The Importance of Streaming in 2017 and Beyond
It’s that time of year again. The time when a vast array of music blogs fight for your attention with their end of year lists, all vying to be the definitive voice on which music was the most influential.
If you use social media with any frequency, you may have noticed your social circle sharing their own listening habits and opinions. This week, Spotify launched their “2017 Wrapped” project, providing a variety of statistics on every user’s listening throughout the year including total listening time, top artists and top genres.
The increasing importance of streaming services within the music industry has been evident for some time now, Eamonn Ford of the Guardian claiming that “in 2017, if you’re not on them, you might as well not exist.” Despite some pushback from high profile artists such as Thom Yorke and Neil Young, it is evident that streaming sites are here to stay and getting your music on these platforms is an essential endeavour for any artist who hopes to compete.
However, the “total time listened” feature of 2017 wrapped shows just how widely used Spotify, in particular, is for music consumers. My own personal time amounted to 36,349 minutes, or around 25 days! Even at that, I’ve seen numerous friends with higher numbers and with Spotify alone having over 140 million active users,the amount of music being consumed is massive. This shows the vast potential for music to be heard on Spotify, which is particularly vital for small and unknown artists, for whom getting people to bother checking out a track can seem like a mammoth task.
The change in listening methods brought on by streaming has also seen a move away from albums and towards playlists which means single tracks are more important than ever. Being featured on influential playlists can give previously unknown artists worldwide exposure almost overnight. A recent example is former AMS apprentice Lewis Capaldi, who’s first single, “Bruises” was released in March and has now racked up over 30 Million streams on Spotify alone after generating a huge online buzz, taking him around the world playing shows.
For any musicians unsure about getting their tracks on streaming services, whether due to lack of confidence, being unsure about the process or being worried about the expense, I would highly recommend looking into it. I have listed some of the most widely-used distributors below, which offer a variety of packages and often let the artist keep 100% of royalties earned. Digital distribution is fairly inexpensive and essential to a musician’s career in the modern music landscape!
EmuBands - www.emubands.com
TuneCore - www.tunecore.co.uk
CD Baby - www.cdbaby.com
Ditto Music - www.dittomusic.com
Masterclass with Ferocious Dog
Gateshead students were treated with a masterclass by Ken Bonswell and Dan Booth from the independent band that 'encompasses folk infused with rock, reggae and Celtic vibrations', Ferocious Dog. Students were able to get up close for an exclusive performance as well as ask questions, explore Ken and Dan's experience of music and gain some valuble insight.
Ferocious Dog have a dedicated fan base who helped them make history by becoming the only unsigned act to ever sell out the Rescue Rooms in Nottingham, not only once but twice.
A firm festival favourite, more information on Ferocious Dog can be found at www.ferociousdog.co.uk. Join the pack and follow their shenanigans at:
Facebook: @FerociousDog
Twitter: @FerociousDog
Instagram: fd.ferociousdog
Applications Open for New Masters Course
We're proud to announce we are accepting students to our new Masters in Popular Music Performance, in affiliation with the London College of Music and University of West London.
- Explore in-depth an area of musicianship that interests you
- Combine practical and academic study with extensive ensemble work and individual tuition
- Expand and develop your competitive edge
- Gain academic recognition to explore theories and ideas
Studying at this level will broaden your horizons as a musician and scholar, to support you in a multi-faceted career. The Masters will enable you to explore areas of interest in greater depth, develop new skills and open new avenues of investigation both musically and academically.
We will be offering this 1 year course at our centres in Exeter, Gateshead, Glasgow and Southampton (Fees £5,995 P/A).
We are accepting applications for January and September 2018 start.
You can find out more information here.
Or by contacting [email protected] stating which centre you're interested in studying at.
Volunteer @ Bearded Theory Festival 2018: AMS Students ONLY
AMS Students wanted for industry experience at 3 day music festival - ticket and travel included!
The Academy of Music and Sound will be hosting the One Big Showcase stage at the 3 day music festival, Bearded Theory 24th -27th May in Derbyshire.
We will bring our students together from across the country to gain industry experience at the independent festival, that regularly sells out and has won an array of awards including Best Small Festival, Promoter of the Year, Best Family Festival, Gig of the Year and UK’s Best Independent Festival.
Performing acts have included Slaves, Peter Hook, UB40, Buzzcocks, The Levellers, Reverend & the Makers, Madness, Foy Vance and The Jam to name a few.
This is open to Academy of Music and Sound students only, studying in England on our Foundation Degree in Music Performance and Foundation Degree in Creative Music Production.
