Musicians Utilizing Social Media

As we know, social media is a way of life these days, especially for digital marketing.  Just look at all the advertisements on Facebook.  Speaking of Facebook, the recent news of Facebook’s initial public offering (IPO) starting at $38 per share, has U2’s front man Bono in the news.  Bono bought into Facebook when it is fresh and word is that he may now be one of the richest musicians in the world (after Paul McCartney).  Bono has more than a two-percent stake in Facebook and it is worth $1.5 billion.  (Kaufman, 2012) This brings me to the topic of how musicians are utilizing social media to share their music with the world and interact with the fans.  How many musicians are utilizing this? I would say that if you are a musician and not on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media networks then you are in the dark ages.  I would guess that some utilize it more than others.  It’s not surprising that Bono is on board with social media and interacting because after all, it’s Bono! U2 uses social media to be connected with the fans during their live show.  Although U2’s tour is an enormous production, I’m sure there are other bands who use social media during the live show to connect with the fans. 

Recently I attended 2 concerts, Roger Waters and Coldplay.  While attending these concerts I was involved in social media, as were people sitting around me in the audience.  We were all taking pictures and I know that I was posting them on Facebook.  I would take a guess that others were doing the same.  In 2009 and 2011 I attended the U2 360 Tour.  A blog article in High Talk, 3 Social Media Lessons from U2, by George F. Snell III, talks about how it was difficult to avoid social media at a U2 live show (the article refers to the actual show I attended in Foxborough, Massachusetts).   Snell talks about how U2 used technology and social media throughout the show to interact with the fans.  It is well known that U2 care about world issues (e.g. One.org, Amnesty.org) and they used technology, social media and the web to create a strong bond with their fans and to get them on board with the causes they care about.  While U2 is entertaining their fans, they are also getting them connected and using the power of the web to tell stories, get people connected and sell their brands.  Most consumers want connection to the people behind the brand they are interested in buying, Bono creates a human face to U2 while he showcases his products and ideas to his fans.   So in this case what Bono is selling is a cause and he can sometimes get a bit political, but the way he interweaves it into an amazing show works.  He is also selling his music. 

In my last blog I said I was going to attend Roger Waters in San Francisco.  I also said I would give a review, as I had posted a blog about the difference between the arena and stadium shows.  But I don’t have much to report, the show was basically the same (fantastic) but just larger.  I will add a video of Roger Waters discussing how he uses social media.  

References:

Kaufman, G. (2012, May 18). Facebook IPO Could Smash Records, Spur New Tech Wave:  MTV News takes you behind the scenes of Facebook in a    2011 documentary that explores the company's unique non-corporate culture. Retrieved from: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685335/facebook-ipo-diary.jhtml

Kaufman, G. (2012, May 18). Bono's Billion-Dollar Facebook IPO Haul: By The Numbers: You could buy nearly seven million pair of Bulgari Bono sunglasses the cash. Retrieved from: http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1685414/bono-facebook-ipo-billion.jhtml

Snell, George F. III. (2012, September 2009). 3 Social Media Lessons from U2.  Retrieved from: http://hightalk.net/2009/09/21/3-social-media-lessons-from-u2/  

The 2012 Concert Season

Last year around this time I wrote about what the 2011 summer concert season looked like.  

Well, it is now 2012 and a whole new year of concert production on the road.  Last year may have been U2 but this year it’s Coldplay, at least for starters.  Other bands expected to tour in 2012 are Madonna, Lady Gaga, Van Halen (with David Lee Roth), Aerosmith, Fleetwood Mac, Phish, The Dave Matthews Band, Radiohead, Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw, Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, The Eagles, to name a few. 

Last week I attended my first concert of 2012, Coldplay.  The concert was at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, and the first Coldplay concert I have been too.  I’ve liked the band since the song “Yellow” came out in 2000.  I had tickets to Coldplay in 2009 but had an accident and broke my leg a few days before, gave the tickets away.  So I have been looking forward to them touring again.  I have to say, this concert was worth the wait.  Upon entering the concert, I was given a pink bracelet that said Coldplay on one side and Twitter on the other, and told to put the bracelet on; it was part of the show. 

