In Britain, artists like Elton John, Paul Weller, and Keane are backing social media moves in support for the retail section of music. The campaign is to help music stores that are facing financial problems and possibly months of shutdown.
#loverecordstores is the trending campaign on social media global initiative now. It is asking musicians, actors, and music fans around the world to post video messages about their favorite record store and encourage their followers to buy vinyl and CD's from online pages of the shops that were closed due to the quarantine period.
Aside from John, Weller, and Keane, many artists from Britain are supporting the idea, including 4AD, Heavenly Recordings, Acid Jazz, Domino, and Mute.
Jason Rackham, managing director of PIAS U.K. appreciated the support of artists in the company's advocacy to save music stores. He came up with the idea a week ago when Rickham was in his home in London. "I've been really taken aback by how people have embraced it. In the past few days, it's really grown wings," he told Billboard.
The Situation of Music Stores
Music stores are now facing significant competition from online sales and streaming music. Last year, despite challenges put from modern music sites, vinyl and other physical music formats still had a strong demand. Record stores remained high at 1.4 billion pounds or more than 1.7 billion dollars.
"Physical entertainment still amounted to a £1.4 billion market in 2019. It is certainly down, but it is far bigger than many appreciate and still offers benefits in terms of gifting, collectability, and permanence which streaming cannot match," according to Entertainment Retailers Association CEO Kim Bayley in the association's press release.
Last year, around 425 indie music stores remained at a decade high. Such music stores are the only ones that are not in decline in numbers in 2019. "While much of music spending has moved online, independents with a distinctive, locally-tailored offering continue to flourish," Bayley added.
In the United States, because of the coronavirus pandemic, music stores are struggling to survive and Amazon is focusing on household goods.
Before the weekend of March 21, Billboard reported that 120 record stores in America were closed because of the government-mandated quarantines or to halt minimize the spread of the virus. Some are now even selling music online.
Last March 19, musician Niall Horan said that his album "Heartbreak Weather" sold 26,000 physical copies. He said it was his most popular album physically, and it also shows the grim future of physical music. Some stores are now closing their stores temporarily, and some are now resigning due to state regulations.
Support in Britain
Rackham is now urging artists all around the world to support their own country's music stores. Since the campaign's debut on March 26, he was flooded with messages of support from managers and labels all around the world.
"Record stores are often local, cultural and social hubs in many towns and cities around the world," Rackham says on the Billboard article. He added that people have a bond with music stores like with other people or a radio station.
Campaigns are now being done, thanks to supports from Martin Mills of Beggars Group, Megan Page of Record Store Day U.K., and Nigel House of Rough Trade.
Other separate campaign was done by British Phonographic Industry, Association of Independent Music and ERA. A consortium of music distributors in the country also pledged support.
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