The document discusses the differences between indie and major record labels by comparing the boy bands One Direction and Lanterns On The Lake. One Direction is signed to Syco/Columbia, major labels that provide significant funding for production, promotion, and styling. In contrast, Lanterns On The Lake is signed with independent label Bella Union and has a smaller budget, relying more on the internet to promote their authentic music. Major labels can reach a global audience but may pressure artists, while indie labels give more control but make audience reach more difficult.

1. Advantages/Disadvantages of
Indie and Major Labels
By Lenya James 

2. In this presentation I will be discussing two
completely different boy bands in terms of
their music and style. One direction is a boy
band created by Mr. Simon Cowell himself
through the X factor. The other band being
compared is an indie band called Lanterns On
The Lake, this band is no way as well known as
One Direction.

3. One Direction(Big Production
Values)
• Record label: Syco. Columbia
• Been a band since: 2010
• Genre: Pop, pop rock, teen pop
• T/A: Young girls and their mothers
too!
• Production company has a lot of
money for; costume, setting,
location,lighting,actors,post
production, cameras etc
• Many people work behind the
scenes to promote One D and
help them ‘look the part’. This
includes; stylists, marketing
people, producers, costume
designers and choreographers
Lanterns on the Lake
• Record Label: Bella Union
• Been a band since: 2007
• Target audience: Unknown,
perhaps young adults+
• In the music video ‘Another Tale
From Another English Town, we
do not even meet the artists
• They do not have as big of a
budget as One Direction
• Music Videos made tend to not
have a large budget
• They have no advertisements on
television unlike one direction
• Their fan base is much smaller
than One Directions, due to less
mass media

4. Advantages Of Indie Label
Disadvantages of
Indie Label
They do not know
how to reach their
audience easily
 They do not have a
big audience
 Lets you stay authentic and true to their
music
 It’s mainly and purely about the bands music
and not about image
Loads of control over your own
sound if you are a real musician
As the internet is extremely vast and
widespread nowadays indie labels can reach out
to fans through the use of the internet and new
technologies
This could be seen either as an advantage or
disadvantage, but Lanterns On The Lake
produced their album at their home studio.
Again staying true to their own music

5. Advantages of Major Label
Disadvantages of Major Label
 Artists may not be given
the choice to stay true to
the type of music they
want to produce
Managers have control
over everything they do
 Global audience
 Stylists help you to look a certain
way to appeal to a certain audience,
creating a big fan following
A lot of money is invested in Major
Label artists, have a lot of money to
entice fans