News round-up – Day 1 – Sunday 5th of October
Introduction to the event with Andrew Loog Oldham
Stepping into Tony Wilson’s shoes as host, Andrew Loog Oldham opened proceedings at the event. Now in its 17th year, the former Rolling Stones manager and producer introduced the first keynote address.
Andy Burnham MP
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport MP Andy Burnham talked in-depth regarding some of the major changes facing the music industry. Refreshingly knowledgeable he talked passionately about putting money back into music, saying “more needs to be done at a grassroots level”. Talking about more access for children to be able to learn a musical instrument at school, he was also vocal about the development of more rehearsal spaces and the importance of community radio.
Reiterating that legislation would be a last resort with regards to illegal file-sharing, Burnham also revealed that the consultation period between the industry and ISPs (driven by the recent signing of a Memorandum of Understanding) would conclude at the end of October. Touted by some as a possible saviour to the music industry, he won the crowd over and took questions from the floor.
Featured Artists Coalition
With over 60 artists having already joined the Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) it’s already causing a stir within the industry. Officially launching today (Sunday), the FAC are campaigning for musicians’ ownership of rights. Voicing their concerns on a greater need for artists to be able to retain control of their art, a video was played with artists such as Radiohead and The Futureheads showing support. Joined on stage by Kate Nash, the head of the coalition Jazz Summers and Brian Message they set out their stall.
Bless Beats but no Wiley
In The City isn’t just about indie and rock music and today’s producer master class on the grime mega-hit ‘Wearing my Rolex’, showed that. Unfortunately Eskiboy Wiley couldn’t make the panel at the last minute but Bless Beats, the producer of the track was on hand to talk through the single and also the growing grime scene. Talking about the process he goes through as a producer, the musicians in attendance were engaged, with some even approaching him for beats after the panel was over.
Lyor Cohen vs. Jazz Summers – The Struggle of Power
The last panel of the day saw two music industry heavyweights collide. In the red corner – Lyor Cohen (Vice Chairman of the Warner Music Group) and in the blue corner – Jazz Summers (Head of the Featured Coalition of Artists). Debating the possible devolution and the struggle of power, the match was refereed by Channel 4’s Faisal Imran.
Sitting on both sides of fence, the two agreed on many issues including that they needed to work together to help the constantly changing future of the industry. Embracing in a hug at the end, Cohen also took off his jumper to show a ‘I Love Jazz Summers’ t-shirt, with a photo of the manager of The Verve on the front.
News round-up – Day 2 – Monday 6th of October
In absence of the late Tony Wilson, the former Rolling Stones manager Andrew Loog Oldham was on hand to host the second day of the In The City event. Now in its 17th year, the annual industry conference got underway with an artist managers panel.
Caught by the buzz
Featuring the managers of bands like Kaiser Chiefs and The Courteeners, the panel looked at their involvement with such acts and the inside gossip of what it’s like to manage a band. Moderated by Loog Oldham, the panel discussed what it takes to be successful and how that is changing all the time with technology and the internet.
James Sandom manager of The Cribs said: “The mystery of searching for bands to manage has gone thanks to Myspace.” Also talking about the ever emerging Chinese market and issues surrounding signing record deals, Loog Oldham brought his experiences of managing the Rolling Stones to contrast it to the modern role of a manager.
Learn to speak fluent rock god
Although you might not know the name Dick Carruthers, his live performance work is highly celebrated and recognisable. Capturing the likes of The White Stripes, Oasis and recently the return of Led Zepplin, his live music DVDs have sold millions of copies worldwide.
With video clips to partner the lecture, the audience were taught ‘How to speak fluent rock god’. Fielding questions from the audience on technical issues and also how the credit crunch is reducing budgets for videos, Carruthers’ enthusiasm for the industry was matched by his technical expertise.
The importance of being idols
Exploring the idea of celebrity vs. creativity, a lively panel debated the issue with a lot of experience on stage.
Including – Jon ‘The Reverend’ Mcclure, Peter Hook (Joy Division/ New Order), Clint Boon (Inspiral Carpets), and Steve Chandra Savale (Asian Dub Foundation), programmes like X-factor and the idea of ‘Overnight success’ were dissected.
