The Future of The Music Industry: Post Covid-19

Corona Virus, Covid-19, Infinite Vibrations, Innovation, Music Industry

Has Covid-19 crippled the music industry, or will it help shape our future for good? 

The current music industry is uncertain…but has Covid-19 been a force for bad, or has it enabled us to re-think the music industry for the better? Let’s look at this once in a lifetime phenomenon and see what it means for the future of music creators. 

The cancellation of Live Performances 

Firstly, let’s talk about the Live Performance side of the music industry. With the global music industry being worth $50 billion, the live performance side of this makes up 50% of the industry. However, it was this crucial part of a musician’s career that was most affected. As musicians base most of their income on live performances and events, it was a drastic loss to their income when most, if not all, of these live events were cancelled or postponed; especially during the summer months when musicians can make the most of their income due to the festival period.  

But why was this such a gamble in the first place? 

Well, musicians earn most of their income from live events because of the way the music industry has changed in recent years. With the invention of the internet came a wave of new technology which caused changes in the ways we consume music. That being streaming sites, first started by Napster and now most popular with Spotify. Music has become a commodity that you can listen to virtually for free, and with Spotify’s subscription model of business, this pays very little out to musicians per stream; £0.0028 to be exact. According to data from The Trichordist, an active movement which campaigns for an ethical and sustainable internet for music creators, sites like Pandora and YouTube are even worse, with Pandora paying £0.0016 and YouTube paying £0.0012 per stream. The best current site for music streaming, but still not able to pay a living wage, is Amazon, who pay £0.009 per stream.  

Average payout per stream by The Trichordist

“On average, it takes 343.5 streams to generate £1 and 2,947 streams to earn one hours UK minimum wage.” 

Infinite Vibrations

To add to this, major record labels earn $800,000 per hour from streaming sites and the tech giants that made these software’s also take a sizeable cut, leaving musicians in the fray. If it wasn’t musicians in the first place though, the record labels and the tech giants wouldn’t even have a business on which to build around music. 

So why do musicians get the worst cut in this deal? 

That’s a good question, and the unfair pay artists receive from streaming is something that multiple musicians and organizations have recently begun to fight against. This comes in the form of the #brokenrecord and #keepmusicalive hashtag and we fully support this. Infact Scottish singer-songwriter KT Tunstall recently released a video explaining all this on BBC radio 5 Live as part of their “Re-think” series. Check it out here: 

KT Tunstall on the future of music streaming

After a lack of income from streaming, this means that musicians can earn more of an income from live music than recorded music, so this is the much-preferred income stream; albeit just not during the corona virus lockdown/pandemic. Regular events aren’t seen to return until 2021, when even then there will be tight health restrictions which limit attendees furthermore limiting the revenue generated from ticket sales. 

Although, we are starting to see some resurrection of live music. Prestigious artists such as Dizzie Rascal, Gary Numan and The Lightening Seeds have all signed on to play drive-in gigs. The audience will be completely restricted to their car and see’s live performances being able to adhere to social-distancing rules whilst being able to still take place.  

This is all well and good for artists who have a big enough following and the funds to be able to pull something like this off, but what about the independent and unsigned artists? 

Music venues in dire need of help 

Well, this is where it gets a little dark… independent artists’ usual performance spaces, grass roots music venues, are facing a dire time indeed. Due to the lockdown, many of these venues have not been able to bring in an income are still facing rent charges by their landlords or brand businesses who own, but do not manage, the venues. 

Recently, a 5-stage plan to re-open theatres and art spaces was released by the UK government to outline the return of theatres and art spaces, which went like this: 

UK Government’s 5-stage plan to re-open theatres and art spaces

However, this has been unacceptable as it will still see many venues go out of business by the time step 5 has come around; cutting it very close and causing a lot of stress on venue owners. 

“Only 17% of grass roots music venues were reported as being financially secure until July 8th

William Ralson

In response to this, the Music Venue Trust, a charity which acts to protect grass roots music venues, sent an open letter to the UK government asking them to deliver more support to these establishments. This included two calls to action: 

1. A £50 million financial support package 

2. A VAT reduction on future ticket sales 

In reality, the music industry is not receiving the help that it deserves… the UK music industry contributed £5.2 billion to the UK economy in 2018 and it feels like we are still trying to prove the importance of music to the government, besides the fact that people wouldn’t have mentally survived lockdown without the arts or creativity. 

But you can help music venues to recover. In a video posted by the CEO of the Music Venue Trust on Facebook, he is calling people to send the open letter they have written to your local MP, in a bid to raise awareness of this issue and save music venues in the UK; and we implore you to do the same. Check out his video here: 

Music Venue Trust CEO tells you how to write to your MP to prevent the permanent closure of hundreds of Grassroots Music Venues

You can also support this campaign by posting the #saveourvenues on social media. 

Unfortunately, this is only the tip of the iceberg for live performances, as the most major blow to this ecosystem is a new announcement made by Live Nation. 

The controversy of Live Nation 

Live Nation is the biggest music business responsible for live performance, ticketing and event management. They own Ticketmaster and generated $11.55 billion in revenue in 2019. 

So, you can imagine that they we’re also hit hard by the impact of corona virus, but not as bad as the grass roots music venues or independent musicians. Live Nation can still survive even if they took a profit hit from 2020, the low-to-mid tier artists can’t.  

They’ve released a change in their policy for live events in 2021. In order to protect their own assets, they’ve thrown musicians under the bus. In their policy changes they’ve proposed a 20% pay decrease for artists across the board. On top of this, musicians will be responsible for their own insurance and their own travel fees and the icing on the cake, if unforeseen circumstances cause the event to be cancelled, artists will not be paid at all.  

However, in a drastic turn of events, Live Nation have now redacted some of these policy changes due to how they we’re boycotted by nearly every musician this was affected by. 

“If artists weren’t treated poorly already, they sure are now.” 

Infinite Vibrations

Musicians have already been dealt a bad hand, in that they can’t earn a decent wage from recorded music and now it seems their most important income stream is also being taken away.  

So where does that leave musicians? 

