The Online Revolution

Before the invention and success of the internet, bands and artists had to find other ways to reach their audience and get their music heard. This was usually done through gigs, where talent spotters that worked for record companies would offer them a contract if they liked what they heard. This could have been a very long process if the right people never went to the gigs. However, things have now been made easier for bands and artists with the online revolution, which is taking over the music industry. Social networking sites such as MySpace have made it possible for their music to be uploaded online and be heard by anyone anywhere in the world. The more hits a band or artist gets on MySpace will make it easier for their music to be found when someone is searching for them, because they have become more popular. When they eventually become known, record companies will be interested. This, along with local gigs and performing in small venues, allows unsigned bands and artists to be heard everywhere at any time, and also helps them to become known faster. A number of bands and artists have become successful promoting and marketing their music through the online revolution:

Foals

Foals began making music in 2005, but didn't release their debut album until 2008 which the band mixed themselves. Despite being unsigned up until the release of the debut album 'Antidotes' in 2008 and only having MySpace and small gigs to get their music heard, the album got to number 3 in the UK Album Chart. They are now signed to the record label Transgressive in the UK, and Sub Pop in the USA. Currently part of their website homepage looks like this:

 

With links to sites such as MySpace and YouTube, fans are able to access their music through this website without having to look for it elsewhere. They are also able to leave comments and talk to each other on the Forum. Gig tickets and merchandise can be bought through the website, and tour dates can be viewed beforehand. Having everything the audience needs in one place on this website is a quick and easy way to promote the music, gain a wider audience and sell other merchandise.
The genre of music Foals make can be described as a mix of a few, such as indie rick, dance punk and math rock, and it is made quite obvious through their appearance and image what genre of music they produce. Therefore their target audience would be males and females, but perhaps mostly males in their late teens and early twenties. The success of this band worldwide proves how effective the use of the internet can be when promoting music and becoming popular with a certain audience.

However, before this online revolution took over the promotion of music, bands and artists had to find other ways to promote their music without the internet which was a lot more difficult. Even before the invention of the internet, music had to be promoted somehow.

The Beatles

The Beatles formed in 1960 in Liverpool, and became one of the most successful bands in popular musical history. The began to build their reputation by playing in Liverpool clubs, such as The Cavern, where they were recognised. Before the internet was invented, there were few ways available for bands and artists to promote their music and get it heard by audiences, so the main way to do this was through gigs. The Beatles became so popular that over a three year period (1963-1966) while they were touring, the phrase Beatlemania was used to describe the popularity, even the police had to use high-pressure water hoses to control the enthusiastic crowds at shows.

The band won many awards throughout their great success and were even each appointed an MBE by The Queen. They also achieved 4 multi-platinum albums, 4 platinum albums, and gold albums and a silver album in the UK alone. The Beatles have had more number one albums and held down number one longer than any other band or artist.


So although the internet and online revolution could not be used in the 1960s to promote their music, The Beatles are still recognised as one of the most influential, successful and well-known bands today, and are possibly still more successful than any band or artist who has used the internet to promote their music. The internet has made it possible for more artists and bands to promote and sell music, it has also created more convenient ways to consume music all over the world, however, the internet is not the only possibility.