Eamonn Forde
Black Sky Thinking
O Superfan: How Rock & Pop’s Elite Screw their Loyal Supporters – and why it won’t Work
The mainstream music biz reckons that devoted fans are the golden geese that'll keep laying, and the streaming services are about to get in on the grift. Eamonn Forde explains why this makes no business sense
Black Sky Thinking
O Superfan: How Rock & Pop’s Elite Screw their Loyal Supporters – and why it won’t Work
The mainstream music biz reckons that devoted fans are the golden geese that'll keep laying, and the streaming services are about to get in on the grift. Eamonn Forde explains why this makes no business sense
Black Sky Thinking
TikTokin’ in the Freed World: Social Media’s New Payola Scandal
The scandal of artists paying DJs for radio plays might seem a relic of the past but, says music biz expert Eamonn Forde, news that influencers might demand a percentage of artist royalties in return for exposure gives this corruption a grim contemporary twist
Black Sky Thinking
TikTokin’ in the Freed World: Social Media’s New Payola Scandal
The scandal of artists paying DJs for radio plays might seem a relic of the past but, says music biz expert Eamonn Forde, news that influencers might demand a percentage of artist royalties in return for exposure gives this corruption a grim contemporary twist
Black Sky Thinking
Indie-gestion: With Universal Ravenously Hungry, is the Independent Label Sector Facing an Existential Crisis?
As the Universal Music Group gobbles up independent stalwart PIAS, music biz expert Eamonn Forde asks if this corporate greed suggests bleak times are ahead for the rest of the indie ecosystem
Black Sky Thinking
Indie-gestion: With Universal Ravenously Hungry, is the Independent Label Sector Facing an Existential Crisis?
As the Universal Music Group gobbles up independent stalwart PIAS, music biz expert Eamonn Forde asks if this corporate greed suggests bleak times are ahead for the rest of the indie ecosystem
Black Sky Thinking
A Penury for Your Thoughts: The Romance & Myths vs the Reality of the Starving Artist
The penniless genius creating work in his or her garret is a long-standing staple of popular culture, exploited for good PR by artists from Bob Dylan to Seasick Steve and Pete Doherty. But, says Eamonn Forde, the reality of life faced by artists like Lawrence of Mozart Estate, is not something to be celebrated by lazy music fans
Black Sky Thinking
A Penury for Your Thoughts: The Romance & Myths vs the Reality of the Starving Artist
The penniless genius creating work in his or her garret is a long-standing staple of popular culture, exploited for good PR by artists from Bob Dylan to Seasick Steve and Pete Doherty. But, says Eamonn Forde, the reality of life faced by artists like Lawrence of Mozart Estate, is not something to be celebrated by lazy music fans
Low Culture Essay
Low Culture Essay: Eamonn Forde On The Harrods Princess Di & Dodi Statue
Each year, Eamonn Forde would make a Christmas pilgrimage to "London's greatest tourist attraction", the statue to Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed at Harrods. In this month's Low Culture Essay, he mourns its loss, and reflects on the nature of its art
Low Culture Essay
Low Culture Essay: Eamonn Forde On The Harrods Princess Di & Dodi Statue
Each year, Eamonn Forde would make a Christmas pilgrimage to "London's greatest tourist attraction", the statue to Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed at Harrods. In this month's Low Culture Essay, he mourns its loss, and reflects on the nature of its art
Black Sky Thinking
Spotify Wrapped & Apple Music Replay Vie To Be The “John Lewis Ad” Of Streaming
The streaming services have become locked into an arms race to see who can own the end of year reveal, says Eamonn Forde. It's just that the artists who are, arguably, being badly treated and the listeners who foot the bill are the ones doing all of the heavy lifting when it comes to branding and marketing
Black Sky Thinking
Spotify Wrapped & Apple Music Replay Vie To Be The “John Lewis Ad” Of Streaming
The streaming services have become locked into an arms race to see who can own the end of year reveal, says Eamonn Forde. It's just that the artists who are, arguably, being badly treated and the listeners who foot the bill are the ones doing all of the heavy lifting when it comes to branding and marketing
Black Sky Thinking
How The Music Industry Took On Napster And (Not Everyone) Lost
Two decades on from Metallica's infamous decision to sue Napster, Eamonn Forde looks back and explores how the rock troupe's co-belligerent Dr Dre ended up outsmarting Ulrich & co, changing tack, and laughing all the way to the bank
Black Sky Thinking
How The Music Industry Took On Napster And (Not Everyone) Lost
Two decades on from Metallica's infamous decision to sue Napster, Eamonn Forde looks back and explores how the rock troupe's co-belligerent Dr Dre ended up outsmarting Ulrich & co, changing tack, and laughing all the way to the bank
Black Sky Thinking
Why Everything Is Love Is Tidal’s Last Desperate Throw Of The Dice
This weekend, Jay-Z and Beyoncé released joint album Everything Is Love exclusively via their Tidal platform. But with the record already on Spotify, Eamonn Forde argues that this is yet another vain lunge by the 1% and a platform that is failing to take off
Black Sky Thinking
Why Everything Is Love Is Tidal’s Last Desperate Throw Of The Dice
This weekend, Jay-Z and Beyoncé released joint album Everything Is Love exclusively via their Tidal platform. But with the record already on Spotify, Eamonn Forde argues that this is yet another vain lunge by the 1% and a platform that is failing to take off
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Black Sky Thinking
Green Issues: Music, Cannabis And You
Music and intoxication have gone hand in hand since prehistory, but the relationship of music and cannabis is particularly strong and complex, says Jono Podmore, a former habitual smoker, as he investigates a groundbreaking new study which may get us closer to understanding these links
Baker's Dozen
Magic Moments: Michael Head’s Baker’s Dozen
In a year that sees him finish his 'magical memoir', a new album with The Red Elastic Band and a career-spanning homecoming show in Liverpool, former Shack, Strands and Pale Fountains frontman Michael Head takes Patrick Clarke through the 13 records that shaped him
Low Culture Essay
Do Ya Wanna Funk? Paul Flynn On Hi-NRG
In our monthly subscriber-only essay, writer Paul Flynn describes being handed a flyer for an unusual literary event which acts as a madeleine, casting him back to the 1980s, and a sexual and sonic awakening. Detail from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt photographed by the author
Baker's Dozen
Pieces Of Life: Gaspar Noé’s Favourite Films
On the release of his new film Vortex, Gaspar Noé takes Patrick Clarke through an intense and adventurous Baker's Dozen of favourite films, and the lessons they've taught him on the extent of human cruelty and the joy of shocking an audience
