Radiohead’s decision to let consumers choose what to pay for its new album seems to have started a trend. Two other acts no longer in contract to the big labels – Oasis and Jamiroquai – are rumoured to be considering taking similar action with their new music.
While Radiohead haven’t released how many people have already signed up for its new album, the newspaper The Daily Telegraph reports that internet monitoring service Hitwise recorded an 11-fold increase in hits on the band’s site, making it the top music site overall. Google has seen a ten-fold rise in internet hits.
On an interesting note, the band’s spokesperson apparently claims that more fans are signing up for the £40 box set containing vinyl, CDs and artwork than the digital offer. Perhaps a sign that while people want digital music for free, if you offer enough enticements and extras, people will still be willing to pay for something more permanent?
It is interesting to see so many of the predictions of French economist Jacques Attali at MIDEM 2007 – where he said that music would soon be free for consumers and artists needed to start thinking about making their money from offering experiences – come true so quickly.
The music industry will be watching this trend carefully…..and so will all the brands hoping to fill the gap between consumer and artist. It is notable that The Charlatans are offering people their new album for free if they visit the website of radio station XfM – how long before it is artists telling fans to visit the Pepsi or Coke website to download their wares? Interesting times.
November 18, 2007 at 3:18 am |
radiohead playlist http://www.seeqpod.com/music/?plid=d88741f84a