Myspace

Chances are that you many of you will already know far more about Myspace than I ever will. You've probably got your own page and have about 1637 digital friends, all of whom you chat regularly to on-line, none of whom you would ever want to spend a second with in the real world. Myspace is the most famous of the 'social networking' sites on the web; online meeting places where you can chat, blog, upload videos, photos and music, and basically 'hang-out'. (The inverted commas are to denote that I know nobody actually uses this phrase. Irony is slippery to pin down on the screen.)

In 1996, powerful media honcho Rupert Murdoch (owner of the Sun and SKY TV in the UK) splashed out approx £300 million to buy Myspace. Suddenly people over the age of 18 were aware of its existence.

So what does all this have to do with music magazines? Well, Myspace is another threat to the supremacy of music magazines. Why wait to hear the views of your favourite artist in an interview in NME that might be out of date by the time it actually goes to print, when you can read what they blogged that very morning, and without any interference from a pesky journalist poking their nose into your private business or wanting to know why your new album's a bit on the ropy side? Not only that but you can hear their new songs, watch their video and even make 'friends' with them.

These days, setting up a Myspace page is a compulsory act for all new bands, many do it before they've even finished writing their first songs. It allows you to reach your fans directly, sidestepping the traditional media in the process. In other words, another smack in the face for a music press that is already on the ropes.

To learn more, check out trusty old Wikipedia's entry on Myspace:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myspace

Lily Allen is often referred to as the first star to be created by Myspace. This might be a bit of an exagerration, but Myspace definitely stirred up a lot of hype for her, particulary her blog in which she tends to be rather rude about other pop stars. Check out her site as an example of what the music magazines are up against.

NB Don't bother trying the link in school, Myspace is blocked. Spoilsports.

http://www.myspace.com/lilymusic