Music Biz 2016

Worldwide vinyl record sales continue to rack up impressive annual sales gains, driven in great part by a young demographic. But there are troubling signs in the mix, including poorly pressed records produced from questionable, often mislabeled sources and a confusing reissue marketplace wherein multiple versions of the same title at various price points can be found in the same bin behind an artist’s place card. In this panel industry pros who manufacture, distribute and retail vinyl records will discuss the successes and difficulties they’ve experienced over the past decade riding the vinyl wave that some predicted, others dismissed and of which many remain profoundly skeptical. Also on the agenda will be a discussion of how this unlikely phenomenon began and what will be required to assure its continued growth in the 21st century.