After years of declining physical record sales, artists, bands and record labels lately are focusing on live music shows. Record labels are also providing their bands 360 deals. Sounds cool, what is it exactly? Previously, record labels mainly used to only fund the process of producing a physical record; also known as long plays, tapes and compact discs. Nowadays, labels are also funding and helping their signed bands and artists organize and sell their live shows, and also eating a large portion of the profits.
Thanks (or not) to the internet and the ease of pirated music distribution, the generic public is no longer bothered, or even willing to buy physical music records. There is still hope though; Johnny is still willing to spend his hard earned money on music. Maybe not on physical music records, but people seem to be going to concerts much more than ever before. It seems that the sound quality is of no difference to Johnny and most of the population, so he won't bother if he listens to MP3's on his computer.
On the other hand, going to a concert is a social experience where one can head bang and interact with sweaty people, some of which you've never seen. It's a new experience, totally different than when you're frequenting the same old rotting bar for several years. So invest today. Instead of spending hundred Euro, the bankrupt currency, alone in a bar, might as well invest some of it on a concert ticket and the rest on some ice cold beers to help you bear with the heat of indoor concerts, or maybe as a chick investment.
Mention the world's biggest acts and you will notice that even though the world economy is spiralling down, they are still managing to sell out their world tours. International renowned electro band Depeche Mode and their Touring the Universe Tour, U2, who embraced the internet like no other band, Lady Gaga and many other world renowned bands and artists all managed to generate a decent income, which you and I don't even dream of. Navigate through several online ticket websites and you will notice that there is at least a concert of two in the city where you live, if not more!
Some time ago, the editor of one of the blogs I write for, wrote a rant about the music industry. Unfortunately his rant was criticized by many, and unlike other of his self-opinionated articles, its publishing on several music news sites was rejected for one simple reason; encouraging piracy of music over the internet. It is kind of funny; it seems the editors of the other websites do not know how to read. In this rant about music, Octave Shaper is simply stating that like many other world industries, the music industry should stop pointing fingers, think out of the box, and search for its golden eggs goose somewhere else.
That is why I admire the music's industry Father Christmas, Mr. Cowell's and his shows, such as X Factor. Mr Cowell, instead of trying so hard to sell records, changed his business model and now is helping many aspiring artists by giving them the chance of having their own sponsored tours. Thanks to his international renowned shows, Cowell is raising live music awareness, and "brand awareness" for the artist and bands involved, while still making truckloads of money, most probably more than ever before.
In my opinion, the music industry was wrong in pointing its fingers and blaming the internet for its decreasing income from sales of physical records. It's true the internet made it easier for the distribution of pirated music, but it also made it easier for Johnny to buy concert tickets. If you need a carton of milk, you still have to leave your home, walk to the grocery store, and if it is expired and you didn't notice, you have to walk back to return it. If you want to purchase a concert ticket, you can do it from the comfort of your sofa while keeping your butt warm and cosy.
Thanks to the internet, social networks and viral videos, it is now easier for agents and bands to grasp the attention of new crowds. With the tsunami of new music being constantly uploaded on the internet, it might be difficult for non-established artists to infiltrate the masses and grab a big piece of the pie, but they will always have their share of crumbs. Let's not also forget that the internet also made it easier for already established and world renowned artists to reach new horizons in the music industry. Simply have a look at how many Facebook likes and Twitter followers famous artists have. Do you think Lady Gaga would have had the same influential effect on the world as she has now without the internet?
By profession, Leo Pechlino is an IT expert while in the evenings he likes to listen and discover new music. An avid writer, Leo reviewed several music records for several music blogs. Most of his work can be found on Muzikablog music blog ( http://www.muzikablog.com ). Leo is also a technical writer and from time to time publishes IT industry related articles.
Thanks (or not) to the internet and the ease of pirated music distribution, the generic public is no longer bothered, or even willing to buy physical music records. There is still hope though; Johnny is still willing to spend his hard earned money on music. Maybe not on physical music records, but people seem to be going to concerts much more than ever before. It seems that the sound quality is of no difference to Johnny and most of the population, so he won't bother if he listens to MP3's on his computer.
On the other hand, going to a concert is a social experience where one can head bang and interact with sweaty people, some of which you've never seen. It's a new experience, totally different than when you're frequenting the same old rotting bar for several years. So invest today. Instead of spending hundred Euro, the bankrupt currency, alone in a bar, might as well invest some of it on a concert ticket and the rest on some ice cold beers to help you bear with the heat of indoor concerts, or maybe as a chick investment.
Mention the world's biggest acts and you will notice that even though the world economy is spiralling down, they are still managing to sell out their world tours. International renowned electro band Depeche Mode and their Touring the Universe Tour, U2, who embraced the internet like no other band, Lady Gaga and many other world renowned bands and artists all managed to generate a decent income, which you and I don't even dream of. Navigate through several online ticket websites and you will notice that there is at least a concert of two in the city where you live, if not more!
Some time ago, the editor of one of the blogs I write for, wrote a rant about the music industry. Unfortunately his rant was criticized by many, and unlike other of his self-opinionated articles, its publishing on several music news sites was rejected for one simple reason; encouraging piracy of music over the internet. It is kind of funny; it seems the editors of the other websites do not know how to read. In this rant about music, Octave Shaper is simply stating that like many other world industries, the music industry should stop pointing fingers, think out of the box, and search for its golden eggs goose somewhere else.
That is why I admire the music's industry Father Christmas, Mr. Cowell's and his shows, such as X Factor. Mr Cowell, instead of trying so hard to sell records, changed his business model and now is helping many aspiring artists by giving them the chance of having their own sponsored tours. Thanks to his international renowned shows, Cowell is raising live music awareness, and "brand awareness" for the artist and bands involved, while still making truckloads of money, most probably more than ever before.
In my opinion, the music industry was wrong in pointing its fingers and blaming the internet for its decreasing income from sales of physical records. It's true the internet made it easier for the distribution of pirated music, but it also made it easier for Johnny to buy concert tickets. If you need a carton of milk, you still have to leave your home, walk to the grocery store, and if it is expired and you didn't notice, you have to walk back to return it. If you want to purchase a concert ticket, you can do it from the comfort of your sofa while keeping your butt warm and cosy.
Thanks to the internet, social networks and viral videos, it is now easier for agents and bands to grasp the attention of new crowds. With the tsunami of new music being constantly uploaded on the internet, it might be difficult for non-established artists to infiltrate the masses and grab a big piece of the pie, but they will always have their share of crumbs. Let's not also forget that the internet also made it easier for already established and world renowned artists to reach new horizons in the music industry. Simply have a look at how many Facebook likes and Twitter followers famous artists have. Do you think Lady Gaga would have had the same influential effect on the world as she has now without the internet?
By profession, Leo Pechlino is an IT expert while in the evenings he likes to listen and discover new music. An avid writer, Leo reviewed several music records for several music blogs. Most of his work can be found on Muzikablog music blog ( http://www.muzikablog.com ). Leo is also a technical writer and from time to time publishes IT industry related articles.