What was once a valuable tool for musicians, fans and journalists is now a clunky and frustrating place to visit.

The music, biog and gigs are still on one page but somehow it is harder to find and takes longer to load!

Which is why many bands might well be migrating to BandApp this year.

It’s a service that allows musicians to create their own application (app) for the iPhone with Android devices to follow.

You pay for the use but your app won’t need approval and once you’ve added content, logos and images you are good to go.

“We’ve tried hard to build a site that really can make a difference to your band,” creator Adam Perry explained, “as well as providing a platform to actually make some money from your music!”

For a living Adam drums for “A” and “The Bloodhound Gang” and knows from long experience how difficult it is for musicians right now.

This is why he’s adding the money making element: BandApp Store – where bands will be able to sell their music for a very good return.

Adam gave me the chance to make my own version and I found it a breeze to create so I asked him how others are reacting:

“The feedback has been almost 100% positive. Music fans seem to love it, which makes the bands love it!”

And if the fans love it, I’m sure bands will be going ape for the app.

Find out more at bandapp.comat bandapp.com

First published in the Southern Daily Echo 7th Jan 2011

The band has been using the peer-to-peer network (P2P) to beat the pirates and also introduce themselves to potentially millions of music lovers.

Marillion are no strangers to the online community, as they point out in their press release they are: “Widely recognised as the first band to truly embrace the Internet’s potential to interact with fans since circa 1996.”

Working with Internet technology company, Music Glue they have added a video message to the downloaded music file which brings to the listeners attention what the band are about and how they can get a DRM free version of the music by signing up to the mailing list.

There are two reasons behind this.

The first was to stop the usual leak when the album was officially released and by doing so engage with the people who prefer their music for free and nudge them in the direction of the tour, t-shirts and other ways the downloader can pay for Marillion to continue existing.

Secondly it continues their successful online relationship with their large and loyal fan base whose pre-orders had paid for the album’s recording and extensive artwork – two separate 96-page full-colour hard-bound books, both stored in a single outer case.

The exclusive deluxe addition which was available to early buyers would also get their name in the credits.

The personal touch has to be the way forward for established bands. Most of them know how many true fans they have and roughly how many albums they will sell on release so all they have to do is provide some credible extras and they’ll be getting the money upfront.

One band Showcase UK has been following recently is Sine Star Project. They don’t yet have a video but they have announced they will be supporting Marillion on part their November tour!

Dates announced so far

14th November @ the Manchester Academy
15th November @ the Bournemouth Opera House
19th November @ the Forum LONDON

Tickets from www.marillion.com (of course)