Yesterday’s Sunday Times featured an article about how the internet is affecting the music industry by Martin Wroe, the editor of U2.com. In the article, Wroe concedes that there is no easy way to deal with the idea shared among many music fans that music should be freely available to download on the internet. He suggests that instead of spending time and money to stop music sharing on the internet, music business executives should accept the download revolution and learn to use the internet to their advantage.
Wroe states, “what the record companies have — and the pirates cannot duplicate — are the artists themselves, which puts the acts on the front line in the fight for loyalty.” He believes that artists’ participation on web sites is the key to keeping fans interested, citing artists like Moby, Alanis Morrisette, and Coldplay, who actively contribute to their own official web sites. “The more the artist is involved with the fans on the internet, the more it creates intimacy,” Wroe writes.
Besides a personal touch, an artist’s web site has to offer incentives to make fans return. To describe what those incentives should be, Wroe turns to Sebastian Clayton, director of Digital:CC, the Dublin-based company that designed and hosts U2.com.
“What you put in is what you get out,” Clayton says. “It’s a simple equation: if a site is not kept up-to-date or if it does not bear the visitor in mind, fans soon desert it.”
New media (audio and video), reliable news, and a community element where fans can talk to each other are key features of the best sites, according to Clayton. “The web is about communication,” Clayton says. “You can’t fool fans into buying a CD. The industry is beginning to realise that if fans like what they hear and feel, that they have real communication with a band, they are more likely to buy.”
Do you feel that U2.com does a good job providing a “personal touch”? Does U2.com offer incentives to make you return?
U2.com tries, but comes across as a bit tame.There’s LOADS of info on there, but give me the unofficial websites anyday.On the subject of ‘personal touches’ – if the band answered one or two fans questions a week then that would really give it a personal touch!And as far as the music bigwigs go, just lower the f**kin’ prices!!!!ORRRRRRR…..they can offer cheaper dlds of the album/single from regulated sites.It’s typical of record companies to move when everybody else has already gone.
U2.com tries, but comes across as a bit tame.There’s LOADS of info on there, but give me the unofficial websites anyday.On the subject of ‘personal touches’ – if the band answered one or two fans questions a week then that would really give it a personal touch!And as far as the music bigwigs go, just lower the f**kin’ prices!!!!ORRRRRRR…..they can offer cheaper dlds of the album/single from regulated sites.It’s typical of record companies to move when everybody else has already gone.
In the early days of u2.com, its massive interface slowed my computer to a crawl. It was not worth the wait, especially with such excellent news sites as @U2 and Youtwo.net (RIP) out there. Since coming out with the lite version, u2.com is easier for my computer to handle, but I still find the site hard to navigate. The only thing that kept me coming back was Willie’s journal, and since the end of that, I haven’t been back. What with u2log to keep me updated, what do I need the official site for? I’m with Bonovox – if the site offered something that fansites can’t, like direct input from the band, I’d be there in a heartbeat.
In the early days of u2.com, its massive interface slowed my computer to a crawl. It was not worth the wait, especially with such excellent news sites as @U2 and Youtwo.net (RIP) out there. Since coming out with the lite version, u2.com is easier for my computer to handle, but I still find the site hard to navigate. The only thing that kept me coming back was Willie’s journal, and since the end of that, I haven’t been back. What with u2log to keep me updated, what do I need the official site for? I’m with Bonovox – if the site offered something that fansites can’t, like direct input from the band, I’d be there in a heartbeat.
And it would be nice if a site works for more than just Internet Explorer. I still have troubles loading U2.com with my Mozilla browser, so I rarely check it out (only if I really have to use IE).
And it would be nice if a site works for more than just Internet Explorer. I still have troubles loading U2.com with my Mozilla browser, so I rarely check it out (only if I really have to use IE).
I think U2.com has interesting content (though a lot seems to be sitting there doing nothing, like concert info and reviews) in an absolutely awful interface which, when it was put up, was a bunch of robbed ideas from other sites (k10k, Apple). There’s some depth to the site, but you never get there because it takes too many clicks. Everything’s too small (cause that was, you know, cool and shit).
