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Explore Our Approach

Issues & Solutions

We support local music communities to address endemic social and economic challenges.

Introduction

At MusicLocal, we focus on the root challenges facing local music communities to address endemic issues of negative social media practices, isolation and community polarization, and economic concentration and monopolization. Specifically:

  • We believe convenient, comprehensive live music event listings are critical to reversing the decline in local music journalism.
  • We believe ethically designed, steward-curated live music event listings provide a vital alternative to addictive social media platforms.
  • We believe that making live music more visible and accessible encourages in-person interaction, strengthening communities and alleviating loneliness and social isolation.
  • We believe that local live music listings are a critical component of strong local economies, helping to lessen the negative economic consequences of big tech and music industry monopolies.
Issue

Decline of Local Arts Journalism

  • Declining newsroom budgets have reduced coverage of local live music.
  • Live music listings, vital to local scenes, are disappearing.
  • Social media algorithms prioritize viral content over informative arts coverage, limiting event visibility.
Solution

Revitalization of Local Arts Journalism

  • Use ethically designed technology to provide comprehensive, accessible live music listings.
  • Fill gaps in coverage with dedicated promotion of local events and artists.
  • Prioritize community-focused content to rebuild cultural engagement.
Issue

Harmful Social Media Practices

  • Algorithms amplify viral content while sidelining local, informative posts.
  • Echo chambers on social media fuel polarization and reduce empathy.
  • Informative content is deprioritized, making it harder for venues and musicians to reach local audiences without paid ads.
Solution

Local Social Media Alternatives

  • Develop tools that prioritize local, community-driven content over viral distractions.
  • Encourage real-world connections through event discovery features.
  • Counter polarization by fostering inclusive and empathetic dialogue around local music.
Issue

Social Isolation and Erosion of Community Connections

  • Reduced in-person interactions contribute to growing social isolation.
  • Loneliness is fueling mental health challenges.
  • Building meaningful relationships, including friendships and romantic connections, is becoming more difficult.
  • Fewer communal gathering spaces are weakening community bonds.
Solution

Rebuild Social Connections and Strengthen Communities

  • Promote live music events to encourage in-person interaction and reduce isolation.
  • Foster community engagement through shared cultural experiences.
  • Support relationship-building through accessible, inclusive local music events.
Issue

Music Industry Economics, Monopolies, and Big Tech

  • Streaming services like Spotify pay low royalties, leaving musicians undercompensated.
  • Ticketmaster and Live Nation’s high fees and exclusive contracts limit profits for venues and artists.
  • Social media algorithms restrict organic reach, forcing musicians and venues to rely on expensive ads for promotion.
Solution

Strengthen Local Music Industry Economics

  • Empower venues and musicians to reach audiences directly, reducing reliance on monopolies.
  • Promote local artists to encourage support for live performances over passive streaming.
  • Use modern technology to amplify organic reach and reduce the need for costly advertising.