music update #10

One of the biggest pieces of news last week not just for the music industry but in general was HMV going into administration. I mean in a way we all saw it coming but I guess I, and a lot of other people, just didn’t want to believe that this was actually going to happen. I’m really sad that this has happened, HMV is one of my favourite shops, I’ve spent a lot of time in there over the years. I remember the first album I bought from there and going in and spending all the money I had as a teenager on albums. I really do think this is going to be bad for the music industry really, I think it’s just going to give more people an excuse not to buy CD’s and just download albums or songs instead. I know you’ll be able to buy CD’s online still but how many people are going to wait for it to be delivered and let it take up space in their rooms/houses when they can download a few files onto their computer instantly. My main issue with downloading music is illegally downloading it, not paying for something bands/artists have spent months working on, how are they getting paid if you are essentially stealing their work from them. If you are going to illegally download music then go and see that band or buy one of their t-shirts at least so they can at least get some money to carry on making the music you like. I’m not saying I don’t download stuff because I do, mainly from new or old artists that I’ve listened to a bit on Spotify, download a couple of singles from iTunes and then I’ll usually buy the albums on CD from HMV. It’s not just bad for music though, DVD’s and games are now pretty much gone from the high street too. I don’t know about you guys but soon we’ll never leave the house and just order absolutely everything online it seems. A lot of people have blamed HMV for being too expensive but in the majority of cases I find them to be cheaper than Amazon and Play.com when it comes to CD’s and DVD’s. I really hope a buyer steps in for HMV, I would hate to lose the shop I love so much and where I’ve spent so much of my time looking for albums from bands I like or love to add to my absolutely huge CD collection. I guess I’m in the minority here with my CD collection and growing vinyl collection but for music lovers and also I guess for film lovers and games lovers, the day this was announced was a bad but inevitable day. Will you miss HMV?

Onto happier news, it’s been reported that The Strokes are to be releasing their 5th studio album this year! Seattle radio station 107.7 The End have claimed to have had a new Strokes song ‘All The Time’ delivered to them last week and according to their reaction it’s a brilliant song. I didn’t really expect a new album from The Strokes so quickly but I am very happy with this announcement. Another album to look forward to this year from one of my favourite bands.

More Brits news, it’s been announced that Beyonce will be performing at this year’s Brit awards. Hugely excited about that as I love Beyonce. Other artists performing on the night will be The XX, Adele, Alt-J, Jessie Ware and Bat For Lashes. I think in terms of performances it will be a bit different from recent years where it has focused on pop music a lot, having other acts from different genres performing is a really good thing in my opinion. Also, still on a Beyonce note but away from The Brits, here is a really brilliant article in The Independent about feminism and why we should be listening to Beyonce, it’s a really brilliant and thought provoking article definitely give it a read if you have a spare couple of minutes.

Some tour/festival news, Palma Violets have announced a 5 date UK tour, I’m hoping to get myself a ticket for their Sheffield date. Also, Liverpool Sound City Festival have announced some new acts to add to their already pretty amazing bill. The festival which takes place over the weekend of 2nd to 4th of May sees the likes of The Wombats, Reverend and the Makers, Eygptian Hip Hop, Swim Deep, TOY, The Walkmen and The 1975 playing, to see the full line up click here.

Also, the very wonderful Bastille were in the Live Lounge on Radio 1 today. It’s honestly so amazing seeing a band you’ve loved for such a long time come so far and end up on the radio performing their songs live and getting really good reviews too! They performed their new single ‘Pompeii’ and a wonderful cover, their music really is just so beautiful. Here’s the link if you want to have a listen. While I’m talking about Bastille their new video for ‘Pompeii’ was put online this morning, it’s a brilliant video to go with an amazing song, give it a watch.

http://videoplayer.vevo.com/embed/Embedded?videoId=GB1201200092&playlist=false&autoplay=0&playerId=62FF0A5C-0D9E-4AC1-AF04-1D9E97EE3961%20&playerType=embedded&env=0&cultureName=en-US&cultureIsRTL=False

Finally, I’ll leave you with a song that I have been listening to a lot this week.

Credits

– hmv logo.
– The Strokes picture.
– Beyonce picture.

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