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I'm a bit surprised you couldn't imagine how it didn't lift all boats. Not at all.
Consider a band on an independent label, not a subsidiary of one of the majors. Maybe they're earlier in their career, and haven't yet broken through. For most bands in these cases, their primary revenue came from record sales, touring at this level was very expensive, and was usually promotional rather than a revenue stream. They weren't renting big buses, they didn't have roadies. They're touring to promote their new record. For these bands, this period was devastating. Before there was a Bandcamp, before streaming services. Yes, it could be seen like radio where some people used Napster as a way to preview artists.. but not everyone did. Major labels were able to live through the transition, they're like venture capitalists, as long as they have enough huge and profitable artists, they can offset losses. But that's not true for anybody but them. I saw it. I was working in the music industry from 1999 to 2010, as a musician, working with independent record labels, and in recording studios. It did not lift all boats, I promise you. |
The music industry shot itself in the foot. I'm sorry you got caught in it.
[1] https://www.zdnet.com/article/study-napster-boosts-cd-sales/