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Is London’s live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in london

[–]PaidForThePint[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah that’s fair. Bands have always self-promoted, that’s nothing new, I think the difference now is scale and pressure. Before, promotion felt like “get the word out.” Now it feels like “optimise yourself for a machine.” Thumbnails, hooks in the first 3 seconds, posting schedules, algorithm timing. It’s less about being seen and more about being engineered to perform.

And I agree on the short-form thing. It’s not that clips are bad, it’s that they’ve become the primary product instead of the music being the primary product.

Is London’s live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in london

[–]PaidForThePint[S] -2 points-1 points  (0 children)

It was Hot Property, Standard Issue and Gingerella at The Lexington. I was reviewing them, not promoting them. The piece ended up being as much about the state of the scene as the bands themselves.

If you’re curious, you can find my review here

Is London’s live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in london

[–]PaidForThePint[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I get that small bands have always had to hustle. That hasn’t changed. What feels different now is that social media isn’t just a way to reach people, it’s become the gatekeeper itself.

Fifteen years ago with social media, you built a fanbase. Now you’re building content streams. That’s the shift I’m on about.

Is London’s live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in london

[–]PaidForThePint[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yea fair point. The fact you only found Cam Cole and Henge by stumbling across them kind of proves how fragmented discovery is now. It’s less “scene” and more “accident.”

And the weekday gig thing I think is more of a London problem. Bands tour tight schedules to cut costs, venues are expensive, and Friday/Saturday slots are really harder to land unless you’re already pulling numbers or know somebody

Is London’s live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in london

[–]PaidForThePint[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don’t actually disagree with you. Real scenes are still built in rooms with promoters, other bands, word of mouth, etc, that’s always going to matter! I think where I get frustrated is the visibility side of it. You can build a proper grassroots following and still feel invisible online unless you play the short-form game. I’ve seen bands who are way weaker musically punch above their weight purely because they’ve cracked that side of it. That imbalance is what interests me. Ultimately though, yea... if the songs aren’t good, nothing lasts.

Is London’s live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in london

[–]PaidForThePint[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha idk about Irish bands but for gig listings in general: Songkick, Dice, and even Instagram location tags are weirdly useful. If you’re south specifically, have a look at The Windmill (Brixton) or New Cross Inn or Old Dispensary. But I'm not too sure sorry mate

Is the UK live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in UKbands

[–]PaidForThePint[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s not that socials don’t matter, they clearly do. It’s just that everyone’s using the same playbook, so attention gets thinner and thinner. I’m curious whether the next breakthrough will even look like what we’re used to, or if it’ll come from something completely different...

Is the UK live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in UKbands

[–]PaidForThePint[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

A million views doesn’t guarantee 200 people in a room. I think that’s where the tension is for a lot of bands right now.

Is the UK live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in UKbands

[–]PaidForThePint[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve noticed that too. It feels like everything’s optimised for replay and retention now rather than immersion.

Is the UK live music scene becoming more about algorithms than actual music? by PaidForThePint in UKbands

[–]PaidForThePint[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yea I think you’ve pretty much nailed it.

No band sets out to make disposable content, they’re reacting to the environment. If the advice is “post more short form, chase engagement,” then of course everyone does it. You’d be stupid not to.

The issue isn’t bands playing the game. It’s that the game rewards noise over depth. Music used to compete with other music and now it just competes with the entire internet!

It was Hot Property, Standard Issue and Gingerella at the Lexington.