When the lights went off and Coldplay came on stage my bracelet lit bright pink: and those around me did the same: a myriad of rainbow-colored lights: red, yellow, pink, blue, green. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen at a show before, sort of like glow sticks but high tech.  The stage was painted with black light florescent paint, and the lights were like black lights, there was also a lazar light show. It was fantastic!!  The show went on with a continuous array of lights and neon colors, along with confetti falling off at different times throughout the show.  At one time the singer, Chris Martin, was rolling around on stage in the confetti.  Not only was the light and confetti show cool, but Chris Martin’s singing, piano playing, and guitar was very impressive.  Stacy Scales of Spinning Platters.com gave a great review on April 30, 2012. 

I think what really impressed me was the audience interaction. Chris and the band really made a point to interact with the band, starting with the bracelets, and ending with the band appearing on a small platform, in the audience at the back of the arena for the first encore.  This show was worth every penny and I would see Coldplay again. 

It looks like the 2012 concert season is going to be a good one. 

Next week I will be attending Roger Waters, The Wall, at AT&T Park, San Francisco.  I will do a blog post for this concert as it connects to a blog post from November 2011.  In that blog post I talked about the difference between Roger Waters, The Wall arena tour vs. stadium tour. 

http://soundcheck.ocregister.com/files/2012/05/coldplay1.jpg

http://spinningplatters.com/2012/04/30/show-review-coldplay-with-the-pierces-and-metronomy-at-hp-pavilion-4282012/

Jeff Kravitz/WireImage/LEON NEAL/AFP/Getty Images/Kevin Mazur/Johannes Simon/Getty Images

Get Writing that Book!

This month, the class I took for my Masters Degree in Entertainment Business Management is Media Publishing and Distribution.  This class rocks!  Not that I haven’t liked the majority of classes I’ve taken so far, but this one was very valuable. See, I’ve been talking about writing a book/memoir for years.  I even took two classes on writing a book and writing your life story.  Those classes were helpful in how to put your thoughts on paper, but not in getting published.  I had no idea where to start.  For those who know me, I am writing a book about my interesting life because people always tell me I should write a book.  Not only do I have interesting stories, I am good at telling them.  It must be my Irish heritage. 

My book is about concert production and life backstage from the view of someone who worked in various jobs that people outside the music industry, and possibly those in the music industry, may not even be aware of.  One of these jobs is hospitality catering and the other is a concert runner or production assistant (production assistant is really just a glorified runner in some cases). A concert runner is usually one of the first to report for work in the morning and the last to leave. The book goes beyond just the jobs but into the personal friendships and short-term relationships that came about as the result of a passion for music, the excitement of backstage, the artists, and the variety of people from all over the world who are involved in music.  This book is also about a simple life in rural Vermont during 1992-1998.  Interweaving life in the music industry while raising 2 children as a single mother, attending college. 

Through this class, I found some great resources.  I also found out that there are many agents out there looking for all kinds of material.  It is a good idea to find the agent who is looking for the kind of book you want to write.  There are also many self-publishing websites out there, some with step-by-step instructions on getting your book published.  A site that I found informative is www.writersdigest.com. I now receive email from Writers Digest.  Writers’ blogs on the internet are also very helpful.  There are so many of them.  It’s a bit overwhelming when you first look at them all, you have to go through them and find the ones that apply to you.  I did find this article that explains writers blogs and lists the best 39 blogs for writers, in fact, the article is called The 39 Best Blogs for Writers.  (Klems, 2012)  This article refers to another article by Writer’s Market editor Robert Lee Brewer called Best Blogs for Writers to Read in 2012.  These blogs are really good for finding people and information so that maybe I can get my book published.

