Immersive and Transcendent Experiences in Underground Clubs: Theorizing the Role of the Elements that Shape the Immersive Experience

Abstract

This study explores and theorizes the roles of the elements that shape immersive and transcendent experiences in underground clubs. Based on phenomenology inspired interviews the findings show how the immersive and transcendent experiences are marked by both social and introvert aspects. These experiences are influenced by four elements and roles that act in a constellationary manner, namely; security as a foundation to immersion, community as a gateway to belonging and acceptance, music as a medium to transcendence and recreational drugs as an enhancer to the experience. The discussion and analysis concentrate on how these elements affect both the immersive experience itself and how they affect each other. The constellation is presented to the reader in the form of a model in order to illustrate the co-dependencies of the elements.