Wednesday Run Down

• EMI has made peace with the music industry's international trade association, more than three months after its private equity owner threatened to cut its annual funding for its activities in half or pull out altogether. (Read Article)
• Baby bands looking for that big break, buzz bands hoping to become the next big thing and big bands trying to rejuvenate their careers all bring their A game to about 80 venues -- bars, coffeehouses, nightclubs, parks, restaurants, amphitheatres, concert halls, TV soundstages, churches and even the odd private house. With most of the round-the-clock action centred around two bar-riddled cross streets that are closed to vehicular traffic during the event, SXSW resembles New Orleans during Mardi Gras -- but with cowboy hats, BBQ and much better music. (SXSW Stuff)
• A group set up to protect civil rights in the digital arena has condemned the music industry for mounting High Court action against Eircom. (Check it)

• With an ever increasing number of people downloading their music for free, albeit often illegally, over the web, the music industry is at a critical juncture: adapt or die. We7 is a music download website that hopes to set the tone for the music industry in the 21^st century. It thinks it has found a way to make music available for free and yet still generate revenue for record companies and artists. (Read More)