Music fans’ growing appetite for subscription and streaming services have helped stop a slide in revenue in most major music markets in 2013, with overall digital revenues growing 4.3 per cent and Europe’s music market expanding marginally for the first time in more than a decade.
However, the US recorded music market continues to stagnate, growing by a mere 0.8 per cent in trade revenue terms despite strong demand for streaming services. Latin America saw one of the strongest areas for growth, at 1.4 per cent, with strong digital revenues helping offset declining physical sales.
Overall global music trade revenues fell by 3.9 per cent to US$15.0 billion in 2013. The result was heavily influenced by a 16.7 per cent fall in Japan, which accounts for more than a fifth of global revenues. Why the big drop in Japan? Mobile ringtones have made up a huge part of the revenue over the past decade, but that has been rapidly eroding as the population upgrades to smartphones.
Excluding Japan, the overall global recorded music market was broadly flat, declining in value by 0.1 per cent.
“Even accounting for the difficult situation in Japan, the global recording industry is in a positive phase of its development,” said Frances Moore, chief executive of IFPI. “Revenues in most major markets have returned to growth. Streaming and subscription services are thriving. Consumers have a wider choice than ever before between different models and services. And digital music is moving into a clearly identifiable new phase as record companies, having licensed services across the world, now start to tap the enormous potential of emerging markets.”
This Week’s New Tracks On Triple J
Album Packet:
La Dispute – Rooms Of The House [Better Living/Resist]
Adds:
The Aston Shuffle – No Place Like Home {Ft. Kaelyn Behr} [EMI]
Babaganoüj – Too Late For Love [triplejunearthed.com]
Dustin Tebbutt – Bones [Eleven/Universal]
Magic Bones – Round The Block [triplejunearthed.com]
The Orwells – The Righteous Ones [Warner]
Plague Vendor – Black Sap Scriptures [Epitaph]
The Way Of The Eagle – Shadows {Ft. Harry James Angus} [Sony]
Zhu – Faded [Mind Of A Genius]
Spots:
Grimm – Electrify {Ft. Father Dude} [triplejunearthed.com]
Kim Churchill – Window To The Sky [triplejunearthed.com]
Mac DeMarco – Passing Out Pieces [Spunk]
Yogi – Burial {Ft. Pusha T} [OWSLA]
Industry News
Dark Mofo Cancels Expansion Plans
After earlier announcing that popular Tasmianian event Dark Mofo would also bring its unique music lineup, arts curation, and winter-themed installations to Launceston – from Friday 20th June to Saturday 5th July, Dark Mofo Creative Director Leigh Carmichael has today announced that they are cancelling all expansion plans.
“It is with some regret that today we are announcing that Dark Mofo is withdrawing from its expansion into Launceston,” Carmichael said.
“While we have received great support and encouragement from the people of Northern Tasmania, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, the State Government, the Launceston City Council, and local businesses, we have been unable to develop a sustainable business model at this time.”
“It is our strong belief that the event would not be able to deliver the economic and social outcomes that an investment of public money of this size should expect, and it is highly unlikely the event would survive past the inaugural year. Given the resources required to make the event happen, we believe proceeding at this point would be an irresponsible use of public funds. ”
Live Nation Australia & New Zealand Expands Further
Live Nation Australia and New Zealand have announced the launch of a Family Entertainment Division. Graham Kennedy, Senior Manager of Global Touring for The Wiggles, has joined as Head of Family Entertainment. Locally, the Live Nation Family Division is looking to forge long term partnerships with existing and emerging brands that will have live touring potential in Australia, as well as developing this area through Live Nation’s unique global network.
The new Family Division follows the very successful launch of the Live Nation Australia’s Comedy Division in 2012. Recent comedy highlights have included sell out tours for Dave Chappelle, The Wayans Brothers, Jason Byrne and Alan Davies.
Create/Control Announces New Partnerships With International Labels Downtown Records (US) and Mute (UK)
Building on its stable of renowned international label partners, Create/Control is elated to announce two more label partnerships. Joining Innovative Leisure, Vagrant and Arts & Crafts is New York based Downtown Records and British record label Mute.
It was at the end of last year that Create/Control announced the first of its international label partners for Australia and New Zealand, following the unveiling of the world-class online platform that positions Create/Control as one of the most forward thinking labels in the world.
“One of the goals for Create/Control was to always be a label for labels and not just a distribution service. Both Mute and Downtown are recognised worldwide for their remarkable rosters and incredible A&R. I feel pretty honoured they would choose Create/Control to be their home in ANZ. We all have a shared vision to do things a new way and we’re really excited for what’s to come,” says managing director Paul Piticco.
Nina Las Vegas Leaves Triple J’s House Party
After five and a half years of sound tracking our Saturday nights, Nina Las Vegas will be stepping back from hosting triple j’s House Party in order to concentrate on an expanded role on Mix Up Exclusives.
After a short break to travel to London, Paris, Berlin and some of the world’s biggest music events, including Coachella and the Miami Winter Music Conference, Nina will return to host an hour of cutting edge electronic music, before presenting you with three exclusive sets from producers around the globe, each Saturday from Saturday 7 June.
While Nina will continue to be involved in all aspects of dance music on triple j, her expanded role on Mix Up Exclusives creates an exciting opportunity for a new House Party DJ/producer to take over the decks and get your Saturday nights started. Tune in on Saturday 22 March as Nina Las Vegas announces the new host of triple j’s House Party.
Artist Signings
Sweat It Out! Signs Crooked Colours
Perth electronic three-piece Crooked Colours have signed to Sweat It Out!, following winning the triple j unearthed competition to play at St Jerome’s Laneway Festival and their most recent single ‘Come Down’ being added to high rotation on triple k.
Chiodos Sign to Faction for Australia
Michigan USA’s Chiodos have signed with Faction in Australia who will release the bands fourth full length ‘Devil’ which features the return of founding members, front man Craig Owens and drummer Derrick Frost plus new recruit Thomas Erak (The Fall Of Troy) on April 4, 2014.
