An Adelaide musician says social media following has become too much of a focus in the local and national music scene. Several bands told the ABC they had been denied opportunities because they did not have enough of a presence on social media.Music SA says it is a reflection of the wider industry and musicians need to be able to capitalise on opportunities to share content and build an audience.
Rocking out to a room full of fans is a regular night for Adelaide band Maisie, but it's not the only stage it has to perform on. The Kaurna-based psychedelic-rock group has been recording and releasing music since 2019 and is a regular feature in Adelaide's local music scene. Frontman Emmett Prime said the quality of the band's live show was his priority, but with an industry heavily focused on social media following and streaming performance, it was hard to balance priorities.'It's a beautiful tool to expand your fanbase and even people you collaborate with,' Prime said.He said the industry's emphasis on social media following, engagement and listeners on streaming services often made him feel like it was a 'waste of time' to put so much effort into the craft of performing. 'You're judged by what your numbers are on social media, not the love and everything you put in your music,' Prime said. 'Even music labels, they care so much for social media these days they don't really take on people who don't have a big social media following.'Pure artform' not enough Prime said it was not just music labels that looked to an artist's social media when deciding who to give opportunities to, but other music organisations too. 'We've been knocked back from Music SA for certain things just based on our social media presence,' he sai