WeGotTickets

Despite the large sums of money involved in the live music industry, relatively little research has been conducted in this field, those involved more often than not relying on intuition than hard data. The Live Music Study is the first analysis of customer and ticketing data gathered from across the music industry, venues, promoters and ticketing agencies.

The data WeGotTickets has supplied from more than 4000 venues and promoters will provide invaluable insights into customer behaviour, reveal demand trends, and identify how promoters and venues can make more effective use of data in marketing.

The study looks at everything from the distance travelled to concerts, to which days of the week work well within specific genres of music and how price affects how far in advance tickets are purchased. As more promoters, ticket agencies and venues come on board the Study will provide an increasingly accurate picture. The report will be published biannually with the first report due in April.

A summary of the report will be distributed freely by Wittdo, whilst subscribers will have access to the full report. To ensure that the report’s data is affordable to all venues and promoters, a year’s subscription starts from just £100. Further packages are available for larger organisations which include deep dive analysis of their own data.

Said Dave Newton, Business Development Director at WeGotTickets, “When you consider how other industries rely so heavily on customer data, it’s incredible that the live music industry which has so much readily available has never undertaken a study of this kind before.

The Live Music Study is a long overdue step in providing venues and promoters with the kind of information they need to improve their businesses and as a company that has always strived to improve the sector WeGotTickets are proud to be involved.”

Said Chris Jenkins, CEO at Wittdo, “We all know we need to be more intelligent with our marketing. The Live Music Study will help the industry understand customer behaviour, to help businesses of all sizes provide more relevant communication and programming. This ongoing study unlocks the value of your customer data, creating real behavioural patterns based on real data to benefit the industry.”

Based on the twin towns concept, festivals will be paired with likeminded and similarly structured festivals from countries from around the world. Participating festivals will help promote their twin’s festival locally, be encouraged to take part in artist exchanges and talent discussions to help co-ordinate bookings of international artists and stimulate conversations with local music authorities for investment.

As part of the initiative all festivals involved will be obliged to include links on their website to their twin’s site, include ‘xxx is  twinned with xxx’ on flyers, marketing materials and in their PR campaigns to local media, and once their own event has sold out help market their international twin through their media channels.

In addition to this each festival will ‘exchange’ a minimum of 10 pairs of tickets with their twin to be given away via competitions and promotions.

Festivals that have already been partnered under the scheme include:

Bestival, Isle Of Wight & Melt, Ferropolis, Germany
Big Session Festival, Leicester & Tønder Festival, Denmark
Field Day, London & Øya Festival, Norway
Glade Festival, Winchester & Symbiosis Gathering, California, USA
Summer Sundae Weekender, Leicester & Bergenfest, Norway
Standon Calling, Hertfordshire & Calvi On The Rocks, Corsica, France
Nozstock Festival, Herefordshire & Italia Wave Love Festival, Livorno, Italy
Eden Sessions, Cornwall & Airwaves, Reykjavík, Iceland

Said Rob Challice, AIF co-founder and director of Summer Sundae Weekender, “Independent festival organisers have often taken inspiration from other events with a similar ethos, creative vision and maverick style. Through this AIF initiative we can formally acknowledge this by “twinning” our events and hope that it leads to many creative partnerships.”

This is the second year that The Association of Independent Festivals has looked to build links with non-UK festival goers and follows 2009’s successful partnership with VisitBritain.

Quotes from Participating Festival Promoters:

Stefan Lehmkuhl from Melt, Germany: “I’m enthusiastic about the idea of the cultural exchange between European festivals. Especially when it comes to independent and very individual open-air events its going to be an exciting and creative process, as I’m convinced we’re all on the same page musicwise.”

Edouard Rostand, from Clavi On The Rocks, Corsica:  “It is an honour for Calvi On the Rocks to partner up with Standon Calling. We share same values and artistic views. We are both small festivals and want to keep it innovative and open minded. This twinning will start with cross promotion on our networks this year”.

Nick Ladd from Glade Festival, Winchester: “We are really pleased to be twinned with Symbiosis in California…. the premier electronic music experience stateside. It’s what the San Francisco 60’s scene has evolved into, an amazing international gathering created by people with true spirit and it reflects the Glades commitment to cutting edge music, incredible site art, non-commercialisation and shanty vibes.”

Rob Challice from Summer Sundae, Leicester: “Bergenfest is based in the city of Bergen, whilst Summer Sundae is held in the city of Leicester. Two city-based festivals known for showcasing new international talent amongst established names. The organisers, Frank Nes and co, present their event with pride and show a high level of care for both artists and audience.”

Frank Nes, from Bergenfest, Bergen: “It is an honour for Bergenfest to partner up with Summer Sundae. It is my belief that we share the same core values, such as a strong emphasis on artistic quality and open mindedness towards genres. Over the years a few Norwegian acts have performed at Summer Sundae and I hope we can strenghten the ties in the years to come, including being able to open Norwegian festival-goers’ eyes to Summer Sundae.”

