Music mood muted despite Lady Gaga, more big albums

 

(Reuters) - When even Lady Gaga can't lift the gloom, you know the music industry is in the doldrums.

 

Despite a release schedule that includes the reigning queen of pop, Britney Spears, R.E.M., U2 and Coldplay, record labels are bracing themselves for another tough year.

 

Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and EMI -- the market leaders -- struggled in 2010 as they have for a decade, hampered by online piracy, shrinking retail space and an inability to adapt to technological change.

 

Global recorded music sales overall slumped by nine percent last year, and figures out last week estimated that some 19 of 20 tracks downloaded from the Internet were illegal.

 

The scale of piracy and other challenges suggest that no matter which artists are competing for chart supremacy, 2011 sales are virtually guaranteed to extend their long slide.

 

"I don't see any indication that record sales are going to improve, because it's got nothing to do with the quality of the music," said U.S. music critic Robert Christgau in a blunt assessment of the business prospects.

 

That does not make release schedules irrelevant, with companies still hopeful their artists will rise to the top and repay their time and investment. Top of the pile is widely tipped to be "pop provocateur" Lady Gaga with "Born This Way," due out on May 23. Not one to shy away from the hype, the singer has called it "my absolute greatest work I've ever done."

 

Combined sales of her "The Fame," "The Fame Monster" and a remix album have reached 15 million, a hefty figure even in pre-crisis days, and with more touring planned, Forbes predicts the 24-year-old could earn over $100 million this year.

 

"She's just hitting her stride artistically and commercially now," entertainment attorney Bernie Resnick told Forbes. "We're only seeing the beginning."

 

ROCK'S SHOT IN THE ARM

 

Other established solo female artists vying for attention include 29-year-old Spears, who releases a new album in March. Lead single "Hold It Against Me" has just debuted atop the U.S. singles chart with impressive sales.

 

Canada's Avril Lavigne is back on March 8 with "Goodbye Lullaby," and there are hopes of new material at last from Amy Winehouse, whose troubled personal life has overshadowed the success of Grammy-winning 2006 hit "Back to Black."

 

The struggling rock genre is set to get a welcome shot in the arm in 2011 with the first album from The Strokes since 2006's "First Impressions of Earth."

 

The acclaimed New Yorkers tentatively titled "Angles" is due to hit stores on March 22, and, according to NME magazine's Jamie Fullerton "it's almost make or break time for Julian (Casablancas) and co. with album four" after so long away.

 

Also falling into the broad rock category are two of the biggest bands in the world -- Coldplay and U2 -- who both expect to release records in 2011.

 

Foo Fighters and R.E.M. are back, and, in Britain at least, Beady Eye, formed from the now disbanded Oasis, will generate plenty of buzz with debut album "Different Gear, Still Speeding" due out on February 28.

 

As well as promoting talent, record bosses will be seeking more deals with mobile firms and music websites. Digital sales actually rose six percent to $4.6 billion last year, taking their share of record label trade revenues to 29 percent.

 

The labels are keen to see the launch of a Google Inc download store in 2011 to rival Apple Inc's dominant iTunes, which would help them wrest some control back over pricing and draw new users to the digital market.

 

The record company landscape could be in for big changes over the next 12 months, with EMI facing a debt deadline with Citigroup that raises the prospect of the group's assets being sold off.

 

Shares in Warner also rose nearly 30 percent at the end of last week on news that it was looking for potential buyers.

 

http://www.reuters.com/

 

(Reuters) - When even Lady Gaga can't lift the gloom, you know the music industry is in the doldrums.

 

http://www.reuters.com/

 

the music industry should not be confused with the record industry. the music industry is made up of the record industry and live music industry. records are going terrible and everyone knows that but live music is rising by the day and more than compensates for the lack of CD sales. if anything the music industry is doing better than ever.

What is this article talking about... there are lots of awesome records coming out this year and of course the record companies aren't making as much as they'd like from them, on account of how they're all going extinct. Lol.

What is this article talking about... there are lots of awesome records coming out this year and of course the record companies aren't making as much as they'd like from them, on account of how they're all going extinct. Lol.

 

I think that the point of the article is that , although amazing albums and high profile CDS ( Coldplay , gaga , britney , u2 , beyonce etc ) are beeing released , they are preparing to have even lower numbers than in 2010 ( that didnt have releases that big )

Makes me wonder how Coldplay have managed to shift over 50 million albums in 10 years. That's a staggering figure.

I think that the point of the article is that , although amazing albums and high profile CDS ( Coldplay , gaga , britney , u2 , beyonce etc ) are beeing released , they are preparing to have even lower numbers than in 2010 ( that didnt have releases that big )

 

Yeah, I guess. I suppose my view of the music industry is just what awesome albums I can look forward to pirating anyway, instead of actually scrutinizing the record business itself. It's weird how little I care about the record companies themselves, I'd frankly rather just pirate music and donate directly to the bands, stuff like that, than support the record business as a whole.

