Music Business Research – serie

This collection of interviews captures a period of historic change for the global music business along with a wealth of professional knowledge that extends from the late 1960s through to late 2012 when the interviews were conducted. They record the experiences and insights of people who helped to shape a global business that is quickly passing into history and transforming into something entirely new, often because of decisions the interviewees have been directly involved in making. The material includes the aesthetic, artistic, technical, commercial, legal, and strategic aspects of the music industry. What is said is timeless in its historical significance for the music business and in its relevance for researchers engaged in studies on the dynamics of change in the global commercial music landscape.

This book provides rare insights into the difficult and complex dialogues between stakeholders within and outside the music industries in a time of transition. It builds on a series of recorded meetings in which key stakeholders discuss and assess options and considerations for the music industries’ transition to a digital era. These talks were closed to the public and operated under the Chatham House Rule, which means that they involved a very different type of discussion from those held in public settings, panels or conferences. As such, the book offers a much more nuanced understanding of the industries’ difficulties in adjusting to changing conditions, demonstrating the internal power-struggles and differences that make digital change so difficult.After presenting a theoretical framework for assessing digital change in the music industries, the author then provides his research findings, including quotes from the Kristiansand Roundtable Conference. Following from thesefindings, he develops three critical concepts that explain the nature as well as the problems of the music industries’ adaptation process. In conclusion, he challenges the general definition of crisis in the music industries and contradicts the widely held view that digitalization is a case of vertical integration.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of electronic dance music (EDM) and club culture. To do so, it interlinks a broad range of disciplines, revealing their (at times vastly) differing standpoints on the same subject. Scholars from such diverse fields as cultural studies, economics, linguistics, media studies, musicology, philosophy, and sociology share their perspectives. In addition, the book features articles by practitioners who have been active on the EDM scene for many years and discuss issues like gender and diversity problems in general, and the effects of gentrification on club culture in Berlin. Although the book’s main focus is on Berlin, one of the key centers of EDM and club culture, its findings can also be applied to other hotspots. Though primarily intended for researchers and students, the book will benefit all readers interested in obtaining an interdisciplinary overview of research on electronic dance music.

This book offers a comprehensive overview of electronic dance music (EDM) and club culture. To do so, it interlinks a broad range of disciplines, revealing their (at times vastly) differing standpoints on the same subject. Scholars from such diverse fields as cultural studies, economics, linguistics, media studies, musicology, philosophy, and sociology share their perspectives. In addition, the book features articles by practitioners who have been active on the EDM scene for many years and discuss issues like gender and diversity problems in general, and the effects of gentrification on club culture in Berlin. Although the book’s main focus is on Berlin, one of the key centers of EDM and club culture, its findings can also be applied to other hotspots. Though primarily intended for researchers and students, the book will benefit all readers interested in obtaining an interdisciplinary overview of research on electronic dance music.

This book addresses the neglect of visual creativities and content, and how these are commercialised in the music industries. While musical and visual creativities drive growth, there is a lack of literature relating to the visual side of the music business, which is significant given that the production of meaning and value within this business occurs across a number of textual sites.Popular music is a multimedia, discursive, fluid, and expansive cultural form that, in addition to the music itself, includes album covers; gig and tour posters; music videos; set, stage, and lighting designs; live concert footage; websites; virtual reality/augmented reality technologies; merchandise designs; and other forms of visual content. As a result, it has become impossible to understand the meaning and value of music without considering its relation to these visual components and to the interrelationships between them.Using design culture theory, participant observation, interviews, case studies, and a visual methodology to explore the topic, this research-based book is a valuable study aid for undergraduate and postgraduate students of subjects including the music business, design, arts management, creative and cultural industries studies, business and management studies, and media and communications.

