University News Last updated 16 April 2014
Catch former Gang of Four bassist Dave Allen and Professor Andrew Dubber discuss the impact of streaming on the music industry, before enjoying live music and networking on a roof terrace at Birmingham City University's 'Parkside' on Tuesday 29th April 2014 (4.30pm-8.30pm).
At Why Musicians Should Embrace Streaming, Allen, who has recently been hired by Beats Music to convey the economic benefits of streaming music to musicians and consumers, argues that it has always been hard for musicians and fires back at musicians who argue the web is bad for artists.
The free event is the first in a series of music industry events organised by Birmingham School of Media's Partners for Success programme.
Following his talk, Dave will be joined in conversation by Birmingham City University's Professor of Music Industry Innovation, Andrew Dubber. The event will close with live music and networking on the Parkside Roof Terrace and is open to anyone with an interest in the business and culture of online music streaming, the music industries, or digital culture.
Senior Lecturer in Music Industries and leader of the School of Media Partners For Success project, Matt Grimes, said, "We're delighted to be welcoming Dave to the University for what promises to be a fascinating event.
"One of the key objectives of the Partners for Success initiative is to build relationships with the local, national and international music industries; this is key to helping our students gain employment in a dynamic industry"
Tickets for the event are free but strictly limited. Attendees must register in advance as no tickets will be issued on the door.
To register for the free event, please reserve your place via Eventbrite.
Programme
- 4.30pm-5.00pm - Arrival and Registration
- 5.15pm-6.15pm - Musicians, the Internet and Societal Shifts: Why Musicians Should Embrace the Opportunity (Dave Allen, Beats Music)
- 6.15pm-6.45pm - In Conversation: Andrew Dubber (BCU) and Dave Allen (Beats Music)
- 7.00pm-8.30pm - Live music, drinks and networking on the Parkside Roof Terrace
Session 1: Musicians, the Internet and Societal Shifts: Why Musicians Should Embrace the Opportunity
Dave Allen (Beats Music)
5.15pm-6.15pm, Millennium Point Lecture Theatre
In an effort to address the critics of streaming music head on, Beats Music has hired Dave Allen, the former bass guitarist for the post-punk band Gang of Four, to be the company’s public face and chief advocate.
The newly created position involves conveying the economic benefits of streaming music to musicians who may be sceptical of how much money they can earn from subscription music royalties and consumers who are reluctant to pay for it. Allen has been outspoken in his own writings and in various interviews about the opportunities that technology and digital platforms bring to musicians.
In this special event he argues that it has always been hard for musicians and fires back at David Byrne, Thom Yorke, David Lowery and others who argue the Web is bad for artists and that streaming music companies are not paying artists enough money. He opens up the debate and encourages discussion. Read his Guardian article ‘Why David Byrne is Wrong About Spotify’ HERE.
Session 2: Andrew Dubber and Dave Allen - In Conversation
Andrew Dubber (Birmingham City University)
6.15pm-6.45pm, Millennium Point Lecture Theatre
Following Dave Allen's talk on the business and economics of streaming, he will be joined on-stage by Andrew Dubber for a conversation about online music.
Andrew Dubber is Professor of Music Industry Innovation at Birmingham City University where he runs an MA in Music Industries, supervises PhD projects in music, media and culture and leads research projects within the Interactive Cultures unit at the Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research (BCMCR).
He is a frequent keynote speaker at music industry events worldwide; his blogs and podcasts reach audiences numbering in the hundreds of thousands; and is followed by over 11,000 people on Twitter, where he posts about music industry innovation, popular music culture and digital media.
Session 3: Live Music and Networking
7pm-8.30pm, Parkside Roof Terrace
After what promises to be a fascinating couple of sessions, we then invite you to join us on the roof terrace of the new Parkside building for live music, drinks and networking.
This will be an opportunity to meet with the University staff and students involved with study and research around the music industries, along with members of the local music business community.
Further information
You will need to print off your Eventbrite ticket and bring it with you on the day, or be able to display your ticket on a device such as a laptop, tablet or smartphone.
Parkside is not open to the public on the day of the event so all guests must be signed in at the Parkside reception before they can enter the building. Please arrive promptly at 4.30pm to ensure we can get you all to the lecture theatre in time for a 5.15pm start. Please note, there will be no admittance after 5pm.
If you require further information about the event please contact Craig Hamilton.