The struggle to make a living from music
Photo credit: Ana Grave, (Unsplash)
Over 64% of musicians are struggling to make ends meet.
According to the Music Industry Investigation Report from the Creative Independent, earning enough to survive is challenging for most artists.
With the exponential growth of streaming platforms in recent years and covid halting live music, working in the industry, or any creative career, is a precarious reality. Data shows that even the most experienced and talented are fighting to support themselves.
The survey asked 298 musicians and industry professionals a series of questions to assess the difficulty of sustaining a life through music.
Most money is made through touring and performing at 61%. Just over a quarter (26.2%) comes from physical sales (vinyl, merch etc.). Yet, a significant portion of income (15.7%) is non-music-related. Meaning many musicians and working creatives balance other jobs to survive.
More than two-thirds of musicians reported that music-related earnings accounted for 0%–20% of their income, showing how little they make.
Working-class musicians rely on hard work and talent but face barriers their peers do not. 64.3% of participants state that the biggest barrier to music is insufficient funds, proving the scale of the problem.
Most artists invest before they gain anything back financially. These costs include equipment, producing, promoting their music and touring. Working-class musicians often have to adopt multiple jobs to finance their musical aspirations, which can harm their creativity, mental health and commitment.
One respondent said: “I don't feel ‘successful’ because I can barely afford to be alive.”
Working-class musicians face a lack of industry connections and resources. 64.1% of musicians surveyed stated that connections to friends and family helped them the most.
The music industry is competitive, and nepotism can make all the difference. Access to resources such as recording studios is limited, making it harder for low-income musicians to produce high-quality music and build sustainable careers.
A participant in the survey said: “I can only see true, concrete change happening if payment opportunities—be that through digital streaming, live shows, merch manufacturers etc. —meet in the middle to create a sustainable environment for creatives to live and work within.”
According to 37.4% of musicians and industry professionals questioned, streaming services have the most scope for change.
For the musicians questioned, supporting themselves through music is their third priority after audience validation and achieving personal goals.
49% of industry professionals do not identify as being part of a marginalised group, while a greater percentage of musicians do. The class ceiling must break to bring about change in music and the arts.
Regarding creative careers in Scotland specifically, a spokesperson from Creative Scotland said: “Creative Scotland, and Screen Scotland, is committed to enabling people and organisations to work in and experience the arts, screen and creative industries and support these industries across all parts of Scotland on behalf of everyone who lives, works or visits here. This includes people from areas of socio-economic deprivation.
“Creative Scotland distributes funding from the Scottish Government and The National Lottery to creative individuals, groups, projects and organisations from all over Scotland, with the ambition of ensuring access to the arts, screen and creative industries for everyone and creating the conditions for people from all walks of life, perspectives and abilities, to enjoy rewarding and sustainable careers.”
by Lauren Burns
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