Re-defining your music career and the future of the music industry 

By now you’ve probably become a little fed up with the way the industry is treating musicians, and the impact of corona virus hasn’t helped one bit. But, if it wasn’t for musicians creating music, we wouldn’t even have an industry in the first place. So why is it that musicians are always the ones getting dealt the worst cards? 

Day by day the companies which are sat at the top of the music chain are ripping off musicians and taking them for granted. From record labels doing dodgy deals with artists, to promoters who have a bad rep for not even paying artists, as well as the streaming services who pay next-to-nothing for the music that their companies are built on. Even now during corona virus, Live Nation would rather musicians suffered than take a profit loss themselves. 

“We think it’s time for change… and now more than ever would be the right time to re-evaluate the way we think about the music industry.” 

Infinite Vibrations

We see the future of the music industry as being independent and we predict that in the next 5-10 years the independent music industry will grow exponentially, but we also think that Covid-19 has accelerated this underlying trend. 

To bring about a change in the industry, you should think about turning independent. This is because as an independent musician, you retain control over your career and over your music, instead of a record label or a manager who might not have your best interests at heart. We’re not saying everyone is bad and if you want to be signed then you can be, but an independent record label or an independent manager probably cares more about your music then a stakeholder at a major record label. We’re saying that if you become an independent artist, you can get more out of your career. 

On top of this, to earn a living wage from your music, you must consider becoming an entrepreneur; because creating music for a living is the dream isn’t it? This is a mindset and once you begin to see your music through the eyes of an entrepreneur, you will begin to open-up more income streams from your music career. Therefore, enabling you to earn a wage from creating music. For example, you don’t have to be the stereotypical celebrity musician to be successful, as there are more ways to earn an income from your music than just the Hollywood route to fame. Such as freelancing, teaching and livestreaming, as well as releasing your own music.  

We understand that corona virus has been a negative hit to an already unfair industry. But we feel the pandemic has enabled us to highlight the issues in the music industry and provide an opportunity to adapt and make changes for a more positive and constructive future in music. 

What do you think about the music industry? Should we change, or do you think the corona virus is just a blip in the road? Let us know your thoughts down below. 

Statistics in this article are available here:  


#brokenrecord #keepmusicalive #saveourvenues #independentmusicindustry #futureofthemusicindustry #streaming #livemusic #entrepreneur #independentmusician #coronavirus #covid19 

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The Importance of Black Culture in Music

Black Lives Matter, Infinite Vibrations, Uncategorized

5 of The Most Influential Black Musicians in Music 

In the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, we can see a revolution of change paving the way for a more equal and inclusive society. As members of the music industry, we have always been at the forefront of change and diversity. Music has always been a safe and inclusive medium of equality and many black musicians have carved out their own successful careers in music, going against the barriers of systematic racism and rising above the prejudice.  

To celebrate this change, we would like to take a look at some of the most influential black artists of the last 100 years and see how they’ve influenced a new generation of modern music. 

5. Aretha Franklin 

Aretha Franklin is one of the most prolific singers of the last century and was arguably the face of Motown and Soul. Known for her hit tracks such as: “Respect”, “Think” and “A Natural Woman” she was a big advocate for freedom and respect for women. Franklin had a big impact on the civil rights movement, as she would regularly hold free concerts, house activists and fundraise for the movement.  

Her father was a Baptist minister and the person who organized the Detroit ‘walk for freedom’ in 1963, which became the largest ever demonstration of civil rights in the US – until now that is. 

This would be the catalyst for Franklin to pursue this movement through her music as she would speak about these issues on stage and become a voice for change during her long and impressive career. She is a shining example of the power that music can have on change and would inspire a generation of artists to come. Such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Housten and Lauryn Hill. 

4. John Lee Hooker 

John Lee Hooker is the king of boogie. Hooker lived the American Dream to the full and has some wild stories to tell whilst doing it. Known for being a drifter in the blues scene, he started in the Mississippi delta and was inspired by his stepfather and guitarist Will Moore as well as his sister’s boyfriend Tony Hollins who gave him his first guitar. 

Throughout his career, Hooker would drift from town to town playing hits such as “Boom Boom”, “Chill Out” and my personal favorite “One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer”. During this time, his was stiffed by many producers and record labels who demanded exclusivity or simply wouldn’t pay. To make joke of this, Hooker would change his name several times and was known as John Lee Booker, John Lee Cocker, Boogie Man as well as several other names.  

In 1991, John Lee Hooker was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and he went on to inspire a plethora of blues rock band and acts such as Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton and ZZ Top. 

3. Jimi Hendrix 

Jimi Hendrix is widely regarded as one of the most influential guitarists of the last century. He fused elements of blues rock, garage rock and 60s psychedelic experiences to create some of the wildest and inspirational sounds in music. 

During the late 1960s there was a bid to create the most aggressive and distorted sound on the guitar. From The Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” to The Beatles’ “Helter Skelter” but it was Hendrix who pioneered the overdriven grit of psychedelic rock and he would become known for the outrageous sounds he and his band created.  

Perhaps one of his most controversial moments was when he performed an abridged version of The Star-Spangled Banner at Woodstock in ‘69. Many regard this as a protest against America’s unnecessary involvement in the Vietnam war. Hendrix, in his early life, was also a member of the US Army. However, his was discharged due to an ankle injury.  

His sound was influenced by the likes of B.B King, Muddy Waters and Howlin’ wolf, black blues musicians similar to John Lee Hooker. As well as this, Hendrix left behind a legacy like the musicians who before him and is wildly regarded as one of the breakthrough artists who pushed the boundaries of the rock and metal cultures we see today.  

2. Dr Dre 

Andre Romelle Young or Dr Dre is a king in the Hip Hop genre. From his entrepreneurial influence on the likes of Snoop Dogg and Eminem to his unrivaled producing techniques and even his own dabble in rapping artistry; Dr Dre is a figure of epic proportions in modern music.  

His career began in Compton California where he was a member of the World Class Wreaking Cru. However, it wasn’t until his role in the gangsta rap group N.W.A where his fame and talent began to rise. Specifically, on their track “Fuck the Police” which Dre produced. The track has become a symbol for Black empowerment and anti-racist ideology which quickly spread through the movement. Infact it was the song which underground group Anonymous played over the Minneapolis police radio when they hacked into their system. 

