How Do Musicians Network In 2025

I recently came back from a magnificent festival that I help run in Oxfordshire - it's a free festival, it's volunteer led and all the bands play for free. What was great is that all the bands were talking to each other, sharing their projects and talking about gig swap opportunities.

Since the pandemic, musicians have been reliant on promoting using social media. That's obvious. I constantly get asked questions like "how do I beat the algorithm?" or "how did I get my brand across?". Imagine the internet is like a music festival and you want to network in the mosh pit. How would you do that? Shout "HEY! listen to my music it's great". That's a bit like what using social media only is. Sure, if you're wearing a bright pink suit and jump up and down then someone might be kind and say "yeah I'll listen". Perhaps you'd be better off going to a quieter area of the festival and start having a chat with a small group sat on the floor eating their burgers.

I wonder if bands actually go to gigs anymore and converse with pontential fans or industry contacts. You just can't replicate that in-person connection online. Sure, you can DM everyone on your contact list with a generic message and then someone might just reply, but, is it as effective?

Anyway, here's a fun picture from the festival - it was so nice actually celebrating music in person.