Talking about the how the media can stifle creativity, the Reverend said in regards to his fame that: “I feel like a sore thumb in a piranha pool”
Also covering issues on how hard it is to break through as a new band, Peter Hook talked about his early experiences with Joy Division: “You always write better music when you’re in pain”
To round up each of the panel gave their advice with The Reverend promoting his Instigate Debate website, which see fans asking celebrities questions on world issues in exchange for a gig in your own living room.
The knights of independence
Seymour Stein and Richard Gottehrer’s were two of the pioneers of American independent music business in the late 60’s and 70’s. Turning the likes of The Ramones and Talking Heads into the names they are today, their label Sire records was highly influential.
For the first time in twenty years, the pair discussed the history of independent record labels and the impact it had on them and their acts. With anecdotes, stories and even a little improvised singing, it was standing room only as these figures of independent music tried to cram in the last 40 years of music into just an hour.
News round-up – Day 3 – Tuesday 7th of October
The third and final day of In The City got under way with a panel on the upcoming and heavily publicised grime scene.
Bubbling Up
Titled ‘Bubbling Up’ the panel was an informal discussion with some of the artists who are making waves on the scene.
Featuring the producer of ‘Wearing my Rolex’ – Bless Beats, Jenna G (Artist, DJ -BBC 1Xtra) and Nika D from Manchester act Virus Syndicate, they talked about the process of making it in the grime scene.
All indicating that networking, drive and hunger are crucial ingredients to succeed, other topics covered whether grime acts should be signing with independent or major record labels, with both pros and cons for both.
Saying the unsayable
Following on from the grime panel, Jarvis Cocker delivered a lecture on the art of lyrics titled ‘Saying the Unsayable’.
Discussing the art of writing lyrics and their role in popular music, it was only the second time the show had been seen after being part of the Brighton Festival earlier this year.
Also playing some of his own songs on an acoustic guitar, it only seemed fitting that it was performed at In The City, when Cocker revealed the inspiration behind the lecture.
“The reason I’m here is because originally the idea of this was planted in my head by Tony Wilson.”
Covering lyrics through the ages, Cocker analysed his own lyrics, as well as those by The Beatles, Leonard Cohen and David Bowie.
In The City – Hypothetical
The ITC hypothetical uses the expertise and experience of the panel, as they each suggest how they would take a new unsigned artist and change them into an established well known name.
Hosted by Drowned In Sound founder Sean Adams, the panel consisted of John Robb (Music Journalist/Artist), Geoff Travis (Founder of Rough Trade) and Whiskas (Artist – Forward Russia).
Basing the narrative five years in the future, the panel looked at the idea of doing as much as you can yourself. From home recording, self promoting, booking gigs and merchandise – all aspects of the DIY culture were examined.
I’m the model and I’m looking good
Looking to the younger generation in an industry that is moving quickly, is how things grow and the panellists for this talk have all embraced ‘new’ business models successfully.
From Sean Adams’ Drowned In Sound community and record label, to Paul Griffith’s Babycakes t-shirts and shop, the new ways of doing things are working well.
Hosted by Johnny J (Music Entrepreneur) they discussed the role of MP3 bloggers, website designers and the role of the lawyers in the music industry in 2008 and beyond.
Has the music industry come full circle?
Following on from the next generation of music entrepreneurs, the last panel of ITC 2008 saw some heavyweight names posing the question: Has the music industry come full circle?
With an all star cast of Andrew Loog-Oldham (Ex-Rolling Stones manager), Seymour Stein (Sire Records), Richard Gottehrer (The Orchard)
Alan McGee (Creation records), Mike Smith (Columbia Records), Korda Marshall (Ex-Warner Bros) and Geoff Travis (Founder of Rough Trade), they built on what the previous panel discussed.
With many similarities and differences Loog Oldham stressed how “The road was and is king” although they were all in agreement that the industry had changed significantly over the last decade.
All having started working in music at least 20 years ago, the panel brought an established and well educated view on if the things had come full circle. In short the answer was up in the air, but the crucial backbone of playing gigs and having good songs, was as strong then, as it is now.
