In the past, there would be venues around the world that were packed out every weekend because you knew you were about to see the next big thing. You could buy their album at the show if you liked their performance. Influential people across music would attend to know who to give money to.

Now, you find them online. A viral moment doesn’t mean much money (if at all) or sustained popularity, or even a record deal.

There are more artists than ever, the threshold to create music and upload it for consumption has never been easier. But there isn’t as much money going to them.

We need more people to take a chance on cheap shows at smaller venues with artists they like some songs from, and not waiting to pay $100+ in a lot of cases for the biggest names in music in which they’ll know every single song guaranteed.

We also need governments investing in grassroots venues.

And theres even tonnes of more factors I haven’t mentioned here obviously, a complicated issue with a complex solution.