The International Music Summit (Ibiza Gran Hotel, May 26-28) has renewed its partnerships with Pioneer, leading manufacturer of industry standard DJ equipment, and the popular Mexican Sol Beer for the third consecutive year.

Hosted by BBC Radio 1’s Pete Tong and with superstar producer, DJ and artist Mark Ronson confirmed to appear in the headline keynote interview, IMS brings together the leading executives and artists in the electronic music industry. IMS presents a unique opportunity for brands to engage with one of the music industry’s most vibrant sectors. Electronic music is seeing an epic return to form in 2010 with dance music topping the charts in every major territory, including America, and with electronic music producers in high demand from mainstream artists the world over.

Alexandra Patsavas, world renowned music supervisor on TV shows The OC, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Mad Men, in her first dance music event appearance will feature in a one-on-one interview about her work in placing electronic music across some of the most popular tv series in America.
Other names confirmed to speak at the event include Grammy Award winner David Guetta, BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, Subliminal Records’ Erick Morillo and remixer of the moment Skream.

Following the success of the past two years IMS 2010 will, for the first time, commandeer the entire Ibiza Gran Hotel for the duration of the event. With the Summit continuing to grow, Pioneer and Sol Beer will benefit from amplified branding across previously sponsored assets and increased marketing and promotion both on the island and in the run up to the event. In addition, IMS organisers have announced that they have availability for one additional leading international brand to add to its roster of top-tier sponsors.

Pioneer and Sol Beer will also present the IMS Gran Finale Festival held at Dalt Villa, on the peak of Ibiza Town… a UNESCO world heritage site. The party is widely regarded as the first main event launching the Ibiza party season and has been referred to as “the best party Ibiza has ever seen” due to its iconic location, cutting edge lineups and popularity with the local population. Sol Beer will be the official beer of IMS 2010 and will host, brand and supply all beer at the bars for both Dalt Villa parties and the IMS showcase events on the first two nights of the summit.
Mark Grotefield, Head of Marketing at Pioneer will present the IMS Pioneer Award to a leading light in the international electronic community. This will be presented at a dinner and charity auction where memorabilia from the global dance community will be auctioned in aid of the Hepatitis C Trust.

IMS has consistently led the way in exploring how the music industry and brands can forge successful partnerships, and the continued support of both Pioneer and Sol Beer is testament to the summit’s importance. IMS expects to announce further partnerships in the coming months.

Said Ben Turner, IMS founder “We are delighted to have both brands continuing their deep-rooted association with IMS. Both relationships are perfect brand fits for the IMS and the ever-expanding event, and there is a very strong belief and understanding from both brands about the future potential of what we are creating here. IMS could not happen without both Pioneer and Sol Beer. The electronic music industry as a whole should be thankful for their support.”

Said Mark Grotefeld, Head of Marketing for Pioneer Multimedia Division, Europe, “Pioneer is proud to partner again with the International Music Summit for the third year. IMS manages to continually surpass our expectations, and The IMS Grand Finale festival at the peak of Ibiza Town last year has put the event on the map worldwide. IMS represents the most significant and focused forum in the world for engaging with players in the dance music community. Pioneer is very proud to be a part of it, and we see our collaboration continuing as the event continues its exceedingly fast growth plan.”

Said Christian Eschenbach, Commercial Manager for Sol Beer, North and Central Europe, “Sol Beer is delighted to continue supporting the IMS in its third year. We are thrilled with the success the conference and parties have had which are clear testaments of the professional people involved in it. Ben Turner and his team are true visionaries.”

– end –

Notes To Editors:

About the International Music Summit
Launched in 2008, the International Music Summit has established itself as the essential event for those working within the electronic music community. A place to do business, network and learn about the latest developments, the past two years have seen a host of music industry executives, DJs and artists descend on the white island for the IMS. IMS was created by BBC Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong along with partners Ben Turner, Danny Whittle, Mark Netto and Simeon Friend.

Those present have included Andrew Keen, author of The Cult of The Amateur; Cathy Guetta, F**k Me I’m Famous; Cliff Fluet, Lewis Silkin; Cris Hearn, Primary Talent; David Glick, Founder Edge Group; David Levy, William Morris Agency; Enric Palau, Sonar; Eric Harle, D-E-F; Garry Blackburn, Anglo Management; James Barton, Cream; Jason Alexander, Hit The Ground Running; Jason Bentley, KCRW US; Jason Ellis, Positiva Records; Louis Puig, Space Miami; John Niven, author of Kill Your Friends; Mark Jones, Wall of Sound; Mark Selby, Nokia; Martin Gontad, 2 Net Producciones; Martin Morales, Disney; Natasha Kizzie, Euro RSCG KLP; Patrick Moxey, Ultra Music; Paul Bedford, Ingenious; Peter Koepke; Pino Sagliocco, Live Nation; Ralf Lulsdorf, T-Mobile; Randy Reed, Red Light Management; Rob da Bank, Bestival / Sunday Best Recordings; Sanne Hagelsten, Zync Music; Simon Dunmore, Defected Records; Ted Cohen, Tag Strategic; Tony Andrews, Funktion 1. Labels in attendance include Cocoon, Cr2, EMI, Global Underground, K-7, Ministry of Sound, M-inus, New State, Rekids, Sony, Sunday Best, Toolroom, Ultra Records, Universal, Warners, ZYX

DJs and producers who have attended the summit included Richie Hawtin, Basement Jaxx, Above & Beyond, Francois K, Rob da Bank, Radio Slave, Mark Knight, Sander Kleinenberg, Tom Middleton, Leftfield’s Neil Barnes, Layo & Bushwacka!, Dirty Vegas, Robbie Rivera, MYNC, Lemon Jelly’s Fred Deakin.

