Ticketmaster is trying to make friends...

Looks like Ticketmaster is trying play nice nicer.  Not only are they now BLOGGING (not sure who gets to do that job...or who came up with the blog name, Ticketology) but they have also started a few practices that they are alleging to be "for the people".  First off, those hated TM fees that we all hate will now be included right off the bat in the very first ticket price you see when looking for tickets.  This would lessen the instant hatred that erupts every time we see that ticket price grow as we proceed through the purchase...but its still there!  Additionally, some shows will have an interactive map that allows you to select your exact seat.  That will be nice but only really useful with shows that are slow sellers...no way would I take my time handpicking a seat to a Radiohead show that would sell out instantly.  The third and last change is rather interesting.  Apparently they are now offering a 3 day window for you to return your tickets (provided its not less than 1 week before the show).  This will be interesting to see how scalpers play with this.  Who knows if any of this will benefit the consumer but at least its a nice change to see them even seem concerned with the audience.

Music: 1990 vs 2010

One more way Ticketmaster could screw you...

Haha..."Fine Ticketmaster, you win"

YOUR BRAIN ON COMPUTERS [NY Times]

YOUR BRAIN ON COMPUTERS [NY Times]

It is a debate that has become increasingly common as technology has redefined the notion of what is “urgent.” How soon do people need to get information and respond to it? The believers in the group say the drumbeat of incoming data has created a false sense of urgency that can affect people’s ability to focus.

Matt Richtel raises an interesting question...are we better or worse off today with the deluge of emails, cellphones, and digital everything?  Like every philosophical question, I'm sure the answer is a very complicated yes and no.  I guess two steps forward and one step back is better than no steps forward though, right?  

Related to this, I've wondered how us music lovers are staying afloat among all this "free" music that is so easily accessible.  First off, there has to be more music out there since its easy for just about anyone to create and distribute these days.  That probably just means more crap to wade through.  Then of course the ease of collecting music means my iTunes library is getting increasingly bloated.  I probably currently have 90+ GB's of music and I'm sure a quarter of it I've yet to hear.  But I'm not complaining.  Despite all this noise, I definitely feel more satisfied and totally happy with too many options and too much music.  And the benefit to the artist?  Increased revenue from all these concerts I'm into thanks to world wide webosphere. 

SETLIST: Pitchfork, Live Nation, Azoff Tweets

How Pitchfork Struck a Note in Indie Music [Time]  - I definitely agree that Pitchfork has become a force within the Indie Music scene...yet I hardly ever read any of their stuff.  My outside view is that alot of fans find their reviews either uber-critical or too gushing.  Either way, Taste-makers like Pitchfork are clearly getting more and more important.

Live Nation posts a second quarter loss on sagging ticket sales [LA Times]  - Uhoh,  maybe the revenue from live shows won't save the music industry.  Then again, this is for the quarter leading up to the end of June.  Perhaps the 3Q Summer numbers will be more telling.  I still feel like they should be reporting Shell Oil kinda numbers with all those damn fees they rape us with.

OMG! Ticketmaster head Irving Azoff throws down a Twitter gauntlet [LA Times]  - I love when old people try out new technology and totall embarrass themselves :)  You have to give it up for old Irving.  He's worked hard and built quite a nice little empire there for himself.  Nonetheless, seems like a total a**hole.  If you want to read more about the rise of Irving and behind the scenes of Ticketmaster/Live Nation monster, check out David Segal's article from the NYT, Calling Almost Everyone's Tune.

A Big Fat Thanks to Record Execs

[more at icanhasinternets]

Lifehacker's Streaming Music Roundup

Image via Wikipedia

Very comprehensive article over at Lifehacker giving you all the details of the major music streaming services (Spotify, Rdio, Rhapsody, MOG, Napster, Grooveshark, Pandora, Last.FM, Slacker Radio).  Their top recommendations?

"The Best Services For:
• Global availability: MOG and Grooveshark
• Pricing per track available: MOG
• Multi-platform availability: Spotify and Pandora
• Offline availability: Spotify and Rdio—though without knowing the limits on Rdio's offline syncing.
• Most offered for free: Grooveshark, Last.fm, and Slacker Radio
• Ease of use: Pandora"

 Battle of the Streaming Music Services [Lifehacker]

Double (In) Rainbows

Image by Rick Rey via Flickr

Bloggers Ordered to Take Down Radiohead Songs That Were Once Free

So can you actually steal something that was once free? In most cases, yes. One commenter summed it up nicely, writing that posting songs that were once available for free but now aren't, is a bit like "a shop giving away a free drink with a sandwich as a special offer one week, and then you go in and shoplift the same drink a week after the promotion has ended."

Read more: Time.com