Events | 2009.12.02
MySpace hits back with music site
Users offered unlimited free streaming as well as the chance to create and share music
It was the social networking site that brought thousands of bands to music-hungry fans, credited with launching the careers of artists such as Lily Allen and Arctic Monkeys .
But MySpace was comprehensively overshadowed by rival Facebook and then threatened by the music-on-demand site Spotify. Today, with the launch of MySpace Music , the site has returned to what it does best: bringing music to the masses. Pitching itself against music streaming websites such as Spotify and We7, MySpace Music offers unlimited free streaming while inviting them to create and share music with friends.
Courtney Holt, president of MySpace Music, said the site was offering music lovers a comprehensive place to discover new music while connecting with their favourite artists. "There really aren\'t a lot of places were you can get a loud and large front door for all things music," he said.
He dismissed comparisons with streaming sites. "We are not providing just a utility for streaming music, this isn\'t just passive. It\'s is a combination of a streaming service with a ton of information."
Users can also watch video, buy tracks directly from iTunes and listen to play-lists created by artists. Current selections come from bands such as Florence and the Machine and N-Dubz as well as – bizarrely – the Vatican, whose eclectic choices include Mozart and Tupac.
The site will also have a large events database, listing events from local live music to who is on at the O2 while a charts area will show the most popular music from 27 countries and 22 genres, including unsigned bands.
On individual music pages, users can track news, blogs and tweets from bands, while discovering friends\' top tips. For musicians the "artist dashboard", a free analytics tool, will give in-depth knowledge of their fanbase. Unlike the sometimes untidy MySpace, the new site has uniform design in all main areas. Artists, however, can still design their home pages. "We want to provide consistent user experience but we also want to give artists the tools for self expression," said Holt.
In the US, MySpace Music has doubled its unique users since launching in September 2008, but the UK version stalled after the company became locked in a licensing wrangle. Independent labels representing artists from Vampire Weekend to Radiohead initially refused to sign up, arguing they were being given worse terms than major labels.
Some sceptics point out that while MySpace Music was in negotiations, others took the lead in the market. "It feels a bit late in the day," said Paul Brindley, chief executive of Music Ally. There is also doubt about the profitability of ad-funded streaming sites. "There is a lot of debate about the free model and the general view from rights owners is that it is unsustainable."
Holt said he was confident MySpace Music– which will have only banner ads and video advertising and no premium subscription offer – was the right business model. But the site will also work with partners like iTunes and ticketing websites to create revenue, he said.
Mark Mulligan, vice-president of Forrester Research, said MySpace Music was a "step in the right direction" for the music industry. "It\'s important that this is coming from a big established company with big backing – the industry can plan for a future with MySpace which it is less able to do with startups."
Holt said the industry needed more investment, but the company was excited about the future. "We need more winners in the music business for the future of the music business," he said. "We need to make new stars."
For more information, please visit
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2009/dec/03/myspace-launches-music-site
