Danny Jones, McFly's guitarist, has voiced concerns about the current state of the music industry, noting that while some artists achieve billions of streams, they cannot fill a venue. Speaking about the shift since McFly's debut over 20 years ago, he pointed to algorithms as a key factor in the decline of singles chart success. Despite seven number ones and 15 top 10 hits, the band hasn't cracked the singles chart in over a decade, though they have secured back-to-back number two albums since 2020.
Grassroots venues and local gigs
Jones has teamed up with Greene King for their Live at Your Local campaign, which will feature 900 grassroots artists performing free shows in pubs across the UK throughout August and September. He emphasised the importance of intimate venues, recalling his own start at Ye Olde Man & Scythe in Bolton. 'In local venues, you get to see bands creating the magic on a one-off night; you can't recreate that,' he said. 'We don't want grassroots to die and fade away. It's the root of everything. Someone in that pub could be the next me.'
Challenges for guitar bands
The singer lamented the lack of guitar bands in the mainstream, describing it as 'sad'. He explained that many artists are 'chasing a song on TikTok' without building a real-world following. 'I know artists who can get a billion streams on a song but can't sell out a venue,' he said. Jones also reflected on the closure of small venues, which he believes forces musicians to rely on algorithms without gaining essential stage experience.
Personal experience and advice
Jones shared that he has never missed a live show despite struggling with anxiety. 'Sometimes you're sh**ting yourself to go on stage because you don't feel mentally right,' he recalled. He advised up-and-coming artists to 'try and do something s**t' to create original work, adding, 'If you want to be The 1975 or Adele, you're late. It's already been filled.' Jones, who has 'retired from reality TV' after winning I'm a Celebrity and appearing on The Masked Singer, is currently producing McFly's upcoming album, which he says will be 'the whole of my heart'.
