FIFA 20: A Mini Case Study

The intersection of music and sports goes back perhaps as far as the sports themselves. In ancient Greece, for example, music was a feature of games like the Olympics, since “the festivals attracted large crowds of spectators and were, therefore, an ideal occasion for [artists] to present their talents” (KU Leuven). That trend continues today, and the latest example is FIFA’s recent release of its “soundtrack,” intended to pump up audiences and prepare them for the tournament. The playlist is diverse, with the likes of popular players such as Major Lazer, Anderson .Paak, Skepta, and Sofi Tukker, in addition to various more niche artists. What are the implications of this? Firstly, it’s great to see influential institutions sharing the work of small and up-and-coming artists. With the advent of social media, brands have carried more influence than before, and a sport as popular internationally as soccer definitely has the ability to spur a young artist’s career. Secondly, the intersection of various forms of entertainment - whether it be TV/film or, in this case, music/sports - helps to diversify and expand fan bases, seeing into previously untapped markets. And thirdly, this particular example pays testament to music’s propensity for emotional evocation: when FIFA wants fans to get excited, we are able to feel that exact intention via the “mood” curated by the playlist. Musical selection is thus highly effective in not only forming meaning, but also in encouraging action. A deep house mix might make you want to dance, a classical song might make you want to relax, and an eclectic mix of trap/indie/bass might make you want to come out to a soccer game - in which case, GOAL!

Listen to the full playlist here.

EDM Goes Philanthropic

At We Dream Worlds, one of our main defining tenets is our commitment to charity. Our company was founded upon the idea that giving back is an integral part of PLUR. And big names in the industry are no stranger to this idea, either: Kygo recently performed at UTOPIA for Pride Month in NYC. This event brought in over $110,000 to support the LGBTQIA+ community. This particular celebration featured other artists such as Whitney Houston, Kiiara, and Cirque du Soleil, reflecting a growing trend in consumers’ and performers’ prioritization of purpose over profit. We hope to continue seeing this pattern as a fixture, more than just a trend.

The Flume Samples

As if Flume couldn’t get any better, everyone’s favorite Aussie producer just announced a new project called Flume Sounds that allows creators to try their hand at Flume’s creative process. Specifically, Harley dropped a folder of 12 unique files which he and his team are allowing the public to download and use (with some limitations). The stated purpose is to foster creativity and collaboration, to see what inspirational sounds and songs the public can make out of some of Harley’s trademark funky tunes. As is the case with everything on the internet, though, the project hasn’t been without criticism. Some have claimed that the User Agreement is too restrictive, with one user saying, “This might be the harshest sample user agreement I’ve ever seen.” But part of the reason the agreement has to be so airtight is to preserve the integrity and purpose of the project. The main issue people have with the verbiage is that it prevents you from profiting off the sounds if you incorporate them into you work, and this is exactly what Flume wanted and predicted. Allowing money to be made off sounds that Harley had created himself and released into the internet ether for the good and innovation of the public would defeat the purpose of an “open source audio loop series.” This is supposed to be for the art alone, for the purpose of passion, not profit. Fortunately, the opinion that the agreement is limiting seems to be the minority: most users and djs who have publicly responded have agreed that the wording is “pretty standard.” To listen to the 12 sounds in their varying states of artistry, click here.

Festival Season

Although HARD and Lolla are behind us, EDM fans are still reeling. With some incredible new IDs by the likes of RL Grime and collabs between artists such as Flume and Vera Blue, it’s clear that these shows were nothing short of incredible. HARD had record numbers this year, with 170,000 reported attendees. And Lolla had no shortage of excitement, with a large group of teens trying to storm and crash the fence to gain entry (all were apprehended, and none got in).

This last example brings up a question that is repeatedly whispered amongst the older PLUR crowds as each festival come around: is the culture that used to be so sacred being tarnished and destroyed by selfish, careless young people who come with the wrong intentions? This very question was poised last year by some of Burning Man’s executives, who remarked on a highly concerning wave of materialism and superficiality that was washing over and threatening to submerge the visitors to Black Rock City. Long gone are the days when raves were frequented only by die-hards with their entire arms full of kandi bracelets. And maybe that’s a good thing: inclusivity is important, and sharing the power and beauty of EDM can have a powerful impact. The latest events are an important reminder to us - all of us, regardless of age, race, or creed - that the way we treat others and the world around us is just as important now as it always was.

Live Nation Sustainability Initiatives

It’s no secret that the environment is a big issue these days. Global warming, CO2 emissions, pollution, and the list goes on: no matter what you believe, there’s a lot to be said. The music industry is no exception to this rule. Music festivals, concerts, and live shows are not easy on the planet, whether it’s because of the physical waste produced from plastic cups and containers or the massive expenditure of energy and resources necessary to put on large scale events. Industry stronghold LiveNation wants to change that. The company has announced new goals to reduce their environmental impact as part of their Green Nation campaign. The steps they have described will be implemented at all venues, clubs, theaters, and festivals. According to this release, some of the commitments are as follows: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030, ending sale of single use plastics at all owned and operated events by 2021, reducing fossil fuels where possible, finding renewable alternatives, and aiming for offices and events to be zero waste by 2030. As a company with over 35,000 live events each year, these changes - if implemented successfully - could make a great difference.