Stereophonics' Kelly Jones 'Disappointed' at BBC 6 Music Closure Plans

Stereophonics singer Kelly Jones has voiced his 'disappointment' with the BBC's decision to close radio station 6 Music, saying it's symptomatic of the music industry's lack of artist development.

Speaking to Spinner as the band's UK tour came to a close last week, Jones said he felt lucky the band were not starting out as a new band in 2010. "I think it would really hard if we were starting now. Our first single went in at number 51, if that happened now we'd have been dropped. Our second album went platinum before our first one."

Voicing his concern about news of the decision to close the alternative station, the Welsh singer commented, "It's a place people go to find new music, inspirational stuff. I find it very confusing how the likes of 6 Music can be closed down and the likes of Radio 1 can keep going really. We get told this thing about the demographic being 14 to 24 and Radio 2 is 45 to 55. Where's the market between 25 and 35? That's 6 Music for the people that are into music. Most of the people they [the BBC] claim to be targeting are at school."

He also said, "I think 6 Music closing down is not advantageous for the music industry, when it comes to actual art and music. Where are the likes of people like Elton John or Paul McCartney going to come from in the future? Where are they going to come from if the record industry ain't developing real people?"

Thanking the fact that the three-piece indie rock band started out 15 years ago, Jones also said, "People are rediscovering live music -- it's been so swamped with celebrity for a long time, I think everyone is getting a bit bored with it. I think record companies are getting very frustrated and panicky. No one seems to be developing artists for the long term -- just that quick fix. It's a bit disheartening really. I'm glad that we've got a fanbase that's stuck with us and been loyal. It's allowed us to develop and change, it's allowed us to make mistakes and allowed us to come back."

Stereophonics' 'Keep Calm and Carry On' tour will now head to Australia and Japan before returning for a gig at Cardiff City FC Stadium in June, before the band appear at Oxegen, T in the Park and V Festivals in the summer.