…Sometimes Music Takes You On The Strangest Journeys

Sometimes I think my job as Chairman becomes as much PR as actually running a music company… I was invited to attend the One Music Festival in Perth on the weekend as a guest speaker alongside Dave Holmes (manager of Coldplay, Interpol etc), Dann Bowley (International Institute Of Entertainment USA), Ralph Simon (Chairman Mobile Entertainment Forum USA), Steve Strange (Director XRay touring .. he looks after live bookings for Coldplay, Scissor Sisters, Eminem, The Pixies etc).

We covered a lot of ground in a 90 minute panel, but two of the biggest issues and potential areas today are:

• Digital is the real opportunity is getting music for artists and consumers and the possibilities are infinite. EMI is already testing and trying in this space but we need to be doing more and making the connection to legally purchase music as easy as possible.
• There is more appetite for music than ever before in history – its ubiquitous – its everywhere! So part of the challenge from music companies like EMI is to find a new model… so we can keep investing in artists and creating great music so artists can have long-term careers.

Over 100 guest speakers came in from all over the globe, meanwhile there were 2 days of bands performing in festival, fringe and club settings, plus thousands of music fans. Its mission is combining the artists, industry and fan together as One Movement – all sharing a love of Music. Im sure well see it return next year and for years to come. EMI artists Miami Horror & Matt Nathanson both played great sets and garnered great reactions from the crowds.

Personal highlights…

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