Ditto Music study reveals financial struggles for independent artists

A study by music distributor Ditto Music involving over 5,000 independent artists across 112 countries reveals significant financial challenges within the independent music sector. The report indicates that 74% of respondents earned less than $1,000 from music in the previous year, and 64% maintain full-time or part-time employment outside of the industry to support themselves.

Financial instability is a primary concern, with only 29% of artists believing their music income will be sustainable over the next three years. This pressure has led 32% of those surveyed to consider quitting music in the past year. Additionally, while touring is a major revenue source, 82% of artists reported they cannot afford the expenses associated with touring.

Regarding streaming, Spotify was identified as the largest royalty generator for 37% of respondents, followed by YouTube Music at 27% and Apple Music at 10%. To improve their professional circumstances, 43% of artists requested better discovery and playlist tools, while 41% called for higher streaming royalty rates.