I was impressed with the new official Nick Cave site, but it looks like some damn domain hijacker got hold of it. It had a very quiet, easy design, good use of whitespace, and all the info was on the frontpage. A bit like the Wallpaper* magazine type vibe you get off the BBC homepage, except of course the BBC homepage has 5 trillion pages behind it. 🙂
The worst crime of the site, I think is it does not say “this is U2” to me. Since when was U2 murky greenish greyish blue? Steve Averill designs great looks for the band’s output. Why’s the website’s look so… “bleh”? It’s U2, for chrissakes. Primary colours. White, black, red, grey. It works for print design, and it works on line. Can’t have an opinion? OK, make a visual statement.
Another thing the U2 site needs is a voice. It’s almost stripped of a personality and if you want to connect with your fans you need at least the idea of real people communicating with the fans. I realise a site like U2’s can’t have an opinion on the band’s work, but some kind of levity or quirk would work wonders.
(And yes, yes, yes, I realise my own gavinfriday.com is in dire need of a rethink/redesign.)
Anyway… that’s my opinion. I suppose I could say an informed one since I’m both a fan, an avid web head and (ex-) web developer.
I think U2.com has interesting content (though a lot seems to be sitting there doing nothing, like concert info and reviews) in an absolutely awful interface which, when it was put up, was a bunch of robbed ideas from other sites (k10k, Apple). There’s some depth to the site, but you never get there because it takes too many clicks. Everything’s too small (cause that was, you know, cool and shit).
I was impressed with the new official Nick Cave site, but it looks like some damn domain hijacker got hold of it. It had a very quiet, easy design, good use of whitespace, and all the info was on the frontpage. A bit like the Wallpaper* magazine type vibe you get off the BBC homepage, except of course the BBC homepage has 5 trillion pages behind it. 🙂
The worst crime of the site, I think is it does not say “this is U2” to me. Since when was U2 murky greenish greyish blue? Steve Averill designs great looks for the band’s output. Why’s the website’s look so… “bleh”? It’s U2, for chrissakes. Primary colours. White, black, red, grey. It works for print design, and it works on line. Can’t have an opinion? OK, make a visual statement.
Another thing the U2 site needs is a voice. It’s almost stripped of a personality and if you want to connect with your fans you need at least the idea of real people communicating with the fans. I realise a site like U2’s can’t have an opinion on the band’s work, but some kind of levity or quirk would work wonders.
(And yes, yes, yes, I realise my own gavinfriday.com is in dire need of a rethink/redesign.)
Anyway… that’s my opinion. I suppose I could say an informed one since I’m both a fan, an avid web head and (ex-) web developer.
Oh, and those pubic hair backgrounds HAVE to go. So offputting.
Oh, and those pubic hair backgrounds HAVE to go. So offputting.
U2.com is one of the few official band sites where you never actually hear from the band. If they want the fans to feel as if they’re “communicating” then they need to… well, communicate! Even if it’s just a short Q&A, update from the band, letter to the fans, whatever. And, my chief complaint with u2.com (besides the obvious loyalty to bells and whistles at the complete sacrifice of ease of navigation) is that it is never updated. There are many fan sites that have more current news than the official site, and we aren’t even paid to provide it! Surely someone could update daily. (From another fan and avid web head)
U2.com is one of the few official band sites where you never actually hear from the band. If they want the fans to feel as if they’re “communicating” then they need to… well, communicate! Even if it’s just a short Q&A, update from the band, letter to the fans, whatever. And, my chief complaint with u2.com (besides the obvious loyalty to bells and whistles at the complete sacrifice of ease of navigation) is that it is never updated. There are many fan sites that have more current news than the official site, and we aren’t even paid to provide it! Surely someone could update daily. (From another fan and avid web head)
I started really looking up U2 on the internet about 2 years ago(College came first). When I first discoverd atU2.com I thought that WAS U2’s official website. I couldn’t believe the difference between atU2.com and U2.com. I completely agree with everyone’s comments that the site does not have a personal touch and it does not say U2 at all. I realize that maybe they don’t want to have U2 band member “sightings” and personal life info but they could at least update it a little more often. I find out all of the vital info about U2 in terms of releases, TV appearances, and so on through sites like atU2.com, YouTwo.net (RIP-WE MISS YOU!!!) and U2log. It would be nice if the bands own web site would be a little more informative.