As well as a very prominent career in music, Dr Dre has founded several successful businesses. This includes Aftermath Entertainment and Beats Electronics, on top of being the co-founder of Death Row Records. His most notable albums include “The Chronic” and “2001” which collectively have sold more than 10,000,000 copies. 

Dr Dre stands a figure of not only successful black musicians but successful black businessmen and should be an inspiration to all who wish to go against the status quo and rise through racism and prejudice.  

  1. Childish Gambino 

Childish Gambino is the musical alter-ego of actor Donald Glover. Known for playing roles in TV shows such as Community and Atlanta, as well as a young Lando Calrissian in Solo: A Star Wars Story. It is a radical change that Glover also produces some of the most influential and moving music of this Century.  

His name derives from a Wu-Tang Clan name generator which he used in college. Gambino has written 4 studio albums, all to critical acclaim. However, his most notable track is the song “This is America”. 

The track went to on to be one of the most controversial songs of 2018, and for good reason. It serves as a highlight of the racial prejudice and violence against black Americans. Cataloguing some of the most awful times during America’s black history. Such as the Jim Crow caricature, gun violence and confederacy symbols. The track effortlessly puts a mirror up to America and shows how in just the system is and acts as a cultural reflection of the times that we live in.  

There have been many black musicians who have created some of the most famous and important music of the last 100 years, and these are just a select few. But it just goes to show that modern music would be the same without these individuals.  

So, next time you’re listening to music, think about where it came from and who made it, or even who influenced it; because there is a good chance that black artists had something to do with it. We should respect that black musicians have played an integral part of our humanity and our development as a species. But, instead of viewing ourselves as separate, perhaps we can understand and respect each other, because it is the collective collaborate of all that will advance and innovate the next generation of music creators.  

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How To Make An Income During Lockdown

Corona Virus, How to, Infinite Vibrations, Uncategorized

5 revenue streams for musicians during corona virus 

It’s no secret that the corona virus pandemic has damaged the music economy. From the cancellation of nearly every gig and festival, to lockdown preventing musicians from making a quick recovery. This is a hard time for music artists. However, if its anything musicians are known for, it’s overcoming a challenge in the face of adversity, and there hasn’t been a challenge like corona virus in a long time. So, if want to make an income from your music during lockdown, here’s how… 

  1. Live streaming 

We talked about live streaming in our previous article. However, did you know you can monetize those streams and create an income from this kind of content? There are a few ways to do so but let’s start with the simplest.  

Donations. If you’ve set up a high-quality professional livestream, which you can find out how to do in our previous article here:, then there’s a good chance people will donate to your cause, especially if they’re dedicated fans. 

As well as this, you could set up a Patreon or GoFundMe to provide fans with rewards for donating. Things such as exclusive content or merchandise. This way you are incentivising paid support from your fans whilst also providing them with a reward for doing so, making their donation worth something to them.  

On top of this, this method is great for creating those dedicated fans, as you can create a funnel to draw them in. Starting with your free piece of content (your livestream) and working up to paid exclusive content. This kills two birds with one stone in that you are developing an income for yourself as well as generating a fanbase who will stay with you after corona virus. 

Finally, if you are a well-developed musician/band you could consider making a paid ticketed stream, like a live event but without the physical appearance (unfortunately).  

For example, if you are charging £30 per ticket for a venue with a 300-person capacity, and you sold out, you would have made £9000. However, if you charge £10, a reduction to your normal rate which is already a selling point, and live streamed to 1000 people you will have made £10,000 – A 10% increase in revenue from the live event, and you wouldn’t have the overheads of travel expenses, eating out and staying in hotels. 

  1. Freelancing 

The world of freelancing is a wide and varied one. It can take some time to master but the financial rewards can be exponential. There are a few income streams with this one and it’s up to you how you want to pursue this. 

To begin let’s talk about music lessons. Chances are that if you’re an accomplished musician you know a thing or two about playing music. What better time than the covid-19 lockdown to start teaching your skills to someone else. This is because budding musicians will have plenty of time to practice and are willing to do so because they have so much time to spare. 

If you’ve got a successful music career behind you, this can be easy to sell too. People will be willing to put their faith, and money, in you – especially if you can say that you’ve been a successful musician in the past.  

You can begin charging small, £10 or £15 per hour and then once you have some great feedback and testimonials you can begin to raise this. Just be careful not to raise prices for current clients as that could cause them to lose interest. As well as this, you can host these lessons online via skype, Zoom or even Facebook. Keeping everyone safe and educated during lockdown. If you’re clients are younger aged children, chances are that their parents will be grateful for giving them something to do, so do be sure to market your lessons towards them too.  

Session musician. Perhaps you’ve played in a band or you’ve had a solo career for a long time, but have you ever considered being a session musician? This type of commission-based work requires you to work to a brief, but if you’re an agile and flexible musician this might be the work for you. 

There are a lot of people out there who require the skill and services of an accomplished musician. From guitar to bass, saxophone to violin; many people will have projects that require the sound of the instrument that you play.  

Try websites such as Freelancer or Fiverr, as many of these platforms let you advertise your skills to a potential client to come and scout out. As well as this, you should join communities and networks of composers who may also require your skills; on social media such as Facebook and LinkedIn.  

What work you take on is up to you but there is a lot of revenue to be made by going down this route and you will be surprised at the amount of people who need session work to be done. Especially if people are creating more music because there are in lockdown.  

Sound packs, samples, loops and beats. If you’re a DJ or producer, then this is perfect for you. However, you may also be a more instrument-based musician who knows how to create music in a DAW. Selling sound packs, samples, loops and beats has become a growing sector of the music industry and there are lots of companies investing in this to create a bespoke service where you can purchase such a thing.  

Companies such as Splice or Arcade by Output are some such companies. If you create a sample or loop, you can sell these products on these platforms.  

