Summer Investigation: Implications for the music industry and my own production

Through my research I have realised that the music industry have a long way to go and in order to win the battle against the illegal downloads, they need to take to the consumers and work with them so there is a compromise;it seems that the music industry realise that illegal downloading is happening, however it is as though they don't want to understand the implications for the companies. When speaking with a band, they said that the implications for the music industry were huge because unsigned bands (as themselves) were finding it hard to get signed because the record companies could only take a certain percentage of new talent on each year. Another reason was, that people were getting their music for free, so although they were getting a reputation on the music scene they weren't receiving any royalties for their music. Illegal downloading is also accredited for the breaking up of bands, because they can't see the point of making music if they're not receiving royalties and sometimes unless they are a big mainstream band they're dropped by their record label which again leads to the end of the band.

Unsigned bands have started giving their music away for free because audiences expect to have free music; this suggests the idea that the music industry have stopped selling music and have started selling lifestyles. Unsigned bands are making their money from their gigs and from selling their merchandise; audiences are able to wear the band logo's, this is turn can create a sense of belonging, because the consumer can feel part of the fan base and have something in common with a vast amount of other audience members.

For my year 13 project, I marketed the band similarly to how contemporary bands are marketed; the idea of selling a lifestyle rather than the music is highlighted through my products as I have targeted a young audience who are in education because of the theme of school that flows between my digipak and music video. Using performance shots, of not only the artist but also the gig audience, shows the consumers the tone and atmosphere of the band and sells Blighters as a live act. Through the exposure of the artist throughout my three products I have been able to familiarise them with the audience and create a strong fanbase because the audience can feel engaged and attached with the band.