Why DIY Live Music Spaces are more important than ever
Even as streaming dominates music and the music industry, grassroots and DIY live music spaces remain the heart of real music culture. Learn how they build community and launch careers even in an increasingly algorithm-driven world.
Why DIY Live Music Spaces are more important than ever
by Alfie Amadeus via Decent Music PR
There’s no question that streaming has taken over the music industry. CD and vinyl sales, though important for emerging artists, are no longer a reliable income source. In 2024, physical music sales generated 4.8 billion U.S. dollars, digital music sales made 0.8 billion, but streaming revenues reached 20.4 billion U.S. dollars worldwide, according to two reports by Statista. For better or for worse, audiences are becoming accustomed to instant gratification, and anything that doesn’t offer it is likely to be ignored.
At Decent Music PR, we push for online success. We boost streams, run targeted ad campaigns, and contact press outlets to get artists the attention they deserve. But for all the ease and scale offered by digital platforms, DIY spaces remain vital to independent music culture. DIY venues, warehouses, living rooms, skateparks, and community centres are more than just places to play shows. They are creative hubs that offer opportunities for real-life, human connections and music promotion.
DIY spaces are where local scenes are born, where bands cut their teeth and where music is more than just content. The truth is, though it’s increasingly important to develop and maintain an online presence, the hyper-saturation of streaming and social media platforms means that it’s so easy to disappear in the noise. DIY venues act as an authentic space to help you find your tribe in real life, and as the internet floods into a sea of AI-generated music, monetised noise, and algorithmic sludge, these pockets of authenticity matter more than ever for artists.
A Music Promotion Launchpad for Emerging Artists
While Spotify algorithms and TikTok trends may occasionally elevate unknown artists to sudden fame, it’s the DIY scene that often incubates the talent in the first place. DIY venues provide an open, safe space for artists to perform, experiment, and find their voice without the pressures of corporate expectations or polished perfection.
Some of today’s most influential bands started out playing DIY shows to 20 people in a basement. The intimacy and imperfection of those early gigs forge a connection with audiences that can’t be replicated by any other means.
Real-World Community Is Worth More Than Followers
DIY spaces allow for the development of deep, local connections that just don’t happen on social media. They create a real sense of belonging that algorithms are simply incapable of. Whether it’s seeing the same mohawks show up to every show your local punk band plays, or the open-mic regular who surprises everyone with an absolute belter of a chorus, DIY scenes build real-world community.
These spaces offer a refuge from the infinite doomscroll. It’s a place where musicians and music fans can connect without the tedium and pressures that social media brings.
Resistance by Design
DIY spaces often operate outside the mainstream. They’re run by volunteers, artists, and dreamers, not shareholders. This makes them essential spaces for marginalised voices, niche genres, and radical ideas that might otherwise be ignored.
They’re also political by nature. Hosting gigs in a squat, a gallery, or someone’s garage is an act of reclaiming space. It challenges the idea that creativity must be monetised to be valuable, encouraging art for art’s sake.
A Culture of Collaboration, Not Competition
We’ve already covered how collaboration is key when it comes to releasing music, and one of the most useful aspects of DIY spaces is the culture of collaboration they foster. Unlike the music industry’s competitive grind, these scenes prioritise mutual support. Artists share gear (amongst other things…), promoters split profits fairly, and crowds respect the stage regardless of who’s on it. This spirit nurtures a creative environment where creativity and innovation flourish without the pressures of the industry.
The DIY Legacy
DIY isn’t just a phase or a stopgap before “making it.” It’s a philosophy that many artists carry with them throughout their careers. And crucially, it’s something that gets passed on. Older bands help newer ones. Venues change hands. Knowledge about booking shows, fixing gear, or running sound circulates informally but powerfully.
This intergenerational spirit keeps scenes alive. It’s why, despite closures and challenges, new spaces keep cropping up, because people who came up in DIY understand just how vital these places are. They don’t just fester in the nostalgia. They recreate the same magic, again and again.
The Challenges of DIY Live Music Spaces, and Why They’re Worth Fighting For
Of course, DIY spaces face constant threats, as we’ve covered here. Gentrification, noise complaints, lack of funding, burnout, among many others. But their resilience is part of the culture. Each saved venue or new pop-up gig is a statement: we’re still here, and we still care.
So while playlists, algorithms, and streaming stats shape today’s music economy, let’s not forget what actually builds music culture: real people, in real rooms, making real noise.
DIY isn’t dead. It’s more necessary than ever.
Think your music’s ready and want to work with Decent Music PR? Read this blog post or get in touch.