“The IMS has spotted a real need for a high quality, invitation-only event focusing on the top people in the electronic music market and has brought them together with a range of high quality speakers. I was delighted to be invited. I learned a lot and I had a great time – hard not to in Ibiza! I came away with a fist-full of business cards I’m going to be following up on. A first rate event.”
David Glick, Founder, Edge Group

“The first International Music Seminar was a revelation; a very rewarding and illuminating time, met a lot of old friends and picked up some valuable new contacts (and work!) along the way. Having participated in the New Music Seminar, In The City, WMC, London Calling, Great Escape etc, I can vouch that the seminar brings together the best of these events, and more.”
Richard Norris, Producer, Beyond The Wizard Sleeve (with Erol Alkan) and The Grid

IMS: 2010 Reserve your place now, and HELP SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ELECTRONC MUSIC.

Website - http://www.internationalmusicsummit.com/html/home.html
MySpace - http://www.myspace.com/internationalmusicsummit
Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/IMSibiza
Twitter - http://www.twitter.com/IMSibiza

Ticketing Details
Please go to www.internationalmusicsummit.com to secure your place at the event that has been dubbed the ‘G8 of music conferences’. Delegate badges cost just €370 with five-star hotel packages currently on offer for a little over €1000.

Early purchase highly recommended.

Delegate badge includes:
Access to all daytime panels and presentations
Access to all events and workshops
Access to all networking activity inside the Gran Hotel (hotel access denied to non delegates)
Free entry to showcases and official satellite venues
Welcome pack on arrival
Buffet lunch
Free for company logo, IMS manual, the definite bible of dance
Free entry to the Grand Finale Event
Free and Rapid Access Pass to Pure Pacha opening, Friday 28th May (featuring Club 75 aka Cassius, Justice, Busy P, DJ Mehdi)

Commandeering the entire five-star Ibiza Gran Hotel, IMS creates an intimate atmosphere where artists such as the 2010 Grammy Award winner David Guetta can meet with notable business leaders such as Frank Mertens, Global Director of Creative Development Sprite / Coca-Cola Group and Konrad Von Loeheysen, the owner of Ministry of Sound Germany / Motor FM.

In her first dance music event appearance, the world-renowned music supervisor Alexandra Patsavas will feature in a one-on-one interview about her work and company Chop Shop. Patsavas is supervisor on TV shows The OC, Grey’s Anatomy, Private Practice, Mad Men and Gossip Girl plus the Twilight film.

Guetta appears on a panel titled Big Dog DJs: F*** You We’re Famous, named after his legendary weekly party in Ibiza, alongside Erick Morillo from Subliminal Records. IMS founder and BBC Radio 1 DJ Pete Tong will moderate.

In Meet The Future, BBC Radio 1 DJ Annie Mac, who recently swapped shows with Tong to open the countdown to the weekend, will outline her vision for electronic music alongside the likes of Pedro Winter aka Busy P, former manager of Daft Punk and boss of Ed Banger Records. Joining them is Skream, remixer of the moment.

In another panel USA Today: Boom Boom Now!, IMS will hear from both those behind dance music’s recent explosion in the states, including Patrick Moxey from Ultra Records, Eddie Dean from Pacha New York and original American dance architect Arthur Baker, and also from dissenting voices like Tommie Sunshine who recently stated: “There is NO room for dance music in America. It will never happen. Not real dance music, anyway”. The panel will be moderated by KCRW music director and presenter Jason Bentley, who last year received the first IMS Pioneer Award.

In Ibiza United, IMS will bring together the key players behind Amnesia, Eden, Es Paradis, Pacha, Privilege and Space on one panel for just the second time ever. This panel will be moderated by Juan Suarez, one of the chiefs of the powerful local newspaper, Diario De Ibiza.

IMS will hear from legendary producer Robin Millar, responsible for 44 number one hits, who will talk about why just one month after he retired from production duties, electronic music has re-inspired him, and see the return of 19-year old teen promoter Callum Negus Fancey from Let’s Go Crazy after stealing the show last year by stating “Who is Paul Oakenfold? My audience have never heard of him.”

In addition, IMS has teamed up with leading consumer portal Resident Advisor, whose audience will select a topic and speakers for the Presidential Debate format which debuted in 2009 to great acclaim.

Said Pete Tong: “It is with great pride that we announce some of the incredible talent already confirmed to be involved in our third International Music Summit in Ibiza. For 2010 we continue to push for the most vital and engaging debates on all the key topics of the day involving the biggest players from every field.”

