[setanta]

You're still not talking about the illegal aspect of downloading for free Stu. I agree that the internet affords smaller, more independent bands the opportunity to gain a following or to gain some exposure but you're neglecting to comment on the illegality behind free downloading and how much it can really hurt these bands trying to eek out an existence.

For every band that's made it huge I'm sure there's dozens and dozens who've said "f£ck it" and decided to get full time jobs rather than watch their blood sweat and tears being accessed and downloaded for nothing on the net. And this will not get any better if we all decide to embrace illegal downloading and accept it as part of the norm.

You really think the big boys are going to disappear? I doubt it, particularly when we're in an age of mass media.... tv, radio, film you name it. They've got it all sewn up and losing out on cd sales isn't really going to put that big a dent in their pockets.