5 Predictions for the Music Industry in 2011

[POJO_Risin]

The sites been sluggish for a few days...with white screens and double posts. Today, in the past couple of hours, there was a database error...

pretty status quo stuff for the site.

We're back up now, but missing nearly all of the posts from today...

Know about it...and taking it to the appropriate sources...

[POJO_Risin]

Sarge had to revert back to a database that was four or five hours old...that explains the loss of posts...

[chefcraig]

I was starting to wonder about that. Then again, since I'm pretty much seeing double and my stomach is lurching all over the place, I figured the issue was on my end. Nothing quite like closing a window and realizing you've managed to open one for a perverted porn site (complete with farm animals) while one of your relatives is looking over your shoulder.

[POJO_Risin]

I was starting to wonder about that. Then again, since I'm pretty much seeing double and my stomach is lurching all over the place, I figured the issue was on my end. Nothing quite like closing a window and realizing you've managed to open one for a perverted porn site (complete with farm animals) while one of your relatives is looking over your shoulder.

the story of my life...

[POJO_Risin]

I was starting to wonder about that. Then again, since I'm pretty much seeing double and my stomach is lurching all over the place, I figured the issue was on my end. Nothing quite like closing a window and realizing you've managed to open one for a perverted porn site (complete with farm animals) while one of your relatives is looking over your shoulder.

the story of my life...

[Blaze]

5 Predictions for the Music Industry in 2011

Brenna Ehrlich

The music industry continued suffering its hardcore identity crisis in 2010, buffeted by the languishing major labels, continued leaks/file-sharing and that most confusing of conundrums: How to get music to fans in a way that makes sense — without losing money.

Still, despite the industry’s continuing difficulty to adapt to the digital age in a truly profitable way, we have seen some stirrings of change: the expansion of the online music video oeuvre, more creative and diverse methods of releasing albums (via Ping, Facebook and even mobile apps), and more mainstream, established publications and institutions embracing social media all the more.

There’s a lot of noise out there in the music world — and we’re not just talking about the genre — and we’re all hoping that out of that tangle of ideas and sounds comes the antidote that will fix a system that is so obviously in flux. Although I don’t quite see that antidote being concocted this coming year, I do see more trial and error and creativity brewing that could, in the end, lead to the music industry’s eventual rebirth. Either that or it will all implode and we’ll live in eternal silence, but somehow I doubt it.

And with that I bring you my predictions for 2011.


1. Subscription Services Will Be Popular, But Not Profitable

If Spotify’s $26.7 million loss in 2009 is any indication, subscription services still have a ways to go before they’ll actually become profitable. Hell, Last.fm isn’t even turning a profit yet — although it could be getting close.

Still, this year and the end of last year saw services gaining even more steam — MOG launched its all-you-can-eat service in December, followed by Android and iPhone apps, and, most recently, an app in the Chrome Web Store. Rdio also launched to much excitement, and Slacker Radio announced that it would be launching an on-demand offering as well (possibly across a variety of devices to be unveiled at CES).

Yes, streaming music services have been around for a while now, but what’s changed in the past year is the number of devices you can access them on — everything from the iPad to Roku to the Xbox Kinect to the upcoming Chrome OS devices. The ability to listen to music on-demand across a variety of devices is sure to be a hit among consumers — it just remains to be seen how these services will monetize.

2. More Artists Will Finally Get Social

You know your friend in that band that never gets gigs? The guy who basically has no idea how to use Twitter and thinks Foursquare is a playground game? Well, even that guy is going to start realizing in the coming year that he can’t just keeping sticking his head in the sand where social media is concerned.

I mean, Billboard recently tapped Next Big Sound to gather stats for its “Social 50″ Chart; we’re talking about a publication that’s been around since 1894 paying attention to social metrics where artist popularity is concerned. Let’s hear that date again: 1894. So basically the fact that you’re over 30 is no excuse for not having a social media presence.

Add to that MTV’s burgeoning interest in the social space — its assignation of a Twitter DJ and the launch of its new music discovery tool — and you’ve got a lot of eyes on the digital sphere.

In the coming year, I see more artists following in the footsteps of socially savvy bands like Kanye West (for better or worse), Ben Folds and Pomplamoose, and learning how to use social tools to their advantage.

3. Music Videos Will Continue Their Renaissance Online

This past year, a very sizable player entered the online music video space: Vevo, which launched at the end of 2009. In just one year, Vevo has become a very worthy adversary to sites like MTV.com when it comes to hosting music videos, and MTV, for its part, has started amping up its online/on-air video output as well.

Now, we’re not saying Vevo has single-handedly sparked the renaissance of the music video, but it has helped give the format a kick in the you-know-what. That platform, coupled with the growing ability of artists like OK Go, Arcade Fire and Kanye West (he’s everywhere on this list) to create true cinematic, and sometimes interactive masterpieces — which are the bread and butter of the viral web — have ensured that online music videos will continue to be eminently shareable in the coming year.

4. Ping Will Never Take Off — Never

Apple’s new social network, Ping, launched to much excitement this year, only to disappoint those of us in the media who were keen on replacing MySpace with a new locale for music discovery. Why? Well, there were scant few bands on the site at launch, and two months out of the gate, the site boasted only 2,000 artists. (The process to get an account on Ping is not as simple as creating a username and logging in; Apple needs to vet bands before granting them access.)

