If you thought 2007 was an eventful year for the record industry, you ain't seen nothing yet. The next 12 months will see even more upheaval and change as established stars, major labels, rising acts, music fans and pundits try to keep track of seismic shifts in how music gets from the artist to the consumer.
Looking back on 2007, it's easy to pinpoint just what was the biggest story from the record industry beat.
While Prince's foray into the Sunday newspaper market and Madonna's inking of a very lucrative deal with live music giants Live Nation produced many talking points, it was Radiohead's PR scam that generated the most headlines.
By initially bypassing the traditional industry to release In Rainbows, the Oxford band showed that they no longer required a record label or traditional retail support to get music to their fans.
The fact that Radiohead had a huge, global fanbase thanks to many years and releases on a major label was conveniently overlooked by some commentators.
As every new band knows only too well, getting a fanbase in the first place is becoming ever harder to do.
With major labels no longer keen to invest in or develop new talent and the live sector interested only in acts with established audiences, new bands are finding themselves squeezed out of the picture again and again.
This emphasis on acts with established audiences was also hammered home by the bewildering numbers of new business models seeking to take advantage of the current troubles faced by the label sector.
Few of those promoting these allegedly innovative business models could explain how their bright idea would work for a band just starting out.
Instead, they grabbed their chequebooks and ran after acts who were coming to the end of a long innings with a major label and who were looking around for another big pay day.
Anyone seeking to write the obituary of the record industry should, however, hold off for a while longer because there's still some life in that quarter.
While the majors continue to pimp catalogues with gusto, expect a slew of smart independent operators to make some moves in 2008.
Ticket Gig of The week
The Redneck Manifesto, who are regarded as one of Ireland's most exciting live bands, put in a pre-Christmas performance at Cypress Avenue, Cork on Saturday night. The band will be easing up on the touring in the New Year to concentrate on their new album, although they will be heading to Japan for a few shows.
Live scene even more in tents
One area that will continue to provide plenty of stories in 2008 will be the Irish live music sector. For a start, next summer will probably see even more outdoor shows and festivals around the country.
While there may be one or two new additions to the macro-festival circuit (it has long been mooted that the Latitude festival will be pitching its tents in Co Westmeath next summer), the real growth will be in smaller, boutique festivals catering to crowds of 5,000 or less. Don't be surprised if the number of outdoor shows surpasses the 70 events held in 2007.
There will also be continued grumbles about ticket prices. However, with more and more acts giving away their music for free, live music prices will not be falling any time in the near future.
And expect a lot of Live Nation coverage too as they seek to further increase increase their Irish footprint.
Jim Carroll's Blog:
If it's boring, we're snoring
The best You Tube footage at the moment comes from Tori Amos, as captured at a recent show in San Diego.
Midway through Code Red, Amos stops the song to berate two fans in the front row for not paying attention.
"Get the fuck out of my show," storms Amos. "It's a privilege to sit in the front row and I reserve those seats for people who appreciate music."
Amos obviously reckons she won't need support in the future from fans who find some of her material a little boring.
Vote early, vote often
January and February are traditionally the months for award ceremonies.
Joining the Meteor Music Awards and the Choice Music Prize on the red carpet in the coming weeks will be the Irish Dance Music Awards.
Organised by Irish clubbing magazine Slick DJ, the awards will take in clubs, events (like the Garden Party and Planetlove one-day fests) and DJs from all over the country.
The awards ceremony will take place in Spirit 57 on January 27th.
More information and voting information at slick-dj.com
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