Inside the Playbook: Mike Biggane on Why Artist Development Is Now the Manager’s Job

The music didn’t get worse. The way it travels changed.

In this clip from The Manager’s Playbook, Mike Biggane and I unpack why hits feel smaller in the streaming era; not because of talent, but because algorithms now control scale. Platforms reward consistency and predictability, which quietly reshaped how big songs can actually get.

We talk about why artist development is making a comeback, why it’s happening through management companies instead of labels, and why content and storytelling are no longer optional if you want music to move. Not as gimmicks, but as context.

The conversation also dives into the pressure of fast release cycles, the myth of the 28-day window, and how UGC and fan participation changed marketing forever. Using lessons from building New Music Friday, we reframe success away from moments and toward systems, engagement, and qualitative signals that compound over time.

Simply put, a conversation like this doesn't come cheap.

Listen to the full episode here -

Spotify:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1DDs8ss1IMx7YU5OV2QtXa?si=vO7b2aHjRomFvbCIxoEO5Q

Watch the Episodes On Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@managersplaybook