Description
Book SynopsisThe music industry is one of the most dynamic and fascinating business sectors. Its business model has had to evolve and adapt to continually changing technologies that impact at every level from distribution to artist management. Its latest challenge has been the closure of live music venues during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The second edition of this much used introduction to the economic workings of the music business has been updated to include analysis of the impact of the pandemic as well as new trends in the industry, such as the increasing dominance of tech companies and big data and the growing importance of collective management organizations as market players, which has impacted on new business contracts. At a time when live performance outstrips music sales as the primary source of income for today’s musicians, this new edition also examines how different stakeholder positions have shifted.
The book remains a rigorous presentation of the industry’s business model, the core sectors of publishing, recording and live music, and the complex myriad of licensing and copyright arrangements that underpin the industry. The revenue streams of recording companies are analysed alongside the income stream of artists to show how changing formats and distribution platforms impact both industry profit margins and artists’ earnings.
Trade ReviewComprehensive and well documented, drawing on the author's prodigious knowledge of the industry.
-- David Throsby, Times Literary Supplement
Table of ContentsIntroduction1. A short economic history of the music business2. Microeconomics of music: music as an economic good3. The economics of music copyright4. Music publishing5. Sound recording6. Live music7. Secondary music markets8. Music labour markets9. Economics of the digital music businessConclusionGlossary
