This month, indie musicians in Oakland, California, convened for a series of discussions titled “Death to Spotify,” focusing on the decentralization of music discovery, production, and listening away from capitalist frameworks. Hosted at Bathers Library, the events featured speakers from indie radio station KEXP, labels like Cherub Dream Records and Dandy Boy Records, along with DJ collectives such as No Bias and Amor Digital. What started as a modest series of talks quickly garnered international attention, attracting interest from individuals in cities like Barcelona and Bengaluru seeking to organize similar events.
The discussions occur amid a growing global movement challenging Spotify’s role in the music industry. In January, journalist Liz Pelly released “Mood Machine,” a critique of Spotify that argued the platform negatively affects both artists and listeners. This critique has gained traction as musicians express concerns over low compensation and the implications of algorithm-driven playlists.
Particularly notable is the targeting of Spotify’s co-founder Daniel Ek for his investments in military technology through the company Helsing. Several artists, including Massive Attack and King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard, have removed their music in protest. While Spotify emphasizes the separation between its operations and those of Helsing, the backlash from artists highlights a broader dissatisfaction with the platform’s business model.
One organizer, Stephanie Dukich, noted that discussions like these prompt listeners to reconsider how they engage with streaming services. Others, such as musician Will Anderson, voiced skepticism about the long-term effectiveness of boycotting Spotify, raising questions about whether musicians and listeners can maintain their resolve.
Advocacy groups, like the Union of Musicians and Allied Workers, support initiatives that hold corporations accountable while recognizing the importance of collective action in driving change. The goal of events like “Death to Spotify” is to encourage deeper reflection on music consumption and its cultural implications.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/12/spotify-boycott-artists