As well as this, if you create sound packs and beats, you can sell these to rappers, musicians and singers to provide them with backing tracks for their music. Bear in mind that when you sell these products you waver the copyright to them, but this seems reasonable because you are getting paid to do so. Otherwise this would be a collaboration between yourselves and you would split the profits made from the final piece between each party; which is also a viable option too.  

  1. Podcasts and Radio 

Now there is a lot of current debate about these two different types of audio platforms, in that podcasting seems to be getting extremely popular and radios are dying out, although I don’t think this is true, it’s just that radio seems to an often harder platform be featured on. However, each comes with their own advantages and disadvantages.  

Let’s start with radios. We all know the typical radio station that we hear on our phones, laptops and stereos. These can be a good form of income if you can get featured on them and if you have signed up to a royalty collection agency such as PRS or PPI. But this can take some time if you have not already done so and coronavirus isn’t going away anytime soon. 

So, podcasts are your best friend. These are more independently hosted and crop up everywhere on the internet. Whilst you may not generate as much income from this as you would from radio, the chances of you being able to get your music on these are greatly increased; if you target the correct shows and correct demographic for your genre of music that is.  

On top of this, it is becoming increasingly popular for artists to start podcasts of their own. Whilst it can take time to garner a following and fanbase, much like your music, this can be a great platform for potential sponsorships and brand partnerships who will be willing to pay you to get access to your audience. Just make sure that when you do so, you advertise a product or service that aligns with your general style and morals, in order to stay relevant to your audience and not put them off.  

  1. Busking, Nursing homes and Community groups 

With the lockdown easing soon in July, it seems more appropriate to begin generating revenue from physical appearances again. However, venues and festivals will not be opening for a long time still to come. If you feel comfortable with doing so, the following income streams could be a great way to kickstart live music again. However, with these methods being outside the realm of lockdown be sure to think it through and adhere to any safeguarding guidelines for yourself and the public. 

Why not try your hand at busking? Create a two-meter perimeter around yourself and place a bucket at the edge. Especially with shops opening again, there will be an influx of people going about town and wanting a distraction from the confusion and panic of Covid-19 and perhaps they have a bit of spare change for that welcome sound of good music. Just be sure to wash your hands after handling your hard-earned cash and abide by the lockdown rules where necessary. 

Perhaps contacting your local council to check if you are able to do so would be a good idea and if you didn’t know, some counties ask for a busking license in some areas, so check for that too.  

On top of this, why not try playing in nursing homes and community groups. As I’m sure they’ve seen a wave of upset recently and could do with a pick-me-up of live music. What a great way to celebrate the beginning of the end and do some good in your community. Although, with care homes being in the high-risk category, you may require a test to make sure you don’t have the virus beforehand.  

  1. Miscellaneous  

Finally, a few other options for income streams are merchandise and residencies.  

Merchandise can take some funds to set up if you haven’t already got some, but perhaps handmaking some goodies could be a good way to spend your spare time. As well as this, if you’re creating your own products, that’s a great way to practice entrepreneurship and learn about the fundamentals of creating a profitable income stream – something which will come in handy in your music career in the future.  

On top of this, you could try and secure paid residencies at magazines, radios, podcasts or promotion agencies as they are all likely livestreaming and need talent to book for their streams.  

In conclusion, there are many methods to generate income during coronavirus. Above all you need to remember to stay positive in this situation and allow yourself to adapt, improvise and overcome. Like I mentioned before, musicians are some of the most resilient people in the world and I guarantee you that the industry will make it through this; but only if we work together and find ways to survive.  

If you have any questions or just want to share your thoughts, then please get in contact with us on our social media below. 

If you need help with your music career and navigating these strange times, then you can contact us for a FREE 30-minute career consultancy session and we’ll help you get back on track. 

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D&B Producer VENTUS Combats Mental Health with his Debut EP

Infinite Vibrations, Press release, VENTUS

After being featured by DJ Aria on Noisia’s farewell tour, VENTUS brings you his debut EP “The Pollyanna Principle.”  

Releasing on the 29th of May, on all major music streaming sites. Funds from the EP will be donated to Keep Real; A non-for-profit organisation which helps to combat mental health issues in music, who were recently recognised on BBC Radio Leeds. This comes after VENTUS suffered with his own mental health and wanted to make more of an impact to support other musicians who have struggled with their mental health too.  

VENTUS mixes the very best elements of neurojump-upminimal and jungle D&B into a filthy throwback to original breakbeat music, topped with modern producing techniques and bone-popping basslines. Featuring tracks such as: “Misanthrope” and “Gung Ho”. 

The Pollyanna Principle is the instinct to focus on the negative rather than the positive and to VENTUS it means creating something good from something bad. During his time producing this debut EP, VENTUS experienced many highs and lows. Drawing on this experience, he focused his negative energy on creating an electronic soundscape to describe his thoughts and feelings; whilst also being influenced by the music of ProdigyNoisia and Camo and Krooked

Now, VENTUS wants to give back to the community to help and inspire other musicians who are suffering with their mental health by donating funds from his EP to Keep RealKeep Real are a non-for-profit organisation that support better mental health through creative interventions such as live music events, workshops and a podcast. To donate to Keep Real and download The Pollyanna Principle follow the link here:  

You can catch VENTUS performing The Pollyanna Principle via livestream on his Facebook page on the 29th of May 2020

Listen to VENTUS here: 

Keep up to date with VENTUS on his social media below: 

For press enquiries please contact: 

Notes to editor

VENTUS is a 22-year-old drum and bass producer from Sheffield. 

This release was supported by Infinite Vibrations. Providing VENTUS with career development advice, graphics and branding and press and PR services. We provide a range of support services that develop the professional skills of emerging musicians, enabling them to pursue independent careers in the music industry. 

The term “Pollyanna Principle” refers to the human tendency to focus on the positive and use more positive words and terms during a conversation. Generally, people who are mentally healthy and not suffering from depression tend to focus more on the positive than the negative, and they are prone to recalling more positive than negative phenomena from their memories as well. However, people with depression seem to focus on the opposite and view life in a more negative manner. 

