Issues & Solutions

We support local music communities to address endemic social and economic challenges.

Introduction

At MusicLocal, we focus on the root challenges facing local music communities to address endemic issues of negative social media practices, isolation and community polarization, and economic concentration and monopolization. Specifically:

•We believe convenient, comprehensive live music event listings are critical to reversing the decline in local music journalism.
•We believe ethically designed, steward-curated live music event listings provide a vital alternative to addictive social media platforms.
•We believe that making live music more visible and accessible encourages in-person interaction, strengthening communities and alleviating loneliness and social isolation.
•We believe that local live music listings are a critical component of strong local economies, helping to lessen the negative economic consequences of big tech and music industry monopolies.

Issue

Decline of Local Arts Journalism

•Declining newsroom budgets have reduced coverage of local live music.
•Live music listings, vital to local scenes, are disappearing.
•Social media algorithms prioritize viral content over informative arts coverage, limiting event visibility.

Solution

Revitalization of Local Arts Journalism

✓Use ethically designed technology to provide comprehensive, accessible live music listings.
✓Fill gaps in coverage with dedicated promotion of local events and artists.
✓Prioritize community-focused content to rebuild cultural engagement.

Issue

Harmful Social Media

•Social platforms optimize for engagement, not users' well-being.
•Algorithms that hook users are especially harmful to young people.
•Musicians and venues feel forced to grow social media presences, even when harmful.

Solution

Local, Positive Alternatives

✓Provide a calm, local-only platform for musicians and venues.
✓No algorithm-driven engagement; prioritize utility and clarity.
✓Serve real-world community needs without manipulation or growth hacking.

Issue

Social Isolation

•More Americans feel lonely and disconnected than before.
•Digital communication often replaces—not supplements—in-person contact.
•Local arts participation has declined as a social activity.

Solution

Rebuild Social Connections

✓Make it easy to discover local live music events to attend in person.
✓Encourage community gathering and real-world interaction.
✓Position live music as a low-cost, accessible social outlet.

Issue

Music Industry Monopolies

•Large ticketing platforms dominate with high fees.
•Streaming services undervalue artists, making live performance essential.
•Local venues compete against corporate consolidation.

Solution

Strengthen Local Economics

✓Partner directly with local venues and musicians.
✓Promote events without proprietary ticket fees or algorithms.
✓Support the local music ecosystem, keeping dollars in the community.

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