I started really looking up U2 on the internet about 2 years ago(College came first). When I first discoverd atU2.com I thought that WAS U2’s official website. I couldn’t believe the difference between atU2.com and U2.com. I completely agree with everyone’s comments that the site does not have a personal touch and it does not say U2 at all. I realize that maybe they don’t want to have U2 band member “sightings” and personal life info but they could at least update it a little more often. I find out all of the vital info about U2 in terms of releases, TV appearances, and so on through sites like atU2.com, YouTwo.net (RIP-WE MISS YOU!!!) and U2log. It would be nice if the bands own web site would be a little more informative.
more input from the band would be nice. every other official website has REAL input from band members. oh yes…pubic hair background has got to go! it’s hard to navigate, too small. i just hate browsing there. i never go.
more input from the band would be nice. every other official website has REAL input from band members. oh yes…pubic hair background has got to go! it’s hard to navigate, too small. i just hate browsing there. i never go.
U2.com doesn’t provide a reason for any fan to visit the site. The news is old, the audio and video goodies aren’t anything special, and the contests are lame. I get my news, audio, and video from other sources. The band itself is the only thing U2.com could offer that no other site can — but it doesn’t. U2.com does not offer me anything.
U2.com doesn’t provide a reason for any fan to visit the site. The news is old, the audio and video goodies aren’t anything special, and the contests are lame. I get my news, audio, and video from other sources. The band itself is the only thing U2.com could offer that no other site can — but it doesn’t. U2.com does not offer me anything.
Well, U2.com is amazing from a technical perspective. The backend design is phenomenal and they manage/update content in a consistent and efficient manner which is just awesome.
On the downside, I agree, the graphic design seems cluttered, unoriginal and ultimately “not very U2”. What about a nice Anton Corbijn full size photo or something?
It seems like the technical ability of the site came before the visual design. The only thing that saves it is the sheer wealth of content available on the site (even if it is small/hard to navigate).
Kudos to YouTwo.net (RIP, the very first U2 site I visited on a daily basis) and now U2log.com who have taken up the flag admirably. You guys rock and have the best bang for the buck any day.
Keep up the great work!
Well, U2.com is amazing from a technical perspective. The backend design is phenomenal and they manage/update content in a consistent and efficient manner which is just awesome.
On the downside, I agree, the graphic design seems cluttered, unoriginal and ultimately “not very U2”. What about a nice Anton Corbijn full size photo or something?
It seems like the technical ability of the site came before the visual design. The only thing that saves it is the sheer wealth of content available on the site (even if it is small/hard to navigate).
Kudos to YouTwo.net (RIP, the very first U2 site I visited on a daily basis) and now U2log.com who have taken up the flag admirably. You guys rock and have the best bang for the buck any day.
Keep up the great work!
Best artist website in the world (imho): depechemode.com. Miles of info, clean and easy-to-navigate design in (gasp!) HTML! ABSOLUTELY NO FLASH! It’s kept reasonably well-updated, too, and there’s always plenty of info about their new releases. I really love Moby’s site, too; I don’t understand why more artists don’t run a journal like his (or Shirley Manson’s from Garbage, which is only active when they’re on tour or in the studio).
Best artist website in the world (imho): depechemode.com. Miles of info, clean and easy-to-navigate design in (gasp!) HTML! ABSOLUTELY NO FLASH! It’s kept reasonably well-updated, too, and there’s always plenty of info about their new releases. I really love Moby’s site, too; I don’t understand why more artists don’t run a journal like his (or Shirley Manson’s from Garbage, which is only active when they’re on tour or in the studio).
u2.coma ? what? people still go there?
u2.coma ? what? people still go there?
LOL! Pubic hair backgrounds! That is quality vonb. I agree they must go however those shorthairs might have some significance – perhaps leftovers from the Achtung Baby cover photo shoot and the 5th member who never made it on the sleeve??? Ah, regardless, 86 ’em.
LOL! Pubic hair backgrounds! That is quality vonb. I agree they must go however those shorthairs might have some significance – perhaps leftovers from the Achtung Baby cover photo shoot and the 5th member who never made it on the sleeve??? Ah, regardless, 86 ’em.
But at the moment, there IS a diary on U2.com. Bono’s diary from his trip last month to Africa. Ok, the trip happened a month ago, but the diaries are only being put up now.
That’s band interaction is it not?
But at the moment, there IS a diary on U2.com. Bono’s diary from his trip last month to Africa. Ok, the trip happened a month ago, but the diaries are only being put up now.