Register your interest at [email protected] with your name, centre location, email address, contact number, area of interest(s), centre location and explain why you would be suitable for the role in less than 300 words.
• Performance (Band/Singer-songwriter)
• Performance (DJ-set)
• Sound and Lighting
• Stage Management
• Filming
• Social Media
• Vlogging/Blogging
• Stewarding
• Photography
Unsigned Bands, Artists and Performers WANTED - Your chance to play at Bearded Theory Festival
Are you an unsigned band? Or write and perform your own songs? Perform poetry or live art? We’re looking for some talented individuals to join us at Bearded Theory 2018!
The Academy of Music and Sound will be hosting a stage at the 3 day music festival! 
Bearded Theory 24th -27th May in Derbyshire, with the fantastic opportunity for unsigned bands, artists and performers to play at our One Big Showcase stage.
The festival regularly sells out and has won an array of awards including Best Small Festival, Promoter of the Year, Best Family Festival, Gig of the Year and UK’s Best Independent Festival.
Performing acts have included Slaves, Peter Hook, UB40, Buzzcocks, The Levellers, Reverend & the Makers, Madness, Foy Vance and The Jam to name a few.
To get involved complete and submit the form below. Please try & provide as many links as possible, the more we can see you performing the better. We will contact the submissions who have been selected to play, after the submission deadline – December 31st 2017*.
*Correction – an earlier post stated the submission deadline as December 31st 2018.
You must be over 18 to enter.
www.academyofmusic.ac.uk
www.beardedtheory.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @Academyms and Instagram @ams_uk
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Thank you to everyone who has applied. We will be contacting the final line-up before 31st of January.
Are you an unsigned band? Or write and perform your own songs? Perform poetry or live art? We’re looking for some talented individuals to join us at Bearded Theory 2018!
The Academy of Music and Sound will be hosting a stage at the 3 day music festival!
Bearded Theory 24th -27th May in Derbyshire, with the fantastic opportunity for unsigned bands, artists and performers to play at our One Big Showcase stage.
The festival regularly sells out and has won an array of awards including Best Small Festival, Promoter of the Year, Best Family Festival, Gig of the Year and UK’s Best Independent Festival.
Performing acts have included Slaves, Peter Hook, UB40, Buzzcocks, The Levellers, Reverend & the Makers, Madness, Foy Vance and The Jam to name a few.
To get involved complete and submit the form below. Please try and provide as many links as possible, the more we can see you performing the better. We will contact the submissions who have been selected to play, after the submission deadline – December 31st 2017*.
*Correction – an earlier post stated the submission deadline as December 31st 2018.
You must be over 18 to enter.
www.academyofmusic.ac.uk
www.beardedtheory.co.uk
Follow us on Twitter @Academyms and Instagram @ams_uk
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED
Thank you to everyone who has applied. We will be contacting the final line-up before 31st of January.
New Start in Performance Industries (BA Hons)
New Years Resolution to further your career? There's still time to enrol on on of our exciting Online Degree Courses in Performance Industries!
And if you are an experienced musician you may be eligible to Fast Track onto the final BA top up year and do the whole degree in one year. All this at your own pace, from the comfort of your own home, whilst still working.
You will have access to the full course, mentors, tutors and the facilities of your local centre.
It's not too late to apply, take a look at our courses and contact us or fill out the application form on our website:
https://www.academyofmusic.ac.uk/online
Fast Track to an online BA degree in Performance Industries
Do you have 5+ years musical experience? You could be eligible for Fast Track entry to an online BA degree in Performance Industries.
Gain a BA qualification at your own pace and from home in 12 months (full time) or 18 months (part time). You can study from anywhere in the UK, with your own personal mentor and access to one of our 8 highly acclaimed study centres and facilities. With your proven experience as a musician you can access the final year of a full degree and launch your career to the next level in one of the many careers in the music industry.
For more details visit the AMS Online website.
Fast Track to BA Performance Industries
If you have 5+ years experience as a musician, you may be eligible for Fast Track entry to one of our highly acclaimed Performance Industries BA degree courses. You can complete your degree online over 12 months (full time) or 18 months (part time). Based anywhere in the UK, you have the freedom to work through the course material at your own pace, with your own personal mentor and access to your local Music Centre and its facilities.
Contact: https://www.academyofmusic.ac.uk/amsonline/contact/[email protected]
AMS North East Singer-Songwriting teacher Barry Hyde and the Malody Ensemble
AMS North East Song Writing teacher Barry Hyde has just been given a 4 star review for his gig at the weekend!
St Pancras Old Church, London
The Futureheads frontman revisits a decade of mental illness in a haunting, darkly funny and deeply moving set.