¡Que viva la música!: An Analysis of the Subcultural Discourse of Rockers and Salseros in Andrés Caicedo’s Novel

Abstract

This article explores the subcultural discourse within Andrés Caicedo’s works, primarily focusing on the novel ¡Que viva la Música! and the short story “El Atravesado.” Through the application of Williams’ “structure of feeling” and subcultural theory, informed by Hebdige, it fills a significant gap by examining the distinct signifying practices of the depicted subcultures. It uncovers their transformative potential in recontextualizing meaning and challenging dominant social norms, highlighting the influence of collective experiences and a transcendent sensibility that prioritizes affect over intellect. This research represents an initial step towards a deeper understanding of Caicedo’s writings within the subcultural framework.

Keywords

• subculture
• structure of feeling
• caliwood
• signifying practices
• andrés caicedo
• rockero
• salsero