Had to turn off Glastonbury

[minestrone]

Having worked for several years in the commercial radio branch of the music industry, I can answer that one. They're popular because:

1. Some record company spent money to promote them through airplay, advertising, and so forth;
   
   
2. The vast majority of people just accept that whatever they're given to listen to is what they like.

This is why the weekly meetings to decide the playlist for mainstream commercial radio stations are largely driven by market research. For example, when I was at one large commercial radio operator with about fifty local stations covering much of England, Charlotte Church's Crazy Chick stayed on the playlist for around four months (although played decreasingly often) because the figures showed that it was popular with the target demographic, which was (and I quote): "25- to 45-year old ABC1 females". (Or, as the guy who interviewed me for the gig put it, "Music for housewives.")

Obviously, Muse (Who they? Ed.) aren't aimed at that demographic, but rest assured that the good people at stations like Xfm ("Indy," as far as I gathered from sharing a kitchen with them at the offices in Leicester Square, and currently promoting Muse as their "Artist of the Week") operate in exactly the same manner. So does Classic FM.

In other words: what the lowest common denominator likes is what you get, because the lowest common denominator is the demographic that maximises the return on advertising spend. The music industry exists primarily for the purpose of selling advertising slots on the radio; the music is almost completely irrelevant.

I do not know where to start or where end with what you said...

Tell me what radio station you listen to that plays muse?

BBC may play them a bit but hardly any commercial radio station will play them.

"The music industry exists primarily for the purpose of selling advertising slots on the radio

Yup, there was no music until radio was invented. Mozart never existed.

Michael Jackson wrote thriller for smooth FM, no, it was not for those 40 million album sales which made him hundreds of millions, he wanted to sell cheese for sainsburys.

Muse are not my cup of tea but to label them as just a marketing tool is just way off. They are very talented, but it is not for me.

It is the way you condescend, try and take the superior line when you know bugger all about what you are talking about.

[Moscow Mule]

Tell me what radio station you listen to that plays muse?

BBC may play them a bit but hardly any commercial radio station will play them.

Xfm play muse. I think I've heard them on Absolute too, but probably in a late night slot.

You'd be surprised what you hear on the radio when everybody else is watching tv.

As for muse, the only song I really like of theirs is Knights of Cydonia, so I turned it off after I'd heard that.

[SofaKingdom]

Xfm play muse. I think I've heard them on Absolute too, but probably in a late night slot.

You'd be surprised what you hear on the radio when everybody else is watching tv.

As for muse, the only song I really like of theirs is Knights of Cydonia, so I turned it off after I'd heard that.

Well I have definitely heard them on Absolute...a lot. Verging on at least once a day I'd say and yes norrahe I have no idea what people see in them. Then again someone posted "lowest common denominator" and Shaunbhoy likes them so that made things clearer.

[Pogle]

I don't like Muse, Radiohead, Travis etc.., I'm sure they can all play their instruments well, but for me there is no spark, it all sounds a bit bland.
I enjoyed what i saw of the Pet shop boys and so far have managed to miss the Flaming Lips set apart from "Do you realise" - which is a shame as they are the only band I'd liked to have seen.
We're off to Lattitude in a couple of weeks, mainly to see Belle & Sebastian - cant wait

[Troll]

I've actually enjoyed watching this over the last couple of nights - discovered Mumford & Sons...never 'eard of 'em before

Muse I enjoyed especially with the Edge joining in - but their music is a bit predictable

At the age where I can't see the point of travelling to concerts - far better to watch in the comfort of your own home than fighting to get to the front

[Moscow Mule]

I've actually enjoyed watching this over the last couple of nights - discovered Mumford & Sons...never 'eard of 'em before

Great band

[norrahe]

At the age where I can't see the point of travelling to concerts - far better to watch in the comfort of your own home than fighting to get to the front

I use to go to festivals a lot, before it became commercialised and expensive and it was enjoyable. Also the crowds were smaller and there was more atmosphere.

Also you could often end up camping next to some of the acts, on the site, the Jim rose circus sideshow guys were an interesting bunch to say the least and good fun.

[SofaKingdom]

I use to go to festivals a lot, before it became commercialised and expensive and it was enjoyable. Also the crowds were smaller and there was more atmosphere.

Are you older than Noah?

[norrahe]

Having worked for several years in the commercial radio branch of the music industry, I can answer that one. They're popular because:

1. Some record company spent money to promote them through airplay, advertising, and so forth;
   
   
2. The vast majority of people just accept that whatever they're given to listen to is what they like.

This is why the weekly meetings to decide the playlist for mainstream commercial radio stations are largely driven by market research. For example, when I was at one large commercial radio operator with about fifty local stations covering much of England, Charlotte Church's Crazy Chick stayed on the playlist for around four months (although played decreasingly often) because the figures showed that it was popular with the target demographic, which was (and I quote): "25- to 45-year old ABC1 females". (Or, as the guy who interviewed me for the gig put it, "Music for housewives.")

Obviously, Muse (Who they? Ed.) aren't aimed at that demographic, but rest assured that the good people at stations like Xfm ("Indy," as far as I gathered from sharing a kitchen with them at the offices in Leicester Square, and currently promoting Muse as their "Artist of the Week") operate in exactly the same manner. So does Classic FM.

In other words: what the lowest common denominator likes is what you get, because the lowest common denominator is the demographic that maximises the return on advertising spend. The music industry exists primarily for the purpose of selling advertising slots on the radio; the music is almost completely irrelevant.

It was a rhetorical question, merely to emphasise the fact that I'm not a big fan and didn't require an explanation of things that I am very much aware of that have contributed to the demise of good music on the wireless.

[Sysman]

This is why the weekly meetings to decide the playlist for mainstream commercial radio stations are largely driven by market research. For example, when I was at one large commercial radio operator with about fifty local stations covering much of England, Charlotte Church's Crazy Chick stayed on the playlist for around four months (although played decreasingly often) because the figures showed that it was popular with the target demographic, which was (and I quote): "25- to 45-year old ABC1 females". (Or, as the guy who interviewed me for the gig put it, "Music for housewives.")

A few years ago we used to listen to Terry Wogan's morning show in the office. We liked the banter, but the music drove us nuts. I found that the BBC do playlists on a similar basis. The only difference that I could see is that they aren't allowed to accept cash from the promoters.

'ere we go

How is the playlist selected?

The Playlist Committee, made up of producers and chaired by Jeff Smith, Head of Music Radio 2, meet each week to decide which new releases will be added to the station's playlist.

The playlist contains about 30 tracks which are divided into three levels: A list, which receive the most plays, about 20 each week; B list 10 plays and the C list around 5 plays.

The Radio 2 playlist is one of the most varied of any radio station in the UK and can include albums as well as singles. Before any CD can be considered for inclusion it must be commercially available.