Drowned in Sound

Music has long been a force for change but as extreme weather disrupts events and the industry grapples with its own environmental footprint, can music be a meaningful part of the climate justice movement? In episode 2 of season 3 of the Drowned in Sound Podcast, Sean Adams speaks with Frances Fox, founder of Climate Live and a leader in the UK’s youth climate strikes. Frances shares her journey from music fan to activist, why festivals are powerful spaces for engagement, and how the music industry can move beyond greenwashing to drive real action. This episode explores: Why festivals are at risk from the climate crisis How music fans can help shape the climate conversation The role of artists, venues & labels in pushing for a sustainable future The reality of music’s carbon footprint and what needs to change The Solar-Powered Pink Bus—and why Climate Live is taking a message of climate justice straight to festival crowds whilst applying glitter and temporary tattoos From touring impacts to activism strategies, this episode breaks down the intersection of music and climate justice, offering real insights into what fans, artists, and the industry can do next. “Engaging the unengaged is my jam—when you meet people where they're at, like at a festival, it's very chill.” – Frances Fox Episode Highlights: 00:00 – Introduction: Can Music Be a Force for Climate Justice?05:00 – Frances Fox’s Journey: From Festival-Goer to Climate Activist09:20 – Festivals & Climate Change: How Extreme Weather Is Reshaping Live Music15:40 – Touring, Vinyl & Streaming: The Hidden Environmental Cost of Music22:00 – The Solar-Powered Pink Bus: Taking Climate Conversations to Festivals30:00 – Roles in the Resistance: How Fans & Artists Can Push for Industry Change40:00 – Call to Action: What’s Next & How Listeners Can Get Involved Further Reading & Resources: Climate Live – Join the movement and apply to perform Fridays for Future – Global climate strike movement Choked Up – Campaigning for air quality in marginalized communities Disha Ravi – Indian climate activist's Wiki Roles in the Resistance Poster – Find your place in climate activism Julie's Bicycle – Sustainability in the creative arts Tori Tsui – Climate activist and author of It's Not Just You Dominique Palmer – Climate activist and speaker Music Declares Emergency – Musicians demanding climate action Music Venue Trust – Protecting grassroots music venues Safe Gigs for Women – Creating safer environments for women at gigs Teach The Future - teachthefuture.uk Rozzi - Artist who wrote a song about LA fires Stop Rosebank – Campaign against new oil fields Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty – Ending fossil fuel expansion EarthPercent – Brian Eno’s initiative for climate funding Make My Money Matter – How your bank funds fossil fuels Rainforest Foundation UK – Protecting the Congo Basin Reverb – Eco-friendly music tours Massive Attack's Climate Initiatives – Band's efforts for sustainable festivals 📩 Get More Music Insights – Subscribe to the Drowned in Sound Newsletter for deep dives into the future of music: http://drownedinsound.org 🎵 Music by SoundMirror Why This Matters: Festivals are already being disrupted—Boardmasters, Standon Calling, and others have faced cancellations due to extreme weather, and independent festivals may not survive rising insurance costs. The music industry still relies on fossil fuels—From plastic-heavy vinyl production to major labels backed by oil & gas investments, there’s a deeper connection than many realise. Musicians & fans have power—From sustainable touring to rethinking sponsorships, music can lead the way—but only if more people demand change.