In the ensuing months, Ping has made an effort to become more social, adding Twitter integration and social playlists, but the site’s focus — predictably — seems to be more on commerce than social. For example: Yes, you can create and share playlists, but you can’t use your own songs to build said playlists — you must assemble them from iTune’s song previews. So, basically, by sharing playlists users are creating free advertising for iTunes rather than trading tunes.

Yes, MySpace may be suffering some financial woes (and a bit of an identity crisis), but it’s obviously a much more social sphere than a place for commerce (which may explain the financial woes). Case in point: It just added a suite of fan management tools for artists. Ping may not die this year — Apple is a tenacious beast — but I don’t see it gaining any traction either.

5. Music Piracy Will Not Die

Despite the looming spectre of the COICA Internet Censorship and Copyright Bill, people will continue to file share and steal music. They’ve been doing it for 10-plus years and they’re not stopping now.

Unfortunately, artists will continue to have to find creative ways to take advantage of the leaky nature of the web by adopting pay-what-you-wish models (a la Girl Talk and Trent Reznor) and taking advantage of the buzz that a leak builds (a la The National).

That’s not to say that matters are looking sunny for artists. It’s likely they will have to continue to diversify their methods of garnering cash by ramping up touring and licensing deals.

http://mashable.com/2010/12/22/predictions-music-industry/

Editor note: I did not even know Ping existed.

[Blaze]

[Kristy]

1. Less Education

Music itself whether it be pop, jazz, blues, metal etc but especially pop will continue to grind down to the meaningless mediocre shit until it barely becomes recognizable as being music. There will be less interests in learning anything about music in terms of tradition and discipline. Most schools have already dropped their music programs in turn for sports and shit like senate club. Apart from say, the emo douche who picks up a guitar to learn a Greed Day tune or two to impress the chicks I don't much coming on the horizon in terms of quality bands/musicians who can properly manipulate their instrument, write decent lyrics and put some fucking effort into recording an album that doesn't involve a commercial appeal from the start.

2. Rise In Mediocrity

Now that American Idol has finally met its death look for a rise in the Lady Ga Ga types dressed in trashy fetish/slut wear telling your daughter it's okay to give blowjobs and dress like a $2 Vegas hooker when she turns 13. Of course, the Justin Bieber (or whatever his shit name is) types will also be on the appeal. "Hey girl....Oooooooo....Ooooooo..." Um, yeah.

3. Ping Will Die

Okay, yeah, social media is where music stands today. Now that you have the death of the independent record store replaced by plastic iTunes cards what Apple doesn't realize is that this has all been market-researched, think tank group approached before. Napster called it quits for good in what, 2007-08? Yahoo tried this and lost a lot of money, and really, what MySpace act ever did become a commercial name as they another internet annoyance? You know, there used to be a time when bands earned their audiences by endless touring, playing in the most shit dives possible, self-promotion, fanzines, word of mouth now all you need is a decent photographer, a publicist, and your bloated ego. Ping, like MySpace never said a god damn thing about needing talent.

4. The Death Of The CD

Already discussed but the CD will continue to dwindle not only in sales but in utility, too. Seeing them will become more and more scare and you know what? No one will care.

5. The Death Of The Music Industry Itself

The music industry is already a dead man walking. The RIAA can continue to threaten those who "pirate" but even now they must realize that internet downloading whether it be illegal or not is too much of a juggernaut to stop. Personally, I don't see this as a bad thing. Many a fat cat in a suit who works in the "biz" needs to lose their job.

[Nitro Express]

I see society splitting. One side chooses the mediocrity and the other side is taking advantage of opportunities. We have a very good music program in our schools and there are lots of cultural things to go to here. If you want country western at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar it's there but if you want to hear a symphony orchestra playing in front of the Tetons that's there too. So it probably depends on where you live. I don't see as much mediocrity in Jackson Hole as other places I've lived. People here are pretty driven and know what they want and choose to live here.

[Hardrock69]

Just as far as data storage goes, I used to use CD-RWs to transfer stuff say from office to home, home to friends, etc.

I do not use them any more. Why should I when you can buy an 8GB USB Flash Memory stick for a little over 10 bucks?

[Seshmeister]

I was starting to wonder about that. Then again, since I'm pretty much seeing double and my stomach is lurching all over the place, I figured the issue was on my end.

Tell me about it, yesterday was a shocking hangover day and I'm still at two with the world. I'm starting to genuinely worry about my ability to cope with 14 hour drinking sessions any more.

I haven't been posting here very much since Xmas anyway after spraining my wrist during a game of charades miming the word "fisting".

[BITEYOASS]

LET'S HEAR IT FOR PIRACY!!!

[VAiN]

I'm starting to genuinely worry about my ability to cope with 14 hour drinking sessions any more.

No kidding... I'm dealing with the same reality myself... I decided to attack NYE with vodka & red bulls... holy shit did I hit a wall. After a couple of hours I found myself not being able to stand or speak very well. Getting old is a motherfucker.

[78/84 guy]

Long live rock !!! Rock really is dead. Except top 40 heavy metal band radio stations. We have one in town here. Fucking pathetic !!! The new VH album if there is one will only sell a million if there lucky !!

[Seshmeister]

No kidding... I'm dealing with the same reality myself... I decided to attack NYE with vodka & red bulls... holy shit did I hit a wall. After a couple of hours I found myself not being able to stand or speak very well. Getting old is a motherfucker.

Now moving into hour 46 of this hangover...

I should never have stopped and just spent the year drunk.