From AI upheavals to increasing consolidation, the music industry has been going through some fundamental shifts over the last several years. So how have these changes affected the indie world? To answer that, we asked 135 of Billboard‘s 2026 Indie Power Players to discuss how the rapidly transforming industry has impacted their companies and the indie ecosystem more broadly.
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Billboard’s 2026 Indie Power Players Revealed
Dan RysWhat we got back were a range of responses: some optimistic, others a bit gloomier, most a mixture of the two. Indeed, many of the issues affecting the indie space in 2026 are double-edged. While many bemoaned the flood of content on DSPs, including AI slop, others believe this will create more demand for authentic artists with a point of view — i.e. the types of acts indies have traditionally excelled at developing. Speaking of the content flood, it’s been made possible by a proliferation of new tools that have effectively lowered the barrier to entry — not in itself a bad thing, until you consider that in a digital world that allows for this reality, it’s harder than ever for indie artists to break through the noise.
Another major theme that emerged was the industry’s growing consolidation, and responses on what the long-term effects might be were all over the map. For some, the trend only increases indie companies’ reliance on major labels that have gobbled up once-independent partners, leading to a lack of competition and less cultural diversity. Others see it as an opportunity to emphasize indies’ ability to establish clearly-defined brands for both their companies and artists — an effort that dovetails with what some described as fans’ increased yearning for authenticity and connection.
Scroll down for all 135 responses, and check out Indie Power Players’ answers to the other question we posed — “What excites you most about the indie world right now?” — here.
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