Name: TourMapr
URL: http://www.tourmapr.com
TourMapr brought to mind the one drawback that some hardened music lovers cite when measuring the effect the Internet has had on music, the way we consume it, and the way we approach it on the whole today. It is a very philosophical matter, and even when I don’t agree with their position I do feel there is a paucity of truth in what they say.
They claim that while the changes brought about by the WWW in general and social media in particular have reinvented the music industry, not every change that was brought along was necessarily something that made things better. Maybe more convenient. Not necessarily better. That is only natural. In the old days, following a band around was a true test of determination and enthusiasm. And now, the Internet has placed everything so nearby that getting within range of a band’s circle is so easy that it is not even remotely the same anymore.
This site brought it all to mind. Using it, you can key in the name of any band and see where that particular outfit is playing next. The information is displayed as part of a Google Map. It is as easy as that.
A fact is a fact: a site like this one is extraordinarily useful, and there is no denying that. What some claim is that now it is more difficult to tell true fans from those who are just climbing aboard for a while. At the end of the day, I guess that anything which lets bands and their punters draw closer is intrinsically valuable. Besides, I am man enough to realize the dynamics of life today abridge the tolerance we might have towards certain things. Specifically, younger generations want instant gratification. They like a song, they download it and away they go. They want to know where the bands they are keen on will play, they use a system like this one. Some private spaces have been lost along the way. That is especially true when it comes to Twitter and Facebook. Everybody has to admit we gained something. Personally, I think we did gain something immense, even when there has been a loss as well. To most, it will be a marginal one. But I can but feel an ounce of sympathy for those who say music has lost a certain mystique. It is all in perspective. What do you think? Are there barriers separating fans and musicians that should have never been taken down? Or closing some distances was necessary for music as a medium to stay fresh and engaging?