Indie labels are buying and selling amount for high quality as they let go of the “quantity sport”: MIDiA’s newest label survey

In MIDiA’s third annual unbiased label and distributor survey, “much less is extra” is the secret. Drawing from a survey of 144 labels and distributors that self-identify as unbiased, MIDiA’s newest report explores how the indie sphere is adapting to the rapidly-changing trade panorama and the place they see themselves going subsequent. In accordance with the survey, unbiased labels are going again to the drafting board, turning their focus to constructing a stable core roster reasonably than signing as many artists as doable. If 2024 was about recalibrating, then 2025 was about refining.

Indie labels are quitting the “quantity sport” 

Indie labels are tightening their artist rosters for a wide range of causes, probably the most outstanding being rising signing prices and artist growth issues. Whereas lower than half of labels surveyed really feel that signing artists prices them extra now than two years in the past, the proportion of those that really feel this fashion has elevated almost ten proportion factors since 2023 – rising ever nearer to changing into the bulk. Consequently, the proportion of labels which might be signing and releasing extra music is reducing, after a 2024 peak. Fears over a scarcity of considerable artist growth can be driving a shift to slimmer rosters. Whereas this has been a constant concern in earlier years, it reached a brand new excessive in 2025, with almost three-quarters of labels surveyed agreeing that artist growth is falling by the cracks because of the strain for quick hits.

Content material overwhelm is exacerbating these issues. Whereas “breaking by the noise” is the largest problem in at this time’s democratised streaming period, the battle now not ends when an artist rises above the tidal wave of tracks. Retaining fan curiosity past a profitable launch is now one other concern, with over three-quarters of labels surveyed agreeing that viewers retention has turn out to be tougher – if a launch cuts by in any respect. The start of the last decade was dominated by a “extra is extra” mindset – we even went so far as to subtitle our 2023 unbiased label report “taking part in the amount sport” – however this technique is now not working.

A realignment of priorities

Nowhere is that this shift to high quality over amount clearer than in unbiased labels’ high priorities for 2026. Whereas “signing extra artists” fell by ten proportion factors between 2023 and 2025, “specializing in fewer artists” has elevated by a whopping 16 proportion factors in the identical time interval. In the meantime, expansion-focused methods like exploring new income streams and breaking into new markets have been placed on the backburner in the meanwhile – with nearly all of labels now not itemizing “new income streams” as a high precedence. Impartial labels are strengthening what they have already got. Whereas we noticed the beginnings of this shift in our 2024 report, it has turn out to be a extra dominant technique amongst indie labels previously 12 months.

2026 is ready to be a 12 months of reaping the advantages of this “much less is extra” mindset. Final 12 months, indie labels targeted on strengthening their foundations by reevaluating their priorities and right-sizing their roster. Now, they will start constructing from there, with a stronger deal with high quality over amount. The indie panorama – just like the music trade at massive – has modified drastically in recent times. Gone is the frantic have to signal as many artists as doable and launch a relentless stream of music. Now, indie labels are capitalising on their strengths – doing what they already do effectively even higher.

The indie panorama is continually evolving. For extra insights into the present state of unbiased labels, in addition to the place they’re going subsequent, purchasers can obtain our newest report “Impartial label and distributor survey | Much less is extra” right here. If you’re not a consumer however want to be taught how one can entry this report, attain out to enquiries@midiaresearch.com.