Makes me wonder how Coldplay have managed to shift over 50 million records in 10 years. That's a staggering figure.

 

Fixed it for ya :P:rolleyes: . I find it hilarious that they continue to sell albums amazingly though .. IMO its easier to sell records now a days

 

Yeah, I guess. I suppose my view of the music industry is just what awesome albums I can look forward to pirating anyway, instead of actually scrutinizing the record business itself. It's weird how little I care about the record companies themselves, I'd frankly rather just pirate music and donate directly to the bands, stuff like that, than support the record business as a whole.

 

I just ilegally download all the albums that i want , and basically the bands that im fan of , i just buy their records ( but they are artist I really love )

 

Tha thing with doing that , if , do you actually believe people would donate the artist the money + download the album for free . They might propose that ( of course is not going to happen ) but , after a while , no one would donate.

 

Plus , bascially lets say that Coldplay gets 2.5 dollars at the best of the 10 dollars of the cds .. It wouldnt work donating the money to Coldplay when Record labels dont get anything (plus they kinda need the money for the producers studio promotions etc )

Tha thing with doing that , if , do you actually believe people would donate the artist the money + download the album for free . They might propose that ( of course is not going to happen ) but , after a while , no one would donate.

 

Yeah, I agree. Only the serious fans would actually donate the money. Out of 100 or so people I know that also know Coldplay for example (just because they're very popular here) only maybe 5 would donate money if they had the option of free download and donation.

 

And it would be even more difficult for new artists to rise to fame, if everyone used that system. They're the ones that need the money, and they would probably get the least donations.

Yeah, I agree. Only the serious fans would actually donate the money. Out of 100 or so people I know that also know Coldplay for example (just because they're very popular here) only maybe 5 would donate money if they had the option of free download and donation.

 

And it would be even more difficult for new artists to rise to fame, if everyone used that system. They're the ones that need the money, and they would probably get the least donations.

 

ya + the fact that , usually when you buy a record , you are giving 80% of that money to the record label , and actually only about 20% ( if they have a very good deal) to the real artist . So there is no way the record label its going to give away that 80% away , and give all of the profits to the artists ( plus its not fair , they usually pay the producers , the making of the booklets cds , promotion ( they fix arrange dates) tour costs etc .. ) .

 

There is no way that is happening , at least soon

Makes me wonder how Coldplay have managed to shift over 50 million albums in 10 years. That's a staggering figure.

 

coldplay arrived on the scene at the perfect time. when the band hit superstardom in 2003, CD sales were at all time highs. ever since 2003 CD sales have fallen dramatically and consequently so have coldplays.

 

also, both linkin park and norah jones have sold 50 million in the last 10 years.

Fixed it for ya :P:rolleyes: . I find it hilarious that they continue to sell albums amazingly though .. IMO its easier to sell records now a days

I would be quite surprised if they sold 50 million records...

 

 

So, the music industry is booming but the record industry is dying? whatever.

I saw an interview with Bradford Cox (Deerhunter, Atlas Sound) and even though Deerhunter are quite a large band in the indie world, he doesn't make enough money from album sales to pay rent, buy food etc. It's the live shows/merchandise that give him enough money to make a living.

I like it this way. It means i can illegally download albums without feeling bad!!

 

(actually, recently I downloaded a lot of Jeffrey Lewis albums and I felt bad because he is definitely not that famous and I won't be able to see him any time soon so I bought a t-shirt online. more people should do that)

I would be quite surprised if they sold 50 million records...

 

 

So, the music industry is booming but the record industry is dying? whatever.

I saw an interview with Bradford Cox (Deerhunter, Atlas Sound) and even though Deerhunter are quite a large band in the indie world, he doesn't make enough money from album sales to pay rent, buy food etc. It's the live shows/merchandise that give him enough money to make a living.

I like it this way. It means i can illegally download albums without feeling bad!!

 

(actually, recently I downloaded a lot of Jeffrey Lewis albums and I felt bad because he is definitely not that famous and I won't be able to see him any time soon so I bought a t-shirt online. more people should do that)

 

50 million is how many they have shipped. meaning thats how many EMI has sent to retailers and the like. how many have ended in hands of consumers is harder to measure.

 

and just cos one band or artist is struggling doesnt mean the industry as a whole is hurting. it just means its become a tougher industry to be a part of.

 

now i can only provide an australian perspective so here are some vital stats according to Live Performance Australia

 

In 2004 music festivals were attended by 190 000 people and saw a revenue of $9million. In 2008 that rose to 1.2 milion people and revenue of over $66 million. that has plateaued in the following years.

 

In 2004 pop and rock concerts (so basically the shows most of us here would go to) had a total attendence of 2.7 million and revenue of close to $200 million. By 2009 that figure rose 4.6 million people and $460 million in revenue. In 2007 it actually close the half billion mark. The subsequent global financial crisis caused the dip in revenue.

