Popstars Never Strike: Why the Fight for Fair Re­mu­ne­ra­ti­on Needs Po­li­ti­cal Power

As streaming shifts, AI disrupts, and global giants consolidate, fair artist remuneration can feel out of reach - especially for independents. While artists are urged to “unite,” industry power players are already shaping policy behind closed doors. This panel looks beyond internal calls for unity and asks: how can artists, managers, and independent distributors start playing the political game - before it’s too late?
We’ll hear where managers and distributors see the biggest disruptions in artist income, how current EU policy debates could shift the balance, and why lobbying, campaigning, and legislative pressure - not just solidarity - are essential. With insights from political insiders and seasoned advocates, we’ll explore practical ways the independent sector can get organized, get political, and push for the systemic change artists need.