Being a music industry major in college over the past few years has been incredibly interesting to say the least. Half of my professors talk about how much the industry has been changing and we constantly debate on whether or not it is in a good or bad way. I mean, seriously, it is crazy to think about; I remember begging my mom to buy me the most recent Hilary Duff CD's every year for her to play in the car, and being extremely excited to have that CD and be able to play it on repeat.
As we all know, things are much different now. CDs are rarely bought anymore because everything is accessible to us online and through streaming. What most people don't think about is how this effects artists and musicians, along with the rest of the industry; labels, publishers, licensing agencies, and record stores. Streaming has taken over and most services barely pay artists; which is why I don't blame Taylor Swift for trying to take a stand by not allowing her music to be streamed from Spotify. My professors would constantly tell us that the industry relies on one thing the most; the artist. Seeing the artist struggle because of these things leads to the industry struggling even more.
The industry is still alive, and new kinds of music and genres are being released every day. I believe that live music and shows are playing a huge role in keeping it this way. No matter how digital our world may become with the increasing technology advances and disruptions it may cause to the music industry, live music brings an element to people's lives that not many things can compare to. This is what is keeping the music industry alive in the opinion of many that make their money off of touring, since about 500,000 streams on Spotify will barely earn the musician a dollar. For those of you wondering why concert tickets are as expensive as they are, (aside from Adele and Drake tickets that scalpers sell for outrageous prices), this would be why. I have always believed that concert tickets are completely worth it for the experience, because live shows are my happy place where I just feel so connected to the music, audience, and most importantly the artist. The way that live shows promote the act of engagement with the environment and nostalgia that people around portray is much needed in our digital era in my opinion. People are becoming more drawn to the idea of experience, and live shows create a sense of unison that music lovers can enjoy rather than watching a video of a show on YouTube or listening to the track from your computer. Without fans and artists, there would be no music industry, so live shows are essential in this way.
I may be considered a concertholic or something of that sort, but being a music lover it is hard not to be as I believe that nothing in life beats a great live show. When you're at a show, I encourage you to put your phone away, embrace the moment and enjoy the atmosphere to your best ability!
