Amid India’s Pandemic, Independent Artists Thrive Outside the Bollywood Machine1 min read
Reading Time: < 1 minuteAugust is traditionally a vibrant period for India’s music industry, with myriad music festivals announced from October through February and tour dates booked for international artists — all of which provides a crucial boost for the independent community operating outside the film arena. In the cautious months throughout the pandemic, none of this has been possible, but new innovation across the industry is helping audiences go beyond film-led music to discover a bustling independent scene.
In the 18 months since Spotify launched in India — focusing on India’s independent artists who are mostly unattached to film music aspirations — digital music distributors, record labels and more are releasing music outside of the Bollywood machine. This drive comes at a time when theaters remain shut and many Bollywood and regional films are entirely premiered on platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, ZEE5 and Disney Plus Hotstar.
Image credit: Variety
