Bartók's visits to Italy, his reception by Italian composers, and the influence of his music in the country. The book provides a comprehensive analysis of Bartók's impact on Italian music and culture, shedding light on the complex relationship between art and politics. [Extracted from the article]

This study aims to examine how young peoples' participation in a local youth music festival may effect their subjective well-being. In more detail, this study attempts to examine the relations between the festival features, the feelings young people develop, social identification and subjective well-being in young people's participation in music festivals. The research was conducted in Eskisehir, Turkey. The sample population consisted of individuals participated in youth music festival EskiFest. The questionnaire forms were randomly handed out at the exit of the festival area to potential respondents and collected back after completion. Consequently, a total of 398 usable questionnaires were included in the analysis. The results confirm that festival characteristics as music quality, places and atmosphere, information and facilities are effective in creating positive emotions and social identity formation which consequently effects subjective well-being of young people. The results of the study will assist to the festival organizers in developing strategies for better quality organization of the festivals and increasing the satisfaction of the young participants by understanding their emotions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecstasy tablets, a type of common street drug originally consisting of 3,4‐methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), provide stimulant and hallucinogen psychoactive effects. They are frequently found in nightclubs, musical festivals or other recreational events believed to create a relaxing experience for the users. From a forensic perspective, when the drug of abuse is suspected in such scenarios, the law enforcement personnel would then require an easy‐to‐perform, quick and accurate method to detect the existence of such controlled substance prior to the seizure and subsequent forensic examination. In this study, we assessed the performance of a portable Raman spectroscopy as the primary aid in determining ecstasy tablets at the point of use. A total of 130 ecstasy tablet samples were analysed by Raman spectroscopy and characterised by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Active chemical substances and cutting agents detected by the two instrumentations were then compared. The performance of Raman spectroscopy was further assessed in terms of its accuracy, sensitivity and specificity, corresponding to the analysis results obtained from GC–MS analysis. Overall, portable Raman Spectroscopy used in this study shows an accuracy of 85.4% in analysing ecstasy tablets obtained from case samples, while the sensitivity and specificity were determined as 85.2% and 100%, respectively. No false positives for MDMA or other drugs were reported. Our results show that portable Raman spectroscopy is a suitable technique for targeted determination of the presence of ecstasy tablets, especially in forensic cases that require non‐destructive, rapid and mass screening during on‐site testing by law enforcement personnel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transnational feminism has become a prevalent paradigm in feminist theory, but its connection with creative practices such as music remains unclear. This article addresses the relationship between music, culture and feminism and considers the extent to which world music creates spaces for transnational feminist praxis. Applying Chandra Mohanty's 'tourism', 'exploration' and 'solidarity' models for internationalising feminism, I question whose feminism is performed and negotiated at WOMAD, one of the most influential international music festivals in Europe. I argue that world music encounters have the potential to both help and hinder the cause of feminism across borders as music can reinforce and resist power inequalities between women from different places and cultures and intercultural music encounters can create the conditions for locating transnational feminist discourse within specific struggles and working through the mutualities and tensions between different feminisms. In doing so, I seek to show the value of bridging feminist geography and musicology, as the former can be used to critically analyse the plurality of feminisms at play in musical contexts, while the latter can illustrate how transnational feminist work is being undertaken outside the explicitly political realm and how expressive means of communication may disrupt assumptions about empowering/disempowering feminisms and exemplify the complex intersections between feminism, place and culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine how design features influence the experiences of attendees at New Zealand music festivals. Drawing on interviews with festival organisers and attendees, we argue that organisers configure particular atmospheres to provoke affective dispositions. By interrogating how festivals engage in this affective engineering, we argue that festivals are ephemeral spaces where design plays a central role in influencing the thoughts, feelings, behaviours and, ultimately, the place‐experience of attendees. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorists attacked people in their homes, fields, and at a music festival in Israeli communities near the border with Gaza. More than 1,145 men, women, and children were killed, about 1,800 wounded were evacuated to hospitals in the country, and 253 infants, children, women, elderly, and men were abducted. This mass casualty incident (MCI) was the start of a war that is still ongoing. The Israeli medical system, which faced an overwhelming first 24 h, continues to take care of casualties, including those who are injured by missiles that target Israeli residential areas. Israel has a well-established trauma system, and as a result of the experience gained in this war, the system merited review. This was the topic of a meeting of leaders of the Israeli healthcare system, and it forms the basis of this report. The meeting and report provide a platform for presenting the trauma system management during the war, highlighting the strengths of the system as well as its challenges and lessons learned. The participants also brainstormed and discussed possibilities for future improvements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most studies examining the simultaneous use of cannabis with other drugs have focused on cannabis and alcohol, with fewer studies examining simultaneous use of cannabis with other drugs. The United States is currently experiencing an upward trend in psychedelic use and there is an increasing need to characterize cannabis and psychedelic drug interactions to best inform public health recommendations. Materials and Methods: A mixed methods field study design was used to survey participants (N = 128) on their lifetime co-use of cannabis with other drugs. Participants who reported lifetime co-use of cannabis and psychedelics (N = 63) were then asked open-ended questions about their most recent simultaneous co-use experience (i.e., how cannabis enhanced their psychedelic experience and whether they experienced any adverse reactions). We conducted a thematic analysis of responses describing how cannabis enhanced the psychedelic experience (N = 54). However, due to low response rate for