Words and multimedia by Sara Valle
Check out here this multimedia webpage I created about how social media and the closure of grassroots music are affecting the music industry.
Grassroots music venues are a beacon of music and a key generator for night-time economy.
Source: Music Venue Trust (MVT)
About 80% of artists and musicians got their start performing at grassroots music venues. They help talent gain experience, connect with audiences, and move on to bigger stages.
Source: Night Time Industries Association (NTIA)
The closure of grassroots music venues meant a loss of £9M in income for musicians and a £59M hit to the economy in 2023.
Source: Music Venue Trust (MVT)
Social media has changed the music industry, enabling artists to reach wide audiences without traditional record labels. But it also puts pressure on musicians to self-promote and can overshadow those who don’t get viral success.
AI has transformed how music is created, produced, and promoted. While it offers efficiency and new creative tools, it also raises ethical concerns about creativity, job displacement, and data privacy. Balancing AI’s benefits with respect for human artistry is crucial for the industry’s future.
Source: The Rolling Stone
Owner of pub and radio station The Boogaloo in London
UK-based recording artist with 30+ years in the industry
Founder of platform for musicians, HyperTribe
Sara Valle 