Exploring the lived experience associated with fan-made goods: a serious leisure perspective

Abstract

The concert experience extends beyond the performances on stage for fans. At concerts, fans not only demonstrate a growing interest in purchasing official merchandise, but also engage in the production, exchange, and collection of fan-made goods. This research aims to identify the characteristics of fan-made goods in the context of touring concerts and to explore the lived experiences of fans who participate in producing and distributing these items. Underpinned by a qualitative research approach and the serious leisure perspective, this study reveals that the characteristics of fan-made goods are defined by colour, visual graphics, textual elements, and functionality. The lived experiences begin with the motivation to fulfil personal needs and are shaped through interactions between digital and physical spaces. These experiences reflect the core aspects of serious leisure, which include perseverance and commitment, career development as volunteers, acquisition of knowledge and skills, durable benefits, sub-culture development, a recognisable fandom identity, and immersion and autonomy.

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