Annie Mac has told Music Week that the music business is breaking away from tried and tested modes of business.
The new music expert and founder of Annie Mac Presents takes the AMP brand into conferences for the first time at AMP London, with the first of two days’ programming getting underway today (March 29).
“It’s pushing the boundaries of what AMP can be. I really want AMP to feel like a place for the music industry,” said Mac, who stars on the cover of the new edition of Music Week, out now.
“I talk about music as a job, it’s exciting to bring that into AMP. I want this to be known and respected in the industry, but also from a young music lover’s perspective too.”
Day two of the conference features speakers including Dirty Hit, AWAL and Sink The Pink, and is aimed at the next generation of music business talent.
“I feel strongly about owning things and the concept of owning your own ideas and ambitions,” Mac said. “In the music industry, there are a lot of people ready to own you.”
I feel strongly about owning things and the concept of owning your own ideas and ambitions
Annie Mac
Mac believes it’s “less and less necessary” for young people to “hand over things to bigger corporations if you don’t have to or want to”.
She added: “If you’re a young person coming up, feel the courage to have your idea, own it and run with it. Create your own podcast, create your own label, your own radio station, publishing company, studio... It’s all stuff you can do yourself. There’s an exciting trend where people are saying, ‘You know what? We’re just going to do this ourselves and see what happens’.”
In a wide-ranging interview, Mac addressed the music industry’s issues with equality and diversity, and revealed feelings of frustration at labels’ treatment of new artists.
The presenter acknowledged her position as an important voice in the business.
“When I did that last cover interview with Music Week, I felt like that changed a lot of things,” Mac said. “People are looking to me to speak on things more and more. I consider myself to be? a creative first and foremost, rather than a businesswoman. I kind of struggle with those two roles, but I’m doing what feels natural to me and authentic. I talk about things I feel passionate about and say no to the things that don’t suit me so well.”
Subscribers can read the full interview online here.
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