Bypass: Music Industry News for Independent Artists

Tuesday edition - 2 min read

Coachella or the Basement (Pick One)

What’s Up

2025 was a massacre for mid-tier festivals (the ones that actually booked indies). We’re seeing cancellations left, right and center. Mid-tier festivals are losing sponsorship because there’s a “saturation of sameness.” Basically, the lineups were boring, the sponsors got bored, and now the festivals are dead.

So What

There is no middle ground anymore. And with Pitchfork, Creamfields, and dozens of regional staples gone, indies have two choices: you either perform at Coachella or in a basement.

Now What

The best thing to focus on right now is what still works: underground shows, direct fan connection, and hard-ticket club dates. At this point, just ditch the “indie career ladder,” it isn’t there anymore.

[Full story at Hypebot]

How to Pay Songwriters Less (By Spotify)

What’s Up

So, Spotify is up to its old tricks. They’re killing off the "Basic" music-only tier. The goal here is to trap everyone in the Premium plan (audiobooks included). If you cancel Basic, you can't get it back. It’s a one-way street.

So What

Do you really think Spotify cares about literacy? Please. This is nothing but an accounting trick. By bundling audiobooks, they can legally slash the royalties they pay to songwriters. They hid the music-only tier to trap users in the bundle, and now they’re deleting it to lock in the discount.

Now What

This is your quarterly reminder that Spotify is only for Spotify. Apple Music still pays nearly double per stream. Stop treating the Green App like a partner; it’s a tech company trying to lower its overhead (which is you).

[Read more on Digital Music News]

The Tools You're Sleeping On

What's Up

Okay, enough dunking on Spotify. Let’s talk about the platform that doesn't hate you. We know Apple Music pays better (62% better, to be exact), but this time we're talking about their tools. They have a suite of free tools that most indies are sleeping on. Animated Motion Art? Check. Pre-adds? Check. A feature that puts your setlist inside Apple Maps so people can find you? Yeah, they have that too.

So What

Animated artwork gets 30% more engagement on social media. Usually, getting that made forces you to pick between hiring a motion designer or paying next month’s rent. Apple lets you do it for free.

Now What

Claim your profile today. For the touring folks, link your Bandsintown account so you show up on Apple Maps. And please, update your website. Swap those ugly text links for the official Apple Music Badge. Nothing makes you look more official than a badge.

[Full story at Hypebot]