The music industry by category
The music industry, split into the categories artists actually pitch: journalists and outlets, record labels, publishers, festivals, booking agents and brand programmes. Each category lists real companies with what they cover, where they work and when the entry was last checked.
Quick answer
Start from the category that matches your next release goal — press coverage, a label home, sync income, live routing or a brand partnership — then read the companies inside it before you contact anyone.
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Categories
- Music journalists and media outletsMusic media outlets are publications, blogs, radio stations and podcasts that review, premiere or interview artists. Pick outlets whose recent coverage genuinely overlaps your genre and region rather than the largest name on the list.
- Independent record labelsAn independent record label signs, releases and markets music outside the major-label system. Match on catalogue and territory: a label that has never released your genre will not start with an unsolicited email.
- Music publishers: who represents songwritersA music publisher represents compositions rather than recordings: they pitch songs, handle sync placement and collect publishing royalties on the writer's behalf.
- Brands working with musiciansBrand music partnerships pay artists to soundtrack, perform at or appear in brand campaigns. They are commissioned through published briefs and partnership programmes rather than cold pitching.
- Music festivals accepting applicationsFestival programming is decided by talent buyers months ahead. Apply inside the published submission window and lead with evidence of a live draw in that region.
- Booking agents for independent artistsA booking agency routes tours and negotiates fees with promoters. Most only sign artists who already sell a predictable number of tickets in a defined region.
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