(Klems, Brian). (February 12, 2012). The 39 Best Blogs for Writers. Retrieved on February 16, 2012 from http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/the-39-best-blogs-for-writers

http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.com/2012/02/best-blogs-for-writers-to-read-in-2012.html

A New Take on the Concert Industry: Playing for the Audience

Let’s take a look at the concert industry for the last 4 years. Who has been touring and selling out shows?  How much are consumers paying for tickets?  Who is the audience?  Are people still interested in live music? 

First, it seems as though the bands that are selling out, are bands that have been touring for many years, bands that were popular in the 80’s.  According to Live 2.0, the top grossing touring acts hasn’t changed much since 1988.  Here are the bands on that list that were also touring in 1988:  Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, and AC/DC.  (McCarthy, 2009)  Other “older” bands that are still touring and selling out stadiums are U2 (top grossing band of 2011), and Roger Waters.  Roger Waters, Madonna, Bruce Springsteen and the original Van Halen are already selling out venues this year. 

So, who is the audience?  The audience is not just the “baby boomers” or those who could have been to any of these concerts in the 80’s.  Now a younger crowd, probably the children of those baby boomers are attending.  I think that the reason people are attending concerts is because they want to be there with their favorite band and be part of the music.  Ticket prices are high, but seeing your favorite band live is worth paying the high prices. 

I found an interesting article written in 2011, by Jim McCarthy, CEO of Goldstar.  The article included some informative links and a Ted talks audio, and talks about how the concert industry has evolved over the past 10 – 15 years.   A lot of this has to do with record sales.  Record sales have gone way down over the past few years, with the inexpensive price of downloads, verses vinyl and/or CD’s.  Because of the cheap price of music, people are placing a higher value on live interaction than ever before.  In the article, Jim made a good point, when he said that younger bands are going to have to start “tuning up” to entice the audiences of tomorrow.  The older bands like Bruce Springsteen, Madonna, Fleetwood Mac, The Eagles, and even U2 are not going to be selling out stadiums, or even smaller venues in 2020.  Other bands, venues, and artist managers are going to have to work and find out what the audience wants in a live performance.  






(McCarthy, Jim). (Jan. 15, 2009). Maybe I Should be Writing this on my Commodore 64. Retrieved on February 16, 2012 from http://www.download-not-available.com/quick-takes/maybe-i-should-be-writing-this-on-my-commodore-64-too

(McCarthy, Jim). (Nov. 10, 2011). Live Music Needs a Tuneup To Entice the Audiences of Tomorrow. Retrieved on February 16, 2012 from
http://www.fastcompany.com/1794113/pricing-live-music-to-lure-tomorrows-fans#ixzz1dmdaGsrS

Entertainment Law Update Podcast Episode 13 - by Gordon Firemark

Gordon Firemark and Tamara Bennett Trademark, Copyright, Entertainment Attorneys discuss a variety of issues on August 25, 2010.  The following are two issues I found interesting:

Invasion of Privacy issue:  Justin Beiber tweeted 15-year old Kevin Krisopik’s phone number on a Saturday night, telling his 4.5 million followers that it was his own phone number.  Kevin received 26,000 calls and text messages from fans of Justin Beiber.   Justin admitted to going this and said that he did it because Kevin got ahold of Justin’s cell phone number, and had been bothering him with unwanted, annoying text messages. Kevin’s father is worried about the phone bill.   Gordon and Tamara discussed what the possible damages would be.  There were not any monetary damages because Kevin had an unlimited text messaging phone plan.  It may have cost money to change the phone number, but that is small claims issue, probably not worth pursuing. It was the responsibility of Justin.  Was there a right of privacy violation?  Since the phone number was private, a reasonable person would think it is a violation of privacy.  Was it an intentional and willful act of Beiber?  Probably not.  The discussion of this case was interesting because the attorneys did bring up any possible legal liability, that could apply to this case, but none of them applied.  