 

from where i sit the numbers speak for themselves.

In 2004 pop and rock concerts (so basically the shows most of us here would go to) had a total attendence of 2.7 million and revenue of close to $200 million. By 2009 that figure rose 4.6 million people and $460 million in revenue. In 2007 it actually close the half billion mark. The subsequent global financial crisis caused the dip in revenue.

 

from where i sit the numbers speak for themselves.

 

Wow, that's pretty impressive! :surprised: :awesome:

That's awesome, actually, as touring is where most bands get their money. I'm surprised it's risen so much recently.

 

Just goes to support my theory that illegal downloading gets the band more tour money -> more actual money ;D

I would be quite surprised if they sold 50 million records...

 

 

Im referring to Records As ( singles + CDS ) and album sales as album sales only :p .

 

I mean , of course its impressive to sell 50 million of both , or albums or singles or both . Its quite an impressibe achivement that is way to hard to surpass ( thought there are quite a few artists that have done that ) but what i was saying is that , now a days its easier to sell singles than albums .

 

For example Rihanna. Rihanna has sold like 70 million records . 50 million of those are coming from single sales , and 20 million from albums . (rihanna has released 5 albums + re releases etc in her career )

 

i find it hilarious that coldplay are the ones who actually continue to amass album sales instead of single ones :p

^

 

that means that the whole album is awesome,not just particular songs :D

 

but remember that Viva sold 5 million (the single) :P

 

I hope next era sales both singles,and albums

^

 

that means that the whole album is awesome,not just particular songs :D

 

but remember that Viva sold 5 million (the single) :P

 

I hope next era sales both singles,and albums

 

I know.. Actually i was saying it as an acomplishment. People don't see anymore artists as a whole , they just download the current single or whatever ..

 

But beeing one of the few people who can actually sell albums in this digitalized-singles era its quite amazing.

 

I hope they do that too :p . Though as long as they have a hit (a la viva la vida , speed of sound type of way ) they will be slayin the competition :cool:

It's mainly because the majority of people who buy albums are fans of rock music. People 20+, I'd say.

If you look at album charts, there are a lot of rock albums, but only a few pop albums. Pop music fans buy singles. (which is why VLV sold 5 million...)

It's mainly because the majority of people who buy albums are fans of rock music. People 20+, I'd say.

If you look at album charts, there are a lot of rock albums, but only a few pop albums. Pop music fans buy singles. (which is why VLV sold 5 million...)

 

Yup , basically that . I think its mainly because people see rock artists as a whole artists , and they usually go to buy their "whole" piece of work (instead of buying just one single ) . So for this artists who only sell singles , it takes them a while to start selling albums . Example , again rihanna .. after 4 albums ( who had lots of succsessful singles ) she just started selling album with her leatest ( just because she builded a fan base after all of these ) . But again , almost all of pop acts fade away after a couple of albums

 

 

Its also releated to the audience the band/artist is targeting. Older people buy albums , teenagers buy singles.

VLV sold 9 million so far didn't it? I rarely buy singles and only really buy albums. When Violet Hill came out I didn't even download the free version and waited the near month and a half before the new album came out.

vlv album yes

 

between 8 and 9

 

plus 5 viva single

Im referring to Records As ( singles + CDS ) and album sales as album sales only :p .

 

I mean , of course its impressive to sell 50 million of both , or albums or singles or both . Its quite an impressibe achivement that is way to hard to surpass ( thought there are quite a few artists that have done that ) but what i was saying is that , now a days its easier to sell singles than albums .

 

For example Rihanna. Rihanna has sold like 70 million records . 50 million of those are coming from single sales , and 20 million from albums . (rihanna has released 5 albums + re releases etc in her career )

 

i find it hilarious that coldplay are the ones who actually continue to amass album sales instead of single ones :p

 

oh i also kinda read that as 50 million albums.

 

also we gotta remember it costs $1 to buy a single these days. before u had to buy the physical single CD with b-sides on it, usually costing 4 or 5 bucks.

oh i also kinda read that as 50 million albums.

 

also we gotta remember it costs $1 to buy a single these days. before u had to buy the physical single CD with b-sides on it, usually costing 4 or 5 bucks.

 

Ya , that's what i say that i find it hilarious that coldplay continue to sell albums instead of singles .

 

Its kinda sad that singles are so low tbh . People buy only singles , and you see artsits like rihanna who sold over 70million records , and those are 50 singles and 20 albums :confused:

 

Plus the fact that the singles only cost 1 dollar makes it more afordable , makes that lots of records , previously held by the beatles for example , Elvis , and other artists are beeing broken because of that.

 

So now , you see that Glee has more entries on the United World Chart and Billboard Hot 100 than The beatles , because of digital downloads. Or Ke$ha debuting at number one on charts , breaking records by michael jackson ( which back in the day to debut at number one was ABSOLUTELY MASSIVE , now its more common ) and things of that order :(

Albums are better than singles

^ Agreed.