participants reporting an adverse reaction (N = 7, 11.1%), responses to this question were not analyzed thematically and are instead presented individually. Results: Themes included tension reduction and balancing of drug effects (N = 27, 50%), enhancement to psychological processes (N = 11, 20.4%), intensified psychedelic drug effects (N = 12, 22.2%), enhanced psychedelic come-down experience (N = 8, 14.8%), and overall ambiguous enhancement (N = 7, 13%). Among participants reporting an adverse reaction, individual responses included increased anxiety and intensity of the experience, decreased sociability, increased negative affect, sleepiness, disassociation, and confusion. Conclusion: Additional research is warranted to better characterize cannabis and psychedelic drug interactions to best inform public health recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecstasy/Molly/MDMA is a widely used substance often taken in combination with other drugs in different contexts. The current study assessed ecstasy use patterns, concurrent substance use and the context of ecstasy use among an international sample of adults (N = 1,732). Participants were 87% white, 81% male, 42% college educated, 72% employed, with a mean age of 25.7 (SD = 8.3). Using the modified UNCOPE, risk for ecstasy use disorder was 22% overall, and significantly higher among younger individuals and those with greater frequency and quantity of use. Participants reporting risky ecstasy use endorsed significantly higher use of alcohol, nicotine/tobacco, cannabis, cocaine, amphetamine, benzodiazepines, and ketamine compared to those at lower risk. Great Britain (aOR = 1.86; 95% CI [1.24, 2.81]) and Nordic countries (aOR = 1.97; 95% CI [1.11, 3.47]) were approximately 2 times more likely to exhibit risk for ecstasy use disorder than the United States, Canada, Germany, and Australia/New Zealand. Taking ecstasy at home emerged as a common setting followed by electronic dance music events and music festivals. The UNCOPE may be a useful clinical tool for detecting problematic ecstasy use. Harm reduction interventions for ecstasy should target young people, substance co-administration, and context of use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This is amongst the first works to develop a technographic segmentation of smartphone users attending music festivals based on attitudes, motivations and usage patterns. We also aim to describe festivalgoers' characteristics. Design/methodology/approach: The data were collected from 522 festivalgoers who attended the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) in Malaysia. A two-stage cluster analysis of Ward's method and k-means was applied to develop technographic segmentation during the festival. Using discriminant analysis, we confirmed that each festivalgoer's characteristics differ amongst groups. Findings: Four technographic segments were developed: alarm hitters, technological tickers, plug pullers and fuse blowers. The results confirmed that festivalgoers had distinct characteristics and preferences based on smartphone use. Research limitations/implications: We extend previous research on the technographic segmentation of smartphones and festivalgoers. We highlighted the limitations of cluster analysis in terms of stability to produce a suitable number of segments and to include other festivals. The generalisability of the results may be constrained by the time gap between data collection and publication. Practical implications: Our results can help marketing managers understand the needs of segments by selecting appropriate advertisements and promotional tools that appeal directly to the desired target segments. Social implications: This study will help local communities increase their revenue and job opportunities. The culture of music festivals for the next generation can be sustained and promoted by local and international festival lovers. Originality/value: This study is the first to present festivalgoers' use of the technographic segmentation term in music festivals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the motivations behind visiting music performers' attendance at a music festival in the context of a rural Japanese island and how these motivations are connected to community revitalization within the framework of social exchange theory. Design/methodology/approach: Participant observation and 20 in-depth semi structured interviews were conducted with the visiting musicians at the Kurahashi East-West Music Festival on Kurahashi-jima in Hiroshima Prefecture. A qualitative analysis approach using thematic coding, grounded in social exchange theory, was employed to examine the perspectives of the participants. Findings: The findings identified seven key themes related to motivation: performing and interacting with fellow musicians, for leisure performing or "fun", providing a cultural experience to the community, participating for tourism purposes, because of sense of belonging to the destination, to collaborate with a prominent musician, and loyalty and commitment to a performance group. The results demonstrated that leisure performance and musician interaction were the most dominant themes in terms of motivation, while the importance of the other themes varied. Originality/value: By employing social exchange theory at a micro-level, this study delved deeper into the motivations perceived by visiting performing musicians at music festivals and their implications for community revitalization. The insights gained from this research provide valuable implications for festival organizers, performers and community leaders to tailor music festivals for community revitalization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Most studies examining the simultaneous use of cannabis with other drugs have focused on cannabis and alcohol, with fewer studies examining simultaneous use of cannabis with other drugs. The United States is currently experiencing an upward trend in psychedelic use and there is an increasing need to characterize cannabis and psychedelic drug interactions to best inform public health recommendations. Materials and Methods A mixed methods field study design was used to survey participants (N = 128) on their lifetime co-use of cannabis with other drugs. Participants who reported lifetime co-use of cannabis and psychedelics (N = 63) were then asked open-ended questions about their most recent simultaneous co-use experience (i.e., how cannabis enhanced their psychedelic experience and whether they experienced any adverse reactions). We conducted a thematic analysis of responses describing how cannabis enhanced the psychedelic experience (N = 54). However, due to low response rate for participants reporting an adverse reaction (N = 7, 11.1%), responses to this question were not analyzed thematically and are instead presented individually. Results Themes included tension reduction and balancing of drug effects (N = 27, 50%), enhancement to psychological processes (N = 11, 20.4%), intensified psychedelic drug effects (N = 12, 22.2%), enhanced psychedelic come-down experience (N = 8, 14.8%), and overall ambiguous enhancement (N = 7, 13%). Among participants reporting an adverse reaction, individual responses included increased anxiety and intensity of the experience, decreased sociability, increased negative affect, sleepiness, disassociation, and confusion. Conclusion Additional research is warranted to better characterize cannabis and psychedelic drug interactions to best inform public health recommendations.