Commented Ben Turner, a founder and partner in the IMS, states: “IMS was never about the artists, more the people behind the curtain who help guide the gifted. In 2010, we’ve been overwhelmed by approaches from artists to be involved in some way. It’s a great testament to our first two years. Watch out for more special names to follow…”

Following 2009’s successful experiment The IMS Vote, a session where the audience make decisions on the future of the genre, will return. Indeed, last year, 69% of those present agreed that IMS had ‘made them question how their companies work’. In 2010, this is taken one step further then Ted Cohen from TAG Strategic will moderate a one-hour session where the panelists are the audience, and the agenda is not set.

Finally reprising his 2009 role, electronic pioneer Tom Middleton will blog to the Beatport community what is being debated, who will in turn feedback and pose questions to the speakers.

Once again the IMS Grand Finale will take place at the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Dalt Vila on Friday May 28. Last year, Basement Jaxx headlined with Pete Tong, Rob da Bank and Filthy Dukes in support. IMS has been inundated with requests from artists to perform at this landmark event. The headline acts will be announced imminently. The event is free to attend for all delegates of the IMS, with some 2,000 tickets available to the public. Tickets are available now from www.internationalmusicsummit.com

Digital Stores have built the band’s brand new direct-to-consumer online store but with a twist. As befits a band of Deep Purple’s longevity, they have gone through a fair number of line-ups and changes over the years, and the online store reflects this.

The store takes the form of a portal, with the over-arching look and feel reflecting the Deep Purple iconography. As the store grows, new features will allow fans to browse through individual band members’ specific areas, with each member designated their own area that will contain physical and digital solo work and attendant merchandise as well as memorabilia. What’s more, the store will sell tickets for the Deep Purple tours, plus tours by individual band members.

www.deeppurplestore.com/

Digital Stores Commercial Director Simon Coates says:

‘Our office has turned into a Beavis and Butthead convention. We’re all jumping around, making devil signs and chanting the opening bars to ‘Smoke On The Water’. One of our strengths here at Digital Stores is that we’re really passionate about music, especially bands that have made great contributions to music’s history and you don’t get much bigger than Deep Purple. It’s brilliant to be part of something like this.’

Deep Purple join the Digital Stores portfolio that already includes Queen, The Beatles, George Harrison and The Prodigy.

5pm, Sunday 24th January MIDEM, Cannes, France – [PIAS] Entertainment Group

In its first slew of deals, [PIAS] has signed partnerships with Digital Animal, MAM Logistic and Topspin Media in order to provide its labels and artists with a range of Direct to Consumer e-commerce solutions across digital and physical product types on a multi-territorial basis.

[PIAS] D2C will provide its labels and artists with full featured online stores via Digital Animal. The stores will be feature rich, including multi-territory billing, pre-orders, SMS payments and a full content management system providing complete control of pricing and product offerings. The stores enable the sale of physical and digital audio products, together with merchandise and tickets.

Topspin Media, developers of a leading e-commerce and marketing based technology platform, will provide [PIAS] with a range of solutions and tools that enable [PIAS] and its labels to manage bespoke e-commerce offerings driven via powerful digital marketing tools and initiatives. Such campaigns will initially focus upon clients of the [PIAS] Digital Marketing service.

The domestic and international physical fulfillment of e-commerce solutions will be provided by a combination of both [PIAS]’s own Brussels based warehouse and UK based MAM Logistics.

Through [PIAS] D2C, [PIAS] labels, artists and managers will be able to combine robust D2C e-commerce services alongside the broad range of marketing and promotional activities associated with an artist campaign.
The combination of powerful marketing and e-commerce based solutions enables [PIAS] to offer its clients a truly end-to-end range of services across both retail sales, marketing and D2C on an international basis.

“[PIAS] is ideally positioned to support its labels and artists with Direct to Consumer e-commerce and CRM based solutions,” said Adrian Pope, Director of Digital & Business Development [PIAS] Entertainment Group. “[PIAS] D2C will develop to provide a range of solutions that compliment other services that we offer, from [PIAS] Digital Marketing to [PIAS]’s retail marketing, sales and distribution operations on an international basis”

Chris Thompson, Founder & Director Of Business Development at Digital Animal comments, “It’s great to have such an experienced full service channel partner that sees it’s future in our space.  We are thrilled to be able to offer competitive direct to fan solutions to Europe’s most important independent artists and labels through [PIAS] ”

About [PIAS] Entertainment Group

www.pias.com

The [PIAS] Entertainment Group is the definitive marketing, sales, distribution and licensing provider offering a highly professional and flexible service for music, film, comedy and sport repertoire on an international basis.

Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, [PIAS] Entertainment Group supplies a broad range of highly professional services for leading repertoire owners across both physical and digital routes to market. The group also has significant operations in the UK, France, Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and Ireland. In addition to its local operations [PIAS] Entertainment Group has an international network of partners that enables it to offer its services on a truly global basis.

[PIAS] Entertainment Group owns premium repertoire via its [PIAS] Recordings, [PIAS] Visuals, [PIAS] Comedy and publishing operations. It also has significant interests in the record label Wall of Sound, the film company Twin Pics.