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Infinite Vibrations Nominated For Santander Competition Out of 2,000 Other Businesses

Infinite Vibrations, Santander, Uncategorized

The Santander Universities Emerging Entrepreneur Programme 2020 











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How To Set-up a High-Quality Livestream for your Music

Corona Virus, How to, Infinite Vibrations, Uncategorized

A step-by-step guide to get you gigging online. 

In the midst of the corona virus, many artists are converting their physical performances to digitally livestreaming gigs. However, with a flood of musicians doing this, the quality of these livestreams isn’t being regulated. Many artists are rushing to put out as much content as they can in a desperate move to save their careers and continue to make music for their fans.  

In this tutorial, we’re going to teach you how to set-up a high-quality live stream for your music; that will set you apart from everyone else and allow you to deliver content that will engage your fans and generate new ones. 

Firstly, to set-up a live stream you need to consider these five elements.  

  1. Platform 
  1. Hardware  
  1. Software 
  1. Bandwidth 
  1. Tips and tricks 


There are a few platforms that offer live streaming services. However, there are four which sit atop the chain of social media giants. This includes Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitch. 

Facebook is the most well-known social media platform with over 2 billion active users per month. It is often considered to act as a hub for your music, although a website can also fulfill this role. If you already have a good fanbase on this platform then this would be a brilliant place to begin livestreaming as all your followers will be able to see it automatically. It has some great tools for livestreaming, and it is relatively easy to use with a few hours of practice, also allowing you to test your livestream privately before you go public. 

Instagram is the most well-known photo sharing platform and whilst it doesn’t offer as many options as Facebook, YouTube or Twitch it can be great for a quick stream when you are out and about. It is more of an instant connection to your fans much like Twitter. Livestreams are shorter and are linked to your story which disappears after 24 hours, so it may be good to use this platform for a quick livestream advertising your longer one on a different platform. 

YouTube is the most well-known video streaming platform and has been a behemoth in this area for years. However, the livestreaming tool is only available to those with 1,000 subscribers of more. The reason for this is because of the massive influx of content that is uploaded to YouTube daily, 300 hours of content is uploaded every minute. If everybody livestreamed it would be a massacre of viewership. If you already have a dedicated fanbase built-up on this platform it would be a good option. If this is not that case then don’t completely ignore it, stick to uploading videos and gaining subscribers to meet the requirements to livestream. 

Twitch is the most well-known video game livestreaming platform, but it is slowly becoming more adaptable to a wider variety of content. The greatest thing about this platform is that it specifically specializes in livestreaming and it has done for years with immense success. It can also integrate to a wide variety of encoding software’s, because of its video game lineage, making it one of the easiest and most adaptable services available. It is also a great place to start generating a new audience because of its television like stream selection; displaying each game/topic that is being streamed and then breaking down the different channels streaming that game/topic. If you are new to streaming this is a great option to go with. 

Now you have chosen the correct platform for you, you need to consider how you will livestream to these platforms. This includes your hardware and your software. We will cover the hardware first.  


The hardware you will require for a high-quality stream is as follows. You may only need a phone to technically be able to livestream but taking these other elements into consideration will heighten your professionality and widen your view ship with more retention rates, because of this step-up in quality. 

You will need: 

  • A camera or webcam 
  • A professional microphone 
  • An audio interface 
  • A computer or laptop 

Now let’s breakdown these individually. A camera or webcam should at the very least be 720p and 30fps in quality. However, 1080p will make your livestream even better. This all depends on your budget and if your laptop already comes with a webcam. What “1080p” means is the number of pixels that are on the screen at one time and “fps” means the number of frames per second of your video. If you’re livestream is lagging, this means that you’re fps is lower than 30, as 30fps is the minimum frames per second that the human eye can see smoothly. This could be because of your internet speeds but we will speak about that shortly.  

Your microphone needs to be to some professional level, whether this be a dynamic microphone or a condenser microphone. Make sure you shop around for these types of equipment as they will serve you the best audio quality possible. A good example of this is the Shure SM58, as this has been a staple in the music industry for many years; being used for a variety of purposes from recording to live performance. 

Next, your audio interface. With the advancements in modern recording technology this type of equipment has been made widely available to the average musician and are common in most home studios. You can purchase a high-quality audio interface for as little as £60-£100 and the Focusrite Scarlett series have been on top of their game in this field since the birth of home studios. 

Finally, your computer or laptop. Most modern computers and laptops will be able to process a livestream. However, they should have adequate processing power for encoding and uploading your livestream at the same time. At least an Intel i3 or equivalent should be able to suffice the processing power to support these two needs. As well as this, a decent graphics card may come in handy too.  

The way these pieces of hardware work together are shown in the diagram below. You will need to connect the audio interface to your computer or laptop and the same with your camera. Then connect your microphone to your audio interface. You may also connect your guitar and/or bass directly to your audio interface too via a standard jack lead. Instruments that use the standard jack lead will also be able to connect this way too, otherwise you should mic them up. 


Now let’s talk about software. This is what you will use to sync up all your outputs into one concise medium and then livestream to your desired platform. A very easy and simple to use software is something like OBS or Open Broadcast Software. It is also free which is a plus. As well as this, there are a plethora of other software’s available on the market ranging from beginner to pro and some which cost more than others. OBS is great to start with but if you are looking for something with more settings to tweak then shopping around for another piece of software is a good call.  

Each piece of software will respond differently to your hardware and getting the right setup may take a few tries but don’t become disheartened. If you become stuck, check out a tutorial on YouTube that depicts how to use your specific software, as there is a heap of videos out there to help you with such a thing. With OBS you can simply add or remove “scenes” in order to create a setup which works for you. You can also include overlays to your livestream with custom graphics that the software allows you to import. Very nifty indeed.  


This is a very important step. You will require a fast and stable bandwidth connection to be able to livestream. Basically, bandwidth means the speed and quality of connection you have to the internet. In some more remote areas, you may have a poorer bandwidth, whilst in cities and urban areas you will probably have a great bandwidth.  

To be able to livestream a high-quality piece on content you will need to check the speed of your internet and make sure it can handle uploading either 720p or 1080p. You can do this by searching for a speed checker on the internet and seeing the speed of your internet by mega bites per second. 

