Fixing Last.fm Genre Tagging Errors In Beets

Nov 27, 2025 by Alex Johnson 45 views

Are you struggling to get the lastgenre plugin working with your music library in Beets? You're not alone! Many users encounter issues when trying to automatically add genre tags to their tracks using this plugin. This article dives deep into the common problems, configuration, and troubleshooting steps, so you can successfully tag your music. We will explore the common errors, explain the configuration options and provide solutions to get your music library properly tagged with genres from Last.fm. Let's get started!

Understanding the Problem: Manual Plugin Execution and Common Errors

When attempting to run the lastgenre plugin manually with beet lastgenre -A -p, users often encounter a series of errors. The core issue lies in how the plugin interacts with the music library and the Last.fm API. These errors can manifest as tracebacks, typically including a ValueError related to formatting or logging issues within the Beets framework. The initial attempt to run beet lastgenre without any flags might seem like it's doing nothing, as it defaults to matching albums. To tag individual tracks, the -A flag is essential, but it often triggers these error messages. Debugging these errors requires understanding the configuration of the plugin and how it interacts with the Beets library.

Analyzing the Error Messages

The error messages you provided indicate several ValueError exceptions during the logging process. These errors, ValueError: cannot switch from automatic field numbering to manual field specification, point to issues within the logging configuration of the lastgenre plugin. They suggest a conflict in how the plugin tries to format log messages, potentially due to incorrect use of format strings or other logging inconsistencies. The tracebacks also show that these errors originate from within the Beets library and the lastgenre plugin itself, indicating a problem specific to this setup.

Configuration Review: The `config.yaml` File

Your config.yaml file is the heart of your Beets configuration, and it's essential to get this right. Your configuration looks like this:

library: ~/beets/musiclibrary.db

import:
    write: no
    copy: no
    move: no
    hardlink: no
    resume: ask
    log: beetslog.txt

plugins: musicbrainz lastgenre

lastgenre:
    force: yes
    keep_existing: no
    separator: '; '
    auto: no
    source: track
    fallback: album
    min_weight: 10
    count: 2
    canonical: yes
    whitelist: no

    extended_debug: yes

Let's break down the configuration: The library setting specifies the path to your beets database. The import section disables all organizational features, which is what you wanted. You've correctly enabled the lastgenre and musicbrainz plugins. In the lastgenre section, force: yes makes sure it applies tags even if they exist. keep_existing: no means it will replace existing tags. The separator defines how multiple genres will be separated. auto: no disables automatic tagging, and source: track tells the plugin to get genres per track. fallback: album means it will try to get the album's genre if it can't find a track-specific genre. min_weight and count control the criteria for genre selection. canonical: yes attempts to standardize genre names, and whitelist: no indicates no genre restrictions. Finally, the extended_debug: yes setting should provide more detailed information, which can be useful when debugging.

Troubleshooting Steps and Solutions

To resolve these errors, follow a structured approach to troubleshoot the lastgenre plugin. This approach involves verifying the Beets setup, examining the configuration, and ensuring proper execution. The goal is to isolate the problem and implement targeted solutions to get the plugin functioning correctly.

Step 1: Verify Beets and Plugin Installation

Make sure that both Beets and the lastgenre plugin are installed correctly. Use pip show beets and pip show beets-lastgenre (if that's how the plugin is named in your environment) to check the installation status. If either is not installed, install it using pip install beets and pip install beets-lastgenre (or the specific plugin name).

Step 2: Correcting the Logging Configuration

It is possible that the logging errors are triggered by an incompatibility with the specific version of Python you are using. Try updating Beets and its plugins. If that doesn't work, then a more invasive approach is required, involving modifying the plugin's code or downgrading your Python version to be compatible.

Step 3: Run with Basic Settings First

Start by running the plugin with a minimal configuration to isolate the issue. Try this command: beet lastgenre -A -p. If it still fails, the problem lies in the plugin or its interaction with Last.fm or your Beets library. Inspect the output and any error messages closely. If the error persists, there may be an issue with how the plugin is installed or configured.

Step 4: Check Last.fm API Key (If Applicable)

Some versions or configurations of the lastgenre plugin might require an API key for the Last.fm service. While this is less common, it’s worth checking if your plugin requires a key. Ensure that the API key is correctly configured in your Beets configuration file if required.

Step 5: Test with a Smaller Subset of Files

Import a small test folder with a few tracks known to have genres on Last.fm. This will help you isolate whether the issue is with specific files or a broader configuration problem. This method allows you to quickly assess whether the plugin works correctly before applying it to your entire library.

Step 6: Examine the Extended Debug Output

Since you've set extended_debug: yes, carefully review the output for any additional clues. The extended debug logs can provide much more detailed information about the plugin's operation, the queries it's making to Last.fm, and any errors it encounters. Look for any specific error messages or warnings that point to the root cause.

Advanced Troubleshooting and Further Investigation

If the basic troubleshooting steps don’t work, deeper investigation is needed. This includes verifying network connectivity, examining the plugin's internal workings, and checking for any library-specific issues.

Verifying Network Connectivity

Ensure that your computer has a stable internet connection. The lastgenre plugin requires an active internet connection to query the Last.fm API. Test your internet connection by opening a web browser and browsing to Last.fm or another website to make sure everything works.

Inspecting Plugin Internals

If you're comfortable with Python, you can examine the source code of the lastgenre plugin to understand how it fetches and applies genres. This can help you identify any potential bugs or misconfigurations. Locate the plugin files in your Python environment and open them to see how they function.

Checking for Library-Specific Issues

If the plugin is failing on specific tracks or albums, there might be inconsistencies in your library's metadata. Use the beet modify command to correct any inconsistencies.

Conclusion: Getting Your Genres Right

Successfully implementing the lastgenre plugin requires careful configuration and troubleshooting. By systematically addressing the common errors and configuration issues, you can enhance your music organization. Remember to verify the Beets installation, check the plugin's configuration, and test the process on a small set of files. With the right approach, you can successfully tag your music library with accurate genres from Last.fm, significantly improving your music management experience. The key is to break down the problem into smaller parts and systematically address each one. Persistence and a methodical approach will help you overcome any hurdles.

To dive deeper into Beets and its functionalities, you may find the official documentation helpful. Check out the Beets documentation for more detailed information and advanced configurations.