new music fridays

ICYMI: Global Change: New Music Day! a.k.a. “New Music Fridays”

by • July 17, 2015

The move will mean fans can now get new music on the same day worldwide rather than having to wait for their own national release day…”

Earlier this year, it was announced that “New Music Tuesday” will be changing to “New Music Friday” sometime this summer. That time had finally come. Friday, July 10, 2015, was the first Friday of New Music Friday. In more than 45 countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Australia, this change has taken effect. There will be exceptions: Some countries, particularly in Asia, will release local music on different days.

Since I can remember, new music has been released on Tuesdays. [Before getting involved in the industry] I never truly understood why, but I was cool with it. Purchasing new music on Tuesdays was a nice treat after having to go through Monday. As I got older, having the release date being Tuesdays actually helped me budget my money a little bit better. It made me not blow through my entire paycheck in one weekend.

As a consumer, I’m not sure how I feel about this change. Like most, I am a creature of habit, so it’ll be something I’ll have to adapt to. I really never thought it was a big deal music being released elsewhere before being released in the U.S. I usually [and legally] stream new music, especially if I’m unsure about buying it. I had pre-ordered an album the other week (What’s Eating Gilbert’s That New Sound You’re Looking For) and downloaded it as soon as it became available (about 11:30pm Thursday night). Sidenote: Check the album out if you like cheese. It’s so corny, but so fun to listen to.

Now that I’m on the business side of the industry, I understand the reasoning behind the change. Friday being the global release day benefits the industry big time. Everyone usually gets payed on Friday, so there isn’t much of a reason to not purchase music, and because most tend to shop on the weekends (consumer traffic peaks), so why not take advantage it. Also, one of the biggest issues is piracy. The industry, ranging from interns to artists to the [major] labels and even to distribution (think brick & mortar), really anyone affected by that bottom line, wants to do as much as possible to prevent piracy (aka prevent losing money).

Music fans live in the digital world of today … Their love for new music doesn’t recognize national borders. They want music when it’s available on the Internet — not when it’s ready to be released in their country.” – International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI)

It puts an end to fans being unable to access music in their own country when it is legally available elsewhere, and the frustration that can cause.” – Frances Moore (CEO – IFPI)

From a marketing standpoint, Fridays are great. Marketing can be done all week leading up to the the release. It makes it so much easier for the artists to do press in different cities and/or countries. There’s more room for flexibility. It allows artists to really connect with their fans which usually results in sales. Ultimately, if it’s done right, between marketing, touring, and press maximum results can from this change. Marketing costs might even decrease. We’ll see how this change will play out…

Consumers aren’t really negatively affected by this change. Independent stores, labels, and distributors are really the ones who will suffer the most. I’ve always been an indie advocate, but I’ll admit it, I drank some of the Kool-Aid. A girl’s gotta eat, right? 🙂 On a more serious note, business will likely be badly affected for indies. The business during the week will not be necessarily made up for on the weekends. The exclusivity offered to patrons has now been taken away.

I have mixed feelings on this change.

What’s your take on it?

Comment below.

New Music Fridays preview by Katie Baldwin.

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