Major Record Labels

Major Record Labels

Definition:

Large companies within the music industry that may also own smaller record labels

Task:

Focus on the UK

1.    Who are the major labels in the UK currently?

2.    Who do the major labels manage?

3.    Do the major labels own smaller companies and which artists do they manage?

4.    Are there any links within Media e.g TV/Film/Magazines etc

Independents

Definition: Music labels that operate one or a few music labels

Independent labels can be just as successful but operate from a smaller company base. They are traditionally known as offering more ‘organic’ music rather than manufactured mainstream although you may disagree!

Task:

1.    Identify some of the independent labels in the UK and a brief history of each.

2.    What artists are signed to these labels

Task:

Consider the following questions:

1.    Is it right from a music point of view as well as an industry point of view that 4 companies dominate the music industry?

2.    What affect do you think this has on the industry?

3.    Are Independent labels as successful as major labels, how do you judge this?

4.    Is there anything that independent labels offer the industry that the majors do not?