Remix : Revolutionising the music industry from the ground up
I attended an interesting panel discussion at The RSA last night. I took some notes and I thought it might be useful to share them here. They’re not particularly polished - and I haven’t attributed the words directly to the speakers - but they may serve a useful documentation purpose, so here goes.
The Remix: Revolutionising the Music Industry from the Ground Up
Question: If you could do one thing overnight to change the industry, what would it be?
Government Action: Devolve responsibility from DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport) into business, planning, etc.
We need a ministry for the arts and it must be separate from sport.
Put music back in schools and on the high streets. Music should be experienced, like nature, to create connections.
Redistribution of Money: Shift funds from the top down to the grassroots level.
Key Additional Discussion Points: Sustainability of Grassroots Music:
Most music does not generate significant revenue. How does grassroots music work in this model?
There is a need for support as it’s difficult to bring new talent on without covering operational costs.
Community Ownership: Could reduce risks and increase local engagement with venues and events.
Passion projects often overtake usual business practice, making it harder to develop talent.
New Artists: It’s hard to find the right place or community. Networking and finding a space is crucial.
Technology in Music:
Is immersive sound technology an interesting direction?
Diversification:
Festivals are struggling with how to get their message out effectively. Traditional print ads and social media ads are no longer as effective due to low trust in advertising.
Many music venues are diversifying their offerings out of necessity. This has become a key way to stay sustainable, but is it what’s needed? How can we focus on the core offer - grassroots music.
The Need for Connection & Wellbeing:
Despite challenges, there remains a deeply human need to connect through music. This connection is a powerful force for community building.
The Sound Lounge has cultivated a vital community that plays a critical role in loads of ways, including keeping doors open for this grassroots venue.
Grassroots venues are incredibly important for community wellbeing, acting as spaces for social connection and creativity.
Local Government Support:
Local government needs to be brought along on this journey. But how can we get them to actively support the cause?
The shift in consumer habits is significant: post-2000 generations engage with home entertainment more than pub culture.
After the panel discussion - I spoke briefly with the representative from the Music Venue Trust about a ticket levy proposal, aimed at large venues.
There’s a suggestion for a voluntary £1 ticket levy. If widely adopted, this could generate an estimated £20 million, which could be reinvested into the grassroots music ecosystem. This could be something to engage local and national politicians with. It provides local community benefit at no cost to government. You could write to your local MP and Councillors inviting them to engage with this - I’m going to.
Host and Speakers
I’ve copied the following from the event invitation.
The event was hosted by Lynsey Shaw
Lynsey Shaw began her career with chart success in the pop group Girls@Play and now fronts Urban Cookie Collective, performing at major European festivals. Her entrepreneurial ventures include the Electric Dolls, a Live Nation-backed festival act, and innovative projects in LA blending music, film, and storytelling. As a leader at Big Finish Recordings, she has helped pioneer immersive entertainment formats. Lynsey is a champion of artist-led change, particularly in response to structural challenges facing the live music industry.
Hannah White – Sound Lounge CIC
A critically acclaimed British singer-songwriter, Hannah White blends Americana, folk, and country with deeply personal storytelling. Her 2023 album Sweet Revolution, produced by Michele Stodart (The Magic Numbers), touches on themes of resilience, social justice, and personal growth, with collaborators like Beth Rowley and Ricky Ross. In January 2025, she received UK Artist and UK Album of the Year from the Americana Music Association UK. She is also a passionate advocate for grassroots venues and co-founder of Sound Lounge CIC, a live music space and social enterprise.
Gill Tee – Black Deer Festival / Black Deer Radio
With a background in radio and large-scale event production, Gill Tee has been a driving force in the UK music industry for decades. From launching Party in the Park with Capital Radio to creating the genre-celebrating Black Deer Festival, Gill has consistently championed Americana music and social impact. Through Black Deer Live and Black Deer Radio, she is expanding opportunities for emerging artists year-round. Her work with Supajam also reflects a long-standing commitment to youth empowerment through music education and experience.
Sophie Brownlee – External Affairs, Music Venue Trust
Sophie Brownlee leads on external affairs at Music Venue Trust, a UK charity dedicated to protecting, securing, and improving grassroots music venues. Her work focuses on advocacy, industry engagement, and policy change to ensure a sustainable future for grassroots music. Through campaigns and policy leadership, she helps amplify the voice of small venues at both national and local levels, ensuring they are recognised as vital cultural infrastructure.
Maarten Walraven – Music X / Symphony.live
At the intersection of music, tech, education, and community, Maarten Walraven is co-CEO of Symphony.live and a lecturer in music business at Utrecht University. He is also the editor of MUSIC x, a popular newsletter exploring innovation, audience engagement, and new models in music. His work is grounded in a belief that the right sound and story can connect people across any divide.