On average, the mbps you will need to livestream a 720p 30fps video will be 6mbps-to-1.25mbps and for 1080p this will be between 13mbps-to-2.75mbps. 

This means, if you have an internet speed of 1.25mbps-to-6mbps you should stream in 720p. If you have an internet speed of 2.75mbps-to-13mbps you should stream in 1080p. However, you should never stream below 720p as this will make you look unprofessional. This is because 720p is the lowest type of HD or high-definition quality the human eye can see by. 

Your livestream quality will also depend on the type of encoding software being used and the processing power of your computer or laptop, so make sure you tweak your settings and equipment accordingly.  

Tips and tricks 

Now that you have considered how you will livestream; you should consider these tips and tricks. 

  • Mute notifications, this will stop annoying noises from happening mid-stream and means you can put your full attention on the stream and therefor your fans. 
  • Close inactive and unnecessary applications, this will save you that precious processing power and allow you to focus on the software you need to use at the time. 
  • Perform to the camera, pay attention to your viewers, look into the camera and speak directly to them. This may come with practice as filming yourself can feel a little weird at first but make sure you are engaging with your fans otherwise; they may lose interest. 
  • Composition, what is behind you? What is your setting for the livestream? Don’t livestream in a messy room filled with junk. Make it look nice and provide plenty of lighting so your audience can see you clearly.  
  • Use your phone or another device (bearing in mind your bandwidth usage) to monitor comments, likes, shares and other interactions you may have with your fans. If a viewer posts a question, then you can answer it real-time via your microphone but don’t forget to give it a glance occasionally to monitor your chat and see what is being said. This is the internet after all and sometimes you may have someone using profanity or saying things they shouldn’t in the chat, and you may even have to ban someone from your stream; believe me, the gamers know about this! 
  • Do your research, have a look at what other people are doing on their streams and find new ways of engaging your fans and creating a better environment for everyone. This could be live giveaways, a question time or even a social challenge. Always strive to grow and improve. 

We hope this article was of help to you and if you require any assistance with your livestream or even with your music career you can contact us at and we’d be happy to help. 

Hope everyone is keeping safe and well and we look forward to seeing your livestreams come to life! You can share these with us by tagging our social media channels below: 


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How to Invest in Your Music Career

How to, Infinite Vibrations, Launch, Uncategorized

For a brighter future ahead, invest in your career now. 

If you’re looking for a successful career in music, then you need to invest in it. There are two types of investments you need to make. Financial investments and holistic investments, your money and your time. However, navigating the world of the music industry can be tricky and It can be hard to know where to make your investments. With little time and money, you need to make an educated and informed decision on what to invest in. Here are several key investments you need to launch a successful career in music.  

  1. Knowledge 

You need to be constantly increasing your knowledge base and become a specialist in your field. The music industry is a rapidly changing environment, with new technologies, genres and opportunities cropping up every day. This means keeping up to date with trends, social media and events which may influence the success of your career. Read books and blogs, watch tutorials, take a masterclass, attend a workshop. However, most of all you need to ensure you are enhancing your skills. Knowledge is power and power is a valuable asset to your career. 

  1. Finances 

At some point in your career, you will have to make a financial investment to fund the next step of your journey. This may be when you are releasing your next project or gearing up for a tour. A critical element of this is ensuring that you can guarantee an increase of return on your investment. This means making more money back than you put in at the start and it is often tricky to accomplish. Therefore, you need to manage your finances wisely and effectively. Monitor your spending, invest in products/services that will bring increased value to your career and put cash aside for a future budget. In short, don’t waste your money! 

  1. Advisor 

If you are having trouble knowing where to invest your time and your money, you should seek professional advice from others in your field. Investing in a coach or an advisor will bring you a much more rewarding return in the long run. This is because you will be able to avoid rookie mistakes and gain valuable insight into the music industry. They will help you to make an informed and educated decision on the next steps of your career and tutor you on your path to success.  

  1. Wellbeing 

If you are to have a long and profitable career in music, you need to learn to invest in your own mental wellbeing. The music industry can be a volatile place and can leave many in the wayside, at the expense their own mental health. Therefore, you should take care of yourself and learn to take time off for your own benefit. To help with this you should develop your organisational skills which can help you delegate your time. Set SMART goals, a time frame for you to achieve something in, Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely goals which work for you. As well as this, listen to your instincts. If you feel uneasy about a certain opportunity, then trust that instinct and try to work out why your natural reactions are making you cautious. 

  1. Confidence 

The music industry is incredibly competitive. This is why you should invest time into becoming more confident in yourself and your music, so that you stand out and are proud of the work you created. Anxiety is a natural reaction to challenges and should be embraced as it proves you’re being pushed out of your comfort zone. However, being confident in something new puts you on your way to success already. It is a hard skill to learn and can take time to master, but it is worth this time as in the end, you will become a much happier person and will be able to take your career further. 

  1. Recording software and the skills to use it 

The recorded music sector of the music industry has changed exponentially over the past 20 years. With the likes of innovative new home studio hardware changing the way we record our music. You can now create a studio right in your bedroom, and for a lot lower price than that of a recording studio. This means that you should invest in these new technologies and invest the time into learning how to use them. You can become your own producer, beat-maker and composer all in one package. This is a great long-term investment as you will be able to create music for a lot less and record music for a lot less. Allowing you to spend more of your budget on merchandising, distribution, marketing and more important solutions for the modern musician. 

  1. Social media 

Whether you like them or not, social media applications have leveled the playing field for musicians when marketing their music. You can now have a much more intimate experience with your audience and push your music to fans on a global scale, all from your living room. For this reason, you should invest in learning how these platforms work and how you can leverage social media to be your ultimate marketing tool. As they are ever-changing each day, this can be tricky. However, keeping up to date with their functions could not be more important. To do this, you can read their patch notes, social media blogs or even take an online course in how to use social media. 

  1. Build a website 

This could not be more important. Not only does your website provide you with a singular hub to communicate with your audience, but it can allow you to generate album sales, ticket sales and advertising revenue, all in one place. In conjunction with social media, this can be one of the most powerful tools at your disposal. Lucky for you, building a website in the digital era can be easy and free. There are many platforms which can help you to build a quality, professional website from the ground up. Including, WordPress, Wix, Squarespace and many more. Each have their own pro’s and con’s so it’s important to window shop before you settle on one. However, we would recommend WordPress for a quick, easy and efficient service which can start off being free and still have the adaptability to scale up.  

