Virgin boss Richard Branson has blamed the Internet, and more specifically Apple, for contributing to the demise of the traditional high street record shop.
Speaking to French radio station Europe 1 as his Virgin Records label gets ready to celebrate its 40th anniversary, Branson reflected on the inevitable progression of technology and its impact on independent music outlets.
“Generally speaking Apple is magnificent, but Apple has killed the music stores, as has the Internet,” he said. “You just have to accept that technology moves on. We had the Virgin stores for 30 years, but nothing is forever, sadly.”
A series of gigs in London have been organised for this coming October and November to mark Virgin’s 40th year, with Laura Marling, Jake Bugg, Public Image Ltd. and Bastille amongst those taking part.
Marling plays the York Hall in Bethnal Green on October 3rd to open the shows, while Jake Bugg is booked to play the Brixton Academy on October 24th and Public Image Ltd. appear at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire three days earlier. Bastille, meanwhile, play the London KOKO on November 5th.
