Bits & Bytes 5/18

INFLUENCING EMERGING MUSIC TECH CULTURE

THOUGHTS FROM THE CEO

MAY 18, 2015

I had the privilege of checking out the Jay-Z B-Sides show last night. The show was streamed exclusively on Tidal. To Roc Nation's credit the show was a very special experience. The room was star-studded with amazing energy. People were rocking to every track. Jay performed many of his more obscure songs that many have never seen him do live. He brought out collaborators like Beenie Sigel that he hadn't seen in years, He was clearly conscious of what he was doing and also enjoying the show. Mid-point in the set, he dropped a now-viral freestyle addressing the streaming wars and throwing jabs at his frenemies in the space.It was certainly a special event - one so exclusive, money couldn't buy you a ticket. But did the live stream capture last night's energy and experience? I was watching a bunch of the edits on the screen and it was no where near bottled the energy of the show. Live-streaming concerts can connect people but I'm not sold that it can successfully recreate or transfer that energy. And then there is the issue of only being able to watch the show on Tidal. I don't find making content exclusively for certain platforms the best practice when it comes to servicing fans. I prefer a more open, multi-platform world so that music can spread without friction. Regardless, another great shot fired by Tidal. They are clearly making their presence felt and helping to raise the bar in music streaming culture.More hits this week: It's Internet Week in NYC. A week designed to bring awareness and promote New York’s tech scene. Many moons ago, we also launched SoundCTRL at Internet Week. I'm doing a talk right before the closing party on disruption and innovation in music with some bright folks. Have you got your tickets yet?

And tonight, Internet Week’s crown jewel, a.k.a. the internets biggest night: The Webbys! If you don’t have a ticket, make sure to check out live stream of the Awards Show, Can't promise it'll be the same energy but definitely something you don't want to miss! 

-Jesse K (@JesseKay) 

Spotify has dismissed rumors that it is planning on closing its free music streaming tier, the story is "totally false". They are not considering cutting off its free, ad-supported music streaming tier. They are not limiting users to just three months of streaming before forcing them into paid tiers. At Wednesday's press conference, we will find out exactly what they ARE planning on doing but for now - they've responded saying "The model is working". 

It seems that the car service Uber is becoming more than a taxi. It's also a way to deliver music to fans. Britney Spears just released her new single using Uber as the "vehicle" to get the word out. 

What was Jay-Z thinking when he launched Tidal? He certainly wasn’t thinking about his millions of fans. Most consumers don’t want to pay for music and ignoring that reality is doomed to fail.

Want to know the #1 thing you’ve got to provide at a festival these days? Cell service. 

Lefsetz talks Rock in Rio and shows why it's not about the talent, it's about the EXPERIENCE. 

The Bitcoin Blockchain might save the music industry, if we understand it. This process can allow for the better trackage of usage of music, leading to more accurate compensation for rights holders.

We know that

Spotify is becoming increasingly popular for music lovers around the globe. Is it so

 popular that, the service is responsible for 10% of all U.S. record label revenue in 2015? 

The music industry has changed, and where artists' income comes from is perhaps not as clear as it once was. Here are five ways that both artists and brands get the best out of their alliances.