‘MySpace Local’ Helps Support Local Music

Bruce Houghton — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 14:46:21 +0000

It’s been said that all politics is local and perhaps the same could be said for music. Not only do many fans love to support local music, but they want to know the best places to see it. Bands too, want to know which are the best places to perform. But like a voter choosing between candidates, which one is for them? Which choice are other members of their tribe supporting?

MySpace is trying to provide the answers with MySpace Local, a new broader crowdsourcing initiative that focuses on local bars, nightclubs and restaurants. The new section marries Citysearch’s database of local businesses with MySpace’s social community and enables conversations around content. Think of it as Yelp for the MySpace generation.

If enough people get involved, MySpace Local could become a resource for musicians to find venues and…

for fans to learn where to see their favorite bands. “For example, an up-and-coming band from Ohio is on their MySpace page and notices that in Chicago they have a lot of fans leaving them, ‘We love you, come to Chicago to play.’ comments,” suggested a MySpace spokesperson. “Since they are receiving so much favorable support from Chicago, they decide to schedule a performance in Chicago,.but they don’t know anything about Chicago venues or clubs. They can now go to MyLocal and check for great venues, instant reviews and contact information to start reaching out to venues to book a show." Or a fan could go to MySpace Local to find the best places to see music as recommended by their peers.

MySpace may also choose to broaden the Citysearch partnership, as Facebook has, to include a broader range of businesses. Here is an online presentation outlining the new section using LA’s famed Pink’s as an example. (That’s Pink’s the famous hot dog stand; not Pink the musician.) Venues and bands can can promote on MySpace Local using the MySpace Ads self-service advertising platform which launched last Fall.

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SXSW By The Numbers

Bruce Houghton — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 19:30:51 +0000

Paste Magazine’s Caren Kelleher has taken a look at emerging trends at SXSW and found that just as the conference is receiving increasing criticism for getting too big, 20% more bands than ever before have already been accepted to official showcases. Kelleher counts 1594 bands in 2008 vs. 1331 in 2007.

SXSW officials have been complaining loudly that unofficial showcases are hurting the conference and perhaps their solution is to bring more acts under the official umbrella. But in an era of info and musical overload, the less is more approach might have yielded better results despite the inevitable howls of exclusivity.

The unspoken reality, however, is that many conferences make much of their income from submission, showcase and attendance fees . Even when sponsorships provide the the bulk of the financial support, more shows by more bands mean more sponsorship sales opportunities.

The independent music industry needs a gathering place for its tribe and Austin provides that as well as serving as a new band and product launching pad. But SXSW officials have increasingly difficult choices ahead and if they don’t make them soon; the conference’s very relevance could be threatened.

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WebProNews » Bands

‘MySpace Local’ Helps Support Local Music

SXSW By The Numbers