Tickets, as the feature is aptly named, enables artists to charge a fee for access to their Mixcloud Live broadcasts. At launch, it’s only available to a limited pool of artists. Experimental singer and songwriter Lafawndah tops the bill of the first Tickets live stream on October 25th, followed by an event headlined by Flying Lotus featuring Brainfeeder artists on the 31st. Then, in November, Róisín Murphy is slated to perform for a pay-per-view event on the 14th with another headlined by Leon Vynehall on the 21st.

“Live streaming on Mixcloud was received with amazing enthusiasm and has been a game-changer for us,” said Mixcloud CEO Nico Perez. “Launching Tickets is our next step in helping artists and creators generate new income and building out a full-stack music platform, with creators at the core.”

Mixing Up the Market

Mixcloud has emerged as something of an unexpected contender in the market DJ live streams – which has otherwise been dominated by Facebook and Twitch.

Facebook’s staggering user base has guaranteed its position as a go-to platform for live streamers irrespective of genre, but its selective enforcement of music guidelines has posed challenges for disc jockeys in particular. Meanwhile, Twitch is beta testing a Soundtrack tool that would provide copyright-cleared music for content creators – although streamers cueing up music outside of the feature still run the risk of getting penalized.

At 20 million monthly users Mixcloud has roughly 1% of the audience Facebook does, but the legal advantages of the platform make it a viable option nonetheless. Operating on a similar license to those used by radio stations enables the service to make royalty payouts based on songs selected for Mixcloud Live DJ streams.

Artists and promoters can sign up for early access to the Tickets feature via Google Forms.

A post to the Mixcloud website shares that the service is still in beta but was rushed out on account of coronavirus restrictions keeping DJs indoors. According to Digital DJ Tips, the platform operates on a different license than other streaming websites that prevents copyright issues from arising. Video and audio-only formats are available, although streams cannot be archived at present.

“We hope that Mixcloud Live brings a little more fun – and maybe some dancing – into your home,” said Mixcloud Co-Founder Nico Perez in a quote obtained by Digital DJ Tips. “Particularly at this time when the world is socially distant, and we all need to feel a bit closer. In addition, we are very focused on helping creators generate more income directly from their fans via their live streams.”

Legal Landmines

The recent rise of DJ live streams has highlighted inherent issues in other platforms most often used for such purposes. In an email, intellectual property lawyer Davey Jay told Selector that Facebook expressly forbids the use of their products for a “music listening experience,” a category which includes live performances. She wrote:

“It seems to me that a DJ doing a Facebook Live pretty clearly falls within the realm of a ‘music listening experience.’ I’m sure that the next question would be, ‘If it’s not allowed, how are people getting away with it?’ Well, I don’t know for sure, but I can speculate. Maybe the copyright owners aren’t being aggressive because they realize that any benefit they would get from enforcing their rights is outweighed by the PR backlash that would ensue from clamping down on DJs and performers when live music industry while its already suffering so much. Maybe they’re just not catching it because so many people are doing it and Live videos sometimes aren’t saved for future viewing. The fact remains, though, that getting away with something does not change whether its permissible, just like going 20 over the speed limit without getting a ticket doesn’t change the speed limit.”

In order to broadcast a DJ set via Mixcloud Live, users must sign up for Mixcloud Pro and download a separate live streaming software such as OBS Studio, XSplit, Wirecast or Lightstream.

Image credit: cottonbro via Pexels

In addition to a year of support from each organization, winners could receive artist development and management from the brass of such labels as Circus Recordings, Hospital Records, Dirtybird and Anjunabeats. Also included in the prize is access to gear from manufacturers like Korg, Native Instruments, Akai, Pioneer and Roland.

Entrants are required to produce a track that fits the sound of one of the aforementioned labels, then include it in a one-hour mix that they upload to Mixcloud. Every two months Beats in School will feature a different label, kicking off with Circus Recordings. In regards to the contest, Circus label boss Yousaf said:

Be yourself, believe in your music and try not to play it safe. Music can be big and functional for dancefloors, but still creative. Whatever is hot and current now, use as a list of music to avoid – if things are already popular, you’re too late. Forward only.

For additional information on how to enter Beatport’s Beats in School competition, visit the download store’s website.

Source: Mixmag