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Record labels dig their own grave, and the shovel is called TikTok

tedgioia.substack.com

11–20 of 198 posts

Re: Record labels dig their own grave, and the shovel is called TikTok

#11
post #9
post #7

I think I'm just an old guy at this point who doesn't get it but what is so different between tik tok, youtube, bandcamp etc? Can't you view popularity metrics on all of these platforms? Why are they so focused on this one platform?

Because TikTok is mainly (not "only", just "mainly") about people watching short-form content like stupid dancing/music memes, "edgy" political commentary, "challenges" and other low-quality garbage content consumed primarily by teens since humans left trees. And teens are the primary target audience for a certain segment of the music industry.

Just call it what it is, they're Blipverts

Re: Record labels dig their own grave, and the shovel is called TikTok

#12
post #3

I don’t get why artists even use record labels anymore. Is there something that Facebook/YouTube/iTunes etc doesn’t provide?

Facebook/YouTube/iTunes doesn't give your band a $200,000 advance and fund a tour schedule across the USA eastern seaboard.

Re: Record labels dig their own grave, and the shovel is called TikTok

#14
When I read this, I was trying to map "record labels" and "music" onto "big 5 publishers" and "books."

The Big 5 are not quite there yet, but you can almost feel it gestating in the minds of those executives: "publish your book yourself, and if it's a hit, then we'll reprint it and do your next one."

In the other article by Ted Gioia (the talk with Rick Beato), Ted said, back in the old days, half the people in the record business were Mafia, and Rick said "literally Mafia." I don't think ethical standards in the music industry have risen materially since then.

Re: Record labels dig their own grave, and the shovel is called TikTok

#15
post #5
post #3

I don’t get why artists even use record labels anymore. Is there something that Facebook/YouTube/iTunes etc doesn’t provide?

It is a lot more complex than it seems from the outside. If you want to play a live show somewhere big (reach the most fans, sell merch and earn the big bucks), Live Nation owns the venue. Live Nation is Clear Channel and Ticket Master. Live Nation also owns radio, where your show would be advertised. The big labels all have deals with Live Nation. It is all super super shady.

Who wants to build a competitor?

Re: Record labels dig their own grave, and the shovel is called TikTok

#16
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is a lot more complex than it seems from the outside. If you want to play a live show somewhere big (reach the most fans, sell merch and earn the big bucks), Live Nation owns the venue. Live Nation is Clear Channel and Ticket Master. Live Nation also owns radio, where your show would be advertised. The big labels all have deals with Live Nation. It is all super super shady.

Who wants to build a competitor?

The entity you’re trying to compete against has enough money & reach to have your body dissolved in acid & dumped in the Mariana Trench within a few hours if they so feel. The incentive to do so as well.

If you’re not already part of the family, your chances of successfully competing against is nil

Re: Record labels dig their own grave, and the shovel is called TikTok

#18
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It is a lot more complex than it seems from the outside. If you want to play a live show somewhere big (reach the most fans, sell merch and earn the big bucks), Live Nation owns the venue. Live Nation is Clear Channel and Ticket Master. Live Nation also owns radio, where your show would be advertised. The big labels all have deals with Live Nation. It is all super super shady.

Who wants to build a competitor?

Competitor to what, Live Nation? It is a wide range of different businesses. There is nothing to compete with since you're competing with everything. Any time something infringes on one of their areas, they just buy it or put it out of business. Them being a global company makes it impossible to even get started.

Case in point, check out Insomniac...

  Insomniac produces some of the most innovative, immersive music festivals and events in the world. Enhanced by state-of-the-art lighting, pyrotechnics and sound design, large-scale art installations, theatrical performers and next generation special effects, our events captivate the senses and inspire a unique level of fan interaction.  The quality of the Headliner experience is our top priority.

  Insomniac produces 10,000 concerts, club nights and festivals for seven million attendees annually across the globe. Since its inception, Insomniac's events have taken place in 13 countries across five continents. The company's premiere annual event, Electric Daisy Carnival Las Vegas, is the world’s largest dance music festival and attracts more than 525,000 fans over three days. The company was founded by Pasquale Rotella and has been based in Los Angeles since it was formed in 1993.

Little do they tell you... "In 2013, Insomniac entered into a creative partnership with Live Nation."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insomniac_(promoter)

Such a close creative partnership that LN hosts the jobs page for Insomniac... for example...

https://livenation.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/InsomniacExternalSi...

If your record label isn't in cahoots with these guys, you aren't playing anywhere public. There is nothing that YouTube and TikTok can do to help you there...

Re: Record labels dig their own grave, and the shovel is called TikTok

#20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Who wants to build a competitor?

Competitor to what, Live Nation? It is a wide range of different businesses. There is nothing to compete with since you're competing with everything. Any time something infringes on one of their areas, they just buy it or put it out of business. Them being a global company makes it impossible to even get started. Case in point, check out Insomniac... Insomniac produces some of the most innovative, immersive music fes…

For anyone who wants to take a crack at building a competitor on the ticketing side: https://seatgeek.com/jobs
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