This book addresses the neglect of visual creativities and content, and how these are commercialised in the music industries. While musical and visual creativities drive growth, there is a lack of literature relating to the visual side of the music business, which is significant given that the production of meaning and value within this business occurs across a number of textual sites.Popular music is a multimedia, discursive, fluid, and expansive cultural form that, in addition to the music itself, includes album covers; gig and tour posters; music videos; set, stage, and lighting designs; live concert footage; websites; virtual reality/augmented reality technologies; merchandise designs; and other forms of visual content. As a result, it has become impossible to understand the meaning and value of music without considering its relation to these visual components and to the interrelationships between them.Using design culture theory, participant observation, interviews, case studies, and a visual methodology to explore the topic, this research-based book is a valuable study aid for undergraduate and postgraduate students of subjects including the music business, design, arts management, creative and cultural industries studies, business and management studies, and media and communications.

COVID-19 had a global impact on health, communities, and the economy. As a result of COVID-19, music festivals, gigs, and events were canceled or postponed across the world. This directly affected the incomes and practices of many artists and the revenue for many entities in the music business. Despite this crisis, however, there are pre-existing trends in the music business – the rise of the streaming economy, technological change (virtual and augmented reality, blockchain, etc.), and new copyright legislation. Some of these trends were impacted by the COVID-19 crisis while others were not.This book addresses these challenges and trends by following a two-pronged approach: the first part focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on the music business, and the second features general perspectives. Throughout both parts, case studies bring various themes to life. The contributors address issues within the music business before and during COVID-19. Using various critical approaches for studying the music business, this research-based book addresses key questions concerning music contexts, rights, data, and COVID-19. Rethinking the music business is a valuable study aid for undergraduate and postgraduate students in subjects including the music business, cultural economics, cultural management, creative and cultural industries studies, business and management studies, and media and communications.

COVID-19 had a global impact on health, communities, and the economy. As a result of COVID-19, music festivals, gigs, and events were canceled or postponed across the world. This directly affected the incomes and practices of many artists and the revenue for many entities in the music business. Despite this crisis, however, there are pre-existing trends in the music business – the rise of the streaming economy, technological change (virtual and augmented reality, blockchain, etc.), and new copyright legislation. Some of these trends were impacted by the COVID-19 crisis while others were not.This book addresses these challenges and trends by following a two-pronged approach: the first part focuses on the impact of COVID-19 on the music business, and the second features general perspectives. Throughout both parts, case studies bring various themes to life. The contributors address issues within the music business before and during COVID-19. Using various critical approaches for studying the music business, this research-based book addresses key questions concerning music contexts, rights, data, and COVID-19. Rethinking the music business is a valuable study aid for undergraduate and postgraduate students in subjects including the music business, cultural economics, cultural management, creative and cultural industries studies, business and management studies, and media and communications.

The global COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting lockdown imposed in many countries, as well as related safety measures taken by governments and authorities, have posed significant challenges to classical music culture. However, they may also have had a stimulating effect on music festivals and opera houses’ streaming offerings. This book brings together experts from the fields of musicology and music management to share their current empirical research findings on the pandemic-evoked digital transformation of the classical music scene, addressing either the institutional or the reception perspective. Furthermore, it documents discussions with opera dramaturgs and artistic directors, as well as music managers and event producers in the classical field, to share their practical lockdown experiences and current strategies in dealing with the digital transformation of opera. In this way, the volume combines the perspective of academic researchers with that of practitioners in the field. This book is particularly useful for students and researchers in music and media management, as well as musicology. It is also intended to help practitioners from concert houses and opera management, such as dramaturges, artistic directors, marketing and communication directors.

The global COVID-19 pandemic, the resulting lockdown imposed in many countries, as well as related safety measures taken by governments and authorities, have posed significant challenges to classical music culture. However, they may also have had a stimulating effect on music festivals and opera houses’ streaming offerings. This book brings together experts from the fields of musicology and music management to share their current empirical research findings on the pandemic-evoked digital transformation of the classical music scene, addressing either the institutional or the reception perspective. Furthermore, it documents discussions with opera dramaturgs and artistic directors, as well as music managers and event producers in the classical field, to share their practical lockdown experiences and current strategies in dealing with the digital transformation of opera. In this way, the volume combines the perspective of academic researchers with that of practitioners in the field. This book is particularly useful for students and researchers in music and media management, as well as musicology. It is also intended to help practitioners from concert houses and opera management, such as dramaturges, artistic directors, marketing and communication directors.

