The Future for Independent Radio and Independent Music

I’ve long been of the opinion that independent radio is one of the last bastions for independent music. There are new challenges ahead, and this article seeks to encourage your support.

As someone who records and releases music independently, I’ve enjoyed a huge amount of support from independent radio shows, whose work is almost exclusively done by a dedicated army of volunteers. As host of the weekly Compendium on Folk Friday Radio, I have the privilege of listening to huge amounts of new music submitted by independent artists from all corners of the world, putting the best of it into playlists with instantly recognisable songs from established artists. Together, technology and a wealth of music intuition have significantly narrowed the gulf between the two offerings – the independent and the ‘signed’ – to the point now that the only difference between the two is in opportunity, not quality.

Music has evolved over the centuries and will continue to evolve. We’re still using many instruments today that were first designed back in medieval times. We’re still singing songs that have endured the test of time over the centuries, adding our own contributions along the way. Music will always face challenges, because art generally always has. Politically, the arts is where the first cuts tend to be made, unless it’s the high arts! So we can either adapt or die in defence of our respective talents. I intend to adapt.

Not everyone will like everything we do. Thank goodness for personal taste, for different backgrounds in life and music, and for collaborations that explore the fusion between different minds. I fundamentally disagree with any musician who says “we’re not in it for the money”, because it’s the money that affords CD runs, travel, accommodation, subsistence, insurance, instruments….the list goes on and on. It is to the independent radio presenters that I now tip my hat, for doing what they can to bring the music of independent musicians to a wider audience without ever asking for a fee.

However, independent radio and community radio also have their challenges. There are several levels of broadcasting license, with costs governed by the number of listeners and how the show is accessed. Annual licenses begin for internet only broadcasts at about £200.00. In addition, there may be an annual fee for the platform you use to host your station or show, so you aren’t going to get much change out of £500.00 for establishing the simplest form of internet only station. The quality of platforms varies. Many are seamless, but some are technically inept, so interruptions, interference, and outages can play their part. Platform selection is key.

Bare bones costs for larger community radio stations can start around £5,000.00 per year, including premises hire, equipment, technical support, and all the other associated costs. Some community stations pay a limited number of dedicated staff to keep the shows running, but much of their work is volunteer based. Donations and sponsorship are an essential part of the success of any radio venture, and in challenging economic times, the arts generally take a severe hit. To the musicians looking in, if some of these shows support your music, please support them back in whatever way you can, even if that’s just by recommending your followers to tune in.

The newest threat comes from Artificial Intelligence. We shouldn’t be sucked into thinking that all AI is bad, because there are many different types, but we should be alert to the dangers associated with the unscrupulous use of it. The challenges generated to music creation by AI have been well documented, but nobody seems to be talking about the challenges to radio, whether independent radio or commercial mainstream.

Commercial radio needs funding, and advertisers therefore look to the more popular stations. Those tend to play the most popular music, selected not so much by DJs, but determined by the number of playlists a song may appear on. Numbers drive the whole industry to the point where it’s losing sight of the art. For years, this has been limiting opportunities for independent musicians to have their music played on air.

In early December, I was sent a song created supposedly by a young European based artist. It was a brilliantly produced hip hop song – not my usual choice of music, so it wouldn’t get played on the Compendium. The artist sent me a lovely email to accompany the song, complemented me on the music choices in my chain of gymnasia. Problem number one: I don’t own gymnasia across Europe. So the sender had plucked my name from an AI Google search, which added 1 + 1 and got 5.

I replied, because I always reply. As I was listening to the song, I wished the artist would reduce the use of synthesised voice, and it dawned on me that it might not actually be a human voice, but one generated by AI. In my reply, I complemented the artist’s vocal, and asked if they’d consider sending me an acoustic version without the use of a synthesiser. There has been no reply. That doesn’t mean I can say with certainty that the song was AI generated, but my suspicion therefore is that even at independent community radio level, we will increasingly be targeted by music that is not created by human beings.  AI means that anyone with ChatGPT or similar can make money out of music without being able to play or sing. That has to be worrying.

We are all going to have to become much smarter in dealing with the threats and challenges to our existence, and just as we need to support  independent music at this critical time in music history, we also need to support the independent radio stations and shows that lend their own support to independent musicians.

So let’s start 2026 by making useful contributions to both: buying not just streaming independent music; donating to the upkeep of independent radio stations. Together, we can do something powerful to turn back the tide.

Have a very happy Christmas and best wishes for a New Year filled with hope and great music.

Peace.

John