Big players holding back opportunity
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Your support makes all the difference.The biggest obstacle facing the British music industry is its domination by the leading record companies, according to the managers of British bands and singers, writes Ian Burrell.
In an anonymous government-funded questionnaire of 120 British music managers, 72 per cent cited the "actions of major record companies" as the main barrier to opportunity.
The stifling role of the big companies was seen as more damaging to the industry than the lack of diversity in pop radio, or the lack of resources for music education.
"From their position of strength, the majors that buy into independent labels can dictate terms and conditions, ... including the promotion of the product, the image of the artist and even live performance," said Liam Murphy, of the Policy Research Institute at Leeds Metropolitan University, who conducted the study.
The report's findings co-incided with news that One Little Indian, the independent record label behind Bjork and Skunk Anansie, is looking for substantial backing from a larger entertainment group.
The label made pre-tax profits of pounds 414,354 in 1995, and its need for outside support will re-open the debate about how independent the British "indy" record market really is.
The volatility of the market has already driven several prominent labels to seek alliances with the majors. Creation records, Oasis's label, sold 49 per cent of their shareholding to Sony Music in 1992. The Japanese company paid another pounds 14m last spring to extend the arrangement for another five years.
The big five record companies, EMI, Polygram, BMG, Warner and Sony have carved up 80 per cent of the British music industry between them.
"When independents have artists with mass appeal they do not have the capacity to deal with the demand," Mr Murphy said. "A number of independents have a history of being run by people who are passionate about music rather than having fantastic business sense."
He cited the example of Factory records' failure to make a profit from New Order's Blue Monday, the biggest selling 12-inch single of all time, because of the cost of the packaging.
Yet, while the majors have the capacity to deal with famous artists, they also have a fear of taking risks, thus stifling creativity at ground level.
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