Worth Knowing: Beatchain masterclass at Utopia Talks

We’re going to Utopia Talks this weekend! See you there? More details below, plus UK government investigates streaming, the #saveourstages live benefit concert, Triller expansion, Stevie Nicks joins TikTok and a band wins a prestigious peace prize formerly given to Nelson Mandela... what a week for music news.

Beatchain at Utopia Talks – learn how to build your brand

This weekend (October 17–18) Beatchain will be the official sponsor for Utopia Talks! Our CMO Luke will feature in a special masterclass on Saturday to discuss how to build an authentic brand and grow your following. All Utopia Talks attendees will gain access to a special discount for Beatchain. Catch you there!

Could Triller overtake TikTok as the US platform of choice?

This week LA-based app Triller made movements that suggest it’s getting ready to expand in a big way. Boring business talk aside, the app looks like it may be set to become a credible rival for TikTok. Considering how many Americans use it, and the troubles TikTok is having with President Trump, the path to popularity could be cleared.

UK Parliament launches investigation into impact of streaming on music industry

A YouGov poll commissioned by #BrokenRecord in association with The Ivors Academy and The Musicians’ Union shows that 77% of people polled think artists aren’t paid enough for their work in the current streaming model. Pressure from the #BrokenRecord campaign has this week led to UK MPs launching an investigation into the impact of streaming on the sustainability of the music industry.

The UK government’s retraining campaign for artists bombs

There’s been a rich reaction across the internet to the suggestion that artists might need to reskill because their jobs might no longer exist in the wake of Covid-19. At Beatchain HQ, we got some fun suggestions after taking the now widely-mocked careers quiz, including chef, TV technician and stunt performer.

USA #saveourstages benefit this weekend on YouTube

In the USA, the #saveourstages campaign continues with a YouTube benefit concert this weekend. #SOSFEST will live stream on NIVA's official YouTube channel from October 16-18 and will feature all new performances.

Midnight Oil is the first band to receive prestigious human rights award

We’re often talking about how artists have to be more than simply music makers over here at Beatchain. So we were pretty chuffed to hear that the band Midnight Oil have also been recognised as human rights activists, too. The band are going to be awarded Australia’s Peace Foundation Gold Medal for human rights, an award previously received by Nelson Mandela. A shining example of how music can change the world, if ever we saw one.

IRL music festivals may return next year in UK, with face masks

NME reports that a group of industry bodies have got their heads together on how to make real life festivals possible in 2021. The full report can be read here, and will be updated as new intel emerges. For now, the group are questioning whether face masks might have to be worn by festival-goers.

Stevie Nicks joins TikTok

After a TikTok challenge plopped Fleetwood Mac’s Dreams back into the US charts, pop royalty Stevie Nicks (the original singer) has joined the app. What a difference a skateboard and some cranberry juice can make…