The next discussion that I found interesting is the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) indecency policy ruling that, the FCC must allow for isolated instances.  This case involved, Fox Broadcasting, which had been cited by the FCC for comments made by Cher and Nicole Ritchie during the Billboard Music Awards show in 2002 and 2003.  (Teinowitz, 2010).   A Fox spokesman, Scot Grogin, stated, “we must allow for the unfortunate isolated instances where inappropriate language slips through.”  (Teinowitz, 2010)  The Federal Court had tossed the FCC’s indecency policy, ruling that it violates the First Amendment and admonished it for vague enforcement.  The court referred to incidences such as Janet Jackson’s “wardrobe malfunction” and Bono’s f-bomb at the Golden Globes.  The three-judge panel at the U.S. court or appeals called the FCC policy “unconstitutionally vague” and it “creates a chilling effect”. 

The podcast discussed the fact that the networks indecency policy is impermissibly vague, and that it results in a standard that even the FCC cannot articulate or apply consistently.  I agree with Firemark and Bennett, there has to be flexibility in the law to protect kids and those with sensitive ears for when these things happen.  This issue has to do with an expression of excitement, that sometimes happens on live television.  The FCC has a list of 7 bad words you can’t say on live television.  Should there be a list of the 7 bad words?  Is the list the right criteria?  Maybe the list should be updated. And, the policy has to be clear and concise so that it can be followed.  I also agree that the policy is unconstitutional and the FCC must update it. 

The second issue is something that could possibly apply to my business plan.  You never know if the artist I manage could win an award and I would be there with them to accept it.  Some of the other issues discussed on the podcast were on-going and more research would have to be done to go back to the original cases.  

Detroit Free Press, The Detroit News, WSJ. (August 17, 2010). Justin's Evil Prank. Retrieved on January 29, 2012, from http://theweek.com/article/index/206135/justin-biebers-evil-prank

http://firemark.com/2010/08/25/entertainment-law-update-podcast-episode/

Teinowitz, Ira (July 13, 2010). Fox 'Pleased' by Indecency Ruling: 'Must Allow for Isolated Instances'.       Retrieve on January 29, 2012, from http://www.thewrap.com/media/column-post/court-tosses-fccs-indecency-policy-first-amendment-  violation-19182

Legal Liabilities in the Concert Industry

The entertainment industry has many different kinds of lawsuits.  I think a career as an entertainment attorney would be very interesting.  There are a few different lawsuit articles that I found interesting relating to the concert industry.

The first issue is a lawsuit filed on December 28, 2011, by Juice Entertainment, LLC. in federal court claiming Live Nation Entertainment used unfair business tactics that led to the fair terminating its agreement to have Juice book concerts in 2011, at the Meadowlands complex in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The lawsuit claims that Juice Entertainment lost more than $75,000 as a result and alleges Live Nation interfered by telling State Fair Entertainment Management, that Juice was broke and lacked the experience to book concerts for the fair. (Reinartz, 2011)

I have been following Live Nation news and events for the past year, as I am interested in the company.  As for this lawsuit, Juice Entertainment just may have a valid claim to Live Nation pushing them out of the way, after all Live Nation is a powerful corporation taking on most of the world in concert and music promotion.  As for unfair business practices, Live Nation would have a tough time getting where they are at today by practicing unfair business practices.

The next legal liability I want to talk about is a horrible event that happened over the summer.  The Sugarland stage collapse in Indiana where 7 people died.  Forty-four survivors and family members of the deceased, along with producers, stage riggers, and others associated with the show of August 13, 2011, filed a lawsuit on November 22, 2011. According to plaintiff’s attorney, Sugarland’s contract gave the performers final say on whether the show should be cancelled due to weather. The complaint claims that the band and other entities are said to have owed a duty to provide a safe concert environment, using reasonable care in the direction, set-up and supervision of the show. (Schillaci, 2011)  Another article on the Hollywood Reporter said that the tour manager stopped the band from going onto the stage just minutes before it collapsed.  (Powers, 2011)

This is a tragedy that could have been prevented.  I agree that it is the duty of the band and its entity.  There are some disasters that cannot be prevented, but I agree that it is up to the tour manager to keep up with what is going on with the weather when you play at outside venues.  The weather report said that 60 mile an hour winds were expected just one half hour before the concert began.  

