It is no secret that the music industry has changed rapidly over the past year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As fans and onlookers, it’s tough to see how COVID-19 has hit millions of artists and the existence of the live entertainment industry as a whole. As we rely on music to soothe us during these crazy times, it’s become apparent how unequally distributed power and revenue is across the industry.

On the other hand, the pandemic has also accelerated many of the trends we’re seeing in regards to online distribution and democratization. With so much uncertainty surrounding the release of the vaccine and government regulations, it’s difficult to predict how the future will look for independent musicians. However, we are already seeing ways forward for the independent music scene in a post-pandemic world.

The Future of Live Music

Music venues are more than just businesses serving customers. They have been institutions essential to incubating local independent artists, hosting touring ones, and to connect artists to larger communities. The National Independent Venue Association predicts that without federal intervention, 90% of indie music venues could disappear as a result of the 2020 shutdowns. Their collapse could be devastating for the independent music scene, especially as artists make the bulk of their income performing live concerts. In a Quarantine Questionnaire interview earlier this month, The Ghosts of Sunset shared that their band gets their revenue from live music and merchandise. However, the pandemic has jeopardized the band’s ability to tour.

Craig Jenkins of Vulture says that COVID-19 calls into question whether touring is actually a viable business model. Independent artists have seen ways forward by holding rooftop gigs or online live jam sessions. These online events create a larger community of fans, not centered around any geographical region. For Italy-based Arya, promoting music on the internet has always been important. Even more so than live shows in their local area as it doesn’t require big, in-person audiences. Home quarantine has allowed them to hone their craft even more and focus on online promotion. Bands like Arya show how the shift to online music distribution has made independent music more inclusive. Supporting independent artists is now not just limited to those in your town, it can be towards artists living on the other side of the Atlantic.

Solidifying The Shift To Online Music Distribution

While major labels still dominate the music charts, these past few years have seen a monumental change. There is a new generation of artists who have used the internet to succeed. It’s through online media that they’ve been able to release and build their careers on their own. This has helped influence the rise of independent record labels over the last few years.

A ZenBusiness guide to starting a record label reports that in 2018 the global music industry revenue was $18.9 billion, with 38% coming from independent record labels. In tech-forward countries like Sweden, there is a growing share of independent music on the charts, rivaling that of major artists. Companies like Amuse are helping make that happen. Amuse is an artist-focused online platform that does music distribution differently, by keeping it free and allowing artists to keep 100% of their rights. With more artists stuck at home and undergoing home quarantine, having a strong presence on online music distribution platforms is one way to promote yourself and stay relevant.