State of the music industry 2011

A major change in the music industry is that many retail stores are closing because people are choosing to download online rather than buy physical CD copies. For example HMV has announced that 40 stores would be closing because of poor sales. This affects the music industry as it means artists aren’t selling the same amount of CD’s as before, therefore, meaning other ways of making money such as tours have become more important. The internet can be used to explain the changes in CD sales. Firstly, an increase in leaks has meant albums spread globally quickly; leading to an increase of illegally downloads. Additionally online stores like iTunes have caused to problems: One is that people have the ability to choose selected songs from albums rather than purchase the whole album physically. Secondly, iTunes allows people to purchase downloadable albums therefore diminishing the purpose of the physical CD.

Example of this change: Jay-Z & Kanye West released a joint album (Watch the Throne) on the 8^th of August 2011 exclusively online to iTunes and then later released the physical copy on the 12^th of August. The idea behind this was to prevent leaks. And the album went on to sell 290,000 digitally breaking a world record.

However older artists such as ‘Take That’ have remained successful in terms of album sales. A reason for this is that their older audience prefer to buy physical copies rather than doing things digitally.

Music Environment:

Music videos have become more important to artists and fans. Artists use music videos to promote themselves now everyone uses them to

YouTube has meant fans can access music videos and songs far more easily than before. This promotes artists and makes them more known as anyone across the world can access their videos. Additionally social networks have allowed fans to get into closer contact with artists. For example, Twitter has allowed artists to communicate directly with millions of fans bringing the artist and fan relationship closer.

In early 2000s artists would use big record label studios to make music. However, many artists now have equipment that enables them to make music from Home. Anyone can create music. Examples of artists who started recording much of their music from home studios include Drake, Justin Bieber & J. Cole.