The effect of the internet on the music industry and music video

Over the past ten years the internet has revolutionised many aspects of modern life. The music industry and music video specifically have grown due to the internet. Bands often run a website as well as many profiles on sites such as MySpace, Twitter, Facebook, Youtube and PureVolume among others. Since the start of MySpace in 2003 small bands have been able to reach fans from across the globe. Websites often contain tour dates, merchandise, and things such as forums where fans can communicate with each other. Fans can also joling mailing lists where they will receive a blanket email fom the band each month which often gives them access to tickets/merch before general release. The average bands MySpace contains links to buy their music and merchandise, sample clips from songs, links to videos and other sites they run. Since 2006 Sites such as Twitter have hosted band pages, where the band can tell their fans what they are doing and give them updates.

Youtube has had the biggest effect on music videos. Bands often set up accounts so they can share music videos, live videos as well as video blogs or behind the scenes footage. Due to copyright laws private users can not upload bands music videos, but bands who wish to keep in touch with their audience often run their own account.

The main effect the internet has had on the music industry is the level of communication between bands and the fans. Fans can add the band as 'friends', or 'follow' them, and this is a great promotional tool for the band, as well as a great way to connect with the fans and make new fans. Before the internet small bands had to tour the whole country just to get a name for themselves. With the internet bands can send their music around the world with the click of a button. Before the internet the only way fans could stay in touch was to join fan clubs, which were often indirect and created by the record label rather than the band.

The Auteur's MySpace- www.myspace.com/theauteuruk