By Andrea Zarczynski, Forbes | The resilient nature of independent music fuels innovation, collaboration and disruption in the industry. With independent artist advocacy groups like the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) leading the way, independent musicians and labels around the world are collectively entering a new era in music.
According to a mid-year music report by Luminate, formerly Neilsen Music, on-demand audio streaming has grown 15 percent from the first half of 2023. The share of total streams by independent artists also increased across the market.
The report also found that indie artists comprised 62.1 percent of all artists who totaled between 1-10 million U.S. on-demand audio streams during the first half of 2024. Those who reached more than 500 million on-demand audio streams increased by more than two percent during the first half of this year compared to the second half of 2023.
Yet gains in streaming are not benefiting all indie artists. Musician and A2IM President and CEO Richard James Burgess says that mid-level artists are not making the same gains.
“Streaming has been positive, which creates stability and revenue. Though it’s not so good for the middle level artist, which is the area that really concerns me,” says Burgess. “Touring is also pretty tough for mid-level artists, but we are at a turning point where super fans have an opportunity to help close the gap.”
Often called “the voice of independent music,” A2IM promotes growth, awareness and opportunities for its more than 600 independent music record label members and more than 200 associate members. Through advocacy education and community, the not-for-profit trade organization is nearing 20 years of business with a presence on Capitol Hill to advocate on behalf of the global music community.
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Read more here:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/andreazarczynski/2024/09/30/as-indie-music-gains-streams-a2im-leaves-no-artist-behind/
Andrea Zarczynski is a professional, award-winning journalist with more than 15 years of experience writing and editing arts and entertainment content for leading media companies across the country. With a master’s degree in Media Management from The New School, she has built her expertise in the latest practices and concepts for managing traditional and emergent media organizations and platforms
Thanks to COMBO Board member Tracey Chirhart for contributing this article!
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Photo: A2IM logo