Notes for editors: Please note that “[PIAS]” should be written in upper case letters enclosed in square brackets.

About Digital Animal

www.digitalanimal.com Digital Animal delivers a full compliment of integrated digital and e-commerce services to the music and entertainment industries. We currently provide over 200 major and independent record companies, independent labels and artists with managed services and their own branded music retail websites.
DA’s market-leading applications are designed to build value in IP and drive growth by empowering music businesses with secure, direct-to-fan distribution and a best-of-breed online retail presence.
An award winning service provider, D A is proud to partner with its clients to pioneer the 21st Century entertainment business and contribute to building one of the fastest moving sectors in today’s global economy.

About MAM Logistics

www.mamlogistics.co.uk
Our client base is across all sectors of industry from blue chip organisations to leading international sports, music and fashion brands across to technology based high-end electrical products as well as a greater and growing presence within the gift wear sector. MAM has a truly global customer base which would be the envy of many mainstream logistics organisations.

Our attention to detail and accountability are two of the reasons that we at times are seen to ‘punch above our weight’… essentially it’s also in the results and our ability to perform and deliver service on-time and every-time. All four Directors have key roles within the business… there are no corridors of power at MAM… accountability begins and ends with ourselves. We believe it helps…

About Topspin Media
www.topspinmedia.com

Topspin is the most complete technology platform that helps artists create their own retail channels, effectively promote their music and connect directly with fans. With Topspin, artists can create flexible offers, easily integrate with fan-trusted music discovery channels, and manage their workflow with data-driven feedback to make smarter marketing decisions.

Contact for [PIAS] Entertainment Group:
Sam Shemtob, Name PR, +44 (0)208 357 7305
sam@namemusic.net

Contact for Digital Animal:
Chris Thompson, +44 121 449 3814 chris.thompson@digitalanimal.com

Contact for MAM Logistics:
Stephen Harrison, 01270 759078, steve@mamlogistics.co.uk

Contact for Topspin Media:
Gary Brotman, gary@topspinmedia.com

BACH Technology

The successor to the MP3, the MusicDNA media extension enables music fans to access the wide range of music-related content they want alongside the music itself - from lyrics, artwork and tour dates to blog posts, videos and twitter feeds.

This additional content appears alongside the MP3 in a convenient and fully customisable App-driven player that is freely available to download.  The content automatically updates whenever the player is connected to the internet, ensuring fans always receive the most up to date information alongside their music.

Crucially, only legitimately purchased tracks will dynamically update, and pirated versions will remain as static files, giving fans a tangible benefit in purchasing MusicDNA files.  A first for digital music, this will provide the expanding download market with a much welcome boost.

Best of all, fans can customise their MusicDNA files after purchase, further enriching their music experience and making plain old MP3 feel decidedly last decade.

A recent report by Forrester Research, Inc. argued that the future of the recordings business lies in allowing fans greater interaction and customisability with their music files. If the likes of iTunes LP represent the first small step along this path, then MusicDNA - incorporating unrivalled user-customisability and inter-platform compatibility - represents a giant leap.

Already proving a hit with the music business, MusicDNA enables rights holders to up-sell concert tickets, merchandise, music videos and other exclusive content – either purchasable alongside the track itself or at any future point.

MusicDNA launches with support from across the value chain, from rights holders, and distributors through to digital service providers and retailers. Partners on board for the Beta launch this spring include:

•    Independent labels including Beggars Group (UK), Tommy Boy Entertainment (US), Delta Records (US) and Amiata Records (Italy)
•    R2G (China), operators of Wawawa, China’s largest online independent music store, and featured store for Microsoft’s Windows Media Player in China
•    Recast Media (Canada), the personalised digital news and entertainment service
•    InProdicon (Sweden) Scandinavia’s largest distributor and service provider
•    REBEAT Digital (Germany) digital music distributor to more than 300 download stores
•    PeoplesMusicStore (UK), the UK’s unique, user-curated music download service.
•    CatchMedia (US) whose ‘cloud’ music service allows users to access and play their music across multiple devices.

BACH is in the midst of talks with potential partners from across all sectors of the business, including the major labels and leading digital service providers such as 24-7 Entertainment, with further announcements expected shortly.

Rollout will be staggered over 2010, with the first beta versions available around Easter and the full commercial rollout expected over summer.

Said Tom Silverman, Founder and CEO, Tommy Boy Entertainment: “MusicDNA will be a boon for artists and fans as it dynamically connects them long after purchase. It is a boon for fans as it can offer multiple levels of artist stuff based on the fan’s passion level. Now they can have immediate access to all of an artist’s offerings easily and in one place…the place of purchase.

“It’s a boon for labels because this high-value consumer experience is not cloneable yet highly viral and gives them full content and pricing flexibility. Their imagination is their only limit… If MP3’s were the cassette, MusicDNA will be the CD. What took you so long?”

