Introduction

The music industry is often overlooked in the analysis of media industries. Indeed, music is often viewed outside the general pantheon of what is meant by ‘the media’. Upon close inspection, however, it is clear not only that music is a major media industry in and of itself, but furthermore that it weaves itself into the very fabric of all audio-visual media, and even has a significant presence within print-based media in terms of reviews and promotion. The potential areas in which music can be produced, recorded and performed are far more expansive than any other. For example, just think about where in your everyday life you might expect to hear a piece of music: on the radio or in the car; on television across the whole range of genres or in film; or on a specific occasion, at a concert or nightclub.

In the examples above, music takes a leading role in the core activity of entertainment. A report by the DCMS on the state of the British music industry found that it generates £3.2bn in value to the UK economy and earns £1.3bn through exports (DCMS, 2001). Alternatively, think of where music enters your life in a more indirect way: when you enter a shop, a bar, a cafe, a hotel or even a lift; when you are put on hold on the telephone or hear the call of a mobile phone; or when you enter someone else's home or even the workplace.