The British Dance Music Industry: A Case Study of Independent Cultural Production

TLDR

The UK dance music industry is relatively decentralized and dominated by many independent companies, contrasting with the concentration seen in the broader recording industry. This article analyzes the British dance music industry and evaluates claims that it provides a powerful alternative to the mainstream music business. The authors argue that small, local companies succeed because dance audiences prioritize genre over performer identity and because low promotional costs were enabled by negative press coverage of acid house in the late 1980s. However, the sector’s reliance on crossover hits and compilation albums, its close ties to corporate partners, and the pressure on small companies to adopt standard industry risk practices undermine the view that it is a radical challenge to prevailing cultural‑industry practices.

Abstract

This article analyses the British dance music industry and assesses claims that it offers a powerful alternative to the 'mainstream' music business. Two unusual features of the sector are identified. Whereas the recording industry as a whole is marked by concentration and centralization, the UK dance music industry is relatively decentralized and is made up of large numbers of 'independent' companies. Reasons for the success of small, local companies are offered, in particular the emphasis amongst dance audiences on genre, rather than on performer identity; and the low promotional costs enabled by negative press coverage of 'acid house' in the late 1980s. But the article argues that a number of features of the British dance music industry work against a view of the sector as a radical challenge to prevailing cultural-industry practices. These are as follows : firstly, the reliance of dance music companies on crossover hits and compilation albums; secondly, close ties between the independents and corporate partners; and thirdly, the pressures placed upon small companies to follow the standard ways of dealing with risk in the recording industry - in particular, the development of a star system