Come and join us on the 28th of February, at The Parish in Huddersfield, for a celebration of this innovative new model of music business. Network with like-minded individuals and admire live music from some of the hottest local bands. Including a free raffle with a chance to win a £300 Infinite Vibrations voucher. 

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How The Music Industry Functions After The Digital Revolution

How to, Infinite Vibrations, Launch, Uncategorized

The music industry has changed, look at how these shifts in power influence the success of your music career. 

The music industry has changed dramatically over the past 20 years. After the many major music companies failed to adapt to a changing industry, this left a vacuum of opportunity available to others. With changes to how music is distributed and how music is consumed, the structure of the music industry has experienced shifts in power. From a diminishing recording industry to a growing live music sector, the music industry is very different playing field to what it was when major record labels ruled the roost.  

Before the digital age, the music industry looked like this: 

A complex system based upon the principle of a status quo between major record labels and the artists. In which the artist would attempt to get signed by a label in return for services that would further their career in music. However, the digital age took the industry by storm. This resulted in a shake-up of the industry and the old model of music business faded into the past. 

With the introduction of online file-sharing services such as Napster and instant marketing tools such as social media, this changed how music was dispersed and absorbed. Now, at the dawn of a new decade, a new model of music business is growing at a rapid pace. Today, the music industry looks like this: 

In conclusion, the music industry has completely been re-written. A new model of business has been established and you can now achieve a career in music independently. By placing the creatives at the heart of the music industry we are creating our own opportunities and our own success. It’s time to join a rapidly growing and immersive, independent music industry, today. 


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How to Have An Independent Career in Music

How to, Infinite Vibrations, Launch, Uncategorized

Independent musicians generated over $600 million in 2018. It’s time for you to join the fold. 

Ever since the dawn of commercial music, the only way to pursue a career in the music industry is to look up to record labels and hope that someone invests. However, with the digital revolution, an independent career in music has become a more attractive route to success. According to Forbes, the independent music market rose by 35% in 2018, generating over $600 million. 

Many artists have taken to this new model of music business including the likes of Hands Off Gretel, Funke and the Two-Tone Baby and Lady Leshurr. Now is the time for you to follow in their footsteps. 

However, this can be a scary venture and there are lots of elements to consider. In this article, we offer an insight into this new model of music business; educating you on the benefits of being an independent musician and how this can lead to a more fruitful and fulfilling career in music. 

So, what does it mean to be an independent artist?  

These two career paths are entirely different, and you must appropriately choose what works for you. Here are the differences between a non-independent musician and an independent one.  

Independent artist Non-independent artist 

1. 100% creative control. When you go independent you retain 100% creative control over your music. This is usually an incremental factor to most musicians as the reason they started a career in music is to release their own music and not somebody else’s. 
1. Little to no creative control. When you become a non-independent artist you do not have as much creative control as you would if you were independent. This is because you have corporate demands to meet and the record label needs to ensure that its investors meet a return on their investment. This means they may want to change aspects of your music to become more marketable and generate more of a revenue for the record label and not yourself. 
2. Keep 100% of your profits. Being an independent artist means that you have complete control over your finances and where your expenses are being spent. This may take some adaptation and a period of learning. However, you may potentially generate a much larger income because of this. 
2. Fewer earnings. Being signed to a record label means that a percentage of your profits will be taken and given to investors of that record label. They will take a rather large cut of your music sales, streams, licensing deals and other revenue streams. As well as this, some record labels use your remaining percentage of your profits to pay for recording time, mixing and mastering and other expenses related to your release – Leaving you with little remaining earnings. 

3. Retain copyright of your work. If you are an independent artist you can retain the copyright over the work you have created. This means you have the freedom to negotiate licensing and publishing deals and you can do with your music what you like, instead of having to answer to a corporate body.  
3. No copyright over your work. If you are signed to a record label you do not own your own music, they do. This means that they have the ability to negotiate licensing and publishing deals without your consent and can reap a higher sum of profits generated from this.  

4. Online network, services and resources. With the dawn of the digital age comes some incredible benefits for the independent artist. You have instant access to a plethora of services and resources. Including independent distribution channels, e-learning resources, marketing, merchandise creation and a vast online network. You can fulfil exactly what a record label does but for yourself, and on a much lower cost. 
4. Industry contacts, resources and budget. In return for signing your music away, you will receive connections to industry contacts, resources and a budget for your releases. However, this will be kept on a tight string, with the record label deciding when, where and how you have access to these services. 

5. Limited music business knowledge. Starting out as an independent artist can be tough, but no tougher than starting a career in music itself. The only down-side is that you will struggle to navigate the world of music business. However, with the all-inclusive services of Infinite Vibrations, we are here to help you develop these skills and enhance your career to be a flourishing and rewarding experience. 
5. Bad contract deals. Starting a career in music with limited music business knowledge can set you back in the long-run, even if you decide to pursue a signing with a record label. If you do not understand how music business works you could find yourself tied down in a terrible contract with a less than favourable record label. This could cost you thousands in the future when hiring an expensive lawyer to bail you out of this contract and could leave you with financial and mental scars – hindering your future career in the music industry. 

Now you understand the differences between these two types of artists, you should consider what it takes to pursue an independent career in music – How do you become an independent musician? 

It all starts with a mindset. Music is a creative process and it often begins as a hobby. However, if you wish to pursue an independent career in music, you must begin to view an aspect of your music as a business, just like the record label does. The difference being is that you have control over that business and not the record label.  

Therefore, you must become an entrepreneur. This is because many of the skills that business owners are equipped with are very transferable to developing your own career in music. Networking, marketing, financing, creating a business plan and establishing a brand are all the same things that you will have to achieve as an independent musician. 