Commented Simon Wheeler, Director of Digital, Beggars Group: “Beggars is supportive of any new initiative that looks to add value to our music and deliver more value and information to the fans who support us, being based on open standards the Bach implementation of MPEG-7 gives us an exciting opportunity to deliver a far richer experience to fans that goes well beyond the dumb file.”

Said Charles Webster, Director of Product & Marketing, Delta Leisure Group PLC: “This innovative development from Bach Technology is a gateway to the future, and the Delta Leisure Group is proud to be associated with it.”

Commented Matteo Silva, CEO of Amiata Records and Skeye: “MusicDNA is a wonderful human touch in this cold digital world and an important step towards full integration of legality and uniqueness of information, leaving piracy behind.”

Said Inge Severin, Founder and Partner, InProdicon: “We at InProdicon are grateful for having the opportunity to work with Bach Technology – especially as they posses a unique combination of the highest technological knowledge and a broad, deep, understanding of music and its dynamics; This guarantees that not only will MusicDNA be reliable technology wise, but most importantly it will also be a great experience for the Consumers.”

Commented Boaz Ben-Yaacov, CTO Catch Media “Bach’s MusicDNA will help create a seamless quality experience for consumers to listen to their music collection across the cloud as their technology increases accuracy and allows consumers to discover new music similar to their own collection”

Said Stefan Kohlmeyer, Bach Technology CEO: “Twenty years on from the initial development of the MP3, it is time for digital audio to once again evolve. Just as vinyl gave way to the CD and the CD to MP3, it is time for the MP3 to pass the baton onto MusicDNA.

“If we can look beyond the MP3 then consumers, forward thinking artists, labels, device manufacturers, digital music services and even brands all stand to benefit from a music format purpose built for our digital age.”

-    MusicDNA… Music For The 21st Century –

Frequently Asked Questions

Are MusicDNA Downloads Albums Or Singles?
The technology is there for selling singles or albums, whatever the label or retailer prefer.

How Can Fans Get Hold Of The MusicDNA Player?
MusicDNA retail partners will all receive free white label players to skin as they please, and offer free to fans.  This modular, App-driven player will also be available from the MusicDNA website, at www.musicdna.com.

What If I Want To Play MusicDNA Tunes On My iPod Or MP3 Player?
MusicDNA enabled files are fully backwards compatible, so will play on any MP3 player.

Isn’t Some Of This Content Already Available On The Internet?
While much of the content can be found dispersed across the internet, never before has it been packaged together alongside the music in such a convenient format.

How Much Will MusicDNA Files Cost?
Pricing will be fixed by and at the discretion of artists, labels and retailers.

How Does Bach Expect MusicDNA Files To Compete With The Rise Of Streaming?
Like many in the industry BACH are of the view that there is no one Silver Bullet to suit all types of consumer, rather a variety of services will serve different fans with different needs.

There are many occasions when a download is preferable to a stream, and MusicDNA  files have the advantage of customised, at your fingertips, rich media available on- and offline.  And that is before considering the impact of streaming on growing bandwidth and energy requirements.

Are There Plans To Launch Any Other MusicDNA-Related Products?
MusicDNA files include extensive audio analysis information, textual and multimedia metadata and business intelligence. BACH has already developed a range of applications to take advantage of the more complete picture that MusicDNA provides, from sophisticated search and recommendation engines to playlist generators and social networking tools.

Can Other Software Developers Join The Party?
Yes. Software Development Kits will be made available to all manufacturers and Bach will enable the building of bespoke apps and new content to populate the MusicDNA player.

About Bach Technology
BACH Technology is the leading provider of technology and applications for the digital music market. A fast growing music technology company with offices in Norway, Germany and China, BACH’s successes stem from a team who have been involved with the development of digital music since 1986.

Company president Dagfinn Bach is one of digital music’s early pioneers, while CEO Stefan Kohlmeyer is a veteran of German media giant Bertelsmann. Bach’s technology partner is Germany’s Fraunhofer IDMT (Institute for Digital Media Technology), where the MP3 was developed.

Investors include Karlheinz Brandenburg, the inventor of the MP3 algorythm, and 247 Inc., the company of Shigeo Maruyama, former CEO of Sony Music Entertainment.
Online music services already signed up to use BACH technology include Catch Media, 1Boss, People’s Music Store, Aceways, R2G, Beeku, and Cloud China. Agreements with more major international music services are set to be announced soon.

For more information on BACH please refer to www.bachtechnology.com

About MusicDNA
MusicDNA technology enables a large amount of rich media to be packaged alongside an MP3, from lyrics and images through to dynamically updated content such as a band’s Twitter stream, concert alerts and latest news.

The files also include extensive metadata including analysis of a track’s mood, tempo, density, instrumentation and even ‘colour’.  This enables sophisticated offline search and recommendation and playlist generation, also social networking.

Unlike older technology, MusicDNA is entirely based on the open standards MPEG-7 and XML. BACH is the only company offering full end-to-end MPEG-7 integration, ensuring seamless interoperability and compatibility with external programs and systems, so that MusicDNA files will play on any digital audio device.

