Coldplay demonstrate the problem with the music industry
Dan Thornton | June 23, 2008It’s not a surprise that Coldplay are top of the UK singles chart (along with the album chart as well). Whatever you think of their music, they’ve got the fanbase and the following to make it as close to a sure thing as could be - despite the fact they got beaten by the Crazy Frog ringtone in 2005!
But what is very interesting is the fact that the official single to be released, Violet Hill, is only at number 11 on the charts. The song at number 1, Viva La Vida, was actually only made available as a download to fans who had pre-ordered the new album, just three days before the singles chart was compiled.
So the track available as a bonus download for pre-ordered albums beats out a physical copy costing £1.99 by the same band.
For me, this is another sure sign that the singles chart should become purely about downloaded tracks, and that increasing numbers of bands and people are understanding that downloadable music is something which can be enjoyed as an incentive, or as promotional, or a taster - and not necessarily as the end product which supports the music industry.
For a more groundbreaking example, just take a look at what Nine Inch Nails did…
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I am not up on the music industry. I
Jo | June 24, 2008I am not up on the music industry. I think what we are seeing though is not just a wind change in marketing, but a whole new way of doing business.
PS We need to get into into the swarm. Swarm Tribes is sponsored for UK bans to provide SMS-ing for their fans. Swarms could be useful for some of your communities too.