Environmental activism and music: An environmental communication perspective on Gojira and its Turkish audience

Year 2025, Volume: 6 Issue: 4, 347 - 366

Özgür Polat , Levent Ergun

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.17681749

Abstract

This study examines the environmental activism that the French metal band Gojira places at the center of its musical practice, and how these messages are received by its audience in Türkiye, through the theoretical lenses of ecomusicology and environmental communication. The research analyzes how the band uses ecological themes not only as aesthetic expression but also as a deliberate communication strategy, and how this strategy resonates with listeners. Gojira constructs a holistic ecological narrative from the “Godzilla” allegory behind its name to concept albums such as From Mars to Sirius and the direct incorporation of whale sounds. The whale, a key symbol of the band’s environmental identity, has historically functioned as a powerful catalyst within environmental movements. Combining literature review and fieldwork, the study gathered data through interviews with metal listeners in Türkiye, concert observations, bar observations, and analyses of digital communities. Environmental communication provides a framework for understanding how the band’s ecological messages are conveyed, while ecomusicology offers methodological tools for examining environmentally oriented musical practices. Findings reveal that metal listeners in Türkiye—generally young, educated, and environmentally aware—connect with the band primarily through aesthetic appreciation and “metalhead identity.” Gojira’s music is often characterized as aggressive yet straightforward. Although listeners value the band’s ecological stance, this ideological layer remains secondary to musical preference. The reception of environmental messages varies according to personal listening habits such as age, attention to lyrics, and preferred platforms. Gojira’s musical practice exemplifies the effective circulation of environmental messages within metal music aesthetics. Instead, ecological themes function as elements that reinforce existing aesthetic preferences and cultural identity. Listener comments on the band’s sonic characteristics highlight the significance of aesthetic and identity-based dimensions in reception processes when evaluating the impact of environmentally engaged musical production.

Keywords

Gojira , Activism , Ecomusicology , Environmentalism , Metal Music

Ethical Statement

This study is derived from Özgür Polat’s master’s thesis titled “Environmental communication, environmental activism, and music: The case study of Gojira (Band) and its audience” completed in 2025 in the Musicology Department of Dokuz Eylül University. Ethical approval for this research was obtained from the Ethics Committee for Social and Human Sciences Research and Publications of Dokuz Eylül University. Since the fieldwork involved observations and interviews, the study was conducted in accordance with the committee’s Decision No. 5 dated 27.12.2024, ensuring both the protection of personal data and compliance with ethical guidelines. Within the field data, the identities and demographic information of interview participants were kept confidential; participants were anonymized through numerical coding, and only their statements were included.

Supporting Institution

Dokuz Eylul University

Thanks

Since this study was derived from a thesis published at Dokuz Eylül University Graduate School of Fine Arts, it emerged through the education, knowledge, and skills provided by all the faculty members of the institution. Apart from the author’s own fieldwork, the study is the result of the supervision and guidance of Assoc. Prof. Dr. Levent Ergun.

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