Pop news

Getting on in pop

It’s easy to make it in the music industry right? WRONG.

A record doesn’t just become a hit, there’s a finely tuned process based on years of experience to getting a song to the top of the charts.

It’s an uphill battle.

First, there’s recording the music itself, teaming up with the right producers to give an artist the edge they crave and the reputation they desire.

Then there’s the hype, dropping hints to carefully selected music mags about how the new material will knock the socks off everyone when it is released.

Then there’s the advertising, arty shots combined with flattering review quotes plastered on posters and in the press.

And eventually the release, the big climax where if the aforementioned has gone to plan the song will explode and take on a life of its own in the nation’s psyche.

In the past it has built unrivalled excitement among fans, quick to rush to shops to get their hands on the music on the first day of release.

Yet a new strategy is being unleashed onto the unsuspecting fans - the element of surprise. And it seems like a winner.

Jack White’s successful outfit the Raconteurs rushed released their second album Consolers of the Lonely in March 2008.

Refusing to send copies to music journalists, without promotion and on sale worldwide just weeks after it was recorded the aim was to stop it being leaked online beforehand.

White proclaimed he wanted fans to hear the album and make their own judgement rather than it being defined by first-week sales, reviews or promotion.

A great option if your albums a stinker — by the time buyers have got their hands on it it’s too late.

But the album wasn’t, it was rather good. It also sold a fair few copies and garnered coverage because of the speedy release — earnest artists or marketing brilliance?

Record companies were quick to catch on and a culture of instant gratification has emerged over the last year.

Bohemian soulster Florence and the Machine debuted new track Give Me The Water online last week, no sooner had fans heard the studio track for the first time they could instantly download it on Itunes.

It coincided with a message that the band’s second album, recorded and ready in just five weeks, would be released on November 7 and is as yet untitled.

Such a move seems to be positive, the music comes first and the pomp comes after - no matter how much a pain in the backside it is for reviewers.

Sure, many will long for the intense excitement of their favourite artist announcing a track six months in advance, but with the amount of pesky music pirates quick to illegally trade them online it seems impossible in today’s world.

The thrill of the unexpected will have to suffice, a worthy replacement if you ask me.



BOOKING NOW
FORMER X Factor contestant Olly Murs has come a long way since coming runner up on the show in 2009.

He shot to the top of the charts with his debut single last year, sold over half a million albums and his current single Heart Skips a Beat has also proved a winner.

He’s graduating to the big time with a UK arena tour next year, during which he’ll stop by the Manchester Arena on February 18, 2012.


Arcade Fire — Manchester Arena.

CANADIAN rock collective Arcade Fire has had a global boost since the band’s surprise Grammy win last year.

Cherished and adored by their disciple-like fans, their roof-raising anthemic offerings have struck a chord with millions.

Now, after celebrating monster hit album The Suburbs, they’re on tour to bring their rapturous live performance to Manchester.



NOEL Gallagher’s High Flying Birds make their debut performance in the Oasis star’s hometown.

The much-anticipated debut album from the new outfit will be released on October 17, with the group set to play the Manchester Apollo on October 26.

It follows the recent release of well-received debut single The Death of You and Me.


KAISER Chiefs return to the limelight after a two-year break.

Taking on smaller venues than previous tours, the band will play the Manchester Academy on February 17, 2012.

Their latest release, The Future Is Medieval, may have failed to produce a monster hit but this extensive UK tour should prove they remain a crowd puller.



LMFAO unleash their very own “party rock” genre on Manchester during a four-date tour in November.

Biggest hit Party Rock shifted almost 900,000 copies in the UK and clung on to the number one slot for weeks.

Catch them live at the Manchester Academy 3 on November 3.


Coming up
Tonight: CSS — Manchester Academy; Comet Gain — Manchester Roundhouse.

Wednesday: The Menzingers — Star and Garter; Arcade Fire — Manchester Arena; Gordon Gano and the Ryan Brothers — the Ruby Lounge.

Thursday: Hell On Earth Tour — Moho Live; Fun Lovin’ Criminals — the Ruby Lounge; Attica Rage — Manchester Roundhouse.

Friday: Mac Miller — Manchester Club Academy; Academy Live — Academy 3; Humanizer — St Philips Church Salford; The Flatliners — Night and Day Cafe; Iceage — Salford Islington Mill.

Saturday: Ron Sexsmith — Bridgewater Hall; Academy Live — Manchester Academy 3; The Peacocks — Manchester Gullivers Bar; Mr Scruff Keep It Unreal — Band On The Wall;

Monday: Austra — Deaf Institute; Blonde Redhead — Manchester Club Academy; Bob Log III — the Ruby Lounge; Kurt Vile and the Violators and Woods — Manchester Sound Control.