Spotify’s Youth Fund: A Game Changer?
This is why youth clubs matter for the next generation of music.
Support systems in place for young music talent is in “crisis”, according to the boss of charity Youth Music
Reported the BBC News by Riyah Collins on 14 December 2024
When I came across this BBC News article about youth clubs — especially music-based ones — in crisis, I was alarmed. Hearing that even the charity Youth Music considers the situation a crisis made me sit up and take notice.
Music has always been a passion of mine, ever since I was a kid. So when I read this, my reaction was, “Wow, okay, that isn’t good.” Naturally, I had to dig into this issue and share my thoughts with you.
Let’s start with:
What Is the Youth Music Charity?
Youth Music is a charitable funder that provides grants to organizations, small charities, art venues, music businesses, youth clubs, schools, and more — all aimed at helping people kickstart a music career.
The charity is supported by the National Lottery and Arts Council in the UK, which allows it to participate in a variety of projects. It also receives additional funding from the Postcode Lottery.
Youth Music provides grants to those in need of support. For instance, a school may request funding to help young musicians preparing for exams but lacking the right equipment. They’d apply for a grant, explaining their needs, and Youth Music would decide whether to provide the funding.
Now that we know what Youth Music does, let’s look at:
Why Are Youth Clubs Closing Down?
1. Cost of Living Crisis
The cost of living crisis has affected everyone in the UK since the 2020 lockdown and the subsequent Russia-Ukraine war.
Everything — rent, utilities, food — costs more than it should, and this has hit youth clubs hard. Rising rental costs for spaces and the expense of maintaining or replacing equipment are significant challenges.
2. Lack of Funding by Councils and the Government
Local councils are cutting funding for youth clubs, prioritizing services like the NHS, social care, education, libraries, and emergency planning due to climate change.
3. Decrease in Public Donations
Public donations have also dropped, and I can’t understand why. As a parent, I want my son to attend a youth club when he’s older. It keeps kids engaged, out of trouble, and in a safe environment.
However, I’ve noticed that things don’t seem great for Gen Alpha right now.
Gen Alpha is far more tech-savvy than my generation, Gen Z. Many kids are glued to screens, like iPads, which might make them less interested in youth clubs. Plus, with the internet offering instant access to knowledge and activities, youth clubs might seem less appealing to some. It’s definitely something to think about.
But let’s move on!
What’s Happening About the Music Youth Culture Crisis?
Youth Music has partnered with Spotify to address this crisis, but the collaboration hasn’t been without controversy. Many artists have expressed concerns about Spotify’s notoriously low pay for creators.
Though there’s no confirmed amount, it’s rumored that Spotify is contributing over six figures to this effort. The funding is aimed at preserving youth clubs in the UK and encouraging young people to get into music.
One artist, Still Shadey, has shown strong support for the initiative. He has launched his own scheme to help young people in his local area, with backing from the Arts Council. Like I mentioned earlier, it’s about giving young people opportunities and keeping them out of trouble.
My Overall Thoughts
I think it’s fantastic that Spotify is stepping in to help, but I also understand the concerns raised by artists. I’ve written about Spotify’s impact on the music industry before, and I’m making streaming platforms the focus of my third magazine issue.
One thing that makes me curious is where Spotify is getting this six-figure sum. Spotify is tied to the big three major music labels — Sony, Warner, and Universal — so 70% of its earnings go to these labels. Artists then receive only 16% of royalties.
For example, the BBC article mentions that
1,000 British artists earned at least £100,000 from streams last year.
However, with only 16% going to the artist, that’s just £16,000 in their pocket.
Spotify itself keeps 14% of royalties, which adds to my curiosity. Are they holding onto more money than they need?
That said, I’m glad to see Spotify stepping up, and it’s motivated me even more to keep working on my project. My business, Melody Times, is all about helping musicians find a wider audience and providing music education to all ages.
What do you think? Comment your thoughts — I’d love to hear them!
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