Dutch music artists' outlook on strategy, creativity, and music streaming platform influence during and after the COVID-19 pandemic

In the beginning of 2022, a point in time in which the end of the COVID-19 pandemic was not yet in sight, the future held significant uncertainties for several population groups. Musicians, notably, saw their usual income from live shows diminish, as well as their in-person possibilities to meet their audience. At the same time, the emphasis on sharing music through digital channels such as streaming platforms considerably increased.
In this project, we set out to analyze the impact of these changes in the musical landscape on music artists. Against that background, we interviewed various Dutch artists during this unprecedented period. We inquired about what had changed for them as musicians since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, how they viewed their future, and their perspective on the role of music streaming services.

Interestingly, most artists indicated they were not focusing on virtual live performances while live venues were closed. Instead, they spent their time writing new songs, or even opted to temporarily disband completely. Regarding the role of streaming services in their career, artists unanimously noted that the importance of these services had increased. Most artists also mentioned feeling increased pressure to continuously release new music so as to maintain momentum with their fan base. For some, streaming revenue was now their primary source of income, and others expected it to become so eventually.

For future work, these outcomes should be compared with current-day artist perspectives to discover the changes since COVID-related constraints and lockdowns were lifted. Additionally, these topics should be discussed with other stakeholders, such as professionals working in the music industry.