•   BBC Radio 3 Controller And Radio 2/6 Music Head Of Programmes To Respond To Charges Of Public Sector Radio “Failing The Jazz Community”
•    Leading Academic And Critic Prof. Stuart Nicholson To Lead The Argument Against The Corporation
•    Full Line Up Of Speakers Announced

The University of Westminster’s music business network MusicTank is excited to announce the final line up of speakers for its forthcoming think tank on the future of jazz on UK public sector broadcasting.  Explaining  the BBC’s stance will be Roger Wright, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and Director, BBC Proms and Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes, BBC Radio 2 & 6 Music.

Leading jazz support network Jazz Services will be launching a significant new report at the event, and inviting discussion with the report authors, Professor Stuart Nicholson and Chris Hodgkins, Director of Jazz Services.

Mykaell Riley, Head of Music Production, University of Westminster and the author of a forthcoming Jazz Services report, will begin the event by presenting an overview of the economic standing of jazz in the UK.  MusicTank chairman Keith Harris will then introduce the main thrust of the debate: author, lecturer and journalist Professor Stuart Nicholson’s keynote address making the case for greater support for jazz from public sector broadcasting.

The event will take place at the Cockpit Theatre, historically the scene of many classic jazz radio broadcasts and live recordings including the eclectic 1970’s “Music In The Round”, and currently the home of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

The Report: “The BBC – Jazz, Policy and Structure in The Digital Age”
(Stuart Nicholson, Emma Kendon and Chris Hodgkins, foreword by John Fordham)

In the eyes of many in the British Jazz economy, the BBC is no longer supporting jazz to the extent that it could, and many feel, should.  This paper examines the specific needs of jazz, with its particular emphasis on live performance, and how these needs are being met by the BBC in comparison to other European public broadcasters. The issues affecting jazz impact upon broadcasting policy for all niche genres, including classical and opera.  The report also suggests a solution that maximises DAB’s potential to deliver targeted, niche digital radio programming to what is claimed to be a hungry yet largely under-served audience and as such, attunes well to the Government’s recent Digital Britain report.

Professor Stuart Nicholson is a lecturer, broadcaster, journalist and author of six books on jazz, including Is Jazz Dead: or Has It Moved to a New Address. Chris Hodgkins is director of Jazz Services and Emma Kendon a trustee.

Event Details

Date: 19th January
Time: The Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, London
Travel: Nearest tubes: Marylebone (Bakerloo); Edgware Rd (District, Circle, Hammersmith).  Free on-street parking from 6:30pm
Cost: Standard – £35 / trade body members – £30 / members – £25

Panel: Mykaell Riley (introduction), Head of Music Production, University of Westminster
Stuart Nicholson (keynote), Professor in Music Journalism, Leeds College of Music
Roger Wright, Controller of BBC Radio 3 and Director, BBC Proms
Lewis Carnie, Head of Programmes, BBC Radio 2 & 6 Music
Chris Hodgkins, Director, Jazz Services
Keith Harris (chair), Chairman, MusicTank

Free Prize Draw

All event attendees will be entered into a free draw to win one of three Roberts ‘Revival’ digital radios.

-ends-

ABOUT MUSICTANK

MusicTank is the UK’s music business network, an initiative of the University of Westminster, set up with the support of 14 UK music industry organisations.

MusicTank aims to foster new collaborations and circulate innovative ideas, best practice and cutting-edge strategies to increase innovation and productivity across the business.  Regular think tanks bring hot topics into sharp focus and help pinpoint the opportunities created by disruptive technologies.

MusicTank conferences deal with everything from record production to copyright review while occasional social evenings blend the entertaining recollections of music business virtuosos with the opportunity to develop valuable industry contacts.

MusicTank aims to override traditional partitions by providing improved access to expert knowledge via musictank.co.uk, the leading music business web-site, offering free industry discussion on new business techniques alongside useful reports and comments from leading lights.

www.musictank.co.uk

ABOUT JAZZ SERVICES

Jazz Services provides a voice for jazz, promoting its growth, accessibility and development in the UK through the provision of services in information, publishing, education, touring, communications and marketing.

Jazz Services is a registered charity funded by Arts Council England with financial assistance for the Jazz Promoters Scheme from the Performing Right Society Foundation.

Jazz Services was formed as the London Jazz Centre Society Limited on the 20th January 1969 and changed its name to the Jazz Centre Society in November 1969. On the 18th April 1984 the Jazz Centre Society became Jazz Services Limited.

Soundcrash

Part of a very elite group of artists to have been released albums on both Warp and Ninja Tune, Luke Vibert is a true hero of electronic music. Countless releases, timeless tunes and multiple remixes (along with multiple aliases) have secured this man’s place in the collective consciousness of two generations of music lovers. Another true legend, Luke’s presence in KOKO on this fine night is practically mandatory!

