Independent music is always on. But this June, the conversation turns inward, as the key players in indie music head to New York for A2IM’s Indie Week.
By the numbers, the indie sector has never been stronger.
Market share is up.
Global impact is undeniable.
Revenue is real.
And yet—independence itself is under a microscope. What does it mean in 2025? Who’s truly independent? Who owns what? And where is all of this actually going?
The Biggest Opportunity in Music
Let’s talk numbers.
Based on an initiative I helped get off the ground while at Spotify, the Loud & Clear report, the independent sector has reached over 50%+ of the platform’s total payout to recorded music rights holders. I think the definition underlying that figure is generous, but if nothing else, it shows the sign of the times. Merlin, the independent body that Spotify helped create to help aggregate licensing negotiations among independents – representing tens of thousands of labels and distributors across 70+ countries – is helping indies get on par licensing terms to some of the larger players in the master recording space.
This isn’t a scrappy little corner of the industry anymore. Independent music is a global force, with scalable infrastructure, rising revenue, and direct lines to fans. From DIY artists uploading their first track to label collectives charting internationally, the playing field has shifted—and the power balance with it. Gosh, I even went from working at the platforms to spending my time helping to build the independent space. So I am either biased or following the money, or both!
Streaming, digital distribution, social media, and fan monetization tools have changed everything. For the first time, indies can go global without giving up control. That’s not just empowering—it’s profitable.
In fact, if you’re tracking music industry trends right now, this is one of the biggest: independence isn’t niche, it’s the blueprint. The indie sector is leading the charge in how music is made, shared, and monetized.
But with opportunity comes visibility. And with visibility comes scrutiny.
Independence Under Pressure
Independence is a powerful idea—but in today’s music economy, it’s not so simple.
While the indie sector grows, so does outside interest. Major labels and investors are buying in: Universal acquired Downtown and FUGA and rolled it into Virgin Music, Sony picked up Altafonte.
Then came the Sónar controversy. The festival—known for its cutting-edge, independent identity—was tied to KKR via its parent company, Superstruct. Over 90 artists signed an open letter demanding transparency around the connection. Sónar responded, insisting its “independence remains intact.” But the moment raised a bigger question:
Can a festival be “independent” if it’s owned by a global private equity firm?
These aren’t just semantics—they’re structural questions. Is independence about ownership? Creative control? Ethical alignment?
Because independence used to mean DIY. Now it might mean building your own cap table.
With audiences demanding authenticity and investors circling, the pressure on what independence means has never been higher.
It’s Crowded at the Top (and Bottom)
Independence has never looked so popular.
Legacy acts are reclaiming their rights. Former major label execs are launching boutique ventures. Creators are skipping the middleman and building empires from their bedrooms. Everyone, it seems, wants to be indie.
But with more players comes more noise. More releases. More platforms. Faster cycles. Less room to breathe. Fewer guaranteed wins.
Independence isn’t just a vibe—it’s a business model. Today’s indie players need more than great taste. They need infrastructure, strategy, and staying power. It’s not enough to stand out—you have to stand up a real operation behind the art.
So what does a modern independent music company need to actually survive—and scale?
These are the questions I’ll be thinking about as we head into Indie Week. Because indie might be booming, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy.
Where Do We Go From Here?
Indie isn’t the outsider anymore. It is the system—or at least a major force within it.
So the real question becomes: what do we want to build with that power?
Because with scale comes responsibility. How do we protect the values that made indie matter in the first place—freedom, fairness, and community—while building companies that can grow and thrive?
Can we lead instead of react?
If indie is the future of the music business, then we should be the ones shaping it—not just surviving in it.
Conclusion: Redefining Indie on Our Own Terms
The market is hot. The competition is real. And the spotlight is firmly on.
But this is a rare moment—one where we get to decide what comes next. To set the tone, define the model, and shape what “independent” really means in 2025 and beyond.
So yes, indie is booming. But let’s stay clear-eyed about what we’re actually building—and who we’re building it for.