That’s band interaction is it not?
Republished from AOL… not exactly original content. That’s not enough. You want to see some band involvement in the site. Bowie comes and chats to the fans at Bowienet. Without making a big fuss of it, just checking in regulary. Plus he’s got a diary on the site, and tons of other unique stuff. We all got a free CD of live recordings and the sleeve/booklet was made up of things sent in by fans. Etc, etc, etc.
Republished from AOL… not exactly original content. That’s not enough. You want to see some band involvement in the site. Bowie comes and chats to the fans at Bowienet. Without making a big fuss of it, just checking in regulary. Plus he’s got a diary on the site, and tons of other unique stuff. We all got a free CD of live recordings and the sleeve/booklet was made up of things sent in by fans. Etc, etc, etc.
That diary thing is exactly what I’m talking about. There are probably a dozen fan sites and lists that put up those very same diaries word for word (from AOL) a month ago. Aside from those, the only story that has even been put up in the news section in the past month is the Harley auction. And like vonb said, other bands drop in, chat, leave emails/journals/postings, etc. on their sites. The only time we have gotten any live or exclusive material through U2.com, it has been webcasts of events produced by someone else. (Notre Dame webcast, webchat online) and so many people are trying to get in that you end up having trouble. That’s my gripe anyway.
That diary thing is exactly what I’m talking about. There are probably a dozen fan sites and lists that put up those very same diaries word for word (from AOL) a month ago. Aside from those, the only story that has even been put up in the news section in the past month is the Harley auction. And like vonb said, other bands drop in, chat, leave emails/journals/postings, etc. on their sites. The only time we have gotten any live or exclusive material through U2.com, it has been webcasts of events produced by someone else. (Notre Dame webcast, webchat online) and so many people are trying to get in that you end up having trouble. That’s my gripe anyway.
Radiohead’s site is damn cool too. It’s got band involvement AND mystery. Brill.
Radiohead’s site is damn cool too. It’s got band involvement AND mystery. Brill.
Seriously, I’d be at u2.com everyday if I thought there might be a chance of someone from the band posting on there. I love reading Moby’s journal from time to time and I’m not even a big Moby fan. Ryan Adams post on the fan board of his website a few times a week and people go crazy about it. I think they should be more involved they could just write a quick email and have it posted once a day or something simple like that.
Seriously, I’d be at u2.com everyday if I thought there might be a chance of someone from the band posting on there. I love reading Moby’s journal from time to time and I’m not even a big Moby fan. Ryan Adams post on the fan board of his website a few times a week and people go crazy about it. I think they should be more involved they could just write a quick email and have it posted once a day or something simple like that.
The TV series Firefly had a great website that was set up as a fansite. It had a weblog by one of the production people on the show, it had essays by writers on the show. On the forum, writers and actors would post. They had blueprints of all of the design work on the show. Video interviews with the cast and writers which were made for the site, not for telly. The Fox went and cancelled the show, but that’s another story.
On GavinFriday.com I got both Gavin and Maurice (his partner in crime) to answer questions on the forum for a while. Sometimes they’d be dead serious, sometimes they’d just joke around. They would do this in their own time, from their own studio and it was never announced. They haven’t done it in a while for lots of reasons, but at the time it created a great buzz. It can be done. It’s very sad that U2 cannot get it together. I suppose it’s not profitable enough and perhaps they’re beyond even wanting to socialise with their fans in that way because they’ve so little time to themselves anyway. They don’t need that kind of thing anymore.
The TV series Firefly had a great website that was set up as a fansite. It had a weblog by one of the production people on the show, it had essays by writers on the show. On the forum, writers and actors would post. They had blueprints of all of the design work on the show. Video interviews with the cast and writers which were made for the site, not for telly. The Fox went and cancelled the show, but that’s another story.
On GavinFriday.com I got both Gavin and Maurice (his partner in crime) to answer questions on the forum for a while. Sometimes they’d be dead serious, sometimes they’d just joke around. They would do this in their own time, from their own studio and it was never announced. They haven’t done it in a while for lots of reasons, but at the time it created a great buzz. It can be done. It’s very sad that U2 cannot get it together. I suppose it’s not profitable enough and perhaps they’re beyond even wanting to socialise with their fans in that way because they’ve so little time to themselves anyway. They don’t need that kind of thing anymore.