Will Zune help bands get music to fans?

Lets forget about whether or not Microsoft’s Zune is going to kick the crap out of the iPod. I want to know if it is going to be an asset for bands. For the uninitiated, Zune is basically a media player much like the iPod, but with the extra benefit of built-in WiFi. This means you can share your music with other Zune users… with a few restrictions of course. Whoever receives the song can only listen to it for up to three times in three days, and they can’t resend it to another Zune. Yet even with these pitfalls Zune offers a new way to get your music into the hands of fans.

However, your success is riding on Microsoft’s ability to make Zune a must-have. What’s the point in transmitting your songs at a gig if the crowd is packing iPods. If take up of the player is low the WiFi is wasted, as it can’t connect to standard wireless networks, only other Zunes. I don’t even know if it’s trendy to take a MP3 player to gigs in your part of the world.

If Zune doesn’t fizzle out than taking one to your gig and transferring your songs to other owners gives you a pretty effective way to pick up new sales. I’m unsure of how easy it will be for unsigned artists to get their music listed in the Zune Marketplace, but if you can it’s just a matter of a couple of clicks for the user to purchase previously transferred songs. Imagine Microsoft with an Amazon/eBay like music store where unsigned musicians could sell their songs and make a few bucks. Am I asking too much? Probably, but even without Microsoft’s support fans will hopefully check out the songs tag and visit your website to buy it when the times up.

I can see Microsoft pushing the Zune at large open-air events, shooting songs to the masses. Well, at least anyone with one of their players. I for one think it would be pretty cool to get home and be able to listen to the entire set you heard that very same day, maybe even fork over the dollars for it.

If only the iPod had wireless capabilities I would be much more optimistic about the potential for syncing your tunes to fans at gigs. I do hope Microsoft pull it off.

Zune will be released November 14, 2006.

What do you guys think? Leave a comment below.

- Michael

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Back 09.11.2006