From grassroots venues and youth music programs to Mercury Prize winners, early support shapes who gets to make music—and who doesn’t. But is access to music a right or a privilege? Music should be for everyone - but is it becoming a luxury only the privileged can afford? Episode one of season 3 of the DiS podcast, explores how Youth Music -a UK charity funding grassroots projects - is fighting to create fairer opportunities for young musicians facing financial, social, and industry barriers. In this episode of the Drowned in Sound Podcast, Sean Adams speaks with Matt Griffiths, CEO of Youth Music, about hidden inequalities in the music industry and the work being done to create opportunities for the next generation of musicians. From youth-led projects and grassroots funding to the systemic barriers keeping working-class musicians out, this episode explores how music’s future can be more inclusive, diverse, and fair. This episode also features Ezra Collective’s Mercury Prize-winning speech, where they credit their success to the support they received early on: “This is not just Ezra Collective’s moment, this is a moment for every single organisation that’s championing young people making music.” Read the full speech here:The Line of Best Fit The Drowned in Sound Podcast maps the future of music and explores what's happening in the industry right now, with a strong moral compass. It connects music, culture, and ethics, offering deep dives into the issues shaping the way we create, consume, and sustain music. Why This Matters: Music has the power to change lives - but only if everyone has the chance to participate. Rising costs, funding cuts, and industry gatekeeping are making it harder than ever for working-class musicians to break through. In this episode, we explore what’s at stake, what’s changing, and how we can fight for a better future in music. Topics Covered: Why music is increasingly a career for the privileged From youth projects to Mercury Prizes: why access matters How the industry is shutting out working-class talent The critical role of Youth Music in opening doors The funding crisis: why 25% of grassroots projects are at risk “It’s not a pipeline, it’s flight pathways” – how opportunity shapes careers What real change looks like - and how to make it happen Further Reading: Youth Music – Find out more and get involved: https://youthmusic.org.uk/ "I Will Forever Remain Faithful" Essay – Read more: Oxford American Drowned in Sound Newsletter – Subscribe for music insights: http://drownedinsound.org Episode Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: Is Music Becoming a Privilege? 01:15 Why Youth Music Exists & What It Does 04:30 How the Industry Is Failing Young Artists 07:50 What Happens When You Can’t Afford to Make Music? 11:10 From Youth Projects to the Mercury Prize – Success Stories 14:40 The Funding Crisis: What’s At Risk? 18:20 How We Ensure Music’s Future Is For Everyone 21:30 Ezra Collective’s Speech & the Power of Community 40:00 Final Thoughts & Call to Action Join the Conversation: Who really gets a chance to make music today? Join the discussion on the Drowned in Sound forum or leave a review with your thoughts. Support Youth Music – Help fund grassroots music projects: https://youthmusic.org.uk/ Get More Music Insights – Subscribe to the Drowned in Sound Newsletter for in-depth analysis on the future of music: http://drownedinsound.org

How will music survive until 2050? Will streaming monopolies and economic pressures lead to music’s decline, or can we build a fairer, more sustainable future? In this season three prologue of the Drowned in Sound Podcast, host Sean Adams (founder of Drowned in Sound) reflects on his lifelong love of music, the systemic challenges facing artists, and what the next 25 years could mean for independent musicians, grassroots venues, and the future of the industry. In this series, expect big questions, deep dives, and conversations with artists, industry leaders, and changemakers who are shaping what comes next. Drowned in Sound’s podcast is about a life built around music—but also how music shapes culture, communities, and change. Topics in this episode: Why grassroots venues are struggling How streaming giants control music discovery The economic realities of being an artist today Lessons from past music movements and how they shaped the industry Why music’s future depends on the choices we make now 🎵 Music by Sound Mirror – https://www.soundmirror.co.uk/ 📩 Subscribe to the Drowned in Sound newsletter: http://drownedinsound.org 00:00 Introduction: The Future of Music in 2050 00:25 Personal Journey with Music 01:45 Climate Activism & Music’s Role in Change 02:20 Challenges Facing Artists & the Music Industry 03:34 Streaming, Labels & Who Holds the Power 06:13 Economic Disparities & the Struggles of Independent Artists 07:36 The Importance of Community in Music 10:46 Conclusion: The Power & Potential of Music What do you think the future of music looks like?What challenges should the industry fix first? 💬 Leave a review on your podcast app. 🔔 Follow, rate & subscribe to never miss an episode.

