Virgin Megastores Closing

[Cory Ander]

Virgin Megastores closing? Kind of a shame because the one store I've visited was very appealing physically, but they didn't learn a thing from the failures of the Wherehouse and Tower Records. Music stores simply can NOT continue to do business the old way now in the internet age, and those that try will learn their lesson the hard way. I won't pay $25 for a DVD copy of a movie I can tape and home for free and it appears no one else will either.

[needlefingers]

I was at Virgin Times Square yesterday and it was practically empty. The closing/sales signs are up and tons of stock, but for the first time, no energy or buzz or patrons in the store.

I was thinking about posting this yesterday. Music collecting is going down. There is less, if any, value in a digital download that I burn to a stock blank CD-R. It's kind of sad, but will be the future for the time.

And I do believe that quality and interest of songs/music, artists and even catalologues of their work will suffer tremendously. No product to touch or hold or read will deteriorate the publics interest. No bins to cruise will cause unknowns to evaporate.

But what might happen, and may help, is a return to studio artists and writers under contract. An "in-house collaboration" type which may create a new Motown or Capitol Records.

And music will have to return to hooks and catchy, memorable melodies to capture a new audience.