MUSIC IN THE DIGITAL ERA
I want you back
June 30 2009
Music downloads and CD sales of the “King of Pop” Michael Jackson have hit the roof as fans try to hold on to one last bit of the musical legend.
Industry experts predict MJ will be the first artist to fill all top ten spots of the UK Singles Chart.
Lifelong Michael Jackson fan, Amit Malhotra, 25, London said: “I’ve been downloading his songs to pay my respect. And of course, because he was an absolute legend.”
CD shops were only able to meet demand because extra copies of his music were ordered in preparation for his concerts. Otherwise they would not have been able to cope with the demands of millions of grieving fans.
Only days after his death, the ‘King’ already occupies 40 of the most downloaded MP3s and they “Won’t stop till they get enough”.
Like Elvis Presley, King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, the King of Pop’s musical legacy too will live on. But perhaps more so through downloads.
34-year old Larisa Leiberman, who would have had her childhood dream fulfilled, watching MJ perform at the O2 this summer says: “I felt as if a part of my childhood had died. And I want it back.”
The Empire Strikes Back!
June 23 2009
Industry experts are confident the “three strikes and you’re out” message in the final Digital Britain report will help to significantly reduce illegal file–sharing.
Last week's Digital Britain report ruled that Internet service providers must limit and restrict activity of file sharers in the UK, with Ofcom granted powers to regulate them.
International DJ and music producer, Chris Bailey, said:
“Slowing down or even cutting off the internet connections of offenders will certainly help reduce music piracy. But it’s not just up to internet service providers; the government, labels, agencies and most importantly users must unite if we are going to stop this.”
Meanwhile, major record companies are also ‘striking back’ at illegal downloader’s, soon to learn the ‘real cost’ of ‘free music.’ Last week Jammie Thomas-Rasset, Minnesota, 32, USA, single mother of four, was sued by six major record companies for breach of copyright, and more cases are expected. Sound track composer and producer, Davide Mastropaolo, said:
“It is sad to hear of cases like this, but file sharing is ruining the music industry and something must be done to protect the artist’s creativity. I think we are just witnessing the beginning of a major clamp down.”
British Festivals to top £450 million
June 16 2009
British music festivals are expected to generate £450m this summer as fans show they are willing to pay for live music. But ticket touting continues.
PRS for Music’s research covered more than 150 festivals, including Glastonbury and Reading. Steve Porter, Chief Executive at PRS for Music said:
“The popularity of festivals continues to grow. Most of the UK major festivals in 2009 have sold out immediately.”
Around two million people are expected to attend UK summer music festivals. But Joe Cohen, CEO and founder of Seatwave, a rising online ticket company believes there is still a vast consumer problem with “too many fans paying way too much money for tickets on the secondary market.”
He said: “There’s been a massive scrum to carve up consumer’s money within the industry.”
Glastonbury still remains the front runner of the festivals in stamping out ticket touting by ensuring that tickets only go to those named individuals who have reserved them in advance. The world famous festival, sold all 140,000 tickets a month in advance, despite costing a £175 a ticket with a £5 booking fee. Blur, Neil Young, and Bruce Springsteen will all be performing.
“Making online music pay”
June 09 2009
Top music industry representatives flooded into May Fair Hotel, London, on Thursday, to consider the multi-billion pound question; ‘how can online music pay?’
Several industry experts remain confident that fans are still willing to pay for music if it is packaged in the right way. Andrew Fisher, CEO of Shazam, the world’s leading mobile music discovery application said:
“If you add value to the consumer experience then consumers will pay.”
Representatives from rising online music services We 7, Spotify, and Last.fm, maintained online advertising and licensed downloads can regenerate the industry crushed by illegal downloads and file sharing. But not all industry insiders agree. Some are cautious about advertising based business models. Keith Jopling, Strategy and Business Development Consultant, said:
“There is still a huge problem in monetizing music. I haven’t seen any statistics to show how much money these new business models have actually made. Real challenges lie ahead.”
Steve Navin Chief Executive, Music Publishers Association also voiced concern, claiming that not enough money is actually going back to the artists:
“In the words of Andrew Lloyd Webber; the fine wines of Bordeaux are not just content for the glass manufacturers”.
“...The government, labels, agencies and most importantly users must unite if we are going to stop this.”
Chris Bailey,International DJ and music producer
“There’s been a massive scrum to carve up consumer’s money within the industry.”
Joe Cohen, CEO and founder of Seatwave
“In the words of Andrew Lloyd Webber; the fine wines of Bordeaux are not just content for the glass manufacturers”.
Steve Navin Chief Executive, Music Publishers Association
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