This year marks 25 years since Drowned in Sound launched, and rather than obsessing about the past, we will be gazing into the future, trying to work out what music will be like in 2050. In this prologue episode, Sean Adams, the founder of Drowned in Sound, reflects a little bit on his 25-year journey and examines the current challenges facing music, from economic barriers to the impact of technology and AI. He discusses the importance of grassroots venues, the role of music in our lives, and the potential for both dystopian and utopian futures. Along the way, he plans on speaking with industry experts, musicians, and pioneers to uncover insights and envision solutions for a sustainable and vibrant music ecosystem. Join this open research project to explore how we can shape a better future for music. This was an unscripted ramble, so you can read a little more in our recent newsletter.00:00 Introduction: The Big Question for 202500:35 Reflecting on 25 Years of Drowned in Sound02:07 Challenges Facing the Music Industry04:22 Exploring Solutions and Innovations06:53 The Future of Music: Utopia or Dystopia?08:36 Join the Journey: Open Research Project

Discovering new music has become a treasure hunt amidst countless submissions, with strategies for finding genuine artists in a crowded landscape. Nostalgia hits as memories of defunct London venues spark amusing stories and reflections on interactions with industry icons. There’s a call for deeper connections in music curation, proposing a resurgence of MySpace as a community platform. Lastly, the impacts of Brexit on the UK music scene raise concerns while hinting at hopeful trends in governmental support for the arts.

This discussion dives into the challenges of restoring respect for the arts amidst the rise of AI-generated content. The hosts share hilarious and awkward moments from their interviews, revealing the unpredictable nature of eliciting deep conversations. Personal anecdotes reflect on music journalism's evolution, revealing regrets and missed opportunities. They explore the deep emotional connections with music and the nostalgic memories tied to local venues, pondering why certain bands didn’t achieve the success they deserved.

The podcast explores the evolution of music journalism, the impact of online platforms on reviews, and the role of gatekeepers in the industry. They discuss the changing dynamics of traditional media structures, the joy of Tumblr, and the challenges facing those working in music journalism. Topics include DIY culture, evolving music consumption, and the need for innovative approaches in the music industry.

Jerry Ewing, Editor of PROG magazine, talks about his journey in magazine-making and the challenges of running a genre-specific title. He delves into curating content for a niche audience, redefining progressive rock, and adapting to the changing media landscape. Ewing envisions a future where the human element is a proud declaration in magazine-making, similar to vinyl's comeback.

Award-winning reporter Julia MacFarlane explains what the music press can learn from traditional news journalism. As Drowned in Sound's podcast season looking at the future of music media continues, we wander into the world of international journalism with award-winning reporter Julia MacFarlane. With a wealth of experience reporting on major global events for the BBC to ABC News, Julia shares her unique insights into the art of covering huge stories and the challenges of conveying truth in an age of misinformation. DiS018 | Season 2: The Future of Music Journalism EP10 Highlights: From Beirut to Brexit: Julia discusses her experiences covering critical global events. The 'One Decision' Podcast: Learn about Julia's co-hosting experience with former Chief of MI6 Sir Richard Dearlove, where she interviews experts on a range of pressing topics. Challenges of Modern Journalism: Julia reflects on the importance of accuracy and impartiality in journalism, especially in high-stakes international reporting. Self-Shot Journalism: Julia discusses the challenges and rewards of self-shooting journalism and the necessity of recording events impartially and accurately. The Power of Personal Stories: Understand the role of personal narratives in making complex global issues relatable and understandable. Key Quotes: "Recording events as they happen is vital... it's important to have professionals who are trained to record things accurately and impartially." - Julia MacFarlane "The BBC was a crucial connection to home and world events for English-speaking families abroad." - Julia MacFarlane "In filmmaking, whether you're a solo journalist or part of a team, finding compelling stories and voices is essential." - Julia MacFarlane Timestamps: [02:06] Julia's Background and Career Path [14:03] Challenges and Responsibilities in Journalism [29:17] Insights from 'One Decision' Podcast [34:23] Navigating Journalism in the Digital Age More: For more on Julia MacFarlane's work, check out the "One Decision" podcast and follow her on social media (Linkedin | Instagram | X | Threads). Enjoyed this episode? Share it with a friend or leave us a review on Apple or Spotify. For updates about Drowned in Sound, subscribe to our Substack newsletter Hosted and Produced by Sean Adams.

Former athlete turned musician and YouTube creator Jimmy Watkins joins Drowned in Sound founder Sean Adams to discuss the evolution of music journalism. They explore the concept of 'running reviews' and how Jimmy approaches them. They also touch upon Jimmy's upcoming documentary running across America and his new music project.