A recent article authored by Dr. Dadang Sugiana from the Faculty of Communication Sciences, Universitas Padjadjaran, has been officially published in the internationally indexed journal Asian Anthropology. The paper, titled “Constructing Musical Identity and Communication Behavior: A Case Study of Koes Plus Fans in Indonesia”, offers an in-depth ethnographic and phenomenological account of how music fandom contributes to identity formation and social cohesion among members of the Koes Music Fans Club Jiwa Nusantara (KMFC-JN).
The research explores how KMFC-JN, a fan community devoted to the legendary Indonesian band Koes Plus, operates not just as a musical appreciation group but as a vibrant cultural microcosm. Through participatory observation and in-depth interviews with fans across Java, Dr. Sugiana illustrates how members forge strong emotional bonds, create symbolic rituals, and construct both personal and social identities through their shared reverence for the band.
Central to the study is the concept of “kekoesplusan,” a metaphorical identity cultivated through community performances, storytelling, memorabilia exchanges, and reinterpretations of Koes Plus’s legacy. These cultural practices form a lived narrative of fandom that transcends age, occupation, and geography, turning nostalgia into intergenerational cultural memory and communal resilience.
Using a phenomenological approach, the article underscores how music and emotional engagement become tools for social belonging, cultural continuity, and communication. Rather than viewing fandom as mere entertainment, the study reveals it as an active, meaning-making process embedded in everyday life.
According to Dr. Sugiana, “KMFC-JN is not just a fan club; it is a space for constructing meaning, preserving cultural values, and cultivating a shared emotional identity rooted in music. It exemplifies how popular culture serves as a site for both individual reflection and collective memory.”
This publication not only affirms Universitas Padjadjaran’s academic contribution to cultural and communication studies but also highlights how fandom in Southeast Asia offers unique insights into identity politics, emotional community, and symbolic interaction in the post-digital era.
Full article available at:
https://doi.org/10.1080/1683478X.2025.2508630
