Music Industry Analysis
Music Biz curates a feed of music industry news articles, business statistics and trend analysis from a variety of media outlets, filtering out the noise to deliver you the actionable insights you need to succeed. Starting in 2024, these articles will be accessible exclusively from Music Biz’s social media feeds.
May 13, 2020 – MIDiA Research Report: COVID-19 Impact on Entertainment Demand and Behaviors
COVID-19 is having a clear and direct impact on the entertainment and media industries, driven by investor uncertainty – resulting in plummeting share prices – and restrictions on movement of people leading to quickly-transforming consumer behavior patterns. Now the key questions entertainment-focused companies must ask themselves are: does your business have the right strategies to weather current market conditions? Should you prioritise particular territories? What content is relevant to your consumers at this challenging time? What are the available opportunities now,... Read More
May 12, 2020 – Use of Smart Speakers in the U.S. Increases During Quarantine
NPR and Edison Research release The Smart Audio Report Spring 2020, find 77% of adults in the U.S. have had a change in their typical routine due to COVID-19 outbreak New research from The Smart Audio Report from NPR and Edison Research finds that 77% of those in the U.S. age 18+ are experiencing a change in their typical routine due to the outbreak of COVID-19 as of April 1, and voice-assistant usage has expanded during these disruptions.... Read More
May 8, 2020 – Why Holding an Album Until Touring Resumes May Be a ‘Bad Move’
Had everything gone as planned, Margo Price’s anticipated new album, That’s How Rumors Get Started, would have arrived this Friday — but due to the ongoing pandemic, everything changed. At the end of March, Price announced on Instagram that her album would be delayed, saying “Life is postponed until further notice,” and that a summer release seems more realistic. “I want to be able to play this album live and tour with my band all over the world and I know that time will come.”... Read More
May 8, 2020 – Without Federal Aid, More than 1,000 U.S. Music Venues Are in Danger of Closing
It’s been nearly two months since live music shut down. For large concert companies, the revenue slippage has been a major burden. For independent venues, which have no corporate parent to fall back on, it’s an “existential crisis,” says Dayna Frank, board president of the newly formed National Independent Venue Association (NIVA). NIVA is a new coalition of independent venues across the U.S. that includes California’s Troubadour and New York’s Hammerstein Ballroom; despite never having worked together before,... Read More
May 6, 2020 – Post-Pandemic Music Industry Predictions: The Great Divide Between Embraced And Impacted
This period of change will produce two types of musicians: the “Embraced” and the “Impacted.”The Embraced musician is an entrepreneur birthed out of necessity. Living by the creed of “desperate times call for desperate measures,” these individuals will find every opportunity to sustain their careers. The Impacted musician, however, will not fare as well. While everyone has their own unique circumstances and privilege that need to be taken into account, there will be some musicians who objectively view the pandemic as a brick wall that cannot be climbed.... Read More
May 4, 2020 – IFPI Global Music Report 2020: Music Sales Rise For Fifth Straight Year to $20 Billion
Global music sales grew for the fifth consecutive year in 2019 with streaming accounting for more than half of all label revenue for the first time, according to the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry’s (IFPI) “Global Music Report 2020.” Total revenues climbed to $20.2 billion, a rise of 8.2% on the previous year. Driving the growth was a 23% rise in streaming revenues, which totaled $11.4 billion, accounting for 56% of all sales and offsetting a 5.3% fall in physical sales.... Read More
May 1, 2020 – Here’s How the Music Community Can Get Free Coronavirus-Related Legal Services
As the music community continues to wrap its head around the complexities the CARES Act and other financial relief programs responding to the coronavirus pandemic, dozens of entertainment attorneys are volunteering their time and expertise to provide free legal services to help industry professionals figure out the resources available to them. Three non-profits — New York’s Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA), California Lawyers for the Arts and Volunteer Lawyers & Professionals for the Artists of the Arts &... Read More
April 30, 2020 – Licensed to Stream? Clearing Rights Can Be Tricky In the ‘Wild West’ Livestream Age
With venues closed, more artists are turning to livestream performances — some without the proper licenses. “There’s probably a lot of infringement going on.” To make sure acts like Elton John, Lady Gaga and Billie Eilish could perform the songs they wanted during Global Citizen’s April 18 “One World: Together at Home” concert, Julie Wadley and her team worked 12-hour days for over a week. “I woke up early, I worked late,” says the owner of Say Yes!... Read More
April 29, 2020 – Minecraft, Fortnite And Avatars; How Lockdown Is Changing The Future Of Live Music
While live streaming is enjoying a well-deserved renaissance, an intriguing view of the future of live music could be glimpsed by visiting two virtual worlds last week. A concert by American rapper Travis Scott was broadcast live from within the online video game Fortnite, reaching more than 12.3 million players and setting an all-time record for participation in the game’s events. Anarchic noise-pop duo 100 gecs hosted the Square Garden Festival in Minecraft featuring Charli XCX,... Read More
April 27, 2020 – More Government Funding Coming for Struggling Businesses, Musicians: Here’s What You Need to Know
This month some in the music industry have been receiving crucial financial support through the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) Act, signed by President Donald Trump on March 25, that allocated $350 billion to help small businesses affected by the coronavirus and keep workers employed. But the program’s rollout of the Payroll Protection Plan and other relief options was muddied and often baffling, leaving many more without much-needed support. The CARES Act is a well intentioned,... Read More