There were 2 other concerts where stages collapsed last year but fortunately they were not as tragic as Sugarland.  One of these concerts was a Flaming Lips concert in Oklahoma,   August 8, 2011.  The other was a Cheap Trick concert in Ottawa, Canada.  Neither resulted in lawsuits that I am aware of.   Another thing that venues and performers may want to look at is the age and strength of staging and concert equipment.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2011/08/15/earlyshow/main20092363.shtml

http://www.pollstar.com/blogs/news/archive/2011/12/28/792443.aspx

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sugarland-stage-collapse-lawsuit-indiana-265443

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/sugarland-stage-collapse-indiana-state-fair-saved-lives-223600  


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/massive-flaming-lips-set-piece-220439 


http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/stage-collapses-cheap-trick-concert-212425  

Roger Waters – The Wall Tour 2011-2012

Tickets go on sale this week for Roger Waters - The Wall stadium tour, which starts in May 2012.  As I was deciding whether or not to buy tickets for the next leg of this amazing theatrical rock concert, I thought this would be an excellent topic to post on my blog this week.  In December of 2010, I had the opportunity to see The Wall at an arena in San Jose, but seeing it at AT&T Park in San Francisco would be amazing.  I had also thought how cool it would be to work production for this tour!

I’ve been a fan of Pink Floyd since the late 70’s.  I can still remember the first time I listened to The Wall album.  I saw Roger Waters in 1987, soon after he left Pink Floyd, and again in 2008 for his Dark Side of the Moon tour.  And in 1994 I also had the opportunity to experience four Pink Floyd concerts with David Gilmour (no Waters).  I had a friend who worked for that tour as a video technician and in charge of the giant inflatable pig.  For these shows I was able to go backstage after the show and see the production, and sit on the third level of the video board in the middle of the venue during the show, at Foxboro Stadium in Massachusetts and Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Quebec.

Okay, back to Roger Waters, The Wall.  There’s some interesting reading on this production.  Roger Waters is a perfectionist and is attempting to perfect the touring version of what he considers the defining work of his career.  (Hiatt, 2011)  The Wall album was originally released in 1979, and was a tale of an alienated rock star named Pink whose biography bears a distinct resemblance to his own.  Pink Floyd's original live version of The Wall was in 1980 and it had giant puppets, synchronized graphics and that wall, constructed brick by brick, and then knocked down at the show's climax.  This tour set a standard for other rock spectacles including the Rolling Stones, Steel Wheels Tour and U2’s Zoo TV. The 2011-2012 version is all that of the original but so much more high tech. 

The Wall was originally an album about the feelings of loss and alienation that Waters was feeling during that time in 1979.  Although the original narrative is still present, the meaning has now turned to a wider statement on the effects of war, religion, politics and commerce on 21^st century life.  It is filtered through Waters concern for the human condition and is as much of an emotional experience as it is cerebral (2011) In its largest configuration, the wall is 35’ high and 240’ wide and depending on the slope of the venue where it is being played, it can range from 210’ wide to 240’.  The wall is built brick by brick during the two-act show, each act at approximately 55 minutes long.  At the end of the show the wall crashes down.  With the building of the wall, the story, music, theatrics, flying planes and pigs, and the vocal emotions of life by Waters, this makes for a show that should be experienced. 

Read more: Retrieved on November 13, 2012 at http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/back-to-the-wall-rolling-stones-2010-profile-of-pink-floyds-roger-waters-20111006#ixzz1ddzspJZ7


Read more:  Retrieved on November 11, 2011 at http://www.tpimagazine.com/production-profiles/874494/on_the_road_with_roger_waters_the_wall_live.html