This is so interesting to read (as a non artist lol) I hope the algorithm will be treating you nicer in 2026 (or sooner!!) thinking about all of the underrated/ independent artists out there 🕯️🕯️❤️
I love listening / reading ur substack! Keep doing them
I read this as someone on the other side of the relationship - a listener of music rather than artist, but feeling a mirror-image familiarity with what you describe for musicians "making it" in the social media age.
Over the past couple of years I've become more and more aware of the asymmetry between the happiness, meaning and comfort I get from listening to my favourite artists (mostly very small independent musicians) and what I give in return... a few measly listens on an evil streaming service. For music, I try to go to gigs and say hi afterwards, buy vinyls (beautiful tactile items, but I've no way of playing them for now) and digital downloads; for poetry buy their books. But it never feels enough.
Over in social media land I like and comment on their posts, and shout about my favourite releases in my own feed - but it all feels so cynical. Do any of my followers really care about my fave artist of the moment? A small group of friends with widely differing musicial tastes, people who happen to like pictures of hills and trees, and musicians that probably know the artist already. Sometimes it feels like the only person I'm posting for is the artist themselves in an attempt to say "Hey, you're awesome".
Social media has the power for artists to reach their perfect audience, but being seen amongst the noise is more difficult than ever. I'm not sure the music industry of yesteryear was any kinder of course.
Well, that was a long ramble. Not sure I have any answers, but there's got to be a better way.
Noted! Some cities have more venue options than others.
Also bigger places typically sell more tickets (London, Manchester, Glasgow), which gives more certainty to the artist that the show will sell enough to go ahead.
Unless you’re very in demand it’s wise to space out the stops on your tour so it can cover a wider area of the country.
Most touring artists have an agent that deals with the booking and planning side of things and knows from experience where is best to go.
If you play a festival in a certain city there can also be restrictions about playing your own gig there for a period of time.
Lastly… venue availability and routing is important! You don’t want to play Brighton one day and Inverness the next lol. It makes logistical and financial sense to systematically travel up or down the country, but if a venue isn’t available this is sometimes tricky!
I really like these posts and also listening to you talk! Thank you for sharing this
thanks so much! :)
This is so interesting to read (as a non artist lol) I hope the algorithm will be treating you nicer in 2026 (or sooner!!) thinking about all of the underrated/ independent artists out there 🕯️🕯️❤️
I love listening / reading ur substack! Keep doing them
Thank you so much for reading! Ahhh I feel so lucky to be where I am but I know and feel the struggles x
Really needed to read this, thank you. ❤️
I read this as someone on the other side of the relationship - a listener of music rather than artist, but feeling a mirror-image familiarity with what you describe for musicians "making it" in the social media age.
Over the past couple of years I've become more and more aware of the asymmetry between the happiness, meaning and comfort I get from listening to my favourite artists (mostly very small independent musicians) and what I give in return... a few measly listens on an evil streaming service. For music, I try to go to gigs and say hi afterwards, buy vinyls (beautiful tactile items, but I've no way of playing them for now) and digital downloads; for poetry buy their books. But it never feels enough.
Over in social media land I like and comment on their posts, and shout about my favourite releases in my own feed - but it all feels so cynical. Do any of my followers really care about my fave artist of the moment? A small group of friends with widely differing musicial tastes, people who happen to like pictures of hills and trees, and musicians that probably know the artist already. Sometimes it feels like the only person I'm posting for is the artist themselves in an attempt to say "Hey, you're awesome".
Social media has the power for artists to reach their perfect audience, but being seen amongst the noise is more difficult than ever. I'm not sure the music industry of yesteryear was any kinder of course.
Well, that was a long ramble. Not sure I have any answers, but there's got to be a better way.
I would love to read about the process of booking gigs. I’ve always felt curious about why you go to some places but not to others?
Noted! Some cities have more venue options than others.
Also bigger places typically sell more tickets (London, Manchester, Glasgow), which gives more certainty to the artist that the show will sell enough to go ahead.
Unless you’re very in demand it’s wise to space out the stops on your tour so it can cover a wider area of the country.
Most touring artists have an agent that deals with the booking and planning side of things and knows from experience where is best to go.
If you play a festival in a certain city there can also be restrictions about playing your own gig there for a period of time.
Lastly… venue availability and routing is important! You don’t want to play Brighton one day and Inverness the next lol. It makes logistical and financial sense to systematically travel up or down the country, but if a venue isn’t available this is sometimes tricky!
It is indeed a process 😂 thank you for answering :) and thank you too for always providing us with content and shows and music 💕
Thank you for sharing this, feels like a personalised talk with an older sister. 😊
I love this :)