Radiohead shocked the world when they announced they were allowing fans to set the price for their latest album as a digital download. Then Nine Inch Nails let us all know they have dropped their record label and would also be distributing their new album with no help at all from industry bigwigs. Now a few more music giants that have stepped up to the plate.

Sticking it to the record label industry that has taken a huge chunk of the pie for so long, UK based Oasis and Jamiroquai are the latest bands to announce they are thinking about offering their music free online. Both bands do not have record label backing and are seriously considering following Radioheads lead. Other bands that are contemplating a change in how they do business with fans are The Charlatans and Madness, who are offering albums for free and singles as downloads for 99 pence. How will the major labels react to this? We can only wait and see, but we can be sure they are tucked away in their battle bunkers this week strategizing.

Radiohead has so far refused to reveal how many have pre-ordered their album online. Nonetheless, they have launched their website to top spot on the UK music websites list and are starting to lead a new music revolution.

Last week Radiohead made waves when the band announced that it would be distributing its new album without the help of a record label. Not only will you be able to download the new album online, and not only will your money go directly to Radiohead, but you can set your own price.

Now Nine Inch Nails appears to be following suit. Frontman Trent Reznor posted a brief message on the band's homepage that says the band is a "free agent," after spending 18 years watching record labels transform. Reznor says he's looking forward to developing a "direct relationship" with his audience. While he doesn't say anything about digital music downloads, all signs point to a Radiohead-like announcement in the near future.

Reznor has a history of encouraging fans to do interesting things with his music. While some are arguing that these moves by popular bands like Nine Inch Nails and Radiohead signal a dramatic shift in the recording industry, things aren't really that simple. Yes, these bands are popular enough that they can afford to tell off the record labels. The bands will sell music, sell out concerts, and make plenty of money anyway.

But there are a thousand websites where you can already pay for music by independent musicians or download tracks for free. And the truth of the matter is few, if any, of the artists on these sites will ever be the next Nine Inch Nails or Radiohead. That's not because their music isn't good. It's because it's hard to attract the kind of following that well known bands have without a huge advertising budget.

What do you think? Are we seeing the start of a trend? Or are Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails just getting a lot of attention for doing something pretty insignificant?