Previously known as Zilla, King Cannibal’s name has become synonymous with spine-shattering sub-frequencies in the last year, his debut LP ‘Let The Night Roar’ on Ninja Tune was released in November to critical acclaim across the board from dubstep and electronica critics alike. Dubbed by DJ Mag as ‘The modern master of satanic sub frequencies’

Sat 6th March 2010

Soundcrash presents…

Plaid (Full Live Av Show + Album Launch!)
Luke Vibert (Laptop Set)
King Cannibal (Ninja Tune)
+ More TBA

9pm till 3am

Koko, 1A Camden High Street, NW1 7JE
www.koko.uk.com
Tel: 0870 4325 527

Price: £15 (available in adv from www.seetickets.com)

MusicTank

19th January 2010, Cockpit Theatre, Marylebone

• Details Announced For Latest MusicTank Event
• 2 Jazz Services Reports To Be Launched – On Current Jazz Economics And The Future Of Jazz On Radio
• BBC To Come Under Heavy Criticism

The University of Westminster’s music business network MusicTank continues its series of think tanks with a discussion of the future of UK jazz, focusing in particular on the role to be played by the BBC and other publicly funded bodies.  Leading jazz support network Jazz Services will be launching two significant new reports at the event, and inviting discussion with the reports’ authors.

Mykaell Riley (Head of Music Production, University of Westminster) will begin the event by presenting  an overview of the economic standing of jazz in the UK.  This will be followed by a brief  question and answer session from the floor.

MusicTank chairman Keith Harris will then introduce the main thrust of the debate: author, lecturer and journalist Professor Stuart Nicholson’s keynote address making the case for greater support for jazz from public sector broadcasting.

The event will take place at the Cockpit Theatre, historically the scene of many classic jazz radio broadcasts and live recordings including the eclectic 1970’s “Music In The Round”, and currently the home of the National Youth Jazz Orchestra.

Speakers will include Chris Hodgkins (Director, Jazz Services) and report authors Nicholson and Riley.

The Reports

The first report will set the scene with an overview of the economic standing of jazz in the UK.  The second will focus in more depth on the impact of public sector broadcasting policy on jazz, and will examine the needs of jazz – and by extension other niche genres – in a changing digital broadcasting environment.

“The Value Of Jazz in Britain Two”
(Mykaell Riley and David Laing)

Jazz services published the original “The Value Of Jazz in Britain” in December 2006.  The report showed that the annual turnover of the jazz sector of the British music industry was almost £88 million in 2004-05.  This report follows up these findings by comparing the original statistics with those from 2008.  Factors including record sales, funding and other economic indicators will be assessed, and a picture of the changing face of jazz in Britain will be revealed.

Mykaell Riley is Head of Music Production at the University of Westminster.  David Laing is the author of several books on popular music and a former editor of Music Week.

“The BBC – Jazz, Policy and Structure in The Digital Age”
(Stuart Nicholson, Emma Kendon and Chris Hodgkins, foreword by John Fordham)

In the eyes of many in the British Jazz economy, the BBC is no longer supporting jazz to the extent that it could, and many feel, should.  This paper examines the specific needs of jazz, with its particular emphasis on live performance, and how these needs are being met by the BBC in comparison to other European public broadcasters. The issues affecting jazz impact upon broadcasting policy for all niche genres, including classical and opera.  The report also suggests a solution that maximises DAB’s potential to deliver targeted, niche digital radio programming to what is claimed to be a hungry yet largely under-served audience and as such, attunes well to the Government’s recent Digital Britain report.

Professor Stuart Nicholson is a lecturer, broadcaster, journalist and author of six books on jazz, including Is Jazz Dead: or Has It Moved to a New Address. Chris Hodgkins is director of Jazz Services and Emma Kendon a trustee.

Event Details

Date: 19th January
Time: The Cockpit Theatre, Gateforth Street, London
Travel: Neatest tubes: Marylebone (Bakerloo); Edgware Rd (District, Circle, Hammersmith).  Free on-street parking from 6:30pm
Cost: Standard – £35 / trade body members – £30 / members – £25

-ends-

ABOUT MUSICTANK

MusicTank is the UK’s music business network, an initiative of the University of Westminster, set up with the support of 14 UK music industry organisations.

MusicTank aims to foster new collaborations and circulate innovative ideas, best practice and cutting-edge strategies to increase innovation and productivity across the business.  Regular think tanks bring hot topics into sharp focus and help pinpoint the opportunities created by disruptive technologies.

MusicTank conferences deal with everything from record production to copyright review while occasional social evenings blend the entertaining recollections of music business virtuosos with the opportunity to develop valuable industry contacts.

MusicTank aims to override traditional partitions by providing improved access to expert knowledge via musictank.co.uk, the leading music business web-site, offering free industry discussion on new business techniques alongside useful reports and comments from leading lights.

www.musictank.co.uk

ABOUT JAZZ SERVICES

Jazz Services provides a voice for jazz, promoting its growth, accessibility and development in the UK through the provision of services in information, publishing, education, touring, communications and marketing.

Jazz Services is a registered charity funded by Arts Council England with financial assistance for the Jazz Promoters Scheme from the Performing Right Society Foundation.

Jazz Services was formed as the London Jazz Centre Society Limited on the 20th January 1969 and changed its name to the Jazz Centre Society in November 1969. On the 18th April 1984 the Jazz Centre Society became Jazz Services Limited.