27 votes

Musicians only got 12% of the $43 billion the music industry generated in 2017, and it mostly came from touring

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13 comments

  1. Neverland
    Link
    This is pretty interesting though: On another note, I can’t find the source atm, but I read that labels agreed to the terrible per-stream deals for them and artists while at the same time...

    This is pretty interesting though:

    The proportion of the total music industry revenue artists are capturing has actually risen since 2000, when artists took home only a 7% share of the revenue.

    But this increase is due in large part to the growth of concerts and touring as a revenue stream that is largely distinct from the intermediary of their music labels. Artists are still taking home a meager share of the increasing revenues in streaming for their music, where music labels and music streaming services act as intermediaries.

    On another note, I can’t find the source atm, but I read that labels agreed to the terrible per-stream deals for them and artists while at the same time investing in Spotify. A little bit of the reach around there?

    7 votes
  2. [6]
    Lazarus
    Link
    Soooooo if we want to stick it to the greedy labels and middlemen that want us to buy albums for $25 like we did in the 90s, we NEED to pirate it- as at the end of the day it almost doesn’t affect...

    Soooooo if we want to stick it to the greedy labels and middlemen that want us to buy albums for $25 like we did in the 90s, we NEED to pirate it- as at the end of the day it almost doesn’t affect the musicians at all?

    5 votes
    1. [4]
      demifiend
      (edited )
      Link Parent
      Because that has worked so well thus far? If musicians want a better deal from the record industry, they need to go on strike, or do something to fuck with the supply.

      Soooooo if we want to stick it to the greedy labels and middlemen that want us to buy albums for $25 like we did in the 90s, we NEED to pirate it- as at the end of the day it almost doesn’t affect the musicians at all?

      Because that has worked so well thus far? If musicians want a better deal from the record industry, they need to go on strike, or do something to fuck with the supply.

      3 votes
      1. [3]
        Lazarus
        Link Parent
        Yeah “striking” doesn’t work like it used to. Sadly- I wish it did, people who actually do the work and make the content would get their fair share. I would argue that actually piracy did a great...

        Yeah “striking” doesn’t work like it used to. Sadly- I wish it did, people who actually do the work and make the content would get their fair share.

        I would argue that actually piracy did a great job- it showed that there was a very legitimate interest in digital media that was much cheaper than before and was easily accessible online.

        4 votes
        1. [2]
          demifiend
          Link Parent
          Artists need to stay indie and refuse to do business with corporations trying to collect rent off their work. Screw strikes. That doesn't do the musicians much good.

          Yeah “striking” doesn’t work like it used to. Sadly- I wish it did, people who actually do the work and make the content would get their fair share.

          Artists need to stay indie and refuse to do business with corporations trying to collect rent off their work. Screw strikes.

          I would argue that actually piracy did a great job- it showed that there was a very legitimate interest in digital media that was much cheaper than before and was easily accessible online.

          That doesn't do the musicians much good.

          4 votes
          1. Lazarus
            Link Parent
            True, but it took some of the power away from the middlemen and gave it back to the consumer. As you mentioned, the artists need to do something on their end.

            That doesn’t do the musicians much good

            True, but it took some of the power away from the middlemen and gave it back to the consumer. As you mentioned, the artists need to do something on their end.

            4 votes
    2. [2]
      Comment removed by site admin
      Link Parent
      1. Lazarus
        Link Parent
        Labels drop artists who strike.

        Labels drop artists who strike.

  3. [2]
    NubWizard
    Link
    I wish more artists were on Patreon. I would give a monthly contribution to all of my favorite artists.

    I wish more artists were on Patreon. I would give a monthly contribution to all of my favorite artists.

    4 votes
    1. MyRealName
      Link Parent
      There's Bandcamp for that too. (Granted, it's not a continuous support, but I do buy albums there every now and then if it's an artist I like.)

      There's Bandcamp for that too. (Granted, it's not a continuous support, but I do buy albums there every now and then if it's an artist I like.)

      1 vote
  4. nsz
    Link
    Well I guess it sucks for musicians - but it kind of shows just how many more people are involved then just the band. I mean in an indirect way there are maybe, hundreds (thousands?) of people...

    Well I guess it sucks for musicians - but it kind of shows just how many more people are involved then just the band. I mean in an indirect way there are maybe, hundreds (thousands?) of people behind any musician that also deserve to get part of that pie.

    3 votes
  5. [2]
    djmicrobeads
    Link
    From the point of view of the artists, a record is a marketing tool to entice people to concerts.

    From the point of view of the artists, a record is a marketing tool to entice people to concerts.

    3 votes
    1. harrygibus
      Link Parent
      The problem is now the same greedy assholes who were screwing them on their record deals are leveraging the record deals (promotional instruments) to get a portion of their concert and swag take...

      The problem is now the same greedy assholes who were screwing them on their record deals are leveraging the record deals (promotional instruments) to get a portion of their concert and swag take as well.

      1 vote
  6. name
    Link
    One of the more interesting directions that streaming can head in the not-so-distant future is for their platforms to transition Spotify itself into a producer. It would offer a larger stream of...

    One of the more interesting directions that streaming can head in the not-so-distant future is for their platforms to transition Spotify itself into a producer. It would offer a larger stream of revenue for Spotify, and potentially for the artists too for it to be an incentive to join.

    We're seeing Spotify try to position itself as the home for Music, where they offer concerts, merch, lyrics in the whole ecosystem. Obviously if Spotify tries to poach artists directly from the labels, they'll likely suffer recourse, but I can totally see them doing this to try and finally make some profits.

    Apple Music? I'm surprised iTunes didn't do this earlier, so there must be something I'm missing. Any ideas?

    2 votes