Forum out to prove that Asia music really matters

Adapting to the listening needs of the modern music lover will be the main focus of Asia's Music Matters conference - the largest event of its kind in the region and one that organizers claim "opens a window'' into the industry here.

This year the event will run May 27-28 (http://www.musicmatters.asia/2010/) and has attracted a host of industry heavyweights who will be focusing on such issues as advances in digital technology and the use of music in "gaming, film and TV."

"Music Matters has been tasked with accelerating the success and profitability of music in the Asia Pacific region,'' Music Matters organizer Jasper Donat told Relaxnews.

"With a population of almost four billion music-crazy people and half the world's mobile and web connections it's no surprise that the world is sitting up and taking note of the Asian music industry.

"We have also attracted more bands than ever this year and will be playing host to a huge number of artists from all over the world creating a unique mash-up of creativity, cutting-edge tech and exciting new business models. In just five years we have built one of the most important music and entertainment industry conferences in the world.''

Last year's event also included performances from the likes of English pop-jazz singer Jamie Cullum and though organizers are still to confirm the final lineup, they will once again be hosting concerts at the end of each day, once all the business is done.

While seminars will also be addressing the Japanese music market - second largest in the world behind the United States - like most everything these days much of the focus will be on China, how its music market is developing and what the specific needs of its modern music lovers are.

And there appears to be plenty of them. China's National Bureau of Statistics recently claimed that continued growth in disposable income has fuelled a 17.5 percent increase in retail music sales in the country over the past 12 months.

MS