Here are several key elements to having a successful, independent career in music: 

  • Attend networking events. Go to as many networking events as possible. Meeting other like-minded individuals is incremental to your success and you can meet people who you could potentially work with to grow together. You never know who could have an influence on your career and it is best to increase your chances of success by meeting new people and nurturing relationships. 
  • Only work with people based on truth, trust and transparency. You are an independent musician, but you will still need to conduct business with several other key members of the music industry. This includes graphic designers, journalists, venues, recording studios, sound engineers, producers, distributers and anyone else who can bring value to your career. However, you can’t and shouldn’t just work with everybody. Your music is special to you and you don’t want somebody treating it like a commodity. Trust your instincts and if you feel that somebody doesn’t have your best interests at heart then maybe it’s time to cut your ties with them. 
  • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. The beautiful thing about being an independent musician and owning your own business is that when you make mistakes you won’t be hounded on by some corporate robot. As well as this, when you make a mistake, don’t feel bad about it. Making mistakes is a process of learning and pushes you that little bit closer to success. Build upon these mishaps and learn to do different next time.  
  • Be easy to contact and proactive in replies. Keep on top of your contact methods. If you have an old email that you don’t use anymore, then delete if from your website and social media. Make it easy for people to message you and advertise that method as clear as day. There is nothing more annoying than sending an email and having a notification pop up that this email doesn’t exist anymore. On top of this, be proactive in replying to messages, you don’t want to miss out on an opportunity and replying 3 weeks later with “sorry, I didn’t see this” is unprofessional. 
  • Establish a brand and own it. Creating an effective and efficient brand is key to raising awareness to your music and building a reputation. However, a brand is more than just a logo. It is your values as an artist and the way that you want to public to perceive you. This can start with a slogan or even a new genre of music; whatever you choose you must also choose to own it. Embody every aspect of your brand and promote it to the maximum. 
  • Protect yourself legally. Seeking legal advice can be an anxious time, especially if you’re an independent and don’t have the funds to front an expensive lawyer. However, should you need to, there is a helpful organisation called LVFA who provide free legal advice to the arts community. As well as this, you should copyright your music with PRS and trademark your brand, logo and artist name. Doing so will protect your intellectual property and you can take action if you are infringed upon. 
  • Manage your finances. You may be scared to consider the money when running your music business. However, you must acknowledge this factor if you want to conduct a professional career in music. There is a plethora of online templates for creating an excel document to help you keep track of this. Manage your finances wisely, especially in the early days. You want to make sure that you are scaling your business and you have a strategy to generate profits in the long run. 
  • Conduct market research. Don’t be afraid to spend some quality time conducting market research. This means finding out who your market is and who will be buying your music. This can be done by creating surveys, holding focus groups, seeking professional advice and making customer profiles. Once this has been completed you will have a developed understanding of your customers, where to meet them and how to sell your music to them.  
  • Keep an open-mind and always be prepared learn more. Are you experienced? You may have some skill in your field but never believe that you know everything and always be prepared to learn more. Listen closely to the people giving you advice and always ask questions. Be mindful of your knowledge and remain open-minded. 
  • Be humble. This is an important one. Too many artists get caught up in their own ego that they are the best thing since The Beatles. Your music is good, and you know that, but allow others to have their opinion and don’t get cocky if that opinion doesn’t line up with yours. This also applies to how you conduct yourself in business. If you’re close minded and arrogant, then no one will want to work with you. Respect others be humble and be the person that you would want to work with. 
  • Remember to protect your mental health and don’t sacrifice it for others. The music industry is a volatile place and often this can leave musicians vulnerable to their own mental health. It is important, not only for your career but for your own personal health that you are conscious of protecting your mental wellbeing and be wary not to sacrifice it for others. If you feel you are approaching a burnout then take some time to rest and recuperate. Don’t run yourself into the ground by taking on too many jobs, even if you feel you must. Learn about yourself and how your brain operates, as we are all individually different, and this will massively benefit you in the future.  
  • Use the internet to your fullest advantage. The digital age leveled the playing field for independent musicians. With instant access to your audience and a wide array of online services for distribution, merchandise, marketing and networking; independent artists have never had such a colossal set of tools at their disposal. So, use them to your fullest advantage! Be sure to keep up to date with the latest technologies as you never know what could help you take your career further. 

In conclusion, you can have a much more fulfilling and rewarding career in music as an independent musician. You need to work hand and work smart, but this is very achievable, and we are here to help you along your journey. 


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Introduction to Infinite Vibrations 2.0

How to, Infinite Vibrations, Launch, Uncategorized

Empowering musicians through independence 

“This is the age of independent musicians, and we’re bringing the power to you” – Josh and Lewis (co-founders) 

2020 is a big year for us, as we transition from being an independent record label to a musician’s entrepreneur agency, welcome to Infinite Vibrations 2.0. 

Based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, Infinite Vibrations is putting the power back in the hands of you – the musicians. We want to support you and your career with knowledge sharing, network building and professional career development.  

Through our infinite passion for music and our unparalleled dedication to the music industry, we are working to create a safe space for musicians and artists to thrive. We are determined to make positive change to your careers. Increasing your chances of success and establishing your music as a flourishing and rewarding experience.

Our vision for the future is to be the hub of the music industry, providing opportunities for all creative individuals. From musicians to designers, sound engineers to photographers. We want to be responsible for developing networks, encouraging collaboration and creating organic growth between our communities. 


Since the birth of Infinite Vibrations in 2018, we have provided a platform for over 30+ musicians and artists. Working together, we helped to develop their understanding of the music industry and offered essential experience to take their careers further. However, this was not enough. We wanted to make more of an impact on the careers of independent musicians. 

Over the past 6 months we have been conducting comprehensive research into the music industry and the musicians within it. We found that there was one key factor that was limiting the progress of musicians and artists, they were being exploited. 

In combat of this, Infinite Vibrations commit to empower and liberate musicians and artists from this exploitation and instead deliver much needed support and guidance to help direct your careers. 

To do this, we have developed an all-inclusive array of new services which puts musicians and artists at the forefront of the music industry. This includes; music business education, professional career development, graphics and branding, press and PR and creative Multi-media. 

Find out how we can improve your career by contacting us at and join us on the 28th of February, at The Parish in Huddersfield. 

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