Taskforce needed to develop music industry

Opportunities for developing Ireland’s music industry that contributes almost half a billion euro to the economy and supports more than 11,500 jobs are outlined in a major report published yesterday.

It says there are significant job creation, export, commercial and educational opportunities that can be opened up for the country’s indigenous music industry if the right support structures can be put in place.

However, the report by Deloitte and commissioned by the Irish Music Rights Organisation also reveals that while digital sales have grown significantly in the four years to 2012, recorded music sales fell by almost €40m from €72m to €33m per annum.

Digital sales and streaming, while rising strongly from €8m to €13m over the same period , have not yet filled the financial hole that has emerged.

A survey of IMRO members and consultations with key music industry representatives raised a number of concerns about the industry.

Among the report’s recommendations are the creation of a music industry taskforce to advise on music policy; establishing a new music office to support musicians; ensuring tax reliefs are efficient and effective and the appointment of an intellectual property tsar.

On the plus side, the report points out that the live music scene in Ireland has been growing significantly in recent years, particularly the summer festivals.

However, the value of music has been affected by technology-enabled piracy, with a generation growing up with the expectation that music is free.

While the growth in legitimate streaming services is believed to be displacing pirate demand, the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry estimates that 27% of internet users in Europe still access at least one unlicensed site monthly.

The report points out that while online services, such as Spotify, iTunes, Soundcloud and Deezer, are changing the way music is discovered, radio still remains a vital channel for discovering music.

IMRO chief executive, Victor Finn, said fully licensed streaming and downloading services were now creating income for the music industry.

This was happening as Spotify and Deezer continued to transfer people from the free advertisement- funded models to the premium ones, he said.

“A second effect is that the availability of legal music and content means that people don’t tend to file share as much,” said Mr Finn.

However, while there was a decent return for the copyright owners from the licensed premium model the return was not as great for musicians from the free advertisement-supported models.

Singer-songwriter Brian Kennedy said being a music creator was a proper job and should be recognised, rewarded and assisted in every way possible.

“Music creators play an enormous role in society and never more so as we work our way through challenging economic times,” said Mr Kennedy.

Singer-song writer Luane Parle said that the report showed how the music industry operated and what was really needed to keep it going.

She had always wanted to be a professional singer, a career choice that was frowned upon by the guidance counsellor in her school.