The Fans Tell Radiohead What To Do Next

As Radiohead fans queued outside Rough Trade East in London this afternoon (January 16th) Gigwise asked them what they think the band should do next.

Since October last year, Radiohead have shaken the fundamental core of the music industry; releasing an album and allowing fans to pay what they want for it.

Since then they’ve announced an extensive UK 'eco' tour, held unique web casts of studio performances and hit back at their former record label, EMI.
 
Yet, is there anything else they could do? That’s exactly the question we asked some of their die hard fans standing outside in the cold streets of East London today.

“I think every band in the future will release their album - and I think Radiohead will probably do it first - maybe as a download and then a CD at the same time,” explained James.

“So you get it (the CD) delivered maybe two weeks later and you get the download straight away – to cater for both sides of it. I think that will be fairly standard.”

Felix, who had taken the day off work to join the queue, wasn’t sure whether their ‘In Rainbows’ principal would work for everyone.

“I think them doing their downloads is a brilliant idea but it won’t work for the small bands at all. I mean a lot of them give away their singles for free and stuff anyway,” he said.

To tackle the issues faced by small bands and record labels, Felix suggested the idea of creating an incentive through live albums.

“Maybe giving away live recording of a show would make people download that and then go ‘oh I won’t the actual original and go away and get that’. Anything that’s a bit different is good for the music industry I think,” he said. 

Paul, meanwhile, said he wanted the band to ensure that their environmental goals – which have pushed up the price of their concert tickets – are enforced.

“I think I’d quite to see them following through on their environmental principals, like the big gigs they’re playing in the summer. It’s a good example but I just hope that the other bands on the line-up are doing the same,” he said.

To see pictures of the fans queuing outside Rough Trade today, CLICK HERE.

Do you agree with what the fans told us? Let us know what you think by posting a comment below…