This book examines the creative and flexible approaches independent jazz labels use to navigate today’s challenging music industry landscape. By combining desk research with in-depth interviews with label owners and digital distributors, this study sheds light on how these micro-enterprises confront limited resources, the impact of streaming services, and an increasingly digital marketplace. It explores key strategies in financial management, distribution, and marketing, revealing how adaptability and creative problem-solving are essential to building a sustainable business. The findings emphasize the role of community building and digital marketing in reaching audiences, as well as the strategic use of digital tools for distribution. Through this detailed analysis, the study offers a practical understanding of the day-to-day realities and long-term goals of independent jazz labels, along with valuable insights for small music enterprises striving to stay relevant.The book is valuable for both an academic audience and practitioners in the field of music production.

This book examines the creative and flexible approaches independent jazz labels use to navigate today’s challenging music industry landscape. By combining desk research with in-depth interviews with label owners and digital distributors, this study sheds light on how these micro-enterprises confront limited resources, the impact of streaming services, and an increasingly digital marketplace. It explores key strategies in financial management, distribution, and marketing, revealing how adaptability and creative problem-solving are essential to building a sustainable business. The findings emphasize the role of community building and digital marketing in reaching audiences, as well as the strategic use of digital tools for distribution. Through this detailed analysis, the study offers a practical understanding of the day-to-day realities and long-term goals of independent jazz labels, along with valuable insights for small music enterprises striving to stay relevant.The book is valuable for both an academic audience and practitioners in the field of music production.

This book explores how democratic decision-making can transform orchestras, which have long been governed by top-down authority. Rooted in early twentieth-century organizational models, orchestras have thrived under centralized control, creating a global industry after 1945. However, this approach has left musicians with limited influence over key decisions, from repertoire to conductor selection. Through case studies of player-governed orchestras (PGOs), the author reveals how shared control reshapes traditional power dynamics, empowering musicians to take part in both artistic and managerial choices.A vital resource for musicians, conductors, arts managers, and researchers in organizational studies, this book offers critical insights for modernizing orchestral governance. It is particularly useful for those leading or forming orchestras, as well as academics studying participatory management, labor relations, or the arts sector. Readers will find practical strategies for sustaining democracy in traditionally hierarchical institutions.

This book reconceives how we understand music and the music business in a changing, borderless era. Bringing researchers from across the globe together, it is a forum that debates and maps the challenges and opportunities of 'music ecosystems' — complex networks that span industries, technologies, jurisdictions and value streams. Challenging conventional labels such as the music industry or music business, the book situates music within the emergent ecosystem economy and examines how artificial intelligence and cross sector platforms amplify complexity and interdependencies. Contributors clarify three complementary uses of ‘ecosystem’ — business ecosystems, the ecosystem economy and music ecosystems — and propose new conceptual tools to capture multi actor, transnational dynamics. Essential reading for students, scholars, policymakers and industry professionals, this volume provides insights and theoretical frameworks for navigating and understanding music ecosystems. It is a timely, rigorous and collaborative resource for anyone seeking to understand the future of music in a world where borders and sectors increasingly blur.

This volume, the first in a three-volume compendium, examines the origins and first wave of digital disruption in the music industry, beginning with the CD and the technological conditions that enabled the shift from physical formats to fully digital consumption. It explores how MP3 compression, broadband adoption, and P2P networks ignited an unprecedented crisis for record labels and reshaped consumer expectations. By analyzing Napster, second-generation file-sharing systems, and the industry’s legal countermeasures, the volume shows how structural change became unavoidable. It also documents how Amazon, Apple, Google, and social media platforms emerged as powerful intermediaries, redefining distribution, discovery, and monetization of music. Combining economic, technological, and cultural analysis, this volume provides a foundational understanding of how digital networks dismantled and rebuilt the recorded-music value chain.