The MUSEXPO conference has wrapped for another year, after four days of heated debate. The weather was disappointing, but the insight from top execs was not, so here, Music Week has pulled together 10 of the pithiest soundbites issued from the W Hotel stage. Enjoy – and see you next year…
“When I see eight to 10 writers on a song, I wonder, ‘What did you do? Get the coffee?’ I’m not in those rooms, I refuse. It’s not my thing.” – Songwriter Diane Warren wants no part in the co-writing revolution.
“I’d rather have 5,000 credit card [details] than 100,000 people on a mailing list.” – Artist manager Colin Lester just wants your money.
“Indie rock is coming back.” – Music supervisor Alex Patsavas keeps the spirit of Seth Cohen alive.
“Data will help you make you money, gut instinct will help you change culture.” – Songwriter/producer Savan Kotecha pulls no punches.
“The music industry has a very strong immune system. It views inbound technology as a virus.” – PledgeMusic’s Dr Benji Rogers will see you now…
“The one thing you can’t fake is bums on seats.” – Radio 1’s Chris Price has no time for fake pews.
“You have to embrace socials. But it isn’t the ‘post five times a day’ way of doing it. It’s about being yourself.” – It’s complicated, says Black Box’s Livia Tortella.
“If we don’t invest in new artists, we’re not investing in the future.” – Booking agent Neil Warnock refuses to dwell in the past.
“A lot of people are obsessed with streaming. Streaming has certainly become the record store and your record collection and it definitely does want to become your radio station. But some of us have been doing this for 50 years and we’ve got some tricks still up our sleeves – and we believe we’ll be here for another 50 years.” – Radio 1’s Ben Cooper refuses to take the streaming revolution lying down.
“I look at the music business like BC and AD. It’s pre-Napster and post-Napster.” – BMG’s Zach Katz gets religion.
MUSEXPO has now wrapped after four days of panels and events. To catch up with Day 1, click here; for Day 2, click here; and for Day 3, click here. To read about BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 2’s big win at the MUSEXPO awards, click here.
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